Characterization and Utilization of Cow Manure Biochar as Soil Amendment for the Management of Northern Corn Leaf Blight

Disease control with chemicals is harmful to environment, and the pathogen becomes even more problematic by acquiring resistance. In this study, biochar made from cow manure was characterized, and its impact was determined on maize growth and Exserohilum turcicum causal agent of destructive northern corn leaf blight (NCLB). The characterization of biochar and compost was done by various analytical techniques. The northern corn leaf blight development and plant growth was assessed by growing maize in biochar and compost amended soil. Analysis confirmed the presence of obvious channels of 2.668 mu m and pores of around 1.245 mu m, and presence of alkyl, aromatic carbon zones, and functional groups further verified the stability and improved water holding capacity of the biochar. Thus, the maximum values for growth parameters including leaf area index (5.23), maximum crop growth rate (15.88 gm(-2) day(-1)), root length (35.50 cm), stalk diameter (3.49), and plant height (187.90 cm) were recorded in treatment with co-application of biochar and compost. Similarly, grain quality and enzymatic activity also showed improvement in treatments with combined application of biochar and compost. Individual application of biochar showed lowest value (8.33% and 11.83%) of disease incidence in spring and autumn seasons, respectively, under field conditions. Similarly disease severity index was also significantly lower (7.33% and 2.30%) in treatment with sole application of biochar under field conditions. Organic soil amendments are recognized as catalyst in plant growth improvement along with management of NCLB by inducing resistance in maize.