Caractéristiques pédologiques comparées de termitières sous forêts primaires du plateau de Yangambi en cuvette centrale congolaise

Compared Pedological Characteristics of Termite Mounds under Primary Forests of Yangambi Platform in Congolese Central Basin. Some pedological characteristics of five identified termite mounds under primary forests of Yangambi platform in congolese central basin are compared with those of host soil series. Five termite mounds are conical shaped (tcn) of Noditermes cristifrons Sj st., hat-shaped (tch) of Cubitermes speciosus Sj st., semi-arboricolous (tsa) of Apilitermes longiceps Sj st., dome-shaped (tdo) of Thoracotermes macrothorax Sj st. and hill-shaped (tco) of Macrotermes muellai Sj st. Four host soil series are Yambaw (Y0), Yangambi (Y1), Yakonde (Y2) and Yambeli (YL); they are more colonized by termite mounds and more farmed by peasants of Yangambi region. The achieved results show that termite mounds are more fertile than host soil series. Among five identified termite mounds, three are interesting as sources of fertilizers: tsa, tch and tdo. Particularly for the tco, analytical values are comparable to those of the host soil series. For practical applications, tsa is identified as better source of soil fertility for rice sown to vegetables and tdo for amaranth. Combined with dried peanut straw, tcn obtained best results on amaranth. Termite mounds are abundant in rainforest of Yangambi platform and their fertility is high compared to that of host soil series. They may be of interest as sources of soil fertility at small scale vegetables growing.