Fungitoxicity of Agricultural Waste-Derived Biochars Against Fusarium Oxysporum (Schlect) f.sp Radicis-Lycopersici (Jarvis and Shoemaker) Causal Agent of Fusarium Crown and Root Rot of Tomato
Year: 2019
Type: article
Abstract: Tomato (Solanum lycopersicon Mill) an edible fruit is one of the most important tropical vegetable crops widely consumed in several food forms throughout the world. The fruits are rich in essential vitamins, minerals and phytonutrient such as lycopene. The study was conducted at the central Laboratory Unit of the National Root Crop Research Institute (NRCRI) Umudike, and the Screen-house of the University to evaluate the effect of the different agro-waste-derived biochar on the incidence and severity of Fusarium crown rot and root rot of tomatoes incited by Fusarium oxyporum f.sp radicsi-lycopersici in Umudike. The result showed that biochar sourced from rice husk, saw dust and siam weed substantially (P≤0.05) reduced the growth in vitro and incidence and severity of the disease in vivo in a manner comparable to Furadan. Conversely cassava peels-derived biochar was least in fungitoxicty. Similarly, the various sources of biochar demonstrated varied effects on the vine growth and the flower production of tomato plants with increasing days after inoculation (DAI); with saw dust, siam weed, and rice husk supporting a better performance of the crop in the field than the other treatments. However, cocoa husk maintained a moderate but persistent toxicity against Fusarium oxypporum f.sp radicsi-lycopersici in vitro and in vivo. Therefore, low input farmer of sub Saharan Africa could use biochars sourced from rice husks, saw dust, and siam weed to effectively manage Fusarium crown and root rot disease of tomato caused by Fusarium oxysporum f.sp radicsi-lycopersici so as to improve productivity of the crop.
Authors: GA Nwaogu, OO Kolawole, PA Ogbonna
Institution: Michael Okpara University of Agriculture
Language: English
Subfield: Plant Science
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4409790564