EP0134235A1

EP0134235A1 - Composition and process for the intensification of plant cultivation

Info

Publication number: EP0134235A1
Application number: EP84900739A
Authority: EP
Inventors: József KARSAI; Endre Sebestyen; Frigyes Hajdu; Károly SIKI; György KIS; Sándor GAL; András PAPP
Original assignee: BACSKA MGTSZ; Termeloszovetkezetek Ertekesito Beszerzo Es Szolgaltato Kvorszagos Kozpontja
Current assignee: BACSKA MGTSZ; Termeloszovetkezetek Ertekesito Beszerzo Es Szolgaltato Kvorszagos Kozpontja
Priority date: 1983-01-31
Filing date: 1984-01-31
Publication date: 1985-03-20
Also published as: ES8506338A1; DD215927A5; HU185814B; WO1984002829A1; ES529570A0; PL245976A1

Abstract

La composition comporte de la cellulose de carboxyméthyle de sodium avec un degré d'éthérification de 60 à 80 % et un poids moléculaire de 1 à 5 x 105, de préférence sous la forme d'une solution, et facultativement dans une quantité de 5 à 10 %, par rapport au poids de la cellulose de carboxyméthyle de sodium, un agent tensio-actif et/ou un agent régulateur de la croissance des plantes et/ou des micro-éléments. Conformément au procédé de la présente invention, on traite le substrat (milieu) solide ou liquide utilisé pour la culture des plantes, de préférence le sol, les semences, les agents de protection des plantes ou les plantes avec la composition susmentionnée selon une dose de 3 x 10-3 à 5,0 kg. d'ingrédient actif par tonne de substrat. Il est possible d'augmenter l'effet des agents de protection des plantes en ajoutant aux agents liquides de protection des plantes une composition conforme à la présente invention dans une dose de 0,5 à 100 kg./to. avant l'utilisation. La composition de la présente invention est inerte et compatible avec un agent habituel de protection des plantes.The composition comprises sodium carboxymethyl cellulose with a degree of etherification of 60 to 80% and a molecular weight of 1 to 5 x 105, preferably in the form of a solution, and optionally in an amount of 5 to 10%, relative to the weight of sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, a surfactant and / or an agent for regulating the growth of plants and / or microelements. In accordance with the process of the present invention, the solid or liquid substrate (medium) used for growing the plants, preferably the soil, the seeds, the plant protection agents or the plants, is treated with the above-mentioned composition according to a dose of 3 x 10-3 to 5.0 kg. active ingredient per tonne of substrate. It is possible to increase the effect of plant protection agents by adding to the liquid plant protection agents a composition in accordance with the present invention in a dose of 0.5 to 100 kg./to. before use. The composition of the present invention is inert and compatible with a usual plant protection agent.

Description

COMPOSITION AND PROCESS FOE THE INTENSIFICATION OF

PLANT CULTIVATION

This invention relates to a composition and process for the intensification of plant cultivation. The said composition and process exerts a preferable effect and shift the cultivating conditions in the desired direction and thus result in an economic intensification of plant cultivation.

Background of the invention

It is known that in industrial scale plant cultivation several cultivation conditions are to be provided to achieve increased crop yields with relatively slow expenditure. As examples of the cultivation conditions e.g. soil of suitable quality, well-dressed and pre-treated seeds, the adjustment of favourable growth conditions of sprouting plants and seedlings, the increase of the resistance of plants, protection against plant and animal pests, the use of pesticides in an optimal amount etc. can be mentioned. In plant cultivation unforeseen climatical and meteorological conditions can cause very serious damages. If in the vicinity of the roof of the tender young shooting plant there is not sufficient moisture and there are not sufficient nutrients, the growth of the seedlings may stop or the seedlings can even decay. Transplantation of seedlings cultivated in glass-house or under foils might induce increased biological stress. Environmental conditions constitute significant risks not only at the shooting of the plants but during the later stages of plant cultivation too. Thus long drought might increase the transpiration of growing plants which causes premature decay; animal and plant pests can also cause serious damages. The effect of plant protecting agents used in horticulture and agriculture is generally limited. The plant protecting agent applied onto the seeds by dressing might be washed off before it could exhibit the desired effect. Similarly a large part of the active ingredient applied in the form of a spray can be washed off or may drop down and thus be lost.

