Investigating the Effects of Varying Biochars on Seedling Root Rot in Soybean Plants Innoculated with Pythium sylvaticum

Abstract

Pathogenic fungi and fungal-like organisms can greatly damage soybean yields leading to economic and social consequences. One possible solution is the use of biochar in mitigating the effects of these pathogenic organisms. An important genus of waterborne pathogens to soybeans is Pythium, which causes root rot in young seedlings. We hypothesized that if we vary the types of biochar added to soil infested with Pythium sylvaticum, the soybean plants will have varying degrees of root rot depending on the presence and source of the biochar. Our secondary hypothesis is that the biochar with higher volumetric water content will have more severe root rot. We will test four different biochars from different sources. Each biochar will be added to pasteurized soil infested with P. sylvaticum and soybean plants will be grown, in cups, in these amended soils. Approximately 3 weeks after emergence, the seedlings will be removed, roots will be washed, and we will record % root rot, root dry weight, shoot dry weight, and soil pH. After obtaining the data, it will be analyzed for significant relationships between the type of biochar, soil moisture and seedling root rot. This research offers a potential alternative to fungicide to enhance agricultural productivity.