Impact of nanoparticle materials on the control of seedling pests in the Egyptian cotton

Abstract EN

Nanotechnology opens a large scope of novel application in the fields of biotechnology and agricultural industries, because nanoparticles often have unique physical and chemical properties, i.e.

high surface area, high reactivity, tunable pore size, and particle morphology.

So, this study aims to assess the effects of nanoparticles on cotton seedling pests under field conditions.

Cotton seeds were treated with five nanoparticles (NPs) ; titanium dioxide (TiO2), zinc oxide (ZnO), iron oxide (FeO), silicon dioxide (SiO2) and Copper oxide (CuO) at three concentrations; high 1000 ppm, middle 500 ppm and low 250 ppm in a field experiment during 2017 and 2018.

Our results demonstrated that cotton plants cultivated among 25cm distance treated with five nanoparticles affect the seedling pest infestation.

Both CuO and TiO2 nanoparticles were the most effective treatments against the Jassid pest Empoasca lybica (De Berg.) (Hemiptera:Cicadellidae) at high concentration during the two tested years.

While, the ZnO had the most potent effect in decreasing the whiteflies populations Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) at the three tested concentrations during both 2017 and 2018 years.

Also, TiO2, SiO2 and CuO induced the most potent effect against thrips pest Thrips tabaci Lindeman (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) at high concentrations during the two tested years, also ZnO and FeO reduced thrips pest populations to zero at 1000 ppm during 2017 year.

On the other hand, Tio2 nanoparticles caused the highest powerful effect against the red spider pest Tetranychus telarius (L.) (Acari: Tetranychidae) in during the two years.

TiO2 and ZnO nanoparticles treatments caused the most competent action against aphids Aphis gossypii Glover (Hemiptera: Aphididae) during 2017 and 2018 respectively.

Thus, treatment of cotton plants with these nanoparticles extremely contributed in lessening insect populations and so improving cotton crop production.