Biochar contributes to resistance against root rot disease by stimulating soil polyphenol oxidase

Abstract Biochar has been considered an effective approach as soil amendment for decreasing incidences of disease and regulating microbial populations in continuous-cropping soil. Although researches have extensively focused on changes microbes unbalance nutrition soil, the relationship between properties pathogens by biochar application remains poorly understood. In this study, we applied ITS ribosomal RNA gene profiling to analyze tobacco root microbiota non-biochar treatment a 3-year field, comparing firstly planting control. We found that decreased relative abundance fungal ( Ceratobasidium Monosporascus ), which are prime rot Using RDA, co-occurrence PLS-PM approaches, provided evidence there was negative correlation genera (especially ) polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activity (R 2 incidence rate = − 0.930, R index 0.905, both p < 0.001). The PPO up-regulated different intensities. Together, demonstrated regulated suppress pathogens, further decrease rot. Notably, forward continuous cropping more improvement than other treatments. data should help appropriate timing alleviating obstacle. Graphical abstract