Keywords:
Environmental pollution, Nematicide,
Meloidogyne incognita
, Synthetics, Carbofuran
Pests bring about significant decrease in carrot production which often cause to huge financial loss. A major constraint facing carrot production worldwide is infestation with root knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita. Different management strategies have been utilised in the control of M. incognita with various degrees of favourable outcome. Synthetic nematicides, though globally perceived as the most effective is largely negated by their toxicity and adverse effects on humans and the environment. A sizeable recognition has been redirected to the application of nanoparticles in agriculture. In order to achieve progress in the burgeoning of environmentally safe bio-nematicide, the green synthesis of silver nanoparticles with Cnidoscolus aconitifolius extracts was evaluated on carrot plants inoculated with M. incognita juveniles on the field. Extract from C. aconitifolius was taken as the reducing agent, while silver nitrate is the metal precursor. Colour change by the extracts confirms the formation of AgNP. The AgNPs produced were characterised with UV–Vis absorption spectroscopy, FTIR and SEM. Results revealed the formation of AgNPs with surface plasmon resonance absorption at 410, 423 and 428 nm, SEM confirmed the formation of AgNP as mainly spherical ranging between 2 and 20 nm. AgNPs were applied at 25, 50 and 75 ml which is equivalent to 50, 100 and 150 mol, respectively on the field. AgNPs treated carrots plants had significantly (p < 0.05) higher vegetative growth, with corresponding higher yield contrary to the untreated carrots plants. Plant mediated AgNPs is a promising method of M. incognita control in carrot production.
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