Abstract:
In this study, the effects of methyl parathion and copper oxychloride on earthworms were determined using Lumbricus terrestris due to routine pesticide application in an apricot orchard. The study area was divided into three regions. 250 g Folidol M500 (containing methyl parathion) and 1000 g Oxi-cup 50WG (containing copper oxychloride) were separately dissolved in 250 L of water. These solutions were sprayed over apricot trees in the application areas. In these areas, earthworm samples were collected before (control) and at selected days after pesticide application. The collected earthworm samples were used to determine ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (EROD), glutathion-S-transferase (GST), carboxylesterase (CaE), and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activities. The pesticides used in this study adversely affected non-target organisms in the ecosystem. Due to these adverse effects, some enzyme activities were changed in all application areas on the 1st day after applications. It was also decided that the selected biomarkers, EROD, AChE and CaE, are the suitable enzymes to determine the effects of this kind of pesticide exposure.
