@article{fdi:010096988,
  title = {{C}onservation agriculture buffers the impact of irrigation on soil nematodes : a case study in {S}outhern {F}rance},
  author = {{B}iryol, {C}harlotte and {W}ittling, {C}. and {D}ominguez-{B}ohorquez, {J}. {D}. and {D}iakhate, {S}. and {H}attenschwiler, {S}. and {F}reschet, {G}. {T}. and {T}rap, {J}ean},
  editor = {},
  language = {{ENG}},
  abstract = {{U}nderstanding how crop management influence soil biodiversity is crucial for maintaining soil functions and long-term ecosystem health. {N}ematodes are key bioindicators of soil quality due to their sensitivity to both soil management and water availability. {I}n {M}editerranean regions, where drought events are becoming more frequent and intense under climate change, it is essential to identity practices that can buffer their effects. {H}ere, we assessed the combined effect of crop management and irrigation on soil nematode communities in maize crops in southern {F}rance. {T}he experiment compared four treatments: conservation agriculture ({CA}) vs. conventional tillage ({CT}), each under irrigated and non-irrigated conditions. {S}oil samples were collected in {M}arch 2022 (0-10 cm depth), and soil nematodes were extracted, counted and identified with subsequent calculation of community and functional indices. {T}otal nematode density was 70% higher under {CA} compared to {CT}. {I}rrigation increased total nematode density (+30%) under {CA} plots, whereas it had a negative effect under {CT} plots. {U}nder no-irrigation, {CA} maintained high predator densities and reduced plant-parasitic nematodes compared to {CT}. {C}onsistently, irrigation under {CT} favored opportunistic and plant parasite taxa. {O}verall, our exploratory insights underlined that {CA} supports a more stable and complex soil food-web, helping to mitigate the disturbing effects of irrigation on soil nematode communities. {T}hese findings highlight {CA} as a promising strategy to enhance soil resilience to drought in {M}editerranean agroecosystems. {L}arger sample sizes and repeated seasonal sampling would be needed to confirm and generalize these patterns.},
  keywords = {{S}oil health ; {S}oil food-web ; {W}ater regime ; {T}illage ; {M}editerranean agroecosystem ; {FRANCE} ; {ZONE} {MEDITERRANEENNE}},
  booktitle = {},
  journal = {{A}pplied {S}oil {E}cology},
  volume = {222},
  numero = {},
  pages = {107013 [6 p.]},
  ISSN = {0929-1393},
  year = {2026},
  DOI = {10.1016/j.apsoil.2026.107013},
  URL = {https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010096988},
}