Comparative Impact of Fungicides on Biomolecules of Eisenia fetida

Tebuconazole and copper oxychloride are two widely used fungicides in Haryana against fungi harming banana, apple, potato and cucurbits, chili, paddy, onions, etc. Both fungicides induce free radicle-induced oxidative stress by disturbing the antioxidant defense mechanism and other biochemical mechanisms. Even the copper from copper oxychloride accumulates in soil and poses a serious ecological threat to the environment and the non-target organisms, like farmer’s friend earthworms. In the present study, the acute toxicity (LC₅₀) using probit analysis, antioxidant enzymes like Superoxide dismutase (SOD), Catalase (CAT), Peroxidase (POD), Ascorbate peroxidase (APX), Glutathione S- transferase (GST) and lipid peroxidation (MDA) activity in the whole-body extract while total antioxidant (TAC) and phenolic content (TPC) using the coelomic fluid of earthworm. All the objectives of Eisenia fetida were determined spectrophotometrically after exposure to 60 and 80% of the calculated LC₅₀ after the 14^th and 28^th day of orientation. Results showed that both the fungicides are toxic to test organisms inducing oxidative stress with increased concentration. Here, fungicides-induced oxidative stress was determined by a noticeable change in the antioxidant enzyme activity. TAC and TPC value are irreversibly interconnected, and a decrease in these indicates a shift in earthworm biomarkers.
How to cite this article: Kumari T & Shukla V. (2022). Comparative Impact of Fungicides on Biomolecules of Eisenia fetida.Bulletin of Pure and Applied Sciences-Zoology, 41A (1), 1-13. Keywords Acute toxicology, Agrochemicals, Eisenia fetida, Oxidative stress, Antioxidant content, Phenolic content