NZ199396A

NZ199396A - Increasing crop yields by assaying tissue and adding necessary trace elements

Info

Publication number: NZ199396A
Application number: NZ19939681A
Authority: NZ
Inventors: H H Ashmead
Original assignee: H H Ashmead
Priority date: 1981-02-06
Filing date: 1981-12-23
Publication date: 1984-12-14
Also published as: DE3204084C2; AU7957682A; JPS57146522A; CA1163454A; GB2092562A; DE3204084A1; AU558211B2; GB2092562B

Description

New Zealand Paient Spedficaiion for Paient Number 1 99396 Kmrr ^5. 1 NEW ZEALAND ReSJ(4) Fee: $55'00 19 9 ^ v Priority Dato(s): k. Al1. ...» -» i j o.. Filed-J.. ■-omoioto c,rjC:..i—Uwn uiea y n-^fioic^//g^oic(lqasA^.PMfP r: .: '".": :; : H4Dec 1984 "5 n. I,-.

No.

\SLb5 Insert number of Provisional Specifi c a t i o n(s) (if anv) and date(s) of fi Ling; otherwise leave blank.

PATENTS ACT 195 3 Number: Date: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION -ci;i Insert Title of Invention.

Insert full name, full street address and nationaLity of (each) applicant.

OPTIMIZATION OF CROP YIELD WITH METAL PROTEINATES I/WK HARVEY HAROLD ASHMEAD, a citizen of the United States of America, of 719 East Center Street, Kaysville, Utah 84037, United States of America hereby declare the invention for which I/we pray that a patent may be granted to me/us and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement Indicate if following - 1 - page is numbered '1(a)' ^tie following page is numbered "la" 1.5.80 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a method of unexpectedly optimizing crop yields lhrough trace mineral analysis of tissue from immature plants and comparing the results of said analysis with standardized data to determine the most to least limiting trace metal needs of said plant tissues, followed by the application of the needed trace minerals to the plants in the form of bioavailable amino acid chelates.

It is now becoming well established in the art that trace metal content in biological tissues may be enhanced by the administration of the trace mineral in the form of a chelate wherein the ligand utilized in forming the chelate is naturally occurring amino acid or a combination of amino acids in the form of dipeptides, tripeptides, polypeptides, etc. Such chelates have previously been referred to in the prior art as metal proteinates. As these chelates have become more commercially accepted in plant, animal and human fields, the usage of the name 1 993 amino acid chelate, in the place of metal proteinate, has become more common. Therefore, the term amino acid chelate will be used hereinafter to designate chelates also referred to 5 as metal proteinates. According to its usage, the term amino acid chelate is inclusive of chelates wherein the 1igand is not necessarily a pure amino acid but may be protein hydrolisate selected from the group consisting of dipeptides, 10 tripeptides and other polypeptides.

It is well established in the art that amino acid chelates promote plant growth and function in combination with other plant growth regulatory substances. U.S. Patents Nos. 3,873,296; 15 4,169,716; 4,169,717; 4,216,143 and 4,216,144 are thought to be the most pertinent to the present invention and teach the use of amino acid chelates alone or in combination with other plant regulatory substances to influence the 20 growth of plant tissues.

While it. is known that, the application of amino acid chelates affects plant growth, it has heretofore been unknown just which amino acid chelates to apply to a particular plant and 19 ^ C !k • .3- what amounts to apply in order to optimize crop yield.

OBJECTS AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION It is therefore, an object of the present 5 invention to provide a method for optimizing crop yield of a specific crop by the selective application of the correct amino acid chelate or chelates to the plant.

It is also an object of the present inven-10 tion to optimize crop yield of a particular plant by the application of amino acid chelate or chelates in response to the needs of that plant as determined by a trace mineral assay of the plant tissue, which assay is compared against 15 known standards and parameters to determine the most to least limiting trace mineral needs of the plant.

It has now been found that these and other objects may unexpectedly be accomplished by 20 determining the level of trace minerals in the immature tissue of the crop plants whose yield is to be optimized, comparing the results of the tissue assay to industry accepted norms, standards, ratios, metal balances and relationships for that 199396 plant in its optimum growth yield state to determine the most to least limiting trace minerals needed to produce such optimization and, based on that comparison, applying to 5 the immature crop pi ants predetermined amounts of one or more trace minerals beginning with the most limiting in the form of bioavailable amino acid chelates. In many instances, it may be desirable to first analyze the soil for 10 trace mineral deficiencies or imbalances and apply for a preplant fertilizer to the soil which is appropriate for the crop to be planted. The invention also includes the periodic assaying of plant, tissue and application of 15 amino acid chelates in response to the analysis during various stages of the plant's growth cycle. For example, major stress conditions such as hail, excessive water, drought, excessive heat or cold, may all affect the mineral balance 20 or sufficiency in a plant which can be corrected through plant assay and application of appropriate amino acid chelates. 19 9 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Each plant has a given metal profile that is to be achieved to produce a maximum yield.

