Physical and Chemical Characteristics of Soils Modified by Earthworms and Termites

Abstract

Some physical and chemical properties of earthworm casts and mounds of two termite genera were determined. The objective was to characterize soils modified by soil fauna to highlight their effects on agronomic properties. Results of this study showed that fauna modification alters particle‐size distribution and textural classes of soils. Activities of soil fauna increased soil pH, organic matter content, and exchangeable cations. Furthermore, the contents of nitrogen and phosphorus were increased in soils modified by earthworms and nasute termite relative to the unmodified soil. With regard to micronutrient concentration, earthworm casts contained higher concentrations of copper (Cu), molybdenum (Mo), and manganese (Mn) than the other soil materials. Based on macro‐ and micronutrient contents, soils reworked by earthworms and nasute termites appear to have high potential for agronomic use.

Keywords:

• Earthworm cast
• fauna‐modified soils
• termite mound