Articles
Suppression of Fusarium crown and root rot of asparagus with nano micronutrients
Article number
1376_29
Pages
209 – 216
Language
English
Abstract
Asparagus decline has multiple causes of which Fusarium crown and root rot is a main contributor. Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. asparagi (FOA), F. proliferatum, (FP) and F. solani have all been implicated in the disease.
Since asparagus root health has been associated with the uptake of micronutrients, we investigated exposing roots to micronutrients applied as nano oxide or metalloid form.
Split asparagus root systems were prepared in the greenhouse with 10-week-old asparagus transplants.
One root side was treated with nano boron (B), copper oxide (CuO), manganese oxide (MnO), molybdenum oxide (MoO), or zinc oxide (ZnO) (100 mL of 100 ppm). Both sides were inoculated with FOA. Twelve to 14 weeks later, untreated inoculated root systems had lesions on 59% of the roots.
When nano CuO was applied to half of the root systems, the percent root lesions was reduced to 23% on the exposed side and from 59 to 30% on the non-exposed roots, demonstrating a systemic response.
Similarly, nano MnO reduced disease severity from 59 to 16% on the exposed side and from 59 to 28% on the non-exposed.
The other elements were less effective.
Exposed roots treated with Nano CuO or Nano MnO had more than twice the amount of Cu than control plants, but the non-exposed root side did not differ from untreated controls indicating no support for a systemic transport of Cu or Mn from exposed to non-exposed roots.
In 2018 field studies, 1-year-old Jersey Knight crowns were soaked in suspensions of nano B, CuO, MnO, MoO, and ZnO and planted in old asparagus soil in Hamden and Griswold CT. In 2020 and 2021 marketable spears were significantly greater for all treatment than untreated control plots.
Treatment of asparagus crowns with nanoscale micronutrients may be a new management strategy for suppression of asparagus crown and root rot.
Since asparagus root health has been associated with the uptake of micronutrients, we investigated exposing roots to micronutrients applied as nano oxide or metalloid form.
Split asparagus root systems were prepared in the greenhouse with 10-week-old asparagus transplants.
One root side was treated with nano boron (B), copper oxide (CuO), manganese oxide (MnO), molybdenum oxide (MoO), or zinc oxide (ZnO) (100 mL of 100 ppm). Both sides were inoculated with FOA. Twelve to 14 weeks later, untreated inoculated root systems had lesions on 59% of the roots.
When nano CuO was applied to half of the root systems, the percent root lesions was reduced to 23% on the exposed side and from 59 to 30% on the non-exposed roots, demonstrating a systemic response.
Similarly, nano MnO reduced disease severity from 59 to 16% on the exposed side and from 59 to 28% on the non-exposed.
The other elements were less effective.
Exposed roots treated with Nano CuO or Nano MnO had more than twice the amount of Cu than control plants, but the non-exposed root side did not differ from untreated controls indicating no support for a systemic transport of Cu or Mn from exposed to non-exposed roots.
In 2018 field studies, 1-year-old Jersey Knight crowns were soaked in suspensions of nano B, CuO, MnO, MoO, and ZnO and planted in old asparagus soil in Hamden and Griswold CT. In 2020 and 2021 marketable spears were significantly greater for all treatment than untreated control plots.
Treatment of asparagus crowns with nanoscale micronutrients may be a new management strategy for suppression of asparagus crown and root rot.
Publication
Authors
W.H. Elmer, N. Zuverza-Mena, J.C. White
Keywords
mineral nutrition, disease management, nanotechnology
Groups involved
Online Articles (34)