Toxicity of Pesticides to Earthworms (Oligochaeta: Lumbricidae) and Effect on Thatch Degradation in Kentucky Bluegrass Turf

摘要: Earthworms are important, beneficial invertebrates in turfgrass, where their burrowing and feeding activity enhances soil structure fertility incorporates thatch other plant residues into the soil. The comparative toxicity of 17 commonly used turfgrass pesticides recovery earthworm populations following exposure were studied for 2 yr Kentucky bluegrass turf. A single application fungicide benomyl or insecticides ethoprop, carbaryl, bendiocarb at labeled rates reduced by 60-99%, with significant effects lasting least 20 wk. These compounds also significantly rate which earthworms incorporated mineral buried pieces thatch. Other insecticides, specifically diazinon, isofenphos, trichlorfon, chlorpyrifos. isazophos caused less severe, but mortality some tests. None herbicides tested affected populations. abundance Cryptostigmata, Collembola, ants was drastically treatments. Preservation may be critical to long-term stability ecosystem.