WO2012148529A1

WO2012148529A1 - Sugarcane coating

Info

Publication number: WO2012148529A1
Application number: PCT/US2012/025972
Authority: WO
Inventors: Rakesh Kumar
Original assignee: Syngenta Participations Ag
Priority date: 2011-02-21
Filing date: 2012-02-21
Publication date: 2012-11-01
Also published as: BR112013021209A2

Abstract

Methods and coatings for a sugarcane stem section are shown and described. In one example, the disclosure includes a stem section that has been coated with a composition comprising a fatty acid component and a trigger-release component. In another example, the disclosure includes a method of growing sugarcane comprising planting a stem section that has been coated with a composition comprising a fatty acid component and a trigger-release component.

Description

SUGARCANE COATING

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present inventions relate to the treatment of plant material and in particular the treatment of sugarcane stem sections.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Sugarcane is a gramineous plant of commercial importance for a variety of reasons. For example, sugarcane is used for the production of sugar, Falernum, molasses, rum, cachaga (the national spirit of Brazil), and ethanol for fuel. Further, the biomass that remains after sugarcane crushing can also be used in furnaces and boilers.

[0003] Most commercial sugarcane is grown from stem sections (also known as cane cuttings or parts of a stalk or culms or carretels or seedlings). Stem sections may be produced from the stem of a sugarcane plant in any number of ways. For example, they may be formed manually or by a variety of machines. The resulting stem sections usually include several nodes per stem section. The term "node" means the part of the stem of a plant from which a leaf, branch, or aerial root grows.

[0004] After stem sections are planted, buds (or gemmas) may emerge at the position of each node. Buds may then grow to yield the crop plant. However, emergence rate, or the rate at which nodes bud to yield crop plants is sometimes poor in sugarcane. To improve the likelihood that each planted stem section will produce crop plants, stem sections are often planted with multiple nodes, e.g., 3, 4 or 5 nodes per stem section. These multi-node stem sections (or long stem sections) may have lengths of about 37 cm, 40 cm or greater.

[0005] Applicant believes that there are several disadvantages to using long stem sections. For example, long stem sections require larger areas for processing, which increases cost. Further, once cut, long stem sections require large areas to stock material, creating additional cost for the process. Also, the planting of long stem sections requires a high weight of material per hectare, such as 16-18 ton/ha (by mechanical planting) or 12-16 ton/ha (by conventional planting).

[0006] Applicant has found that using shorter stem sections and planting the stem sections in a field so that a substantial proportion of the stem sections of the crop that is planted or sown has one bud per stem section, many of the

disadvantages of the state of art can be overcome because, for example, single node stem sections are much smaller and lighter than long stem sections. Single node stem sections are however are more susceptible to pests, disease, and dehydration, and therefore the rate of emergence from single bud stem sections may be lower than that of conventional stem sections. Applicant has developed methods and systems having a sugarcane coating comprising a fatty acid component, and found such methods to provide improvements in reducing dehydration and improving rates of emergence post-storage. Even with Applicant's advancements, however, Applicant desires to improve the rate of emergence from single bud stem sections having a coating comprising a fatty acid component, including, for example, the post- storage rate of emergence. Further, Applicant desires to improve the rate of emergence from long stem sections having a coating comprising a fatty acid component. In addition, Applicant desires to improve the rate of emergence from single bud and long stem sections having relative to conventional technologies.

SUMMARY

[0007] The present technologies address any number of the shortcomings of conventional sugarcane propagation and growing. In one example, the disclosure includes a method of coating a sugarcane stem section with a composition comprising a fatty acid component and a trigger-release component. In another example, the disclosure includes a stem section that has been coated with a composition comprising a fatty acid component and a trigger-release component. In another example, the disclosure includes a method of growing sugarcane comprising planting a stem section that has been coated with a composition comprising a fatty acid component and a trigger-release component.

[0008] The above summary was intended to summarize some of the present disclosure. Systems, methods and compositions will be set forth in more detail, along with examples demonstrating efficacy, in the figures and detailed description below. It will be apparent, however, that the detailed description is not intended to limit the present invention, the scope of which should be properly determined by the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY TECHNOLOGY

[0009] The current technology includes a method of treating a sugarcane stem section. Figures 1 a and 1 b illustrate side and end views, respectively, of one example of a stem section 2 before a coating has been applied. Stem section 2 was prepared by cutting a sugarcane stem to the desired length. Node 4 of stem section 2 is visible in Figure 1 a. Exposed vascular bundles (EVB) 6 on one end are visible in Figure 1 b. As used herein, EVB may include the cross-section of the sugarcane stem, including xylem and phloem of the vascular bundles as well as the pith and the cortex. The opposite end of cane cutting 2 will have similar EVB. In other examples, stem sections may include more nodes.

