Our study demonstrated the possible use of cylindrically cubic MAS nanoparticles as an effective alternative for the control of Fusarium root rot in tomato. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry.

There is a growing interest in the development of alternative strategies in plant disease management to reduce dependency on synthetic chemicals. In this study, we described synthesis and evaluation of the direct antifungal activity of mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSN) compared to metalaxyl (recommended fungicide) against A. solani under laboratory and greenhouse conditions. The structural features of MSN such as high porosity, small particle size and suitable shape contributed to its high antifungal efficacy against Alternaria solani. Laboratory synthesized MSN showed marked increase in tomato growth parameters compared to untreated control. Our study presents promising results of the use of MSN as an effective and safe alternative of fungicides for managing tomato early blight.

This study was done to assess the antifungal effect of some biocontrol agents effective microorganisms (EMs1), Pseudomonas fluorescens, and Bacillus pumilus, titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles, black cumin and wheat germ oils as well as the recommended fungicide (flutolanil) against root rot of tomato. Moreover, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) examination was completed to identify the bioactive compounds in plant oils (dark cumin and wheat germ). Also the impact of these medicines on some biochemical and growth parameters of tomato was examined. Flutolanil was the best treatment followed by dark cumin, TiO2, EMs1, Pseudomonas fluorescens, Bacillus pumilus and wheat germ oil, individually in both test seasons. The outcomes demonstrated a marked increase in each biochemical character (chlorophyll substance, peroxidase and polyphenoloxidase) and plant development (height and fresh and dry weight) under all the tried treatments in comparison to the controls.

The present study was carried out at Al-Amana nursery in Talkha district, Dakahlya Governorate, Egypt, during the summer season of 2014 to study the effects of different graft combinations between rootstocks and scion of watermelon (Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Matsum et Nakai) var. Lanatus cv. Aswan F 1 . The experiment included thirteen treatments resulted from the combinations of four rootstocks [Jumbo F 1 and Nun 6001 F 1 hybrids [Cucurbita maxima (Duch.) ex. Lam.× Cucurbita moschata (Duch.) ex. Poir.], bottle gourd (Lagenaria siceraria Standl.) and pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata L.)] and three grafting methods [Hole insertion (HIG), Splice (SG) and Tongue approach (TAG)] as well as non-grafted plants as control. The obtained results illustrated that there was a high compatibility between Watermelon(scion) and Jumbo followed by bottle gourd then Nun 6001 rootstock, where these graft combinations recorded the highest vascular thickness and area of vascular cambium compared to other graft combinations. Although, SG gave the highest area of graft union. In addition, TAG showed the greatest width of graft union which is related to increase of xylem and phloem tissues thickness and area of vascular cambium. Moreover, grafted plants onto Jumbo and bottle gourd using TAG method recorded the highest survival percentage (100 and 98%, respectively) in comparison with other graft combinations. While, grafting onto pumpkin rootstock using HIG method had the lowest values of all studies traits in comparison with other combinations. Generally, the callus development and graft success in Watermeloncv. Aswan F 1 can be performed using Jumbo rootstock with TAG followed by SG method.

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