CA2045352C - Process for thinning of stone fruit blossoms - Google Patents
Process for thinning of stone fruit blossoms Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2045352C CA2045352C CA002045352A CA2045352A CA2045352C CA 2045352 C CA2045352 C CA 2045352C CA 002045352 A CA002045352 A CA 002045352A CA 2045352 A CA2045352 A CA 2045352A CA 2045352 C CA2045352 C CA 2045352C
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- group
- fruit
- carbon atoms
- branched
- straight
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Lifetime
Links
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
- A01N—PRESERVATION OF BODIES OF HUMANS OR ANIMALS OR PLANTS OR PARTS THEREOF; BIOCIDES, e.g. AS DISINFECTANTS, AS PESTICIDES OR AS HERBICIDES; PEST REPELLANTS OR ATTRACTANTS; PLANT GROWTH REGULATORS
- A01N33/00—Biocides, pest repellants or attractants, or plant growth regulators containing organic nitrogen compounds
- A01N33/02—Amines; Quaternary ammonium compounds
- A01N33/08—Amines; Quaternary ammonium compounds containing oxygen or sulfur
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
- A01N—PRESERVATION OF BODIES OF HUMANS OR ANIMALS OR PLANTS OR PARTS THEREOF; BIOCIDES, e.g. AS DISINFECTANTS, AS PESTICIDES OR AS HERBICIDES; PEST REPELLANTS OR ATTRACTANTS; PLANT GROWTH REGULATORS
- A01N33/00—Biocides, pest repellants or attractants, or plant growth regulators containing organic nitrogen compounds
- A01N33/02—Amines; Quaternary ammonium compounds
- A01N33/12—Quaternary ammonium compounds
Landscapes
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Agronomy & Crop Science (AREA)
- Pest Control & Pesticides (AREA)
- Plant Pathology (AREA)
- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Dentistry (AREA)
- General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Wood Science & Technology (AREA)
- Zoology (AREA)
- Environmental Sciences (AREA)
- Agricultural Chemicals And Associated Chemicals (AREA)
- Cultivation Of Plants (AREA)
Abstract
A process for thinning stone fruit blossoms is disclosed. In the process, a compound selected from certain alkoxylated amines and alkoxylated quaternary ammonium compounds is ap-plied to stone fruit trees at some point after 50% blossom to thereby reduce the number of blossoms on the stone fruit tree.
In this manner, the amount of fruit thinning which must be done by hand can be substantially reduced without decreasing the quantity of marketable fruit produced by an orchard or harming the trees or the workers in the orchard.
In this manner, the amount of fruit thinning which must be done by hand can be substantially reduced without decreasing the quantity of marketable fruit produced by an orchard or harming the trees or the workers in the orchard.
Description
. . i PROCESS FOR THINNING OF STONE FRUIT BLOSSOMS
Background of the Invention The practice of fruit thinning in stone fruit is a standard management procedure for the deciduous fruit industry. Fruit thinning is necessary since stone fruit trees tend to produce far too many blossoms each year. The excess of blossoms leads to a large quantity of fruit which is often too small to be marketable. Further, when the fruit density is too great on portions of the fruit trees, the weight of the fruit may be-come too large to be supported by the tree and the entire to branch, including its fruit, may be lost.
Thus, the general object of chemical blossom thinning is to reduce the number of viable blossoms on a stone fruit tree during the blossom period to thereby provide a tree having a lower fruit density thereon. In this manner, overloading of sections of the tree can be avoided and larger fruit can be produced since the same amount of sustenance will be supplied to a smaller number of viable fruit.
In practice, fruit thinning is generally done by hand. In other words, workers must go to each tree and remove suffi-cient fruit to provide satisfactory fruit thinning. Apart from being a time consuming and labor intensive exercise, fruit thinning by hand is often very expensive.
Background of the Invention The practice of fruit thinning in stone fruit is a standard management procedure for the deciduous fruit industry. Fruit thinning is necessary since stone fruit trees tend to produce far too many blossoms each year. The excess of blossoms leads to a large quantity of fruit which is often too small to be marketable. Further, when the fruit density is too great on portions of the fruit trees, the weight of the fruit may be-come too large to be supported by the tree and the entire to branch, including its fruit, may be lost.
Thus, the general object of chemical blossom thinning is to reduce the number of viable blossoms on a stone fruit tree during the blossom period to thereby provide a tree having a lower fruit density thereon. In this manner, overloading of sections of the tree can be avoided and larger fruit can be produced since the same amount of sustenance will be supplied to a smaller number of viable fruit.
In practice, fruit thinning is generally done by hand. In other words, workers must go to each tree and remove suffi-cient fruit to provide satisfactory fruit thinning. Apart from being a time consuming and labor intensive exercise, fruit thinning by hand is often very expensive.
There exist various chemicals which are currently used in the industry for blossom thinning purposes. These existing pro-ducts are generally toxic to both the surrounding environment as well as the operators that are charged with the task of ap-plying these chemical agents. Furthermore, many of the exist-ing products are also phytotoxic to the orchard. For the above reasons, chemical blossom thinning in stone fruit has not yet become a widely used procedure.
A summary of fruit thinning methods can be found in "C.3 Uitdun Van Steenvrugte", Stadler, J.D., Navorsingsinstituut vir Vrugte en Vrugtetegnologie, Stellenbosch, South Africa, 1975. In this article both the hand thinning and chemical thinning of stone fruit are discussed. As a chemical thinning agent is disclosed DNBP (Gebutox~ 50% from Hoechst). It is further disclosed that this agent effectively reduces the num-ber of blossoms on stone fruit trees and leads to increased fruit size. However, the agent has been found to be phytotox-ic to the fruit trees and other plants as well. Further, the application of this agent poses some risk to the person apply-ing it.
Another agent which has been used for fruit thinning is Paraquat~. However, this agent has been found to be toxic to humans and to cause damage to the crop treated as well as other surrounding plants. Both DNBP and Paraquat~ are now withdrawn from government approval in many countries for use in blossom thinning of stone fruit for reasons of toxicol-ogical concern and orchard safety.
Accordingly, there exists a need in the stone fruit industry for a chemical blossom thinning agent which exhibits a rela-tively low phytotoxicity, is not harmful to humans applying the agent and is capable of providing acceptable results in blossom thinning and the subsequently required fruit thinning effect. These and other objects of the present invention will be apparent from the summary and detailed description which follow.
Summary of the Invention The present invention provides a process for thinning of stone-fruit blossoms, which process comprises the step of applying to at least one stone-fruit bearing tree after at least 50~ blossom, an effective amount of at least one compound selected from the group consisting of:
(A) an alkoxylated amine represented by the following general formula:
AO ) nR3 R-N
wherein:
n is an integer from 1 to 50, A represents an alkylene group and, when n > 1, each A may be the same or different alkylene groups;
R is selected from the group consisting of a straight or branched-chain alkyl or alkenyl group having 8 to 22 carbon atoms, and a group represented by the formula:
2 5 ~ CH2 ~ x-Al0 ) mR3 wherein m is an integer from 1 to 50, A1 represents an alkylene group and, when m > 1, each A1 may be the same or different alkylene groups, x is an integer from 1 to 6, and R2 is independently selected from the same groups as R;
R1 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, a straight or branched-chain alkyl or alkenyl group having 1 to 22 carbon atoms, and a group represented by the formula:
( A20 ) n~ R3 wherein n' is an integer from 1 to 50 and A2 represents an alkylene group and, when n' > l, each. A2 may be the same or different alkylene groups; and each R3 is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, a straight or branched-chain alkyl or alkenyl group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, and an aryl group of up to 8 carbon atoms; and (B) an alkoxylated quaternary ammonium compound represented by the following general formula:
( AO ) nR3 X-Ra'N-Rs wherein:
n, R1, A and R3 are as defined above;
4a X- is an anion, R5 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, a straight or branched-chain alkyl or alkenyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and benzyl, or RSX- can be carboxymethyl (as in betaines) or oxygen (as in amine oxides); and R9 is selected from the group consisting of a straight or branched-chain alkyl group having 8 to 22 carbon atoms, and a group represented by the formula:
CH2 ) X
wherein A1, m, R2, R3, R5 and x are as defined above;
to reduce the number of fruit-producing blossoms on the stone-fruit tree.
More particularly X may be halides such as Cl- and Br-, or sulfates such as CH3SOq- and C2HSS04-, among others . The anion associated with these quaternary ammonium compounds is not critical to the process of the present invention.
