The effect of maize stover used as mulch on termite damage to maize and activity of predatory ants

摘要

We investigated the effect of different quantities of stover applied as mulch on damage to maize plants by termites (principally species of Microtermes, Macrotermes and Pseudacanthotermes) and on the incidence of predatory ant species (Lepisiota sp.and Myrmicaria sp.) over two cropping seasons at Namulonge, Uganda. Termite damage to maize plants was significantly (P<0.05) lower in mulched than in unmulched plots. Both ant activity and average yield of maize were higher in mulched than in unmulchedplots. The quantity of stover applied correlated significantly (P=0.05) and negatively with termite damage but positively with nesting of the predatory ants. The results are discussed in the context of integrated pest management (IPM) for termites in subsistence level maize cropping systems.