Effect of field application of Cubitermes (Isoptera,TerMImitidae) mound soil on growth AND and yield of maize in Central African Republic

Abstract

This work was undertaken at two different sites (A and B) in the field in Central African Republic (4°23 N, 18° W) during a two years-period. The objective of the work is to show the effect of termites (Cubitermes sp.) mounds on the growth and yield of maize. Samples of 250 g (T1) and 1000 g (T2) of mounds materials were applied before maize sowing and plant growth parameters were monitored. Results show that the application of 1 kg of termites mounds (containing, on average, 1.46 - 1.60 g mineralizable N) produced significant maize growth 30 days after sowing. Yield also increased by 45.1 % for a planting density of 31 250 plants ha^-1, is a significant difference 0,92 t / ha (p < 0.05) as compared to the control. The effect of the mounds on the growth which became significant after 30 days, suggests that from this period, maize root zone would explored a certain volume of soil. Although the turn-over of Cubitermes mounds was fast, their intensive use industrially would certainly raise the issue of availability.

Keywords: Cubitermes, mounds, fertilizer, amendment maize.

Agronomie Africaine 24 (3) : 241 - 252 (2012)