Parastoo Pouraziz, Dr. Davoud Koolivand, Volume 13, Issue 1 (2-2024)
Abstract
Pouraziz, P., & Koolivand, D. (2024). The application of biopolymers in the management of plants viral diseases. Plant Pathology Science, 13(1),125-134. Polymers with natural origin are known as biopolymers. Due to their biocompatibility and biodegradable properties, biopolymers have a wide range of applications in various fields such as agriculture, medicine, and industry. Biopolymers limit the activities of plant pathogens by increasing the immune system of plants by influencing resistance genes and also activating resistance mechanisms. Therefore, the use of these substances to combat plant pathogens has found a wide application in agriculture. The use of biopolymers to deal with plant pathogens such as fungi and bacteria is a suitable solution to reduce their damage. Also, treatment of the virus-infected plant with biopolymers reduces the symptoms and damage of the disease. The molecular antiviral mechanisms of some biopolymers such as chitosan, chitin, oligochitosan, β-glucans, lentine, alginate, hydrogel and their compounds in the management of plants viral diseases are described in this article.
The increasing resistance of plant pathogens to chemical pesticides and concerns over the environmental consequences of their use have heightened the need to develop sustainable and eco-friendly solutions. Chitosan, as a natural and biodegradable biopolymer, has significant potential for sustainable management of plant diseases due to its antimicrobial activity and ability to stimulate plant defense systems. Various sources of chitosan production include crustacean shells, fungi, insect cuticles, as well as extraction methods and quality-determining factors, especially the degree of deacetylation and molecular weight. The multiple mechanisms of chitosan action, including direct antimicrobial activity by disrupting the structure and permeability of pathogen membranes, induction of systemic resistance through activation of defense and hormonal pathways, increased activity of defense enzymes like chitinase and glucanase, and strengthening structural barriers such as lignin and callose, and the role of chitosan in reducing certain abiotic stresses and improving plant growth and performance, are described in this article. The development of smart, nanostructured formulations, the optimization of chitosan production from sustainable sources, and its strategic integration with other disease management methods could strengthen the role of this biopolymer in sustainable agriculture and enhance plants productivity.
