Dr. Pravallika Sree Rayanoothala, Assistant Professor (Plant Pathology), CV Raman Global University, Bhubaneshwar, Odisha, talks about exploring fungi’s role in creating nanoparticles for practical uses in agriculture.
Nano pesticides wherever and whenever are used have many benefits. They target the specific coated nano particles which have improved shelf life and stability. Nano technology has proved to be a promising alternative to manufacture of nano fertilisers compared to conventional fertilisers. We can find out that the use of nano fertilisers and nano materials can reduce excess chemical fertiliser usage. The various applications of nanotechnology in agriculture development are seen in crop improvement, crop protection, precision farming, stress tolerance, and other factors like salinity, UV stress, and so on. Nano particles can be used in agriculture as protectants, carriers and prevent pest and diseases from attacking the plants. The protection from nano pesticide have increased the shelf life, site specific uptake like target specific and higher solubility, and decreased leaching.
All the plants face fungal attack, and the annual crop losses due to fungal disease is about 700 bn tons in India alone. At the same time, the money spent on fungicide is increasing every day. The impact of nano particles on crops is rising the area of research which has to take into account the concerns and carefully explored. The nano particles have captured the attention of researchers as potential option. But the applications are still in nascent stage only. It should be given priority with health hazards and environmental concerns in focus. We can go for nano fertilisers. It is available in silver nanoparticles which is antimicrobial for fungal and bacterial diseases. Fungal mediators are good for nano particles. Some fungal community used for this purpose are Aspergillus clavatus, Yeast and Candida species. Recently metals from different fungi like platinum, iron, silver, copper, gold are isolated, and they are used for isolation of nanoparticles for different applications.
The factors that influence nanoparticle production should be identified. We are differentiating gold and silver nanoparticles. The work is done in fungi both extracellular and intracellularly. The particles size depend on the fungus and metals. We use salts to isolate the silver nanoparticles from interaction of Aspergillus which may not have the same dimension as produced by Fusarium in conditions like concentration, pH, and temperature. The incubation time is about 15 minutes to 16 minutes, but in case of Trichoderma species, it takes about 72 hours and is very useful in large scale production. The size is normally 5 to 15 nano meters, and in gold nanoparticles, apart from the same factors, colour is an important factor for assessment. We have different colours for different sizes.
When the gold chloride is dissolved in water, the reaction is with mycelia of fungi which has protein. The fungal mediated biosynthesis of nanoparticles, and the fungi produces of biosynthesises nanoparticles which can be extra or intracellular. This biogenic synthesis of nanoparticles involves bio reduction of metal salts to elemental metals stabilised by organic molecules present in microbes. It is helping to break down from the metal salts to elemental salts. Fungus absorbs the metal ions in aqueous medium. For large scale production of nanoparticles, fungi or yeast are preferred over other organisms. When fungi is exposed to metal salts, silver nitrate or gold chloride, it produces enzymes and metabolises to protect itself from unwanted foreign matters. The metal ions are reduced to metal nanoparticles without affecting the growth of fungi. It is said that the metal ions in the solution are attracted towards fungal mycelia due to which the enzyme group of proteins followed by reduction will happen. Gold nanoparticles can be stabilised by substances from external also, we can use catalysts.
Verticillium SP is isolated from taxus plant to interact with silver nitrate solution at 28 degree for 72 hours in incubation. It produces enzymes and metabolites which will aggregate into larger dimension and give us silver ions or gold ions. It depends on the fungal species to induce the reaction. We can see many studies of biogenetic synthesis of nanoparticles using fungi have shown results in a very promising way. In agriculture, the application of these systems in controlling pathogenic fungi and bacteria are used. Mushrooms also produce nanoparticles, and with more than 70% species being examined, it depends on the content of bioactive that plays the major role in introduction of silver nanoparticles. Edible and medicinal mushrooms are popular among researchers for their antibacterial properties. The biological synthesis of nanoparticles is fully safe and inexpensive, it is easy to handle and process downstream. The micro nanofabrication of nanoparticles is very satisfactory method for synthesis of various types of nanoparticles for usage in agriculture and other industries. The main challenges include requirement of research on fungi as some fungi are not considered for research work as the incubation period varies or the media may not be suitable. Also public acceptance has limited the research on nanoparticles. With some legislation guidance we can do much better.
How can fungi be harnessed to produce nanoparticles to benefit agriculture? What specific types of nanoparticles can fungi generate? Any challenges in scaling up the production of fungal derived nanoparticles for farmers? How do fungal nanoparticles compare to traditional Agri inputs in terms of cost effectiveness?
