Assessment of varietal resistance and farmers knowledge along with development of botanicals and its nanoparticles for ecofriendly insect pest management of tomato

Abstract

A survey was conducted in tomato growing regions of Nainital and U.S. Nagar newlinedistricts of Uttarakhand and Tomato fruit borer and Whitefly and Aphid were identified newlineas major constraint in tomato production in this region. Majority of farmers used newlineprophylactic sprays of synthetic insecticide for management of insect pest. majority of newlinerespondents were dependent upon local pesticide dealer for recommendation of newlineinsecticide. Majority of farmers applied insecticide two to five times in a season for newlinemanagement of pest and followed less than 3 days waiting period before harvesting of newlinetomatoes. Despite poor knowledge on pesticide characteristics, many farmers stored newlinepesticide bottles in safe places but a few of them used protective clothing while newlinespraying of insecticide. newlineHeemsohna, Arjun and RDS2755 varieties of tomato were least infested by newlinemajor insect pest of tomato while varieties viz., Karan and Naveen were having highest newlinepopulation of the insect pest. In the study of evaluation of efficacy of the plant extracts newlineand essential oil it was observed that methanol extract of Melia azedarach seeds at 1% newlineand Tagetus minuta essential at 0.05% and 0.1% were found be extremely antifeedant newlineagainst 3, 5 and 7 old Spodoptera litura larvae and 3rd instar larvae of Helicoverpa newlinearmigera. And all other treatments were also found to check feeding behaviors of these newlinetest insects. The extract and essential oil and combination product of these botanicals newlinewas also effective in checking growth and development of 7 days old Spodoptera newlinelitura. In field evaluation of these botanicals seed methanol extract of Melia azedarach newlinewas found to have less incidence of whitefly, aphid and tomato fruit borer along with newlineincreased yield of tomato in comparison of other treatments. newlineLeaf extract of Melia azedarach was found to be effective in green synthesis of newlinesilver nanoparticles. Significant characteristic peak was observed at about 442 nm newlineduring UV analysis which confirmed it formation. X- ray diffraction analysis confirmed newlinecrystalline nature and 52.3 nm average particle size of silver nanoparticles. SEM newlinephotograph of silver nanoparticles revealed that there were irregular shapes in surface. newlineFurther, it had been confirmed that with different sizes viz.,49.30 nm, 55.97nm, 62.79 newlinenm,73.65 nm and 76.65nm of silver nanoparticles were presented inside the sample. newline