The effect on earthworm populations of methods of spraying benomyl in an apple orchard

摘要

AbstractCompared with high volume (2240 litre/ha) sprays, low (560 litre/ha) and ultra‐low volume (45 litre/ha) sprays of benomyl were less toxic to earthworms. The decrease in populations was proportional to the quantity of fungicide deposited on the ground; regression lines, probit ( reduction) on log (fall out in g/ha), are given for populations of Lumbricus terrestris and all species together. The reduction in numbers was similar for all species except L. terrestris and Allolobophora longa, L. terrestris was more susceptible to the deposits than the other species; A. longa was less affected, probably because it was in summer diapaus