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| Publication Type:
| Report |
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| Author(s): | Buxton, Margaret C.;
Redmond, Carl T.;
Potter, Daniel A. |
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| Title: | Pesticide effects on earthworm populations and thatch breakdown in Kentucky bluegrass turf |
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| Source: | Kentucky Turfgrass Research. 1988, p. 37-39. |
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| Publishing Information: | Lexington, KY: University of Kentucky, College of Agriculture, Cooperative Extension Service |
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| Series: | Progress Report 319 |
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| Keywords: | TIC Keywords: Earthworms; Thatch; Poa pratensis; Pesticides; Mineral soils; Thatch control; Non-target effects
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| Abstract/Contents: | 1988 study to measure relative toxicity to earthworms of commonly-used turfgrass pesticides under field conditions and to determine the degree to which pesticide-induced earthworm mortality reduces the rate of thatch degradation in Kentucky bluegrass. Pre-weighed thatch pieces were enclosed in mesh bags and buried just below the surface of each plot on 6 April 1988. Plots were treated with 17 pesticides (8 insecticides, 5 fungicides, 4 herbicides, plus a control) at label rates on 8 April. All materials were watered in with ca. 2 cm of water within 2 hours after application. Plots were 6 x 10 ft. Worm populations were censused at 1 and 6 weeks after treatment by using a dilute formaldehyde drench. Impact of the treatments on soil invertebrates other than earthworms was measured by removing three 5 cm diam soil cores/plot, and slowly drying the samples in Tullgren funnels. Thatch pieces were dug up after 6 weeks, reweighed, and incinerated in a muffle furnace to determine loss of organic matter and degree of soil incorporation by earthworms. Pesticides, application rates, density of worms and % reduction in density of worms are provided in a table. Diazinon, Benlate, Sevin, Mocap and Turcam significantly reduced earthworm populations, the last 3 by more than 95%. All of these treatments also significantly reduced mineral soil incorporation into the buried thatch. In a second test, the impact of Diazinon, Benlate, Sevin, Mocap, and Turcam was re-evaluated in larger plots and for a longer time period. Plots were 13 x 13 ft, and were treated once at label rates in early May. Earthworm populations were sampled at 1, 3, 5 and 20 weeks post-treatment. Results are provided in a table. A single application with Benlate, Turcam, Mocap or Sevin significantly reduced worm population for as long as 20 weeks. Reductions appeared to be due to acute toxicity. Worm populations did recover to normal levels when these plots were sampled 11 months later. Length of time for recovery in larger areas such as fairways or lawns is unknown. The experiments will be repeated in 1989. Results indicate where thatch accumulation is a concern, selection of pesticides less harmful to earthworms may be advisable. |
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| Language: | English |
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| References: | 0 |
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| See Also: | See also 1987 report, R=13686 R=13686 |
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| Note: | Tables |
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| ASA/CSSA/SSSA Citation (Crop Science-Like - may be incomplete):
Buxton, M. C., C. T. Redmond, and D. A. Potter. 1988. Pesticide effects on earthworm populations and thatch breakdown in Kentucky bluegrass turf. KY. Turfgrass Res. p. 37-39. |
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