Cellulose nanocarriers via miniemulsion allow Pathogen-Specific agrochemical delivery

The current spraying of agrochemicals is unselective and ineffective, consuming a high amount fungicides, which endangers the environment human health. Cellulose-based nanocarriers (NCs) are promising tool in sustainable agriculture suitable vehicles for stimuli-responsive release to target cellulase-segregating fungi, cause severe plant diseases such as Apple Canker. Herein, cellulose was modified with undec-10-enoic acid hydrophobic cross-linkable derivative, from NCs were prepared via thiol-ene addition miniemulsion. During crosslinking reaction, loaded situ Captan Pyraclostrobin . average sizes ranging 200 300 nm an agrochemical-load 20 wt% obtained. Cellulose-degrading e.g. Neonectria. ditissima responsible Canker, lead fungicides aqueous NC dispersions suppressing fungal growth. In contrast, non-cellulase segregating Cylindrocladium buxicola , do not degrade agrochemical-loaded NCs. This selective action against Canker N. proves efficacy NC-mediated drug delivery triggered by degradation exclusive presence cellulolytic fungi. Cellulose represent alternative that treats many crop ineffectively.