Effects of the foliar cedar tar treatment on the control of the Ascochyta blight caused by Ascochyta rabiei

Authors : Emine Burcu Turgay, Sertan Çevik, Eray Şimşek, Kadir Akan

Pages : 11-22

View : 41 | Download : 38

Publication Date : 2025-03-20

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Ascochyta blight (Ascochyta rabiei) is a significant fungal disease that affects chickpea crops all around the world. Synthetic fungicides, which have harmful environmental effects, are commonly used to control the disease. Alternatively, various plant extracts have been explored for disease management. In this study, the antifungal activity of cedar tar, its potential to control the disease, and its disease prevention mechanism in chickpeas were evaluated. The antifungal activity results indicated that whereas 10%, 25%, and 50% cedar tar application doses had an inhibitory effect greater than 50% but were harmful to the plant, 1% and 5% cedar tar application doses suppressed mycelial growth by less than 50%. Therefore, doses of 0.5 %⁻¹, 1 %, and 2 %were selected to determine the disease prevention potential of cedar tar at different application times. Cedar tar treatment applied 72 hours before Ascochyta rabiei inoculation effectively prevented disease development in chickpea plants. This treatment also decreased MDA content, indicating the membrane was protected from pathogen attack. These results suggest that cedar tar can be considered an effective bio-fungicide formulation for future integrated pest management programs.
Keywords : Nohut yanıklığı, Ascochyta rabiei, Cedrus libani, Cicer arietinum