Silver biogenic nanoparticles based on Trichoderma harzianum: different synthesis conditions, evaluation of cyto/genotoxicity and inhibitory potential of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum

Abstract

Population growth has led to a higher demand for food and a search for solutions that besides causing productivity improvement achieve control of existing pests. Sclerotinia sclerotiorum is a plant pathogenic fungus that affects different cultures, among them soybean, and has been causing meaningful losses to Brazil and the rest of the world. Chemical fungicides which do not present the desired effects and also exhibit high toxicity are applied in the control of this pest. In this way, as an alternative, there is the biological control, but this kind of control often has its action impaired by environmental factors such as sun exposure. Trichoderma harzianum is one of the most studied mycoparasites that in addition to controlling the pathogen brings the crops some benefits, but it presents the same problems of other species applied in pest control. Nanotechnology is a new technology highlighted in the last years, which despite being recent in agriculture, presents some promising solutions, conducting for new studies and attempts to solve some of the faced problems. Based on this scenario, this proposal aims to perform the biogenic synthesis of silver nanoparticles using T. harzianum filtrate as reductant and stabilizer in different conditions, and thus integrate biological control and nanotechnology for application in S. sclerotiorum control. The project also aims the nanoparticles characterization, the evaluation of its toxicity on different cell lines and agricultural important microorganisms and their effects on soybean crops. The significance of this proposal is related to the necessity of developing effective solutions for plant pathogens control and environmental impacts reduction, contributing for food and health security. (AU)