Abstract
The present study focused on the management of charcoal rot of maize caused by Macrophomia phaseolina, by using biochar made from rice straw, along with compost and Trichoderma viride (Biocontrol agent). Therefore, synergistic effect of 3 and 6 % concentrations of rice straw biochar with T. viride and 10 % of compost was used as a soil amendment to check the effect on growth of maize and charcoal rot disease suppression under glasshouse conditions. The percentage severity of charcoal rot was significantly reduced due to the effect of soil amendment with 3 % rice straw biochar inoculated with or without T. viride. In vitro assays also revealed synergistic association of rice straw biochar with T. viride and resulted into maximum inhibition (69.67 %) of M. phaseolina. The maximum nitrogen contents (20.26 g/kg) were recorded in rice straw biochar (3 %) combined with biocontrol agent amended treatment. However, other than disease parameters, 6 % rice straw biochar irrespective to the presence or absence of T. viride had a significant impact on growth of maize plants. The maize response were found to be dependent on the concentration of biochar (3 and 6 %) and depicted varied effects of resistance in each treatments. Thus, our findings suggest that the combined application of biochar and T. viride holds significant potential for mitigating the detrimental effects of charcoal rot and enhancing the overall health and performance of maize plants.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.