Agronanotechnology for Plant Fungal Disease Management: A Review

Crop cultivators continually battle with fungal diseases affecting their crops. Plant pathogenic fungi must be controlled if consumer demand in developed countries for premium quality and diverse foods is to be met; while high quality cereals, fruits and vegetables are an indicator of economic growth in developing countries. Commercial agriculture relies heavily upon high inputs of chemical pesticides to protect crops against pathogens and pests. The resistance of pests and plant pathogens against pesticides and fungicides is rapidly becoming a serious problem. These practices are currently being reevaluated due to concerns about the possible health and environmental consequences. Growing consumer awareness towards the use of these chemical compounds is beginning to direct farmers into the investigation of alternative chemical control measures. Nanotechnology has emerged as a tool to explore the darkest avenues of Science and technology research and promises a pool of research and opportunities in areas of medicine and healthcare, biotechnology, materials and manufacturing, energy, information ISSN: 2319-7706 Volume 3 Number 10 (2014) pp. 71-84 http://www.ijcmas.com