MXPA99004781A - Acylcyclohexanedione plant growth regulator for control of overall nutritive value of alfalfa - Google Patents

Abstract

Applying an effective amount of an acylcyclohexanedione plant growth regulator to a growing pre-harvest alfalfa plant improves the overall stature and overall nutritive value of alfalfa at harvest.

Description

ACI CICLOHEXANODIONA REGULATOR OF GROWTH OF PLANTS FOR CONTROL OF ALL THE NUTRITIVE VALUES OF THE ALFALFA.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to a method of controlling fiber, digestible nutrients and crude protein in alfalfa. Specifically, it relates the application of an acylcyclohexanedione Plant Growth Regulator for alfalfa sufficient to improve all the qualities of alfalfa.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The alfalfa. { Medicago sativa) is a forage cultivated mainly for its nutritional properties. Raw protein is the measure of the total nitrogen of a forage. This includes true plant proteins and non-protein nitrogen compounds, which are usable by ruminant animals. The high protein content is the primary reason that legumes such as alfalfa are grown as fodder. Another important measure of nutritive value for forage crops is how digestible the crop is. Acid Detergent Fiber (FDA) is the portion of the forage that remains after treatment with detergent under acidic conditions. The (FDA) measures cellulose, lignin and silica. When the value of (FDA) increases, the forage will be less digestible. Finally the nutritional value of the forage measured by means of the total percent of digestible nutrients (NDT) that is equal to the sum of the percent of the digestible protein, the percent of digestible crude fiber, the percent of the digestible starch and sugar and the percent of digestible fat. Plant growth regulators (PCR) are used in a wide variety of crops. There are different types of CPR, including anti-gibberellin, auxin-like substances, anti-auxin and ethylene generators that have a wide range and unpredictable effects. Proadione belongs to a new family of plant growth regulators (plant growth regulators of the acylcyclohexanedione type). These growth regulators block the gibberellin (GA) biosynthesis. Gibberellin is the main responsible for the elongation control cell phone. When the Gibberellin biosynthesis is blocked, the cells of the plants divide normally but the cells will be shorter. This gives rise to shorter plants (reduced stature). Inhibitors of gibberellin biosynthesis are used in many crops to reduce stature, prevent lodging and the like. US Patent 4,560,403 describes prohexadione (acid, 3-hydroxy-4-propionyl-5-oxo-3-cyclohexene carboxylic acid) and a number of other compounds of a class of plant regulators of cyclohexene. To date there is no information available on the actual effect of this new group of growth retardants, acylcyclohexanediones, in alfalfa. Regulators of plant growth have been tested for other effects on the nutritional value and yield of alfalfa (Can J. Pant Sci.68: 95-101). The PCRs were tested from various classes of CPR including anti-gibberellins; however, the types of acylcyclohexanedione were not tested. The results varied with all the groups and seem to be unpredictable, with positive and negative neutral results for the general and individual parameters. Within the anti-gibberellin group, both positive and negative effects were shown in FDA. In some cases, the results showed a complete reverse effect in successive years. However, to date none of the PCRs have shown a positive effect on total proteins. Thus, while certain aspects of the nutritional value of alfalfa have improved, none has improved all the parameters that comprise the nutritional value of alfalfa, [sic] It seems that it is due to the lack of consistent, positive and negative results, with regulators of growth of plants, the large number of compounds described in the prior art, the lack of any test data in the art that can demonstrate the effects on prohexadione, the unpredictability of anti-gibberellin compounds in the technique, the lack of any effect on the protein in the technique, that any reference is simply an invitation to experiment with these compounds in alfalfa. It would be very desirable for a PCR to decrease the FDA, increase the NDT and increase the total protein in alfalfa to improve all the nutrient values of alfalfa. It would be useful in general to do this without significant damage to the culture that may occur with CPR applications, and to have the possibility of the normal height of the plant at the same point after treatment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It has surprisingly been found that PCRs of the acylcyclohexanedione type, preferably the cyclohexene RCPs, most preferably those that block the gibberellin biosynthesis, can be used to improve the nutritional quality of alfalfa in three areas, called FDA, NDT and total protein. This solves the aforementioned problems as well as others that could be cleared from the description. Accordingly, a method for improving the overall nutritive values of alfalfa comprising the application of an effective amount of an acylcyclohexanedione plant growth regulator for sufficient growth of the alfalfa prior to harvest is provided herein. improve the total nutritional value of alfalfa in the harvest.