[0010] Treatment involves coating the stem section, e.g. at least one part of the stem section, with a composition comprising a fatty acid component and a trigger-release component. In one example, a composition includes 50 to 99.5% of the fatty acid component and 0.5 to 30% of the trigger-release component. In another example, a composition includes 60 to 95% of the fatty acid component and 1 to 30% of the trigger-release component. In another example, a composition includes 70 to 95% of the fatty acid component and 1 to 30% of the trigger-release component. In another example, a composition includes 80 to 95% of the fatty acid component and 1 to 20% of the trigger-release component. In another example, a composition includes 85 to 95% of the fatty acid component and 5 to 15% of the trigger-release component. In the majority of examples, Applicant has found that a trigger-release component concentration up to about 20%, is able to produce highly desirable coating formulation speed; sprayability and handling; shelf life extension; and coating rigidity.

[001 1] The term "fatty acid component" as utilized herein is intended to include at least one of fatty acids and salts of fatty acids. A fatty acid is composed of a hydrocarbon chain (or tail) and a terminal carboxyl group (or head). Common biological fatty acids include lauric acid, myristic acid, plamitic acid, stearic acid, arachidic acid, behenic acid, lignoceric acid, palmitoleic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid, arachidonic acid, and nervonic acid. An exemplary fatty acid component will include a triglyceride (also called triacylglycerol). [0012] Fatty acid components may include any of animal fats, animal oils, vegetable fat, and a vegetable oil. Any of these components may further be hydrogenated and/or fractionated. For example, fatty acid components may also include hydrogenated animal fats, hydrogenated animal oils, hydrogenated

vegetable fats, hydrogenated vegetable oils. Fatty acid components may also include stearines, tallows, and butters, and hydrogenated stearines, hydrogenated tallows, and hydrogenated butters.

[00013] Hydrogenated oils, fats, stearines, tallows and butters may be produced by chemical reactions that result in the addition of hydrogen. In many instances, oils and fats, for example, are hydrogenated using a catalyst, e.g. some form of platinum or nickel, to facilitate the addition of hydrogen. Hydrogenated oils, fats, stearines, tallows and butters may include fully hydrogenated products and partially hydrogenated products. Fully hydrogenated products include oils, fats, stearines, tallows and butters that have been hydrogenated to complete saturation. Partially hydrogenated products include oils, fats, stearines, tallows and butters that have at least some degree of hydrogenation, but that are not fully hydrogenated.

[0014] Stearines include the solids formed from the fractionation of oils or fats. Fractionation is a physical method using the crystallization properties of triglycerides to separate a mixture into a low melting liquid fraction and a high melting liquid fraction. Fractionation may be performed by a variety of methods including dry fractionation, detergent fractionation, and solvent fractionation. Tallows include solids rendered from animal or plant fats or oils using heat. Butters include solids that have been physically separated, e.g. by churning or pressing, from a liquid or paste derived from a plant or animal. Exemplary butters include milk butter and cocoa butter.

[0015] The term "trigger-release component" includes components that facilitate permeability in a sugarcane coating comprising a fatty acid component. Permeability may be facilitated when that coated sugarcane is placed in a soil environment, for example a soil environment having recently received rain fall or irrigation.

Permeability may include any disintegration in the coat that allows water intake into the sugarcane stem section, for example, at least one of a pore, a plurality of pores, a crack, a plurality of cracks, partial disintegration of the coating, or complete disintegration of the coating.

