Suppressive Effects of Biochar and Vermicompost on Yellow Wilt in Lamb’s Lettuce (Valeriana locusta): Insights from Two-Year Greenhouse Trials

Autor: Ebrahimi, Ehsan
In:

Biological Agriculture & Horticulture

DOI: 10.1080/01448765.2026.2652423
Seite: 1 - 12
Jahr: 2026

Einordung:
Institut: Professur Pflanzenbau

Abstract:
Yellow wilt is a soil-borne disease affecting lamb’s lettuce (Valerianella locusta L.), particularly in low-input and organic systems with limited chemical control options. Organic amendments have been widely proposed to support crop performance and suppress soil-borne diseases, yet their effects often vary with soil conditions, management, and disease pressure. This study evaluated effects of biochar, vermicompost, compost extract, and their combinations in a soil-based greenhouse trial conducted in the same naturally infested soil in 2 consecutive years. Disease incidence and disease severity, dry matter content, and marketable yield were assessed. In the first year, disease pressure was low and treatment effects were limited. In the second year, disease pressure was higher and differences between treatments emerged, particularly for disease incidence and dry matter content, while disease severity and marketable yield showed less pronounced separation between treatments. Treatments with vermicompost were associated with more favourable crop performance patterns. Overall, responses to the amendments differed between the years. Under higher disease pressure, differences in disease metrics were limited, and application of vermicompost was associated with improved plant performance.

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