Enhancing rhizosphere bacterial activity against bacterial wilt of tomato (Ralstonia solanacearum) using biochar

Abstract

Tomato is a plant of tropical origin and belonging to the Solanaceae family, and it provides the body with dietary fibers, minerals, vitamins, and essential proteins. It is grown globally, and its production is prone to bacterial wilt, which is caused by the disease agent Ralstonia solanacearum. Bacterial wilt can result in substantial damage to tomato production, leading to losses in yield and economic losses to farmers. The rhizosphere, which is the part of soil where plants penetrate their roots deeply in contact with the soil, contains many microorganisms that generate metabolites that act as chemical signals for motile bacteria to migrate to the surface of the roots and fix nitrogen for plant growth and development. The objective of this study was to explore biochar in the management of bacterial wilt of tomato disease caused by R. solanacearum. The experiment consisted of three parts to discern effects of different isolates of R. solanacearum, the influence of biochar with various concentrations on plant height and fruit yield, and the effects of biochar amendment with rhizosphere bacteria on plant height, fruit and disease. The result indicated that the most aggressive R. solanacearum was isolated from Chiniot district, and the 1 % biochar concentration exhibited the highest value when the plant height, the number of fruits, and the disease reduction were considered. Biochar can supplement the population of rhizosphere anti quorum quenching bacteria against R. solanacearum.