This profile is specific to each species of plant. For example, the profile for corn will be different than the profile for soy beans. The metal profile for each species will vary also according to yield. Corn yielding at the rate of 150 bushels per acre will have a different profile than corn yielding at 100 bushels per acre.

By profile is meant not only the amount of metal in the tissues of a particular plant species but also the ratio or relationship of the various metals to each other. It is known that some metals may be synergistic with each other while others may be antagonistic. Therefore, achieving the proper mineral balance is much more complex than merely analyzing a plant tissue for metal content to determine the sufficiency of a specific metal or number of metals, as is done in the prior art.

Metal profiles of plant tissue may be affected by various parameters outside the plant I°l -f>- such as geographical location, growing season and climatic conditions during the growing season. Excessive dry spells, excessive heat, insufficient heat, excessive rainfall or humidity 5 may all affect the metal profile of a plant and its ability to optimize yield.

Soil quality is also an important factor in initially stimulating plant growth and development and may actually be the first step in 10 carrying out the optimization of crop yield which is the subject of this invention.

Each plant species may have different soil requirements for optimal growth. Therefore, prior to planting a soil analysis is made and an 15 appropriate fertilizer, with or without added minerals, is added to the soil at the time of planting. This may be done in any conventional manner such as broadcasting, side dressing or banding. Any of the commercial fertilizers such 20 as urea and ammonium or potassium phosphates, nitrates and sulfates may bo used in flic desired determined by the amount to make up nutrient deficiencies in the soil as / cn planted. \jy-j soil assay as being needed for the plant species being / C W j *&>■ ,P7 After the seeds germinate and the immature ;O - / ;ft / ;/ plant begins to develop, samples of plant tissue ;19 9 ;-7- ;are assayed for mineral content and compared by means of a computer with data representing metal profiles of mature plants producing at the desired crop yield. By means of comparative data which takes into consideration the norms, standards, balances and interrelationships of trace metals and perhaps certain non-metal elements, a computer printout is obtained listing the trace elements in deccnding order from the most limiting to the least limiting in order to achieve the desired crop yield. Recommended amounts of trace minerals to be applied may also be determined as part of the printout. Based on the data obtained, the farmer or person in charge decides what trace minerals to apply in what amounts. At least the most limiting metal will be applied to the immature plant preferably as a foliar application. If desired, a formulation containing two or more of the most limiting metals may be applied or commercial multi-mineral formulation may be used. ;It may not be essential that more than the most limiting metal be applied to the plant, ;although it may be desirable to do so. Because of the interrelationship between metals, an ;1°I9?>U ;-8- ;application of the most limiting metal may allow the plant to approach or produce the desired yield. On the other hand, an application of two. or more of these metals may allow the plant to 5 more readily reach its yield potential. ;The amount of most to least limiting metals to be applied may be determined by the use of the comparative data. The metal formulations may be pre-packaged in various concentrations and the 10 applicator may apply the formulation concentration which most nearly meets the plants needs. ;The fact that an assay of a plant tissue followed by an analysis with comparative data shows a particular metal to be the most limiting 15 does not necessarily mean that the plant is seriously deficient in that metal. It is possible that the metal is most limiting because of a metal imbalance within the plant that will prevent optimal yields unless the imbalance is corrected. 20 The initial tissue assay is preferably made prior to the time I.ho plant genetics determine the number of fruits that a plant will produce. In a. dicotyledon this will be a 1 approximately the third leaf stage. In a monocotyledon, such as ;cereal grasses, it should be about 10 to 15 days prior to the booting or milk stage. The trace mineral application should be made just as soon as possible after the tissue samples are assayed. Preferably, this' will be not more than a week from the time the tissue samples are taken. A reassay is preferably done within two to three weeks after booting, flowering or tasseling, ;unless otherwise indicated by conditions of stress. The reassay is done primarily to help maintain the yield that has genetically been fixed for that plant as a result of the first amino acid chelate application. As a result thereof the assay -comparative data analysis may be repeated several times during the course of the plant's growth cycle and corrections in deficiencies or imbalances made at those times. It is especially important to reassay a plant after periods of stress such as extreme weather conditions including heat, ;cold, drought, and storm. Stress requiring reassay may also occur from physical damage caused by soil, hail or wind. ;If a reassay shows that the plant is on course according to its projected metal profile, ;1 993 ;-10- ;it will not require additional applications of trace minerals at that time. However, periodic assays should be made to determine that a plant is on course to producing its desired yield. ;The trace minerals to be effective must be bioavailable to the plant and are thus applied in the form of amino acid chelates. These amino acid chelates are described in the aforementioned patents and possess the general formulas: ;-11- ;0 II ;c ;1, ;0 . ;N-^ Jl.,+ ;O ;• I*'!:- fl [I C - CJI Nil + /O - C = 0 -N - (> 1J2 -I) •R 0 = C - 0- 11 - C - Ink"' ,'i "2 A1 0 - C - C1I - NHo + o - c - a li - <p - N' II H9 ,0 - fl c 0 - CJI - - C - CIt - N 11 r + 0 - C - 0, II - Nil.,+ 2 R o = c - a \ O - C = 0 11 - C - N" I Jl, II \ - C - R | " II 199 where M is a metal selected from the group consisting of Ca, Fe, Zn, Mg, Cu and R is hydrogen or the residue of an amino acid dipeptide, tripeptide or higher polypeptide. 5 The amino acid chelates may be formulated in accordance with the teachings of any of the above-mentioned patents. Preferably, they will be formulated so as to be soluble or suspendable in water for application as a foliar spray. 10 When assaying a plant for metal content, it is important that the assay data relate to the same portion of the plant, i.e. leaf, petiole, etc. in order to make a valid comparison.

