Chitosan-based nanopesticides enhanced anti-fungal activity against strawberry anthracnose as “sugar-coated bombs”

A chitosan-based nanoparticle was prepared using chitosan (CS) and O -carboxymethyl chitosan ( O -CMCS). Our study revealed that chitosan/ O -carboxymethyl chitosan/tebuconazole nanoparticles (CS/ O -CMCS/TBA NPs) exhibited superior antifungal activity, foliar adhesion, and microbial target adhesion performance compared to commercial suspension concentrate (SC). The antifungal activity of CS/ O -CMCS/TBA NPs against C. gloeosporioides , with a 3.13-fold increase in efficacy over TBA (SC). We also found that low concentrations of CS/ O -CMCS NPs promoted the growth of C. gloeosporioides and enhanced the fungal catabolism of chitosan. Overall, the CS/ O -CMCS/TBA NPs were found to possess the remarkable capability to selectively aggregate around pathogenic microorganisms and CS/ O -CMCS NPs can enhance the fungal catabolism of chitosan. CS/ O -CMCS/TBA NPs, as a “sugar-coated bomb”, was a promising asset for effective plant disease management and pesticide utilization through the affinity of chitosan-based nanoparticles and C. gloeosporioides , enabling targeted delivery and targeted release of their encapsulated active ingredient, which was important for the development and application of biocompatible chitosan-based nanopesticides.