WO2006097700A1 - Plant growth enhancement - Google Patents

Plant growth enhancement Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2006097700A1
WO2006097700A1 PCT/GB2006/000882 GB2006000882W WO2006097700A1 WO 2006097700 A1 WO2006097700 A1 WO 2006097700A1 GB 2006000882 W GB2006000882 W GB 2006000882W WO 2006097700 A1 WO2006097700 A1 WO 2006097700A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
oil
water
soluble
mineral
composition
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PCT/GB2006/000882
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French (fr)
Inventor
David Marks
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Plant Impact Plc
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Publication date
Application filed by Plant Impact Plc filed Critical Plant Impact Plc
Priority to GB0718528A priority Critical patent/GB2441060B/en
Publication of WO2006097700A1 publication Critical patent/WO2006097700A1/en

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
    • A01N—PRESERVATION OF BODIES OF HUMANS OR ANIMALS OR PLANTS OR PARTS THEREOF; BIOCIDES, e.g. AS DISINFECTANTS, AS PESTICIDES OR AS HERBICIDES; PEST REPELLANTS OR ATTRACTANTS; PLANT GROWTH REGULATORS
    • A01N65/00—Biocides, pest repellants or attractants, or plant growth regulators containing material from algae, lichens, bryophyta, multi-cellular fungi or plants, or extracts thereof
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
    • A01N—PRESERVATION OF BODIES OF HUMANS OR ANIMALS OR PLANTS OR PARTS THEREOF; BIOCIDES, e.g. AS DISINFECTANTS, AS PESTICIDES OR AS HERBICIDES; PEST REPELLANTS OR ATTRACTANTS; PLANT GROWTH REGULATORS
    • A01N65/00—Biocides, pest repellants or attractants, or plant growth regulators containing material from algae, lichens, bryophyta, multi-cellular fungi or plants, or extracts thereof
    • A01N65/08—Magnoliopsida [dicotyledons]
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
    • A01N—PRESERVATION OF BODIES OF HUMANS OR ANIMALS OR PLANTS OR PARTS THEREOF; BIOCIDES, e.g. AS DISINFECTANTS, AS PESTICIDES OR AS HERBICIDES; PEST REPELLANTS OR ATTRACTANTS; PLANT GROWTH REGULATORS
    • A01N65/00—Biocides, pest repellants or attractants, or plant growth regulators containing material from algae, lichens, bryophyta, multi-cellular fungi or plants, or extracts thereof
    • A01N65/08—Magnoliopsida [dicotyledons]
    • A01N65/16—Ericaceae [Heath or Blueberry family], e.g. rhododendron, arbutus, pieris, cranberry or bilberry
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
    • A01N—PRESERVATION OF BODIES OF HUMANS OR ANIMALS OR PLANTS OR PARTS THEREOF; BIOCIDES, e.g. AS DISINFECTANTS, AS PESTICIDES OR AS HERBICIDES; PEST REPELLANTS OR ATTRACTANTS; PLANT GROWTH REGULATORS
    • A01N65/00—Biocides, pest repellants or attractants, or plant growth regulators containing material from algae, lichens, bryophyta, multi-cellular fungi or plants, or extracts thereof
    • A01N65/08—Magnoliopsida [dicotyledons]
    • A01N65/22—Lamiaceae or Labiatae [Mint family], e.g. thyme, rosemary, skullcap, selfheal, lavender, perilla, pennyroyal, peppermint or spearmint
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C05—FERTILISERS; MANUFACTURE THEREOF
    • C05D—INORGANIC FERTILISERS NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES C05B, C05C; FERTILISERS PRODUCING CARBON DIOXIDE
    • C05D9/00—Other inorganic fertilisers
    • C05D9/02—Other inorganic fertilisers containing trace elements
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C05—FERTILISERS; MANUFACTURE THEREOF
    • C05F—ORGANIC FERTILISERS NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES C05B, C05C, e.g. FERTILISERS FROM WASTE OR REFUSE
    • C05F11/00—Other organic fertilisers
    • C05F11/10—Fertilisers containing plant vitamins or hormones
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C05—FERTILISERS; MANUFACTURE THEREOF
    • C05F—ORGANIC FERTILISERS NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES C05B, C05C, e.g. FERTILISERS FROM WASTE OR REFUSE
    • C05F5/00—Fertilisers from distillery wastes, molasses, vinasses, sugar plant or similar wastes or residues, e.g. from waste originating from industrial processing of raw material of agricultural origin or derived products thereof
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C05—FERTILISERS; MANUFACTURE THEREOF
    • C05G—MIXTURES OF FERTILISERS COVERED INDIVIDUALLY BY DIFFERENT SUBCLASSES OF CLASS C05; MIXTURES OF ONE OR MORE FERTILISERS WITH MATERIALS NOT HAVING A SPECIFIC FERTILISING ACTIVITY, e.g. PESTICIDES, SOIL-CONDITIONERS, WETTING AGENTS; FERTILISERS CHARACTERISED BY THEIR FORM
    • C05G3/00—Mixtures of one or more fertilisers with additives not having a specially fertilising activity
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C05—FERTILISERS; MANUFACTURE THEREOF
    • C05G—MIXTURES OF FERTILISERS COVERED INDIVIDUALLY BY DIFFERENT SUBCLASSES OF CLASS C05; MIXTURES OF ONE OR MORE FERTILISERS WITH MATERIALS NOT HAVING A SPECIFIC FERTILISING ACTIVITY, e.g. PESTICIDES, SOIL-CONDITIONERS, WETTING AGENTS; FERTILISERS CHARACTERISED BY THEIR FORM
    • C05G3/00—Mixtures of one or more fertilisers with additives not having a specially fertilising activity
    • C05G3/50—Surfactants; Emulsifiers
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C05—FERTILISERS; MANUFACTURE THEREOF
    • C05G—MIXTURES OF FERTILISERS COVERED INDIVIDUALLY BY DIFFERENT SUBCLASSES OF CLASS C05; MIXTURES OF ONE OR MORE FERTILISERS WITH MATERIALS NOT HAVING A SPECIFIC FERTILISING ACTIVITY, e.g. PESTICIDES, SOIL-CONDITIONERS, WETTING AGENTS; FERTILISERS CHARACTERISED BY THEIR FORM
    • C05G3/00—Mixtures of one or more fertilisers with additives not having a specially fertilising activity
    • C05G3/60—Biocides or preservatives, e.g. disinfectants, pesticides or herbicides; Pest repellants or attractants
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C05—FERTILISERS; MANUFACTURE THEREOF
    • C05G—MIXTURES OF FERTILISERS COVERED INDIVIDUALLY BY DIFFERENT SUBCLASSES OF CLASS C05; MIXTURES OF ONE OR MORE FERTILISERS WITH MATERIALS NOT HAVING A SPECIFIC FERTILISING ACTIVITY, e.g. PESTICIDES, SOIL-CONDITIONERS, WETTING AGENTS; FERTILISERS CHARACTERISED BY THEIR FORM
    • C05G3/00—Mixtures of one or more fertilisers with additives not having a specially fertilising activity
    • C05G3/70—Mixtures of one or more fertilisers with additives not having a specially fertilising activity for affecting wettability, e.g. drying agents
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C05—FERTILISERS; MANUFACTURE THEREOF
    • C05G—MIXTURES OF FERTILISERS COVERED INDIVIDUALLY BY DIFFERENT SUBCLASSES OF CLASS C05; MIXTURES OF ONE OR MORE FERTILISERS WITH MATERIALS NOT HAVING A SPECIFIC FERTILISING ACTIVITY, e.g. PESTICIDES, SOIL-CONDITIONERS, WETTING AGENTS; FERTILISERS CHARACTERISED BY THEIR FORM
    • C05G5/00—Fertilisers characterised by their form
    • C05G5/20—Liquid fertilisers
    • C05G5/27—Dispersions, e.g. suspensions or emulsions

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an a method for enhancing plant growth, in particular by enhanced nutrient uptake by plants, by administration of an agricultural composition comprising essential oils.
