Nano-Agrochemicals as Substitutes for Pesticides: Prospects and Risks
Shehbaz Ali,
Naveed Ahmad,
Mudasir A. Dar,
Sehrish Manan,
Abida Rani,
Suliman Mohammed Suliman Alghanem,
Khalid Ali Khan,
Sivasamy Sethupathy,
Noureddine Elboughdiri,
Yasser S. Mostafa,
Saad A. Alamri,
Mohamed Hashem,
Muhammad Shahid,
Daochen Zhu
Affiliations
Shehbaz Ali
Biofuels Institute, School of Emergency Management, School of the Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China
Naveed Ahmad
Joint Center for Single Cell Biology, Shanghai Collaborative Innovation Center of Agri-Seeds, School of Agriculture and Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai 200240, China
Mudasir A. Dar
Biofuels Institute, School of Emergency Management, School of the Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China
Sehrish Manan
Biofuels Institute, School of Emergency Management, School of the Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China
Abida Rani
Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan 60800, Pakistan
Suliman Mohammed Suliman Alghanem
Department of Biology, College of Science, Qassim University, Burydah 52571, Saudi Arabia
Khalid Ali Khan
Applied College, Mahala Campus and the Unit of Bee Research and Honey Production/Research Center for Advanced Materials Science (RCAMS), King Khalid University, P.O. Box 9004, Abha 61413, Saudi Arabia
Sivasamy Sethupathy
Biofuels Institute, School of Emergency Management, School of the Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China
Noureddine Elboughdiri
Chemical Engineering Department, College of Engineering, University of Ha’il, P.O. Box 2440, Ha’il 81441, Saudi Arabia
Yasser S. Mostafa
Department of Biology, College of Science, King Khalid University, P.O. Box 9004, Abha 61413, Saudi Arabia
Saad A. Alamri
Department of Biology, College of Science, King Khalid University, P.O. Box 9004, Abha 61413, Saudi Arabia
Mohamed Hashem
Department of Botany and Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Assiut University, Assiut 71515, Egypt
Muhammad Shahid
Department of Bioinformatics and Biotechnology, Government College University, Faisalabad 38000, Pakistan
Daochen Zhu
Biofuels Institute, School of Emergency Management, School of the Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China
This review delves into the mesmerizing technology of nano-agrochemicals, specifically pesticides and herbicides, and their potential to aid in the achievement of UN SDG 17, which aims to reduce hunger and poverty globally. The global market for conventional pesticides and herbicides is expected to reach USD 82.9 billion by 2027, growing 2.7% annually, with North America, Europe, and the Asia–Pacific region being the biggest markets. However, the extensive use of chemical pesticides has proven adverse effects on human health as well as the ecosystem. Therefore, the efficacy, mechanisms, and environmental impacts of conventional pesticides require sustainable alternatives for effective pest management. Undoubtedly, nano-agrochemicals have the potential to completely transform agriculture by increasing crop yields with reduced environmental contamination. The present review discusses the effectiveness and environmental impact of nanopesticides as promising strategies for sustainable agriculture. It provides a concise overview of green nano-agrochemical synthesis and agricultural applications, and the efficacy of nano-agrochemicals against pests including insects and weeds. Nano-agrochemical pesticides are investigated due to their unique size and exceptional performance advantages over conventional ones. Here, we have focused on the environmental risks and current state of nano-agrochemicals, emphasizing the need for further investigations. The review also draws the attention of agriculturists and stakeholders to the current trends of nanomaterial use in agriculture especially for reducing plant diseases and pests. A discussion of the pros and cons of nano-agrochemicals is paramount for their application in sustainable agriculture.
