Bacteria-feeding Nematode

Example of a species of beneficial nematode that feeds on bacteria and not plant roots. Bacteria are high in protein that in turn is high in nitrogen. When nematodes like this eat bacteria they digest the protein and convert it to nitrogen which is excreted as a body waste product back into the soil in a form that becomes available to plants. This function of nutrient recycling is how the soil foodweb can help turf stay green or help produce food crops with less need for chemical fertilizers, hence less chance of pollution.

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