Integrated Suppressive Effect(s) of Micronutrients and Compost against Chickpea Fusarium Wilt in Relation to Microbial Activity

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Plant Pathol. Res. Inst., A.R.C., Giza, Egypt

Abstract

Two micronutrients, i.e. manganese and zinc sulphate(s), used as seed treatment along with compost used as soil amendment were evaluated for their control efficiency against Fusarium wilt disease of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) caused by Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. ciceris. In vitro evaluation revealed that out of 21 isolates of bacteria recovered from compost extract, five isolates, belonged to genus Bacillus reduced linear growth of F. oxysporum on PDA medium. Enrichment the medium with zinc or manganese sulphate(s) increased antagonistic activity of the tested bacteria. Application of micronutrients, alone or mixed with compost, as soil amendment, effectively reduced wilt disease incidence under greenhouse and field conditions in two growing seasons (2010/11 and 2011/12). Mixed applications recorded the highest disease decrements which dramatically associated with a rapid accumulation of salicylic acid content in roots compared to untreated-unamended control. Higher salicylic acid content caused lower disease incidence. Also, microbial activity in the rhizosphere of chickpea plants, as shown by greater dehydrogenase activity, markedly increased as a result of application of micronutrients, alone or mixed with compost. The statistical analysis revealed a negative correlation between disease incidence and microbial activity. Furthermore, application of micronutrients and compost increased crop parameters, nodulation of chickpea plants as well as seed protein content compared to untreated-unamended
control.

Keywords

Files

Share

How to cite

Statistics