RU2822365C1 - Methods and compositions for scaring birds in crops - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: agriculture.

SUBSTANCE: viable plant propagation material coated with a composition containing a plant extract selected from a group comprising: (i) an extract of the pepper plant of the Piper genus and (ii) an extract of the ginger plant Zingiber officinale. Method of protecting plant propagation material from free-living birds includes a step of treating such plant propagation material with said composition.

EFFECT: inventions make it possible to create an effective, economical and environmentally safe product.

14 cl, 5 tbl, 4 ex

Description

Field to which the invention relates

Disclosed herein are compositions and methods that can be used to deter birds from crops, particularly to deter birds from eating crop propagation material, such as seeds.

Prerequisites for creating the invention

Ever since agriculture began planting and growing crops, it has had to deal with many pests or diseases that damage the planted crops and therefore the harvest. Birds are one of the most notorious pests for which agricultural producers have long been trying to find solutions. The main problem bird producers face is that birds find seeds that have just been sown in the field, as well as growing seedlings or seeds from mature crops, as a very attractive and easy source of food for sustenance.

Common solutions used by gardeners and gardeners to repel birds include decoys. Unfortunately, however, it is well known that such solutions have only limited effectiveness, in part due to the highly developed cognitive abilities of birds, which learn relatively quickly that stuffed animals are not that scary, regardless of the creativity of their creators.

Other solutions that have been tried for several decades include repellent solutions applied to seeds before or during planting. Many chemicals have been tested and some have shown some effectiveness. One of the most well-known bird repellent chemicals is the fungicide thiram. Thiram has long been proven to be an effective bird repellent, such as cowbirds and house sparrows. (Griffin and Baumgartner, 1958, Proc. Of the Okla. Acad. of Sci., 78-82).

Methiocarb (also known as mesurol) has also been reported to have some deterrent effect against blackbirds and crows when applied to corn seed (Stickley and Guarino, 1972, J. Wildlife Management 36(1), 150-152), as well as against various birds when applied to pine seeds (Fuller et al., 1984, Tree Planter's Notes 35(1), 12-17). Turpentine was also tested on sunflower seeds as a bird deterrent, but its effectiveness was considered too limited (Mason and Bonwell, 1993, Crop Protection 12(6), 453-457). Anthraquinone is also known to be an effective bird repellent in seed treatments and was eventually commercialized under the brand name Avipel® (Werner et al., 2011, Applied Animal Behavior Science 129, 162,169).

Spicy and aromatic plants have also been tested for their ability to repel birds. One of the most well-documented is garlic, specifically garlic extract, commonly described as “garlic oil.” For example, such garlic oil has been demonstrated to have some deterrent effect on European starlings (Hile et al., 2004, J. Agric. Food Chem. 52, 2192-2196). Chili peppers, and in particular their main component, capsaicin, are also known to cause irritation in birds. It has even been commercialized as a bird repellent gel under the AviGo® brand by Rentokil®. There are also several reports indicating that black pepper and its main component piperine have some bird repellent effects. However, this appears to be the case only at high concentrations (0.5 to 1%), where quail or European starlings reduce their intake of processed food, whereas food intake does not change at lower doses (Hilmi et al., 2015, Media Peternakan 38(3): 150-155; Mason and Clarke, 1995, Auk 112: 511-514).

However, one significant difficulty in identifying a bird repellent product to protect field seeds, sprouts or seeds of maturing crops is ensuring that the repellent does not have a harmful effect on the seeds or seedlings. A typical effect that deterrent products can have on seeds is toxicity, affecting germination and seedling growth.

There are currently virtually no bird repellents on the market sold as seed treatments and therefore there is a strong need in the industry for an effective, economical and environmentally friendly product, for example preferably made from a biological material, which has a bird repellent effect and which The same time can be safely used on seeds of various crops, that is, without affecting the biology of the seeds (for example, their germination).

The essence of the invention

One aspect of the present invention is a plant propagation material treated or coated, or coated, or etched, or sprayed, or layered with a composition containing a plant extract selected from the group consisting of: (i) an extract of a pepper plant of the genus Piper and (ii) extract of the ginger plant Zingiber officinale.

In accordance with a specific aspect of the invention, the plant extract contained in the composition is an oil resin.

In accordance with some embodiment, the composition is a composition comprising an extract of a plant of the genus Piper, more particularly an extract of the Piper nigrum plant, even more particularly an extract from the fruit of the Piper nigrum plant.

The invention also relates to a plant propagation material treated, coated, or coated, or etched, or sprayed, or layered with a composition containing a piperine compound.

The invention also relates to a plant propagation material treated, coated, or coated, or etched, or sprayed, or layered with a composition containing (i) at least 50% v/v of an extract of a plant of the genus Piper and (ii) up to 50% v/v of at least one extract of another plant having a bird repellent effect. According to a specific embodiment, the other plant extract having a bird repellent effect is an extract of the garlic plant Allium sativum. More specifically, Allium sativum garlic plant extract is an oil obtained by steam distilling crushed garlic cloves.

In general, the invention relates to a plant propagation material, and more particularly it relates to a seed as a plant propagation material. Alternatively, it also refers to fruits as plant propagation material. According to the invention, such seed or fruit may be a harvested seed or fruit, or it may be a seed or fruit still ripening on the plant producing it.

The invention further relates to a crop growing field containing at least one plant propagation material as described above.

The invention also relates to a method of protecting plant propagation material from birds, comprising the step of treating such plant propagation material with a composition as described above.

Other objects and features will be partly obvious and partly indicated later.

Detailed description

In general, the products, compositions and methods described herein can be applied to many types of plant propagation material, including seeds, but also to seedlings, plants or plant growing areas where bird control is desired.

One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a plant propagation material treated with a composition comprising a plant extract selected from the group consisting of: (i) an extract of the pepper plant of the genus Piper, and (ii) an extract of the ginger plant Zingiber officinale.

In the context of the present invention, the term "treated" is intended to mean that the process of applying the composition to the plant propagation material is performed, and that the resulting plant propagation material is actually protected, or synonymously coated, etched, sprayed or layered with such composition . Accordingly, one aspect of the present disclosure relates to a plant propagation material that is coated or coated or etched or sprayed or layered with a composition comprising a plant extract selected from the group consisting of: (i) an extract of a pepper plant of the genus Piper , and (ii) extract of the ginger plant Zingiber officinale.

In the context of the present invention and not otherwise than in the generally accepted meaning of the term, "extract" is intended to mean a composition that is obtained by applying a chemical or mechanical process to a given biological material or part thereof, and which does not contain all the chemical components of the originally extracted material. In this sense, an "extract" is not a material in which all the constituents of the originally extracted material are in a different form, that is, the extract is not simply a crushed or powdered material. The extract is also not simply a physical part of the material being extracted, such as the leaves or seeds of a whole plant. Thus, the extract represents a chemical part of the originally extracted material, that is, in the context of the invention, a chemical part of a pepper plant of the genus Piper or only a part thereof, or a ginger plant Zingiber officinale or only a part thereof. A similar way of referring to an extract is, for example, "the extracted chemical part."

In one aspect, the plant extract is a solvent extract, that is, the whole plant or just a specific part of the plant is brought into contact with a solvent to extract certain components of the plant in the solvent. The solvent used for extraction can be any non-aqueous organic solvent, such as ethanol, acetone, ether, dichloroethane, ethyl acetate or hexane. Preferably, the solvent used is a combination of solvents including ethyl acetate, acetone and hexane. The extraction can be repeated several times to extract most of the extracted component. After solvent extraction, the solvents can be removed, for example by evaporation, to obtain a semi-solid extract, usually classified as a resin.

A preferred type of plant extract according to the invention is an extract known as oil resin. Oil resin is a combination of two types of extracts: (i) a solvent extracted resin as described above and (ii) a distillate obtained by steam distillation. According to this embodiment, the plant extract of the invention is an oil resin containing a solvent-extracted plant resin and a distillate obtained by steam distillation of the plant. In a particular embodiment, the solvent extract and the steam distilled extract are obtained from the same plant material, that is, the parts of the plant used for the extraction are first subjected to steam distillation, from which the distillate component is obtained, and then the same parts the plants used for steam distillation are then subjected to solvent extraction, from which the resin component is obtained. Alternatively, the distillate component and the resin component may be obtained from separate batches of the plant material. Both the distillate component and the resin component are then combined together to form the oil resin.

