Non-Faradaic Electrochemical Impedance-Based Quantification of Fusarium fujikuroi Using a Leaf-Based Biodegradable Sensing Platform

The well-known phytopathogen Fusarium fujikuroi is the cause of the silly seedling disease, also known as the bakanae disease of rice. In this study, we propose and demonstrate a bio sensing platform for quantification of F. fujikuroi using non-Faradaic electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The traditional methods for detection of fungi are time consuming, laborious and intensive. Therefore, the proposed work serves a quick low-cost rapid method to detect and quantify fungi without any additional reagents. Utilizing conductive fillers, largely graphite powder and chitosan binder, superior conductive graphite/chitosan composite ink with resistance ranging from 50 to 80 Ω.m. was prepared. Screen printing of ink was done on biodegradable processed Banyan leaves which were made hydrophilic using a DMSO treatment. When compared to conventional sensor materials, using a leafbased biodegradable sensing platform reduces environmental impact and is in line with sustainable practices. Non-Faradaic EIS platforms offer an invaluable resource for accurate, economical, and environmentally responsible quantification of Fusarium fujikuroi, greatly advancing both disease control tactics and agricultural practices.