[0016] Trigger-release components may formulate readily with the fatty acid component to create a composition that coats a sugarcane stem section. Applicant has found that trigger-release components having a hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB) of about 7 to about 15 are suitable in many examples of the composition. Applicant has found that trigger-release components having a HLB of about 8.7 to about 12 are more suitable in many examples of the composition. Applicant believes that molecules having an affinity for both water and the fatty-acid component allow for sufficient dispersion in the composition formulation, e.g., pre-application. Post- application and pre-planting, the hardened composition is storage-stable. Post- planting, the trigger-release components attract moisture in the soil through the coating and into contact with the cane cutting. Not to be limited to any mechanism, but Applicant believes that in terms of function, the trigger-release components allow at least one of: attracting water molecules inside of the coating, and moving fatty acid components from inside the coating to water either in the form of mechanical disintegration and/or micro-encapsulation of some of the fatty acid components.

[0017] Exemplary trigger-release components may include at least one of a lecithin, a polysorbate, a span, a ceteareth, a stearoyi fumarate, a stearoyi lactylate, and a glyceryl stearate.

[0018] Exemplary lechithins may include at least one of YELKIN® DS lechithin, THERMOLEC WFC lechithin, THERMOLEC 200 lechithin, THERMOLEC 57 lechithin and PERFORMIX™ E lechithin available from Archer Daniels Midland Company.

[0019] Exemplary polysorbates may include at least one of polysorbate 20 (tween 20 or polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monolaurate; polysorbate 40 (tween 40 or polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monopalmitate; polysorbate 60 (tween 60 or polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monostearate; polysorbate 80 (tween 80 or

polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monooleate; Tween 65 and Tween 80. [0020] Exemplary spans may include at lease one of span 20 (sorbitan monolaurate); span 40 (sorbitan monopalmitate); and Arlacel 165 (Croda).

[0021] Exemplary ceteareths may include at least one of ceteareth-2, ceteareth- 3, ceteareth-4, ceteareth-5, ceteareth-6, ceteareth-7, ceteareth-8, ceteareth-9, ceteareth-10, ceteareth-1 1 , ceteareth-12, ceteareth-13, ceteareth-15, ceteareth-16, ceteareth-17, ceteareth-18, ceteareth-20, ceteareth-22, ceteareth-23, ceteareth-25, ceteareth-27, ceteareth-28, ceteareth-29, ceteareth-30, ceteareth-33, ceteareth-34, ceteareth-40, ceteareth-50, ceteareth-55, ceteareth-60, ceteareth-80 and ceteareth- 100.

[0022] Exemplary stearoyl lactylates include sodium stearoyl lactylate, calcium stearoyl lactylate. Other examples may include other trigger-release components. Examples include other "oil-in-water" emulsifiers having an HLB from 7 to 15, or 8.7 to 12. Applicant notes, however, that such emulsifiers are being used herein in a unexpected way to provide unexpected results. By way of example, in the current disclosure, emulsifiers are not being used to emulsify oil in water. Again, the fatty acid components are solid when the trigger-release component is acting.

[0023] In many examples, the fatty acid component will include hydrogenated vegetable oil as a major component, e.g. at least any of greater than 50%, greater than 55%, greater than 60%, greater than 65%, greater than 70%, greater than 75%, greater than 80%, greater than 85%, greater than 90%, and greater than 95%. A variety of hydrogenated vegetable oils may be used, including, for example, at least one of hydrogenated soybean oil, hydrogenated coconut oil, hydrogenated canola oil, hydrogenated castor oil, hydrogenated corn oil, hydrogenated cotton seed oil, hydrogenated sunflower oil, hydrogenated palm oil, hydrogenated palm kernel oil, and hydrogenated cocoa oil.

[0024] The melting point temperature (T_m) of compositions herein may vary. In one example, compositions will have a T_m of at least 24 °C. Because compositions may include, for example, a variety of different fatty acids, e.g., of different length, different origin, different saturation, different cis-trans isomers, etc., compositions may melt over a range. As used herein, T_m refers to the temperature at which a composition begins to melt, compositions may have a variety of T_m, for example, T_m may be within at least one of the following ranges: 24 to 68 °C, 28 to 66 °C, 28 to 64 °C, 28 to 62 °C, 28 to 60 °C, 30 to 60 °C, 32 to 60 °C, 34 to 58 °C, 34 to 56 °C, 34 to 54 °C, and 34 to 52 °C. Further, T_m may be at least any temperature falling within any of the noted ranges.

