Soil Ecosystem Functioning through Interactions of Nematodes and Fungi Trichoderma sp

Ana Gašparović Pinto, Tomislav Kos (), Josipa Puškarić, Karolina Vrandečić, Teuta Benković-Lačić and Mirjana Brmež
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Ana Gašparović Pinto: Department of Ecology, Agronomy and Aquaculture, University of Zadar, Square of Prince Višeslav 9, 23000 Zadar, Croatia
Tomislav Kos: Department of Ecology, Agronomy and Aquaculture, University of Zadar, Square of Prince Višeslav 9, 23000 Zadar, Croatia
Josipa Puškarić: Faculty of Agrobiotechnical Sciences Osijek, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Vladimira Preloga 1, 31000 Osijek, Croatia
Karolina Vrandečić: Faculty of Agrobiotechnical Sciences Osijek, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Vladimira Preloga 1, 31000 Osijek, Croatia
Teuta Benković-Lačić: Biotechnical Department, University of Slavonski Brod, Square I. B. Mažuranić 2, 35000 Slavonski Brod, Croatia
Mirjana Brmež: Faculty of Agrobiotechnical Sciences Osijek, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Vladimira Preloga 1, 31000 Osijek, Croatia

Sustainability, 2024, vol. 16, issue 7, 1-14

Abstract: In this review, an overview was given of the mutual interactions between nematodes and fungi of the genus Trichoderma sp. due to the potential of these fungi to protect plant roots from plant-parasitic nematodes on the one hand and the influence of nematodes (fungivores) on the efficacy of the fungus on the other. In addition, an overview of the advantages of Trichoderma sp. for agricultural production was given. The basis of sustainable agricultural production is the healthy functioning of the soil ecosystem. The diversity of organisms—bacteria, protozoa, algae, metazoans (nematodes) and fungi—improves the quality and performance of the soil by maintaining biological productivity. Root exudates in the rhizosphere support microbial communities that play a key role in regulating the dynamics of organic matter decomposition and the availability of plant nutrients. The microbial activity of organisms in the soil is interconnected and interacts to form a soil food web that reflects the condition, function and health of the soil. The energy in food webs flows through trophic chains of consumers, which are divided into energy channels. Root, bacterial and fungal channels increase soil biomass, carbon (C) and energy flow through the soil food web. The structure of the nematode community is an effective tool for the biological assessment of soil quality. This is due to a number of characteristics that nematodes have, including the following: a great diversity of species, the possibility of subdivision according to different criteria such as trophic groups and c-p groups, the duration of reproduction, the ease of sampling, the identification of genera and preservation, etc. Nematodes are involved in various ecological functions in the soil, of which the interaction between them and fungi is based on antagonism or mutualism, which is the basis for a better understanding of their impact on the ecosystem. Fungi of the genus Trichoderma sp. are successful colonizers of all habitats, secondary opportunists and fast growing.

Keywords: interactions; soil food web; sustainable agriculture; soil organisms; soil health (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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