HARNESSING CHITOSAN FOR SEED QUALITY ENHANCEMENT AND STRESS RESILIENCE: CURRENT ADVANCES AND FUTURE PERSPECTIVES

Abstract

The rapidly growing global population has placed immense pressure on the agricultural production systems, necessitating a significant increase in agricultural output to meet rising demands. To achieve higher yields and ensure food security, farmers have increasingly relied on chemical fertilizers and pesticides. While these inputs have played a crucial role in boosting agricultural productivity, their excessive and indiscriminate use has led to a range of environmental and ecological consequences, exacerbating the impacts of climate change on agricultural production. To address these challenges, a shift toward sustainable agricultural practices is essential. Seed is an important input and carrier of technology in agriculture. So, the quality of seeds plays a crucial role in attaining better plant growth and development throughout the crop cycle against biotic and abiotic stress. Even though the seed has its own capacity to germinate and grow, several challenges hinder this process. So, Chitosan is considered an eco-friendly alternative to synthetic seed treatments because it is biodegradable, non-toxic, and sustainable. Its use aligns with organic farming principles and can reduce reliance on chemical fungicides and pesticides.