Relationship of nematodes in natural and disturbed land with physicochemical properties in Magoebaskloof, Limpopo Province, South Africa

Abstract Magoebaskloof is an evergreen mountainous landscape covered with Afromontane forests. During a survey on soil nematode diversity, the samples were collected from rhizosphere of forest tree (no cultivation over 50 years), grassland, prepared kiwi land, oak tree, kiwifruits trees (37-year-old), and 8-year-old kiwifruit in Limpopo Province, South Africa. Overall, results showed that total 30 genera found to be associated surveyed plant species. The frequency occurrence Ditylenchus (100%), Acrobeloides Nanidorus followed by Meloidogyne (83%) most distributed nematodes. study relationship between nematodes physicochemical properties using Pearson correlation revealed clay percentage has positive Pseudacrobeles ( r = 0.684), 0.658) 0.668) In contrast, had strong negative -0.900) Filenchus . Soil pH no principal component analysis placed two groups, indicating biodiversity dynamics among locations. conclusion, grasslands high diversity free-living than disturbed land kiwifruits. Additionally, plant-parasitic numbered more trees. Our suggest nematodes, especially bacterivores, may mediate effects ecosystem disturbance health.