The effect of the active ingredients can be improved by adding various dispersing, emulsifying agents or stickers to plant protecting and seed dressing compositions (see e.g. German Federal Republic patent specification No. 3,004,010 and British patent specifications Nos. 1,128,192, 1,504,810, 1,542,637 and 1,554,595).

Disclosure of the invention

It is the object of the present invention to provide a composition and process which exhibits a favourable effect on the conditions of plant cultivation, more particularly assists in maintaining in both loose and impermeable soils the water being of vital importance for the plants, in strengthening the biotic potential of sprouting plants and in increasing the efficiency and duration of action of plant protecting and dressing agents.

According to the present invention there is provided a solid or liquid composition for the intensification of plant cultivation which comprises sodium carboxymethyl cellulose having an etherification degree of 60-80 % and a molecular weight of 1-5 x10⁵ - preferably in the form of a solution - and optionally in an amount of 5-10 % by weight - related to the weight of the sodium carboxymethyl cellulose a surfactant and/or a plant growth regulating agent and/or microelements.

As surfactants sodium dioctyl sulfosuccinate, octyl-phenoxy-polyethoxy ethanol or alkyl aryl polyglycol ether may be used. Sodium carboxymethyl cellulose or the surfactant, respectively may be combined with plant growth regulating hormones (e.g. cytoquinine, auxin or GA, gibberellinic acid) or polymetal chelates (e.g. in the form of ethylene diamine tetraacetatic acid salts or complexes comprising Cu(Il) , Zn, Fe(IIl), Mn, K₂O, MgO or in case of borone; in the form of boric acid) According to a further feature of the present invention there is provided a process for the intensification of plant cultivation which comprises treating the liquid or solid substrate (medium) used in plant cultivation - preferably the soil, seeds, plant protecting agents or the plants in a pre-emergent or post-emergent manner with the above composition in an amount of 3x10^-3 - 5 kg/to active ingredient/substrate or optionally 0.5 kg - 100 kg/to liquid substrate. The solid substrate may be the soil, seeds or green parts of the plant while as liquid substrate a liquid suspension, solution or emulsion of the plant protecting or seed dressing agent may be used. The amount of the composition depends on the fact which factor of the plant growth is to be intensified and in what stage of plant growth the composition is to be applied. In the knowledge of the present invention the proper selection of the cultivating conditions belongs to the obligatory skill of the man skilled in the art. As a general rule it can be stated that for the same plant cultures generally identical methods of treatment are to be applied. Taking into consideration that the preparation and use of the compositions of the present invention represents just a very small part of the total cultivation costs and that the results obtained ensure an efficiency being at least five to ten times higher than the expenditure, the use of the composition of the present invention does not involve any significant risks. It has been found that the doses may preferably be 3 x 10^-3 - 5 kg/to soil in the treatment of soil, 10 x 10^-3 - 1.0 kg/to in seed dressing, 8 x 10^-3 - 1 kg/to active ingredient - green weight in plant cultivation and 0.5 - 100 kg/to/dose in order to increase the effect of plant protecting compositions, respectively.

The use of sodium carboxymethyl cellulose as auxiliary agent in certain plant protecting agents has been known. However it is surprising that the product having an etherification degree and molecular weight as defined according to the present invention possesses significant surplus effect in comparison to the known polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl acetate, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, polyacrylic acid, styrene-butacrylate and water-soluble alkyde resins.

By using the composition and process of the present invention the water balance of soils can be improved, the water-losses and damages of seedlings occuring on transplantation can be reduced, the germinating power and resistance of dressed seeds can be increased, the amount of plant protecting agents drifted away by rain and wind can be decreased and the frequency of spraying can be reduced. It is a significant advantage of the composition of the present invention that it is inert, compatible with other usual plant protecting agents and does not require the use of special additional agrotechnical steps.

