The efficacy of composts as bio-control agents against damping-off disease incidence caused by Fusarium acuminatum and Fusarium solani

Abstract

Abstract Damping-off disease, caused by Fusarium solani and Fusarium acuminatum, poses a significant threat to many agricultural and horticultural crop yields in Algeria. It can affect both seedlings in nurseries, and young plants in fields. To date, there are no known effective management practices to control this disease. However, the development of efficient alternative tools to manage these diseases could offer sustainable agriculture a way to improve productivity. Compost has shown potential for suppressing soilborne pathogens, although its efficacy varies based on compost type. The purpose of this study was to explore the potential of disease suppressive properties of two different compost mixtures (A2 and D2) to get a better understanding of which biotic factors (fungal composition), and abiotic factors (physico-chemical characteristics of the compost) are decisive in Damping-off disease suppression in vitro and in vivo. Our compost analysis revealed the presence of diverse fungal species, Trichoderma harzianum was associated with both composts type. The Physico-chemical analysis demonstrated effective degradation of organic matter, alkaline, pH, a richness of humic and fulvic acids, and fertilizing elements. In vitro tests using different media compost extracts showed significant inhibition of mycelial growth, sporulation, and germination of both F. acuminatum and F. solani. The findings indicate the potential of these composts to protect plants against damping-off diseases, with a remarkable reduction in disease incidence by up to 50%.