Efficient & eco-friendly smart nano-pesticides: Emerging prospects for agriculture

Onset of green revolution emerged as boon for the growing population by producing enormous crops. Complete reliance on the chemicals have led to mammalian toxicity, development of insecticide resistance and bio-magnification of pesticides etc. The negative impact of pesticides necessitates the concerted efforts to evolve new innovative pest-resistive, eco-friendly smart nano-pesticides. Nanotechnology with its unique properties offers an alternative that include diversity in nano-formulation and encapsulation methods. Nano-pesticides offer sustained release kinetics, solubility efficient enhanced permeability, and stability to achieve increased pest-control efficiency over longer durations and to prevent degradation of the encapsulated molecules under adverse environmental conditions to achieve maximum gain. Nanoparticles (NPs) can act as ‘magic bullets’ that can be loaded with insecticides, pesticides, herbicides, fungicides etc. and can be released to the target site. Smart delivery of nano-pesticides is quintessential to minimize pesticide dosage to achieve increased efficacy. This review summarizes the importance of nano-pesticides especially metallic NPs for Insect Pest management.