Role of Military Termites (Pseudocanthotermes militaris) in Improving Soil Productivity in Tropical Agroecosystems
Samuel Obeng Apori *
African Center of Excellence in Agroecology and Livelihood Systems, Faculty of Agriculture, Uganda Martyrs University, Uganda ,Department of Soil Science, University of Cape Coast, Ghana and Faculty of Agriculture, Uganda Martyrs University, Uganda.
Murongo Marius Flarian
African Center of Excellence in Agroecology and Livelihood Systems, Faculty of Agriculture, Uganda Martyrs University, Uganda and Ecological Organic Agriculture Initiative, Uganda.
Emmanuel Hanyabui
Department of Soil Science, University of Cape Coast, Ghana.
Gideon Kalii Muli
African Center of Excellence in Agroecology and Livelihood Systems, Faculty of Agriculture, Uganda Martyrs University, Uganda and Faculty of Agriculture, Uganda Martyrs University, Uganda.
Beatrice Wamuyu
African Center of Excellence in Agroecology and Livelihood Systems, Faculty of Agriculture, Uganda Martyrs University, Uganda and Faculty of Agriculture, Uganda Martyrs University, Uganda.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Military Termites have been considered as a major pest causing significant reduction to crop productivity in tropical regions of the world. The termite destroys many plants (domestic and wild) at any stage of development from the seedlings to maturity. Crops such as cotton, wheat and ground nuts, upper land rice and eucalyptus trees are highly susceptible to termite damage. They destroy huge amounts of organic materials especially those used as mulches in plantation farming. However, there are beneficial termite activities such as organic matter decomposition and nutrient dynamics that are essential components in the soil ecosystem as they aid in maintaining long-term soil productivity and also in restoring barren soils. The review sought to establish the contribution of military termite activities to soil productivity. The result from the review showed that termite activities such as burrowing, chewing of plant litter, excavation activities in search of food, and construction of termitaria leads to improved soil structure, soil aeration, water infiltration via soil porosity, plant nutrient (calcium, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium) and soil organic matter which will eventually result to improved yields of crops. Also, termite mound has been suggested to be very effective for bulking agent for compost preparation and soil amendment.
Keywords: Termite, mound, chemical, physical and biological.