author(s)
Mohammed Muzeruddin Baig, T Pandiaraj, Asish Kumar Rout, Manjappa, DIG Prabhu, Chandrika Sinku, Gajendra Pal Singh and Ajit Kumar Sinha

abstract
This study was conducted to evaluate the nutrient status of termite mound soil in comparison to the adjacent soil collected from various tasar host plants growing areas of Jharkhand. The parameters studied are soil pH, organic carbon, macro and micronutrients. Standard procedures were used to analyse the soil chemical properties. Results revealed that termites’ activity induced significant chemical changes in the mound soil than the adjacent soils. Interestingly, termite activity didn’t affect the soil pH. Organic carbon content is significantly higher in mounds than the surrounding soils. Available phosphorus (P) content was found to be lower in the termite mound than in the adjacent soil. In contrast, significant micronutrient enrichment was observed for available Iron (Fe), Manganese (Mn), Zinc (Zn) and Copper (Cu) in the termite mound soils. These findings suggest that the mounds of termites, along with being enriched with phosphorus nutrients can be used to amend the micronutrient deficient soils. Termite soils can also be incorporated in Integrated Nutrient Management package for organic tasar silk production.