The effectiveness of modern biological preparations in protecting chickpea crops (Cicer arietinum L.) from fungal diseases

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to determine the effectiveness of the use of modern biological preparations based on fungi of the genus Trichoderma, bacteria of the Bacillus subtilis, fungi of Chaetomium and symbiotic microorganisms (bulb bacteria and phosphate-mobilizing microorganisms) in the technology of growing chickpeas (Cicer arietinum L.) in the conditions of the “Velchu” SFG of the Bolgrad district of the Odessa region during 2024–2025. Methodology. Field – to monitor the effectiveness of the use of modern biological preparations, plant growth and development, weather and climatic conditions of the environment and other studied factors; measuring and weighing – parameters of the crop structure, yield; mathematical and statistical – to conduct variance analysis and statistical data processing in order to assess the reliability of the obtained research results. Results. In the conditions of the "Velchu" SFG of the Bolgrad district of the Odessa region, the average degree of damage to beans by ascochyta blight during the period of full ripeness varied from 7.4 to 17.9% depending on the variant of the experiment, which indicates a moderate level of disease development. The use of biological preparations in field conditions of the Odessa region allowed to reduce the level of damage to beans by ascochyta blight within 7–10% compared to the control, which confirms their effectiveness in the system of biological protection of chickpeas. The most effective were preparations based on fungi of the genus Trichoderma spp. and bacteria Bacillus subtilis, which provide maximum inhibition of pathogen development and improve the phytosanitary condition of crops. The use of biological preparations significantly affects the formation of chickpea seeds, in particular the indicator of underdeveloped seeds. The most effective in this regard were Serenade ASO (Bacillus subtilis strain QST 713) and RootShield / RootShield Plus (Trichoderma harzianum + Trichoderma virens), which provided a reduction in seed underdevelopment to 0.8–0.9% compared to the control (1.9%). The use of biological preparations RootShield Plus and Serenade ASO provided minimal yield losses to 16.3–16.4%, the increase in yield was 1.17–1.172 t/ha, respectively. Intermediate values were observed in the variants Companion 75 WP, Trichowin and Ketomium, where losses reached 17.4–18.8%, and the yield was 1.137–1.156 t/ha, respectively. Anderiz P showed moderate effectiveness, reducing losses to 22.9% and providing a yield of 1.079 t/ha. Conclusions. The conducted studies confirmed that chickpea ascochyta blight (Ascochyta rabiei) is a key factor in reducing crop yields in the conditions of the Southern Steppe of Ukraine, in particular in the Odessa region, and also causes the formation of underdeveloped seeds and aborted beans. The most effective in reducing damage to beans by ascochyta blight were Trichowin (Trichoderma spp.), RootShield / RootShield Plus (Trichoderma harzianum + T. virens) and Serenade ASO (Bacillus subtilis QST 713). They provided a reduction in bean damage to 7.4–9.8%, compared to the control (17.9%), which confirms their high antagonistic activity and stimulating effect on plant immunity. The use of biological preparations contributed to a significant reduction in underdeveloped seeds (0.8–0.9% versus 1.9% in the control) and bean abortion (15.4–15.6% versus 24.9% in the control), which ensured improved plant fertility and increased real yield. The preparations – Companion 75 WP, Ketomium and Anderiz P – have an intermediate effect, which indicates their auxiliary role in a complex biological protection system. The use of effective biological preparations allows reducing chickpea crop losses by 10–11% and increasing productivity to 1.17–1.172 t/ha, which confirms their feasibility in integrated and organic farming systems.