The composition of the present invention can be prepared in the form of a solution or suspension. According to a further embodiment of the invention the composition of the present invention is formulated in powder form which can be converted into a solution or suspension having the desired concentration at the spot of application. If the composition of the present invention is to be applied to a plant protecting agent, the finely ground herbicidal or insecticidal agents may be added to the liquid composition. In an alternative manner the composition may also be admixed with the ready-for-use plant protecting agent.

Field of industrial application

The composition and process of the present invention can be widespreadly used in agriculture and horticulture to intensify plant cultivation, it strengthens the biotic potential of seedlings and increases the efficiency and duration of action of the plant protecting and dressing agents.

Modes of embodiment of the invention Further details of the present invention are to be found in the Examples without limiting the scope of protection to the said Examples.

Exampie 1

48 g. of sodium carboxymethyl cellulose having an etherification degree of 70-80 % and a molecular weight of 2 - 3 x 10⁵ are dissolved in 500 ml. of water under vigorous stirring and the solution is diluted to 1 litre with water.

The composition can also be prepared in solid form as a powder or granule. The composition comprising sodium carboxymethyl cellulose is referred to furtheron as "Composition A". Example 2

To the liquid composition according to Example 16 ml. of a 44 % sodium dioctyl sulfosuccinate solution are added (related to an end volume of 1000 ml.). In the case of a solid composition to 48 g. of sodium carboxymethyl cellulose according to Example 12.5 g. of sodium dioctyl sulfosuccinate are added in the form of a powder or granules. The composition A comprising the surfactant is referred to furtheron as "Composition B".

In Example 2 sodium dioctyl sulfosuccinate may be replaced by 1 g. of di-l-p-methone or a mixture of 0.4 g. octyl phenoxy polyethoxy ethanol and 0.3 g. of sodium sulfosuccinate or 0.35 g. of alkyl aryl polyglycol ether (related to an end volume of 1 litre).

Example 3

To a liquid composition according to Example 2 30 g. of a metal chelate having the following composition are added:

K₂O : 13.4 parts by weight

MgO : 0.2 parts by weight

Fe : 7.6 parts by weight Zn : 0.83 parts by weight Mn : 1.48 parts by weight B : 0.2 parts by weight Cu(Il): 0.79 parts by weight

Mo : 0.03 parts by weight

To the composition thus obtained 6 g. of gibberellinic acid (GA₃) are added. This composition is referred to furtheron as "Composition C".

The effect of the composition of the present invention is demonstrated by the following Examples. In these Examples the dose of compositions A, B and C is generally expressed in 100 % of active ingredient. Example 4 a) By using the present invention the porosity of soils can be improved as shown in the following capillary water-raising experiment. In order to study the capillary water-raising of various types of soil into asbestos-cement pipes having a diameter of 10 cm. and an height of 10 cm. 600 g. of sand, loam or clay, respectively are filled. Composition A is flown through the filled tubes in doses according to Table 1. The rate of capillary water-raising is determined after 5 and 24 hours, respectively.

It appears from Table 1 that on sand soil the results are optimal up to a dose of 2.56 x 10^-3 kg/to, i.e. data corresponding to loam are measured. The values obtained by using a dose of 5.12 x 10^-3 kg/to already correspond to those of the clay-loam category.

Water-raising data of the loam show a decreasing tendency is similarly to the results obtained with sand. On clay the increase of the dose results in an increase of capillary water-raising.

The differentiated porosity and pore volume are studied under freeland conditions on sand plots having a size of 0.5 ha. In a dosage range of 1.6-3.2-6.4-12.8 x 10^-3 kg/to the best results are obtained by using a dosage of 6.4. x 10^-3 kg/to. In this dosage total porosity remains substantially unchanged and within this value the ratio of the gravitation pores decrease by 11 % and that of capillary pores increase by 28 % which positively effects both water and nutrient delivery.

