Sublethal Effect of Copper Fungicide on Soil Fauna with Special Reference to Earthworm (Lampito mauritii)

In this study, an attempt has been made to find the effect of a widely used fungicide copper oxychloride on the anecic earthworm, Lampito mauritii at subtoxic level. Copper, including copper oxychloride, is frequently used as a fungicide/bactericide to protect plants from infection. The recommended dose of copper oxychloride for rice fields is 3 g/l which contains 50% copper i.e 1.5 g copper/l or 1500 ppm. Though it helps in prevention of fungal infection on plants but simultaneously it effects the non-target soil fauna including earthworms at sublethal level. The earthworms that play a major role in soil physical, chemical and biological improvement of soil are also exposed to the copper fungicide. So the study aims to find the sublethal effect of the fungicide on non-target soil fauna earthworms. On exposure to the sub-lethal dose, it remains in the system utilizing the resources but does not contribute positively towards the system. So, there should be a study of the effect of sublethal doses of pesticides and alternate biopesticides should be chosen for use in the croplands for reduction of yield loss due to pest. Further research work should include effective biopesticides for the protection of crops against pests that will not be detrimental to the soil fauna.