Chitosan Bionanocomposite: A Potential Approach for Sustainable Agriculture
Mane SS and Vemula AN
Published: January 31, 2022
Abstract
Aim of this research is to reduce the salinity stress on plants by synthesizing the materials that helps to improve the crop yield without harming the crop. This can be made possible using NPK loaded chitosan ZnO nanoparticles (Chitosan Bionanocomposite). Chitosan, the natural carbohydrate obtained from shrimp shell waste after deacetylation of chitin by using marine bacterial isolates. Nanoparticles have high surface area and release the fertilizer slowly into the soil and makes NPK available to plants. Five marine isolates were obtained with positive deacetylase activity, used for chitosan synthesis. Bionanocomposite of each isolate was used for pot assay. Bionanocompositeobtained from IS1 was found to be efficient in enhancing the plant growth parameters. It shows 20% increase in germination percentage, 25% seed vigor index and significant increase in root and shoot length. Hence, it is concluded that the bionanocomposite can be prepared from cheapest sources and benefits the farmers for improving crop yield under stress conditions. Thus instead of using chemical fertilizer and or any biodegradable materials, bionanocomposites will be potential approach to sustain healthy agricultural practices.
Keywords: Salt stress; NPK bionanocomposite; Seed vigor index