Organic fertilization influences nematode diversity and maturity index in coffee tree plantations using an agroforestry system - Exeley
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
JOURNAL OF NEMATOLOGY
Article | DOI: 10.21307/jofnem-2021-054 e2021-54 | Vol. 53
Organic fertilization influences nematode diversity
and maturity index in coffee tree plantations using an
agroforestry system
JOL Vieira Júnior1,*, RC Pereira1,
RL Soto2, IM Cardoso3,
EA Mondino4, RLL Berbara5 and Abstract
E Sá Mendonça6 In conventional coffee farming, soil fauna can be negatively affected
1
Department of Entomology and by the intensive management practices adopted and the use of
Plant Pathology, Universidade an agroforestry system (AFS) is an alternative to reduce these
Estadual Norte Fluminense Darcy impacts. In coffee AFS, soil nutrition is provided mainly using organic
Ribeiro, Campos dos Goytacazes, fertilizers. This soil management favors the microbiota and can alter
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. the population dynamics of some organisms. Our objective was to
evaluate the effect of organic fertilizers on the nematode community
2
Centro de Edafologia y Biología in coffee AFS and to determine their impact on soil ecology. Soil
Aplicada del Segura, Murcia, Spain. samples were collected from three coffee AFS and a nearby Atlantic
3
Universidade Federal de Viçosa, rainforest fragment. Nematodes were extracted from the samples and
Viçosa, Brazil. identified to the genus. The identified populations were compared
using several community and diversity indices to determine the
4
Laboratório de Nematología
environmental conditions of the systems under evaluation. No
IPADS Balcarce (INTA-CONICET)
differences in total abundance among nematode communities were
Ruta Nac. 226 Km. 73,5-CC 276,
found in the four areas evaluated. Regarding trophic groups, the
(B7620WAP) Balcarce, Buenos
coffee AFS treated with either cow manure or poultry litter favored
Aires, Argentina.
the trophic group of bacterivores. Plant-parasitic nematodes were
5
Universidade Federal Rural do Rio more abundant in soils of both the naturally fertilized coffee AFS and
de Janeiro, Seropédica, Rio de the Atlantic rainforest fragment. The maturity and structural indexes
Janeiro, Brazil. indicated that the Atlantic rainforest fragment and the naturally
fertilized coffee AFS had similar ecological functions. On the other
6
Universidade Federal do Espírito
hand, soils fertilized with cow manure were less diverse, had higher
Santo, Alegre, Brazil.
dominance in the community, and showed less ecological stability.
*E-mail: joseolivio@ufv.br The nematode communities found in the AFS were similar to those
This paper was edited by seen in the forest fragment indicating that is possible to produce
Maria Viketoft. coffee sustainably without negatively affecting soil quality.
Received for publication
November 13, 2020. Keywords
Agroecology, Agroforestry systems, Coffea arabica, Ecology,
Ecological indices, Organic farming, Management.
Intensive soil management practices, such as deep reduce the environmental impact caused by intensive
turnover, use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides agriculture. Incorporation of different tree species into
may lead to an imbalance in soil biodiversity and coffee plantations may promote social, economic,
negatively affect the functionality of agroecosystems and environmental benefits as this contributes to
(Wall et al., 2015). Hence, some farmers have begun production diversity, increased family income, and
managing their crops in agroforestry systems (AFS) increased organic matter in the soil (Jackson et al.,
using agroecological and organic approaches to 2012).
© 2021 Authors. This is an Open Access article licensed under the Creative 1
Commons CC BY 4.0 license, https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/Nematodes communities in coffee agroforestry systems: Vieira Jnior et al.
In coffee AFS, soil nutrition is provided from History and characterization of the study
organic fertilizers such as cow manure, poultry litter areas
and plant residues when necessary. The proper
incorporation of these fertilizers improves soil quality In the 1980s, this rural property was used for corn and
and microbial activity (Jannoura et al., 2014). These bean cultivation and cattle raising. At that time, burning
fertilizers can also change the population dynamics of practices were frequent. The coffee plantations
some organisms such as nematodes (Jannoura et al., began in 1999. Chemical fertilizers were applied to
2014; Falkowski et al., 2019). the coffee tree plantations between 1999 and 2001.
Soil nematodes can have different habits and are After that, chemical fertilizers were gradually replaced
classified as either free-living (bacterivores, fungivores, by organic fertilizers. In 2003, other species of trees
predators, and omnivores) or plant-parasites (Ferris, were incorporated inside the coffee plantations, and
2010). These organisms play an important ecological since then, the transition from solely coffee plantations
role in regulating the soil microbiota, mineralization, and to AFS began. Farmers planted trees, especially fruit
nutrient cycling (Bongers and Ferris, 1999). Nematodes trees, randomly grown within the coffee plantations.
are sensitive to changes in mulching and respond Other management changes also occurred: farmers
rapidly to agricultural practices such as fertilization stopped weeding spontaneous growing plants,
(Ferris, 2010; Oka, 2010). Studies on the diversity started tilling the soil, and stopped using pesticides.