Several of the foregoing compounds are known from our previous European Patent Application 0 257 686 published on 2 March 1988 which discloses several alkoxylated amines and their use as activity promoting additives for herbicides and fungicides.
This published patent application also discloses a method for making these compounds.
A summary of fruit thinning methods can be found in "C.3 Uitdun Van Steenvrugte", Stadler, J.D., Navorsingsinstituut vir Vrugte en Vrugtetegnologie, Stellenbosch, South Africa, 1975. In this article both the hand thinning and chemical thinning of stone fruit are discussed. As a chemical thinning agent is disclosed DNBP (Gebutox~ 50% from Hoechst). It is further disclosed that this agent effectively reduces the num-ber of blossoms on stone fruit trees and leads to increased fruit size. However, the agent has been found to be phytotox-ic to the fruit trees and other plants as well. Further, the application of this agent poses some risk to the person apply-ing it.
Another agent which has been used for fruit thinning is Paraquat~. However, this agent has been found to be toxic to humans and to cause damage to the crop treated as well as other surrounding plants. Both DNBP and Paraquat~ are now withdrawn from government approval in many countries for use in blossom thinning of stone fruit for reasons of toxicol-ogical concern and orchard safety.
Accordingly, there exists a need in the stone fruit industry for a chemical blossom thinning agent which exhibits a rela-tively low phytotoxicity, is not harmful to humans applying the agent and is capable of providing acceptable results in blossom thinning and the subsequently required fruit thinning effect. These and other objects of the present invention will be apparent from the summary and detailed description which follow.
Summary of the Invention The present invention provides a process for thinning of stone-fruit blossoms, which process comprises the step of applying to at least one stone-fruit bearing tree after at least 50~ blossom, an effective amount of at least one compound selected from the group consisting of:
(A) an alkoxylated amine represented by the following general formula:
AO ) nR3 R-N
wherein:
n is an integer from 1 to 50, A represents an alkylene group and, when n > 1, each A may be the same or different alkylene groups;
R is selected from the group consisting of a straight or branched-chain alkyl or alkenyl group having 8 to 22 carbon atoms, and a group represented by the formula:
2 5 ~ CH2 ~ x-Al0 ) mR3 wherein m is an integer from 1 to 50, A1 represents an alkylene group and, when m > 1, each A1 may be the same or different alkylene groups, x is an integer from 1 to 6, and R2 is independently selected from the same groups as R;
R1 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, a straight or branched-chain alkyl or alkenyl group having 1 to 22 carbon atoms, and a group represented by the formula:
( A20 ) n~ R3 wherein n' is an integer from 1 to 50 and A2 represents an alkylene group and, when n' > l, each. A2 may be the same or different alkylene groups; and each R3 is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, a straight or branched-chain alkyl or alkenyl group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, and an aryl group of up to 8 carbon atoms; and (B) an alkoxylated quaternary ammonium compound represented by the following general formula:
( AO ) nR3 X-Ra'N-Rs wherein:
n, R1, A and R3 are as defined above;
4a X- is an anion, R5 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, a straight or branched-chain alkyl or alkenyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and benzyl, or RSX- can be carboxymethyl (as in betaines) or oxygen (as in amine oxides); and R9 is selected from the group consisting of a straight or branched-chain alkyl group having 8 to 22 carbon atoms, and a group represented by the formula:
CH2 ) X
wherein A1, m, R2, R3, R5 and x are as defined above;
to reduce the number of fruit-producing blossoms on the stone-fruit tree.
More particularly X may be halides such as Cl- and Br-, or sulfates such as CH3SOq- and C2HSS04-, among others . The anion associated with these quaternary ammonium compounds is not critical to the process of the present invention.
Several of the foregoing compounds are known from our previous European Patent Application 0 257 686 published on 2 March 1988 which discloses several alkoxylated amines and their use as activity promoting additives for herbicides and fungicides.
This published patent application also discloses a method for making these compounds.
Detailed Description of the Invention As a result of extensive research it has now been found that the above-identified compounds can be used as chemical blossom thinning agents for stone fruit. These compounds all exhibit a substantial blossom thinning effect and human toxicity and phytotoxicity studies have shown the compounds to have accept-ably low levels of toxicity to humans and other plants. Fur-ther, the compounds do not cause significant harm to useful insect populations and thus are advantageous in this respect as well.
The amino compounds of the present invention may be prepared by reacting an amine selected from the group consisting of R-NH2, RRNH, and R-NH-((CH2)x-NH)n-R' wherein R and R' are ali-phatic hydrocarbon groups having 8-22 carbon atoms, n=1-5 and x is an integer from 1-6: with at least one alkylene oxide.
The preferred alkylene oxides for use in the present invention are ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, isobutylene oxide and butylene oxide. The compounds of the present invention are made in such a way as to introduce varying numbers of alkylene oxide units onto the amino nitrogen. Thus, these alkylene ox-ide groups may be all the same, such as, for example, one or more ethylene oxide units, or the groups may be different to form, for example, block copolymer chains of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide units, random copolymer chains consisting of several units of each of two or more different alkylene oxides, or alternating units of two or more alkylene oxides.
Any conceivable combination of alkylene oxide units up to 50 units long may be employed at each location on the amino nitrogen which is to contain such units. In addition, a sin-gle amino nitrogen may contain two different alkylene oxide chains attached thereto or two chains which are the same.
In the most preferred embodiments of the present invention, block copolymer chains of ethylene oxide and cne or more of propylene oxide or butyler~e oxide are employed.. Preferably, the molar weight of the compounds used in the present inven-tion is less than 8000 though higher molecular weight com-pounds can be employed in some circumstances.
The amino compounds can also be quaternized by known quater-nization methods to produce quaternary ammonium compounds which are also useful in the process of the present invention.
The fourth substituent added to the amino nitrogen by quater-nization may be an alkyl, aryl or alkenyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms. The anion associated with such quaternary am-monium compounds is not critical to the process of the present invention.
Typical compounds suitable for use in the process of the pres-ent invention include, but are not limited to, cocobis (2-hydroxyethyl)methylammonium chloride, polyoxyethylene (15) cocomethylammonium chloride; oleylbis (?-hydr~~hethyl)methr~1-ammonium chloride, polyoxyethylene (15) steary:Lmethylammonium chloride, cocobis (2-hydroxyethyl)amine, polyoxyethylene(5)co-coamine, polyoxyethylene(15)cocoamine, tallowbis (2-hydroxy-ethyl)amine, polyoxyethylene(5)tallowamine, polyoxyethyl-ene(15)tallowamine, tallow/oleylbis(2-hydroxyethyl)amine, oleylbis(2-hydroxyethyl)amine, polyoxyethylene(5)oleylamine, polyoxyethylene(15)oleylamine, hydrogenated tallowbis(2-hydroxyethyl)amine, hydrogenated polyoxy- ethylene(5)tal-lowamine, hydrogenated polyoxyethylene(15)tallowamine, hydrog-enated polyoxyethylene(50)tallowamine, N,N',N'-tris(2-hydroxyethyl)-N-tallow-1,3-diaminopropane, N,N',N'-polyoxyethylene(10)-N- tallow-1,3-diaminopropane, and N,N',N'-polyoxyethylene(15)-N-tallow- 1,3-diaminopropane.
The process of the present invention is useful for blossom thinning of stone fruit to produce a reduced mamber of larger, more marketable fruit from each tree and at tha_ same time min-imize fruit losses due to freaking of tree branches in harsh weather. The present process also provides a method which en-ables the equivalent amount of control of the position of fruit on a particular tree as the prior art hand thinning ' method.
The process of the present invention is to be applied to stone fruit trees which have reached at least 50% blossom. 100%
blossom is the point in time when all blossoms have just opened. Thus, 50% blossom is the point in time when half of the blossoms or_ a particular tree have opened. The fruit thinning process can be carried out at any point after 50%
blossom and up to one or two weeks after 100% blossom on some stone fruit. The optimum time to thin a stone fruit tree will depend upon several factors including the type of fruit, the cultivar, the climatic conditions and the type and amount of thinning agent being applied. For some fruit c>r cultivar species, the best thinning effects are accomplished before the trees reach 100% blossom whereas for others it is best to wait until several days after 100% blossom has been reached.