Oil resins may contain varying proportions of distillate component and resin component to produce oil resins of varying composition and properties. Oil resins may also contain additional components that are not plant extracts. Such additional components may be, for example, propylene glycol, triacetin or any other additives that are known to facilitate mixing of the distillate and resin components and, therefore, improve the properties of the oil resin.

Accordingly, the plant extract according to the invention is a composition containing a solvent-extracted resin, that is, either the solvent-extracted resin itself or an oil resin.

In a specific embodiment, the plant propagation material is treated or protected, or coated, or etched, or sprayed or layered with a composition containing an extract of plants from the genus Piper. This may include, for example, the species Piper nigrum or Piper longum. The preferred species of Piper for practicing the invention is Piper nigrum. This includes many varieties and varieties of the species Piper nigrum.

Any parts of a plant from the genus Piper can be used to practice the invention. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the plant propagation material is treated with a composition comprising an extract of the fruit of the black pepper plant Piper nigrum.

According to the invention, the Piper nigrum black pepper plant extract is an extract containing piperine, a compound naturally present in several species of the genus Piper, most notably in the black pepper plant Piper nigrum. Accordingly, the extract is prepared by any means capable of extracting at least piperine. There are many known extraction methods, such as those described by Gorgani et al. (2017), Comprehensive Reviews in Food Science and Food Safety 16: 124-140. In accordance with one embodiment, the extract is a solvent extract. The solvent used for extraction can be any non-aqueous organic solvent, such as ethanol, acetone, ether, dichloroethane, ethyl acetate or hexane. Preferably, the solvent used is a combination of solvents including ethyl acetate, acetone and hexane. The extraction can be repeated several times to extract most of the extracted component. After solvent extraction, the solvents can be removed, for example by evaporation, to obtain a semi-solid extract that qualifies as a resin.

A preferred type of extract according to the invention is an oil resin containing a mixture of a steam distillate of the Piper nigrum black pepper plant and a solvent extracted resin of the Piper nigrum black pepper plant.

Thus, a specific aspect of the present disclosure relates to a plant propagation material that is treated or protected by a shell, or coated, or etched, or sprayed, or layered, with the oil resin of the fruit of the black pepper plant Piper nigrum.

Black pepper solvent extracts or compositions containing extracts such as oil gums contain the compound piperine (Gorgani et al., 2017, Comprehensive Reviews in Food Science and Food Safety, vol. 16: 124-140).

Piper nigrum black pepper oil resins can contain varying proportions of distillate component and resin component to produce an oil resin with desired amounts of piperine. Oil resins can contain from 10% to 60% piperine. Depending on the requirements, oil resins with different proportions of piperine can be prepared by mixing appropriate quantities of resin and distillate, dosing piperine into the oil resin. Piperine content can be measured using a standard protocol, specifically by measuring the absorbance after extraction in ethanol at a maximum absorbance of 342 - 345 nm under a UV light source. The oil resins may contain at least 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60% piperine. In a specific embodiment, Piper nigrum black pepper oil gum contains 38% piperine. Oil resins may also contain varying proportions of volatile oils depending on the amount of distillate introduced for its preparation.

The invention can also be practiced with chemically synthesized piperine (Olsen and Spessard, 1981, J. Agric. Food Chem. 29: 942-944). Accordingly, the invention also relates to plant propagation material that is treated or protected by a coating or coated or etched or sprayed or layered with piperine.

The preferred source for extract from plants of the genus Piper is the fruit of such plants, primarily the fruit of the black pepper plant Piper nigrum. The fruits of the Piper nigrum black pepper plant from which the extract is obtained can be in any form, i.e. fresh or dried, ripe or unripe, boiled or raw. Preferably, the fruit of the Piper nigrum black pepper plant from which the extract is obtained is in the form of cooked and dried unripe fruit. To improve the extraction process, the fruits are crushed before steam distillation and/or brought into contact with one or more solvents.

The preferred source for Zingiber officinale ginger plant extract is the rhizome of such plants. Preferably, the rhizome is dried and crushed or powdered before extraction. According to such an embodiment, the extract may be a solvent extract or oil resin of the ginger plant Zingiber officinale. To obtain oil resin from the ginger plant, Zingiber officinale, the rhizomes of the ginger plant are dried and crushed, and then subjected to steam distillation to produce a steam distillate and solvent extraction to produce the resin, which are then combined together in the desired proportions. Solvent-extracted resins and oil resins contain the compound gingerol.

An extract of plants from the genus Piper or an extract of the ginger plant Zingiber officinale is also one that does not naturally contain an effective bird repellent amount of the anthraquinone compound.

The inventors have discovered that a plant propagation material, particularly seeds, which are treated or coated, or coated, or etched, or sprayed, or layered with a composition containing fruit extract of the black pepper plant Piper nigrum or rhizome extract of the ginger plant Zingiber officinale, is much more less attractive for consumption by birds than without treatment with such a composition. Thus, the fruit extract of the black pepper plant Piper nigrum or the rhizome extract of the ginger plant Zingiber officinale act as repellents on birds, or make plant propagation materials unpalatable to birds. When plant propagation materials, for example seeds, which are treated or protected with a coating, or coated, or pickled, or sprayed, or layered with a composition according to the invention are "repellent" or "unpalatable" to birds, this means that their consumption by birds is reduced compared to untreated plant propagation materials, such as seeds, that is, compared to plant propagation material that is not coated, or coated, or etched, or sprayed, or layered with such a composition. It is important to note that the inventors have also discovered that, unlike some other plant extracts that may also be repellent to birds, extracts of the fruit of the black pepper plant Piper nigrum or extracts of the rhizomes of the ginger plant Zingiber officinale have the great advantage of being safe for birds. materials for plant propagation, for example, seeds that are processed with them. For example, fruit extracts of chilli pepper plants of the genus Capsicum, particularly Capsicum appiitum, which are known to have some bird repellent effects, are found to be unsafe for seed use and therefore cannot be used as seed treatments. The same thing that was demonstrated by the inventors applies to Syzygium aromaticum clove extracts.

One important advantage of the compositions according to the invention is that they are safe for plant propagation materials, in particular seeds. Safe for plant propagation materials, in particular seeds, in the context of the present invention means that the ability of such plant propagation materials or seeds to germinate and grow into a fully fertile plant is not dependent on treatment, coating, coating, etching, layering or spraying such plant or seed propagation materials with compositions according to the invention.

In the case of seeds, but this is usually also true for other types of plant propagation materials, the natural ability to germinate and grow fully fertile plants tends to be variable among seeds of the same plant species or even plant variety. This is because plants systematically produce a certain small percentage of non-viable seeds. In the seed industry, it may also be due to certain damage caused to some seeds during various seed handling steps during the seed production process. Typically, the percentage of non-viable seeds is small, that is, less than 5 percent. However, it can be different, ideally lower, but sometimes higher, depending on the type of plant or plant variety from which the seeds are produced, as well as the quality of the seed production process. Thus, the ability of seeds to germinate and grow into fully fertile plants should be understood to refer to the average productivity assessed over several seeds, preferably at least 10 seeds, but more preferably 50 or 100 seeds.

Accordingly, the treated or coated, or coated, or pickled, or sprayed, or layered plant propagation material, in particular the treated or protected, or coated, or pickled, or sprayed, or layered seeds according to the invention are materials for plant propagation or seeds, the ability of which to germinate and grow into a fully fertile plant is not significantly affected by their treatment, protection, coating, dressing, layering, spraying with compositions in accordance with the invention.