Composition A applied in the form of a solution percolates through the gravitation pores towards the deeper inner layers. By infiltrating into the layer it forms a superficial layer on the soil particles and thus decreases the diameter of the pores. Hence, a part of the pores begin to show a capillary behaviour and become capable of storing the taken-up water. Due to its high viscosity the composition fills up a part of the gravitation pores and consequently impedes the downward movement of humidity. b) When adding composition A to a soil without any structure it plasters the parts of the frame together and brings about a structure being watertight to a certain extent, crumby and more easily cultivable. The increase of crumbwater-resistance exhibits a favourable effect on impermeable soils, wherein the swelling of clay minerals is decreased by superficial film-formation and consequently temporary improvement of the agronomical structure can be observed. The crumbwater-resistance is determined in the upper 10 cm. layer of sand, loam and clay soils by adding composition A in a dosage of 1.6-3.2-6.4-12.8-25.6-51.2 x 10^-4 kg. active ingredient/to soil. The crumbwater-resistance test is carried out by using a Kazό-apparatus and the rate of improvement is determined with the aid of the Sekera number /The medium settled 20 cm. layer of the sandy soil to be treated is regarded as basical value and the doses are determined by calculating with a specific weight of 1.5 to/m³).

On sandy soil only pseudocrumbs are formed, irrespective of the dosage of improving effect. On loam the improving effect is proportional with the dosage and at a dose of 51.2 x 10^-4 kg/to already excellent results are obtained. On clay a dose of

5.12 x 10^-3 kg/to results in a significant improvement of water-resistance.

With the aid of the treatment of the present invention the losses of nutrients can be decreased in the soil. c) To 6000 g. of sand 20 g. of potassium chloride and composition A are added in an amount disclosed in Table 2. The mixture is washed with an amount of water corresponding to 500 + 200 mm. of precipitation. The results are summarized in Table 2.

It can be seen from Table 2 that already a minimal amount of composition A efficiently retains potassium being of vital importance for the plants. d) Composition A is used in order to decrease the nutrient losses of the soil.

A 60 cm. high sand column is filled into a plastic tube and the amount of nutrient elements washed out with 150 mm. of precipitation is determined after treatment with doses of 1.4-4.3-13.0 x 10^-3 kg/to. The best results related to the control are obtained by using a dose of 4.3 x 10^-3 kg/to. The amount of washed-out K₂O is 65 % of that of the control. For the other elements the said values are as follows : Na 2.61 %, Zn, Cu = 0 %, Mn = 35 % and Mg = 69 %. At a dose of 13.0 x 10^-3 kg/to nutrient retention is increased by a value of further some per cents. e) In order to improve water retention apacity sunflower seeds are sown into sand wetted to a water capacity of 70 % whereupon the surface of the sand is treated with composition A in an amount disclosed in Table 3. On the surface of sand a hard layer impeding evaporation is formed, through which plants are able to penetrate except the largest dose. The results are set forth in Table 3. It can be seen that while untreated plants perished on the fourth or fifth day because of water famine, at a dose of 2.56 x 10^-3 kg/to a significant amount of plants are still surviving.

In order to determine the water retention capacity of soils the amount of water leaving the soil column is measured and the ratio of the precipitation not dropping down is regarded as active water retention (the evaporation losses are not taken into consideration). The results are summarized in Table 4.

The best water delivery results are obtained with a dose of 13.0 x 10^-3 kg/to.

The experiment having been completed in order to determine the evaporation influencing effect average samples are taken from the soil columns, the moisture content is measured and expressed in % by weight. Dosage

0 = 6.9 %

1.4-10^-3 = 8.8 %

4.3-10^-3 = 9.5 %

13.0.10^-3 = 8.8 %

37.9.10^-3 = 8.2 %

Best results are obtained at a dose of 4.3 x 10^-3 kg/to although at each dose the moisture content surpasses that of the control. On the basis of the data of Table 4 it is suggested to use composition A as soil improving additive on sandy soils in a dose of 6.4 x 10^-3 kg/to (related to the upper 20 cm. soil layer).

Soil improvement can be carried out just around the sowing period.

In the upper 20 cm. soil layer the treatment results in an improvement of water and nutrient delivery and it consequently stimulates the growth of young plants and protects against erosion. Thus the process of the present invention is suitable for the speeding up of the initial growth of plants sown in spring.

Example 5 Composition A is added to increase the floatability and sticking of pesticides

On the one hand the polymer increases the viscosity of the aqueous solutions while on the other it behaves as a microencapsulating substance and hence increases the floatability and duration of action of pesticides.

