Chitosan oligosaccharide(COS), a natural biopesticide, has gained significant attention in agriculture due to its remarkable antimicrobial and growth-promoting properties. However, its limited compatibility with other agrochemicals once hindered its widespread application. With the advent of the new chitosan oligosaccharide, this challenge has been overcome, paving the way for broader use in agriculture.
1. Differences Between Chitosan Oligosaccharide, Chitosan, and Chitin
Chitosan oligosaccharide is a low-molecular-weight oligosaccharide derived from the degradation of chitin or chitosan. It is an upgraded version of chitin and chitosan products. Compared to its predecessors, chitosan oligosaccharide boasts lower molecular weight, higher biological activity, better water solubility, greater functional efficacy, and higher absorption rates. These properties make it an ideal choice for soil improvement and plant growth promotion.
2. Benefits of Chitosan Oligosaccharide
Chitosan oligosaccharide not only alters soil microbiota and promotes beneficial microbial growth but also induces plant disease resistance, providing immunity and eradication effects against various fungi, bacteria, and viruses. Its specific benefits include:
1. Soil Improvement
COS induces plants to produce disease-resistant enzymes, enhancing their ability to combat pathogens. It effectively eliminates bacteria causing root rot, black spot disease, and other infections, ensuring high crop yields. Additionally, it promotes the growth of beneficial soil bacteria such as nitrogen-fixing bacteria, lactic acid bacteria, cellulose-decomposing bacteria, and actinomycetes, improving soil enzyme activity and creating a healthier soil environment.
2. Cold Resistance Induction
When applied one week before late spring frosts, chitosan oligosaccharide increases the synthesis and accumulation of unsaturated fatty acids in plants, significantly reducing damage caused by low temperatures. Cold resistance induction is one of its most critical functions.
3. Nematode Suppression
Nematodes have become the second most damaging pest in Chinese agriculture. COS induces plants to secrete chitinase, which breaks down chitin in nematode egg cell walls, effectively inhibiting nematode reproduction.
4. Disease Resistance Induction
As an elicitor, COS effectively induces plant disease resistance, enhancing their defense mechanisms. It stimulates the production of disease-resistant proteins, promotes lignin formation, and alters phenolic metabolism, all of which strengthen plant immunity and indirectly act as a natural pesticide.
5. Plant Growth Regulation
COS excels in promoting crop growth. It stimulates root development, improving water and nutrient absorption, and enhances drought and lodging resistance. It also activates the rhizosphere, dissolves nutrient molecules, and forms soil solutions, ensuring efficient uptake of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Furthermore, it shortens and thickens plant stems, directing more nutrients to fruits, improving crop quality, and reducing pesticide residues.
3. The Advent of New Chitosan Oligosaccharide
To achieve widespread adoption, chitosan oligosaccharide needed to overcome compatibility issues with most pesticides and fertilizers. The Wellyou Tech team addressed this by optimizing molecular structures and refining production processes. After years of research, they successfully developed new chitosan oligosaccharide
Building on traditional enzymatic hydrolysis, new COS incorporates a key group modification process, enhancing its disease resistance and compatibility. When mixed with pesticides, it prevents flocculation, ensuring uniformity, stability, and effectiveness. This flexibility allows farmers to tailor applications to specific crop needs, addressing multiple pest and disease challenges without compromising efficacy.
4. Application Prospects of Chitosan Oligosaccharide
With its improved compatibility, chitosan oligosaccharide can be widely used in various crops, including grains, cash crops, fruits, vegetables, and ornamental plants. It is suitable for all growth stages—seed treatment, seedling stage, flowering and fruiting stage, and late growth stage. Whether used for seed coating, root irrigation, or foliar spraying, it delivers exceptional results.
The introduction of chitosan oligosaccharide removes barriers to its broader application in agriculture. It not only boosts crop yield and quality but also reduces pesticide residues, restores natural flavors, and enhances storage and transport durability. Its use marks a revolutionary step forward in sustainable agriculture.
As a natural biopesticide and fertilizer enhancer, chitosan oligosaccharide has become indispensable in modern agriculture due to its antimicrobial properties and soil-improving capabilities. COS with its enhanced compatibility, promises even wider applications. In the future, chitosan oligosaccharide will play an increasingly vital role in ensuring high crop yields and sustainable farming practices.