The algorithm used for performing the 15 statistical comparison leading to the recommendation of which trace metals to apply and in what amounts is not unique and may be formulated by anyone skilled in the art once the comparative data has been collected.

Ex amp 1 on—of data col 1 oc; t i on and programmij applicable to this invention may be^JkrtTnd in -/M /#/-i Beaufil, E.R. "Diagnosis-^a-rT3 Recommendation, Integrated^^sTTem (DRIS) - A General Scheme for fporimcntation and Calibration Baood on Prlnciploo i993<rr: Developed i.rom Research—i.n Plant Nutrition^ University "1 Natal," Soil Science Bj>»ne t i n I, pp. 1-132, (1973) and Sumner, fok'lcT "Application of Beaufil's Diagnostic ^J-ffaices to Maize Data Published in Liter^fCure Irrespective of Age and Conditions,'^^lant Soil 45, p. 2 (1976). The DRIS aydgram was generally utilized in the field r£-s—i 1lust rated—i-a—fc-h-e—oxamploc—that—follow .

Plant assays of selected crops taken during 10 different stages of maturity and yield data are available from various sources including the U.S. Department of Agriculture, state agricultural colleges and universities, county agents and private industry and testing laboratories. If 15 desired, a grower may supplement the above with his own data taken from assays of his own crops over a period of time.

It must be realized that a straight comparison of trace elements as in the prior art sufficiency 20 test will not bring about the desired results. Fo,r example, a comparison in the present invention may determine that calcium is the most limiting metal even though a sufficiency analysis may show that calcium is present in adequate amounts and that the plant 1 993 was planted with Blaney 220, 3-way cross corn.

The corn emerged about 10 days after planting and the field was divided into plots, some of which were to serve as controls and others of which were to be treated with various amino acid chelates according to their projected needs to attain a theoretical yield of 150 bushels per acre.

Tissue samples of immature plants were assayed approximately 45 days after the plants emerged. Each tissue assay was compared to two different programs. The first was a sufficiency program which was designed to determine whether the nitrogen, sulfer, phosporus and trace mineral content of the plant tissue was "low," "sufficient" or "high" when compared to predetermined norms. The second programmed comparison was according to the present invention'based on a statistical determination involving the content and relationship between nitrogen, sulfer, phosphorus and trace minerals to attain 150 bushels per acre. In this instance, a computer was used which had been programmed to compare the assay results with predetermined standards and balances 19 is low or deficient in other Lrace elements.

Also, even though calcium may be applied as the most limiting element, it must also be realized that the plant tissue may not show a corresponding 5 increase since much of the calcium may actually go into the fruit of the plant instead of the plant tissue. It is, therefore, essential that adequate statistical data be collected in order to predict amounts, ratios and balances of ele-10 ments and how they interact with each other.

