Ram Prasad
Johns Hopkins University, USA
Title: Nanomaterials Enhances Fungal Biomass and Sustainable Agricultural Crop Productivity
Biography
Biography: Ram Prasad
Abstract
Nanotechnology is dealing with nano-meter sized particles. In order to enhance the utilization of nanomaterial in biological systems, it is very important to understand the influence they impart on the cellular health and function. Most of the nanomaterials reported earlier have demonstrated to be efficient antimicrobial agent. There is only a few or no report on the growth-promoting role of the nanomaterials especially with respect to microbes. Nano-agriculture involves the employment of nanoparticles in agriculture with the ambition that these particles will impart some beneficial effects on the crops. Viewing the plant growth promoting effects in many economically and medicinally important plants by symbiotic fungus Piriformospora indica, was chosen as a representative model to see the effect of nanoparticles on the fungal biomass and seedling development. The preliminary observations indicated that 2-3 fold in the presence of TiO2 as compared to control enhanced the fungal biomass. P. indica culture filtrate is known to enhance the seed germination and the growth of several plants. An independent test was performed with the culture filtrate of the nanomaterial treated fungal broth on the seeds of Broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica). The results indicated the stimulation of seed germination by TiO2. This property has been patented (Application No. 14/DEL/2009; Reference No. E-12/3/2009-DEL). The results indicated that it may serve an excellent potential for producing liquid biofertilizers.