Biochemical characteristics of cover crop litter affect the soil food web, organic matter decomposition, and regulation of plant-parasitic nematodes in a banana field soil

•Litter biochemical characteristics altered nematode ecological successions.•Cellulose and hemicellulose rich litters promoted a fungal decomposition pathway.•Level of nitrogen release was determined by the C:N ratio of the added litters.•Crotalaria zanzibarica and Paspalum notatum litters best regulated banana-parasitic nematodes.•C. zanzibarica presented good potential as a green manure plant.