Confined Enzymolysis Strategy Based on the Plant Cell Hierarchical Structure for Enhancing Pathogen Resistance...

Facing the complex pathogen infection microenvironment, single responsive nanopesticides hardly improved pesticide utilization. Herein, inspired by the plant cell hierarchical structure, pectin (PEC)-coated hollow mesoporous silica nanoparticles (HMSNs) were used to prepare pectinase/pH dual-responsive hexaconazole-loaded nanopesticides (Hex/HMSN-PEC) via confined enzymolysis. Its acidic pH/pectinase responsiveness adapted to Rhizoctonia solani-induced microenvironments. It exhibited potent antifungal activity (EC₅₀ = 0.783 mg/L), comparable to commercial hexaconazole suspension (Hex SC), yet with higher efficacy. The 143 ± 2 nm Hex/HMSN-PEC enabled bidirectional vascular transport, fungal cell wall penetration, and rainwash resistance for targeted action. It minimally impacted rice seed growth, with chlorophyll content 1.72× that of Hex SC at equivalent concentrations, reducing crop damage and showing earthworm safety (LC₅₀ ≈ twice Hex SC). This work offered a new perspective to overcome limitations of conventional pesticides in controlled release and crop safety.