Application of date palm leaves compost and plant growth promoting rhizobacteria for controlling faba bean root rot disease in New Valley, Egypt

Abstract

This study was designed to investigate the effect of date palm leaves compost (DPLC) individually and/or in combined with plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) for controlling faba bean root rot disease caused by Rhizoctonia solani and Fusarium solani under greenhouse and field conditions. The obtained data indicate that DPLC at different concentrations significantly decreased root rot incidence either under artificial infection in pot or natural infection in field as well as increased growth and yield parameters during growing season 2013-2014. Date palm leaves compost at 8 ton/ feddan (feddan = 1.038 acres) recorded the highest protection against root rot disease and gave the highest increased of plant growth and yield parameters. On the other hand, PGPR viz. Bacillus megaterium, B. cereus and Pseudomonas fluorescens individually or mixed significantly decreased root rot incidence under greenhouse and field conditions. The mixed of PGPR strains significantly suppressed the diseases more than used alone of them. Plant growth promoting rhizobacteria increased efficacy of DPLC for controlling root rot disease in faba bean more than the applied of DPLC or PGPR alone under greenhouse and field conditions during both tested seasons as well as increased of nodulations, growth and yield parameters. The application mixed of PGPR strains and DPLC at 8 ton/feddan recorded the highest reduction of root rot incidence and increase of nodulations, growth and yield parameters during both growing seasons.