Vol. 11, Issue 3 (2022)

Author(s):
Lham Dorjee, Robin Gogoi, Deeba Kamil and Rajesh Kumar

Abstract:
The conventional methods of disease management have deleteriously affected the non-target organisms and the environment as a whole. To overcome the aforesaid problems, an attempt was made to synthesize copper nanoparticles (CuNPs), presumptively benign to the environment and having enhanced efficacy against pathogens. A fungi Macrophomina phaseolina was exploited to synthesize copper nanoparticles (CuNPs). The generation of copper was apparent from a change in color of the reaction mixture. The absorbance maxima of the reaction mixtures by UV-Vis Spectroscopy was observed at 360 nm at four different concentrations. Transmission electron microscope (TEM) revealed spherical to irregular morphology of nanoparticles of size ranging from 7 to 89 nm for M. phaseolina mediated synthesis. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) confirmed the presence of functional groups like amides, amine, and some alcohol groups. The M. phaseolina mediated CuNPs (MP-CuNPs) exhibited an inhibitory effect against F. verticillioides (causes stalk rot and ear rot in maize) and Sclerotium rolfsii (causes southern stem blight in vegetables and ornamental crops) rendering statistical significant inhibition at 20 and 50 ppm respectively.