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Biochar mediated control of soil-borne phytopathogens

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Abstract

Biochar is a solid product obtained by heating biomass or organic waste in the total or partial absence of oxygen and used as a soil amendment. Several beneficial effects of biochar on soil chemical, physical, and biological properties and plant health and development are widely known. Biochar amendment has also been repeatedly discussed for its disease suppressive properties. However, the underlying mechanisms of such effects are highly complex and mostly unknown. It can be assumed that the modification of plant root exudate composition, changes in soil microbial and biochemical properties, and the induction of systematic plant defense mechanisms due to biochar amendments are crucial factors impacting pathogen suppression. More in-depth studies are needed to understand specific interactions of plant-pathogen systems with different types of biochar, which will help achieve maximum benefits of biochar amendments to protect plants from various soil-borne pathogens. In this review, we highlight the potential of biochar for the control of soil-borne plant diseases, especially the interactions with plant pathogenic fungi, under different environmental conditions. We concluded that soil amendment with biochar is a promising strategy for integrated pathogen and pest management.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Faculty of Arts and Science, Agri Ibrahim Cecen University, Agri, Turkey

    Burak Alaylar

  2. Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Atatürk University, Erzurum, Turkey

    Medine Güllüce

  3. Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research (ZALF), 15374, Müncheberg, Germany

    Dilfuza Egamberdieva, Stephan Wirth & Sonoko Dorothea Bellingrath-Kimura

  4. Faculty of Biology, National University of Uzbekistan, Tashkent, Uzbekistan

    Dilfuza Egamberdieva

  5. Faculty of Life Sciences, Humboldt University of Berlin, Berlin, Germany

    Sonoko Dorothea Bellingrath-Kimura

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  1. Burak Alaylar
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  2. Medine Güllüce
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  3. Dilfuza Egamberdieva
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  4. Stephan Wirth
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  5. Sonoko Dorothea Bellingrath-Kimura
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Correspondence to Burak Alaylar.

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Alaylar, B., Güllüce, M., Egamberdieva, D. et al. Biochar mediated control of soil-borne phytopathogens. Environmental Sustainability 4, 329–334 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42398-021-00187-5

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