Interaction of copper nanoparticles and an endophytic growth promoter Piriformospora indica with Cajanus cajan.
BACKGROUND
In recent years, agro-bionanotechnology has paved the way towards revolutionizing current practices in the food and agricultural fields. In the present study, the effect of copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) alone and in combination with the growth-promoting fungus Piriformospora indica on 2-week-old seedlings of Cajanus cajan was evaluated. Gelatin-coated stable CuNPs were synthesized by the chemical reduction method using hydrazine hydrate as a reducing agent.


RESULTS
CuNPs were characterized by using UV-visible spectroscopy, zeta potential measurement and transmission electron microscopy. The nanoparticles were found to be quite spherical with a diameter within the range 40 ± 10 nm. After the application of CuNPs and P. indica to the host plant C. cajan, the vitality of plants was determined using a Handy-PEA (plant efficiency analyzer) instrument. Handy-PEA analysis (which measures chlorophyll a fluorescence) indicated that seedlings inoculated with a combination of CuNPs and P. indica were the healthiest and also showed maximum vitality as compared to seedlings inoculated with CuNPs or P. indica alone.


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that CuNPs in combination with P. indica can serve as a nanobiofertilizer for enhancement of the growth and productivity of C. cajan. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.
Department of Biotechnology, Ramniranjan Jhunjhunwala College, Ghatkopar, Mumbai.
Jyoti
J
Rajak
Department of Biotechnology, Sant Gadge Baba Amravati University, Amravati, Maharashtra, India.
Manisha
M
Bawaskar
Department of Biotechnology, Sant Gadge Baba Amravati University, Amravati, Maharashtra, India.
Dnyaneshwar
D
Rathod
Department of Biotechnology, Sant Gadge Baba Amravati University, Amravati, Maharashtra, India.
Gauravi
G
Agarkar
Department of Biotechnology, Sant Gadge Baba Amravati University, Amravati, Maharashtra, India.
Dipali
D
Nagaonkar
Department of Biotechnology, Sant Gadge Baba Amravati University, Amravati, Maharashtra, India.
Aniket
A
Gade
Department of Biotechnology, Sant Gadge Baba Amravati University, Amravati, Maharashtra, India.
Mahendra
M
Rai
D001487:Basidiomycota / Q000502:physiology*; D036561:Cajanus / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000382:microbiology*; D003300:Copper / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D060026:Endophytes / Q000502:physiology*; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000254:growth & development / Q000382:microbiology; D036226:Seedlings / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development / Q000382:microbiology
D003300:Copper
Handy-PEA; Piriformospora indica; agro-bionanotechnology; copper nanoparticles; nanobiofertilizer; plant vitality