TY - JOUR AU - Manjit Kaur, Sanjeev Kalia, Abhishek Mathur, PY - 2021/05/17 Y2 - 2024/03/28 TI - Effect of Biogenic Silica Nano-Composites as Vegetative Growth Promoter and Pesticidal Agent on Cotton Crop JF - International Journal of Modern Agriculture JA - IJMA VL - 10 IS - 2 SE - DO - UR - http://modern-journals.com/index.php/ijma/article/view/1199 SP - 3515 - 3520 AB - <p>Silica is a dominant and abundant natural molecule found in earth crust. It is also available as phytoliths in the plants/crops. It is a super growth supplement for the crops maintaining the internal strength and rigidity in the crops. Silica creates strong cell wall which leads to stronger and bigger branches and stem responsible for uptake and absorption of more water, nutrients and plant secretions throughout the plant body, facilitating faster growth rate and stronger plant. Silica enables the proper development of over all growth of crops and maintaining the fruits health and rigidity within it. Silica enables enhanced metabolic function, showing higher concentration of chlorophyll in leafy tissues. It also enables better use of CO2 and higher rate of photosynthesis. Silica accelerates synthesis of protein and starch, increasing brix level in plants. Silica activates at least 60 different enzymes involved in plant growth. In the present investigation, silica solubilizing bacteria (SSB) were utilized in suitable media formulation using Silica as one of the major compositions. SSB degrades the silica in the media composition releasing the blend of silica nanocomposites, some growth factors, proteins and plant hormones responsible for enhancing the sustainable agriculture and productivity. The suitable blend of above composition was tested on cotton crop in assessing growth promotion activities and pesticidal activities on cotton crop.&nbsp; The results were found to be effective and significant as there were promising growth promotion activities on cotton crop and reduction in percent population of boll worm.</p> ER -