Biopotential of Cyanobacteria, Fulvic Acid and Nano-chitosan in Controlling Leaf Rust of Wheat
Amal A. Elkhwaga
Plant Pathology Research Institute, Agricultural Research Center, Giza-12619, Egypt.
Hala A. M. Eldakar
Plant Pathology Research Institute, Agricultural Research Center, Giza-12619, Egypt.
Hesham M. Abdelmaksoud
Plant Pathology Research Institute, Agricultural Research Center, Giza-12619, Egypt.
Noha E. Ahmed
Plant Pathology Research Institute, Agricultural Research Center, Giza-12619, Egypt.
Mohammed A. Gad *
Plant Pathology Research Institute, Agricultural Research Center, Giza-12619, Egypt.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Biocontrol agents, including Cyanobacteria, Spirulina platensis and Nostoc calcicole, as well as Fulvic Acid and nano-chitosan were tested to control leaf rust of wheat under field conditions during 2021/2022 and 2022/2023 growing seasons. All biocontrol agents significantly reduced all parameters for disease severity i.e. coefficient of infection (CI), the average coefficient of infection (ACI) and the area under disease progress curve (AUDPC) compared to untreated control. The best treatments were nano-chitosan which recorded efficacy of 91.17% followed by S. platensis (90.2%) in the application of two sprays for disease control. All biocontrol agents significantly increased grain yield components of wheat. Applications of two sprays were more effective than one spray. From our research work it can be concluded that S. platensis, N. calcicole, Fulvic Acid and nano-chitosan can be used for controlling leaf rust disease as a safe alternative to chemical fungicides.
Keywords: Biological control, wheat, leaf rust, cyanobacteria, fulvic acid, nano-chitosan