Abstract Sweet potato is an important food security crop but its production is limited by various biotic constraints including plant-parasitic nematodes (PPN). In Kenya, current PPN management practices in sweet potato have several limitations hence the need for alternative low-cost management strategies. This study evaluated the impact of intercropping maize and sweet potato (MS) and application of Tithonia diversifolia (MG), cow (CM) and goat manure (GM) on population dynamics of PPN and the effect on metabolic footprints, ecological and functional indices. Field experiments were established in a randomized complete block design involving the four treatments and unamended controls. Soil samples were collected during long (LR) and short (SR) rains seasons. Forty-seven nematode genera were identified in both seasons. Principle response curves analysis revealed that goat manure had the most pronounced effect on PPN. There were differences in metabolic footprints, ecological and functional indices during LR and SR. In CM plots, predator footprint was high during the long rains season. Functional metabolic footprints categorized all plots as degraded in both seasons except MS which was structured in SR. However, CM bordered a structured ecosystem in both seasons while GM bordered a structured ecosystem in LR. Goat manure may have enhanced the natural ability of soil to regulate PPN affecting sweet potato and it may provide an alternative sustainable method of PPN control for smallholders.

中文翻译：

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低成本管理技术对甘薯植物寄生线虫种群动态的影响

摘要 甘薯是一种重要的粮食安全作物，但其生产受到包括植物寄生线虫（PPN）在内的各种生物制约因素的限制。在肯尼亚，目前甘薯 PPN 管理实践有几个限制，因此需要替代的低成本管理策略。本研究评估了间作玉米和甘薯 (MS) 以及施用 Tithonia diversifolia (MG)、牛 (CM) 和山羊粪 (GM) 对 PPN 种群动态的影响以及对代谢足迹、生态和功能指标的影响。田间试验是在随机完整区组设计中建立的，涉及四种处理和未修改的对照。在长（LR）和短（SR）雨季收集土壤样品。在两个季节都鉴定了 47 个线虫属。原理响应曲线分析表明，山羊粪对 PPN 的影响最为显着。LR和SR期间代谢足迹、生态和功能指标存在差异。在 CM 地块中，在漫长的雨季，捕食者的足迹很高。功能代谢足迹将所有地块归类为两个季节都退化的地块，除了在 SR 中构建的 MS。然而，CM 在两个季节都与结构化生态系统接壤，而 GM 在 LR 中与结构化生态系统接壤。山羊粪可能增强了土壤调节影响甘薯的 PPN 的自然能力，它可能为小农提供另一种可持续的 PPN 控制方法。在 CM 地块中，在漫长的雨季，捕食者的足迹很高。功能代谢足迹将所有地块归类为两个季节都退化的地块，除了在 SR 中构建的 MS。然而，CM 在两个季节都与结构化生态系统接壤，而 GM 在 LR 中与结构化生态系统接壤。山羊粪可能增强了土壤调节影响甘薯的 PPN 的自然能力，它可能为小农提供另一种可持续的 PPN 控制方法。在 CM 地块中，在漫长的雨季，捕食者的足迹很高。功能代谢足迹将所有地块归类为两个季节都退化的地块，除了在 SR 中构建的 MS。然而，CM 在两个季节都与结构化生态系统接壤，而 GM 在 LR 中与结构化生态系统接壤。山羊粪可能增强了土壤调节影响甘薯的 PPN 的自然能力，它可能为小农提供另一种可持续的 PPN 控制方法。