Effects of termite sheetings on soil properties under two contrasting soil management practices

[en] Soil organic matter (SOM) dynamics and termite activity have now been widely accepted as key players forimproving soil properties in tropical agro-ecosystems. Numerous studies have described environmental impactsof aboveground termite mounds, while few data are available on temporary structures built for food foraging,called termite sheetings. The effects of termite activity on soil properties resulting from organic matter (OM)amendment under two contrasting management practices were studied in similar pedological and climaticconditions in Southern India (Auroville). Our results showed an increase in bio-available nutrients (K, Mg and P),organic carbon (OC) content, cationic exchange capacity (CEC), exchangeable base cations and water pH in thetermite sheetings compared to the underlying and reference soils, in the organic tilledfield. On the other hand,only bio-available K increased in the permanent raised beds. Aggregation processes were improved in termitesheetings for the organic tilledfield, as the amounts of macroaggregates (250μm–2 mm) and protected mi-croaggregates increased, whereas the amount of free microaggregates (50–250μm) decreased. Moreover, termiteactivity favoured SOM storage in termite sheetings by increasing OC content in each aggregate fraction, while nodifferences were observed in the permanent raised beds. Our study demonstrates that termite activity can im-prove nutrient availability, carbon storage and pH conditions in agro-ecosystems but that the magnitude of theeffect likely depends on the agronomic practices in use.

Disciplines :

Environmental sciences & ecology

Author, co-author :

Lejoly, Justine

Cornelis, Jean-Thomas ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Ingénierie des biosystèmes (Biose) > Echanges Eau-Sol-Plantes

Van Ranst, Eric

Jansegers, E

Tarpin, C

Degré, Aurore ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Ingénierie des biosystèmes (Biose) > Echanges Eau-Sol-Plantes

Colinet, Gilles ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Ingénierie des biosystèmes (Biose) > Echanges Eau-Sol-Plantes

Malaisse, François ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Ingénierie des biosystèmes (Biose) > Biodiversité et Paysage

Language :

English

Title :

Effects of termite sheetings on soil properties under two contrasting soil management practices

Publication date :

2019

Journal title :

Pedobiologia

ISSN :

0031-4056

Publisher :

Elsevier, Netherlands

Volume :

Peer reviewed :

Peer Reviewed verified by ORBi

Available on ORBi :

since 16 August 2019

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