Agricultural practices must adapt to meet environmental, climatic, food, social and economic challenges. Agriculture must move towards new forms of resources that improve productivity and protect the environment. This study will highlight the fertilizing potential of termite mounds and anthill. Physicochemical and microbiological analyses of the termite and ant farm soils were carried out. These soils are of silty type. The average content of assimilable phosphorus is higher in the ant farm soils than in the termite farm soils. The termite mound soils have a good biological activity compared to the ant farm soils. The physico-chemical nature of the analyzed soils has an influence on the spore density of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi. This density is highest in the anthill soil. However, it did not have a significant effect on the nodulation of cowpea plants. As Rhizobiums, 6 morphotypes were identified, 4 were present in the termite mound soil and 2 in the anthill soil. The termite mound and ant farm soils could be used to improve the chemical and biological composition of soils and contribute to fertility restoration.

The rational management of natural biological resources such as non-timber forest products can be an asset in the fight against poverty and the protection of the environment. Goimbrasia hecate is a Lepidoptera whose caterpillars are edible in some Sahelian areas of Mali. The objectives of the study are: 1) to identify the host plants of G. hecate; 2) to determine the food preference of the caterpillars; 3) to identify the host plants chosen as oviposition site. The inventory of woody plants was carried out in demarcated areas. Then the different stages of development of G. hecate or the traces left by the insect were searched for the leaves and around the feet of woody plants. Of the 12 species of woody plants encountered, the most widespread is Guiera senegalensis. The range of host plants consists of G. senegalensis, Combretum glutinosum, Combretum micranthum, Terminalia macroptera, Piliostigma reticulatum, Sclerocarya birrea, Diospiros mespiliformis and Mytragyna inermis. G. hecate is therefore polyphagous but prefers the most widespread species in the area. Females chose G. senegalensis, C. glutinosum and P. reticulatum as oviposition sites. The average number of eggs per ooplaque is highest on C. glutinosum leaves. Stage 4 and 5 caterpillars prefer G. senegalensis and P. reticulatum. These data are necessary for the sustainable management of the insect.