GB2198724A

GB2198724A - Plant growth regulating device

Info

Publication number: GB2198724A
Application number: GB08727736A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Dalziel; Roger Marcel Couture
Original assignee: Imperial Chemical Industries Ltd; ICI Americas Inc
Current assignee: Imperial Chemical Industries Ltd; Zeneca Inc
Priority date: 1986-12-18
Filing date: 1987-11-26
Publication date: 1988-06-22
Also published as: IT8723031A0; ATA336587A; AT393436B; FR2608372A1; CH674915A5; IE873385L; GB8727736D0; NL8702983A; DE3742328A1; GB8630263D0; AU8199387A; JPS63190802A; IT1223483B; ZA879032B

Description

1 h PLANT GROWTH REGULATOR DEVICE 2198724 The invention relates to a plant

growth regulating device, and in particular to a plant growth regulating device for regulating the growth of containerised or individual plants, shrubs or trees. The term containerised in this context mans plants grown for example, in pots, in window boxes, in hanging baskets and the like.

The treatment of containerised or individual plants with plant growth regulators may be desirable for example to reduce over production of foliage and give a more compact growth habit. In commercial production of plantS" by growers plant growth regulators are usually formulated on a large scale to apply a large number of plants. Generally used methods of application involve either application to the roots by a root drench or application to the foliage by a spray. occasionally other methods are used such as immersion'6f bulbs in a solution of the growth regulator, for example tulip bulbs. These application methods entail careful calculation of the amount of the plant growth regulator required and the volume in which the application should be made. The calculations depend on the size of the pot, the type of plant, sometimes even on the type of growing medium or soil. This calculation can become unnecessary if the device of the present invention is used. Furthermore, the grower need not use the convention application methods but can use the comparatively simple method of pushing (or placing depending on the shape of the device) one or more of the devices of the present invention into the container or indeed into the soil or growing medium in the vicinity of the roots of non-containerised plants. Supply of the growth regulator.for conventional application methods is usually in large quantities sufficient for a farmer or 2 - commercial grower to apply to very large numbers of plants. In domestic situations it would not only be difficult to get the right quantity of plant growth regulator but also inconvenient for the domestic user to apply at the correct dosage to a limited number of plants, shrubs and trees. Plant growth regulators can be very useful in domestic situations where the plant may be grown in low light conditions which frequently leads to etiolation or the plant may be over fertilized causing accelerated growth and leading to a straggly often pale looking plants. These effects can be reduced by applying plant growth regulators. The device of the present invention would aid the domestic user in that it contains a known amount of the plant growth regulator in a form which is easily handled compared to the conventional application techniques.

It has been observed especially with containerised plants that apart from the generally pleasing effects on the growth and shape of the plant, the plant growth regulating composition appears to make the plants more tolerant of drought conditions, enhance the colour of leaves and flowers, induce a greater number of flowers and retain the flowers for a longer time than non-treated plants. Commercial growers may also.wish to manipulate individual plants or trees, or in orchards especially those of limited size. A further use would be in amenity trees, for example, trees lining the side of roads which require frequent pruning or cutting back.

According to the present invention there is provided a plant growth regulating device adapted for use with containerised and individual non-containerized plants, shrubs or trees, which comprises a moulded aggregate on non-fibrous material impregnated with a plant growth regulating composition.

3 - In use one or more moulded aggregates are placed in the container or a containerised plant or in close proximity to individual plants, shrubs or trees planted in open ground. When the plants are watered.or there is rain or ground water a proportion, at least, of the plant growth regulator composition impregnated in the aggregate dissolves and is distributed to the vicinity of the roots.

The plant growth regulating composition may reach the roots from the surface of the soil, from a position in the direct vicinity"of the roots below soil level, or, especially in the case of containerised plants the plant growth regulator may be drawn towards the roots in the soil water or by diffusion from the base of the container.

The moulded aggregate may serve a further purpose to is fertilize the plants in the same application if the nonfibrous material of the aggregate in whole or part comprises a mineral nutrient.

The mineral nutrient may be an additional impregnate but preferably the non-fibrous material forming the aggregate may consist in whole or part of solid mineral nutrient. The mineral nutrient reaches the roots in the same manner as the plant growth regulating composition when the aggregate dissolves in water. The effect of the mineral nutrient is to generally enhance or accelerate the growth of the plant and iMProve the colour of the foliage.

