The biological synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) from plant extracts has emerged as a novel
method for producing NPs with great scalability and biocompatibility. The present study is focused on biofabricated
zinc oxide nanomaterial characterization and investigation of its photocatalytic and antifungal
activities. ZnO NPs were biosynthesized using the leaf extract of Polyalthia longifolia without using
harmful reducing or capping chemicals, which demonstrated fungicidal activity against Fusarium
oxysporum f. sp. ciceris. The results showed that the inhibition of the radial growth of F. oxysporum f. sp.
ciceris was enhanced as the concentration increased from 100 ppm to 300 ppm. The effectiveness of
the photocatalytic activity of biosynthesized ZnO NPs was analyzed using MB dye degradation in
aqueous medium under ultraviolet (UV) radiation and natural sunlight. After four consecutive cycles, the
photocatalytic degradation of MB was stable and was 84%, 83%, 83%, and 83%, respectively, during
natural sunlight exposure. Under the UV sources, degradation reached 92%, 89%, 88%, and 87%,
respectively, in 90 minutes. This study suggests that the ZnO NPs obtained from plant extract have
outstanding photocatalytic and antifungal activities against F. oxysporum f. sp. ciceris and have the
potential for application as a natural pest control agent to reduce pathogenesis.