Chitosan in the protection of agricultural crops against phytopathogens agents

Abstract

Mexico is considered one of the main vegetable producing countries, however, its production is affected by several phytopathogens, whose control of these pathogens is based on the use of agrochemicals, which cause consequent environmental and health damages. In 2018, Mexico ranked 5th in the world in the consumption of fungicides and bactericides in agriculture. For this reason, new alternatives to control phytopathogens are important, with natural compounds with antifungal properties such as chitosan, a biopolymer of N-acetyl-D-glucosamine and D-glucosamine units linked by β-(1-4) bonds derived from the deacetylation of chitin with alkalysis (NaOH) or enzymatic hydrolysis. Chitosan is extracted from exoskeletons of arthropods. Research shows that it inhibits the growth of phytopathogens, due to its polycationic nature depending on molecular weight and deacetylation percentage. With other antifungal properties, they are inducer of phytoalexins, promotion of plant growth and biostimulant of beneficial microorganisms, due to its useful and economic potential agricultural application in technological innovation.