Although the present invention is drawn primarily to the application of trace minerals as a result of the comparative determination of the most to least limiting elements, it is also 15 within the scope of the invention to determine and apply non-metal elements such as nitrogen, sulfer and phosphorus.

EXAMPLES To demonstrate the viability of the present 20 invention a field which has been treated with a pre-plant fertilizer consisting of 200 lbs/acre of ammonium sulfate, 200 lbs/acre of urea and 186 lbs/acre of a commercial seed starter fertilizer applied as a result of a soil analysis 19 93 needed to produce the desired yield. A computer printout was obtained listing the assayed elements from the plant tissue in descending order from the most to the least limiting.

Since the field was generally uniform in soil content and initial tissue assay, it was necessary to arbitrarily select designated plots as being most limiting in a particular metal and program the computer based on that selection. 10 Based on the computer printout of the most limiting to least limiting element, each plot except the controls was sprayed with a recommended amount of the most limiting mineral in the form of amino acid chelate foliar spray. In one 15 instance, a multimineral amino acid chelate was used and in one other test, because of the mineral ratios, the second most limiting metal was applied. The spraying was done about 50 days past emergence. Approximately 15 days after 20 tasselinga tissue assay was again obtained from each plot and again analyzed by the "sufficiency" and "most to least limiting" programs. No attempt was made in these tests to apply a second foliar spray in response to the results obtained. 1 993 Upon reaching maturity, each plant was harvested and the yields of corn from the sprayed plots were compared to the yields from the control. In this test, the yield from the control was 126.5 bushes per acre, which was exceptional in itself since the average three year yield in that area was 88.6 bushes per acre.

The results are listed in the following examples showing first the "sufficiency" and "most to least limiting" printouts prior to the application of the foliar spray. The post spray results are then listed followed by the yield data from that plot as compared to the control. 19 939 EXAMPLE 1 Plot No. A-19 Before Foliar Application SUFFICIENCY MOST TO LEAST LIMITING ELEMENT ASSAY VALUE ELEMENT N 3 .35% Suf f icient 1 Fe S 0 .14% Low 2 S P 0 .42% Sufficient 3 Mg K 2 CO Cjl High 4 Ca Mg 0 .12% Low N Ca 0 .35% Sufficient 6 K Fe 109 PPM Sufficient 7 Mn Mn 43 PPM Sufficient 8 B B 24 PPM Suf f icient 9 P Cu 9 PPM Sufficient Zn Zn 32 PPM Sufficient 11 Cu Printout Recommendations: NONE Printout Recommendations: Apply 16 oz/acre of a multimineral amino acid chelate consisting of 4 oz. Ca, 4 oz. Mg, 2 oz. Fe, 2 oz. Mn, 2 oz. Cu and 2 oz. Zn. 1 9939 -19-' After Foliar Application SUFFICIENCY MOST TO LEAST LIMITING ELEMENT ASSAY VALUE ELEMENT N 2 . 35% Low 1 N S 0 .14% Low 2 P P 0 . 34% Sufficient 3 B K 00 CJI High 4 S Mg 0 . 23% Suff icient Zn Ca 0 . 74% High 6 Cu Fe 218 PPM Suf fieionI 7 Mn Mn 65 PPM Sufficient ' 8 Mg B 17 PPM Suf f icient 9 Fe Cu 13 PPM Sufficient Ca Zu 34 PPM S u f fi ci en t 11 K Yield 152,40 Bushels/acre Control 126.50 Bushels/acre Increased Yield 25.9 Bushels/acre % Increase 20.5 1 993 96 EXAMPLE 2 Plot No. C-ll Before Foliar Application SUFFICIENCY , MOST TO LEAST LIMITING ELEMENT ASSAY VALUE ELEMENT N 3 .14% Sufficient 1 S S 0.09% Low 2 Fe P 0 . 30% Sufficient 3 Mn K 2.15% Suf f icient 4 K Mg 0. 12% Low Cu Cu 0.31% Sufficient 6 P Fe 75 PPM Sufficient 7 Zn Mn 28 PPM Sufficient 8 Cu B 21 PPM Sufficient 9 B Cu PPM Sufficient Mg Zn 22 PPM Sufficient 11 N Printout Recommendation: NONE Printout Recommendation: Apply 8 oz. Fe per acre 20 in the form of an iron amino acid chelate.

