OPTIMIZATION AND UP SCALING OF PHYTOSYNTHESIS OF SILVER NANOPARTICLES AND USE IN COWPEA PRODUCTION: EVALUATION OF EFFECTS ON DEFENCE, PLANT GROWTH AND YIELD ATTRIBUTING CHARACTERS
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Date
2023-02-24
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University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore
Abstract
In recent times, nanotechnology is an emerging area of research in the field of agriculture. In previous study, Anil and coworkers synthesized AgNPs by reducing AgNO3 using an aqueous extract of Santalum album. In the current study, large scale phytosynthesis of silvernanoparticles was standardized and silvernanoparticles were characterized using UVspectroscopy, XRD, FTIR, AFM, and SEM. The results of characterization showsthat silvernanoparticles are spherical in shape and size in the range of 20-30 nm. Using dye degradation as a function of reduction in absorption specrta the shelf life of silvernanoparticles was found stable up to one month. FTIR confirms presence of phenolic and aromatic groups and proteins involved in formation and capping of silvernanoparticles. SEM, XRD, AFM results confirm the size, shape, crystalline nature and roughness of silver nanoparticles. Shaking and nonshaking of the phytosynthesis mixture resulted spherical nanoparticles, and both had the catalytic function of degrading dyes. To further understand how AgNPs affect cowpea crop yield and biotic stress tolerance, a field experiment was conducted. In current study, AgNPs enhanced yield by 51.4 % and it was found to increase rust disease resistance in cowpea. Both field and pot experiments showed increased plant biomass, secondary metabolites, defense enzyme and seed yield. According to GC-MS analysis, AgNPs-treated plants produced several antimicrobial compounds. AgNP treatment of seeds exhibited increase in POX,SOD activities, secondary metabolite levels and significantly promote growth in emerging seedlings. Seed germination experiments also shown the increases in germination and vigor of AgNPs treated seedlings. It is concluded that defense primed plants by AgNPs may successfully withstand biotic stresses and can be employed to increase cowpea productiv