Effect of Vermicompost and Biochars from Different Crop Residues in Management of Root Rot Disease of Common Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)

Select Volume / Issue:

• Volume 6,Issue 4, July 2019

Year:

2019

Type of Publication:

Article

Keywords:

Root Rot, Fusarium Solani, Pythium Ultimum, Rhizoctonia Solani, Soil Amendments, Biochar, Vermicompost

Authors:

Were, Samuel A.; Narla, Rama D; Thies, Janice E.; Mutitu, Eunice W.; Muthomi, James W.; Munyua, Luiza M.; Robrooek, Dries; VanLauwe, Bernard

Journal:

IJRAS

Volume:

6

Number:

4

Pages:

94-106

Month:

July

ISSN:

2348-3997

Abstract:

Root rot of common beans has continued to increase in importance and in some instances leads to 100% yield loss especially in intensified monocultures. Their broad host range and survival on crop residue as well as in the soil asunder different survival structures posses’ a challenge in their management Soil amendments with have been known to influence plant growth and also impact on soil borne pathogens. The effect of vermicompost and biochars from different feed stocks on bean root rot was assessed in a greenhouse study. Soils were amended with vermicompost and biochar at a rate of 1:1 v/v . Inoculation with four different root rot pathogens and their mixture was done using artificially infected sorghum seed at a rate 5g per pot treatment. Five bean seeds were planted and assayed for germination, shoot height; root weight and root rot severity at the end of the study. Treatment combinations of biochar and vermicompost had a positive impact on plant emergence. Rice hulls biochar amendments resulted in the highest shoot height while sugarcane bagasse biochar had the highest root length. Combination of rice hulls and vermicompost had the greatest shoot and root weight. Plants in biochar amended soils had 9% lower severity than plants in vermicompost amended soils and 25% less than the non-amended soils. Rice hulls biochar had greater impact on plant growth whereas sugarcane bagasse biochar greater effect on root rots severity.

Full text: IJRAS_754_FINAL.pdf