Effective and Sustained Control of Soil-Borne Plant Diseases by Biodegradable Polyhydroxybutyrate Mulch Films Embedded with Fungicide of Prothioconazole

Abstract

Soil-borne diseases and plant rhizosphere nematode have caused many crop yield losses. Increased environmental awareness is leading to more restrictions on the use of certain fumigants and root irrigation methods due to their impact on human health and soil system. Therefore, it is necessary to find alternative treatments to maintain crop economic yields and environmental sustainability. In the present work, biodegradable antifungal mulches were prepared by blending poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-4-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) with fungicide of prothioconazole (PRO), which were used for effective and sustained control of soil-borne plant diseases. To reveal the application prospect of the PHB/PRO composite films in the management of soilborne plant diseases, some physical and biological properties were evaluated. The proper mulch film of PHB/PRO was assessed based on its mechanical and optical properties, while water solubility and the film micromorphology was further characterized. The release patterns of composite films under different pH levels were investigated. Moreover, the in vitro antifungal bioassay and pot experiment showed satisfactory bioactivity of the PHB/PRO films against Sclerotium rolfsii Sacc., a soil-borne disease in peanut fields. This study demonstrated that the biodegradable mulch films containing PRO fungicide are capable of inhibiting soil-borne plant pathogenic fungi effectively, and this facile but powerful strategy may find wide applicability in sustainable plant and horticulture protection.

Systemic fungicidal activity of phenazine‐1‐carboxylic acid‐valine conjugate against tobacco sore shin and its translocation and accumulation in tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.)

“…3,4 Many soilborne pathogenic fungi can survive in the soil for a long time, which leads to difficulties in prevention and control. 5,6 To effectively control tobacco sore shin, more fungicide applications are needed during the growth period, but this can affect the quality of tobacco, increase the production cost, adversely affect the environment, and threaten the development of tobacco agriculture. 7 Fungicides with phloem mobility have been long desired, so that they can be sprayed on leaves, absorbed by plants, and transported along with nutrients to the site of pathogen infection, to control root or vascular bundle diseases.…”

Synthesis, antifungal evaluation, and safety assessment of mesoporous silica nanoparticles loaded with prothioconazole against crop pathogens

“…The absorption vibration peaks at 1481 and 3226 cm −1 were attributed to the vibration of the N-H bond and the skeleton vibration of the benzene ring, respectively. 18,48 Prot@MSNs exhibited the Si-O-Si stretching vibration of MSNs at 1060 cm −1 . Characteristic peaks at 750 cm −1 for the C-Cl bond as well as at 1487 cm −1 (N-H) appeared in the spectrum of Prot@MSNs.…”

“…The FTIR analysis results of Prot@MSNs indicate that prothioconazole was successfully loaded into MSNs. 18…”

“…Prothioconazole remains a plant hormone mimic in addition to fungicide. Using high concentrations of prothioconazole may cause an inhibitory effect on crops, 18,48 so it is necessary to investigate the safety of Prot@MSNs to rice and wheat. Fig.…”

“…15,16 Controlled release formulations (CRFs) have become a research hotspot in the field of pesticide formulation. 17,18 CRFs exhibit various advantages, for example protection of pesticide from external factors, pungent odor shielding, reduction of volatilization and toxicity to nontarget organisms, controlled release of pesticide and improved adhesion and transport ability of pesticide within the target. 19,20 In recent years, mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) have been a common carrier material for pesticide delivery, 21 which have a large specific surface area, adjustable pore size, uniform particle size, easy modification of surfaces, good biological compatibility, etc.…”