[0025] Compositions may be used to coat stem sections in a variety of ways, e.g., in batches or continuously. Coating may be achieved by any combination of spraying, dipping, brushing, smearing, etc., of the composition onto the stem section. Coatings may be applied to the entire stem section or applied to parts of the stem section. In one example, a coating is applied to EVB located on one end of the stem section. In another example, a coating is applied to EVB located on both ends of the stem section. In some situations, a stem section may be hydrated, e.g. by soaking in water, prior to coating. Further, in some situations, a stem section may be treated with a pesticide prior to coating, e.g., by being sprayed, dipped or soaked in a pesticide or pesticidal solution.

[0026] Application rates may vary as needed depending on the amount of surface area per stem section being covered. For example, if only the ends of the stem section are being coated, compositions may be applied at 0.2 to 5 g per stem section. If more of the stem section is being coated, application rates may be increased.

[0027] Methods may also include heating the composition to at least a softening point temperature prior to coating. In many examples, the composition will be heated until it becomes liquid. Heating may be performed in a variety of ways, e.g. water bath, microwave, heating filament, steam, etc. Heating temperatures may vary depending on the T_m of the composition. Exemplary temperatures include a temperature within at least one of the following ranges: T_m ± 1 °C, T_m ± 2 °C, T_m ± 3 °C, T_m + 4 °C, T_m + 5 °C, T_m + 6 °C, T_m + 7 °C, T_m + 8 °C, T_m + 9 °C, T_m + 10 °C, T_m + 1 1 °C, T_m + 12 °C, T_m + 13 °C, T_m + 14 °C, and T_m + 15 °C, T_m + 20 °C, and T_m + 25 °C prior to coating. Others examples include higher and lower

temperatures. Methods may further include allowing the composition to cool to at least ambient temperature or below after coating. Coated stem sections may be planted or stored for shipping or planting at a later time.

[0028] The following examples are for illustration only, and are in no way intended to limit the scope of the invention.

[0029] Experiment 1 : Moisture-loss Reduction in Coated Stem Sections

[0030] Stem sections having a diameter of approximately 25-30 mm and a length of approximately 50 mm were generated from sugarcane stalks.

Compositions were melted in a water bath having a temperature about 5 °C above the T_m of the composition or greater. Compositions were applied to the EVB of the stem section at approximately 0.2 to 0.25 g per cut end. Coatings were allowed to harden by cooling and then left in exposed drying trays for several days. Replicate number was 5. Treatments and percent weight loss results are contained in Table 1 below.

[0031 ] Results are summarized in the graph contained in Figure 2, with invention composition coating results averaged. As seen, composition coatings provided good moisture loss relative to the negative control. Composition coatings also provided comparable moisture loss relative to the positive control ("Oil").

[0032] Experiment 2: Breakdown of Composition on Coated Stem Sections

(Dye Test) [0033] Stem sections having a diameter of approximately 25-30 mm and a length of approximately 50 mm were generated from sugarcane stalks.

Compositions were melted in a water bath having a temperature about 5 °C above the T_m of the composition or greater. Approximately 10 μΙ_ of water soluble blue dye (FD&C Blue #1 , Sensient Technologies, St. Louis, MO USA) was injected into the EVB of the stem section. Injected stem sections were coated with invention composition (Invention Example A above at approximately 0.2 to 0.25 g per cut end) and fatty acid component (Control "Oil" above at approximately 0.2 to 0.25 g per cut end). Coatings were allowed to harden by cooling and were stored for 3 days.

Coated sections were placed in beakers containing approximately 200 ml of H20. Visual observation for dye diffusion into the beaker was made.

[0034] The invention composition allow for a quicker coating breakdown when exposed to water, as illustrated by the release of the entrapped dye relative to the fatty acid component coating. Figure 3 is a picture of beakers at several minutes, illustrating dye diffusion from an invention composition relative to a fatty acid component coating.

[0035] Experiment 3: Breakdown of Composition on Coated Stem Sections (Strip Test)

[0036] Stem sections having a diameter of approximately 25-30 mm and a length of approximately 50 mm were generated from sugarcane stalks.

Compositions were melted in a water bath having a temperature about 5 °C above the T_m of the composition or greater. Stem sections were coated with invention composition (Invention Example A 0.2 to 0.25 g per cut end) and fatty acid component (Control "Oil" at approximately 0.2 to 0.25 g per cut end). Coatings were allowed to harden by cooling. Coated sections were placed in beakers containing approximately 200 ml of H20. Oil sensitive paper (Syngenta AG, Switzerland) was used to test for the presence of oil in the beaker, with color change indicating the presence of oil.

