ISSN: 0973-7510

E-ISSN: 2581-690X

Review Article | Open Access
Lham Dorjee1, K. Nishmitha1, Sudeepta Pattanayak1, Tsedar Wangmu2, Shweta Meshram3, Sushma Chongtham4 and Robin Gogoi1
1Division of Plant Pathology, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, India.
2Krishi Vigyan Kendra, State Horticulture Research and Development Institute, Dibang Valley, Arunachal Pradesh, India.
3Department of Plant Pathology, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, Punjab, India.
4Division of Entomology, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, India.
Article Number: 9136 | © The Author(s). 2024
J Pure Appl Microbiol. 2024;18(1):29-45. https://doi.org/10.22207/JPAM.18.1.58
Received: 15 November 2023 | Accepted: 16 February 2024 | Published online: 03 March 2024
Issue online: March 2024
Abstract

Since time immemorial organic amendments have been an important strategy for improving soil fertility and suppressing a wide range of soil-borne pathogens. Biochar, a charcoal-like amendment has true potential in managing phytopathogens with an eco-friendly approach. It is produced by subjecting plant materials and agricultural waste to high temperatures of around 900°C in limited oxygen conditions. Biochar is considered to be an excellent carbon sequester and has an undeniably imperative role in improving soil properties. Biochar has innumerable applications in the remediation of environmental pollutants by immobilizing heavy metals such as Cadmium and Arsenic and degradation of dyes and pesticides. One of the most significant advantages of biochar in addition to mitigating environmental pollution is effectively managing plant pathogens by altering soil physical and chemical properties and promoting antagonistic microorganisms. Biochar directly suppresses plant pathogens by priming plant defense mechanisms. For instance, sugarcane bagasse biochar remediates Cd from contaminated soil, and citrus wood biochar induces systemic resistance against Botrytis cinerea in host-Lycopersicon esculentum, Capsicum annuum L. cv. Maccabi and Fragaria ananassa. Nevertheless, it is essential to acknowledge its limitations, such as the potential to absorb and enhance the residual activity of harmful chemicals. Further research is needed to develop a deeper understanding of biochar’s properties and mechanisms for more effective results. Advanced techniques like meta-transcriptomics and metaproteomics hold the potential to provide invaluable insights into this field. The review provides a comprehensive overview of current information regarding biochar, covering its production techniques and highlighting its agricultural benefits, with a particular focus on its role in plant disease management. Furthermore, the associated risks and concerns are also discussed.

Keywords

Biochar, Agri-chemicals, Eco-friendly, Phyto-pathogens, Disease, Management

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