Salvia abrotanoides methanolic extract Fe3O4@Carbon nanocomposite as biological approach for protection against the Potato Tuber Moth.

Plant-based nano-insecticides like Salvia abrotanoides provide eco-friendly pest control with low resistance risk. This study aimed to evaluate the insecticidal activity of the Fe3O4 @Carbon nanoformulation of S. abrotanoides extract with a carbon shell and pure extract against Phthorimaea operculella (eggs and larvae), a significant potato pest in Iran. A modified solvothermal method produced highly water-dispersible magnetite (Fe3O4) particles, with citrate as a stabilising agent. A carbon layer was added through hydrothermal treatment, using polyethylene glycol as a linking agent between glucose and the Fe3O4 spheres. SEM analysis confirmed the structure of the Fe3O4@Carbon nanocomposite, while FTIR and EDS verified the methanolic extract's presence. The Fe3O4@Carbon nano extract demonstrated greater toxicity to the pest's eggs and larvae than the pure extract, with lower LC50 values (752.23-355 ppm), indicating higher potency. These findings confirm that Fe3O4@Carbon S. abrotanoides nanoparticles are effective, pollution-free, and green nano-insecticides against Ph. operculella.