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Relating nematode community structure to different kikuyu-ryegrass pasture establishment methods

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Abstract

Nematodes play an important role in agricultural soil in terms of their pest status and their contribution to soil quality, where they may serve as a valuable indicator of soil health. The aim of the study was to assess changes occurring in nematode community structure, as affected by soil tillage applied to high N-input and irrigated pastures in South Africa. Such practices were investigated by means of analysing diversity and ecosystem function indices, as well as the faunal profile, to enable analysis of their effect on soil quality. The pre-treatment soil analyses showed a low overall mean nematode density. No clear and predictable pattern was present in the nematode community structure in relation to tillage. The lack of indicative information leading from the nematode community structure to the tillage disturbance types might be linked to the fact that such systems were able to recover from soil disturbance within the relatively short period of less than a year.

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Acknowledgements

We wish to thank Prof D. Nel for the statistical analyses and Prof M. Hardy and Dr E. Phiri from Department of Agronomy, Stellenbosch University, for the valuable comments. We thank the Western Cape Department of Agriculture for providing space and facilities on Outeniqua Research Farm, and we are grateful for the advice and assistance from staff on Outeniqua Research Farm.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Agronomy, Stellenbosch University, Private Bag X1, Matieland, Stellenbosch, 7602, South Africa

    Pieter A. Swanepoel

  2. Department of Conservation Ecology and Entomology, Stellenbosch University, Private Bag X1, Matieland, Stellenbosch, 7602, South Africa

    Caro Kapp & Antoinette P. Malan

  3. Nemlab, c/o R44 and Anyswortelrug Road, Klapmuts 7625, PO Box 2825, Durbanville, 7551, South Africa

    Sheila G. Storey

  4. Western Cape Department of Agriculture, Outeniqua Research Farm, PO Box 249, George, 6530, South Africa

    Sigrun B. Ammann

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  1. Pieter A. Swanepoel
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  4. Sheila G. Storey
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Contributions

P.A. Swanepoel conceptualised the idea for this study, designed the trial, oversaw all data collection, and undertook data analysis. The manuscript was drafted by P.A. Swanepoel, C. Kapp, and A.P. Malan, with advice from S.B. Ammann. C. Kapp was responsible for the nematode-specific laboratory analyses with advice from S.G. Storey. The faunal analysis was done by S.G. Storey. P.A. Swanepoel, C. Kapp, A.P. Malan, and S.B. Ammann contributed critical revisions to the manuscript.

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Correspondence to Pieter A. Swanepoel.

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Swanepoel, P.A., Kapp, C., Malan, A.P. et al. Relating nematode community structure to different kikuyu-ryegrass pasture establishment methods. J Plant Dis Prot 128, 1667–1678 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s41348-021-00499-y

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