JOURNAL of Soil Biology and Ecology

Influence of abiotic factors on the growth rate of termite mound of Odontotermes obesus (Rambur)

Authors: T.G. AVINASH AND N.G. KUMAR

Abstract:

Ten previously marked young nests of O. obesus were selected in the GKVK campus, UAS, Bengaluru, to study the growth of the mound and their interrelationship with abiotic factors. The mean minimum and maximum increase in the height of the mound was 0 to 3.6 cm, with a mean of 1.40 cm per month. In contrast, circumference growth varied from 0.6 to 8.72 cm with an average monthly increase of 3.62 cm per month. The growth rate of circumference was higher than the rate of increase in the mound height. The maximum growth in girth and height was noticed during October and May, respectively. The circumference of the mound had a positive correlation with the total rainfall and in situ soil moisture. Abiotic factors had a 90.20 per cent influence on the growth of the mound circumference. However, their impact on the height of the mound was 62.50 per cent. The size and girth of the mound had a linear relationship.

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