JOURNAL of Soil Biology and Ecology

Chemical composition of the fungus combs of the subterranean termite Odontotermes horni Wasmann

Authors: N.G. KUMAR

Abstract:

Subterranean termite Odontotermes horni Wasmann belongs to the subfamily Macrotermitinae, family Termitidae and Order Isoptera. Termites are ecosystem engineers and involve bioturbation, especially in tropical and subtropical regions. O.horni is widely distributed and considered a significant pest of agricultural and horticultural crops, forest plantations and woodworks. The colony inmates deposit the excretory pellets (partially digested cellulose and lignin) in the fungal chambers of the nest to cultivate the fungal garden for further digestion. The investigation revealed that the fungus comb contains 44.65 % moisture with 4.70 pH and 0.031mmhos/cm EC. Further, comb possesses 26.91 % of organic matter, 15.61% of organic carbon, 2.9 % of exchangeable calcium, 1.92 % of total nitrogen, 0.154 % of available nitrogen, 0.06 % of exchangeable magnesium and 0.876 meq /100g of exchangeable sodium. It also contains 12150 ppm of available phosphorus, followed by iron (2125 ppm), manganese (780 ppm), Zinc (29 ppm), available potash (17.92 ppm) and copper (14.89 ppm).

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