Nanotechnology Primer

This chapter provides an in-depth primer on nanotechnology, with a focus on its application in plant virology. It explores the fundamental principles behind nanotechnology, highlighting the unique properties of nanoparticles (NPs) due to their size (1–100 nm). The chapter outlines the various types of nanoparticles, including metallic, carbon-based, organic, and inorganic, and examines their physicochemical properties such as size, shape, surface charge, and stability. The size-dependent reactivity and surface area of nanoparticles make them highly effective in plant disease diagnostics, antiviral treatments, and real-time monitoring of plant health. The chapter further discusses the methods for nanoparticle synthesis and characterization and investigates their interactions with plant systems and viral pathogens. By integrating interdisciplinary knowledge from nanoscience, plant pathology, and biotechnology, this chapter serves as a foundation for the use of nanoparticles in managing plant viral diseases and offers insights into their future applications in sustainable agriculture.