Pseudomonas fluorescens Isolates: Effects on Growth and Reproduction of the Earthworm, Eisenia fetida in Artificial Soil

S. Hilda^1, , Sweatha S Mohan¹, S. Geetha², S. Ayyappan¹, G. Chandrasehar¹ and B. Kalpana³

¹Plant Pathology, 2Ecotoxicology, 3Statistics, International Institute of Biotechnology and Toxicology, Affiliated to the University of Madras, Tamil Nadu, India

²Ecotoxicology, International Institute of Biotechnology and Toxicology, Affiliated to the University of Madras, Tamil Nadu, India

³Statistics, International Institute of Biotechnology and Toxicology, Affiliated to the University of Madras, Tamil Nadu, India

Cite this paper:
S. Hilda, Sweatha S Mohan, S. Geetha, S. Ayyappan, G. Chandrasehar and B. Kalpana. Pseudomonas fluorescens Isolates: Effects on Growth and Reproduction of the Earthworm, Eisenia fetida in Artificial Soil. Applied Ecology and Environmental Sciences. 2019; 7(4):148-152. doi: 10.12691/aees-7-4-4

Abstract

The reproduction toxicity of Pseudomonas fluorescens (PF) isolated from different locations of Tamil Nadu viz., PF 5, PF 18, PF 25 to earthworm, Eisenia fetida (Savigny, 1826) was estimated in a 56-day soil exposure based on OECD 222 (2016) and ISO 11268-2 (2012). Identical test concentration of 10⁶ cfu/kg dry soil was used for all the three strains of PF with four replicates. An untreated control (deionized water) with eight replicates was maintained for comparison. Adult earthworms were exposed to the treated soil and incubated under the test conditions for 28 days. Known quantity of cattle manure was added at weekly interval as food. Food consumption by adult worms per test container was observed and assessed up to 28 days. After 28 days, adult earthworms were sorted from the soil and assessed for mortality and weight loss (sub-lethal effects). Soil (without adult earthworms) was kept in the test container and juveniles/cocoons that produced by the earthworms were allowed to grow for further 28 days. The number of juveniles found in each container was counted at the end of test (56^th day). The results of the study indicated that all the validity criteria specified by the guideline were met and no mortality was observed in any of the treatment group and control. Food consumption of earthworms treated with PF strains were on par with control. Biomass change of earthworms and number of juveniles produced by the treatment groups were significantly increased compared to control.

Keywords:
Pseudomonas fluorescens reproduction toxicity; bio pesticide growth enhancement earthworm Eisenia fetida

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

References:

[1]	Cook R.J. and Baker, K.F. 1983. The nature and practice of biological control. American phytopathological Society .St. Paul. Minnesota, 539 p.
[2]	Harman, G.E, Jin, X, Stasz, T.E., Peruzzotti G, Leoplod A.C. and Taylor T.G. Production of conidial biomass of Trichoderma harzianum for biological control, Biological control, 1(1): 1991(23-28).
[3]	Jenny Bennett. 2011. Earthworms Indicate Soil Toxicity, Australasian Science: chemical solutions.
[4]	OECD, 2016. Guideline for the testing of chemicals No 222. "Earthworm Reproduction Test (Eisenia fetida/Eisenia andrei)".
[5]	OECD, 1998 Principles of Good Laboratory Practice, adopted by Council on 26th November 1997 [C(97)186/Final], Environment Directorate, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, Paris.
[6]	Compant. S, Duffy, B., Nowak, J. Cl´ement, C. and. Barka, E. A. 2005. Use of plant growth-promoting bacteria for biocontrol of plant diseases: principles, mechanisms of action, and future prospects. Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 71(9): 4951-4959.
[7]	ECOSTATS Program version 2012.06.03 (SAS version 9.3, SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC, USA, 2002-2010).
[8]	ISO 11268. 2012. Soil quality - Effects of pollutants on earthworms-Part2: Determination of effects on reproduction of Eisenia fetida / Eisenia andrei,.
[9]	OECD, 1984 Guideline for the testing of chemicals No. 207 "Earthworm, Acute Toxicity Test".
[10]	Ramamoorthy V., Viswanathan R., Raghuchander T., Prakasam V., Samiyappan R. 2001. Induction of systemic resistance by plant growth promoting rhizobacteria in crop plants against pest and diseases. Crop Protection. 20: 1-11.