Sustainable Agriculture Systems in Vegetable Production Using Chitin and Chitosan as Plant Biostimulants

Abstract

Chitin and chitosan are natural compounds that are biodegradable and nontoxic and have gained noticeable attention due to their effective contribution to increased yield and agro-environmental sustainability. Several effects have been reported for chitosan application in plants. Particularly, it can be used in plant defense systems against biological and environmental stress conditions and as a plant growth promoter—it can increase stomatal conductance and reduce transpiration or be applied as a coating material in seeds. Moreover, it can be effective in promoting chitinolytic microorganisms and prolonging storage life through post-harvest treatments, or benefit nutrient delivery to plants since it may prevent leaching and improve slow release of nutrients in fertilizers. Finally, it can remediate polluted soils through the removal of cationic and anionic heavy metals and the improvement of soil properties. On the other hand, chitin also has many beneficial effects such as plant growth promotion, improved plant nutrition and ability to modulate and improve plants’ resistance to abiotic and biotic stressors. The present review presents a literature overview regarding the effects of chitin, chitosan and derivatives on horticultural crops, highlighting their important role in modern sustainable crop production; the main limitations as well as the future prospects of applications of this particular biostimulant category are also presented.

Improving growth and productivity of faba bean (Vicia faba L.) using chitosan, tryptophan, and potassium silicate anti-transpirants under different irrigation regimes

“…Foliar application of chitosan can increase stomatal conductance and reduce transpiration or be applied as a coating material in seeds as SeNPs effect on wheat ( El-Saadony et al, 2021b ). Moreover, it can be effective in promoting chitinolytic microorganisms and prolonging storage life through post-harvest treatments, or benefit nutrient delivery to plants as it may prevent leaching and improve the slow release of nutrients in fertilizers ( Shahrajabian et al, 2021 ). Mondal et al, 2012 , Abu-Muriefah, 2013 applied chitosan through foliar spray (100–125 mg L −1 ) and obtained a positive response in nearly all plant traits as well as yield and plant N, P and K. This report achieved an enhancement in faba bean morphology, physiology, biochemistry, and productivity under drought stress.…”

Antimicrobial Activity of Chemically and Biologically Treated Chitosan Prepared from Black Soldier Fly (Hermetia illucens) Pupal Shell Waste

“…It occurs as a structural component in most crustacean shells, the pupal exuviae of some insects, and in the cell membranes of fungi [2]. Currently, chitin and chitosan have garnered attention for extensive applications in wastewater treatment, the pharmaceutical industry, food manufacturing, and agriculture [3][4][5][6]. This is because they possess various unique properties, including biocompatibility, biodegradability, nontoxicity, and antimicrobial activities [7].…”

Impact of Salinity on the Growth and Chemical Composition of Two Underutilized Wild Edible Greens: Taraxacum officinale and Reichardia picroides

“…Therefore, urgent measures are needed to ensure food security, especially when considering the rapidly increasing global population and the growing demands for quality foods [6]. For this purpose, several means have been suggested during the last years including the use of cost-effective practices such as the application of biostimulants, the grafting of vegetables to tolerant rootstocks and the cropping of alternative and tolerant species, among others [7][8][9][10][11][12].…”