Long-term suppression of Pythium ultimum in arid soil using fresh and composted municipal wastes

 The effect of addition of municipal solid waste (MSW) at different degrees of stabilisation on the biological properties of an arid soil was studied 24 months after application. This included effects on the indigenous soil microflora and soil enzyme activities in the presence and absence of Pythium ultimum. The addition of organic waste (fresh or composted) reduced populations of culturable bacteria and fungi and disease symptoms caused by P. ultimum, and resulted in heavier plants with longer and more extensively branched roots. Addition of organic waste increased the population size of culturable bacteria and fungi, while enzymatic activity of the soil was higher in soil amended with organic matter than in non-amended soil. Populations of biological control agents, such as Trichoderma and fluorescent pseudomonads, were larger in soil amended with organic matter. The addition of urban waste could therefore be a suitable technique with which to restore soil quality by stimulating biological control against plant pathogens such as P. ultimum. Received: 3 May 1999