Volume 6, number 2
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A Study to Measure the Cellulose and Plant Detritus Conversion Efficiency by Termites

R. Vats,1 S.  Aggarwal2 and C. S. Bhardwaj2

1SSA, Ambala India.

2Department of Zoology, Dayal Singh College, Karnal India.

ABSTRACT: Termites constitute a group of social insect and live together in well organized and integrated communities with highly developed social system. The present study deals with the conversion efficiency of termites. Termites can digest a frightening amount of wood in a very short time. During the present study wooden blocks were placed in such a manner that half of the blocks were buried in the soil and rest of the half were above the soil (grave yard method). It is observed that the rate of conversion efficiency of termites of wood to soil decreases with time but it is still too high. In two months on an average termite causes 11.94 per cent conversion (damage) to wood, 14.23 per cent damage in 3 months and 20.75 per cent damage in 6 months. This damage may increase with environmental conditions and by cleaning the wood periodically.

KEYWORDS: Cellulose; plant detritus; conversion efficiency; termites

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Vats. R, Aggarwal. S, Bhardwaj. C. S. A Study to Measure the Cellulose and Plant Detritus Conversion Efficiency by Termites. Biosci Biotechnol Res Asia 2009;6(2)
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Vats. R, Aggarwal. S, Bhardwaj. C. S. A Study to Measure the Cellulose and Plant Detritus Conversion Efficiency by Termites. Biosci Biotechnol Res Asia 2009;6(2) . Available from: https://www.biotech-asia.org/?p=8962.

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