Structure, functions and interguild relationships of the soil nematode assemblage in organic vegetable production

► The metabolic footprint of bacterivore nematodes was enhanced by winter cover crops. ► The structure footprint of the soil food web increased over years of organic production. ► Functional connectance of predators and target prey was strongly related to that of predators and amplifiable prey. ► Organic resources transferred to higher trophic links increase top-down regulatory pressure. ► Crop plant growth was positively correlated with nematode-based measures of soil health.