Termites and agricultural production in the Sahel: from enemy to friend?
Termites are an important component of agroecosystems, particularly in developing countries where they are an alternative to high priced inputs. Given the major problems in the Sahel of soil crusting and nutrient depletion, this paper shows that termites associated with proper management techniques can play a vital role. Termites contribute to the rehabilitation of crusted soils, i.e. by opening up voids on the sealed surface leading to improved infiltration capacity, and consequently improved water availability. It is recommended, however, that participatory on-farm research should be carried out on how to increase the contribution of termites towards soil management and to reduce the harmful effects.
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| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article/Letter to editor biblioteca |
| Language: | English |
| Subjects: | inorganic compounds, minerals, regeneration, sahel, soil chemistry, soil fertility, soil structure, anorganische verbindingen, bodemchemie, bodemstructuur, bodemvruchtbaarheid, mineralen, verjonging, |
| Online Access: | https://research.wur.nl/en/publications/termites-and-agricultural-production-in-the-sahel-from-enemy-to-f |
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