Destructive effect of invasive termites and ants on rainfed rice cultivation in Cote d’Ivoire

Destructive effect of invasive termites and ants on rainfed rice cultivation in Cote d’Ivoire | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Research Article Destructive effect of invasive termites and ants on rainfed rice cultivation in Cote d’Ivoire Bleoue Joel This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-6310599/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Posted Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract Invasive arthropod presence in upland rice field 3 in Cote d’Ivoire can affect both the distribution and the density of rice plants leading to decrease rice yields. Our results have shown that 9697 plants were destroyed by the ants and termites even though the growing field was treated with an insecticide. The destruction of rice plants by the Ancistrotermes sp and Crematogasters africana according to our results is accomplished through the construction of galleries, veneers and mounds. The search for food will redirect these arthropods towards rice fields. Furthermore, once these insects are in the growing fields it is difficult to remove them. Agronomy upland rice Ancistrotermes sp Crematogasters africana Figures Figure 1 Figure 2 Figure 3 Figure 4 Figure 5 Figure 6 INTRODUCTION Rice represents one of the most important staple foods of Cote d’Ivoire. In Cote d’Ivoire, the local rice termed ‘traditional rice’ cultivated by the farmers is mainly of the rainfed type. Upland rice cultivation faces many challenges in the country including climate change, biotic, abiotic stresses and the loss of genetic diversities. Among underestimated biotic challenges that farmers face are arthropod damage. Despite their positive roles in maintaining soil nutrients and as an ecosystem regulator, termites and ants exhibit a destructive impact on agriculture overall (Loko et al., 2017 ; Willis and Landis, 2018; Anyango et al ., 2020). Cote d’Ivoire harbours a large variety of termites and ants (Dosso et al ., 2012; Evans et al ., 2012). The main species of termites found to be involved in destroying rice plants in the field in Cote d’Ivoire, belong to the genus Ancistrotermes . On the other hand, ants have been found to contribute substantially in agriculture through a symbiotic relationship with some plants (Marion and Tom, 2022; Campbell et al ., 2023). In addition, ants are used as biological controls of some arthropods because of their large numbers and their predatory habits (Anjos et al., 2022 ). In spite of their usefulness ants, are regarded as pests by rice farmers because ants of the genus Crematogasters are omnivorous. In this study, we focus mainly on the disruptive effect of termites and ants on the production of the upland varieties of rice of Cote d’Ivoire as it has never been fully investigated. MATERIALS AND METHODS Description of the Study Area This study was conducted at the Research Station of the National Agronomic Research Center (CNRA) of the town of Man in Tonpki region located in western part of Cote d’Ivoire (N 07 ° 20.956 ’ ; W 007 ° 36.402 ’ ). In its northern and central parts, the relief of Man is very rugged with altitudes sometimes exceeding 1000 m. In its southern part there are immense plains and numerous wide lowlands. The town of Man has Ferralitic soils with average chemical fertility and exhibits a hydromorphic soil (lowlands) and mineral soils. The rainfall of the region ranges between 1300 mm to 2400 mm per year. The temperatures of the area vary between 19°C to 34°C annually. Man has enormous agricultural potential and diverse animal production. Agriculture crop farming is the principal activity of the population of Tonpki region. Experimental Materials and Their Origins Forty-four accessions (44) of upland rice, introduced by AfricaRice and a control (WAB56-50) were used for this study. The WAB56-50 was used because it has a high yielding potential and is widely grown in Cote d’Ivoire. Experimental Design The experiment was conducted using an alpha lattice model with 3 repetitions. Each repetition was composed of 9 blocks in rows and 5 blocks in columns. Each block was composed of 5 accessions. The accessions were distributed randomly within each repetition. The surface of each plot was 5m 2 (1m x 5m). The number of plants per plot was 26 plants in each row and 6 plants in each column. The plants were grown in straight lines. After the removal of plant debris, ploughing was carried out twice using a rotavator. Direct sowing was carried out in aligned hills. The spacing between the plants was 20 cm (width) and 20 cm (length). Every pocket had 4 grains. The plots were separated from each other by 40 cm. Two rows of CRAM4 variety were sown around the field and used as field borders in order to protect the filed from rat attacks. The fertilizer used in this study are composed of urea, nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. The characteristics of the fertilizer applied are as followed: N = 100 kg/ha; P 2 O 5 = 40 kg/ha and K 2 O 5 = 40kg/ha. The fertilizers, phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) were applied to the soil at the second ploughing. Three weeks after the sowing, the first dose of urea was applied to the field. Finally, three weeks after the first application of urea, the field was treated by adding a second urea in equal amount. The day after sowing, the field was treated with the herbicide CLEANER (pendimethaline 400g/l). The amount of herbicide CLEANER (pendimethaline 400g/l) used was 250 ml diluted in 16 l water. A week before applying the first urea to the plant growing soil, the field was treated using respectively the herbicides RIGOLD 432 EC (propanil 360g/l + triclopyr 72g/l) and HERBEXTRA (2.4 D amine Salt). The amount of both herbicides used was: 200 ml of RIGOLD 432 EC and 50 ml of HERBEXTRA. These were diluted in1l. of water. The herbicide treatments were repeated with the same amount three weeks later. Monitoring the test against seed-eating birds began just after the sowing and then from the milky stage until the harvest of all the plants. Data Collection and Analysis Plants, veneers and galleries counts The plants were controlled per plot. Each pocket was counted as one plant. Once counted, the plant stem was marked using a marker pen in order to avoid repeat-count. The plants presenting tube running up the stem were also counted using the same method. The termite mounds and underground galleries were counted. A wooden skewer (25 cm) was sticked into the ground near the counted termite mound or underground galleries counted . Plants, veneers and galleries were counted at the Stage I (vegetative) and Stage III (maturation). The collecting (15/09/2023) and sowing dates (Table 1 ) were recorded. The data were recorded on excel. Ants and termites sampling Ants and termites were captured according to a slightly modified protocol of Miller and Donald (2021). Ten pitfall traps were set up using white recyclable transparent disposal plastic tumblers (200 ml). The plastic glasses were placed in the ground so that the rim was flush with the surface. The plastic tumblers were filled with 15 ml of cooking oil. Half of the traps were placed next to the mounds and the underground nests of the insects. The remaining half of the pitfall traps were placed randomly in the field. The pitfall traps were left in the field 48 hours. The trapped insects were removed from the plastic traps using forceps and placed on clean tissue. Small termite mounds were also destroyed using a machete and the termites were collected using the forceps. All the samples were preserved in the mini plastic cups with lids (35 ml) containing 80⁒ alcohol. Ant and termite identifications The insects were transferred to the Natural Environment and Biodersity Laboratory at the Felix Houphouet Boigny University in Abidjan (Cote d’Ivoire) for identification. The identification of the termites was based on the morphospecies method using a light microscope as described in the protocol of Sands ( 1972 ). Crematogasters sp were identified using the Bonni Blaimer (2012) method. Only ants of genus Crematogasters and termites of genus Ancistrotermes were found on the rice field. Statistical analysis The standard error of difference, standard error for the means (SEM), standard deviations (SD), the degree of freedom (df), sample size (N) and the t distribution were calculated using Dotmatics, T test calculator (GraphPad). The graphs were produced using the software GraphPad, Prism10. RESULTS Comparison of Both Groups Using t-test The t-test values were calculated using the software GraphPad of DOTMATICS. The paired t-test was used to compare both the expected plant number at the end of experiment and the number of plants obtained at the end of the experiment. The Group 1 represents the expected plant number at the end of the experiment whereas the Group 2 represents the number of plants obtained at the end of the experiment (Table 1 ). Each repetition was made of 45 plots. The experiment was repeated three times therefore the total number of plots (N) was 135 and the number of expected plant at the end of the experiment per plot was 156. The result shows that the mean of Group 1 was higher than the mean of Group 2. Indeed, the mean of Group 1 calculated was 156 whereas Group 2 exhibited a mean of 53.24. The standard deviation (SD) of Group 1 was found to be zero whereas Group 2 has SD of 20.68. The standard error of the mean (SEM) of both groups calculated was found to be zero for Group 1 and 1.78 for Group 2. It is clear that Group 2 shown the highest SEM. The confidence interval which is the mean of Group 1 minus Group 2 