Nano-Biopesticides Today and Future Perspectives

Opender Koul

• Publisher: Academic Press
• Year: 2019
• Print ISBN: 9780128158296
• eBook ISBN: 9780128158302
• Topic: Biological Sciences
• Subtopic: Entomology
• Index: Biological Sciences

Nano-Biopesticides Today and Future Perspectives is the first single-volume resource to examine the practical development, implementation and implications of combining the environmentally aware use of biopesticides with the potential power of nanotechnology. While biopesticides have been utilized for years, researchers have only recently begun exploring delivery methods that utilize nanotechnology to increase efficacy while limiting the negative impacts traditionally seen through the use of pest control means. Written by a panel of global experts, the book provides a foundation on nano-biopesticide development paths, plant health and nutrition, formulation and means of delivery.Researchers in academic and commercial settings will value this foundational reference of insights within the biopesticide realm.- Provides comprehensive insights, including relevant information on environmental impact and safety, technology development, implementation, and intellectual property- Discusses the role of nanotechnology and its potential applications as a nanomaterial in crop protection for a cleaner and greener agriculture- Presents a strategic, comprehensive and forward-looking approach

Chapter 1

Nanobiopesticides: An introduction

Opender Koul Insect Biopesticide Research Centre, Jalandhar, India

Abstract

Nanotechnology is recognized as one of the key strategies that can contribute to sustainable and competitive agriculture. Several studies have reported an enhancement in the efficacy of certain biological substances on pests, a decrease in toxicity toward humans and the environment, and a reduction of losses due to physical degradation with the encapsulation of these substances in nanoparticulate systems. Thus, nanotechnology could contribute to the development of less toxic biopesticides with favorable safety profiles, increased stability of the active agents, enhanced activity on target pests, and increased adoption by end users. Research has shown that the use of nanoparticles is effective in protecting plant products and plant oils from rapid degradation, allowing a prolonged effect on target pests. Because the polymers used in this kind of formulation are biodegradable, continuous delivery of the active agent with low environmental harm is achieved. Though studies on the risk assessment of nanomaterials vis-à-vis biopesticides toward agroecosystem components after their release into the environment is lacking, it is imperative to add risk-assessment protocols into the strategies based on nanotechnology. Overall, nanobiotechnology seems promising in the direction of formulations that can be used to improve the stability and efficacy of natural products. Such formulations can provide controlled release of the molecules at the site of action, minimize potential toxic effects on nontarget organisms, and prevent degradation of the active agent by microorganisms. While there is certainly industrial activity aimed in this direction, the technology is still far from proven, with major questions persisting around release rates, storage stability, and cost effectiveness. Use of engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) is a widely known phenomenon in nanotechnology. However, relevant toxicity endpoints for ENMs need to be identified and safety evaluations need to be conducted before their application strategies are employed. Safety assessments are not easy because the application of ENMs will be relative to different selected organisms that will depict the sensitivity to the potential toxic effects.

Keywords

Nanotechnology; Nanobiopesticides; Nanoencapsulation; Nanosensors; Sustainable agriculture; Engineered nanomaterials; Environment

Acknowledgments

I am thankful to Murray B. Isman, University of BC, Canada and Melanie Kah, University of Vienna, Austria for their critical reading of the earlier version of the chapter.

1.1 Introduction

The term nanotechnology was coined in 1974 by Norio Taniguichi of Tokyo Science University to describe semiconductor processes such as thin-film deposition that dealt with control on the order of nanometers. His definition still stands as the basic statement today: "Nanotechnology mainly consists of the processing of separation, consolidation, and deformation of materials by one atom or one molecule." Nanotechnology deals with materials at nanoscale levels (1–100 nm), whereby the properties of the matter change compared to the macrosize and thus enable unique applications. However, the definition of nanomaterials is really not a straightforward entity and may not be just a matter of size. The nanoscale can be applied to one or more dimensions and the form of the particles can be in aggregate, agglomerate, or nanostructured materials (Parisi et al., 2015). The available data suggest that about 90% of the nano-based products and patents have been developed in China, Germany, France, Japan, Switzerland, South Korea, and the United States (http://statnano.com/news/45648). In India, progress to date has been slow. However, according to the Planning Commission of India Report of 2011, India has created a nanomission with responsibility for setting nanoscience institutions, developing nanoscale systems, and establishing a regulatory framework for nanotechnology.

Overall applications of nanotechnology in agriculture can be categorized into several groups, such as:

• • Seed science.
• • Nanofertilizers for crop nutrition.
• • Nanoherbicides for weed control.
• • Nanopesticides/biopesticides.
• • Water management.
• • Nanoscale carriers.
• • Biosensors to detect nutrients and contaminants and crop-monitoring decisions.
• • Issues of agricultural engineering.
• • Animal sciences.
• • Fisheries and aquaculture.

