Nanopesticides as emerging agri-chemical formulations for income maximization

Abstract

Pesticides denotes a wide range of agro-chemicals, those are extensively used in agriculture for protection of crops from diseases, pests and weeds. Pesticides are exploited both extensively and intensively to minimize these losses and around 3 billion tons of pesticides are employed for the same. The biggest hurdle that lead to the failure of these pesticides was the water-insolubility of these formulations. A new advent in this scenario is the nanopesticides which relies on the nano-sizing or the reduction of droplet size to a billionth, to enhance the surface area, activity and water solubility of the chemicals. Nanocapsules have shown controlled release and slow degradation of active ingredient (AI), making them more efficient in controlling plant disease and pests. They have the potential to revolutionize the agrochemical sector due to its superior physical and chemical properties, by virtue of which, it has better application in pest management strategies. These molecules might probably become the answer to the deleterious effects caused by the over-exploitation of pesticides. They can bring down the quantity of pesticides currently being used around the world for pest management methods, and thus restore the balance of ecosystem, at the same time, ensure food safety and food security. The combination of low efficiency and the environmental backlash of conventional pesticides like the environmental degradation, non-biodegradability, bio magnification, etc. makes the nanopesticides a safer alternative to the conventional formulations. Moreover, due to its higher efficiency, it is more cost-effective and thus reduces the expenditure on plant protection measures. Botanical insecticides associated with nanotechnology that are based on active agents isolated from plant extracts as well as essential oils are derived from certain plants. At a time when the conventional pesticides pose an immense threat to the quality of environment and the health of the organisms, more emphasize should be given on development of nano-formulation of pesticides, which proves to be more potent and selective over the conventional formulations. Though these formulations have not reported to cause any acute toxicity in the non-target organisms till date, more thrust should be given on this aspect to come up with ways to nullify the short comings before its ingression in agriculture.