NANOTECHNOLOGY IN PLANT PATHOLOGY: INNOVATIVE TOOLS FOR EARLY PATHOGEN DETECTION
Authors: M. D. Joshi, R. G. Parmar, A. H. Barad and J. S. Chaudhary
M. D. Joshi: Department of Plant Pathology, B. A. College of Agriculture, AAU, Anand-388 110 Gujarat, India.
R. G. Parmar: Department of Plant Pathology, B. A. College of Agriculture, AAU, Anand-388 110 Gujarat, India.
A. H. Barad: Department of Plant Protection, College of Horticulture, AAU, Anand-388 110 Gujarat, India.
J. S. Chaudhary: Department of Plant Pathology, B. A. College of Agriculture, AAU, Anand-388 110 Gujarat, India.
ABSTRACT
Plant pathogens are critical factors that restrict crop yields, causing substantial reductions in agricultural productivity worldwide. They pose serious threats to food security and remain a major global challenge for agriculture. While chemical treatments remain the primary method for controlling plant diseases, repeated use can lead to reduced pathogen sensitivity. Excessive application can also harm the environment and disrupt soil microbiota. To promote agricultural sustainability and safeguard food security, it is essential to develop efficient diagnostic methods for the early and rapid plant pathogens detection. Various conventional and molecular techniques have been designed for the quick detection of plant pathogens. However, these methods are usually costly, time-consuming, dependent on skilled operators, and not ideal for in-field analysis. Plant protection becomes achievable with the use of nanotechnology tools such as microneedle patches, nanopore sequencing, nano barcoding, nano biosensors, quantum dots. These tools offer significant potential to enhance the sensitivity, accuracy, and speed of plant pathogen detection while enabling high-throughput analysis.
Keywords: Nanotechnology, Plant Pathology, Pathogen Detection, Nano Biosensors, Quantum Dots, Microneedle Patches, Nanopore Sequencing, Bio-barcode Assay, Plant Disease Diagnosis and Sustainable Agriculture.