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Green synthesis of copper nanoparticles using Sesbania aculeata to enhance the plant growth and antimicrobial activities

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Abstract

Green synthesis of copper oxide nanoparticles (CuONPs) was performed using Sesbania aculeata leaf extract. The characteristics of CuONPs were studied using the selected area electron diffraction analysis. The effect of nanoparticles on the plant growth including germination efficiency was studied in Brassica nigra at different concentrations (25, 30, 100 mg/100 ml) using plant tissue culture technique. The uptake of copper and potential metal-binding compounds (citrate, phytochelatins, nicotinamide) in xylem and phloem saps of B. nigra was examined. Copper uptake in xylem and phloem sap was found to be higher at 100 mg/100 ml concentration (2.2 ± 0.23 and 5.70 ± 0.9 µM, respectively) when compared to the control (1.0 ± 0.15 and 4.90 ± 0.7 µM) which could be toxic and inhibit the plant’s growth. 25 and 30 mg/100 ml were found to be safer. The root uptake of CuONPs in xylem was observed through the transmission electron microscopy analysis. Since the nanoparticles at higher dose inhibit plant’s growth, potassium leakage rate was analyzed and found to be higher with copper sulfate treatment (0.8 µg/g FW min−1) than with the CuONPs treatment (0.5 µg/g FW min−1) at 100 mg/100 ml concentration. Additionally, we evaluated the antimicrobial activity of CuONPs and the maximum zone of inhibition was found with Phoma destructiva (23 mm), Curvularia lunata (22 mm) at 40 µl concentration. This study shows that CuONPs synthesized using greener technology enhanced the plant growth of B. nigra at a lower dose (25 and 30 mg/100 ml) and act as a strong antimicrobial agent which can act as biofertilizer for both the crop protection and production.

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Acknowledgements

Authors would like to thank the Department of Biotechnology, Anna University-BIT Campus, Tiruchirappalli, and Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli, India, to carry out this research work.

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Author notes

  1. V. Tamil Elakkiya and R. V. Meenakshi have contributed equally to this work.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biotechnology, Anna University-BIT Campus, Tiruchirappalli, India

    V. Tamil Elakkiya, R. V. Meenakshi, K. Ravi Shankar, P. Sureshkumar & A. Hanan

  2. Department of Chemical Engineering, Sri Sivasubramaniya Nadar College of Engineering, Chennai, India

    P. Senthil Kumar

  3. Department of Industrial Biotechnology, Government College of Technology, Coimbatore, India

    V. Karthik

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  1. V. Tamil Elakkiya
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  2. R. V. Meenakshi
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  3. P. Senthil Kumar
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  4. V. Karthik
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  5. K. Ravi Shankar
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Correspondence to P. Senthil Kumar.

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We hereby declare no conflict of interest in the following manuscript: “Enhancement of Plant Growth Using Green Synthesized Copper Nanoparticles and Its Antimicrobial Efficacy.” No funding was received for conducting this study.

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Editorial responsibility: Samareh Mirkia.

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Tamil Elakkiya, V., Meenakshi, R.V., Senthil Kumar, P. et al. Green synthesis of copper nanoparticles using Sesbania aculeata to enhance the plant growth and antimicrobial activities. Int. J. Environ. Sci. Technol. 19, 1313–1322 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13762-021-03182-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13762-021-03182-9

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