As per the data available, crops are attacked by about 67,000 species of organisms, and among these insects and mites are the major taxa. The global agricultural production losses due to these pests have been estimated at 10%–16% (Bradshaw et al., 2016). Obviously, different approaches have been used to overcome these losses and the use of nanotechnology for this purpose is gaining momentum due to the potential of this technology in the effective delivery of products. As this book discusses nanobiopesticides in general, therefore, the application of nanomaterials in agriculture is the focus that aims to reduce applications of plant protection products, minimize nutrient losses in fertilization, and increase yields through optimized nutrient management. This implies that while reduction in the pesticide load is inevitable, crop health and vigor cannot be ignored where the use of biofertilizers becomes an equally important component within the pest management system. Nanotechnology tools such as nanoparticles and nanocapsules are being used for the detection and treatment of crop diseases, the enhancement of nutrient absorption by plants, active ingredient delivery, and the exploration of plant breeding and genetic transformations. The potential of nanotechnology in agriculture is large but a few issues remain to be addressed, such as increasing the scale of production processes and lowering costs as well as risk-assessment issues. In this respect, particularly attractive are nanoparticles derived from biopolymers such as proteins and carbohydrates with a low impact on human health and the environment. For instance, the potential of starch-based nanoparticles as nontoxic and sustainable delivery systems for agrochemicals and biostimulants is being extensively investigated. Nanomaterials and nanostructures with unique chemical, physical, and mechanical properties—for example, electrochemically active carbon nanotubes, nanofibers, and fullerenes—have been recently developed and applied for highly sensitive biochemical sensors. These nanosensors (Mishra et al., 2017; Parisi et al., 2015) also have relevant implications for applications in agriculture, in particular for soil analysis, easy biochemical sensing and control, water management and delivery, detection of crop pathogens, and pesticide and nutrient delivery. Nanosensors can also be used for the interpretation of nutrient operations, disease protection, and the sustenance of crop stature (Kaushal and Wani, 2017).

However, on the whole, agro-nanotech innovative products are experiencing commercial constraints due to production costs and the requirement of high volumes of products under field conditions, thus making agricultural applications still a marginal sector for nanotechnology.

1.2 Potential of Nanotechnology

The potential of nanotechnology in terms of its agricultural applications is significantly high; however, there are some key issues that need to be addressed (Fraceto et al., 2016). The foremost issue is application under field conditions, that is, to develop efficient crop production products. Second is the development of sustainable and clean technology. Third is the commercial viability, that is, having cost-effective technologies that are effective. The fourth issue is the fate of nanoproducts and their risk assessment. Last but not least would be the issue of regulation vis-à-vis use in the field and the socioeconomic aspects. However, two applications have played a very significant role in agriculture.

1. 1. Nanoencapsulation.
2. 2. Nanosensors.

Nanoencapsulation plays a vital role in the protection of the environment by reducing leaching and the evaporation of harmful substances as well as its specific potential for pesticide/biopesticide delivery. This is because such nanoencapsulated products would reduce the dosage of pesticides and become environmentally friendly for crop protection (Nuruzzaman et al., 2016) as well as being obtained in different forms (Fig. 1.1). The worldwide consumption of pesticides is about two million tonnes per year, of which 45% is used in Europe alone, 25% is consumed in the United States and 30% in the rest of the world. Careless and haphazard pesticide use increases pathogen and pest resistance, reduces soil biodiversity, kills useful soil microbes, causes biomagnification of pesticides and pollinator decline, and destroys the natural habitat of beneficial organisms such as birds. Therefore, uses and benefits of nanoencapsulation in insect pest management via formulations of nanomaterial-based pesticides and insecticides, increase in agricultural productivity using nanoparticle-encapsulated fertilizers for slow and sustained release of nutrients and water could play a significant role.

Fig. 1.1 Nanoencapsulated materials within a shell give different forms as shown.

Nanosensors (Kaushal and Wani, 2017) are analytical devices with at least one sensing dimension no gr...

Table of contents

• Cover image
• Title page
• Table of Contents
• Copyright
• Contributors
• About the Editor
• Preface
• Chapter 1: Nanobiopesticides: An introduction
• Chapter 2: Nanotechnology in crop protection: Status and future trends
• Chapter 3: Nanobiopesticide perspectives for protection and nutrition of plants
• Chapter 4: Nanobiopesticides: Composition and preparation methods
• Chapter 5: Green nanoemulsion interventions for biopesticide formulations
• Chapter 6: Polymer/layered silicate nanocomposites as matrix for bioinsecticide formulations
• Chapter 7: Nanobiopesticide formulations: Application strategies today and future perspectives
• Chapter 8: Bioavailability and environmental safety of nanobiopesticides
• Chapter 9: Oil in water nanoemulsion formulations of botanical active substances
• Chapter 10: Bacillus thuringiensis-based nanopesticides for crop protection
• Chapter 11: Application of baculoviruses as biopesticides and the possibilities of nanoparticle mediated delivery
• Chapter 12: Silver nanoparticles: Potential as insecticidal and microbial biopesticides
• Chapter 13: Silver nanoparticle-based biopesticides for phytopathogens: Scope and potential in agriculture
• Chapter 14: Nanobiofungicides: Present concept and future perspectives in fungal control
• Chapter 15: Bioherbicides and nanotechnology: Current status and future trends
• Chapter 16: Patenting issues in the development of nanobiopesticides
• Chapter 17: Nanobiopesticides in agriculture: State of the art and future opportunities
• Index