CA1154977A - Regulation of plant growth - Google Patents

Abstract

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE:

Processes for promoting plant growth - except cereals and cotton - by treating the plants with less than 450 g per hectare of an N,N-dimethylpiperidinium salt.

Description

~54~77 The present invention relates to -the use of N,N-dimethylpiperidinium salts for promoting plant growth.
The use of N,N-dimethylpiperidinium salts in amounts of from 5 to 24.5 g per hectare for reduciny the height of cotton plants has been disclosed (German Laid-Open Application DE-OS 2,815j345).
A positive effect therewith is observed in experiments with tomatoes and potatoes, and an erratic action in cereals, grasses, rape, soybeans and sugarcane. It is also known that N,N-dimethylpiperidinium chloride, in amounts of from 25 to 100 g per hectare, has a good action in cotton (leaElet issued in May 1978 by BASF Wyandotte Corporation, U.S.A.).
We have now found that treatment of plants - except cereals and cotton plants - with less than ~50 g per hectare of an N,N-dimethylpiperidinium salt does not reduce growth height but promotes plant growth. In this case, N,N-dimethyl-piperidinium salts can be considered to belong to the group of bioregulators, which have a qualitative and quantitative effect ~ 20 on biological development processes~
: ~ The following effects, for instance, may be observed:
- increase in the production of dry matter in vegetative and generative plant parts;
- alteration of the weight ratio of vegetative to generative organic mass in favor of the latter;

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~45~7 , O.Z. 0050/034321 - increase in the assimilation area;
- increased production of plant materials, e.g., starch, soluble amino acids, terpenoids, ethereal oils, latex and alkaloids;
- reduction in the content of unwanted plant materials, e.g., aflatoxin, gossypol and limonin;
- alteration of the ion concentration in plant tissue and thus of the resistance to envir-onmental influences;
- production of seedless fruits without fertilization, - increased pigment formation;
- improvement in internal and external fruit quality;
- shortened development cycle, enabling harvesting to be brought forward.
Examples of salts are those of halogen hydro acids, e.g., the chloride, or of sulfuric acid, acetic acid or phosphoric acid. The chloride is preferred.
A particularly good action is observed for instance in tubers, fruit vegetables, seed fruits, legumes~ leaf vegetables, oil plants, cucurbits and citruses.
Application rates are preferably from 1 to 450, and especially from 10 to 200, g/ha.
The following reEults of experiments in the open demonstrate the biological action of the compounds according to the inventionr These experiments (with 4 replicates) were carried out on 25 to 50 m2 plots. All treatments were effected by spraying an aqueous solution of the active ingredient onto the green plant parts.
I. Tubers ? e.g ~_potatoesS sweet potatoes :
Examples 1 - 4 In experiments with 4 different potato varieties, 25 g/ha of

