MYCOLab Ai Logo - gold and army green

Biocontrol of Fusarium solani: Antifungal Activity of Chitosan and Induction of Defence Enzymes

Summary

Chitosan, a natural substance made from shrimp and crab shells, effectively protects tomato plants from a dangerous fungal disease called Fusarium solani root rot. When applied to plants, chitosan directly damages the fungus and simultaneously strengthens the plant’s own defence systems through increased enzyme activity. This makes chitosan a safer, more sustainable alternative to conventional chemical fungicides while also promoting better plant growth.

Background

Tomato is the second most important vegetable crop globally but is susceptible to root rot caused by Fusarium solani fungus. Synthetic fungicides are effective but pose environmental and health risks. Chitosan, a biodegradable biopolymer derived from crustacean exoskeletons, has emerged as a promising sustainable alternative for biocontrol of plant pathogens.

Objective

This study evaluated the efficiency of chitosan as a biocontrol agent against Fusarium solani on tomato plants, assessing both antifungal activity and the induction of defence enzymes in plants treated with different chitosan concentrations combined with synthetic fungicides.

Results

The 3 g L⁻¹ chitosan treatment achieved 81.25% mycelial growth inhibition, superior to synthetic fungicide. SEM revealed severe structural damage including cell lysis and spore deformation. Chitosan-treated plants showed improved height, stem diameter, root biomass, and root length compared to controls. Chitosan significantly increased superoxide dismutase, catalase, peroxidase, and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase enzyme activities.

Conclusion

Chitosan is an effective and less toxic alternative to synthetic fungicides for managing F. solani in tomato plants, functioning through both direct antifungal mechanisms and induction of plant defence responses. The 3 g L⁻¹ concentration proved optimal, reducing disease severity while promoting plant growth and health through enhanced enzymatic defences.
  • Published in:Plants (Basel),
  • Study Type:Experimental Study,
  • Source: PMID: 39942993, PMCID: PMC11820095
Scroll to Top