Efficiency of Nanosilica and Potassium Silicate in Reducing Population of Leaf hopper Insect Amrasca biguttula (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) on Okra Plant

This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of nanosilica and potassium silicate against the leaf hopper A.biguttula infesting okra plants. The experiment was conducted during the growing season of 2024. Two types of fertilizers, nanosilica SiO2NPs and potassium silicate K2SiO3, were applied at four levels: 0, 50, 100, and 150 k ha1-. The results indicated that nano-silica significantly reduced the population of nymphs and adults of A. biguttula to 10.52 and 2.43 insects per leaf, respectively. In contrast, potassium silicate treatment reduced the population density of nymphs and adults to 12.4 and 2.64 insects per leaf, respectively. Furthermore, fertilization at the 150 kg ha-1 rate reduced the leaf hopper population to 7.28 and 1.89 insects per leaf for nymphs and adults, respectively, compared to other fertilizer levels. Additionally, the results showed that both nymphal and adult densities varied significantly over time. The lowest densities were recorded during the last week of March, with 0.89 nymphs and 0.36 adults per leaf. In contrast, the highest densities were observed in the last week of May, reaching 19.46 nymphs and 4.12 adults per leaf. The study demonstrated that nanoparticles (SiO₂NPs) effectively stimulated the biochemical properties of the okra plant. Their application led to a significant increase in the absorption of silicon and phosphorus by 12.09 g. kg-1 and 1.98 g. gm-1 respectively. In addition, SiO₂NPs treatment enhanced total chlorophyll concentration to 6.19 mg. g-100. These results indicated the role of nanosilica in enhancing the efficiency of photosynthesis and improving the nutritional status of the plant.