MXPA99009717A - Method for improving the forming of flowers of a garlic plant - Google Patents

Abstract

A garlic plant (Allium sativum L.) provided with an agent containing a hormone for improving the forming of flowers, at least substantially without bulbils, which has been added thereto in vivo prior to the forming of flowers, which hormone is selected from the group of gibberellins, preferably gibberellic acid type GA3. The agent containing the hormone is for example injected into the flower stalk of the garlic plant.

Description

METHOD FOR IMPROVING THE FORMATION OF FLOWERS OF A GARLIC PLANT FIELD OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to a method for improving the formation of flowers of a garlic plant (Allium sativum L.), that is, for carrying out a normal development of flowers with garlic. This improved flower formation according to the invention now makes it possible to improve the garlic through sexual hybridization and multiply it on a commercial scale through seeds. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Commercially, garlic is an important crop, which, like onions, shallots and leeks, belong to the Allium family. In 1987, approximately 2,662,000 tons of garlic were produced worldwide, which corresponds to a cultivation area of approximately 421,000 hectares. The commercial production of garlic takes place by means of vegetative propagation, whereby the "cloves of garlic", which are also suitable for consumption, are used as propagation material. Until now this has seemed impossible to effect the generative propagation of garlic practically acceptable, since this crop hardly forms some flowers, and thus seeds, (if they produce them). The fact is that a garlic plant develops vegetative parts in the inflorescence, whose parts have a strong obstructive effect on the development of flowers. The vegetative parts can be considered to be small "garlic cloves", and are also referred to as "bulbils" or "bulbs superiors". Accordingly, attempts to produce commercial quantities of garlic seeds have so far been unsuccessful. There are significant disadvantages linked to the vegetative propagation of garlic. Garlic cloves that function as propagation material are bulky, which leads to high transportation costs, while also not being well conserved. Additionally, vegetative propagation remains on the path of adequate crop improvement. In addition, there is always a risk that diseases caused by viruses, nematodes and fungi are transferred from a plant of origin. A method to improve flower formation of a garlic plant (Allium sativum L.) is known per se. With the known method, the bulbils mentioned above are manually removed from the inflorescence, so that in practice only a small part of the flowers has a possibility of developing in a reasonable manner. After the pollination of the flowers, the formation of seeds to a greater or lesser degree takes place. A disadvantage of the known method is the fact that not only does it require a lot of labor, but also the inflorescences are damaged by the removal of the bulbils, which results in reduced seed formation. A few examples are mentioned in the relevant literature. Etoh et al. (1988) obtained 3000 seeds of several plants from a total of 16 different species of garlic. On average, approximately 10-20 seeds per plant were produced. .R. Pooler and P.W. Simón (1994) only succeeded in obtaining 63 seeds from 1950 inflorescences of 11 different species of garlic. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The object of the invention is to provide a method to improve the formation of flowers of a garlic plant (Allium sativum L.), where the manual removal of the bulbils does not take place, but where the flowers they develop normally in the inflorescence in spite of everything, so that the usual pollination by insects can take place, and a satisfactory seed formation can thus be effected. In order to carry out this objective, there is a method according to the invention, of the type referred to in the introduction, characterized in that an agent containing a hormone is added to the plant in vivo before the formation of flowers takes place. The agent is preferably a solution of the hormone in water. The hormone is selected in particular from the group of gibberellins. Preferably the hormone is gibberellic acid of type GA3. Surprisingly, an extensive investigation made it clear to the Applicant that the formation and development of the bulbils mentioned above in the inflorescence of garlic results in a deviated handling of the hormone in the plant. This has led to the discernment that it should be possible to effect a change in the accumulation and composition of the inflorescence of the garlic plant by adjusting the hormonal balance by the in vivo addition of the hormone-containing agent. Surprisingly, the research mentioned above showed that adjusting the hormonal balance after the formation of flowers has hardly any effect, if any, on the formation and development of bulbils. In this context the term flower formation is understood to mean inflorescence, that is, the formation of at least dozens of garlic flowers. The Applicant has been guided by the following basic principles in the mentioned research: in order to produce sufficient seeds of garlic plant for its improvement and for commercial purposes, it is necessary in any case to obtain a normal inflorescence of the plant, a normal development of the flowers in the inflorescence of garlic plants can only be obtained if the formation of bulbils in the inflorescence is completely avoided or to a high degree. The invention makes it possible to harvest commercial quantities of seeds and thus propagate garlic plants by a