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<p>Gray mold, caused by the fungal pathogen <i>Botrytis cinerea</i>, poses a significant threat to pepper cultivation, resulting in considerable yield losses and economic detriment. The growing demand for sustainable agricultural practices has spurred exploration of environmentally friendly alternatives to chemical fungicides, which pose risks to human health. The current study examined the antifungal efficacy of eco-friendly and safe zinc nanoparticles (ZnNPs) against <i>B. cinerea</i> in pepper plants under greenhouse conditions, complemented by in vitro assessments. Zinc nanoparticles were synthesized through a green synthesis approach, utilizing <i>Bacillus subtilis</i> AM22 as the reducing and stabilizing agent. In vitro experiments were conducted to evaluate the antifungal activity of ZnNPs at four concentrations of 10, 25, 50, and 100 ppm. The results indicated a dose-dependent inhibition of <i>B. cinerea</i> mycelial growth, with 100 ppm ZnNPs achieving 92.5% inhibition relative to the control. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed significant morphological changes in fungal hyphae, including shrinkage and deformation, demonstrating the disruptive impact of ZnNPs on fungal cell wall and membrane integrity. Under greenhouse conditions, pepper plants were pretreated with ZnNPs (25, 50, and 100 ppm, via foliar application) and subsequently inoculated with <i>B. cinerea</i>. Disease severity was markedly reduced in treated plants, with 100 ppm ZnNPs resulting in a 90.4% reduction in disease incidence relative to untreated controls. Furthermore, ZnNPs enhanced plant defense mechanisms, as evidenced by increased activity of antioxidant enzymes, including peroxidase (POD), polyphenol oxidase (PPO), and superoxide dismutase (SOD). The treated plants also demonstrated improved growth parameters, including elevated chlorophyll content, increased biomass, and enhanced fruit yield. This study underscored the dual role of ZnNPs as an effective antifungal agent and a promoter of plant growth. The nanoparticles inhibited gray mold infection while strengthening the plant’s innate defense system, thereby reducing dependence on synthetic fungicides. These findings highlighted the potential of eco-friendly zinc nanoparticles as a sustainable and efficacious strategy for managing gray mold in pepper cultivation, presenting a promising alternative for integrated pest management under greenhouse agriculture.</p>

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Bacterial zinc nanoparticles biosynthesized by Bacillus subtilis AM22 suppress gray mold and boost pepper plant health in greenhouse systems, contributing to environmental compatibility

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年8月5日

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  • Naheda M. Alshammari

摘要

Gray mold, caused by the fungal pathogen Botrytis cinerea, poses a significant threat to pepper cultivation, resulting in considerable yield losses and economic detriment. The growing demand for sustainable agricultural practices has spurred exploration of environmentally friendly alternatives to chemical fungicides, which pose risks to human health. The current study examined the antifungal efficacy of eco-friendly and safe zinc nanoparticles (ZnNPs) against B. cinerea in pepper plants under greenhouse conditions, complemented by in vitro assessments. Zinc nanoparticles were synthesized through a green synthesis approach, utilizing Bacillus subtilis AM22 as the reducing and stabilizing agent. In vitro experiments were conducted to evaluate the antifungal activity of ZnNPs at four concentrations of 10, 25, 50, and 100 ppm. The results indicated a dose-dependent inhibition of B. cinerea mycelial growth, with 100 ppm ZnNPs achieving 92.5% inhibition relative to the control. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed significant morphological changes in fungal hyphae, including shrinkage and deformation, demonstrating the disruptive impact of ZnNPs on fungal cell wall and membrane integrity. Under greenhouse conditions, pepper plants were pretreated with ZnNPs (25, 50, and 100 ppm, via foliar application) and subsequently inoculated with B. cinerea. Disease severity was markedly reduced in treated plants, with 100 ppm ZnNPs resulting in a 90.4% reduction in disease incidence relative to untreated controls. Furthermore, ZnNPs enhanced plant defense mechanisms, as evidenced by increased activity of antioxidant enzymes, including peroxidase (POD), polyphenol oxidase (PPO), and superoxide dismutase (SOD). The treated plants also demonstrated improved growth parameters, including elevated chlorophyll content, increased biomass, and enhanced fruit yield. This study underscored the dual role of ZnNPs as an effective antifungal agent and a promoter of plant growth. The nanoparticles inhibited gray mold infection while strengthening the plant’s innate defense system, thereby reducing dependence on synthetic fungicides. These findings highlighted the potential of eco-friendly zinc nanoparticles as a sustainable and efficacious strategy for managing gray mold in pepper cultivation, presenting a promising alternative for integrated pest management under greenhouse agriculture.