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Root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.) cause great economic impact in the sector of agriculture while the number of existing commercial nematicides has been drastically reduced. The metal-based nanoparticles offer new possibilities as agrochemicals. In the current study, we shed light on the role of copper/iron based nanoparticles as bioactive agents against the root knot nematode Meloidogyne spp; along with the plant enhancement properties on the nematode infested host. Same sized PEGylated Cu, CuFe and CuFeO 2 NPs, were solvothermally synthesized characterized and evaluated against M. incognita and M. javanica nematodes, in terms of paralysis and biological cycle arrest in tomato plants. Comparisons were made against the commercial nematicide fosthiazate. All the tested compositions revealed nematicidal activity, but CuFe NPs were found best effective exhibiting the lowest EC 50 value calculated at 0.03 μg ai g/soil. Additionally, a fresh shoot and root weight increase was evident in tomato plants treated with CuFe NPs.

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