The process of the present invention is carried out by the ap-plication of an effective amount of at least one compound as defined herein to stone fruit trees to thereby produce a re-duction in the number of blossoms and consequently produce a reduction in the number of fruit, as well as an increase in the size of the fruit produced. The compounds are preferably applied in the form of an aqueous solution in a concentration of 0.25 to 10% and more preferably from 0.5 to 5%. The lower ._ limit is generally determined by the upper Limit on applica-tion volume for the particular application equipment being em-ployed, as well as by the type of stone fruit being thinned and the particular compound used. The upper concentration limit will generally be dictated by phytotoxicity consider-ations as higher concentrations of certain compounds have a localized phytotoxic ef~ect on the trees. Thus, a concen-tration should be selected which provides adequate fruit thinning without unwanted phytotoxic effects on the remainder of the tree. The attached examples show that such concentra-tions can be selected by routine experimentation with the par-ticular species of stone fruit to be thinned.
The composition is preferably applied in a manner similar to the manner in which commercial insecticides are applied. More particularly, conventional equipment such as knapsack spray-ers, hand heJ.d spray guns, mist blowers, and aerial spraying equipment among others may be used. The composition is ap-plied the same way as in pesticide application.
The process of the present invention has the significant ad-vantages that it thins blossoms to the extent that hand fruit thinning can be eliminated or considerably reduced, it can be done in a manner which is safe for the crops and the treatment has no long term phytotoxic effect on the orchards, if carried out correctly. The compounds will not harm beneficial insects when applied within the normal application volume, and the process appears to be environmentally acceptable, non-hazardous to operators of the application equipment, and non-corrosive to the equipment.
The present invention will be further illustrated by the exam-ples appended hereto.
..~
Examples 1-4 Materials and Methods:
The treatments of the four field trials have all been applied by motor driven piston pump equipment fitted with hand held spray lances. Operating pressure was kept at a constant two Bars. For spray volumes~applied see the following table.
Table I
Example Spray volume applied No. Fruit/Cultivar Locality - Liter per HA
1 Plums (Ruby Nel) Franschhoek 3350 1 2 Plums (Harry Pickstone) Franschhoek 2020 1 3 Plums (Ruby Nel) Grabouw 2500 1 4 Peaches (Culembourg) Paarl 2750 1 The variable volume of carrier used can be ascribed to the variation in tree size between the various experimental sites, and variation in blossom density between the different cultivars.
The four trials were designed as randomized block experimA.,t~
with varying numbers of replicates (10-12 replicates). The modified fatty amine used in these experiments was an Akzo de-velopment product under the name and code number: Armoblen°
ACER 89002. Armoblen~ ACER 89002 can be represented by the general formula:
( CHZCHZO ) - ( CHZCHZO ) q- ( CHZCHZO ) P-H
R-N CHs ( CHZCHZO ) - ( CHZCH20 ) q- ( CHZCHZO ) P-H
wherein p=12, q=4 and R is a hydrocarbon group derived from P' :.:r ACD2231~
tallow fatty acid. Concentrations used varied from 0%-5%
(volume/volume). As far as timing of the applications were concerned, this was done as close as possible to the 100%
blossom stage (for plums). In peaches all treatments except 5 treatment no. 3 (see table No. V), were also applied at full blossom, with treatment no. 3 at full blossom plus two days.
An initial assessment was'~carried out just after fruit set.
. The method of initial assessment was to weigh the fruit which still remained to be hand thinned in order to achieve the op 10 timal yield/fruit size ratio and tree frame distribution. In ' other words the lower the weight of fruit which remained to be hand-thinned the stronger the chemical blossom thinning effect that had been achieved. Final assessments were carried out at harvest.
Results:
The following Pxamples (tables II-V) give the results obtained in the four field trials conducted.
Example 1 - Plums (Ruby ) Ne1 Table II
Concentration Mean fruit weight Treatments ~volume /volume) as thinned by hand (kg*) 1. Control - 12.6 2. Armoblen ACER-89002 1% 11.4 3. Armoblen~ ACER-89002 2% g.0 4. Armoblen~ ACER-89002 3% 6.0 5. Armoblen~ ACER-89002 4% 5.6 6. Armoblen~ ACER-89002 5% 2.5 * mean weight of 12 replicates It is clear from this table that all treatments with Armoblen~
ACER-89002 produced fruit thinning effects. The best results were obtained by 1-3% Armoblen~ ACER-89002 for this particular cultivar and dosages of 4-5% produced slight overthinning.
.._ Hand-thinning is always necessary for obtaining optimal tree frame distribution and thus, the mean fruit weight as thinned by hand is not completely indicative of an optimum thinning effect. -Example 2 Plums (Harry Pickstone) Table III
Concentration Mean fruit weight Treatments (volumefvolume) as thinned by hand (kg*) 1. Control - 18.1 2. Armoblen~ ACER-89002 l0 14.7 3. Armoblen~ ACER-89002 2% 16.0 4. Armoblen~ ACER-89002 3% 13.5 5. Armoblen~ ACER-89002 4% 9.8 6. Armoblen~ ACER-89002 5% 3,g * mean weight of 10 replicates In this trial all treatments with Armoblen~ ACER 89002 pro duced fruit thinning. The 3o treatment produced the optimum result.
Example 3 - Plums (Ruby Nel) mal.,i a T~~
Concentration Mean fruit weight Treatments volume/volume) harvested (kg*) ( 1. Control -2. Armoblen~ ACER-89002 1% 143.2 3. Armoblen~ ACER-89002 2% 88,5 4. Armoblen~ ACER-89002 3% 36.0 5. Armoblen~ ACER-89002 4s 28.2 6. Armoblen~ ACER-89002 5% 19.5 * Mean weight of 6 replicates ~ , In this trial where control trees had not been hand thinned after fruit set the 1% Armoblen~ ACER-89002 treatment gave an optimal fruit size: weight ratio with the 2% treatment giving an acceptable result. Concentrations over 2% resulted in over-thinning.
The treatments in this experiment were applied under extremely high temperature conditions (> 30°C).
Example 4 - Peaches (Culembourg) Table V
Concentration Mean fruit weight Treatments (volume,/volume,l as thinned by hand (ka*) 1. Control - 6.2 **
2. Armoblen~ ACER-89002 1% 13.9 3. Armoblen~ ACER-89002 2%
13.0 ***
4. Armoblen~ ACER-89002 2% 11.4 5. Armoblen~ ACER-89002 3% 10.0 6. Armoblen~ ACER-89002 4% 6.6 * mean weight of 10 replicates ** Blossom of the Control trees was hand-thinned the same day as the chemical treatments were applied *** Treatment applied at full Blossom plus two days In this peach blossom thinning trial the 4% Armoblen~ ACER-89002 treatment gave as good a result as the hand-thinned Control. Control trees were hand-thinned at full blossom.
Where Armoblen~ ACER-89002 is applied for the purpose of Peach blossom thinning, the optimum timing of such an application does not coincide with the full blossom stage as with plums.
In plums, as the previous series of experiments indicated, the optimum application time lays around full blossom. There are however indications, that treatments commenced at the 70-80%
blossom stage achieve acceptable results at reduced concen-trations of Arn~oblen~ ACER 89002.
J -i ~ ~ ':G
Example 5 Phytotoxicity In plums the first flush of leaves following the full blossom application showed a very slight leaf tip scorch, accompanied by temporary slight bronzing. Those leaves developed normally in colour and size with symptoms disappearing in a relatively short time span (7-10 days). No abnormal leaf drop was re-corded. Subsequent foliar development did not show any of the ' symptoms of phytotoxicity. The above observed symptoms only occurred at the higher concentrations (>4%). Identical symp-toms were observed in the Peach experiment. These symptoms oc-- curred at dose rates from 3% upwards. Symptoms disappeared totally as from two weeks after application. Treated trees have been observed for three seasons with no noticeable chronic phytotoxic effects. Fruit set, fruit development, leaf, twig, branch formation and budding were normal.
Example 6 NECTARINES
Variety: Sunlite Locality: D. Malan, Solomonsvlei; Drakenstein South, Paarl Table VI
Concentration Mean Weight - (kg) Treatments ~volume/volume) Fruit per tree Thinned Armoblen~ ACER-89002 1% 1.110 Armoblen~ ACER-89002 2% 0.883 Armoblen~ ACER-89002 3% 0.724 Armoblen~ ACER-89002 4% 0.528 Armoblen~ ACER-89002 5% 0.555 In the untreated part of the orchard and thus unsprayed trees, two manual thinning operations were carried out. Only one thinning was done in the treated plots. Dosage related thinn-ing response obtained with the higher concentrations (4-5%) resulted in excessive fruit thinning and thus no further dos-age related response was observed at 5%.
tr There were signs of variable efficacy between trees with simi-lar concentrations. The less vigorous trees appeared to be more susceptible to treatment and exhibited greater degrees of ' thinning than the more vigorously growing trees.
