Glyphosate and 2,4-D demonstrated severe effects on the development and reproduction of earthworms. - GreenMedInfo Summary
Effects of glyphosate and 2,4-D on earthworms (Eisenia foetida) in laboratory tests.
Bull Environ Contam Toxicol. 2010 Sep ;85(3):264-8. Epub 2010 Jul 24. PMID: 20658223
Ecotoxicology Laboratory, Center for Studies on Workers' Health and Human Ecology, FIOCRUZ, Rua Leopoldo Bulhões 1480, Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro, 21041-210, Brazil. [email protected]
Laboratory tests were conducted to compare the effects of various concentrations of glyphosate and 2,4-D on earthworms (Eisenia foetida) cultured in Argissol during 56 days of incubation. The effects on earthworm growth, survival, and reproduction rates were verified for different exposure times. Earthworms kept in glyphosate-treated soil were classified as alive in all evaluations, but showed gradual and significant reduction in mean weight (50%) at all test concentrations. For 2,4-D, 100% mortality was observed in soil treated with 500 and 1,000 mg/kg. At 14 days, 30%-40% mortality levels were observed in all other concentrations. No cocoons or juveniles were found in soil treated with either herbicide. Glyphosate and 2,4-D demonstrated severe effects on the development and reproduction of Eisenia foetida in laboratory tests in the range of test concentrations.