A Light-Triggered pH-Responsive Metal–Organic Framework for Smart Delivery of Fungicide to Control Sclerotinia Diseases of Oilseed Rape

Abstract

Using a simple one-pot method, we developed a prochloraz (Pro) and pH-jump reagent-loaded zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (PD@ZIF-8) composite for the smart control of Sclerotinia disease. The pH-jump reagent can induce the acidic degradation of ZIF-8 using UV light to realize the controlled release of Pro. Thus, the physical properties of PD@ZIF-8, such as its release, formulation stability, and adhesion, were investigated in detail. The results showed that the quantity of Pro released by PD@ZIF-8 under UV light irradiation (365 nm) was 63.4 ± 3.5%, whereas under dark conditions, it was only 13.7 ± 0.8%. In vitro activity indicated that the EC50 of PD@ZIF-8 under UV light irradiation was 0.122 ± 0.02 μg/mL, which was not significantly different from that of Pro (0.107 ± 0.01 μg/mL). Pot experiments showed that the efficacy of PD@ZIF-8 under light irradiation was 51.2 ± 5.7% for a fungal infection at 14 days post-spraying, whereas the effectiveness of prochloraz emulsion in water was only 9.3 ± 3.3%. Furthermore, fluorescence tracking of ZIF-8 and biosafety experiments showed that ZIF-8 could be absorbed by plant leaves and transported to various parts of oilseed rape in a short period of time and that PD@ZIF-8 was relatively safe for plants and HepG2 cells. These results highlight the potential of the composite to provide efficient and smart delivery of fungicides into plants for protection against diseases and provide an idea for developing sustainable agriculture.

Enhanced Fungicidal Efficacy by Co-Delivery of Azoxystrobin and Diniconazole with Cauliflower-Like Metal–Organic Frameworks NH2-Al-MIL-101

“…The present NH 2 -Al-MIL-101 carrier is relatively modest in ameliorating the defect of pesticides and is still a proof of concept. Therefore, optimizing its preparation method and particle size is also the key to preventing crop diseases [56]. As the research and development of new pesticides is increasingly difficult, the demand for pesticides in production is becoming more and more diverse, so the status of pesticide mixtures that meet the needs of production has become more and more important.…”

Recent development in functional nanomaterials for sustainable and smart agricultural chemical technologies

“…The nanopesticide showed desired growth inhibition against weeds including Lollium rigidum Gaudin , Echinochloa crus-galli (L.) and Amaranthus Viridis . Applying a similar one-pot in situ synthesis method, Lang et al [ 65 ] simultaneously entrapped fungicide prochloraz and a pH-jump reagent 2,4-dinitrobenzaldehyde in zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 to produce an integral stimulated-release nanopesticides. Under UV light irradiation, 2,4-dinitrobenzaldehyde acidified the environment and interrupted the MOF structure to release the prochloraz, showing an anti-fungal efficacy of ~ 51%, whereas the effectiveness of conventional prochloraz emulsion was only 9%.…”

“…The imine groups of the surfactant could be hydrolyzed in acidic environment created by CO 2 to release pesticides [1] APTES and TEOS /Kasugamycin Kasugamycin was conjugated with APTES and then forming pesticide-contained silica NPs via sol-gel method Amidase in pathogenic microorganisms could disintegrate the nanopesticide to release kasugamycin [57] pH-Jump Reagent 2,4-Dinitrobenzaldehyde and Zeolitic Imidazolate Framework-8 (MOF)/Prochloraz In situ addition of prochloraz and pH-jump reagent in the synthesis process of the MOF structure UV light makes pH-jump reagent to acidify the environment, interrupting the MOF structure to release prochloraz [65] formed the surface valve layer.…”

pH and Redox Dual-Responsive Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticle as Nanovehicle for Improving Fungicidal Efficiency

“…However, β-CD is not stable, and the connection between β-CD and guest molecules is broken by H + , resulting in a “decapping” effect under acidic environments [ 29 , 30 ]. A smart dual-responsive nanopesticide delivery system, however, can be designed to improve the efficient utilization of pesticides based on the GSH contained in fungi and the acidification of an environment by fungi during colonization [ 19 , 31 ]. Compared with traditional mesoporous materials, BMMs is a kind of mesoporous silica material with a wormlike pore (3 nm) and a spherical particle-stacking hole (10–30 nm) in the double-channel structure [ 32 , 33 , 34 ].…”