by Nanotechnology is revolutionizing industries through the use of materials and systems at the nanoscale level. One area that nanotechnology is being applied is in agriculture through the development of nanotechnology. Nanopesticides utilize nanoparticles, which are substances that are between 1 to 100 nanometers in at least one dimension, to effectively target and control agricultural pests.
Types of Nanopesticides
There are several types of nanotechnology currently being researched and developed:
Nanocapsules
Nanocapsules are nano-sized particles that have an outer polymeric coating surrounding an inner liquid or solid core that contains the active pesticidal ingredient. The shell protects the active ingredient from degradation while releasing it in a controlled manner at the target site. This improves effectiveness and reduces environmental contamination.
Nanoscale Emulsions
Nanoscale emulsions involve dispersing the active ingredient in nano-sized emulsified droplets that can easily penetrate plant tissues and cell walls. The small droplet size allows for even coverage of plant surfaces and uptake into leaves. This increases absorption and pest control ability.
Nanocoatings
Nanocoatings entail coating seeds, stems, or roots with pest-repelling nanostructures. These nanostructures prevent pests from settling or feeding on treated areas. Some nanocoatings can release pesticides over time to establish a pest-free zone around crops.
Nanotubes and Nanorods
Some pesticides are being developed that use nanorods or nanotubes as carriers for other active ingredients. The nanocarriers help deliver pesticides directly to pest sites for more potent effects and less environmental runoff.
Benefits of Nanopesticides
There are several key benefits offered by nanotechnology:
Targeted Delivery
Because of their small size, nanotechnology can penetrate plant tissues and selectively target pest sites. This allows for localized and precise delivery of pesticides only where needed rather than blanket spraying entire fields.
Increased Efficacy
The ability of Nanopesticides to penetrate tissues and target specific sites means active ingredients face less degradation and can interact directly with pests. This boosts the potency and performance of pesticides, often requiring lower application rates.
Controlled Release
Many nanopesticide formulations are designed to gradually release active ingredients over time through encapsulation or coatings on their surface. This establishes longer-lasting pest protection and reduces number of applications required.
Less Environmental Impact
With their heightened efficacy, nanotechnology can be applied at low volumes and frequencies, minimizing runoff into soil and water systems. Their targeted delivery also limits introduction of pesticides into non-target areas. This decreases environmental contamination.
Potential Concerns about Nanopesticides
While nanotechnology offer advantages over conventional pesticides, research is still needed to address some concerns:
Toxicological Effects
More studies are needed to understand how nanoparticles may interact with and impact the environment, organisms, and human health upon entry into ecosystems through applications, runoff, etc. in both the short and long term.
Control and Regulation
The novel properties of nanopesticides may make traditional testing methods inadequate for evaluation. Clear guidelines and standards have yet to be established for their manufacture, application, and management to ensure safety.
Unintended Consequences
The small size of nanoparticles enables them to move easily within environments. However, their behavior and fate within complex natural systems are still not fully comprehended, raising uncertainty regarding unintended ecological impacts over the long run.
Resistance Development
Heavily relying on any new class of pesticides poses dangers of targeted pests rapidly evolving resistance, as seen with GMO crops. Rotating nanopesticide use with different control methods may delay such resistance.
Current Research and Commercialization
Research on nanopesticides is still in the early stages but ongoing work involves:
Formulation Optimization
Scientists are experimenting with various nanomaterials, encapsulation techniques, sizes, shapes and surface functionalizations to design formulations with the most desirable release kinetics and pesticidal activities.
Toxicological Testing
Safety research with nanopesticides focuses on analyzing their absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion in plants and environments, along with acute and chronic effects on various organisms.
Field Trials
Selected promising nanopesticide prototypes are undergoing limited field applications and assessments to evaluate real-world pest control implications and identify ways to upscale production.
Some commercial crops where nanotechnology are beginning to be marketed include grapes, strawberries and citruses where a few products based on inorganic nanoparticles and nanocoatings have received regulatory approvals. As research continues to address present challenges, nanotechnology appear poised to greatly transform future pest management strategies in agriculture.
*Note:
1. Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public sources, Desk research
2. We have leveraged AI tools to mine information and compile it
About Author - Ravina Pandya
Ravina Pandya,a content writer, has a strong foothold in the market research industry. She specializes in writing well-researched articles from different industries, including food and beverages, information and technology, healthcare, chemicals and materials, etc. With an MBA in E-commerce, she has expertise in SEO-optimized content that resonates with industry professionals. LinkedIn Profile
