Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0
Author-Name:Muhammad Zia Ullah, Beenish Rasheed, Adnan Akhter, Waheed Akram, Muhammad Abu Bakar Siddique, Muhammad Khurshid, Hafiz Muhammad Tariq, Nasir Ali, Umair Raza, Muhammad Ahmad
Author-Email:adnanakhter.iags@pu.edu.pk
Author-Workplace-Name:Department of Plant Pathology, University of the Punjab Lahore, Pakistan, School of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, University of the Punjab Lahore, Pakistan, Department of Plant Pathology, Bahauddin Zakariya University Multan, Pakistan
Title:Synergistic Effectof PyrolyzedBagasseand Trichoderma Viridefor Sustainable Mitigation of Chili Southern Blight
Abstract:Soil-borne   diseases   like   southern   blight   severely   limit   chili   (Capsicum   annuumL.) production,  demanding  sustainable  and  eco-friendly  management  approaches.  This study introduces the integration of sugarcane bagasse-derived biochar with Trichoderma virideas  a  novel  strategy  for  enhancing  chili  resistance  against Sclerotium  rolfsii.  Biochar  was produced through pyrolysis at 450°C and characterized using SEM, EDX, and XRD, revealing porous honeycomb-like structures, high carbon content, and mineral phases such as SiO₂and CaO. Glasshouse experiments were conducted on the chili cultivar ‘Desi’using biochar at 3%& 6% (v/v) concentrations. Biochar was either applied alone or in combination with T. virideas well as with S. rolfsii. Results demonstrated that biochar treatments significantly enhanced shoot and root growth, biomass accumulation, and physiological performance under pathogen stress.  Disease  severity,  incidence,  and  mortality  were  notably  reduced,  with  the  greatest suppression (20%) noted in chili plants treated with 6% biochar plus T. viride. Furthermore, higher  biochar  doses  substantially  elevated  levels  of  defense-related  compounds,  including phenolics, catalase, and flavonoids, indicating induction of systemic resistance. Similarly, the combined  effect  of  biochar  and T.  viridewas  also  visible  under  in  vitro  assays.  Overall,  the integration of biochar and beneficial fungi not only improved soil health but also strengthened host  defense,  offering  a  sustainable  approach  to  managingsouthern  blight.  These  findings highlight   biochar-induced   resistance  as   a   promising   component   of   integrated   disease management in chili cultivation.
Keywords:Organic Amendments, Plant Protection, SclerotiumRolfsen,Biological Control, XRD
Journal: International Journal of Innovations in Science and Technology
Pages:2197-2212
Volume:7
Issue:3
Year: 2025
Month:September
File-URL:https://journal.50sea.com/index.php/IJIST/article/view/1562/2196
File-Format: Application/pdf
File-URL:https://journal.50sea.com/index.php/IJIST/article/view/1562
File-Format: text/html
Handle: RePEc:abq:IJIST:v:7:y:2025:i:3:p:2197-2212