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Abstract Graphene oxide (GO) synthesised by modified Tour’s method was decorated with copper and zinc nanoparticles (NPs) and simultaneously reduced by sodium borohydride to obtain a nanocomposite of reduced GO with copper and zinc NPs (rGO–Cu–Zn). The nanocomposite rGO–Cu–Zn was characterised by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The rGO–Cu–Zn was tested against Xanthomonas euvesicatoria (X. euvesicatoria), which attacks tomatoes and causes bacterial spots (BSs), and compared with the commercial product Champion 50 WG. Total bacterial growth inhibition was observed for the 1% rGO–Cu–Zn, whereas Champion 50 WG at the same concentration inhibited but did not eradicate all the bacterial colonies. To evaluate the negative effect of the rGO–Cu–Zn on the molecular level, the expression of the genes associated with the action of abiotic and biotic stress factors was analysed. Gene expression in the plants treated with 10% rGO–Cu–Zn did not exhibit a noticeable increase. Graphical Abstract

Abstract Xanthomonas euvesicatoria (Xe) is of the genera Xanthomonas, which causes a bacterial spot disease that affects tomato and pepper plants, resulting in significant economic losses. Commonly used bactericides lead to pathogen resistance, environmental contamination and a current risk to human health. Herein, a nanocomposite consisting of Cu and Ag loaded onto reduced graphene oxide (rGO) was synthesized, characterized and tested. After confirmation of the antibacterial properties in vitro, nanocomposites at concentrations of 50 and 500 µg mL−1 were applied to protect tomato and pepper plants under controlled greenhouse conditions. The tomato and pepper plants indicated significantly lower disease severity when treated with the nanocomposite (15.6 and 16.7%, respectively) than when treated with the commercial copper-based bactericide Kocide® 2000. The nanocomposite was demonstrated as a high-efficiency biocide and has the potential for crop disease management with no phytotoxic effect. Graphical Abstract