Abstract
Reduced graphene oxide (r-GO) was synthesized chemically and it was characterized using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM) and X-Ray Diffraction (XRD). The results revealed that the product r-GO is nano-sheets with non-smooth surface; the size of the obtained nano-sheets ranged from 20 to 100 nm. The well characterized nano-sheets were subjected to cytotoxicity test; results demonstrated that the nano-sheets show low cytotoxicity on the human cell line compared with the chemical nematicide. The r-GO was tested against the nematode during their life span and it was observed that the r-GO is capable to reduce the nematode gall number and egg mass of 94% and 99%, respectively. Moreover, the toxicity of the r-GO against the Juvenile (J2) root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne incognita) was also examined either in laboratory or under the greenhouse conditions. On the other hand, the treatment with the r-GO under greenhouse conditions showed higher mortality of the J2 of 98.5% compared with nematicidal treatment of 96% in a soil infested with M. incognita. Also, the same treatment was sufficient in inducting the growth of tomato plants: fresh weight of the shoot system increased with 30% and of the root system increased up to 285%; dry weight of the shoot system increased with 128% and of the root system increased up to 480%. r-GO has a high nematicidal activity and it is safe for human. The r-Go could be used as safe nematocide because it is safe, cheep, could be produced at large scale, and it is a good additive for the soil.
Keywords: Meloidogyne incognita; carbon nanostructure; reduced graphene oxide r-GO; cytotoxicity and nematicide