Reproductive parameters as assessment tools for arsenic and chromium induced toxicity in Eudrilus eugeniae

The present study of 28 days was carried out to assess the effect of arsenic and chromium on biomass gain and reproduction parameters (cocoon and hatchling production) of E. eugeniae. The worms were cultured in substrate having different concentrations of arsenic and chromium alongwith control in triplicates. Dose and time dependent decreased in number of adults, cocoon production and hatchling emergence and reduction in growth was observed. In worms exposed to Cr (0.1 ppm), reduction in population (24.66%), body weight (2.44%), cocoon production (47.14%) and hatchling emergence (39.99%) was observed. While As (0.1 ppm) exposure resulted in reduction of adult population (10.66%), body weight (0.24%), cocoon production (37.05%) and hatchling emergence (28.53%) was observed. Cocoon production was observed to be the most sensitive parameter for heavy metal exposure in all treatments. Chromium was observed to be more detrimental to earthworms when compared with arsenic.