Abstract

Climatic factors have favored the spread and expansion of pathogenic fungi in agricultural systems, facilitating their adaptation, colonization, thermotolerance, and virulence, which poses a serious threat to food security. In response to these challenges, inorganic nanoparticles (NPs) have emerged as promising alternatives due to their remarkable antimicrobial properties. These NPs act on pathogens by generating reactive oxygen species, disrupting cellular membranes, and releasing metal ions. Furthermore, they exhibit dual effects on plants by stimulating germination, breaking seed dormancy, and enhancing early development, often compromised by adverse environmental conditions and phytosanitary diseases. This study evaluated the efficacy of magnesium oxide (MgO), copper oxide (CuO), zinc oxide (ZnO), and modified zeolite (nZH-Cu) NPs, as well as their combinations (ZnO/CuO, CuO/nZH-Cu, and ZnO/nZH-Cu), in controlling pathogenic fungi and their impact on seed germination. The results highlight that nZH-Cu, CuO, and CuO/nZH-Cu NPs exhibited a remarkable capacity to inhibit the growth of pathogenic fungi, achieving up to 83.7 % suppression at low concentrations. Additionally, CuO NPs at 3.5 mg/L significantly improved germination rates and promoted plant growth by enhancing vigor and increasing seedling length. However, regarding root length, CuO and nZH-Cu NPs demonstrated similar effects. Overall, zeolite-based NPs proved to be highly effective as nanofungicides, efficiently inhibiting Fusarium solani. Additionally, copper NPs not only provided antifungal protection but also promoted plant growth and germination, acting as nanofertilizers or plant growth stimulators. These findings underscore the potential of metallic NPs as innovative solutions to enhance crop health and address current phytosanitary challenges.