Indian Journal of Agricultural Research

  • Chief EditorV. Geethalakshmi

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Indian Journal of Agricultural Research, volume 46 issue 4 (december 2012) : 338 - 343

PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF TERMITE MOUNDS AND ASSOCIATED SOILS IN TROPICAL FOREST-SAVANNA TRANSITIONAL AREA OF SOUTHERN NIGERIA

N.L. Edosomwan, E.U. Edosomwan*, O. Oke
1Department of Soil Science, Ambrose alli University P.M.B.14, Ekpoma, Nigeria

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Cite article:- Edosomwan N.L., Edosomwan* E.U., Oke O. (2024). PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF TERMITE MOUNDS AND ASSOCIATED SOILS IN TROPICAL FOREST-SAVANNA TRANSITIONAL AREA OF SOUTHERN NIGERIA. Indian Journal of Agricultural Research. 46(4): 338 - 343. doi: .

ABSTRACT

The physical and chemical characteristics of termite mounds vis-à-vis adjacent soils in the forest/savanna transitional zone of Ekpoma in Nigeria were evaluated to assess the nutrient status. The clay and silt contents of the termite mounds were 49.7% and 50% respectively higher than in adjacent soils. The pH of termite mound ranged from 5.4 – 6.6, and that of adjacent soil ranged between 5.2 – 6.4. Organic carbon also recorded higher value (1.63%) over the adjacent soil (1.01%). The mean cation exchange capacity of termite mound (11.84 cmol/kg) was significantly higher than the value (9.89 cmol/kg) recorded for adjacent soils. This was attributed to higher clay and organic carbon contents of the termite soils over the adjacent soils. However, the mean phosphorus content of the termite mound (19.99 mg/kg) was significantly lower than that of adjacent soils (22.99 mg/kg). Consequently, termite mound in the study area should be supplemented with phosphorus fertilizer before it can be used as soil amendment.

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