Chitosan-based nanoformulations for sustainable plant disease management: From biopolymer to nano-enabled protection

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Plant pathogens pose persistent threats to global food production, driving the need for sustainable and effective disease management strategies. While the use of chemical pesticides is the primary control measure adopted, their environmental toxicity has raised concerns, prompting extensive research into the development of eco-friendly alternatives. Nanotechnology has emerged as a promising and sustainable tool for plant protection. The biopolymer chitosan is well-known for its unique physicochemical properties including biodegradability, biocompatibility and low toxicity, making it one of the most reliable polymers for nanoformulation development. These formulations, including nanoparticles and nanocomposites, incorporate chitosan as an antimicrobial nanomaterial as well as a carrier forother biocidal nano-substances offering an efficient solution against plant diseases. Chitosan as a carrier enhances the targeted delivery of the encapsulated substances through their slow and controlled release. The nanoformulations adopt multiple modes of action to combat pathogens, which include membrane disruption, inhibition of growth and biofilm formation and induction of defence responses within the plant. This review elucidates the advantages of using chitosan for fabricating novel nanoformulations for plant protection. Their superior modes of action against fungi, bacteria, viruses and nematodes have also been highlighted alongside challenges such as stability and scalability, thus paving the way for their integration into sustainable pest management systems.