Impact of Parthenium hysterophorus methanolic extract on earthworm (Eudrilus eugeniae) and soil microbes (Azotobacter chroococcum) Manju S.1, Kombiah P.1, Alagusundaram P.1,* 1Department of Zoology, PMT College (Affiliated to Manonmaniam Sundaranar University, Tirunelveli) Melaneelithanallur-627 953, Tenkasi District, Tamil Nadu, India *(e-mail: alagusundaram143@gmail.com)
Online Published on 09 January, 2024. Abstract Due to the increasing use of synthetic chemical pesticides, controlling insect pests presents a significant ecological concern. Furthermore, it endangers people’s health by bringing on diseases linked to human poisoning as well as those disorders. Plants are thought to be significant sources of bioactive compounds and potentially replace insecticides due to their perceived advantages. The purpose of the current investigation is to ascertain the acute toxicity of monocrotophos, a methanolic extract of Parthenium hysterophorus L., against the soil bacterium and Eudrilus eugeniae (Kinberg). Soxhlet apparatus was used for organic solvent extraction. The LC50 of P. hysterophorus methanolic extract (219.621 ppm) and monocrotophos (20 ppm) for 24 and 48 hours caused the earthworm mortality observed in laboratory condition by Contact filter paper test. Artificial soil test (AST), which tested for earthworm resistance in a methanol extract of P. hysterophorus at LC50 (219.621 ppm) and monocrotophos (20 ppm), were analysed after 7 and 14 days in total cell viable count assay, Azotobacter chroococcum (Beijerinck) treated with monocrotophos (20 ppm), methanol extract of P. hysterophorus (219.621 ppm). Data obtained from the toxicity tests were evaluated using the Probit Analysis Statistical Method. This study showed a significantly higher cell viable count when compared monocrotophos, less toxic to non-target organisms (A. chroococcum, E. eugeniae) than monocrotophos. These findings indicated that the methanol extract of P. hysterophorus has no toxic effect on E. euginae and A. chroococcum (non-target organisms). Top Keywords Eudrilus eugeniae, Methanolic extract, Parthenium hysterophorus, Soil microbes. Top |