generative method. As already stated above, the generative propagation according to the invention makes it possible to give a plant several desired properties of other garlic plants by hybridization, thereby also avoiding the risk that diseases by viruses, nematodes and pathogenic fungi they are transferred from a plant of origin to the seed, or at least it is strongly reduced. The Applicant has established by experiments that there are significant differences in the development of flowers of garlic species that have been collected worldwide. Only those genotypes that were in principle capable, whether partially or not, of forming flowers were used as starting material. The invention also relates to the hormone-containing agent for improving the flower formation of a garlic plant (Allium sativum L.). The agent is preferably a solution of the hormone in water. As mentioned above, the hormone has been selected in particular from the group of gibberellins, preferably gibberellic acid type GA3, gibberelline type GA4, or gibberelline type GA7. Satisfactory results were also obtained with a mixture of gibberelline of types GA4 and GA7. The invention also relates to a garlic plant (Allium sativum L.) as such, which is provided with the hormone-containing agent to improve the formation of flowers, at least substantially without bulbils, which has been added to the same in vivo before the formation of the flowers. Finally, the invention relates to parts of plants, among which are plant cells, bulbils or cloves of garlic, and to seeds of the garlic plant (Allium sativum L.) as defined above. Within the structure of the research conducted by the Applicant, garlic was treated with various plant hormones in various concentrations and in different ways. The following hormones were used: 1. IAA: Indolaacetic acid. 1 (H) -indol-3-acetic acid. CAS 87-51-4. 2. IBA: Indolbutyric acid. 1 (H) -indol-3-butanoic acid. CAS 133-32.4. 3. GA3: Gibberellic Acid A3 / Gibberellina A3; 2, 4a, 7-trihydroxy-l-methyl-8-methylenegib-3-ene-1, 10-dicarboxylic acid 1,4a-lactone; CAS 77-06-5 or L19r? 2206. For reasons of convenience, unless the description below becomes unnecessarily complicated, the description is based on the use of type GA3 gibberellic acid. Good results were achieved with a concentration of hormone GA3 ranging from 1 to 100 mg / 1, in particular from 1 to 10 mg / 1, preferably approximately 1 to 2 mg / 1. It is explicitly noted that other types of gibberelline, such as GA4, can also be used (C19H2405; CAS 468-44-0) in GA7 (C19H2205; CAS 510-75-8), or combinations of two or more such gibberellic acids, in particular selected from the group consisting of the types GA3, GA4 and GA7. In this case the total concentrations will be within the preferred ranges above. The hormones were added in vivo in the following ways: a: Injection of a solution into the petiole of the flower, just below the flower bud: 1% (w / v) hormone solutions were used in water. Some plants of the garlic strains were treated at three different time points, while other plants of the same strain were treated only at one point of time. Three injections were given each time. At the time the various treatments took place, the plants were in a stage of development in which the flower buds were still confined in the so-called "beak-shaped" spathe. b. Pouring a solution at the foot of plants that have grown in garden soil in pots: An amount of 100 ml of a hormone solution was added to each pot by pouring. Each plant was treated once. c. Cutting the petiole of the flower of the plant and placing it in a hormone solution: This experiment was carried out in two variants. The first time the cut petioles were placed in 300 ml of a hormone solution for four days. Afterwards, they were transferred to water. The second time the petioles of the flowers were transferred to water after one day. Surprisingly, extensive research conducted by the Applicant further demonstrated that the manner in which hormones were added to plants had virtually no influence on the result. Apparently, the transport of the hormones added to the inflorescence takes place from all parts of the plant. These tests have confirmed that the inflorescences actually develop normally when the formation and development of the bulblets in the inflorescence is avoided. The invention will be explained in more detail hereinafter by means of the preferred examples discussed below: Example 1. Obtaining the starting material. Various strains of garlic were maintained in a vegetative manner. The sowing of garlic cloves (vegetative parts) takes place in the month of October. The vegetative growth of the plants takes place until the winter months. During the winter, when temperatures are low, the growth is interrupted more or less, and the plant is vernalized. During this process, the induction of flowers in the plant takes place. The growth continues in the spring that follows, and the generative parts of the plant are developed. The development of the petioles of the flowers begins in the May / June period, and flowering begins in July. Example 2. The garlic strains used for the tests. The following garlic strains were used for the tests according to method a (injection into the petiole of the flower): W6171, 6172, 6173, W6174, W6175, 6176, 6177, 6178, W6179, W6180, 6181, W6182, W6183, 6184, 6185, 6186, 6187, 6188, W6189, 6190, W6191, W6192. The following garlic strains were used for the tests according to method b (poured into the foot of the plant): W6178, 6180, 6186. The following garlic strains were used for the tests according to method c (petioles of flowers cut in a container): 6171, 6172, 6173, 6174, 6176, 6178, 6180, 6181, W6182, 6184, 6185, W6191.

