Leveraging green synthesis of ZnO-NPs for improved potato resistance against Phthorimaea operculella

Nanotechnology offers innovative solutions for enhancing agricultural sustainability, with zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) emerging as particularly promising agents for improving crop resilience and pest management. However, their potential specifically against Phthorimaea operculella a devastating pest causing significant pre- and post-harvest losses in potato cultivation remains underexplored. This study investigates the efficacy of Sargassum ilicifolium -synthesized ZnO-NPs as a dual-function agent to improve potato tuber quality and manage the destructive pest P. operculella . Tubers treated with 50 and 100 ppm exhibited significantly enhanced quality, with peak hardness (90.10 and 89.56 %) and elevated levels of total phenolics (282.6 and 271.5 mg GAE/g). The 50 ppm treatment yielded the highest flavonoid content and antioxidant activity (93.06 mg QE/g and 91.73 %), significantly exceeding control values (84.61 mg QE/g and 43.48 %, respectively). The most pronounced effects were observed at 100 ppm, which extended egg development duration to 7.55 days, reduced female fecundity to 34.18 eggs, and suppressed the intrinsic rate of increase ( r ) to 0.067 day −1 , compared to control values of 3.47 days, 146.7 eggs, and 0.128 day −1 , respectively. Furthermore, the 100 ppm induced severe morphological deformities in 51.4 % of emerging adults, predominantly manifesting as crumpled wings and eclosion failure. Our study confirms the dual efficacy of bio-synthesized ZnO-NPs (50–100 ppm) in potato cultivation, where they simultaneously function as a tuber quality enhancer and a potent bio-fertilizer against moth. This nanotechnology provides a sustainable IPM solution that enhances post-harvest quality and controls pests, effectively reducing economic losses while minimizing environmental impact through decreased pesticide reliance. • The uppermost hardness index and total phenolic content (TPC) were recorded in Potatoes treated with 50 and 100 ppm ZnO-NPs compared to control. • Potatoes sprayed with 50 ppm ZnO-NPs had the uppermost total flavonoids (TFC) and percentage of antioxidant activity (DPPH) compared to control. • Potatoes treated with various concentrations of ZnO-NPs decreased the population growth parameters ( GRR , R 0 , r and λ ) of the moth versus control. • Potatoes treated with 100 ppm ZnO-NPs increased the number of malformed adults of P. operculella than control. • The 50 and 100 ppm ZnO-NPs could be applied for IPM of this moth in the both storage and field conditions.