Innovative approach to sunlight activated biofungicides for strawberry crop protection: ZnO nanoparticles

• Published in: Journal of photochemistry and photobiology. B, Biology Biology, 2020-01, Vol.203, p.111656-111656, Article 111656
• Main Authors: Luksiene, Zivile, Rasiukeviciute, Neringa, Zudyte, Bernadeta, Uselis, Nobertas
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Agricultural production; Amides - pharmacology; Antifungal activity; Antifungal Agents - chemistry; Antifungal Agents - pharmacology; Berries; Biofungicide; Botrytis; Botrytis - drug effects; Botrytis - radiation effects; Catalysis; Crop production; Crop Protection; Fenhexamid; Field experiment; Field tests; Foodborne diseases; Fragaria - growth & development; Fruits; Functional foods & nutraceuticals; Fungicides; Harvesting; Leaves; Metal Nanoparticles - chemistry; Metal Nanoparticles - toxicity; Nanoparticles; Organic chemistry; Pesticides; Photocatalysis; Plant Diseases - microbiology; Plant Diseases - prevention & control; Plant protection; Preservation; Spoilage; Spraying; Strawberries; Sunlight; Ultraviolet radiation; Visible light; Zinc oxide; Zinc Oxide - chemistry; ZnO nanoparticles
• ISSN: 1011-1344; 1873-2682
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jphotobiol.2019.111656

Strawberries are one of the most common and important fruits in the world, widely investigated for their nutritional and nutraceutical properties. However, after the emergence of several outbreaks of foodborne diseases some concerns regarding the microbiological safety of fresh strawberries have increased in recent years. In this paper new insights, based on application of ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) as alternative to chemical fungicides in the fields for preharvest preservation of strawberries are presented. Antifungal activity of ZnO NPs was tested on main strawberry plant pathogen Botrytis cinerea. Obtained data indicated that used ZnO NPs (5 × 10−3 M) in the dark just insignificantly (12%) inhibited the radial growth of B. cinerea. But photoactivated ZnO NPs (5 × 10−3 M, 405 nm, 34 J/cm2) inhibited the growth of B. cinera by 80%. Real-time field experiments revelead, that spraying of ZnO NPs in the strawberry field in sunny day reduced Botrytis incidences by 43%, enhanced the crop production by 28.5% and stoped the spoilage of harvested fruits during storage by 8 days, if compare with control. No harm to crowns and leaves of strawberry plant have been found, however this treatment increased the growth of inflorescence (37.5%) and reduced the growth of runners (32.8%). For comparison, spraying of conventionqal chemical fungicide fenhexamid (FEN) reduced Botrytis incidences in the same level as ZnO NPs, increased the harvest by 21.9% and delayed the spoilage of fruits by 8 days. The presented results look highly promising, since ZnO NPs in the presence of sunlight, activated by UV and visible light can protect strawberry fruits from Botrytis infection more effectively than conventional fungicide fenhexamid. This treatment significantly increased crop production and reduced spoilage of strawberries. It looks like ZnO NPs have great potential in the future to replace chemical fungicides. [Display omitted] •Strong antifungal activity of ZnO NPs in the visible light was confirmed in vitro.•Significant enhancement of strawberry crop was found after field application of NPs.•Considerable spoilage delay was observed in strawberries treated with NPs in the field.•ZnO NPs in sunlight could successfully replace the commercial fungicide fenhexamid.