Compositions according to the invention and plant propagation materials, in particular seeds, treated or protected by coating, or coated, or pickled, or sprayed or layered with such compositions are repellent and/or unpalatable to birds. Birds relevant to the present invention include birds living freely in the wild, that is, so-called wild birds, and not so-called domestic birds, which are raised by man and kept in captivity for this purpose in any enclosed area, whether a cage , a warehouse area protected by a net, or even one that is not protected in case of birds that are unable or deprived of the ability to fly. However, some birds are first raised in captivity and then released into the wild, typically as adults, and such birds are also relevant to the present invention for at least the portion of their lives when they are free in the wild. Thus, all birds related to the present invention can be characterized as free-living birds, regardless of whether they spend their entire lives in the wild or are first raised by humans and then released into the wild. Therefore, the birds of the present invention can also be described as non-captive birds or non-captive birds. They can also be described as birds, excluding domestic or captive birds. In the context of seeds as plant propagation material, the compositions according to the invention are repellent and/or unpalatable to birds whose food consists, in part or in whole, of plant seeds. Such birds are usually called seed-eaters or granivores. According to such an embodiment, the invention is most applicable against birds that feed on crop seeds. Birds that feed on crop seeds include, for example, birds of the family Corvidae, more specifically the genus Corvus, such as, for example, the rook Corvus frugilegus, the black crow Corvus corone or the western jackdaw Corvus monedula. Birds that feed on crop seeds also include, for example, birds of the family Columbidae, more particularly the genus Columba, such as, for example, the wood pigeon Columba palumbus, the rock pigeon or feral pigeon Columba livia, and the ringed dove Streptopelia decaocto. Birds that feed on crop seeds also include, for example, birds of the family Phasianidae, more particularly of the genus Phasianus, such as, for example, the common pheasant Phasianus colchicus, or of the genus Perdix, such as, for example, the gray partridge Perdix perdix. The Common Starling Sturnus vulgaris is also such a famous seed-eating bird.

The seeds in accordance with the invention can be any seeds of any plants. Preferably, the seeds according to the invention are agricultural seeds, that is, seeds of cultivated plants. The seeds are attractive to birds both when sown individually and on the mature plants that produce them. Accordingly, the invention is applicable to isolated and treated seeds ready for sowing. Such seeds may be treated or coated, or coated, or treated, or sprayed, or layered with a composition according to the invention either before sowing, wherein the composition is applied to the seeds, or they may be treated before or after sowing in the seeding areas and in rows. The seeds may also still be present on the plant that produces them, for example when they are ripe and have not yet been harvested. Such seeds may be directly exposed, such as cereal or sunflower seeds, or they may be produced by or surrounded by fruit. Both types of seeds are relevant to the present invention. According to a specific embodiment, the seeds according to the invention are seeds that are located in the field in which they are placed for cultivation, or in which they were grown, and in the latter case, the seeds are located on maturing plants.

Accordingly, the invention also relates to a field containing seeds treated with a composition according to the invention.

Seeds or other plant propagation materials according to the invention may also be stored seeds that are packaged in containers such as bags or boxes, for example. Accordingly, the invention also covers any type of container, such as bags or boxes, containing seeds or other plant propagation materials in accordance with the invention.

Many cultivated plants are grown not from seeds, but through vegetative propagation. Vegetative propagation is a form of plant propagation that does not involve sexual interbreeding, but uses the ability of certain plants to grow a new plant from part of a parent plant. Such part of the parent plant may be any part depending on the plant in question. It may also be a specialized reproductive organ of some plants. The specialized reproductive organ from which a new plant can grow can be rhizomes, tubers, bulbs, shoots, corms or suckers. Examples of crops grown from such organs are potatoes (tubers), onions, garlic, shallots (bulbs), apple trees, cherries, banana trees (suckers). Plant parts that can be used as planting material to grow new plants can be stem or leaf cuttings. An example of a crop plant that can grow from cuttings is sugarcane (stem cuttings).

Thus, in general, the compositions according to the invention can be applied to various types of plant parts used for the propagation of new plants. These plant parts include seeds and fruits, as well as all parts of plants that reproduce vegetatively. For the purposes of the present invention, all of these plant parts may be encompassed by the term "plant propagation material" or "plant propagation material", which therefore includes all sexually produced material (seeds and fruits) and asexually produced material (parts plants for vegetative propagation).

Accordingly, the invention also relates to a plant propagation material treated or protected by a coating, or coated, or etched, or sprayed, or layered with a composition containing a plant extract selected from the group consisting of: (i) an extract of a pepper plant of the genus Piper and (ii) extract of the ginger plant Zingiber officinale. In a particular embodiment, the pepper plant extract of the genus Piper is an extract of the Piper nigrum plant.

According to a particular embodiment, the plant propagation material is seeds. According to another embodiment, the plant propagation material is a plant part for vegetative propagation. A plant propagation material, whether seeds or any part of a plant for vegetative propagation, according to the invention is a plant propagation material that is viable in the sense that it can be sown and grown into a fertile plant. Thus, the plant propagation material according to the invention is not material that has been obtained for food or feed purposes, that is, has not been subjected to, for example, fermentation, cooking or frying. Accordingly, the plant propagation material of the invention is a viable, non-fermented, raw or unroasted plant propagation material. Therefore, it can also be described as a plant propagation material, excluding plant propagation material that is obtained for food or feed purposes, or alternatively, excluding plant propagation material that has been fermented, boiled or roasted.

Crops may be plants that can be produced by conventional cultivation and optimization methods or by biotechnological methods, genetic engineering methods, or gene editing methods or combinations of these methods, including genetically modified plants (GMO or transgenic plants) and varieties or varieties of plants that protected and not protected by the rights of plant breeders.

Genetically modified plants (GMOs or transgenic plants) are plants in which a heterologous gene has been stably inserted into the genome. The expression "heterologous gene" essentially means a gene that is provided or assembled outside the plant and when introduced into the nuclear, chloroplast or mitochondrial genome. This gene imparts new or improved agronomic or other properties to the modified plant through expression of the protein or polypeptide in question or through down-regulation or silencing of another gene(s) that is/are present in the plant (using, for example, antisense technology, technology cosuppression, RNA interference technology - RNAi - or microRNA technology - miRNA). A heterologous gene located in the genome is also called a transgene. A transgene, which is determined by its specific location in the plant genome, is called a transformation or transgenic event.

Seeds or plant propagation materials of agricultural plants that can be treated or coated, or coated, or etched, or sprayed, or layered by the compositions in accordance with the invention include seeds or plant propagation materials of the following: cotton, flax, grapes, fruits , vegetables such as Rosaceae sp. (e.g. pome fruits such as apples and pears, and stone fruits such as apricots, cherries, almonds and peaches, berry fruits such as strawberries), Ribesioidae sp., Juglandaceae sp. , Betulaceae sp., Anacardiaceae sp., Fagaceae sp., Moraceae sp., Oleaceae sp., Actinidaceae sp., Lauraceae sp., Musaceae sp. (e.g. banana trees and plantations), Rubiaceae sp. (e.g. coffee), Theaceae sp., Sterculiceae sp., Rutaceae sp. (for example, lemons, oranges and grapefruits); Solanaceae sp.(e.g. tomatoes), Liliaceae sp., Asteraceae sp.(e.g. lettuce), Umbelliferae sp., Cruciferae sp., Chenopodiaceae sp., Cucurbitaceae sp.(e.g. cucumbers), Alliaceae sp.(e.g. onions - leeks, onions); major crops such as Gramineae sp. (eg maize, turf, cereal grains such as wheat, rye, rice, barley, oats, millet and triticale), Asteraceae sp. (eg sunflower), Brassicaceae sp. (eg , white cabbage, red cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, Chinese cabbage, kohlrabi, radish and oilseed rape, mustard, horseradish and watercress), Fabacae sp. (e.g. peas, beans, groundnuts), Papilionaceae sp. (eg soybeans), Solanaceae sp. (eg potatoes), Chenopodiaceae sp. (eg sugar beet, fodder beet, Swiss chard, beet); useful plants and ornamental plants for gardens and woodlands; and genetically modified varieties of each of these plants.

According to a particular embodiment, the seeds or plant propagation materials of crops that can be treated or protected by coating, or coated, or etched, or sprayed, or layered with the compositions in accordance with the invention are seeds or plant propagation materials from corn (Zea mays), soybean (Glycine max), cotton (Gossypium hirsutum), wheat (Triticum aestivum), oilseed rape (Brassica napus), rice (Oryza sativa), sunflower (Helianthus annuus), barley (Hordeum vulgare), pea (Pisum sativum), beans (Phaseolus sp., Vicia sp., Vigna sp.).