[0037] Results: The invention composition allow for a quicker coating

breakdown when exposed to water, as illustrated by the release of oil from the coating into the water. Figure 4 is a picture of beakers and oil sensitive strips at 45 minutes, illustrating oil diffusion from an invention composition relative to a fatty acid component coating.

[0038] Prophetic Experiment 4: Film Formation

[0039] Stem sections having a diameter of approximately 25-30 mm and a length of approximately 50 mm are generated from sugarcane stalks and placed on a conveyor system shown in Figure 5a. A nozzle-based spray system is used to apply Invention Example A to stem sections placed on the conveyer. The distance between nozzle and stem sections ranges from about 2 to about 3 inches. The formulation is heated to approximately 150 °F and is applied at about 10 to about 15 psi liquid pressure in combination with about 3 to about 5 psi air pressure. The composition forme a coating on the section almost immediately upon contact with the section. Example A is believed to perform similarly to the control composition based on similar handling properties. Figures 5a, 5b and 5c show a control composition coatings formed on a stem section almost immediately after spraying according to the conditions described above. The control coating integrity was found to be high, with good adherence and rigidity.

[0040] In contrast to invention compositions, traditional latex/wax coatings were found to take hours to form film, which often had undesirable handling properties, e.g., tackiness. Further, traditional latex/wax coatings were found not to significantly reduce stem section dehydration.

[0041 ] In many examples, e.g., those described above, the composition may be entirely fatty acid component and trigger-release component. In other examples, however, the composition may include other components. For example, the composition may include a carrier, such as water or alcohol to facilitate any of storage, transport, or application. In other examples, compositions may include fertilizers, pesticides, stabilizers, etc. Fatty acid and trigger-release components may vary as needed to accommodate other components. [0042] The current disclosure is also directed to methods of growing sugarcane. In one example a method includes obtaining a stem section having EVB and at least one node, coating the stem section with a composition disclosed herein, and planting the coated stem section. Stem sections may be obtained in a variety of ways, for example, by cutting the stalk of a sugarcane plant to the desired length and having the desired number of nodes. An exemplary stem section may have one node and be 3 to 4 cm long. Methods of growing may further include heating the composition prior to coating, for example, as described above.

[0043] The current disclosure is also directed to sugarcane propagation systems. In one example, the system includes a stem section having at least one bud and exposed vascular bundles (EVB). A composition as described herein coats at least the EVB.

[0044] Using methods and systems as described herein, Applicant believes the emergence rate of sugarcane plants from stem sections may be improved in some situations, for example, relative to conventional technologies or relative to more advanced technologies. Applicant believes improvements will be seen in long stem sections as well as in stem sections having a singe node. Further, Applicant believes that using methods and systems described herein will decrease the cost of at least one of processing, stocking and planting. Further still, Applicant believes transport and storage of stem sections will be improved.

[0045] Numerous characteristics and advantages have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of structure and function. The disclosure, however, is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail within the principle of the invention.

[0046] Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and parameters setting forth the broad scope of the invention are approximations, the numerical values set forth in the specific examples are reported as precisely as possible. Any numerical value, however, inherently contains certain errors necessarily resulting from the standard deviation found in their respective testing measurements. Moreover, all ranges disclosed herein are to be understood to encompass any and all subranges subsumed therein, and every number between the end points. For example, a stated range of "1 to 10" should be considered to include any and all subranges between (and inclusive of) the minimum value of 1 and the maximum value of 10; that is, all subranges beginning with a minimum value of 1 or more, e.g. 1 to 6.1 , and ending with a maximum value of 10 or less, e.g., 5.5 to 10, as well as all ranges beginning and ending within the end points, e.g. 2 to 9, 3 to 8, 3 to 9, 4 to 7, and finally to each number 1 , 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 contained within the range.

