Nanonematicides: production, mechanisms, efficacy, opportunities and challenges

Summary Classical methods of using many toxic chemical pesticides for managing plant-parasitic nematodes (PPN) on key crops are inappropriate and have unfavourable consequences on human health and the environment. By contrast, nanotechnology can provide a wide range of alternative applications with additional merits based on nanoparticle (NP) pesticides. Three major categories, i.e. , physical, chemical and biological methods, have been generally used for synthesis of nanonematicides. The merits and demerits of these methods are highlighted. The biological method generally involves easy, fast, scalable, cheap and environmentally safe techniques. As nanonematicides can reduce the non-selective use of classical nematicides with their high pollution and unhealthy levels, mechanisms underlying PPN population suppression by these nanonematicides are presented to help in their further optimisation. Nanonematicides are guiding a radical change in their efficacy against PPN, but more attention should be given to secure their clean production and application with cost-effective methods.