Evaluation of hematotoxic effects of two commonly used fertilizers, diammonium phosphate and urea, on fish Clarias batrachus.

Trivedi SP, Singh P, Sethi N, Singh RK.

Source

Department of Zoology, University of Lucknow, India.

Abstract

The effects of two commonly used fertilizers, diammonium phosphate and urea, on hematological parameters (hemoglobin, red blood cell count, hematocrit, and total leucocyte count) of fresh water fish Clarias batrachus were studied. The toxic effect of diammonium phosphate was more pronounced than that of urea. The toxic effect of diammonium phosphate resulted in a sudden fall of hematological parameters--Hb, RBC count, Hct--at higher concentrations, and at lower concentrations gradual decreases were seen over comparatively longer durations. In urea intoxication, slight decreases in the three parameters were seen at lower concentrations during shorter intervals, while at higher concentrations, significant decreases during shorter intervals were observed. Total leucocyte count (TLC) increased during toxicity with both fertilizers, but higher elevations in TLC were produced by diammonium phosphate than by urea.