NanoBioProtectors: Role of plant derived magnetic nanoparticles as a potent biocontrol agent against Fusarium oxysporum ciceris

In the current scenario, where demand for food production is constantly increasing with the rise in population, the threat of plant pathogens has also increased. The destruction of crops due to diseases caused by plant pathogens has become difficult to control with conventional physical and chemical methods. Traditional agriculture often depends on use of chemical pesticides, which have had negative impacts on both living organisms and ecosystems. As a fundamental principle of sustainable agriculture, it is important to limit the use of chemical pesticides in order to safeguard the environment and preserve diverse species. Additionally, sustainable agriculture should operate as a low input system, characterised by reduced production costs and increased net returns. Here, nanotechnology stands as a new weapon against rising challenges in agriculture. Nanotechnology may greatly improve the effectiveness of agricultural inputs, making it a valuable tool for promoting sustainable growth in agroecosystems via the use of nanoparticles. Using magnetic nanoparticles for controlling plant pathogenic fungi can be developed as a potent method for disease management in plants. In the present study, the effect of plant (Carica papaya) -based Fe₃O₄ magnetic nanoparticles was synthesized and studied against Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. ciceris, a chickpea pathogen. The antifungal effect of these nanoparticles and their minimum inhibitory concentration were studied using a soft agar assay and broth assay. Plant-synthesized nanoparticles were able to inhibit Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. ciceris by up to 87 %. It’s in vivo effect was checked with pot trials on chickpeas. Fe₃O₄ magnetic nanoparticles have shown adequate inhibition of fungus both in vitro and in vivo.