Antifungal Activity of Metal-Based Nanomaterial and Their Morph-Physiological Responses on Plants
摘要
The annual crop losses caused by living organisms (biotic stress) and abiotic factors range from 50–60%. In agriculture fields, multiple stressors often occur concurrently, impacting plant development and overall yield. Among these stressors, plant pathogenic fungi pose significant risks due to their genetic and structural diversity. However, their rapid adaptability to environmental changes makes it challenging to devise a universal strategy for managing fungal disease. An integrated approach is essential, including antifungal agents, fungicides, and targeted strategies specific to individual fungus species. This chapter focuses on the ability of nanotechnology to enhance plant disease control. Top-down or bottom-up (wet chemistry and biosynthesis) nanotechnology transforms bulk organic or inorganic materials into nanoparticles. Depending on their unique characteristics, such as a small dimension that facilitates their translocation, a large surface area that increases the interaction region, and surface reactivity, nanoparticles have unique physicochemical and biological features. Nanomaterials of metal or metal oxide may inhibit fungal growth. Metal ions like Ag+ (silver), Au3+ (gold), Cu2+ (copper), and Zn2+ (zinc) oxid NPs, and release metal ions that generate reactive oxygen species (ROS). These species can disrupt microorganisms by interfering with critical biochemical pathways or essential cellular structures, providing an innovative approach to combating fungal infections.