Abstract:This study was conducted in two districts of Borana (Yabello and Miyo). The objective of the study was to examine the soil texture and macronutrient distribution in termite mounds in relation to adjacent soil. Standard procedures were used to analyse the soil physic-chemical properties. One way ANOVA was used to compare results among control soil, external termite mound and internal termite mound materials. The study revealed that termites had produced a soil different in soil texture and some nutrient content than the surrounding soils. Internal termite mound at both study sites were enriched with clay in relation to external and control soil. SOM and CEC contents of control soils were higher at Boku Luboma. SOM content of external termite mound at Did Yabello was lower in relation to internal termite mound and control soil. The termite mound at Did Yabello had higher CEC content in relation to the surrounding soil. Ex. Ca content of termite mound did not show significant difference in relation to control soil. Termite activities enriched mound soil with Exchangeable potassium content. In order to design proper termite management techniques, termite species in Borana should be identified. There is no trend of termite mound use as soil amendment in Borana. In future, amount of termite materials to be incorporated to soil to increase crop yield and socio economic factors that affect use of termite materials as soil amendment should be studied.
Ecologically termites can be divided into damp wood dwellers, dry wood dwellers under and above ground dwellers in Dire, Miyo and Moyale districts. The combination of methods and tools such as stakeholder, key informant interview, group discussions, timelines, transect walk, community sketches were used. About 90 pastoralists were interviewed formally on its expansion and control techniques. The cause of termite expansion in the study area is diverse and complex. Mound-less termites take the advantages of camel population growth in the Borana rangelands as reproduction ground to quickly reproduce and expanded in the grasslands. Participatory rural appraisal was also conducted to assess the trend of termite expansion in the past 50 years. It was found that the expansion of termite has been increasing linearly. Pastoralists expect the coming 20 years termites may forage human beings due to the extent of its abundance. According to the respondents mound-less termites prefer the Adoolleessa (cool dry season) and the onset of rain at the end of dry season (Bona-Hagayyaa). Termite invasion is a new phenomenon which becomes a threat to rangeland management. The termite fauna of Ethiopia is not well known. At present 62 species belonging to 25 genera and four families have been recorded and 10 of the species are endemic. Currently, 100% of interviewers' in responses of no traditional and modern termite control techniques. Accordingly after the bun of traditional prescribed burning techniques, termite infestation becomes serious. There are termite predators such as ant, different bird species and poultry but worth less in termite control. The only plant species that is resistant to termite species in the study locally called Annannoo which is foraged by camel.
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