author(s)
Urmila, RK Gupta, Parveen Gill and Sandeep

abstract
Expeditiously growing industries, anthropogenic activities and urbanization are rationale of various types of pollutants all over the world. Pollutants whether agrochemicals, polychlorinated biphenyls, heavy metals etc. all affects the structure of soil invertebrate communities and ultimately disturbs the whole ecosystems. Earthworms are one of the first receptors to be affected by soil contamination. Due to this reason the current disquisition was carried out to scrutinize the effect of Pb and Ni on growth and fecundity of earthworm, Eisenia fetida. The results demonstrate toxicity of two heavy metals viz. Lead and Nickel individually as well as in combination of different concentrations on earthworms in terms of survivability, growth (length and weight) and cocoon production. During the investigation, dose and time dependent reduction was observed in growth and fecundity of Eisenia fetida. In term of growth, maximum rebate in length (4.783 cm) and weight (0.487 g) of earthworm was remarked in soil treated with Pb-0.06ppm as compared to control where approximate length and weight was 8.660cm and 1.020g respectively. Similar trend was remarked in the population and fecundity of earthworm. Maximum rebate in population in terms of survivability was reported in Pb-0.06ppm i.e. 51.67% chased by Pb+Ni -0.03+0.03ppm i.e. 61.67% and Ni -0.06ppm i.e. 65%. After 90 days of treatment maximum decline (33.89%) in number of cocoon production was seen in Pb-0.06ppm trailed by Pb+Ni -0.03+0.03ppm i.e. 22.54%.