An In Vitro Study of The Antifungal Activity of Silver/Chitosan Nanoformulations Against Important Seed Borne Pathogens

This research is reports the fungicidal properties of nano-size silver/chitosan nanoformulations (NFs) used as an agent for antifungal treatment of various seed borne plant pathogens. Fungal phytopathogens, especially seed borne disease causing species, Rhizoctonia solani, Aspergillus flavus, Alternaria alterneta were isolated form chickpea seeds. Differences were observed in the antifungal activity of the silver nanoparticle, chitosan nanoparticles and silver /chitosan nanocomposite, upon the mycelial growth and zone of inhibition of the fungi. Extent of fungal inhibition was derived using the above information, in order to evaluate the antifungal efficacy of these nanoformulations against pathogens. Tests for the fungal growth revealed that the NFs showed significant inhibition effectiveness. This study suggests the possibility to use silver/chitosan NFs as an alternative to fungicides for controlling seed borne phytopathogens.