Engineered nanomaterials inhibit Podosphaera pannosa infection on rose leaves by regulating phytohormones

• Published in: Environmental research Vol. 170; pp. 1 - 6
• Main Authors: Hao, Yi, Fang, Peihong, Ma, Chuanxin, White, Jason C., Xiang, Zhiqian, Wang, Haitao, Zhang, Zhao, Rui, Yukui, Xing, Baoshan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier Inc 01.03.2019
• Subjects: Antifungal activity; Carbon-based nanomaterials; Humans; Infections; Metal-based nanoparticles; Nanostructures; Nanotubes, Carbon; Plant Diseases - microbiology; Plant Growth Regulators; Plant Leaves - microbiology; Powdery mildew; Rosa - microbiology; Roses; Antifungal activity; Roses; Carbon-based nanomaterials; Powdery mildew; Metal-based nanoparticles
• ISSN: 0013-9351; 1096-0953
• DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2018.12.008

In the present study, we investigated the antifungal effects of engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) against Podosphaera pannosa (P. pannosa), a fungal pathogen that causes powdery mildew on plants in the rose family. Four commercial ENMs, including multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), reduced graphene oxide (rGO), copper oxide (CuO) nanoparticles (NPs) and titanium dioxide (TiO2) NPs, were used to prepare 50 or 200 mg/L NP suspensions in deionized water. Rose leaves in water-agar plates were sprayed by different ENM suspensions mixed with P. pannosa conidia. After a 19-day standard infection test, the growth of P. pannosa on rose leaves was evaluated. All four ENMs inhibited infection by P. pannosa at the concentration 200 mg/L, whereas only CuO NPs decreased fungal growth at 50 mg/L. The phytohormone content of the leaves was measured across all treatments to investigate potential ENMs antifungal mechanisms. The results suggest that ENMs increased plant resistance to fungal infection by altering the content of endogenous hormones, particularly zeatin riboside (ZR). Our study demonstrates that ENMs exhibited distinctly antifungal effects against P. pannosa on roses, and could be utilized as a novel plant protection strategy after a comprehensive assessment of potential environmental risk. •Engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) were tested as a novel fungicide using rose leaves.•Both carbon- and metal-based ENMs exhibited antifungal properties against P. pannosa infection.•ENM regulated phytohormones could increase plant resistance to fungal infection.•ENMs could be utilized as a novel plant protection strategy.