Nanoparticle Applications in Plant Disease Management

Nanoparticles, typically ranging from one to 100 nanometres in at least one dimension, have emerged as versatile tools for the prevention, diagnosis and control of plant pathogens. Metallic and metal-oxide nanoparticles such as silver, zinc oxide and cobalt ferrite have been shown to inhibit fungal and bacterial growth through mechanisms that include generation of reactive oxygen species, disruption of cell membranes and targeted delivery of active ions. Biopolymer-based carriers and core–shell nanocomposites further enable sustained release and combinatorial antimicrobial action. Integration of nanoparticles into seed treatments, foliar sprays and soil amendments holds promise for reducing conventional pesticide loads, overcoming resistance and enhancing crop resilience. In parallel, nano-enabled sensor platforms harness photocatalytic or electrochemical properties for rapid on-field detection of phytopathogens. Together, these advances point towards a new generation of plant protection strategies that marry precision, efficacy and environmental stewardship on a global scale.

Research from Nature Portfolio

One-pot chemical precipitation methods have yielded zinc oxide nanoparticles with high crystallinity and porous morphology that exhibit strong antifungal activity against major plant pathogens, including Alternaria alternata and Fusarium verticillioides. These particles display an irregular aggregated structure that facilitates release of Zn²⁺ ions and reactive oxygen species, resulting in inhibition zones exceeding 30 millimetres in vitro. The work demonstrates scalable synthesis and establishes the relationship between particle size, surface area and antimicrobial potency in agricultural settings.

Core–shell nanocomposites comprising a silver core coated with zinc oxide have been engineered via biogenic routes using plant extracts. The hybrid architecture combines the broad-spectrum antimicrobial efficacy of silver with the photocatalytic and stabilising properties of zinc oxide. In vitro assays reveal enhanced inhibition of fungal growth compared with monometallic nanoparticles, while assays on mammalian cells indicate reduced cytotoxicity, suggesting that core–shell design can balance plant pathogen control with biosafety concerns.

Nanoparticle Applications in Plant Disease Management publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in nanoparticle applications in plant disease management across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Nanoparticle: A particle with dimensions between 1 and 100 nanometres, exhibiting size-dependent physical and chemical properties.

Core–shell nanocomposite: A nanoscale material in which a central ‘core’ is enveloped by a distinct ‘shell’, combining complementary functionalities.

Phyto-synthesis: A green approach to nanoparticle production that uses plant extracts as reducing and stabilising agents.

Bio-fabrication: The use of biological organisms or their metabolites to synthesise nanoparticles under eco-friendly conditions.

Foliar spray: Application of liquid formulations directly onto plant leaves to deliver active agents such as nanoparticles.

References

1. Phyto-Synthesis and Characterization of Silver Nanoparticles Using Box-Behnken Design and Its Anti-Alternaria Activity. Clean Technologies (2023).
2. Bio-Fabrication of ZnONPs from Alkalescent Nucleoside Antibiotic to Control Rice Blast: Impact on Pathogen (Magnaporthe grisea) and Host (Rice). International Journal of Molecular Sciences (2023).
3. Novel Zinc/Silver Ions-Loaded Alginate/Chitosan Microparticles Antifungal Activity against Botrytis cinerea. Polymers (2023).
4. One-pot synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles via chemical precipitation for bromophenol blue adsorption and the antifungal activity against filamentous fungi. Scientific Reports (2021).
5. Understanding the Antifungal Mechanism of Ag@ZnO Core-shell Nanocomposites against Candida krusei. Scientific Reports (2016).
6. ROS-dependent anticandidal activity of zinc oxide nanoparticles synthesized by using egg albumen as a biotemplate. Advances in Natural Sciences Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (2013).
7. Nanomaterial Fungicides: In Vitro and In Vivo Antimycotic Activity of Cobalt and Nickel Nanoferrites on Phytopathogenic Fungi. Global Challenges (2017).