Antimycotic Activity of Nanoparticles of MgO, FeO and ZnO on some Pathogenic Fungi

Fungi are important pathogens of vegetables, fruits, cereals, pulses, and other crops. Several management strategies have been used for the control of pathogenenic fungi. Each of these methods has one or other limitations. Due to hazardous effects caused by excessive use of pesticides, scientists in the agricultural field are searching for alternative measures against pesticides. As an alternative to chemically manufactured pesticides, use of nanoparticles as antimicrobial agents has become more common as technological advances. Until now, limited research provided some evidence of the application of nanoparticles for the control of plant diseases caused by fungi. In the present study antimycotic activity of nanoparticles of magnesium, Iron and zinc have been investigated under in-vitro conditions and was observed from the study that all the nanoparticles at different concentrations brought about significant inhibition in the germination of spores of Penicillium notatum, Aspergillus niger, and Nigrospora oryzae Berk. However, the highest inhibition in the germination of all the test fungi was observed at higher concentrations followed by lower concentrations of nanoparticles. The nano MgO at highest concentration was found most effective in reducing the spore germination followed by nano-FeO and nano-ZnO at the same concentration respectively.