Promising antagonistic effect of bimetallic silver-selenium nanoparticles against Ralstonia solanacearum-causing wilt disease in eggplant (Solanum melongena L.)

Abstract

Ralstonia solanacearum wilt disease causes significant economic losses to a number of crops worldwide, including eggplant (Solanum melongena L.). In this article plant growth promotions such as silver (Ag) nanoparticles (NPs), selenium (Se) NPs, and bimetallic Ag-Se NPs were used to combat the Ralstonia solanacearum wilt (RSW) disease and encourage growth-promoting strategies and resistance mechanisms in Solanum melongena L. Results clarified that the tested nano inducers against R. solanacearum (RS) have beneficial antibacterial. Bimetallic Ag-Se NPs (100 μg/mL) was the best treatment in reducing disease index (DI) by 17.5 and increasing the protection by 78.1 %, then Ag NPs and Se NPs, where the DI was 30 and 32.5 and protection by 62.5 % and 59.4 %, respectively. The potential resistance of developing eggplant plants was assessed using morphological characteristics, photosynthetic pigments, soluble carbohydrates, soluble protein, antioxidant enzyme activity, and isozymes. There was an increase in vegetative growth, photosynthetic pigments, soluble carbohydrates, and proteins in infected plants treated with all tested inducers, especially, bimetallic Ag-Se NPs. The amount of phenol content and the activity of antioxidant enzymes (PPO and POD) across diseased and healthy plants were recorded after applying all investigated inducers. The commercial use of a combination of tailored bimetallic Ag-Se NPs as nutritional therapy against R. solanacearum may be advised.