BR122024007320A2 - PLANT GROWTH REGULATOR AND METHOD FOR PROMOTING PLANT GROWTH - Google Patents

Abstract

"PLANT GROWTH REGULATOR AND METHOD FOR PROMOTING PLANT GROWTH" The present invention relates to a plant growth regulator with an excellent plant growth promoting effect, and the plant growth regulator of the present invention includes a compound represented by Formula (I) or its tautomer, or an agrochemically acceptable salt thereof. [Chemical Formula 1] each of R1 and R2 independently represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and each of R3 to R5 independently represents an alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms.

Description

[TECHNICAL FIELD]

[0001] The present invention relates to a plant growth regulator and the use thereof.

[BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION]

[0002] There is a demand for an agent that has a high plant growth promoting effect on a wide range of plants. Examples of such agents include oxidized glutathione (patent document 1).

[LIST OF REFERENCES] [Patent documents]

[0003] Patent Document 1: 2008/072602

[SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION] [Technical problems]

[0004] However, the existing agents are not sufficient in their growth promotion effect, and there is still a demand for a plant growth regulator with an excellent growth promotion effect. Therefore, the present invention was made in view of the above problem, and is intended to provide a plant growth regulator excellent in plant growth promotion effect.

[Solution to the problem]

[0005] As a result of diligent studies by the present inventors, it has surprisingly been found that an excellent plant growth-promoting effect can be obtained using a specific antioxidant, which has been conventionally used for foods, medical products and cosmetics, as a plant growth regulator and therefore the present invention has been completed. That is, in order to solve the problems described above, the plant growth regulator according to the present invention includes a compound represented by Formula (I) or tautomer thereof, or an agrochemically acceptable salt thereof as a active ingredient: [Chemical Formula 1] wherein in Formula (I), each of R1 and R2 independently represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group with 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and each of R3 to R5 independently represents an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms.

[0006] The method for promoting plant growth according to the present invention includes treating a plant with the compound represented by Formula (I) or its tautomer, or an agrochemically acceptable salt thereof.

[Advantageous effects of the invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, a plant growth regulator that has an excellent plant growth promoting effect can be provided.

[DESCRIPTION OF MODALITIES]

[0008] An embodiment of the plant growth regulator according to the present invention will be described.

[Plant Growth Regulator] (Active ingredients)

[0009] The plant growth regulator, according to the present embodiment, includes a compound represented by Formula (I) (hereinafter simply called "compound (I)") or its tautomer, or an agrochemically acceptable salt of the same as an active ingredient: [Chemical Formula 2] wherein in Formula (I), each of R1 and R2 independently represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms. each of R3 to R5 independently represents an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms.

[0010] The alkyl group can be linear or branched, that is, it can be a methyl group, an ethyl group, a propyl group, an isopropyl group, a butyl group, an isobutyl group, a sec-butyl group or a tert-butyl group.

[0011] At least one of R1 and R2 is preferably a hydrogen atom and, more preferably, both are hydrogen atoms. When R1 and R2 are alkyl groups, they are preferably methyl groups, ethyl groups or propyl groups, more preferably methyl groups or ethyl groups, and even more preferably methyl groups.

[0012] R3 to R5 are each preferably independently a methyl group, an ethyl group or a propyl group, more preferably a methyl group or an ethyl group and, even more preferably, a methyl group. At least one of R3 to R5 is preferably a methyl group, more preferably at least two are methyl groups, and even more preferably all methyl groups.

[0013] "Its tautomer" refers to a tautomer of compound (I). Compound (I) has a tautomer when at least one of R1 and R2 is a hydrogen atom. More specifically, when R2 is a hydrogen atom in Formula (I), the compound represented by Formula (II) below (hereinafter simply referred to as "compound (II)") can exist as a tautomer. Furthermore, when R1 is a hydrogen atom in Formula (I), the compound represented by Formula (III) below (hereinafter simply referred to as "compound (III)") can exist as a tautomer. Compounds (II) and (III) are hereinafter collectively referred to simply as "tautomers". [Chemical Formula 3] where in Formulas (II) and (III), R1 to R5 are the same as R1 to R5 in Formula (I).

[0014] The preferred compound such as compound (I) or its tautomer is specifically ergothioneine, and L-(+)-ergothioneine is more preferred.

[0015] As these compounds, commercially available compounds can be used, or those synthesized by a technique well known to those skilled in the art, for example, a technique described in JP 2013-506706 T or JP 2006-160748 A. It is known that ergothioneine is produced by bacteria and fungi. Examples of the production method using such a microorganism include the methods described in JP 2012-105618 A, JP 2014-223051 A, WO 2016/104437, WO 2016/121285, WO 2015/168112, and WO 2017/150304. Like ergothioneine, an ergothioneine-containing culture obtained from these microorganisms can be used as is, or the ergothioneine can be concentrated or purified before use.

[0016] "Agrochemically acceptable" generally means that they are safe, non-toxic, and are not unwanted biologically or otherwise, but those acceptable for pesticides, especially for pesticides that promote plant growth.

[0017] The "agrochemically acceptable salt" of compound (I) or its tautomer is a salt that is agrochemically acceptable as defined above, and means that those can provide the action and effect of compound (I) or its tautomer. Examples of such salts include hydrates, solvates, acid addition salts, salts formed when the acidic proton present in compound (I) or its tautomer is replaced by metal ions, and salts formed when acidic protons coordinate with an organic base or an inorganic base.

[0018] The acid addition salt can be formed with an inorganic acid or an organic acid. Examples of inorganic acids include hydrochloric acid, hydrobromic acid, sulfuric acid, nitric acid and phosphoric acid. Examples of organic acids include acetic acid, benzenesulfonic acid, benzoic acid, camphorsulfonic acid, citric acid, ethanesulfonic acid, fumaric acid, gluceptonic acid, gluconic acid, glutamic acid, glycolic acid, hydroxynaphthoic acid, 2-hydroxyethanesulfonic acid, lactic acid, acid maleic acid, malic acid, mandelic acid, methanesulfonic acid, muconic acid, 2-naphthalenesulfonic acid, propionic acid, salicylic acid, succinic acid, dibenzoyl-L-tartaric acid, tartaric acid, p-toluenesulfonic acid, trimethylacetic acid and trifluoroacetic acid.

