A NOVEL SILICON AND CHITOSAN-BASED FORMULATION TO IMPROVE BIOCHEMICAL TRAITS OF WHEAT AND WATER USE EFFICIENCY UNDER LIMITED IRRIGATION

Abstract

This invention provides a silicon and chitosan-based formulation that enhances biochemical traits, water use efficiency, and drought tolerance in wheat. Silicon reduces water loss and boosts stress-related enzyme activity, while chitosan improves root growth, antioxidant production, and nutrient uptake. Together, they increase photosynthesis, water retention, and grain yield in water-limited conditions, supporting sustainable wheat cultivation and resilience in arid and semi-arid regions.

Specification

Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to the agricultural sciences, specifically to a silicon and chitosan-based formulation aimed at enhancing biochemical traits and water use efficiency in wheat crops under limited irrigation. By leveraging the properties of silicon and chitosan, this formulation supports sustainable agriculture in water-scarce regions, improving wheat resilience and productivity under drought stress.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Water scarcity is a critical issue impacting agricultural productivity globally, especially in arid and semi-arid regions. Traditional irrigation methods often lead to water wastage due to high evaporation rates, inefficient water absorption, and nutrient loss, making it difficult for crops like wheat to thrive in these environments. Wheat (Triticum aestivum), a global staple, suffers significant yield and quality losses under water-stressed conditions. Consequently, farmers face challenges in maintaining productivity while conserving limited water resources, highlighting the need for innovative approaches to improve water use efficiency (WUE) and stress tolerance in wheat crops.
Recent studies have shown the potential of natural compounds like silicon (Si) and chitosan to boost plant resilience to various stresses, including drought. Silicon, while not classified as an essential element for most crops, plays a vital role in reinforcing plant cell walls, reducing water loss, and enhancing the activity of stress-related enzymes. These benefits make silicon particularly valuable in drought conditions, where it helps maintain photosynthesis and reduces water transpiration rates. Chitosan, a biopolymer derived from chitin, exhibits properties that can further improve plant health, such as antibacterial action, enhanced antioxidant activity, and better nutrient absorption. Together, silicon and chitosan create a synergistic effect, enabling wheat plants to better withstand drought by improving biochemical responses and WUE.
The development of a silicon-chitosan formulation offers a sustainable approach to enhancing wheat resilience in water-limited regions. This formulation has been observed to improve critical biochemical traits such as photosynthetic efficiency, antioxidant enzyme activity, and osmotic regulation in wheat. By supporting water retention and nutrient uptake, the silicon-chitosan formulation enables wheat plants to utilize water more efficiently, reducing dependency on extensive irrigation. Such a strategy aligns with the need for climate-adaptive agriculture, as it provides a viable solution to mitigate the adverse effects of drought on wheat productivity, contributing to food security in areas facing water scarcity.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts, in a simplified format, that are further described in the detailed description of the invention.
This summary is neither intended to identify key or essential inventive concepts of the invention and nor is it intended for determining the scope of the invention.
To further clarify advantages and features of the present invention, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof, which is illustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail with the accompanying drawings.
The present invention provides a silicon and chitosan-based formulation designed to enhance biochemical traits, water use efficiency, and drought tolerance in wheat. This formulation combines the beneficial properties of silicon, which reduces water loss and supports stress-related enzyme activity, with chitosan, which improves root growth, antioxidant production, and nutrient uptake. The synergistic effect of silicon and chitosan enables wheat to maintain higher photosynthetic rates, improved WUE, and reduced oxidative stress under limited irrigation. This invention offers a sustainable, eco-friendly approach to wheat cultivation, supporting food security in water-scarce regions.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The illustrated embodiments of the subject matter will be understood by reference to the drawings, wherein like parts are designated by like numerals throughout. The following description is intended only by way of example, and simply illustrates certain selected embodiments of devices, systems, and methods that are consistent with the subject matter as claimed herein, wherein:
FIGURE 1: ILLUSTRATES THE BIOCHEMICAL PATHWAYS ACTIVATED IN WHEAT FOLLOWING TREATMENT WITH THE SILICON-CHITOSAN FORMULATION, SHOWING ENHANCED PHOTOSYNTHESIS AND ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY.
The figures depict embodiments of the present subject matter for the purposes of illustration only. A person skilled in the art will easily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of the structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The detailed description of various exemplary embodiments of the disclosure is described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the embodiments are described herein in such details as to clearly communicate the disclosure. However, the amount of details provided herein is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
