Nematodes decomposition

D. W. Freckinan, Bacterivorous nematodes and organic matter decomposition. Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment 24 195 (1988). 

B. S. Griffiths, Microbial-feeding nematodes and protozoa in soil their effects on microbial activity and nitrogen mineralization in decomposition hotspots and the rhizosphere. Plant Soil 164 25 (1994). 

Nematodes play a major role in decomposition and nutrient cycling in soil food webs. Due to its important role in trophic interactions, they have received attention in farming systems especially in organic farming. Although nematodes represent a relatively small amount of biomass in soil, their presence across many trophic levels in soils is vitally important in soil environments and ecosystem processes (Ingham et al. 1986). 

Figure 6 Diagram of mouth parts and oesophageal regions of selected soil nematodes (Sharma and Sharma, 1995) (reproduced by permission of Westview Press from Soil Organisms and Litter Decomposition in the Tropics, 1995,...

Sharma R. and Sharma S. B. (1995) Nematodes and tropical litter decomposition. In Soil Organisms and Litter Decomposition in the Tropics (ed. M. V. Reddy). Westview Press, pp. 75-88. 

When young peach trees are planted in an old peach orchard they often grow poorly. As McCalla and Haskins (1964) state, the factors involved probably include soil toxins, nematodes, fungi, bacteria and soil fertility. Amygdalin, which is not itself toxic, is present in peach roots and on decomposition can yield toxic substances that in part account for stunting of the young peach trees. 

L.M., Cardwell, D.M. and Steinberger, Y. (1997). Decomposition of genetically engineered tobacco under field conditions Persistence of the proteinase inhibitor I product and effects on soil microbial respiration and protozoa, nematode and microarthropod populations. J. Appl. Ecol. 34,767-777. 

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