Evaluation of antifungal activity of nano and bulk forms of copper oxide in wheat (Roshan cultivar)

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), as one of the most important cultivated crops in the world and Iran, is constantly threatened by many diseases, including Fusarium contamination. Due to the unique characteristics of nanoparticles, copper oxide nanoparticles show high antibacterial and antifungal properties. The purpose of this research was to comparatively investigate the antifungal effects of copper oxide nanoparticles and its bulk form on the suppression of Fusarium calmorum in wheat. For this purpose, a pot experiment was done with four levels (10, 250, 500, and 1000 mg L-1) of nanoparticles and bulk form of copper oxide treatments in wheat (Roshan cultivar). The results showed that the maximum inhibition of root pathogenicity was observed in a high concentration of nanoparticles as compared to bulk form. The 250 and 500 mg L-1 concentrations of copper oxide nanoparticles caused the highest stem and root length and the highest dry weight of the aerial part and root, respectively. Treatment with 10 and 250 mg L-1 nanoparticles also increased the content of chlorophyll a, total chlorophyll, carotenoid, chlorophyll stability index, membrane stability coefficient, and relative leaf water content. While the content of chlorophyll b, malondialdehyde, hydrogen peroxide, and proline increased with the increasing concentration of both nanoparticle and bulk forms. The results of this research showed that the low and medium concentrations of nanoparticles were more successful in inhibiting the aforementioned fungus than the bulk form.