Studies on the Status and Species Composition of Termites in Different Land Use Systems and their Management on Maize in East Wollega Zone Western Ethiopia
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Date
2022-01-18
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
In Ethiopia, agro ecological based termite infestation emerged with the spread of invasive termite
species. In response, various species and assemblage were come to exist in Ethiopia, western and
Eastern Wollega areas since 1904. Therefore, continuous studies on various aspects are crucial in
termite prone sites. Hence, the current study was aimed at species composition and status of
termites in different land uses and their management on maize in east Wollega zone; Nunuqumba,
Diga, Limu and Nekemte districts from August 2017 to December 2021.Qualitative survey using
questionnaire was employed for data collection from 90 smallholders in each districts. Termite
encounters are surveyed and identified. Data was analyzed using SPSS. For soil physicochemical
analysis of four land uses and three patches in each land use having a plot size of (100 m x 100m)
three mound in each patch and soil sample from 0-20cm, 20-40cm and 40-60cm mound position
and adjacent soil in each patches was collected and composited from purposively selected sites in
Fitbako kebele. The experiment was designed in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) in
three replications and adjacent soil was used as a control. There are 16 treatments replicated three
times. The sub-samples composited soil was analyzed with reference to National soil research
center of Ethiopia. Cultivated land termite soil, adjacent and non-mound soil nnutrients
composition and their effect on maize plant growth in the presence or absence of NPK in green
house condition were experimented with soil collected at the depth of 0-30cm in which adjacent
and non-mound soil were collected 5m and 20m away from the mound respectively. Maize variety
BH-661 and NPK fertilizer were the materials .In the experiment three kg sample soil was added
to each pots, the experiment was laid out in (CRD) with 12 treatments replicated three times and
termite genera, termite mound, adjacent and non-mound soil physicochemical value , plant
growth traits at 2,4 and 8 weeks and yield parameter data were collected and analyzed.For the
determination of botanical efficacy on termite management the locally available botanicals ,
Croton macrostachys(Hochst), L. Jatropha curcas and Phytolacca dodecandra L leaves were collected
dried under shade, grounded in to a fine powder, sieved and stored. The experiment was conducted
on irrigation and rain fed field (3 mx7.5m) arranged in (RCBD) with four replication. Botanical
powder 300 g was weighed and soaked in 1000 ml distilled water and filtered and collected to
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200ml beaker, from the beaker 20 ml was powered to syringe and injected to each hole 10 days
before planting and at different growth stages of maize and data of termites, galleries and mounds
were recorded two days before planting and every two days after treatment application at all
growth stages of maize plant and at harvest, maize cobs were collected and yields were analyzed.
A total of 295 termite specimens collected were Termitidae in its four Sub families and nine
genera. These termites are traditionally known and are high in low altitude of grazing land and low
in high altitude of disturbed forest, Standard quadrat Survey also revealed high termite density (n),
galleries and mound in grazing land followed by cultivated land and disturbed forest. They are
recorded from Nunuqumba and Diga districts. Mound constructing termites improve mound soils
texture and enable retaining of pH, OC, OM TN, P, K, Ca and Mg than Adjacent and Non-mound
soil. Soil nutrients retain was contributed by Macrotermes, Pseudacanthotermes and Odontotermes.
Nutrient rich mound soil favour plant growth and resulted in high mean plant growth trait at 2, 4
and 8 weeks, subsequently, grain yield weight of maize at harvest show significant (p<0.05) result
than in non-mound soil. However, termites are regarded as pests of agricultural products and
structures. Termite management relay on chemical insecticide and mound destruction. Botanical
termite management involved , Croton macrostachys(Hochst), L. Jatropha curcas and Phytolacca
dodecandra L leaf extract at the rate of 20ml/plant separately or combined used were deterring
termites. The three mixed botanicals extract were more effective than two mixed botanicals. The
present study concluded that agroecology and land use systems impose similar termite genera
compositions to occupy similar location, study of termite agroecology and land uses therefore
contribute to understand and plan termite management. Overgrazing due to high traffic of grazing
animals favour abundant termite genera compositions in grazing land. The location and the red soil
type of Nunuqumba and Diga districts favored termite prevalence. Mound Soil nutrient mixed with
NPK induces extraordinary growth .Therefore, applications of NPK fertilizer on plots having
termite mound is not recommended. Termite control with mixtures of plants such as C.
macrostachys, J. curcas and P. dodecandra extracts can be used as part of an integrated termite’s
management (ITM).
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Keywords
Agroecology, Croton Macrostachys (Hochst), ITM, Jatropha Curcas L. Land Use, System, Mound Soil, Phytolacca Dodecandra L.