  • an agricultural composition comprising essential oils.
  • the essential oils used have other properties such as insect repellent properties.
  • Plants need a range of nutrients for healthy growth. These include macronutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, carbon and water, secondary nutrients such as calcium, magnesium, sodium, chloride and sulphur, as well as micronutrients which include copper, cobalt, iron, manganese, boron, molybdenum, zinc, silicon and nickel.
  • macronutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, carbon and water
  • secondary nutrients such as calcium, magnesium, sodium, chloride and sulphur
  • micronutrients which include copper, cobalt, iron, manganese, boron, molybdenum, zinc, silicon and nickel.
  • the applicants have found an improved manner of enhancing the uptake of nutrients, and particularly secondary or micronutrients, by plants.
  • the present invention provides a method for enhancing plant growth, said method comprising applying to a plant or to the environment thereof, an agricultural composition comprising (i) one or more essential oils, or active components thereof, or mixtures of these, (ii) a plant oil and (iii) an emulsifier.
  • Essential oils are a product of a plants 'secondary metabolism' a large and diverse group of reactions not essential to the core growth and development of the species . These compounds alter the gene expression and metabolism of plants when they are applied exogenously. The applicants have found however, that by administering compositions that contain essential oils, they can enhance plant growth, apparently by enhancing nutrient uptake by a plant.
  • the composition suitably contains no more than 10%w/ of essential oil, suitably no more than 5%w/w of essential oil, more suitably no more than 3%w/w and preferably no more than 1.5%w/w of essential oil.
  • the composition may contain no more than l%w/w essential oil.
  • essential oil refers to natural aromatic oils, obtainable from plants.
  • Essential oils include tagetes oil, such as the oil obtainable Tagetes erecta and thyme oil, such as the oil obtainable from Thymus vulgaris, Wintergreen " oil, Rosemary oil, garlic oil, oils from Chenopodium, Erythroxylum, Eugenia, Gaultheria, Myristica, Syzygium, Xanthophyllum, Cinnamonium, Gualtheria, Gossypium and mentha .
  • essential oils for inclusion in the compositions of the invention are obtainable from in a wide range of plant families including those families listed in the following Table 1. The Table also includes examples of particular species found within each of these families
  • Adhatoda vasica (malabar nut)
  • Annona reticulata (bullocks heart)
  • Annona squamosa (custard apple)
  • Monodora myristica (nutmeg)
  • Ageratum conzyaides (goatweed) Artemesia vulgaris (mugwort) Bulmea balsamifera (camphor) Chrysanthemum indicum (manzanilla) Sausurea lappa
  • Raphanus sativus (radish)
  • Jatropha curcus (Physic nut)
  • Butea frondosa (flame of the forest) Gliricidia sepium (Madre de Cacao) Psoralea coylifolia Pongamia glabra (karanja)
  • Trigonella foenum (fenugreek)
  • Lavendula angustifolia (lavender) Mentha arvensis (cornmint) Mentha longifolia (Horsemint) Mentha piperita (peppermint) Mentha spicata (spearmint)
  • Osimum basilicum sweet basil
  • Osimum canum American basil
  • Osimum suave wild basil
  • Origanum vulgarae oregano
  • Pogostemon heyneanus Rosmarianus officianis rosemary
  • Salvia officianalis sage
  • Thymus vulgaris garden thyme
  • Cissampelos owariensis (Pareira brava) Myrsinaceae
  • Eucalyptus citriodara (lemon-scented gum) Eucalyptus globus (Blue gum tree) Eucalyptus terreticomis Psidium guajava (guava) Syzygium aromaticum (clove)
  • Nigella sativa black cumin
  • Citrus paradisi (grapefruit)
  • Capsicum annum (bell pepper) Capsicum frutescens (Tabasco) Lycopersicon esculentum (tomato) Nicotiana tabacum (tobacco) Withania somnifera (winter cherry)
  • active components thereof refers to the chemicals within the essential oil, which result in enhanced plant growth, for instance by enhancing nutrient uptake in plants, for example by stimulating metabolic pathways. However, they may also have additional desirable activities such as antimicrobial effects, insect or arachnid killing or repellent effects, antiviral and viral remediation effects.
  • oils may be present alone or combinations of different oils may be included, provided the total essential oil content does not exceed the amounts specified above.
  • the essential oils included in the compositions appear to stimulate the metabolism of the plant to which the composition is applied, thus increasing the uptake and utilization of minerals either by root uptake or foliar absorption.
  • composition will comprise one or more essential oils selected from tagetes oil, in particular Tagetes erecta oil, or a thymol containing oil, such as thyme oil or a mixture thereof.
  • Suitable plant oils for inclusion in the composition of the invention include canola oil (oilseed rape oil), soybean oil, cottonseed, castor oil, linseed oil and palm oil.
  • the composition used in the method of the invention further comprises an emulsifier, which may be any known agriculturally acceptable emulsifier.
  • the emulsifier will comprise a surfactant, typically alkylaryl sulphonates, ethoxylated alcohols, polyalkoxylated butyl ethers, calcium alkyl benzene sulphonates, polyalkylene glycol ethers and butyl polyalkylene oxide block copolymers as are known in the art.
  • Nonyl phenol emulsifiers such as Triton N57TM are particular examples of emulsifiers, which may be used in the compositions of the invention, as are polyoxyethylene sorbitan esters such as polyoxyethylene sorbitan monolaurate (sold by ICI under the trade name "TweenTM”) .
  • polyoxyethylene sorbitan esters such as polyoxyethylene sorbitan monolaurate (sold by ICI under the trade name "TweenTM"
  • natural organic emulsifiers may be preferred, particularly for organic farming applications.
  • coconut oils such as coconut diethanolamide is an example of such an compound. Palm oil products such as lauryl stearate may also be used.
  • the emulsifier is suitably present in an amount which is sufficient to ensure that the composition has the desired miscibility with water.
  • the emulsifier may be present in amounts of from 1 to 20%w/w, suitably up to 10%w/w and in particular from 4-6%w/w.
  • the plant oil will comprise the balance of the composition.
  • the composition may comprise further components as described below, including water.
  • the agricultural composition is added to water where it forms an emulsion of vegetable oil in the spray tank. It can them be applied to plants, in particular crop plants, in a conventional manner for example by spraying or drip irrigation methods.
  • the composition is administered together with a water-soluble nutrient mineral.
  • a water-soluble nutrient mineral is included in the composition containing the essential oil or active component thereof.
  • the components of the composition can work synergistically, in that the essential oil enhances the uptake of a nutrient material, which is, at the same time supplied to the plant.
  • the water-soluble salt of a nutrient mineral is a water-soluble salt of a secondary nutrient such as calcium, magnesium, sodium, chloride and sulphur, or a micronutrient in particular, copper, cobalt, iron, manganese, boron, molybdenum, zinc, silicon and nickel.
  • a micronutrient such as calcium, magnesium, sodium, chloride and sulphur
  • the water-soluble salt is a salt of a micronutrient, especially zinc, copper, cobalt, iron or manganese.
  • Particular examples of minerals are zinc, calcium and boron.
