AI Article Synopsis
- Every year, a significant portion (30-50%) of crops is affected by fungal and bacterial diseases, prompting the need for safer and cost-effective alternatives to toxic chemical treatments.
- Recent research highlights the potential of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs), particularly those synthesized from Terminalia bellerica (Tb-ZnO NPs), as both nanofungicides and nanofertilizers for controlling pathogens like Alternaria brassicae in crops such as Brassica juncea.
- Experiments indicated that a concentration of 200 ppm of Tb-ZnO NPs not only enhances plant growth parameters but also improves seed yield and oil content while achieving up to 70% disease control, underlining the beneficial link between nutrient
Article Abstract
Every year 30-50% of crops suffer from fungal and bacterial diseases. Use of various chemically synthesized fungicides and bactericides make the soil environment more toxic and harmful to the plant health. Therefore, there is need to find non-toxic and cost effective alternative against plant pathogen. In recent years, nanotechnology has got attention because of its wide application in different areas of agriculture. Various nanoparticles have been used in agriculture for their fertilizing and antimicrobial potential. Among them zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) have gained the attention of agriculturists as zinc is an essential micronutrient for plants. Antifungal activity of Tb-ZnO NPs (Terminalia bellerica synthesized zinc oxide nanoparticles) against Alternaria brassicae causative agent of blight disease in Brassica juncea has been reported in our previous study. To use Tb-ZnO NPs as nanofungicides and simultaneously as nanofertilizers, the doses of Tb-ZnO NPs beneficial to the Brassica juncea crop is need to be known. Therefore, experiment has been designed to see the protective and curative potential of Tb-ZnO NPs in alluvial and calcareous soil. Biochemical constituents and stress enzymes analysis has shown significant potential of Tb-ZnO NPs at 200 ppm concentration in alleviating the stress caused by A. brassicae by modulating the photosynthetic, biochemical and enzymatic characteristics. Growth parameter analysis confirmed the role of Tb-ZnO NPs in increasing root and shoot length of B. juncea. Yield component such as seed number, seed weight and oil content of B. juncea crop also has been increased. There was one-fold increase in oil content of B. juncea as compared to control. Maximum percent disease control was found to be 70% in alluvial soil (protective method) grown plants. Therefore, present study supports the hypothesis of a relationship between nutrients and disease suppression.
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| http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2023.116276 | DOI Listing |
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