Work

Transfer of Copper (Cu) in the Soil–Plant–Mealybug–Ladybird Beetle Food Chain

Year: 2022

Type: article

Abstract: Copper, an essential trace element, is vital for living organisms’ survival; however, despite its importance, an excessive amount of this micro-nutrient can cause harmful effects to plants and animals. The present study investigates Cu bio-transfer across multi-trophic food chain comprising soil (spiked with various concentrations of Cu), eggplant (Solanum melongena), mealybug (Ferrisia virgata), and ladybird (Nephus ryuguus). Soils were spiked with Cu at rates of 0, 100, 200, 400, and 800 mg/kg (w/w). A dose-dependent increase in the levels of Cu in plant, mealybug, and ladybird was observed in response to Cu contents of soil. Different Cu amendment caused a significant reduction in the average root and shoot dry weights per plant as well as the average body weights of F. virgata and N. ryuguus. Our findings affirmed the importance of additional research to explain the processes involved in the bio-transfer of copper across the food chain.

Source: Insects

DOI: 10.3390/insects13090761

Authors: Xingmin Wang, Mengting Zhang, Huiyi Cao, Mudasir Irfan Dar, Shaukat Ali

Institutions: South China Agricultural University, Aligarh Muslim University

Language: English

Topic: Environmental Toxicology and Ecotoxicology

Subfield: Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Zero hunger, Life on land

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,885