Use of resistant Rhizoctonia cerealis strains to control wheat sharp eyespot using organically developed pig manure...

The effects of Rhizoctonia cerealis resistant strains to control wheat sharp eyespot in pig manure developed organic fertilizer were investigated. Organic fertilizer was produced in a self-built aerated static composting box (0.37 m³) and later assessed using values of temperature, moisture, pH, C/N ratio, nitrogen transformation, fluvic- and humic acid composition and germination index. Together, these assessments indicated that disposed pig manure could be considered as a non-hazardous fertilizer. By adding R. cerealis resistant strains (Bacillus flexus, B. amyloliquefaciens, B. amyloliquefaciens, B. licheniformis and Paenibacillus sp.), we were successfully able to develop wheat sharp eyespot inhibiting bio-organic fertilizer. Our results showed that soil applied with 10 t/hm² of the developed bio-organic fertilizer significantly improved the dry weight of the wheat, promoted chlorophylls and soluble protein composition and effectively prevented the wheat from sharp eyespot. The protection rate (77.1%) of our developed bio-organic fertilizer is 42.3% higher than the tested commercially available organic fertilizer (34.8%), and the disease index is significantly lower (P < 0.001) than both the control and commercial organic fertilizer. In conclusion, the prevention and control effects of our developed bio-organic fertilizer on wheat sharp eyespot were both significant and promising.