Chitosan-Based Nanostructures in Plant Protection Applications

Abstract

Biopolymer chitosan is presently one of the most favorable natural polymers for use in micro- and nanotechnology, and it is very effective for use in agricultural sector when combined with natural functional compounds or metal nanoparticles to eliminate problems associated with the waste of destructive chemicals. In the current chapter, the primary uses of nanochitosan in agriculture and its potential uses in plant protection control are reviewed. Nanochitosan has been reported to possess antifungal and antibacterial activity and shown to be effective against seed-borne pathogens when applied as seed treatment. Chitosan behaves as a resistance elicitor inducing both local and systemic plant defense responses even when applied to the seeds. The chitosan used as soil improvement was shown to provide many benefits to different plant species by reducing pathogen attack and infection and promoting growth. The authors outline the plant protection and growth regulatory applications of chitosan nanomaterials. Current and possible utilization of chitosan nanomaterials in plant nutrition, abiotic stress management, pesticides remediation, plant transformation, and post-harvest application is also highlighted.