The
development of nanotechnology provides a feasible and effective
way to reduce pesticide loss and improve pesticide utilization. In
this study, we created chlorpyrifos-loaded mesoporous silica nanocomposites
modified with polydopamine (Cpf-MSNs@PDA) for the smart control of
pests. The release of Cpf from the nanocomposite was alkali triggered
and temperature dependent, guaranteeing the sustained and steady effectiveness
of the active constituent with prolonged persistence time. The modification
with PDA endowed the nanocomposite with better foliar adhesion and
rain erosion resistance. Compared with Cpf, the leaf slip angle of
Cpf-MSNs@PDA was increased from 27° to 60°, and the rain
erosion loss was reduced by 2.6 times. The insecticidal persistence
of the Cpf-MSNs@PDA nanopesticide was measured and found to be better
than that of commercial Cpf with bi-insecticidal pathways. In pathway
1, a small portion of Cpf (16.7%) was released from Cpf-MSNs@PDA in
vitro to perform contact toxicity on Mythimna separata, which shows an advantage of sustained release. In pathway 2, after
being ingested, the alkaline midgut microenvironment of M. separata triggered the degradation of Cpf-MSNs@PDA, inducing the release
of all the Cpf to exert acute gastric toxicity. These results highlight
the potential of a nanopesticide in the delivery of an active pesticide
ingredient with low loss and high efficiency. The design of a smart
nanocomposite for the control of a specific type of pest or disease
provides ideas for the development of sustainable agriculture.
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