POLYMER STABILIZED BARIUM TUNGSTATE (BAWO4) NANOPARTICLES FOR ENHANCED PLANT GROWTH AND ANTIFUNGAL ACTIVITY

Abstract

This study investigates the potential of polymer-encapsulated barium tungstate (BaWO4) nanoparticles (NPs) as an agent for promoting plant growth and suppressing fungal pathogens. BaWO4 nanoparticles were synthesized via a chemical route and coated with polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) and polyethylene glycol (PEG) to enhance their stability and facilitate controlled release. The effects of the coated NPs on seed germination and early growth were evaluated in Phaseolus vulgaris and Linum usitatissimum, while antifungal activity against Fusarium oxysporum and Verticillium dahliae was assessed using the agar well diffusion method.. Characterization by X-ray diffraction confirmed the crystalline structure of the nanoparticles, with average crystallite sizes of 192 nm and 180 nm for PVP and PEG-coated BaWO₄ nanoparticles, respectively. The polymer-coated BaWO4 NPs significantly enhanced seed germination and early seedling development in both plant species without exhibiting phytotoxic effects. Antifungal tests revealed that water-dispersed BaWO4 NPs exhibited a clear zone of inhibition (10.03 ± 0.15 mm) at 100 mg/mL, whereas DMSO-dispersed NPs showed negligible activity. These findings suggest that polymer-encapsulated BaWO4 nanoparticles have promising applications as nano-enabled fertilizers and antifungal agents in sustainable agriculture.