Example 3. Preparation of hormone solutions. Relatively high hormone concentrations were used in this investigation, which was expected to show more clearly the influence of the hormones that were used on the development of the flowers. In a subsequent investigation it can be determined exactly at what minimum concentration a satisfactory effect can still be obtained. Thus, the starting point is that care should be taken to maintain the eventual concentration of the hormones that will be used as low as possible, to minimize the occurrence of any side effects, adverse, unexpected hormones. In this research solutions of 0.5 and 1.0% (weight / volume) of plant hormones IAA, IBA and GA3 were used, which correspond to 0.5 and 1.0 g respectively per 100 ml of water. Example 4. The addition of the hormone solutions. Method a: With this method, a 1% (weight / volume) solution of the hormones was used. Some plants of the garlic strains were treated on three different dates, other plants were only treated on one of the dates. Each time three injections were given, with which about three drops (0.06 ml) of the hormone solution were introduced into the petiole by injection. It has become apparent that the effect obtained with a treatment is the same as the effect obtained with the three treatments. Apparently the concentration of 1% (weight / volume) is so high that the effect is achieved after a treatment. The dates of the treatments were: June 20, 1996, June 24, 1996 and July 3, 1996. The hormones used were IAA, IBA and GA3. Method b: The addition of 100 ml of a 0.5% (w / v) solution was carried out with the three types of hormones. The solutions were poured at the foot of the plant, and were absorbed by the soil surrounding the roots, on June 20, 1996. In this way, an attempt was made to give the roots the opportunity to absorb the hormones and transport them to other parts. of the plant, including the inflorescence. The hormones used were IAA, IBA and GA3. Method c: With this method, the petioles of the cut flowers were placed in 300 ml of a 0.5% (w / v) hormone solution. On June 20, 1996 this took place for the first time for a period of four days, and on July 3, 1996 other petioles of flowers were treated for a period of one day. After the respective treatments the petioles of the flowers were transferred to natural water. Also in this case it became apparent that the concentration that was used was high enough to achieve the effect after one day. Like this one, the effect achieved after four days is identical to the effect achieved after one day. The hormones used were IAA, IBA and GA3. Method d: With this method, plants that had developed roots were immersed in hormone solutions of 0.1, 0.5 and 1% (weight / volume) of the hormones used after the low temperature period as described in example 1. In this stage the plants had 5-6 leaves, and the induction of the inflorescence had already taken place. Method e: With this method, garlic cloves, which were still in a vegetative state, were immersed in hormone solutions of 0.1, 0.5 and 1% (weight / volume) of the hormones used before the low temperature period. The immersion took place for a maximum period of 24 hours. Following immersion, the teeth were planted in October and subsequently treated as described in example 1. The treatments described under dye were performed on the following strains: Kau94017A Fru94015A Fru94009A Fru94156C Fru94133A Fru94089A Fru94077A Sov93004A Kau93012A Fru93046a Example 5. Description of the observations. The evaluation of the influences of the various hormones and the methods of adding them to the garlic plants took place in the period between July 26, 1996 and August 9, 1996. The point in time was selected depending on the state of the development of the inflorescence. When the test results were studied, it became apparent that there is a connection between the formation of bulbils in the inflorescence and the formation of flowers in the inflorescence. When the number of bulbils in the inflorescence decreases, the inflorescence develops more normally (ie: more flowers per inflorescence), because the flowers are not pushed aside, which allows them to fully develop. For the analysis of the results of the tests the following evaluation scale was used, which varied from 0 to 4. The 5 classes are described as follows: 0 Very strong development of bulbils in the inflorescence. Flowers did not develop normally in the inflorescence. 1 Less strong development of bulbils in the inflorescence. A few (less than 10 flowers) normally developed in the inflorescence. 2 Moderate development of bulbils in the inflorescence. An increase (between 10 and 50) in the number of flowers normally developed in the inflorescence. 3 A strong reduction in the development of bulbils in the inflorescence. A strong increase (between 50 and 100) in the number of flowers normally developed in the inflorescence.

Hardly any development of bulbils, if any, in the inflorescence. A large to very large number (more than 100) of flowers normally developed in the inflorescence.

