Chitosan Biopolymer Nanocomposites for Agriculture Applications

Chitosan, an eco-friendly and biodegradable polymer, has emerged as a valuable asset in both agricultural and biomedical realms. In the burgeoning field of nanotechnology, researchers have ingeniously incorporated chitosan-based nanomaterials into diverse products, elevating their effectiveness and compatibility with living organisms. The intrinsic antimicrobial and chelating properties of chitosan nanoparticles, coupled with customizable functional groups, have facilitated their direct utilization in various applications. Noteworthy is chitosan’s ability to impede crucial human fungal pathogens under conditions mimicking blood composition, achieved through permeabilizing their high-fluidity plasma membrane and boosting intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. In agriculture, chitosan serves as a resistance elicitor, triggering robust local and systemic defense responses in plants, even when applied to seeds. Its role as a soil amendment has demonstrated significant advantages across plant species by mitigating pathogen attacks and infections. This chapter delves into the comprehensive landscape of chitosan and its derivatives, emphasizing their diverse applications in agriculture, exploring biological properties and their intricate connection with physicochemical attributes. Further discussions encompass modifications involving various metals and metal oxides, alongside insights into chitosan processing through electrospinning and solution-casting methods. This chapter concludes with a succinct overview of chitosan applications in emerging agricultural sectors, spanning seed treatment, plant growth stimulation, soil enhancement, controlled-release fertilizers, and more.