Soil Application of Nano Silica on Maize Yield and Its Insecticidal Activity Against Some Stored Insects After the Post-Harvest

Abstract

Maize is considered one of the most imperative cereal crops worldwide. In this work, high throughput silica nanoparticles (SiO2-NPs) were prepared via the sol–gel technique. SiO2-NPs were attained in a powder form followed by full analysis using the advanced tools (UV-vis, HR-TEM, SEM, XRD and zeta potential). To this end, SiO2-NPs were applied as both nanofertilizer and pesticide against four common pests that infect the stored maize and cause severe damage to crops. As for nanofertilizers, the response of maize hybrid to mineral NPK, “Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), and Potassium (K)” (0% = untreated, 50% of recommended dose and 100%), with different combinations of SiO2-NPs; (0, 2.5, 5, 10 g/kg soil) was evaluated. Afterward, post-harvest, grains were stored and fumigated with different concentrations of SiO2-NPs (0.0031, 0.0063. 0.25, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 2.5, 5, 10 g/kg) in order to identify LC50 and mortality % of four common insects, namely Sitophilus oryzae, Rhizopertha dominica, Tribolium castaneum, and Orizaephilus surinamenisis. The results revealed that, using the recommended dose of 100%, mineral NPK showed the greatest mean values of plant height, chlorophyll content, yield, its components, and protein (%). By feeding the soil with SiO2-NPs up to 10 g/kg, the best growth and yield enhancement of maize crop is noticed. Mineral NPK interacted with SiO2-NPs, whereas the application of mineral NPK at the rate of 50% with 10 g/kg SiO2-NPs, increased the highest mean values of agronomic characters. Therefore, SiO2-NPs can be applied as a growth promoter, and in the meantime, as strong unconventional pesticides for crops during storage, with a very small and safe dose.

Dietary supplementation of silver-silica nanoparticles promotes histological, immunological, ultrastructural, and performance parameters of broiler chickens

“…One of the advantages for using starch as a stabilizing agent, aside from its potential power to convert the ions of silver to zero-valent silver, is the presence of huge hydroxy groups that stabilize the formed nanoparticles in nanoform. In our published work 7 , 28 , 43 – 47 , the prepared nanoparticles were extensively characterized using advanced tools. Secondly, as mentioned in the experiment part for the preparation of SiO 2 NPs, condensation reaction was performed for this synthesis.…”

“…It was well documented that colloidal silver nanoparticles are small enough to penetrate into the cell and subsequently into the nucleus and to directly interact with the nuclear DNA resulting in the modulation of gene expression profiles 21 – 24 , particularly genes related to inflammatory response (e.g., IL1β and TNF-α) 25 . Moreover, several studies stated that the concentration of Ag in broiler muscles could increase when the dose level of AgNPs is increased 26 – 28 ; these nanoparticles may interact with proteins, resulting in biological and physiological changes in the cells 29 . Nabinejad et al 30 stated that the muscles and organs of the poultry may transfer the AgNPs to the consumers, leading to adverse effects.…”

Increase maize productivity and water use efficiency through application of potassium silicate under water stress

“…Si treatment can alleviate drought stress, salt stress, heat stress, and oxidative damage. The beneficial role of Si in drought conditions is mainly due to enhanced water retention aiding photosynthesis [21][22][23][24][25] . Potassium silicate (K-silicate) is a source of highly soluble K and Si.…”

Functionalized Mesoporous Silicon Nanomaterials in Inorganic Soil Pollution Research: Opportunities for Soil Protection and Advanced Chemical Imaging

“…It has recently been observed that SiO 2 nanoparticles (NPs) provide additional protection to plant cells subject to As stress, mediating a strengthening of plant cell walls by increasing their thickness and altering their composition [106]. Likewise, in maize, field applications of SiO 2 -NPs resulted in a large improvement to growth, but interestingly, there were disruptive effects as well with the Si found to induce a pesticide response for the crop during storage [107]. Similarly, some soil invertebrates demonstrate avoidance behaviors to SiO 2 NP Santos et al [108], and it has been shown that they can increase soil bacteria community diversity [109].…”