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Effects of Glyphosate and 2,4-D on Earthworms (Eisenia foetida) in Laboratory Tests

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Abstract

Laboratory tests were conducted to compare the effects of various concentrations of glyphosate and 2,4-D on earthworms (Eisenia foetida) cultured in Argissol during 56 days of incubation. The effects on earthworm growth, survival, and reproduction rates were verified for different exposure times. Earthworms kept in glyphosate-treated soil were classified as alive in all evaluations, but showed gradual and significant reduction in mean weight (50%) at all test concentrations. For 2,4-D, 100% mortality was observed in soil treated with 500 and 1,000 mg/kg. At 14 days, 30%–40% mortality levels were observed in all other concentrations. No cocoons or juveniles were found in soil treated with either herbicide. Glyphosate and 2,4-D demonstrated severe effects on the development and reproduction of Eisenia foetida in laboratory tests in the range of test concentrations.

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Acknowledgments

The study was funded by the Brazilian National Research Council (CNPq, Grant 555193) and the Rio de Janeiro State Research Foundation (FAPERJ, Call for Projects 10/2009).

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  1. Ecotoxicology Laboratory, Center for Studies on Workers’ Health and Human Ecology, FIOCRUZ, Rua Leopoldo Bulhões 1480, Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro, 21041-210, Brazil

    F. V. Correia & J. C. Moreira

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  1. F. V. Correia
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  2. J. C. Moreira
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Correspondence to F. V. Correia.

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Correia, F.V., Moreira, J.C. Effects of Glyphosate and 2,4-D on Earthworms (Eisenia foetida) in Laboratory Tests. Bull Environ Contam Toxicol 85, 264–268 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00128-010-0089-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00128-010-0089-7

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