Chitosan oligosaccharides are suitable for use in agriculture. On the one hand, it can make crops grow better and robust. On the other hand, chitosan oligosaccharides also have obvious effects on stress resistance and pest resistance.
There are many studies have shown that chitosan oligosaccharide is good at inducing broad-spectrum resistance, enhancing the plant's own defense ability, inhibiting the growth of a variety of plant pathogenic microorganisms, and is non-toxic, can be degraded by microorganisms and environment-friendly. It has become an important role in agricultural production as a new type of green production.
1.Inducing the production of plant resistance proteins
Chitosan oligosaccharides and their derivatives can induce plants to produce resistance proteins against pathogens. Numerous studies have demonstrated that chitosan oligosaccharides can induce plants to produce chitonase, chitosanase, and I-3-glucanase. At the same time, chitinase, chitosanase, and I-3-glucanase caused by chitosan oligosaccharides also have synergistic effects with each other, so the antibacterial effect is much more obvious.
2. Induced Lignin formation
Lignin is an important component of the secondary cell wall of plant vascular tissue and has the ability to anti-microbial degradation. A large number of studies have confirmed that chitosan and its derivatives can induce lignification around the infection site of plants, form a physical barrier, prevent or delay the growth of pathogenic bacteria, and spread to the surrounding healthy tissues to enhance plant disease resistance.
3. Change the phenolic metabolism
People noted that phenols (tannin, chlorogenic acid, etc.)accumulate in large amounts at the point of infection of plants when people study natural antibodies. Phenolic substances are bactericidal substances and are precursors of lignin formation. Therefore, the increase of phenols in plants can not only prevent disease but also promote the lignification of pathogens, thereby enhancing the disease resistance of plants.
Advantages of Chitosan Oligosaccharide Agriculture
Chitosan oligosaccharide can be used widely because of its good affinity, no toxicity, no side effects, no harm to humans and animals, biodegradability, no soiling in the soil, slow degradation to small molecular carbohydrates, no pollution to the environment, excellent pure natural ecological preparation.
1. Promote Roots Growth
Chitosan oligosaccharide promotes the early germination of plant seeds, and it can effectively increase the number of root hairs, fibrous roots, and secondary roots. Moreover, it develops the rhizosphere, which will enhance the ability of plants to absorb water, enhance drought resistance, and lodging resistance and improve immunity.
2. Make Stem Stronger
Studies show that chitosan oligosaccharide is a natural plant growth regulator, and has the function of regulating plant development. It can take root and promote the stem, shorten the stem, and thrive, which is conducive to the maximum supply of nutrients to the fruit.
3. Anti-pathogens
Chitosan oligosaccharide can protect the seed to develop healthily through seed coating. It is also used for seed storage to reduce seed-handling procedures. Research shows that chitosan oligosaccharides and their degradation products have a powerful bactericidal effect on soil and seeds, and can effectively inhibit harmful fungi and hyphae like downy mildew and cystice.
4. Soil Conditioner
Chitosan oligosaccharide can be used as an additive that increases the soil beneficial bacteria such as actinomycetes 1.000 times, reduces the harmful bacteria such as Fusarium and nematodes effectively, enhance the soil fertility and improve the soil, cure the root-knot. The high organic content makes it easy for continuous cropping.
5. Improve Crop's Immunity
Chitosan oligosaccharides are known as " plant vaccines." The utilization of chitosan oligosaccharide preparation can enhance the ability of antibacterial and antiviral of plants, change the growth mechanism, and enhance the immune function of the regulatory system, thereby ensuring the healthy growth and development of plants.
Chitosan oligosaccharide product on the one hand can help plants resist disease, on the other hand can decompose animal and plant residues and trace metal elements in the soil, transforming them into plant nutrients, enhancing plant immunity, and promoting plant health accordingly. It is a future direction of green agricultural production development.