Engineered biodegradable nanopesticides for efficient leaf deposition and plant fungicides

Abstract

Pesticides are indispensable in agricultural development, but their effectiveness is often hindered by natural factors like rain-off and degradation. Herein, tebuconazole nanopesticides (TEB NPs) with leaf-adhesive, water-stable, and small-sized were successfully prepared by flash nanoprecipitation using the biodegradable polyethylene glycol-b-poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) as a carrier. The nanopesticides could be efficiently deposited on plant leaves with uniform distribution and exhibited a 14° lower contact angle with foliage compared to commercial suspensions. The encapsulation of TEB within the polymer enhanced its resistance to photolysis, resulting in a 5-h extension of its half-life. TEB NPs were readily taken up by fungi and plants, thereby enhancing fungicidal efficacy. This nanopesticide could achieve the desired antifungal effect with reduced dosage and improved pesticide utilization. Therefore, the work is expected to provide a simple nanoplatform for improving pesticide utilization and promoting green agriculture.