Plot C-ll was treated with a foliar spray of iron amino acid chelate at the rate of 8 oz. Fe per acre. 19 After Foliar Application SUFFICIENCY MOST TO LEAST LIMITING ELEMENT ASSAY VALUE ELEMENT N 2. 80% Sufficient 1 N S 0 . 36% Sufficient 2 P P 0 . 36% Suf f icient 3 B K 3 . 39% High 4 Zn Mg 0. 29% Suf f icient K' Ca 0.96% Excess i ve 6 Cu Fe 288 PPM High 7 Mn Mn 70 PPM Sufficient 8' Mg B PPM Suf f icient 9 S Cu 13 PPM Sufficient Fe Zn PPM Sufficient 11 Ca Yield 146 .30 Bushels/acre Control 126.50 Bushels/acre Increase 19.80 Bushels/acre 19 93 96 'EXAMPLE 3 Plot No. B-12 Before Foliar Application SUFFICIENCY MOST TO LEAST LIMITING ELEMENT ASSAY VALUE EXAMPLE N 3 . 22% Suf f icient 1 N S 0. 17% Suf f icient 2 Cu P 0 .42% Sufficient 3 Mg K 3 .46% High 4 Fe Mg . 0.12% Low B Ca 0 . 39% Suff ic ient 6 P Fe 110 PPM Sufficient 7 s Mn 50 PPM Suf f icient 8 Ca B 23 PPM Sufficient 9 Mn Cu 6 PPM Suf f icient P Zn PPM Sufficient 11 Zn Printout Recommendation: NONE Printout Recommendation: Apply 8 oz. Cu per acre in the form of an amino acid chelate.

Plot B-12 was treated with a foliar spray of copper amino acid chelate at the rate of 8 oz. Cu per acre. 1 9 93 96 Ai'ter Foliar Application SUFFICIENCY MOST TO LEAST LIMITING ELEMENT ASSAY VALUE ELEMENT N 3.14% Sufficient 1 N S 0.40% Sufficient 2 Zn P o o Suff icient o O B K 4.66% High 4 P Mg 0.32% Suff iclent Mn Ca 1.01% Excessive 6 K Fe 280 PPM High 7 Ca Mn 77 PPM High 8 Mg B 17 PPM Sufficient 9 Fe Cu 34 PPM Excessive S Zn PPM Sufficient 11 Cu Yield 143.50 Bushels/acre Control 126.50 Bushels/acre Increase 17.00 Bushels/acre % Increase 13.4 19 93 96 EXAMPLE 4 Plot No. C-20 Before Foliar Application SUFFICIENCY ___ MOST TO LEAST LIMITING ELEMENT ASSAY VALUE ELEMENT N 2.76% Sufficient 1 B S 0. 12% Low 2 N P 0.32% Sufficient 3 Mn K 2.40% Sufficient 4 P Mg 0 .14% Low K Ca 0.32% Sufficient. 6 Ca Fe 143 PPM Sufficient 7 S Mn 34 PPM Sufficient 8 Zn B 16 PPM Sufficien t 9 Cu Cu 8 PPM Sufficient Fe Zn 27 PPM Sufficient 11 Mg Printout Recommendation: NONE Printout Recommendation: Apply 8 oz. Mn per acre in the form of an amino acid chelate.

Plot C-20 was treated with a foliar spray of manganese amino acid chelate at the rate of 8 oz. Mn per acre. 19939 After Foliar Application SUFFICIENCY MOST TO LEAST LIMITING ELEMENT ASSAY VALUE ELEMENT N 3 .10% Sufficient 1 P S 0 . 28% Sufficient 2 B P 0 . 39% Sufficient 3 K K 3 .82% II i gh 4 Zn Mg 0 . 27% Sufficient N Ca 0 .91% Excess ive 6 S Fe 219 PPM Sufficient 7 Cu Mn 79 PPM High 8 Mg B PPM Sufficient 9 Fe Cu 17 PPM High Ca Zn PPM Sufficient 11 Mn Yield 146.00 Bushels/acre Control 126.50 Bushels/acre Increase 19.50 Bushels/acre % Increase 15.4. 199396 EXAMPLE 5 Plot No. D-24 Before Foliar Application SUFFICIENCY MOST TO LEAST LIMITING ELEMENT ASSAY VALUE ELEMENT N 6 . 32% High 1 N S 0 .16% Sufficient 2 Mn P 0 .49% Sufficient 3 Mg K 3. 04% High 4 Fe Mg 0 .46% High K Ca 1.19% Excessive 6 Ca Fe 342 PPM' High 7 P Mn 100 PPM High . 8 Zn B 39 PPM Sufficient 9 B Cu 9 PPM Suf f icient S Zn 49 PPM Suf f icient 11 Cu Printout Recommendation: NONE Printout Recommendation: Apply 16 oz. Mn per acre in the form of an amino acid chelate.

