Earthworm (Lumbricus terrestris) as soil pesticide contamination mitigator

This study examines the potential of earthworms (Lumbricus terrestris) in reducing pesticide contamination in soil. A controlled experiment was conducted using Puradan (0.5%), Ammonium Sulfate 21-0-0 (0.5% and 0.25%), and 14-14-14 Complete Fertilizer (0.5% and 0.25%), with each treatment containing 55 earthworms. One-way ANOVA and t-tests were applied to analyze pesticide contamination levels and earthworm survival rates. Results showed that higher chemical concentrations significantly reduced earthworm populations, with complete mortality observed at 0.5% contamination levels.Findings suggest that Lumbricus terrestris can absorb contaminants but are highly sensitive to chemical toxicity. The 0.5% Ammonium Sulfate group saw a reduction from 55 to 19 earthworms in one week, while the 0.25% group experienced fewer deaths. Excessive chemical use threatens soil health and agricultural productivity. Future research should explore long-term effects in diverse soil conditions and strategies to enhance earthworm resilience in contaminated environments.