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volume 46 issue 4 (december 2012) : 338 - 343

PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF TERMITE MOUNDS AND ASSOCIATED SOILS IN TROPICAL FOREST-SAVANNA TRANSITIONAL AREA OF SOUTHERN NIGERIA

N
N.L. Edosomwan
E
E.U. Edosomwan*
O
O. Oke
1Department of Soil Science, Ambrose alli University P.M.B.14, Ekpoma, Nigeria

  • Submitted|

  • First Online |

  • doi

Cite article:- Edosomwan N.L., Edosomwan* E.U., Oke O. (2025). PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF TERMITE MOUNDS AND ASSOCIATED SOILS IN TROPICAL FOREST-SAVANNA TRANSITIONAL AREA OF SOUTHERN NIGERIA. Indian Journal of Agricultural Research. 46(4): 338 - 343. doi: .

ABSTRACT

The physical and chemical characteristics of termite mounds vis-à-vis adjacent soils in the forest/savanna transitional zone of Ekpoma in Nigeria were evaluated to assess the nutrient status. The clay and silt contents of the termite mounds were 49.7% and 50% respectively higher than in adjacent soils. The pH of termite mound ranged from 5.4 – 6.6, and that of adjacent soil ranged between 5.2 – 6.4. Organic carbon also recorded higher value (1.63%) over the adjacent soil (1.01%). The mean cation exchange capacity of termite mound (11.84 cmol/kg) was significantly higher than the value (9.89 cmol/kg) recorded for adjacent soils. This was attributed to higher clay and organic carbon contents of the termite soils over the adjacent soils. However, the mean phosphorus content of the termite mound (19.99 mg/kg) was significantly lower than that of adjacent soils (22.99 mg/kg). Consequently, termite mound in the study area should be supplemented with phosphorus fertilizer before it can be used as soil amendment.

REFERENCES

  1. Asawalama, D.O, Osodekeb, V.E, Kamalub, J.O and Ugwah, I.K. (2008) Communi Soil Sci and Plant Analysis vol. 30, Issue 11-12 PP 1691 - 1696.
  2. Bazuaye, E. (2009). M.Sc. Thesis, Dept. of Soil Science, A.A.U, Ekpoma (Unpublished). 47 pp.
  3. Bhat, R. and Aggarwal, S. (2011). Tanzania journal of Natural and Applied Scie. 2 399-404.
  4. Bray, R.H. and Kurtz, L.T. (1945). Soil Sci. 59: 225-229.
  5. Donovan, S.E., Eggleton, P., Dubbin, W.E., Barchelder, M., and Dibog, L. (2001). Pedobiologica, 45: 1-11.
  6. Fageria, N.K. and Baligar, V.C. (2005). Communi Soil Sci and Plant Analysis. 35, Issue 15-16. Pp 2097 - 2109.
  7. Gallaher,R.N., Weldon,C.O. and Futral,J.G. (1975). Soil Science Society American Proceeding, 39: 803-806.
  8. Gee, G.W. and Bauder, J.W. (1986). American Society of Agronomy, Madison, Wis, USA Part I A. Klute, Ed., 9: 99-100.
  9. IITA (1978). Manual series No. 1, IITA,Ibadan, 68pp.
  10. Kaschuk, G., Santos, J.C.P., Almeida, J.A. Sinhorati, D.C. and Berton Junior, J.F. (2006). Sci. Agric. (Piracicaba, Braz.) 63(6): Pp 583 - 588.
  11. Konate, S.J. Le Roux, X., Tessier, D. and Lepage, M. (1999). Plant and Soil 206: 47-60.
  12. Lavelle, P., Dangerfield, J.M. Fragoso, C., Lopez-Hernandez, V., Brussard, L. and Paschanasi, B. (1994). Pp 137 -169 in Wooner, P.L. and Swift, M.J (eds). The biological management of tropical soil fertility. J. Wiley and sons, Chichester.
  13. Lee, K.E. and Foster, R.C. (1999). Australian Journal of Soil Research. 29:745 – 775.
  14. Lobry de Bruyn, L.A and Conacher, A.J. (1990). Australian Journal of Soil Research 28(1): 55-94.
  15. Lopez-Hernandez, D., Nino, M., Fardeau, J.C., Nannipieri, P., and Chacon, F. (1989). Soil. Sci. 40: 635-640.
  16. Ohkuma, M. (2003). Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 61: 1-9.
  17. Remison, S.U. (1988). Agriculture As the way. Ambik Press Nigeria. Pp 23 – 26.
  18. Roose-Amsaleg, C., Mora, P., and Harry, M. (2005) Soil Biol. Biochem. 16: 191 – 194.
  19. Sileshi, G.W., Arshad, M.A., Konate, S. and Nkunika, P.O.Y. (2010). Journal of Vegetation Science 21(5): 923-937.
  20. Tan, K.H. (1996).Soil Sampling, Preparation and Analysis. Marcel Dekker Inc. 270. Madison Avenue, New York. 408 p.
  21. Thomas, G.W. (1982). In: Methods of Soil Analysis. Part 2,A.L. Page, R.H. Miller, and D.R. Keeney, Eds., American Society of Agronomy, Madison, Wis, USA. Pp 159 – 165.
  22. Umeha, V.C. Ivbijaro, M. F. and Ewete F. K. (2011). International Journal of Tropical Insect Science. P 251-255.
  23. Walkey, A. and Black, I.A (1934). Soil Science, 37:29 – 38.
  24. Watson, J.P. (1977). Journal of Soil Science 28(4): 604-627.
  25. Wood, T.G. (1988). Biology and Fertility of Soils 6(3): 228 - 236.
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    volume 46 issue 4 (december 2012) : 338 - 343

    PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF TERMITE MOUNDS AND ASSOCIATED SOILS IN TROPICAL FOREST-SAVANNA TRANSITIONAL AREA OF SOUTHERN NIGERIA

    N
    N.L. Edosomwan
    E
    E.U. Edosomwan*
    O
    O. Oke
    1Department of Soil Science, Ambrose alli University P.M.B.14, Ekpoma, Nigeria

    • Submitted|

    • First Online |

    • doi

    Cite article:- Edosomwan N.L., Edosomwan* E.U., Oke O. (2025). PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF TERMITE MOUNDS AND ASSOCIATED SOILS IN TROPICAL FOREST-SAVANNA TRANSITIONAL AREA OF SOUTHERN NIGERIA. Indian Journal of Agricultural Research. 46(4): 338 - 343. doi: .

    ABSTRACT

    The physical and chemical characteristics of termite mounds vis-à-vis adjacent soils in the forest/savanna transitional zone of Ekpoma in Nigeria were evaluated to assess the nutrient status. The clay and silt contents of the termite mounds were 49.7% and 50% respectively higher than in adjacent soils. The pH of termite mound ranged from 5.4 – 6.6, and that of adjacent soil ranged between 5.2 – 6.4. Organic carbon also recorded higher value (1.63%) over the adjacent soil (1.01%). The mean cation exchange capacity of termite mound (11.84 cmol/kg) was significantly higher than the value (9.89 cmol/kg) recorded for adjacent soils. This was attributed to higher clay and organic carbon contents of the termite soils over the adjacent soils. However, the mean phosphorus content of the termite mound (19.99 mg/kg) was significantly lower than that of adjacent soils (22.99 mg/kg). Consequently, termite mound in the study area should be supplemented with phosphorus fertilizer before it can be used as soil amendment.

    REFERENCES

    1. Asawalama, D.O, Osodekeb, V.E, Kamalub, J.O and Ugwah, I.K. (2008) Communi Soil Sci and Plant Analysis vol. 30, Issue 11-12 PP 1691 - 1696.
    2. Bazuaye, E. (2009). M.Sc. Thesis, Dept. of Soil Science, A.A.U, Ekpoma (Unpublished). 47 pp.
    3. Bhat, R. and Aggarwal, S. (2011). Tanzania journal of Natural and Applied Scie. 2 399-404.
    4. Bray, R.H. and Kurtz, L.T. (1945). Soil Sci. 59: 225-229.
    5. Donovan, S.E., Eggleton, P., Dubbin, W.E., Barchelder, M., and Dibog, L. (2001). Pedobiologica, 45: 1-11.
    6. Fageria, N.K. and Baligar, V.C. (2005). Communi Soil Sci and Plant Analysis. 35, Issue 15-16. Pp 2097 - 2109.
    7. Gallaher,R.N., Weldon,C.O. and Futral,J.G. (1975). Soil Science Society American Proceeding, 39: 803-806.
    8. Gee, G.W. and Bauder, J.W. (1986). American Society of Agronomy, Madison, Wis, USA Part I A. Klute, Ed., 9: 99-100.
    9. IITA (1978). Manual series No. 1, IITA,Ibadan, 68pp.
    10. Kaschuk, G., Santos, J.C.P., Almeida, J.A. Sinhorati, D.C. and Berton Junior, J.F. (2006). Sci. Agric. (Piracicaba, Braz.) 63(6): Pp 583 - 588.
    11. Konate, S.J. Le Roux, X., Tessier, D. and Lepage, M. (1999). Plant and Soil 206: 47-60.
    12. Lavelle, P., Dangerfield, J.M. Fragoso, C., Lopez-Hernandez, V., Brussard, L. and Paschanasi, B. (1994). Pp 137 -169 in Wooner, P.L. and Swift, M.J (eds). The biological management of tropical soil fertility. J. Wiley and sons, Chichester.
    13. Lee, K.E. and Foster, R.C. (1999). Australian Journal of Soil Research. 29:745 – 775.
    14. Lobry de Bruyn, L.A and Conacher, A.J. (1990). Australian Journal of Soil Research 28(1): 55-94.
    15. Lopez-Hernandez, D., Nino, M., Fardeau, J.C., Nannipieri, P., and Chacon, F. (1989). Soil. Sci. 40: 635-640.
    16. Ohkuma, M. (2003). Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 61: 1-9.
    17. Remison, S.U. (1988). Agriculture As the way. Ambik Press Nigeria. Pp 23 – 26.
    18. Roose-Amsaleg, C., Mora, P., and Harry, M. (2005) Soil Biol. Biochem. 16: 191 – 194.
    19. Sileshi, G.W., Arshad, M.A., Konate, S. and Nkunika, P.O.Y. (2010). Journal of Vegetation Science 21(5): 923-937.
    20. Tan, K.H. (1996).Soil Sampling, Preparation and Analysis. Marcel Dekker Inc. 270. Madison Avenue, New York. 408 p.
    21. Thomas, G.W. (1982). In: Methods of Soil Analysis. Part 2,A.L. Page, R.H. Miller, and D.R. Keeney, Eds., American Society of Agronomy, Madison, Wis, USA. Pp 159 – 165.
    22. Umeha, V.C. Ivbijaro, M. F. and Ewete F. K. (2011). International Journal of Tropical Insect Science. P 251-255.
    23. Walkey, A. and Black, I.A (1934). Soil Science, 37:29 – 38.
    24. Watson, J.P. (1977). Journal of Soil Science 28(4): 604-627.
    25. Wood, T.G. (1988). Biology and Fertility of Soils 6(3): 228 - 236.
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