Harnessing Nanoparticles and Nanosuspensions to Combat Powdery Mildew: A Frontier in Vegetable and Fruit Protection

Abstract

Powdery mildew poses a persistent threat to global vegetable and fruit production, particularly affecting leafy crops such as lettuce, spinach, and cucurbits. Conventional control strategies including chemical fungicides, biological agents, and resistant cultivars face limitations due to resistance development, environmental toxicity, and inconsistent field efficacy. This review explores the emerging role of nanotechnology, specifically nanoparticles (NPs) and nanosuspensions (NSs), in managing powdery mildew. Metallic nanoparticles and non-metallic variants demonstrate potent antifungal activity through mechanisms such as membrane disruption, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, and gene regulation. Encapsulated nano-fungicides and sprayable essential oils represent potential application methods that could enhance delivery precision and activate plant defense mechanisms against powdery mildew. Integrating the application of nanoparticles and nanosuspensions with smart and digital delivery systems could be a promising strategy for managing powdery mildew infestation in fruits and vegetables. Despite their potential, challenges including ecotoxicity, formulation stability, scalability, and regulatory gaps must be addressed. This review underscores the need for interdisciplinary research to advance safe, effective, and sustainable nano-enabled solutions for powdery mildew control.