Characteristics, nano-formulating requirements and countermeasures of pesticide formulations for controlling crop root-knot nematode diseases

With the rapid development of facility agriculture, the occurrence and damage of root knot nematode disease in vegetable and other crops has become increasingly severe, leading to a growing demand for novel, efficient, and environmentally friendly nematicides. In recent years, research into nano-pesticide formulations have developed rapidly to enhance pesticide bioavailability and reduce overall pesticide usage. This review discusses the nano-formulating requirements for nematicides and their role in controlling root-knot nematode diseases, as well as the fabrication technique, application status, and characteristics of nematicidal nano-formulations. Compared to traditional preparations, the small size effect of nano-preparations can significantly enhance their nematicidal activity. Functional modification of nanocarriers can also confer multiple functions, such as improving mobility of nano-formulations in soil, enhancing permeability into the cuticle of root-knot nematodes and plant roots, and enabling responsive release of nanocarriers under specific response factors like enzymes and pH values in order to improve comprehensive prevention and control effectiveness. However, the nanoformulation of nematicides also faces critical challenges. These include balancing performance with development costs to enhance market competitiveness with existing commercial preparations, as well as comprehensively evaluating safety and environmental risks associated with nano-nematicides and establishing reasonable production and application management standards.