- 2 -~54977 O.Z. 0050/034321 N,Nodimethylpiperidinium chloride was applied to the leaves 80 days after planting (upon commencement of tuber formation). The results show that the treatment brings about an increase in the assimilation area, an increase in the dry matter from leaves, stems and tubers, and finally a gain in tuber yield. The corollary is an increase in the production of starch and biomass.
Example 1 Treatment: 80 days after planting ~commencement of tuber formation) Solanum tuberosum, var. Mariva g/ha N,N-dimethylpiperidinium chloride _ _ . ~
Height cm 73.0 83.0 Leaf area dm2 3.8 4.8 Leaf' weight (DM) g 27.2 28.6 Stem weight (DM) g 42.8 45.4 TubersJplant - no. 17.0 21.0 Tuber /plant (DM) ~ 132.7 142.1 DM = dry matter ExamPle 2 ._ Treatment: 80 day3 after 1978 planting (commencement of tuber formation) SoIanum tuberosum, var. Revolucion gJha N,N-dimethylpiperidinium chloride , Height cm2 51.0 67.o Leaf area _ 3 _ 16.4 1~L5~ 7 O.Z~ 0050/034321 Leaf weight (DM) g 41.3 63.4 Stem weight (DM) g 31.2 53.9 Tubers/plant no. 15.0 23.0 Tubers/plant (DM) g 85.1 176.5 Example 3 Treatment: 80 days after 1978 planti.ng (commencement of tuber formation) Solanum tuberosum, var. Mi Peru g/ha N,N-dimethylpipèridinium chloride _ Height cm 63.0 60.0 Leaf area dm2 6.2 14.8 Leaf weight (DM) g 33. 8 65.3 Stem weight (DM) g 41.3 54.1 Tubers/plant no. 17.0 32.0 Tubers/plant (DM) g 69.2 129.7 Example 4 : ::
Treatment: 80 days after 1978 planting (commencement of tuber formation) Solanum tub~rosum, var. Ticahuasi g/ha N,N-dimethylpiperidinium . chloride - . ~
Height cm 62.0 57.0 Leaf area dm2 11.8 12~1 Leaf weight (DM) g 58.6 67.4 Stem weight (DM) g 52.5 61.1 Tubers/plant (DM~ g 103.7 144.5 llS4977 O.Z. 0050/034321 Example 5 A further experiment with potatoes shows that the application of 74 g/ha of N,N-dimethylpiperidinium chloride increases the yield of tubers per plant and thus per unit area.
Example 5 Planted: March 9, 1979 Treated: May 1, 1979 (first flowers visible) Harvested: June 11, 1979 Solanum tuberosum, var. "Lasotared"
g/ha N,N-dimethylpiperidinium _ _ chloride ~ 7 _ _ Tubers/plant no. 23.9 35.2 ~Yield g 267.7 294.8 Example 6 I~ sweet potatoes are treated for instance with fronl 28 to 448 g/ha of N,N-dimethylpiperidinium chloride upon commencement ~: of tuber formation, the proportion of qualitatively first-class tubers and the total yield are significantly increased.

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O.Z. 0050/034321 II. Fruit vegetabies, e.g.~ tomatoes Example 7 Tomatoes 25 to 30 cm high and in full blossom were treated with 112 g~ha of N,N-dimethylpiperidinium chloride. The yield of marketable produ~e wasincreased. Fu;rthermore, the fruit quality was improved. The superior quality was manifested in a thicker flesh and improved pigmentation.
Example 7 Planted: February 7, 1978 Treated: March 23, 1978 (25 - 30 cm high, 60% ~lowers) Harvested: May 10, 1978 Lycopersicon esculentum, var. Flora-date g/ha N~N-dimethylpiperidinium chloride __ 112 Yield of marketable produce tons/ha 31.2 33.8 Flesh thickness mm 5.95 6.27 Fruit color 0 - 5 ) 4.8 4.9 Flesh color 5 2.7 2.9 ) 0 = green, 5 - red Example 8 Treatment o~ tomatoes with from 112 to 448 g/ha of N,N-dimethyl-piperidinium chloride at a height of from 60 to 90 cm upon commence-ment of flowering resulted in a significant increase in yield.

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1~5~977 O.Z. 0050/034321 Example 8 Planted: June 2, 1978 Treated: August 21, 1978 (60 - 90 cm high, comMencement o~ ~lowering) Harvested: October 2, 1978 Lycopersicon esculentum, var. C-28 g/ha N,N-dimethylpiperidinium chloride ~ . . . . _ _ _ 0 112 224 448 Ripe fruit Yield tons/ha 7 8 17.6 14.1 12.6 ~_ __ _ . ~ _ _ .. ~ . _ .__ _ __.. . . _ _ _ ._ _ __ _ Example 9 The application of from 24 to 1~2 g/ha of N,N-dimethyl-piperidinium chloride to tomatoes 50 to 65 cm high upon commencement of flowering also resulted in increased ~ruit production. Where growth height remains unaffected, it may be assumed that the ratio of vegetative (e.g., leaves) to generative plantm~tter(tomatoes) is improved.
Example 9 Planted: August 2 8 g 1978 Treated: October 26~ 1978 (approx. 50 - 65 cm high, loTo flowers) Harvested: December 8~ 1978 Lycopersicon esculentum, var. Flora-date g/ha N,N-dimethylpiperidinium chloride .... ~
_ 0 24 48 192 Height cm 81 ~ 8 82. 4 78. o 80.8 Green fruit yield tons/ha23~8 26.6 26.2 26.7 Yield of marketable produce tonsfha26.2 27.7 29.3 29.1 ~ 8 ~

