Vol. 14 No. 83-93 (2023): Impact of improved soil physico-chemical parameters on nematode population dynamics.

Plant growth relies on soil nutrients. An agricultural soil's ability to remain viable is largely

dependent on its physicochemical characteristics, which can be restored through artificial or

natural fertilizer. When added to the soil as amendments, waste for soil enhancement can

positively impact soil physicochemical parameters and active associations, reducing

pathogen populations in cultivated fields. A study to determine the impact of improved soil

physico-chemical parameters on nematode population dynamics was conducted using raw

poultry filters. Soil sampling was done prior and post improvement of soil physicochemical

features by parasitological technique. Soil was collected using a modified soil auger on 0-15

cm depth. The extraction of nematode was done using the modified sieve plate technique and

nematodes were identified using nematode pictorial key. Sampling before the improvement

of the physicochemical parameters of soil revealed a total of 216 nematodes from 8 genera

while post application of composited poultry droppings had a total of 601 nematodes from

16 genera. High dynamics on nematode population was reported from the experimented plot

after the improvement of soil physiochemical parameters on application of composited

poultry droppings. This observation is indicative that improvement of soil physicochemical

features impact positively on nematode propagation. The study also noticed that the

populations of phyto-parasitic nematodes decrease as omnivorous and predatory nematodes

reports a reasonable increase in the soil post soil improvement, which depicts that the use of

omnivorous nematodes, if properly sourced, may fit in as an alternative option in the

management and control of plant feeding species of nematodes in the soil.