TiO₂ nanoparticle biosynthesis and its physiological effect on mung bean (Vigna radiata L.)

TiO₂ nanoparticle (NPs) biosynthesis is a low cost, ecofriendly approach developed using the fungi Aspergillus flavus TFR 7. To determine whether TiO₂ NPs is suitable for nutrient, we conducted a two part study; biosynthesis of TiO₂ NP and evaluates their influence on mung bean. The characterized TiO₂ NPs were foliar sprayed at 10 mgL^-1 concentration on the leaves of 14 days old mung bean plants. A significant improvement was observed in shoot length (17.02%), root length (49.6%), root area (43%), root nodule (67.5%), chlorophyll content (46.4%) and total soluble leaf protein (94%) as a result of TiO₂ NPs application. In the rhizosphere microbial population increased by 21.4-48.1% and activity of acid phosphatase (67.3%), alkaline phosphatase (72%), phytase (64%) and dehydrogenase (108.7%) enzyme was observed over control in six weeks old plants owing to application of TiO₂ NPs. A possible mechanism has also been hypothesized for TiO₂ NPs biosynthesis.