Influence of Biochar on Growth of Eggplant and Pepper Plants and Incidence of Root Rot

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Horticulture Research Institute, Agricultural Research Center, 12619, Giza, Egypt

2 Plant Pathology Research Institute, Agricultural Research Center, 12619, Giza, Egypt

Abstract

Eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) and pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) cultivars were evaluated for their reaction to Rhizoctonia solani and Fusarium solani, and their mixture to evaluate their tolerance to root rot and crown rot. The reaction of eggplant response to inoculation with the mixture of fungi was variable, six cultivars were highly susceptible, 18 intermediate and one was susceptible. Pepper cultivars under the same conditions were 18 highly susceptible, seven intermediate and two susceptible. The application of different concentrations (0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 g.) of non activated or activated biochar and inoculation with the tested pathogen of the pepper and eggplant reacted differently on disease expression on the two pepper cultivars (Gedeon X, Titanic), and on the two eggplant cultivars (F2N-29, Balady). The lower concentrations of biochar (0.5 and 1.0 g.) suppressed disease expression while at a higher dose (2.0g.), of non-activated and activated biochar showed acute disease expression on susceptible cultivars. Also, growth of cultivars planted in the biochar-treated soil was significantly promoted compared to the un-amended controls. While greater dose (2.0 g.) decreased growth habits of both pepperand eggplant cultivars. Meanwhile, amendment of different concentrations (0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 g.) of biochar treatments alone with pepper cv. Titanic and eggplant cv. Balady showed remarkable phytotoxic effects at four weeks growth stage than on Gedeon X pepper cultivar and F2N-29 eggplant cv. Counts of fungi and bacteria showed inconsistent differences between different treated soils at different seasons and various periods, 37,44,51 and 60 days.

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