  • Suitable water-soluble salts are nitrates, sulphates and chlorides, and preferably are nitrates and sulphates.
  • the water-soluble mineral salt is other than calcium chloride.
  • Particular examples of water-soluble mineral salts include zinc nitrate, iron sulphate, zinc sulphate, magnesium sulphate, manganese sulphate, iron nitrate or manganese nitrate.
  • the water-soluble mineral salt which when included in the composition, will be present as a solid powder. It is suitably present in the composition in an amount of up to 20%v/v, preferably from 5 to 15% v/v and most preferably from 10-15% v/v.
  • the agricultural composition contains such a salt, it is shaken in the bottle, prior to addition to water where it forms an emulsion of vegetable oil in the spray tank. It can them be applied to plants, in particular crop plants, as described before, for example by spraying or drip irrigation methods.
  • Inclusion of the nutrient mineral element in the composition further enhances the uptake by the plant in foliar sprays ' by improving its coverage.
  • Emulsification in plant oil improves the spreading, wetting and sticking of the mineral across the foliage. This allows the mineral to cover a greater surface area of the vegetation giving better and more even uptake.
  • Even uptake is essential in elements that are not very mobile within the plant such as calcium and boron.
  • the sticking action is beneficial in allowing the plant to absorb the mineral over a time period. Furthermore, it improves rainfastness without which the mineral can be removed from the leaf before it is absorbed fully.
  • Vegetable oil emulsification also minimizes the volatilization of the mineral into the atmosphere and so allows uptake to proceed over a longer period.
  • the compositions When applied through drip irrigation or fertigation systems, the compositions show improved spread of a mineral element in the soil, as a result of the plant oil emulsification. Specifically, the composition is not very mobile in the soil and so remains substantially in the vicinity in which it is applied, i.e. adjacent the root system. However, the emulsion also protects any mineral components from leaching by adhesion to the soil particles, which also means that it can be better absorbed by the plants root system. Specifically, emulsification can prevent the mineral from being "locked up" in soil, for example by being bound to organic matter, or by adverse soil conditions (pH etc.) and so becoming unavailable to the plant.
  • adverse soil conditions pH etc.
  • Vegetable oil emulsification also helps to delay drying of the soil, which can be a limiting factor in root uptake of mineral elements.
  • the specific mineral nutrient administered with the composition is selected as being one, which is required within a plant metabolic pathway whose activity is stimulated by the particular essential oil or active component thereof.
  • the plant will absorb more of the nutrient to meet its requirements, and so synergy between the components can be obtained.
  • wintergreen oil or similar oils stimulates the need for calcium and conversely calcium stimulates the need for the compounds present in wintergreen oil. Therefore the administration of a water soluble calcium salt together with a composition comprising wintergreen oil or similar, or an active component thereof is advantageous.
  • the main component of wintergreen oil is methyl salicylate, and ⁇ so this may be used instead of wintergreen oil itself, but other salicylate compounds such as salicyclic acid or esters thereof, in particular alkyl esters such as Ci_ 10 alkyl esters may be used.
  • Salicylate compounds also reduce ethylene production or have antiviral effects. Ethylene production is increased following infection with many viruses, and application of compounds, which reduce this, can be used to remediate symptoms. Thus the inclusion of such compounds may further produce viral remediation effect.
  • the salicylate compound used in the composition is in the form of an essential oil as these form a readily useable source of active ingredient, which is miscible with the composition.
  • oils which include salicylic acid or salicylates include wintergreen oil as explained above but also oils from Chenopodium, Erythroxylum, Eugenia, Gaultheria, Myristica, Syzygium, Xanthophyllum, Cinnamonium, Gualtheria, Gossypium and mentha.
  • a further example would be to administer a water-soluble zinc or copper salt together with, or as part of a composition comprising an essential oil which stimulate pathways related to auxin or carbohydrate production. This is because zinc or copper is required for auxin and carbohydrate metabolism, and therefore essential oils that would increase the requirement for these minerals would work synergistically to enhance uptake of the mineral nutrient.
  • zinc enzymes there is a large number of enzymes in which zinc is an integral component of the enzyme stucture (zinc enzymes).
  • zinc has three functions: catalytic, cocatalytic or structural. Examples include carbonic anhydrase, carboxypeptidase, alcohol dehydrogenase, alkaline phospatase, phospholipase, and RNA polymerase.
  • Zn.PPase, dehydrogenases, aldolases, isomerases and transphosphorylases are modulated by zinc also. Any upgrade in activity of these pathways, for example as a result of the presence of an appropriate essential oil, would increase absorption of the nutrient mineral which is being applied.
  • copper is associated with IAA (auxin) oxidase, diamine oxidase, cytochrome oxidase, ascorbate oxidase, superoxide dismutase, phenol oxidases.
  • IAA auxin
  • Metabolism linked to copper includes lignin biosynthesis, carbohydrate metabolism, and nitrogen metabolism.
  • Nickel is linked to several enzymes including urease, whereas molybdenum is linked to nitrogenase, nitrate reductase, xanthene oxidase and xanthene dehydrogenase.
  • iron is linked with heme protein metabolism, iron-sulphur protein metbolism, and strongly with ethylene metabolism.
  • Specific enzymes linked with iron include ferrodoxin, and nitrate reductase,
  • Manganese is utilised in a large number of enzymes, including malic enzyme, and isocitrate dehydrogenase. It is, as a result, involved in lipid, carbohydrate and protein metabolism.
  • Inorganic pyrophosphatases can be linked with magnesium, manganese and zinc.
  • compositions of the invention may also produce these metabolic stimulating effects.
  • inclusion of cytokinin in the compositions of the invention will increase the requirement for calcium, and so it will advantageous in compositions in which water soluble calcium salts such as calcium nitrate or calcium sulphate is the nutrient mineral.
  • Such metabolic stimulant components may therefore be included in addition or as an alternative to the essential oils described above.
  • Essential oils supplied with nutrient can also direct the flow of the nutrient supplied, by stimulating local need through upregulation of activity requiring a nutrient in a specific tissues. For example, cell division increases flow of calcium to meristems. Therefore, administration of a composition as described above including an essential oil which stimulates cell division to, for example, the leaves of plants will have the effect of increasing the calcium content in the meristems.
  • This additional calcium is supplied by the composition in the form of a water soluble calcium salt such as calcium nitrate or calcium sulphate.
  • oils have anti microbial or insect or arthropod and nematode repellant or killing activity, and in a preferred embodiment, these may be included in the composition of the invention.
  • oils such as tagetes oil and thyme oil have been demonstrated to have insect repellent properties on several insect species.
  • their potential for use in mainstream agriculture is limited due to two factors: economics and taint.
  • these oils when applied alone to crops, have to be applied in amounts of from 2 to 5 litres of oil per hectare to achieve reasonable pest control.
  • the use of the oils requires too much material to be used for them to be cost effective.
  • the crops can suffer significant post harvest taint.
  • Essential oils have been used for the treatment of stored grain, but again, the amounts applied to achieve effective insect repellence is high.
  • composition further comprises one or more essential oils selected from tagetes oil or a thymol containing essential oil, or a mixture thereof, or components thereof which have insect repellent or deterrent properties.
  • Thyme oil is a particularly suitable thymol containing essential oil, but others include Anabasis, carum, lavendula, Oc ⁇ mum, and origanum oils.
  • the composition used in the method comprises one or more essential oils selected from tagetes oil or thyme oil, or a mixture thereof.
  • compositions of this type are described and claimed in WO 2005/053395.
