title: Identification of predictor parameters to determine agro-industrial compost suppressiveness against Fusarium oxysporum and Phytophthora capsici diseases in muskmelon and pepper seedlings.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The lack of reliable prediction tools for evaluation of the level and specificity of compost suppressiveness limits its application. In our study, different chemical, biological and microbiological parameters were used to evaluate their potential use as a predictor parameter for the suppressive effect of composts against Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. melonis (FOM) and Phytophthora capsici (P. capsici) in muskmelon and pepper seedlings respectively. Composts were obtained from artichoke sludge, chopped vineyard pruning waste and various agro-industrial wastes (C1: blanched artichokes; C2: garlic waste; C3: dry olive cake).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Compost C3 proved to offer the highest level of resistance against FOM, and compost C2 the highest level of resistance against P. capsici. Analysis of phospholipid fatty acids isolated from compost revealed that the three composts showed different microbial community structures. Protease, NAGase and chitinase activities were significantly higher in compost C3, as was dehydrogenase activity in compost C2.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The use of specific parameters such as general (dehydrogenase activity) and specific enzymatic activities (protease, NAGase and chitinase activities) may be useful to predict compost suppressiveness against both pathogens. The selection of raw materials for agro-industrial composts is important in controlling Fusarium wilt and Phytophthora root rot.
authors: Department of Soil and Water Conservation and Organic Wastes Management, Centro de Edafología y Biología Aplicada del Segura (CEBAS-CSIC), 30100, Espinardo, Murcia, Spain.
authors: Josefa
authors: J
authors: Blaya
authors: Eva
authors: E
authors: Lloret
authors: Margarita
authors: M
authors: Ros
authors: Jose Antonio
authors: JA
authors: Pascual
mesh_terms: D000383:Agriculture; D002212:Capsicum / Q000382:microbiology*; D019662:Cucurbitaceae / Q000382:microbiology*; D019649:Food Industry; D005670:Fusarium / Q000254:growth & development*; D006801:Humans; D007220:Industrial Waste / Q000032:analysis; D010838:Phytophthora / Q000254:growth & development*; D010935:Plant Diseases / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D036226:Seedlings / Q000382:microbiology; D012722:Sewage; D012987:Soil / Q000737:chemistry; D012988:Soil Microbiology
chemical_list: D007220:Industrial Waste; D012722:Sewage; D012987:Soil
keywords: Fusarium oxysporum; Phytophthora capsici; agro-industrial wastes; suppressive compost