Nano-Enabled Precision Management of Plant Anthracnose: Mechanisms of Action, Application Advances, and Future Perspectives

Plant anthracnose, caused by Colletotrichum spp., is a class of significant diseases that severely threatens global crop production. Traditional management strategies, including chemical control, are hindered by inherent limitations such as the frequent emergence of pathogen resistance, low pesticide utilization efficiency, high environmental residue risks, and inconsistent field efficacy. Moreover, achieving further improvements in control efficacy is constrained by the complex biological characteristics of Colletotrichum species, particularly their hemibiotrophic lifestyle and latent infection strategies. In recent years, nanotechnology has emerged as a potential approach for the management of anthracnose. This review summarizes the research progress of various nanomaterials in the control of plant anthracnose. It analyzes the proposed multi-mechanism modes of action of nanomaterials tailored to the specific infection traits of Colletotrichum. Particular emphasis is placed on analyzing the theoretical mechanisms and preliminary in vitro evidence of nano-enabled controlled-release systems in addressing asymptomatic latent infections and achieving targeted, precise delivery. However, it must be emphasized that most current findings are derived from laboratory or controlled-environment studies, and the actual field-scale effectiveness, long-term environmental behavior, and multi-trophic safety of many nanomaterials remain insufficiently confirmed. Building upon these insights, this review thoroughly evaluates the critical challenges facing the agricultural field application of nanomaterials, such as ecotoxicity, formulation stability, scalable industrial production, and regulatory gaps. This review aims to provide objective theoretical support and technical references for achieving safe, efficient, and sustainable nano-enabled green management of plant anthracnose.