A Review of the Applications of Chitin and Its Derivatives in Agriculture to Modify Plant-Microbial Interactions and Improve Crop Yields
Moulton College, Moulton, Northamptonshire, NN3 7RR, UK
Agronomy 2013, 3(4), 757-793; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy3040757
Received: 9 August 2013
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Revised: 8 September 2013
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Accepted: 9 September 2013
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Published: 21 November 2013
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biocontrol and Plant Growth and Quality Promoting Capacity of Microorganisms—New Perspectives for Agriculture)
In recent decades, a greater knowledge of chitin chemistry, and the increased availability of chitin-containing waste materials from the seafood industry, have led to the testing and development of chitin-containing products for a wide variety of applications in the agriculture industry. A number of modes of action have been proposed for how chitin and its derivatives can improve crop yield. In addition to direct effects on plant nutrition and plant growth stimulation, chitin-derived products have also been shown to be toxic to plant pests and pathogens, induce plant defenses and stimulate the growth and activity of beneficial microbes. A repeating theme of the published studies is that chitin-based treatments augment and amplify the action of beneficial chitinolytic microbes. This article reviews the evidence for claims that chitin-based products can improve crop yields and the current understanding of the modes of action with a focus on plant-microbe interactions.
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MDPI and ACS Style
Sharp, R.G. A Review of the Applications of Chitin and Its Derivatives in Agriculture to Modify Plant-Microbial Interactions and Improve Crop Yields. Agronomy 2013, 3, 757-793. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy3040757
AMA Style
Sharp RG. A Review of the Applications of Chitin and Its Derivatives in Agriculture to Modify Plant-Microbial Interactions and Improve Crop Yields. Agronomy. 2013; 3(4):757-793. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy3040757
Chicago/Turabian StyleSharp, Russell G. 2013. "A Review of the Applications of Chitin and Its Derivatives in Agriculture to Modify Plant-Microbial Interactions and Improve Crop Yields" Agronomy 3, no. 4: 757-793. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy3040757
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