RESEARCH JOURNAL OF PURE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY (RJPST )

E-ISSN 2579-0536
P-ISSN 2695-2696
VOL. 8 NO. 5 2025
DOI: 10.56201/rjpst.vol.8.no5.2025.pg10.20


Production of Organic Nano-Fertilizer and Nano-Pesticide from Locally Sourced Plant Leaves and Seeds (Moringa/Neem)

Cheren Terfa Jeremiah, Abana Nnamdi Stanislas


Abstract


This work aims at producing organic nano-fertilizer and nano-pesticide using agro-physics principles. Moringa leaves are a good source of fertilizer due to their rich mineral content, and neem leaves contain azadirachtin, a compound toxic to most crop pests. We leveraged the potential combination of neem leaves (Azadirachta indica), pepper seeds, onion bulb, and garlic cloves for pesticide production, while moringa leaves (Moringa oleifera), comfrey leaves, and pumpkin leaves were used for fertilizer production. The application of nanotechnology was to increase the surface area of nutrients for easier absorption by plants. Nano-fertilizers have an increased surface area-to-volume ratio, which makes them easier for plants to absorb. Nano- nutrients can lead to increased plant growth and crop yields compared to conventional fertilizers. Our mission is to provide a sustainable solution for food security and reduce the hazardous impacts of synthetic agrochemicals on the environment and human health. Benue State of Nigeria, acronymically referred to as “The Food Basket of the Nation,” is known for massive annual agricultural productions. About 80% of farmers in Benue State use aluminum phosphate tablets for pest control, 60% of them use dichlorvos, 35% use DDT, and about 5–15% use endosulfan, gamalin, carbofuran, carbendazim, and permethrin. The study also revealed that many other restricted pesticides are still in use within the state, which is of great concern. This research provides environmentally friendly and safe fertilizers and pesticides from natural, non- harmful, cheap, and readily available raw materials.



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