[0019] Examples of the metal ion capable of replacing the acidic proton present in compound (I) or its tautomer include an alkali metal ion, an alkaline earth metal ion and an aluminum ion.

[0020] Examples of the organic base capable of coordinating with the acid proton present in compound (I) or its tautomer include diethanolamine, ethanolamine, N-methylglucamine, triethanolamine and tromethamine. Examples of the inorganic base include aluminum hydroxide, calcium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, sodium carbonate and sodium hydroxide.

[0021] The plant growth regulator, according to the present embodiment, includes compound I or its tautomer, or an agrochemically acceptable salt thereof as an active ingredient, thus presenting an excellent growth-promoting effect in a plant treated with the regulator. In the present specification, "excellent in growth-promoting effect" means that at least one of the plant growth indices is superior to known compounds. Examples of the "plant growth index" include plant height, number of shoots, number of flowers, number of fruits, and seed yield.

[0022] The plant growth regulator, according to the present embodiment, preferably includes a compound represented by Formula (I) or an agrochemically acceptable salt thereof as an active ingredient. The plant growth regulator according to the present embodiment may include a plurality of compounds among compound (I) or tautomer thereof, or an agrochemically acceptable salt thereof as an active ingredient.

[0023] Normally, in a solution, compound (I) and compound (II) or (III) can exist in equilibrium. The ratio between compound (I) and compound (II) or (III) may vary depending on the solvent, temperature, pH or the like.

(Applicable plants)

[0024] The plant growth regulator in the present embodiment generally has a growth-promoting effect on all plants, and examples of applicable plants include the following: Poaceae, such as rice, wheat, barley, rye, oats, triticale, corn, sorghum, sugar cane, peat, bentgrass, Bermuda grass, fescue, and ryegrass; Legumes such as soybeans, peanuts, common beans, peas, adzuki beans, and alfalfa; Convolvulaceae, such as sweet potatoes; Solanaceae, such as capsicum, peppers, tomatoes, eggplant, potatoes, and tobacco; Polygonaceae such as buckwheat; Asteraceae like sunflower; Araliaceae like ginseng; Brassicaceae such as rapeseed, Chinese cabbage, turnip, cabbage, and Japanese horseradish; Chenopodiaceae such as sugar beet; Malvaceae as cotton; Rubiaceae as a coffee tree; Sterculiaceae such as cocoa; Camellia as tea; Cucurbitaceae like watermelon; melon, cucumber and pumpkin trees; Liliaceae such as onions, leeks, and garlic; Rosaceae such as strawberry, apple, almond, apricot, plum, Japanese apricot, cherry, peach and pear; Apiaceae like carrots; Araceae like taro; Larvae like hose; Pineapples like pineapple; Carica like papaya; Ebenaceae such as persimmon; Ericaceae, such as blueberry; nuts, such as pecans; Musaceae, such as banana; Oleaceae, such as olive tree; Palmae like coconut tree, and date palm; Rutaceae, such as mandarin orange, orange, grapefruit, and lemon; Vitaceae, like vine; flowers and ornamental plants, trees other than fruit trees; and other ornamental plants.

[0025] Other examples include wild plants, cultivars, plants and cultivars bred by hybridization or conventional plasmogamy, and genetically recombined plants and cultivars obtained by genetic manipulation. Examples of genetically reassorted plants and cultivars include herbicide-tolerant agricultural crops, pest-resistant agricultural crops in which an insecticidal protein-producing gene has been recombined, pathogen-resistant agricultural crops in which a pathogen-resistant derivative-producing gene has been reassorted. has been recombined, flavor-enhanced agricultural crops, yield-enhanced agricultural crops, and preservation-enhanced agricultural crops. Examples of genetically recombined cultivars that have been approved in each country include those stored in the International Service for the Acquisition of Ari-biotech Applications (ISAAA) database. Specific examples include those containing the trade names such as Roundup Ready, Liberty Link, IMI, SCS, Clearfield, Enlist, B.t., BXN, Poast Compatible, AgriSure, Genuity, Optimum, Powercore, DroughtGard, YieldGard, Herculex, WideStrike, Twinlink, VipCot, GlyTol, Newleaf, KnockOut, BiteGard, BtXtra, StarLink, Nucotn, NatureGard, Protecta, SmartStax, Power Core, InVigor, and Bollgard.

(Formulation)

[0026] The plant growth regulator is generally prepared by mixing the compound (I) or its tautomer, which is an active ingredient, or a mixture thereof, with a solid carrier or a liquid carrier (diluent), a surfactant and other formulation aid and the like, and formulating the mixture into various forms such as a sprayable powder, a wettable powder, a granule and an emulsifiable concentrate for use.

[0027] Examples of the solid carrier, liquid carrier, and surfactant used as formulation aids are as follows. First, examples of the solid carrier include minerals such as clay, talc, diatomaceous earth, zeolite, montmorillonite, bentonite, acid clay, activated clay, attapulgite, calcite, vermiculite, perlite, pumice, and siliceous sand; synthetic organic substances such as urea; salts such as calcium carbonate, sodium carbonate, sodium sulfate, slaked lime, and sodium bicarbonate; synthetic inorganic substances such as amorphous silica such as white carbon and titanium dioxide; vegetable carriers such as wood flour, corn stalks, walnut shells, fruit kernels, chaff, sawdust, bran, soy flour, powdered cellulose, starch, dextrin, and sugars; and various polymeric carriers such as cross-linked lignin, cationic gel, gelatin gelled by heat or a polyvalent metal salt, water-soluble polymer gel such as agar, chlorinated polyethylene, chlorinated polypropylene, polyvinyl acetate, polyvinyl chloride vinyl), ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, and urea-aldehyde resin.

