# Basic Substances and Nanotechnology: Bridging Sustainability and Innovation for Fungal Disease Management in Plants

## TL;DR

This review explores how natural substances combined with nanotechnology can offer sustainable solutions for managing fungal plant diseases, reducing reliance on harmful chemicals.

## Contribution

The paper synthesizes advances in nanoformulations of natural compounds and their alignment with global sustainability goals.

## Key findings

- Basic substances show low risk to human health and the environment, making them ideal for sustainable agriculture.
- Green nanotechnology improves the stability and targeted delivery of natural compounds for plant protection.
- Nanoformulations align with the European Green Deal and UN 2030 Agenda for sustainable food systems.

## Abstract

Plant diseases caused by fungi remain a major challenge for global agriculture, undermining both food security and ecosystem resilience. The increasing concern about the use of chemical pesticides, the onset of resistance, and environmental pollution are accelerating the search for effective and more sustainable plant protection alternatives. In this context, basic substances have emerged as prominent solutions for integrated pest management because they are naturally derived and have consistently been shown to present a low risk to human health and the environment. In the meantime, advances in green nanotechnology are enhancing their functional potential through improved stability, bioavailability, and targeted delivery. By reducing application rates and decreasing residues, environmentally friendly nanoformulations, which may be produced using biopolymers, plant extracts, or mineral precursors, would have greater durability. These innovations are in line with the Farm to Fork Strategy under the European Green Deal and the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, enabling the transition to more sustainable food systems. Addressing challenges related to safety evaluations of nanoformulations and production scalability will contribute to public acceptance. This review synthesizes current scientific advances in the formulation and application of natural compound-based nanoformulations alongside evolving policy frameworks and identifies pathways to integrate harmonized risk-assessment approaches into future governance. It aims to promote the adoption of nano-based natural substances as key elements of next-generation sustainable crop protection strategies.