WO2015138277A1

WO2015138277A1 - Methods of extending the shelf life of sugarcane stem sections and coated sugarcane stem sections

Info

Publication number: WO2015138277A1
Application number: PCT/US2015/019361
Authority: WO
Inventors: Nicholas D. POLGE; Henry Agbaje; Clark Lovelady; Xuebing Zhang
Original assignee: Syngenta Participations AG
Current assignee: Syngenta Participations AG
Priority date: 2014-03-13
Filing date: 2015-03-09
Publication date: 2015-09-17
Anticipated expiration: 2016-09-13
Also published as: AU2019200992A1; ZA201605366B; AU2015229761A1; US20170164607A1; AU2019200992B2; BR112016020878A2; MX2016011531A

Abstract

Methods of extending the shelf life and vitality of sugarcane stem sections are disclosed. Coated sugarcane stem sections are also disclosed. In one exemplary embodiment, the method of extending the shelf life and vitality of a sugarcane stem section comprises coating at least a portion of the sugarcane stem section with a coating composition comprising at least one additive selected from: silver nitrate, silver acetate, silver thiosulfate, potassium ferrocyanide, and potassium ferricyanide so as to form a coated sugarcane stem section.

Description

METHODS OF EXTENDING THE SHELF LIFE OF SUGARCANE STEM SECTIONS AN D COATED SUGA RCANE STEM SECTIONS

TECHNICAL FIELD

j 00 ! J T e esent invention resales to methods of extending the shelf hie of sugarcane stent sections and coated sugarcane stem Sections.

BACKG ROUND

(0002 j Sugarcane is a gramineous plant of commercial importance for a variety of reasons, For example, sugarcane is used for the product ion of sugar, Faler-num, molasses, rum .

cachaca (the national spirit of Brazil), and ethane) for fuel. Further, the biomass that remains after sugarcane crushi ng can also be used in furnaces and boilers.

[0003] Most commercial sugarcane, is grown from stem sections (also know n as cane cuttings or p ils of a stalk or culms or earreteis or seedl ings ;!. Stent sections m be produces! from ie stem of a sugarcane pSant in any number of ways. For example, they may be formed manually or by variety of machines. The resulting stem sections usually include o e or mote nodes per stem section. The term "node^" refers io the part of the stem of a plant from which a leaf, branch, or aerial root grows.

[0004] After stem sections are planted, buds t or gemmas) may emerge at the position of each node. Buds may then grow to ield the crop plant. Ho vever. emergence rate or germination rate, or the rate at which nodes bud to yield crop la ts Is sometnoes poor in sugarcane, especially when the stem section has experienced stress prior to planti n Stem section stress, for example, may be in the form of prolonged st rage t oe., up to and greater than 7 days) prior to planting,

[0005] Typical shelf life in Brazil at ambien temperature is 2-4 days or Jess, The.

germination of sugarcane stem sections decreases rapidly thereafter (i.e. the 2- days or less), Some attempts to Improve shel f I I f of sugarcane stem sections have, been l imbed to storage at cold temperatures; h weve , such attempts, at best, extended the "2-4 days or less" by 2-4 days. In ^"some cases, for example, hulk bag storage a; temperatures of From FTC to ; <ir^'€\ the shelf life of sugarcane stem sections may have been from about 7 to 0 da s. However, the vigor/vitality of the sugarcane stem sections decreased rapidly under the conditions used in the above-described attempts,

10006] I nere exists a need its the art for sugarcane stem sections that possess an improved sfteif lite, while maintaining a desired degree of vigor and vitality . SUMMARY

10007] The resent inversion addresses the need in the art ibr sugarcane sten sections that possess the combinatory of both an improved she; fine, and (iii desired degree of vigor and vitality . Accordingly, the pres nt invention is directed to method.- of extendin the shelf life and vitality of s garcane stem sections, in one exemplary embodiment, the method of extending ihe sheif hie and vitality of a sugarcane stem section comprises: coaling at least a portion of the sugarcane stem seedon with a coatirsg composition comprising at leas? ne additive selected from: silver nitrate, silver acetate, silver tblosuirate. potassium ferrocyanide, and potassium ferrieyanlde,. so as to form a coated sugarcane stem section. Methods of extending the shelf life and vitality of sugarcane stent sections may further comprise steps such as drying the coated sugarcane stem section at a drying temperature to form a dried coated sug rc ne stem section, and sieving the dried coated sugarcane stent section ior a storage time period its a storage container at a storage temperature.

