Study on Impact of Soil Chemical Characteristics on Nematode Distribution Across Geographical Regions of Meghalaya
Jeevan. H
*
Division of Nematology, ICAR-IARI, New Delhi-110012, India.
Shashank H G
Division of Plant Genetic Resources, ICAR-IARI, New Delhi-110012, India.
M. N. Rudra Gouda
Division of Entomology, ICAR-IARI, New Delhi-110012, India.
Gurram Mallikarjun
Division of Nematology, ICAR-IARI, New Delhi-110012, India.
Santhosh Naik
Division of Entomology, ICAR-IARI, New Delhi-110012, India.
Chethan Kumar K B
Division of Plant Genetic Resources, ICAR-IARI, New Delhi-110012, India.
Srinivasa G
Division of Nematology, ICAR-IARI, New Delhi-110012, India.
Preetham V
Division of Nematology, ICAR-IARI, New Delhi-110012, India.
R.K Patidar
Nematology Department, School of Crop Protection, CAU-CPGSAS, Umiam, Meghalaya-793103, India.
Veronica Kadam *
Nematology Department, School of Crop Protection, CAU-CPGSAS, Umiam, Meghalaya-793103, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
This study looks at the relationship between soil chemical characteristics and nematode communities in Meghalaya's agricultural landscapes. Nematodes, which are important bioindicators of soil health, were studied in connection to soil characteristics such as pH, Electrical Conductivity (EC), Organic Carbon (OC), and nutrient levels (N, P, K) in various parts of Meghalaya. The study found strong relationships between soil chemistry and the spread of various nematode taxa. Acidic soils with lower pH and higher organic carbon were shown to have higher populations of plant-parasitic nematodes such as Meloidogyne sp. and Xiphinema sp., both of which have been shown to reduce agricultural productivity. Soils with greater EC, on the other hand, have fewer of these damaging nematodes, implying that modifying soil salinity could be a viable technique for controlling nematode infestations. Furthermore, nutrient-rich soils, particularly those high in phosphorus and potassium, were associated with larger abundances of Tylenchorhynchus sp., emphasising the intricate relationship between soil fertility and nematode dynamics. The study highlights the critical impact of soil chemical characteristics in influencing nematode communities, as well as the importance of specific soil management strategies to improve crop health in Meghalaya. Farmers can use these findings to build targeted methods for controlling nematode populations, decreasing crop loss and encouraging sustainable agricultural practices in the region. This study offers useful recommendations for enhancing soil health and increasing agricultural productivity in some regions of Meghalaya's agroecosystems.
Keywords: Nematode communities, soil chemical characteristics, crop health