Antifungal Efficacy of Nanodelivered Azoxystrobin against Rhizoctonia solani in Soybean (Glycine max)

Abstract

Zein nanoparticles (ZNP) (189.4 ± 2.0 nm, +25.7 ± 0.9 mV) and lignin nanoparticles (LNP) (173.6 ± 0.9 nm, – 56.5 ± 2.8 mV) with loaded azoxystrobin (AZO) (5.2 ± 0.8 and 5.5 ± 0.7 wt %, respectively) were designed as antifungal delivery systems for seed treatments. Both particles followed pseudo-first-order kinetics for AZO release at 25 °C, with AZO releasing faster from ZNP. AZO-entrapped ZNP treatments produced the greatest yield (41.15 bushels), followed by empty LNP (40.35 bushels) for inoculated samples; these findings were comparable to yields achieved with the commercial AZO formulation, Dynasty. The stand per row feet for inoculated plants were significantly higher than the control, with the highest being Dynasty, AZO-entrapped ZNP, and AZO-entrapped LNP treatments (3.90, 3.74, and 2.53, respectively). All treatments, excluding empty ZNP, resulted in a statistically significant increase in yield and stand per row feet compared to the nontreated plants. ZNPs and LNPs developed herein for AZO delivery can be used as alternative and sustainable solutions for the delivery of other agrochemicals.