However, this frequently results in too much growth and the plant looks pale and straggly. The retarding action of the plant growth regulating composition in addition to the mineral nutrient composition prevents long straggly growth and enhances the colour and also the shape of the plant by making it more compact. A further advantage of this method is that two activities are combined to one simple and easy operation.

Thus the moulded aggregate may comprise (a) mineral nutrients and binding agent impregnated with the plant growth regulating composition, or (b) inert non-fibrous minerals and binding agent impregnated with the plant growth regulating composition, or (c) a combination of mineral nutrients and inert non- fibrous materials impregnated with the plant growth regulating composition.

Moulded aggregates consisting in whole or part of mineral nutrients may contain as the main ingredients, the major nutrient minerals nitrogen, phosphorus and/or potassium. These nutrients are supplied from source materials which are well known in the art. Typical source materials are inorganic salts and a typical composition is described in US Patent No. 4,348, 218. The total mineral nutrient in the form of source materials may form up to ge% of the total weight of the aggregate. A single nutrient source material may form up to 98% of the total weight of the aggregate. More usually each nutrient source material individually may form from 1 to 60% of the total weight, preferably 5 to 50% and typically 10 to 40%.

The remaining weight of the aggregates may be formed from micronutrients for example, zinc, manganese or inert non- fibrous material. The nutrient derivable from the source materials is usually expressed as a ratio of the NPK nutrients. This can be varied according to the needs of the particular plant. Thus typically the aggregate will comprise NPK in the following ratios, 16:8:8, 5:5:5, 15:5:5, 6:4:4, 8:4:4.

Material comprising the aggregate material/binder is suitably chosen to be sufficiently porous to absorb the plant growth regulating impregnate.

Inert non-fibrous materials which are suitable for carrying out the invention include absorbant materials occurring in nature, or by manufacture. Examples include pumice stone, silica, zeolite, clay, bentonite, kaolinite, diatomite7 water soluble salts forming crystalline hydrates7 insoluble waxes e.g. paraffin wax, beeswax, vegetable waxes, organic compounds such as stearic acid, fatty alcohols; water soluble waxes e.g. high molecular is weight polyethylene glycols; expanded Polystyrene, foam rubber, 'oasis'; plastics e.g. pvc, polyethene; solid emanators e.g. camphor, naphthalene; solid gels from aqueous polymers (air freshner type), latex, gelatine.

Many of these non-fibrous materials may require binding agents to enable moulding the aggregates into shapes suitable for applying to the container or individual plants, shrubs or trees and to provide rigidity for insertion into the growing medium. Suitable binding agents include water soluble binding agents such as cellulose derivatives, polysaccharides, gums, polyvinyl alcohol, urea formaldehyde, or water insoluble binding agents such as wood resins, polybutenes, alkyd resins.

Furthermore surfactants can be incorporated to increase rate of release of active chemical ingredient into the root zone, or the device can be multi-coated to give sustained release over a long period of time. Further techniques may give delayed release or pulsed release. Biodegradable polymers which are degraded by soil microbes could be used to give delayed release (e.g. polylactic acid).

The moulded aggregates of non-fibrous material are variously shaped to suit the application needs of the plant and the user. Thus the aggregate is moulded into different shapes which are suitable for placing in close proximity to the plant. A further feature of the moulded aggregate is that it can be adapted for easy handling by the operator in terms of working out the correct dosage and then applying the treatment to the plant. For example if a tree treatment required lg of plant growth regulator per inch of the diameter of the trunk, instead of working out rates and volumes in order to apply a root drench, the operator could simply place the number of aggregates required to give the correct dosage in the vicinity of the plant. To this end powder and granules are unsuitable as this would involve the operator in working out the correct - 6 dose rate for the size of plant or container and then weighing out the correct amount. The moulded aggregate preferably contains at least one fifth of the charge of plant growth regulating composition needed for an individual plant or container of plants, for example at least one half of the charge for an individual plant container of plants and preferably substantially the charge required for one plant, or container of plants.

