Plant diseases-control and remedy through nanotechnology

Abstract

Nanotechnology is an interdisciplinary science which holds great potential to revolutionize the field of agriculture and plant science. Although nanotechnological applications have been widely in use in electronics, cosmetics, textiles and medicine, the field of plant nanotechnology is still in the nascent stage. Nanotechnology in plant pathology is a new frontier among the various nanotechnological applications in plant biology. Control of plant diseases by site-targeted delivery of nanoformulated agrochemicals, development of disease resistant plant varieties by nanomaterial-mediated genetic transformation and early detection of plant diseases and pathogens are some of the possible key applications in plant pathology. Nanoencapsulation of agrochemicals provides effective concentration of the active ingredient with high stability and site-targeted smart delivery with reduced collateral damage and less ecotoxicity. Efforts to overcome various ecological problems due to overuse of pesticides led to successful use of some of the nanoparticles (such as silver nanoparticles) or a combination of two or more nanoparticles in controlling various disease-causing organisms in plants. Multifunctionalised nanoparticles could be used as plant transgenic vehicle which provide greater opportunities in developing disease and stress resistant transgenic plants. All such nanotechnological approaches on plants allow more efficient and sustainable food production by reducing the chances of disease and pest incidence in plants.