Efficacy of nanoparticles against rice weevil [Sitophilus oryzae (Linnaeus)] on maize seeds

Abstract

An experiment was conducted at National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (NBPGR), Regional Research Station, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad and Seed Research and Technology Centre, PJTSAU Rajendranagar, during 2015-16, to study the effect of nano particles viz, nano silica, nano alumina and nano clay at thee different dosages @ 500, 250, 125 ppm kg-1 maize seed and Diatomaceous earth @ 1000 ppm kg-1 seed along with control on Sitophilus oryzae (Linnaeus). All the treatments were replicated thrice. Among the three nanocides, nano silica applied at 500 ppm kg-1 dosage showed the superior performance over other treatments resulting in cent percent mortality at one day after treatment followed by nano silica @ 250 and 125 ppm kg-1 which caused cent percent mortality at three days after treatment. Nano silica at 500, 250 and 125 ppm kg-1 inhibited oviposition and no adult emergence of S. oryzae was observed and has a great promise in pest management.