PENGARUH AKTIVITAS RAYAP TANAH TERHADAP PRODUKTIVITAS TANAH DI ARBORETUM SYLVA FAKULTAS KEHUTANAN UNTAN

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to determine the effect of activity of subterranean termites on soil fertility through biogenic structures formed by termites and to determine the species of subterranean termites as decomposers in Arboretum Sylva Forestry Faculty Untan. The methods of the research is experimental exploration with the bait made from 100 gram of newspapers pulp mixed with 1000 milliliter of soybean boiled water. The newspaper pulp mixed with 1000 milliliter of aquades were serve as control. The baits formed measuring 2 x 2 x 1 cm and repeated three times. The baits were placed in the transparent plastic jars with volume 3 liter and was fed on subterranean termites in the areal of Arboretum Sylva Faculty Forestry Untan for 20 days. Differences in chemical characteristics of biogenic structures were analyzed using descriptive qualitative statistical analysis of independent sample T-test. The result of the research showed that the activities of subterranean termites do not have a significant effect on pH soil and NPK nutrients. The independent sample T-test showed a not significant effect between the soil accumulated by termite activities and the soil as control. Termites found as decomposers in Arboretum Sylva Forestry Faculty Untan consist of three genus, namely Dicuspiditermes, Termes and Schedorhinotermes.   Keyword : Decomposers, nutrients, soil productivity, subterranean termites