Abstract

Background

Leveillula taurica is an obligate pathogen that causes powdery mildew on chili pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) which is considered one of the most serious diseases for the crop.

Results

Leveillula taurica was isolated from infected pepper plants in Assiut Governorate, Egypt. Pathogenicity test was performed, and it was found that the pathogen can cause the symptoms of powdery mildew on the pepper plant. Under greenhouse conditions, treatment with Bacillus thuringiensis MW740161.1, Pseudomonas fluorescens, and Bacillus subtilis cultures resulted in a significant reduction in conidial germination of the pathogen (69.07, 29.55, and 19.58%, respectively). Spraying chili pepper plants with the microorganisms effectively reduced the powdery mildew's disease severity. Also, treatment with the bacterial strains resulted in a significant (P 0.05%) increase in the yield of chili pepper. Based on the findings, it appears that the use of B. thuringiensis, as foliar spraying, significantly induced resistance of chili pepper plants against L. taurica and stimulated many biochemical functions in the plant. Also, it increased the crop yield compared to all other treatments.

Conclusions

This study recommends B. thuringiensis as a viable alternative to harmful pesticides, and it is feasible to formulate an appropriate fungicide for the sustainable green production of chili peppers. The B. thuringiensis can increase the resistance of chili pepper plant to L. taurica the causal pathogen of powdery mildew.

Details

Title
Enhancing chili pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) resistance and yield against powdery mildew (Leveillula taurica) with beneficial bacteria
Author
Hussein, Mohamed A. M. 1 ; Abdel-Aal, Ahmed M. K. 2 ; Rawa, Muhyaddin J. 3 ; Mousa, Magdi A. A. 2 ; Moustafa, Yasser M. M. 4 ; Abo-Elyousr, Kamal A. M. 2   VIAFID ORCID Logo 

1  Aswan University, Plant Pathology Department, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Aswan, Egypt (GRID:grid.417764.7) (ISNI:0000 0004 4699 3028) 
2  King Abdulaziz University, Department of Agriculture, Faculty of Environmental Sciences, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia (GRID:grid.412125.1) (ISNI:0000 0001 0619 1117) 
3  King Abdulaziz University, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia (GRID:grid.412125.1) (ISNI:0000 0001 0619 1117); King Abdulaziz University, Center of Research Excellence in Renewable Energy and Power Systems, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia (GRID:grid.412125.1) (ISNI:0000 0001 0619 1117) 
4  Minia University, Horticulture Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Minia, Egypt (GRID:grid.411806.a) (ISNI:0000 0000 8999 4945) 
Pages
114
Publication year
2023
Publication date
Dec 2023
Publisher
Springer Nature B.V.
ISSN
1110-1768
e-ISSN
2536-9342
Source type
Scholarly Journal
Language of publication
English
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s41938-023-00758-0
ProQuest document ID
2896101024
Copyright
© The Author(s) 2023. This work is published under http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ (the “License”). Notwithstanding the ProQuest Terms and Conditions, you may use this content in accordance with the terms of the License.