Myco-nanotechnology in Agriculture

Fungi are causing limitless losses to crops, fresh fruits and plant products in storage. They are, with their more than 8000 pathogenic species, defeating all other pest groups in harming plant and their products. Fungal diseases may be controlled through the use of fungicides and other agriculture practices. However, application of nanoparticles as spray and soil drench to plants, can be used to control a number of fungal diseases. Nanoparticles may be a future solution of fungal disease control. Nano-sized particles are significant in medical and agricultural field because of their large surface to volume ratio and their bactericidal, fungicidal and anti-cancerous properties. Nanoparticles synthesis using biological resources instead of chemical based synthesis is dragging attention now a day because of their eco-friendly nature. Fungi have more metal bioaccumulation capacity and are better economic source for nanoparticles synthesis. Fungal facilitated synthesis of nanoparticles is an amazing approach which interrelates nanotechnology and fungal biotechnology. Many fungal species are known to be used in synthesis of nanoparticles e.g., Penicillium, Verticillium, Fusarium, Aspergillius and yeasts etc. Biosynthesis of various types of myconanoparticles is carried out using salts of metals such as silver, gold, titanium, selenium, platinum, palladium, zirconia, tellurium, cadmium, telluride, silica, magnetite gold-silver alloy etc. Among these myco-nanoparticles, silver has become commonly used in consumer products. They show tremendous antimicrobial properties, treat plant diseases and used in various areas such as DNA analysis, cancer therapy, drug delivery, gene treatment and as biosensors.