ABSTRACT

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of amending soil with termite mound on the physical and chemical properties of the soil. Another objective of the study was to assess the effects of soil amended with termite mound on crop growth. The soil and termite mounds used for this study were collected from Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike farm. The materials were ground to pass through 2 mm sieve and mixed in different proportions to obtain six treatments of 100% soil, 80% soi17, 20% termite mound, 60% soil + 40% termite mound, 40% soil + 60% termite mound, 20% soil + 80% termite mound, and 100% termite mound. Samples were subsequently collected from the different treatments for laboratory analysis. Eight kilograms of the treatments were put into 10 litre pots and garden egg was planted. Each treatment was replicated five times. The design of the study was completely randomized design (CRD). Measurements were made of plant height, stem girth, leaf number, number of branches, fruit number, and dry matter yield. Data obtained from field measurements and laboratory determinations were analysed using ANOVA and least significant difference for mean separation. Results obtained showed that incorporation of termite mound into the soil alters the texture and enhances the organic matter and nitrogen contents of the soil. From the result of the measurements, the treatment containing 80% soil + 20% termite mound proved to be most favourable to eggplant production.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title i

Certification ii

Dedication iii

Acknowledgement iv

Table of Content v

Abstract

CHAPTER ONE

Introduction

CHAPTER TWO

LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1 Modification of Soil by Macrofauna 3

2.2 Agricultural Potential of Modified Soils 6

2.3 Morphological features & Ecology of the Eggplant 7

CHAPTER THREE

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Materials 9

Preparation of Samples for laboratory analysis 9

Method of Laboratory Analysis 9

Green House experiment 10

CHAPTER FOUR

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

4.1 Physical properties of soil amended with termite mounds 11

4.2 Chemical properties of soil amended with termite mounds 12

4.3 Productivity of eggplant planted on soil amended with

termite mounds 12

4.4 Conclusion and Recommendation 14

References 18

Appendix 22