Application of enzymatic hydrolyzate of chitosan as a plant growth promoter

Abstract

The natural polymer chitosan is widely used in various fields of agriculture, industry and medicine. The properties of a polymer largely depend on its molecular weight and supramolecular structure. In particular, to enhance the beneficial properties of chitosan, its low-molecular derivatives are obtained. The presented work shows the possibility of using enzymatic chitosan hydrolysates as a biostimulator of plants. It has been established that pretreatment of pea seeds (Pisum sativum) variety “Zhegalova 112” with solutions of chitosan hydrolyzate in all studied concentrations increases the seeds and soil germination. In the course of the work, the highest efficiency of chitosan hydrolysate was confirmed when growing pea seeds in the soil, namely higher soil germination, significantly faster growth of green biomass of plants, acceleration of leaf formation. A pronounced effect of chitosan hydrolysates on plants under stress conditions was discovered. So, cultivation of pretreated with chitosan hydrolysate cucumber seeds (Cucumis sativus) in an unsuitable period for growth promotes their germination. At the same time, seed germination is completely absent in the control group.