Green Iron Nanoparticles and Molecular Analysis of Musa spp. Infected with Root-Knot Nematodes | ||
| Egyptian Journal of Chemistry | ||
| Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript, Available Online from 18 September 2025 | ||
| Document Type: Original Article | ||
| DOI: 10.21608/ejchem.2025.404442.12073 | ||
| Authors | ||
| Mostafa S. M El-Ansary1; Mariam A. Nagy1; Asmaa M. Zakaria1; Khaled E. Mazrou1; Kamal FOUAD Abdellatif* 2 | ||
| 1Plant Biotechnology Department, Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology Research Institute (GEBRI), University of Sadat City (USC), Egypt. | ||
| 2Head of Plant Biotechnology Department, GEBRI, USC, Egypt | ||
| Abstract | ||
| Root knot nematodes (RKNs), Meloidogyne incognita, pose a significant problem for several plants worldwide, leading to crop losses. Several conventional approaches, such as chemical pesticides, have been used in the past to control M. incognita in banana (Musa spp.) plants. In a greenhouse assay aimed at decreasing RKN numbers in soil and root infestation, the efficacy of iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe₃O₄-NPs) was assessed alone and/or in combination with marine algae, Ulva lactuca, as well as chemical control (oxamyl) in inhibiting the life cycle of M. incognita. The novelty of this article includes the combination of iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe₃O₄-NPs) with marine algae (Ulva lactuca) for nematode control in banana as well as the use of molecular markers (ISSR) to monitor genotoxicity in nematode-control treatments. The data were statistically analyzed by ANOVA, and means were compared using LSD values. According to the results obtained in this research, it may be determined that U. lactuca (3%) and Fe3O₄-NPs (30%) were the most effective treatments for the rate of nematode build-up used in reducing the population numbers of M. incognita, followed by Fe3O₄-NPs (20%), which recorded 0.50, 0.53, and 0.66, respectively. Data of growth criteria based on weights and lengths of both shoots and roots as well as weights of corms was documented. For example, Fe3O₄-NPs (30%) and Fe3O₄-NPs (20%) treatment gave a significant increase in shoot weight, followed by U. Lactuca (2%) & Fe3O₄-NPs (20%) (5.6, 2.5, and 2.25 g, respectively). To evaluate potential genetic alterations induced by treatments, Inter-Simple Sequence Repeat (ISSR) markers were employed. A total of nine primers generated clear and reproducible bands, revealing a polymorphism rate of 52.4% across treatments. Cluster analysis based on ISSR profiles indicated that plants treated with Fe3O₄-NPs alone were genetically close to the uninfected control group, suggesting minimal DNA alterations. In contrast, treatments involving U. lactuca, oxamyl, and nematode control efficiency exhibited greater genetic divergence, indicating possible stress-related genomic changes. It can be concluded that Fe₃O₄-NPs, especially when combined with U. lactuca, offer a promising nanobiotechnological approach for integrated nematode management in bananas. This strategy not only effectively suppresses M. incognita populations and enhances plant growth but also poses minimal genotoxic risks, making it a viable alternative to traditional chemical nematicides. Future studies under field conditions and multi-season trials are recommended to validate these findings and optimize application protocols for broader agricultural use. | ||
| Keywords | ||
| RKNs; Banana; Fe3O₄-NPs; U. lactuca; ISSR; Cluster analysis; Genetic Variation | ||
|
Statistics Article View: 6 |
||
