Seeds coated in chitosan-PEG film with Trichoderma fungi, symbolizing enhanced plant growth and protection.

Unlock Seed Potential: Chitosan-PEG Films Boost Growth and Fight Disease

Reese Marlowe in Science & Nature August 2025 • 4 min read.

"Harnessing the power of nature: How chitosan-PEG blended films enhance seed quality and antimicrobial defenses for healthier crops."

In agriculture, the quality of seeds and related inputs is paramount for ensuring high crop productivity. Despite numerous technological advancements, poor seed quality remains a significant cause of crop losses. Beyond the genetic and physiological aspects, seeds often face biotic and abiotic stresses that hinder optimal yields. Seed treatments, including soil amendments and antimicrobial agents, are crucial for protecting against these challenges.

Traditional methods involve chemical agents, but there's a growing shift towards biological solutions. These biological agents offer an eco-friendly alternative, harnessing beneficial microbes to combat harmful crop pests and promote sustainable agriculture. This approach not only reduces environmental impact but also enhances the natural defenses of plants.

Among the various biological agents, Trichoderma species stand out for their biocontrol properties. These fungi colonize plant roots, produce secondary metabolites, and trigger defense responses against biotic and abiotic stresses. Now, researchers are exploring how to combine the benefits of Trichoderma with natural polymers like chitosan to create innovative seed coatings that further enhance plant health and productivity.

Chitosan-PEG Films: A Natural Defense for Seeds

Seeds coated in chitosan-PEG film with Trichoderma fungi, symbolizing enhanced plant growth and protection.

Chitosan, derived from crustacean shells and fungal cell walls, has demonstrated significant antimicrobial activity against various pathogens. When applied as a seed treatment, it acts as a resistance elicitor, enhancing the plant's natural defenses. Combining chitosan with Trichoderma creates a powerful synergy, improving seed viability and germination under stress conditions.

Researchers have developed a chitosan-PEG (polyethylene glycol) blended system for delivering Trichoderma to seeds. PEG is a synthetic, biodegradable polymer that acts as an osmoprotectant, further enhancing the survival and efficacy of Trichoderma. This combination offers a comprehensive approach to seed protection, promoting healthy plant growth and disease resistance.

Enhanced Antimicrobial Activity: Chitosan inhibits a wide range of pathogens, protecting seeds from soilborne diseases.
Improved Stress Tolerance: PEG acts as an osmoprotectant, helping seeds withstand moisture stress and environmental challenges.
Synergistic Action: The combination of chitosan and Trichoderma creates a protective microenvironment around the seed, promoting germination and plant growth.

To optimize the effectiveness of these films, researchers have experimented with different concentrations of chitosan, PEG, and glycerol (a surfactant). By carefully balancing these components, they have created a blend that maximizes seed quality and antimicrobial activity. This optimized chitosan carrier blend, combined with Trichoderma, offers a promising solution for sustainable agriculture and improved crop yields.

Future of Seed Treatment: Sustainable Solutions for Agriculture

The chitosan-PEG blended filmogenic solution, enriched with Trichoderma, presents a sustainable alternative to traditional seed treatments. This innovative approach utilizes natural materials to enhance plant defenses, promote growth, and protect against disease.

The polymers in the film provide a uniform coating that modulates gas exchange and water vapor transmission, ensuring optimal germination conditions. Furthermore, the blend is compatible with Trichoderma, supporting its sporulation and activity during seed germination.

Ongoing studies are exploring the long-term shelf life and efficacy of this chitosan-PEG-Trichoderma combination. These advancements pave the way for sustainable agricultural practices, reducing reliance on synthetic chemicals and fostering healthier, more resilient crops.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2018.12.208, Alternate LINK

Title: Development Of Chitosan-Peg Blended Films Using Trichoderma: Enhancement Of Antimicrobial Activity And Seed Quality

Subject: Molecular Biology

Journal: International Journal of Biological Macromolecules

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Authors: K.S.V. Poorna Chandrika, R.D. Prasad, Varsha Godbole

Published: 2019-04-01

Everything You Need To Know

Why is seed quality so important, and what are the main issues affecting it?

Seed quality is vital in agriculture for achieving high crop yields, but it faces many challenges like biotic and abiotic stresses. This is where seed treatments, like those using the chitosan-PEG films, become very important. The films enhance antimicrobial activity and improve seed quality, leading to healthier crops. Poor seed quality is a major reason for crop losses, so improving it is crucial for successful farming.

What role does Chitosan play in the chitosan-PEG films, and why is it beneficial?

Chitosan, derived from crustacean shells and fungal cell walls, is used in the chitosan-PEG films. It has antimicrobial properties that protect seeds from pathogens, acting as a resistance elicitor to boost the plant's natural defenses. Combining it with Trichoderma, creates a powerful synergy. This synergy works to improve seed viability and germination, especially when seeds are under stress. This is key because the improved resistance contributes to healthier plant growth.

How does PEG contribute to the effectiveness of the chitosan-PEG films?

PEG, or polyethylene glycol, is a synthetic, biodegradable polymer included in the chitosan-PEG films. It acts as an osmoprotectant, which helps seeds withstand moisture stress and other environmental challenges. PEG enhances the survival and effectiveness of Trichoderma. This is a key component of the film because it gives seeds a better chance to germinate and grow in various conditions, thus improving overall crop yields.

How does Trichoderma interact with the chitosan-PEG films?

Trichoderma species are biological agents, specifically fungi, that offer biocontrol properties. They colonize plant roots and produce secondary metabolites that trigger defense responses against biotic and abiotic stresses. When combined with the chitosan-PEG films, Trichoderma creates a protective environment around the seed. This promotes germination and plant growth, and provides an eco-friendly approach to seed treatment as it promotes sustainable agriculture.

What are the key benefits of using chitosan-PEG blended films for seed treatment?

Chitosan-PEG blended films, enriched with Trichoderma, provide a sustainable alternative to traditional seed treatments. They use natural materials to enhance plant defenses, promote growth, and protect against diseases. The films are created using a careful balance of Chitosan, PEG, and glycerol. This innovative approach addresses the critical need to reduce environmental impact and improve crop yields. These films offer a promising solution for future sustainable agriculture.