Thus suitable shapes would be; a collar or disc for placing on the surface of the soil or growing medium around the base of the plant, tree or shrub; spikes, bricks, rods, capsules, tablets, pills for inserting partially or fully into the soil or growing medium in the vicinity of the roots; a mat, plate or disc for placing beneath plants or containers. A mat, plate or disc may be placed in a hole which has been dug prior to planting a plant, shrub or tree or may be placed in the bottom of an empty or partially filled container before planting. If the container has holes for drainage and/or watering, it may be placed on a mat, disc or plate whereby the plant growth regulating composition and the nutrient composition, if present, dissolves when the plant is watered and is transferred to the vicinity of the roots.

Thus according to a further feature of the present invention there is provided a method of regulating growth of individual containerised or non-containerised plants, shrubs or trees comprising insertion into the growing medium or positioning either beneath the plant or container or on the surface of the growing medium, one or more devices as described herein.

The shapes can be moulded from the aggregate either after impregnation with the plant growth regulating composition or prior to impregnation. In the former case the plant growth regulating composition may be thoroughly mixed with the mineral nutrients and/or the inert nonfibrous materials prior to moulding the aggregate. In the - 7 latter case the moulded aggregates may be sprayed with the plant growth regulating composition or soaked in the composition. In the context of the present invention the term impregnated refers to both the methods of incorporating the active chemical ingredient described herein. The plant growth regulating composition which is impregnated into the aggregate suitably comprises the active chemical ingredient in water or in volatile or nonvolatile oils, and a surfactant may also be incorporated.

The plant growth regulating composition may have a solubility in water such that the rate of -,Upply of plant growth regulator corresponds to a desired application rate. We have found that compositions based on the plant growth regulating compound paclobutrazol (1-(4chlorophenyl)-4,4-dimethyl-2-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-l-yl)- penta-3-ol) are specially suitable as plant growth regulators. Other plant growth regulating compositions which may be used in the device of the present invention include E-1-(4-chlorophenyl)-4,4-dimethyl-2-(1,2,4triazol-l-yl)pent-l-ene-3-ol; (E)-1-cyclobexyl-4,4dimethyl-2-(1H-1,2,4triazol-l-yl)-pent-tene-3-ol, and 1phenoxy-3-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-l-yl)4hydroxy-S,S-dimethylhexane.

It will be appreciated that the dimensions of the moulded aggregate will be adapted to the purpose for which it is intended. Thus a mat, collar, disc or plate are suitably substantially flat and a spike, brick, rod, capsule or tablet are conveniently extruded to a greater or lesser extent. However, circular objects e.g. large pills may also be used provided they are large enough to handle easily. Thus flat aggregates may be rolled to between O.lmm and 30Omm particularly 0.1-10Omm and typically OA-SOmm thickness. The length, breadth or diameter may be determined by the size of plant to be treated. The extruded aggregate may be 5mm to 40Omm in length, preferably 1Omm-20Omm and typically 1Omm to 60mm. The diameter or breadth may be 3mm to 150mm, preferably 8 - is 3mm to 10Omm and typically 3mm to 80mm. Thus a pill may be 0.5mm to 10Omm diameter, preferably O.Smm to 5Omm diameter and typically O.Smm to 20mm diameter. Pills having dimensions less than described herein are less desirable for the reasons given above in connection with the use of granules.

The amount of active chemical ingredient in the moulded aggregates will depend on the size of the aggregate which in turn will depend on the size of the plant, tree or shrub, and whether it is containerised. The amount of active plant growth regulator ingredient per moulded aggregate may be 0. 1mg to 20g of active ingredient, preferably 0.5mg to 15g typically lmg to 10g. In some instances to get the correct dosage level more than 1 aggregate may be employed. In certain circumstances it may be a requirement to remove the aggregate from the growing medium after a period of time, for example if the growth regulating effect has been achieved or the plant moved or sold, thus the aggregates made substantially of inert materials with an insoluble binder will be suitable for this purpose.

EXAMPLE 1

The effect of paclobutrazol impregnated spikes was assessed on ornamental plants. Spikes consisting essentially of mineral nutrient held together with urea formaldehyde were impregnated with a solution of paclobutrazol in methanol and the solvent allowed to evaporate to give 0.05, 0.5 and 5mgs per spike. The spikes were identical in form to nutrient spikes which are commercially available under the Trade Mark KERISPIKE (IMPERIAL CHEMICAL INDUSTRIES PLC) having a diameter of approximately Smm and length 44mm and an NPK ratio of 6:4:4.

