Quantitative estimation of transported and deposited soil modified by Odontotermes horni in agro-forest ecosystem

Authors: N.G. KUMAR

Abstract:

Subterranean termite Odontotermes horni Wasmann belongs to the family Termitidae, 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 present experiment was carried out to know the quantity of transported and deposited soil by O. horni in the agro-forest ecosystem. This species was active from November to June, September to June and July to March in maize, finger millet, and eucalyptus ecosystems, respectively. The deposition of earthen sheeting varied from 5.50 to 437.50 g /sq.m,10.20 to 512.30 g /sq.m and 10.30 to 712 g /tree in maize, finger millet ecosystems, respectively. The mean quantity of deposited soil was 1016.07g /sqm, 1305.57 g/sq.m and 1412.45 g/tree in maize, finger millet and eucalyptus ecosystems, respectively. The peak deposition of earthen sheeting was more in January in maize and finger millet and in December in the case of the eucalyptus ecosystem.

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