Recent Advances in Plant Pathogen Control by Nanocides

Nanotechnology is a transformative technology and has the great potential to play an important role in world food production and its safety. The engineered nanomaterials possess novel properties due to their size, shape and morphology. These novel properties increase their ability to interact with living organisms. Recently, the use of nanoparticles in agriculture is exponentially increased in the form of nanopesticides, nanofertilizers and nanosensors. The main advantages of the nanoparticles over the conventional formulations, that are required in lesser quantity, which ultimately may reduce the losses in term of money and protect the environment. In this chapter, we have discussed the current use of nanoparticles and formulations for controlling the plant pathogens. The use of nanoparticles has the potential to enhance the suppression of crop diseases and subsequently enhance the sustainability in agriculture. We have also discussed the probable mechanism through which these nanoparticles act as nanocides. Last, we offer comments on the future aspects of these applications.