Fabrication of zinc oxide nanorods using plant latex serum as a green matrix for the sustainable management of root-knot nematodes

Abstract

In this study, zinc oxide nanorods were fabricated using Synadenium grantii latex serum (Sg-ZnO Nrs) as a green matrix. The characterization of Sg-ZnO Nrs was carried out with UV–vis spectroscopy, XRD, FTIR, and FE-SEM. The fabricated Sg-ZnO Nrs was tested for nematicidal activity against second-stage juveniles of Meloidogyne incognita (J2s) in in vitro and pot experiments. Furthermore, the effect of Sg-ZnO Nrs on seed germination was also examined using tomato seeds. The Sg-ZnO Nrs was highly active against J2s with an LC50/48h value of 111.01 µg/mL. In pot experiments, 300 and 400 µg/mL of Sg-ZnO Nrs were most effective in disease control and plant growth parameters. In addition, Sg-ZnO Nrs showed a substantial growth-promoting effect on tomato seed germination and seedling length at 300 and 400 µg/mL concentrations, and concurrently, it induced 97.42 and 100 % J2s mortality in in vitro conditions, respectively.