[0028] Examples of the liquid carrier include aliphatic solvents (paraffins), aromatic solvents (e.g., xylene, alkylbenzene, alkylnaphthalene, and solvent naphtha), mixed solvents (kerosene), machine oils (high melting point aliphatic hydrocarbons). boiling refined alcohols), alcohols (e.g., methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, and cyclohexanol), polyhydric alcohols (e.g., ethylene glycol, diethylenic glycol, propylene glycol, hexylene glycol, poly(ethylene glycol), and poly (propylene glycol)), polyhydric alcohol derivatives (e.g., propylene glycol ether), ketones (e.g., acetone, acetophenone, cyclohexanone, methylcyclohexanone, and Y-butyrolactone), esters (fatty acid methyl ester (coconut oil fatty acid methyl ester), ethylhexyl lactate, propylene carbonate, dibasic acid methyl ester (succinic acid dimethyl ester, glutamic acid dimethyl ester, and adipic acid)), nitrogen-containing vehicles (N-alkylpyrrolidones), oils and fats (e.g., coconut oil, soybean oil, and rapeseed oil), amide-based solvents [dimethylformamide, ( N,N-dimethyloctanamide, N,N-dimethyldecanoamide, 5-(dimethylamino)-2-methyl-5-oxo-valeric acid methyl ester, N-acylmorpholine-based solvents (e.g. CAS no. 887947-29-7)], dimethyl sulfoxide, acetonitrile, and water.

[0029] Examples of nonionic surfactants include sorbitan fatty acid ester, polyoxyethylene-sorbitan fatty acid ester, sucrose fatty acid ester, polyoxyethylene fatty acid ester, polyoxyethylene-resinous acid ester, fatty acid diester polyoxyethylene, polyoxyethylene alkyl ether, polyoxyethylene alkylphenyl ether, polyoxyethylene dialkylphenyl ether, formalin condensate - polyoxyethylene alkyl phenyl ether, polyoxyethylene/polyoxypropylene block polymer, polyoxyethylene alkyl ether block polymer lene/polyoxypropylene, polyoxyethylene-alkylamine, polyoxyethylene fatty acid amide, polyoxyethylene fatty acid bisphenyl ether, polyoxyethylene benzylphenyl (or phenylphenyl) ether, polyoxyethylene styrylphenyl (or phenylphenyl) ether, polyoxyethylene ether and silicone of the type ester and fluorosurfactants, castor oil-polyoxyethylene, hydrogenated castor oil-polyoxyethylene, and alkylglycosides. Examples of anionic surfactants include sulfates such as alkyl sulfate, polyoxyethylene alkyl ether sulfate, alkylphenyl ether of polyoxyethylene sulfate, benzyl (or styryl) phenyl (or phenylphenyl) ether of polyoxyethylene sulfate, polyoxyethylene, polyoxypropylene block polymer -sulfate; sulfonates such as parafine(alkane)sulfonate, α-olefinsulfonate, dialkylsulfosuccinate, alkylbenzenesulfonate, mono- or dialkylnaphthalenesulfonate, formalin-naphthalenesulfonate condensate, diphenyl ether-alkyl-disulfonate [alkylsulfonate-diphenyl ethersulfonate ], ligninsulfonate, polyoxyethylene sulfonate alkyl phenyl ether, and polyoxyethylene sulfosuccinic acid alkyl ether semi-ester; fatty acid salts such as fatty acids, N-methyl fatty acid sarcosinates, and resinous acids; phosphates such as polyoxyethylene alkyl ether phosphate, polyoxyethylene mono- or dialkylphenyl ether phosphate, polyoxyethylene benzyl (or styryl) phenyl (or phenylphenyl) ether phosphate, polyoxyethylene/polyoxypropylene block polymer, phosphatidylcholine phosphatidylethanolamine ( lecithin), and alkyl phosphates. Examples of cationic surfactants include ammonium salts such as alkyltrimethylammonium chloride, methylpolyoxyethylenealkylammonium chloride, alkyl-N-methylpyridinium bromide, monoor dialkylmethylammonium chloride, alkylpentamethylpropylenediamine dichloride; and benzalkonium salts such as alkyldimethylbenzalkonium chloride, and benzethonium chloride (octylphenoxyethoxyethyldimethylbenzylammonium chloride). The surfactant may be a biosurfactant. Examples of the biosurfactant include rhamnolipids, surfactins, cellobiose lipids, sophorolipids, mannoyl alditol lipids, trehalose lipids, glucose lipids, oligosaccharide fatty acid esters, serrawetins, lichenisins, arthrofactins, spiculisporic acids, corinomonium acids, agaritics and emulsans.

[0030] Examples of other formulation aids include inorganic salts used as pH adjusters such as sodium and potassium; fluorine-based and silicon-based defoamers; water-soluble salts such as common salt; water-soluble polymers used as thickeners such as xanthan gum, guar gum, carboxymethylcellulose, polyvinylpyrrolidone, carboxyvinyl polymer, acrylic polymer, polyvinyl alcohol, starch derivatives and polysaccharides, alginic acid and salts thereof, metal stearates, sodium tripolyphosphate sodium, sodium hexametaphosphate used as disintegrating dispersants; preservatives; dyes; anti-oxidants; UV absorbers; chemical damage reducers and deterioration inhibitors.

[0031] Some formulations are used as is and some are diluted with a diluent such as water to a pre-determined concentration before use. The concentration of compound (I) when diluted before use is preferably in the range of 0.0001 to 1% by weight. The same applies to tautomers of compound (I).

[0032] These formulations are prepared so that the compound (I) is contained as an active ingredient in an amount of 0.1 to 90% by weight and, more preferably, from 0.2 to 50% by weight. The amount of compound (I) used is 0.005 to 50 kg and, more preferably, 0.03 to 30 kg per 1 ha of agricultural and horticultural land, such as fields, rice fields, orchards and greenhouses. The same applies to tautomers of compound (I). Since the concentration and amount used differ depending on the form of the agent, time of use, method of use, location of use, target crops and the like, the concentration and amount can be increased or decreased without being limited to the above range.

(Other active ingredients)

[0033] The plant growth regulator in the present embodiment can be used in combination with other known active ingredients to enhance performance as a plant growth regulator. Examples of other known active ingredients include active ingredients contained in known plant growth regulators, fungicides, insecticides, acaricides, nematicides and herbicides.

