Effects of Mesorhizobium ciceri and Biochar on the Growth, Nodulation and Antifungal Activity Against Root Pathogenic Fungi in Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of the inoculation of Mesorhizobium ciceri on the nodulation, growth and antagonistic expression against soil-borne fungal pathogens (Phytophthora medicaginis, Fusarium oxysporum and Fusarium solani) on Cicer arietinum L. or commonly known as chickpea grown in vermiculite medium amended with 5% green waste (GW) biochar. The combination of M. ciceri and biochar showed significant effect to chickpea compared with other treatments and control plants in terms of nodulation. The chickpea inoculated with M. ciceri and amended with biochar produced the highest nodule number with an average value of 110 nodules per plant and with an average nodule fresh weight of 57.90 mg per plant at 60 days harvest. The other treatments (M. ciceri only and biochar only) and the positive control (2 mM nitrate-treated plants) produced an average of 55, 65 and 15 nodules per plant with the corresponding average nodule weight of 39.5, 46.5 and 35.6 mg per plant, respectively, 60 days after seed sowing. The combined M. ciceri and biochar also enhanced the shoot length, and fresh and dry weights of chickpea. However, it was observed that the primary root length was shorter than the control but clusters of feeder roots were observed. The combination of M. ciceri and biochar also completely inhibited the colony development of all root pathogenic fungi of chickpea after three days of inoculation. Therefore, the inoculation of M. ciceri in vermiculite medium amended with green waste biochar enhanced the nodulation and growth conditions in chickpea as well as inhibited the growth of root pathogenic fungi P. medicaginis, F. oxysporum and F. solani.