Enhancing Agricultural Efficiency and Biodiversity Conservation through Nano Pesticides; A Focus on Food Research
Ningaraj Belagalla
Department of Entomology, Mysore University, India.
Ashutosh Kumar *
Department of Horticulture, Narayan Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Gopal Narayan Singh University, Jamuhar, Sasaram, Rohtas, Bihar-821305, India.
Almaszabeen Badekhan
Department of Agricultural Economics, Young Professional-I, Institute of Organic Farming, UAS, Dharwad, India.
Kushal Chaturvedi
Department of Entomology, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture and Technology, Meerut, India.
Akhilesh Kumar
Department of Entomology, NKVV - KVK and Head of Section, JNKVV - College of Agriculture, Rewa-486 001, MP, India.
Chandan Kumar Panigrahi
Department of Entomology, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Siksha 'O' Anusandhan , Deemed to be University, Bhubaneswar - 751003, Odisha, India.
Kushal Sachan
Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry , C.S. Azad University of Agriculture and Techonolgy Kanpur U.P -208002, India.
Bal Veer Singh
Department of Agronomy, Chandra Shekhar Azad University of Agriculture and Technology, Kanpur- 208002, Uttar Pradesh, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Nanotechnology has emerged as a promising approach to addressing the challenges faced by modern agriculture, particularly in the field of crop protection. Nano-pesticides, which are pesticide formulations that incorporate nanomaterials or nanostructures, have garnered significant attention due to their potential to enhance the efficacy of active ingredients while minimizing adverse environmental and health impacts. This review provides a comprehensive overview of on the current state of research on nano-pesticides, focusing on their synthesis, characterization, mode of action, and efficacy in various agricultural applications. The unique physicochemical properties of nanomaterials, such as high surface area to volume ratio, enhanced solubility, and controlled release, are exploited in the development of nano-pesticide formulations. Different types of nano-pesticides, including nanoemulsions, nanoencapsulation, and nanocomposites, are discussed in detail, highlighting their advantages over conventional pesticide formulations. The review also examines the interactions of nano-pesticides with target pests and the environment, as well as their potential toxicity and ecotoxicological effects. The role of nano-pesticides in integrated pest management strategies and their compatibility with sustainable agricultural practices are explored. Furthermore, the review addresses the challenges associated with the commercialization and regulatory aspects of nano-pesticides, emphasizing the need for thorough risk assessment and standardized testing protocols. Future research directions and opportunities for the development of nano-pesticides are outlined, focusing on the optimization of formulations, targeted delivery, and precision agriculture. Overall, this review provides valuable insights into the potential of nano-pesticides as a tool for enhancing agricultural productivity and sustainability while minimizing the negative impacts on biodiversity and food safety.
Keywords: Nanotechnology, nano-pesticides, crop protection, sustainable agriculture, biodiversity, food safety