JOURNAL of Soil Biology and Ecology

Comparative physical properties of four species of Odontotermes in red sandy loam soil

Authors: N.G. KUMAR, K.V. PRAKASH AND T.G. AVINASH

Abstract:

Odontotermes is a dominant genus among over 200 species of termites distributed in the Indian subcontinent. Each species construct its nest distinctly according to soil type, abiotic factors and feeding habitat. The present investigation was carried out to know the variation in the physical properties of earthen sheeting of three mounds (O.obesus, O.wallonensis and O.redemanni) and one subterranean (O.horni) nest building termites in red sandy loam soil. The results indicated that O.redemanni earthen sheeting soil contained significantly more coarse and fine sand and apparent specific gravity compared to the other three species. Significantly higher silt and volume expansion were observed in O.obesus modified soil. Higher clay and absolute specific gravity were observed in O.wallonensis modified soil. Maximum water holding capacity was observed in the modified soil of O.horni. Total pore space was observed in all the four Odontotermes species modified soil compared to different depths of surrounding soil

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