Fungicidal Activity of Silver Nanoparticles Synthesized Using Lithospermum erythrorhizon against Fusarium spp. In Vitro and In Planta.

Phytopathogenic fungi of the genus Fusarium are among the major causes of yield losses in wheat, highlighting the need for the development of new effective and environmentally safe fungicidal agents. In the present study, the fungicidal activity of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) biosynthesized using a cell culture of Lithospermum erythrorhizon was investigated against Fusarium sporotrichioides and Fusarium oxysporum. It was shown that AgNPs effectively inhibited mycelial growth of the phytopathogens in vitro, with complete growth suppression of F. sporotrichioides and F. oxysporum achieved at concentrations of 0.6 and 0.1 mg/mL, respectively. Pre-sowing treatment of spring wheat seeds (cv. Ekaterina) with AgNPs at a concentration of 0.6 mg/mL provided effective surface sterilization without negative effects on germination. In addition, foliar application of AgNPs to infected plants limited the development and spread of F. sporotrichioides within wheat tissues. The obtained results demonstrate the potential of biosynthesized AgNPs based on L. erythrorhizon as a component of environmentally friendly strategies for the protection of cereal crops against Fusarium diseases.