Subsurface Seep Irrigation Effects on Omnivorous Nematode Vertical Distribution in Lysimeters

Subsurface seep irrigation is a common practice in Florida histosol soils to supply water to crops by utilizing high water tables. This study evaluated the effect of subsurface and overhead irrigation methods on plant-parasitic and free-living nematode densities in 46 cm soil lysimeters in a greenhouse study. Lysimeters were planted with bahiagrass in 2019 and wheat in 2020 and irrigated with subsurface or overhead irrigation for 12 weeks. Nematodes were extracted and quantified at 5 cm depth increments. Nematode counts were subjected to analysis of variance to compare treatment effects. Among nematode functional groups, omnivores were the most affected by irrigation method, their abundance being lower in subsurface irrigated lysimeters than in overhead irrigated ones. The results of this study show omnivore nematode density and depth distribution are impacted by irrigation method.