In the first step floatability is measured by using the following commercially available pesticides : Buvinol 50 WP, Thiovit S and Adol 80 WP. The results are summarized in Table 5. Ta

It can be seen from the above data that the addition of a dose of 100 kg./to. of composition A increases the floatability of pesticides by about 5 % (the pesticides used as test substance show good floatability per se) .

In the second step the effect of the composition on the floatability of pesticides possessing very bad floatability is determined. The results are shown in Table 6. The dosage of the composition is expressed as kg./to. of the formulated pesticide.

The above data show that the floatability of pesticides possessing bad floating properties can be considerably improved by adding composition A in a dose of 100 kg./to. Composition A enhances the sticking of the pesticide onto the leaves of plants as well.

Autumn barley is sprayed against powdery mildew with Kolfugó 25 FW [Carbendazim [2-(methoxycarbonylamino)-benzimidazole] ]. After the drying up of the spray the leaves are poured with an amount of water corresponding to 20 mm. of precipitation and the rate of powdery mildew infection is evaluated. The rate of infection is in each case lower than that of the untreated control.

Example 6

In order to improve the floatability composition A is added to a suspension fertilizer. The results are disclosed in Table 7.

In the test a suspension having the following composition is used : N% = 10.5; P₂O₅ % = 15.0; K₂O % = 27.0. The composition of the present invention can be particularly advantageously used in the case of suspension fertilizers which are prepared on the spot of application and used within 12-24 hours after preparation.

Example 7 In order to decrease vegetable evaporation composition A is applied at the transplantation of vegetable and tobacco seedlings and onto the stock (stand) by dipping or spraying on the leaves. Thus the stress of the seedlings due to water famine can be decreased. The spray continuously covers the surface of the leaves and thus the stress of seedlings due to water famine and transpiration can be reduced. The results are summarized in Table 8.

It appears from the above data that by adding a dose of 1-2 kg./to. green weight the evaporation of the seedlings can be decreased to the optimal extent.

Example 8

The effect of composition B on the losses of water and on the withering of seedlings occuring on transplantation is determined.

10-15 cm. high green paprika and tomato seedlings are sprayed after transplantation with solutions of composition B of varying concentration in such an amount that the spray forms a continuous layer on the surface of the leaves. The control is treated with the same amount of tap water. Wilting of seedlings is determined the day following the treatment and the results are expressed with the aid of a scale from 1 to 5 (1 = = complete wilting; 5 = practically no wilting). The results obtained are summarized in Table 9.

It clearly appears from the above Table that evaporation of seedlings can be decreased to the optimal extent by treatment carried out with 1-2 kg./to. green weight.

Example 9

Seed dressing test is carried out by using various formulations of fungicidal seed dressing agents prepared from the aqueous solution of composition B according to Example 2.

50 Seeds of Automn wheat each are subjected to the treatments specified in Table 10 and the seeds are germinated in Petri-dishes. The following fungicides are used:

- Captan 50 WP (a 50 % wettable powder of N-trichloromethylthiotetrahydro-phthalimide);

- Quinolate V-4-X (copper oxyquinolate + 2.3-dihydro-6-methyl-5-carboxanilide-1.4-oxathiene-(5.6)]

The results are summarized in Table 10.

(Con

Example 10

Dicotyledonous weeds Chenopodium album (1) , Amaranthus retroflexus (2) , Sinapis arvensis (3) , Raphanis raphanistrum (4) and Datura stramonium (5) pre-cultivated in a glass-house are subjected to the treatments specified in Table 11 in pots filled with horticultural peat ; 5 plants are sown in each pot. The test herbicide Aniten DS comprises 10 % of flurenolbutyl and 35 % of 2.4-D amine salt. The average values of six replicates are given in Table 11. T

It can be seen from Table 11 that Composition B per se is not phytotoxical. When used together with a herbicide it strengthens the activity thereof. A dose of 15 g./to. green weight already results in a herbicidal effect of 95-100 % even if the herbicide is used at a lower dose.

