Skip to main content

Table 1 Stimuli-responsive nanoparticles for the delivery of agrochemicals in response to biotic and abiotic stressors

From: Development of stimuli-responsive nano-based pesticides: emerging opportunities for agriculture

Material

Bioactive substances

Stimuli

Stimuli-responsive trigger

Conditions

Particle properties

Bioactivity

References

Silica

2,4-Dichlorophenoxy (herbicide)

pH/ionic strength/temperature

Trimethyl ammonium

–

423 nm

67.8 mV

Herbicidal activity in Cucumis sativus and reduction of leaching process

[76]

Chitosan and tripolyphosphate

Hexaconazole (fungicide)

pH

Chitosan

–

< 100 nm

Fungicidal activity against R. solani and cytotoxicity reduction

[28]

Silica

Triazolone (fungicide)

pH

Polydopamine and metal ions

–

1.5–10 nm

No biological activity assays

[93]

Lignin

Coumarin-6

pH

Lignin

–

100–400 nm

No biological activity assays

[6]

Chitosan

Copper ions (fungicide)

pH

Chitosan

–

361 nm

22 mV

Fungicidal activity against C. luneta and stimulation of the plant defense mechanism

[29]

Silica

Abamectin (insecticide)

pH

Polystyrene and-(trimethoxysilyl) propyl methacrylate

–

140 nm

Insecticidal activity against Cnaphalocrocis medinalis and increased leaf adhesion

[23]

Poly(succinate)

Nile red

pH

Functionalization with primary amines

–

8–83 nm

No biological activity assays

[27]

Zein

No active compounds

pH

Zein

–

210–297 nm

Soil degradation evaluation

[94]

Silica

Avermectin (insecticide)

pH and enzymes

Cyclodextrin

–

380–400 nm

Insecticidal activity against Plutella xylostella

[15]

Alginate and chitosan

Acetamiprid (insecticide)

pH

Alginate and chitosan

–

201 nm

− 32 mV

No biological activity assays

[66]

Silica

Gibberellic acid (plant growth regulator)

pH/metabolites and ultrasound

Iron nanoparticles

–

139–189 nm

Increase in germination rate of cabbage and Arabidopsis thaliana

[8]

É£-Polyglutamic acid and chitosan

Avermectin (nematicide)

pH

É£-Polyglutamic acid and chitosan

–

56–62 nm

Nematicidal activity

[30]

Silica

Prochloraz (fungicide)

pH/temperature/enzymes

Chitosan

–

340 nm

34 mV

Fungicidal activity and reduction of toxicity to zebrafish

[39]

Alginate

Cypermethrin (fungicide)

pH

Alginate

–

115–119 nm

− 21 mV

Reductions of leaching and phytotoxicity

[35]

Silica

Diquat (herbicide)

pH

Functionalization with sulfonated groups

–

240 nm

− 17 mV

Herbicidal activity against Datura stramonium L.

[95]

Graphene oxide

Salicylaldehyde

pH

Functionalization with hydrazine

–

300 nm

No biological activity assays

[73]

Graphene oxide

Imidazole (fungicide)

pH

Polydopamine

–

− 30 mV

Fungicidal activity against Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cucumerinum and reduction of leaching process

[71]

Poly(succinate) and glycine

Avermectin (insecticide/nematicide)

pH

Glycine methyl ester

–

56 nm

Activity against Plutella xylostella and high leaf adhesion

[65]

Silica

Curcumin

pH

Chitosan

–

139–222 nm

Antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli

[36]

Polydopamine and attapulgite

Chlorpyrifos (insecticide)

pH

Alginate

–

20 nm

Increased larval mortality

[96]

Silica

Azoxystrobin (fungicide)

pH

Chitosan

–

152 nm

Fungicidal activity against Phytophthora infestans

[37]

Silica

Abscisic acid (plant growth regulator)

Redox

Disulfide bond with decanethiol

Increase of glutathione concentration

20 nm

Plant development, reduction of hydric stress, and induction of sustained expression of defense gene (AtGALK2) in Arabidopsis

[48]

Silica

Salicylic acid (plant growth regulator)

