Effect of Silver and Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles on Sugar Beet Cyst Nematode (Heterodera schachtii)

The cyst nematode is one of the major pathogens of sugar beet, which, many studies has been done for its effective control. The most of existing control methods of cyst nematode are troublesome. Recently, the use of nanoparticles in various aspects of human life, the application of nanotechnology in agriculture and especially in the plant protection has also been considered. However, a detailed study on the effect of zinc and silver nanoparticles on cyst nematode has not been done. In order to examine the possibility of nematode control, the effect of zinc and silver nanoparticles on different life stages of sugar beet cyst nematode (H. schachtii) in vitro and the effect of the nanoparticles on the nematode pathogenicity and damages were assessed under greenhouse conditions. The results of laboratory tests showed increased mortality of larvae, and reduced egg hatching, due to the use of silver and zinc oxide nanoparticles. Mean comparisons of nanoparticles were revealed the more effective of nano silver on the inhibition of the hatching egg and larvae mortality. Results of the effect of nanoparticles on nematode pathogenicity under greenhouse conditions revealed that the nanoparticles reduce the cyst nematode damages. The results showed that silver Nano Silver at a concentration of 100 mg/l mixed with soil were more effective than other treatments. According to the results, probably the toxicity of nanoparticles had been more effective to control of cyst nematode in 100 mg/l nanoparticles in soil mixed method.