Examples 7 and 8 The following thinning agents, from Akzo Chemical Division, were sprayed on plums (cv HEV Pickstone) at different stages during bloom: Armoblen~ ACER 89002 at 2, 3 and 4% (v/v);
Armoblen~ ACER-89001 at 2 and 6% (v/v); Armoblen~ T25 at 2%
(v/v). The thinning effect of these treatments was compared with that of a Paraquat~ spray (0.0025%-v/v) and with a thinn-ing by hand (Table 7). The stages of application were 80%FB
(i.e. 80% Full Blossom) and (FB + 1 day). At harvest, the fruit were sized and the total yield per tree was determined.
The percentage of non-marketable fruit based or_ the size :~:as used as a criteria for the success of thinning. The following treatments provided similar or better thinning than a hand-thinned standard: Armoblen~ ACER 89002 at 4% applied at either 80% FB or (FB + 1 day); Armoblen~ ACER 89001 at 2% applied at 80% FB and Armoblen~ ACER 89001 6% applied at (FB + 1 day), Paraquat~ (0.0025%) applied at 80% FB and Armoblen~ T25 (2%) sprayed at 80% FB.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Crop Plums Cultivar: H.E.V. Pickstone Locality: de Rust, Grabouw ....
Spacing: Between Rows: 4.5 m Spacing Between Trees: 2.5 m Date of Full Bloom: 09/09/87 Method of Application: Knapsack Sprayer with hollow cone nozzle.
Volume Stray Mixture; 1500 liter Dates of Application: '~0% of FB . 07/09/87 Full Bloom: 09/09/97 Date of Harvest: 25/01/88 l0 Trial Layout: Randomized Treatments Replicates: 3 ' Plot Size: Single Tree N N F-' F-' ~ o ~ o H ~ o~ a a n .n w N ~-' "~ H
0 (D C
I ~ ~
ri ~ D D
l ( I
x ~ ~
.
~
sz o 0 0 0 0 o rr ~ ~ o ~rrr zra:r z~ s~K ~. u, rr x ~ ~ ~ ~ roH rJ ~ 0 0 1-'- (DfD (DfD SvN (D (DI-'tL O
N
~ ~ ~ ~ p~
H
~ N.
t' ~
rJ
x~ xi 0 0 0 0 '~' 0 0 N H N N N N
o\o ('~ O
O
.PO1 .PN O N W N
N O
~
O
i H
O b7 CUO O a1 CJ~O 1-~-o\o-I-~-o\oo\o.j--~-o\o 'T1 'z7'iJ "rJ F-~ N.
d7H H Cd tdH t-'bJ
O
x ro N f-'1-'1-'!-'N W W U1 /\
I-~.P N N 0007 N I-'01O (D ~ (D
Cn 01 ~PV1 U101 Q1l0 CItN W (/~ C
H
N H
O
.p.N W W .PW .P.P .P.U1 O nC
W ~1 w1l0 07.P F-,.p 01.P ~ N-0o voJ \o a cnw sv W N W W W N W W N N
O ~
Q~ W ~ lC707 F-~O lD.1 ~ f-J
F-~
U1 N (D
W C31N J H ~P w1.P CTI I
W
Imo 000~ o~oo ~t~
H o\o U1 ~i~1 H H J 00 W l0 ~' (n N ~
O O Ut~? .P.P W O .PJ (D F-r ~ T' O
s v I
~ r-, '.~ ~~
':x ~:.~.a .,y, The Armoblen~ ACER-89002 (4%), Armoblen~ ACER-89001 (2%) and Paraquat~ sprayed at 80% FB as well as Armoblen° ACER-89002 (4%), Armoblen~ ACER-89001 (6°s) and Armoblen° T25 (2%) all sprayed at FB + 1,, produced yields of marketable sized fruits comparable or better than the yields achieved with hand-thinning.
~r Example 8 l0 The following chemical agents from Akzo were screened on ex-' pected blossom thinning effect. All products were applied at 3% (v/v) and their thinning effect rated opposite the Armoblen~ ACER-89002.
Materials and Methods Crop Plums Cultivar: Harry Pickstone Locality: de Rust, Grabouw Volume spray mixture/ha: 2500 Liter Method of application: Motorized Knapsack sprayer Trial Layout: Randomized Treatments Replicates: 2 Plot Size: Single Tree Dates of application: 23/8/89, i.e. full bloom stage, 90-95 % oper_ fl o~.rer .
Table VIII
Treatments concen- foliar num- tration observa- thinn- phyto-ber chemical % v/v timinct tion*
ink toxicity 1 Ethoquad~C/25 3 FB 4 yes scorch 2 Armoblen~KII/1279 3 FB 4 yes no 3 Armoblen~KII/1299 3 FB 4 yes no 4 Armoblen~ACER-890 02 3 FB 3 yes no ,..
' ? :r~ ':.'~~
*) Rating Scale (0-5) 3= required flower disintegration 4= + 75% flower abortion 5= 100% flower abortion The treatments with numbers 1-3 were a bit harsh, but this test demonstrates that, ate slightly lower concentrations, these are useful thinning agents.
1. Ethoquad~ C/25 R - N - [ (CHZ - CHZ - O ) a - H] ~ . C1-I
wherein R is a hydrocarbon group derived from Coco fatty acid and a = 15.
2. Armoblen~ K II/1279 R - N = [ ( CHZCH20 ) - ( CHZ - CHO ) P - ( CH2 - CH20 ) q - H ] Z
wherein R is a hydrocarbon group derived from coco fatty acid, p = 12 and q = 5.
3. Armoblen~ K II 1299 3 0 R - N - ( CHZ ) x - N= [ ( CHZCHZO ) - ( CH2-CHO ) 2 / 3a- ( CHzCH2 ) 2 ~
sb-H ] 2 (CHZCHZ - 0) - (CHZ - CHO) 1/3a - (CHzCHzO) iisb - H
wherein R is a hydrocarbon group derived from tallow fatty acid, a = 12, b = 5 and x = 3.
~~i~~ ?C~
Example 9 Plums Remarks Variety . Sungold. -pH spray water adjusted Locality: Western Cape with a buffer to pH 5 Table IX
Mean No. of Treatments ) Concentra- fruit counted Mean Fruit size 89/09/08 tion %w/w 0.5m2 as (diameter in mm) (full and spray thinned by hand 50 harvested blossom stage volume (12 replicates) fruit/tree iLtr) Control - 10.3 + 0.2 (b) 50.1 (b) Armoblen~
. ACER-89002 1.5% (2100Ltr) 2.4 + 0.1 (a) 55.0 (a) Armoblen~
ACER-89002 1.5% (3100Ltr) 2.3 + 0.1 (a) 56.2 (a) In the control part of the orchard and thus unsprayed trees, two manual thinning operations were carried out. Only one thinning was done in the treated plots. A statistically sig-nificant fruit size diameter (a) vs (b) was found for the treated plots opposite the control plots. This means that an important quality aspect assessment, i.e. fruit size, was significantly improved in the treated plots.
1) Treatments were carried out using standard farmers equip-ment, i.e. mist. blower.
Example 10 Plums Variety . Ruby Nel Locality . Grabouw ,,~ ~_, c~ ;~.
',' Table X
Treatment Concentration (%w/w) Mean fruit weight 89/08/17 _ and spray volume as thinned by hand (full blossom stacte) (ltr) (ka) (10 replicates) Control '~ - 47.4 + (b) Armoblen~ ACER-89002 2% (1664) 29.6 (a) Armoblen~ ACER-89002 30 (1682) 31.1 (a) This trial resulted in an 'ideal' degree of blossom thinning.
Treatments resulted in just enough fruit set to correct the hand thin to such a degree that ideal fruit positioning per branch was achieved.
The foregoing examples have been presented for purposes of il-lustration and description only and are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner. According-ly, the scope of the invention is to be determined by the claims appended hereto.
The amino compounds of the present invention may be prepared by reacting an amine selected from the group consisting of R-NH2, RRNH, and R-NH-((CH2)x-NH)n-R' wherein R and R' are ali-phatic hydrocarbon groups having 8-22 carbon atoms, n=1-5 and x is an integer from 1-6: with at least one alkylene oxide.
