Volume 2 Issue 2 1000e107

Fungal Genom Biol

ISSN: 2165-8056 FGB, an open access journal
Open Access Editorial
Fungal Genomics & Biology
Abd-Elsalam, Fungal Genom Biol 2013, 2:2
http://dx.doi.org/10.4172/2165-8056.1000e107
Nanoplatforms for Plant Pathogenic Fungi Management
Kamel A. Abd-Elsalam*
Plant Pathology Research Institute, Agricultural Research Center, Egypt
*Corresponding author: Kamel A. Abd-Elsalam, Plant Pathology Research
Institute, Agricultural Research Center, Egypt, E-mail: abd-elsalam.k.a@post.com
Received October 17, 2012; Accepted October 19, 2012; Published October 26,
2012
Citation: Abd-Elsalam KA (2013) Nanoplatforms for Plant Pathogenic Fungi
Management. Fungal Genom Biol 2: e107. doi:10.4172/2165-8056.1000e107
Copyright: 2013 Abd-Elsalam KA. This is an open-access article distributed
under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits
unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the
original author and source are credited.
Plant pathologists are striving to develop a successful solution for
protecting food and agricultural products from bacteria, fungal and
viral agents. New technology such as nanoscale platforms, biological
sensors, miniature detection devices and nano sensors could play
a signifcant role in the future pathogen detection and disease
management. Nano grower-friendly methods need to be integrated
into present practices, and be readily useable for protecting crops and
avoiding crop loss to pests and disease.
A number of nanotechnologies can improve existing crop
control protocols in the short to medium term [1]. Te applications
of nonmaterials to the agricultural are also commanding attention.
Nanotechnology applications are being developed and present
signifcant opportunities to more profciently and unhazardously treat
fungicides, herbicides and fertilizers, by controlling precisely when and
where they are released [2]. For example, an eco-friendly fungicide is
under development that uses nanomaterials to liberate its pathogen
killing properties, only when it is inside the targeted pathogen [3].
Control of food crop diseases is essential. Recently, efort has been
made to develop harmless management methods that pose fewer
hazards to humans and animals, and have focused on overcoming lack
of synthetic fungicides.
Te antifungal efect of silver nanoparticles (NPs) has received only
minor attention and with only a few published articles on this topic
[4]. Since, silver displays various modes of inhibitory action to plant
pathogens, it may be used for controlling various plant pathogens in
a moderately safer way, compared to synthetic fungicides [5]. Silver
nanoparticles have strong potential as an antimycotic activity against
fungi of grey mold, Botrytis cinerea [6]. Kirby-Bauer disc difusion
protocol was used to evaluate the communal efect of fuconazole
and silver nanoparticles for their antifungal activity against three
fungal pathogens, Phoma glomerata, Phoma herbarum, and Fusarium
semitectum [7]. Ag
2
S nanocrystals on amorphous silica particles show
antifungal activity against A. niger. Te potential biocidal efcacy of
ZnO and ZnTiO
3
nanopowders against the fungus A. niger was assessed
[8]. ZnTiO
3
nanopowder showed higher growth inhibition efciency
than ZnO.
Silver ions and nanoparticles were evaluated to determine the
antifungal action on Bipolaris sorokiniana and Magnaporthe grisea. Te
in vitro and in vivo evaluations of both silver ions and nanoparticles
decrease disease development of phytopathogenic fungi [9]. Min et al.
[10] evaluated the antifungal efects of silver nanoparticles, especially
on sclerotia forming phytopathogenic fungi. Te antifungal activity
of silver nanoparticles assessed against flamentous ambrosia fungi in
South Korea [11]. Te efect of silver nanoparticles on plant pathogenic
spores of Fusarium culmorum was studied by Kasprowicz et al. [12].
Te silver nanoparticles also found to exhibit antifungal activity against
Fusarium oxysporum [13]. Silver nanoparticles strikingly decreased the
number of germinating fragments and sprout length, relative to the
control. Zinc oxide nanoparticles inhibited the fungal growth of Botrytis
cinerea by infuencing cellular functions, which caused deformation
in mycelial mats. In addition, Zinc oxide NPs inhibited the growth of
conidiophores and conidia of Penicillium expansum, which fnally led
to the death of fungal mats. Te mycosynthesized silver nanoparticles
may be non-toxic to people and animals, than synthetic fungicides.
Moreover, in addition to the toxicity that nanoparticles may cause on
algae, plants and fungi, they may also have some positive efects.
Te antifungal activity of the silver nanoparticles was evaluated on
the phytopathogen Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, which is responsible
for anthracnose in a wide range of fruits. Silver nanoparticles signifcantly
reduced the mycelia growth of Colletotrichum gloeosporioides in a dose-
dependent manner [14]. Antifungal properties of silver nanoparticles,
silver ions, acrylate paint and cotton fabric impregnated with silver
nanoparticles were assessed against A. niger, Aureobasidium pullulans
and Penicillium phoeniceum [15]. Bioassay of elemental and nano-
sulphur against Aspergillus niger showed that nanosulfur was more
efcient than its elemental structure [3].
Smart delivery system has a huge potential for improving efciency
of fungicides in agriculture systems. Development of these technologies
in plant protection would allow their use in crop protection [16].
Diferent concentrations of nanosized silica-silver were evaluated
for growth inhibition of phytopathogenic bacteria and fungi; and
it was found that 100% growth inhibition of Pseudomonas syringae
and Xanthomonas compestris pv. vesicatoria occurred at 100 ppm.
Magnaporthe grisea, Botrytis cinerea, Colletotrichum gloeosporioides,
Pythium ultimum, and Rhizoctonia solani, showed 100% growth
inhibition at 10 ppm of the nanosized silica-silver [5]. Antimycotic
activity of some nanoparticles of silver has also been reported on
some fungi like wood rotting fungi, Fusarium species and other
phytopathogenic fungi [17].
Nano-dispersed formulations can be prepared in a simple cost-
efective manner,and are suited for developing new forms of fungicidal
materials. Tere are some records of the nano-sized or nano-
formulation for agrochemicals development of existing pesticides,
fungicides, plant, soil and seed treatments. Syngentas Banner MAXX

is a systemic fungicide ofering broad-spectrum disease control in

turf and ornamental plants. It is commercialized as a micro emulsion
concentrate formulation, providing excellent tank mix compatibility
and stability.
Resistance in plants would help in management of above
mentioned agents to overcome the problem of economic loss.
Nanoparticles mediated plant transformation has the potential for
genetic modifcation of plants for further improvement. In particular,
application of nanoparticles technology in agriculture targets specifc
Citation: Abd-Elsalam KA (2013) Nanoplatforms for Plant Pathogenic Fungi Management. Fungal Genom Biol 2: e107. doi:10.4172/2165-
8056.1000e107
Page 2 of 2
Volume 2 Issue 2 1000e107
Fungal Genom Biol
ISSN: 2165-8056 FGB, an open access journal
problems in plant protection, pathogen detection, plantpathogen
interactions and ofers new methods for plant disease management
[18]. For example, introduction of resistance genes in plant cells using
nanotechnological approaches may lead to development of resistant
varieties, which will minimize expenses on agrochemicals required
for disease control. Presently, research is being carried out by using
nanosensors to improve pathogen detection methods and plant disease
forecasting in crop systems. Nanosensors can be linked to a GPS system
for real-time monitoring of disease, and distributed throughout the feld
to monitor soil conditions and crop health [19]. Nano-Phytopathology
can be applied as a tool to understand plant-pathogen interactions,
which will provide new methods for crop protection.
References
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3. Choudhury SR, Nair KK, Kumar R, Gogoi R, Srivastava C, et al.
(2010) Nanosulfur: A potent fungicide against food pathogen, Aspergillus niger.
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silica-silver for control of various plant diseases. Plant Pathol J 22: 295-302.
6. Oh SD, Lee S, Choi SH, Lee IS, Lee YM, et al. (2006) Synthesis of Ag and
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cinerea. Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochem Eng Aspects 275: 228-233.
7. Gajbhiye M, Kesharwani J, Ingle A, Gade A, Rai M (2009). Fungus-mediated
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Citation: Abd-Elsalam KA (2013) Nanoplatforms for Plant Pathogenic Fungi
Management. Fungal Genom Biol 2: e107. doi:10.4172/2165-8056.1000e107