Mycorrhiza-inoculated biochar as an eco-friendly tool improves the broomrape control efficacy in two faba bean cultivars

Abstract

Since broomrape weed has an intricate life cycle, its completely elimination is almost impossible. However, it is necessary to try to obtain modern means to reduce broomrape damage. Till now there is no effective methods can be used to reduce the broomrape seed bank in soil. Despite the documented favorable results of its role in amending several issues of the agricultural lands, the available knowledges related to the importance of biochar to protect faba bean from broomrape attacks are rare. Thus, the present work strived to find out the role of biochar alone or combined with mycorrhiza as novel and applicable practices to quench the attacks of broomrape against faba bean plants. A two-year field trail was implemented in broomrape-infested field. The experimental units of two cultivars (Sakha-1 and Misr-3) of faba bean were treated by mycorrhiza (VAM), rice biochar + VAM, peanut biochar + VAM, and glyphosate, in addition to the control treatment (weedy check). Findings clarified that broomrape spikes number and weight and number of faba bean infected plants were higher with Sakha-1 than Misr-3. Among the biochar types and cultivars, VAM inoculation was more effective with peanut straw biochar + VAM for MIsr-3. The distinctive reductions in almost broomrape parameters were obtained with VAM and peanut biochar + VAM equaling the recommended practice (glyphosate). Sakha-1 or Misr-3 plants treated with VAM, rice biochar + VAM and peanut biochar + VAM possessed distinctive improvements in pods weight, seed yield and of 100-seed weight of faba bean equaling glyphosate treatment. It could be concluded that VAM alone or with biochar raised the tolerance degree of faba bean genotype against broomrape attacks, hence sustaining the productivity, could be achieved through application of biochar inoculated with mycorrhiza. Despite the differences between mycorrhiza-inoculated biochar and glyphosate in broomrape traits and faba bean yield were not significant, the application of inoculated biochar as an eco-friendly tool is advisable for sustaining faba bean cultivation.