of nematodes in agricultural areas have resulted in a Currently, two coffee plantations are certified as
growing interest in this field as these organisms can organic by BCS Öko-Garantie, a German certification
act as bioindicators for agroecosystems (Neher, 2001). organization. One of the plantations is fertilized using
Depending on the fertilizer used, the availability poultry litter and the other one with cow manure. In a
of soil nutrients is altered and this reflects on the third plantation, a natural farming system (only plant
nematode community (Yeates et al., 2009; Zhang residues are added to the tilled soil) was adopted and
et al., 2019). Organic fertilization can provide nutrients the crop has been certified by the Shumei Japanese
for the development of bacterial-feeding nematodes organization of natural farmers.
and reduce the numbers of some plant-parasitic The experimental design was carried out in coffee
nematode species (Renco and Kovacik, 2012). plantations using three different organic fertilizer
Although the effects of fertilization on the abundance treatments (natural fertilizer (NF), poultry litter (PL), cow
and diversity of soil nematodes have been widely manure (CM)) and in a fragment forest (FF). The 25,000
studied, the impact of organic fertilization on complex square meters of Atlantic forest fragment is considered
agroecosystems, such as AFS, is unknown (Zhang as a remnant of the forest and does not present
et al., 2019). Thus, the objectives of this study were recent signs of anthropogenic disturbances, except for
to (1) evaluate the effect of soil fertilization using activities involving removal of fallen branches that were
either poultry litter, cow manure, or plant residues used for fertilizing natural coffee plantations.
on nematode communities in coffee AFS and (2) The naturally fertilized coffee plantation was
determine the level of anthropic disturbance in the comprised of an area of 8,000 square meters, with
agroecosystem by comparing it to that of a nearby 2.3 × 1.2 meters spacing between coffee trees. In
undisturbed rainforest fragment. this system, coffee trees were last pruned in 2011.
Such plantations are mostly cultivated together
Materials and methods with the following plant species: banana (Musa
sp.); capoeira-branca (Solanum argenteum); royal
Study site palm (Archontophoenix cunninghamiana) and pinto
peanut (Arachis pintoi). Plant residues already
This work was carried out at a rural property within present in coffee plantations are used as fertilizers,
the municipality of Araponga, Zona da Mata in Minas including banana pseudostem, capoeira-branca
Gerais state, Brazil (20º 38´ 39.76´´ S, 42º 3´ 0.27´´W), trunks, pinto peanuts, and leaf litter from the nearby
located at an altitude of 1,315 m. The region’s climate forest fragment. Fertilization is performed by placing
is mesothermal and annual rainfall varies from the plant material in a circle on the soil around the
1,280 mm to 1,800 mm. The terrain is mountainous; coffee tree, and the coverage is based on the size of
declivity is between 20 and 45%, with prevalence the crown. This is performed once in November and
of latosols. This rural property had three coffee again 45 days later. In total, approximately 70 tonnes
plantations (Coffea arabica L. cv. Red Catuaí) using ha-1 of residues are used per year in the plantations.
the agroforestry system and was close to an Atlantic The coffee plantation fertilized with poultry litter
rainforest fragment. comprised an area of 4,000 square meters, with 1.5 × 3.0
2JOURNAL OF NEMATOLOGY
m plant spacing. Fertilization was performed by placing Soil analyses
the fertilizer on the soil in a circle around the coffee tree,
and coverage was based on the size of the crown. This Physical analyses of soil total porosity, microporosity,
was carried out once in December and again after 45 macroporosity, soil moisture, and chemical analyses
days after the first application. A total of 44.5 tonnes ha-1 of soil macronutrients, organic matter, C:N ratio,
of composted poultry litter, obtained from neighboring and pH from the four areas evaluated were carried
farms, was used per year in this plantation. To compost out. In each experimental plot were samples were
poultry litter, this material was assembled in layers collected from the soil layer at a depth of 0–10 cm
interspersed with manure and coffee bean peels from with the aid of a volumetric ring. The methods used
the intended plantation. The material was moistened in the physical and chemical soil analyses were
at least once a week and turned in every 30 days. The according to Donagema et al. (2011). The collection
entire process takes 90 days. The predominant tree of soil samples for physical and chemical analyses
species in the area are “guatambu” (Aspidosperma was simultaneous with the collection of samples for
polyneurum); “capoeira-branca” (Solanum argenteum) nematological analyses.
and banana (Musa sp.). Except for the banana trees
that are planted around the coffee tree plantations as a Sampling, extraction, and identification
physical wind barrier, the other species were randomly of nematodes
distributed in the plantations.
The coffee tree plantation fertilized using composted Soil samples for estimation of nematode populations
cow manure comprised an area of 15,000 square were collected from the three coffee plantations and
meters, with 3.0 × 1.5 m plant spacing. Fertilization the Atlantic forest fragment. For each fertilization
was performed by placing the fertilizer on the soil in treatment, five coffee trees were randomly selected
a circle around the coffee tree, and coverage was and the soil at the base of the plant was sampled in
based on the size of the crown. This was performed a zigzag pattern. In each area, five soil samples were
once in December and again after 45 days after the collected at a depth of 0–20 cm in September 2015
first application. In total, approximately 13.2 tonnes ha-1 using a volumetric ring with a 2.5-cm diameter. A
of composted cow manure from the rural property was total of 12 samples were collected and homogenized
used per year in the plantation. For composting, the as a mixed sample for each coffee tree selected
manure was heaped in a pile, moistened every week, (Huising et al., 2008) (Figure 1). Samples were then
and turned every 30 days. The entire process takes 90 transferred into plastic bags, sealed, and labeled
days. In this area, the main tree species were avocado for subsequent extraction and identification of
(Persea gratissima) and banana (Musa sp.). nematodes.
