The Intervention of Nanotechnology in the Management of Plant Biotic Stresses for Sustainable Agricultural System

Nanotechnology is an interdisciplinary area of research with a vast range of applications in agricultural, health, and environmental sectors. However, the extensive use of chemical-based nanopesticides have adverse effects on plant, soil, and environment system. In recent years, nanomaterials have become a topic of extensive research in the agricultural sector as nanofertilizers (NFs), nanopesticides, and nanocarriers (for target-specific delivery of agrochemicals), etc. Nowadays, there is a rising concern to develop a sustainable and eco-friendly method for the synthesis of green nanopesticides. Recently, microbe-mediated nanoparticles (NPs) as nanopesticides are attracting the interests of agriculturists specifically in plant biotic stress management as compared to traditional chemical and physical approaches. However, due to their small size, high reactivity, and large surface area to volume ratio, they can be used as nanopesticides (fungicides/bactericides). Furthermore, the use of microbes for metallic NPs synthesis is an inexpensive, reliable, and eco-friendly approach. The aim of this chapter is to present the state-of-the-art formulations of NPs produced by using biological methods for the plant biotic stress management.