[0008] I he present invention Is also directed to methods of ineieasing an v n e germination rate of sugarcane stem section's, in one exemplary embodiment, the method of increasing an average germination rate of sugarcane stern sections comprises: forming coated Sugarcane stent sections using the herein disclosed methods, in some embodiments of the present invention, the coated .sugarcane stem sections have (0 an average germination rate greater than an average germination rate of control uncoated sugarcane ste sections, (if; an average germination rate of greater than 90%· after storage tor 21 days., or {hi} both (!) and ^■ i).

[0009] The present^' invention is further directed to coated sugarcane sten sections that possess the combination of both (i) an improved shelf lite, and iii) a desired degtee of vigor and vitality. In one exemplary mbodimen , the coated sugarcane stem section comprises a sugarcane stem section at least partially coated with a coating comprising at least one additive selected from: silver nitrate, silver acetate, silver thlosuita;c, potassium ferrocyanide, and potassium ierrieyanide. in some desired embodiments, the coated sugarcane stern section comprises a sugarcane stem section at least partially coated with a coating comprising silver nii te.

j^'OOi Oj The present invention is further directed to methods of growing sugarcane plants. In one e emplaiy .embodiment the method of growing sugarcane plants comprises: planting one or more coated sugarcane stem sections, wherein eavh corned sugarcane stent section comprises a sugarcane stem section t Ivast pardaiiy coated with a coating comprising at least one additive selected from: silver nitrate, silver acetate, -silver ttnosultafc, potassium ierrocyanlde, nd potassium fcrncyanide.

[001 ί i The present, invention i even further directed to methods of i ncreasing the vitality of sugarcane plants formed f om sugarcane ste-m sections. n one exemplary embodiment, the methods of increassog th vitality of sugarcane plants iorrned (rum sugarcane stem sections comprises : forming coated sugarcane stem sections- using the herein disclosed methods; and planting the coated sugarcane stem sections in a growi ng medium. In me embodiments, the sugarcane plants resulting from die coated sugarcane stem sections have an average shoot height at least greater than an average sho t height of control sugarcane plants resulting front planting one or more control uncoated sugarcane stem sections.

[001 2j The above Numma was intended to summarize certain embodiments of the present disclosure. Methods, compositions- and prod ucts wii ! be set forth in more detail, along w ith examples demonstrating efficacy, in the figures and detailed descri ption belows it wi ll be apparent, however, that the detailed descri tio

not intended to h unt the present i n vention, the scone of w hich should be properly determined by the appended claims.

BRIE F DESCRIPTION OF THE . FIGURES

ί Ο Π Ι ^'The present invention is further described w ith reference to the appended figures, wherei :

10 14] PIG. 1 depicts exemplary coated sugarcane stem sections within a storage container; 1001 5 ] FIGS. 2-7 graphically depict germination rates of coated and control uncoated sugarcane stem sections after storage in air-tight jars for a period or time;

iOO i &! PIGS. fi~9 graphically depict -germination rates of coated and control uncoated sugarcane stem sections after storage in gas- permeable storage containers as shown in P IG . i for a porksd of time, and shoot heights of sugarcane plants produced via the coated arid control uncoated sugarcane stem sections:

[0017 J f ^'10. H) depict sugar,: . e : plants produced da -coated sugarcane stern see; ire w of the present invention and. corttr l uncoated sugarcane . tei sections; and

001 S I FIGS. 11 -12 graphically depict germination rates of coated and control uncoated sugarcane stem sections after storage i n gas-- ermeable storage containers as shown i FIG . 1 for a period »f tim« up to 3 days, and shoot heights of sugarcane plants prod uced vi ihe coated and control ancoaied sugarcane stern sections.