was found to be equals to 102.76. For this t-test, 95% confidence interval of this difference from 99.24 to 106.28 was applied. The intermediate values used in calculations were the t distribution, the degree of freedom (df) and the standard error of difference. The value of the t distribution was 57.7491 whereas the value of the degree of freedom calculated was 134 and finally the standard error of difference was found to be 1.779. The two-tailed P value obtained was less than 0.0001. Thus, by conventional criteria this difference is considered to be extremely statistically significant. Our results also shown the presence of 253 galleries and veneers (Figs. 1 , 2 , 3 and 4 ). The accession NERICA4 did have 44 veneers followed by AR18U026-F4-33-1-B with 40 veneers and finally 33 plants of the accession AR18U027-F4-115-B exhibited the presence of veneers. The galleries and the veneers were randomly distributed on the field (Table 1 ) Two types of galleries were discovered of the growing field (Figs. 1 , 2 and 3 ). Galleries were located almost all over the field (Table 1 ). The number of galleries range from 1 to 6 per field (Table 1 ). The results show the presence of 1 mound gallery on the plot 10 of the accession AR18U020-F4-145-B (Fig. 3 ). Our result also clearly revealed that some rice grains were missing leaving empty spaces on some part of the field due to Crematogasters sp activities (Fig. 5 ). Table 1 Number of plants obtained per plot represent the number counted three months after the sowing date. The number of veneers and galleries per plot were counted three months after the sowing date. The sowing date is shown. The three trials were separated by the slash symbol (/). Accession / Designation Plot number Plant number obtained Galleries numbers Tube running up rice plant culm Sowing Date AR18U013-F4-5-B 1 / 58 / 125 30 / 101/ 93 - / - / - - / - / - 11/07/2023 AR18U017-F4-62-1-B 2 / 64 / 104 69 / 42 / 43 -/ - / - - / - / - 11/07/2023 AR18U019-F4-104-B 3 / 63 / 98 63/ 57 / 70 3 / 1/ - - / - / - 11/07/2023 AR18U019-F4-152-B 4 / 62 /113 50 / 27 / 74 2 / - / 5 - / - / - 11/07/2023 AR18U019-F4-161-B 5 / 82 / 97 35 / 37 / 31 1 / 1 / 1 - / - / - 11/07/2023 AR18U020-F4-145-B 10 / 52 / 103 29 / 04 / 41 1 / - / - - / - / - 11/07/2023 AR18U020-F4-125-B 9 / 87 / 123 64 / 46 / 67 2 / - / - - / - / - 11/07/2023 AR18U020-F4-122-B 8 / 65 / 131 65 / 30 / 70 3 / 2 / 1 - / - / - 11/07/2023 AR18U020-F4-1-B 7 / 70 / 126 40 / 41 / 64 2 / 1 / - - / - / - 11/07/2023 AR18U019-F4-33-1-B 6/ 49 / 128 30/50 / 95 - / - / - - / - / - 11/07/2023 AR18U020-F4-176-B 15 / 53 / 108 24 / 67 / 58 1 / - / - - / - / - 11/07/2023 AR18U020-F4-166-1-B 14 / 84 / 115 53 / 86 /103 3 / 2 / 1 - / - / - 11/07/2023 AR18U020-F4-165-B 13 / 66 / 114 60 / 40 / 45 - / 2 / 3 - / - / - 11/07/2023 AR18U020-F4-161-B 12 / 85 / 116 83 / 51 / 91 - / 1 / - - / - / - 11/07/2023 AR18U020-F4-159-B 11 / 46 / 134 28 / 31 / 53 - / 2 / 1 -/ 11 / - 11/07/2023 AR18U021-F4-2-B 20 / 61 / 109 45 / 42 / 69 - / 2 / - - / 1 / 1 11/07/2023 AR18U021-F4-170-1-B 19 / 83 / 132 66/ 69 / 83 - / 2 / - - / - / - 11/07/2023 AR18U021-F4-162-B 18 / 89 / 96 75 / 39 / 55 - / - / - - / - / - 11/07/2023 AR18U020-F4-77-B 17 / 76 / 95 43 / 47 / 46 - / - / - - / - / - 11/07/2023 AR18U020-F4-27-1-B 16 / 90 / 93 23 / 41 / 66 1 / 2 / 1 - / - / - 11/07/2023 AR18U023-F4-30-B 25 / 74 / 122 17 / 66 / 84 1 / - / 2 - / - / - 11/07/2023 AR18U023-F4-18-1-B 24 / 55 / 124 15 / 28 / 36 - / - / - - / - / - 11/07/2023 AR18U022-F4-32-B 23 / 81 / 102 54 / 56 / 69 1 / - / 4 - / - / - 11/07/2023 AR18U022-F4-22-B 22 / 79 / 111 70 / 26 / 66 1 /- / 1 - / - / - 11/07/2023 AR18U021-F4-78-1-B 21/88 / 127 38/ 75 /47 - / 5 / 1 - / - / - 11/07/2023 AR18U026-F4-13-B 30 / 56 / 129 31 / 37 / 81 - / - / - - / - / - 11/07/2023 AR18U025-F4-6-B 29 / 60 / 91 71 / 32 / 60 - /4 / 1 - / - / - 11/07/2023 AR18U024-F4-91-1-B 28 / 69 / 92 45/ 23 /59 1/ - /1 - / - / - 11/07/2023 AR18U024-F4-74-B 27 / 86 / 118 37 / 33 / 61 - / - / - - / - / - 11/07/2023 AR18U023-F4-53-B 26 / 73 / 133 25 / 65 / 90 - / - / - - / - / - 11/07/2023 AR18U028-F4-4-B 35 / 57 / 120 38 / 41 / 78 - / - / 5 - / - / - 11/07/2023 AR18U028-F4-37-1-B 34 / 54 / 112 44 / 49 / 71 1 / 1 / 1 - / 1 / 1 11/07/2023 AR18U027-F4-115-B 33 / 48 / 121 42 / 85 / 77 - / 1 / 1 - / 33 / - 11/07/2023 AR18U026-F4-68-B 32 / 67 / 100 42 / 62 / 40 1 / 1 / 2 - / - / - 11/07/2023 AR18U026-F4-33-1-B 31 / 72 / - 38 / 26 / 40 - / 3 / - 39 / 6 / - 11/07/2023 Upland F-11-4 ABE 2019-2-1-1-B 40 / 59 / 106 40 / 56 / 65 9 / 1 / - - / - / - 11/07/2023 AR18U030-F4-9-B 39 / 71 / 105 48 / 50 / 78 38 / 1 / 2 - / - / - 11/07/2023 AR18U030-F4-116-1-B 38 / 77 / 99 20 / 79 / 68 38 / - / 3 - / - / - 11/07/2023 AR18U029-F4-51-1-B 37 / 78 / 117 65 / 68 / 42 39 / 3 / - - / - / - 11/07/2023 AR18U029-F4-102-B 36 / 68 / 119 23 / 69 / 94 1 / 3 / 4 - / - / - 11/07/2023 WAB56-50 45 / 50 / 107 58 / 36 / 49 5 / - / - - / - / - 11/07/2023 NERICA4 44 / 51 / 135 61 / 52 / 111 - / - / - 38 / 1/ 1 11/07/2023 BRS PRIMAVERA 43 / 47 / 94 62 / 39 / 29 1 / - / - - / - / - 11/07/2023 ARICA5 42 / 80 / 101 74 / 54 / 52 1 / 1 / 2 - / - / - 11/07/2023 ARICA4 41 / 75 / 110 21 / 48 / 57 7 / - / 7 - / - / - 11/07/2023 Study of the Variation of the Data Set Based on the statistical graphic We used a violin plot in this study because it shows the spread and shape of data sets. The confidence intervals (CI) around the mean of the violin plot are 95⁒ (Fig. 6 ). The violin plot shows that the scores of repeat 1 is higher, with a lower density of values compared to repeat 2 (Fig. 6 ). In contrast repeat 2, exhibited a lower score with a higher density value compared to repeat 1. Compared to repeat 1 and 2, repeat 3 has shown a higher score with also a higher density value (Fig. 6 ). Repeat 1 has shown a positive skew with 50⁒ of the plants bellow and above 45. The higher scores of repeat 1 were found to be 100; However, repeat 2 has disclosed a negative skew as there is a small density scores − 15. Repeat 2 has revealed higher density below 50. Repeat 3 has displayed higher scores density at 135. The result shows that some parts of the field do not have any plants thus the distribution of plant on the field varies widely. This distribution confirm s the mean difference of the three repeats shown by the violin plot. DISCUSSION In this study, we have demonstrated that the interaction between rainfed rice cultivation and arthropod activity is significant. Indeed, as arthropods population and diversity increased in a rainfed rice field, the plants destruction also increased leading to decreased seed yield. Several species of termites have been found to be useful for farmers in West Africa (Hettie et al , 2019). However, in this investigation, ants and termites are considered as invasive species. The t-test result corelates with the low number of plants obtained at the end of the experiment. The main destructive activities of the termites and ants occurred just after the seed sowing. During their search for foods, Crematogasters sp and Ancistrotermes sp will carry away the seeds to their nests through underground tunnels and this assertion is corroborated by the discontinuity observed of plant alignments within some plots. Similarly, Theodore et al. (2011) revealed that predatory ants and termites could disrupt agriculture. Termites have been described as feeding on a wide variety of plant matter and their nesting behavior is also variable (Theodore et al ., 2012). Our current investigation has shown that the termites through their mounds and underground galleries, consume the plant roots causing the plant to fall to the ground. This study has shown that termites used rice plant materials to build their mounds confirming the finding of Brossard et al. ( 2006 ). These arthropods also feed on the rice plant cellulose within their veneers or tubes formed on the stems. Termites attack rice plants at every developmental stage including freshly sown rice grains underground thus reducing the number of rice plants rice yield, grain quality (Anyango et al ., 2020). Even though ants and termite propagation and distribution in the field were not the aim of this study, these actions should be fully investigated as both processes are essential in the disrupting the effect on rainfed rice cultivation. Like termites, ants of genus Crematogasters eat the edible parts of rice seeds leading to significant damage to the rice plants in the fields (Way et al., 2002 ). Moreover, Crematogasters sp use plant leaves to construct their nests. This could explain the attraction of the rice plants for these arthropods (Benckiser, 2009). Even though the growing field was treated with chemical insecticide, termites and ants still caused damage to the upland rice. The previous study of Michael and Chow-Yang (2024) highlighted that eusocial insects such as ants and termites exhibit less resistance to chemical insecticides thus our data could be explained by the return of the termites after the field insecticide treatment. CONCLUSION Rice plants offer to these arthropods food, shelter and building materials. Our findings also show that ant and termite habitats should be further investigated because the same experiment was repeated on another field however the rice plant destruction was not significant. Further study should be conducted to understand the symbiotic relationship between arthropods and rice plants as Mickal et al. ( 2023 ) data showed that ants of the genus Crematogasters do not systematically attack the plants they live with. Declarations CONFLITS OF INTEREST No conflicts of interest AUTHOR CONTRIBUTION Conceptualization: Joel Bleoue, Blaise Kadjo, Louise Akanvou Data analysis: Joel Bleoue, Blaise kadjo, Louise Akanvou Investigation : Joel