  • one or more isolated components of these oils may be utilised, provided these have plant growth enhancement activity and preferably also insect repellent or deterrent properties.
  • Thymus vulgaris essential oil comprises a mixture of thymol, caracrol, cymol, linalool, terpin-4-ol an monoterpenoids . Any of these components or mixtures thereof may be used in the composition.
  • Components of tagetes oil such as Tagetes erecta and Tagetes minuta, but in particular Tagetes erecta, essential oil include dihydrotagetone, thiophenes and ocimene, or which dihydrotagetone is the most important component.
  • Synergistic effects may be achieved if these insect repellant oils or active components therefore are using in compositions which comprise water-soluble salts of mineral nutrients which improving plant resistance to arthropod/nematode attack (such as root knot nematodes, and potato cyst nematodes.) .
  • the effects are achieved not only in the soil or on the leaves (depending upon how the composition is applied) , but also following uptake by the plant.
  • additive of essential oils which have antimicrobial effects may also prevent microbial decomposition of the minerals.
  • This may be particularly useful for instance, if supplied with nitrogen, for example in the form of water-soluble nutrient mineral nitrates.
  • Microbes have a tendency to decompose nitrogen in the form of nitrates to ammonia, which is prone to leachng in the soil and volatilization. Prevention of microbial decomposition of this type will therefore lead to reduced leaching and volatilization and so improved nitrogen uptake by plant.
  • antimicrobial essential oils or active components thereof in compositions which contain nutrient minerals known to have antimicrobial properties (eg. Zn, Mn, Cu) .
  • nutrient minerals known to have antimicrobial properties (eg. Zn, Mn, Cu) .
  • Such a composition discourages plant pathogenic microorganisms both in soil or on foliage of the plant, depending upon where the composition is applied, and also within the plant upon uptake.
  • Use of such essential oils or active components thereof in the composition also reduces microbial feeding on the composition during storage, and so will enhance shelf life.
  • the inherent anti-microbial properties in the trace elements in particular, copper, manganese, and zinc can be obtained at lower rates if they are applied as a vegetable oil emulsion that has the effect of protecting the nutrient.
  • This has big environmental benefits in that it allows nutrient control of disease (which in some cases, is better than using some synthetics) to be achieved efficiently, and with a reduced amount of nutrient.
  • Excess nutrient material can be an environmental problem, in particular where these are heavy metals such as copper, as they may persist in the soil and entering water courses.
  • the method of the invention is useful in enhancing not only the nutrient/plant interaction, but also the nutrient/environment interaction .
  • compositions used may also comprise other agriculturally acceptable components such as thickeners, suspension agents or wetting agents.
  • thickeners may comprise gums, for example xanthan gum or lignosulphonate complexes, as are known in the art.
  • Suitable suspension agents which may be included in the formulations include hydrophilic colloids (such as polysaccharides, polyvinylpyrrolidone or sodium carboxymethylcellulose) and swelling clays (such as bentonite or attapulgite) .
  • hydrophilic colloids such as polysaccharides, polyvinylpyrrolidone or sodium carboxymethylcellulose
  • swelling clays such as bentonite or attapulgite
  • Wetting agents may be surfactants of the cationic, anionic, amphoteric or non-ionic type, as is known in the art.
  • the compositions of the invention may comprise additional nutritional products and/or growth stimulants used in crop nutrition, such as seaweed extract powders, humic and fulvic acid powders and amino acid powders .
  • compositions are suitably prepared by mixing the components together in a conventional manner.
  • the emulsifier together with any essential oil(s) or active components thereof which may be present are added to the agriculturally acceptable carrier oil and mixed with stirring until the components are evenly diluted throughout the composition. This mixture is then added to the water-soluble mineral nutrient in a container.
  • Novel compositions described above form a further aspect of the invention.
  • the invention provides a composition comprising an agricultural composition comprising (i) one or more essential oils, or active components thereof, or mixtures of these, (ii) a plant oil, (iii) an emulsifier and (iv) a water-soluble nutrient mineral.
  • compositions described above are suitably diluted in water before application.
  • compositions described above are generally concentrates.
  • the invention provides a formulation for administration to plants or to the environment of the plants, the formulation comprising a composition as described above, and water.
  • the amount of water used will depend upon the particular mode of administration of the formulation, and to where it is being applied, for example to crops or to grain stores of the like. This will generally be by means of a sprayer, such as an electrostatic or other conventional sprayer.
  • the formulations are applied in drip irrigation or fertigation systems, directly to the soil, so as to allow nutrient uptake through the roots.
  • the final formulation will contain from 10-20% of the composition of the invention and the remainder is water.
  • the invention provides the use of an agricultural composition comprising (i) one or more essential oils, or active components thereof, or mixtures of these, (ii) a plant oil and (iii) an emulsifier, as a plant growth enhancer.
  • the method is suitable for use on most crops, including monocotyledonous and dicotylendonous crops, but in particular can be used for the treatment of greenhouse crops, vegetables, and fruit crops.
  • compositions have low phytotoxicity at the effective concentrations .
  • compositions applied in any particular situation will vary depending upon a number of factors such as the nature of the crop, the level of nutrient required etc. Typically administration to crops at a rate of from 1 to 30 litres per hectare, and preferably from 1 to 10 litres per hectare would be suitable. For instance, the amount of solution applied is sufficient to provide a solution concentration sprayed to runoff - rate of between 2ml/lt and 20ml/lt.
  • the compositions can be used either alone (and in this case, they may be suitable for organic growers) or in conjunction with other agrochemicals such as fungicides, insecticides or acaricides .
  • Emulsifiable vegetable oil component
  • Emulsifiable vegetable oil component
  • Emulsifier (tween) 4.9% Thyme oil 0.5%
  • Tagetes Oil 0.5% Mixed with 1 of: Manganese sulphate, Zinc sulphate, Iron sulphate, Magnesium sulphate, copper sulphate (or a blend) 20% v/v
  • Emulsifiable vegetable oil component
  • the resultant composition can be applied to crops, where it not only enhances plant growth because the essential oils enhance uptake of the micronutrient zinc.
  • the composition also demonstrates a pest killing effect.
  • the residual deterrent or repellent on the crops reduces the incidence of reinfestation.
  • symptoms of any viral infection, caused by the insect vectors are remediated.
  • the resultant composition was be applied to crops, where it killed pests, but enhancement in plant growth was also noted.
  • the residual deterrent or repellent on the crops reduces the incidence of reinfestation. Furthermore, symptoms of any viral infection, caused by the insect vectors, are remediated.
  • composition was used in a range of trials as outlined in

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Abstract

A method for enhancing plant growth, said method comprising applying to a plant or to the environment thereof, an agricultural composition comprising (i) one or more essential oils, or active components thereof, or mixtures of these, (ii) a plant oil and (iii) an emulsifier. Such compositions enhance plant growth, in particular by enhancing nutrient uptake from the soil or the environment. Compositions for use in the method are also described and claimed.

Description

Plant Growth Enhancement
The present invention relates to an a method for enhancing plant growth, in particular by enhanced nutrient uptake by plants, by administration of an agricultural composition comprising essential oils. Preferably the essential oils used have other properties such as insect repellent properties.
Plants need a range of nutrients for healthy growth. These include macronutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, carbon and water, secondary nutrients such as calcium, magnesium, sodium, chloride and sulphur, as well as micronutrients which include copper, cobalt, iron, manganese, boron, molybdenum, zinc, silicon and nickel.
The introduction of particularly secondary and micronutrients into the plant can be difficult, even though they may be present in significant quantities in the soil. Their availability to the plant may be low.
