Sesquioxides, Organic Matter And Aggregation Of Some Soils Modified By Termites And Earthworms.

ABSTRACT

The roles of sesquioxidcs and organic matter on the aggregation of 40 soil samples from various parts of the south-eastern Nigeria was investigated. Soil samples included soils that have been modified by termites (Mounds of Macrotermes and Cubitermes species) and earthworms (earthworm casts) as well as top soils. Four pretreatment techniques were employed to test the roles of sesquioxidcs and organic matter iii the aggregation of all the soils studied. The techniques involved were: treatment with water alone, treatment \vith calgon, treatment with hydrogen peroxide + calgon to remove organic matter in the SW S and ticalnient with Dithioiiiic-Ciiiate-l3icarbonate (L)CIJ) -f calgon to remove Fc2O and Al2O3that might be present in the soils. Treatment with water alone gave the least clay, followed by treatment with calgon, treatment with hydrogen peroxide+ calgon, then treatment with DCB+calgon gave the highest amount of clay. The percentage clay produced by the different soil materials when pretreated with water alone was highest in the macrotermes mound, with its value being significantly