Plot D-24 was treated with a foliar spray of manganese amino acid chelate at the rate of 16 oz. Mn per acre. 1 9 93 96 A f tor J''ol iiir Application SUFFICIENCY MOST TO LEAST LIMITING LEMENT ASSAY VALUE ELEMENT N 2 .87% Sufficient 1 N S 0 . 28% Sufficient 2 P P 0 . 37% Sufficient 3 B K 3 . 47% II i gh 4 Zn Mg 0 . 25% Sufficient K Ca 0 .90% High 6 Cu Fe 222 PPM Suf f icient 7 S Mn 86 PPM High 8 Mg B PPM Sufficient 9 Fe Cu 13 PPM Sufficient Mn Zn 28 PPM Sufficient 11 Ca Yield 143.50 Bushels/acre Control 126.50 Bushels/acre Increase 17.00 Bushels/acre % Increase 13.4 19 93 96 EXAMPLE 6 Plot No. C-25 Before Foliar Application SUFFICIENCY MOST TO LEAST LIMITING ELEMENT ASSAY VALUE ELEMENT N 3 .34% Sufficient 1 Mg S 0 .18% Sufficient 2 B P 0 .40% Sufficient 3 Zn K 2 .91% II i gh 4 Cu Mg 0 .09% Low Mn Ca 0 . 36% Suff icient 6 K Fe 210 PPM Sufficient 7 N Mn 42 PPM Sufficient 8 P B 18 PPM Sufficient 9 Ca Cu 6 PPM Sufficient S Zn 26 PPM Sufficient 11 Fe Printout Recommendation: NONE Printout Recommendation: Apply 16 oz. zinc per 20 acre in the form of an amino acid chelate.

Plot C-25 was treated with a foliar spray of zinc amino acid chelate at the rate of 16 oz. Zn per acre. 19939 After Foliar Application SUFFICIENCY MOST TO LEAST LIMITING ELEMENT ASSAY VALUE ELEMENT N 2. 83% Sufficient 1 P S 0.17% Sufficient 2 B P 0 . 29% Suf f icient 3 K K 2.49% Sufficient 4 N Mg 0 .18% Sufficient Cu Ca 0 . 73% High 6 S Fe 130 PPM Sufficient 7 Fe Mn 46 PPM Sufficient 8 Mn B 16 PPM Sufficient 9 Mg Cu 7 PPM Sufficient Zn Zn 42 PPM Sufficient 11 Ca Yield 156.4 Bushels/acre Control 126.50 Bushels/acre Increase 29.9 Bushels/acre % Increase 23.6 1 9 9396 Plot A-ll EXAMPLE 7 13e T(■) r o Fo 1 i a r App I i ca 1; ion SUFFICIENCY ELEMENT N S P K Mg Ca Fe ' Mn B Cu Zn .

ASSAY 2 .07% 0.14% 0 .33% 2 . 60% 0 . 38% 175 PPM 44 PPM 13 PPM 8 PPM 24 PPM VALUE Su 1' (' i e i on 1. Low Suff icient Suf f ic:i ent Low S u f 1' i o i e n t. Sufficient S u :f f i c i e n I Suf Cicient Sufficien t Sufficient MOST TO LEAST LIMITING ELEMENT 1 B 2 Zn 3 P 4 N K 6 S 7 Cu 8 Mg 9 C Mn 11 Fe Printout Recommendation: NONE Printout. Recommendation : Apply 32 oz. zinc per acre in the form of an amino acid chelate.

