Recent Advances in Nanomaterial-Based Approaches for Plant Disease Management and Early Detection

Plant diseases caused by various pathogenic microorganisms lead to significant economic losses and increasingly threaten global food security. These challenges are exacerbated by the evolution of pathogens and climate change, which increase the frequency and severity of disease outbreaks. Currently, up to 40% of global crop production is lost due to plant pests and diseases. Therefore, developing novel and eco-friendly methods for efficient disease management is essential to prevent disease outbreaks and monitor plant growth. This review is organized to describe nanoparticle-based strategies for efficient disease management and pathogen monitoring, emphasizing their mechanisms of action in controlling plant diseases. We discuss the direct effects of nanoparticles on pathogens to suppress virulence, their advantages over traditional pesticides, and their interaction with plant growth modulators to regulate key signaling pathways. Despite being in its early stages, research into nanoparticle-mediated plant protection shows excellent potential for advancing sustainable agriculture. Nanoparticle-based pesticides exhibit multiple antipathogenic mechanisms, including modulation of secondary metabolites, activation of disease resistance genes, and targeted delivery of agrochemicals. With the further development of technology, nanoparticle-based sensors can perform molecular-level detection of pathogens, facilitating timely interventions and improved disease management. Additionally, research gaps and experimental limitations are discussed to guide future work toward optimizing nanotechnology for plant disease management.