Abstract
Powdery mildew disease, caused by
Erysiphe betae
, is one of the most threatening diseases on sugar beet plants worldwide. It causes a great loss in the root yield, sugar percentage, and quality of produced sugar. In the current study, we aimed to evaluate the susceptibility of 25 sugar beet cultivars to infection with powdery mildew disease under Egyptian conditions. Moreover, we evaluated the impacts of three eco-friendly materials, including potassium bicarbonate (KHCO
3
; at 5 and 10 g L
−1
),
Moringa oleifera
seed extract (25 and 50 g L
−1
), and the biocontrol agent,
Bacillus subtilis
(10
8
cell suspension) against
E. betae
in two successive seasons 2020 and 2021. Our findings showed that there were significant differences between these 25 cultivars in their susceptibility to the disease under study. Using the detached leaves technique in vitro,
B. subtilis
showed strong antifungal activity against
E. betae
. Moreover, both concentrations of KHCO
3
and moringa seed extract significantly reduced the disease severity. Under field conditions, tested treatments significantly reduced the severity of powdery mildew disease and prevented
E. betae
from producing its conidiophores and conidia. Scanning electron microscope examination of treated leaves demonstrated the presence of the decomposition of fungal hyphae, conidiophores, conidia, and the occurrence of plasmolysis to fungal cells and spores on the surface of the leaves. Furthermore, these treatments greatly improved the percent of sucrose and soluble solids content, as well as the enzymatic activity of peroxidase, polyphenol oxidase, and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase. It is noteworthy that treatment with moringa seed extract gave the best results, followed by potassium bicarbonate, then
B. subtilis
cell suspension. Generally, it is recommended to use the substances used in this research to combat powdery mildew to minimize or prevent the use of chemical fungicides harmful to public health and the environment.