We have to induce interaction with salts, silver nitrate, and go downstream of reduction. This will give nanoparticles. The concentrates on the fungal cell wall can be examined for enzymatic reactions. The biochemical reactions will hamper the growth of fungus. This can be used in plant disease in an economical and environmentally friendly way too. We can have silver and gold nanoparticles for agriculture, and in other industries, we can use titanium dioxide and iron oxide. It is a challenge for farmers and researchers as a few types of fungi are not culturable, and it can be done in highly advanced lab where we can provide incubation period and new media form. We can produce nanoparticles in large scale in extension centres, KVK, and research labs. But we have to educate them and create awareness. Seed treatment is easy for the farmers to follow, but nano priming takes time. Cost effectiveness is based on production of nanoparticles by any method. When you use fungi, the extra cost is fungal cultures, media, which are not very significant. It is nominal.
Can these nanoparticles help in improving soil health and nutrient availability? Any potential risks or environmental concerns associated with fungal nanoparticles in agriculture? What crops or farming practices can be benefited from usage of fungal derived nanoparticles? How do fungal nanoparticles impact pest and disease management in agriculture?
For soil improvement, we have to target species. There will be no environmental harm. When we use nano fertilizers or nano pesticides, it will improve the efficiency of whatever we are using protectant for fungicide. Toxicity is less, and efficiency will improve definitely. It will be nutrients bioavailability always. There is no environmental risk, since fungi bio decomposes, there will be no residues left in environment or soil. Right now cotton research is being done, but it is in the experimental level. Also work is done on oil seed crops. It will not be a challenge or constraint in crop usage. With the use of Fusarium fungus, the mode of nano fungicide will be cell wall of the fungi which stores the biochemical steps of fungi which will hamper its growth. With cell wall breaking down, it will not grow. The target is cell wall. The disease can thus be controlled. It also gives good shelf life. We can use nano fungicide which will concentrate on breaking down the cell wall of fungi.
Any successful case studies or real examples of farmers benefiting from fungal nanoparticles? What resources of support system can help Agri entrepreneurs integrate fungal nanoparticles technology into farming operations?
The Fusarium is being explored in the field for isolation. There will be gold and silver nanoparticles that rise from Fusarium species and used in successful studies. There is a gap at the farmers’ level, and if that is narrowed down, farmers will take up the nano priming concept. Nanotechnology labs are the resources where they concentrate on research. Extension centres and KVKs will reach farmers. The farmers can provide mini kits for field trials, and entrepreneurs can contact research labs.
Nano pesticides wherever and whenever are used have many benefits. They target the specific coated nano particles which have improved shelf life and stability. Nano technology has proved to be a promising alternative to manufacture of nano fertilisers compared to conventional fertilisers. We can find out that the use of nano fertilisers and nano materials can reduce excess chemical fertiliser usage. The various applications of nanotechnology in agriculture development are seen in crop improvement, crop protection, precision farming, stress tolerance, and other factors like salinity, UV stress, and so on. Nano particles can be used in agriculture as protectants, carriers and prevent pest and diseases from attacking the plants. The protection from nano pesticide have increased the shelf life, site specific uptake like target specific and higher solubility, and decreased leaching.
All the plants face fungal attack, and the annual crop losses due to fungal disease is about 700 bn tons in India alone. At the same time, the money spent on fungicide is increasing every day. The impact of nano particles on crops is rising the area of research which has to take into account the concerns and carefully explored. The nano particles have captured the attention of researchers as potential option. But the applications are still in nascent stage only. It should be given priority with health hazards and environmental concerns in focus. We can go for nano fertilisers. It is available in silver nanoparticles which is antimicrobial for fungal and bacterial diseases. Fungal mediators are good for nano particles. Some fungal community used for this purpose are Aspergillus clavatus, Yeast and Candida species. Recently metals from different fungi like platinum, iron, silver, copper, gold are isolated, and they are used for isolation of nanoparticles for different applications.
The factors that influence nanoparticle production should be identified. We are differentiating gold and silver nanoparticles. The work is done in fungi both extracellular and intracellularly. The particles size depend on the fungus and metals. We use salts to isolate the silver nanoparticles from interaction of Aspergillus which may not have the same dimension as produced by Fusarium in conditions like concentration, pH, and temperature. The incubation time is about 15 minutes to 16 minutes, but in case of Trichoderma species, it takes about 72 hours and is very useful in large scale production. The size is normally 5 to 15 nano meters, and in gold nanoparticles, apart from the same factors, colour is an important factor for assessment. We have different colours for different sizes.
