LAUSR

Newly biosynthesized metallic nanoparticle with antimicrobial characteristic attracted its demand in the field of disease management. The present study deals with the synthesis of silver nanoparticle using the extract Aspergillus flavus CR500 under the presence of sunlight. The characterization via scanning and transmission electron microscope revealed their size distribution ranges from 60 to 130 nm with a high content of Ag, confirmed by energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopic analysis. X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared analysis exposed the crystalline nature and active functional group availability on silver nanoparticle (AgNPs). Photobiosynthesized AgNPs have high antimicrobial property and completely inhibited the growth of plant pathogenic fungi Rhizoctonia solani GPB and Sclerotium rolfsii at the concentration of 150 and 300 µg/L respectively. AgNPs exposure increases the lipid peroxidation (via reactive oxygen species production) in R. solani and S. rolfsii, might be a primary cause of AgNPs toxicity to fungal cell. However, fungal cell responded to oxidative stress caused by AgNPs by increasing the catalase and peroxidase activity. In order to assess the AgNPs applicability in seed protection and its impact on germination, growth and development of the crop, Cicer arietinum and Vigna radiata seeds were used for growth and germination assay under AgNPs exposure.