Dramatic Therapeutic Potential of Phosphite-Induced Resistance Against Fusarium Wilt in Pepper Plant

Attia, Mohamed; El Bakkali, Hanan; Elsayed, Salah  Elsayed M; Elsayed, Maryam M; Nouh, Mustafa A; Elgizawy, Karam Elgizawy Khamis; Ali, Mohamed M

doi:10.21608/jpfs.2025.374287.1030

Dramatic Therapeutic Potential of Phosphite-Induced Resistance Against Fusarium Wilt in Pepper Plant

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Faculty of Science , AlAzhar University, Cairo, Egypt

² Research and Development Department and Regulatory Affairs Manager At Mafa Bioscience-

³ Horticulture Research Institute, Agricultural Research Center, Giza, Egypt

⁴ Research and Development Department, ALSALAM International for Development & Agricultural Investment, Egypt

⁵ Plant Protection Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Benha University, Moshtohor, Toukh 13736, Egypt

10.21608/jpfs.2025.374287.1030

Abstract

Wilt disease, caused by Fusarium oxysporum, is a major fungal disease responsible for considerable economic losses in a wide range of crops globally, including pepper (Capsicum annuum L.). Therapeutic nutrients play a crucial role not only in promoting plant growth but also in enhancing the plant's immune responses against pathogenic attacks. From enhancing defense responses to aiding cellular homeostasis, these nutrients have far-reaching impacts on plant health infection conditions. This study employed calcium phosphite (MAXIFOS Ca®) and copper phosphite (MAXIFOS Cu®) to stimulate growth-promoting strategies and activate resistance mechanisms in pepper plants (Capsicum annuum L.). Also, the antioxidant enzyme peroxidase (POD) and polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activities, as well as photosynthetic pigments, free proline, total phenol, hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), and malondialdehyde (MDA), were used to evaluate the promise of resistance of growing pepper plants. The results demonstrated that calcium phosphite was the most effective treatment, achieving a 35% reduction in the percent disease index (PDI) and enhancing plant protection by 57.7%. Furthermore, photosynthetic pigment content was substantially reduced in infected plants. The disease caused significant physiological and biochemical disruptions, including a 181% increase in MDA, 115 % increase in H₂O₂, a 32% increase in total phenol, and a 24 % increase in free proline. Treatment with tested inducers, especially calcium phosphite, significantly reversed these effects. MDA and H₂O₂ levels decreased by 63% and 34%, respectively. The results confirm the therapeutic role of of MAXIFOS Ca^® and MAXIFOS CU^® as a protection approach against F. oxysporum may be advised.

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