Application of Chitosan in Plant Diseases Management

Chitosan is a biodegradable natural compound derived from the bark of crabs and shrimp which have antimicrobial role against fungi and bacteria. Chitosan has directly effects on morphology of treated pathogens which reflect its fungistatical and fungicidal activity. It has been shown that chitosan increases production of glucanohydrolase، phenolic compounds and specific phytoalexin synthesis with antifungal activity and reduces enzymes such as polygalacturonase، pectin methyl-esterase that related to soft rot. In addition، chitosan can develop structural barriers via lignin synthesis. Therefore chitosan is considered as a new non-toxic biological material، inducer resistance of plants against diseases.