Biodiversity of Nematode Communities Associated with Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in Southern Morocco and Their Contribution as Soil Health Bioindicators

Soil nematodes are major soil organisms known to reduce wheat production worldwide. However, they a crucial part of biodiversity. Due the limited data available regarding nematode biodiversity associated with cereal crops in Morocco, survey was conducted 2019 across 80 fields. Thirty-three taxa were obtained different trophic groups: 11 bacterivores (i.e., Rhabditis and Cephalobus spp.), herbivores Pratylenchus Heterodera 6 fungivores Ditylenchus Aphelenchoides 4 omnivores Dorylaimus Aporcelaimus spp.) one predator (Mononchus spp.). For each locality, diversity communities assessed through multiple indices. Three areas (Ait Melloul, Oulad Dahou, Sidi Boushab) more diversified had pronounced occurrence. Moreover, few localities (e.g., Ait Amira Lqliaa) shown be disturbed. Our study underlined that several significantly correlated edaphic climatic/geographic properties. On other hand, spatial parsimony analyses revealed plant feeders most bacterial disturbed soils. This work diverse can serve as an important tool for biomonitoring at large scale.