The preferred alkylene oxides for use in the present invention are ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, isobutylene oxide and butylene oxide. The compounds of the present invention are made in such a way as to introduce varying numbers of alkylene oxide units onto the amino nitrogen. Thus, these alkylene ox-ide groups may be all the same, such as, for example, one or more ethylene oxide units, or the groups may be different to form, for example, block copolymer chains of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide units, random copolymer chains consisting of several units of each of two or more different alkylene oxides, or alternating units of two or more alkylene oxides.
Any conceivable combination of alkylene oxide units up to 50 units long may be employed at each location on the amino nitrogen which is to contain such units. In addition, a sin-gle amino nitrogen may contain two different alkylene oxide chains attached thereto or two chains which are the same.
In the most preferred embodiments of the present invention, block copolymer chains of ethylene oxide and cne or more of propylene oxide or butyler~e oxide are employed.. Preferably, the molar weight of the compounds used in the present inven-tion is less than 8000 though higher molecular weight com-pounds can be employed in some circumstances.
The amino compounds can also be quaternized by known quater-nization methods to produce quaternary ammonium compounds which are also useful in the process of the present invention.
The fourth substituent added to the amino nitrogen by quater-nization may be an alkyl, aryl or alkenyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms. The anion associated with such quaternary am-monium compounds is not critical to the process of the present invention.
Typical compounds suitable for use in the process of the pres-ent invention include, but are not limited to, cocobis (2-hydroxyethyl)methylammonium chloride, polyoxyethylene (15) cocomethylammonium chloride; oleylbis (?-hydr~~hethyl)methr~1-ammonium chloride, polyoxyethylene (15) steary:Lmethylammonium chloride, cocobis (2-hydroxyethyl)amine, polyoxyethylene(5)co-coamine, polyoxyethylene(15)cocoamine, tallowbis (2-hydroxy-ethyl)amine, polyoxyethylene(5)tallowamine, polyoxyethyl-ene(15)tallowamine, tallow/oleylbis(2-hydroxyethyl)amine, oleylbis(2-hydroxyethyl)amine, polyoxyethylene(5)oleylamine, polyoxyethylene(15)oleylamine, hydrogenated tallowbis(2-hydroxyethyl)amine, hydrogenated polyoxy- ethylene(5)tal-lowamine, hydrogenated polyoxyethylene(15)tallowamine, hydrog-enated polyoxyethylene(50)tallowamine, N,N',N'-tris(2-hydroxyethyl)-N-tallow-1,3-diaminopropane, N,N',N'-polyoxyethylene(10)-N- tallow-1,3-diaminopropane, and N,N',N'-polyoxyethylene(15)-N-tallow- 1,3-diaminopropane.
The process of the present invention is useful for blossom thinning of stone fruit to produce a reduced mamber of larger, more marketable fruit from each tree and at tha_ same time min-imize fruit losses due to freaking of tree branches in harsh weather. The present process also provides a method which en-ables the equivalent amount of control of the position of fruit on a particular tree as the prior art hand thinning ' method.
The process of the present invention is to be applied to stone fruit trees which have reached at least 50% blossom. 100%
blossom is the point in time when all blossoms have just opened. Thus, 50% blossom is the point in time when half of the blossoms or_ a particular tree have opened. The fruit thinning process can be carried out at any point after 50%
blossom and up to one or two weeks after 100% blossom on some stone fruit. The optimum time to thin a stone fruit tree will depend upon several factors including the type of fruit, the cultivar, the climatic conditions and the type and amount of thinning agent being applied. For some fruit c>r cultivar species, the best thinning effects are accomplished before the trees reach 100% blossom whereas for others it is best to wait until several days after 100% blossom has been reached.
The process of the present invention is carried out by the ap-plication of an effective amount of at least one compound as defined herein to stone fruit trees to thereby produce a re-duction in the number of blossoms and consequently produce a reduction in the number of fruit, as well as an increase in the size of the fruit produced. The compounds are preferably applied in the form of an aqueous solution in a concentration of 0.25 to 10% and more preferably from 0.5 to 5%. The lower ._ limit is generally determined by the upper Limit on applica-tion volume for the particular application equipment being em-ployed, as well as by the type of stone fruit being thinned and the particular compound used. The upper concentration limit will generally be dictated by phytotoxicity consider-ations as higher concentrations of certain compounds have a localized phytotoxic ef~ect on the trees. Thus, a concen-tration should be selected which provides adequate fruit thinning without unwanted phytotoxic effects on the remainder of the tree. The attached examples show that such concentra-tions can be selected by routine experimentation with the par-ticular species of stone fruit to be thinned.
The composition is preferably applied in a manner similar to the manner in which commercial insecticides are applied. More particularly, conventional equipment such as knapsack spray-ers, hand heJ.d spray guns, mist blowers, and aerial spraying equipment among others may be used. The composition is ap-plied the same way as in pesticide application.
The process of the present invention has the significant ad-vantages that it thins blossoms to the extent that hand fruit thinning can be eliminated or considerably reduced, it can be done in a manner which is safe for the crops and the treatment has no long term phytotoxic effect on the orchards, if carried out correctly. The compounds will not harm beneficial insects when applied within the normal application volume, and the process appears to be environmentally acceptable, non-hazardous to operators of the application equipment, and non-corrosive to the equipment.
The present invention will be further illustrated by the exam-ples appended hereto.
..~
Examples 1-4 Materials and Methods:
The treatments of the four field trials have all been applied by motor driven piston pump equipment fitted with hand held spray lances. Operating pressure was kept at a constant two Bars. For spray volumes~applied see the following table.
Table I
Example Spray volume applied No. Fruit/Cultivar Locality - Liter per HA
1 Plums (Ruby Nel) Franschhoek 3350 1 2 Plums (Harry Pickstone) Franschhoek 2020 1 3 Plums (Ruby Nel) Grabouw 2500 1 4 Peaches (Culembourg) Paarl 2750 1 The variable volume of carrier used can be ascribed to the variation in tree size between the various experimental sites, and variation in blossom density between the different cultivars.
The four trials were designed as randomized block experimA.,t~
with varying numbers of replicates (10-12 replicates). The modified fatty amine used in these experiments was an Akzo de-velopment product under the name and code number: Armoblen°
ACER 89002. Armoblen~ ACER 89002 can be represented by the general formula:
( CHZCHZO ) - ( CHZCHZO ) q- ( CHZCHZO ) P-H
R-N CHs ( CHZCHZO ) - ( CHZCH20 ) q- ( CHZCHZO ) P-H
wherein p=12, q=4 and R is a hydrocarbon group derived from P' :.:r ACD2231~
tallow fatty acid. Concentrations used varied from 0%-5%
(volume/volume). As far as timing of the applications were concerned, this was done as close as possible to the 100%
blossom stage (for plums). In peaches all treatments except 5 treatment no. 3 (see table No. V), were also applied at full blossom, with treatment no. 3 at full blossom plus two days.
An initial assessment was'~carried out just after fruit set.
. The method of initial assessment was to weigh the fruit which still remained to be hand thinned in order to achieve the op 10 timal yield/fruit size ratio and tree frame distribution. In ' other words the lower the weight of fruit which remained to be hand-thinned the stronger the chemical blossom thinning effect that had been achieved. Final assessments were carried out at harvest.
Results:
The following Pxamples (tables II-V) give the results obtained in the four field trials conducted.
Example 1 - Plums (Ruby ) Ne1 Table II
Concentration Mean fruit weight Treatments ~volume /volume) as thinned by hand (kg*) 1. Control - 12.6 2. Armoblen ACER-89002 1% 11.4 3. Armoblen~ ACER-89002 2% g.0 4. Armoblen~ ACER-89002 3% 6.0 5. Armoblen~ ACER-89002 4% 5.6 6. Armoblen~ ACER-89002 5% 2.5 * mean weight of 12 replicates It is clear from this table that all treatments with Armoblen~
ACER-89002 produced fruit thinning effects. The best results were obtained by 1-3% Armoblen~ ACER-89002 for this particular cultivar and dosages of 4-5% produced slight overthinning.
.._ Hand-thinning is always necessary for obtaining optimal tree frame distribution and thus, the mean fruit weight as thinned by hand is not completely indicative of an optimum thinning effect. -Example 2 Plums (Harry Pickstone) Table III
Concentration Mean fruit weight Treatments (volumefvolume) as thinned by hand (kg*) 1. Control - 18.1 2. Armoblen~ ACER-89002 l0 14.7 3. Armoblen~ ACER-89002 2% 16.0 4. Armoblen~ ACER-89002 3% 13.5 5. Armoblen~ ACER-89002 4% 9.8 6. Armoblen~ ACER-89002 5% 3,g * mean weight of 10 replicates In this trial all treatments with Armoblen~ ACER 89002 pro duced fruit thinning. The 3o treatment produced the optimum result.
