| Abstrakt: |
The biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles using Moringa oleifera leaf extracts and the evaluation of their effect on the biology of the pulse beetle, Callosobruchus maculatus, were carried out. The efficiency of the nanocomposite and M. oleifera extract was used to determine the mortality of the insects, egg production, and egg hatching. In this experiment, 10 insects, including 5 males and 5 females, were placed on 10 g of cowpea seeds and treated with three concentrations (1, 1.5, and 2%) of the nanoproduct and Moringa leaf extract. Due to the nanocomposite, 80% mortality was recorded compared to no mortality in controls after 7-day post-treatment at a 2% treatment level. The fecundity was reduced to 27.77% compared to 42.33% in controls, and egg hatching was only 9.82% compared to 90.99% in controls. The Moringa extract application incurred significantly similar mortality at the three concentrations, ranging between 43 and 50%. However, fecundity decreased to 8.44%. The results suggest that the Moringa plant leaf extract significantly impacted eggs’ fecundity and fertility more than the nanoproduct; however, the nanocomposite was more toxic. The nanoparticle-based product for transferring candidate extract to the target site was significantly better (high toxicity) than M. oleifera extract alone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
