Abstract
Biopolymer “Chitosan” has received much interest for potential wide application in agriculture due to its excellent biocompatibility, biodegradability and bioactivity. This naturally occurring molecule with interesting physiological potential has been getting more attention in recent years. Chitosan enhanced the efficacy of plants to reduce the deleterious effect of unfavorable conditions as well as on plant growth. Chitosan affects various physiological responses like plant immunity, defense mechanisms involving various enzymes such as, phenylalanine ammonium lyase, polyphenol oxidase, tyrosine ammonia lyase and antioxidant enzymes viz., activities superoxide dismutase, catalase and peroxide against adverse conditions. Recent studies have shown that chitosan induces mechanisms in plants against various biotic (fungi, bacteria, and insects) and abiotic (salinity, drought, heavy metal and cold) stresses and helps in formation of barriers that enhances plant's productivity. This paper takes a closer look at the physiological responses of chitosan molecule.
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We gratefully thanks the University Grant Commission New Delhi for financial support and special thanks to Department of Plant Physiology, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi for providing necessary facilities for this work.
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Katiyar, D., Hemantaranjan, A. & Singh, B. Chitosan as a promising natural compound to enhance potential physiological responses in plant: a review. Ind J Plant Physiol. 20, 1–9 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40502-015-0139-6
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40502-015-0139-6