The biological synthesis of nanoparticles using fungal cultures is a promising and novel tool in nano-biotechnology. The potential culture of Trichoderma asperellum (T. asperellum) has been used to synthesize copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO NPs) in the current study. The necrotrophic infection in Brassica species is caused due to a foliar pathogen Alternaria brassicae (A. brassicae). Mycogenic copper oxide nanoparticles (M-CuO NPs) were characterized by spectroscopic and microscopic techniques such as UV–visible spectrophotometry (UV–vis), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The antifungal potential of CuO NPs was studied against A. brassicae. M-CuO NPs exhibited a surface plasmon resonance (SPR) at 303 nm, and XRD confirmed the crystalline phase of NPs. FTIR spectra confirmed the stretching of amide bonds, and the carbonyl bond indicated the presence of enzymes in T. asperellum filtrate. SEM and TEM confirmed the spherical shape of M-CuO NPs with an average size of 22 nm. Significant antifungal potential of M-CuO NPs was recorded, as it inhibited the growth of A. brassicae up to 92.9% and 80.3% in supplemented media with C-CuO NPs at 200 ppm dose. Mancozeb and propiconazole inhibited the radial growth up to 38.7% and 44.2%. SEM confirmed the morphological changes in hyphae and affected the sporulation pattern. TEM revealed hardly recognizable organelles, abnormal cytoplasmic distribution, and increased vacuolization, and light microscopy confirmed the conidia with reduced diameter and fewer septa after treatment with both types of NPs. Thus, M-CuO NPs served as a promising alternative to fungicides.

/pdf/biocontrol-potential-of-mycogenic-copper-oxide-nanoparticles-395eox97.pdf

Biocontrol potential of mycogenic copper oxide nanoparticles against Alternaria brassicae

Rapid urbanization and globalization demand increasing agricultural productivity. Soil nutrient supply capacity is continuously decreasing due to soil erosion, degradation, salt deposition, undesired element, metal deposition, water scarcity, and an uneven nutrient delivery system. Rice cultivation requires a large amount of water which is becoming detrimental due to these activities. There is a need to increase its productivity. Microbial inoculants are becoming increasingly important in achieving sustainable agricultural production systems. The current study was conducted to investigate the interaction between the root endophytic fungus Serendipita indica (S. indica) and the actinobacterium Zhihengliuella sp. ISTPL4 (Z. sp. ISTPL4) and their synergistic effects on the growth of rice (Oryza sativa L). Both S. indica and Z. sp. ISTPL4 showed positive interactions. Growth of S. indica was observed at different days after Z. sp. ISTPL4 inoculation, and stimulated growth of S. indica was observed when Z. sp. ISTPL4 was inoculated at 5 dafi (days after fungal inoculation). Z. sp. ISTPL4 promoted the growth of S. indica as it increased spore germination. Furthermore, confocal and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analyses showed a 27% increase in the spore size of S. indica in the presence of Z. sp. ISTPL4. In a liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) analysis increased production of alanine and glutamic acid was observed in their sequential co-culture as compared with individual cultures. Sequential inoculation of S. indica and Z. sp. ISTPL4 significantly increased the biochemical and physical characteristics of rice as compared with their individual inoculum. Biochemical parameters such as chlorophyll content, total soluble sugar, and flavonoid content in the rice increased by up to 57%, 47%, and 39%, respectively, in the presence of the combined inoculum of S. indica and Z. sp. ISTPL4. This will be the first study, to the best of our knowledge, which shows the fungus and actinobacterium interaction and their synergistic roles in the growth promotion of rice. Furthermore, this novel combination can also be used to boost the growth of other crops to increase the agricultural yield.

/pdf/interaction-studies-of-serendipita-indica-and-zhihengliuella-2ixnyb3s.pdf

Interaction studies of Serendipita indica and Zhihengliuella sp. ISTPL4 and their synergistic role in growth promotion in rice

Abstract Brassica is one of the crops sensitive to low copper supply, leading to Alternaria blight. The present study reflects the synthesis of myco-derived copper oxide (M-CuO) nanoparticles (NPs) from Trichoderma asperellum and investigates their effect against Alternaria blight of Brassica in two soil types, alluvial and calcareous. Foliar applications of different treatments were used to treat plants: T1 (mancozeb@0.2%), T2 (propiconazole@0.05%), T3 (T. asperellum filtrate), T4 (M-CuO NPs), T5 chemically synthesized (C-CuO NPs), and T6 bulk phase (BP-CuO @25, 50, 100, 150, and 200 ppm) of each in twice such as protectant and curative method under pot experiments. M-CuO NPs in two protective sprays exhibit up to 75% disease suppression in alluvial soil, compared to 68.9% suppression in curative spray at 200 ppm. Maximum seed yield and seed number were obtained, 1.95 g/plant and 850 seeds/plant in alluvial soil, but in calcareous soil, seed yield (1.14 g/plant) and seed number 414 seeds/plant were recorded in plants supplemented with M-CuO NPs as a protectant. In both soils, maximum plant height was increased by protective applications of M-CuO NPs at 200 ppm. Thus, the present study suggested that among foliar sprays of copper nanocompounds, protective activity shows better results as compared to curative activity. Among all the treatments, M-CuO NPs were found to be most effective in suppressing disease and improving productivity and growth-promoting effects of Brassica.

/pdf/leveraging-of-mycogenic-copper-oxide-nanostructures-for-3fnug5ti.pdf

Leveraging of mycogenic copper oxide nanostructures for disease management of Alternaria blight of Brassica juncea

Myco-synthesized copper oxide nanoparticles using harnessing metabolites of endophytic fungal strain Aspergillus terreus: an insight into antibacterial, anti-Candida, biocompatibility, anticancer, and antioxidant activities

Copper (Cu)-based antimicrobial compounds (CBACs) have been widely used to control phytopathogens for nearly fourteen decades. Since the first commercialized Bordeaux mixture was introduced, CBACs have been gradually developed from highly to slightly soluble reagents and from inorganic to synthetic organic, with nanomaterials being a recent development. Traditionally, slightly soluble CBACs form a physical film on the surface of plant tissues, separating the micro-organisms from the host, then release divalent or monovalent copper ions (Cu2+ or Cu+) to construct a secondary layer of protection which inhibits the growth of pathogens. Recent progress has demonstrated that the release of a low concentration of Cu2+ may elicit immune responses in plants. This supports a triple-tiered protection role of CBACs: break contact, inhibit microorganisms, and stimulate host immunity. This spatial defense system, which is integrated both inside and outside the plant cell, provides long-lasting and broad-spectrum protection, even against emergent copper-resistant strains. Here, we review recent findings and highlight the perspectives underlying mitigation strategies for the sustainable utilization of CBACs.

/pdf/double-or-triple-tiered-protection-prospects-for-the-1v24u9vv.pdf

Swati Gaba

Papers

Biocontrol potential of mycogenic copper oxide nanoparticles against Alternaria brassicae

Exploring the Impact of Bioformulated Copper Oxide Nanoparticles on Cytomorphology of Alternaria brassicicola

Leveraging of mycogenic copper oxide nanostructures for disease management of Alternaria blight of Brassica juncea