Antifungal Activities of Sulfur and Copper Nanoparticles against Cucumber Postharvest Diseases Caused by Botrytis cinerea and Sclerotinia sclerotiorum

Abstract

Nanoparticles (NPs) have attracted great interest in various fields owing to their antimicrobial activity; however, the use of NPs as fungicides on plants has not been sufficiently investigated. In this study, the antifungal activities of sulfur nanoparticles (S-NPs) and copper nanoparticles (Cu-NPs) prepared by a green method were evaluated against Botrytis cinerea and Sclerotinia sclerotiorum. The formation of NPs was confirmed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD). The antifungal activities of NPs (5–100 µg/mL), CuSO4 (4000 µg/mL), and micro sulfur (MS) were compared to those of the recommended chemical fungicide Topsin-M 70 WP at a dose of 1000 µg/mL. They were evaluated in vitro and then in vivo at different temperatures (10 and 20 °C) on cucumber (Cucumis sativus) fruits. The total phenolic content (TPC) and total soluble solids (TSS) were determined to study the effects of various treatments on the shelf life of cucumber fruits, compared to untreated cucumber as a positive control. The diameters of S-NPs and Cu-NPs ranged from 10 to 50 nm, and 2 to 12 nm, respectively. The results revealed that S-NPs exhibited the highest antifungal activity, followed by Cu-NPs. However, CuSO4 showed the lowest antifungal activity among all treatments. The antifungal activity of the prepared NPs increased with the increase in NP concentration, while the fungal growth was less at low temperature. The cytotoxicity of the prepared NPs was evaluated against the WI-38 and Vero cell lines in order to assess their applicability and sustainability. S-NPs caused less cytotoxicity than Cu-NPs.

Powdery Mildew A Disease of Grapes And The Fungicides Mode of Action: A Review

“…While, on the shaded leaves, both sides show similar symptoms of grapevine. Those leaves or shoots which are close to the bark indicate the primary symptoms of infection [9]. It has been noted in grapevines that high infection of powdery mildew in the preceding time also showed dusty or powdery coverage of buds by the hyphae of U. necator in the current season which overwinters on the inner bud scales.…”

“…A dry climate is quite conducive to the development of powdery mildew but it can also be spread over a wide range of humidity levels [9]. The majority of grapes cultivars grown in Asia are susceptible to fungal diseases particularly powdery mildew including Vitis amurensis, V. armata, V. davidii, and V. romaneti while, the less susceptible grape cultivars grown in the United State of America are included V. aestivalis, V. berlanderi, V. candicans, V. labrusca, V. riparia and V. rupestris [10].…”

“…The mechanism of infection is initiated through penetration of haustoria into the epidermal cells of the infected site and shows symptoms of necrotic [10]. Other symptoms appear in the form of distorted or stunted growth of young newly emerging leaves while the petioles become brittle and break after infection by U. necator [9]. Further, the powdery mildew spread to green shoots and exhibits red and brown lesions, and around bloom, the grapes bunches get infected leading to a decrease in fruit set as well as yield of grapes.…”

“…When the haustoria of conidia penetrate into the epidermal cells of berries results in the killing of berries or the berries" skin show scarring and spitting. The infected grapes become unmarketable due to off-flavor and lack of freshness [9]. The infected berries with split skin become further vulnerable to other diseases predominantly fruit rotting (Botrytis cinerea Pers.)…”

Synergistic relationship of endophyte-nanomaterials to alleviate abiotic stress in plants

“…Meanwhile, the need for an ecofriendly measure for treating mycoses and identification of the source of infection has prompted researchers toward the use of metallic NPs (Singh et al, 2019;Soliman et al, 2021). Several studies have assessed the antifungal effects of NPs (Khatoon et al, 2018;Ahmadpour et al, 2021;Sadek et al, 2022). A study by Masoumizadeh et al (2022) reported the effect of AgNPs on fungal pathogens, Candida spp.…”