Bio-synthesized calcium carbonate (CaCO3) nanoparticles: Their anti-fungal properties and application as nanofertilizer on Lycopersicon esculentum growth and gas exchange measurements

Thobo Motlhalamme; Hamza Mohamed; Amani Gabriel Kaningini; Garland Kgosi More; Force Tefo Thema; Keletso Cecilia Mohale; Malik Maaza

Plant Nano Biology (Nov 2023)

Bio-synthesized calcium carbonate (CaCO3) nanoparticles: Their anti-fungal properties and application as nanofertilizer on Lycopersicon esculentum growth and gas exchange measurements

Thobo Motlhalamme,
Hamza Mohamed,
Amani Gabriel Kaningini,
Garland Kgosi More,
Force Tefo Thema,
Keletso Cecilia Mohale,
Malik Maaza

Affiliations

Thobo Motlhalamme: UNESCO-UNISA Africa Chair in Nanosciences and Nanotechnology, College of Graduates Studies, University of South Africa, Muckleneuk Ridge, Pretoria 392, South Africa; Department of Agriculture and Animal Health, College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, University of South Africa, Private Bag X6, Florida 1710, South Africa; Corresponding author at: UNESCO-UNISA Africa Chair in Nanosciences and Nanotechnology, College of Graduates Studies, University of South Africa, Muckleneuk Ridge, Pretoria 392, South Africa.
Hamza Mohamed: UNESCO-UNISA Africa Chair in Nanosciences and Nanotechnology, College of Graduates Studies, University of South Africa, Muckleneuk Ridge, Pretoria 392, South Africa; Nanosciences African Network (NANOAFNET), iThemba LABS-National Research Foundation, 1 Old Faure Road, Somerset West 7129, PO Box 722, Somerset West, Western Cape 722, South Africa; iThemba Laboratory for Accelerator-Based Sciences, National Research Foundation, PO Box 722, Somerset West 7129, South Africa
Amani Gabriel Kaningini: UNESCO-UNISA Africa Chair in Nanosciences and Nanotechnology, College of Graduates Studies, University of South Africa, Muckleneuk Ridge, Pretoria 392, South Africa; Department of Agriculture and Animal Health, College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, University of South Africa, Private Bag X6, Florida 1710, South Africa
Garland Kgosi More: College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, CAES Laboratories, University of South Africa, Private Bag X06, Florida 1710, South Africa
Force Tefo Thema: UNESCO-UNISA Africa Chair in Nanosciences and Nanotechnology, College of Graduates Studies, University of South Africa, Muckleneuk Ridge, Pretoria 392, South Africa; Nanosciences African Network (NANOAFNET), iThemba LABS-National Research Foundation, 1 Old Faure Road, Somerset West 7129, PO Box 722, Somerset West, Western Cape 722, South Africa; Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (BUAN), Gaborone, Botswana
Keletso Cecilia Mohale: Department of Agriculture and Animal Health, College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, University of South Africa, Private Bag X6, Florida 1710, South Africa
Malik Maaza: UNESCO-UNISA Africa Chair in Nanosciences and Nanotechnology, College of Graduates Studies, University of South Africa, Muckleneuk Ridge, Pretoria 392, South Africa; Nanosciences African Network (NANOAFNET), iThemba LABS-National Research Foundation, 1 Old Faure Road, Somerset West 7129, PO Box 722, Somerset West, Western Cape 722, South Africa; iThemba Laboratory for Accelerator-Based Sciences, National Research Foundation, PO Box 722, Somerset West 7129, South Africa

Journal volume & issue: Vol. 6
p. 100050

Abstract

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Bio-synthesized calcium carbonate nanoparticles (CaCO3 NPs) have gained attention because of their cost-effectiveness, minimal toxicity, biological compatibility, cytological compatibility, pH sensitivity, gradual biological degradability and ecological friendliness. As the global population is expected to rise to billions, innovative strategies to enhance crop production are necessary to address poverty challenges. This study assesses the effect of the bioinspired CaCO3 NPs as nanofertilizers on the development, gas exchange and yield parameters of tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum) and their antifungal activity. The trial was conducted in a 2×4 completely randomised design (CRD) with four replicates. The treatments consisted of different CaCO3 NPs concentrations (Control = 0 mg/L, 50 mg/L, 150 mg/L and 250 mg/L) on two tomato cultivars (Money-maker and Heinz-1370), and the antifungal activity of the CaCO3 NPs was tested against pathogens that cause diseases in tomato plants. The results demonstrate that CaCO3 NPs exhibit moderate antifungal activity against Cladosporium cladosporioides, Fusarium oxysporum and Penicillium halotolerans at minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of 125, 250 and 500 µg/mL. Results further show that 250 mg/L exhibits the highest number of leaves on Money-maker, while 150 mg/L gave the highest number of leaves at week 8 for Heinz-1370. The application of 150 mg/L yielded the highest number of flowers in both cultivars compared to other treatments. Remarkably, different CaCO3 NP concentrations varied the gas exchange parameters and revealed that at concentrations higher than 150 mg/L, the efficiency of water use during the vegetative and fruiting stages was lowered. The highest fruit weight of the Money-maker was observed at 50 mg/L, whereas Heinz-1370’s fruit weight was higher at 250 mg/L, indicating that the two cultivars are affected differently by the foliar application of CaCO3 NPs. Therefore, the findings of this study suggest that the inclusion of a green synthesis of CaCO3 NPs as a nanofertilizer has the potential to promote tomato growth and yield.

Published in Plant Nano Biology

ISSN: 2773-1111 (Online)
Publisher: Elsevier
Country of publisher: Netherlands
LCC subjects: Science: Botany
Website: https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/plant-nano-biology

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