- 9 These spikes were inserted with the top of the pots containing plants grown in peat. The main shoot of each plant species was approximately 20cm when the treatments were applied.

Growth was measured and retardation assessed when the untreated grape ivy had grown by 13cm and the shoots of wandering jew and orange plant had increased by 13.4cm and 13.8cm respectively.

Results are given in Tables 1-3 below. For all plants darker green, thicker leaves were associated with retardation of shoot growth.

TABLE I

Retardation on Grape Ivy - Rhoicissus Concentration of Paclobutrazol on spike 1(mg per spike) 1 Increase in Leaf size height 75 DAT visual (% of control) retardation (% of control) 75 DAT 1 0.05 0.5 5 36% 35% 28% 1 i 1 1 70% 60% 50% TABLE II

Retardation on Wandering Jew - Tradescantia fluminesis Concentration of Shoot Growth Leaf size lpaclobutrazol on 29 DAT visual spike (mg per spike) (% of control) retardation (% 1 1 of control) DAT i 1 0.05 0.5 5 96% 1 69% 64% 50% 30% 20% DAT = Days after treatment Indicates results were statistically significant (measured variables only).

1 i TABLE III

Retardation on Orange Plant - Solanum Concentration of paclobutrazol on spike (mg on spike) 0.05 0.5 5 Shoot Growth 75 DAT (% of Control) 77% 57% 56% DAT = Days after treatment Indicates results were statistically significant (measured variables only).

12 - EXAMPLE 2

The effect of paclobutrazol impregnated nutrient spikes and mats on the height and plant quality was assessed using Hypoestes pot plants. The spike was 5mm by 44mm and those of the mat were 5mm by 60mm. The spike was obtained and impregnated as described in Example 1. The mat was made by grinding down spikes and reforming the nutrient material as a mat. The composition of the mat was 96% ground 'spike' powder and 0.4% hydroxycellulose (binding agent). The spikes and mats were impregnated with a solution of paclobutrazol in methanol and the solvent allowed to evaporate to give 0.2 and lmg per spike or mat.

The Hypoestes plants were grown in 4" pots in peat and treated with 1 spike or mat per pot. The plants were propagated from seed and treated when they reached a height of 4 cm. The spikes were inserted in the top of pots and watered from the top of the plant, the mats were placed under pots and the plants were watered from underneath. There were 3 replicates per treatment.

0 Growth was measured and visual assessments of the foliage colour and plant compactness were taken. The results are presented in Table IV as the percentage retardation compared to the untreated control plants and colour and plant shape were assessed on a scale of 0-3 where 3 is the best colour or plant shape.

2 TAME IV 1 1 1% Retardation % Retardation Plant Treatment mg ai/plant 0-25 DAT i 0-33 DAT Colour Shape Spike 0 -7 1, -1. i 0 0 48 1 62 2.3 1.7 Mat 1.0 42 68 2.7 2.3 0 i 28 32 0.2 i 1 37 45 1.0 0 2.0 0.7 1.0 56 57 2.0 1.3 (-) Signifies increased growth compared to the control plants.

14 - The results for the spike show that without the growth retardant there was a slight increase in growth compared to the totally untreated control plants. This illustrates the problem that can occur when addition of nutrients leads to accelerated growth often resulting in a straggly appearance. Clearly the effect of the growth retardant in addition to the nutrients is to control the growth and enhance the quality of the plant as seen from the effect on colour and plant shape. The non-impregnated mat showed retardation effects which are primarily due to the plant being watered from underneath and the absorption of water by the mat. The paclobutrazol impregnated mat cause greater retardation than the non-impregnated mat and also enhanced the plant quality.

EXAMPLE 3

This Example illustrates the use of two paclobutrazol impregnated spikes, one of which (Spike A) was based on mineral nutrient as described in Example 1. The other (Spike B) was based on inert non-fibrous material and contained no mineral nutrients. The inert spike was formed from the following ingredients:

Hydroxyethyl cellulose Sodium lignosulphonate Synperonic NX China clay GTY 0. 4% w/w 5.0% w/w Binding agents 0.3% w/w extrusion acid to 100% w/w filler Hypoestes plants were propagated and treated in exactly the same manner as in Example 2. There were 3 replicates per treatment.