[0034] Examples of the active ingredients of known plant growth regulators include oxidized glutathione, L-glutamic acid, L-proline, aminoethoxyvinylglycine, chlormequat, chlorprofam, cyclanilide, dikeglac, daminogit, ethephone, fluluprimidol, flumetralin, forchlorfenuron, gibberellin, hydrazide maleate salt, mepiquat chloride, methylcyclopropene, benzylaminopurine, paclobutrazol, prohexadione, thidiazuron, tributylphosphorotrithioate, trinexapac-ethyl, and uniconazole.

[0035] Examples of effective components suitable for fungicidal use include sterol biosynthesis inhibitor compounds, benzimidazole compounds, succinate dehydrogenase inhibitor compounds (SDHI compounds), strobilurin compounds, phenylamide compounds, dicarboximide compounds, anilinopyrimidine compounds, multipoint, antibiotics, carbamate compounds, quinoline compounds, organophosphate compounds and carboxamide compounds.

[0036] Examples of compounds that inhibit sterol biosynthesis include azaconazole, bitertanol, bromuconazole, difenoconazole, cyproconazole, diniconazole, fenbuconazole, fluquinconazole, flutriafol, hexaconazole, imazalil, imibenconazole, metconazole, ipconazole, myclobutanil, pefurazoate , penconazole, prochloraz, propiconazole, prothioconazole, epoxiconazole, simeconazole, tebuconazole, tetraconazole, triadimefon, triadimenol, triflumizole, triticonazole, flusilazole, oxpoconazole, mefentrifluconazole, ipfentrifluconazole, 1-((1H-1,2,4-triazole -1-yl)methyl)-5-(4-chlorobenzyl)-2-(chloro- methyl)-2-methylcyclopentan-1-ol, methyl -2-((1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)methyl)-3-(4-chlorobenzyl)-2-hydroxy-1-methylcyclopentan- 1-carboxylate, fenpropimorph, fenpropidine, spiroxamine, tridemorph, bupyrimate, fenarimol, pyrifenox, pyrisoxazole, nuarimol, etaconazole, piperaline, naftifine, fenpyrazamine, fenexamide, terbinafine, and triforine.

[0037] Examples of benzimidazole compounds include carbendazim, benomyl, thiabendazole, thiophanate, methyl thiophanate and fuberidazole.

[0038] Examples of succinate dehydrogenase inhibitor compounds (SDHI compounds) include bixaphene, benzovindiflupyr, boscalid, fluopyram, flutolanil, fluxapyroxad, furamethpyr, isofetamide, isopyramide, mepronil, penflufen, penthiopyrad, sedaxane, thifluzamide, fluindapyr , pyraziflumide, pidiflumetofen, pyraziflumide, benodanil, carboxim, pyrapropoin, inpirfluxam, isoflucipram and oxycarboxim.

[0039] Examples of strobilurin compounds include azoxystrobin, dimoxystrobin, enestroburin, phenamistrobin, fluoxastrobin, cresoxime-methyl, metominostrobin, orisastrobin, picoxy-estrobin, pyraclostrobin, trifloxy-estrobin, madestrobin, piribencarb, pyroxy-es - trobin, pyramethoestrobin, fluphenoxy-estrobin, enoxaestrobin, coumoxy-estrobin, triclopiricarb, phenaminstrobin and methyltetraprol.

[0040] Examples of phenylamide compounds include benalaxyl, benalaxyl M or chiralaxyl, metalaxyl, metalaxyl M or mefenoxam and oxadixyl.

[0041] Examples of dicarboximide compounds include procymidone, iprodione and vinclozolin.

[0042] Examples of anilinopyrimidine compounds include cyprodinil, mepanipyrim and pyrimethanil.

[0043] Examples of multipoint compounds include mancozeb, maneb, metiram, propineb, teram (thiuram), zineb, ziram, amobam, anilazine, dithianone, fluazinam, pencycuron, quintazene, tolylfluanide, dodine, guazatine, iminocadine (iminoctadine acetate and iminoctadine albesylate), copper, copper compounds [e.g., basic copper chloride, cupric hydroxide, basic copper sulfate, copper sulfate, organic copper (copper oxina), copper nonylphenol sulfonate and DBEDC, hydrogen carbonate (sodium hydrogen carbonate and potassium hydrogen carbonate), metallic silver, fentin, sulfur, mineral oil, sodium bicarbonate, potassium carbonate, farbum, capitan, captafol, fluoroimide, metasulfocarb, dipimetitron, chlorothalonil ( TPN), and folpet.

[0044] Examples of antibiotics include kasugamycin, polyoxin, streptomycin, validamycin and oxytetracycline.

[0045] Examples of carbamate compounds include bentiavalicarb (bentiavalicarb-isopropyl), diethofencarb, iprovalicarb, propamocarb and tolprocarb.

[0046] Examples of the quinoline compound include oxynic acid, pyroquilon, quinoxifene and tebufloquine.

[0047] Examples of organophosphate compounds include dinocap, edifenphos (EDDP), fosetyl (fosetyl-aluminum), iprobenphos (IBP), meptildinocap and tolclofos-methyl.

[0048] Examples of carboxyamide compounds include carpropamide, etaboxam, fenoxanyl, sithiofam, thiadinyl and isothianyl.

