Effect of Placement Method and Rate of Application of Crushed Fish Bones on the Activity of Predatory Ants and Impact on Termite Damage to Maize

Abstract

Field experiments were conducted to investigate the attractiveness of fish bones to predatory ants in a maize agroecosystem. The fish bones were applied crushed in shallow furrows together with dry maize stalks, or broadcast on the soil surface at 3 application rates: 0, 40 and 80 kg/ha; subsequent reduction in termite attack on maize plants was then assessed. Burying the fish bone powder caused higher ant nesting (10-78 %) than surface broadcasting (12-39 %). Attractiveness of the fish bones and the predatory efficiency of the ants against termites in maize was also highest with a dose of 80 kg/ha (1.0 kg/plot) causing higher nesting of ants (>90 %) and 54 % lower termite damage to maize plants compared to control plots. Dose responses indicated significant relationships between amount of fish bone powder applied and termite activity and also between termite damage and maize yield. The mechanism by which the ants are able to protect maize against termite damage may be twofold: direct kill as a result of their predatory action and termite avoidance of maize plants with ant nests. Further studies are required to assess the potential benefits of an integrated use of this technique with other non-chemical options for termite control in maize, such as intercropping.

Toxic Effects of <i>Ficus benghalensis</i> Latex Based Combinatorial Formulations on Various Enzymatic Parameters in Indian White Termite <i>Odontotermes obesus</i>

“…Termites infest at various stages of plant growth and cause severe losses in sugarcane, maize, wheat, fruits, etc [5]. In crop fields, termites cause 50% -100% losses in yield [6]. Components of plant latex inhibit metabolism in termites and kill them due to anti-feedant, repellent and toxic action.…”

Effect of <i>Ficus benghalensis</i> Latex Based Combinatorial Formulations on Various Bio-Molecules in Indian White Termite <i>Odontotermes obesus</i>

“…These attack crop plants such as sugarcane, maize, wheat, barley, rice and vegetable crops [2] [3]. These cause approximately 50% -100% yield losses in these crops [4] [5]. They also act as decomposers, improving soil fertility, yields, and are also used by people around the world to their benefit.…”

“…toxicity than synthetic pesticides (Figures[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20]. It is well known that stored lipids are the most important and convenient stores of metabolic energy, meeting the long-term energy needs of insects under stress.…”

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“…These attack crop plants such as sugarcane, maize, and wheat [1,2] and cause 50-100% yield losses in these crops. [3,4] Termites severely infest garden trees, wood, building materials, stored products, papers and clothes, and cause enormous economic losses to them. Termites infest at various stages of plant growth.…”