Indiscriminate use of pesticides and fertilizers causes environmental pollution, emergence of agricultural pests and pathogens, and loss of biodiversity. Nanotechnology, by virtue of nanomaterial related properties, has potential agro-biotechnological applications for alleviation of these problems. The literature pertaining to the role of nanotechnology in plant and soil systems demonstrates that nanomaterials may assist in a) the controlled release of agrochemicals for nutrition and protection against pests and pathogens, b) delivery of genetic material, c) sensitive detection of plant disease and pollutants and d) protection and formation of soil structure. For instance, porous silica (15nm) and biodegradable, polymeric chitosan (78nm) nanoparticles displayed slow release of encapsulated pesticide and fertilizer, respectively. Further, nanosized gold (5-25nm) delivered DNA to plant cells while iron oxide (30nm) based nanosensors detected pesticides at minute levels. These functions assist the development of precision farming by minimizing pollution and maximizing the value of farming practice.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.biotechadv.2011.06.007 | DOI Listing |
Mycologia
January 2025
Crops Pathology and Genetics Research Unit, USDA-ARS Davis, Davis, California 95616.
Fungal trunk diseases are of major concern for tree fruit, nut, and grape growers throughout the world. These diseases include Eutypa dieback of grape, caused by , band canker of almond, caused by and , and twig and branch dieback of walnut, caused by , Botryosphaeria dieback of grape, caused by , and , and esca of grape, caused by and . Given the common occurrence of mixed infections, and the similar wood symptoms at the macroscopic level, species-specific detection tools are needed.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSci Data
January 2025
Institute of Pesticide and Environmental Toxicology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, P. R. China.
Cyperus iria is an aggressive weed of rice throughout the world. Until now, the reference genome of C. iria has not been published.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArch Insect Biochem Physiol
January 2025
Insect Molecular Genetics and Biotechnology, Institute of Biosciences and Applications, National Centre for Scientific Research "Demokritos", Athens, Greece.
The discovery that infections of viruses are pervasive among insects has considerable potential for future applications, such as new strategies for pest control through the manipulation of virus-host interactions. However, few studies can be found that aim to minimize (for beneficial insects) or maximize (for pests) virus impact or virulence. Viruses generally employ molecular mechanisms that deviate from the cells' to increase their replication efficiency and to avoid the immune response.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Plant Physiol
January 2025
Department of Botany, University of Delhi, New Delhi, 110007, Delhi, India. Electronic address:
As our planet faces increasing environmental challenges, such as biotic pressures, abiotic stressors, and climate change, it is crucial to understand the complex mechanisms that underlie stress responses in crop plants. Over past few years, the integration of techniques of proteomics, transcriptomics, and genomics like LC-MS, IT-MS, MALDI-MS, DIGE, ESTs, SAGE, WGS, GWAS, GBS, 2D-PAGE, CRISPR-Cas, cDNA-AFLP, HLS, HRPF, MPSS, CAGE, MAS, IEF, MudPIT, SRM/MRM, SWATH-MS, ESI have significantly enhanced our ability to comprehend the molecular pathways and regulatory networks, involved in balancing the ecosystem/ecology stress adaptation. This review offers thorough synopsis of the current research on utilizing these multi-omics methods (including metabolomics, ionomics) for battling abiotic (salinity, temperature (chilling/freezing/cold/heat), flood (hypoxia), drought, heavy metals/loids), biotic (pathogens like fungi, bacteria, virus, pests, and insects (aphids, caterpillars, moths, mites, nematodes) and climate change stress (ozone, ultraviolet radiation, green house gases, carbon dioxide).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPest Manag Sci
January 2025
Department of Plant Pathology and Weed Research, Agricultural Research Organization, Volcani Institute, Rishon LeZion, Israel.
Agricultural landscapes adjacent to human settlements are subject to unique ecological dynamics that influence pest populations, yet the complexity of these relationships remains relatively underexplored. This review synthesizes current knowledge on the impacts of urban proximity on agricultural plant pathogen pest dynamics, focusing on spatial distribution patterns, theoretical frameworks from landscape ecology, and the specific mechanisms driving these interactions. The urban heat island effect, habitat fragmentation, and human activities contribute to altered microclimates, reduced natural predator populations, and increased pest proliferation near settlements.
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