Silica nanoparticles enhance resistance of Vitis vinifera to downy mildew

Because an increasing number of pesticides are removed from market due to their impact on human health and/or the environment, there is an increasing need for alternative strategies to control fungal diseases. Silica nanoparticles (SiO2 NPs) and Frangula anlus extract (Fa) are emerging as promising tools for sustainable plant disease management.

While their ability to enhance disease resistance has been demonstrated in several crop species, their potential in grapevine (Vitis vinifera) remains poorly investigated. In this study, foliar application of SiO2 NPs and Fa significantly reduced P. viticola infection in grapevine under both controlled and field conditions. Among multiple assays to characerize their effects, transcriptomic response of SiO2 NP-treated and Fa-Treated, infected and non-infected leaves were evaluated and compared to transcriptomic response of acibenzolar-S-methyl (B) treatment, a well known plant-defence activator.