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<p>Sustainable soil amendments are essential for mitigating soil degradation and enhancing crop productivity. Chitosan-based nanoparticles offer a biodegradable, biocompatible alternative to chemical fertilizers, with potential to improve soil physicochemical properties, nutrient availability, and microbial functioning. This study evaluates fungal-derived chitosan nanoparticles (CSNPs) as multifunctional soil amendments and compares their performance with unmodified fungal biomass.</p><p>CSNPs were synthesized via ionic gelation, characterized using SEM, zeta potential, and thermal analysis, and applied in a controlled pot assay using <i>Vigna radiata</i>. Soil physicochemical parameters (pH, electrical conductivity, organic matter, cation exchange capacity), macronutrients, micronutrients, and soil enzyme activities (alkaline phosphatase, urease, β-glucosidase) were quantified. Phytotoxicity (germination index, root–shoot ratio, chlorophyll content) and in silico molecular docking of chitosan with plant proteins were also assessed.</p><p>CSNPs significantly enhanced soil quality indicators compared to the control and fungal biomass treatments. Organic matter increased from 2.63% (control) to 6.00% under CSNP treatment, while cation exchange capacity rose from 8.18 to 12.9 meq 100&#xa0;g⁻¹. Soil pH stabilized near neutral (6.92) despite biomass-induced acidity. Macronutrients including Ca (999 → 1860&#xa0;mg kg⁻¹), K (595 → 930&#xa0;mg kg⁻¹), and Mg (184 → 250&#xa0;mg kg⁻¹) were substantially improved. CSNPs also elevated micronutrient availability, notably Zn (2.01 → 6.23&#xa0;mg kg⁻¹) and B (0.30 → 3.56&#xa0;mg kg⁻¹). Enzymatic activities showed marked enhancement, with alkaline phosphatase increasing to 83.64% at 200&#xa0;mg g⁻¹, urease to 81.55%, and β-glucosidase to 70.35%. Phytotoxicity assays indicated higher germination index values (up to 94.92%) and increased chlorophyll content in CSNP-treated plants. Molecular docking revealed strong binding affinities between chitosan and key <i>Vigna radiata</i> proteins, supporting potential physiological modulation.</p><p>Fungal-derived CSNPs function as an effective, eco-friendly soil amendment that improves soil pH stability, organic matter, nutrient retention, and enzymatic activity while promoting plant growth and physiological performance. Their multifunctionality and biodegradability highlight their potential for sustainable agricultural applications. Further field-scale studies are recommended to validate long-term effects and optimize formulation strategies.</p> Graphical Abstract <p></p>

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Fungal-Derived Chitosan Nanoparticles as Sustainable Soil Amendments, Improve Soil Quality, Enzymatic Activity, and Crop Productivity

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年1月16日

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  • G. S. Amrish Varshan,
  • S. Karthick Raja Namasivayam,
  • Sowmya R.,
  • Krithika Shree Sivasuriyan

摘要

Sustainable soil amendments are essential for mitigating soil degradation and enhancing crop productivity. Chitosan-based nanoparticles offer a biodegradable, biocompatible alternative to chemical fertilizers, with potential to improve soil physicochemical properties, nutrient availability, and microbial functioning. This study evaluates fungal-derived chitosan nanoparticles (CSNPs) as multifunctional soil amendments and compares their performance with unmodified fungal biomass.

CSNPs were synthesized via ionic gelation, characterized using SEM, zeta potential, and thermal analysis, and applied in a controlled pot assay using Vigna radiata. Soil physicochemical parameters (pH, electrical conductivity, organic matter, cation exchange capacity), macronutrients, micronutrients, and soil enzyme activities (alkaline phosphatase, urease, β-glucosidase) were quantified. Phytotoxicity (germination index, root–shoot ratio, chlorophyll content) and in silico molecular docking of chitosan with plant proteins were also assessed.

CSNPs significantly enhanced soil quality indicators compared to the control and fungal biomass treatments. Organic matter increased from 2.63% (control) to 6.00% under CSNP treatment, while cation exchange capacity rose from 8.18 to 12.9 meq 100 g⁻¹. Soil pH stabilized near neutral (6.92) despite biomass-induced acidity. Macronutrients including Ca (999 → 1860 mg kg⁻¹), K (595 → 930 mg kg⁻¹), and Mg (184 → 250 mg kg⁻¹) were substantially improved. CSNPs also elevated micronutrient availability, notably Zn (2.01 → 6.23 mg kg⁻¹) and B (0.30 → 3.56 mg kg⁻¹). Enzymatic activities showed marked enhancement, with alkaline phosphatase increasing to 83.64% at 200 mg g⁻¹, urease to 81.55%, and β-glucosidase to 70.35%. Phytotoxicity assays indicated higher germination index values (up to 94.92%) and increased chlorophyll content in CSNP-treated plants. Molecular docking revealed strong binding affinities between chitosan and key Vigna radiata proteins, supporting potential physiological modulation.

Fungal-derived CSNPs function as an effective, eco-friendly soil amendment that improves soil pH stability, organic matter, nutrient retention, and enzymatic activity while promoting plant growth and physiological performance. Their multifunctionality and biodegradability highlight their potential for sustainable agricultural applications. Further field-scale studies are recommended to validate long-term effects and optimize formulation strategies.

Graphical Abstract