Effect of biofumigants on soil microbial communities and ecotoxicology of earthworms (Eisenia andrei)

Abstract

Biofumigation is considered a good alternative to chemical fumigation because it can control crop pathogens and diseases with lower health and environmental risks than chemical fumigants. Glucosinolates are volatile compounds found in most Brassica species, and when hydrolysed, it forms a range of natural toxins including isothiocyanates that act as biofumigants. However, the effect of glucosinolates and their breakdown products on non-target and beneficial soil organisms is not well documented. Three biofumigants, broccoli, mustard and oilseed radish, were evaluated for their effect on earthworms (Eisenia andrei) and the soil microbial community. Sub-lethal endpoints, including growth and reproductive success of the earthworms, were monitored. Genotoxicity of the biofumigants towards earthworms was evaluated by means of the comet assay. Broccoli reduced earthworm reproduction while mustard induced more DNA strand breaks in earthworm cells compared to the control. Soil microbial community function and structure were evaluated by means of community level physiological profiling and phospholipid fatty acid analyses. The effects exerted by the biofumigants on the microbial community were the most pronounced within the first 14 days after application. Carbon substrate utilisation was most affected by the oilseed radish treatment and microbial community structure by the mustard treatment