Comparative efficacy of zirconium dioxide nanoparticles and AM fungus against wilt disease complex of bottle gourd and upregulation of biochemical and physiological processes

ABSTRACT The disease complex affecting bottle gourd [Lagenaria siceraria (Mol.) Standl.] caused by Meloidogyne incognita and Fusarium oxysporum results in high yield loss and there is a need for their management. Nanoparticles (NPs) and arbuscular mycorrhizae have potential in disease management. The impacts of 0.10 g.L−1 zirconium dioxide nanoparticles (ZrO2 NPs) (applied as foliar spray or seed priming) and AM fungus Rhizophagus irregularis were determined when applied alone, or in combination, on the disease complex of bottle gourd. Use of ZrO2 NPs as seed priming and foliar application increased plant growth and photosynthetic pigments and reduced disease indices, galling and population of M. incognita. Foliar application of ZrO2 NPs increased plant growth and photosynthetic pigments and reduce disease indices, galling, and population of M. incognita than did seed priming. Use of R. irregularis alone resulted in lessened plant growth and photosynthetic pigments than NPs foliar application alone. Use of R. irragularis with NPs foliar application was best for management of disease complex of bottle gourd than its use as seed priming. Wilt disease indices were rated 1–5. Use of R. irregularis/NPs reduced disease incidence, and disease indices were reduced to 1 in treatment where R. irragularis was used with ZrO2 NPs. Root colonization by R. irragularis was similar when used alone or with NPs. Inoculation of pathogens reduced colonization by R. irregularis. Management of the disease complex of bottle gourd may be achieved by use of 500 infective propagules of R. irragularis with 0.10 g.L−1 ZrO2 NPs foliar application.