[0049] Examples of other compounds for fungicidal use include ametoctradin, amisulbrom, cyazofamide, ciflufenamide, cymoxanil, diclocimet, diclomezin, famoxadone, fenamidone, fenitropan, fludioxonil, fluopicolide, flusulfamide, flutianil, harpin, isoprothiolane, isothianyl, mandipropamide , metrafenone, oxathiapiproline, phthalide, proquinazide, valifenalate, zoxamide, fenpicoxamide, picarbutrazox, quinofumelin, dimethomorph, flumorph, pyrimorph, ferimzone, acibenzolar (acibenzolar-S-methyl), etridiazole, himexazole, probenazole, tricyclazole, teclophthalam, hydroxyisoxazole, fluoroimide, pyriophenone, diflumethion, quinomethionate, aminopyriphene, diclobentiazox, pyridaclomethyl, ipflufenoquine, fluopimomide, florylpi- Coxamide, fluoxapiprolin, fenfuram, binapacryl, meptildinocap, triphenyltin acetate, triphenyltin chloride, triphenyltin hydroxide, fu- ralaxil, ofurace, dimetirimol, ethirimol, octylinone, clozolinate, dimethaclone, fenpiclonil, blasticidin, triazoxide, dodine, picarbutrazox, pyrazofos, biphenyl, chloronab, dichloran, technazene (TCNB), prothiocarb, natamycin, laminarin, flubenetheram, acid phosphoric acid, phosphate, shitake mycelium extracts, and biopesticides (e.g., Agrobacterium radiobacter, Pseudomonas fluorescens, Pseudomonas rhodesia, Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus simplex, Bacillus amiloliquefaciens, nonpathogenic Erwinia carotovora, Lactobacillus plantarum, and Variovorax paradoxus).

[0050] Examples of effective components suitable for insecticidal use include organophosphate compounds, carbamate compounds, pyrethroid compounds, neristoxin compounds, neonicotinoid compounds, benzoylylurea compounds, other insect growth control compounds, organic chlorine compounds and compounds derived from natural products.

[0051] Examples of organophosphate compounds include acephate, azinphos-methyl, cadusaphos, chloroethoxyphos, chlorfenvinphos, chlorpyrifos, cyanophos, demetone-S-methyl, diazinone, dichlorvos (DDVP), dicrotophos, dimethoate, disulfotone, ethion, etoprophos , EPN, fenamiphos, fenitrothion (MEP), phenthion (MPP), fosthiazate, imiciaphos, isofenphos, isoxathione, malathion, methamidophos, methidathione, mevinphos, monocrotophos, omethoate, oxidementon methyl, parathione, parathion-methyl, phentoate, phorate, fosalone, phosmet, phosfamidone, foxime, pirimiphos-methyl, profenophos, prothiophos, pyraclophos, pyridafenthion, quinalphos, tebupirinphos, terbufos, triazophos and trichlorphone (DEP).

[0052] Examples of carbamate compounds include alanicarb, aldicarb, benfuracarb, BPMC, carbaryl (NAC), carbofuran, carbosulfan, cartape, fenoxycarb (BPMC), formetanate, isoisoprocarb (MIPC), methiocarb, methomyl, oxamyl, pirimicarb, thiodicarb, XMC, bendiocarb, ethiofencarb, fenobcarb, fenothiocarb, furatiocarb, metholcarb and xylylcarb.

[0053] Examples of pyrethroid compounds include acrinathrin, allethrin, cypermethrin, bifenthrin, cycloprothrin, cyfluthrin, cypermethrin, deltamethrin, dimefluthrin, esfenvalerate, etofenprox, fenpropathrin, fenvarate, flubrocitrinate, flucitrinate, fluvalinate, halfenprox, cyhalothrin, metofluthrin, monfluorothrin, permethrin, profluthrin, tefluthrin, tralomethrin, cyfluthrin, kappa-bifenthrin, imiprothrin, pyrethrin, chloropralethrin, epsilon-metofluthrin, epsilon-momfluorothrin, and cyfenothrin.

[0054] Examples of neristoxin compounds include cartape, bensultape, tioclam, monosultape and bisultape.

[0055] Examples of neonicotinoid compounds include acetamide, clothianidin, dinotefuran, imidacloprid, nitenpyram, thiacloprid and thiamethoxam.

[0056] Examples of the benzoylurea compound include bistrifluron, chlorfluazuron, diflubenzuron, flucicloxuron, flufenoxuron, hexaflumuron, lufenuron, novaluron, noviflumuron, teflubenzuron, and triflumuron.

[0057] Examples of other insect growth control compounds include buprofezin, chromafenozide, cyromazine, halofenozide, methoxyfenozide, tebufenozide and pyriproxyfen.

[0058] Examples of organic chlorine compounds include aldrin, dieldrin, endosulfan, methoxychlor, lindane and DDT.

[0059] Examples of compounds derived from natural products include abamectin, live spores and crystalline toxins derived from Bacillus thuringiensis, and mixtures thereof, bensultap, emamectin benzoate, lepimectin, milbemectin, spinetoram, spinosad, machine oil, starch, saccharified reduced starch, rapeseed oil, sodium oleate, propylene glycol monofatty acid ester, fatty acid glyceride, and ferric phosphate.

[0060] Examples of other compounds for insecticidal use include avermectin, chlorantraniliprole, tetrachlorantraniliprole, chlorfenapyr, cyantraniliprole, diafenthiuron, etiprol, fipronil, flonicamide, flubendiamide, fluensulfone, flupyradifurone, indoxacarb, metaflumizone, metaldehyde, pimetrozine, pyridalyl , pirfluquinazon, silafluofen, spirotetramat, sulfoxaflor, tolfenpyrad, afidopiropen, broflanilide, cyclaniliprol, dichloromezothiaz, flomethoquin, fluazaindolizine, fluhexafon, fluxametamide, pyriprol, tetraniliprol, triflumezopyrim, methoprene, ticlopirazoflor, flupirimin, , benzpyrimoxan, cyhalodiamide, sulfluramide , isocycloseram, DNOC, rotenone, nicofluprol, and dimpropyridaz.

[0061] Examples of active ingredients suitable for acaricidal use (acaricidal active ingredient) include acequinocil, amidoflumet, amitra, azocyclotine, bifenazate, bromopropylate, chlorfensone, quinomethionate, phenisobromolate, benzoximate, clofentezine, cyenopirafen, cyflumethofen , cyhexatin, diflubenzuron, dienochlor, etoxazole, fenazaquine, fenbutatin oxide, fenpyroximate, phenothiocarb, fluacripyrim, hexitiazox, propargite (BPPS), piflubumide, pyridabene, pyrimidifen, spirodiclofen, spiromesifen, tebufenpyrad, tetradifone, acinonapyr, cietpira- fen, flupenthiophenox, and mixed oils.