Example 11

The post-emergent activity increasing effect of composition B on two herbicidal formulations is tested on maize under ploughland conditions. The following herbicides are used : - Lentagran^R WP 50 % pyridate of the company Chemie Linz [S-octyl-O-(6-chloro-3-phenyl-pyrazine-4-yl)-thiocarbonate];

- Hungazin^R PK of the company Budapesti Yegyimüvek (comprising 50 % of Atrazine).

The percental weed-killing of the following weeds is determined :

Chenopodium album (l) , Amaranthus retroflexus (2), Echinochloa crussgalli (3) , Setoria glauca (4) and Setaria viridis (5) . The results are summarized in Table 12.

The above data show that when composition B is added in an amount inactive per se, both herbicides exhibit a higher herbicidal effect even in a lower dose, than in the absence of composition B.

Example 12

From industrial scale Automn barley fields infected with powdery mildew samples are taken and the infected plants are sown into Mitscherlich cultivating dishes (20 plants into each dish). The plants are subjected to the treatments specified in Table 13 and the plants are washed in the 1st, 24th and 72nd hour after treatment with an amount of water corresponding to 20 ml. of precipitation until the water runs down. Infection was evaluated on the 3rd. day. The average values of five replicates are summarized in Table 13.

Composition A does not effect the powdery mildew infection of barley as related to the untreated control. After washing-off the ratio of infected plants amounts to 68-79 % in the 72nd hour. The fungicide 2-(methoxycarbonylamino)-benzimidazole decreases infection to 44 %. If the fungicide is adhered with 50-150 g. of Composition A a further decrease of infection by 11-14 % is observed. Example 13

Lettuce pre-cultivated in glass-house is treated with Flibol E (German Democratic Republic, 40 % formulated trichlorphon) and a spray of the said insecticide comprising composition B, respectively. Plants are washed in the 1st, 4th and 7th hour after spraying with 20 ml. of water each until the water runs down. The dropped down water is discarded. Thereafter 50 previously starved American cockroaches each are placed on the thus treated plants ; 5 plants are sown in each plot. The mortality percentage is determined 48 hours after the cockroaches were placed on the plants. The results are summarized in Table 14.

The above data show that the use of Composition B inhibits the washing-off of the insecticidal agent and therefore the maximal mortality of 30-32 % measured when using Flibol E is increased to the double value in the presence of composition B.

Example 14 Experimental conditions Composition A is combined with adhesive microelements and plant hormones and the effect on germination is determined with the aid of a germination test.

As test plant maize (SzeMSC 369) is used. On dressing Composition B according to Example 2 is diluted with water in a ratio of 2:13, whereupon polymetal chelate, gibberelline (GA₃) and ZnSO₄· 7H₂O are added.

The mixture thus obtained is applied onto the seeds proportionally with the weight. 4 replicates are carried out for each treatment. Each replicate is carried our with 50 seeds.

The seeds are germinated on wet blotting paper in Petri-dishes.

The results obtained and the effect of the combinations on germination are summarized in Tables 15 and 16.

Evaluation of the results

The effect of the tested combinations on germination is summarized in Table 16.

Germination % The germination % of tested seeds in the control amounts to 76 %. The germination % of the seeds dressed with the composition according to Example 2 is substantially the same value.

ZnSO₄ · 7 H₂O inhibits the germination of seeds in the absence of the composition according to

Example 2 to a great extent. Thus in doses of 1 kg./to. and 2 kg./to. the germination % is decreased by 13 % and 25 %, respectively - related to the control.

A minor improvement can be observed by using polymetal chelate in a dose of 1 kg./to. (+8 %) .

The strong germination inhibiting effect of a ZnSO₄ · 7H₂O does not appear when ZnSO₄ · 7H₂O is used in combination with the composition according to Example 2. The germination % of the seeds is higher than that of the control, although just to a small extent (+9 % and +3 % respectively).

