Effects on Germination and Plantlet Development of Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) and Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) Seeds with Chitosan Coatings

Abstract

In seed technology, the use of biocompatible materials, such as chitosan, has been demonstrated to improve the germination process and establishment of seedlings. This research is focused on the effect of a chitosan coating on the germination and development of sesame and bean plantlets. The seeds were treated with different coating techniques and combinations of chitosan: chitosan solutions at 0.1, 0.5 and 1% were used in film coating, chitosan flakes with particle sizes of 1.19 mm and 0.71 mm were used as a crusted coating, and chitosan flakes with a size of 1.19 mm were used for coating with acrylic resin. Images of the coatings were obtained by means of scanning electron microscopy; the effect on germination, germination speed, vigor index, length and root area of plantlets were also determined. Chitosan treatments increased germination by 26% in bean and 16% in sesame compared with the control; the germination speed index showed an increase of 61% in bean and 58% in sesame. The treatments with chitosan increased the length of the root in bean by 77%, and in sesame four times more, compared with the control treatments. Different forms of chitosan coatings improve germination and seedling establishment; however, the response to the type of coating at a given stage of seedling development will depend on the crop species.

Role of carbon and nitrogen mineralisation of chitosan and crop straws in ameliorating acidity of acidic Ultisols

“…In agronomy, chitosan has been used to inhibit the negative impacts of plant pathogens (e.g. Fusarium oxysporum) (Ren et al 2021), mitigate heavy metal toxicity to plants (Guo et al 2020), suppress salt stress and promote plant growth (Mehmood et al 2020), ameliorate the potential of different fertilisers and promote plant growth (Hidangmayum et al 2019), and improve seed germination (Godínez-Garrido et al 2022). When applied to soils, chitosan negatively affects soil effective CEC (ECEC), improves soil pHBC and inhibits soil acidification (Nkoh et al 2022a).…”

“…2020), ameliorate the potential of different fertilisers and promote plant growth (Hidangmayum et al . 2019), and improve seed germination (Godínez-Garrido et al . 2022).…”