~154977 O.Z. 0050/034321 Example 10 Tomatoes were treated at a height of from 50 to 65 cm and upon commencement of flowering with ~rom 112 to 448 g/ha (including twice 112 g/ha) of N,N-dimethylpiperidinium chloride. Ripening was hastened and yield increased particularly after kreatment with 112 and 112~ g/ha of active ingredient. The weight of the individual fruits was also increased.
Example 10 Planted: May 25, 1978 Treated: July 6, 1978 (approx. 50 - 65 cm high, 10~ flowers) ~arv~sted: August 28 and September 20, 1978 Lycopersicon esculentum, var. C~37 g/ha N,N-dimethylpiperidinium chloride 0 112 224 448 112~112 Ripe fruit yield (first harvest) tons/ha23.6 30,822.4 29.1 34.9 Ripe fruit yield (total) tons/ha6008 69.661.2 63.1 75.1 20 100 fruit weight ) kg 7 ~ 9 8.5 8.o 8.1 8.6 ~ ) = weight of 100 tomatoes ; Example 11 In tomatoes, treatment with 112 and 224 g/ha, and twice 224 g/ha, of N,N-dimethylpiperidinium chloride at a height of 30 to 40 cm and while the plants were in full bloom or at the end of the blooming period resulted in an earlier harvest and increased yield.

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~1S~L9~77 O.Z. 0050/034321 Exam~le 11 Planted: May 2, 1978 Treated: July 6, 1978 (about 30 to 40 cm high, 65% flowers) July 21, 1978 (end of bloom) Harvested: September 1 and 15, 1978 g/ha N,N-dimethylpiperidinium chloride _ 0 112 224 224+224 Ripe fruit yield (first harvest) tons/ha 28.6 29.9 31.5 34.1 Ripe fruit yield (second harvest ? tons/ha 31.7 33.4 33.4 32.3 Total ripe fruit yield tons/ha 60~3 63.3 64.9 66.4 Example 12 Tomatoes in full bloom were treated with from 56 to 896 g/ha of N,N~dimethylpiperidinium chloride. The 56 and 112 g/ha rates again resulted in increased yields. The high application rate of 896 g/ha brought about a decrease in yield.
Example 12 .
~- ZO Planted: May 23, 1978 Treated: July 19, 1978 (60% flowers) Harvested: October 27, 1978 Lycopersicon escu~entum, var. C-38 ~ ~ .

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0,Z. 0050/034321 g/ha N,N-dimethylpiperidinium _ chloride 0 _ 56 112_ 2?4 896 Individual weight g 212 225 214 197 197 Yield of marketable produce tons/ha 35.9 36.3 38.3 35.2 34~1 Total yield (marketable produce + green fruit) tons/ha 40.6 42.0 l~3.7 40.9 39.5 Example 13 75 g/ha of N,N-dimethylpiperidinium chloride, applied to tomatoes in full bloom, resulted in an increased yield.
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Planted: May 9, 1979 Treated: May 25, 1979 (full bloom) Harvested: July 2 - August 27, 1979 Lycopersicon esculentum, var. "Sonato"
g/ha N,N-dimethylpiperidinium chloride Yield tons/ha 83.0 85.2 Example 14 When tomatoes are treated upon commencement of blossoming and i~ full bloom with from 25 to 100 g/ha of N,N-dimethylpiperidinium chloride, considerable increases in yield are observed. The fact that no influence on flower formation is observed is indlcative ~ of an increased fertilization effect.