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Compounds that can be used to practice the particular embodiments of the invention include those described in U.S. Patent No. 4,560,403, included herein by reference, represented by the formula: wherein R represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group, an alkyl thioalkyl group or a substituted or unsubstituted phenyl group; and R 1 represents an alkyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted benzyl group, a phenethyl group, a phenoxy methyl group, a 2-thienylmethyl group, an alkoxy methyl group or an alkyl thiomethyl group, or a salt of the cyclohexane compound. A preferred compound for use in the practice of the embodiments of the present invention is prohexadione represented by the formula: As used herein, prohexadione includes the compound (IUPAC name) 3,5-dioxo-4-propionylcyclohexanecarboxylic acid (or 3,5-dioxo-4- (1-oxopropyl) cyclohexanecarboxylic acid (CA name)) and also 3-hydroxy-4-prionyl-5-oxo-3-cyclohexencarboxylic acid and its pharmacological affective salts, for example, a chloride, sulfate, metrab, acetate, carbonate, hydride, hydroxide, sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, barium, aluminum , nickel, copper, manganese, cobalt, zinc, iron or silver. The preferred compound for use in the preferred embodiments of the invention is calcium prohexadione and is represented by the formula: In another aspect of the invention, the method can be practiced with compounds described in Patent U.S. No. 4,693,745, incorporated herein by reference, represented by the formula: wherein A is a radical, -OR2 or -NR3R, R is C3-C6 cycloalkyl, R1 / R3 and R each are independently hydrogen, C? -C6 alkyl, C? -C6 haloalkyl, C2-6 alkoxy alkyl C 1, C 2 -C 4 alkylthioalkyl, C 3 -C 6 alkenyl, which are unsubstituted or substituted by halogen, C 1 -C 4 alkoxy or C 1 -C alkylthio; C3-C6 alkynyl; phenyl or aralkyl of C? -C6, wherein the phenyl nucleus is unsubstituted or substituted by halogen, C1-C4alkyl, C1-C4alkoxy, haloalkyl of C? -C / nitro or cyano; 1 of R3 and R4 is methoxy; or R-3 and R together with the nitrogen to which they are attached, form a 5 or 6 membered anionic heterocyclic ring system which may contain an additional oxygen or sulfur atom in the ring; and the metal or ammonium salts thereof. Specific compounds of the aforementioned formula for use in the practice of the embodiments of the invention include trinexapac (IUPAC name) 4-cyclopropyl (hydroxy) methylene-3,5-dioxyocyclohexanecarboxylic acid [sic]) and preferably its ethyl ester, trinexapac-ethyl (IUPAC name ethyl 4-cyclopropyl (hydroxy) methylene-3,5-dioxocyclohexanecarboxylate; CA name, ethyl 4- (cyclopropylhydroxymethylene) -3,5-dioxyocyclohexanecarboxylate) represented by the formula: All the nutritional value of alfalfa is understood as a combination of a decreased ADF, an increase in NDT and an increase in the total crude protein. This may also include the ability to recover or continue with an increased development after the treatments and this without doing significant damage to the alfalfa crop. Preferably, the appropriate compounds of the present invention are applied while the plant is still growing. The compound can be applied before the plant is cut for harvesting. to obtain maximum benefit from the invention. The compounds of this invention can be used directly in alfalfa, but are more conveniently formulated in compositions for such use. The compounds and salts can be applied in different forms, for example, they can be applied formulated or not formulated, directly to the foliage of alfalfa or they can also be pulverized or dusted or applied in formulations as a cream or paste or they can also be applied as granules slow release The compositions may be in the form of dusts or dusting granules containing the active ingredient and a solid diluent or carrier, for example, fillers such as kaolin, bentonine, dolomite, calcium carbonate, talc, magnesia powder, earths fullers, gypsum, diatomaceous earth and kaolin. The compositions may also be in the form of dispersible powders, granules or grains containing a wetting agent to facilitate the dispersion of powders or grains which may also contain fillers and suspending agents. Aqueous dispersions or emulsions can be prepared by dissolving the active ingredient in an organic solvent which optionally contains a wetting agent (s), dispersant (s) or emulsifier (s), and then adding the mixture in water which may also contain wetting agent (s), dispersant (s) or emulsifier (s).

