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Optimizing brinjal (Solanum melongena L.) health and yield through bio-organic amendments against Fusarium wilt

Summary

Farmers can protect their brinjal (eggplant) crops from a serious fungal disease called Fusarium wilt by adding organic materials like spent mushroom substrate mixed with biochar to their soil. These natural amendments not only reduce disease but also help plants grow better and produce higher yields, offering an eco-friendly alternative to chemical fungicides that can harm the environment and human health.

Background

Brinjal (eggplant) is an important vegetable crop in Bangladesh and worldwide, but Fusarium wilt caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. melongenae is a devastating soil-borne disease that causes significant economic losses. Traditional chemical fungicide control methods pose environmental and health risks, creating a need for sustainable alternatives.

Objective

To evaluate the effectiveness of bio-organic amendments including spent mushroom substrate (SMS), vermicompost, poultry manure, and biochar, individually and in combination, for managing Fusarium wilt in brinjal cultivation while improving plant health and yield.

Results

The combination of SMS with biochar (T5) showed the lowest disease incidence (5.55%, 16.66%, and 16.66% at 25, 45, and 65 DAT respectively) compared to untreated control (44.4%, 55.55%, and 77.77%). T5 produced the highest yield (12.71 tons/ha) and significantly improved plant height (71.0 cm), leaf count (111), and branch number (11.33) compared to control.

Conclusion

Bio-organic amendments, particularly the combination of spent mushroom substrate with biochar or poultry manure, effectively suppress Fusarium wilt incidence while enhancing plant growth and yield. These treatments represent sustainable, eco-friendly alternatives to chemical fungicides that improve soil health and microbial diversity, making them suitable for sustainable brinjal cultivation.
  • Published in:PLoS One,
  • Study Type:Field Experiment,
  • Source: 10.1371/journal.pone.0325345, PMID: 41066418
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