Abstract
It has been reported that organic amendments can lessen the impact of
pathogen-caused plant diseases. Researchers have been looking for alternative
materials for growth mixes for plants, especially for pots, as a result of the growing
demand for substrates without soil and the escalating environmental concerns
associated with the utilization of resources that are not renewable, such as peat. A
variety of biochar effects help to prevent root or foliar fungal infections by altering root
exudates, soil characteristics, and nutrient availability, all of which influence the
proliferation of antagonistic microorganisms. Biochar's induction of systemic plant
defenses in the roots to combat foliar pathogenic fungus and the activation of stress
hormone responses are all indicators of coordinated hormonal transmission within the
plant. Additionally, nematodes and pest insects are controlled by biochar. The primary
mechanisms of action of plant-parasitic nematodes are changes in the diversity of soil
microbes, the release of nematicidal chemicals, and the development of plant defenses.
In this chapter, we looked at how the health and disease of plants are affected by
biochar as a component of the growing medium. Biochar treatments show a lot of
promise, according to this study, but not enough research has been done to support
their widespread use as a soil supplement in modern agricultural systems. More
research on the processes that drive biochar disease suppression and long-term field
tests are required to make biochar a safe, effective, and cost-effective tool for
controlling plant diseases.