CONICET | Buscador de Institutos y Recursos Humanos

The indiscriminate use of fertilizers and pesticides has been linked to environmentalpollution, the emergence of agricultural pathogens, and a loss of biodiversity. To addressthese issues, current efforts are focused on researching eco-friendly alternatives forprotecting plants from stress. The aim of our project is to use nanoclays such as bentonite(Bent) and anionic clays such as layered double hydroxides (LDHs) to deliver activecompounds such as Salicylic Acid (SA), a phytohormone that provides stress protection inplants. Previously, we used Bent as a delivery matrix for SA (Bent-SA), demonstrating thatfoliar application induces innate defense mechanisms in plants and provides protectionagainst biotic stress [1]. However, the incorporation and sustained release of SA was notoptimal in this matrix. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to use alternative matrices fordelivery: LDHs (LDH-SA) and Bentonite previously functionalized with Chitosan (Ch), apolysaccharide with antimicrobial activity and plant growth-promoting properties (Bent-ChSA). The developed nanocomposites were characterized by Fourier-transform infraredspectroscopy (FTIR), demonstrating the incorporation of SA in both matrices used. Using UVVis spectroscopy, we determined the loading efficiency of SA and the in vitro releaseprofiles in aqueous solutions. The results indicate that Bent-Ch-SA retains a maximum of5,42 % of SA and releases a maximum of 13,5% after 30 extractions of the resuspensionmedium, while HDL-SA retains 16,4% and releases 40,1%. Western blot assays revealed thatdefense markers were accumulated at 48 h upon application in tomato seedlings. Ourfindings indicated that nanoclay systems are promising bioactive carriers to improve growthand stress protection in plants.Acknowledgements: UNMdP (EXA 1046/21), CONICET y Agencia I+D+i (PICT 2019 3002;PICT Start up 2020 0023)References: [1] A.Y. Mansilla et al. Eur J Plant Pathol 158, 211222 (2020).

enviar mensaje