Effect of iron sulfide nanopriming in reducing Drechslera seed rot and seedling mortality in rice

Potential of sonochemically synthesized iron sulfide aqua dispersed nanoparticles (FeS-NFs) against Drechslera oryzae causing seed rot and seedling blight in rice was examined. Stable aqua dispersed nanoparticles of FeS were prepared in situ using ferrous sulfate heptahydrate (FeSO₄. 7H₂O) and sodium sulfide (Na₂S) via sonochemical method. SEM graphs revealed the inhibition of spore formation in Drechslera oryzae at 17μg/ml, with much higher efficacy than the standard fungicide, captan. Rice seeds primed in FeS-NFs (30μg/ml) for 8 hours showed a significant reduction of 82.12% in seed rot and 76.08% in seedling blight which was far better than that controlled by captan (63.4% and 65.21%) and hydropriming (69.2% and 63.04%). The primed seeds showed maximum germination (90±2%) with longer shoot length (11.1±1.1cm) and vigorous seedlings without any symptoms of phytotoxicity. Utilization of FeS-NFs as eco-friendly water based antifungal seed priming agent (acting as both fungicide and nutrient) can provide better alternative to organic fungicides.