Nematode Trophic diversity in agricultural ecosystem of The Nilgiris, Tamil Nadu, India

Abstract

The cryptic nature of nematodes in Nilgiris has led to their underexplored status, primarily due to the major focus on the Golden Cyst Nematode (GCN), Globoderarostochiensis, infesting potatoes. Moreover, nematodes are abundant creatures on Earth, occupying various feeding and trophic levels, making them potential proxies for assessing soil health. To connect the dots, a comprehensive study on nematodes was conducted in the high-altitude Nilgiris region. The study revealed the presence of 32 nematode species, including nonplant parasitic nematodes like Wilsonema sp. in wheat fields. Over a two-year period, analysis of Nematode-trophic diversity showed that incorporating wheat and mustard enhanced soil nematode biodiversity. GIS-based mapping of nematode data demonstrated the feasibility of gathering information from unsampled areas. For a better understanding of changes in soil nematode biodiversity in Nilgiris, future research should consider nematode functional guilds.