Suppression of Heterodera sacchari in rice with agricultural waste-silver nano particles.

Abstract

Pests bring about significant decrease in rice production which translates to huge financial loss. Plant parasitic nematodes are economically important pests of rice. Three different agro-silver nano particles were synthesized using conventional methods with agricultural wastes: corncobs, milled maize residue also referred to as ogi residue and rice husk. The supernatant liquid was decanted and the residue was air dried at room temperature. This was incorporated into the soil of rice (NERICA 1 variety) plants inoculated with cyst nematodes Heterodera sacchari. The application of silver nano particles at 75g and 50g increased the vegetative growth and robustness of rice plants with comparatively higher yield than the yield obtained from untreated plants as demonstrated in pot experiments. Thus agro-wastes silver nano particle (AgNP) can be employed in the control of nematode pests of rice. The adoption of the agro-based nano particle by rural farmers is technically feasible.