Abstract
The use of nanoparticles (NPs) has generated an alternative pest control. The objective was to evaluate the insecticidal effect of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs), titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2 NPs), and their combination on Bactericera cockerelli (Hemiptera: Triozidae) second-stage nymphs under laboratory and greenhouse conditions in tomato. The laboratory research was carried out with the leaf immersion bioassay method under a complete randomized design, and in the greenhouse by direct plant spraying under a randomized block design; in both designs, a control without NPs was added. Mortality was recorded every 24 h for 4 days. Both NPs in the laboratory and greenhouse showed toxicity to B. cockerelli nymphs. Results in the laboratory showed that NPs significantly caused increased mortality of 88, 99, and 100% 96 h after treatment of ZnO NPs, TiO2 NPs, and their combinations, at 1000, 100, and 250 ppm, respectively. Direct spray of plants in the greenhouse showed low mortality with 27, 32, and 23% after 96 h of ZnO NPs, TiO2 NPs, and their combinations, at 3000, 500, and 250 ppm, respectively. These results on B. cockerelli control seem promising. Nanoparticles as insecticides are a novel strategy, however, further investigation is required in field tests to obtain suitable efficacy for use in a pest management system.
Highlights
Mexico is one of the main tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L., Solanaceae) growers, with a production of 3,249,186 tons, with a market share of 25% of world exports, ranking second in terms of agricultural products with the highest export [1]
The transmission electronic microscope micrograph of ZnO nanoparticles is shown in Figure 1, which displays a morphology crystalline semi-sphere with an average size of 23.44 nm and even distribution size (a)
Significant results (p < 0.05) were found in the mortality of B. cockerelli due to the action of ZnO and TiO2 NPs and their combination under greenhouse conditions; insecticide activity was obtained, these results were not as expected, given the results found under laboratory conditions
Summary
Mexico is one of the main tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L., Solanaceae) growers, with a production of 3,249,186 tons, with a market share of 25% of world exports, ranking second in terms of agricultural products with the highest export [1]. (Hemiptera: Triozidae), is one of the most destructive pests in the western hemisphere It is a serious and economically important pest of potatoes, tomatoes, and other crops within the family Solanaceae [3]. It is native of North America and occurs mainly in the United States, southern Canada, and Mexico; it grows in Central America; was recently reported in South America, Ecuador; and it is widespread in New Zealand, with a few occurrences in Australia. It has been placed on the list of quarantine pest in EPPO region [4]
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