Figure 1: Sampling method for nematodes present in the soil in each coffee plantation.
3Nematodes communities in coffee agroforestry systems: Vieira Jnior et al.
Extraction of nematodes was performed using was calculated as the percentage value of the
the flotation method with a sucrose solution (Jenkins, number of genera that belong to a particular taxon
1964). Soil samples (100 cc) were first passed through or trophic group in relation to the total number of
a 2-mm mesh sieve to remove stones and roots. nematodes present in a sample using the following
Sieved soils were then placed in a beaker containing equation: pi = (n/N) × 100, wherein n was the number
1,000 mL of water, and suspensions were manually of nematodes from each genus and N was the total
stirred for a minute. Then, stirring was interrupted number of nematodes in each sample (Cares and
for 20 s so that thicker particles could settle and the Huang, 2008).
supernatants were then transferred to a 400-mesh To compare the diversity and dominance
sieve. The retained material was then washed and between the areas, the Shannon (H´) and Simpson
transferred to Falcon tubes (50 mL) and centrifuged (Ds) indexes were calculated. The Shannon index
for 5 min at 1,008 × g, and the supernatants were applies equal weight to rare and abundant genus
discarded. Then, a sucrose solution (460 g of sucrose (Shannon, 1948) using the equation H´ = −∑ pi × LN
per liter of water) was added to the tubes, and the (pi), wherein pi is the relative abundance and LN is the
mixture was centrifuged for one minute at 112 × g. logarithmic function. The Simpson index measures
Suspensions were then passed through a 400-mesh the probability of two randomly selected nematodes
sieve and washed under running water to remove the from a sample belonging to the same species. This
sucrose. Nematodes retained by the sieve were then index is calculated using the equation Ds = ∑ (pi)²,
transferred to Falcon tubes (50 mL) containing 10 mL wherein pi was the relative abundance of nematodes
of water. The tubes were kept in an incubator for in a sample (Simpson, 1949).
5 min at a temperature of 64°C, resulting in the death The specific indexes for nematodes that were
of the nematodes; however, the nematodes were not developed by Bongers (1990), Maturity (MI), Maturity
deformed by this process. Then, they were fixed by 2–5 (MI 2–5), and Plant Parasites (PPI) indexes,
the addition of 1 mL of formaldehyde solution and and by Ferris (2010), Basal (BI), enrichment (EI), and
stored at 4°C in a refrigerator. structure (SI) indexes were calculated to obtain the
Suspensions containing nematodes were pipetted environmental conditions of the areas studied.
into flat glass Petri dishes (60 diameter × 15-mm To calculate the maturity indexes, all soil
height) that were then placed under a binocular nematodes except plant-parasitic ones were con
stereoscope (Bel Photonics®, model SZ) to count sidered. MI 2–5 was based on the calculations for
the nematodes. Nematodes were picked up using the nematode groups that had a c-p value between
a needle and transferred to microscope slides 2 and 5; therefore, plant-parasitic and nematodes
(Precision Glass®, 26 × 76 mm) containing a drop of with a c-p value of 1 are excluded. The Maturity
water + formaldehyde at a ratio of 10:1. Index is considered a measure of environmental
A double layer of matt varnish (Acrilex®) was disturbance, and low MI values indicate disturbed
applied to each slide to fix the coverslips in place and enriched environments while high MI values
(Paiva et al., 2006). To seal the space between the indicate stable environments (Bongers, 1990). Due to
slide and coverslip, a double layer of colorless nail the functionality of plant-parasitic nematodes in the
polish (Risqué®) was then applied. Nematodes were agroecosystem, this group is used to calculate the
observed using an optical microscope (40 × objective) level of anthropic disturbance using PPI (Bongers,
(Motic®-A210 model) and identified to the genus level 1990). The equation used to calculate MI, MI 2–5
using standard keys (Andrássy, 2005; Chaves et al., and PPI is ∑[v(i) x pi], where v(i) corresponds to the
1995; Jairajpuri and Wasim, 1992; Siddiqi, 2000), and c-p value of the nematode family and pi the relative
classified into five trophic groups based on feeding abundance of that family in the sample (Bongers,
habits: bacterivores, plant-parasites, fungivores, omni 1990).
vores, and predators. The Basal Index (BI), Enrichment Index (EI), and
Structure Index (SI) are based on the importance of
Ecological parameters and indices of functional guilds of nematodes as indicators and are
descriptors of food web conditions. Basal food webs
communities and ecosystems are those which are diminished due to stress, scarce
The effect of fertilization on the nematode communities availability of resources, contamination, or other
was assessed by calculating total abundance, harsh environmental conditions. Nematodes present
trophic abundance, and relative abundance. Trophic in these food webs are represented by bacterial and
abundance is the abundance of nematodes within fungal feeding taxa from the c-p2 class of the MI.
the different trophic groups. Relative abundance Enriched food webs are those with high availability
4JOURNAL OF NEMATOLOGY
of resources due to the occurrence of a disturbance of C:N was observed in PL and CM (F(3,19) = 20.24,
event. Opportunistic bacterial feeding nematodes p < 0.001) (Table 2).
