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Researchers at the University of Hyderabad (UoH) have demonstrated the ability to deliver the biopesticide harpin into plants and boost their immunity levels using nanotechnology. They have developed a delivery system that uses harpin-loaded chitosan nanoparticles that help increase the bioavailability of the biopesticide to both improve immunity and drastically reduce the effects of a fungal infection. The efficacy of the tool was tested in the tomato plant, where the team led by Dr Appa Rao Podile, Vice-Chancellor, and Dr Sravana Sandhya found a sharp decline in infection up to 80 per cent. The fungal infection in tomato crop is due to Rhizoctonia solani. They have published their work funded by the Department of Biotechnology in the Journal Carbohydrate Polymers. Fungi, bacteria, viruses and insects are the leading pests that challenge agriculture production. Synthetic chemical fungicides and pesticides are used to control plant diseases. Since these chemicals are often not degraded easily in the soil, they exert a damaging effect on environment.