Nano-enabled crop resilience against pathogens: potential, mechanisms and strategies

Abstract

Nanoparticles (NPs) have emerged as a revolutionary strategy in the field of agriculture, offering innovative solutions for enhancing plant health, disease management, and sustainable crop production. This review summarizes the multifaceted roles of NPs, synthesized chemically and biologically, in crop disease management, encompassing the NP modulation of plant immunity against pathogens, mechanisms of NP uptake, and potential applications in disease control. The integration of NPs as delivery vehicles for bioactive molecules, enabling targeted delivery of nutrients, hormones, RNA interference molecules, and chemical protectants for growth regulation and disease management, is also discussed in detail. The review also critically examines the safety and environmental considerations associated with the potential application of NPs in the agriculture sector, including environmental toxicity, fate, and risks. Future perspectives encompass precision agriculture, eco-friendly disease management, unraveling intricate plant-NP interactions, and the necessity for responsible innovation. At the nexus of nanotechnology and agriculture, this review underscores the transformative potential of NPs in revolutionizing plant health and crop disease management, while highlighting the importance of responsible application to ensure sustainable and resilient agricultural systems.

Suppression of Root Rot Fungal Diseases in Common Beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) through the Application of Biologically Synthesized Silver Nanoparticles

“…Conversely, when examining the UV spectrum of phytomolecules derived solely from A. graecorum extract, an absorption peak at 280 nm was observed. Previous studies have reported various wavelengths within the range of 400 to 450 nm for AgNPs, including 409 nm, 412 nm, 422 nm, 418 nm, and 430 nm [ 21 , 24 ]. The surface plasmon resonance (SPR) of metallic nanoparticles is known to be sensitive to several factors, such as shape, size, and interparticle interactions, including cluster formation, with the surrounding medium [ 51 ].…”

“…Recently, nanoparticles have attracted the attention of many scientists working in a variety of disciplines, including those in the agricultural sector interested in plant disease suppression due to their unique properties [ 17 , 18 , 19 ]. Many of them have observed that silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have a distinct role against a wide range of microorganisms, such as viruses, bacteria, and fungi, which infect and damage plants [ 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 ]. Moreover, AgNPs showed potent antifungal activity against various pathogens, including Trichoderma spp., Candida albicans, C. tropicalis, Fusarium oxysporum, Trichosporona sahii, Aspergillus niger, Rhizoctonia solani, Curvularia lunata, Colletotrichum spp., Magnaporthe oryzae , and Fusarium spp.…”

“…In contrast, chemical and physical methods are often limited in large-scale applications, as they can be costly, energy-intensive, time-consuming, and challenging in terms of waste removal [ 35 ]. Utilizing plant extracts, including those derived from fruits, flowers, and seeds, for AgNP synthesis represents a promising biological approach that avoids the production of hazardous compounds [ 24 ]. Therefore, incorporating plant extracts as a biological agent for nanoparticle synthesis can address the aforementioned concerns and potentially play an effective role in reducing plant pathogens.…”

Synthesis and characterization of novel histidine functionalized chitosan nanoformulations and its bioactivity in tomato plant

“…Biodegradable nanomaterials are attracting more interest due to their elite physiological characteristics that enhance transportation efficiency, reduce environmental impact and toxicity, promote human health, and support ecological balance in natural environments 1 – 3 . Among the various nanomaterials, chitosan biopolymer based nanomaterials are highly researched in the agriculture sector by encapsulation of various active ingredients (AIs) viz.…”