How do AMF and Biochar Affect Pepper Growth and Nutrient Content under Biotic and Abiotic Stress?

Salt stress is a significant abiotic stress that adversely affects pepper plant growth which can accelerate the development of plant pathogens and increase plant susceptibility to diseases. Verticillium dahliae, which causes pepper wilt disease, is an important biotic stress factor. Funneliformis mosseae and biochar organic wastes help to take nutrients from the soil by establishing symbiotic connections with plant roots and, are effective in treating plant diseases, plant growth, and stress tolerance. This study aims to determine the effects of F. mosseae (Fm) and 2% biochar (Bc) against V. dahliae (Vd) on some plant physiological properties, plant nutrient uptake, soil pH, and EC value in pepper plants grown under salt stress (50mM, 100mM, 150mM). As a result of the study, the use of F. mosseae alone or in interaction with 2% biochar significantly increased some physiological parameters and some minerals (P, K, Mg, and Mn) contents of the plant. Moreover, pepper plants showed remarkable resistance to salt and stress factors caused by V. dahliae. In addition, the interaction between F. mosseae and biochar significantly lowered the soil EC value under conditions of severe salt stress. On the other hand, biochar was more effective than F.mosseae in terms of soil pH and Ca/Na ratio. The results showed that biochar and F. mosseae were beneficial in reducing biotic (V. dahliae) and abiotic stress (salt stress) damage while enhancing plant growth and nutrient absorption. Therefore, this study yields excellent and novel results, particularly in the field of employing beneficial microorganisms for sustainable agriculture.