Developing Sustainable Agriculture Systems in Medicinal and Aromatic Plant Production by Using Chitosan and Chitin-Based Biostimulants

Abstract

Chitosan is illustrated in research as a stimulant of plant tolerance and resistance that promotes natural defense mechanisms against biotic and abiotic stressors, and its use may lessen the amount of agrochemicals utilized in agriculture. Recent literature reports indicate the high efficacy of soil or foliar usage of chitin and chitosan in the promotion of plant growth and the induction of secondary metabolites biosynthesis in various species, such as Artemisia annua, Curcuma longa, Dracocephalum kotschyi, Catharanthus roseus, Fragaria × ananassa, Ginkgo biloba, Iberis amara, Isatis tinctoria, Melissa officinalis, Mentha piperita, Ocimum basilicum, Origanum vulgare ssp. Hirtum, Psammosilene tunicoides, Salvia officinalis, Satureja isophylla, Stevia rebaudiana, and Sylibum marianum, among others. This work focuses on the outstanding scientific contributions to the field of the production and quality of aromatic and medicinal plants, based on the different functions of chitosan and chitin in sustainable crop production. The application of chitosan can lead to increased medicinal plant production and protects plants against harmful microorganisms. The effectiveness of chitin and chitosan is also due to the low concentration required, low cost, and environmental safety. On the basis of showing such considerable characteristics, there is increasing attention on the application of chitin and chitosan biopolymers in horticulture and agriculture productions.

Five Important Seeds in Traditional Medicine, and Pharmacological Benefits

“…Chamomile extract is recommended for further decreasing the clinical traits and ameliorating the quality of life of Chronic Rhinosinusitis (CRS) patients [201]. Temperature, relative humidity, seed moisture content, and the nature of the seeds impact seed longevity during storage, and an increment in temperature as well as moisture can lead to fungal growth, which decreases seed viability [202][203][204][205][206][207][208]. The key points about chamomile seeds are presented in Table 5.…”

Amino Acids Biostimulants and Protein Hydrolysates in Agricultural Sciences

“…Biostimulants are considered bioactive substances that are either inorganic or organic microorganisms that can increase crop performance when utilized in small quantities [ 1 ] as they can enhance both performance and growth as well as improve nutrient- and water-use efficiencies of different crops [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 ]. Amino acids have a dual function as building blocks for proteins and as providers of organic nitrogen, which can alleviate the negative impacts of drought and salt stress [ 9 ], and promote cell growth.…”

The Roles of Plant-Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR)-Based Biostimulants for Agricultural Production Systems

“…Biostimulants can be used to complement the application of chemical inputs, including the utilization of beneficial rhizosphere microbiome like advantageous fungi and plant-growth-promoting rhizobacteria [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]. The major biostimulants effects on crops include improving the visual quality of final products, stimulating the immune systems of plants, inducing the biosynthesis of plant defensive biomolecules, removing heavy metals from contaminated soil, improving crop performance, reducing leaching, improving root development, improving seed germination, inducing tolerance to abiotic and biotic stressors, accelerating crop establishment, and promoting nutrient uptake and nutrient use efficiency [ 4 , 5 ].…”

“…It has been reported that microbial biostimulants can synthesize IAA, which can promote root branching and plant growth of the plants under both abiotic and biotic stresses [ 4 , 5 ]. Microbial biostimulants can alleviate salt stress as they are associated with a high level of IAA and can improve them in the re-establishing of favorable water potential gradients under water shortage conditions as well as increasing film hydration around the roots [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]. Both PGPR and plants have ACC-deaminase, which has the ability to reduce the concentration of ethylene in the root zone and roots, with PGPR-derived ACC-deaminases being able to decrease ethylene-induced inhibition by reducing root zone ethylene [ 12 , 13 , 14 ].…”