Application of Green Synthesis in Silver Nanoparticles for Root Knot Nematode Management on Tomato

Synthetic nematicides are the major control options employed for the management of plant parasitic nematodes in tomato plants. Residual pesticide has created great concern for human health. Therefore, there is the need for intensive research on alternative control measures to keep nematode population at low level without environmental consequences. Plantain peel extract mediated silver nanoparticles and other organic extracts from the peels were investigated for their nematicidal potential by comparing with the standard carbofuran. Air-dried plantain peels were grinded in to powder and divided into four parts, one part was extracted with ethanol, two parts were extracted with n-hexane. A part of the n-hexane extract was derivatized, while the remaining powder was used directly as soil amendment. The ethanol extract was used as reducing agent in the synthesis of silver nanoparticles. The nanoparticles were characterised with UV-visible spectroscopy and SEM which shows that the particles are oval and planar in nature. Significant (P=0.05) reduction in M. incognita population and root gall index was observed in tomato plants treated with silver nanoparticles. There was a direct relationship between yield and dosage of treatment application. Plantain peel extract nanoparticles may serve as a potential bio-nematicide for M. incognita as an alternative to the synthetic nematicide, therefore a contribution to environmental sustainability.