Example 3 - Plums (Ruby Nel) mal.,i a T~~
Concentration Mean fruit weight Treatments volume/volume) harvested (kg*) ( 1. Control -2. Armoblen~ ACER-89002 1% 143.2 3. Armoblen~ ACER-89002 2% 88,5 4. Armoblen~ ACER-89002 3% 36.0 5. Armoblen~ ACER-89002 4s 28.2 6. Armoblen~ ACER-89002 5% 19.5 * Mean weight of 6 replicates ~ , In this trial where control trees had not been hand thinned after fruit set the 1% Armoblen~ ACER-89002 treatment gave an optimal fruit size: weight ratio with the 2% treatment giving an acceptable result. Concentrations over 2% resulted in over-thinning.
The treatments in this experiment were applied under extremely high temperature conditions (> 30°C).
Example 4 - Peaches (Culembourg) Table V
Concentration Mean fruit weight Treatments (volume,/volume,l as thinned by hand (ka*) 1. Control - 6.2 **
2. Armoblen~ ACER-89002 1% 13.9 3. Armoblen~ ACER-89002 2%
13.0 ***
4. Armoblen~ ACER-89002 2% 11.4 5. Armoblen~ ACER-89002 3% 10.0 6. Armoblen~ ACER-89002 4% 6.6 * mean weight of 10 replicates ** Blossom of the Control trees was hand-thinned the same day as the chemical treatments were applied *** Treatment applied at full Blossom plus two days In this peach blossom thinning trial the 4% Armoblen~ ACER-89002 treatment gave as good a result as the hand-thinned Control. Control trees were hand-thinned at full blossom.
Where Armoblen~ ACER-89002 is applied for the purpose of Peach blossom thinning, the optimum timing of such an application does not coincide with the full blossom stage as with plums.
In plums, as the previous series of experiments indicated, the optimum application time lays around full blossom. There are however indications, that treatments commenced at the 70-80%
blossom stage achieve acceptable results at reduced concen-trations of Arn~oblen~ ACER 89002.
J -i ~ ~ ':G
Example 5 Phytotoxicity In plums the first flush of leaves following the full blossom application showed a very slight leaf tip scorch, accompanied by temporary slight bronzing. Those leaves developed normally in colour and size with symptoms disappearing in a relatively short time span (7-10 days). No abnormal leaf drop was re-corded. Subsequent foliar development did not show any of the ' symptoms of phytotoxicity. The above observed symptoms only occurred at the higher concentrations (>4%). Identical symp-toms were observed in the Peach experiment. These symptoms oc-- curred at dose rates from 3% upwards. Symptoms disappeared totally as from two weeks after application. Treated trees have been observed for three seasons with no noticeable chronic phytotoxic effects. Fruit set, fruit development, leaf, twig, branch formation and budding were normal.
Example 6 NECTARINES
Variety: Sunlite Locality: D. Malan, Solomonsvlei; Drakenstein South, Paarl Table VI
Concentration Mean Weight - (kg) Treatments ~volume/volume) Fruit per tree Thinned Armoblen~ ACER-89002 1% 1.110 Armoblen~ ACER-89002 2% 0.883 Armoblen~ ACER-89002 3% 0.724 Armoblen~ ACER-89002 4% 0.528 Armoblen~ ACER-89002 5% 0.555 In the untreated part of the orchard and thus unsprayed trees, two manual thinning operations were carried out. Only one thinning was done in the treated plots. Dosage related thinn-ing response obtained with the higher concentrations (4-5%) resulted in excessive fruit thinning and thus no further dos-age related response was observed at 5%.
tr There were signs of variable efficacy between trees with simi-lar concentrations. The less vigorous trees appeared to be more susceptible to treatment and exhibited greater degrees of ' thinning than the more vigorously growing trees.
Examples 7 and 8 The following thinning agents, from Akzo Chemical Division, were sprayed on plums (cv HEV Pickstone) at different stages during bloom: Armoblen~ ACER 89002 at 2, 3 and 4% (v/v);
Armoblen~ ACER-89001 at 2 and 6% (v/v); Armoblen~ T25 at 2%
(v/v). The thinning effect of these treatments was compared with that of a Paraquat~ spray (0.0025%-v/v) and with a thinn-ing by hand (Table 7). The stages of application were 80%FB
(i.e. 80% Full Blossom) and (FB + 1 day). At harvest, the fruit were sized and the total yield per tree was determined.
The percentage of non-marketable fruit based or_ the size :~:as used as a criteria for the success of thinning. The following treatments provided similar or better thinning than a hand-thinned standard: Armoblen~ ACER 89002 at 4% applied at either 80% FB or (FB + 1 day); Armoblen~ ACER 89001 at 2% applied at 80% FB and Armoblen~ ACER 89001 6% applied at (FB + 1 day), Paraquat~ (0.0025%) applied at 80% FB and Armoblen~ T25 (2%) sprayed at 80% FB.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Crop Plums Cultivar: H.E.V. Pickstone Locality: de Rust, Grabouw ....
Spacing: Between Rows: 4.5 m Spacing Between Trees: 2.5 m Date of Full Bloom: 09/09/87 Method of Application: Knapsack Sprayer with hollow cone nozzle.
Volume Stray Mixture; 1500 liter Dates of Application: '~0% of FB . 07/09/87 Full Bloom: 09/09/97 Date of Harvest: 25/01/88 l0 Trial Layout: Randomized Treatments Replicates: 3 ' Plot Size: Single Tree N N F-' F-' ~ o ~ o H ~ o~ a a n .n w N ~-' "~ H
0 (D C
I ~ ~
ri ~ D D
l ( I
x ~ ~
.
~
sz o 0 0 0 0 o rr ~ ~ o ~rrr zra:r z~ s~K ~. u, rr x ~ ~ ~ ~ roH rJ ~ 0 0 1-'- (DfD (DfD SvN (D (DI-'tL O
N
~ ~ ~ ~ p~
H
~ N.
t' ~
rJ
x~ xi 0 0 0 0 '~' 0 0 N H N N N N
o\o ('~ O
O
.PO1 .PN O N W N
N O
~
O
i H
O b7 CUO O a1 CJ~O 1-~-o\o-I-~-o\oo\o.j--~-o\o 'T1 'z7'iJ "rJ F-~ N.
d7H H Cd tdH t-'bJ
O
x ro N f-'1-'1-'!-'N W W U1 /\
I-~.P N N 0007 N I-'01O (D ~ (D
Cn 01 ~PV1 U101 Q1l0 CItN W (/~ C
H
N H
O
.p.N W W .PW .P.P .P.U1 O nC
W ~1 w1l0 07.P F-,.p 01.P ~ N-0o voJ \o a cnw sv W N W W W N W W N N
O ~
Q~ W ~ lC707 F-~O lD.1 ~ f-J
F-~
U1 N (D
W C31N J H ~P w1.P CTI I
W
Imo 000~ o~oo ~t~
H o\o U1 ~i~1 H H J 00 W l0 ~' (n N ~
O O Ut~? .P.P W O .PJ (D F-r ~ T' O
s v I
~ r-, '.~ ~~
':x ~:.~.a .,y, The Armoblen~ ACER-89002 (4%), Armoblen~ ACER-89001 (2%) and Paraquat~ sprayed at 80% FB as well as Armoblen° ACER-89002 (4%), Armoblen~ ACER-89001 (6°s) and Armoblen° T25 (2%) all sprayed at FB + 1,, produced yields of marketable sized fruits comparable or better than the yields achieved with hand-thinning.
~r Example 8 l0 The following chemical agents from Akzo were screened on ex-' pected blossom thinning effect. All products were applied at 3% (v/v) and their thinning effect rated opposite the Armoblen~ ACER-89002.
Materials and Methods Crop Plums Cultivar: Harry Pickstone Locality: de Rust, Grabouw Volume spray mixture/ha: 2500 Liter Method of application: Motorized Knapsack sprayer Trial Layout: Randomized Treatments Replicates: 2 Plot Size: Single Tree Dates of application: 23/8/89, i.e. full bloom stage, 90-95 % oper_ fl o~.rer .
