Endophytic Fungal (Periconia sp.) Biomass Derived 2D Biocarbon and its Influence on Germination and Growth of Mung Bean: A Preliminary Study

Abstract

Periconia sp. (endophytic fungus) biomass was effectively explored as the source for the fabrication of carbon nanostructures by one-step carbonization at 800∘C for 2[Formula: see text]h. The morphological characterizations of obtained biocarbon through SEM and TEM analysis revealed the formation of 2D-platelet-like carbon nanostructures. Further, its phase and structural characterizations through Raman and XRD analysis also supported the same. The obtained biocarbon was coated upon mung bean seeds to investigate its influence on germination and growth. The preliminary results revealed that the biocarbon accelerates seed germination and growth behavior of mung bean, which was observed by means of length, mass, and surface area profile respectively for the the plant’s shoots, roots, and leaves. It was also found that the germination and growth effects are highly dependent on the concentration of the biocarbon, in which 1000[Formula: see text]mg of biocarbon in 50[Formula: see text]mL of water is found to be higher than the lower concentration for seed germination and seedling growth.