Synergetic Effect of Seed-Primed Biocontrol Agents and Biochar Soil Amendment on Wheat Productivity and Leaf Rust Suppression

Abstract

Wheat (Triticum aestivum), a staple crop for over 2.5 billion people, suffers yield losses from leaf rust (Puccinia triticina). Effective management of this disease is essential. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the effects of biocontrol agents (Trichoderma sp. and Bacillus sp.), with or without biochar (1.5 g plant⁻¹), on four wheat genotypes under field conditions using a triplicate randomized complete block design (RCBD). Results showed that biocontrol treatments, particularly Trichoderma sp., significantly improved growth and yield traits, with increases of up to approximately 79% in yield per plant and 56% in grain weight per spike, while reducing brown rust severity by approximately 60% compared to the control. The magnitude of response varied among genotypes, with Anaj-2017 showing comparatively greater improvement across several traits. However, the effects of biochar were not consistently superior across all treatments, indicating a context-dependent response. These observations highlight the potential of eco-friendly strategies, particularly Trichoderma sp., along with biochar, for enhancing wheat productivity and resilience.