Green iron oxide nanoparticles and magnetic nanobiochar: enhancing tomato performance, phytochemicals, and root-knot nematode resistance
Nashaat N. Mahmoud, Asmaa Khader, Esawy Mahmoud
Abstract
Abstract Background Green nanoparticles are considered to be an effective strategy for improving phytochemicals and raising productivity in soil infected by root-knot nematodes. This work aims to understand the characteristics of certain nanomaterials, including non-iron (nFe), green non-iron (GnFe), and green magnetic nanobiochar (GMnB), and the effect of adding them at 3 and 6 mg kg − 1 on phytochemicals and tomato ( Solanum lycopersicum) plant growth in soils infected by root-knot nematodes. Results Spectroscopic characterization of nanomaterials showed that nFe, GnFe, and GMnB contained functional groups (e.g., Fe-O, S-H, C-H, OH, and C = C) and possessed a large surface area. Application of GMB at 6 mg kg − 1 was the most efficient treatment for increasing the phytochemicals of the tomato plant, with a rise of 123.2% in total phenolic, 194.7% in total flavonoids, 89.7% in total carbohydrate, 185.2% in total free amino acids, and 165.1% in total tannin compared to the untreated soil. Tomato plant growth and attributes increased with increasing levels of soil nano-amendment in this investigation. The addition of GnFe 3 and GnFe 6 increased the reduction of root galls of root-knot nematodes by 22.44% and 17.76% compared with nFe 3 and nFe 6 , respectively. The inclusion of the examined soil nano-amendments increased phytochemicals and reduced the total number of root-knot nematodes on tomato plants at varying rates, which played a significant role in enhancing tomato growth. Conclusions In conclusion, treating tomato plants with GnFe or GMnB can be used as a promising green nanomaterial to eliminate root-knot nematodes and increase tomato yield in sandy clay loam soil.