Chitosan in modern agriculture production

Abstract

In the perspective of return to nature, using scientific and technical progress for improved living standards, people began to search for solutions to alleviate environmental pollution. Researchers intend to make clean, affordable products that are gentle yet effective. Chitosan derived from the exoskeleton of crustaceans, cuticles of insects, cell walls of fungi, and some algae are renowned for many decades to exhibit biotic properties, especially anti-microbial characteristics. Here we review each ingredient for sourcing organic chitosan, with clean raw materials that can make pure, rich, and powerful products working naturally. Our study elaborates advances and utilisation of chitosan for industrial control-release fertilisers by physical, chemical, and multifaceted formulations such as water-retaining super absorbent, polyacrylic acid, and resins. Plant growth-promoting properties of chitosan as a growth regulator, pest/disease resistance, signalling regulation, effect on nuclear deformation, and apoptosis. Chitosan can improve the plant defence mechanism by stimulating photochemistry and enzymes related to photosynthesis. Furthermore, electrophysiological modification induced by chitosan can practically enable it to be utilised as a herbicide. Chitosan has an excellent role in improving soil fertility and plant growth as well as plant growth promoters. It is concluded, chitosan can play a key role in modern agriculture production and could be a valuable source promoting agricultural ecosystem sustainability. Future suggestions will be based on current achievements and also notable gaps. In addition, chitosan has a huge contribution to reducing fertilisers pollution, managing agricultural pests and pathogens in modern-day agriculture.