Engineered nano-pesticides: a multifaceted strategy for sustainable crop protection and enhanced food security in the era of climate change

To ensure global food security and sustainable agricultural productivity in the coming years, modern technology is essential. It can boost food production, increase resilience to agroclimatic disruptions, and maintain healthy agroecosystems. Pesticide use is widely considered unsustainable due to inefficient application, high energy and water consumption, and potential harm to agroecosystems. Engineered nanoparticles (ENPs) present a promising alternative to traditional pesticides by enabling targeted delivery and controlled release of active ingredients (AIs), thereby enhancing pesticidal efficacy and efficiency. This review examines how nanopesticides, which enhance crop defense and directly target pathogens much like optimal plant nutrition, can be used to manage agricultural pests and improve yields. Nanopesticides offer several benefits, including improved crop yield and quality, enhanced foliar adhesion, and targeted delivery of active ingredients (AIs) to reduce damage from biotic and abiotic stressors. This article finds that while nanopesticides are more effective and sustainable than traditional pesticides, they may also pose greater ecological risks. Therefore, further research is needed to fully understand these potential detrimental impacts. By boosting crop yields, these benefits promote sustainable agriculture and enhance global food security.