The widespread usage of synthetic pesticides has been questioned in the areas of ecological persistence, development of resistance, and genomic stress in crops in the long term. Ecologically compatible alternatives are plant-derived biopesticides, but the field performance of these biopesticides is limited because of volatility, low solubility, rapid degradation and low system mobility. The nanoengineering has come up as a formulation approach to promote stability and controlled delivery of phytochemicals. Metal-based, polymeric, and carbon nanocarriers enhance stability and bioavailability; however, their ability to penetrate cellular compartments and interact with chromatin necessitates rigorous evaluation of genotoxic, epigenetic, and transcriptional effects. This review critically examines the chemical and cellular interactions of nanoparticles with plant DNA, emphasizing their dual function as inducers of defense mechanisms and possible contributors to genomic instability. Evidence is available to show that positive mutualistic microbes, such as rhizobacteria, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, endophytes, and artificial microbiomes, act as genomic buffering systems, by sequestering reactive oxygen species, enhancing DNA repair pathways, and modulating epigenetic states. The interactions of microbials and nanoparticles also have an effect on nanoparticle physicochemistry, rhizosphere localization as well as controlled release dynamics. The design of stimuli-responsive, degradable, and microbiome-responsive nanocarriers is addressed to reduce the off-target genomic activity and preserve the pesticidal activity. This review offers a comprehensive approach to nano-biopesticide development through nanomaterial design, molecular plant response, and microbial protection to manage nano-biopesticide system development in agroecosystems by making genomic integrity the main assessment measure. • DNA-aware nanoengineering combines pesticidal efficacy with genomic safety limits • NP-DNA interactions encompass ROS signaling, chromatin remodeling, and epigenetics • SynComs and plant microbes control NP genotoxicity with regulated release • Proposed design frameworks balance DNA integrity and nano-delivery efficiency
Sudhir K. Upadhyay (Fri,) studied this question.