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~L~545~

O.Z. 0050/034321 Example 14 .
Planted: April 4, 1979 Treated: April 19 - May 16, 1979 (flrst blossom visible, and full blossom) Flowers counted: April 20 - August 27, 1979 Harvested: August 27, 1979 Lycopersicon esculentum, var. "Houryu"
g/ha N3N-dimethylpiperidinium _ _ chlorid_ lo 0 25+25 50+50 75~75 loO~loO
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Yield tons/ha 65.2 73.4 78.0 77.2 68.6 Flowers no./plant 48.5 49.5 48.5 44.5 45.5 III._Legumes, e.~., beans Example 15 Broad beans were treated with 70 g/ha of N,N-dimethyl-piperidinium chloride at branching. The stem and flower mass is increased and the production of dry matter raised. Fruit production also rose. An increase in protein content per unit area may be assumed.
ExamPle 15 Sown: April 21, 1979 Treated: May 17, 1979 (middle o~ branching period) Assessed: June 6, 1979 Vicia faba, var. "Broad improved long pod"

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O.Z. 0050/0~4321 g/ha N,N-dimethylpiperidinium chloride Stems no./plantl~.2 5.3 Flowers no./plant7.4 11.2 Wt./plant g of DM 201.0 216.4 Yield g/plant 67.4 75.7 Wt./pod g 11.0 10.7 Example 16 Beans were treated, upon commencement o~ flowering, with 112 g/ha of N,N-dimethylpiperidinium chloride. Contrasted with the high application rates, the rate of 112 g/ha increased fruit set and overall yield.
Example 16 Sown: July 24, 1978 Treated: September 15, 1978 (commencement of flowering) Harvested: November 8, 1378 Phaseolua limensis, var Kingston Bush Baby lima beans g/ha N,N-dimethylpiperidinium chloride .
o 112 . _ Pods~plant 150 3 18,0 Bean yield~plant g 10,5 12.4 Example 17 White beans, treated at the end of flowering, react best to 112 g/ha of N~N-dimethylpiperidinium chloride - fruit set and .~ :
-~ overall yield are improved.

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O.Z. 0050/034321 Example 17 .
Sown: June 15, 1978 Treated: August 3, 1978 (about 35 cm high, 50% pods, 10% flowers) Harvested: October 11, 1978 Phaseolus, var. SW 59 Small white beans g/ha N,N-dimethylpiperidinium chloride ... . .. _ . _ _ . . . _ _ Pods/plant 13.0 14.8 8.3 Bean yield kg/ha 1,928 2,093 1,745 IV. Leaf vegetables, e.g., lettuce, kohlrabi Example 18 Lettuce treated at the 6-8 leaf stage reacted to treatment with from 25 to 100 g/ha of N,N-dimethylpiperidinium chloride with increased production of biomass.
Example 18 Planted: June 26, 1979 Treated: July 4, 1979 Harvested: August 9, 1979 Lactuca sativa, var. "Corelli"
g/ha N,N-dimethylpiperidinium chloride .. . _ .
Wt./head g 316 344 340 344 Yield tons/hectare 4 2.1 4 5. 8 45.4 45.8 Example 19 Kohlrabi treated at the 8-10 leaf stage with from 25 to 75 O/ha - 14 - .

0. Z. 0050/034321 of N,N-dimethylpiperidinium chloride bring forth a greater proportion of healthy heads and a higher yield.
Example 19 . .
Planted: August 24, 1979 Treated: September 4, 1979 (8-10 leaf stage) Harvested + assessed: October 4, 1979 Brassica oleracea gongylodes~ var. Tero g/ha N,N-dimethylpiperidinium chloride Healthy kohlrabi % 70.0 76.0 72.0 Yield tons/ha 52.93 55-38 55.06 V. 0i1 plants, e.g., soybeans Example 20 Soybeans treated at the 4 leaf stage with from 112 to 448 g/ha, and at the 4 and 10 leaf stage with 112 g/ha, of N,N-dimethyl-piperidinium chloride reacted with better fruit set and improved yields.
Example 20 ; 20 Sown: May 29 l 1978 ~- ~ Treated: July 9, 1978 tabout 16 cm high; 4 leaf stage) July 24, 1978 (about 36 cm high; 10 leaf stage; blossom) Harvested: October 19, 1978 g/ha N,N-dimethylpiperidinium chlori de 0 112 448 112~112 Bean yield kg/ha 3,053 3,344 3,664 3,475 ;; .

