El-Fawy, M.M., Saeed, A.S., Abou-Shlell, M.K. et al. Effectiveness of biocharBiochar is a carbon-rich material created from biomass decomposition in low-oxygen conditions. It has important applications in environmental remediation, soil improvement, agriculture, carbon sequestration, energy storage, and sustainable materials, promoting efficiency and reducing waste in various contexts while addressing climate change challenges. More and wood vinegar from guava trees in controlling Fusarium verticillioides and enhancing growth and anatomical traits of maize (Zea mays L.). J Plant Dis Prot (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s41348-024-00971-5

Maize stalk and ear rots, caused by the pathogen Fusarium verticillioides, are significant diseases that severely impact grain yield and quality globally. This study investigates the effectiveness of biochar and wood vinegar derived from guava trees in controlling these diseases and enhancing maize growth and anatomy in laboratory and greenhouse settings.

In vitro experiments revealed that wood vinegar, particularly at a 2% concentration, significantly inhibited the pathogen’s growth by 78.32%. Treating corn cobs with 2% wood vinegar reduced the severity of ear rot. Similarly, soil drenching with biochar and wood vinegar decreased stalk rot severity in greenhouse experiments, with wood vinegar proving most effective compared to the control.

Both biochar and wood vinegar positively influenced plant growth, demonstrated by increased plant height, fresh weight, and dry weight of maize plants. Additionally, these treatments improved the anatomical features of maize roots and leaves relative to untreated plants. The study also showed an increase in total phenol contents and peroxidase enzyme activity, with the highest enhancement observed in plants treated with biochar.

These findings underscore the potential of biochar and wood vinegar as effective, safe, and eco-friendly solutions for managing maize stalk and ear rot diseases. They also highlight their role in improving the growth and anatomical characteristics of maize plants, presenting a promising alternative to conventional disease control methods.