Effect of biofumigation by Calligonum polygonoides, dry olive leaves, and ash of olive leaves on chilli pepper growth and recovery of Rhizoctonia solani

Abstract

Rhizoctonia solani J.G. Kühn is a serious soilborne pathogen in chilli fields worldwide. This study examined the effect of biofumigation using arta (Calligonum polygonoides L.) and olive (Olea europaea L.) plant material on chilli growth and recovery of R. solani from chilli plants. The experiment was conducted under greenhouse conditions in potted soil amended with no plant material (control) or with plant material from Calligonum and Olea (olive leaves, or ash of olive leaves). Chilli was planted in the amended soils and inoculated with R. solani. Plant height, number of fruits , and frequency of recovery of R. solani from chilli were recorded. Soil amendment with Calligonum plant material resulted in the lowest frequency of recovery of R. solani. Moreover, Calligonum treatment increased dry mass and height of chilli plants compared to other treatments. Also, treatment with olive plant parts inhibited R. solani growth and enhanced growth of chilli compared to the control treatment. Thus, C. polygonoides and O. europaea are potental biofumigant plants to control R. solani.

Keywords

• chilli pepper
• Capsicum annuum
• biofumigation
• Calligonum polygonoides
• olive