Nanoscale Hydroxyapatites Reprogram Phyllosphere Microbiomes and Disease Resistance-Related Phytohormone Biosynthesis...

Area of Science:

• Agricultural Science
• Plant Pathology
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Phyllosphere microbiome and plant-nanoparticle interactions in disease control are not well understood.
• Rice blast, caused by Magnaporthe oryzae, is a major threat to global food security.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate nanoscale hydroxyapatite (nHAP) for controlling rice blast disease.
• To elucidate the mechanisms of nHAP-mediated disease resistance and its impact on plant physiology and yield.

Main Methods:

• Foliar application of nHAP at varying concentrations (100-400 mg/L) on rice plants.
• Disease severity assessment, phyllosphere microbiome analysis, salicylic acid quantification, metabolomic profiling, and yield/quality measurements.

Main Results:

• Optimal nHAP treatment (200 mg/L) reduced rice blast severity by 42.6%, outperforming controls and a fungicide.
• nHAP enhanced foliar retention, Ca and P bioavailability, and beneficial bacteria populations.
• nHAP treatment increased salicylic acid biosynthesis, activated systemic acquired resistance, and improved energy metabolism.

Conclusions:

• Nanoscale hydroxyapatite is a promising agent for sustainable rice disease management.
• nHAP enhances plant immunity and beneficial microbial communities, leading to improved crop yield and quality.