Bleoue, Clement Karidioula Lagnigui, Hamidou Dicko Methodology: Joel Bleoue, Blaise Kadjo, Louise Akanvou Project administration: Joel Bleoue, Blaise Kadjo, Louise Akanvou Supervision: Joel Bleoue, Clement Karidioula Lagnigui Validation: Joel Bleoue, Blaise Kadjo Writing: Joel Bleoue ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The authors are grateful to all the reviewers of this paper FUNDING This work was funded by the National Center for agronomic Research of Cote d’Ivoire and AfricaRice Cote d’Ivoire. References Anjos DV, Tena A, Viana- Junior AB, Carvalho RL, Torezan-Silingardi H, Del-Claro K, Perfecto I (2022) The effects of ants on pest control: a meta-analysis. Proc. R. Soc. B , 289: 20221316 Wills BD, Landis DA (2018) The role of ants in north temperate grasslands: A review. Oecologia 186:323–338 Bonnie B, Blaimer (2012) Taxonomy and species-groups of the subgenus Crematogaster ( Orthocrema ) in the Malagasy region (Hymenoptera, Formicidae). ZooKeys 199: 23–70 Gero Benckiser (2010) Ants and sustainable agriculture. A review. Agron Sustain Dev 30:191–199 Boafo HA, Affedzie-Obresi S Dossou Séblodo Judes Charlemagne Gbemavo, Victor Attuquaye Clotte, Emmanuel Nkegbe, Gabriel Adu-Aboagye & Marc Kenis (2019) Use of Termites by Farmers as Poultry Feed in Ghana. Insects, 10: 69 John J, Anyango D, Bautze, Komi KM, Fiaboe ZO 1, Lagat AW, Muriuki S, Stockli J, Riedel GK, Onyambu MW, Musyoka EN, Karanja, Noah Adamtey (2020) The impact of conventional and organic farming on soil biodiversity conservation: A case study on termites in the long–term farming systems comparison trials in Kenya. BMC Ecol 20:13 Kanvaly Dosso K, Yeo S, Karl Eduard Linsenmair (2012) Importance of protected areas for biodiversity conservation in central Côte d’Ivoire: Comparison of termite assemblages between two neighboring areas under differing levels of disturbance. J Insect Sci 12:131 Laura CE, Campbell E, Toby, Kiers, Guillaume Chomicki (2023) The evolution of plant cultivation by ants. Trends Plant Sci 28:3 Loko LEY, Orobiyi A, Agre P, Dansi A, Yves Roisin (2017) Farmers’ perception of termites in agriculture production and their indigenous utilization in Northwest Benin. J Ethnobiol Ethnomed 13:64. 10.1186 Marion L, Donald, Tom EX, Miller (2022) Does ant-plant mutualism have spillover effects on the non-partner ant community? Ecol Evol 12:e8524 Scharf ME, Lee C-Y (2024) Insecticide resistance in social insects: assumptions, realities, and possibilities. Curr Opin Insect Sci 62:101161 Brossard M, Lopez-Hernandez D, Jean-Claude Leprun (2006) Nutrient storage in soils and nests of mound-building Trinervitermes termites in Central Burkina Faso: consequences for soil fertility. Biol Fertil Soils 43:437–447 Mickal YI, Houadria G, Barone TM, Fayle P, Konik H (2023) Feldhaar An experimental, behavioral, and chemical analysis of food limitations in mutualistic Crematogaster ant symbionts inhabiting Macaranga host plants. Ecology and Evolution , 13: e9760 Way MJ, Javier G, Heong KL (2002) The role of ants, especially the fire ant, Solenopsis geminata (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), in the biological control of tropical upland rice pests. Bull Entomol Res 92:431–437 Sands WA (1972) The soldierless termites of Africa ( Isoptera: Termitidae ) Bulletin of the British Museum (Natural History). Entomology. Supplement 18, 1-244 Theodore A, Evans, Brian T, Forschler, Kenneth Grace J (2013) Biology of Invasive Termites: A Worldwide Review. Annu Rev Entomol 58:455–474 Theodore A, Evans, Tracy Z, Dawes PR Ward3 & Nathan Lo (2011) Ants and termites increase crop yield in a dry climate. Nat Commun, 2:262 10.1038 Additional Declarations The authors declare no competing interests. Cite Share Download PDF Status: Posted Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. As a division of Research Square Company, we’re committed to making research communication faster, fairer, and more useful. We do this by developing innovative software and high quality services for the global research community. Our growing team is made up of researchers and industry professionals working together to solve the most critical problems facing scientific publishing. Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-6310599","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Research Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":434187401,"identity":"f094cfd9-eac2-4496-bb3f-a179b6f1e971","order_by":0,"name":"Bleoue 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09:08:15","currentVersionCode":1,"declarations":{"humanSubjects":false,"vertebrateSubjects":true,"conflictsOfInterestStatement":false,"humanSubjectEthicalGuidelines":false,"humanSubjectConsent":false,"humanSubjectClinicalTrial":false,"humanSubjectCaseReport":false,"vertebrateSubjectEthicalGuidelines":true},"doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-6310599/v1","doiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-6310599/v1","draftVersion":[],"editorialEvents":[],"editorialNote":"","failedWorkflow":false,"files":[{"id":79347202,"identity":"147636d8-abaf-43a9-96ef-a379da03ed07","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-03-27 09:51:16","extension":"png","order_by":1,"title":"Figure 1","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":519255,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eUnderground gallery made around rice plant by termites.\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"Onlinefloatimage1.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-6310599/v1/9aca1f258041ebf21d3fb26d.png"},{"id":79347204,"identity":"91fcaa64-e3ab-41e3-bfef-33513bcca3a5","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-03-27 09:51:16","extension":"png","order_by":2,"title":"Figure 2","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":544903,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eUnderground galleries made around rice plant by ants of genus \u003cem\u003eCrematogasters.\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"Onlinefloatimage2.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-6310599/v1/2f1fb86de3696d9221147e70.png"},{"id":79347203,"identity":"e1e1b2d7-ba65-4b6f-826b-57ec97202a97","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-03-27 09:51:16","extension":"png","order_by":3,"title":"Figure 3","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":557760,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eRice plants embed in termite mounds.\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"Onlinefloatimage3.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-6310599/v1/58bd5c8605bfa27861fc1ed1.png"},{"id":79347208,"identity":"f8c0bb8b-0cde-4ecf-8c49-db736ee4061f","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-03-27 09:51:16","extension":"png","order_by":4,"title":"Figure 4","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":542535,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eGrowing termite tube running up a rice plant culm (stem).\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"Onlinefloatimage4.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-6310599/v1/9a98af3f11e8ce4f1a3ddc01.png"},{"id":79348086,"identity":"e6db9eb1-6a74-464e-bbf3-59c11eb82e8f","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-03-27 09:59:16","extension":"png","order_by":5,"title":"Figure 5","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":465417,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eMissing plants on the rainfed rice field.\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"Onlinefloatimage5.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-6310599/v1/3dd4dc41f4ab27ba2c58ad1f.png"},{"id":79347210,"identity":"e8b12337-dd73-4744-bcd0-ffc9230edb6a","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-03-27 09:51:16","extension":"png","order_by":6,"title":"Figure 6","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":45101,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eViolin plots of distribution of plants in the field during each replication.\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"Onlinefloatimage6.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-6310599/v1/d33f6f9916c7b1c028223170.png"},{"id":79349394,"identity":"8f8da222-6445-4116-9997-9a8c5b21c605","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-03-27 10:07:19","extension":"pdf","order_by":0,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"manuscript-pdf","size":4209537,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"manuscript.pdf","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-6310599/v1/a1a69362-d671-41a3-a793-06158e4172b5.pdf"}],"financialInterests":"The authors declare no competing interests.","formattedTitle":"\u003cp\u003eDestructive effect of invasive termites and ants on rainfed rice cultivation in Cote d’Ivoire\u003c/p\u003e","fulltext":[{"header":"INTRODUCTION","content":"\u003cp\u003eRice represents one of the most important staple foods of Cote d\u0026rsquo;Ivoire. In Cote d\u0026rsquo;Ivoire, the local rice termed \u0026lsquo;traditional rice\u0026rsquo; cultivated by the farmers is mainly of the rainfed type. Upland rice cultivation faces many challenges in the country including climate change, biotic, abiotic stresses and the loss of genetic diversities. Among underestimated biotic\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003echallenges that farmers face are arthropod damage. Despite their positive roles in maintaining soil nutrients and as an ecosystem regulator, termites and ants exhibit a destructive impact on agriculture overall (Loko et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR10\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2017\u003c/span\u003e; Willis and Landis, 2018; Anyango \u003cem\u003eet al\u003c/em\u003e., 2020). Cote d\u0026rsquo;Ivoire harbours a large variety of termites and ants (Dosso \u003cem\u003eet al\u003c/em\u003e., 2012; Evans \u003cem\u003eet al\u003c/em\u003e., 2012). The main species of termites found to be involved in destroying rice plants in the field in Cote d\u0026rsquo;Ivoire, belong to the genus \u003cem\u003eAncistrotermes\u003c/em\u003e. On the other hand, ants have been found to contribute substantially in agriculture through a symbiotic relationship with some plants (Marion and Tom, 2022; Campbell \u003cem\u003eet al\u003c/em\u003e., 2023). In addition, ants are used as biological controls of some arthropods because of their large numbers and their predatory habits (Anjos et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR1\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2022\u003c/span\u003e). In spite of their usefulness ants, are regarded as pests by rice farmers because ants of the genus \u003cem\u003eCrematogasters\u003c/em\u003e are omnivorous.