A biopolymer with antimicrobial properties and plant resistance inducer against phytopathogens: Chitosan

Abstract

Some synthetic fungicides have been currently prohibited due to their adverse effects; thus, searching for alternatives to decrease their application is a priority worldwide. An alternative to the application of synthetic fungicides is chitosan -a natural biopolymer- because of its biocompatibility, biodegradability, and bioactivity. Chitosan has been used in different industries, such as cosmetology, pharmaceutics, food, among others. In agriculture, it has been used as a resistance inductor and bio-fungicide because of its antimicrobial activity and for plant development as growth promoter. Although many works have been published on chitosan for its characteristics and mode of action, the direct effects on agriculture -both in plant and fruit phytopathogens- have not been reported. Therefore, the objective of this review is to summarize recent advances and achievements of chitosan application in agriculture with special attention to its antimicrobial properties and plant defence induction mechanisms.

Chitosan Can Induce Rosa roxburghii Tratt. against Sphaerotheca sp. and Enhance Its Resistance, Photosynthesis, Yield, and Quality

“…The results presented here demonstrate that the foliar application of 1.0~1.5% chitosan significantly (p < 0.01) reduced the MDA content of leaves in R. roxburghii and increased its flavonoids, indicating the chitosan application alleviated the membrane lipid peroxidation and promoted the disease resistance of R. roxburghii plants. PPO catalyzes phenolic substances to synthesize lignin, strengthen the cell wall structure and avoid entrance and colonization of phytopathogens toward plants [20]. SOD is responsible for eliminating reactive oxygen species to avoid plants from oxidative stress during phytopathogen invasion [20,37].…”

“…PPO catalyzes phenolic substances to synthesize lignin, strengthen the cell wall structure and avoid entrance and colonization of phytopathogens toward plants [20]. SOD is responsible for eliminating reactive oxygen species to avoid plants from oxidative stress during phytopathogen invasion [20,37]. In this study, the foliar application of 0.5~1.5% chitosan significantly (p < 0.01) enhanced SOD and PPO activities of leaves in R. roxburghii, further evidencing the chitosan application enhanced the disease resistance of R. roxburghii plants.…”

“…in R. roxburghii with the inducing effect of 61.45%. Chitosan, a natural de-acetylated chitin derivative, is an ideal resource for sustainable agriculture due to its bioactivity, biocompatibility, biodegradability, non-toxicity, and renewability [18][19][20]. A wide range of studies shows that chitosan can be used as a resistance inductor and bio-fungicide for controlling plant diseases and as a growth promoter for enhancing plant development [21][22][23][24][25][26].…”

“…A wide range of studies shows that chitosan can be used as a resistance inductor and bio-fungicide for controlling plant diseases and as a growth promoter for enhancing plant development [21][22][23][24][25][26]. In the control of plant diseases, chitosan induces morphological changes and structural alterations in fungal cells that cause cell death [20,27]. When chitosan is used to improve plant defense, it induces resistant enzymes, pathogenesis-related proteins, phytoalexins, callose formation, and promotes lignification [20,28].…”

“…In the control of plant diseases, chitosan induces morphological changes and structural alterations in fungal cells that cause cell death [20,27]. When chitosan is used to improve plant defense, it induces resistant enzymes, pathogenesis-related proteins, phytoalexins, callose formation, and promotes lignification [20,28]. Up to date, however, there is no attention or documentation available about whether chitosan induces resistance of R. roxburghii to Sphaerotheca sp.…”