Biopotential of Cyanobacteria, Fulvic Acid and Nanochitosan in Controlling Leaf Rust of Wheat

Biocontrol agents, including Cyanobacteria, Spirulina platensis and Nostoc calcicole, as well as fulvic acid and chitosan nanoparticles were tested to control leaf rust of wheat under field conditions during 2021/2022 and 2022/2023 growing seasons. All biocontrol agents significantly reduced all parameters for disease severity i.e. coefficient of infection (CI), the average coefficient of infection (ACI) and the area under disease progress curve (AUDPC) compared to untreated control. The best treatments were nano-chitosan which recorded efficacy of 91.17% followed by S. platensis (90.2%) in the application of two sprays for disease control. All biocontrol agents significantly increased grain yield components of wheat. Applications of two sprays were more effective than one spray. From our research work it can be concluded that S. platensis, N. calcicole, fulvic acid and nano-chitosan can be used for controlling leaf rust disease as a safe alternative to chemical fungicides.