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Nanotechnology-enabled phytodiagnostics on the brink of farm usage
Journal
Nanotechnology-Based Sustainable Alternatives for the Management of Plant Diseases
Date Issued
2021-11-04
Author(s)
Rajwade, Jyutika
Paknikar, Kishore
Abstract
Heavy reliance on agriculture will continue for meeting the needs of the ever growing population all over the world. Variety of plant pathogens affect yield and quality of agricultural produce adversely which leads to huge economic losses. To this end, conventional diagnostics techniques were supplemented by developments in serological and molecular methods; but with the advent of nanotechnology, possibilities for detection of ultra-trace amounts of analytes exist due to the unprecedented characteristics of materials in their 'nano' forms. In agri-bio-nanotechnology, existing technologies are being coupled with advanced nanomaterials and nanocomposites for the detection of DNA, RNA, proteins, etc. to achieve attributes of an 'ideal' phytodiagnostic such as sensitivity, specificity, reproducibility, affordability, and portability. Specifically, with the use of nanotechnology-based sensors and P-O-C devices, early disease warnings can be obtained, and applications of pesticides, insecticides, antimicrobials could be planned, resulting in reduce the economic losses and ensuring 'safety' and 'security'. The present chapter is a review on all efforts at development of nanophytodiagnostics for on-farm applications.
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