[0047] It is further noted that, as used in this specification, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural referents unless expressly and unequivocally limited to one referent.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1 . A method of treating a sugarcane stem section, the method comprising coating the stem section with a composition comprising

a fatty acid component and

a trigger-release component,

wherein the composition has a melting point temperature (T_m) of at least 24 °C.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the composition has a melting point in a range chosen from at least one of 24 to 68 °C, 28 to 66 °C, 28 to 64 °C, 28 to 62 °C, 28 to 60 °C, 30 to 60 °C, 32 to 60 °C, 34 to 58 °C, 34 to 56 °C, 34 to 54 °C, and 34 to 52 °C.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the fatty acid component is chosen from at least one of a hydrogenated animal fat, a hydrogenated animal oil, a hydrogenated vegetable fat, a hydrogenated vegetable oil, a stearine, a hydrogenated stearine, a tallow, a hydrogenated tallow, a butter, and a hydrogenated butter.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein

the hydrogenated animal fat includes at least one of partially hydrogenated animal fat and fully hydrogenated animal fat,

the hydrogenated animal oil includes at least one of partially hydrogenated animal oil and fully hydrogenated animal oil,

the hydrogenated vegetable fat includes at least one of fully hydrogenated vegetable fat and partially hydrogenated vegetable fat,

the hydrogenated vegetable oil includes at least one of fully hydrogenated vegetable oil and partially hydrogenated vegetable oil,

the hydrogenated stearine includes at least one of a fully hydrogenated stearine and a partially hydrogenated stearine,

the hydrogenated tallow includes at least one of a fully hydrogenated tallow and a partially hydrogenated tallow, and

the hydrogenated butter includes at least one of a fully hydrogenated butter and a partially hydrogenated butter.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the fatty acid component includes a hydrogenated vegetable oil.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the hydrogenated vegetable oil is chosen from at least one of hydrogenated soybean oil, hydrogenated coconut oil, hydrogenated canola oil, hydrogenated castor oil, hydrogenated corn oil, hydrogenated cotton seed oil, hydrogenated sunflower oil, hydrogenated palm oil, hydrogenated palm kernel oil, and hydrogenated cocoa oil.

7. The method of claim 1 , further including heating the composition to at least a softening point temperature prior to coating.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the composition is heated to a temperature in a range chosen from at least one of T_m ± 1 °C, T_m ± 2 °C, T_m ± 3 °C, T_m + 4 °C, T_m + 5 °C, T_m + 6 °C, T_m + 7 °C, T_m + 8 °C, T_m + 9 °C, T_m + 10 °C, T_m + 1 1 °C, T_m + 12 °C, T_m + 13 °C, T_m + 14 °C, and T_m + 15 °C, T_m + 20 °C, and T_m + 25 °C prior to coating.

9. The method of claim 8, further include allowing the composition to cool to at least ambient temperature or below after coating.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the coating is performed by at least one method chosen from dipping, spraying, brushing and smearing.

1 1 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the stem section has exposed vascular bundles (EVB), and wherein the EVB are coated with the composition.

12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the stem section has at least one node.

13. The method of claim 1 , wherein the composition is applied at 0.2 to 5 g per stem section.

14. The method of claim 1 , wherein the trigger-release component has an HLB from 7 to 15.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the trigger-release component includes at least one component chosen from a lecithin, a polysorbate, a span, a ceteareth, a stearoyi fumarate, a stearoyi lactylate, and a glyceryl stearate.

16. The method of claim 1 , wherein the composition includes

50 to 99.5% of the fatty acid component and

30 to 0.5% of the trigger-release component, and wherein the trigger- release component has an HLB from 7 to 15.

17. A method of treating a sugarcane stem section, the method comprising

obtaining a stem section having exposed vascular bundles (EVB) and at least one bud;

obtaining a composition comprising

fatty acid component and a trigger-release component, wherein the composition has a melting point temperature (T_m) of at least 24 °C;

heating the composition to at least its softening temperature;

coating the EVB with heated composition; and

allowing the coating to cool.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein

the fatty acid component is chosen from at least one of hydrogenated soybean oil, hydrogenated coconut oil, hydrogenated canola oil, hydrogenated castor oil, hydrogenated corn oil, hydrogenated cotton seed oil, hydrogenated sunflower oil, hydrogenated palm oil, hydrogenated palm kernel oil, hydrogenated cocoa oil, a stearine, a hydrogenated stearine, a tallow, a hydrogenated tallow, a butter, and a hydrogenated butter, and

the trigger-release component is chosen from at least one component chosen from a lecithin, a polysorbate, a span, a ceteareth, a stearoyi fumarate, a stearoyi lactylate, and a glyceryl stearate having an HLB from 7 to 15.