from the c-p1 class are predominant in these food A total of 2139 nematodes were collected and
webs. Fungal feeding nematodes from the c-p2 class classified into the five trophic groups: plant-parasites,
might increase when more complex resources, such bacterivores, fungivores, omnivores, and predators
as with a higher C:N ratio, becomes available, or (Table 3). No differences in total nematode abundance
when fungal feeding activity is enhanced in detriment were found when comparing the evaluated areas
to bacterial feeding activity. Structured food webs are (F3,19 = 2.26, P = 0.125).
those with more resources available. Nematode taxa Regarding the trophic groups, the abundance of
from the c-p3 class are present in less structured food plant-parasitic nematodes was higher in the soil from
webs, while structure in the community will be greater naturally fertilized coffee plantations and the Atlantic
when nematode taxa from the c-p4 and c-p5 classes forest fragment (F3,19 = 18.58, P = 0.0001) (Table 3).
are present. These indexes were obtained through Bacterivorous nematodes were more abundant in
the NINJA platform (Sieriebriennikov et al., 2014) and plots that had been fertilized with composted poultry
to characterize the conditions of the studied areas, litter and cow manure, than plantations were natural
the data were plotted according to Ferris (2010). fertilizer was used and in soil from the forest fragment
(F3,19 = 30.96, P = 0.0001). Fungivorous nematodes
Statistical analysis were more abundant in soil from the forest fragment
and the naturally fertilized plantation than in the other
The values obtained for the attributes from the plantations (F3,19 = 9.52, P = 0.001). No differences
physical and chemical soil analyses were submitted were found with respect to omnivorous (F3,19 = 4.40,
to analysis of variance (one-way ANOVA), and P = 0.019) and predatory nematodes (F3,19 = 1.49,
when the results were statistically significant, they P = 0.254) (Table 3).
were compared using the Tukey test (p < 0.05). The We identified 23 nematode genera distributed into
chemical attributes for phosphorus (P) and potassium 21 families (Table 4). Bacterivorous nematodes from
(K) did not follow a normal distribution, therefore the the genus Acrobeles were significantly more abundant
averages obtained were submitted to non-parametric in plantations fertilized with cow manure (H3,19 = 9.15,
Kruskal–Wallis analysis, and compared using Dunn’s P = 0.02) as well as the genus Rhabditis which was
method (p < 0.05). also more abundant in areas where cow manure was
The calculated abundances, diversity, and used (H3,19 = 17.86, P =Nematodes communities in coffee agroforestry systems: Vieira Jnior et al.
Table 1. Physical characterization of soil samples collected at a depth of 0–10 cm
from the following areas in Araponga, Minas Gerais, Brazil: forest fragment (FF) and
coffee plantations naturally fertilized (NF), fertilized with poultry litter (PL) or cow
manure (CM).
Physical attributes (%)
Textural class TP Micro Macro SM
NF Clayey 56.02 ± 1.08 34.79 ± 0.99 21.23 ± 1.55 25.80 ± 1.43
PL Clayey 59.23 ± 1.68 36.83 ± 0.90 22.40 ± 1.13 27.23 ± 0.94
CM Clayey 58.51 ± 1.01 33.27 ± 1.22 25.26 ± 1.79 30.12 ± 1.18
FF Clayey 59.34 ± 1.95 32.12 ± 2.75 27.21 ± 2.59 25.67 ± 1.08
Notes: * Macro, macroporosity; Micro, microporosity; SM, Soil moisture; TP, total porosity. **Values are means ±
s.e.m.; none of the results were significantly different using analysis of variance (p < 0.05).
(MI 2–5) also a showed significant difference manure and poultry litter (Figure 2D). The enrichment
(F3,19 = 7.75; P = 0.002, Figure 2B), where the poultry index showed higher values in soil from the coffee
litter fertilized plantation showed a lower value (2.16) plantation fertilized with poultry litter, followed by cow
than the other areas. Regarding the plant-parasitic manure, naturally fertilized plantation, and the fragment
nematode index (F3,19 = 1.99; P = 0.157), no differences forest (Figure 2E). The forest fragment, natural coffee
were observed between the areas (Figure 2C). plantation, and poultry litter plantation had the highest
Significant differences were detected in the basal structure index. Coffee plantations fertilized with cow
index (F3,19 = 79.75, P =JOURNAL OF NEMATOLOGY
Table 3. Average values (± standard error) for the total abundance of nematodes per
100 g of dry soil from an Atlantic forest fragment (FF), a naturally fertilized (NF) coffee
plantation, poultry litter (PL) fertilized coffee plantation, and a coffee plantation
fertilized with cow manure (CM).
Feeding habits FF NF PL CM
Bacterivores 108 ± 2.73b 170 ± 1.14b 380 ± 7.72a 378 ± 5.83a
Plant-parasites 270 ± 5.03a 287 ± 3.37a 183 ± 3.12b 128 ± 1.28b
Fungivores 84 ± 2.83a 51 ± 5.16a 32 ± 1.12b 13 ± 0.97b
Omnivores 11 ± 0.54ns
9 ± 0.37ns
2 ± 0.41ns
2 ± 0.83ns
Predators 10 ± 0.73ns 9 ± 0.37ns 8 ± 0.24ns 4 ± 0.25ns
Total 483 ± 7.20 ns
526 ± 5.63 ns
605 ± 9.09 ns
525 ± 4.59ns
Notes: Values followed by the same letter on the same line did not differ when using the Tukey test (p < 0.05);
ns
Non-significant by analysis of variance.
an agroecosystems with a high level of ecological incorporation of animal manure in the soil, leading to
disturbance. The naturally fertilized coffee plantation, increased food resources for bacterial feeders, which
observed in quadrant B, presents similar food web contribute to the decomposition of organic matter
characteristics to the forest fragment (Figure 3). (Jiang et al., 2013).