Growth was measured and visual assessments of the foliage colour and plant compactness were taken. The results are presented in Table V as the percentage retardation when compared to the untreated control plants and colour and plant shape were assessed on a scale of 0-3 where 3 is the best colour or shape.

TABLE V

I 1 i % Retardation % Retardation Plant Treatment mg ai/plant 1 0-25 DAT 1 0-33 DAT 1 Colour 1 Shape Spike A 0 2 8 0 0 0.2 54 65 2.0 2.0 -1.0 75 79 3.0 2.7 Spike B 0.2 32 43 1.3 0 1.0 62 76 1 2.7 2.0;j The results of this test indicate that the amount of retardation was approximately equivalent at the lmg per plant rate and slightly greater with the nutrient spike (A) at the 0.2mg per plant rate. However there were differences in quality apparent from the colour and shape of the plants. The spike containing nutrients gave better colour and shape than the spike which did not contain nutrients although both spikes gave considerably better plant quality compared to the nutrient spike which contained no plant growth regulator.

EXAMPLE 4

This Example illustrates plant growth regulation of the pot plant Hypoestes using mineral nutrient spikes (as described in Example 1) impregnated with (E)-1-cyclohexyl 4,4-dimethyl-2-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-l-yl)-pent-l-ene-3-ol.

is The Hypoestes plants were propagated and treated as described in Example 2. There were 3 replicates per treatment.

Growth was measured and visual assessments of the foliage colour and plant compactness were taken. The results are presented in Table VI as the percentage retardation when compared to the untreated control plants and colour and plant shape were assessed on a scale of 0-3 where 3 is the best colour or plant shape.

TABLE VI

Treatment mg ai/plant 1 0 -7 -1 0 0 0.2 46 61 2.3 1.7 3.0 2.7 Spike I % Retardation % Retardation 0-25 DAT 0-33 DAT 1 1 Colour Plant Shape 1.0 65 75 1 i i i 1 i -1 1 The results of this test show that the compound (E)-1-cyclohexyl-4,4- dimethyl-2-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-l-yl)pentl-ene-3-ol is also effective in the same manner as paclobutrazol in the present invention.

EXAMPLE 5

This Example illustrates the use of nutrient spikes impregnated with paclobutrazol on established shrubs planted in open ground (i.e. non-containerised). The spikes weighed 6g each, measured 15 mm by 45 mm and contained 16:8:8 NPK. Plants of Cornus alba (dogwood) and Cotoneaster decorata were treated in the Spring by pushing 5 spikes into the soil evenly spaced at 10 em from the main stem i.e. encircling the stem. Each spike was loaded with either Smg or 25mg of paclobutrazol per spike. There were 5 replicates per treatment.

For comparison a root drench of paclobutrazol in suspension was also applied as a treatment to some of the shrubs. The root drench was applied at a rate of 25mg active ingredient per plant in a drench volume of 400 ml per plant. TIne drench was poured into a shallow trench 2) made ar,:)2n, the main stem of the plant and 10 em from the main stem.

At six months after treatment 5 shoot lengths per plant were measured and compared with the untreated controls.

The results are presented in Table VII as percentage retardation compared to untreated controls.

- 19 TABLE VII % Retardation Treatment mg/ai Cotoneaster Cornus-alba Spike 25 88 14 125--- 88 50 Root drench 25 so -15 indicates that the plants grew taller then the untreated controls-.

C The results show that the Cotoneaster shrubs were very sensitive to the plant growth regulator and the rates used appear to have caused maximum achievable retardation when applied in the spike treatment. Nevertheless, the 25mg per plant treatment was more effective than the equivalent root drench. The results of the same treatments on Cornus alba showed that the spike treatment was far superior compared to the equivalent root drench.

EXAMPLE 6

This Example illustrates the use of nutrient spikes impregnated with paclobutrazol on established trees planted in open ground (i.e. non-containerised). The spikes weighed 50g each, measured 30 mm by 100 mm and contained 16:8:8 NPK.

