Generation and Evaluation of Nanoparticles of Supernatant of <i>Photorhabdus luminescens</i> (Thomas and Poinar) against Mite and Aphid Pests of Cotton for Enhanced Efficacy

Abstract

Cell-free supernatant of Photorhabdus luminiscens was converted to nanoparticles (NPs) using a spray dryer fitted with ultrasonic nozzle. NPs were characterized by both scanning electron microscopy and zeta size analyser, and found to have average particle diameter of 89 nm. While converting to NPs, gum arabica @ 3% was used to eliminate hygroscopic property. Nanoparticulated supernatant exhibited superior pesticidal property against serious sucking pests of cotton, viz.

Microbiome Innovation in Agriculture: Development of Microbial Based Tools for Insect Pest Management

“…Advances in nanotechnology are promoting effective and sustainable use of biopesticides in field applications. For instance, the potency of entomopathogenic bacteria, including Bt and Photorhabdus luminescens, increased significantly when they were applied to insect pests in the form of nanoparticles (Kim and Je, 2012;Kulkarni et al, 2017). Murthy et al (2014) demonstrated that larvae subjected to Bt nanoparticles resulted in a faster and higher mortality as compared to unhomogenized Bt powder, owing to increased solubility of the Cry toxin in the alkaline midguts.…”