Rice, the staple food for more than half the world’s population, is under threat. Sheath blight and bacterial leaf blight (BLB), caused by the pathogens Rhizoctonia solani and Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae, respectively, have wreaked havoc on rice yields. These diseases can cause a staggering 10-50% yield loss, a statistic that rings alarm bells in countries like India and across the globe. The traditional method of combating these diseases – chemical fungicides and bactericides – has lost its sheen due to the rising resistance of pathogens, underscoring the urgent need for newer, safer, and more selective treatment options.

A New Hope: Nanotechnology

In this dire scenario, nanotechnology emerges as a ray of hope. Recent studies have shown that copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) possess enhanced antibacterial and antifungal properties, even in lower doses compared to their bulk counterparts. The synthesis of these nanoparticles via a green route not only enhances their efficacy but also underpins the commitment to sustainability.

Creating a Powerful Nanocomposite

Building on this promise, researchers have combined CuNPs and AgNPs into a nanocomposite, which exhibits improved stability and higher potency against the pathogens than individual CuNPs. This nanocomposite, when tested in net house trials, showed remarkable potential against BLB in rice, indicating its possible application in disease control.

Insight from In Silico Studies

In addition to empirical evidence, in silico molecular docking studies have provided promising insights. By targeting specific proteins involved in disease progression, such as peptide deformylase in Xanthomonas oryzae and pectate lyase in Rhizoctonia solani, it was found that these proteins formed more robust complexes with CuNPs than with AgNPs. This observation further strengthens the case for the development of these copper and silver nanocomposites into new formulations for controlling rice diseases.

In conclusion, the fight against devastating rice diseases may have found a new champion in copper and silver nanocomposites. With their ability to control these diseases effectively and sustainably, these nanocomposites could herald a new era of hope and prosperity for rice farmers worldwide.

Published Date: January 20, 2024