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Silicon (Si) and its nanomaterials could help plants cope with different negative effects of abiotic and/or biotic stresses. In this study, the antifungal role of silver/silicon dioxide nanocomposite (Ag/SiO₂NC) biosynthesized using a free-cell supernatant of Escherichia coli D8 was investigated for controlling the growth parameters and yield of faba bean (Vicia faba L.) infected by Botrytis cinerea. This nanocomposite was characterized using UV–Vis spectroscopy, Fourier transform-infrared (FTIR), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), zeta analysis, and X-ray diffraction pattern (XRD). Positively charged Ag/SiO₂NC (+ 31.0 mV) with spherical-shaped silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) showed strong in vitro antifungal activity with minimal inhibition concentration (MIC) value equal to 40 ppm. In vivo experiments revealed the good resistance of Ag/SiO₂NC-treated plants against the B. cinerea infection due to the increase of …