Modification of Soil Water Retention and Biological Properties by Municipal Solid Waste Compost

A compost originating from the organic fraction of MSW, separately collected, was added to a loamy soil at different application rates. Modifications of soil physical and biological properties were studied after compost addition. Water retention properties, after compost addition to soil, were monitored. Organic carbon mineralization was followed during a six-month incubation. Enzyme activities were assayed immediately after compost addition, as well as after incubation of soil-compost mixtures. These properties provided information about the modification of overall microbiological activity and specific nutrient cycles in the amended soil. Water retention, carbon mineralization and most enzyme activities after incubation were increased by compost incorporation. The additivity or nonadditivity of compost effects on soil properties was discussed.