Abstract
The preliminary insecticidal efficacy of green synthesized Zinc oxide nanoparticles ZnO (NPs) against insect pests associated with tomato crops was investigated in this study, i.e., Spodoptera litura (Tobacco cutworm) and Macrosiphum euphorbiae (Potato aphid). The ZnO NPs were green synthesized using Zingiber officinale rhizome extract and characterized using X-ray diffraction XRD, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX), and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM). The FE-SEM and HR-TEM analysis confirmed the surface morphology and shape of ZnO NPs. The FTIR spectrum study revealed the numerous functional groups in the ZnO NPs, zinc acetate, and ginger extract. UV spectroscopy was used to analyze the optical peak of ZnO NPs. The effect of ZnO NPs at different concentrations (100 ppm, 200 ppm, 300 ppm, 400 ppm, and 500 ppm) was studied against insect pests associated with tomato crops, i.e., S. litura (Tobacco cutworm) and M. euphorbiae (Potato aphid). On application of ZnO NPs at different concentrations, 3rd instar larvae of S. litura and adults of M. euphorbiae showed 100% mortality @ 500 ppm ZnO NPs at the exposure period of 144 h. The results revealed that an increase in concentrations of the ZnO NPs increased the mortality in the insects. The findings demonstrated the effectiveness of green synthesized ZnO NPs as an effective control agent against insects/pests. Nanoparticles act as an eco-friendly alternative insecticide for insect/pest management compared to synthetic insecticides such as thiamethoxam and imidacloprid),