115~9~7 O.Z. 0050/034321 VI. Cucurbitaceae,_e.~., melons Example 21 __ _ __ Watermelons were treated upon commencement of flowering with 25 g/ha, and upon commencement of flowering and in full blossom with 12 g/ha each time, of N,N-dimethylpiperidiniuM chloride. The increased fruit set may be indicative of sex differentiation.
Yields are improved.
Example 21 lO Planted: May 28~ 1979 ~
Treated: June 26, 1979 (commencement of f`lowerin~/full bloom) Harvested: August 8, 1979 Citrullus lanatus, var. "Clondyke"
g/ha N,N-dimethylpiperidinium chloride 12.5+12.5 Fruit no./plant 6.o10.0 9.0 Fruit weight kg/melon 1.281.1~ 1.20 Yield tons/ha 47.970.9 74~8 20 Example 22 ..
When watermelons are not treated until they are in blossom, the influence on sex di~ferentiation is reduced. ~'reatments with from 12.5 to twice 50 g/ha of N,N-dimethylpiperidinium chloride resulted in an increase in tne weight of the individual fruits and in increased yields.

-~54977 O.Z. 0050/034321 Example 22 ~ . .
Planted: April 18, 1979 Treated: June 1, 1979 (20 - 25% flowers) June 8, 1979 (60 - 70~ flowers) Harvested: July 10 17, 1979 Citrullus lanatus, var. "Sugarbaby"
g/ha N,N-dimethylpiperidinium chloride 0 12.5 50 50~50 ~ruits, first harvest no./100 m2 8.o 8.0 8.0 8.2 Fruit weight kg/melon 2.36 2.40 2.64 2.74 Yield kg~ha 1,890 1,920 2,110 2,260 Fruits~ first and second harvest no./100 m2 10.0 9.7 9.8 10.2 Fruit weight kg/melon 2.36 2.65 2.66 2.64 Total yield kgJha 2~359 2,573 2,610 2,690 Example 23 _ . _ ;;; Treatment of muskmelons upon commencement of flowering with 20 50 and twice 50 g/ha of N,N-dimethylpiperidinium chloride makes earlier harvesting possible and increases yields.

Example 23 Planted: May 11, 1978 Treated: June 30, 1978 (about 60 cm trail Iength, first flower) July 13, 1978 (~ull bloom) Harvested: August 2, 1978 August 14, 1978 ~15~977 O.Z. 0050/034321 Gucumis melo glha N,N-dimethylpiperidinium chloride . . . _ _ _ 0 50 50+50 . .
Height cm 48.7 49.2 51.7 Ripe fruit yield, first harvest tons/ha 22.3 23.0 33,0 Ripe fruit yield, 10 second harvest tons/ha 14.7 8.3 14.0 Non-ripe ~ruit yield, second harvest tons/ha 14.3 20.3 19.0 Yield Or ripe and non-ripe fruit, first +
second harvest -- tons/ha 51.3 51.6 66.o VII. Citruses~ e.g., oranges :
Example 24 When orange trees are treated in full blossom with ~rom 50 to 1,000 ppm of N,N-dimethylpiperidinium chloride, the concentration 20 of cell materials, e.gO, Ca ions in the peel, flesh and juice, is increased.
~ ~ Example 24 ;~ Planted: about I954 Treated: April 26, 1379 (full bloom) Harvested: November 7, 1979 Analyzed: November 14, 1979 ~ ~ - 18 -,.
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~59~77 O.Z. 0050/034321 Citrus sinensis, var. Navel ppm N,N~dimethylpiperidinium chloride ~ ~ = .. . _, . .. ...
0 50_ 100 1,000~) Ca content in peel ppm 10,500 12,000 7,750 12,250 % 100 114 74 117 Ca content in flesh ppm 3,000 l1,250 5,000 5,000 % 100 142 167 167 10 Ca content in juice ppm 5,500 8~750 5,750 7,500 % 100 159 104 ~6 ) equivalent to 20, 40 and 400 g of active ingredient per hectare, dissolved in 4.o l of water per tree; 100 trees/ha.
., ~ Exam~ 25 : , ~ Fruits from orange trees treated for example with 1,000 ppm ;~ ~ of N,N~dimethylpiperidinium chloride in full bloom and fruits from ,.
untreated trees were subjected for 3 hours to a temperature of 12C. Electrical resistance measurements were carried out 15 1/2 hours later, and it was found that there was less con-20 ductivity in~the treated oranges. Lower conductivity is directly related to~less rree electrolytes from cells damaged by cold, and thus to less frost damage. It is well known that Ca ions perform ~ . :
an essential function in cell wall formation.

