Use of termite mounds to produce substrates of vegetable seedlings

Abstract

This work aims to evaluate the functionality of termite mounds of the family Termitidae of the species Syntermes molestus and to determine the nutritional quality through physical-chemical and biological analysis that they present and their possible use as a substrate for the production of vegetable seedlings. The experiment has been conducted at UFRRJ, located in the municipality of Seropédica in the State of Rio de Janeiro. The data show that the mounds are rich in organic matter and present satisfactory results for the use as substrate in the production of vegetable seedlings. The research seeks to offer production alternatives at low cost, since its purpose is to serve family farmers based on the agroecological principles of sustainable agriculture.