Control of phytopathogens using sustainable biogenic nanomaterials: Recent perspectives, ecological safety, and challenging gaps

• Published in: Journal of cleaner production 2022-10, Vol.372, p.133729, Article 133729
• Main Authors: Omran, Basma A., Baek, Kwang-Hyun
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biocompatibility; Nanobiotechnology; Plant diseases; Plant-pathogen nano interactions; Sustainable agriculture
• ISSN: 0959-6526; 1879-1786
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2022.133729

Crop yield loss caused by phytopathogens has a massive impact on global economy. For over a century, agrochemicals have been used for plant disease management; however, the excessive use of agrochemicals poses a threat to the environment and human health. Nanomaterials have been investigated in various agricultural applications, such as stress tolerance, seed germination, plant disease control, and plant growth enhancement. Nonetheless, the prevalent chemical and physical methods used for nanomaterial synthesis are uneconomical and involve hazardous reagents, which limit their widespread application in agriculture. Biogenic synthesis of nanomaterials provides natural reducing, capping, and stabilizing agents, making it cost-effective, environmentally friendly, and highly efficient. With the advances in nanobiotechnology, biogenic nanomaterials can substitute agrochemicals and traditional nanoparticles for plant disease management, enabling the development of sustainable agriculture. This review provides an assessment of the recent advances in the diverse roles of biogenic NMs for controlling phytopathogens. In the first part of this review, the benefits and drawbacks of using traditional agrochemicals are highlighted. The next sections critically discuss the use of biogenic nanomaterials for the control of phytopathogens, with a special emphasis on controlling fungal, bacterial, and viral phytopathogens. The pros and cons of the biogenic synthesis of nanomaterials for phytopathogen control are elucidated. The ecological safety and challenging gaps of using biogenic nanomaterials for sustainable agriculture are discussed, highlighting the fate of biogenic nanomaterials in soil-plant ecosystem, with an evaluation of the potential threats to the soil ecosystem. Prospects to overcome the current limitations of biosynthesis and potential applications of biogenic nanomaterials for plant disease control are proposed to achieve sustainable agriculture. The biocidal potential of biogenic nanomaterials can be utilized as biological nano weapons for plant disease control, providing an insightful perspective for future generations. [Display omitted] •Biogenic nanoagroparticles are superior alternatives to conventional agrochemicals for plant disease control.•Potential impacts of biogenic nanomaterials for controlling phytopathogens.•Ecological safety, strengths, and weaknesses of biogenic NMs for sustainable agriculture are elucidated.