*1.2. Status of Use of Nanomaterials in Plant Pathology*

Changing climatic patterns and intensive agriculture has contributed enormously to the development of more fastidious and virulent pathogens, which exhibit resistance to several pesticides (bactericides, fungicides, and similar action compounds) [13–15]. These strains of microbes can survive through higher concentrations of the -cidal compounds/composites besides requiring multiple applications and therefore, have become a big menace for the farmers to avoid or control the yield losses caused by these pathogens [16]. The use of nanomaterials for control of phytopathogens has been envisioned by agriscientists after the evidence for -static to -cidal properties of various types of nanomaterials that appeared for human/livestock pathogens in journals of repute of biomedicine or pharmacology [17–21]. Amenability to fabrication/alteration of size and surface morphology and functionalization of nanomaterials is of tremendous significance considering the quick and sustainable eradication of pesticide-resistant phytopathogens [22–27].

Various categories of nanomaterials have been evaluated for their diverse agriapplications such as nanofertilizers, nanopesticides, and pesticides degradation to achieve plant growth promotion and protection [28] (Figure 1). Thus, the current manuscript entails the published research on the use of zinc nanomaterials for management and early diagnosis of phytopathogens. Further, the application of zinc nanomaterials as potent antimicrobial agents and their use for curbing the growth, virulence, and diseases caused by plant pathogens have been elaborated. The use of zinc nanomaterials as functional elements in biosensor systems for robust and sensitive identification of phytopathogens is also discussed.

**Figure 1.** Zinc-based nanomaterials applications in plant pathology.