Table VIII
Treatments concen- foliar num- tration observa- thinn- phyto-ber chemical % v/v timinct tion*
ink toxicity 1 Ethoquad~C/25 3 FB 4 yes scorch 2 Armoblen~KII/1279 3 FB 4 yes no 3 Armoblen~KII/1299 3 FB 4 yes no 4 Armoblen~ACER-890 02 3 FB 3 yes no ,..
' ? :r~ ':.'~~
*) Rating Scale (0-5) 3= required flower disintegration 4= + 75% flower abortion 5= 100% flower abortion The treatments with numbers 1-3 were a bit harsh, but this test demonstrates that, ate slightly lower concentrations, these are useful thinning agents.
1. Ethoquad~ C/25 R - N - [ (CHZ - CHZ - O ) a - H] ~ . C1-I
wherein R is a hydrocarbon group derived from Coco fatty acid and a = 15.
2. Armoblen~ K II/1279 R - N = [ ( CHZCH20 ) - ( CHZ - CHO ) P - ( CH2 - CH20 ) q - H ] Z
wherein R is a hydrocarbon group derived from coco fatty acid, p = 12 and q = 5.
3. Armoblen~ K II 1299 3 0 R - N - ( CHZ ) x - N= [ ( CHZCHZO ) - ( CH2-CHO ) 2 / 3a- ( CHzCH2 ) 2 ~
sb-H ] 2 (CHZCHZ - 0) - (CHZ - CHO) 1/3a - (CHzCHzO) iisb - H
wherein R is a hydrocarbon group derived from tallow fatty acid, a = 12, b = 5 and x = 3.
~~i~~ ?C~
Example 9 Plums Remarks Variety . Sungold. -pH spray water adjusted Locality: Western Cape with a buffer to pH 5 Table IX
Mean No. of Treatments ) Concentra- fruit counted Mean Fruit size 89/09/08 tion %w/w 0.5m2 as (diameter in mm) (full and spray thinned by hand 50 harvested blossom stage volume (12 replicates) fruit/tree iLtr) Control - 10.3 + 0.2 (b) 50.1 (b) Armoblen~
. ACER-89002 1.5% (2100Ltr) 2.4 + 0.1 (a) 55.0 (a) Armoblen~
ACER-89002 1.5% (3100Ltr) 2.3 + 0.1 (a) 56.2 (a) In the control part of the orchard and thus unsprayed trees, two manual thinning operations were carried out. Only one thinning was done in the treated plots. A statistically sig-nificant fruit size diameter (a) vs (b) was found for the treated plots opposite the control plots. This means that an important quality aspect assessment, i.e. fruit size, was significantly improved in the treated plots.
1) Treatments were carried out using standard farmers equip-ment, i.e. mist. blower.
Example 10 Plums Variety . Ruby Nel Locality . Grabouw ,,~ ~_, c~ ;~.
',' Table X
Treatment Concentration (%w/w) Mean fruit weight 89/08/17 _ and spray volume as thinned by hand (full blossom stacte) (ltr) (ka) (10 replicates) Control '~ - 47.4 + (b) Armoblen~ ACER-89002 2% (1664) 29.6 (a) Armoblen~ ACER-89002 30 (1682) 31.1 (a) This trial resulted in an 'ideal' degree of blossom thinning.
Treatments resulted in just enough fruit set to correct the hand thin to such a degree that ideal fruit positioning per branch was achieved.
The foregoing examples have been presented for purposes of il-lustration and description only and are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner. According-ly, the scope of the invention is to be determined by the claims appended hereto.
Claims (10)
1. A process for thinning of stone-fruit blossoms, which process comprises the step of applying to at least one stone-fruit bearing tree after at least 50%
blossom, an effective amount of at least one compound selected from the group consisting of:
(A) an alkoxylated amine represented by the following general formula:
wherein:
n is an integer from 1 to 50, A represents an alkylene group and, when n > 1, each A may be the same or different alkylene groups;
R is selected from the group consisting of a straight or branched-chain alkyl or alkenyl group having 8 to 22 carbon atoms, and a group represented by the formula:
wherein m is an integer from 1 to 50, A1 represents an alkylene group and, when m > 1, each A1 may be the same or different alkylene groups, x is an integer from 1 to 6, and R2 is independently selected from the same groups as R;
R1 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, a straight or branched-chain alkyl or alkenyl group having 1 to 22 carbon atoms, and a group represented by the formula:
(A2O)n'R3 wherein n' is an integer from 1 to 50 and A2 represents an alkylene group and, when n' > 1, each A2 may be the same or different alkylene groups; and each R3 is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, a straight or branched-chain alkyl or alkenyl group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, and an aryl group of up to 8 carbon atoms; and (B) an alkoxylated quaternary ammonium compound represented by the following general formula:
wherein:
n, R1, A and R3 are as defined above;
X- is an anion, R5 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, a straight or branched-chain alkyl or alkenyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and benzyl, or R5X- can be carboxymethyl (as in betaines) or oxygen (as in amine oxides); and R4 is selected from the group consisting of a straight or branched-chain alkyl group having 8 to 22 carbon atoms, and a group represented by the formula:
wherein A1, m, R2, R3, R5 and x are as defined above;
to reduce the number of fruit-producing blossoms on the stone-fruit tree.
blossom, an effective amount of at least one compound selected from the group consisting of:
(A) an alkoxylated amine represented by the following general formula:
wherein:
n is an integer from 1 to 50, A represents an alkylene group and, when n > 1, each A may be the same or different alkylene groups;
R is selected from the group consisting of a straight or branched-chain alkyl or alkenyl group having 8 to 22 carbon atoms, and a group represented by the formula:
wherein m is an integer from 1 to 50, A1 represents an alkylene group and, when m > 1, each A1 may be the same or different alkylene groups, x is an integer from 1 to 6, and R2 is independently selected from the same groups as R;
R1 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, a straight or branched-chain alkyl or alkenyl group having 1 to 22 carbon atoms, and a group represented by the formula:
(A2O)n'R3 wherein n' is an integer from 1 to 50 and A2 represents an alkylene group and, when n' > 1, each A2 may be the same or different alkylene groups; and each R3 is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, a straight or branched-chain alkyl or alkenyl group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, and an aryl group of up to 8 carbon atoms; and (B) an alkoxylated quaternary ammonium compound represented by the following general formula:
wherein:
n, R1, A and R3 are as defined above;
X- is an anion, R5 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, a straight or branched-chain alkyl or alkenyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and benzyl, or R5X- can be carboxymethyl (as in betaines) or oxygen (as in amine oxides); and R4 is selected from the group consisting of a straight or branched-chain alkyl group having 8 to 22 carbon atoms, and a group represented by the formula:
wherein A1, m, R2, R3, R5 and x are as defined above;
to reduce the number of fruit-producing blossoms on the stone-fruit tree.
2. A process in accordance with claim 1, wherein said compound is an alkoxylated quaternary ammonium compound represented by the general formula:
wherein:
n is an integer from 1 to 50, X- is an anion, A
represents an alkylene group and, when n > 1, each A may be the same or different alkylene groups R5 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, a straight or branched-chain alkyl or alkenyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and benzyl, or R5X- can be carboxymethyl (as in betaines), or oxygen (as in amine oxides);
R4 is selected from the group consisting of a straight or branched-chain alkyl or alkenyl group having 8 to 22 carbon atoms, and a group represented by the formula:
wherein m is an integer from 1 to 50, X- is an anion, R5 is as defined above, A1 represents an alkylene group and, when m > 1, each A1 may be the same or different alkylene groups, and x is an integer from 1 to 6;
R2 is a straight or branched-chain alkyl or alkenyl group having 8 to 22 carbon atoms; and R1 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, a straight or branched-chain alkyl or alkenyl group having 1 to 22 carbon atoms, and a group represented by the formula:
(A2O)n'R3 wherein n' is an integer from 1 to 50, A2 represents an alkylene group and, when n' > 1, each A2 may be the same or different alkylene groups, and R3 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, a straight or branched-chain alkyl or alkenyl group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, and an aryl group having up to 8 carbon atoms;
to reduce the number of fruit-producing blossoms on the stone-fruit tree.
wherein:
n is an integer from 1 to 50, X- is an anion, A
represents an alkylene group and, when n > 1, each A may be the same or different alkylene groups R5 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, a straight or branched-chain alkyl or alkenyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and benzyl, or R5X- can be carboxymethyl (as in betaines), or oxygen (as in amine oxides);
R4 is selected from the group consisting of a straight or branched-chain alkyl or alkenyl group having 8 to 22 carbon atoms, and a group represented by the formula:
wherein m is an integer from 1 to 50, X- is an anion, R5 is as defined above, A1 represents an alkylene group and, when m > 1, each A1 may be the same or different alkylene groups, and x is an integer from 1 to 6;
R2 is a straight or branched-chain alkyl or alkenyl group having 8 to 22 carbon atoms; and R1 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, a straight or branched-chain alkyl or alkenyl group having 1 to 22 carbon atoms, and a group represented by the formula:
(A2O)n'R3 wherein n' is an integer from 1 to 50, A2 represents an alkylene group and, when n' > 1, each A2 may be the same or different alkylene groups, and R3 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, a straight or branched-chain alkyl or alkenyl group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, and an aryl group having up to 8 carbon atoms;
to reduce the number of fruit-producing blossoms on the stone-fruit tree.