When the gold chloride is dissolved in water, the reaction is with mycelia of fungi which has protein. The fungal mediated biosynthesis of nanoparticles, and the fungi produces of biosynthesises nanoparticles which can be extra or intracellular. This biogenic synthesis of nanoparticles involves bio reduction of metal salts to elemental metals stabilised by organic molecules present in microbes. It is helping to break down from the metal salts to elemental salts. Fungus absorbs the metal ions in aqueous medium. For large scale production of nanoparticles, fungi or yeast are preferred over other organisms. When fungi is exposed to metal salts, silver nitrate or gold chloride, it produces enzymes and metabolises to protect itself from unwanted foreign matters. The metal ions are reduced to metal nanoparticles without affecting the growth of fungi. It is said that the metal ions in the solution are attracted towards fungal mycelia due to which the enzyme group of proteins followed by reduction will happen. Gold nanoparticles can be stabilised by substances from external also, we can use catalysts.
Verticillium SP is isolated from taxus plant to interact with silver nitrate solution at 28 degree for 72 hours in incubation. It produces enzymes and metabolites which will aggregate into larger dimension and give us silver ions or gold ions. It depends on the fungal species to induce the reaction. We can see many studies of biogenetic synthesis of nanoparticles using fungi have shown results in a very promising way. In agriculture, the application of these systems in controlling pathogenic fungi and bacteria are used. Mushrooms also produce nanoparticles, and with more than 70% species being examined, it depends on the content of bioactive that plays the major role in introduction of silver nanoparticles. Edible and medicinal mushrooms are popular among researchers for their antibacterial properties. The biological synthesis of nanoparticles is fully safe and inexpensive, it is easy to handle and process downstream. The micro nanofabrication of nanoparticles is very satisfactory method for synthesis of various types of nanoparticles for usage in agriculture and other industries. The main challenges include requirement of research on fungi as some fungi are not considered for research work as the incubation period varies or the media may not be suitable. Also public acceptance has limited the research on nanoparticles. With some legislation guidance we can do much better.
How can fungi be harnessed to produce nanoparticles to benefit agriculture? What specific types of nanoparticles can fungi generate? Any challenges in scaling up the production of fungal derived nanoparticles for farmers? How do fungal nanoparticles compare to traditional Agri inputs in terms of cost effectiveness?
We have to induce interaction with salts, silver nitrate, and go downstream of reduction. This will give nanoparticles. The concentrates on the fungal cell wall can be examined for enzymatic reactions. The biochemical reactions will hamper the growth of fungus. This can be used in plant disease in an economical and environmentally friendly way too. We can have silver and gold nanoparticles for agriculture, and in other industries, we can use titanium dioxide and iron oxide. It is a challenge for farmers and researchers as a few types of fungi are not culturable, and it can be done in highly advanced lab where we can provide incubation period and new media form. We can produce nanoparticles in large scale in extension centres, KVK, and research labs. But we have to educate them and create awareness. Seed treatment is easy for the farmers to follow, but nano priming takes time. Cost effectiveness is based on production of nanoparticles by any method. When you use fungi, the extra cost is fungal cultures, media, which are not very significant. It is nominal.
Can these nanoparticles help in improving soil health and nutrient availability? Any potential risks or environmental concerns associated with fungal nanoparticles in agriculture? What crops or farming practices can be benefited from usage of fungal derived nanoparticles? How do fungal nanoparticles impact pest and disease management in agriculture?
For soil improvement, we have to target species. There will be no environmental harm. When we use nano fertilizers or nano pesticides, it will improve the efficiency of whatever we are using protectant for fungicide. Toxicity is less, and efficiency will improve definitely. It will be nutrients bioavailability always. There is no environmental risk, since fungi bio decomposes, there will be no residues left in environment or soil. Right now cotton research is being done, but it is in the experimental level. Also work is done on oil seed crops. It will not be a challenge or constraint in crop usage. With the use of Fusarium fungus, the mode of nano fungicide will be cell wall of the fungi which stores the biochemical steps of fungi which will hamper its growth. With cell wall breaking down, it will not grow. The target is cell wall. The disease can thus be controlled. It also gives good shelf life. We can use nano fungicide which will concentrate on breaking down the cell wall of fungi.
Any successful case studies or real examples of farmers benefiting from fungal nanoparticles? What resources of support system can help Agri entrepreneurs integrate fungal nanoparticles technology into farming operations?
The Fusarium is being explored in the field for isolation. There will be gold and silver nanoparticles that rise from Fusarium species and used in successful studies. There is a gap at the farmers’ level, and if that is narrowed down, farmers will take up the nano priming concept. Nanotechnology labs are the resources where they concentrate on research. Extension centres and KVKs will reach farmers. The farmers can provide mini kits for field trials, and entrepreneurs can contact research labs.