Ecology, Environment and Conservation Paper

EFFECT OF NATURAL BIOPESTICIDES NEEM AND COMMERCIAL CHEMICAL PESTICIDE FIPRONIL ON MICROBIAL DIVERSITY OF EARTHWORM GUT

Snehalata Ankaram

Abstract

A study of gut microbial flora from Earthworm species Eisenia foetida was conducted. Three treatment feeds were applied for feeding the earthworms; T1 – neem leaves as organic raw material, T2 - Soil mixed with Fipronil + Neem Leaves Waste, T3 - Soil + Garden Waste. The effect of these three different feeds on gut microflora was studied. The microbial growth was enhanced in gut of earthworms fed with neem leaves followed by garden waste and Soil mixed with Fipronil + Neem Leaves Waste. This study explains the importance of naturally available biopesticides and the need of eliminating the chemical insecticides and pesticides.