MICROBIAL ANALYSIS IN TERMITE MOUND SOIL AND NORMAL SOIL

Sajani Jose and Maya P. M.*

ABSTRACT

Soil macrofauna such as termites, ants and earthworms are considered to be species with a major influence on soil structure and biota. Soil contains different types of microbes such as bacteria, fungi, actinomycetes etc. The mound represents a specific habitat for soil microorganisms since the physical properties (water holding capacity, bulk density, structural stability) and the chemical properties (cation exchange capacity, organic matter content and quality) are very different from those of the surrounding soil. Termite mound soil and normal soil are different in their properties. Termites affect the ability of soil to support microbes. The influence of termites on soil microbes were determined by microbial analysis. The number of colonies of bacteria, fungi and actinomycetes were analysed in termite mound soil and normal soil. Termite soil were rich in bacterial and fungal populations. Actinomycetes colonies were rich in normal soil. Among total microbes, bacterial count were higher than fungi and actinomycetes in termite soil.

Keywords: Macrofauna, Termite mound soil, Normal soil, Microbes, Physical properties, Chemical properties.