Suitable organic solvents are kerosene, cyclohexanone, methyl ethyl ketone, acetone, methanol, acetonitrile and the like. The compositions may also be in the form of liquid preparations for use as baths or sprays which are generally aqueous emulsions or dispersions containing the active ingredient, in the presence of one or more wetting agent (s), dispersing agent (s) ( s), emulsifying agent (s) or suspending agent (s), the agents can be anionic or non-ionic. Compositions for use as aqueous dispersions or emulsions are generally supplied in the form of a concentrate containing a high concentration of the active ingredient. The composition of this invention can usually be formulated as a wettable powder containing 5 to 95%, preferably 10 to 50% by weight of the new compounds of this invention as the active ingredient; from 1 to 20%, preferably 5 to 10% by weight of the surfactant; and 4 to 44%, preferably 40 to 85% by weight of solid carrier, the solid carrier being preferably ammonium sulfate. The composition of this invention can be formulated as an emulsifiable concentrate (EC) containing 5 to 95%, preferably 20 to 70% by weight of the new compound of this invention as the active ingredient; from 1 to 40%, preferably 5 to 20% by weight of the surfactant; and from 4 to 94%, preferably 10 to 75% by weight of liquid carrier. The composition of this invention can be constituted as granules containing 0.5 to 40%, preferably 2 to 10% by weight of the new compound of this invention as an active ingredient; from 1 to 20%, preferably 2 to 10% by weight of the surfactant; and from 40 to 98.5%, preferably 20 to 96% by weight of solid carrier. And, the composition of this invention can be formulated as powders containing 0.5 to 10%, preferably 1 to 5% by weight of the active ingredient and 99.5 to 90%, preferably 99 to 95% by weight of a finely divided solid vehicle. The composition of this invention can be formulated as a paste containing from 0.1 to 20%, preferably from 1 to 10% by weight of the active ingredient, from 1 to 20%, preferably from 2 to 10% by weight of surfactant; and from 60 to 98.9%, preferably from 80 to 97% by weight of the pulp base. The application rate may vary based on the size of the specific plant and the application time interval. The most exact amounts can be determined at the time of use by one skilled in the art. The application rate of the compound of this invention can be in the range of 5 g to 1000 g per hectare and preferably 25 g to 300 g per hectare of the active ingredient. The applications are preferably made when the plants have a development of 10 cm to 40 cm in height.

The following examples are representative of the invention only and are not intended to be limiting; A person skilled in the art will find it easy to practice the invention based on the description and claims, and the examples.

Example 1 A formulation containing 10% of clade prohexadione containing 60% ammonium sulfate was prepared (used as a vehicle) and other inert ingredients.

The experiments were carried out in a similar way in several different sites around the United States. The applications of the formulation were made with hand spray pump providing between 10 and 40 gallons of irrigation solution per spray per acre. The proportions of application of the formulation are expressed in terms of the active ingredient per hectare were made at 0.0347, 0.0701 and 0.140 kg of the active ingredient (ai) per hectare (kg ai / ha). These proportions were applied to 2 times, A and B. Time A was when the alfalfa had a vertical growth of approximately 12 to 18 cm. Time B was one week after time A. After the treatment, alfalfa was harvested at 3 different dates called harvest X, Y and Z. Harvest X was made when the alfalfa was in a state of development called first flower. The Y and Z crops were harvested at 4-5 days and 8-10 days respectively after harvest X. The alfalfa samples were harvested and analyzed.

