Plant-derived nanopesticides for agricultural pest control: challenges and prospects

As compared to bulk form of pesticides, plant-derived nanopesticides through controlled and sustained release of toxicant have been found to be more effective in reducing pest population and plant infestation levels. Particularly, polymer-based nanoformulations have been commercially exploited for the encapsulation of neem-derived products (seed kernel oil, extract of seed, leaf or bark gum, azadirachtin) compared to other plants. The main concerns yet to be solved include risk assessment to environmental and/or human health and nontarget organisms. There is an urgent need to develop safe and promising formulations and execute regulatory framework for nanopesticides as they have different properties and are applied in small quantity. The current application of nanopesticides in agriculture and their consequences is reviewed here with a perspective of replacing or at least reducing chemical pesticides with precautionary measures.