The implications of copper fungicide usage in vineyards for earthworm activity and resulting sustainable soil quality
Date
2005
Authors
Eijsackers H.
Beneke P.
Maboeta M.
Louw J.P.E.
Reinecke A.J.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
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Abstract
To investigate the impact of copper-containing fungicides (copper oxychloride) on earthworms in South African vineyards, field inventories of earthworms in and between vine rows were carried out and compared to directly adjacent grassland. Also copper content, pH, organic matter content, and soil porosity were determined in these soils. This was combined with laboratory experiments to study the impact of vineyard soil characteristics on the burrowing and dispersal behavior of earthworms. Moreover, the direct toxic action of copper oxychloride on different endpoints of the earthworms (survival and growth) was studied. Copper oxychloride had a negative impact on these endpoints (decreased growth and survival related to increased copper body content) as well as on the behavioral aspect (decreased burrowing rate and avoidance of copper-containing soil). Moreover, there was an inverse relation between burrowing activity and soil bulk density that could also be related to the copper content. This may lead to a decrease in sustainable soil quality in vineyards. © 2005 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Description
Keywords
copper, soil organic matter, behavioral response, earthworm, ecotoxicology, fungicide, nontarget organism, vineyard, acute toxicity, animal behavior, article, avoidance behavior, body burden, bulk density, earthworm, ecotoxicology, fungicidal activity, grassland, growth inhibition, laboratory test, nonhuman, pH measurement, porosity, soil quality, survival rate, vineyard, viniculture, Agriculture, Animals, Behavior, Animal, Conservation of Natural Resources, Copper, Fungicides, Industrial, Oligochaeta, Porosity, Soil, Soil Pollutants, South Africa, Toxicity Tests, Vitis, Africa, Eastern Hemisphere, South Africa, Southern Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa, World, Pheretima sieboldi
Citation
Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety
62
1
62
1