2026/06/24 by Sergio Álvarez-Ortega, L. Cayuela · 1 voice
Agricultural and Biological Sciences · #Horticultural and Viticultural Research #Nematode management and characterization studies #Phytoplasmas and Hemiptera pathogens
paper · doi:10.1016/j.apsoil.2026.107228
openalex created_date 2026/06/24 · openalex publication_date 2026/06/24 · openalex updated_date 2026/06/25
Plant-parasitic nematodes (PPNs) are integral components of vineyard soil ecosystems; however, their diversity, spatial distribution, and environmental drivers remain poorly characterized in Mediterranean viticultural regions. In this study, we conducted a large-scale survey of 90 vineyards across central Spain to evaluate the prevalence, species composition, co-occurrence patterns, and edaphic determinants of PPN communities using an integrative morphological and molecular approach. Soil physicochemical and enzymatic analyses were performed on a subset of 50 vineyards, selected to capture the main variability in soil conditions across the study area. PPNs were detected in nearly all vineyards, with ring, dagger, and spiral nematodes constituting the most prevalent groups, whereas root-knot nematodes occurred only sporadically. A high taxonomic diversity was recorded, including several species of agronomic and phytosanitary relevance, such as Mesocriconema xenoplax , multiple Pratylenchus species, and virus-vector nematodes of the genus Xiphinema ( X. index and X. italiae ). Co-occurrence analyses revealed non-random association patterns at both group and species levels, suggesting that biotic interactions play a key role in structuring nematode assemblages. The absence of clear geographic patterns suggests that local soil conditions and management-related factors override broad-scale spatial gradients in shaping nematode distributions. Multivariate and generalized linear modeling approaches consistently identified soil fertility–related physicochemical properties as the primary drivers of PPN community composition, while micronutrient availability and soil enzymatic activity exerted weaker and more species-specific effects. Overall, this study emphasizes the central role of soil fertility in regulating belowground biodiversity in vineyard agroecosystems and underscores the value of integrating soil physicochemical and biological indicators to advance understanding of nematode community assembly. These findings provide a useful framework for agroecological management strategies aimed at improving soil health, mitigating nematode-related risks, and enhancing the long-term sustainability of perennial cropping systems.