Effects of the fungicide copper oxychloride on the growth and reproductionof Eisenia fetida (Oligochaeta)

The article describes a laboratory experiment to determine the effect of co pper oxychloride on the earthworm Eisenia fetida. Copper oxychloride was us ed because it is the most commonly used fungicide in South African vineyard s but not much is known about its toxicity to earthworms. In an experiment lasting 8 weeks, newly hatched earthworms of the species E. fetida were exp osed to copper oxychloride mixed into a urine-free cattle manure substrate. Four groups of 10 worms mere used per concentration level (control (4.02), 8.92, 15.92, 39.47, 108.72, 346.85 mg Cu kg substrate(-1)). The following life-history parameters were measured: earthworm growth in consecutive week s, survival rate, maturation time, cocoon production, reproduction success, total number of hatchlings produced, and incubation time. Earthworm growth and cocoon production were significantly reduced at copper oxychloride exp osure concentrations of 8.92 mg kg(-1) and higher. Reproduction success in the 8.92 mg Cu kg substrate(-1) was highest. From an exposure concentration of 15.92 mg Cu kg substrate(-1) and higher, there was a considerable impac t of copper oxychloride on reproduction. This could be seen from a reduced reproduction success, a reduced mean and maximum number of hatchlings per c ocoon, and a longer incubation time, indicating a strong effect of low copp er oxychloride concentrations on this earthworm species. (C) 2000 Academic Press.