Plants and plant varieties whose seeds can be treated or coated, or coated, or etched, or sprayed, or layered in accordance with the invention include plants and plant varieties that are resistant to one or more biotic stress factors, that is, said plants have better protection against animal and microbial pests such as nematodes, insects, mites, phytopathogenic fungi, bacteria, viruses and/or viroids.

Plants and plant varieties whose seeds can be treated or coated, or coated, or etched, or sprayed, or layered in accordance with the invention include those plants that are tolerant to one or more abiotic stressors. Abiotic stress conditions may include, for example, drought, cold temperature exposure, heat exposure, osmotic stress, flooding, increased soil salinity, increased salinity exposure, ozone exposure, high light exposure, limited nitrogen nutrient availability, limited phosphorus nutrient availability, lack of shadows.

Plants and plant varieties whose seeds can be treated or coated, or coated, or etched, or sprayed, or layered in accordance with the invention include those plants that are characterized by increased yield parameters. Increased yield in these plants may result from, for example, improved physiology, improved plant growth and development, such as water use efficiency, water retention efficiency, improved nitrogen use, increased carbon assimilation, improved photosynthesis, increased germination efficiency and accelerated maturation. Yield may also depend on improved plant structure (under stress and non-stress conditions), including, but not limited to, early flowering, control of flowering to produce hybrid seeds, seedling vigor, plant size, internodal number and spacing, root development, seed size, fruit size, pod size, number of pods or ears, number of seeds per pod or ear, seed weight, improved seed filling, reduced seed dispersal, reduced pod opening and lodging resistance. Other yield attributes include seed composition such as carbohydrate content and composition, such as cotton or starch, protein content, oil content and compositional value, nutritional value, reduction of anti-nutrient compounds, improved processability and better storage stability.

Plants and plant varieties whose seeds can be treated or coated, or coated, or etched, or sprayed, or layered in accordance with the invention include plants and plant varieties that are hybrid plants that already express the characteristic of heterosis or a hybrid effect exhibited by generally in higher yield, vigor, better viability and resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses.

Plants or plant varieties (obtained by plant biotechnology methods such as genetic engineering) the seeds of which may be treated or coated, or coated, or treated, or sprayed, or layered in accordance with the invention include plants and plant varieties that are herbicide resistant plants, i.e. are plants engineered to be resistant to one or more specified herbicides. Such plants can be obtained either through genetic transformation or through selection of plants containing a mutation conferring such herbicide resistance.

Plants or plant varieties (obtained by plant biotechnology methods such as genetic engineering) the seeds of which may be treated or coated, or coated, or etched, or sprayed, or layered in accordance with the invention include plants and plant varieties that are resistant transgenic plants to insects, i.e. plants have developed resistance to attack by certain target insects. Such plants can be obtained through genetic transformation, or by selection of plants containing a mutation conferring such insect resistance.

Plants or plant varieties (obtained by plant biotechnology methods such as genetic engineering) the seeds of which may be treated or coated, or coated, or etched, or sprayed, or layered in accordance with the invention include plants and plant varieties that are resistant to diseases transgenic plants, i.e. plants that have become resistant to attack by certain target insects. Such plants can be obtained by genetic transformation, or by selection of plants containing a mutation conferring such resistance to insects.

Plants or plant varieties (obtained by plant biotechnology methods such as genetic engineering) the seeds of which can be treated or coated, or coated, or etched, or sprayed, or layered in accordance with the invention include plants and plant varieties that are resistant to abiotic stress. Such plants can be obtained through genetic transformation, or by selection of plants containing a mutation conferring such stress resistance.

Plants or plant varieties (obtained by plant biotechnology methods such as genetic engineering), the seeds of which can be treated or coated, or coated, or etched, or sprayed, or layered in accordance with the invention include plants and plant varieties that exhibit a modified amount , quality and/or shelf life of the harvested product and/or altered properties of specific components of the harvested product.

Plants or plant varieties (obtained by plant biotechnology methods such as genetic engineering) the seeds of which may be treated or coated, or coated, or etched, or sprayed, or layered in accordance with the invention include plants and plant varieties such as cotton plants , with modified fiber properties. Such plants can be obtained through genetic transformation, or by selection of plants containing a mutation that conveys such altered fiber properties.

Plants or plant varieties (obtained by plant biotechnology methods such as genetic engineering) the seeds of which may be treated or coated, or coated, or treated, or sprayed, or layered in accordance with the invention include plants and plant varieties such as oilseed rape or Brassica-related plants with altered oil profile characteristics. Such plants may be produced by genetic transformation, or by selection of plants containing a mutation conferring such altered oil profile characteristics.

Plants or plant varieties (obtained by plant biotechnology methods such as genetic engineering) the seeds of which can be treated or coated, or coated, or treated, or sprayed, or layered in accordance with the invention include plants and plant varieties such as oilseed rape or plants related to Brassica with altered seed dropping properties. Such plants can be obtained through genetic transformation or selection of plants containing a mutation conferring such altered seed shedding properties and include plants such as oilseed rape with delayed or reduced seed shedding.

Plants or plant varieties (obtained by plant biotechnology methods such as genetic engineering) the seeds of which may be treated or coated, or coated, or etched, or sprayed, or layered in accordance with the invention include plants and plant varieties such as tobacco crops , with altered structures of post-translational modifications of proteins.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a plant propagation material treated or protected or coated or etched or sprayed or layered with a composition comprising (i) at least 50% v/v of Piper nigrum black pepper plant fruit extract and ( ii) up to 50% v/v of at least one extract of another plant having a bird repellent effect. In accordance with a specific embodiment, the plant propagation material is seeds.

According to this embodiment, the “at least one other plant extract having a bird repellent effect” may be any plant extract that has both a bird repellent effect (i.e., the effect of reducing bird food consumption) and is safe for the material in question for propagation of plants, in particular seeds, in the doses used. Examples of such plant extracts include extracts from the ginger plant Zingiber officinale.

In another aspect, the invention relates to a plant propagation material treated or protected, or coated, or etched, or sprayed or layered with a composition comprising (i) at least 50% v/v fruit extract of the black pepper plant Piper nigrum and (ii) up to 50% v/v of an extract from the cloves of the garlic plant Allium sativum.

According to a further aspect, the invention relates to a plant propagation material treated or protected, or coated, or etched, or sprayed or layered with a composition comprising (i) from 70% to 95% v/v of Piper black pepper plant fruit extract nigrum, and (ii) from 5% to 30% v/v of an extract from the cloves of the garlic plant Allium sativum.

More particularly, the invention relates to a plant propagation material treated or protected, or coated, or etched, or sprayed or layered with a composition containing (i) 90% v/v extract of the fruit of the black pepper plant Piper nigrum, and (ii) 10% v/v extract from cloves of the garlic plant Allium sativum.

In accordance with a specific aspect of the invention, the fruit extract of the black pepper plant Piper nigrum is an oil resin obtained from crushed pepper fruits.

Allium sativum garlic plant clove extract can be obtained from fresh or dried cloves, which can then be crushed or ground into powder. In accordance with a specific aspect of the invention, the Allium sativum garlic clove extract is an oil distillate obtained by steam distilling crushed dried garlic cloves.

Thus, a particular embodiment of the invention relates to a plant propagation material, in particular to seeds treated or protected, or coated, or pickled, or sprayed or layered with a composition comprising oil resin from the fruit of the black pepper plant Piper nigrum and oil from the cloves of the garlic plant Allium sativum in the above proportions. Application to seeds

The invention relates to plant propagation material, in particular to seeds, treated or protected, or coated, or pickled, or sprayed or layered with a composition that is repellent or unpalatable to birds.

Accordingly, the invention also relates to a method for protecting plant propagation material, in particular seeds, from birds, wherein such plant propagation material, in particular seeds, is treated or protected, or coated, or etched, or sprayed, or layered with a composition in accordance with invention that is repellent or unpleasant to the taste of birds.

For example, in one aspect, the invention includes applying a composition comprising an extract of the fruit of the black pepper plant Piper nigrum to seeds, wherein application rates of the composition are at least about one (1) gram per seed unit or at least about 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 40, 45, 50, 75 or 90 grams per seed unit. "Seed unit" in accordance with the present invention refers to a quantity of seeds corresponding to 50,000 seeds. The method may include using the composition at an application rate of one (1) to about 100, about 5 to about 95, or about 10 to about 90 grams per seed unit.

