Preparation of kasugamycin conjugation based on ZnO quantum dots for improving its effective utilization

Controlled release formulations can reduce the losses of pesticides and prolong their effective duration. In this work, a novel pH responsive pesticide delivery system based on kasugamycin-conjugated ZnO quantum dots (KAS-ZnO QDs) was established via a cleavable benzoic-imine covalent bond. The as-prepared KAS-ZnO QDs could protect KAS against photodegradation effectively due to the UV shielding effect of KAS-ZnO QDs. The KAS and Zn2+ released from KAS-ZnO QDs in the acid condition could achieve a synergistic antimicrobial activity. The greenhouse experiment confirmed that application of KAS-ZnO QDs had a longer duration and a better antimicrobial activity against bacterial fruit blotch compared to KAS and NH2-ZnO QDs treatments, and showed no any toxicity to plants. Thus, pH-responsive KAS-ZnO QDs could achieve a synergistic antimicrobial effect and offer a new approach to manage plant diseases.