How earthworm activities affect banana plant response to nematodes parasitism

The burrowing nematode Radopholus similis and the lesion nematodes Pratylenchus spp. are considered as major constraints to banana cultivation worldwide. As an alternative to the use of chemical pesticides in commercial banana plantations, the possible role of the earthworm Pontoscolex corethrurus was studied regarding the reducing harmfulness of the main plant-feeding nematodes of banana. The interactions among banana plants, plant-feeding nematodes and earthworms have been tested in a controlled experiment combining treatments including or not earthworms and nematodes, over a complete vegetative banana development cycle. The aim of the work was to evaluate how earthworm activity can affect the pathogenicity of the three main plant-feeding nematodes associated with dessert banana (Musa spp. AAA group, cv. Cavendish) in Guadeloupe (French West Indies), R. similis, Pratylenchus coffeae and Helicotylenchus multicinctus.Results showed that damages caused by plant-feeding nematodes were lowered in the presence of the earthworm P. corethrurus; the population of plant-feeding nematodes did not decrease whereas root damage induced by nematodes was significantly reduced (50% reduction of root necrosis in the presence of earthworms). Moreover, in the presence of P. corethrurus, we observed a change of soil porosity. On the one hand, the burrowing activity of earthworms destroyed most of the initial structural porosity (mesobiotic pores, 3–300 μm) and on the other hand, they increased the volume of the finest structural pores diameter class (microbiotic pores, 0.3–3 μm). P. corethrurus also stimulated phosphorus mineralization.Soil bioturbation carried out by P. corethrurus could have enhanced the efficiency of microbial community that is involved in phosphorus bioavailability. This observation was corroborated by a higher phosphorus availability in earthworm casts (1386 ± 38 mg P kg−1 of dry matter in cast versus 778 ± 61 mg P kg−1 of dry matter in the soil compartment not influenced by earthworm activity), and a better plant phosphorus nutrition in the presence of earthworms. Phosphorus uptake resulted in a better plant nutrition and a better tolerance to plant-feeding nematodes. Besides, the reduction of the mesobiotic porosity by bioturbation could also have disturbed the nematodes activities during their soil phase and contributed to the reduction of their damage.

► How the earthworm Pontoscolex corethrurus can affect plant-feeding nematodes of banana?
► Damages due to plant-feeding nematodes decreased in the presence of P. corethrurus.
► Soil bioturbation by P. corethrurus enhanced P availability and reduced mesobiotic pores.
► Phosphorus uptake resulted in a better tolerance to plant-feeding nematodes.
► Reduction of mesobiotic pores contributed to the reduction of nematodes damages.