Green nano-pesticides from plant sources: Synthesis, mechanisms, environmental impacts, and prospects for sustainable agriculture.

Green nano-pesticides represent an emerging innovation in agricultural nanotechnology, offering a sustainable and environmentally safer alternative to conventional chemical pesticides. These formulations are typically synthesized using plant-derived phytochemicals or natural biopolymers through green synthesis approaches, which reduce toxicity and enhance biocompatibility. Owing to their nanoscale properties, green nano-pesticides exhibit improved bioefficacy, controlled release, site-specific delivery, and reduced impact on non-target organisms, making them highly suitable for integration into precision and eco-friendly farming systems. This review highlights recent progress in green synthesis strategies, their interactions with plant and pest systems, and associated ecological outcomes. Key findings indicate that green nanoformulations (i) act through mechanisms such as membrane disruption, enzyme inhibition, and oxidative stress induction in pests; (ii) enhance plant defense responses and growth under stress; (iii) contribute to sustainable pest management; and (iv) face limitations including poor scalability, production costs, formulation instability, and lack of long-term ecotoxicological data. Overcoming these challenges is essential for field-level implementation. In conclusion, green nano-pesticides hold significant potential to advance sustainable crop protection, provided future research focuses on optimizing their safety, efficacy, and practical application under real agricultural conditions.

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