Multiple species-specific controls of root-feeding nematodes in natural soils

• Published in: Soil biology & biochemistry 2008-11, Vol.40 (11), p.2729-2735
• Main Authors: Piśkiewicz, Anna M., Duyts, Henk, van der Putten, Wim H.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Agronomy. Soil science and plant productions; Ammophila arenaria; Biochemistry and biology; biodiversity; Biological and medical sciences; Biological control; borne fungi; botanical composition; Chemical, physicochemical, biochemical and biological properties; coastal foredunes; coasts; ectoparasitic nematodes; endoparasitic nematodes; endophytes; free-living nematodes; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; fusarium wilts; grass ammophila-arenaria; grasses; integrated pest management; marram grass; Multitrophic interactions; mycorrhizal fungi; Nematoda; nematode control; Nematodes; Physics, chemistry, biochemistry and biology of agricultural and forest soils; plant growth; plant parasitic nematodes; population-dynamics; rhizosphere; Root herbivory; soil arthropods; soil ecology; soil microorganisms; soil nematodes; Soil science; Soil suppressiveness; Sustainable agriculture; symbionts; symbiosis; vegetation
• ISSN: 0038-0717; 1879-3428
• DOI: 10.1016/j.soilbio.2008.07.006

One of the major limitations to enhance sustainability of crop production systems is the inability to control root-feeding nematodes without using chemical biocides. In soils under wild vegetation, however, root-feeding nematodes affect plant performance and plant community composition varying from substantially to insignificantly. Previous studies in natural ecosystems have already shown that mutualistic symbionts, such as arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and endophytes, may influence plant exposure to root-feeding nematodes. In order to learn more from natural systems, we examined nematode control in the root zone of a wild coastal foredune grass by microorganisms, other nematodes and microarthropods. We cultured all eight root-feeding nematode species that occur in the root zone of marram grass ( Ammophila arenaria) in coastal foredunes of the Netherlands. Then, in an indoor growth experiment we exposed each nematode species to the potential natural antagonists collected from the same dune soil. Most of the eight dominant root-feeding nematode species could be controlled to some extent by more than one group of soil organisms added. The effectiveness of control varied among nematode species, which seemed to be controlled in a species-specific way. We conclude that in a natural soil the effectiveness of control by microorganisms, other nematodes or microarthropods varies among root-feeding nematode species. Most are controlled, at least to some extent, by soil microbes. However, some root-feeding nematode species are controlled only by microarthropods. Our results strongly suggest that sustainable agriculture will benefit from using a range of biological control mechanisms when controlling root-feeding nematodes, rather than relying on single control agents. Our suggestion also implies that conserving soil biodiversity is crucial in order to enhance the reliability of biological crop protection against soil-borne pests and diseases.