Crop resistance traits modify the effects of an aboveground herbivore, brown planthopper, on soil microbial biomass and nematode community via changes to plant performance

► Cultivar resistance affected soil resource and decomposer community via plant performance. ► N. lugens on susceptible cultivar reduced soil resources, decomposers, increased parasites. ► Resistant cultivar after attack by N. lugens, however, responded in an opposite pattern. ► More plant-parasites under resistant cultivars before herbivory contribute to their resistance.