Journal of Environmental Biology

Effect of cupric oxide and zinc oxide nanoparticles on seed mycoflora and seed quality of fodder crops

N. Manjunatha*¹, M. Prajapati², V. Dunna¹, A. Maity¹, V.K. Wasnik¹, C.K. Gupta¹ and S.S. Parmar¹

¹Division of Seed Technology, ICAR-Indian Grassland & Fodder Research Institute, Jhansi-284 003, India

²Department of Microbiology, Bundelkhand University, Jhansi-284 128, India

*Corresponding Author E-mail: manjuigfri17@gmail.com

Key words

Antifungal

Fodder crops

Mycoflora

Nanoparticles

Spore germination

Publication Data

Paper received : 12.06.2017

Revised received : 31.10.2017

Re-revised received : 20.12.2017

Accepted : 04.01.2018

Abstract

Aim: Advancement in nanotechnology has amplified the effectiveness of traditional fungicides against pathogens when seeds are treated with nano formulation of fungicides. The present study was undertaken to investigate the effect of nanoparticles on seed mycoflora and seed quality parameters of fodder crops, in a view to accomplish nanoparticles application in near future.?? ?

Methodology: Fodder seed samples were subjected to standard blotter paper method and plated on Potato Dextrose Agar to isolate seed mycoflora. The major seed mycoflora were used as test organisms for further studies. Suspension of different concentrations (5 mg l^-1, 10 mg l^-1, 15 mg l^-1 and 20 mg l^-1) of cupric oxide (CuO) and zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles (NPs) were prepared from 200 mg l^-1 stock suspension. The same concentrations of NPs were used for antifungal assay and to test effect on seed quality parameters. ?

Results: The results showed CuO NPs had greater antifungal impact on seed mycoflora than ZnO NPs. An incremental radial growth was observed with ZnO NPs at lower concentrations but at 20 mg l^-1 growth was retarded as compared to control. The efficacy was directly correlated with the concentration and maximum reduction of spore germination was observed at 20 mg l^-1. Nanoparticles enhanced seed germination, root length, shoot length and seedling dry weight at lower doses, but reduction was noticed at higher doses in all fodder crops studied. ?

Interpretation: These results suggest that CuO and ZnO NPs can be used as an effective seed protectant fungicide against seed mycoflora with proper standardization of concentration to overcome their phytotoxic effect.

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