Efficacy of Compost and Biochar to Improve Plant Growth under Greenhouse Trail

Abstract

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.), being the most cultivated tuberous crop worldwide is threatened by various biotic and abiotic factors. Among fungal pathogens, Rhizoctonia solani is the most virulent and widely distributed soil-borne fungi of phylum Basidiomycota which cause severe yield losses to 30-40% around the globe. Several management practices have been adopted to overcome the yield losses inflicted by this fungus. Use of chemicals and fumigants are not encouraged due to health and environmental concerns. Present study was undertaken to develop alternate eco-friendly methods to manage this disease. A greenhouse experiment through CRD was performed with treatments application of compost, biochar and NPK on potato variety Desiree. Treatments and pathogen inoculum were applied at the time of sowing. Plant germination was recorded after two weeks of sowing. Data of growth parameters (Plant height, no. of leaves, shoot weight, root weight, root length, no. of tubers, tuber weight, tuber size) were taken at the end of experiments before harvesting the crop. Combined treatment application of biochar (5%) + compost (10%) + NPK was found to be the best to suppress R. solani and increased plant height, number of leaves, shoot weight, root weight, root length and various tuber parameters. On the basis of our results biochar and compost are suggested commercially to improve plant growth and suppress pathogens.