Antifoliary activity of gold nanoparticles against Rhizophora apiculata saplings.

Application of safe nano-coating has become a topic of great interest in the field of bio-nanotechnology because of their potential for increased shelf life of many bio-based products. The present study investigated the synthesis of gold nanoparticles and its antifoliary activity against Rhizophora apiculata saplings. The gold nanoparticles sprayed in the Rhizophora saplings showed good antifoliary activity against the leaf eating insects as well as growth enhancement of the saplings. In the present study, after 30 days of monitoring, the nanoparticle increased the shelf life of treated plants when compared to control with respect to height, internodal difference, leaf area and number of leaves. This study highlighted the possibility of using gold nanoparticles as an antifoliar agent to prevent medicinal, endangered and rare plants of coastal origin.