N,N-dimethylpiperidinium chloride increases the Ca-ion content in plant tissue~and thus resistance to cold.

By altering cell materials, e.g., increasing the ion concen-~ .:: : :
tration, the resistance to environmenta~l influences is increased.

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O.Z. 0050/034321Example 25 Planted: about 1954 Treated: April 26, 1979 (full blossom) Harvested: December 8, 1979 Subjected to cold storage at -12C: December 8, 1979 (2.30 p.m.
Removed from cold storage: December 8~ 1979 (5.30 p.m.) 10 Resistance measured: December 9, 1979 (9.00 a.m.) Citrus sinensis, var. Navel-Valencia ppm N,N-dimethylpiperidinium __ chloride__ Variety_ O 1~_0+) Navelelectrical resistance kilohm 17.5 19.4 Valencia " " " 1~.6 24.4 -~ ) equivalent to 400 g/ha of active ingredient Example 26 1,000 ppm o~ N,N-dimethylpiperidinium chloride, sprayed onto , 20 orange trees in full bloom, increases individual ~ruit weight and ~ruit yield.

Example 26 Planted: about 1954 Treated: April 26, 1979 (full bloom) Harvested: December 7, 1979 ~Weighed: January 18, 1980 , O.Z. 0050/034321 Citrus sinensis, var. Navel ppm N,N-dimethylpiperidinium _ chloride 60 fruits tested _ ~IOA ~ 000 Total fruit weight kg 12.85 15.05 Average individual fruit weight g 214 251 % 100 117 ) equivalent to 400 g/ha of active ingredient Example 27 1,000 ppm of N,N-dimethylpiperidinium chloride, sprayed onto trees in full bloom, increases fruit size (larger diameter and longer axis). Bigger oranges means increased fruit quality (external fruit quality).
Example 27 Planted: about 1954 Treated: April 26, 1979 (full bloom) Harvested: December 7, 1979 20 Measured: January 18, 1980 ~ Citrus sinensis, var. Navel `~ ppm N,N-dimethylpiperidinium chl ride_

