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

Abstract

In this study, a novel, non-toxic, eco-friendly zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) was used instead of the synthetic fungicides widely used to control the destructive phytopathogenic fungus Fusarium oxysporum, the causative agent of wilt disease in Solanum melongena L. Herein, the biosynthesized ZnO-NPs was carried out by Penicillium expansum ATCC 7861. In vitro, mycosynthesized ZnO-NPs exhibited antifungal activity against Fusarium oxysporum. In vivo, ZnO-NPs suppressed Fusarium wilt disease in cultivated Solanum melongena L. by decreasing the disease severity with 75% of plant protection. Moreover, ZnO-NPs stimulated the recovery of eggplant as an indicated by improving of morphological and metabolic indicators including plant height(152.5%), root length(106.6%), plant fresh biomass (146%), chlorophyll a (102.8%), chlorophyll b (67.86%), total soluble carbohydrates (48.5%), total soluble protein (81.8%), phenol (10.5%), antioxidant activity and isozymes compared with infected control. Therefore, this study suggests using mycosynthesized ZnO-NPs as an alternative to synthetic fungicides not only to eradicate the Fusarium wilt disease in cultivated eggplant (Solanum melongena) but also to promote the growth parameters and metabolic aspects.

Plant Growth-Promoting Fungi as Biocontrol Tool against Fusarium Wilt Disease of Tomato Plant

“…Fungal diseases are among the most dangerous biological stresses that cause severe damage to agricultural crops in many countries [ 5 , 45 ]. One of the most famous pathogens of fungal diseases, Fusarium oxysporum , causes a negative impact on crops, especially vegetable crops [ 10 , 11 , 46 ]. Control of Fusarium wilt was difficult due to the causal agent ( Fusarium oxysporum is a soil-borne fungus that has been found in organic and conventional agricultural soil for many years [ 47 ].…”

“…Control of Fusarium wilt was difficult due to the causal agent ( Fusarium oxysporum is a soil-borne fungus that has been found in organic and conventional agricultural soil for many years [ 47 ]. Biostimulant fungi are considered bioactive compounds reservoirs, including antimicrobial and antioxidant [ 46 , 48 ]. Plant growth promoting fungi (PGPF) can enhance the plant nutrient uptake from the soil and decomposes organic matter; thus, it is considered a promising strategy for sustainable development of agriculture and maintaining productivity [ 49 ].…”

Green Biosynthesis of Selenium Nanoparticles Using Orange Peel Waste: Characterization, Antibacterial and Antibiofilm Activities against Multidrug-Resistant Bacteria

“…Nanotechnology is assumed to be the subsequent industrial revolution and is considered to have a tremendous effect on the community, economics, and the common world [5][6][7]. This field possesses great effectiveness in various sites including infection control, biomedicine, industry, wastewater treatment, and agriculture [8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15]. The environmentally friendly approach for the biosynthesis of the nanoparticle is an opportunity for appling it safely in medical fields [16][17][18].…”

Unveiling Antimicrobial and Insecticidal Activities of Biosynthesized Selenium Nanoparticles Using Prickly Pear Peel Waste

“…Recent years have seen the rapid synthesis of nanocrystals (Ag, Zn, Se, Au, and Cu) using biological (plants, fungi, algae, and bacteria) techniques [ 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 ]. These NPs are prepared in pure, non-toxic, and environmentally friendly manners by utilizing high-energy renewable materials to support the safety and reliability of the NP development processes [ 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 ]. Plant-fabricated NP development can proceed more quickly since there is no need to maintain the exact conditions in media and culture that are necessary for other biological entities [ 40 , 41 , 42 ].…”