Redox

Disulfide bond with decanethiol

Increase of glutathione concentration

85 nm

Induction of sustained expression of defense gene (PR-1) in Arabidopsis

[46]

Chitosan

Gibberellic acid (plant growth regulator)

Temperature

Alginate/chitosan

–

195–450 nm

Increased seed germination and plant development

[79]

Silica

Thymol (fungicide)

pH/temperature

Carboxylic, amino, and hydroxyl groups

–

200 nm

No biological activity assays

[74]

Attapulgite nanocomposite

Herbicide

Temperature

Glyphosate

–

0.5–1000 nm

Herbicide activity/high leaf adhesion

[9]

Polymeric micelle

Insecticide

Temperature

Pyrethrin

–

80–130 nm

Higher larvicidal activity against Culex pipiens pallens

[67]

Biochar and attapulgite

Herbicide

Light

Azobenzene

UV, Vis, UV–Vis, and sunlight

–

93.7% of Bermuda weed was controlled with herbicide particles under UV–Vis exposure

[13]

Polyethylene glycol

Herbicide

3-Nitro-4-bromomethylbenzoic acid

UV light (365 nm)

51 to ~ 63 nm

–

[77]

Carboxymethyl chitosan

Herbicide

2-nitrobenzyl succinate

UV light (365 nm) and sunlight

196 nm

26.2 mV

EE: 91.9%

–

[78]

Photo-removable protecting group

Herbicide

Coumarin

UV–Vis light (310, 350, and 410 nm)

–

Vigna radiata growth inhibition

[69]

Plant growth regulator

Coumarin

Sunlight

–

Promoted shoot and root growth of Cicer arietinum

[80]

Sex pheromone

Coumarin, pyrene, anthracene

UV and sunlight

–

Promoted better attraction of moths (Chilo partellus), compared to the free compounds

[70]

Insecticide

Coumarin

Blue light (420 nm) or sunlight

–

Insecticidal effects against Aphis craccivora under light exposure

[68]

Insecticide

Coumarin

Blue light (420 nm) or sunlight

–

Insecticidal effects against Mythimna separata under blue light exposure

[12]

Acrylate and polyethylene glycol

Herbicide

Coumarin

UV light (310 nm)

–

Inhibition of root growth of Curcubita maxima

[14]

Cucurbut[8]uril

Herbicide

Azobenzene

Sun light (360–800 nm)

187 nm

− 21.7 mV

EE: 16.4%

Paraquat-loaded vesicles were efficient in controlling Estuca arundinaceae with a quick release of herbicide

[21]

Polydopamine capped with PNIPAm

Insecticide

Near-infrared laser/temperature

Photothermal polydopamine

NIR irradiation (808 nm, at 2 W/cm2) and temperature at 40 °C

~ 250 nm

–

[97]

Graphene oxide coated with polydopamine

Fungicide

Near-infrared laser/pH

–

NIR laser (808 nm, 1.5 W/cm2), pH 9

− 30.5 mV

Activity against Fusarium oxysporum

[71]

Silica and carboxymethylcellulose

Insecticide

Enzyme

Cellulase

pH 7 at 25 °C

1 to ~ 3 μm

EE: 35%

Cellulase-responsive properties with sustainable insecticidal activity against Myzus persicae

[3]

Silica and pectin

Antibiotic

Pectinase and glutathione

pH 7 at 25 °C

1 to ~ 2 μm

EE: 20%

Improved efficacy of kasugamycin against Erwinia carotovora

[58]

Hollow mesoporous silica and cyclodextrin

Insecticide

α-Amylase

pH 7 at 25 °C

400 nm

− 36 mV

EE: 38%

Enhanced the stability and activity of avermectin against Plutella xylostella

[15]

Isocyanate-functionalized

mesoporous silica cross-linked with polyethylenimine

Herbicide

Urease

pH 7 at 25 °C

3 to ~ 5 μm

EE: 30%

The microcapsules increased herbicidal duration and activity against Echinochloa crus-galli and Amaranthus retroflexus

[2]

  1. EE Encapsulation efficiency