Carbon Nanotubes Decrease the Negative Impact of Alternaria solani in Tomato Crop.

Yolanda González-García,Ángel Gabriel Alpuche-Solís,Antonio Juárez-Maldonado,Gregorio Cadenas-Pliego,Raúl Iskander Cabrera

doi:10.3390/nano11051080

Abstract

The diseases that attack the tomato crop are a limiting factor for its production and are difficult to control or eradicate. Stem and fruit rot and leaf blight caused by Alternaria solani causes severe damage and substantial yield losses. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) could be an alternative for the control of pathogens since they have strong antimicrobial activity, in addition to inducing the activation of the antioxidant defense system in plants. In the present study, multi-walled carbon nanotubes were evaluated on the incidence and severity of A. solani. Moreover, to the impact they have on the antioxidant defense system and the photosynthetic capacity of the tomato crop. The results show that the application of CNTs had multiple positive effects on tomato crop. CNTs decreased the incidence and severity of A. solani. Furthermore, CNTs increased the fruit yield of tomato crop and dry shoot biomass. The antioxidant system was improved, since the content of ascorbic acid, flavonoids, and the activity of the glutathione peroxidase enzyme were increased. The net photosynthesis and water use efficiency were also increased by the application of CNTs. CNTs can be an option to control A. solani in tomato crop, and diminish the negative impact of this pathogen.

Highlights

The incidence and severity of A. solani were modified with the application of Carbon nanotubes (CNTs)
The lowest incidence percentage was observed in the CNT+A. solani (Al) treatment with
80%, the OX+Al treatment had an incidence of 96%, while the positive control showed an incidence of 100%

Summary

Introduction

Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations. Biotic stress caused by pests and diseases puts the productivity of a crop at constant risk since it causes up to 25% of production losses [1]. There are numerous pests and diseases that damage both the quality and quantity of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.). The damage caused by Alternaria solani such as stem and fruit rot, and leaf blight, which affect the crop during all stages of the plant’s development [2]

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Conclusion