Characterization of Soil Nematode Community as Influenced by Weedy Plants and Edaphic Properties

Abstract

Nematodes are one of the most critical species globally as they are part of most nutrient recycling. While nematodes play a vital role in nutrient cycling, little is known about them from an ecological standpoint. The majority of current research has focused on a singular component of the community, being those of herbivore/plant-parasitic nematodes. In this study, the community shifts of the nematode trophic groups were analyzed as influenced by native and invasive grasses species in the Lower Rio Grande Valley (LRGV) with the addition of edaphic soil properties.

In our study, the results indicate changes in the composition of the nematode community amongst native and invasive grass species in the LRGV. These shifts in composition were observed as individual nematode species such as Helicotylenchus spp and Pratylenchus spp were significantly different amongst the native and invasive plant species. Soil edaphic properties also had significant correlations with diversity and trophic nematode groups, particularly moisture.