[0062] Examples of the active ingredient most suitable for nematicidal use (nematicidal active ingredient) include D-D (1,3-dichloropropene), DCIP (dichlorodiisopropyl ether), methyl isothiocyanate, carbam sodium salt, cadusafos, fostiazate, imiciafos, morantel tartrate, uvamisole hydrochloride, nemadectin, cyclobutrifluram and thioxazaphene.

[0063] Examples of effective components suitable for herbicidal use include acetolactate synthesis (ALS) inhibitor compounds, amino acid compounds, cyclohexanedione compounds, acetamide compounds, bipyridinium compounds, allyloxyphenoxypropionic acid compounds, carbamate compounds, pyridine compounds, urea compounds, dinitroaniline compounds, protoporphyrinogen oxidase (PPO) inhibitor compounds, phenoxyacetic acid compounds, hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase (HPPD) enzyme inhibitor compounds, and triazine compounds.

[0064] Examples of acetolactate synthesis (ALS) inhibitor compounds include imazametabenz and imazametabenz-methyl, imazamox, imazapic, imazapyr, imazaquin, imazethapyr, amidosulfuron, azimsulfuron, bensulfuron and bensulfuron methyl, chlorimuron and chlorimuron methyl, chlorsulfuron , cinosulfuron, cyclosulfamurone, etametsulfuron and etametsulfuron-methyl, ethoxysulfuron, flazasulfuron, flucetosulfuron, flupirsulfuron, foramsulfuron, halosulfuron and halosulfuron-methyl, imazosulfuron, iodosulfuron and iodosulfuron-methyl, mesosulfuron, metazosulfuron, metsulfuron and metsulfuron-methyl , nicosulfuron, oxasulfuron, primi- sulfuron and primimuron-methyl, propyrisulfuron, prostulfuron, pyrazosulfu- ron and pirazosulfuron ethyl, rimsulfuron, sulfometuron and sulfometuron, sulfosulfuron and tifensulfuron methyl, triasulfuron, triasulfuron, , tribe-nuron, trifloxisulfuron, triflusulfuron and triflusulfuron methyl, tritosulfuron, bispiribac sodium, cloransulam and cloransulam-methyl, diclosulam, florasulam, flucarbazone and salts thereof, flumetsulam, metosulam, orthosulfamurone, penoxsulam, propoxycarbazone and salts thereof, pyribenzoxime, piriftalid, piriminobac- methyl, pirimisulfan, piritiobac and salts thereof, piroxsulam, thiencarbazone and thiencarbazone-methyl, and trifamon.

[0065] Examples of amino acid compounds include bialaphos and salts thereof, glufosinate and salts thereof, glufosinate P and salts thereof, and glyphosate and salts thereof.

[0066] Examples of cyclohexanedione compounds include butroxydim, clethodim, cycloxidim, profoxidim, sethoxydim, tepraloxidim and tralcoxidim.

[0067] Examples of acetamide compounds include napropamide, dimetachlor, petoxamide, acetochlor, alachlor, butachlor, dimethenamid and dimethenamid P, metazachlor, metolachlor and S-metolachlor, pretilachlor, propachlor, tenylchlor, flufenet and mefenet.

[0068] Examples of bipyridinium compounds include diquat and paraquat.

[0069] Examples of allyloxyphenoxypropionic acid compounds include clodinafop and clodinafop propargyl, cyhalofop butyl, diclofop and diclofop-methyl and diclofop-p-methyl, fenoprop and fenoprop-ethyl and fenoprop-p-ethyl, fluazifop and fluazifop-butyl and fluazifop-p-butyl, haloxyfop and haloxy-fop methyl and haloxyfop-p-methyl, metamifop, propaquizafop and quizalofop and quizalofop-ethyl and quizalofop-p-ethyl and quizalofop-P-tefuryl.

[0070] Examples of carbamate compounds include asulam, carbetamide, desmedipham, phenmedifam, butyrate, EPTC, esprocarb, molinate, orbencarb, prosulfocarb, pyributicarb, thiobencarb (benchiocarb) and tri-allate.

[0071] Examples of pyridine compounds include aminopyralid, clopyralid, diflufenican, dithiopyr, fluridone, fluroxypyr, halauxifen, picloram and salts thereof, picolinaphene, thiazopyr, triclopyr, and salts thereof.

[0072] Examples of urea compounds include chlorotoluron, dimuron, diuron (DCMU), fluometuron, isoproturon, linuron, metabenzthiazuron, tebuthiuron, cumyluron, carbylate and isouron.

[0073] Examples of dinitroaniline compounds include benfluralin (betrodine), butralin, ethalfluralin, oryzalin, pendimethalin, prodiamine and trifluralin.

[0074] Examples of protoporphyrinogen oxidase (PPO) inhibitor compounds include acifluorfen, aclonifen, azafenidin, bifenox, clomethoxyl, ethoxyfen and ethoxyfen-ethyl, fomesafen, fluazolate, fluoroglycofen and fluoroglycofen-ethyl, halosafen, lactofen, oxyfluorfen, butaphenacyl, carfentrazone and carfentrazone-ethyl, cinidon-ethyl, flumiclorac-pentyl, flumioxazin, fluthiacet and fluthiacet-methyl, oxadiargyl, oxadiazon, pentoxazone, pyraclonil, pyraflufen and pyraflufen-ethyl, saflufenacil, sulfentrazone, thidiazimine, benzfendizone, profluazole, and flufenpyr-ethyl.

[0075] Examples of the phenoxyacetic acid compound include 2,4-D and salts thereof, 2,4-DB and salts thereof, clomeprop, dichlorprop, MCPA and salts thereof, MCPB and salts thereof, and mecoprop (MCPP) and salts thereof, and mecoprop P and salts thereof.

[0076] Examples of hydroxyphenyl pyruvate dioxygenase (HPPD) enzyme inhibitor compounds include benzobicyclon, benzofenape, bicyclopyrone, isoxaflutole, mesotrione, pyrasulfotol, pyrazolinate (pyrazolate), pyrazoxifene, sulcotrione, tefuryltrione, tembotrione, topramezone, phenquinotrione, and tolpiralate.

[0077] Examples of the triazine compound include ametrine, atrazine, cyanazine, dimethethrin, hexazinone, indaziflam, metamitron, metribuzin, promethrin, simazine (CAT), symethrin, terbuthylazine, terbutrin and triaziflam.

[0078] Examples of other compounds for herbicidal use include amicarbazone, aminociclopyrachlor, aminotriazole, anilofos, beflubutamide, benazolin, benfuresate, bentazone, bromacil, bromobutide, bromoxynil, butamiphos, cafenstrol, cloridazon (PAC), chlorthal, clomazone, cu-miluron, dicamba (MDBA) and its salts, diclobenil (DBN), difenzoquat, di-flufenzopyr, endothal and its salts, etofumesate, etobenzanide, fenoxasulfone, fentrazamide, flupoxam, fluorochloridone, flurtamon, indanofan, ioxynil, ipfencarbazone, isoxaben, lenacil, methylarsonic acid, naptalam, norflurazon, oxaziclomephone, pinoxaden, propanil, propyzamide, pyridate, piroxasulfone, promacil, quinclorac, quinmerac, quinoclamin, terbacil, cyclopyrimorate, florpyrauxifen-benzyl, lancotrione, epirifenacil, dimesul-fazet, tetflupirolimet and their salts, thiafenacyl, trifludimoxazin, tetrapion (flupropanate) and its salts and d-limonane.

Method to promote plant growth

[0079] The plant growth regulator in the present embodiment can be used, for example, on cultivated land such as fields, rice fields, lawns and orchards or uncultivated land. Plant growth regulators in the present embodiment can be used by all fertilization methods such as spraying on stems and leaves, mixing in water supply, spraying on soil, injecting underground using an injector, seed treatment including bulb treatment and tubers, and direct fertilization to plants. Therefore, the method for promoting plant growth in the present embodiment includes a procedure for fertilization using the plant growth regulator mentioned above.

[0080] In the case of application by mixing with tap water, for example, the water is fed to the crop, or the water surface of a rice field can be treated with granules or similar. In one example, the concentration of the active ingredient in tap water is 0.5 to 500 mg/L and preferably 1 to 300 mg/L. The amount of active ingredient used when administered to the rice field is, for example, 0.5 to 5000 g and preferably 3 to 3000 g per 10% of rice field.

[0081] In the case of application by foliar application or application to the soil, a planting hole or its surroundings can be treated with granules or similar when transplanting seedlings or the like, or the seeds or the earth around a plant can be treated with granules, a wettable powder, or the like. Additionally, it may be preferred to mix with the soil after sprinkling the soil. The amount of active ingredient used for foliar application or soil surface application is, for example, 0.5 to 5,000 mg and preferably 3 to 3,000 mg per 1 m2 of agricultural and horticultural land.

[0082] In seed treatment, the agent is applied to the seeds by mixing and shaking wettable powders and sprayable powders with the seeds, or by immersing the seeds in diluted wettable powders. Seed treatment also includes seed coating treatments. The amount of active ingredients used in the case of seed treatment is, for example, 0.005 to 10,000 g and, preferably, 0.05 to 1,000 g per 100 kg of seeds. Seeds treated with agricultural or horticultural chemicals can be used in the same way as regular seeds.

[0083] Additionally, since the concentration and amount used differ depending on the form of the agent, time of use, method of use, location of use, target crops and the like, the concentration and amount can be increased or decreased within the ranges above. As described above, compound (I) and its tautomer exhibit excellent growth-promoting effect on a wide range of plants. [Use of Plant Growth Regulator]

[0084] Plant growth regulators in this modality exhibit an excellent growth-promoting effect on treated plants, as described above. Therefore, the plant growth regulator in this embodiment can be used, for example, as biostimulants and fertilizers. The plant growth regulator in this embodiment can also be mixed with soil conditioners and pesticides for use.

[0085] The term "fertilizer" is primarily intended for anything that acts on plants or soil for the purpose of providing nutrients to the plants or causing chemical changes in the soil. The term "biostimulant" is primarily intended for anything that acts on plant physiology through a pathway other than nutrients for the purpose of improving vitality, yield and quality of the crop.

[Summary of the invention]

[0086] As described above, the plant growth regulator according to the present invention includes a compound represented by Formula (I) or its tautomer, or an agrochemically acceptable salt thereof as an active ingredient: [Formula Chemistry 4] wherein in Formula (I), each of R1 and R2 independently represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and each of R3 to R5 independently represents an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms.

[0087] The plant growth regulator, according to the present embodiment, preferably includes a compound represented by Formula (I) or an agrochemically acceptable salt thereof as an active ingredient.

[0088] In the plant growth regulator according to the present invention, in Formula (I), at least one of R1 and R2 is, preferably, a hydrogen atom.

[0089] Additionally, in the plant growth regulator according to the present invention, in Formula (I), it is preferred that R1 and R2 are hydrogen atoms, and R3 to R5 are methyl groups.

[0090] In the plant growth regulator, according to the present invention, the compound represented by Formula (I) is, preferably, L-(+)-ergothioneine.

[0091] The method for promoting plant growth according to the present invention includes treating a plant with the compound represented by Formula (I) or its tautomer, or an agrochemically acceptable salt thereof.

[0092] Embodiments of the present invention will be described in more detail below using examples. The present invention is not limited to the following examples, and it is clear that various aspects are possible with respect to the details thereof. Additionally, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications are possible within the scope indicated in the claims. The modalities obtained by appropriately combining the technical means revealed by the modalities are also included in the technical scope of the present invention. Furthermore, all documents described in this specification are incorporated herein by reference.

[Examples] Example 1 Sample

[0093] Arabidopsis thaliana (Col-O) was sown in plastic pots with a width of 65 mm, a depth of 65 mm and a height of 70 mm, three individuals per pot. Plastic deep plates, each with a diameter of 160 mm and a height of 28 mm were prepared, and three pots were respectively placed in it. As soil, 100 mL of vermiculite, 50 mL of granular soil (JA Granular Kumiai synthetic granular soil No. 3) and 50 mL of vermiculite were placed in each pot in that order.

