Evaluation of Nano Zinc-Copper Micronutrients and Canola Biofumigants Against Fusarium Wilt of Tomato

Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici threatens tomato production globally, resulting in severe yield losses. Nanotechnology and organic amendments are emerging as sustainable disease management practices to combat the drawbacks of chemical fungicides. This study evaluated the efficacy of nano Zn-Cu micronutrient solution and canola biofumigant on disease incidence, severity, and disease progression under field and greenhouse conditions. Tomato plants showing wilt symptoms were collected from two distinct agroecological locations of the Limpopo Province, South Africa. Morphological and molecular identification confirmed the presence of the virulent isolate. Under greenhouse conditions, weekly application of nano Zn-Cu significantly reduced wilt severity on two tomato cultivars, with 43–86% disease suppression, while canola biofumigant recorded disease suppression of 66–86%. The field experiment showed fewer disease incidences (0–40%) and severity (4–35%) on tomato plants sprayed weekly with nano Zn-Cu. This treatment maintained lower values of Area Under Disease Progress Curve (AUDPC), suggesting slower disease development. Similarly, canola biofumigant reduced disease development relative to the untreated control. Under both greenhouse and field experiments, untreated plants were severely infected, recording approximately 70% disease severity. This study demonstrated the potential of nano Zn-Cu micronutrients and canola biofumigant as sustainable solutions for managing Fusarium wilt of tomato, thereby contributing to integrated disease management.