EC Microbiology

The recent study investigates the biocontrol potential of Paenibacillus polymyxa and Rhizophagus intraradices (formerly Glomus intraradices), both individually and in combination, for controlling root rot and damping off diseases caused by Rhizoctonia solani of two cultivars of chickpea (Giza 3 and Giza 195) under greenhouse and field conditions at two locations, i.e., Giza and Etai El-Baroud. Preliminary results indicate that both P. polymyxa and R. intraradices significantly enhanced the proportion of surviving plants and lowered the incidence of damping off before and after emergence. The combined treatment exhibited the highest efficacy, suggesting synergistic effects that enhance plant defense mechanisms. There was an increase in the activity of peroxidase, polyphenol oxidase, and β-1,3 glucanase enzymes, correlating with elevated phenolic compound contents. On the other hand, there is an increase in the contents of micro and macro elements, total flavonoids, and proline. Moreover, there was a stimulatory effect on crop parameters and seed yield (kg/feddan) for the two cultivars in both locations.

 Keywords: Chickpea; Rhizoctonia solani; Paenibacillus polymyxa; Rhizophagus intraradices; Biological Control

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