Responses of foliar application of low molecular weight derivatives gamma radiated chitosan (Bio stimulator) in sugarcane under irrigated condition in Subtropical India

Chitosan, being one of the most promising biological macromolecules, has an immense scope in agriculture to boost crop growth and defense mechanism responses resulting enhanced crop yield. In this study, chitosan was exposed to gamma rays in order to obtain a low molecular weight derivative. Viscometric characterization showed a sharp decrease in molecular weight and FTIR based analysis confirmed retention of structural integrity of the polymer upon gamma irradiation. Assessments of various physiological and biochemical attributes were carried out on sugarcane crop to study, that were subjected to progressive for better growth and development of sugarcane crops. The irradiated chitosan was found to be better response for growth and development of sugarcane due to chitosan through positive modulation of various gas ex-change parameters alongside significant improvement in relative tissue water content, SOD activity, soluble sugars and adenine energetics. Furthermore, application of irradiated chitosan significantly reduced cell membrane damage, lipid peroxidation, H₂O₂ and free-proline accumulations. This is also reported on the use of gamma irradiated chitosan to boost in bio-physiological functions in sugarcane. Overall comparative assessments showed that differential plant responses were triggered upon foliar application of normal and gamma irradiated chitosan in sugarcane crop grown under irrigated conditions.