Diversity and Management Strategies of Plant Parasitic Nematodes in Moroccan Organic Farming and Their Relationship with Soil Physico-Chemical Properties

Ghizlane Krif,Salah-Eddine Laasli,Göksel Özer,Rachid Lahlali,Fouad Mokrini,Mustafa Imren,Timothy Paulitz,Abdelfattah A Dababat,Aicha El Aissami

doi:10.3390/agriculture10100447

Abstract

Organic farming has been increasing steadily over the last decade and is expected to grow drastically in the future. Plant parasitic nematodes (PPNs) are known as one of the most important pests attacking various plants in conventional and organic farming systems. A survey was conducted in January 2019 to determine the occurrence and diversity of PPNs, their associations with soil properties, and to assess their management methods in organically farmed fields in Southern Morocco. Twelve genera of PPNs were identified in soil and root samples collected from 53 organic fields, including Meloidogyne, Pratylenchus, Helicotylenchus, Tylenchus, Tylenchorynchus, Criconemoides, Trichodorus, and Xiphinema. The root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.) and the root-lesion nematode (Pratylenchus spp.) were the most prevalent PPNs. Vegetable crops (bean, onion, and tomato) had high nematode diversity indices compared to some aromatic and medicinal crops, including the Shannon, Evenness, and plant parasitic index (PPI). Our study underlined that several PPN genera were significantly correlated with soil physico-chemical properties, in particular, soil structure and organic matter. Therefore, it was concluded that soil properties have a considerable impact on PPN communities in organic farming systems located in Southern Morocco. There are numerous strategies for the control of PPNs in organic farming systems.

Highlights

Organic farming can be defined as an ecological and economical way of farming, playing a major role in preserving biodiversity, promoting animal and plant health, and contributing to sustainable development [1]
Density and Diversity of Plant parasitic nematodes (PPNs) Associated with Organically Grown Vegetables, Medicinal, and Aromatic Plants
A total of 12 PPN genera were found to be associated with organically grown vegetables and medicinal and aromatic plants in Southern Morocco (Table 1)

Summary

Introduction

Organic farming can be defined as an ecological and economical way of farming, playing a major role in preserving biodiversity, promoting animal and plant health, and contributing to sustainable development [1]. In 2000, more than 1500 tons of eight commodities were produced in three different areas: Agadir, Taroudant, and El-Jadida [9] These regions harbor 90% of Moroccan organic production [10]. The Souss-Massa region (south of Morocco) has developed into an important producer of organic crops in this country in the past five years due to favorable pedoclimatic conditions such as high soil temperature and water content [9]. Organic crops may have high pest pressures compared to conventional farming due to both the regulations of organic farming and few management practices [11]

Objectives

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion