**39. Seed coating**

Chitosan application can be done by different ways: in the seed, in the soil or by foliar way. In seeds, it has been used as a coating material for cereals, nuts, fruits and vegetables [206- 208]. It has been shown that this way of application alters permeability of the seed plasma membrane, increasing the concentrations of sugars and proline, and enhancing peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT), phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) and tyrosine ammonia-lyase (TAL) activities [207,209]. By this way, germination rates increases significantly [ 210] and seedlings germinate quicker, better, and vigorously [211-214]. Chitosan is used not only in seed coatings, but also in fruits and vegetables, because it gives more firmness and it promotes diminution of the normal microbiological charge [215] increasing the product life.
