Influence of irrigation and fertilization on the nematode community in a Swedish pine forest soil.
Abstract
A study of a 20 to 25 year old stand of Scots pine in Central Sweden showed that the nematode fauna was influenced by both irrigation and fertilization. In plots receiving fertilizers in dry conditions there was a decrease in total abundance. Treatments affected species composition rather than species dominance, application of fertilizers in wet and dry conditions depressed abundance of fungal feeders and omnivores. Bacterial feeders increased when fertilizers were combined with irrigation.