The application rate may depend on the type of seed to be treated, and one skilled in the art will know how to adapt the dose depending on the type of seed. As a guide, it is suggested that (i) for corn seed, the application rate is from about 20 to about 100 grams per seed unit, from about 30 to about 90 grams per seed unit, or from about 30 to about 50 grams per seed unit; (ii) for wheat seed, the application rate is from about one (1) to about 20 grams per seed unit, from about 2 to about 19 grams per seed unit, or from about 5 to 18 grams per seed unit; (iii) for sunflower seeds, the application rate is from about one (1) to about 50 grams per seed unit, from about 2 to about 48 grams per seed unit, or from about 5 to 45 grams per seed unit. Depending on the type of seed, one skilled in the art will also know how to convert these suggested application rates into an appropriate application rate per seed weight (eg, kg) and/or into an appropriate application rate per planting area (eg, hectare).

In another aspect, the invention includes the use of a composition containing an extract of the rhizomes of the ginger plant Zingiber officinale to seeds, wherein the application rate of the composition is at least about one (1) gram per unit of seed or at least about 5, 10, 15, 20 , 25, 30, 40, 45, 50, 75 or 90 grams per unit of seeds. The method may include using the composition at an application rate of from about one to about 100, from about 5 to about 95, or from about 10 to about 90 grams per unit of seed.

The method may include using a composition comprising a fruit extract of the black pepper plant Piper nigrum and a clove extract of the garlic plant Allium sativum at a combined application rate of at least about 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 40, 45, 50, 60, 70 or 90 grams per unit of seeds. The method may include using the composition at an application rate of from about 20 to about 70, from about 30 to about 60, or from about 40 to about 50 grams per seed unit.

The seed treatment methods described in this application can be used with any species of plants and/or their seeds. These methods are used for seeds that are of great agronomic importance. The seed may be a transgenic seed that can grow into a transgenic plant, and includes a transgenic plant that confers, for example, resistance to a particular herbicide or combination of herbicides, increased disease resistance, increased resistance to insects, drought, stress, and/or increased yield. The seed may contain a selection trait, including, for example, in one embodiment, a selection trait for disease resistance. In another embodiment, the seed includes at least one transgenic and selectable trait.

The treatment method may include applying the treatment composition to seeds or other plant propagation material before sowing the seeds to facilitate the sowing operation. Thus, seeds or other plant propagation materials may be treated or coated, or coated, or etched, or sprayed, or layered, for example, in a central location, and then distributed for planting. This may allow the person planting the seeds to avoid the complexity and effort associated with handling and applying seed treatment compositions and simply plant the treated or coated or coated or treated or sprayed or layered seeds in a manner traditional to conventional untreated seeds. seeds

The treatment composition can be applied to seeds or other plant propagation material using any standard seed treatment methodology, including, but not limited to, container mixing (e.g., bottle or bag), mechanical application, drum application, spraying, dipping, and solid priming. matrix. Methods for coating seeds and a device for applying them are disclosed, for example, in US patents No. 5,918,413, 5,891,246, 5,554,445, 5,389,399, 5,107,787, 5,080,925, 4,759,945 and 4,465,017 and others. Any conventional active or inert material can be used to contact the seeds with the seed treatment composition, such as conventional seed coating materials, including, but not limited to, water-based seed coating materials.

For example, the seed treatment composition can be used to protect or coat, or dress, or spray, or layer the seeds by using a solid matrix primer. For example, an amount of the seed treatment composition may be mixed with the solid matrix material, and then the seeds may be placed in contact with the solid matrix material for a period allowing the seed treatment composition to be applied or coated, or etched, or sprayed, or layered on the seeds. The seeds may then optionally be separated from the solid matrix material and stored or used, or a mixture of the solid matrix material and seeds may be stored or planted directly. Non-limiting examples of solid matrix materials that may be used include polyacrylamide, starch, clay, silica, alumina, soil, sand, polyurea, polyacrylate, or any other material capable of absorbing or adsorbing the seed treatment composition over time and releasing fungicide(s) from the composition for treating seeds in or on the seeds. It is necessary to ensure that the seed treatment composition and the solid matrix material are compatible with each other. For example, the solid matrix material should be selected so that it can release the seed treatment composition at a reasonable rate, for example, within minutes, hours, days or weeks.

Drenching is another method of treating seeds with a seed treatment composition. For example, the seeds of a plant can be directly immersed for a period of time in the seed treatment composition. During seed dipping, the seed is saturated or absorbs a portion of the seed treatment composition. Optionally, the mixture of plant seeds and seed treatment compositions may be agitated, such as by shaking, rolling, inverting, or other means. After soaking, the seeds may be separated from the seed treatment composition and optionally dried, for example by blotting or air drying.

The seed treatment composition can be applied to the seeds using conventional film applicator techniques and machines such as fluid bed methods, roller mill methods, rotostatic seed treaters and drum coaters. Other methods, such as spouting layers, may also be suitable. Seeds can be pre-calibrated before coating. After or simultaneously with coating, the seeds are optionally dried and then optionally transferred to a sizing machine for sizing. Such procedures are generally known in the art.

If the seed treatment composition is applied to the seeds as a coating, the seeds can be coated by various methods known in the art. For example, the coating process may include spraying the seed treatment composition onto the seeds while mixing the seeds in a suitable piece of equipment, such as a drum or disc granulator.

When coating seeds on a large scale (eg, industrial scale), seed coating can be done using a continuous process. Typically, seeds are introduced into processing equipment (such as a drum, mixer or disc granulator) either by weight or by flow rate. The amount of treatment composition that is introduced into the treatment equipment may vary depending on the weight of the seeds being coated, the surface area of the seeds, the concentration of actives in the treatment composition, the desired concentration on the finished seeds, and the like. Treatment Composition can be applied to seeds in a variety of ways, such as using a spray nozzle, rotating disc or swirl disc. The amount of liquid can be determined by analyzing the composition and the required amount of active substance needed for effectiveness. Once the seeds enter the treatment equipment, the seeds can be treated (eg, by misting or spraying with a seed treatment composition) and passed through the continuous motion/turning treatment device, where they can be evenly coated and dried before storage or use.

Alternatively, the seeds can be coated using a batch process. For example, seed of a certain weight may be placed into processing equipment (such as a drum, mixer or disc granulator). A specified volume of the seed treatment composition may be introduced into the treatment equipment at a rate that allows the seed treatment composition to be evenly applied to the seeds. During application, the seeds can be mixed, for example by rotating or turning over. The seeds may optionally be dried or partially dried during the turning operation. Once coating is complete, the treated sample can be moved to an area for further drying or additional processing, use or storage.

In another alternative embodiment, the seed coating may be applied using a semi-batch process, which includes features of each of the batch process options and the continuous process options set forth above.

Seeds can be coated in laboratory industrial processing equipment, such as a drum, mixer or disc granulator, by introducing a specified weight of seed into the processing equipment, adding the desired amount of seed treatment composition, turning or rotating the seeds and placing them on a tray to completely drying.

Seeds can also be coated by placing a known amount of seeds in the neck of a bottle or container with a lid. While turning, the desired amount of seed treatment composition can be added to the container. The seeds are turned until they are covered with the treatment composition. After coating, the seeds can optionally be dried, for example on a tray.

Treated seeds can also be coated on all sides with a film coating to protect the bird repellent coating. Such coatings are known in the art and can be applied using conventional fluid bed and drum seed coating techniques. The coatings may be applied to seeds that have been treated with any of the seed treatment methods described above, including, but not limited to, solid matrix priming, soaking, coating and spraying, or any other seed treatment method known in the art.

Application to plants and/or soil

Another aspect of the description generally relates to protecting plant propagation material and/or seeds from damage by birds. For example, in one aspect, a composition comprising an extract of a pepper plant from the genus Piper is applied to plant propagation material and/or seeds exogenously. Typically the composition is applied to plant propagation material, seeds and/or surrounding soil into which they are sown using sprays, drips and/or other forms of liquid application.