The abundance of fungivores is favored by
Discussion organic matter with high concentrations of lignin and
cellulose (organic carbon sources) (Liu et al., 2016)
The total abundance of nematodes when comparing (Table 3). These compounds are commonly found in
the coffee AFS and the Atlantic rainforest fragment plant residues from the forest litter, including branch
indicated that there were similarities in the agro and trunk residues. The forest litter used in the soils
ecosystem communities. This result was also observed of naturally fertilized coffee tree plantations contains
in similar studies (Franco-Navarro and Godinez-Vidal, minor levels of lignin and cellulose because it has
2017; McQueen and Treonis, 2020). Even if soil fertility been partially decomposed or is mostly comprised of
practices are used, these disturbances are not enough leaf residues. Fungivorous nematodes are sensitive to
to change the distribution of nematode communities in ammoniacal acids released in the soil by compounds
agroecosystems (Marinho et al., 2014). The presence with a low C:N ratio (Oka, 2010), justifying the lower
of the trees in the coffee plantations is an important abundance of this trophic group in the soil fertilized
factor that contributes to regulating soil temperature, by poultry litter and cow manure.
reducing exposure of coffee plants to direct sunlight, The genus Rhabditis was present in the greatest
and, consequently, making the environment more abundance in soils fertilized using poultry litter and
stable and similar to natural ecosystems (Gomes et al., cow manure, and the higher abundance of Acrobeles
2016). was observed in coffee plantation fertilized with
Plant-parasitic and bacterivorous nematodes cow manure. These genera belong to groups of
are usually the dominant trophic groups in natural opportunistic nematodes and rapidly respond to the
ecosystems and agricultural plantations (Grabau incorporation of organic fertilizers from animal origin in
et al., 2019; Hu et al., 2014). They often exhibit a the soil and are usually more abundant in agricultural
negative relationship in the soil (Liu et al., 2016), areas (Brmež et al., 2018; Carron et al., 2015; Van den
because of the release of compounds and organic Hoogen et al., 2020). The abundance of members
acids combined with high nitrogen levels present of this family contribute to the mineralization and
in fertilizers of animal origin, which inhibit the regulation of nutrients such as nitrogen, which is then
abundance of plant-parasitic nematodes (Oka, 2010). available for the trees (Ferris et al., 1998; Sãnchez-
On the other hand, bacterivores are favored by the Moreno et al., 2011).
7Nematodes communities in coffee agroforestry systems: Vieira Jnior et al.
Table 4. Mean relative abundance of nematode genera found in soil samples from an
Atlantic forest fragment (FF), a naturally fertilized (NF) coffee plantation, a poultry litter
(PL) fertilized coffee plantation, and cow manure (CM) fertilized coffee plantation.
Families Genera FF NF PL CM
Bacterivores Areas
Alaimidae Alaimus 0.01ns 0.02ns 0.00ns 0.00ns
Bunonematidae Bunonema 0.00 ns
0.00 ns
0.01 ns
0.00ns
Cephalobidae Acrobeles 0.09b 0.10b 0.10b 0.18a
Cephalobus 0.05 ns
0.04 ns
0.02 ns
0.02ns
Diplogastridae Diplogaster 0.00 ns
0.00 ns
0.03 ns
0.01ns
Panagrolaimidae Panagrolaimus 0.00ns 0.01ns 0.03ns 0.01ns
Plectidae Plectus 0.01ns 0.01ns 0.02ns 0.02ns
Wilsonema 0.00ns 0.01ns 0.00ns 0.01ns
Prismatolaimidae Prismatolaimus 0.01 ns
0.01 ns
0.00 ns
0.00ns
Rhabditidae Rhabditis 0.05b 0.12b 0.38a 0.49a
Teratocephalidae Teratocephalus 0.00ns 0.01ns 0.02ns 0.00ns
Plant-parasites Areas
Anguininae Ditylenchus* 0.03ns 0.02ns 0.04ns 0.01ns
Criconematidae Criconema 0.15a 0.08a 0.02b 0.01b
Hoplolaimidae Helicotylenchus 0.21b 0.35a 0.20b 0.17b
Longidoridae Longidorus 0.03ns 0.01ns 0.02ns 0.02ns
Pratylenchidae Pratylenchus 0.07a 0.04a 0.01b 0.00b
Trichodoridae Trichodorus 0.02 ns
0.02 ns
0.00 ns
0.00ns
Tylenchidae Tylenchus 0.05ns 0.03ns 0.04ns 0.02ns
Fungivores Areas
Aphelenchidae Aphelenchus 0.14a 0.07b 0.05b 0.02b
Diphtherophoridae Diphtherophora 0.02 ns
0.01 ns
0.00 ns
0.00ns
Tylencholaimellidae Tylencholaimellus 0.01ns 0.01ns 0.00ns 0.00ns
Onivores Areas
Dorylaimidae Dorylaimus 0.03 ns
0.02 ns
0.00ns 0.00ns
Predator Areas
Mononchidae Mononchus 0.02 ns
0.02ns
0.01ns 0.01ns
Notes: Values followed by the same letter on the same line did not differ when using Dunnett’s method (p < 0.05).
