Chitosan-Based Nanofertilizer: Types, Formulations, and Plant Promotion Mechanism

Global agriculturists have been looking for ways to mitigate the problem of increasing demand for food supply. Nanofertilizers serve as an effective alternative solution to this problem when compared to conventional fertilizers. Agricultural research on chitosan nanomaterials (NMs) as next-generation fertilizers has increased over the years, revealing their role in boosting agricultural productivity both as plant immune boosters and also by regulated, gradual, and targeted delivery of nutrients to plants. The presence of functional groups, the ability of surface modification, and the targeted delivery of nutrients to plant organelles have proven chitosan as an exceptional biopolymer for increased crop yield. The current review investigates the features of chitosan NMs as potential next-generation fertilizers and ways for formulating chitosan nanoforms and provides critical insights into future directions of chitosan-based next-generation nanofertilizers.