Silver oxide nanostructures as a new trend to control strawberry charcoal rot induced by Macrophomina phaseolina

Silver oxide (Ag2 O) nanostructures were fabricated and their ability to induce antifungal activity against Macrophomina phaseolina, which causes charcoal rot disease in strawberries, was evaluated under laboratory, greenhouse and field conditions. A real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction was used to monitor expression of defense-related genes, which is essential to evaluate the potential of the manufactured nanoparticles to promote strawberry resistance against charcoal rot. The effect of Ag2 O nanoparticles on growth characteristics in strawberry plants was also studied.The results showed that Ag2 O significantly inhibited M. phaseolina growth compared with untreated controls under in vitro conditions. Strawberry plants treated with Ag2 O showed a significant decrease in the severity of charcoal rot disease in the greenhouse compared with untreated plants. Strawberry plants treated with Ag2 O nanoparticles expressed defense gene (PR-1) involved in the salicylic acid signaling pathways at levels three to five times higher than in the control group. Ag2 O nanoparticles significantly improved the growth and yield of the strawberry crop.Use of Ag2 O nanoparticles can be considered a new strategy to control M. phaseolina and this is the first report of this effect. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.