ULTRA STRUCTURAL CHANGES IN CLITELLUM REGION OF EISENIA FOETIDA AFTER TREATMENT WITH MALATHION

Abstract

The objective of the present communication is to screen the effect of a single dose of a commonly used insecticide, Malathion on clitellar region of Eisenia foetida. The ultra structure observations clearly reveal that exposure of a single dose (12gm/kg soil) of Malathion (for a period of 96 h.) imparts a toxic effect on some cells types like T1, T2 and muscles cells found in the clitellum. Thus this study authentically proves that Malathion adversely affects the clitellum which plays a major role in cocoons production, consequently causes low reproductive capacity in Eisenia foetida which can be very harmful to the earthworm population. The electron micrographs clearly exhibit the extent of damage caused at intracellular level.