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eIn this study, we focus mainly on the disruptive effect of termites and ants on the production of the upland varieties of rice of Cote d\u0026rsquo;Ivoire as it has never been fully investigated.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"MATERIALS AND METHODS","content":"\u003cdiv id=\"Sec3\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eDescription of the Study Area\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThis study was conducted at the Research Station of the National Agronomic Research Center (CNRA) of the town of Man in Tonpki region located in western part of Cote d\u0026rsquo;Ivoire (N 07\u003csup\u003e\u0026deg;\u003c/sup\u003e20.956\u003csup\u003e\u0026rsquo;\u003c/sup\u003e; W 007\u003csup\u003e\u0026deg;\u003c/sup\u003e36.402\u003csup\u003e\u0026rsquo;\u003c/sup\u003e). In its northern and central parts, the relief of Man is very rugged with altitudes sometimes exceeding 1000 m. In its southern part there are immense plains and numerous wide lowlands. The town of Man has Ferralitic soils with average chemical fertility and exhibits a hydromorphic soil (lowlands) and mineral soils. The rainfall of the region ranges between 1300 mm to 2400 mm per year. The temperatures of the area vary between 19\u0026deg;C to 34\u0026deg;C annually. Man has enormous agricultural potential and diverse animal production. Agriculture crop farming is the principal activity of the population of Tonpki region.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eExperimental Materials and Their Origins\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eForty-four accessions (44) of upland rice, introduced by AfricaRice and a control (WAB56-50) were used for this study. The WAB56-50 was used because it has a high yielding potential and is widely grown in Cote d\u0026rsquo;Ivoire.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eExperimental Design\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe experiment was conducted using an alpha lattice model with 3 repetitions. Each repetition was composed of 9 blocks in rows and 5 blocks in columns. Each block was composed of 5 accessions. The accessions were distributed randomly within each repetition. The surface of each plot was 5m\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003e (1m x 5m). The number of plants per plot was 26 plants in each row and 6 plants in each column. The plants were grown in straight lines.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAfter the removal of plant debris, ploughing was carried out twice using a rotavator.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eDirect sowing was carried out in aligned hills. The spacing between the plants was 20 cm (width) and 20 cm (length). Every pocket had 4 grains. The plots were separated from each other by 40 cm. Two rows of CRAM4 variety were sown around the field and used as field borders in order to protect the filed from rat attacks.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe fertilizer used in this study are composed of urea, nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. The characteristics of the fertilizer applied are as followed: N\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;100 kg/ha; P\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003eO\u003csub\u003e5\u003c/sub\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;40 kg/ha and K\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003eO\u003csub\u003e5\u003c/sub\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;40kg/ha. The fertilizers, phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) were applied to the soil at the second ploughing. Three weeks after the sowing, the first dose of urea was applied to the field. Finally, three weeks after the first application of urea, the field was treated by adding a second urea in equal amount.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe day after sowing, the field was treated with the herbicide CLEANER (pendimethaline 400g/l). The amount of herbicide CLEANER (pendimethaline 400g/l) used was 250 ml diluted in 16 l water. A week before applying the first urea to the plant growing soil, the field was treated using respectively the herbicides RIGOLD 432 EC (propanil 360g/l\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;triclopyr 72g/l) and HERBEXTRA (2.4 D amine Salt). The amount of both herbicides used was: 200 ml of RIGOLD 432 EC and 50 ml of HERBEXTRA. These were diluted in1l. of water. The herbicide treatments were repeated with the same amount three weeks later.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eMonitoring the test against seed-eating birds began just after the sowing and then from the milky stage until the harvest of all the plants.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eData Collection and Analysis\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cdiv id=\"Sec7\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003ePlants, veneers and galleries counts\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe plants were controlled per plot. Each pocket was counted as one plant. Once counted, the plant stem was marked using a marker pen in order to avoid repeat-count. The plants presenting tube running up the stem were also counted using the same method. The termite mounds and underground galleries were counted. A wooden skewer (25 cm) was sticked into the ground near the counted termite mound or underground galleries counted .\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ePlants, veneers and galleries were counted at the Stage I (vegetative) and Stage III (maturation). The collecting (15/09/2023) and sowing dates (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab1\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e) were recorded. The data were recorded on excel.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec8\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eAnts and termites sampling\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eAnts and termites were captured according to a slightly modified protocol of Miller and Donald (2021). Ten pitfall traps were set up using white recyclable transparent disposal plastic tumblers (200 ml). The plastic glasses were placed in the ground so that the rim was flush with the surface. The plastic tumblers were filled with 15 ml of cooking oil. Half of the traps were placed next to the mounds and the underground nests of the insects. The remaining half of the pitfall traps were placed randomly in the field. The pitfall traps were left in the field 48 hours. The trapped insects were removed from the plastic traps using forceps and placed on clean tissue.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSmall termite mounds were also destroyed using a machete and the termites were collected using the forceps. All the samples were preserved in the mini plastic cups with lids (35 ml) containing 80⁒ alcohol.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eAnt and termite identifications\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe insects were transferred to the Natural Environment and Biodersity Laboratory at the Felix Houphouet Boigny University in Abidjan (Cote d\u0026rsquo;Ivoire) for identification. The identification of the termites was based on the morphospecies method using a light microscope as described in the protocol of Sands (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR16\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1972\u003c/span\u003e). \u003cem\u003eCrematogasters sp\u003c/em\u003e were identified using the Bonni Blaimer (2012) method. Only ants of genus \u003cem\u003eCrematogasters\u003c/em\u003e and termites of genus \u003cem\u003eAncistrotermes\u003c/em\u003e were found on the rice field.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec10\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eStatistical analysis\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe standard error of difference, standard error for the means (SEM), standard deviations (SD), the degree of freedom (df), sample size (N) and the t distribution were calculated using Dotmatics, T test calculator (GraphPad). The graphs were produced using the software GraphPad, Prism10.