A Breakthrough in Potato Protection: Russian Scientists Develop a New Bio-Nano Solution
A team of Siberian researchers, in collaboration with an international scientific collective, has developed an innovative method to protect potatoes from bacterial diseases. The new solution, based on selenium nanoparticles and a polysaccharide derived from larch, effectively combats blackleg and ring rot while also stimulating plant growth. The results of this groundbreaking study have been published in Plants.
The Growing Threat of Bacterial Infections in Potatoes
Potatoes remain a staple crop worldwide, with Russia cultivating the tuber on more than three million hectares across 80 regions. On average, each Russian consumes about one kilogram of potatoes per week. However, bacterial diseases, exacerbated by climate change, are posing an increasing threat to global yields.
Scientists at the Siberian Federal University (SFU) have noted that bacteria such as Pectobacterium carotovorum, which causes soft rot and blackleg, and Clavibacter sepedonicus, responsible for ring rot, are becoming more aggressive as temperatures rise. Traditional pesticides are proving ineffective, as they primarily target fungal pathogens rather than bacterial infections.
A Game-Changing Biotechnological Innovation
To address this challenge, researchers at the Siberian Institute of Plant Physiology and Biochemistry (SIFIBR) and SFU have developed selenium-based nanoparticles combined with arabinogalactan, a natural sugar polymer found in plant cell walls. Selenium, named after the Greek moon goddess Selene, is a known antioxidant that plays a key role in protecting plant tissues.
When applied to potato sprouts, these bio-nanocomposites significantly reduce leaf wilting, indicating effective suppression of bacterial pathogens. The research team tested different formulations, including combinations with manganese and copper oxide. However, selenium proved to be the most effective, likely due to its high antioxidant activity. The bacteria readily consume arabinogalactan but are ultimately poisoned by the selenium, making the compound function as a “baited trap.”
Minimal Dosage, Maximum Protection
Professor Konstantin Krutovsky, one of the study’s authors, emphasized that only a minimal concentration of selenium nanoparticles is required for effective protection. Higher doses could potentially be toxic to plants. Interestingly, this formulation also shows promise in combating Phytophthora cactorum, the pathogen responsible for late blight, which affects numerous fruit crops, ornamental plants, and trees.
Implications for the Future of Sustainable Agriculture
This new approach represents a significant step toward environmentally friendly plant protection methods. Unlike traditional pesticides, which can harm beneficial microbes and accumulate in ecosystems, this bio-nanocomposite offers a targeted and sustainable solution.
Supported by the Russian Ministry of Higher Education and Science, this research could pave the way for broader applications in crop protection. With further testing and potential commercial production, this innovation may help farmers worldwide safeguard their potato crops against increasingly aggressive bacterial threats.
