Bio-enriched Vermicompost Mediated Suppression of Fusarium Wilt of Chickpea
Arbind Kumar
Faculty of Agricultural Sciences and Allied Industries, Rama University Uttar Pradesh, Kanpur-209217, India.
Kartikay Bisen *
Faculty of Agricultural Sciences and Allied Industries, Rama University Uttar Pradesh, Kanpur-209217, India.
Soumya Pandey
Faculty of Agricultural Sciences and Allied Industries, Rama University Uttar Pradesh, Kanpur-209217, India.
Dinesh Rana
Faculty of Agricultural Sciences and Allied Industries, Rama University Uttar Pradesh, Kanpur-209217, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
The present study evaluated the efficacy of bio-enriched vermicompost fortified with Trichoderma harzianum, Bacillus subtilis, and Pseudomonas fluorescens in enhancing growth and inducing systemic resistance in chickpea (Cicer arietinum) against Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. ciceris. Vermicompost fortified with microbial biocontrol agents (BCAs) significantly improved morpho-physiological traits, including root and shoot length and dry weight. Plants treated with the fortified vermicompost exhibited markedly higher activities of defense-related enzymes phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL), peroxidase (PO), polyphenol oxidase (PPO), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) as well as increased total phenolic content (TPC), compared to controls. Peak enzyme activities and phenolic accumulation were recorded 48–72 hours after pathogen challenge, particularly in treatments involving T. harzianum. Disease incidence was significantly reduced in BCA-treated plants, correlating with enhanced biochemical defense responses. The results suggest that biofortified vermicompost is an effective, eco-friendly strategy for managing chickpea wilt and enhancing plant resilience through induced systemic resistance mechanisms.
Keywords: Bio-enriched vermicompost, Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. ciceris, biocontrol agents