Communities of soil and plant nematodes in two types of grass land

Communities and distribution of soil and plant nematodes were compared in two types of grass land - young newly established ley meadows and permanent pastures. The distribution of nematodes in the soil profile was studied in depths of 0-20 and 20-40 cm. The highest population densities of nematodes were found in depths of 0-20 cm in both grass land types. The total number of genera of nematodes was 38 in the ley meadows and 43 in permanent pastures. Plant parasitic nematodes were dominant at most localities (92 %) in both grass types followed by bacterial feeders. Omnivores and predators were more abundant on permanent pastures than on ley meadows. The F/B ratio reflected a high proportion of bacterial feeders on ley meadows. MI (Maturity Index) values were higher on permanent pastures and reflected higher occurrence of omnivores and predators.