Chitosan oligosaccharide functional pesticide can alleviate drought stress in wheat

Recently, it was learned from the Institute of Plant Protection of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences that the pesticide molecular target and green pesticide innovation team used interface polymerization method to synthesize polyurethane microcapsules loaded with Prothioconazole. Chitosan oligosaccharide functional pesticide prepared with this capsule can alleviate drought stress of wheat. The relevant results were recently published in the international journal of Chemical Engineering.

Drought stress is the lack of water available to plants caused by drought, which can significantly inhibit plant growth. It can cause damage to plant membrane system, abnormal water distribution in various parts and damage to normal metabolic processes. These adverse effects threaten food production and quality. In order to cope with global climate change and ensure food security, the development of new pesticides with drought-resistant function has become an important research direction.

Chitosan oligosaccharide is biological material that have the potential to promote plant growth and improve the immune activity of crops. Recent studies have shown that Chitosan oligosaccharide can alleviate drought stress in plants." Cao Lidong, the corresponding author of the paper and a researcher at the Institute of Plant Protection of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, told reporters that the study successfully synthesized the interchiooligosaccharide modified Prothioconazole polyurethane microcapsules, that is, Chitosan oligosaccharide was applied to the surface modification of polyurethane microcapsules by a specific interface polymerization method at two immiscible liquid phase interfaces.

It was found that this composite microcapsule has good thermal stability, pH sensitivity release and anti-fungal properties, and can also promote wheat growth. Under simulated drought conditions, the Chitosan oligosaccharide modified composite microcapsules showed good performance in alleviating drought stress in wheat.

It is reported that the study provides a new perspective for alleviating crop stress. "This study provides a functional pesticide carrier for drought-stressed crops in agricultural production. The pesticide-loaded microcapsules modified by Chitosan oligosaccharide that we developed not only have multiple functions, but are also expected to alleviate the adverse effects of drought stress on wheat." Cao Lidong said.