One method, which has been used hitherto to enhance the availability of these nutrients to the plant is to apply them in conjunction with chemical chelating agents such as EDTA. However, synthetic chemical chelates are damaging to the environment as they do not degrade in the soil and scavenge undesirable elements after completing their purpose.
The applicants have found an improved manner of enhancing the uptake of nutrients, and particularly secondary or micronutrients, by plants.
The present invention provides a method for enhancing plant growth, said method comprising applying to a plant or to the environment thereof, an agricultural composition comprising (i) one or more essential oils, or active components thereof, or mixtures of these, (ii) a plant oil and (iii) an emulsifier.
Essential oils are a product of a plants 'secondary metabolism' a large and diverse group of reactions not essential to the core growth and development of the species . These compounds alter the gene expression and metabolism of plants when they are applied exogenously. The applicants have found however, that by administering compositions that contain essential oils, they can enhance plant growth, apparently by enhancing nutrient uptake by a plant.
The composition suitably contains no more than 10%w/ of essential oil, suitably no more than 5%w/w of essential oil, more suitably no more than 3%w/w and preferably no more than 1.5%w/w of essential oil. For instance, the composition may contain no more than l%w/w essential oil.
As used herein, the expression "essential oil" refers to natural aromatic oils, obtainable from plants. Essential oils include tagetes oil, such as the oil obtainable Tagetes erecta and thyme oil, such as the oil obtainable from Thymus vulgaris, Wintergreen" oil, Rosemary oil, garlic oil, oils from Chenopodium, Erythroxylum, Eugenia, Gaultheria, Myristica, Syzygium, Xanthophyllum, Cinnamonium, Gualtheria, Gossypium and mentha . However, essential oils for inclusion in the compositions of the invention are obtainable from in a wide range of plant families including those families listed in the following Table 1. The Table also includes examples of particular species found within each of these families
Table 1 Family Acanthaceae
Adhatoda vasica (malabar nut)
Anacardiaceae Anacardum occidentale (cashew nut)
Annonaceae
Annona reticulata (bullocks heart) Annona squamosa (custard apple) Monodora myristica (nutmeg)
Apiacea (umbelliferae)
Anethum graveolens (dill) carum carvi (caraway)
Carum roxburghianum (Bishops weed) Pimpinella anisum (aniseed)
Apocynaceae Nerium oleander (oleander)
Araceae
Acorus calamus (flagroot)
Asteraceae
Ageratum conzyaides (goatweed) Artemesia vulgaris (mugwort) Bulmea balsamifera (camphor) Chrysanthemum indicum (manzanilla) Sausurea lappa
Hellianthus annus (sunflower)
Brassicaceae
Raphanus sativus (radish)
Ceasalpinaceae
Erythrophleum suaveolens (ordeal tree)
Cappardaceae Bosica senegalensis Cleome monophylla CeIlastraceae
Celastrus angulatus (Chinese bittersweet)
Chenopodiacea
Chenopodium ambrosiodes (Sweet pigweed)
Clusiaceae
Calophyllum inophyllgum (luarelwood)
Convulvulaceae
Convulvulus arvensis (field bindweed)
Cucurbitaceae Momordica charantia (Balsam pear)
Dipterocarpaceae
Shorea robusta (sal tree)
Ericaeae
Gualtheria procumbens (wintergreen)
Euphorbiaceae
Jatropha curcus (Physic nut)
Fabaceae
Butea frondosa (flame of the forest) Gliricidia sepium (Madre de Cacao) Psoralea coylifolia Pongamia glabra (karanja)
Trigonella foenum (fenugreek)
Graminaceae
Cymbopgon martini (gingergrass) Oryza sativa (rice) Laminaeae
Bystropogon spp. Coleus amboinicus (oregano) Hyptis spicigera (black sesame) Hyptis suaveolens
Lavendula angustifolia (lavender) Mentha arvensis (cornmint) Mentha longifolia (Horsemint) Mentha piperita (peppermint) Mentha spicata (spearmint)
Osimum basilicum (sweet basil) Osimum canum (American basil) Osimum kilimandscharicum Osimum suave (wild basil) Origanum vulgarae (oregano) Pogostemon heyneanus Rosmarianus officianis (rosemary) Salvia officianalis (sage) Thymus vulgaris (garden thyme) Tetradenia riparia
Lauraceae
Cinnamomum aromaticum (cassia)
Luaris nobilis (sweet bay)
Liliaceae
Allium
Allium sativum (garlic)
Meliaceae
Azadirachta indica (neem) Melia azedarach (Persian lilac)
Menisperaceae
Cissampelos owariensis (Pareira brava) Myrsinaceae
Embelia ribes Myrtaceae Eucalyptus spp.
Eucalyptus citriodara (lemon-scented gum) Eucalyptus globus (Blue gum tree) Eucalyptus terreticomis Psidium guajava (guava) Syzygium aromaticum (clove)
Myristicaceae
Myristica fragrans (mace)
Piperaceae
Piper cubeda (Java long pepper) Piper guineense (Ashanti pepper) Piper nigrum (black pepper)
Ranunculaceae
Nigella sativa (black cumin)
Rutaceae
Aegle marmelos (Bengal quince) Citrus aurantifolia (lime)
Citrus limon (lemon)
Citrus paradisi (grapefruit)
Citrus sinensis (sweet orange)
Limonia acidissima (roem) Zanthoxylum alatum (prickly ash)
Simarubaceae
Quassia Africana
Solanaceae
Capsicum annum (bell pepper) Capsicum frutescens (Tabasco) Lycopersicon esculentum (tomato) Nicotiana tabacum (tobacco) Withania somnifera (winter cherry)
Vebenaceae
Clerodendron siphonanthus Lanatana camara (yellow sage) Lippia geminata (wild sage) Vitex negundo (begunnia)
Zingiberaceae
Afromomum melagueta (grains of pleasure) Alpinia galanga (greater galangal) Curcuma longa (tumeric)
Zingiber officinale (ginger)
The term "active components thereof" refers to the chemicals within the essential oil, which result in enhanced plant growth, for instance by enhancing nutrient uptake in plants, for example by stimulating metabolic pathways. However, they may also have additional desirable activities such as antimicrobial effects, insect or arachnid killing or repellent effects, antiviral and viral remediation effects.
The oils may be present alone or combinations of different oils may be included, provided the total essential oil content does not exceed the amounts specified above.
The essential oils included in the compositions appear to stimulate the metabolism of the plant to which the composition is applied, thus increasing the uptake and utilization of minerals either by root uptake or foliar absorption.
Some essential oils, or active components thereof, can actively stimulate root absorption, or leaf absorption. In a particularly preferred embodiment, composition will comprise one or more essential oils selected from tagetes oil, in particular Tagetes erecta oil, or a thymol containing oil, such as thyme oil or a mixture thereof.
The inclusion of one or both of these particular oils has been found to be particularly suitable. They may be mixed with further essential oils as described above.
Suitable plant oils for inclusion in the composition of the invention include canola oil (oilseed rape oil), soybean oil, cottonseed, castor oil, linseed oil and palm oil.
The composition used in the method of the invention further comprises an emulsifier, which may be any known agriculturally acceptable emulsifier. In particular, the emulsifier will comprise a surfactant, typically alkylaryl sulphonates, ethoxylated alcohols, polyalkoxylated butyl ethers, calcium alkyl benzene sulphonates, polyalkylene glycol ethers and butyl polyalkylene oxide block copolymers as are known in the art.