The combination of chelatized microelements and the composition according to Example 2 results iu a significant improvement of germination power of maize. Thus a combination of 21./to. of the composition according to Example 2+ 1 kg./to. of polymetal chelate yields an increase of the germination % of 13 % as related to the control and 5 % as related to the polymetal chelate treatment. By increasing the ratio of the polymetal chelate in the combination to the double value (2 kg./ha) the increase of the germination % amounts to 16 % as related to the control and to 17 % as related to the polymetal chelate treatment of higher dose.

Dressing with gibberelline (GA₃) per se significantly improves germination %. The increase related to the control amounts to 11 % and 15 % respectively. When using a combination of the composition according to Example 2 and gibberelline, the increase of the germination % of maize amounts to 19 % and 21 %, respectively, related to the control and to 8 % and 6 %, respectively, related to the gibberelline treatment.

The triple combination (Composition according to Example 2 + gibberelline + polymetal chelate) increases germination % by 15-18 % over that of the control. However the effect of this combination does not result in any significant improvement of the germination % as compared to the combination of the Composition according to Example 2 + gibberelline or Composition according to Example 2 + polymetal chelate. Those germs are considered to be difformed from which no rootlets or budlets develop at all or difformed or twisted rootlets or budlets are grown. It can be stated that the presence of heavy metal ions increase the ratio of difformed germs. In the control the said value amounts only to 3 % while when using ZnSO₄ · 7H₂O the ratio of difformed germs is increased to 9 % and 15 %, respectively, depending on the dose used. As a result of polymetal chelate dressing the ratio of difformed germs rises to 6 % and 9 %, respectively.

When combining ZnSO₄ · 7H₂O with the composition according to Example 2 the ratio of difformed germs is not higher than 5-7 %. Although this value is still higher than that for the control it is considerably lower than that obtained when ZnSO₄ · 7H₂O is used per se.

If a combination of the polymetal chelate and the composition according to Example 2 is applied together onto the seeds, the ratio of difformed germs is reduced to the control value.

If seed dressing is carried out by using a combination of gibberelline and polymetal chelate (i.e. containing no composition according to Example 2) the percentage of difformed germs is slightly increased. On adding the composition according to Example 2 to the combination even this smaller increase of the percentage of difformed germs disappears.

An evaluation of the length of germs shows that in the control test more than 50 % of the germed seeds fall within the range of 6-20 mm. The addition of ZnSO₄ · 7H₂O does not merely decrease the germination % but inhibits germ growth too.

In 59-67 % of the germinated seeds the length of the germs is only 0-5 mm. On seed-dressing the ratio of the germs having a length of 6-20 mm. is still below 50 %.

When using a combination of the composition according to Example 2 and ZnSO₄ · 7H₂O the number of longer germs is higher than when using ZnSO₄ · 7H₂O per se.

Particularly the ratio of germs having a length of 6-10 mm. increases by 11-14 %.

The above statement is relevant also to the use of a combination of the composition according to Example 2 and a polymetal chelate; in this case the percental ratio of the germs having a length of 6-10 mm. augments by 14-17 %.

As a result of dressing carried out with gibberelline the growth rate of the germs becomes quicker than in the control.

The percental ratio of the germs having a length of 11-20 mm. becomes 46-50 % (the corresponding value of the control group is but 15 %) and germs longer than 41 mm are also found.

By using a combination of the composition according to Example 2 and gibberellinic acid the ratio of germs having a length of 11-40 mm. is increased to 67-70 %. In the control group the ratio of 11-40 mm. long germs is but 20 % and in case of dressing carried out with gibberelline per se it amounts to 50-54 %.

As a result of seed dressing carried out with a combination of gibberelline and polymetal chelate the greatest part of the germs fall within the length interval of 11-40 mm. but the ratio of 6-10 mm. long germs is significant as well (29-37 %) .

When using the combination of the composition according to Example 2 + gibberellinic acid + polymetal chelate the ratio of germs having a length of 6-10 mm. is decreased (7-11 %) while the percental ratio of germs having a length of 21-40 mm. is the highest (43-59 %) . In the control the ratio of germs having a length of 21-40 mm. is only 5 %. As a summary it can be said that the treatment according to the present invention modifies the effect of treatment carried out with ZnSO₄ · 7H₂O + + polymetal chelate + gibberellinic acid (GA₃) on the germination of maize. Heavy metal ions (ZnSO₄) inhibit germination, increase the ratio of difformed germs and inhibit the growth of germinated seeds.

