Green synthesized silver nanoparticles using Malva Malva sylvestris as a potential management strategy for root-knot nematode Meloidogyne javanica on tomato Solanum lycopersicum

Root-knot nematodes, Meloidogyne spp. cause 5% of the global crop losses. Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are a potentially effective nematicide. There are many methods to synthesize metallic nanoparticles, including using organic compounds, which are clean and environmentally friendly. In the present studies, the efficacy of as-synthesized AgNPs using Malva sylvestris extract (Ms-AgNPs) on egg hatching and mortality of the second-stage juveniles (J2) of M. javanica in vitro, and on the growth parameters of nematode infected tomato plant under greenhouse conditions was investigated. The results showed that increasing Ms-AgNPs concentration decreased the hatching rate and increased the mortality of J2. Ms-AgNPs at 107, 164 and 250 ppm reduced J2 numbers by 30, 50, and 70%, respectively, and were established as lethal doses for nematode control. Ms-AgNPs at a dosage of 250 ppm reduced the number of eggs in the root system and the nematode reproduction factor by 60.4 and 56.3%, respectively, and increased shoot length and shoot fresh weight by 11.2 and 14%, respectively. Ms-AgNPs at a very low concentration reduced the population of M. javanica without causing any harmful effects on tomato. Therefore it can be used in nematode control strategies due to its environmentally friendly composition.