4 fruits tested _ 0 ~000 ) Average fruit diameter mm 49.8 56.1 % 100 113 Average longitudinal axis mm 53.2 57.5 % 100 108 ) equivalent to 400 g/ha of active ingredient ~S4977 O.Z. 0050/034321 Example 28 .
1,000 ppm of N,N-dimethylpiperidinium chloride~ sprayed onto orange trees in ~ull blossom, increases juice yield. Furthermore~
the internal fruit quality is improved: the vitamin C content is considerably higher and the acid content significantly lower.
Example 28 Planted: about 1954 Treated: April 26, 1979 (full bloom) 10 Harvested: December 7, 1979 Analyzed: January 24, 1980 Citrus sinensis, var. Navel ppm N,N-dimethylpiperidinium chloride 13 fruits tested __ _ 0 _ ~000 ) ~; Average indiuid~al ~ruit weight g 211.8 237.5 ; % lOo 112 Average juice/fruit cc 96.0 115.3 % 100 120 20 Juice ~ield % 45 ~ 3 _ 48.5 Vitamin C mg~100 g (~resh) 65.1 73.9 % 100~ 113.5 Acid in juice mval/100 cc ~ 19.2 15.1 % loO 78.6 ) equivalent to 400 g/ha of active ingredient :: : :
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O.Z. 0050/034~21 The salts may also be applied with other crop protection agents, e~g., herbicides, insecticides, synergists, antidotes, other growth regulators, and particularly with fungicides. It is advantageous in practice to apply the salts in admixture with fertilizers, especially ureas.
As the effectiveness of the salts is attributable to the cation, any anion - with the exception of those of phytotoxic aci~ - may be used~ Examples of suitable acids are hydrochloric acid, hydrobromic 10 acid, sulfuric acid, carbonic acid, nitric acid, phosphoric acid3 acetic acid, propionic acid, benzoic acid, sulfuric acid monomethyl ester and monoethyl ester, 2-ethylhexanoic acid, acrylic acid, maleic acid, succinic acid, adipic acid, formic acid, chloroacetic acid, p-toluenesulfonic acid, benzenesulfonic acid, and dodecyl-benzenesulfonic acid. The salt of hydrochloric acid is pre~erred.
The salts may be applied all at once, or split up into several applications (i.e., at different points in time).
The salts may be applied as solutions, dispersions, emulsions, suspensions, granules, foams or dusts. The application forms depend 20 entirely on the purpose for which the agents are being used; at all events, they should ensure a fine distrlbutlon of the active ~; ingredient. The agents may be applied to the seed or to the green ; plant parts.
For the preparation of solutions to be sprayed direct, water is suitable. However, the active ingredients may also be dispersed in hydrocarbons having a boiling point of more than 150C and ; ~ one or more functional groups, e.g., the keto group, the ether group, the ester group or the amide group, this group or these groups .

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O.Z. 0050/034321 being substituent(s) on a hydrocarbon chain or component(s) of a heterocyclic ring, and used as spray liquors.
Aqueous formulations may be prepared from emulsion concentrates, pastes or wettable powders by adding water. To prepare emulsions, the ingredients as such or dissolved in a solvent may be homogenized in water or organic solvents by means of wetting or dispersing agents, e.g., polyethylene oxide adducts. Concentrates which are suitable ~or dilution with water may be prepared from active lO ingredient, emulsi~ying or dispersing agent and possibly solvent.
Dusts may be prepared by mixing or grinding the active ingredients with a solid carrier, e.g., kieselguhr, talc, clay or fertilizers. When the agents are applied in granular form, admixture with fertilize~ is preferred.

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Claims (6)

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. A process for promoting plant growth - with the exception of cereals and cotton plants -, wherein the plants are treated with less than 450 g/ha of an N,N-dimethylpiperidi-nium salt.

2. A process as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plants are treated with from 10 to 450 g/ha of N,N-dimethyl-piperidinium chloride.

3. A process as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the treated plants are selected from the group consisting of tubers, fruit vegetables, seed fruits, legumes, leaf vegetables, oil plants, cucurbits and citruses.

4. A process for promoting the growth of tubers, fruit vegetables, seed fruits, legumes, leaf vegetables, oil plants, cucurbits or citruses which comprises applying to the seed of said plants or to their green plant parts a non-phytotoxic N,N-dimethylpiperidinium salt at an application rate of from 1 to 450 g/ha.

5. The process of c].aim 4, wherein the plants are selected from the group consisting of potatoes, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, beans, lettuce, kohlrabi, soy beans, melons, and oranges.

6. The process of claim 5, wherein the plants are treated with from 10 to 200 g/ha of N,N-dimethylpiperidinium chloride.