Green Nanoparticles Engineering on Root-knot Nematode Infecting Eggplants and Their Effect on Plant DNA Modification.

BACKGROUND: Root-knot nematodes are known to cause significant damage to eggplants. New approaches by green silver nanoparticles (GSN) are used to control plant-parasitic nematode to avoid chemical nematicide hazards.

OBJECTIVES: Analyses of the incorporation of different concentrations of nanoparticles on two different algae (Ulva lactuca and Turbinaria turbinata) were carried out. Furethermore, the effect of GSN on the eggplant DNA profile was studied using RAPD and EST molecular markers.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Green Silver Nanoparticles (GSN) have been synthesized and characterized using the algal extract solution prepared from two algal genera. Nematicidal effect of the GSN was evaluated in greenhouse on eggplants (Solanum melongena cv. Login). Genomic DNA was extracted for use in molecular analysis. Both RAPD and EST molecular markers were used to study the GSN effect on eggplant DNA modification.

RESULTS: GSN (17 mg.mL(-1)) obtained from U. lactuca was more effective in reducing second-stage juveniles (J2s) of M. javanica (69.44%) population in soil. All treatments improved eggplants growth parameters. Change in DNA profile using of both RAPD and EST markers was noted.

CONCLUSIONS: GSN (12.75 mg.100 mL(-1)) were effective on controlling the root-knot nematode (both T. turbinata and U. lactuca algae), similar to chemical control in eggplants. GSN did not cause any phototoxicity in eggplants under treatment.