Publication Details
Abstract
Background: Root rot disease is one of the most prevalent and damaging conditions, resulting from various soil-borne pathogens. Objective: To investigated the individual and synergistic effects of chitosan and melatonin on the defense response of melon plants against root rot disease caused by Rhizoctonia solani under laboratory and field conditions. Methodology: R. solani was isolated from the root of the melon and identified under microscopy, after which it was cultured on PDA and the chitosan–melatonin was applied via in vitro assays and replicated field trials. Results: The pathogenic fungus R. solani significantly reduced the germination rate of melon seeds by 22.50% compared to the control treatment (100.00% germination). In laboratory assays, both chitosan and melatonin effectively inhibited the growth of R. solani when added to the culture medium. Chitosan at 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 g/L, and melatonin at 1.5 and 2.0 g/L, achieved 100.0% inhibition of the pathogenic fungus. The combined application of chitosan and melatonin as a synergistic spray treatment to infected plants significantly reduced the disease incidence and severity compared to the control treatment. The highest reduction in infection rates (6.00%) and severity rates (1.33%) was observed with the synergistic treatment, compared to 100.0% infection and 96.0% severity in the field control treatment. Conclusion: These results suggest that chitosan, melatonin, and their combined treatment can effectively prevent melon root rot caused by Rhizoctonia solani.