The Effect of Varying Olive Mill Wastewater Concentrations on Soil Free-Living Nematode Communities and Lettuce Growth

Abstract

We assessed the impact of increasing olive mill waste (OMW) concentrations (10%, 35%, 70%, and 100% v/v) on soil free-living nematode communities and Lactuca sativa (lettuce) growth, 10 and 45 days after application (DAA). L. sativa plants showed a survival threshold at OMW10%, with higher concentrations proving fatal. Contrary to expectations, nematode abundance increased with OMW concentration. OMW10% induced a rapid surge in nematode abundance, stabilizing at 45 DAA, resembling control values. OMW35%, OMW70%, and OMW100% plots exhibited persistent, gradual increases, surpassing control values at 45 DAA. All treatments favored fungal feeders, resulting in the overdominance of the genus Aphelenchus both at 10 and 45 DAA. Even though OMW did not exert a toxic effect on nematode populations, this shift in the community structure towards the dominance of a single genus could suggest an imbalance in the soil community, which could have negative implications for soil health and ecosystem functioning. Overall, our study provides insights into the complex interactions between OMW, soil nematode communities, and plant growth, emphasizing the importance of understanding soil ecology for sustainable agricultural management.