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ABSTRACT
The utilisation of nanotechnology in agriculture holds significant promise, offering innovative solutions to enhance biocontrol strategies. The present study was aimed at investigating the impact of magnesium oxide nanoparticles (MgONPs) on fungi isolated from agricultural soils towards biocontrol potential. Soil samples from various locations in Benin City, Nigeria, were collected. Fungi were isolated from the agricultural soil samples and characterized using cultural and microscopic methods. The pathogen among them was characterized using molecular technique. Magnesium oxide nanoparticles (MgONPs) were biologically synthesised using neem (Azadiracta indica) leaf extract and magnesium chloride precursor solution. In vitro protective ability of the fungal isolates were tested against a pathogenic fungus on potato dextrose agar supplemented with different concentrations of MgONPs using antagonistic co-culture technique. The results showed that the isolated fungi were Fusarium oxysporum, Fusarium solani, and Aspergillus flavus. The pathogen was identified as Aspergillus niger. In the co-culture assay, Fusarium oxysporum demonstrated robust biocontrol activity against the test pathogen with 20 and 30% MgONP supplementation of potato dextrose agar (PDA), while Aspergillus flavus exhibited effective inhibition of growth of Aspergillus niger at 10% MgONP supplementation. Fusarium solani showed promising biocontrol potential at 10 and 20% MgONP supplementation. The findings of this study indicate that MgONPs influenced the biocontrol potential of the test fungi.
