Use of Nanotechnology in Plant Disease Management

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Use of Nanotechnology in Plant Disease Management

Submitted By

M. Faisal Ul Rehman

2019-ag-5219

Submitted To

Dr. Imran Ul Haq

Department of Entomology

University of Agriculture Faisalabad


Nanoparticles:

Nanoparticles (NPs) are microscopic tools with immense potential. Typically ranging from 10-100
nanometers in size (incredibly small, thousands of times smaller than the width of a human hair).

Nanopesticides: Nanoparticles can be used to encapsulate pesticides, which can improve their
delivery and efficacy. This can reduce the amount of pesticide that needs to be applied, which can
help to protect the environment and human health (Kannan et al., 2023).

Nanosensors: Nanosensors can be used to monitor soil conditions, such as moisture and nutrient
levels. This information can be used to help farmers apply fertilizer and water more efficiently.
(Zhang et al., 2021)

Nanofertilizers: Nanofertilizers can be designed to release nutrients slowly over time, which can
improve plant growth and reduce nutrient leaching. (Zahra et al.,2022)

Plant disease diagnostics: Nanoparticles can be used to develop new methods for diagnosing
plant diseases. This can help farmers to identify and treat diseases early, before they cause
significant damage to crops. (Elmer and White, 2018)

Genetically modified organisms (GMOs): Nanoparticles can be used to deliver genes to plants,
which could be used to create new varieties of crops with improved resistance to pests, diseases,
and drought. (Saxena et al., 2020)

Nano fungicide in Disease Control:

Nanotechnology offers a revolutionary approach to plant disease management through


nano fungicides. These are nanoparticles (NPs), typically 10-100 nanometers in size, that can act
directly as fungicides or enhance the delivery of traditional ones. Their unique properties make
them ideal candidates for eco-friendly and effective disease control. Nano fungicides possess
several advantages over conventional fungicides. Their small size allows for targeted action
against pathogens at lower doses, minimizing environmental impact. Additionally, they can be
formulated for controlled release, extending their effectiveness and reducing the need for frequent
application. Metal-based nanofungicides, containing zinc, silver, or copper, have shown significant
antifungal activity against various plant pathogens like Fusarium and Botrytis cinerea. These
nanoparticles work by disrupting the pathogen's cell membrane through electrostatic attraction.
Further, they can deactivate proteins and enzymes essential for fungal growth, generate harmful
reactive oxygen species, and damage the pathogen's DNA. This multi-targeted approach makes it
difficult for fungi to develop resistance. Importantly, nanofungicides often outperform their bulk
counterparts in terms of efficacy. This is because they create concentrated zones of ion release near
the fungal cell, overwhelming its defense mechanisms. Additionally, their larger surface area can
cause direct mechanical damage or facilitate the entry of reactive molecules like hydrogen
peroxide (Malandrakis et al., 2022)

Biofungicides occupy a unique position in controlling fungal diseases by utilizing naturally


occurring organisms or their byproducts. An innovative technology in the field of biopesticides
involves the use of engineered nanomaterials. These nanomaterials exhibit enhanced reactivity and
can form covalent bonds with bio fungicides. This distinctive property of nanomaterials is
harnessed to effectively manage the plant-pest chain, offering a promising avenue for sustainable
disease control in agriculture (Bhattacharyya et al.,2016).

Silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) have garnered significant attention in the field of
biotechnology due to their potent inhibitory and bactericidal effects, along with a wide range of
antimicrobial activities. Compared to bulk silver, Ag NPs possess a higher surface area and a
greater fraction of surface atoms, resulting in enhanced antimicrobial efficacy. Moreover, Ag NPs
are recognized for their antioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory
properties. Although the use of Ag NPs in agriculture is primarily theoretical at present, it is
anticipated that researchers will uncover diverse applications for silver nanoparticles soon.

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are emerging as promising tools in agriculture for managing plant
diseases and protecting crops. Their bactericidal and fungicidal properties make them effective
against a range of pathogens. Researchers have developed methods to disperse and stabilize
AgNPs, enhancing their adhesion to bacterial and fungal cell surfaces. Various studies have
demonstrated the effectiveness of AgNPs against pathogens like Xanthomonas perforans in
tomatoes and plant pathogenic fungi such as Fusarium oxysporum and Alternaria alternata. AgNPs
synthesized by organisms like Trichoderma longibrachiatum have shown broad-spectrum activity
against pathogenic fungi and bacteria, surpassing the effectiveness of traditional antibiotics.
Colloidal nano silver has been particularly effective against rose powdery mildew, a
common disease affecting roses, in both greenhouse and outdoor settings. Additionally, AgNPs
have been recognized for their potential to stimulate plant growth. Techniques such as assembling
cationic arginine gold nanoparticles (ArgNPs) with gene editing systems have demonstrated
efficient gene editing in cultured cell lines, paving the way for future crop development research.
Overall, the application of AgNPs in agriculture holds great promise for improving crop protection,
enhancing yields, and ensuring food security in a sustainable manner. Silver nanoparticles
(AgNPs) are being tested as pesticides in agriculture to reduce pest damage on crops and enhance
plant nutrition. They can lessen the use of chemical fertilizers and eradicate unwanted
microorganisms in soil and hydroponic systems. AgNPs, applied as foliar sprays, combat fungal
diseases and improve plant resistance to stresses. Their use shows potential for sustainable crop
protection and enhanced plant growth (Kale et al., 2021).
References:

Kannan, M., Bojan, N., Swaminathan, J. et al. Nanopesticides in agricultural pest management
and their environmental risks: a review. Int. J. Environ. Sci. Technol. 20, 10507–10532 (2023).
https://doi.org/10.1007/s13762-023-04795-y

Zhang, Qi & Ying, Yibin & Ping, Jianfeng. (2021). Recent Advances in Plant Nanoscience.
Advanced Science. 9. 2103414. 10.1002/advs.202103414.

Zahra Z, Habib Z, Hyun H, Shahzad HMA. Overview on Recent Developments in the Design,
Application, and Impacts of Nanofertilizers in Agriculture. Sustainability. 2022; 14(15):9397.
https://doi.org/10.3390/su14159397

Elmer, W., & White, J. C. (2018). The future of nanotechnology in plant pathology. Annual review
of phytopathology, 56, 111-133.

Saxena, G., Kishor, R., Saratale, G. D., & Bharagava, R. N. (2020). Genetically modified
organisms (GMOs) and their potential in environmental management: constraints, prospects, and
challenges. Bioremediation of Industrial Waste for Environmental Safety: Volume II: Biological
Agents and Methods for Industrial Waste Management, 1-19.

Malandrakis, A. A., Kavroulakis, N., & Chrysikopoulos, C. V. (2022). Metal nanoparticles against fungicide
resistance: alternatives or partners?. Pest Management Science, 78(10), 3953-3956.

Bhattacharyya, A., Duraisamy, P., Govindarajan, M., Buhroo, A. A., & Prasad, R. (2016). Nano-biofungicides:
emerging trend in insect pest control. Advances and applications through fungal nanobiotechnology, 307-319.

Kale, S. K., Parishwad, G. V., & Patil, A. S. H. A. S. (2021). Emerging agriculture applications of silver
nanoparticles. ES Food & Agroforestry, 3, 17-22.

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