In one aspect, a composition containing an extract of a pepper plant of the genus Piper is applied directly to the soil surrounding a seed or other plant propagation material, a seedling or a maturing seed-producing plant.

Application may be accomplished using any method or device known in the art, including, but not limited to, a hand sprayer, a mechanical sprinkler, or irrigation, including drip irrigation.

For example, the composition in accordance with the invention can be applied to plants and/or soil using drip irrigation techniques. Preferably, the composition is applied directly to the base of the plants or the soil immediately adjacent to the plants. The composition can be applied through existing drip irrigation systems. This procedure is especially preferred for use with cotton, strawberries, tomatoes, potatoes, vegetables and ornamental plants.

In another example, the treatment composition can be applied to plants and/or soil using irrigation. Preferably, a sufficient amount of the treatment composition is applied so that it percolates through the soil to the roots of the plants. The drip application technique is especially preferred for use with turf grasses and crops, including corn.

In some embodiments, the composition is applied to the soil after planting. However, in other embodiments, the composition may be applied to the soil at the time of planting. However, in other embodiments, the composition may be applied to the soil prior to planting. When the composition is applied directly to the soil, it can be applied by any method known in the art. For example, it can be plowed with soil or placed in a furrow.

Compositions for treating seeds, plants or soil

Another embodiment of the present disclosure generally relates to a treatment composition comprising an extract of a pepper plant of the genus Piper or a ginger plant Zingiber officinale, as described herein, for use in accordance with the methods for producing treated seeds described herein.

In general, the compositions described herein may contain any adjuvants, excipients, or other desirable components known in the art. For example, in some embodiments, the treatment composition further comprises a surfactant.

Examples of anionic surfactants include alkyl sulfates, alcohol sulfates, alcohol ester sulfates, alpha-olefin sulfonates, alkyl aryl ether sulfates, arylsulfonates, alkyl sulfonates, alkylaryl sulfonates, sulfosuccinates, mono- or diphosphate esters of polyalkoxylated alkyl alcohols or alkylphenols, mono- or disulfosuccinate alcohol esters or polyalkoxylated alkanols, alcohol ether carboxylates, phenol ether carboxylates. In one embodiment, the surfactant is an alkylaryl sulfonate.

Non-limiting examples of commercially available anionic surfactants include sodium dodecyl sulfate (Na-DS, SDS), MORWET D-425 (sodium alkyl naphthalene sulfonate condensate, available from Akzo Nobel), MORWET D-500 (sodium alkyl naphthalene sulfonate condensate with block copolymer, available from Akzo Nobel), sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonic acid (Na-DBSA) (available from Aldrich), diphenyl oxide disulfonate, naphthalene formaldehyde condensate, DOWFAX (available from Dow), dihexyl sulfosuccinate and dioctyl sulfosuccinate, alkyl naphthalene sulfonate condensates and their salts.

Examples of nonionic surfactants include sorbitan esters, ethoxylated sorbitan esters, alkoxylated alkylphenols, alkoxylated alcohols, block copolymer ethers, and lanolin derivatives. In accordance with one embodiment, the surfactant comprises an alkyl ether block copolymer.

Non-limiting examples of commercially available non-ionic surfactants include SPAN 20, SPAN 40, SPAN 80, SPAN 65 and SPAN 85 (available from Aldrich); TWEEN 20, TWEEN 40, TWEEN 60, TWEEN 80 and TWEEN 85 (available from Aldrich); IGEPAL CA-210, IGEPAL CA-520, IGEPAL CA-720, IGEPAL CO-210, IGEPAL CO-520, IGEPAL CO-630, IGEPAL CO-720, IGEPAL CO-890 and IGEPAL DM-970 (available from Aldrich); Triton X-100 (available from Aldrich); BRIJ S10, BRIJ S20, BRIJ 30, BRIJ 52, BRIJ 56, BRIJ 58, BRIJ 72, BRIJ 76, BRIJ 78, BRIJ 92V, BRIJ 97 and BRIJ 98 (available from Aldrich); PLURONIC L-31, PLURONIC L-35, PLURONIC L-61, PLURONIC L-81, PLURONIC L-64, PLURONIC L-121, PLURONIC 10R5, PLURONIC 17R4 and PLURONIC 31R1 (available from Aldrich); Atlas G-5000 and Atlas G-5002L (available from Croda); ATLOX 4912 and ATLOX 4912-SF (available from Croda); and SOLUPLUS (available from BASF), LANEXOL AWS (available from Croda).

Non-limiting examples of cationic surfactants include monoalkyl quaternary amine, fatty acid amide surfactants, amidoamine, imidazoline, and polymeric cationic surfactants.

In some embodiments, the compositions of the invention contain a cosolvent in addition to water. Non-limiting examples of co-solvents that can be used include ethyl lactate, methyl soyate/ethyl lactate co-solvent mixtures (e.g. STEPOSOL, available from Stepan), isopropanol, acetone, 1,2-propanediol, n-alkylpyrrolidones (e.g. AGSOLEX series, available from ISP), petroleum based oil (e.g. AROMATIC series and SOLVESSO series available from Exxon Mobil), isoparaffin fluids (e.g. ISOPAR series, available from Exxon Mobil), cycloparaffin fluids (e.g. NAPPAR 6, available from Exxon Mobil), mineral spirits ( eg VARSOL series available from Exxon Mobil) and mineral oils (eg paraffin oil).

Examples of commercially available organic solvents include pentadecane, ISOPAR M, ISOPAR V and ISOPAR L (available from Exxon Mobil).

In some embodiments, the treatment composition in accordance with the invention may be formulated, mixed in a seed treatment tank, combined on the seeds by applying a topcoat, or combined with one or more additional active agents. Additional active ingredients may include, for example, a pesticide or biological agent. In some embodiments, the treatment composition contains a composition in accordance with the invention, for example, an extract of a pepper plant of the genus Piper and another pesticide, for example, a nematicide, insecticide, fungicide and/or herbicide. In some embodiments, the treatment composition comprises a composition in accordance with the invention, for example, an extract of a pepper plant from the genus Piper and a biological agent.

Non-limiting examples of insecticides and nematicides include carbamates, diamides, macrocyclic lactones, neonicotinoids, organophosphates, phenylpyrazoles, pyrethrins, spinosyns, synthetic pyrethroids, tetronic and tetramic acids. In another embodiment, insecticides and nematicides include abamectin, aldicarb, aldoxycarb, bifenthrin, carbofuran, chlorantraniliprole, clothianidin, cyantraniliprole, cyfluthrin, cyhalothrin, cypermethrin, deltamethrin, dinotefuran, emamectin, ethiprole, fenamiphos, fipronil, flubendiamide, ostiazate, imidacloprid, ivermectin, lambda-cyhalothrin, milbemectin, thioxazafen, nitenpyram, oxamyl, permethrin, spinetoram, spinosad, spirodiclofen, spirotetramate, tefluthrin, thiacloprid, thiamethoxam and thiodicarb.

In one embodiment, the insectide may be selected from the group consisting of clothianidin, thiamethoxam, thioxazaphene, imidacloprid, and combinations thereof.

Non-limiting examples of useful fungicides include aromatic hydrocarbons, benzimidazoles, benzothiadiazoles, carboxamides, carboxylic acid amides, morpholines, phenylamides, phosphonates, quinone extrinsic inhibitors (eg, strobilurins), thiazolidines, thiophanates, thiophenecarboxamides, and triazoles. Non-limiting examples of fungicides include acibenzolar-S-methyl, azoxystrobin, benalaxyl, bixaphen, boscalid, carbendazim, chlorothalonil, cyproconazole, dimethomorph, epoxiconazole, fludioxonil, fluopyram, flutianil, flutolanil, fluxapyroxad, fosetyl-A1, ipconazole, , kresoxim- methyl, mefenoxam, metalaxyl, metconazole, myclobutanil, oryzastrobin, penflufen, penthiopyrad, picoxystrobin, propiconazole, pyraclostrobin, sedaxane, silthiofame, tebuconazole, tifluzamide, thiophanate, tolclofos-methyl, trifloxystrobin and triticonazole.

In one embodiment, the fungicide may be selected from the group consisting of ipconazole, metalaxyl, trifloxystrobin, pyraclostrobin, fluxapyroxad, sedaxane, fluopyram, mefenoxam, penflufen, azoxystrobin, and combinations thereof.

