In vivo Efficacy of ZnO Nanoparticles against Root-knot Nematode, Meloidogyne incognita in Brinjal

Abstract

The present investigation was carried out to determine the efficacy of zinc oxide nanoparticles extracted from Azadirachta indica against root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita in Brinjal under pot condition. The results revealed that all the treatments were effective in increasing plant growth parameters. All the treatments significantly decreased the galls, egg masses and the final nematode population in the soil over the control. The treatment with a combination of seedling root dip and soil treatment using Azadirachta indica-based ZnO nanoparticles significantly improved plant growth, with shoot length increasing to 21.792 cm compared to 15.032 cm in the control group. This treatment also achieved remarkable reductions of 74.5% in gall formation, 75.43% in egg masses, and 50.77% in final population in soil compared to untreated controls. The study showed that green-synthesized ZnO nanoparticles, particularly those produced using Azadirachta indica extract, provide an eco-friendly and sustainable approach for controlling root-knot nematodes in brinjal cultivation, effectively managing pests while also promoting plant growth.