Plot A-ll, was treated with a foliar spray of zinc amino acid chelate at the rate of 32 oz. Zn per acre. 19 93 96 After Pol i ar App] i ca 1; i on SUFFICIENCY MOST TO LEAST LIMITING ELEMENT ASSAY VALUE ELEMENT N 2.82% Sufficient 1 P S 0.31% Su i"f i c .i en t; 2 B P 0.42% Sufficient O N K 4 .33% High 4 Mn Mg 0 . 27% Sufficient K Ca 1 .01% Excessi ve 6 Cu Fe 256 PPM High 7 S Mn 65 PPM SufficienL 8 Fe B 17 PPM S u :f f i c i e n t 9 Mg Cu 14■PPM Sufficient Ca Zn 137 PPM High 11 Zn Yield 147.10 Bushels/acre Control 126.50 Bushels/acre Increase 20.60 Bushels/acre % Increase 16.3 y The procedure used in the above examples was followed willi other crops such as soybeans, potatoes, wheat and sugarbeets in controlled field tests where the most to least limiting elements were determined by the actual tissue assay of immature plants followed by a computer comparison with 1 9939 statistical data representative of the yields being sought and foliar application of metal amino acid chelates as recommended by .such an analysis, the results follow: EXAMPLE 8 Crop: Soybeans SUFFICIENCY MOST TO LEAST LIMITING ELEMENT ASSAY VALUE ELEMENT N . 57% High 1 Ca S 0 . 19% Low 2 S P 0 .41% Sufficient 3 Mg K 3 .09% 11 i gh 4 N Mg 0.43% Sufficient K Ca 1. 18% Su f f ic i en 1, 6 Pu Fe 1282 PPM Sufficient 7 Cu Mn 105 PPM High 8 B B " 24 PPM S u f f i c i e n t 9 Zn Cu PPM Low Mn Zn 49 PPM Su f f i ci on t 11 Fe' Printout Recommendations: Apply 8 oz. Copper per acre in the form of an amino acid chelate.

Printout Recommendations: Apply 12 oz. Calcium and 8 oz. Magnesium per acre in the form of amino acid chelate. 1 9939 In response to the above printouts, 8 oz. of calcium per acre was applied as a foliar spray-in the form of an amino acid chelate.

After Foliar Application SUFFICIENCY MOST TO LEAST LIMITING ELEMENTS ' ASSAY VALUE ELEMENT N 6 . 00% High 1 Mg S 0 .73% High 2 K P 0 .43% Sufficient 3 N K 2 . 51% Suf fici. en t 4 Ca Mg 0 . 27% Low S Ca 1 .84% Sufficient 6 P Fe 200 PPM Suffi cient 7 Cu Mn 97 PPM S u f 1 i c i e n t 8 B B 28 PPM Suf ficient 9 Zn Cu 9 PPM Suf f icient Mn Zn 49 PPM Sufficient 11 Fe Yield 34.30 Bushels/acre Control 32.78 Bushels/acre 20 Increase 1.52 Bushels/acre % Increase 4.6 1 9 9396 EXAMPLE 9 Crop: Potatoes Desired Yield 500 cwt/acre -13 e J'o re Eo I i ar Ap p 1 i ea t ion SUFFICIENCY MOST TO LEAST LIMITING Mg Ca Fe Mn . B Cu Zn ELEMENT 1 Ca S N 2 3 ELEMENT ASSAY VALUE N 5.24% Su f P ic i en t.

S 0.56% High P 0.65% Sufficient K 5.74% S u f f i c i e n I 4 Mg / 0.74% High 5 K 1.12% Sufficient 6 P 1163 PPM Excessive 7 B 100 PPM High 8 Cu 29 PPM Sufficient 9 Zn PPM Sufficient 10 Mn 33 PPM Sufficient 11 Fe Printout Recommendation: NONE Pri ntout Recommendation: Apply 12 oz. of calcium and 8 oz. of magnesium per acre i n the form of amino acid chelates. 1 9 9396 ln response to the above printouts, 12 oz. ol calcium and 8 oz,. o I' magnesium per acre was applied as a foliar spray in the form of an amino acid chelate approximately 70 days post emergence.

Yield 449 cwt/acre Control 382 cwt/acre Increase 57 cwt/acre % Increase 14.9 EXAMPLE 10 Crop: Sugarboets Desired Yield: 40 Tons/acre Before Foliar Application SUFFICIENCY MOST TO LEAST LIMITING ELEMENT ASSAY VALUE ELEMENT N 6 .69% High .1 Ca S 0 .46% S u f f i c i e n t 2 S P 0 .51% Sufficient 3 N K 8 . 82% Excessive 4 P Mg 1 .28% Suf f i ci en t Mg Ca 1 . 28% S u f f i c i e n t. 6 K Fe 556 PPM Excessive 7 Bu Mn 102 PPM II i gh 8 Cu B 17 PPM Suf f leien1 9 Mn Cu PPM Low Zn Zn 48 PPM Suf f ici en t 11 Fe j 1 Printout Recommendation: Printout Recommendations Apply copper amino acid Apply calcium amino acid chelate 8 oz/acre. chelate 16 oz/acre.

The field was divided into three plots.

One plot was sprayed with 8 oz. of copper per acre as an amino acid chelate as per the "sufficiency" printout. A second plot was sprayed with 16 oz. of calcium per acre as an amino acid chelate as per the "most to least "limiting" printout and the third plot served as a control. The spraying was done about 67 days post emergence.

