Agro-Waste Mediated Silica Nanoparticles and Their Application to Sustainable Agriculture
Abstract Sustainable managing of environment implies the utilization of green approaches in agronomy for growth and crop protection. Since crop production is determined by extensive application of pesticide to resist plant infection and fertilizers to increase fertility of soil, these processes result in ecological unit deterioration as well economic cost. The current research aims at assessment of the potential of nanofertilizers and fungicidal activity of Silica nanoparticles (SiNPs) which have synthesized from agro-waste (sugarcane bagasse and corn cob).SiNPs Nanoparticles display exceptional biological functions and might behave as novel antifungal agents. SiNPs were characterized via scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transmission infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX).The plant reaction to SiNPs treatments were observed in relation to germination, growth characteristics, protein, chlorophyll, antioxidant and antifungal activities. Germination rate was enhanced upto 95.5% with SiNPsconcentration and growth parameters were increased upto1000ugL-1. The physiological changes showed the increment in protein and chlorophyll content upto 14.8mg g-1 and 4.08 mg g-1, respectively. Other than this, maximum mycelia growth inhibition was reported for Fusarium oxysporum and Aspergillus niger as73.42% and 58.92%, respectively. SiNPs positive response on Eruca sativa plant might improve its productivity and act as a potential antifungal agent against pathogenic fungi.