article · Journal of Fungi
Chemically fabricated copper oxide nanoparticles have been tested for managing root rot disease caused by the fungus Fusarium solani in cucumber plants. Characterisation showed particles measuring approximately 25 to 26 nanometres. In laboratory tests, the nanoparticles directly inhibited fungal development, causing structural defects, twisting, and plasmolysis in fungal mycelia as well as collapsing spores. In greenhouse and field evaluations, applying these nanoparticles significantly reduced root rot incidence compared with untreated plants. The treatment also triggered plant immune defences, increasing the activity of key protective enzymes and the expression of defence-related genes. Furthermore, treated cucumbers developed thicker root cortexes, mesophyll tissues, and cell walls, which led to marked improvements in overall plant growth and crop yield. The findings indicate that copper oxide nanoparticles offer a protective treatment against root rot by both damaging the fungal pathogen and strengthening natural plant resistance.
Fungal root rot causes significant damage to cucumber crops, diminishing yields and challenging food production. Demonstrating that copper oxide nanoparticles directly suppress the responsible fungal pathogen while reinforcing the natural cellular structure and immune responses of the plant highlights a viable method to protect crops and maintain high agricultural productivity.
This research demonstrates an applied disease management approach tested under actual field and greenhouse conditions, placing it at an intermediate stage of development. The nanoparticles could enable targeted antifungal treatments for commercial cucumber growers and crop protection manufacturers looking to control root rot. Further translation will depend on formulating these nanomaterials into stable, scalable agricultural treatments and confirming their practical integration alongside existing farm management practices.
AI-generated from the published abstract. Always read the original work before citing.
Metal oxide nanoparticles have recently garnered interest as potentially valuable substances for the management of plant diseases. Copper oxide nanoparticles (Cu<sub>2</sub>ONPs) were chemically fabricated to control root rot disease in cucumbers. A scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and photoluminescence (PL) were employed to characterize the produced nanoparticles. Moreover, the direct antifungal activity of Cu<sub>2</sub>ONPs against <i>Fusarium solani</i> under laboratory, greenhouse, and field conditions were also evaluated. In addition, the induction of host-plant resistance by Cu<sub>2</sub>ONPs was confirmed by the results of enzyme activities (catalase, peroxidase, and polyphenoloxidase) and gene expression (<i>PR-1</i> and <i>LOX-1).</i> Finally, the effect of Cu<sub>2</sub>ONPs on the growth and productivity characteristics of the treated cucumber plants was investigated. The average particle size from all the peaks was found to be around 25.54 and 25.83 nm for 0.30 and 0.35 Cu<sub>2</sub>O, respectively. Under laboratory conditions, the study found that Cu<sub>2</sub>ONPs had a greater inhibitory effect on the growth of <i>Fusarium solani</i> than the untreated control. Cu<sub>2</sub>ONP treatment considerably reduced the disease incidence of the root rot pathogen in cucumber plants in both greenhouse and field environments. Defense enzyme activity and defense genes (<i>PR1</i> and <i>LOX1</i>) transcription levels were higher in cucumber plants treated with Cu<sub>2</sub>ONPs and fungicide than in the untreated control. SEM analysis revealed irregularities, changes, twisting, and plasmolysis in the mycelia, as well as spore shrinking and collapsing in <i>F. solani</i> treated with Cu<sub>2</sub>ONPs, compared to the untreated control. The anatomical analysis revealed that cucumber plants treated with Cu<sub>2</sub>ONPs had thicker cell walls, root cortex, and mesophyll tissue (MT) than untreated plants. Cucumber growth and yield characteristics were greatly improved after treatment with Cu<sub>2</sub>ONPs and fungicide. To the best of our knowledge, employing Cu<sub>2</sub>ONPs to treat cucumber rot root disease is a novel strategy that has not yet been reported.
This page summarises published work. The authoritative version sits with the publisher.
DOI: 10.3390/jof8090911
Is something wrong with this record? Report it or request removal.
Discussion
Have you built on this work, tried to replicate it, or seen it applied in practice? Share what you know. Verified researchers and MARATTO™ domain experts can open a discussion, and any member can reply. Contributions are reviewed before they appear.
No discussion yet. Open the first thread.
New to MARATTO™? Create a free account.
