Abstract

TOXICITY OF CHLORPYRIFOS TO A TERRESTRIAL OLIGOCHAETE MEGASCOLEX MAURITII

Nageswara Rao P.*, Rakesh S., Ramakrishna M. and Ch. Bharathi

ABSTRACT

Organophosphorus compounds pesticide (chlorpyrifos) is found toxic to terrestrial oligochaete Megascolex mauritii at different time of exposure (24, 48, 72 and 96hrs). Chlorpyrifos exposure may lead to acute toxicity at higher doses. The pesticide is high toxicity at maximum period of 96hrs of exposure. Chlorpyrifos exerted more influence of high doses at 96hrs. The results of showed that the toxicity of the pesticide as synergistic at high concentration of pesticide.

Keywords: Toxicity, chlorpyrifos and Megascolex mauritii.