The relative nutritional value (VAR) was measured and the results are presented in Table 1. The VAR is an index used to classify perennial forage crops of cold season for their potential of consumption of digestible dry matter. The VAR is obtained by multiplying the dry matter digested by the consumption of the dry matter and dividing by 1.29.

Table 1 INDICES OF THE RELATIVE FOOD VALUE OF TREATED ALFALFA WITH PROHEXADIONA N = 8 locations Application A = 5-7 inches of vertical development. Application B = 5-7 a week later. Harvest X = first flower Harvest Y = 4-5 days after X Harvest Z = 8-10 days after X It is known that the VAR decreases as the harvest is delayed. As expected, the VAR of the untreated plots decreased when the harvest was delayed. The calcium prohexadione applied to time A increased the VAR by 3 to 12 points. A drastic increase in VAR occurred with the highest concentration of calcium prohexadione. The increase of VAR with calcium prohexadione was noted in each of the three harvest dates (X, Y, and Z), but the most consistent increases occurred at the dates of the first harvests (X and Y). The application of the calcium prohexadione at time B resulted in an increase in VAR, especially at 0.140 kg ai / ha. Increases in VAR at low concentrations were not as consistent as at time B compared to time A. However, individual treatments at time B at low concentrations still provided drastic increases of above 9 points. The crude protein was measured and the results are presented in table 2. The crude protein is a measure of the total nitrogen in the forage. This includes true plant proteins and non-protein nitrogen compounds, both of which are usable by ruminant animals.

Table 2 RAW PROTEIN PERCENT OF ALFALFA TREATED WITH PROHEXADIONA N = 6 locations Application A = 5-7 inches of vertical development. Application B = one week later. Harvest X = first flower Harvest Y = 4-5 days after X Harvest Z = 8-10 days later X The percentage of crude protein was increased by the treatments of calcium prohexadione applied at concentrations of 0.0701 and 0.140 kg ai / ha. This increase was observed in applications on both dates (A and B). Even lower calcium prohexadione tended to increase the crude protein in the alfalfa forage. The total percent of digestible nutrients (NDT) was measured and the results are shown in Table 3. The NDT is equal to the sum of the percent of crude digestible protein, the percent of crude digestible fiber, the percent of starches and digestible sugars and the percent of digestible fats by 2.25. Fats are multiplied by 2.25 because they contain much more energy per unit weight.

Table 3 TOTAL DIFFERENTIAL NUTRIENTS OF ALFALFA TREATED WITH PROHEXADIONA N = 5 locations Application A = 5-7 inches of vertical development. Application B = one week later. Harvest X = first flower Harvest Y = 4-5 days later X Harvest Z = 8-10 days later X The data in Table 3 show that the NDT of the untreated plots decreased when the harvest was delayed. This is the same trend observed with the Relative Feeding Value, that is, the quality of the alfalfa decreases when the harvest is delayed. The calcium prohexadione applied at time A increased the VAR as much as 1.8 points. The most drastic increase in NDT occurred with the highest concentration of calcium prohexadione (0.140 kg / ai / ha). The increase in VAR with calcium prohexadione was observed in each of the three harvest data (X, Y, and Z). The application of calcium prohexadione to time B also resulted in? DT increased. In fact, the most drastic increase in? DT (1.9 points) occurred with the highest concentration of prohexadione calcium in time B.

The invention has been described with reference to several specific embodiments. However, many variations and modifications can be made as long as they remain within the scope and spirit of the invention.

Claims (2)

1. A method to improve all the nutritional values of alfalfa consisting of: the application of an effective amount of an acylcyclohexanedione plant growth regulator, to a growing alfalfa plant before harvest, sufficient to improve overall stature, the total nutritive value of the alfalfa in the harvest.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein CPR is prohexadione.