Seasonal Variation of Nematode Assemblages and Diversity on Selected Soil Groups in Kenya: Vertisols, Cambisols and Arenosols

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dc.contributor.authorThuo, A.K.
dc.contributor.authorKaruku, G.N.
dc.contributor.authorKimenju, J.W.
dc.contributor.authorKariuki, G.M.
dc.contributor.authorWendot, P. K.
dc.contributor.authorMelakeberhan, H.
dc.date.accessioned2021-09-20T09:22:18Z
dc.date.available2021-09-20T09:22:18Z
dc.date.issued2020
dc.descriptionA research article published in Tropical and Subtropical Agroecosystemsen_US
dc.description.abstractBackground. Soil health assessment has been based on narrow disciplinary approaches that overlook the multiple and interacting biological processes that are the basis of sustainable crop productivity. Objective. Determine the influence of seasonal variations in nematode assemblages in different soil groups, sites and disturbance levels as an indicator of soil health. Methodology. Sampling was done in areas characterized by small scale subsistence agriculture in Kenyan Northern sites and Southern sites over three distinct seasons. The sampling points included disturbed (tilled) and the adjoining undisturbed (untilled) soils within three soil groups, namely Vertisols, Cambisols and Arenosols. Nematodes were extracted using the centrifugal-floatation technique, enumerated and assigned to their respective trophic groups. Results. Total nematode abundance in the three seasons varied significantly (p ≤ 0.05) with a mean of 68, 93 and 52 nematodes in 200 cm3 of soil in seasons I, II and III, respectively. Nematodes abundance in the undisturbed soils was significantly higher (98) compared to the disturbed soils (62) nematodes per 200 cm3 ). Mean abundance of nematodes was highest in Cambisols. In addition, nematode abundances, in all trophic levels across the three seasons, were significantly higher (p≤0.05) in the northern compared to the southern sites. Bacterivores (28%) had the highest percentage frequency of detection followed by herbivores (27%) and fungivores (21%) while omnivores (11%) had the least. Implications. Nematode communities do respond variably to different soil groups and seasonal changes. Conclusion. Nematodes can therefore be utilized as viable bio-indicators of soil health and quality.en_US
dc.identifier.citationThuo, A., Karuku, G., Kimenju, J., Kariuki, G., Wendot, P., & Melakeberhan, H. (2020). SEASONAL VARIATIONS OF NEMATODE ASSEMBLAGES AND DIVERSITY ON SELECTED SOIL GROUPS IN KENYA: VERTISOLS, CAMBISOLS AND ARENOSOLS. Tropical and Subtropical Agroecosystems, 23(2). Retrieved from https://www.revista.ccba.uady.mx/ojs/index.php/TSA/article/view/3074/1448en_US
dc.identifier.issn1870-0462
dc.identifier.urihttps://www.revista.ccba.uady.mx/ojs/index.php/TSA/article/view/3074/1448
dc.identifier.urihttp://ir-library.ku.ac.ke/handle/123456789/22523
dc.language.isoenen_US
dc.publisherTropical and Subtropical Agroecosystemsen_US
dc.subjectSoil healthen_US
dc.subjectSoil groupsen_US
dc.subjectDisturbance levelen_US
dc.subjectNematode assemblagesen_US
dc.titleSeasonal Variation of Nematode Assemblages and Diversity on Selected Soil Groups in Kenya: Vertisols, Cambisols and Arenosolsen_US
dc.typeArticleen_US
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