Deciphering the Role of Silver Nanoemulsion as a Promising Nanofertilizer and Nanofungicide for Improved Mungbean Growth

Sclerotium rolfsii is one of the most challenging pathogens among fungal phytopathogens. Botanicals and biopesticides projected as alternatives to the synthetic fungicides also don’t serve the purpose for S. rolfsii control pertaining to its vast host range and high adaptability. Present project therefore, focused on the preparation of Silver nanoemulsion (AgNE) having optimum stability and bestowed with significant antifungal properties and growth promoting abilities for the mungbean plants. The influence of different AgNE concentrations on growth pattern of S. rolfsii was tested under in vitro and in vivo conditions. Surprisingly, 100 ppm of AgNE could culminate the fungal progression completely by inhibiting both hyphal as well as sclerotial growth in plate and broth assays. Results of in planta application of AgNE at100 ppm on mungbean plants also coincided with the in vitro findings in terms of controlling the pathogen progression; however the internalization of Ag ions was observed in root, stem and leaves. Toxicity indications were apparent in the form of stunted and broadened root growth at 100 ppm AgNE concentration, but the above ground plant parts appeared perfectly normal. In inference, 50 ppm AgNE was found to be the most significant and safe concentration in relation to the phytopathogen control and plant growth promotion. These results revealed the evolving role of AgNE as a promising nanofungicide and nanofertilizer to accelerate overall mungbean productivity. Awaiting complications lies in the stability improvement of AgNE, scaled up production, phytotoxicity studies and their possible applications in several crops and multilocational field trials.