Application of peptides for sustainability in agriculture Saranya Selvaraj 1 , Surani Chathurika 2 , Laksiri Weerasinghe 1 * 1 Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Applied Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka, 2 Department of Urban Bioresources, Faculty of Urban and Aquatic Bioresources University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka Agriculture plays a pivotal role in feeding the growing global population and addressing food insecurity. However, conventional agricultural practices often involve extensive use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, which have adverse environmental and health impacts. In the pursuit of sustainable agriculture, researchers have turned to peptides as a promising alternative. Peptides are short chains of amino acids with diverse biological activities, making them valuable tools for improving crop productivity, improving soil health, and pest and disease management while minimizing the ecological footprint of agriculture. This abstract provides an overview of the application of peptides for sustainable agriculture, highlighting their potential benefits and challenges. The utilization of peptides in agriculture is multifaceted. Peptides can serve as bio-stimulants, enhancing plant growth, and development by promoting nutrient uptake, root development, and stress tolerance. Additionally, they also can act as antimicrobial agents by combating plant diseases. Furthermore, peptides have been shown to improve soil health by enhancing microbial activity and nutrient cycling, contributing to long-term sustainability. Peptide-based biostimulants have gained significant attention due to their ability to enhance plant growth and resilience. They can activate specific genes involved in stress responses and metabolic pathways, resulting in increased crop yields. Moreover, these peptides are generally biodegradable and do not leave harmful residues in the environment. They can be applied through foliar sprays, root drenches, or seed coatings, offering flexibility in their use. In pest and disease management, peptides have shown promising results as sustainable alternatives to chemical pesticides. Certain peptides, known as antimicrobial peptides, have demonstrated strong antifungal, antibacterial, and antiviral activities. By harnessing these natural defense mechanisms, agriculture can reduce the environmental impact of synthetic chemicals and mitigate the development of pesticide-resistant pests. Peptides' benefits extend beyond plant health to soil health. They can enhance diversity diversity and activity of beneficial microbes in the soil, leading to improved nutrient availability and efficient nutrient cycling. This not only fosters a healthier soil ecosystem but also reduces the need for synthetic fertilizers, which can contribute to nutrient runoff and water pollution. Despite the numerous advantages of peptide applications in agriculture, several challenges must be addressed. The development of cost-effective and scalable peptide production methods is essential to make these technologies accessible to farmers worldwide. Additionally, the regulatory framework surrounding peptide-based products needs to be established to ensure their safety for human consumption and environmental impact. As we strive for more sustainable agricultural practices to feed a growing global population, peptides represent a cutting-edge solution with the potential to revolutionize the way we approach farming and food production.
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© The Author(s), 2023
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