Functionalized nanoclays as bioactive materials for the management of plant pathogens in agriculture

Abstract

Alternatively, natural active ingredients (AIs) and bioproducts can enhance plantproduction. Nevertheless, due to their quick removal by climatic factors, their lowwater solubility, and their rapid decomposition by soil microorganisms, encapsulationor immobilization of different AIs has been extensively used to functionalize, protect,and release the desired active molecule, giving a more effective biological action incrops [6].Therefore, researchers working in agriculture are looking for better strategies to battlepests and plant pathogens. In this context, novel technologies are emerging with the aimof managing plant diseases related to bacteria, fungi, and flowering plant parasites, amongother pathogens, using the benefits of nanotechnology in sustainable agriculture [1,5].Nanotechnology has been helpful in this area and recent developments have shown,for example, that different nanomaterials can either effectively help to reduce the useof synthetic pesticides as well as complement or completely replace them [7]. The useof nanocarriers for the delivery of pesticides and other active molecules exhibits severaladvantages. For example, this kind of material is usually safe to users, environmentallybenevolent, and compatible with growth media, plants, and other organisms. In addition,the controlled release (CR) of such substances could prolong the durability of the AI inthe agro-environment, maintaining an uninterrupted supply for crops and reducing thefrequency of application and labor cost [1].In the last few decades, nanoclays (NCs) have gained increasing popularity in developingmaterials useful for sustainable agricultural practices [8]. These materials are availablein large amounts at low prices and exhibit interesting properties as they can be custommodifiedor functionalized for specific applications owing to their structure, functionality,and biocompatibility [9].