By combining the above method with the treatment of the present invention the said negative effect can be limited. This is due to the fact that the delivery of heavy metal ions becomes retarded, the ionic concentration of water taken up by the seeds is lower and hence the germination inhibiting effect of heavy metal ions becomes weaker. The use of polymetal chelates per se does not inhibit germination, moreover the percental ratio of germinated seeds related to the control becomes even higher. On the other hand the number of difformed germs is higher and the growth of germs is slower too. By carrying out a combined treatment with a composition according to the present invention and a polymetal chelate it has been found that the germination stimulating effect of polymetal chelate is maintained, and at the same time the percental ratio of difformed germs is decreased to the original value of the control and the growth of the germs is as undisturbed as in the control or may be even quicker. Gibberellinic acid (GA,) per se increases percental germination, stimulates the growth of germs and does not cause any increase of the percental ratio of difformed germs either.

If combined treatment with a composition of the present invention and gibberellenic acid (GA₃) is carried out the percental germination is further increased, the growth of germs gets even more rapid and the ratio of difformed germs is the same as in the control group.

In the case of the combined use of polymetal chelate and gibberellinic acid the advantage of the combination is first of all the rapid growth of the germs, while the drawback resides in the increase of the ratio of difformed germs.

If a combined treatment is carried out by using a composition according to the present invention + + gibberellinic acid + polymetal chelate the ratio of difformed germs is not increased, the percental germination is very good (91-94 %) and the growth of the germs is very vigorous. The percental ratio of germs having a length of 21-40 mm. is the highest (43-59 %) .

Thus the treatment of the present invention per se does not effect the germination of maize but if combined with trace elements and hormones it significantly improves the activity thereof.

Claims

What we claim is,

1. Solid or liquid composition for the intensification of plant cultivation whi c h c om p ri s e s sodium carboxymethyl cellulose having an etherification degreee of 60-80 % and a molecular weight of 1-5 x 10⁵ - preferably in the form of a solution - and optionally in an amount of 5-10 % by weight - related to the weight of the sodium carboxymethyl cellulose - surfactant and/or a plant growth regulating agent and/or microelements.

2. Composition according to Claim 1 wh i c h c omp r i s e s sodium carboxymethyl cellulose having an etherification degree of 70-80 % and a molecular weight of 2-3 x 10⁵.

3. Composition according to Claim 1 whi c h c ompri s e s sodium dioctyl sulfosuccinate, octylphenoxy polyethoxy ethanol or alkyl aryl polyglycol ether as surfactant.

4. Composition according to Claim 1 whi c h c o m pr i s e s cytoquinine or gibberellinic acid (GA₃) and auxin as plant growth regulating agents and microelements are present in the form of a chelate.

5. Process for the intensification of plant cultivation by using a composition according to any of Claims 1-4 whi c h c omp r i s e s treating the solid or liquid substrate (medium) used in plant cultivation - preferably the soil, seeds, plant protecting agents or the plants in a pre- or post-emergent manner - with a composition according to any of Claims 1-4 in a dose of 3 x 10^-3 - 5 kg./to. active ingredient - substrate.

6. Process according to Claim 5 wh i c h c ompri s e s adding to solid or liquid plant protecting agents before use composition according to Claim 1 in a dose of 0.5-100 kg.

7. Process according to Claim 1 wh i c h c ompri s e s treating the soil used in plant cultivation with a composition according to Claim 1 or 2 in a dose of 3 x 10^-3 - 5 kg./to. active ingredient soil.

8. Process according to Claim 5 wh i c h c ompri s e s treating the seeds with a composition according to any of Claims 1-3 in a dose of 10 x 10^-3 - 1.0 kg./to. active ingredient - seeds during seed dressing.

9. Process according to Claim 5 whi c h c o mp ri s e s treating the emerged plants simultaneously with the application of plant protecting agents or subsequently with a composition according to any of Claims 1-3 in a dose of 8 x 10^-3 1.0 kg./to. active ingredient - green weight.