Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles using marigold flowers extract for eco-friendly management of root knot nematode

Plant-parasitic nematodes (PPNs) pose a major threat to global food security, resulting in significant yield loss in economically valuable crops. The growing demand for sustainable and eco-friendly alternatives has driven enthusiasm for plant-based solutions as effective and environmentally responsible approaches. So, in this study, the nematicidal activity of four plant extracts viz., garlic and giloy leaves, giloy stem and marigold flowers were assessed, and it was confirmed that marigold flowers demonstrated the highest phyto-nematicidal properties. We also investigated a sustainable method to enhance the efficacy of phyto- nematicides by fabricating silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) from marigold flowers extract and these green synthesized nanoparticles were characterized by using FTIR, TEM, DLS, Zeta potential and UV–VIS spectrophotometer. In vitro, bioassays were conducted to analyze the impact of marigold aqueous extract and their nanoformulation against Meloidogyne incognita at different time intervals, i.e. 24 h, 48 h and 72 h. Marigold-mediated AgNPs showed the maximum mortality (93.60 %) of M. incognita after 72 h of treatment as compared to the control (6.89 %). The nanoformulation of marigold flowers introduces a novel approach that enhances PPNs suppression while maintaining environmental sustainability. The marigold flowers-mediated bio-nematicide nanoformulation could be used as an ancillary for minimizing the consumption of chemical pesticides in crops. Thus, the marigold-based nematode management strategy may lead to improved crop yield in eco-friendly and cost-effective manner for the achieving of a bio-circular economy.