Nematode Population Dynamics in Municipal Solid Waste-Amended Soil During Tomato and Squash Cultivation

Abstract

The influence of amending soil with municipal solid waste (MSW) materials on nematode populations in tomato and squash fields in southern Florida was examined. The MSW materials included Daorganite produced from heat-treated sewage sludge, Agrisoil compost (composted yard and house trash), and Eweson Compost (a combination of composted house and yard trash and sewage sludge). Tomato and squash were planted as rotation crops in soils amended with the MSW materials. The experiment was repeated on a different site the following year. Nematodes found in the soil included Criconemella onoensis, Helicotylenchus dihystera, Rotylenchulus reniformis, Meloidogyne incognita, Pratylenchus spp., Quinisulcius acutus, Tylenchus spp., Ditylenchus spp., Rhabditida (primarily Rhabditis spp.), Dorylaimida (primarily Eudorylaimus spp.) and Aphelenchida. There were few consistent effects of MSW treatments on nematode populations. The plant-parasitic nematodes, as a group, were not affected by MSW treatme