*Ditylenchus specimens found in soil can be plant-parasitic and/or fungivorous.
The genera Criconema is a plant-parasitic of organic matter, such as natural vegetation and
nematode that is very sensitive to environmental agroecosystems with low anthropogenic disturbance
disturbances, and its population is favored by soils (Caixeta et al., 2016). The genus Helicotylenchus,
covered with plants and in those with a high content which is abundant in the soil of naturally fertilized
8JOURNAL OF NEMATOLOGY
Table 5. Average values (± standard error) of Shannon and Simpson indices of
nematode communities in soil samples from an Atlantic forest fragment (FF),
a naturally fertilized (NF) coffee plantation, a poultry litter (PL) fertilized coffee
plantation, and cow manure (CM) fertilized coffee plantation.
Areas evaluated
Diversity indexes FF NF PL CM
Shannon (H’) 2.34 ± 0.03a 2.24 ± 0.03a 2.09 ± 0.04a 1.95 ± 0.06b
Simpson (Ds) 0.14 ± 0.002b 0.17 ± 0.006b 0.20 ± 0.002b 0.33 ± 0.002a
Notes: Values followed by the same letter on the same line did not differ when using the Tukey test (p < 0.05).
coffee plantations and the forest fragment, is usually bacteria under nutrient enrichment conditions (DuPont
a very common plant-parasitic nematode and is et al., 2009). The similarity of the PPI between areas
present at high densities in annual and perennial may be associated with the high C/N ratio found in
plantations and natural ecosystems (Tomazini agroecosystems soils. The lower N availability causes
et al., 2008). As expected, considering the source plants to produce less root volume, thus reducing the
of the residues used to fertilize the soil of the coffee availability of resources for plant-parasitic nematodes
plantations, the results indicated a greater similarity (Ugarte et al., 2013).
between soils of naturally fertilized plantations and The SI combined with EI indicated that coffee crops
the Atlantic forest fragment. The presence of these fertilized with poultry litter and cow manure have similar
plant-parasites, as well as other opportunistic trophic characteristics. According to Ferris (2010), these
groups, is favored by a high organic matter content agroecosystems have soils with moderate disturbance
and high root density (Ritzinger et al., 2010). The characteristics, enriched with nitrogen, and with a
genus Aphelenchus belongs to the fungivores trophic balanced decomposition channel, although with bac
group and is associated with soils containing high terial decomposition. The soil of the forest fragment
recalcitrant organic matter levels, abundant in habitats and the naturally fertilized coffee plantation showed low
with advanced stages of ecological succession (Niles disturbance, with a food web characteristic of mature
and Freckman, 1998; Porazinska et al., 1999). soil. The position near quadrant C indicated that the
The crop fertilized with cow manure showed less ecosystem is close to an undisturbed environment,
diversity and greater genera dominance, for example with a decomposition channel dominated by fungi
like Rhabditis. This area had the lowest density of trees (Figure 2). These results also suggest that the soil
among the agroecosystems studied. These results may condition of the crops is associated with the way they
be associated with the greater availability of litter in the are managed. Agroecological management without
soil, which favors the abundance, diversity, and richness the use of chemical inputs (fertilizers and pesticides),
of communities of soil organisms (Moço et al., 2009). no soil disturbance, constant employment of organic
MI values close to two, as found in the forest fragment residues from trees, and management of spontaneous
(2.23) soil and the soil from the naturally fertilized herbaceous vegetation, favored the quality of the soils
coffee (1.98) plantation (Figure 2), indicated that these of agroecosystems (Mulder et al., 2003).
environments were in an ecological succession stage. According to the faunal profile results, it can be
Values between one and two, as obtained for the soils inferred that the application of animal waste fertilizers
of coffee crops fertilized with animal manure (CM = 1.43, stimulated the bacterial channel. Although they are
PL = 1.41), indicated that these agroecosystems present characterized as disturbed agroecosystems, it can
high ecological disturbance due to the enrichment be stated that due to the biodiversity present in AFS,
of the soil with organic fertilizers (Bongers, 1990; these areas in the long term may be closer to quadrant
Bongers and Ferris, 1999). The lowest values for MI B, which indicates an environment with lower eco
2–5 and the basal index were found in crops fertilized logical disturbance (Ferris, 2001). Furthermore, the
with poultry litter, suggesting a food web dominated by faunal profile confirms the hypothesis that there is
9Nematodes communities in coffee agroforestry systems: Vieira Jnior et al.
Figure 2: Average values (± standard error) of (a) the maturity, (b) the maturity 2–5, (c) the plant
parasitic, (d) the basal, (e) the enrichment, and (f) the structure indexes. Values followed by the
same letter did not differ when using the Tukey test (p < 0.05).
10JOURNAL OF NEMATOLOGY
Figure 3: Food web analysis of coffee crops fertilized with cow manure (CM), poultry litter (PL),
plant residues (NF), and in a forest fragment (FF). Quadrant A: enriched and structured
agroecosystem; quadrant B: mature and structured environment; quadrant C: mature and stable
environment, fertile soil; and quadrant D: degraded and depleted soil. (Ferris, 2010).
a similarity between the naturally fertilized coffee
plantation and the Atlantic rainforest fragment.
