Efficacy of Silica nanoparticles against Sitophilus oryzae on stored Lens culinaris (masoor dal : lentil) under laboratory conditions

Lens culinaris which is popularly known as masoor dal or red lentil is an important part of diet of the entire world population. Lentils are cultivated on a large scale and hence used as a stored grain. This makes the lentils prone to pests. One of the major stored grain pests is Sitophilus oryzae. S. oryzae is a true weevil which belongs to family Curculionidae and it affects a variety of stored grain. The present study was aimed to determine how these pests can be controlled without the use of conventional chemical pesticides. Nanotechnology has become a very advancing field and its use can be seen in various sectors. Use of nanopesticides in the field of agriculture is an emerging field that can help in crop protection. In this study Silica nanoparticles or Silicon Oxide nanoparticles (SiO₂ NPs) were used on L. culinaris to study its efficacy on S.oryzae. The various concentrations of SiO₂ NPs used were 100 ppm, 150 ppm, 200 ppm, 250 ppm, 300 ppm and 500ppm. It was found that SiO₂ NPs at highest concentration i.e., 500 ppm were most effective on S. oryzae.