Silver Nanoparticles as a Potential Control Measure for some Potyviruses infecting Faba Bean and Potato plants

The research investigates the use of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) as a foliar spray at a concentration (50 mg/ml) on faba bean and potato plants to stimulate systemic acquired resistance (SAR) and suppress bean yellow mosaic virus (BYMV) and potato virus Y (PVY). The application of AgNPs reduced the percentage of virus reduction infection (RI) and disease severity (DS). AgNPs (50 mg/ml) was more effective on BYMV-infected faba bean (9.75 and 10.50) followed by PVY-infected potato (14.50 and 18.25) for the percentage of reduction infection and disease severity respectively. The mechanism of AgNPs involves binding to viral protein coats, aggregating virus particles, and preventing their spread in host cells. SDS-PAGE analysis revealed distinct protein patterns in AgNPs-treated plants infected with BYMV and PVY. Compared to untreated infected plants, the number of expressed proteins increased, with five bands observed in BYMV-infected plants and six bands in PVY-infected plants. RT-PCR analysis identified the transcriptional expression of pathogen-related proteins (PR-2), thereby inducing systemic resistance and indicating successful viral suppression. Infected treated plants with silver nanoparticles (50 mg/ml AgNPs) verified a reduction in photosynthetic pigments (chlorophyll and carotene), indicating a potential disruption in photosynthesis. Also, infected treated plants showed increased levels of total soluble protein (TSP), scavenging enzymes [Peroxidase (PO) and polyphenol oxidase (PPO)], proline, endogenous hormones (salicylic acid), and total phenolic compounds. The findings suggest that AgNPs, at the studied concentration, are promising multi-functional agents for inducing plant resistance, promoting growth, and generating bioactive compounds, offering an eco-friendly approach to disease control in agriculture.