JOURNAL of Soil Biology and Ecology

Comparative chemical properties of various sections of the mound of Odontotermes obesus (Rambur) and the surrounding soil.

Author:

T.G.AVINASH AND N.G.KUMAR

Abstract:

The present study aimed to investigate the variations in the chemical properties of soil modified by Odontotermes obesus termites across different sections of the mound nest—specifically the top, middle, bottom, fungal chamber wall, royal chamber, and fresh earthen sheeting—compared to the surrounding soil. Fresh earthen sheetings exhibited significantly lower pH levels and higher electrical conductivity (EC), while the soil from the royal chamber demonstrated higher levels of available nitrogen (N) and potassium (K) than other areas of the mound. No significant differences in available phosphorus (P2O5) were observed among the various sections of the mound. The top, middle, and bottom portion of the mound had significantly higher organic carbon content. Additionally, both the fresh earthen sheeting and the bottom portion of the mound showed higher levels of exchangeable calcium (Ca). Conversely, the fresh earthen sheeting and the middle section of the mound soil exhibited significantly higher levels of exchangeable magnesium (Mg).

Key Words: Chemical properties, Earthen sheeting, Fungal chamber, Odontotermes obesus, royal chamber. 

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