Synthesis and characterization of copper-chitosan based nanofungicide and its induced defense responses in Fusarium wilt of banana

In the present study, Copper-chitosan nanoparticles were synthesized and evaluated for their antifungal potential both in vitro and in vivo studies against Fusarium wilt of banana caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense (Foc). Cu-ChNPs were synthesized and characterized by Ultraviolet-Visible spectrometric (UV-Vis) studies, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) analysis, as well as Transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The presence of pure Cu-ChNPs was confirmed using XRD analysis. The TEM images revealed the spherical shaped nanoparticles with 50 nm. The Cu-ChNPs have shown significant antifungal potential against Foc which showed 13 +/- 2.5, 14 +/- 2.1, and 14 +/- 2.1 mm mycelial growth inhibition at 0.10, 0.20, and 0.30 mg/mL concentration, respectively. In pot experiments, 0.20 mg/mL concentration of Cu-ChNPs showed more effective in percentage efficacy of disease control (PEDC) in banana plants with the results of 73% against Foc. Further, the effectiveness of Cu-ChNPs in defense enzymes study indicates higher activities against Foc in banana plants and proved the effectiveness of Cu-ChNPs under greenhouse conditions. The overall results confirm the antifungal capabilities of Cu-ChNPs against Fusarium wilt in both in vitro and in vivo studies. Further, synthesized Cu-ChNPs may act as a nanofungicide for the delivery of agrochemicals.