The nematodes communities present in the soil
References
of the studied areas showed the similarity between Andrássy, I. 2005. Free-living nematodes of
the agroforestry systems and the natural ecosys Hungary: Nematoda errantia Hungarian Natural History
tem (forest). The systems presented low levels of Museum, Budapest.
ecological disturbance when compared to forest Bongers, T. 1990. The maturity index: an ecological
fragments. measure of environmental disturbance based on
nematode species composition. Oecologia 83:14–19.
Bongers, T. and Ferris, H. 1999. Nematode
Acknowledgments community structure as a bioindicator in environmental
monitoring. Trends in Ecology and Evolution 14:224–8.
The authors thank the Coordination for the Improve Brmež, M., Puškarić, J., Siber, T., Raspudić,
ment of Higher Education Personnel (Coordenação E., Grubišić, D. and Popović, B. 2018. Influence of
de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior, liquid chicken manure preparation on soil health and
CAPES) for providing a scholarship to the master’s agrochemical soil properties. Poljoprivreda 24:3–9.
degree and the farmers of Araponga (MG) whose Caixeta, L. B., Pereira, T. J., Castañeda, E. N.
properties were used for this research. and Cares, J. E. 2016. Nematode communities as
Conflicts of Interest: The authors declare no indicators of the status of a soil ecosystem influenced
conflicts of interest. by mining practices in Brazil. Nematology 18:265–76.
11Nematodes communities in coffee agroforestry systems: Vieira Jnior et al.
Cares, J. E. and Huang, S. P. 2008. “Comunidades (Eds), Sampling and Characterization of Belowground
de nematoides de solo sob diferentes sistemas na Biodiversity Earthscan Publishing, London, pp. 17–41.
Amazônia e Cerrados Brasileiros”, In Moreira, F. M. S., Jackson, L. E., Pulleman, M. M., Brussaard,
Siqueira, J. O. and Brussardi, L. (Eds), Biodiversidade L., Bawa, K. S., Brown, G. G., Cardoso, I. M. and
do solo em ecossistemas brasileiros Universidade Ouédraogo, E. 2012. Social-ecological and regional
Federal de Lavras, Lavras (MG), pp. 409–44. adaptation of agrobiodiversity management across a
Carron, M. P., Pierrat, M., Snoeck, D., Villenave, global set of research regions. Global Environmental
C., Ribeyre, F., Marichal, R. and Caliman, J. P. 2015. Change 22:623–39.
Temporal variability in soil quality after organic Jairajpuri, M. S. and Wasim, A. 1992. Dorylaimida:
residue application in mature oil palm plantations. Soil Free-living, predaceous and plant-parasitic nematodes
Research 53:205–15. Brill Publishing, New Delhi.
Chaves, E. J., Echeverria, M. M. and Torres, M. S. Jannoura, R., Joergensen, R. G. and Bruns,
1995. Clave para la determinar géneros de Nematodes C. 2014. Organic fertilizer effects on growth, crop
del suelo de la República Argentina Universidade yield, and soil microbial biomass indices in sole and
Nacional de Mar del Plata, Mar del Plata. intercropped peas and oats under organic farming
Donagema, G. K., Campos, D. V. B., Calderano, conditions. European Journal Agronomy 52:259–70.
S. B., Teixeira, W. G. and Viana, J. H. M. 2011. Manual de Jenkins, W. R. A. 1964. Rapid centrifugal-flotation
métodos de análise de solos. 2.ed. rev. Rio de Janeiro: technique for separating nematodes from soil. Plant
Embrapa Solos. 230p. (Embrapa Solos. Documentos, Disease Reporter 4:462.
132). Jiang, C., Sun, B., Li, H. and Jiang, Y. 2013.
DuPont, S. T., Ferris, H. and Van Horn, M. 2009. Determinants for seasonal change of nematode
Effects of cover crop quality and quantity on nematode- community composition under long-term application
based soil food webs and nutrient cycling. Applied Soil of organic manure in an acid soil in subtropical China.
Ecology 41:157–67. European Journal of Soil Biology 55:91–9.
Falkowski, T. B., Douterlungne, D., Chankin, A. and Liu, T., Joann, K. W., Shen, Q. and Li, H. 2016.
Diemont, S. A. 2019. Effects of five Lacandon Maya Increase in soil nematode abundance due to
agroforestry trees on soil nematode trophic group fertilization was consistent across moisture regimes in
composition. Agroforestry Systems 93:2121–33. a paddy rice-upland wheat system. European Journal
Ferris, H. 2010. Contribution of nematodes to the of Soil Biology 72:21–6.
structure and function of the soil food web. Journal of Marinho, E. B., Oliveira, A. L., Zandonadi, D. B.,
Nematology 42:1–63. Benedito, L. E. C., Souza, R. B., Figueiredo, C. C. and
Ferris, H. R. C., Venette, H. R. and Van Der Meulen, Busato, J. G. 2014. Organic matter pools and nutrient
S. S. L. 1998. Nitrogen mineralization by bacterial- cycling in different coffee production systems in the
feeding nematodes: verification and measurement. Brazilian Cerrado. Agroforestry Systems 88:767–78.