Two five year old cherry trees were treated by inserting 5 x 50g spikes in holes evenly spaced around the trunk of the tree. Each spike was impregnated with lg of paclobutrazol, thereby providing 5g of paclobutrazol per tree. For comparison purposes two trees were treated by the convention method of a collar drench. The rates for the spike treatment and the collar drench were equivalent to lg per inch of the diameter of the tree. The trees were treated in late Spring and were assessed for treatment effects approximately 4 months later at the end of the growing season for cherry trees. The amount of retardation was assessed by measuring the extension shoot growth of the treated trees and comparing the result with the extension shoot growth of the control trees. The results are presented in Table VIII as the percentage retardation compared to the control.

1 1 1 1 1 TABLE VIII

Treatment g/plant % Retardation 1 Spike 1 5 i i : Collar drench 5 i 1 57 83 1 not significantly different from each other.

is The results of this test and the previous test (Example 5) show that the spike method of treatment is usually as effective if not more effective than the root or collar drench method of applying the plant growth regulating composition. Moreover, the drench method requires firstly the involved calculation of rate and volume in a particular composition needed to achieve the effect and then that the operator weighs or pours out the concentrated plant growth regulator and formulates the composition according to the instructions and finally that poured into a pot, a dug trench or into tree or a bush. This obviously is an consuming procedure. The advantage of (or any of the other shapes of aggregate described herein) is that they contain a known charge of the plant growth regulator and the operator uses as many as needed to achieve the required effect. often the operator will merely need to push for example, the spike, into the soil or in the case of a larger spike, dig a small hole to accomodate the spike in the vicinity of the roots.

the composition is the soil around a involved and time the spike 23 - 1

Claims

What we claim is:

3.

A plant growth regulating device for use with containerised and individual non-containerised plants, shrubs or trees, which comprises moulded aggregate of.non-fibrous material impregnated with a plant growth regulating composition.

A plant growth regulating device according to claim 1 wherein the moulded aggregate comprise a plant mineral composition in addition to the plant growth regulating composition.

A plant growth regulating device according to claim 2 wherein the nonfibrous material comprises, in whole or part, a solid nutrient composition.

A plant growth regulating device according to any of_ the preceding claims wherein the non-fibrous material is bound by means of a binding agent to form the moulded aggregate.

5. A plant growth regulating device according to any of claims 2 to 4 wherein the nutrient composition comprises mineral nutrient salts, the mineral being selected from one or more of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium wherein the total mineral nutrient content of the aggregate is not greater that 98% by weight of the total weight of the aggregate.

6. A plant growth regulating device according to claim 5 wherein each nutrient salts comprises individually from 1 to 60% by weight of the total weight of the aggregate.

7.

A plant growth regulating device according to claim 1 wherein the moulded aggregate is shaped in the form of a spike, a brick, a rod, a tablet, or a pill adapted for insertion partially or fully into the growing medium or shaped in the form of a mat, a plate, a disc or a collar adapted to be positioned either beneath the plant or container or on the surface of the growing medium.

8. A plant growth regulating device according to claim 1 or 8 wherein the moulded aggregate is from Smm. to 40Omm in length and from 3mm to 15Omm in diameter or breath.

9. A plant growth regulating device according to claims 1 or 9 wherein the moulded aggregate is form O.lmm to 30Omm thickness.

10. A plant growth regulating device according to any preceding claims wherein the plant growth regulating composition contains one (or more) of the following compounds:

(1-(4-chlorophenyl)-4,4-dimethyl-2-(1H-1,2,4-triazoll-yl)-penta-3-ol); E-1-(4-chlorophenyl)-4,4-dimethyl-2-(1,2,4-triazol-1 yl)-pent-l-ene-3-ol; (E)-1-chlorophenyl-4,4-dimethyl-2-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1 -yl)-pent-l-ene-3ol; and 1-phenoxy-3-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-l-yl)4-hydroxy-5,5dimethyl-hexane; 11. A method of regulating growth of individual containerised or noncontainerised plants, shrubs or trees comprising insertion into the growing medium or positioning either beneath the plant or container or 5 on the surface of the growing medium, one or more devices as described in any of the preceding claims.

1 Published 1988 at The Patent Office, State House, 66.171 High Holborn, London WC1R 471'. lkrther copies may be obtained from The Patent office, Sales Brazch. St Mary Cray. Orpington. Uerit BR5 3RD. Printed by Multiplex techniques Itd. St Ma-y Cray. Kent. Con. 1/817.