Metal micronutrients get to the root of antifungal defence

By Chemistry World2016-10-14T00:00:00

Source: © iStock

Flavoursome tomato varieties could benefit from nanoparticle fertilisers

Tasty heirloom tomato varieties could soon see a return to our plates thanks to the promising antifungal properties of metal oxide nanoparticle fertilisers developed by US scientists.

Centuries of plant breeding mean we’ve grown accustomed to a narrow range of crops bred primarily for their disease resistance. But while we reap the benefits of greater yields and reliability, we’re missing out on a host of different flavours from less disease-hardy varieties.

Now a nanoparticle crop treatment developed by Wade Elmer and Jason White at Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, US, could give older tomato varieties – more susceptible to root pathogens such as wilt fungus – a helping hand.

This article provides a link to coverage by Chemistry World.

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