TERBUTHYLAZINE AND CARBOFURAN EFFECTS ON GROWTH AND REPRODUCTION WITHIN 3 GENERATIONS OF EISENIA-ANDREI (OLIGOCHAETA)

Sublethal effects of terbuthylazine and carbofuran on the growth and reproduction of Eisenia andrei were investigated over a period of three generations. Reproduction was assessed by measuring the cocoon production of worms treated chronically with pesticides. Inhibition of cocoon production was found in the parental generation. Hatchlings were raised from cocoons to provide the F1 generation. During raising a more rapid growth of juveniles treated with terbuthylazine was observed, compared with the growth of untreated worms. The increase in vitality was also found in cocoon production. Groups treated with terbuthylazine produced more cocoons than controls. The F2 generation was raised from hatchlings of the F1 generation, and here, also the terbuthylazine treatments increased earthworm growth, but not cocoon production. Exposure to carbofuran decreased cocoon production in all generations. Growth of the F1 generation was not influenced by low concentrations of carbofuran.