Chitin – nature’s treasure for crops

A natural response to the challenges of modern agriculture

Modern agriculture faces the need to reconcile high crop yields with care for the environment, soil and plant health. Soil structure degradation, reduced organic matter content, droughts and increasing pressure from diseases and pests mean that farmers and gardeners are increasingly turning to natural, functional solutions. One of these is chitin and its derivatives (mainly chitosan) – a biopolymer with unique properties that is increasingly emerging as a versatile component supporting soil and plant health.

What is chitin and where does it come from?

Chitin is a natural, unbranched polysaccharide composed of N-acetylglucosamine units linked by β(1→4) bonds. It is commonly found in nature as the main component of insect exoskeletons, crustaceans and fungal cell walls.

Industrially, chitin is most often obtained from crustaceans (shrimp, crabs), but chitin derived from insect larvae (e.g. Hermetia illucens) is attracting increasing interest. It is characterised by high purity, sorption activity, lower calcium salt content and higher bioavailability. The form of chitin naturally present in frass (insect droppings combined with feed residues and shed cuticles) can be effectively used as a natural biostimulant.

Chitin as a plant growth stimulator

The effect of chitin in soil is not limited to physicochemical aspects. This natural polymer is a strong biological stimulator, activating metabolic processes in plants.

Chitin and its derivative, chitosan, are recognised as elicitors of plant resistance – substances that activate defence mechanisms. After the application of chitin, the expression of genes responsible for the synthesis of phytoalexins and pathogenesis-related (PR) proteins increases, enhancing plants’ resistance to biotic stress.

In practice, chitin supports plant development by:

• increasing chlorophyll content and leaf assimilation surface,
• expanding the root system,
• improving photosynthesis efficiency and water management,
• accelerating germination and emergence,
• increasing plant biomass.

In addition, chitin can induce the production of abscisic acid, which regulates stomatal closure, thereby reducing water loss during drought.

Natural protection against diseases and pests

 One of the key properties of chitin is its ability to reduce the occurrence of plant diseases. It acts on several levels:

• Activation of defence mechanisms
   Chitin activates induced systemic resistance (ISR) and systemic acquired resistance (SAR). Even at low concentrations it is sufficient to trigger plant defence responses.
• Stimulation of beneficial microorganisms
  Chitin supports the development of microorganisms capable of synthesising chitinases. Chitinolytic bacteria and fungi (e.g. Streptomyces, Trichoderma, Bacillus) limit the presence of phytopathogens.
• Reduction of soil pests
  Chitin reduces the presence of pests such as nematodes by blocking their enzymatic activity and supporting antagonistic microorganisms.

Chitin – improving soil structure and water retention

Chitin positively affects the physical properties of soil by improving the structure of soil aggregates and increasing porosity. It increases water availability for plants, acting as a natural hydrogel, which is particularly important on light soils and in greenhouse crops.

Supporting the soil microbiome

The presence of chitin stimulates the development of beneficial soil microflora, particularly bacteria such as Lactobacillus, Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas fluorescens and fungi of the genus Trichoderma. These microorganisms support plant growth by producing growth regulators and enzymes that break down compounds unavailable to plants.

Practical applications of chitin in agriculture and horticulture

Chitin has a wide range of applications in both conventional and organic farming. It can be applied in the form of:

• a component of organic fertilizers (e.g. HiProSoil),
• cpure, micronised chitin,
• chitosan in liquid form.

Why is foliar spraying the most commonly chosen method?

• Ease of application – standard sprayers.
• Fast action – immediate activation of resistance.
• Systemic and local effects – activates resistance genes, induces phytoalexin production.
• Versatility of use – in vegetable, fruit, ornamental and cereal crops.

The best results are observed in the regeneration of degraded soils and in intensive horticultural and orchard crops.

The future and potential of chitin in agriculture

Interest in chitin will continue to grow with the increasing need to reduce the use of chemicals in agriculture. Potential new applications include reducing salinity stress, phytoremediation of contaminated areas and compost enrichment. Chitin may become a key component of next-generation fertilizers, fitting into the idea of regenerative agriculture.

Summary

Chitin is one of the most promising biopolymers supporting soil and plant health. Thanks to its properties, it can become an important tool for modern agriculture, enabling higher crop yields in an environmentally friendly way.