Nematode biodiversity in Canadian agricultural soils

The biodiversity of soil-inhabiting nematodes in Canada is incompletely known, as large areas of Canadaʹs landmass have not been surveyed for nematode fauna. Nematodes considered as indigenous are generally well adapted to a variety of ecological niches and climatic zones. Much of the available information is based on agricultural ecosystems and agricultural species, and thus is biased toward conditions in disturbed ecosystems and away from "primeval" ecology. Introduced nematode species are frequently quite pathogenic, even to exotic host plants from the same geographic point of origin. Estimates of crop loss due to single species infestations of pathogenic nematodes and the costs of nematode control using chemicals are reasonably well known, averaging about 10% of crop value, but ranging to 100% depending on the situation; the cost of damage by multiple-species infestations is less defined. Nematode-suppressive mechanisms are understood in only a few plant species; sulfur appears to be important as a constituent of active compounds in suppressive plants of agricultural origin. Similarly, some native plants are equally adapted with allelopathic chemicals that suppress nematodes. Management of nematode populations in agricultural soils by integrated crop management methods is at an early stage, requiring research to quantify effects of nematode-suppressive plants and soil amendments containing nitrogen. An integrated program could include nematode-suppressive plants, appropriate soil amendments, and the promotion of microbial antagonists. Different mathematical methods may be required to analyze and explain multi-factor nematode control systems. Less-toxic management systems could benefit the soil-inhabiting nematodes that predate arthropod soil pests. Further research on soil-borne nematodes may demonstrate the value of nematodes as indicators of agroecosystem health and environmental pollutants.