PERTANIKA JOURNAL OF TROPICAL AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE

The constraints on the effectiveness of nuclear polyhedrosis virus (NPV) as biocontrol are usually due to environmental factors such as temperature and ultraviolet (UV) exposure. Zeolite has been commonly used as a carrier or delivery system for nuclear polyhedrosis viruses. In this study, zeolite powder was reduced into nanosized particles by beads milling method and was investigated for the effect of its concentration in the delivery system of Helicoverpa armigera nuclear polyhedrosis virus (HaNPV₁) on the lethal time against the larvae Crocidolomia pavonana. The formulation used three concentrations of nanozeolite suspension, 0.5, 1, 1.5, and 2 wt.% applied for each 4 × 10⁷ of HaNPV₁. A randomized block design (RBD) method was applied with 3 replications. The results showed that the scanning electron microscope (SEM) from nanozeolite was seen coating the entire surface of the HaNPV₁ polyhedra and an increase of zeolite concentration caused acceleration of   the lethal time of C. pavonana instar III. Thus, the fastest lethal time was 1.2 days receiving a concentration of 2 wt.%, which was significantly higher compared to without delivery (2.9 days). The increase of the zeolite concentration up to 2 wt.% in the delivery system for HaNPV₁ improved their performance on lethal time and mortality against C. pavonana. It was concluded that nanozeolite as a delivery system enhanced and created a synergy in infecting C. pavonana.