Associational resistance to nematodes and its effects on interspecific interactions among grassland plants

Plants can influence the level of herbivory experienced by neighboring plants. The importance such belowground associational effects are poorly understood. In this study we examine whether Jacobaea vulgaris provides resistance against nematodes to Thirteen species (6 forbs, 3 grasses and 4 legumes) were each grown in mixtures with J. monocultures. A nematode community was introduced half pots. After 12 weeks, plant dry mass assessed for individual pot, number soil roots identified. We then examined its performance monocultures, presence absence analyzed abundance composition nematodes. Forbs produced more, similar, legumes less biomass than Nematode addition did not biomass. There fewer root-feeding but only true plants that good hosts different monocultures mixtures. Densities migratory endoparasitic lower Moreover, changed outcome plant-plant interactions, often favor vulgaris. other nematodes, change interactions.