Greenhouse and Laboratory Evaluation of The Efficiency of Green Silicon Dioxide Nanoparticles Against Tetranychus urticae (Koch)

Abstract

Nanotechnology takes a significant position in controlling pests. Silicon dioxide nanoparticles (SiO2-NPs) is considered one of the best alter-natives to chemical pesticides for plant crop protection from harmful arthro-pods such as phytophagous mites, Tetranychus urticae. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the effect of (SiO2-NPs) to control T. urticae. Under green-house conditions, the results revealed, in the larval stage, a high mortality percentage (99.05±0.83%) followed by eggs (98.74±1.22%). Besides, the nymph stage recorded high mortality (94.66±1.81%) at a high concentration of 1500 ppm. While the adult females of T. urticae recorded mortality of 91.92±1.02% after 72h. Eventually, the immature stages of T. urticae were susceptible to (SiO2-NPs). Meanwhile, at laboratory evaluation on immature stages of T. urticae which resulted from live treated females during 96h showed a sharp decrease in average numbers of eggs through 96h, at 1000 and 1500 ppm. No numbers of the larval stage were recorded at 1500 ppm. No number of nymph stage were recorded at all concentrations and periods. Moreover, activity of AChE was significantly inhibited at 1500 ppm, while activity of glutathione-S-transferase was significantly increased after 72 h. Finally, (SiO2-NPs) are effective against immature stages of T. urticae under greenhouse and laboratory conditions.

Keywords

• tetranychus urticae
• biological control
• silicon dioxide nanoparticles
• acetylcholinesterase
• glutathione-s-transferase