Green synthesized nanoparticles for disease management in vegetable crops: A review

Vegetables are an important part of our diet and provide essential nutrients, minerals and vitamins that are beneficial to human health. Vegetables are known as protective foods as they promote the uptake of nutrients, fiber and other components. Present vegetable crop farming frequently depends on chemicals that result in environmental issues, including soil deterioration, pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions. The utilization of organic resources that can either fully or partially replace synthetic chemicals are needed to achieve crop protection and sustainability. A notable field in this context is "nanotechnology", which involves the creation, manipulation, and application of materials at the nanoscale that can be effectively utilized in plant disease management. The science of nanotechnology is concerned with the use of nanomaterials (10⁻⁹m in size) to combat plant diseases and improve plant defense mechanisms. The nanotechnology has significant potential to reduce the impact of environmental stresses due to chemicals. Nanoparticles can be synthesized using different approaches, however, nanoparticles produced using living organisms is beneficial, economical and environment friendly. Various, green-synthesized nanoparticles of silver, copper, iron, and zinc have antifungal activity and has the potential to attack plant infections by altering the permeability and respiratory activities of plant cells. The green nanoparticles and their utilization are being recognized and explored in agriculture. This review examines the efficacy of biological agents in the manufacture of eco-friendly nanoparticles utilizing various metallic ions to manage plant pests in vegetable crops. The focus of this review is mainly on the efficacy of green nanoparticles in controlling diseases affecting various vegetable crops. Future research perspectives are outlined to optimize the effectiveness of green nanotechnology in combating plant diseases.