Nanopesticides: Promising Future in Sustainable Pest Management

Abstract

Insects form the most successful and diverse group of animals present on earth today. Humans have shared a complex relationship with the insects. Though insects are indispensable as pollinators of crops yet at the same time they act as major destroyer of grains, pulses and fruits in the fields along with their post- harvest storage. Many of the dreadful diseases are also being transmitted by insect vectors to humans, livestock and other animals. Economic damage caused by insect pests is enormous. Adoption of advanced pest management strategies can alleviate the monetary losses substantially. Nanotechnological approach for pest control is an emerging and effective technique since it encompasses a wide range of objectives of an efficient pesticide like increased dispersion and solubility, slow release, controlled delivery system and protection against degradation. Newer formulations of pesticides with the intervention of nanotechnology are aimed to enhance their pesticidal properties. Insecticide formulations using nanomaterials as carriers of active ingredient have shown promising results for mitigation of pests of agriculture, storage and disease vectors. However, at present the knowledge is limited. There is a need for extensive evaluation of the toxicity of nanopesticides and the risks involved for humans and environment before their large-scale production and adoption. In this review article nanoformulations of pesticides with special emphasis on metal-based nanopesticides and their role as efficient alternatives in sustainable control of insect pests without much adverse impact on the environment has been summarized.