The present study addressed the efficacy of nanosized
silica-silver for controlling plant pathogenic microorganisms.
The nanosized silica-silver consisted of
nano-silver combined with silica molecules and water
soluble polymer, prepared by exposing a solution
including silver salt, silicate and water soluble polymer
to radioactive rays. The nanosized silica-silver showed
antifungal activity against the tested phytopathogenic
fungi at 3.0 ppm with varied degrees. In contrast, a
number of beneficial bacteria or plant pathogenic
bacteria were not significantly affected at 10 ppm level
but completely inhibited by 100 ppm of nanosized silicasilver.
Among the tested plant pathogenic fungi, the new
product effectively controlled powdery mildews of
pumpkin at 0.3 ppm in both field and greenhouse tests.
The pathogens disappeared from the infected leaves 3
days after spray and the plants remained healthy
thereafter. Our results suggested that the product
developed in this study was effective in controlling
various plant fungal diseases.