Effect of termite mound material on the physical properties of sandy soil and on the growth characteristics of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) in semi-arid Niger

Abstract

This investigation assessed the effects of termite mound material (TMM) on the physical properties of sandy soil and on tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) growth characteristics and water use efficiency. TMM combined with organic manure, TMM combined with rice straw mulching and organic manure, organic manure alone (OM) and unamended (T0) were the treatments used. Results showed that soil treated with TMM had more clay sized particles and organic carbon content than T0 and OM. In TMM-treated soil, more water was being retained at both field capacity and permanent wilting point. The application of TMM did not affect the amount of plant available water. Saturated hydraulic conductivity also remained unaffected by the TMM application, but increased with the organic matter treatment. Tomatoes grown in TMM amended soils had greater plant height and more leaves, fruit and biomass. No specific rate of TMM application was better for all parameters being assessed. The amount of water used by the tomatoes was significantly correlated (P < 0.01) with fresh fruit yield (r = 0.82), leaf area index (r = 0.82) and total dry matter production (r = 0.68). While TMM did not specifically affect plant water-use efficiency, this parameter was generally improved in amended soils.