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Management of Sunflower Charcoal-Rot and Maize Late-Wilt Diseases Using Vermitea and Wood Vinegar

Summary

This research explored natural alternatives to chemical pesticides for controlling devastating crop diseases in sunflower and maize. Scientists found that two eco-friendly products – vermitea (made from earthworm-processed compost) and wood vinegar (derived from wood processing) – effectively protected crops from fungal diseases while improving plant health and yields. This discovery has important implications for sustainable agriculture: • Provides farmers with safe, environmentally-friendly alternatives to chemical pesticides • Helps protect food security by preventing crop losses to disease • Supports organic farming practices and sustainable agriculture • Reduces environmental contamination from chemical pesticides • Offers cost-effective disease control solutions for farmers

Background

Sunflower charcoal-rot caused by Macrophomina phaseolina and maize late-wilt caused by Magnaporthiopsis maydis are prevalent diseases in Egypt that can lead to huge yield losses under epidemic conditions. Chemical pesticides have traditionally been used but pose health and environmental risks, creating a need for safer biological control alternatives.

Objective

To investigate the potential use of vermitea (liquid vermicompost extract) and wood vinegar (biochar derivative) for management of sunflower charcoal-rot and maize late-wilt diseases through laboratory, greenhouse and field trials.

Results

Three bacterial strains from vermitea (identified as Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, Serratia marcescens and Bacillus velezensis) showed strong antifungal activity. Wood vinegar at 2.0% concentration achieved 100% pathogen suppression in vitro. In greenhouse trials, vermitea and wood vinegar decreased disease incidence by 61-71% while improving plant growth parameters, photosynthetic pigments and antioxidant enzymes. Field trials showed reduced disease incidence (72-89%) and increased crop yields with both treatments.

Conclusion

Vermitea and wood vinegar demonstrated effective control of sunflower charcoal-rot and maize late-wilt diseases through direct antifungal activity and induced plant resistance. Both treatments significantly improved plant health parameters and crop yields, indicating their potential as environmentally-safe alternatives to chemical pesticides.
  • Published in:Scientific Reports,
  • Study Type:Laboratory and Field Trial,
  • Source: 10.1038/s41598-023-43974-2
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