Soil type, texture and minimum temperature are key factors shaping the interaction of Fusarium species and soil saprophages in agroecosystems

In recent years, phytopathogenic soil fungi such as Fusarium have become increasingly resistant to the fungicides available and have overcome resistances in crop varieties. Against this background, bioregulation by soil animals has gained importance. However, there is a lack of knowledge about which key environmental factors influence interactions of Fusarium species and antagonistic soil invertebrates in agroecosystems to what extent. To fill this gap, a meta-study was performed based on an extensive dataset, which combined the results of 14 experiments assessing the effects of various environmental factors on Fusarium and antagonistic soil saprophages under different soil and climatic conditions. Quantitative relationships between key environmental factors and the abundance of soil saprophages (here: Collembola and Lumbricidae) and Fusarium species were identified. Based on simulations using a set of optimal models, the predicted potential of soil saprophages to reduce Fusarium species (expressed as the ratio of their abundances) increased to different extents depending on soil type when shifting from conventional to conservation tillage: by 112% in Luvisol and by 427% in Phaeozem. Additionally, the ratio of Fusarium species to soil saprophages was negatively associated with minimum air temperature and positively associated with soil clay content. A deeper understanding of the soil factors which determine interactions between beneficial and harmful soil organisms opens up new possibilities for a sustainable control of pathogens. The findings gained can be applied in the development of new complex Fusarium control strategies in which biological soil services play an essential role. • Bioregulation of pathogens by soil saprophages has gained importance. • Mixed-effects modeling based on a dataset combining 14 experiments was performed. • Soil type, texture and minimum temperature mainly control Fusarium bioregulation. • Simulated bioregulation potential of soil saprophages decreases in warmer climate. • Simulated transition to conservation tillage increases soil faunal bioregulation.