Non-limiting examples of herbicides include ACCase inhibitors, acetanilides, AHAS inhibitors, carotenoid biosynthesis inhibitors, EPSPS inhibitors, glutamine synthetase inhibitors, PPO inhibitors, PS II inhibitors and synthetic auxins. Non-limiting examples of herbicides include acetochlor, clethodim, dicamba, flumioxazin, fomesafen, glyphosate, glufosinate, mesotrione, hisalofop, saflufenacil, sulcotrione, 2,4-D, trifloxysulfuron and halosulfuron.

In one embodiment, the herbicide may be selected from the group consisting of acetochlor, dicamba, glyphosate, and combinations thereof.

Additional active substances may also include substances such as biological pest control agents, microbial extracts, plant growth activators or plant protection agents. Non-limiting examples of biological agents include bacteria, fungi, beneficial nematodes and viruses.

In some embodiments, the biological agent may be a bacterium from the genus Actinomycetes, Agrobacterium, Arthrobacter, Alcaligenes, Aureobacterium, Azobacter, Bacillus, Beijerinckia, Brevibacillus, Burkholderia, Chromobacterium, Clostridium, Clavibacter, Comamonas, Corynebacterium, Curtobacterium, Enterobacter, Flavobacterium, Gluconobacter, Hydrogenophaga , Klebsiella, Methylobacterium, Paenibacillus, Pasteuria, Photorhabdus, Phyllobacterium, Pseudomonas, Rhizobia, Serratia, Sphingobacterium, Stenotrophomonas, Variovorax and Xenorhabdus. In specific embodiments, the bacteria are selected from the group consisting of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, Bacillus cereus, Bacillus firmus, Bacillus, lichenformis, Bacillus pumilus, Bacillus sphaericus, Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus thuringiensis, Chromobacterium suttsuga, Pasteuria penetrans, Pasteuria usage, and Pseudomonas fluorescens.

In some embodiments, the biological agent may be a fungus from the genus Alternaria, Ampelomyces, Aspergillus, Aureobasidium, Beauveria, Colletotrichum, Coniothyrium, Gliocladium, Metarhizium, Muscodor, Paecilomyces, Bradyrhizobia, Trichoderma, Typhula, Ulocladium, and Verticillium. In another embodiment, the fungus is Beauveria bassiana, Coniothyrium minitans, Gliocladium virens, Muscodor albus, Paecilomyces lilacinus or Trichoderma polysporum.

In additional embodiments, the biological agents may be plant growth promoters or plant protection agents, including, but not limited to, harpin, Reynoutria sachalinensis, jasmonate, lipochitooligosaccharides, salicylic acid, and isoflavones. In another embodiment, the biological agent may be selected from the group consisting of Bacillus firmus.

Having described the embodiments in detail, it will be apparent that modifications and changes to the disclosure are possible without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

Examples

The following non-limiting examples are provided for further explanation.

Example 1: Preparation of plant extract compositions

Various compositions according to the invention have been prepared by extraction from selected plant materials.

The dried fruit extract of the Piper nigrum pepper plant, also known as peppercorns, is obtained through a two-step extraction process. The crushed peppercorns are first steam distilled to produce a distillate. Then, in the second extraction step, the ground peppercorns, which have been steam distilled, are then subjected to solvent extraction using a solvent mixture containing ethyl acetate, acetone and hexane. After sufficient extraction time, the solvents are then evaporated to produce a semi-solid extract known as resin. An oil resin is then formed by mixing the distillate with the resin to obtain an oil resin containing 38% piperine and 18% volatile oils.

Similar extracts, i.e. oil gums have also been prepared from chili (Capsicum appium), cumin (Cuminum cyminum), cloves (Syzygium aromaticum) and ginger (Zingiber officinale).

An extract of the garlic plant Allium sativum has also been prepared by steam distilling crushed dried garlic cloves to produce an oily distillate.

An additional composition according to the invention is a composition containing 90% v/v oil resin from the pepper plant Piper nigrum and 10% v/v distillate from the cloves of the garlic plant Allium sativum. To prepare such a composition, the desired percentage by volume of the oil resin from the Piper nigrum pepper plant is mixed with the desired volume percentage of the distillate from the cloves of the garlic plant Allium sativum.

Example 2: Effect on seed germination

To evaluate the possible detrimental effects of some of the compositions prepared in Example 1 on the ability of seeds to germinate (ie, seed germination), various compositions were tested at various doses on corn seeds.

The following different formulations were tested:

- Chile

- Carnation

- Cumin

- Black pepper

- Ginger

Each composition was used in 3 doses: 25 ml, 37.5 ml and 50 ml per 50,000 corn seeds.

In addition, a variety of corn seeds were treated with an existing commercial bird repellent solution, i.e. Thiram formulation (a Flowsan® product used at the recommended dose of 3 ml/kg corn seeds) as a control.

Each composition was tested on 400 corn seeds.

Each composition was combined into a suspension mixture with dye, polymer and water in the prescribed doses and mixed thoroughly. The seeds were placed in a laboratory disinfectant (drum), into which a suspension was introduced for treatment by sedimentation on a spray disk. The seeds and suspension were then spun for approximately 30 seconds before being removed into an appropriate storage container or bag.

After treatment with different compositions at different doses, different batches of seeds were stored for 6 months before germination testing.

The germination test was stringent (including the cold period) and consisted of sowing seeds into the soil under the following conditions: 7 days at 8°C in the dark (cold period), then 7 days at 25°C for 17 hours of light photoperiod (artificial lighting with LED lamps). Soil moisture was maintained throughout the test. To avoid exposure to potential soil-borne diseases in the trials, all seed lots tested were treated at planting with a commercial fungicidal composition containing the compound thiram (Pomarsol® product).

Seed germination was measured at two different time periods:

- firstly, 7+2 days after sowing (that is, 2 days after the end of the cold period at 8°C), to measure the germination rate; And

- secondly, 7+7 days after sowing (i.e. at the end of the period at 25°C), to measure germination ability.

For the second measurement (i.e. 7+7 days after sowing), seedlings were removed and classified as “good”, “abnormal” or “not germinated”.

The results of germination tests are shown in Table 1.

The results presented in Table 1 show that some compositions affect seed germination more than others. The black pepper composition is least harmful to seed germination even at the highest doses tested. Ginger only slightly affects seed germination, but still to an acceptable extent. Cumin and chili pepper are moderately harmful to seed germination. Cloves have almost no harmful effect on seed germination at the lowest dose tested, but become very harmful at higher doses.

Example 3: Effect on seed consumption by birds

3.1. Repellency Test for Selected Compositions The first repellency test of various compositions was carried out on pigeons. Corn seeds treated as in Example 2 were used for the test, except that not all doses were used in the repellency test. Only those doses that were found to be acceptable in terms of seed germination were tested in the repellency test. Indeed, it would be futile to demonstrate the deterrent properties of certain compositions at certain doses if such compositions at such doses are found to be detrimental to seed germination.

Therefore, the following compositions were used in the indicated doses:

- Chili dose 37.5 ml / 50,000 corn seeds

- Cloves in a dose of 25 ml / 50,000 corn seeds

- Cumin in a dose of 37.5 ml / 50,000 corn seeds

- Black pepper in a dose of 50 ml / 50,000 corn seeds

- Ginger in a dose of 50 ml / 50,000 corn seeds

Thiram (Flowsan® at 3 ml/kg) and methiocarb (Mesurol® at 150 ml/50,000 corn seeds) were used as reference values.

In parallel, several control corn seeds were also used that did not receive any of the compositions to be tested for repellency. However, all corn seeds, including control seeds, did receive a base treatment including a formulation suspension, Influx XL® fungicidal product (containing fludioxonil and metalaxyl-M) along with a seed coating solution (Peridiam®).

Pigeons were tested regarding food intake in individual cages (aviaries). They were provided with seeds as food on a “no choice” basis, that is, they were offered only one type of seed as food.

On day 1 (the day before the study), birds were offered 50 g of untreated corn seed for 24 hours, after which the remaining amount of corn seed was weighed. On day 0, birds were offered 50 g of treated maize seed for 24 hours, after which the remaining amount of maize seed was also weighed.

