Abstract
Free-living nematodes have beneficial effects on plant growth and nutrition. Exploring how agricultural practices modulate these beneficial effects is still challenging. A study was conducted in Ferralsols from Madagascar from one unmanaged grassland and 16 upland rainfed rice fields, representative of different agricultural practices: rotation, agroforestry and monoculture. Intact soil cores in plastic cylinders were sampled in the field to assess the effects of agricultural practices on changes in plant growth and nutrition induced by the presence of bacterial-feeding nematodes. The soil cores were fumigated to kill the nematodes and moistened with a filtered fresh soil suspension containing only microbial cells. A rice seed was introduced in the core, which was then incubated under natural climatic conditions for 40 days with or without inoculation of the bacterial-feeding nematode Acrobeloides sp. The inoculation of the nematodes induced lower, similar or higher plant biomass and nutrient content in comparison to the control according to the agricultural practices. Positive effects of Acrobeloides sp. on plant functions were frequent in soil cores sampled from fields with high plant diversity, especially from agroforestry systems. The intact soil core technique appears to be a robust means of mimicking field conditions and constitutes a promising tool to assess effects on soil processes of the ecological intensification of agricultural practices.
Highlights
Nematodes are cosmopolite and abundant animals [1]
The new method based on intact soil cores proposed in this study appears relevant and robust to test the effect of the bacterial-feeding nematode Acrobeloides sp. on rice growth and nutrition
We were able to assess the effect of agricultural practices on the soil microbial loop driven by Acrobeloides sp
Summary
Nematodes are cosmopolite and abundant animals [1] In the soil, they contribute to key functions [2], such as organic matter decomposition [3], nutrient cycling [4], stimulation of microbial activity [5,6] and plant nutrition and growth [7]. Free-living nematodes are known to greatly improve nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) availability for plants through the soil microbial loop [8,9,10]. Because N and P are the main macronutrients limiting crop productivity in many terrestrial ecosystems [11,12], improving nutrient availability for crops by promoting the beneficial activities of free-living nematodes is a promising technique for sustainable agriculture.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
