The silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were synthesized via green synthesis approach using Euporbia serpens Kunth aqueous extract. The synthesized AgNPs were characterized by UV-visible spectroscopy and Furrier Transformer Infra-Red spectroscopy to justify the reduction and stabilization of AgNPs from its precursors. AgNPs characteristic absorption peak was observed at 420 nm in the UV-visible spectrum. The SEM and TEM analysis demonstrated the spherical shape of the synthesized nanoparticles with particle sizes ranging from 30 nm to 80 nm. FTIR transmission bands at 2920 cm-1, 1639 cm-1, 1410 cm-1, 3290 cm-1, and 1085 cm-1 were attributed to C-H, C=O, C-C, N-H, and C-N functional groups, respectively. XRD peaks could be attributed to (111), (200), (220), and (311) crystalline plane of the faced-centered cube (FCC) crystalline structure of the metallic silver nanoparticles. The AgNPs showed good antibacterial activity against all the tested bacteria at each concentration. The particles were found to be more active against Escherichia coli (E. coli) with
20
±
06
mm
and Salmonella typhi (S. typhi) with
18
±
0.5
mm
zone of inhibition in reference to standard antibiotic amoxicillin with
23
±
0.3
mm
and
20
±
0.4
mm
zone of inhibition, respectively. Moderate antifungal activities were observed against Candida albicans (C. albicans) and Alternaria alternata (A. alternata) with zone of inhibitions 16.5 mm and 15 mm, respectively, compared to the standard with 23 mm of inhibition. Insignificant antifungal inhibition of 7.5 mm was observed against Fusarium gramium (F. gramium). All the tested concentrations of AgNPs showed comparable % RSA with the standard reference ascorbic acid in the range sixty percent to seventy five percent. The percent motility at 3 hours postincubation showed quick response and most Tetramorium caespitum were found deceased or paralyzed. Similarly, the percent mortality showed a linear response at concentration and time. It was observed that 1 μg/mL to 2 μg/mL concentration of AgNPs displayed a significant cytotoxic activity against Artemia salina with LD50 of 5.37 and 5.82, respectively.
This experiment aimed to evaluate plant growth promoting rhizobia in combination with biochar for improving the growth and physiology of maize (Zea mays L.). Three rhizobia isolated from different legumes (RH1, RH2, and RH3) were used to inoculate maize growing in soil amended with different levels of biochar (0.0, 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5%) under controlled conditions. The magnitude of improvement in the growth and physiology of maize varied due to rhizobial inoculation and application of biochar, either alone or in combination. Combined application of different rhizobia and biochar caused significant improvement in the growth and physiological attributes of maize over their sole use. The performance of all tested rhizobia was comparatively better at the 1.0% biochar level for improving maize growth compared with the other biochar levels (0.5 and 1.5%). Rhizobial strain RH1 showed the most prominent results for improving the growth of maize among all the tested rhizobia either used alone or in combination with biochar. Phosphatase, dehydrogenase, and microbial biomass C were also improved in the rhizosphere due to rhizobial inoculation and biochar. This work clearly indicates that the rhizobia from different legumes variably improved the growth and physiology of maize. However, the performance of rhizobia could be further improved when used in combination with an appropriate level of biochar.
The present study was conducted to assess the impact of gibberellic acid on growth and yield of sunflower in hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)]-contaminated soil in the presence as well as absence of pressmud. Seeds of sunflower were sown in potted soil amended with pressmud as an organic amendment and contaminated with different levels of Cr(VI) (12, 18, and 24 mg kg(-1)) by using K2Cr2O7 salt. Gibberellic acid (10(-4) M) was applied at time of seedling emergence in the rhizosphere. The results showed that Cr(VI) stress significantly reduced the growth and yield of sunflower. However, application of gibberellic acid and pressmud reversed the toxic effects of Cr(VI) and improved the growth and yield of sunflower. Combined application of gibberellic acid and pressmud further improved growth and yield compared to their separate application in Cr(VI) stress. Moreover, gibberellic acid and pressmud decreased the uptake of Cr and stabilized it in the soil.
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