Recent Advancements and Applications of Nano-agrochemicals Against Plant Fungal Diseases

Biotic stress in plants is considered one of the main environmental constraints which ultimately affects crop performance. Biotic agents such as pests, viruses, insects, fungi, and nematodes cause the malnourishment of plants by depriving them of nutrient content when interacting. It also affects photosynthetic activity and eventually makes the plants die in serious conditions. Globally, it is reported that 70–80% of plant diseases are caused by fungal organisms. Plants respond to fungal infections by the innate and systemic defense mechanisms. Although the plant has a natural defense against stress factors, fungal infections could affect the entire plant system and spread rapidly through spores in many cases. Therefore, effective and eco-friendly strategies are needed to be developed to mitigate fungal infection in plants. Nano-agricultural technology has become a promising strategy to control both resilient and persistent fungal infections in plants. Recent advancements made with nanoparticles to control plant fungal diseases have a better ability to prevent infection, maintain sustainable production, reduce environmental pollution, and have lesser toxic effects compared to conventional chemical methods in agriculture. The physicochemical properties of the engineered nanomaterials, specifically to the targeted pathogen, enable the plants to counteract and survive the infection. The nano-sized structure and high surface area of the synthesized nano-fungicides ensure the efficiency and availability of antifungal agents to the crops. This chapter reveals the advantages and applications of nanomaterials and their mode of action to reduce pathogenic fungal infection in plants.