Plant Oil Nano-Emulsions as a Potential Solution for Pest Control in Sustainable Agriculture.

Abstract

The increasing demand for sustainable and eco-friendly pest control methods has led to a growing interest in the development of novel, plant-based pesticides. In this study, we investigated the potential of nano-emulsions containing plant oils (Portulaca oleracea, Raphanus sativus, and Rosmarinus officinalis) as a new approach for controlling three major pests: Aphis gossypii, Spodoptera littoralis, and Tetranychus urticae. Using ultrasonication, we prepared stable and uniform nano-emulsions characterized by thermodynamic properties, dynamic light scattering (DLS), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The results showed that the nano-emulsions were effective in controlling the three pests, with the most potent activity observed against Aphis gossypii. Our findings suggest that plant oil nano-emulsions have the potential to be used as a sustainable and eco-friendly alternative to traditional pesticides. The use of these nano-emulsions could provide a new approach to manage pest populations, reducing the environmental impact of pesticide use, and promoting sustainable agriculture.