Antifungal activity of zinc oxide nanoparticles in Fusarium oxysporum‐Solanum lycopersicum pathosystem under controlled conditions

Abstract

Antifungal activity of zinc oxide (ZnO) and ZnO nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) was evaluated on the control of Fusarium oxysporum Schltdl. (Nectriaceae) under laboratory and greenhouse conditions. In vitro evaluation, poisoned culture media was prepared, and an explant was placed in the centre of solid medium. The experimental design was completely randomized with 18 treatments. Mycelial growth and conidia concentration were evaluated. Subsequently, three treatments (3,000, 1,500, 100 ppm) of ZnO NPs and ZnO were chosen for their evaluation in the greenhouse in tomato plants of Floradade variety under a randomized block design. Inoculation was carried out with a 1x107 conidia per mL suspension of F. oxysporum, when the plants presented the third pair of true leaves. Later, the application of different concentrations of ZnO and ZnO NPs was carried out; in this investigation, the incidence and severity and plant height were evaluated into account to determine the treatment effect on F. oxysporum. In vitro, the best treatments in mycelial growth inhibition were the high concentrations of ZnO NPs from 1,600 to 3,000 ppm with 81%–83%, and in the sporulation of the fungus, they were also those that inhibited from 82.57% to 83.85%. In greenhouse, the treatments that reached the highest plant height were ZnO NPs from 1,500 to 3,000 ppm, with a range of 166.0–175.40 cm, with a severity on the scale of 0.40–0.80 and an incidence of 20%–40%. ZnO NPs have a potential application as an antifungal agent and can be used to control the spread of F. oxysporum in tomato plants, in addition to improving the promoter effect related to the Zinc activity as a precursor in auxins synthesis, cytokinins and gibberellins biosynthesis, as well as the induction of higher activity of antioxidant enzymes useful in response to the pathogens attack.

Potential of biosynthesized zinc oxide nanoparticles to control Fusarium wilt disease in eggplant (Solanum melongena) and promote plant growth

“…Yehia and Ahmed ( 2013 ) reported growth inhibition of ZnO-NPs at concentration 1200 µg/l against F. oxysporum was 77%. According to (González-Merino et al et al 2021 ) ZnO-NPs have antifungal action, suppressing mycelial development and sporulation of F. oxysporum in vitro . Eventually, biosynthesized ZnO-NPs was effective toward F. oxysprum in vitro, where MIC and MFC were 15.62 and 1000 µg/ml respectively.…”

Trichoderma harzianum-Mediated ZnO Nanoparticles: A Green Tool for Controlling Soil-Borne Pathogens in Cotton

“…When ZnONPswas used as an antifungal agent against R. solani at concentrations of 30, 60 and 90 g mL −1 , the second and the third concentration raised the percentages of Giza90 seedlings that survived to 85 and 86%, respectively, compared to 43.5 percent persisted seedlings at the concentration of 30 g m −1 [65]. González-Merino et al [66] evaluated the antifungal activity of ZnONPs against F.oxysporum on tomato plants under greenhouse conditions. ZnONPs from 1500 to 3000 g/mL achieved the best plant height with a range of 166.0 to 175.40 cm, a severity of 0.40-0.80 and a disease incidence of 20-40%.…”

Insecticidal Effect of Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticles against Bactericera cockerelli Sulc. (Hemiptera: Triozidae) on Tomato Solanum lycopersicum

“…Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) in agriculture have potential in promoting seed germination rate [23,24], plant growth and development [25][26][27][28], as well as fungicide and bactericide properties [28][29][30][31]. However, phytotoxic effects have also been attributed to it, particularly inhibiting root growth [24,25].…”