Abstract
In agriculture, search for biopolymer derived materials are in high demand to replace the synthetic agrochemicals. In the present investigation, the efficacy of Cu-chitosan nanoparticles (NPs) to boost defense responses against Curvularia leaf spot (CLS) disease of maize and plant growth promotry activity were evaluated. Cu-chitosan NPs treated plants showed significant defense response through higher activities of antioxidant (superoxide dismutase and peroxidase) and defense enzymes (polyphenol oxidase and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase). Significant control of CLS disease of maize was recorded at 0.04 to 0.16% of Cu-chitosan NPs treatments in pot and 0.12 to 0.16% of NPs treatments in field condition. Further, NPs treatments exhibited growth promotry effect in terms of plant height, stem diameter, root length, root number and chlorophyll content in pot experiments. In field experiment, plant height, ear length, ear weight/plot, grain yield/plot and 100 grain weight were enhanced in NPs treatments. Disease control and enhancement of plant growth was further enlightened through Cu release profile of Cu-chitosan NPs. This is an important development in agriculture nanomaterial research where biodegradable Cu-chitosan NPs are better compatible with biological control as NPs “mimic” the natural elicitation of the plant defense and antioxidant system for disease protection and sustainable growth.
Highlights
Environmental contamination has become a challenging issue because of uncontrolled and rampant use of synthetic agrochemicals for plant growth and protection[1]
We have reported Cu-chitosan NPs as an effective antifungal and plant growth promotry agent[15, 20]
We report for the first time the efficacy of Cu-chitosan NPs to induce the defense responses against curvularia leaf spot (CLS) disease in maize, and to promote sustainable plant growth under net house and field conditions
Summary
Environmental contamination has become a challenging issue because of uncontrolled and rampant use of synthetic agrochemicals for plant growth and protection[1]. A versatile biomaterial that is of a non-toxic, biocompatible and biodegradable nature, is being exploited in agriculture[5, 6] It is well recognized as an antimicrobial[7, 8], immuno modulatory[9,10,11] and plant growth promotry agent[12, 13]. Cu-chitosan NPs expressed a far elevated and diverge bioactivity as compared to sole chitosan based NPs. Up to now, rudimentary studies have been performed to induce the plant innate system for plant defense and subsequent higher growth and yield by NPs applications, need further study of Cu-chitosan NPs for its effect on plant growth and protection for its comprehensive application in crop. Our results convincingly establish Cu-chitosan NPs as a potent inducer of systemic acquired resistance for effective control of CLS disease of maize and a plant growth promotry agent
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
