The present study investigated the biosynthesis of silver (AgNPs), zinc oxide (ZnONPs) and titanium dioxide (TiO2NPs) nanoparticles using Aspergillusoryzae, Aspergillusterreus and Fusariumoxysporum. Nanocomposites (NCs) were successfully synthesized by mixing nanoparticles using a Sonic Vibra-Cell VC/VCX processor. A number of analytical techniques were used to characterize the synthesized biological metal nanoparticles. Several experiments tested biologically synthesized metal nanoparticles and nanocomposites against two types of human pathogenic bacteria, including Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureusand methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), and Gram-negative Escherichia coli and Pseudomonasaeruginosa. Additionally, the antitumor activity in HCT-116 cells (colonic carcinoma) was also evaluated. Significant antimicrobial effects of various synthesized forms of nanoparticles and nanocomposites against E. coli and P. aeruginosa bacteria were detected. Various synthesized biogenic forms of nanoparticles and nanocomposite (9.0 to 29 mm in diameter) had high antibacterial activity and high antitumor activity against HCT-116 cells (colonic carcinoma) with IC50 values of 0.7–100 µg/mL. Biosynthesized NPs are considered an alternative to large-scale biosynthesized metallic nanoparticles and nanocomposites, are simple and cost effective, and provide stable nanomaterials.
Soil salinity is a major threat to modern agriculture, as it affects crop growth and development. The present study focuses on the integration of eco-friendly biostimulants in salinity stress as a strategy to achieve the alleviation of abiotic stress. Field experiments were conducted at two locations, consisting of saline and non-saline soil, to investigate the utilization of exopolysaccharide (EPS)-producing bacteria (Azotobacter chroococcum) and melatonin at different concentrations (0, 25, 50, and 100 µM) for alleviating the adverse effects of salinity on the growth and production of faba bean plants. Salinity stress caused a reduction in all measured parameters of the faba bean plants grown in the saline soil relative to the plants grown in the non-saline soil. The addition of bacteria and/or melatonin significantly increased the growth parameters and yield components under both soils compared to the respective control plants. Both bacteria inoculation and melatonin application enhanced N, P, and K concentrations; the proline content; RWC%; and the K+/Na+ ratio; however, Na+ and Cl− concentrations were decreased significantly in salt-stressed faba beans. The combined use of bacteria and melatonin exhibited the highest stimulating effects. The present study recommends the combined use of EPS-producing bacteria and melatonin for the salinity stress management strategy of faba bean.
Foliar diseases, like powdery mildew, septoria leaf blotch (SLB) and stem rust, affect wheat plants causing severe yield losses. Biofertilizers Pseudomonas fluorescens Migula (NRC2041) and Bacillus subtilis Ehrenberg (NRC313) or the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi Glomus mosseae Tul. & C. Tul. (NRC212A) and G. fasciculatum Tul. & C. Tul. (NRC212B) were used for soil treatment followed by foliar spray with Trichoderma harzianum or P. fluorescens to manage severity of wheat foliar diseases under field conditions for two successive growing seasons. Under field conditions, at all soil drench and foliar application treatments, Sids 14 was the most sensitive cultivar for high disease severity followed by Misr 2 and Giza 168. Also, the obtained results showed that the most effective treatments were soil drench with mycorrhizae followed by foliar spray with either T. harzianum or P. fluorescens. Meanwhile, the fungicide Amistar showed a superior reduction in disease severity compared to other applied treatments. In addition, the increased yield was correlated to the decreased severity of the recorded diseases. The present study suggests using bioagents for reducing the severity of wheat leaf diseases and increasing the grain yield under field conditions.
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