Biopolymer compositions for ecological protection and growth stimulation of plants

Presented herein are investigations in the preparation of an advanced , human-and environmentfriendly plant protection composition based on selected bioactive biopolymers of the polysaccharide family. In the Institute of Biopolymers and Chemical Fibres the biopolymers were prepared and the biological activity of chitosan in the form of salt and gel and of hemicelluloses (galactoglucomannans) and of their compositions was tentatively evaluated by way of plate tests. Estimated was the impact of such preparations upon the stimulation of the germination rate of radish seeds at concentration of 0.1, 0.01 and 0.005% after 72 hours. The efficacy of the preparations was evaluated based on the number of germinated seeds in the green mass of the sprouts and their length in comparison to a reference in water at pH = 7.0. In Research Institute of Horticulture, Skierniewice, Poland the usefulness of selected iopolymer preparations was evaluated as agents to protect decorative plants against some pathogens (on leaves, in soil) such as Phytophtora cryptogea causing decay of shoots and roots. It could be found that the biopolymer compositions applied to the soil provided a much better rooting of chrysanthemum cuttings in a Phytophtora cryptogea - infected soil. The cuttings were growing much faster and the number of infected ones was largely reduced. The usefulness of a number of chitosan formulations was also evaluated for seed pickling. It was found that the formulations exerted a distinctly positive impact upon the germination, growth and health of the seedlings. Laboratory and greenhouse testing was made in the Institute of Plant Protection, Poznań, Poland where the biological activity of some biopolymer compositions was evaluated. A first selection of the biopolymers was done based on an in vitro examination of the impact upon bacteria growth. (Gram negative - Erwinia amylovora and Gram positive Clavibacter ichiganensis ) on agar or agarose plates and upon the generation of necrotic stains on beans and tobacco caused by lucerne mosaic virus and tobacco mosaic virus respectively. It was found that the preparations with original biopolymer concentration had not affected the viruses directly but stimulated the plants’ immunity against the pathogens.