RGE
CHITOSAN by Alex Fraser
Although you may never have heard of chitin before , this incredible substance exists throughout nature . Chitin is the main structural component found in the exoskeletons of insects and shellfish like shrimp and lobster , and in the cell walls of fungi . It is the most abundant biopolymer in nature , second only to cellulose , the compound that gives plants their structure . Chitin , and its derivative compound chitosan , have many unique properties making them crucial to a wide range of industries like cosmetics , water treatment , and surgical materials just to name a few . Chitin and chitosan products are also increasingly being used in agriculture to improve plant health and increase crop yield and value . Almost all commercially available chitin is harvested from the waste byproducts of the seafood industry . Calcium and protein are first removed from the discarded exoskeletons , and the resulting highly pure chitin then undergoes a deacetylation process to yield chitosan . These refining processes can be performed chemically or biologically with the help of enzymes , and there is a high degree of variability between different producers . Although chitin is abundant , finding a form of chitosan that is both high quality and sustainably produced can be difficult .
“ This function of chitosan treatments could be of huge benefit to cannabis growers battling powdery mildew , botrytis , and Pythium .”
Pest Control
Probably the most common use of chitin and chitosan products in agriculture is for the prevention and control of harmful insects and plant pathogens . Plants have special receptors that detect the presence of insects by sensing the chitosan that makes up their exoskeletons . Stimulating these receptors with a chitosan solution activates the plants ’ systemic acquired resistance ( SAR ). This type of reaction is similar to an immune system response in animals . Activating the SAR has many benefits to the plant , but perhaps the most important in terms of pest control is the increased production of the enzyme chitinase , which has the ability to weaken the exoskeletons of insects and the cell walls of fungi . This function of chitosan treatments could be of huge benefit to cannabis growers battling powdery mildew , botrytis , and Pythium . Plants aren ’ t the only source of this powerful enzyme . Many common beneficial bacteria species like bacillus subtilis are also important chitinase producers , and studies have shown an increase in chitinase production when these bacteria are exposed to high levels of chitosan . Bacterial inoculants used in conjunction with chitosan products can provide a powerful barrier against pathogenic root disease by combating harmful fungi . Surprisingly , many beneficial fungi like trichoderma seem to be resistant to the effects of chitosan , so you won ’ t have to worry about losing them . The pathogen-preventing benefits of chitosan don ’ t just apply to fully grown plants . Studies on various plant varieties have shown that pretreating seeds in a solution of chitosan for as little as 60 minutes can help improve germination , reduce fungal infection , and increase seedling survival rate . This could prove to be a great tool for growers battling multi-generational systemic fungal disease .
Maximum Yield 59