Exploitation of spent mushroom compost in biological control against melon Fusarium wilt disease

The ability of mature spent mushrrom compost (MSMC) fortified or not with Ca-lignosulphonate (Ca-Ls) and Trichoderma atroviride TA 312B2 to suppress the disease caused by Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. melonis was evaluated on melon plants under controlled conditions. The effect of Ca-Ls on some chemical and microbial parameters was also investigated. The addition of Ca-Ls increased B-glucosidase activity and NH4-N content. Melon plants grown in pot mixtures containing MSMC (30%) showed a significant reduction of disease severity compared to that of plants developed in absence of the compost product. The suppressiveness of MSMC , MSMC+Ca-Ls and MSMC+ Ta 312B2 was similar. The addition of Ca-Ls along with TA 312B2 to MSMC significantly enhanced its suppressive ability.