Evaluating the Efficacy of Cashew (Anacardium occidentale L.) Leaf Green Nanoparticle Insecticide against Mesopsis laticornis (Orthoptera: Caelifera), Schistocerca americana (Orthoptera: Acrididae), and Lilioceris lilii (Coleoptera: Polyphaga) of Soybeans
NJE Vol. 42(1) : 170-186, 2026
DOI.10.36108/NJE/6202/24.0121
AKANJI, Kayode A., ¹, 2* OLANIRAN, Oladele A.², ALAO, Fatai O.², AKANBI, Wasiu B.³, and ADEBAYO, Timothy A.²
1Department of Crop Production Technology, Oyo State College of Agriculture and Technology, Igboora, Oyo State, Nigeria
2Department of Crop and Environmental Protection, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Nigeria.
3Department of Crop Production and Soil, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Nigeria
Abstract
The use of green nanoparticles has gained attention in recent years due to their potential as a safer and more environmentally friendly alternative to traditional synthetic insecticides. This study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of green nanoparticles from cashew (Anacardium occidentale) leaf in controlling the infestation of pre-flowering insect pests of soybeans. Silver nitrate was used in the biosynthesis of A. occidentale leaf (AoL-AgNPs), A. occidentale leaf extracts (botanical), cypermethrin as an insecticide, and untreated plants (control) as treatments for evaluation in this study. The experiment was arranged in a randomized complete block design with three replicates of each treatment. Data collected were analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA). The results showed that the applied treatments significantly reduced the infestation level of Mesopsis laticornis, Schistocerca americana, and Lilioceris lilii; however, the plants treated with AoL-AgNPs enhanced the soybean plants’ growth parameters, including plant height and number of leaves, while also competing favorably in control of Mesopsis laticornis, Schistocerca americana, and Lilioceris lilii with the plants treated with cypermethrin. It is thus recommended that green-synthesized silver nanoparticles derived from A. occidentale leaves (AoL-AgNPs) be further developed and promoted as an alternative in insect pests’ management for soybean production. The dual role exhibited by AoL-AgNPs by effectively reducing major insect pests’ infestation and enhancing plant growth makes it a promising factor of a sustainable and eco-friendly pest management option for farmers.
Keywords: Anacardium occidentale L., silver nitrate (AgNPs) Lilioceris lilii, Schistocerca americana, soybeans