Nano-Delivery Systems of Pesticides Active Agents for Agriculture Applications - An Overview

Abstract

Agricultural protection agents used in soil and crops, when applied conventionally, may have their activity impaired against pests and vectors due to their volatilization, photodegradation, leaching, and other unwanted occurrences caused by weather conditions. These problems cause economic and environmental damage due to the high volume of applications necessary for the farmer to achieve the desired results. The indiscriminate use of free pesticides causes high environmental pollution because these compounds are cumulative in soil, water and vegetation, sometimes causing air contamination, which can cause health issues in local workers and the death of animals. In contrast, nanopesticides are an alternative emerging technology that allows the controlled release of active compounds, improving pest control performance and turning it more sustainable and in line with the concept of precision agriculture. The use of nanodelivery systems for pesticide agents uses nanostructures capable of altering the release kinetics of these compounds, providing the plantation with an adequate amount for pest elimination. This paper presents an overview of nanopesticides, addresses some current concepts of sustainability, reviews and analyzes the latest developments regarding these nanomaterials, and provides an update on their advantages and disadvantages.