After comparing the weight of the remaining treated seeds with the weight of the remaining untreated seeds, the results are expressed as percentage reduction in feed intake.

The results are presented in Table 2.

These results confirmed that market standards, i.e. Flowsan® and Mesurol®, are highly effective as bird repellents. However, this test showed that components other than the tested compositions could also influence seed consumption by pigeons. Indeed, the control also showed some significant bird repellent effect, which was likely due to one of the components added to all types of seeds tested, i.e. suspension, fungicide or seed coating solution. As a consequence, although it was possible to distinguish the bird repellent effect of different compositions, the results may not reflect the full magnitude of this effect. However, it has been observed that chili pepper, cloves, black pepper or ginger have good bird repellent properties, whereas cumin does not seem to have this (compared to the control).

3.2. Second test for repellent ability of selected compositions

A similar experiment as in Example 3.1. was carried out under the same conditions.

Here, the following compositions were used in the indicated doses:

- Cumin in three doses: 37.5 ml, 18.5 ml and 12.5 ml / 50,000 corn seeds

- Ginger in three doses: 50 ml, 25 ml and 16.7 ml / 50,000 corn seeds

Thiram (Flowsan® at 3 ml/kg) was used as a comparison. In addition, all corn seeds, including control seeds, did receive a base treatment including a formulation suspension, Influx XL® fungicidal product (containing fludioxonil and metalaxyl-M) along with a seed coating solution (Peridiam®).

The results are presented in Table 3.

These results confirm what was observed in Table 2, i.e. that ginger extract had a deterrent effect on food intake, while cumin extract had no effect.

The composition containing 90% black pepper extract and 10% garlic extract also confirmed the significant repellent effect of black pepper also observed in Table 2.

3.3. The third test for the deterrent ability of selected compositions

In a third test, certain compositions were also tested for their repellency against feeding pigeons.

However, the test procedure was slightly modified from the tests in Examples 3.1 and 3.2. Indeed, rather than simply comparing the effect of the test compositions with untreated seeds offered to pigeons on Day 1, in this case a group of pigeons were also offered untreated seeds on Day 0 in parallel to a group of pigeons that were offered seeds treated with the composition. Therefore, the results for the group of pigeons receiving the treated seeds are compared with the results for the group of pigeons receiving the untreated seeds in parallel on day 0 (instead of the results for the group of pigeons receiving the untreated seeds on day 1). Two tests were conducted in this setting with different compositions.

Test 1:

- Black pepper in a dose of 40.5 ml/50,000 corn seeds

- Garlic in a dose of 4.5 ml/50,000 corn seeds

- A mixture of black pepper (90%) and garlic (10%) at a dose of 45 ml/50,000 corn seeds

Test 2:

- Black pepper in a dose of 40.5 ml/50,000 corn seeds

- Garlic in a dose of 4.5 ml / 50,000 corn seeds

- A mixture of their black pepper (90%) and garlic (10%) at a dose of 45 ml / 50,000 corn seeds

- Thiram at a dose of 45 ml/50,000 corn seeds

The results are presented in Table 4.

These tests confirmed that the reference product Thiram has a good deterrent effect on seed consumption by pigeons. It also showed that the black pepper formulation was equally effective, whereas the garlic formulation did not have such a deterrent effect. These results explain that the high effectiveness of the mixture of black pepper (90%) and garlic (10%) is mainly due to the black pepper component in the mixture.

Example 4: Field trial to measure effects on seed consumption by free-ranging birds

The test was carried out on commercially planted corn fields in the Zülpicher Börde region, Rhineland, North Rhine-Westphalia, West Germany. The distance between fields was at least 500 m.

The purpose of the field trial was to determine whether different bird species using newly planted corn fields showed any preference or avoidance for repellent-treated corn seeds compared to untreated corn seeds. Accordingly, the trial was designed to allow a choice experiment with four treatments (two treatments treated with the black pepper composition of the invention at two different dose rates, one treated with mesurol as a comparison, and one untreated) offered to wild birds. Various corn seeds were offered at "bait stations" and bird visits were recorded using motion-triggered cameras. Bird species and the number of seeds taken were assessed.

Four study fields were selected to install baits offering differently treated (or untreated) corn seed (hereafter referred to as treatments). In each of the 4 study fields, 4 bait stations were set up, each with 4 different treatments (= four bait stations designated as one “bait station set”) in a random order. Treatments were black pepper composition at dose rate 1 (60.75 ml/50,000 seeds), black pepper composition at dose rate 2 (101.25 ml/50,000 seeds), standard treatment (mesurol) and untreated. The distance between bait stations within one “set” was 5-10 m.

Bait stations consisted of an area of approximately one square meter of land in which approximately 1 kg of seed was placed in the center. Each individual bait was monitored using a motion- and infrared-sensitive camera (Browning BTS-8A) powered by AA batteries. Videos were recorded after the camera was triggered by a moving animal. The cameras were installed in the morning before dawn and turned off in the evening. The recording was repeated for 7 days in a row. Corn seeds were changed daily.

Video recordings were later decoded, sorted, and bird species, number of bird visits, and number of seeds eaten from individual treatments, as well as other behaviors, were recorded.

The results of the video recordings collected from the four test fields are shown in Table 5 below:

Overall, 17 bird species visited bait stations, with a total of 1,355 visits recorded. The most common visitors were wild pigeons, carrion crows and common pheasants. Some birds were more numerous in certain fields. Additionally, some of the visiting birds are not strictly granivores or, if so, may not use corn seed as their preferred food, which may explain some of the low visitation levels (also for untreated) compared to others.

Maize seed treatment showed a clear effect on the analyzed parameters. Some individuals clearly showed preference for untreated seeds:

• Visits to feed stations depended on the type of corn seed. Bait stations offering untreated corn seed were visited by significantly more birds than treated seed. Thus, the treatment has a strong deterrent effect even before the birds carefully examine the seeds.

• Additionally, at the “next level” of potential “deterrent effect”—the proportion of visitors who actually handled corn seeds—birds showed a clear preference for untreated seeds.

• Finally, the proportion of identified corn seeds that were subsequently ingested was significantly higher for untreated seeds than for all treatment groups. Consequently, the amount of seed consumed was highest at stations fed the untreated corn seed feed.

Consequently, untreated seeds were observed at all three “levels” of “potential treatment effect.”

Claims (14)

1. A viable plant propagation material coated with a composition containing a plant extract selected from the group consisting of: (i) an extract of a pepper plant of the genus Piper and (ii) an extract of a ginger plant Zingiber officinale . 2. Material for plant propagation according to claim 1, where the plant extract is an oil resin. 3. Plant propagation material according to claim 2, where the composition is a composition containing an extract of a plant from the genus Piper . 4. Plant propagation material according to claim 3, where the composition contains an extract of the Piper nigrum plant. 5. Material for plant propagation according to claim 4, where the composition contains an extract from the fruits of the Piper nigrum plant. 6. A viable plant propagation material according to claim 1, which is coated with a composition containing a piperine compound as (i) an extract of a pepper plant of the genus Piper . 7. Viable material for plant propagation according to any one of paragraphs. 1-6, coated with a composition containing (i) at least 50 v/v. % of plant extract from the genus Piper and (ii) up to 50 v/v. % of at least one extract of another plant having a bird repellent effect. 8. The plant propagation material according to claim 7, wherein the extract of another plant having a bird repellent effect is an extract of the garlic plant Allium sativum . 9. Plant propagation material according to claim 8, wherein the extract of the garlic plant Allium sativum is an oil obtained by steam distillation of crushed garlic cloves. 10. Material for plant propagation according to any one of paragraphs. 1-9, wherein such plant propagation material is a seed. 11. Material for plant propagation according to any one of paragraphs. 1-9, wherein such plant propagation material is a fruit. 12. Material for plant propagation according to any one of paragraphs. 10 or 11, wherein such plant propagation material is a seed or fruit ripening on the plant producing it. 13. A method for protecting plant propagation material from free-living birds, including the stage of processing such plant propagation material with a composition according to claims. 1-9. 14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the plant propagation material is a plant propagation material according to any one of claims. 10-12.