3. A process in accordance with claim 1, wherein said compound is an alkoxylated amine represented by the following general formula:
wherein n and n' are integers from 1 to 50, A represents an alkylene group and, when n or n' are greater than 1, each A
may be the same or different alkylene groups, and R is a straight or branched-chain alkyl or alkenyl group having 8 to 22 carbon atoms.
wherein n and n' are integers from 1 to 50, A represents an alkylene group and, when n or n' are greater than 1, each A
may be the same or different alkylene groups, and R is a straight or branched-chain alkyl or alkenyl group having 8 to 22 carbon atoms.
4. A process in accordance with claim 1, wherein said compound is an alkoxylated amine represented by the following general formula:
wherein n and n' are integers from 1 to 50, A represents an alkylene group and, when n or n' are greater than 1, each A
may be the same or different alkylene groups, and R is a group represented by the formula:
wherein m is an integer from 1 to 50, A1 represents an alkylene group and, when m > 1, each A1 may be the same or different alkylene groups, x is an integer from 1 to 6, and R2 is a straight or branched-chain alkyl or alkenyl group having 8 to 22 carbon atoms.
wherein n and n' are integers from 1 to 50, A represents an alkylene group and, when n or n' are greater than 1, each A
may be the same or different alkylene groups, and R is a group represented by the formula:
wherein m is an integer from 1 to 50, A1 represents an alkylene group and, when m > 1, each A1 may be the same or different alkylene groups, x is an integer from 1 to 6, and R2 is a straight or branched-chain alkyl or alkenyl group having 8 to 22 carbon atoms.
5. A process in accordance with claim 1, wherein said compound is an amine oxide represented by the following general formula:
wherein R, A, n and m are as defined in claim 1.
wherein R, A, n and m are as defined in claim 1.
6. A process in accordance with any one of claims 1, 3, 4 and 5, wherein R is selected from alkyl groups having 12 to 22 carbon atoms.
7. A process in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein n > 1 and A includes both ethoxy groups and propoxy groups.
8. A process in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein said compound has a molecular weight of less than 8000 grams/mole.
9. A process in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein said compound is applied in the form.
of an aqueous solution having a concentration of from 0.25 to 10% v/v.
of an aqueous solution having a concentration of from 0.25 to 10% v/v.
10. A process in accordance with claim 9, wherein said compound is applied as an aqueous solution having a concentration of 0.5 to 5.0% v/v.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| EP90201685.6 | 1990-06-26 | ||
| EP90201685A EP0463241B1 (en) | 1990-06-26 | 1990-06-26 | Process for thinning of stone fruit blossoms |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2045352A1 CA2045352A1 (en) | 1991-12-27 |
| CA2045352C true CA2045352C (en) | 2001-08-28 |
Family
ID=8205043
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002045352A Expired - Lifetime CA2045352C (en) | 1990-06-26 | 1991-06-25 | Process for thinning of stone fruit blossoms |
Country Status (6)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US5118340A (en) |
| EP (1) | EP0463241B1 (en) |
| AU (1) | AU635836B2 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2045352C (en) |
| ES (1) | ES2049402T3 (en) |
| ZA (1) | ZA914932B (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP1911345A1 (en) | 2006-10-10 | 2008-04-16 | Michael Blanke | Regulation of tree fruit yield |
Families Citing this family (7)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5242891A (en) * | 1992-05-01 | 1993-09-07 | Mycogen Corporation | Methods for fruit thinning comprising applying fatty acids or derivatives thereof to flowers |
| ZA933611B (en) * | 1993-04-20 | 1993-12-20 | Akzo Nv | Activity promoting additives for rest-breaking agents |
| AU2926695A (en) * | 1994-07-05 | 1996-01-25 | Akzo Nobel N.V. | Activity promoting additives for rest-breaking agents |
| US5885932A (en) * | 1995-07-03 | 1999-03-23 | Akzo Nobel N.V. | Activity promoting additives for rest-breaking agents |
| US6440901B1 (en) | 2000-08-29 | 2002-08-27 | Gary S. Long | Calcium chloride fruit blossom thinning agent |
| US7635663B2 (en) * | 2006-05-18 | 2009-12-22 | The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of Agriculture | Method for thinning fruit blossoms using eugenol |
| EP2893809A1 (en) | 2014-01-09 | 2015-07-15 | Fine Agrochemicals Limited | Use of a chemical agent for thinning of stone fruit |
Family Cites Families (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ES2021696B3 (en) * | 1986-08-20 | 1991-11-16 | Akzo Nv | HERBICIDES AND FUNGICIDES THAT CONTAIN ADDITIVES THAT STIMULATE ACTIVITY. |
-
1990
- 1990-06-26 ES ES90201685T patent/ES2049402T3/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1990-06-26 EP EP90201685A patent/EP0463241B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
1991
- 1991-04-30 AU AU76309/91A patent/AU635836B2/en not_active Ceased
- 1991-06-21 US US07/718,714 patent/US5118340A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1991-06-25 CA CA002045352A patent/CA2045352C/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1991-06-26 ZA ZA914932A patent/ZA914932B/en unknown
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP1911345A1 (en) | 2006-10-10 | 2008-04-16 | Michael Blanke | Regulation of tree fruit yield |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| AU635836B2 (en) | 1993-04-01 |
| CA2045352A1 (en) | 1991-12-27 |
| EP0463241A1 (en) | 1992-01-02 |
| US5118340A (en) | 1992-06-02 |
| AU7630991A (en) | 1992-01-02 |
| ZA914932B (en) | 1992-04-29 |
| ES2049402T3 (en) | 1994-04-16 |
| EP0463241B1 (en) | 1994-01-26 |
Similar Documents
| Publication | Publication Date | Title |
|---|---|---|
| Wall | The fungus Chondrostereum purpureum as a silvicide to control stump sprouting in hardwoods | |
| CA2045352C (en) | Process for thinning of stone fruit blossoms | |
| AU678464B2 (en) | Activity promoting additives for rest-breaking agents | |
| JP7358440B2 (en) | Compositions for improving germination and flowering | |
| EP0637912B1 (en) | Novel methods and compositions for fruit thinning | |
| AU622770B2 (en) | Biocidal compositions and treatments | |
| US5885932A (en) | Activity promoting additives for rest-breaking agents | |
| JPH02240090A (en) | Phosphonium salt and organismcide consisting thereof | |
| WO1996001049A1 (en) | Activity promoting additives for rest-breaking agents | |
| Clifford et al. | Surfactants for the control of apple mildew | |
| CA2379402C (en) | Phosphate ester-based surfactant adjuvants and compositions thereof | |
| JPH10504305A (en) | Pesticidal compositions containing ethoxylated fatty amines for increasing the effectiveness of endartals and salts thereof | |
| WO1997024926A1 (en) | Rest-breaking compositions comprising activity promoting additives | |
| JPH06116110A (en) | Fruit skin injury controlling agent | |
| EP4025049B1 (en) | Pelargonic acid-based herbicide compositions | |
| JPH05238909A (en) | Agent for improving resistance of plant to draught and salt | |
| CA1109688A (en) | Tobacco sucker control | |
| EP0010736A1 (en) | Fungicidal compositions for apple canker and powdery mildews | |
| CZ32912U1 (en) | ||
| Locke et al. | Tropical foliage phytotoxicity evaluations with Margosan-O and Sunspray 6 E Plus, 1989 | |
| Hamstead et al. | Control of the Woolly Apple Aphid on Roots of Apple Nursery Stock | |
| JPH0269402A (en) | Plant growth regulating composition |
Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| MKLA | Lapsed | ||
| MKEC | Expiry (correction) |
Effective date: 20121202 |