Management of Damping-off and Root Rot Diseases on Bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera L.) by Vermicomposting and Some other Agents with Special Reference to Fusarium thapsinum First Reported as Root Rot Pathogen in Egypt

Abdel-Wahed, Gomaa A.; Hassan, Mabrouk S.S.; Shehata, Abou Ghanima S.F.; Imara, Doaa A.

doi:10.21608/ejp.2023.222313.1099

Management of Damping-off and Root Rot Diseases on Bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera L.) by Vermicomposting and Some other Agents with Special Reference to Fusarium thapsinum First Reported as Root Rot Pathogen in Egypt

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

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

10.21608/ejp.2023.222313.1099

Abstract

Fusarium thapsinum was isolated for the first time from bentgrass in Egypt. Several other fungal species, including Fusarium roseum, Fusarium semitectum, Fusarium thapsinum, Macrophomina phaseolina, Rhizoctonia solani, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum and fungal like Mucor sp. are widespread in Egypt and are responsible for significant losses to bentgrass. Fusarium thapsinum is a fungus causes bentgrass root rot. It was approved to be responsible partially for root rot based on its morphological traits, disease signs, and pathogenicity test. By sequencing the ribosomal RNA genes internal transcribed space (ITS region), identification of this species' was verified. During 2021 and 2022 growing seasons, Fusarium thapsinum, R. solani, and S. sclerotiorum achieved the greatest majority on isolation from bentgrass. Rhizoctonia solani was more pathogenic than the other fungi. In this study, disease severity and disease incidence were determined. The effects of Vermicomposting (VMC) either single or in combination with Trichoderma harzianum, Trichoderma viride, Bacillus subtilis, Azotobacter vinelauvii, Azospirillum sp. in addition to Potassium silicate and Vitavax 200 as a single treatment were evaluated under in vitro and greenhouse. In vitro treatments significantly inhibited the mycelial growth of the three tested fungi. These controlling agents showed variations in their detrimental effect against fungal growth. In greenhouse trials, Vitavax 200 and VMC withTrichoderma harzianum were the best treatments for controlling root-rot followed by VMC with Trichodermaviride and VMC withBacillus subtilis, increased bentgrass growth parameters and pre- and post-emergence damping off were decreased, as shown by the maximum total chlorophyll. All the treatments significantly improved turf quality and growth parameters in the field experiments and decreased percentage of infected area also, increased total phenols and defense-related enzymes.

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