Effects of silicon dioxide, zinc oxide and titanium dioxide nanoparticles on Meloidogyne incognita, Alternaria dauci and Rhizoctonia solani disease complex of carrot

Abstract

Foliar spray of silicon dioxide (SiO2 NPs), zinc oxide (ZnO NPs) and titanium dioxide (TiO2 NPs) nanoparticles were used for the management of Meloidogyne incognita, Alternaria dauci and Rhizoctonia solani disease complex of carrot. Foliar spray of SiO2 NPs/ZnO NPs or TiO2 NPs increased plant growth attributes, chlorophyll and carotenoid of carrot. Foliar spray of 0.10 mg ml−1 SiO2 NPs caused the highest increase in plant growth, chlorophyll and carotenoid content of leaves followed by spray of 0.10 mg ml−1 ZnO NPs, 0.05 mg ml−1 SiO2 NPs, 0.05 mg ml−1 ZnO NPs, 0.10 mg ml−1 TiO2 NPs and 0.05 mg ml−1 TiO2 NPs. Use of SiO2 NPs caused a higher reduction in root galling, nematode multiplication and disease indices followed by ZnO NPs and TiO2 NPs. Two principal components analysis showed a total of 97.84% overall data variance in plants inoculated with single pathogen and 97.20% in plants inoculated with two or more pathogens. Therefore, foliar spray of SiO2 NPs appears interesting for the management of disease complex of carrot.