Effect of biosynthesized copper green nanoparticles on pulse beetle, Callosobruchus analis (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

Stored product insect Callosobruchus analis (Fabricius) is a cosmopolitan and serious pest of pulses in field as well as in storage condition. The excessive use of pesticides and chemical compounds led to development of resistance, resurgence and has an adverse effect on environment. This experiment was conducted at Centre for Nanotechnology Laboratory, UAS, Raichur. In the recent years, nanotechnology has emerged as a promising tool for pest control. In the present study, we reported the biological synthesis of copper green nanoparticles from tulasi leaves. The green synthesized copper nanoparticles were characterized by UV-Vis spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Zetasizer and Scanning electron microscope (SEM). The bio-physical characterization revealed that the copper nanoparticle with a mean particle size of 82.41 nm. Data obtained from different concentration (250, 500, 750, 1000, 1250 and 1500 ppm) of copper green nanoparticles indicated that the increasing of concentration and exposure period caused increasing in adult mortality (%). Among the different concentration 1500 ppm of copper nanoparticle proved to be superior by recording highest mortality, lowest number of eggs, least seed damage, and seed weight loss in chick pea seeds up to one month of storage.