Soil and climatic factors that affect communities of plant-parasitic nematodes in organic vegetables in the Argan Biosphere of Souss-Massa region (Southern Morocco)

Authors: FILALI ALAOUI, ILYASS - Ibn Zohr University; AIT HAMZA, MOHAMED - Ibn Zohr University; BENJLIL, HINDE - Ibn Zohr University; IDHMIDA, AMIN - Ibn Zohr University; MZOUGH, ELMAHDI - Ibn Zohr University; FURZE, JAMES NICHOLAS - Ibn Zohr University; HALLOUTI, AYOUB - Ibn Zohr University; BASAID, KHADIJA - Ibn Zohr University; Zasada, Inga; Paulitz, Timothy; FERJI, ZAHRA - Ibn Zohr University; EL MOUSADIK, ABDELHAMID - Ibn Zohr University; MAYAD, EL HASSAN - Ibn Zohr University

Submitted to: Environmental Science and Pollution Research
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/11/2021
Publication Date: 4/1/2021
Citation: Filali Alaoui, I., Ait Hamza, M., Benjlil, H., Idhmida, A., Mzough, E., Furze, J., Hallouti, A., Basaid, K., Zasada, I.A., Paulitz, T.C., Ferji, Z., El Mousadik, A., Mayad, E. 2021. Soil and climatic factors that affect communities of plant-parasitic nematodes in organic vegetables in the Argan Biosphere of Souss-Massa region (Southern Morocco). Environmental Science and Pollution Research. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-021-12986-8.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-021-12986-8

Interpretive Summary: A survey of nematodes was conducted in organically cultivated vegetables in the Souss-Massa region of Morocco. Forty-three nematode genera were identified and 24 were plant pathogens. The most prevalent taxa posing high risk to the organic production in that area are stunt nematodes (Tylenchorhynchus spp.), mycophagous nematodes (Aphelenchus spp.), grazer nematodes (Tylenchus spp.) and needle nematodes (Longidorus spp.). Root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.) were also important. Organic matter, pH, nitrogen and soil texture as well as climatic variables had a substantial role in the abundance, distribution and community structure of plant pathogenic nematodes.

Technical Abstract: Global yields in organic agricultural systems are reduced by the invasion of plant-parasitic nematodes (PPN). The organic farmland productivity in Argan biosphere of Morocco is also limited by widespread of PPN. Control methods for PPN are still lacking, so ecological studies on nematode communities should receive more consideration to develop efficient agroecological management approaches for these harmful species. In this study, 59 organic vegetable soils in Souss-Massa were sampled for assemblages of PPN, and taxonomical and functional diversity were described. These were compared between crops, regions and according to edaphic with climatic factors. Forty-three nematode genera were identified and 24 are PPN. Unlike functional diversity, taxonomic diversity was more affected by crops. Organic matter, pH, nitrogen and soil texture as well as climatic variables had a substantial role in the abundance, distribution and community structure of PPN. Climate and soil features in Souss-Massa are important drivers for soil nematodes in organic vegetable farming systems. The most prevalent taxa posing high risk to the organic production in that area are stunt nematodes (Tylenchorhynchus spp.), mycophagous nematodes (Aphelenchus spp.), grazer nematodes (Tylenchus spp.) and needle nematodes (Longidorus spp.). Root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.) were also important. Appropriate agroecological practices restricting damaging PPN growth and leading to soil quality improvement need to be identified in further studies for sustainable management.