@article{fdi:010058809,
  title = {{X}ylophagous termites : a potential sink for atmospheric nitrous oxide},
  author = {{M}ajeed, {M}uhammad {Z}eeshan and {M}iambi, {E}. and {R}obert, {A}. and {B}ernoux, {M}artial and {B}rauman, {A}lain},
  editor = {},
  language = {{ENG}},
  abstract = {{T}o provide a better understanding of soil-atmosphere gas exchange processes, this study describes the atmospheric nitrous oxide ({N}2{O}) uptake by xylophagous termites and the biological process involved. {T}he {N}2{O} consumption rates of three xylophagous termite species ({H}odotermes mossambicus, {N}asutitermes voeltzkowi and {H}odotermopsis sjoestedti) were determined in incubation vials with ambient, artificially enhanced {N}2{O} concentrations in the headspace. {L}ive individuals of the three termite species significantly decreased {N}2{O} concentrations (88%) in the headspace of the vials after 24 h incubation in the dark. {T}he acetylene reduction assay method applied to {N}. voeltzkowi, a xylophagous termite species, showed a decrease in {N}2{O} uptake in acetylene-treated individuals, indicating the potential involvement of termite gut denitrifying microbes. {T}he {N}-2 formed is potentially subjected to assimilation via nitrogenase reductase into termite biomass through biological fixation as demonstrated by the reduction of acetylene to ethylene at an average rate of 18.21 +/- 1.34 nmol {C}2{H}4 g(-1) dw d(-1). {F}urther studies should focus on measurements of {N}2{O}-reductase (nos{Z}) gene activity in termite guts to gain a better understanding of the {N}2{O} reduction process in xylophagous termite species.},
  keywords = {{X}ylophagous termites ; {N}itrous oxide ; nos{Z} gene ; {D}enitrification ; {A}cetylene reduction assay ({ARA}) ; {AFRIQUE} {DU} {SUD} ; {ILE} {MAURICE} ; {VIET} {NAM}},
  booktitle = {},
  journal = {{E}uropean {J}ournal of {S}oil {B}iology},
  volume = {53},
  numero = {},
  pages = {121--125},
  ISSN = {1164-5563},
  year = {2012},
  DOI = {10.1016/j.ejsobi.2012.10.002},
  URL = {https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010058809},
}