Simonkolleite nanoparticles for seed treatment and control of tomato bacterial spot caused by Xanthomonas hortorum pv. gardneri

Abstract

ABSTRACT Bacterial spot caused by Xanthomonas spp. (X. vesicatoria, X. euvesicatoria pv. euvesicatoria, X. euvesicatoria pv. perforans, and X. hortorum pv. gardneri) may result in significant losses for tomato crops. Simonkolleite nanoparticles (SK-NPs) has been indicated as a novel approach for plant disease control. The objective of this work was to evaluate SK-NPs (ZnOCl, ZnOCl:Ag, and ZnOCl:Cu at different concentrations) for the in vitro inhibition of X. hortorum pv. gardneri, determining the time of exposure of the products for the bacterial death; the reduction of bacteria recovery on inoculated seeds, and their efficacy to reduce bacterial spot severity in plant. The growth inhibition was evaluated by inhibition zone in culture medium plates, when the diameter of the inhibition zone was measured. The period of exposure of the products to the bacterial suspension tested were 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 h. Tomato inoculated seeds were treated with SK-NPs. In plant, the preventive and curative effects were evaluated by applying the products two days before or after inoculation, respectively. Disease severity was evaluated and the area under the disease progress curve (AUDPC) was calculated. ZnOCl:Ag, ZnOCl:Cu, and ZnOCl inhibited bacterial growth, and the 5 h exposure time was necessary to reduce bacterial growth. ZnOCl:Ag, and ZnOCl:Cu reduced the bacteria presence in the seeds, and did not affect the seed germination. Both products reduced the AUDPC in the preventive application. The use of SK-NPs ZnOCl:Ag and ZnOCl:Cu showed to be promising to manage tomato bacterial spot.