Unveiling the Effect of Green Synthesized Ag and Cu Nanoparticles in Control of Pulse Beetles Under Storage and Assessment of Seed Quality Under Greenhouse and Field Conditions in Greengram Vigna radiata L

Abstract

The investigation on impact of silver and copper nanoparticles biosynthesized through newlineocimum leaf extract on the control of bruchids and seed quality enhancement in storage, as newlinewell as their effect on plant growth, seed yield and seed quality of greengram (Vigna radiata newlineL.) was carried out at the Department of Seed Science and Technology, University of newlineAgricultural Sciences, Dharwad during 2021-2023. Storage pests, particularly bruchids, are newlinemajor biotic constraints causing significant storage losses in pulses. The estimated postharvest newlinelosses caused by bruchids to pulses ranged from 30-40% within six months of storage. newlineConventional control methods relying on insecticides and fumigants often lead to food newlinecontamination due to toxic pesticide residues and a rapid decline in seed germination. In this newlineinvestigation, through green nano-technological application, a promising and sustainable newlinealternative for pest management is developed. Silver (Ag) and copper (Cu) nanoparticles newline(NPs) were green synthesized through ocimum leaf extract. The silver nanoparticles have newlineexcellent anti-insecticidal as well as antimicrobial properties. Whereas; copper nanoparticles newlinehave antifungal attributes. The characterization of AgNPs and CuNPs were carried out by newlineUV-spectroscopy, Particle Size Analyzer, Scanning Electron Microscopy, X-Ray Diffraction, newlineand Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy. Both the NPs were spherical and crystalline in newlinenature. Greengram seeds were primed with standardized Ag and Cu nanoparticles at different newlineconcentrations (1000, 1500 and 2000 ppm) and compared with castor oil treated, deltamethrin newlinetreated and untreated control seeds, for seed quality, growth and yield. After one month of newlinestorage, all the pulse beetles released in different treatments exhibited 100 % mortality, newlinewhereas in control the insects multiplied. At the end of nine months, the control seeds had newlineshown 72 % damage and 39.67 % germination. In contrast, Ag nanoparticles at 1000 ppm newlineshowed no seed damage and achieved 81.67 % germination which was o