Upon harvesting, the control plot yielded 31.09 tons/acre of sugarbeets, the "sufficiency" plot yielded 30 . <19 tons/acre and the plot sprayed according to the invention yielded 33.71 tons/acre. The plot treated according to the invention yielded 2.62 tons/acre more than the control and 3.22 tons/acre more than the plot treated by the "sufficiency" recommendation. This resulted in a yield increase of 8.4% and 10.6% respectively. 1 9 939 EXAMPLE 11 Crop: Wheat Desired Yield: 150 Bushels/Acre Be fore Foliar Application SUFFICIENCY MOST TO LEAST LIMITING ELEMENT ASSAY VALUE ELEMENT . N 6. 54% Hi gh 1 Ca S 0 . 54 Of High 2 ' Mn P 0.60% Hi gh o O Cu K . 55% High 4 Mg Mg 0 . 27% Suf ficient P Ca 0.21 (J/ ■ /o Su f f i ci en f 6 Fe Fe 224 PPM Sufficient 7 Zn Mn 81 PPM Suf ficient 8 K B PPM Su f f ici ant 9 N Cu 13 PPM Suf ficien t Zn 51 PPM Sufficient Pri ntout Recommendat ions: NONE Printout Recommendations: Apply 16 oz. Ca, 8 oz. Mn and 4 oz. Cu per acre as amino acid chelates in a foliar spray.

Claims

<■ <iy i -38- The spray was applied about 25 days post emergence. Upon harvesting, yields were taken from selected treated and control plots with the results being reported as bushels per acre. 5 " Yield 124.5 Control 101.0 Increase 23.5 % Increase 23.3 The above examples are illustrative only 10 and are not intended to determine the scope of the invention which "is to bo 1 i mi tod only by the appended claims. 15 20 1 r, - ^ o ^ u l. u -39- WHAT I CLAIM IS:

1. A method of increasing crop yields of a given plant species which comprises: a) assaying tissue from growing immature 5 plants to determine essential trace mineral content, b) comparing the results of said assay with statisticaltrace' mineral data for said plant species to determine the most to least limiting trace minerals needed to increase crop yield and 10 c) applying to said growing immature plants an effective amount of at least the most, limiting trace mineral in the form of a bioavailable amino acid chelate.

2. A method according to Claim 1 wherein 15 the most to the least limiting trace minerals needed to increase crop yield are selected from the group consisting of calcium, magnesium, iron, manganese, copper and zinc.

3. A Method according to Claim 2 wherein 20 an' effective amount of at least the two most limiting trace minerals in the form of amino acid chelates are applied to said plant.

4. A method according to Claim 2 wherein an effective amount of more than two of the most 1 <?<?S9£ limiting trace minerals in the form of amino acid chelates are applied to said plant. any one of

5. A method according to /ci aims 2, 3 and 4 wherein during the comparison step to determine the most to least 5 limiting trace minerals the effective amounts of such trace minerals needed to increase crop yield are also determined. any one of

6. A method according to/Claims 2, 3 and 4 wnerein { said amino acid chelates are applied to'said plants in the form of a foliar spray. any one of 10

7. A method according to/Claims 2, 3 and 4 wnerein immature plant tissues are again assayed after the amino acid chelates have been applied to said plant to determine trace mineral content and wherein the most to the least limiting trace minerals as a result of tnat assay are 15 determined followed by the application to said plant of at least the most recently determined limiting trace in tne form of an amino acid chelate. any one of

8. A method according to/Claims 2, 3 and 4 wherein tne soil is assayed prior to the plants being planted and 20 wherein a fertilizer is added to said soil to make up nutrient deficiencies in the soil as determined by the soil assay as being needed for the plant species being planted. any one of

9. A method according to/Claims 2, 3 and 4 wherein the statistical trace mineral data used for comparing tne 25 results of the plant assay is data for a specific crop yield At . -r ^ ^ o c j ... « ^ - to be attained. any one of

10. A method according to/Claims 2, 3 and 4 wnerein the statistical trace mineral data is utilized in said comparison by a consideration of trace mineral amounts, 5 ratios, balances and relationships to arrive at the most to the least limiting elements. any one of

11. A method according to/Claims 2, 3 and 4 wherein the plant assay is taken prior to the time the plant genetics determines the fruit yield. 10

12. A method of increasing crop yields substantially as herein described with reference to any one of Examples 1 to 11. 15 20 25 -41- y .yXdi,. J. D. HARDIE & CO. V, Patent Attorneys for the Applicant(s).