Example 6. Results of the evaluation according to the scale described in example 5. Results according to method a: untr, untreated man. = manual Results according to method b: untr without trying man. manual Results according to method c untr without trying man. = manual Example 7. The influence of the IBA, IAA and GA3 hormones on the inflorescence of garlic after the addition according to methods a, b and c and the occurrence of some side effects. Method a: Treatment with IBA did not result in any reduction in the number of bulblets in the inflorescences. Virtually all the results are the same as those of the untreated ones. A surprising collateral effect of the IBA was observed, however: The bulbils in the inflorescences became larger, obviously because a stretch of the cells took place as a result of the addition of the hormone. Treatment with IBA is not an alternative for manual removal of bulbils. The treatment with IAA showed a very slight improvement. The development of the bulbils took place slightly more slowly than in the untreated control specimens. However, compared to the manual removal of bulbils, the effect of treatment with IAA is inadequate. Also in this case, there is apparently a side effect in the shape of the cells that stretch in the bulbils, although to a lesser degree than in the case of the treatment with IBA. The treatment with gibberellic acid GA3 showed a different reduction in the degree to which the bulbils are formed in the inflorescences of garlic. In all cases the development of the inflorescence is superior to that of untreated control specimens, specimens treated with IAA and specimens treated with I WAS GOING. Additionally, with 20 of the total number of 22 strains of garlic treated, a different improvement in the development of the inflorescence can be observed. Only in two cases the development is equal to the case where the bulbils were removed manually. From the average results it appears that the treatment with GA3 is the only treatment that has a different and almost maximum effect on a desired development of the inflorescence. Untreated: average result 0.2 Manual: average result 1.7 IAA: average result 0.8 IBA: average result 0.0 GA3: average result 3.1 Method b: Also in this case the addition of hormones according to method b clearly showed that the influence of IAA and IBA is practically insignificant. Treatment with GA3 has a clearly positive effect. The number of bulbils in the inflorescence decreases strongly, while the number of flowers that develop normally increases strongly. A side effect that was observed after treatment with IAA and IBA was the accelerated aging of the leaf compared to untreated control specimens. This effect was not observed after treatment with GA3. When the average results obtained with method b were studied, it can be concluded that GA3 has a positive effect on the development of the inflorescence. Untreated: average result 0.3 Manual: average result 2.3 IAA: average result 1.0 IBA: average result 1.0 GA3: average result 3.0 Method c: With this method, the irregular increase in the degree of cell stretch became apparent after the addition of IAA and IBA. The petiole of the flower stretches and exhibits all kinds of irregular folds. Also the bulbils in the inflorescence are clearly stretched, and their number is practically identical to that of untreated control specimens. These effects do not occur when plants are treated with GA3. Over time, the differences between manual removal of bulbils and treatment with GA3 became more distinct, showing GA3 the best result. With this treatment, the development of the bulbils in the inflorescence was strongly contained, and the flowers in the inflorescence were able to develop properly. When the average results were studied, it became apparent that treatment with GA3 is the only treatment that produces a satisfactory result. Untreated: average result 0.3 Manually: average result 1.8 IAA: average result 1.0 IBA: average result 0.2 GA3: average result 2.8 Example 8. Average seed count. The table below shows the average seed count per flower button per garlic plant in the case of mass multiplication. The number of strains of garlic plants is plotted horizontally, while the different treatments are plotted vertically. It is apparent that the best results were obtained with the strains Fru94077c and Fru94156. Strain Fru93046A Kau93012A Sov93004A Fru94077C 1 mg / 1 of GA3 - 2 - 73 mg / 1 of GA3 - 1 - 65 100 mg / 1 of GA3 - 16 3 62 1000 mg / 1 of GA3 - _ _ 1 Fru94089A Fru94133A Fru94156C Fru94009A strain 1 mg / 1 of GA3 42 77 37 11 mg / 1 of GA3 38 56 86 3 00 mg / 1 of GA3 11 45 72 5 Strain Fru94015C Kau94017A mg / 1 GA3 45 0 mg / 1 GA3 16 00 mg / 1 GA3 12

Claims (10)

1. NOVELTY OF THE INVENTION Having described the present invention, it is considered as novelty and therefore what is described in the following claims is claimed as property. A method for improving flower formation of a garlic plant (Allium sativum L.), characterized in that an agent containing a hormone is added to the plant in vivo before the formation of flowers takes place.
2. 2. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the hormone is selected from the group of gibberellins.
3. 3. A method according to claim 2, characterized in that the hormone is gibberellic acid of type GA3, gibberelline type GA4, or gibberelline type GA7.
4. 4. An agent that contains a hormone to improve the formation of flowers of a garlic plant (Allium sativum L.).
5. 5. An agent according to claim 4, characterized in that the hormone is selected from the group of gibberellins.
6. 6. A method according to claim 5, characterized in that the hormone is gibberellic acid type GA3, gibberelline type GA4, or gibberelline type GA7.
7. 7. A garlic plant (Allium sativum L.) characterized in that it is provided with an agent containing a hormone to improve the formation of flowers, at least substantially without bulbils, which has been added thereto in vivo before the formation of the flowers. flowers.
8. 8. A garlic plant (Allium sativum L.) according to claim 7, characterized in that the hormone is selected from the group of gibberellins.
9. 9. A garlic plant (Allium sativum L.) according to claim 8, characterized in that the hormone is gibberellic acid type GA3, gibberelline type GA4, or gibberelline type GA7.
10. 10. Parts of plants, characterized in that they include plant cells, bulbils or cloves of garlic, and seeds of a garlic plant (Allium sativum L.) according to any of claims 7, 8 or 9 above