Control conditions

[0094] In a thermostatic chamber adjusted to an ambient temperature of 25°C, the light period was 16 hours and the dark period was 8 hours. Light conditions were set using a fluorescent lamp (a 40W PLANT FLEC LED fluorescent lamp for plant growth, electric bulb color, available from Nippon Medical and Chemical Instruments Co., Ltd. ) so that the light intensity was 5000 lx in the central part under the irradiation of the fluorescent lamp. Water supply was provided from the bottom, and the water level was adjusted to about 5 mm. Ergothioneine treatment was started 4 weeks after sowing. More specifically, on days 21, 23, 25 and 27 after sowing, 50 mL of an aqueous solution of 1 mM L-(+)-ergothioneine (available from Cayman Chemical) was added instead of the water supply.

Verification

[0095] On the 37th day after sowing, plant height (cm) and the number of flowers and fruits per Arabidopsis thaliana were measured. The results are found in Table 1.

Comparative example 1

[0096] The same operation as in Example 1 was performed, except for the fact that L-(+)-ergothioneine in the aqueous solution was replaced by oxidized glutathione (available from Wako Pure Chemical Industries, Ltd.).

Comparative example 2

[0097] The same operation as in Example 1 was carried out, except that the aqueous solution of L-(+)-ergothioneine was replaced by distilled water.

Example 2 Sample

[0098] An individual Arabidopsis thaliana (Col-O) was sown in a plastic pot with a diameter of 60 mm and a height of 55 mm. Plastic deep plates, each with a diameter of 160 mm and a height of 28 mm were prepared, and six pots were respectively placed in it. As soil, 45 mL of vermiculite, 22.5 mL of granular soil (JA Granular Kumiai synthetic granular soil no. 3) and 22.5 mL of vermiculite were placed in each pot in that order.

Control conditions

[0099] The procedure was the same as in Example 1, except for the fact that the room temperature was set to 22°C.

Verification

[0100] On the 85th day after sowing, the seeds were harvested and the seed yield (mg/plant) was measured. The results are found in Table 2.

Example 3

[0101] The same operation as in Example 2 was performed, except that the concentration of L-(+)-ergothioneine aqueous solution was adjusted to 0.1 mM.

Example 4

[0102] The same operation as in Example 2 was performed, except that the concentration of L-(+)-ergothioneine aqueous solution was adjusted to 0.01 mM.

Comparative example 3

[0103] The same operation as in Example 2 was performed, except for the fact that L-(+)-ergothioneine in the aqueous solution was replaced by oxidized glutathione (available from Wako Pure Chemical Industries, Ltd.).

Comparative example 4

[0104] The same operation as in Example 2 was performed, except for the fact that the L-(+)-ergothioneine in the aqueous solution was replaced by L-glutamic acid (available from Wako Pure Chemical Industries, Ltd.). Comparative example 5

[0105] The same operation as in Example 2 was performed except that the L-(+)-ergothioneine in the aqueous solution was replaced by L-proline (available from Wako Pure Chemical Industries, Ltd.). Comparative Example 6

[0106] The same operation as in Example 2 was carried out, except that the aqueous solution of L-(+)-ergothioneine was replaced by distilled water.

Example 5 Sample

[0107] The same operation as in Example 2 was performed. Control conditions

[0108] The same operation as in Example 1 was carried out, except that the room temperature was adjusted to 22°C and L-(+)-ergothioneine was added 2 weeks after sowing, more specifically on days 8, 10, 12 and 14.

Verification

[0109] On the 82nd day after sowing, the seeds were harvested and the seed yield (mg/plant) was measured. The results are found in Table 3.

Example 6

[0110] The same operation as in Example 5 was carried out, except for the fact that L-(+)-ergothioneine was added 4 weeks after sowing, more specifically on days 22, 24, 26 and 28.

Comparative example 7

[0111] The same operation as in Example 5 was performed, except that oxidized glutathione was used instead of L-(+)-ergothioneine in the aqueous solution and added 4 weeks after sowing, more specifically on days 22, 24, 26 and 28 days.

Comparative example 8

[0112] The same operation as in Example 5 was carried out, except that the aqueous solution of L-(+)-ergothioneine was replaced by distilled water.

Analysis

[0113] The ratio between the "grass height" and "flowers and fruits" for Example 1, Comparative Example 1 and Comparative Example 2 and the results of Comparative Example 2 are shown in Table 1 as "Ratio", respectively . The "seed yield" for Examples 2 to 4 and Comparative Examples 3 to 6 are shown as "Ratio" in Table 2, where the value for Comparative Example 6 is set to 1. The "seed yield" for Examples 5 and 6 and Comparative Examples 7 and 8 are shown as "Ratio" in Table 3, where the value for Comparative Example 8 is set to 1.

Claims (6)

1. Plant growth promoter which is a biostimulant, characterized by comprising a compound represented by Formula (I) or its tautomer, or an agrochemically acceptable salt thereof as an active ingredient: wherein the plant growth promoter is used at least 10 days before harvesting the plant: [Chemical Formula 1] wherein in Formula (I), each of R1 and R2 independently represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and each of R3 to R5 independently represents an alkyl group which has 1 to 4 carbon atoms. 2. Plant growth promoter according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a compound represented by Formula (I) or an agrochemically acceptable salt thereof as an active ingredient. 3. Plant growth promoter, according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that in Formula (I), at least one of R1 and R2 is a hydrogen atom. 4. Plant growth promoter, according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, in Formula (I), R1 and R2 are hydrogen atoms, and R3 to R5 are methyl groups. 5. Plant growth promoter, according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the compound represented by Formula (I) is L-(+)-ergothioneine. 6. Method for promoting plant growth, characterized by treating a plant with a compound represented by Formula (I) or its tautomer, or an agrochemically acceptable salt thereof, the treatment acting on the physiology of the plant through a different route to that of nutrients and in which the treatment is used from at least 10 days before harvesting the plant [Chemical Formula 2] wherein in Formula (I), each of R1 and R2 independently represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group with 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and each of R3 to R5 independently represents an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms.