AgroDrug Conjugates for Sustainable Crop Protection: Molecular Architectures, Mechanisms, and Critical Perspectives

Abstract

The agriculture sector faces significant challenges from weeds and pests, exacerbated by climate change. Traditional control methods have led to the emergence of difficult to manage resistant populations, threatening global food security. AgroDrug conjugates (AgDCs) offer a promising approach to enhance agrodrug bioavailability and systemic distribution within plant tissues. This can be accomplished by attaching agrodrugs to molecular carriers such as sugars or amino acids. AgDCs aim to improve targeting and efficiency, while reducing the environmental impact. This review seeks to deliver a thorough and critical analysis of the chemical architectures and underlying mechanisms of action of AgDCs as documented in current scientific literature. Moreover, we highlight advances and knowledge gaps in AgDC design, including metabolic stability, ecological safety, and field-scale performance. Addressing these challenges will be essential to unlock the full potential of AgDCs as next-generation tools for sustainable and resilient crop protection.