Impacts of Compost Application on Controlling Powdery Mildew of Dill(Anethum graveolens L.) Caused by Erysiphe heraclei and its Effect on Soil Fertilityand Productivity

Abstract

Field experiments were carried out under natural infection in the Experimental Farm of Sids Agricultural Research Station, Agriculture Research Centre, Beni-Sweif governorate in 2017 and 2018 to evaluate the efficiency of compost amended with rock phosphate, gypsum and inoculated by some bioagents (Bacillus subtilis, Trichoderma harzianum and Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi) in controlling of powdery mildew on dill caused by Erysiphe heraclei and improving its productivity as well as soil fertility using two application methods: soil amendment and/or foliar spray. Overall, all the tested compost treatments were effective in reducing the disease incidence, severity and improve plant growth leading to a significant increase in fresh, dry weights and fruits yield, NPK uptake. Furthermore, all the tested treatments showed significant increases in the defence-related enzymes, peroxidase, polyphenol oxidase and phenols in treated plants as compared with the untreated control. However, compost treatments improve some physical and chemical properties of the soil at the end of growing seasons and increase dehydrogenase activity as a result of enhancing soil fertility.