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Abstract

Helicoverpa armigera (American Bollworm) is a major insect pest that feeds on chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.), lowering the nutritional value and crop yields by up to 60%. The chemicals and pesticides used to control this menace, often lead to health and environmental problems. To address this issue, Metarhizium anisopliae and green nanoparticles, known for their potential in sustainable agriculture, were used in the present investigation to evaluate their resistance potential in plants infested by Helicoverpa armigera. The experiment assessed the impact of botanically synthesized silver nitrate and zinc oxide nanoparticles (5% and 10%) combined with 2% fungus and two levels of fungus alone (2% and 4%) on the morphological, physiological and biochemical functions of chickpea infested with the American bollworm. Biotic stress adversely disturbed the growth attributes and photosynthetic pigments in chickpea plants. It was observed that the activities of antioxidant enzymes, photosynthetic pigment contents, biomass and defense responses of fungal and nanoparticle treated plants were significantly higher than the other set. Overall the foliar spray of silver nitrate and zinc oxide nanoparticles along with Metarhizium anisopliae application via drenching, significantly enhanced the growth and production of chickpea crop as well as insect mortality. The nanoparticles and fungus combinations effectively controlled Helicoverpa armigera, in the treated leaves and pods leading to mortality rates of 20%, 60%, 80% and 90% over 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours, respectively. This study offers a potential for sustainable insect pest management in chickpea cultivation.

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