Nanotechnology for parasitic plant control

Abstract

The field of nanotechnology opens up novel potential applications for agriculture. Nanotechnology applications are already being explored and used in medicine and pharmacology, but interest for use in crop protection is just starting. The development of nanodevices as smart delivery systems to target specific sites and nanocarriers for controlled chemical release is discussed. Some nanotechnologies can improve existing crop management techniques in the short to medium term. Nanocapsules would help to avoid phytotoxicity on the crop by using systemic herbicides against parasitic weeds. Nanoencapsulation can also improve herbicide application, providing better penetration through cuticles and tissues, and allowing slow and constant release of the active substances. On the other hand, new crop management tools could be developed on the basis of medical applications. Nanoparticles have a great potential as 'magic bullets', loaded with herbicides, chemicals or nucleic acids, and targeting specific plant tissues or areas to release their charge. Viral capsids can be altered by mutagenesis to achieve different configurations and deliver specific nucleic acids, enzymes or antimicrobial peptides acting against the parasites. Many issues are still to be addressed, such as increasing the scale of production processes and lowering costs, as well as toxicological issues, but the foundations of a new plant treatment concept have been laid, and applications in the field of parasitic plant control can be started.

Biogenic Synthesis of Nanoparticles and Potential Applications: An Eco- Friendly Approach

“…Nanotechnology for crop biotechnology: Nanocapsules can facilitate successful incursion of herbicides through cuticles and tissues, allowing slow and regular discharge of the active substances. This can be act as 'magic bullets', containing herbicides, chemicals or genes which target exacting plant parts to liberate their substance [96].…”

Application Of Nanotechnology In Agriculture And Food Industry, Its Prospects And Risks

“…Encapsulation of herbicide in polymeric core shell NPs can result in safer and convenient management of herbicides that promises environmental safety [88]. The control of parasitic weeds with nanoencapsulated herbicides was found to reduce the phytotoxicity of herbicides on crops [89]. Development of a target specific herbicide molecule encapsulated with NPs is aimed at a specific receptor in the roots of target weeds, which enter into the roots system of the weeds and translocates to parts that inhibit glycolysis of food reserves in the root system, ultimately making the specific weed plant to starve for food and get killed [90,91].…”

Nanotechnology in Agriculture

“…[26].Mesoporous silica Nanoparticles (MSNs) have attracted the attention of several scientists over the last decade due to their potential applications. Among the main features of mesoporous materials is the high surface area, pore volume and the highly ordered pore network which is very homogeneous in size [27].…”