Effects of Spreading Out Termite Mound Material on Ferralsol Fertility, Katanga, D.R. Congo

Abstract

Around Lubumbashi, the introduction of large-scale pivot-irrigated agriculture entails levelling of large termite mounds during field preparation. The effect on soil fertility and crop yield (Solanum tuberosum and Alium cepa) is evaluated along 11 transects extending from a former termite mound location to reference soil that received no termite mound material. Spreading mound material was found to increase the pH, calcium carbonates CaCO 3 content and the amount of resin-extractable phosphorus (P), other possible effects being undone by fertilizer application. On the other hand, poor physical properties of the mound material seem to have adverse effects on crop production. While the benefits of spreading out mound material seem Downloaded by [University of Leeds] at 11:06 18 May 2016A c c e p t e d M a n u s c r i p t 2 limited for large-scale farmers with access to fertilizers, the use of mound material may present an opportunity to resource-poor farmers throughout the miombo eco-region, provided that the application of mound materials is optimized and that any adverse effect on soil physical properties can be mitigated.

Aquifer Potential Assessment in Termites Manifested Locales Using Geo-Electrical and Surface Hydraulic Measurement Parameters

“…Termites have the ability of selecting smaller size fractions of soils in mound building [55,56]. The higher clay and silt content of the mounds soils relative to adjacent soils is in agreement with the documented selective translocation of fine materials by termites [57,58,59,60], but this will likely result in poor vertical drainage of surface water. However, the activeness of a mound plays an important role on the soil texture.…”

Soil erosion in the Anthropocene: Research needs

“…This then often leads to a destruction and complete leveling of termite mounds (Figures and ). Removal of termite mounds represents not only the destruction of a typical geomorphic feature for the tropics but also a degradation of soils and related ecological processes that most probably leads to the following scenario (Erens, ; Adhikary et al ., ). Initially, spreading the nutrient‐rich mound soil will provide a short‐term increase in soil fertility, while reduced termite activity leaves more grass and space available for e.g.…”

Advances in Nanoscale Study of Organomineral Complexes of Termite Mounds and Associated Soils: A Systematic Review

“…e discussed termite species are by no means exhaustive of the total species present but were briefly discussed because of their dominance in tropical soils and landscapes. [22,23]. e clay minerals enhance soil stability in a way that they form strong bonds between particles which hold them together.…”

“…Similar to clay and iron oxides, it plays vital role in soil aggregate formation as a cementing agent. Although termite mounds generally have less organic matter content than the surrounding soils [23,28], they have higher aluminium, iron, and titanium content as well as their oxides which are effective in the absorption of materials [28]. Soil organic matter (SOM) is considered a cementing agent ensuring the structural stability of mounds, but the poor organic matter content of termite mounds suggests that SOM has a negligible role and that clay can be considered as the major factor responsible for the structural stability of Macrotermes mounds [29].…”