It is also to be understood that various arrangements may be devised that, although not explicitly described or shown herein, embody the principles of the present disclosure. Moreover, all statements herein reciting principles, aspects, and embodiments of the present disclosure, as well as specific examples, are intended to encompass equivalents thereof.
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of example embodiments. As used herein, the singular forms "a"," "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms "comprises," "comprising," "includes" and/or "including," when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components and/or groups thereof.
It should also be noted that in some alternative implementations, the functions/acts noted may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two figures shown in succession may, in fact, be executed concurrently or may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality/acts involved.
In addition, the descriptions of "first", "second", "third", and the like in the present invention are used for the purpose of description only, and are not to be construed as indicating or implying their relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of technical features indicated. Thus, features defining "first" and "second" may include at least one of the features, either explicitly or implicitly.
Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which example embodiments belong. It will be further understood that terms, e.g., those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.
This invention addresses the urgent need for sustainable crop production in water-limited regions by enhancing the biochemical traits and WUE of wheat through a novel silicon and chitosan-based formulation. The formulation leverages the properties of silicon and chitosan to improve plant resilience against drought stress, enabling wheat plants to thrive under limited irrigation. Silicon, known for its role in stress mitigation, supports the formation of a protective barrier in plant tissues, reducing water loss through transpiration. Silicon also enhances osmotic adjustment, allowing plants to draw more water from the soil even under low-moisture conditions. Furthermore, silicon boosts antioxidant enzyme activity, reducing oxidative stress by neutralizing reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated during drought conditions.
Chitosan, derived from chitin, complements silicon by promoting root growth, water retention, and biochemical resilience. This biopolymer induces the production of plant growth hormones, such as gibberellins and cytokinins, which stimulate root development and enhance water uptake. Additionally, chitosan triggers the synthesis of phenolic compounds and other antioxidants, which protect plant cells from oxidative damage during water stress. Chitosan also forms a natural biofilm around roots, reducing water evaporation from the soil and improving WUE.
The combination of silicon and chitosan offers a synergistic effect, enhancing wheat's resilience to drought by promoting growth, biochemical defenses, and efficient water use. Under limited irrigation, wheat treated with this formulation exhibits higher photosynthetic rates, increased chlorophyll content, and improved grain yield. The formulation is suitable for application through foliar spray, soil amendment, or irrigation, making it adaptable to diverse farming systems. By supporting crop productivity in drought-prone areas, this invention aligns with global efforts to promote climate-resilient agriculture.
, Claims:1. A silicon and chitosan-based formulation for enhancing biochemical traits and water use efficiency in wheat under limited irrigation, comprising silicon as a water-retention agent and chitosan as a growth stimulant and antioxidant booster.
2. The formulation as claimed in Claim 1, wherein silicon improves water use efficiency by forming a protective barrier that reduces water loss through transpiration and increases water uptake by roots.
3. The formulation as claimed in Claim 1, wherein chitosan promotes root growth, enhances nutrient absorption, and stimulates the production of plant growth hormones under drought conditions.
4. The formulation as claimed in Claim 1, wherein silicon and chitosan together increase antioxidant enzyme activity, including superoxide dismutase, catalase, and peroxidase, to mitigate oxidative stress in wheat plants.
5. The formulation as claimed in Claim 1, applied through foliar spray, soil amendment, or irrigation, to improve drought tolerance and biochemical resilience in wheat.
6. The formulation as claimed in Claim 1, wherein silicon enhances photosynthesis by increasing chlorophyll content and stomatal conductance, supporting growth during water stress.
7. The formulation as claimed in Claim 1, wherein chitosan reduces water evaporation from soil by forming a biofilm around plant roots, enhancing water retention.
8. The formulation as claimed in Claim 1, facilitating increased grain yield and biomass in wheat grown under limited irrigation conditions by supporting efficient water use.
9. The method as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the silicon and chitosan formulation is used to enhance the growth, productivity, and drought resistance of wheat in semi-arid and arid regions.
10. A silicon and chitosan-based agricultural formulation as claimed in Claim 1, reducing the environmental impact of wheat cultivation in water-scarce regions by improving water efficiency and promoting eco-friendly growth practices.

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