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The key pathways for synthesizing nanoparticles are physical and chemical, usually expensive and possibly hazardous to the environment. In the recent past, the evaluation of green chemistry or biological techniques for synthesizing metal nanoparticles from plant extracts has drawn the attention of many researchers. The literature on the green production of nanoparticles using various metals (i.e., gold, silver, zinc, titanium and palladium) and plant extracts is discussed in this study. The generalized mechanism of nanoparticle synthesis involves reduction, stabilization, nucleation, aggregation and capping, followed by characterization. During biosynthesis, major difficulties often faced in maintaining the structure, size and yield of particles can be solved by monitoring the development parameters such as temperature, pH and reaction period. To establish a widely accepted approach, researchers must first explore the actual process underlying the plant-assisted synthesis of a metal nanoparticle and its action on others. The green synthesis of NPs is gaining attention owing to its facilitation of the development of alternative, sustainable, safer, less toxic and environment-friendly approaches. Thus, green nanotechnology using plant extract opens up new possibilities for the synthesis of novel nanoparticles with the desirable characteristics required for developing biosensors, biomedicine, cosmetics and nano-biotechnology, and in electrochemical, catalytic, antibacterial, electronics, sensing and other applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Root-knot nematodes pose a severe threat to worldwide agricultural development. Due to the high toxicity of chemical nematicides, eco-friendly control strategies against root-knot nematodes need to be established. A pot and in vitro experiment were performed to estimate nematicidal potential of Pochonia chlamydosporia. P. chlamydosporia was used alone or in combination with two botanicals for controlling Meloidogyne incognita in chickpea. The laboratory assessment was performed with four prepared concentrations (S, S/2, S/10, S/25) of fungal inoculum of P. chlamydosporia against egg hatching and second-stage juvenile's mortality of M. incognita. All four concentrations reduced egg hatching and increased mortality of J2s. In pot experiment, P. chlamydosporia was used with chopped leaves of two botanicals viz., Ageratum conyzoides and Eichhornia crassipes against M. incognita in chickpea. All the treatments found significantly suppressed root infestation caused by M. incognita and improved growth and physiological attributes of chickpea. The combined application of P. chlamydosporia + A. conyzoides was found highly effective, and E. crassipes alone was least. Therefore, using P. chlamydosporia with botanicals is a promising sustainable strategy in agriculture against M. incognita infected chickpea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]