Potential of Biologically synthesized Zinc oxide Nanoparticles in controlling Fruit rot on Chilli
Amitha Ganapathy B, Nandish G, Sowmya H V and Thippeswamy Basaiah
Department of P.G. Studies and Research in Microbiology, Bioscience Complex, Kuvempu University, Jnanasahyadri, Shankaraghatta-577 451 (India)
ABSTRACT
Chilli fruit rot disease is a major problem in vegetable-growing areas worldwide. Chemical fungicides are commonly used to control fungal diseases, but there is growing interest in using biologically synthesized Zinc Oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) due to their unique properties. In this study, ZnO NPs were synthesized using Aspergillus niger-Sg9 and Fusarium oxysporum-Db4 fungi and evaluated against chilli fruit rot caused by Colletotrichum fructicola (C. fructicola). The NPs were characterized using various techniques, and their efficacy was tested under in vitro, in vivo, and field conditions. Results showed that Sg9 and Db4 ZnO NPs at a concentration of 1000 ppm inhibited the growth of Colletotrichum fructicola by 89.61% and 85.71%, respectively, outperforming the standard control fungicide Propiconazole (73.16%). Sg9 ZnO NPs also demonstrated 98.46% growth suppression when applied before pathogen inoculation. The findings of the study indicated that biologically synthesized ZnO NPs offer a promising alternative for controlling chilli fruit rot disease.