Oilseed crop diseases are a major concern around the world, particularly in India. The synthetic fungicides not only kill the pathogen, but they also harm the host plant and beneficial microbes and on continuous usage, they decrease the soil fertility. To overcome this problem, green nanotechnology has been a greater alternative with promising benefits. The green synthesized nanoparticles from the extract of various plant parts are an effective remedy for killing the pathogens without affecting the host plants and the environment. Hence, in our study silver nanoparticles were synthesized from Fennel seed (Foeniculum vulgare) extract. The synthesis of nanoparticles was confirmed using UV-vis, Fourier transform infrared, dynamic light scattering, zeta potential, and scanning electron microscopic analysis. The in vitro antifungal study was carried out and revealed that the nanoparticles had high efficacy against the isolated phytopathogen Nigrospora oryzae which causes tikka disease in Arachis hypogaea plants. Hence, F. vulgare seed nanoparticles can be used as an effective alternative to synthetic fungicides without causing any deleterious effect on soil microflora or the environment.
Keywords: Arachis hypogaea; Foeniculum vulgare; Nigrospora oryzae; fungicide; green nanotechnology; phytopathogen.
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