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e"},{"header":"RESULTS","content":"\u003cdiv id=\"Sec12\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eComparison of Both Groups Using t-test\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe t-test values were calculated using the software GraphPad of DOTMATICS. The paired t-test was used to compare both the expected plant number at the end of experiment and the number of plants obtained at the end of the experiment. The Group 1 represents the expected plant number at the end of the experiment whereas the Group 2 represents the number of plants obtained at the end of the experiment (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab1\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e). Each repetition was made of 45 plots. The experiment was repeated three times therefore the total number of plots (N) was 135 and the number of expected plant at the end of the experiment per plot was 156.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe result shows that the mean of Group 1 was higher than the mean of Group 2. Indeed, the mean of Group 1 calculated was 156 whereas Group 2 exhibited a mean of 53.24. The standard deviation (SD) of Group 1 was found to be zero whereas Group 2 has SD of 20.68.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe standard error of the mean (SEM) of both groups calculated was found to be zero for Group 1 and 1.78 for Group 2. It is clear that Group 2 shown the highest SEM.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe confidence interval which is the mean of Group 1 minus Group 2 was found to be equals to 102.76. For this t-test, 95% confidence interval of this difference from 99.24 to 106.28 was applied.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe intermediate values used in calculations were the \u003cem\u003et\u003c/em\u003e distribution, the degree of freedom (df) and the standard error of difference. The value of the \u003cem\u003et\u003c/em\u003e distribution was 57.7491 whereas the value of the degree of freedom calculated was 134 and finally the standard error of difference was found to be 1.779.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe two-tailed P value obtained was less than 0.0001. Thus, by conventional criteria this difference is considered to be extremely statistically significant.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eOur results also shown the presence of 253 galleries and veneers (Figs.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig1\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan refid=\"Fig2\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan refid=\"Fig3\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e and \u003cspan refid=\"Fig4\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e4\u003c/span\u003e). The accession NERICA4 did have 44 veneers followed by AR18U026-F4-33-1-B with 40 veneers and finally 33 plants of the accession AR18U027-F4-115-B exhibited the presence of veneers. The galleries and the veneers were randomly distributed on the field (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab1\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e)\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eTwo types of galleries were discovered of the growing field (Figs.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig1\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan refid=\"Fig2\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e and \u003cspan refid=\"Fig3\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e). Galleries were located almost all over the field (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab1\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e). The number of galleries range from 1 to 6 per field (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab1\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e). The results show the presence of 1 mound gallery on the plot 10 of the accession AR18U020-F4-145-B (Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig3\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eOur result also clearly revealed that some rice grains were missing leaving empty spaces on some part of the field due to \u003cem\u003eCrematogasters sp\u003c/em\u003e activities (Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig5\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e5\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab1\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 1\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNumber of plants obtained per plot represent the number counted three months after the sowing date. The number of veneers and galleries per plot were counted three months after the sowing date. The sowing date is shown. The three trials were separated by the slash symbol (/).\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"6\"\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c6\" colnum=\"6\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAccession / Designation\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePlot number\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePlant number obtained\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGalleries numbers\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTube running up rice plant culm\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSowing Date\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAR18U013-F4-5-B\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1 / 58 / 125\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e30 / 101/ 93\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e- / - / -\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e- / - / -\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11/07/2023\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAR18U017-F4-62-1-B\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2 / 64 / 104\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e69 / 42 / 43\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-/ - / -\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e- / - / -\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11/07/2023\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAR18U019-F4-104-B\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3 / 63 / 98\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e63/ 57 / 70\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3 / 1/ -\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e- / - / -\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11/07/2023\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAR18U019-F4-152-B\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4 / 62 /113\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e50 / 27 / 74\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2 / - / 5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e- / - / -\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11/07/2023\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAR18U019-F4-161-B\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5 / 82 / 97\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e35 / 37 / 31\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1 / 1 / 1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e- / - / -\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11/07/2023\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAR18U020-F4-145-B\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e10 / 52 / 103\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e29 / 04 / 41\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1 / - / -\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e- / - / -\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11/07/2023\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAR18U020-F4-125-B\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e9 / 87 / 123\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e64 / 46 / 67\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2 / - / -\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e- / - / -\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11/07/2023\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAR18U020-F4-122-B\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e8 / 65 / 131\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e65 / 30 / 70\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3 / 2 / 1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e- / - / -\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11/07/2023\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAR18U020-F4-1-B\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e7 / 70 / 126\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e40 / 41 / 64\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2 / 1 / -\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e- / - / -\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11/07/2023\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAR18U019-F4-33-1-B\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6/ 49 / 128\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e30/50 / 95\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e- / - / -\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e- / - / -\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11/07/2023\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAR18U020-F4-176-B\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e15 / 53 / 108\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e24 / 67 / 58\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1 / - / -\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e- / - / -\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11/07/2023\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAR18U020-F4-166-1-B\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e14 / 84 / 115\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e53 / 86 /103\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3 / 2 / 1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e- / - / -\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11/07/2023\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAR18U020-F4-165-B\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e13 / 66 / 114\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e60 / 40 / 45\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e- / 2 / 3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e- / - / -\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11/07/2023\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAR18U020-F4-161-B\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e12 / 85 / 116\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e83 / 51 / 91\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e- / 1 / -\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e- / - / -\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11/07/2023\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAR18U020-F4-159-B\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11 / 46 / 134\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e28 / 31 / 53\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e- / 2 / 1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-/ 11 / -\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11/07/2023\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAR18U021-F4-2-B\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e20 / 61 / 109\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e45 / 42 / 69\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e- / 2 / -\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e- / 1 / 1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11/07/2023\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAR18U021-F4-170-1-B\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e19 / 83 / 132\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e66/ 69 / 83\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e- / 2 / -\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e- / - / -\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11/07/2023\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAR18U021-F4-162-B\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e18 / 89 / 96\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e75 / 39 / 55\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e- / - / -\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e- / - / -\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11/07/2023\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAR18U020-F4-77-B\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e17 / 76 / 95\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e43 / 47 / 46\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e- / - / -\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e- / - / -\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11/07/2023\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAR18U020-F4-27-1-B\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e16 / 90 / 93\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e23 / 41 / 66\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1 / 2 / 1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e- / - / -\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11/07/2023\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAR18U023-F4-30-B\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e25 / 74 / 122\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e17 / 66 / 84\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1 / - / 2\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e- / - / -\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11/07/2023\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAR18U023-F4-18-1-B\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e24 / 55 / 124\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e15 / 28 / 36\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e- / - / -\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e- / - / -\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11/07/2023\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAR18U022-F4-32-B\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e23 / 81 / 102\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e54 / 56 / 69\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1 / - / 4\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e- / - / -\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11/07/2023\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAR18U022-F4-22-B\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e22 / 79 / 111\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e70 / 26 / 66\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1 /- / 1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e- / - / -\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11/07/2023\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAR18U021-F4-78-1-B\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e21/88 / 127\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e38/ 75 /47\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e- / 5 / 1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e- / - / -\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11/07/2023\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAR18U026-F4-13-B\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e30 / 56 / 129\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e31 / 37 / 81\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e- / - / -\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e- / - / -\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11/07/2023\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAR18U025-F4-6-B\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e29\u0026nbsp;/ 60 / 91\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e71 / 32 / 60\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e- /4 / 1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e- / - / -\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11/07/2023\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAR18U024-F4-91-1-B\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e28 / 69 / 92\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e45/ 23 /59\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1/ - /1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e- / - / -\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11/07/2023\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAR18U024-F4-74-B\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e27 / 86 / 118\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e37 / 33 / 61\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e- / - / -\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e- / - / -\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11/07/2023\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAR18U023-F4-53-B\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e26 / 73 / 133\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e25 / 65 / 90\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e- / - / -\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e- / - / -\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11/07/2023\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAR18U028-F4-4-B\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e35 / 57 / 120\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e38 / 41 / 78\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e- / - / 5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e- / - / -\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11/07/2023\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAR18U028-F4-37-1-B\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e34 / 54 / 112\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e44 / 49 / 71\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1 / 1 / 1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e- / 1 / 1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11/07/2023\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAR18U027-F4-115-B\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e33 / 48 / 121\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e42 / 85 / 77\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e- / 1 / 1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e- / 33 / -\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11/07/2023\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAR18U026-F4-68-B\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e32 / 67 / 100\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e42 / 62 / 40\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1 / 1 / 2\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e- / - / -\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11/07/2023\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAR18U026-F4-33-1-B\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e31 / 72 / -\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e38 / 26 / 40\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e- / 3 / -\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e39 / 6 / -\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11/07/2023\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eUpland F-11-4 ABE 2019-2-1-1-B\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e40 / 59 / 106\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e40 / 56 / 65\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e9 / 1 / -\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e- / - / -\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11/07/2023\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAR18U030-F4-9-B\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e39 / 71 / 105\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e48 / 50 / 78\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e38 / 1 / 2\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e- / - / -\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11/07/2023\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAR18U030-F4-116-1-B\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e38 / 77 / 99\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e20 / 79 / 68\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e38 / - / 3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e- / - / -\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11/07/2023\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAR18U029-F4-51-1-B\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e37 / 78 / 117\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e65 / 68 / 42\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e39 / 3 / -\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e- / - / -\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11/07/2023\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAR18U029-F4-102-B\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e36 / 68 / 119\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e23 / 69 / 94\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1 / 3 / 4\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e- / - / -\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11/07/2023\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eWAB56-50\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e45 / 50 / 107\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e58 / 36 / 49\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5 / - / -\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e- / - / -\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11/07/2023\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNERICA4\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e44 / 51 / 135\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e61 / 52 / 111\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e- / - / -\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e38 / 1/ 1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11/07/2023\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eBRS PRIMAVERA\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e43 / 47 / 94\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e62 / 39 / 29\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1 / - / -\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e- / - / -\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11/07/2023\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eARICA5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e42 / 80 / 101\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e74 / 54 / 52\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1 / 1 / 2\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e- / - / -\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11/07/2023\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eARICA4\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e41 / 75 / 110\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e21 / 48 / 57\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e7 / - / 7\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e- / - / -\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11/07/2023\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec13\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eStudy of the Variation of the Data Set Based on the statistical graphic\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eWe used a violin plot in this study because it shows the spread and shape of data sets. The confidence intervals (CI) around the mean of the violin plot are 95⁒ (Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig6\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e6\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe violin plot shows that the scores of repeat 1 is higher, with a lower density of values compared to repeat 2 (Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig6\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e6\u003c/span\u003e). In contrast repeat 2, exhibited a lower score with a higher density value compared to repeat 1. Compared to repeat 1 and 2, repeat 3 has shown a higher score with also a higher density value (Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig6\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e6\u003c/span\u003e). Repeat 1 has shown a positive skew with 50⁒ of the plants bellow and above 45. The higher scores of repeat 1 were found to be 100; However, repeat 2 has disclosed a negative skew as there is a small density scores \u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;15. Repeat 2 has revealed higher density below 50. Repeat 3 has displayed higher scores density at 135. The result shows that some parts of the field do not have any plants thus the distribution of plant on the field varies widely. This distribution confirm\u003cem\u003es\u003c/em\u003e the mean difference of the three repeats shown by the violin plot.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e"},{"header":"DISCUSSION","content":"\u003cp\u003eIn this study, we have demonstrated that the interaction between rainfed rice cultivation and arthropod activity is significant. Indeed, as arthropods population and diversity increased in a rainfed rice field, the plants destruction also increased leading to decreased seed yield.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSeveral species of termites have been found to be useful for farmers in West Africa (Hettie \u003cem\u003eet al\u003c/em\u003e, 2019). However, in this investigation, ants and termites are considered as invasive species. The t-test result corelates with the low number of plants obtained at the end of the experiment. The main destructive activities of the termites and ants occurred just after the seed sowing. During their search for foods, \u003cem\u003eCrematogasters sp\u003c/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eAncistrotermes sp\u003c/em\u003e will carry away the seeds to their nests through underground tunnels and this assertion is corroborated by the discontinuity observed of plant alignments within some plots. Similarly, Theodore et al. (2011) revealed that predatory ants and termites could disrupt agriculture.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eTermites have been described as feeding on a wide variety of plant matter and their nesting behavior is also variable (Theodore \u003cem\u003eet al\u003c/em\u003e., 2012). Our current investigation has shown that the termites through their mounds and underground galleries, consume the plant roots causing the plant to fall to the ground. This study has shown that termites used rice plant materials to build their mounds confirming the finding of Brossard et al. (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR13\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2006\u003c/span\u003e). These arthropods also feed on the rice plant cellulose within their veneers or tubes formed on the stems. Termites attack rice plants at every developmental stage including freshly sown rice grains underground thus reducing the number of rice plants rice yield, grain quality (Anyango \u003cem\u003eet al\u003c/em\u003e., 2020). Even though ants and termite propagation and distribution in the field were not the aim of this study, these actions should be fully investigated as both processes are essential in the disrupting the effect on rainfed rice cultivation.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eLike termites, ants of genus \u003cem\u003eCrematogasters\u003c/em\u003e eat the edible parts of rice seeds leading to significant damage to the rice plants in the fields (Way et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR15\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2002\u003c/span\u003e). Moreover, \u003cem\u003eCrematogasters sp\u003c/em\u003e use plant leaves to construct their nests. This could explain the attraction of the rice plants for these arthropods (Benckiser, 2009).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eEven though the growing field was treated with chemical insecticide, termites and ants still caused damage to the upland rice. The previous study of Michael and Chow-Yang (2024) highlighted that eusocial insects such as ants and termites exhibit less resistance to chemical insecticides thus our data could be explained by the return of the termites after the field insecticide treatment.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"CONCLUSION","content":"\u003cp\u003eRice plants offer to these arthropods food, shelter and building materials. Our findings also show that ant and termite habitats should be further investigated because the same experiment was repeated on another field however the rice plant destruction was not significant. Further study should be conducted to understand the symbiotic relationship between arthropods and rice plants as Mickal et al. (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR14\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2023\u003c/span\u003e) data showed that ants of the genus \u003cem\u003eCrematogasters\u003c/em\u003e do not systematically attack the plants they live with.