Nonyl phenol emulsifiers such as Triton N57™ are particular examples of emulsifiers, which may be used in the compositions of the invention, as are polyoxyethylene sorbitan esters such as polyoxyethylene sorbitan monolaurate (sold by ICI under the trade name "Tween™") . In some_ instances, natural organic emulsifiers may be preferred, particularly for organic farming applications. Coconut oils such as coconut diethanolamide is an example of such an compound. Palm oil products such as lauryl stearate may also be used.
The emulsifier is suitably present in an amount which is sufficient to ensure that the composition has the desired miscibility with water. For instance, the emulsifier may be present in amounts of from 1 to 20%w/w, suitably up to 10%w/w and in particular from 4-6%w/w. Generally the plant oil will comprise the balance of the composition. However, the composition may comprise further components as described below, including water.
Typically, in use, the agricultural composition is added to water where it forms an emulsion of vegetable oil in the spray tank. It can them be applied to plants, in particular crop plants, in a conventional manner for example by spraying or drip irrigation methods.
In a particularly preferred embodiment, the composition is administered together with a water-soluble nutrient mineral. In particular, the water-soluble salt of a nutrient mineral is included in the composition containing the essential oil or active component thereof. In this way, the components of the composition can work synergistically, in that the essential oil enhances the uptake of a nutrient material, which is, at the same time supplied to the plant.
Suitably the water-soluble salt of a nutrient mineral, is a water-soluble salt of a secondary nutrient such as calcium, magnesium, sodium, chloride and sulphur, or a micronutrient in particular, copper, cobalt, iron, manganese, boron, molybdenum, zinc, silicon and nickel. Most preferably, the water-soluble salt is a salt of a micronutrient, especially zinc, copper, cobalt, iron or manganese. Particular examples of minerals are zinc, calcium and boron.
Suitable water-soluble salts are nitrates, sulphates and chlorides, and preferably are nitrates and sulphates.
Suitably the water-soluble mineral salt is other than calcium chloride. Particular examples of water-soluble mineral salts include zinc nitrate, iron sulphate, zinc sulphate, magnesium sulphate, manganese sulphate, iron nitrate or manganese nitrate.
The water-soluble mineral salt, which when included in the composition, will be present as a solid powder. It is suitably present in the composition in an amount of up to 20%v/v, preferably from 5 to 15% v/v and most preferably from 10-15% v/v.
When the agricultural composition contains such a salt, it is shaken in the bottle, prior to addition to water where it forms an emulsion of vegetable oil in the spray tank. It can them be applied to plants, in particular crop plants, as described before, for example by spraying or drip irrigation methods.
Inclusion of the nutrient mineral element in the composition further enhances the uptake by the plant in foliar sprays' by improving its coverage. Emulsification in plant oil improves the spreading, wetting and sticking of the mineral across the foliage. This allows the mineral to cover a greater surface area of the vegetation giving better and more even uptake. Even uptake is essential in elements that are not very mobile within the plant such as calcium and boron.
The sticking action is beneficial in allowing the plant to absorb the mineral over a time period. Furthermore, it improves rainfastness without which the mineral can be removed from the leaf before it is absorbed fully.
Vegetable oil emulsification also minimizes the volatilization of the mineral into the atmosphere and so allows uptake to proceed over a longer period.
When applied through drip irrigation or fertigation systems, the compositions show improved spread of a mineral element in the soil, as a result of the plant oil emulsification. Specifically, the composition is not very mobile in the soil and so remains substantially in the vicinity in which it is applied, i.e. adjacent the root system. However, the emulsion also protects any mineral components from leaching by adhesion to the soil particles, which also means that it can be better absorbed by the plants root system. Specifically, emulsification can prevent the mineral from being "locked up" in soil, for example by being bound to organic matter, or by adverse soil conditions (pH etc.) and so becoming unavailable to the plant.
Vegetable oil emulsification also helps to delay drying of the soil, which can be a limiting factor in root uptake of mineral elements.
In a particularly preferred embodiment, the specific mineral nutrient administered with the composition is selected as being one, which is required within a plant metabolic pathway whose activity is stimulated by the particular essential oil or active component thereof. As a result, the plant will absorb more of the nutrient to meet its requirements, and so synergy between the components can be obtained.
For example, wintergreen oil, or similar oils, stimulates the need for calcium and conversely calcium stimulates the need for the compounds present in wintergreen oil. Therefore the administration of a water soluble calcium salt together with a composition comprising wintergreen oil or similar, or an active component thereof is advantageous.
The main component of wintergreen oil is methyl salicylate, and ■ so this may be used instead of wintergreen oil itself, but other salicylate compounds such as salicyclic acid or esters thereof, in particular alkyl esters such as Ci_10alkyl esters may be used. Salicylate compounds also reduce ethylene production or have antiviral effects. Ethylene production is increased following infection with many viruses, and application of compounds, which reduce this, can be used to remediate symptoms. Thus the inclusion of such compounds may further produce viral remediation effect..
Preferably, the salicylate compound used in the composition is in the form of an essential oil as these form a readily useable source of active ingredient, which is miscible with the composition.
Examples of essential oils which include salicylic acid or salicylates include wintergreen oil as explained above but also oils from Chenopodium, Erythroxylum, Eugenia, Gaultheria, Myristica, Syzygium, Xanthophyllum, Cinnamonium, Gualtheria, Gossypium and mentha.
A further example would be to administer a water-soluble zinc or copper salt together with, or as part of a composition comprising an essential oil which stimulate pathways related to auxin or carbohydrate production. This is because zinc or copper is required for auxin and carbohydrate metabolism, and therefore essential oils that would increase the requirement for these minerals would work synergistically to enhance uptake of the mineral nutrient.
There is a large number of enzymes in which zinc is an integral component of the enzyme stucture (zinc enzymes). In these enzymes, zinc has three functions: catalytic, cocatalytic or structural. Examples include carbonic anhydrase, carboxypeptidase, alcohol dehydrogenase, alkaline phospatase, phospholipase, and RNA polymerase.
Zn.PPase, dehydrogenases, aldolases, isomerases and transphosphorylases are modulated by zinc also. Any upgrade in activity of these pathways, for example as a result of the presence of an appropriate essential oil, would increase absorption of the nutrient mineral which is being applied.
However, many other synergistic combinations can be envisaged. For instance, copper is associated with IAA (auxin) oxidase, diamine oxidase, cytochrome oxidase, ascorbate oxidase, superoxide dismutase, phenol oxidases. Metabolism linked to copper includes lignin biosynthesis, carbohydrate metabolism, and nitrogen metabolism.
Nickel is linked to several enzymes including urease, whereas molybdenum is linked to nitrogenase, nitrate reductase, xanthene oxidase and xanthene dehydrogenase.
Similarly, boron is involved in nucleic acid metabolism, auxin metabolism, and phenol metabolism, and iron is linked with heme protein metabolism, iron-sulphur protein metbolism, and strongly with ethylene metabolism. Specific enzymes linked with iron include ferrodoxin, and nitrate reductase,
Manganese is utilised in a large number of enzymes, including malic enzyme, and isocitrate dehydrogenase. It is, as a result, involved in lipid, carbohydrate and protein metabolism.
Inorganic pyrophosphatases (PPases) can be linked with magnesium, manganese and zinc.
Co-administration of these nutrient minerals together with the compositions comprising essential oils which stimulate the pathways in which these enzymes are involved leads to further enhancement of nutrient uptake.
Other compounds or reagents may also produce these metabolic stimulating effects. For example, inclusion of cytokinin in the compositions of the invention will increase the requirement for calcium, and so it will advantageous in compositions in which water soluble calcium salts such as calcium nitrate or calcium sulphate is the nutrient mineral.