19. A method of growing sugarcane comprising

obtaining a stem section having exposed vascular bundles (EVB);

coating the EVB with a composition comprising a fatty acid component and

a trigger-release component, wherein the composition has a melting point temperature (T_m) of at least 24 °C f; and

planting the coated stem section in the ground.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the composition has a melting point in a range chosen from at least one of 24 to 68 °C, 28 to 66 °C, 28 to 64 °C, 28 to 62 °C, 28 to 60 °C, 30 to 60 °C, 32 to 60 °C, 34 to 58 °C, 34 to 56 °C, 34 to 54 °C, and 34 to 52 °C.

21 . The method of claim 19, wherein

the fatty acid component is chosen from at least one of a hydrogenated animal fat, a hydrogenated animal oil, a hydrogenated vegetable fat, a hydrogenated vegetable oil, a stearine, a hydrogenated stearine, a tallow, a hydrogenated tallow, a butter, and a hydrogenated butter, and

the trigger-release component is chosen from at least one of a lecithin, a polysorbate, a span, a ceteareth, a stearoyl fumarate, a stearoyl lactylate, and a glyceryl stearate having an HLB from 7 to 15.

22. The method of claim 21 , wherein

23. The method of claim 19, wherein

the fatty acid component includes a hydrogenated vegetable oil and the trigger-release component includes at least one component chosen from a lecithin, a polysorbate, a span, a ceteareth, a stearoyl fumarate, a stearoyl lactylate, and a glyceryl stearate.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the hydrogenated vegetable oil is chosen from at least one of hydrogenated soybean oil, hydrogenated coconut oil, hydrogenated canola oil, hydrogenated castor oil, hydrogenated corn oil, hydrogenated cotton seed oil, hydrogenated sunflower oil, hydrogenated palm oil, hydrogenated palm kernel oil, and hydrogenated cocoa oil.

25. The method of claim 19, further including heating the composition to at least a softening point temperature prior to coating.

26. The method of claim 19, wherein the composition is heated to a temperature in a range chosen from at least one of T_m ± 1 °C, T_m ± 2 °C, T_m ± 3 °C, T_m + 4 °C, T_m + 5 °C, T_m + 6 °C, T_m + 7 °C, T_m + 8 °C, T_m + 9 °C, T_m + 10 °C, T_m + 1 1 °C, T_m + 12 °C, T_m + 13 °C, T_m + 14 °C, and T_m + 15 °C prior to coating.

27. The method of claim 26, further include allowing the composition to cool to at least ambient temperature or below after coating.

28. The method of claim 19, wherein the coating is performed by at least one method chosen from dipping, spraying, brushing and smearing.

29. The method of claim 19, wherein the stem section has at least one node.

30. A sugarcane propagation system comprising:

a stem section having at least one bud and exposed vascular bundles (EVB), and

a composition comprising

a fatty acid component and a trigger-release component, wherein the composition has a melting point temperature (T_m) of at least 24 °C.

31 . The system of claim 30, wherein the composition has a melting point in a range chosen from at least one of 24 to 68 °C, 28 to 66 °C, 28 to 64 °C, 28 to 62 °C, 28 to 60 °C, 30 to 60 °C, 32 to 60 °C, 34 to 58 °C, 34 to 56 °C, 34 to 54 °C, and 34 to 52 °C.

32. The system of claim 31 , wherein the fatty acid component is chosen from at least one of a hydrogenated animal fat, a hydrogenated animal oil, a hydrogenated vegetable fat, a hydrogenated vegetable oil, a stearine, a hydrogenated stearine, a tallow, a hydrogenated tallow, a butter, and a hydrogenated butter.

33. The system of claim 32, wherein

34. The system of claim 30, wherein

the fatty acid component includes a hydrogenated vegetable oil and the trigger-release component includes at least one component chosen from a lecithin, a polysorbate, a span, a ceteareth, a stearoyl fumarate, a stearoyl lactylate, and a glyceryl stearate, wherein the trigger-release component has an HLB from 7 to 15.

35. The system of claim 34, wherein the hydrogenated vegetable oil is chosen from at least one of hydrogenated soybean oil, hydrogenated coconut oil, hydrogenated canola oil, hydrogenated castor oil, hydrogenated corn oil, hydrogenated cotton seed oil, hydrogenated sunflower oil, hydrogenated palm oil, hydrogenated palm kernel oil, and hydrogenated cocoa oil.