Chitosan nanofertilizer boost source activity in plant

Abstract

To meet the food demand of the increasing world population, improved food production is crucial. Sustained supply of food and nutrients by a plant source organ during growth and development can affect the final plant yield. Sucrose transfer from source organ to sink organ via source-sink communication has a key role in regulation of carbon assimilation and partitioning that determine carbohydrate allocation throughout the plant and has a prime role in determining crop productivity. Micronutrients play an important role in the plant life cycle. Efficient nutrient supply is of vital importance to validate cellular homeostasis to encourage source activity and further sink strength. Agronomic application of nanotechnology has potentially altered the conventional plant production system by controlled release of agrochemicals. Chitosan as an excellent nano delivery system provide slow sustained supply of micronutrients and bioactive compounds. This review discusses the application of chitosan as a nanofertilizer in plant and its potential in promoting source activity in plant for higher crop yield.

Keywords:

• chitosan
• nanofertilizer
• sink strength
• source activity