Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles Induce Intracellular Peroxidation Damage of Phytophthora infestans: A New Type of Green Fungicide for Late Blight Control

Abstract

Nanopesticides are considered to be a promising alternative strategy for enhancing bioactivity and delaying the development of pathogen resistance to pesticides. Here, a new type of nanosilica fungicide was proposed and demonstrated to control late blight by inducing intracellular peroxidation damage to Phytophthora infestans, the pathogen associated with potato late blight. Results indicated that the structural features of different silica nanoparticles were largely responsible for their antimicrobial activities. Mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) exhibited the highest antimicrobial activity with a 98.02% inhibition rate of P. infestans, causing oxidative stress responses and cell structure damage in P. infestans. For the first time, MSNs were found to selectively induce spontaneous excess production of intracellular reactive oxygen species in pathogenic cells, including hydroxyl radicals (•OH), superoxide radicals (•O 2 − ), and singlet oxygen ( 1 O 2 ), leading to peroxidation damage in P. infestans. The effectiveness of MSNs was further tested in the pot experiments as well as leaf and tuber infection, and successful control of potato late blight was achieved with high plant compatibility and safety. This work provides new insights into the antimicrobial mechanism of nanosilica and highlights the use of nanoparticles for controlling late blight with green and highly efficient nanofungicides.

A dual pesticide–fertilizer silicon-base nanocomposite to synergistically control fungal disease and provide nutrition

“…The higher the value, the more severe the cell membrane damage. 46,47 Fig. 9 shows that the ergosterol content in R. solani after Pro@Cu-MSNs-ZnO/Hym Np treatment (1.03 mg g −1 ) was lower than that of Pro+Hym TC (control, 1.25 mg g −1 ).…”

Porous Silica Nanocarriers: Advances in Structural Orientation and Modification to Develop Sustainable Pesticide Delivery Systems

“…28 Recently, it was observed that bare mesoporous silica nanoparticles can highly control potato late blight disease through intracellular peroxidation damage to the causal organism Phytophthora infestans. 29 Therefore, it is expected that using porous silica nanomaterials for pesticide delivery will be an effective and sustainable way to protect crops by controlling pests and effectively delivering the active ingredients.…”

“…Amorphous silica nanoparticles have also shown potential as an active ingredient in pest control. , For instance, due to the enhanced surface area of nanosilica, effective control of rice weevil resulting from cuticle abrasion was reported . Recently, it was observed that bare mesoporous silica nanoparticles can highly control potato late blight disease through intracellular peroxidation damage to the causal organism Phytophthora infestans . Therefore, it is expected that using porous silica nanomaterials for pesticide delivery will be an effective and sustainable way to protect crops by controlling pests and effectively delivering the active ingredients.…”

Biosynthesis of high antibacterial silver chloride nanoparticles against Ralstonia solanacearum using spent mushroom substrate extract

“…Currently, nanomaterials have been extensively applied in sustainable agriculture. It is considered a promising alternative or supplement to traditional chemical pesticides and biopesticides, which are problematic for their low efficiency, high environmental toxicity, and susceptibility to pathogen resistance [3]. Most previous studies have focused on traditional nano-antibacterial agents such as nano-ZnO, nano-TiO 2 and nano-Ag [4], while few have focused on nano-AgCl.…”