Termites and Indian Agriculture

Paul, Bishwajeet; Khan, Mohammad Zafar; Paul, Sangeeta; Shankarganesh, K.; Chakravorty, Sarbasis

doi:10.1007/978-3-319-68726-1_3

Cited by 32 publications

(29 citation statements)

References 89 publications

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“…Termites are the most populous and most efficient insects capable of decomposing lignocellulose. They are the best nutrient recyclers of dead plant material and are indispensable members of the food chain (Paul et al, 2018). Organic matter recycled by termites is not confined to wood; bark, straw and even animal products such as mammalian hooves and dung are recycled (Harit et al, 2017; Jouquet et al, 2011).…”

Section: Termite Biology and Their Distribution In Himachal Pradeshmentioning

confidence: 99%

Termite’s potential in solid waste management in Himachal Pradesh: A mini review

Sharma

Kaur²,

Rana

et al. 2020

Waste Manag Res

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One of the major reasons for the degradation of Earth’s setting is inappropriate disposal of solid waste. Mountains of solid waste are increasing in every country making solid waste management a challenge almost everywhere on Earth. It is vital to look for such municipal solid waste management solutions that are financially sustainable, technically possible, socially and legally acceptable and environmentally friendly. Currently vermicomposting is the only biological solid waste treatment process that uses multicellular organisms to biodegrade organic wastes. A few species of insects are capable of digesting lignin and cellulose. Of these, termites are the most numerous and play a decisive role as scavengers. Microflora which inhabit the termites’ gut contribute to their waste degrading potential. Termites act as major soil ecosystem managers and are able to breakdown and recycle organic matter and composite. Although studies in the potential of termites to increase soil fertility are well-accounted for in the literature, the potential of termites for solid waste management still needs to be explored. This mini review presents the state of information on the use of termite species in solid waste degradation focused on the potential application in the Himachal Pradesh region, India. This review highlights different termite species found in Himachal Pradesh and the challenges that are needed to be conquered. The study also aims at encouraging competent authorities/researchers to work towards the improvement of the present system by further exploring the use of termites in solid waste management through suggestions and recommendations.

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Section: Termite Biology and Their Distribution In Himachal Pradeshmentioning

confidence: 99%

Termite’s potential in solid waste management in Himachal Pradesh: A mini review

Sharma

Kaur²,

Rana

et al. 2020

Waste Manag Res

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“…e influence of dry condition on termites damages has been reported in other crops such as coconut (transplanted seedlings), associated with shortage of food from plant debris compared to the rainy seasons where the attacks were low [36]. Termite attack is known to be prominent on perennial crops including spices during dry than wet seasons and on annual crops towards harvesting [58,59]. e high magnitude of the incidences of termites attack on pepper plants trained on silver oak, mango, and jack fruit is possibly due to the susceptibility of these support plants to termites especially in the dry period.…”

Section: Causal Agent(s) Of Stem Wiltingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Establishment of the Causal Agent(s) of Spike Shedding and Stem Wilting of Pepper (Piper nigrum L.) in Morogoro District, Tanzania

Shango

Majubwa

Maerere

2020

Advances in Agriculture

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Pepper (Piper nigrum L.) serves as a source of income to smallholder spice farmers in Morogoro district of Tanzania. Recently, spike shedding and stem wilting of pepper plants were reported to cause about 30% yield loss of the crop. This study was undertaken to identify the causal agent(s) of the problems. Three pepper gardens in each of the four hamlets (Nyange, Doga, Tandai, and Lukenge) in Tandai village (Kinole ward) were surveyed, and plant tissue and soil samples were collected for laboratory analysis. An experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Pepper cultivars, Babu kubwa, Babu ndogo, Babu kati, and Ismailia grown in the study area, were used as treatments for evaluation of the prevalence of spike shedding and stem wilting. Treatments mean separation was conducted based on Duncan’s multiple range test at p = 0.05 . Regression (R2) and simple correlation (r) analyses between stem wilting (incidence and severity) and termite pest infestation were performed. The identified pathogen in most of the soil and plant tissue samples was Fusarium oxysporum. The nutrients, N, P, Mg, and Cu, concentration in soil and leaf samples was below the optimal ranges. Termite attacks were significantly high in some farmer’s gardens where up to 50.5% of the pepper plants was damaged. Hence, a significant positive correlation was observed between termite pest infestation in gardens and both incidence (r = 0.881, R2 = 0.74, p < 0.001 ) and severity of stem wilting (r = 0.918, R2 = 0.84, p < 0.001 ) of pepper plants. Most of the termite attacks and damages (70%) were observed on pepper plants supported on silver oak, unlike those trained on Jatropha. A higher percentage of undeveloped berries (36%) and intermediate-size berries (34%) was recorded on cultivars “Babu kati” and “Babu kubwa,” respectively. Multiple factors have been associated to be the causes of spike shedding and stem wilting of pepper, which could be used to develop appropriate control solutions useful to farmers. Confirmation of F. oxysporum pathogenicity is recommended. A comprehensive study is suggested on the repellent or lethal activities of Jatropha against F. oxysporum and termites. Furthermore, studies through field experiments are needed to generate site-specific soil nutrient improvement recommendations and design an integrated approach to control F. oxysporum and termites and to determine existing alternative host plants for these pests.

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“…The proper and balanced use of fertilizer, well-decomposed farmyard manure, frequent irrigation and use of recommended agricultural practices increases plant vigor, which ultimately reduces termite attacks (Negassa & Sileshi, 2018). Paul et al (2018) described that timely optimum use of nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium reduces termite attack in field crops. However, the misuse or incorrect application of commercially available fertilizers may result in salt accumulation, runoff, leaching, plant damage and soil pollution.…”

Section: Cultural Management Practicesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Paul et al . (2018) described that timely optimum use of nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium reduces termite attack in field crops. However, the misuse or incorrect application of commercially available fertilizers may result in salt accumulation, runoff, leaching, plant damage and soil pollution.…”

Section: Cultural Management Practicesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Farmers in many regions of the world use sugar and leftover meat of animals as bait to increase the population of predatory ants in termite‐affected fields. Some species of ants such as Iridomyrmex purpureus (Oberst et al ., 2017), Plagiolepis pallescense , Polyrhachis lacteipenni , Pheidole teneriffana , Crematogaster antaris , Monomorium destructor (Latifian et al ., 2018), Myrmicaria cumenoides , Pheidole megacephala , Leptogenys processionalis , Camponotus sericeus , Anoplolepis longipes , and Oecophulla smaragdina (Paul et al ., 2018), are the predatory ants of termites. Reduviids are the general predators of many arthropods and show preference to feed on termites.…”

Section: Biological Control Measuresmentioning

confidence: 99%

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

et al. 2019

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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.

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Termites and Indian Agriculture

Cited by 32 publications

References 89 publications

Termite’s potential in solid waste management in Himachal Pradesh: A mini review

Termite’s potential in solid waste management in Himachal Pradesh: A mini review

Establishment of the Causal Agent(s) of Spike Shedding and Stem Wilting of Pepper (Piper nigrum L.) in Morogoro District, Tanzania

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

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