title: Impact of imidacloprid residues on the development of Eisenia fetida during vermicomposting of greenhouse plant waste.
abstract: Pesticide application in agriculture causes residues in post-harvest plant waste at different concentrations. Knowledge concerning how pesticide concentrations in such waste affect earthworms is essential for recycling greenhouse plant debris through vermicomposting. Here, we have evaluated the effects of imidacloprid (IMD) residues on earthworms (Eisenia fetida) during the vermicomposting of plant waste from greenhouse crops in Spain. Before, the effect of different IMD concentrations on earthworms was tested using cattle manure as an optimum waste for worm development. The results after using cattle manure indicate that IMD dose ≥ 5 mg kg(-1) hinders worm growth and even causes death, whereas IMD dose ≤ 2 mg IMD kg(-1) allows worm growth similar to control but impedes reproduction. The results from the vermicomposting of plant waste reveal that IMD inhibits adequate worm growth and increases mortality. Although 89% worms became sexually mature in substrate containing 2 mg IMD kg(-1), they did not produce cocoons. IMD also affected microorganisms harboured in the substrates for vermicomposting, as indicated by the reduction in their dehydrogenase activity. This enzyme activity was restored after vermicomposting. This study provides a sound basis for the vermicomposting of pesticide-contaminated plant waste.
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Protection, Estación Experimental del Zaidín-CSIC, Profesor Albareda 1, 18008 Granada, Spain. manuelj.fernandez@eez.csic.es
authors.forename: Manuel J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Fernández-Gómez
authors.forename: Esperanza
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Romero
authors.forename: Rogelio
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Nogales
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D007093:Imidazoles / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry*; D007220:Industrial Waste; D000073943:Neonicotinoids; D009574:Nitro Compounds / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry*; D009835:Oligochaeta / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development; D010088:Oxidoreductases / Q000737:chemistry; D010573:Pesticide Residues / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry; D010575:Pesticides / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry; D010944:Plants / Q000378:metabolism; D012037:Refuse Disposal / Q000379:methods; D012987:Soil; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D007093:Imidazoles; D007220:Industrial Waste; D000073943:Neonicotinoids; D009574:Nitro Compounds; D010573:Pesticide Residues; D010575:Pesticides; D012987:Soil; C082359:imidacloprid; D010088:Oxidoreductases