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Relationship Between Characteristics of Macrotermes spp. Mound Materials and Their Surrounding Soils

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 September 2011

V. C. Umeh ,
M. F. Ivbijaro  and
F. K. Ewete
V. C. Umeh*
Affiliation:
International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), B.P. 320, Bamako, Mali
M. F. Ivbijaro
Affiliation:
Department of Crop Protection and Environmental Biology, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
F. K. Ewete
Affiliation:
Department of Crop Protection and Environmental Biology, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
*
Corresponding author: VCU. E-mail: v.umeh@cgnet.com
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Abstract

Inhabited Macrotermes (Termitidae: Macrotermitinae) mounds in cultivated farms in the humid forest agroecological zones of southwestern Nigeria showed higher clay and silt but lower sand contents than their surrounding soils. These physical characteristics were positively correlated with those of the surrounding soils. The heights and diameters of the mounds were also positively correlated to the level of clay and silt in the surrounding soils, although the correlations were not significant (P > 0.05). Carbon and nitrogen content of 67% of the mounds was lower than that of their surrounding soils. A general increase in exchangeable bases and phosphorous contents of the mound materials compared to those of the surrounding soils was also observed. The pH of mound materials varied between 5.5 and 7.3, with 75% of the mounds having lower pH values than the surrounding soils. The implication of these results on the possible use of mound materials to increase soil fertility is discussed.

Résumé

L'analyse des caractéristiques de termitière de Macrotermes abritées par des champs cultivés dans les zones agroécologiques de la forêt humide dans le sud-ouest du Nigeria a montré une tendence à la hausse des teneur en argile et en limon, et à la baisse des teneurs en sables des termitières habitées et non habitées, par rapport aux sols avoisinants. Ces caractéristiques physiques étaient aussi positivement corrélés avec le niveau d'argile et de limons dans les sols avoisinants.

L'analyse des propriétés chimiques a montré une légère baisse des teneurs en matières organique (carbone et azote) sur 67% des termitières par rapport à ceux des sols voisins. Une augmentation générale des bases échangeables et des teneurs en phosphore des éléments de termitière a été également observée par rapport à ceux des sols avoisinants. Le pH des éléments de termitière variait entre 5,5 et 7,3 et 75% des termitières présentant des valeurs de pH inférieures à celles des sols avoisinants. La conséquance de ces résultats sur la fertilitée des éléments de termitière est examinée.

Keywords

termitesclayey soilsMacrotermes nigeriensisMacrotermes subliyalinusmound materialstermitessols argileuxMacrotermes nigeriensisMacrotermes subliyalinuséléments de termitières
Type
Short Communication
Information
International Journal of Tropical Insect Science , Volume 19 , Issue 2-3 , September 1999 , pp. 251 - 255
Copyright
Copyright © ICIPE 1999

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References

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