Abstract
In central Côte d’Ivoire, the low level of savanna soil fertility has led farmers to prefer wooded areas, resulting in pressure risks to Lamto Scientific Reserve. To tackle this alarming situation, abandoned termite mounds can be used as a cultural amendment to restore soil fertility. Thus, the study investigated physicochemical properties of different termite mounds soils (Nitiditermes, fungus-growing species inhabiting mounds, Procubitermes, Trinervitermes, and Macrotermes) and their adjacent soils in order to show that they are more stable and fertile than soils. Soil samples were taken from abandoned mounds to analyse their physicochemical properties and trace elements. All soils are almost neutral (pH ≈ 7) and favourable for nutrient availability. Compared to adjacent soils, termite mounds have a higher cation-exchange capacity and are rich in fine elements (except Trinervitermes soils). Chemical elements (carbon, nitrogen, organic matter, phosphorus, cation exchange capacity, and potassium) are consistently abundant in Nitiditermes, Procubitermes, and Trinervitermes mound soils. High quantities of trace elements were found in soils without reaching toxicity levels. This study suggests that soils of Procubitermes, Trinervitermes, and Nitiditermes soils may be promoted as amendments of soils especially for vegetables that do not require large areas.
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Acknowledgements
We would like to thank KOUASSI Kouassi, N'GORAN Bernard and KOUASSI Brou Sylvain for their precious help during data collection in the field. We would also like to thank Prof. YÉO Kolo, Director of Lamto Ecology Station for the facilities provided during our work. This study was supported by a research grant offered by the International Foundation for Science (IFS) (ref: C/6356-1).
Funding
The International Foundation for Science (IFS) supported this study by the research grant. International Foundation for Science,C/6356–1,Foundiéré KONÉ
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Koné, F., Dosso, K. & Konaté, S. Agronomical potentiality of termite mound soils in a transitional zone in central Côte d’Ivoire. J Soil Sci Plant Nutr 22, 1394–1402 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42729-021-00740-5
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s42729-021-00740-5