Chitosan and its derivatives, natural polymers with potential for control of Pyricularia oryzae

Chitosan and its derivatives are natural compounds that have potential in agriculture for the control of one of the rice diseases, pyriculariosis (Pyricularia oryzae), of great importance worldwide. In general, this disease is controlled with synthetic fungicides belonging to the benzimidazole group; however, their use has generated adverse results to the environment, together with the low sensitivity of the fungus to them. This article provides a review of published research on chitosan, its physicochemical characteristics, general information on the fungus P. oryzae, the fungicidal action of chitosan and its derivatives in in vitro and in situ research on this fungus, and in general, the possible mechanisms of action of this compound. Key words: antimicrobials, biocompounds, mechanisms of action, Magnaporthe, Oryza sativa L. El quitosano y sus derivados son compuestos naturales que tienen potencial en la agricultura, para el control de una de las enfermedades del arroz; la piriculariosis (Pyricularia oryzae), de gran importancia a nivel mundial. En general, esta enfermedad se controla con fungicidas sinteticos pertenecientes al grupo de los benzimidazoles; sin embargo, su uso ha generado resultados adversos al medio ambiente, aunado a la poca sensibilidad del hongo hacia ellos. En este articulo, se proporciona una revision de investigaciones publicadas acerca del quitosano, sus caracteristicas fisicoquimicas, generalidades del hongo P. oryzae, la accion fungicida del quitosano y sus derivados en investigaciones llevadas a cabo in vitro e in situ sobre este hongo, y en general, los posibles mecanismos de accion de este compuesto. Palabras clave: antimicrobianos, biocompuestos, mecanismos de accion, Magnaporthe, Oryza sativa L.