Application of Eco-Friendly Silver Nanoparticles as an Antifungal Agent Against Fusarium spp. Infecting Pepper Plants (Capsicum annuum L.)

One of the most destructive fungal diseases affecting pepper plants (Capsicum annuum L.) is Fusarium wilt, caused by Fusarium species. leading to significant yield losses worldwide. Traditional chemical fungicides, while effective in treating these diseases, pose environmental and health risks. In recent years, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have emerged as a promising, eco-friendly alternative agents for treating fungal diseases, due to their strong antifungal properties and low toxicity to plants. This study investigates the efficacy of eco-friendly AgNPs in reducing the severity of Fusarium infection in pepper plants. The AgNPs were sprayed on plants at concentrations of 20, 40 and 60 mg/L Resulted showed enhancements in pepper plant growth parameters and a positive influence on their chlorophyll levels, relative water content, and enzymatic activities associated with stress resilience compared to the untreated control group. In general, plant performance under the AgNPs treatments exhibited a significant and gradual improvement of the measured traits with increasing concentrations up to 40 mg/L, followed by a subsequent decline at 60 mg/L, reaching its lowest point with the application of AgNPs at 80 mg/L. However, particularly noteworthy is the superior efficacy observed with AgNPs application at a concentration of 40 mg/L, followed by 20 mg/L, and then 60 mg/L. The application of AgNPs at 80 mg/L exerted further adverse effects compared to the control group. In conclusion, the AgNPs may be used to mitigate environmental pollution and promote ecosystem health.