Green synthesized CuO/Se nanocomposite with assessment cytotoxic responses in onion roots and suppresses its root rot fungi

Abstract

Nanocomposite (NCs) are useful in many fields, especially agriculture, despite their questionable safety. Despite the availability of numerous commercial nano-pesticides, insecticides, and fertilizers, little is understood about how they could harm plant cells. In this work, we synthesize copper oxide/selenium nanocomposites (CuO/Se NCs) utilizing fruit extract from Ficus nitida as a capping and reducing agent. The cytotoxicity and mitotic index of the tip root of Allium cepa were assessed. Dynamic light scattering (DLS), Zeta potential, SAED, and TEM studies were used to characterize the CuO/Se NCs. The CuO/Se NCs had sizes of 20.54 nm and were spherical and almost uniformly dispersed; the zeta potential value was determined to be −31.2 mV. Disrupted and sticky chromosomes were among the numerous chromosomal abnormalities brought by CuO/Se nanocomposites. CuO/Se nanocomposites showed concentration-dependent effects against Aspergillus niger , Fusarium semitectium, and Alternaria tenuis . At low CuO/Se nanocomposite concentrations, fungal growth was slightly stimulated, reaching 13.3 % and 8.3 % for A. niger , 9.09 % and 4.54 % for F. semitectium, and 10.90 % and 7.27 % for A. tenius at 10 and 20 ppm, respectively. In contrast, growth was significantly inhibited at higher concentrations, with inhibition reaching 30.0 % and 56.6 % for A. niger , 27.27 % and 53.03 % for F. semitectium, and 27.27 % and 60.0 % for A. tenius at 40 and 80 ppm, respectively. These results connects the physicochemical characteristics of the nanocomposite to its biological activity, illuminating its potential application as a sustainable nanomaterial for controlling agricultural diseases.