Such metabolic stimulant components may therefore be included in addition or as an alternative to the essential oils described above.
Essential oils supplied with nutrient can also direct the flow of the nutrient supplied, by stimulating local need through upregulation of activity requiring a nutrient in a specific tissues. For example, cell division increases flow of calcium to meristems. Therefore, administration of a composition as described above including an essential oil which stimulates cell division to, for example, the leaves of plants will have the effect of increasing the calcium content in the meristems. This additional calcium is supplied by the composition in the form of a water soluble calcium salt such as calcium nitrate or calcium sulphate.
In addition, many essential oils have anti microbial or insect or arthropod and nematode repellant or killing activity, and in a preferred embodiment, these may be included in the composition of the invention.
A number of natural oils, such as tagetes oil and thyme oil have been demonstrated to have insect repellent properties on several insect species. However, their potential for use in mainstream agriculture is limited due to two factors: economics and taint. Generally speaking, these oils, when applied alone to crops, have to be applied in amounts of from 2 to 5 litres of oil per hectare to achieve reasonable pest control. The use of the oils requires too much material to be used for them to be cost effective. Furthermore, when used in these quantities, the crops can suffer significant post harvest taint. Essential oils have been used for the treatment of stored grain, but again, the amounts applied to achieve effective insect repellence is high.
The applicants have found however, that when included in a composition used in the invention, the amount of these oils needed to produce useful effects, can be significantly reduced.
In particular, the composition further comprises one or more essential oils selected from tagetes oil or a thymol containing essential oil, or a mixture thereof, or components thereof which have insect repellent or deterrent properties.
Thyme oil is a particularly suitable thymol containing essential oil, but others include Anabasis, carum, lavendula, Oc±mum, and origanum oils.
In a particularly preferred embodiment, the composition used in the method comprises one or more essential oils selected from tagetes oil or thyme oil, or a mixture thereof. Compositions of this type are described and claimed in WO 2005/053395.
However, it is also possible that one or more isolated components of these oils may be utilised, provided these have plant growth enhancement activity and preferably also insect repellent or deterrent properties.
For instance, Thymus vulgaris essential oil comprises a mixture of thymol, caracrol, cymol, linalool, terpin-4-ol an monoterpenoids . Any of these components or mixtures thereof may be used in the composition.
Components of tagetes oil such as Tagetes erecta and Tagetes minuta, but in particular Tagetes erecta, essential oil include dihydrotagetone, thiophenes and ocimene, or which dihydrotagetone is the most important component.
Synergistic effects may be achieved if these insect repellant oils or active components therefore are using in compositions which comprise water-soluble salts of mineral nutrients which improving plant resistance to arthropod/nematode attack (such as root knot nematodes, and potato cyst nematodes.) . In this way, the effects are achieved not only in the soil or on the leaves (depending upon how the composition is applied) , but also following uptake by the plant.
Addition of essential oils which have antimicrobial effects (for example oils which have effects against fungi and bacteria, in particular species of phytophthora, botrytis, pythium, rhizoctonia, powdery mildew, downy mildew) to the composition described above may also prevent microbial decomposition of the minerals. This may be particularly useful for instance, if supplied with nitrogen, for example in the form of water-soluble nutrient mineral nitrates. Microbes have a tendency to decompose nitrogen in the form of nitrates to ammonia, which is prone to leachng in the soil and volatilization. Prevention of microbial decomposition of this type will therefore lead to reduced leaching and volatilization and so improved nitrogen uptake by plant.
Again synergy in antimicrobial effects may be achieved by use of these antimicrobial essential oils or active components thereof in compositions which contain nutrient minerals known to have antimicrobial properties (eg. Zn, Mn, Cu) . Such a composition discourages plant pathogenic microorganisms both in soil or on foliage of the plant, depending upon where the composition is applied, and also within the plant upon uptake. Use of such essential oils or active components thereof in the composition also reduces microbial feeding on the composition during storage, and so will enhance shelf life.
Furthermore, the inherent anti-microbial properties in the trace elements, in particular, copper, manganese, and zinc can be obtained at lower rates if they are applied as a vegetable oil emulsion that has the effect of protecting the nutrient. This has big environmental benefits in that it allows nutrient control of disease (which in some cases, is better than using some synthetics) to be achieved efficiently, and with a reduced amount of nutrient. Excess nutrient material can be an environmental problem, in particular where these are heavy metals such as copper, as they may persist in the soil and entering water courses.
In summary, the method of the invention is useful in enhancing not only the nutrient/plant interaction, but also the nutrient/environment interaction .
Compositions used may also comprise other agriculturally acceptable components such as thickeners, suspension agents or wetting agents.
Examples of thickeners may comprise gums, for example xanthan gum or lignosulphonate complexes, as are known in the art.
Suitable suspension agents which may be included in the formulations include hydrophilic colloids (such as polysaccharides, polyvinylpyrrolidone or sodium carboxymethylcellulose) and swelling clays (such as bentonite or attapulgite) .
Wetting agents may be surfactants of the cationic, anionic, amphoteric or non-ionic type, as is known in the art. In addition, the compositions of the invention may comprise additional nutritional products and/or growth stimulants used in crop nutrition, such as seaweed extract powders, humic and fulvic acid powders and amino acid powders .
Compositions are suitably prepared by mixing the components together in a conventional manner. Suitably, the emulsifier together with any essential oil(s) or active components thereof which may be present, are added to the agriculturally acceptable carrier oil and mixed with stirring until the components are evenly diluted throughout the composition. This mixture is then added to the water-soluble mineral nutrient in a container.
Novel compositions described above form a further aspect of the invention.
In particular, in a further aspect, the invention provides a composition comprising an agricultural composition comprising (i) one or more essential oils, or active components thereof, or mixtures of these, (ii) a plant oil, (iii) an emulsifier and (iv) a water-soluble nutrient mineral.
Particular examples of essential oils, or active components thereof, or mixtures of these, plant oils, emulsifiers and water-soluble nutrient minerals, together with amounts and preferred combinations are as described above.
The compositions described above are suitably diluted in water before application. Thus the compositions described above are generally concentrates.
Thus in a further aspect, the invention provides a formulation for administration to plants or to the environment of the plants, the formulation comprising a composition as described above, and water. The amount of water used will depend upon the particular mode of administration of the formulation, and to where it is being applied, for example to crops or to grain stores of the like. This will generally be by means of a sprayer, such as an electrostatic or other conventional sprayer. However, in a further preferred embodiment, the formulations are applied in drip irrigation or fertigation systems, directly to the soil, so as to allow nutrient uptake through the roots.
In general, the final formulation will contain from 10-20% of the composition of the invention and the remainder is water.
In particular, in a further aspect, the invention provides the use of an agricultural composition comprising (i) one or more essential oils, or active components thereof, or mixtures of these, (ii) a plant oil and (iii) an emulsifier, as a plant growth enhancer.
The method is suitable for use on most crops, including monocotyledonous and dicotylendonous crops, but in particular can be used for the treatment of greenhouse crops, vegetables, and fruit crops.
The compositions have low phytotoxicity at the effective concentrations .
The amount of composition applied in any particular situation will vary depending upon a number of factors such as the nature of the crop, the level of nutrient required etc. Typically administration to crops at a rate of from 1 to 30 litres per hectare, and preferably from 1 to 10 litres per hectare would be suitable. For instance, the amount of solution applied is sufficient to provide a solution concentration sprayed to runoff - rate of between 2ml/lt and 20ml/lt. The compositions can be used either alone (and in this case, they may be suitable for organic growers) or in conjunction with other agrochemicals such as fungicides, insecticides or acaricides .
