ABSTRACT

The laboratory and Pot experiment on impact of Ag and SiNPs green synthesized through moringa leaf extract on groundnut seed quality, growth and Spodoptera litura were carried out in the Department of Seed Science and Technology, Green Nano-Technology Laboratory, University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad and KVK, Dharwad during 2023-2024. Moringa olifera leaf extract was responsible for reduction in size and acts as a capping agent. Characterization were carried out through UV-Vis spectrophotometer (AgNPs – 435 nm, SiNPs – 230 nm), PSA (AgNPs –75.77 nm, SiNPs – 74.92 nm), SEM (Spherical in morphology) and XRD confirmed the presence, size and composition of nanoparticles. Experiment was conducted to standardize, concentration and duration for the seed priming from 250, 500, 750 and 1000 ppm for silver and silicon nanoparticles for 15 minutes, 30 minutes, and 45 minutes. Best three concentrations of AgNPs (500, 750 and 1000 ppm) and SiNPs (250, 500 and 750 ppm) were evaluated for seed quality parameters along with hydropriming and control. 1000 ppm of AgNPs with 45 minutes priming duration recorded significantly higher germination (%), SVI -I, SDW and, SVI – II. Under greenhouse conditions, among nanoparticles treatements AgNPs primed with 1000 ppm for 45 minutes followed by foliar application at 2000 ppm at 30 DAS recorded significantly higher larval mortality (83.32 %) compared to control. Green- synthesized AgNPs from Moringa leaf extract significantly enhanced seed quality, growth and control pests in groundnut.