Application of Nanochitosan for Effective Fruit Production

Abstract

Agricultural practices are one of the supportive pillars of global economy with a past, present, and future prospects. Orchid farming is a lucrative farming that supports the growth of numerous varieties of fruits trees with economic benefits. Fruits are seeds bearing fleshy or dry ripened structures in a flowering plant formed from the ovary that are typically sweet, sour, or unique in taste, which are incredibly edible at a raw or processed state. Fruits contain a wide range of micronutrients and non-nutrient bioactive compounds such as dietary fiber, minerals (potassium, calcium, and magnesium), vitamins (A, C, and E), and phytochemicals. An increase in the global fruit farming and consumption has been observed in recent years due to the increase awareness on the health and economic benefits attached to many fruits. Some of the major challenges faced by orchid farmers/horticulturist include the adulteration of the nutritional composition of the soil and post-harvest disease havoc caused by pests and other environmental factors, these problems cause a debilitating effect in quantity and quality of the fruits. Chitosan is natural occurring biodegradable polymers with appealing properties such as biodegradability, biocompatibility, low allergenic, and non-toxicity. Their unique properties proffer them a good candidate for various agricultural activities. As such, chitosan nanoparticles are extensively studied and applied as a bioagent/coating agent in the agricultural setup, ranging from fungicidal agent, antimicrobial agent, growth-promoting agents, wastewater treatment, and shelf live enhancement in fruits and other agricultural products.