Bio-efficacy of nanoparticles in tea garden prepared from Heliotropium indicum

Abstract

Silver nanoparticles prepared from aqueous extract of Heliotropium indicum leaves showed the potentiality to control the pests in tea garden. The nanoparticles controlled all of the insects including looper and semi-looper, red slug caterpillars and aphids. At 1 DAS (day after spraying), the winged and wingless aphids and termites died at a concentration of 20 mg/l of water. At 2 DAS, 80% semi-looper died and at 3 DAS 50% red slug beetles died. The nanoparticles were less toxic to human cells. This approach was eco-friendly and cost effective as compared to the chemical pesticides use in the tea gardens.