The Effect of Crop Rotation on Soil Nematode Community Composition in a Greenhouse

[Objective] The aim was to identify changes in a nematode community in response to crop rotation and to determine the appropriate catch crop for a greenhouse. [Method] The experiment was carried out in a typical 6-year-old greenhouse,in which cucumber crops were cultivated twice each year(in spring and autumn),and catch crops were planted in summer. The total number of nematodes was counted and nematode community indices were calculated after collecting soil samples in different stages. [Result] Total nematode abundance was decreased in the soils of catch crop in contrast with former crops(cucumber crops). The abundance of the nematode community was reduced in the treatment of crop rotation compared to the soils of catch crop. In addition, the number of nematode taxa was significantly reduced by the treatment of crown daisy compared to the treatments of following crops. Crop rotation regulated the functional composition of the nematode community by increasing the omnivores-predators functional group and decreasing the relative abundance of root herbivores. [Conclusion] These results indicate that crop rotation affects the nematode community in abundance, diversity and functional composition of the nematode community and crown daisy can be served as the most appropriate catch crop in the greenhouse.