Suppression of dry root rot disease caused by Rhizoctonia bataticola (Taub.) Butler in chickpea plants by application of thiamine loaded chitosan nanoparticles

The present study evaluated the effect of thiamine loaded chitosan nanoparticle (TChNp) on chickpea plant growth under greenhouse condition. TChNp treated plants showed increased number of leaves, branches, shoot/root length, number of secondary roots and plant dry weight. Enhanced nodulation with larger nodules was observed in TChNp treated chickpea plants. A significant increase in the number of flowers, pods and grain yield was observed in the TChNp treated chickpea plants compared to the chitosan and untreated control. The TChNps showed direct antifungal activity towards Rhizoctonia bataticola as evidenced by in vitro and SEM analyses, which might be due to the solubility and size of the nanoparticle. TChNps treated chickpea plants challenged with R. bataticola showed significant reduction in plant mortality compared to infected untreated control under pot condition. These results indicate the potential of the TChNps in enhancing the yield and suppressing the dry root rot disease in chickpea. •TChNp application to chickpea plants showed positive response.•TChNp application stimulated the nodulation number and size.•TChNp enhanced yield of chickpea.•TChNp exhibited antifungal activity towards Rhizoctonia bataticola.•Significant reduction in plant mortality in treated and R. bataticola infected chickpea plants.