Termites and Chinese agricultural system: applications and advances in integrated termite management and chemical control

Abstract

Termites are eusocial arthropod decomposers, and improve soil fertility, crop yield, and also are used by humans for their benefits across the world. However, some species of termites are becoming a threat to the farming community as they are directly and indirectly causing major losses to the agricultural system. It is estimated that termites cost the global economy more than 40 billion USD annually, and considerable research has been done on their management. In this review, we present the available information related to sustainable and integrated termite management practices (ITM). Furthermore, we insist that the better management of this menace can be possible through: (i) improving traditional methods to keep termites away from crops; (ii) improving agricultural practices to maintain plants with more vigor and less susceptible to termite attack; and (iii) integration of available techniques to reduce termite infestation in crops and surroundings. The application of an effective combination of traditional practices with recently developed approaches is the best option for agricultural growers. Moreover, keeping in mind the beneficial nature of this pest, more innovative efforts for its management, particularly using rapidly emerging technology (e.g., RNA interference), are needed.

Quantification of damage and initial growth of eucalyptus in integrated crop-livestock-forest systems in the Brazilian Cerrado

“…Having observed termite attack in the E. urograndis genotype at 450 DAT (Table 2), the control of these insects has become essential, as the damage caused can induce nutritional and water de cits, which can culminate in the death of the plant (Ahmad et al 2021). Another important factor that may have in uenced the result was the low rainfall observed in the months of January and February 2014 ( Fig.…”

Multipartite symbioses in fungus‐growing termites (Blattodea: Termitidae, Macrotermitinae) for the degradation of lignocellulose

“…They play an important role in ecosystem processes, particularly in arid climates where they increase soil fertility and crop yield (Evans et al ., 2011; Jouquet et al ., 2011; Joseph et al ., 2013; Bonachela et al ., 2015; Erens et al ., 2015; Traoré et al ., 2015). More than 3000 termite species have been described, and a few species are pests that consume wood and agricultural crops (Ahmad et al ., 2021). According to their habits, termites can be categorized as wood feeders, soil feeders, grass feeders, and fungus growers (Brauman et al ., 2015).…”

Diversity of fungal isolates from fungus‐growing termite Macrotermes barneyi and characterization of bioactive compound from Xylaria escharoidea

“…Termites are most commonly found in the subtropical and tropical regions of the world (Buczkowski & Bertelsmeir, 2017), and are a diverse group with over 3000 species (Eggleton, 2001; Inward et al ., 2007; Hu et al ., 2018). They play a key role in the global organic carbon cycling process by feeding on dead and decaying biomass in a variety of ecological settings (Buczkowski & Bertelsmeir, 2017; Ahmad et al ., 2021). Among the different termites, Macrotermes species are well‐known fungus‐growing termites of the Termitidae family.…”

“…They play a key role in the global organic carbon cy-Correspondence: Jin-Feng Ni, State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Microbial Technology Institute, Shandong University, Qingdao, Shandong 266237, China. Email: jinfgni@sdu.edu cling process by feeding on dead and decaying biomass in a variety of ecological settings (Buczkowski & Bertelsmeir, 2017;Ahmad et al, 2021). Among the different termites, Macrotermes species are well-known fungusgrowing termites of the Termitidae family.…”