Relationship between nematode assemblages and physical properties across land use types

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of land use types on nematode assemblage in sugarcane production in Pernambuco State, Brazil. One forest and two managed agricultural soils were characterized by their nematode assemblages to assess their biological characteristics. Soil samples were collected between 2009 and 2010 at three 10-cm depth increments along two 200-m transects with points at 20-m intervals from each other. Nematodes were extracted by sucrose centrifugation, and the physical properties of the soil were analysed, including soil mechanical resistance, bulk density, total porosity, water content, and texture. The effects of agricultural land management on the soil’s physical properties and nematode assemblage composition were significant. Soil mechanical resistance has critical implications for the abundance and distribution of plant-parasitic nematodes in agricultural soils. Thus, a new approach is needed for the design and management of an integrated ecosystem mainly to optimize antagonistic systems to plant-parasitic nematodes.