BJ ENAGBONMA

Anthill soils play a crucial role in sustainable agriculture practice as a source of locally available source of fertilizer which is essential in plant growth and development, and as such improve soil fertility. However, the pathogenicity of anthill soils have not been fully looked at. The aim of this study is to know the pathogenicity status of the antihill soil. Soil samples were collected from four different anthills from two locations (Institutional and residential areas in a sterile container) and their corresponding adjacent soils (control). The analysis carried out were bacterial count after aliquots of serially diluted soil were plated, cultural characteristics by culturing isolates, afterwards sub culturing. Colony count was done alongside phenotypic identification to know the (size, shape, elevation and margin). Morphological identification (Gram Staining) was done to differentiate, positive from negative. Biochemical and pathogenicity test were carried out using (protease and lipase) test. Bacteria such as E. coli, Bacillus sp, Pseudomonas sp, serratia sp, Enterobacter claocae, staphylococcus sp and Salmonella sp were found. It is therefore recommended that for effective utilization of anthill soils for agricultural crop production, further studies should be carried to better understand the premise that anthill soil maybe dangerous rather than beneficial in the long run