Enhancing Localized Pesticide Action through Plant Foliage by Silver-Cellulose Hybrid Patches

Abstract

Efficacy and efficiency of pesticide application in the field through the foliage still faces many challenges. There exists a mismatch between the hydrophobic character of the leaf and the active molecule, low dispersion of the pesticides on the leaves' surface, runoff loss and rolling down of the active molecules to the field, decreasing their efficacy and increasing their accumulation to the soil. We produced bacterial cellulose-silver nanoparticles hybrid patches by in situ thermal reduction under microwave irradiation in a scalable manner and obtaining AgNPs strongly anchored to the BC. Those hybrids increase the interaction of the pesticide (AgNPs) with the foliage and avoids runoff loss and rolling down of the nanoparticles. The positive anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties were assessed in vitro against the bacteria Escherichia coli and two agro-economically relevant pathogens: the bacterium Pseudomonas syringae and the fungus Botrytis cinerea. We showed in vivo inhibition of the infection in Nicotiana benthamiana and tomato leaves, as proven by the suppression of the expression of defense molecular markers and reactive oxygen species production. The hydrogel-like character of the bacterial cellulose matrix increases the adherence to the foliage of the patches.

Nanocellulose films with multiple functional nanoparticles in confined spatial distribution

“…Bacterial cellulose-based nanocomposites with Ag and TiO 2 have been reported for antibacterial applications. 19,20 TiO 2 and Au nanocomposites were applied in catalysis [21][22][23] while sensing applications were also reported for BC-Au. 24 BC with Fe 2 O 3 nanoparticles 25,26 was proposed as radio-frequency shielding materials, 27 anti-counterfeiting papers, 28 ultra-thin loudspeakers 29 or for heavy metal removal.…”

Cellulose–Silver Composites Materials: Preparation and Applications

“…The results displayed that the Ag nanoparticles enhance the proliferation and the migration of the NIH3T3 fibroblast cells, as well as A549 human lung epithelial cells, which are responsible for improving wound healing [ 57 ]. Alonso-Díaz prepared environmentally friendly nanocomposites by an in situ thermal reduction under microwave to obtain silver nanoparticles anchored to the bacterial cellulose to avoid their release during applications and to increase their efficiency [ 58 ]. The nanocomposite showed positive results against the bacteria E. coli and Pseudomonas syringae and the fungus Botritis cinerea .…”

A Review of Design and Fabrication Methods for Nanoparticle Network Hydrogels for Biomedical, Environmental, and Industrial Applications

“…reported an NNH patch based on bacterial cellulose (BC), poly(vinylpyrrolindone) (PVP), and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) created via in situ thermal reduction under microwave irradiation that showed strong leaf adherence as well as suppression of defense molecular plant markers, reactive oxygen species, and bacterial and fungal loads in tomato plants. [ 193 ]…”