Molecular Docking of Biosynthesized Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles to Screen Their Impact on Fungal Pathogen of Carrot Plant

Abstract

Zinc plays a key role in plants growth and application of Zinc can, therefore, contribute to crop yield improvement. Nowadays, nanoparticles have received high attention because to their novel properties. The current work is done with an aim to investigate the biosynthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) and effect on fungus Rhizoctonia solani and on carrot crop. Use of nanoparticles as a nano-fertilizer requires an understanding of nanoparticles impact on crop plants We have used seed coat of almond for the synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) characterized by EDS, FTIR, SEM and TEM. Spray with 50ppm and 100 ppm caused significant increase in plant growth parameter of carrot plants. It has been reported that the synthesized ZnO NPs demonstrated an inhibitory activity against plant pathogenic fungi R. solani. Antifungal efficiency of ZnONPs was further explained with help of Molecular docking analysis. Confirmation of the least binding energy was used to predict binding site of receptor with NPs to know mechanistic approach. ZnONPs are likely to interact with the pathogens by mechanical enfolding which may be one of the major toxicity actions against R. solani by ZnONPs.

Trichoderma harzianum-Mediated ZnO Nanoparticles: A Green Tool for Controlling Soil-Borne Pathogens in Cotton

“…Nevertheless, most ZnONPs may have accumulated on the seed's exterior surface, with only a few particles moving into the stele and available for biodistribution and bioaccumulation, making seed priming less effective than foliar spray [68]. ZnONPs are believed to interact with pathogens through mechanical enfolding, which could be one of the main mechanisms of ZnONPs toxicity against R. solani [69].…”