The invention will now be particularly described by way of example .
Example 1 Emulsifiable vegetable oil component:
Canola Oil 94%
Emulsifier (Tween) 4.9%
Thyme oil 0.5%
Tagetes oil 0.5% Wintergreen oil 0.1%
Mixed with 1 of: Manganese sulphate, Zinc sulphate, Iron sulphate, Magnesium sulphate, copper sulphate (or a blend) 20% v/v
Example 2
Emulsifiable vegetable oil component:
Canola Oil 94%
Emulsifier (Tween) 4.9% Thyme oil 0.5%
Tagetes oil 0.5%
Wintergreen oil 0.1%
Mixed with 1 of: Manganese nitrate, Zinc nitrate, iron nitrate, magnesium nitrate, copper nitrate (or a blend) 20% v/v
Example 3
Emulsifiable vegetable oil component:
Canola Oil 94.1%
Emulsifier (tween) 4.9% Thyme oil 0.5%
Tagetes Oil 0.5% Mixed with 1 of: Manganese sulphate, Zinc sulphate, Iron sulphate, Magnesium sulphate, copper sulphate (or a blend) 20% v/v
Example 4
Emulsifiable vegetable oil component:
Canola Oil 94.1%
Emulsifier (tween) 4.9%
Thyme oil 0.5%
Tagetes Oil 0.5%
Mixed with 1 of: Manganese nitrate, Zinc nitrate, iron nitrate, magnesium nitrate, copper nitrate (or a blend) 20% v/v
Example 5
The following components were mixed together in the amounts listed:
Figure imgf000022_0001
The resultant composition can be applied to crops, where it not only enhances plant growth because the essential oils enhance uptake of the micronutrient zinc. The composition also demonstrates a pest killing effect. The residual deterrent or repellent on the crops reduces the incidence of reinfestation. Furthermore, symptoms of any viral infection, caused by the insect vectors, are remediated. Example 6
The following components were mixed together in the amounts listed:
Figure imgf000023_0001
The resultant composition was be applied to crops, where it killed pests, but enhancement in plant growth was also noted. The residual deterrent or repellent on the crops reduces the incidence of reinfestation. Furthermore, symptoms of any viral infection, caused by the insect vectors, are remediated.
Example 7
The following composition was prepared:
Figure imgf000023_0002
This composition was used in a range of trials as outlined in
WO 2005/053395. In addition to the clear benefits in terms of pest control, enhancement in the growth of plants was noted, although the composition did not itself contain nutrients.

Claims

Claims
1. A method for enhancing plant growth, said method comprising applying to a plant or to the environment thereof, an agricultural composition comprising (i) one or more essential oils, or active components thereof, or mixtures of these, (ii) a plant oil and (iii) an emulsifier.
2. A method according to claim 1 wherein the one or more essential oils comprises at least one of tagetes oil, or a thymol containing oil, or a mixture thereof.
3. A method according to claim 2 wherein the one or more essential oils comprise Tagetes erecta oil, or thyme oil, or a mixture thereof.
4 A method according to any one of the preceding claims wherein composition contains no more than 5%w/w of essential oil or an active component thereof.
5. A method according to claim 4 wherein the composition contains up to l%w/w essential oil or an active component thereof.
6. A method according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the essential oil or active component thereof is wintergreen oil or an oil from Chenopodium, Erythroxylum, Eugenia, Gaultheria, Myristica, Syzygium, Xanthophyllum, Cinnamonium, Gualtheria, Gossypium and mentha, or salicylic acid or an ester thereof, and the mineral nutrient is a water soluble calcium salt.
7. A method according to any one of the preceding claims wherein a water-soluble nutrient mineral is also applied to the plants or to the environment thereof.
8. A method according to claim 7 wherein the water-soluble nutrient mineral is included in the agricultural composition.
9. A method according to claim 7 or claim 8 wherein the water-soluble nutrient mineral is utilized in a plant metabolic pathway whose activity is increased by an essential oil or active component thereof within the agricultural composition.
10. A method according to claim 9 wherein the essential oil or active component thereof stimulates pathways related to auxin or carbohydrate production in plants, and wherein the water-soluble salt of a mineral nutrient is a water-soluble zinc or copper salt.
11. A method according to any one of claims 7 to 10 wherein the water-soluble salt of a nutrient mineral is a water-soluble salt of a calcium, magnesium, sodium, chloride, sulphur, copper, cobalt, iron, manganese, boron, molybdenum, zinc, silicon or nickel.
12. A method according to claim 11 wherein the water-soluble salt of a nutrient mineral is a water-soluble salt is a salt of copper, cobalt, iron, manganese, boron, molybdenum, zinc, silicon or nickel.
13. A method according to claim 12 wherein the water-soluble salt of a nutrient mineral is a water-soluble salt is a salt of zinc.
14. A method according to any one of claim 7 to 13 wherein the water-soluble salts are nitrates, sulphates or chlorides.
15. A method according to claim 14 wherein the water-soluble salts are nitrates or sulphates.
16. A method according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the water-soluble mineral salt is zinc nitrate, iron sulphate, zinc sulphate, magnesium sulphate, manganese sulphate, iron nitrate or manganese nitrate.
17. A method to any one of the preceding claims wherein the water-soluble mineral salt is in the form of a solid powder, and is present in the composition in an amount of up to 20%v/v.
18. A method according to claim 17 wherein the water-soluble mineral salt is present in the composition in an amount of from 10-15% v/v.
19. A method according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the plant oil is canola oil (oilseed rape oil) , soybean oil, cottonseed, castor oil, linseed oil or palm oil.
20. A method according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the emulsifier is present in an amount of from 1 to 20%w/w.
21. A method according to claim 20 wherein the emulsifier is present in an amount of from 4-6%w/w.
22. A method according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the essential oil or active component thereof further has anti microbial or insect or arthropod and nematode repellant or killing activity.
23. A method according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the agricultural composition further comprises a nutritional product and/or growth stimulant used in crop nutrition.
24. A method according to claim 23 wherein the nutritional product and/or growth stimulant is seaweed extract powder, humic and fulvic acid powder and amino acid powder.
25. An agricultural composition comprising (i) one or more essential oils, or active components thereof, or mixtures of these, (ii) a plant oil and (iii) an emulsifier, when used in a method according to claim 1.
26. An agricultural composition comprising (i) one or more essential oils, or active components thereof, or mixtures of these, (ii) a plant oil, (iii) an emulsifier and (iv) a water- soluble nutrient mineral .
27. A formulation comprising a composition according to claim 25 or claim 26, and water.
28. The use of an agricultural composition comprising (i) one or more essential oils, or active components thereof, or mixtures of these, (ii) a plant oil and (iii) an emulsifier, as a plant growth enhancer.
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KR102565972B1 (en) 2015-05-06 2023-08-10 이아이디 패리 (인디아) 리미티드 Bio-stimulant composition for improved plant growth and the process of preparing the same
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DE102015111314B4 (en) * 2015-07-13 2019-05-02 Oget Innovations Gmbh Plant strengthening agents, process for their preparation and uses thereof
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CN105259244A (en) * 2015-10-15 2016-01-20 浙江大学 Method for measuring factors affecting rhizosphere soil amino acid availability
US10342237B2 (en) 2016-02-02 2019-07-09 Greencorp Biorganiks De Mexico S.A. De C.V. Plant and growth development, inductive resistance bio-stimulant formulation for phytopathogen virus induced disease control and method of preparation
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