Activity of nanosized copper-boron alloys against Phytophthora species

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the antifungal activity of copper-boron (Cu-B) nanoalloys against a range of Phytophthora species, including P. capsici, P. citrophthora, P. palmivora, P. cinnamomi, P. nicotianae, P. cactorum, P. plurivora, P. inundata, and P. megasperma. The nanoalloys were synthesized via mechanical alloying under an argon atmosphere, resulting in the formation of nanocrystalline Cu-B nanoalloys with irregular morphology and particle sizes ranging from 50 to 240 nm. At a concentration of 250 µg mL−1, the Cu-B nanoalloys demonstrated complete inhibition of mycelial growth, sporangium production, and zoospore germination in all tested Phytophthora species. The EC50 values for mycelial growth ranged from 28.02 to 120.17 µg mL−1, while for sporangium production and zoospore germination, they were below 10 µg mL−1. Furthermore, the nanoalloys exhibited fungicidal activity against specific Phytophthora species, such as P. capsici, P. citrophthora, P. inundata, and P. megasperma, at concentrations of 100, 250, 250, and 250 µg mL−1, respectively. Notably, the Cu-B nanoalloys displayed significant protective and curative effects on tuber rot severity in P. nicotianae-inoculated potatoes, resulting in reductions of 94.13% and 92.61% compared to the control, respectively, at a concentration of 10 µg mL−1 (P < 0.05). These findings highlight the potential of Cu-B nanoalloys as a promising fungicide for the management of plant diseases caused by Phytophthora spp.