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The science behind it.
How chitosan works?
Chitosan enhances crop performance by activating the plant’s innate immune system, strengthening resistance to pests, pathogens, and environmental stressors. This immune activation improves nutrient uptake and root development, resulting in stronger, more resilient growth. It also increases the efficiency of complementary inputs like nitrogen, reducing the overall need for chemical fertilisers and pesticides.
When applied to plant surfaces, chitosan forms a thin, natural film that helps retain moisture and shields the plant against drought, salinity, and other abiotic stresses. This protective layer, combined with improved metabolic activity, leads to larger yields, better-quality produce, and extended shelf life with reduced spoilage.
Over time, continued use of chitosan contributes to soil regeneration by lowering chemical input dependency and restoring microbial balance damaged by prolonged synthetic input use.
From germination and root development to fruiting and post-harvest preservation, chitosan supports every stage of plant growth, helping crops thrive even under challenging conditions.
How chitosan works?
Once Chitosan Applied
Key Findings from the USDA Technical Report on Chitosan
01
Enhances Crop Yield & Quality
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Wheat: Chitosan treatment increased seed yield by 26.7% and biological yield by 28.5%.
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Tomato: Yield increased by 42.8% when treated with chitosan compared to the control.
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Lettuce: Treated plants produced 22.5% more fresh weight and 18.1% more dry matter.
02
Reduces Fungal Disease Incidence
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Botrytis cinerea (gray mold) in grapes reduced by 50–90% depending on dosage and timing.
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Powdery mildew: Application resulted in a 60–90% decrease in disease severity across tested crops.
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Fusarium wilt: Reduced severity in cucumber and tomato by over 50%.
03
Improves Plant Immunity (SAR & ISR Activation)
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Chitosan triggers defense-related enzymes like peroxidase, polyphenol oxidase, and chitinase, increasing activity levels by up to 2–3× compared to untreated controls.
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These immune responses lead to fewer pest and pathogen outbreaks and decreased pesticide dependency.
04
Reduces Post-Harvest Losses & Spoilage
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Chitosan coating extended shelf life of strawberries by 4–7 days while reducing weight loss by 30–50%.
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Tomatoes treated with chitosan retained firmness and delayed ripening by up to 6 days.
05
Enhances Abiotic Stress Tolerance (e.g. Drought)
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In maize, chitosan-treated plants had 15–25% higher relative water content under drought conditions.
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Increased proline and chlorophyll content helped maintain physiological function during water stress.
06
Soil & Microbial Health
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Chitosan application increased soil microbial biomass carbon by up to 40% in some studies.
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Reduced need for synthetic chemical inputs by up to 30–50%, promoting long-term soil vitality
*The USDA published a technical report consolidating third-party field trials and peer-reviewed research, offering a comprehensive overview of Chitosan Hydrochloride’s effectiveness in agriculture. This report is publicly available through the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service and is provided here for transparency and educational purposes.