Plant and Soil 203:159–71. McQueen, J. P. and Treonis, A. M. 2020. Cacao
Franco-Navarro, F. and Godinez-Vidal, D. 2017. agroforestry in Belize: effects on soil nematode
Soil nematodes associated with different land uses in community structure. Agroforestry Systems 94:1123–32.
the Los Tuxtlas Biosphere Reserve, Veracruz, Mexico. Moço, M. K. S., Gama-Rodrigues, E. F., Gama-
Revista Mexicana de Biodiversidad 88:136–45. Rodrigues, A. C., Machado, R. C. R. and Baligar, V. C.
Gomes, L. C., Cardoso, I. M., Sá Mendonça, E., 2009. Soil and litter fauna of cacao agroforestry systems
Fernandes, R. B. A., Lopes, V. S. and Oliveira, T. S. in Bahia, Brazil. Agroforestry Systems 76:127–38.
2016. Trees modify the dynamics of soil CO2 efflux in Mulder, C., De Zwart, D., Van Wijnen, H. J., Schouten,
coffee agroforestry systems. Agricultural and Forest A. J. and Breure, A. M. 2003. Observational and simulated
Meteorology 224:30–9. evidence of ecological shifts within the soil nematode
Grabau, Z. J., Bao, Y., Vetsch, J. A. and Chen, community of agroecosystems under conventional and
S. 2019. Swine manure application enriches the soil organic farming. Functional Ecology 17:516–25.
food web in corn and soybean production. Journal of Neher, D. A. 2001. Role of nematodes in soil health and
Nematology 51:1–14. their use as indicators. Journal of Nematology 33:161–8.
Hu, C., Wang, X. H. and Qi, Y. C. 2014. Niles, R. K. and Freckman, D. W. 1998. “From the
Characteristics of soil nematode communities under ground up: nematode ecology in bioassessment and
two different land use systems. Biological Agriculture e ecosystem health”, In Bartels, J. M. (Ed.), Plant and
Horticulture 30:119–30. Nematode Interactions, Madison, WI.
Huising, E. J., Cares, J. E., Louzada, J. N., Zanetti, R., Oka, Y. 2010. Mechanisms of nematode
Moreira, F. M. S., Susilo, F. X., Konat, S., Huang, S. P., Van suppression by organic soil amendments: a review.
Noordwijk, M. and Coe, R. D. 2008. “Sampling strategy Applied Soil Ecology 44:101–15.
and design to evaluate below-ground biodiversity”, Paiva, J. G. A., Carvalho, S. M. F., Magalhães, M. P.
In Moreira, F. M. S., Huising, E. J. and Bignell, D. E. and Ribeiro, D. G. 2006. Verniz vitral incolor 500: uma
12JOURNAL OF NEMATOLOGY
alternativa de meio de montagem economicamente Tomazini, M. D., Ferraz, L. C. C. B. and Monteiro, A.
viável. Acta Botanica Brasilica 20:257–64. R. 2008. Abundância e diversidade de nematoides em
Porazinska, D. L., Duncan, L. W., McSorley, R. áreas contíguas de vegetação natural e submetidas a
and Graham, J. H. 1999. Nematode communities as diferentes tipos de uso agrícola. Nematologia Brasileira
indicators of status and processes of a soil ecosystem 32:185–93.
influenced by agricultural management practices. Ugarte, C. M., Zaborski, E. R. and Wander, M. M.
Applied Soil Ecology 13:69–86. 2013. Nematode indicators as integrative measures of
Renco, M. and Kovacik, P. 2012. Response of soil condition in organic cropping systems. Soil Biology
plant parasitic and free living soil nematodes to and Biochemistry 64:103–13.
composted animal manure soil amendments. Journal Van den Hoogen, J., Geisen, S., Wall, D. H.,
of Nematology 44:329–36. Wardle, D. A., Traunspurger, W., de Goede, R. G. and
Ritzinger, C. H. S. P., Fancelli, M. and Ritzinger, R. Bonkowski, M. 2020. A global database of soil nematode
2010. Nematoides: bioindicadores de sustentabilidade abundance and functional group composition. Scientific
e mudanças edafoclimáticas. Revista Brasileira de Data 7:1–8.
Fruticultura 32:1289–96. Wall, D. H., Nielsen, U. N. and Six, J. 2015. Soil
Sãnchez-Moreno, S., Ferris, H., Young-Mathews, biodiversity and human health. Nature 528:69–76.
A., Culman, S. W. and Jackson, L. E. 2011. Abundance, Yeates, G. W., Ferris, H. and Van Der Putten, W.
diversity and connectance of soil food web channels H. 2009. “The role of nematodes in ecosystems”, In
along environmental gradients in an agricultural Wilson, M. J. T. and Kakouli, D. (Eds), Nematodes as
landscape. Soil Biology & Biochemistry 43:2374–83. Environmental Indicators 1 CABI Publishing, Wallingford,
Shannon, C. E. 1948. A mathematical theory of pp. 1–44.
communication. The Bell System Technical Journal Zhang, Z. W., Li, Q., Zhang, H. Y., Hu, Y. Y.,
27:379–423. Hou, S. L., Wei, H. W., Yin, J. X. and Lu, T. L. 2019.
Siddiqi, M. R. 2000. Tylenchida − Parasites of The impacts of nutrient addition and livestock ex
plants and insects CABI Publishing, St. Albans. closure on the soil nematode community in a de
Simpson, E. H. 1949. Measurement of diversity. graded grassland. Land Degradation & Development
Nature 163:688. 30:1574–83.
13You can also read
