OKOLI, O. A. (2004). Relative Fertility Potentials of Termite and Earthworm Ammended Soils Along a Slope. II. Carbon Mineralization. Niger Delta Biologia, vol. 4(2) 95-99.
Abstract
Carbon dioxide (C02) evolution is an index of carbon mineralization, organic matter decomposition and therefore nutrient release. C02 evolution in the laboratory was therefore, sued to assess the fertility potentials of small termite mounds along a given slope and earthworm costs relative to their parent soils. The experiment was in two part; a set was treated with 1 g dry straw, while the other was not. 200g of each treatment were incubated in triplicates and the C02 evolved at 1, 3, 6, 9, 12 and 15 weeks were determined. For all treatments, C02 evolved were highest at the end of the 1st week and then reduced with time, indicating a reduction in organic materials. With or without straw addition, C02 evolved form termite and earthworm modified soils were higher and bottom slope, but not for the top. This was consistent for the middle and bottom slope, but not for the consistent for the middle and bottom slope, but not for the top. With a cumulative 15 weeks, C02, evolution of 3.99mg/g and 5.38mg for earthworm and termite modified soils, respectively; the former appears inferior to the latter in terms of organic matter decomposition and hence nutrient release, relative to their parent soil. There was also a positive linear correlation between cumulative C02 evolved after 15 weeks and crop performance form the same soils ( r =0.57).