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Original Research



EFFECT OF MICROTERMES NAJDENESIS (ISOPTERA: TERMITIDAE) ON CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS OF SOIL

Osama M. Bahareth.




Abstract

Infestation of nine tree species with the termites Microtermes najdenesis in Hada Al-sham Agricultural Research station,Jeddah,Saudi Arabia was recorded. The results showed that higher percentage of infestation was recorded in F. infectoria (59.1%) followed by T. nilotica (24.3%) and P. dactylifera (18.75%). The lowest obtained record was 5.5% in S. chinenses and 6.4% in P. dulce. The effect of this insect on the chemical characteristics of the soil was studied. An increase in the organic matter, cations (Ca, Mg, Na, and K) and anions (HCO3, Cl, and SO4) was recorded in the nests rather than in the adjacent soils. No significant differences were observed in the content of calcium carbonate between the nests and the adjacent soils. Values of pH of the studied samples were more or less similar. It is concluded that the insects Microtermes najdenesis affected the chemical characters of the soil to use it for constructing their nests.

Key words: Microtermes najdenesis , Soil , Organic matter, Cations, Anions






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