\u003c/p\u003e "},{"header":"Declarations","content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCONFLITS OF INTEREST\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo conflicts of interest\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAUTHOR CONTRIBUTION\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eConceptualization:\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003eJoel Bleoue, Blaise Kadjo, Louise Akanvou\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eData analysis:\u003c/strong\u003e Joel Bleoue, Blaise kadjo, Louise Akanvou\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eInvestigation :\u003c/strong\u003e Joel Bleoue, Clement Karidioula Lagnigui, Hamidou Dicko\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMethodology:\u003c/strong\u003e Joel Bleoue, Blaise Kadjo, Louise Akanvou\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProject administration:\u003c/strong\u003e Joel Bleoue, Blaise Kadjo, Louise Akanvou\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSupervision:\u003c/strong\u003e Joel Bleoue, Clement Karidioula Lagnigui\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eValidation:\u003c/strong\u003e Joel Bleoue, Blaise Kadjo\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWriting:\u003c/strong\u003e Joel Bleoue\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eACKNOWLEDGEMENTS\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe authors are grateful to all the reviewers of this paper\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFUNDING\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis work was funded by the National Center for agronomic Research of Cote d\u0026rsquo;Ivoire and AfricaRice Cote d\u0026rsquo;Ivoire.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"References","content":"\u003col\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAnjos DV, Tena A, Viana- Junior AB, Carvalho RL, Torezan-Silingardi H, Del-Claro K, Perfecto I (2022) The effects of ants on pest control: a meta-analysis. \u003cem\u003eProc. R. Soc. B\u003c/em\u003e, 289: 20221316\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWills BD, Landis DA (2018) The role of ants in north temperate grasslands: A review. Oecologia 186:323\u0026ndash;338\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBonnie B, Blaimer (2012) Taxonomy and species-groups of the subgenus\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cem\u003eCrematogaster\u003c/em\u003e (\u003cem\u003eOrthocrema\u003c/em\u003e) in the Malagasy region (Hymenoptera, Formicidae). ZooKeys 199: 23\u0026ndash;70\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGero Benckiser (2010) Ants and sustainable agriculture. A review. Agron Sustain Dev 30:191\u0026ndash;199\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBoafo HA, Affedzie-Obresi S Dossou S\u0026eacute;blodo Judes Charlemagne Gbemavo, Victor Attuquaye Clotte, Emmanuel Nkegbe, Gabriel Adu-Aboagye \u0026amp; Marc Kenis (2019) Use of Termites by Farmers as Poultry Feed in Ghana. Insects, 10: 69\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eJohn J, Anyango D, Bautze, Komi KM, Fiaboe ZO 1, Lagat AW, Muriuki S, Stockli J, Riedel GK, Onyambu MW, Musyoka EN, Karanja, Noah Adamtey (2020) The impact of conventional and organic farming on soil biodiversity conservation: A case study on termites in the long\u0026ndash;term farming systems comparison trials in Kenya. BMC Ecol 20:13\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eKanvaly Dosso K, Yeo S, Karl Eduard Linsenmair (2012) Importance of protected areas for biodiversity conservation in central C\u0026ocirc;te d\u0026rsquo;Ivoire: Comparison of termite assemblages between two neighboring areas under differing levels of disturbance. J Insect Sci 12:131\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLaura CE, Campbell E, Toby, Kiers, Guillaume Chomicki (2023) The evolution of plant cultivation by ants. Trends Plant Sci 28:3\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLoko LEY, Orobiyi A, Agre P, Dansi A, Yves Roisin (2017) Farmers\u0026rsquo; perception of termites in agriculture production and their indigenous utilization in Northwest Benin. J Ethnobiol Ethnomed 13:64. 10.1186\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMarion L, Donald, Tom EX, Miller (2022) Does ant-plant mutualism have spillover effects on the non-partner ant community? Ecol Evol 12:e8524\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eScharf ME, Lee C-Y (2024) Insecticide resistance in social insects: assumptions, realities, and possibilities. Curr Opin Insect Sci 62:101161\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBrossard M, Lopez-Hernandez D, Jean-Claude Leprun (2006) Nutrient storage in soils and nests of mound-building \u003cem\u003eTrinervitermes\u003c/em\u003e termites in Central Burkina Faso: consequences for soil fertility. Biol Fertil Soils 43:437\u0026ndash;447\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMickal YI, Houadria G, Barone TM, Fayle P, Konik H (2023) Feldhaar An experimental, behavioral, and chemical analysis of food limitations in mutualistic \u003cem\u003eCrematogaster\u003c/em\u003e ant symbionts inhabiting \u003cem\u003eMacaranga\u003c/em\u003e host plants. \u003cem\u003eEcology and Evolution\u003c/em\u003e, 13: e9760\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWay MJ, Javier G, Heong KL (2002) The role of ants, especially the fire ant, \u003cem\u003eSolenopsis geminata\u003c/em\u003e (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), in the biological control of tropical upland rice pests. Bull Entomol Res 92:431\u0026ndash;437\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSands WA (1972) The soldierless termites of Africa (\u003cem\u003eIsoptera: Termitidae\u003c/em\u003e)\u003c/span\u003e \u003cspan\u003e\u003cem\u003eBulletin of the British Museum (Natural History). Entomology. Supplement\u003c/em\u003e 18, 1-244\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTheodore A, Evans, Brian T, Forschler, Kenneth Grace J (2013) Biology of Invasive Termites: A Worldwide Review. Annu Rev Entomol 58:455\u0026ndash;474\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTheodore A, Evans, Tracy Z, Dawes PR Ward3 \u0026amp; Nathan Lo (2011) Ants and termites increase crop yield in a dry climate. Nat Commun, 2:262 10.1038\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003c/ol\u003e"}],"fulltextSource":"","fullText":"","funders":[],"hasAdminPriorityOnWorkflow":false,"hasManuscriptDocX":true,"hasOptedInToPreprint":true,"hasPassedJournalQc":"","hasAnyPriority":true,"hideJournal":true,"highlight":"","institution":"Centre National de Recherche Agronomique","isAcceptedByJournal":false,"isAuthorSuppliedPdf":false,"isDeskRejected":"","isHiddenFromSearch":false,"isInQc":false,"isInWorkflow":false,"isPdf":false,"isPdfUpToDate":true,"isWithdrawnOrRetracted":false,"journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"researchsquare","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"externalIdentity":"","sideBox":"","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"/submission","title":"Research Square","twitterHandle":"researchsquare","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":false,"editorialSystem":"","reportingPortfolio":"","inReviewEnabled":false,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true},"keywords":"upland rice, Ancistrotermes sp, Crematogasters africana","lastPublishedDoi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-6310599/v1","lastPublishedDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-6310599/v1","license":{"name":"CC BY 4.0","url":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"},"manuscriptAbstract":"\u003cp\u003eInvasive arthropod presence in upland rice field 3 in Cote d\u0026rsquo;Ivoire can affect both the distribution and the density of rice plants leading to decrease rice yields. Our results have shown that 9697 plants were destroyed by the ants and termites even though the growing field was treated with an insecticide. The destruction of rice plants by the \u003cem\u003eAncistrotermes sp\u003c/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eCrematogasters africana\u003c/em\u003e according to our results is accomplished through the construction of galleries, veneers and mounds. The search for food will redirect these arthropods towards rice fields. Furthermore, once these insects are in the growing fields it is difficult to remove them.\u003c/p\u003e","manuscriptTitle":"Destructive effect of invasive termites and ants on rainfed rice cultivation in Cote d’Ivoire","msid":"","msnumber":"","nonDraftVersions":[{"code":1,"date":"2025-03-27 09:51:11","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-6310599/v1","editorialEvents":[{"type":"communityComments","content":0}],"status":"published","journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"researchsquare","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"externalIdentity":"","sideBox":"","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"/submission","title":"Research Square","twitterHandle":"researchsquare","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":false,"editorialSystem":"","reportingPortfolio":"","inReviewEnabled":false,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true}}],"origin":"","ownerIdentity":"2232e032-18af-4a8a-bd01-994172498c45","owner":[],"postedDate":"March 27th, 2025","published":true,"recentEditorialEvents":[],"rejectedJournal":[],"revision":"","amendment":"","status":"posted","subjectAreas":[{"id":46232107,"name":"Agronomy"}],"tags":[],"updatedAt":"2025-03-27T09:51:11+00:00","versionOfRecord":[],"versionCreatedAt":"2025-03-27 09:51:11","video":"","vorDoi":"","vorDoiUrl":"","workflowStages":[]},"version":"v1","identity":"rs-6310599","journalConfig":"researchsquare"},"__N_SSP":true},"page":"/article/[identity]/[[...version]]","query":{"redirect":"/article/rs-6310599","identity":"rs-6310599","version":["v1"]},"buildId":"XKTyCvWXoU3ODBz1xrDgd","isFallback":false,"isExperimentalCompile":false,"dynamicIds":[84888],"gssp":true,"scriptLoader":[]}