BACKGROUND
This work reports the isolation and screening of rhizospheric microflora of chickpea and their role in the biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). The antifungal potential of AgNPs for control of wilt disease of chickpea, caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. ciceri (FOC) was evaluated in vitro and in vivo pot experiments. The effect of AgNPs on seed germination and soil community was also evaluated.
RESULTS
Among microbial strains, two bacteria, Pseudomonas sp. and Achromobacter sp. and two fungi, Trichoderma sp. and Cephalosporium sp., were identified for biosynthesis of AgNPs. AgNPs were confirmed by UV‐visible spectra (λ = 420 nm) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) with size 20–50 nm. AgNPs showed very high antifungal activity (95%) against FOC in vitro at 100 µgmL−1 concentration. Pot experiments showed maximum and minimum reduction in wilt incidence over control, i.e. 73.33% for AgNPs and copper‐oxychloride (CuOCl) i.e. 26.67%, respectively. Seeds coated with AgNPs showed high germinability up to 98% and no negative impact was observed on soil community.
CONCLUSION
This study demonstrated the role of AgNPs against the fungal disease of chickpea that can be extended to other diseases of chickpea and other important Indian crops. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry