The effect of high and low boron soils on foraging termite behaviour and their metabolic systems
IRG/WP 07-10602
B M Ahmed, J R J French, P Vinden
The highest concentrations of boron are found in ground water and soils of some of the driest climate areas (arid and semi arid regions) in the world. This present study examined the various concentrations of boron levels on filter papers against the subterranean termite species Coptotermes from different provenances and different boron soil levels. The termites were presented with no-choice bioassays and their behaviour to the effects of high and low boron levels were observed. The results indicated that high boron soils affect termite immune systems and we discuss how this ability may affect the use of boron in timber protection.