Multimodal antimicrobial technology is regarded as a promising strategy for controlling plant diseases because it enhances antimicrobial efficacy by blocking multiple pesticide-resistance pathways. In this work, a pH-responsive multimodal antimicrobial system was constructed based on ZIF-90 for the controlled release of kasugamycin (KSM). A series of physicochemical characterizations confirmed the successful fabrication of ZIF-90-KSM. The results indicated that the loading capacity of ZIF-90-KSM for KSM was approximately 6.7% and that the ZIF-90 nanocarriers could protect KSM against photodegradation effectively. The acid pH at the site of disease not only decompose the Schiff base bonds between KSM and ZIF-90, but also completely dissolved the nanocarriers. The simultaneous release of KSM and Zn²⁺ ions was able to achieve multimodal antimicrobial functions during disease occurs. A bioactivity survey indicated that ZIF-90-KSM had superior fungicidal activity and longer duration against Magnaporthe oryzae than KSM aqueous solution. In addition, the phytotoxicity assessment of ZIF-90-KSM on rice plants did not reveal any adverse effects. Therefore, ZIF-90-KSM prepared by Schiff base reaction has great potential for achieving synergistic antifungal functions and provides an eco-friendly approach to manage rice diseases.

This review delves into the diverse applications of ionic liquids (ILs) in modern agriculture, focusing on their pivotal roles in the extraction of natural products and pesticides, as well as their substantial significance in sustainable pesticide delivery systems. The reported extraction methods include ILs and their modified materials as solvents in dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction, solid-phase dispersion, and solid-phase microextraction. The study categorizes ILs according to their utility as herbicides, microbicides, food repellents, and plant growth regulators. This review investigates the use of ILs as plant immunity inducers to elevate the systemic acquired resistance in crops, thereby augmenting their intrinsic ability to defend against plant pathogens. Furthermore, the review explores the application of ILs in pesticide delivery systems, emphasizing their ability to enhance efficacy while promoting environmental sustainability. The biodegradability and toxicity aspects of ILs are also discussed, shedding light on their potential as eco-friendly alternatives in agricultural practices. In conclusion, this comprehensive overview underscores the multifaceted contributions of ILs in agriculture, from efficient extraction methods to the development of innovative and sustainable pesticide delivery systems. As the agricultural landscape evolves towards environmentally conscious practices, the integration of ILs presents a promising avenue for enhancing productivity while minimizing ecological impact. As the agricultural industry seeks innovative and sustainable solutions, the nuanced exploration of ILs in this review highlights their potential to address multiple challenges in modern farming practices.

Based on high surface areas, adjustable porosity and microbicide activity, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) HKUST-1 are widely used as drug release carriers for their slow degradation characteristics under slightly acidic conditions. In this work, porous HKUST-1 was reacted rapidly by cholinium salt (as the deprotonation agent and template) in an aqueous solution at room temperature. A novel antimicrobial system based on an imazalil encapsulated metal organic framework (imazalil IL-3@HKUST-1) was established. Imazalil IL-3@HKUST-1 could achieve synergism in inhibiting pathogenic fungi and bacteria. Moreover, six days after treatment, the slow and constant release of imazalil from imazalil IL@HKUST-1 exhibited better sustainability and microbicidal activity than imazalil. We believe that the method may provide a new strategy for related plant diseases caused by bacteria or fungi.

The subject of this investigation is a new method for the construction of sulfonylated heterocycles which overcomes the limitations of classical approaches using a cheap feedstock sulfonylating agent, especially under photocatalyst- and metal-free conditions.

Kasugamycin (KSM) is easily affected by photolysis, acid–base destruction, and oxidative decomposition in the natural environment, leading to its poor durability and low effective utilization rate, which affects its control effect on plant bacterial diseases. Nanomaterials modified with environment-responsive agents enable the control of the release of pesticides through intelligently responding to external stimuli, thereby improving efficacy and reducing environmental impact. In this study, a pH-responsive controlled release system was constructed using zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIF-93) for the sustained and targeted delivery of KSM. The synthesized KSM@ZIF-93 exhibited a diameter of 63.93 ± 11.19 nm with a drug loading capacity of 20.0%. Under acidic conditions mimicking bacterial infection sites, the Schiff base bonds and coordination bonds in ZIF-93 dissociated, triggering the simultaneous release of KSM and Zn²⁺, achieving a synergistic antibacterial effect. Light stability experiments revealed a 34.81% reduction in UV-induced degradation of KSM when encapsulated in ZIF-93. In vitro antimicrobial assays demonstrated that KSM@ZIF-93 completely inhibited Erwinia amylovora at 200 mg/L and had better antibacterial activity and persistence than KSM and ZIF-93. The field experiment and safety evaluation showed that the control effect of KSM@ZIF-93 on pear fire blight at the concentration of 200 mg/L was (75.19 ± 3.63)% and had no toxic effect on pollen germination. This pH-responsive system not only enhances the stability and bioavailability of KSM but also provides a targeted and environmentally compatible strategy for managing bacterial infections during the flowering period of pear trees.

Topping is an essential step in cotton cultivation in Xinjiang, China, which can effectively increase the number of bolls per plant and optimize the yield and quality. Paclobutrazol, as a common chemical topping agent for cotton, faces challenges such as unstable topping effect and limited leaf surface absorption during application. In this study, paclobutrazol was used as the ligand and a zinc complex was synthesized by the thermosolvent method to replace paclobutrazol and improve the topping effect on cotton. The structure of the complex was characterized using FTIR, UV-vis, TG, and XRD analyses. The results confirmed that each zinc ion coordinated with four nitrogen atoms from the triazole rings of paclobutrazol and two oxygen atoms from nitrate ions, forming an octahedral geometry. Surface tension measurement and analysis revealed that the complex had a surface tension reduction of 12.75 mN/m compared to paclobutrazol, thereby enhancing the surface activity of the complex in water systems and improving its absorption efficiency on plant leaves. Two-year field trials indicated that the foliar application of the complex at a dosage of 120 g·hm⁻² in inhibiting cotton plant height was more stable to that of paclobutrazol or mepiquat chloride. It also shortened the length of fruiting branches, making the shape of cotton plants compact, thereby indirectly improving the ventilation and light penetration of the cotton field and the convenience of mechanical harvesting. Yield data showed that, compared with artificial topping, the complex at a dosage of 120 g·hm⁻² treatment increased cotton yield by approximately 4.6%. Therefore, the paclobutrazol–zinc complex is a promising alternative to manual topping and have great application potential in future mechanized cotton production.