DETAILED -DESCRIPTION |i⁾0l*>] She present invention is directed to methods of extending the sheinite and vitality of sugarcane stem sections. The disclosed methods o f extending die shelf hie arid vitality of a sugarcane stem section comprise: coaling at least a portion of the sugarcane stem section with a coating composition comprising at least one additive selected from: silver nitrate, silver acetate, silver thio uitate, potassium iermcyanide, and potassium tertie ankk. so as to form a coated sugarcane stent section. In desired embo imens, the method:; of extending the shell hie and vi tiily f a sugarcane stem section comprise: coating at least a portion of the sugarcane stem section with a coating, composition comprising at least one additive comprising silver nitrate.

[0020] The coating step may comprise eoahng cut ends of the sugarcane stem section with a given coating composition., or coating aii of the sugarcan stem section with the given coating composition Further, the coating .step may comprise at least one method step chosen from dipping, spraying, brushing and smearing, Typically, the coating step comprises dipping the sugarcane stem section the coating composition i r a time period. Typically, ihe rime period (i.e., dwell time in a dipping bath) is less than one minute

{0021 J Sugarcane stem sections used in the present invention may comprise any sugarcane stem section having a desired length, diameter., and number of nodes. Typically, each of the sugarcane stem sections used in the present, invention comprises one or more nodes along a given sugarcane stem section although multi-node sugarcane sten sections may also be ed, in some embodiments, the ugarcane stern sections used in the present invention each comprise a single node smu the sugarcane stern section. Irs one embodiment the length of stem section is generally 'om about o.S us about 20 c in length, horn about is to about 1 em. from about 3 to about 8 cm, from about 3.5 to 5.5 cm, from about 3.3 to 4.5 cm, about^■}^■■ 5 cm, from .about 0.5 to 2.5 cm. and trom about 0.5 to .5 cm, in length,

{00221 Hack of the aboveoneiitioned additives may be krdepeodentiy coated onto a given sugarcane stem section at an nklepeudendy desired ooeenl ration. In other words, a first additive, such as silver nitrate, can be coated onto a given sugarcane stem section at a concentration of about i 200 ukioh while a second additive, such as silver acetate, cars be coated onto- the .same sugarcane stern section at a concentration ot^" about 301? ulvlol

100231 Typically, a erven coating com o iti n comprises one or moo- of the above- described additives, wherein each additive Is independently present at a concentration of up to about 2400 μ, οί although the present invention is not limned to such concentrations, in ome embodiments, the coating composition comprises one or more of the bove-described additives, wherein each additive is Independently present, a; a concentration of thorn aboui 200 to about 1200 pMol. n other mbodment , the coaling composition comprises one or more of the shove-described .additives,- wherein each additive is independently present at a concentration of from about 300 to about 600 μΜοΙ. In other embodiments, the coating composition comprises one or more of the above-described additives, wherein each additive is independently present at a eooeemrafioriof about 600 μΜοί

1002 1 Typically, given coating composition comprises a single additive at a

concentration ranging from- about.200 to about 1200 μΜοΙ. As discussed above, in some desired embodiments, a given coating composition comprises a single additive in the form of silver nitrate at a concentration ranging horn about 200 to a-hou; 1 00 pMoi (or any concentration or range of concentration values therebetween in^' increments o .1 μΜοΙ y [0025 ] Coating compositions used in the present invention ma include, in addition†o one o? more of the above-mentioned additives, a fungicide, an insecticide, or both. When .present, sin table fungicides include, bat are not limited to acyc!oumino acid fungicides, aliphatic nnrogen fungicides, amide fungicides. a l!de fungicides, antibiotic irtgiekics. aromatic fungkkk's, arsenical fungicides, aryl phenyl ketone fungicides. ben/amide fungicides, benzantlide fungicides, benximtda ole fungicides, benxothiazole fungicides, botanical fungicides, bridged diphen l fungicides, carbamate fungicides, carbatuiate†ungieides_:

conazole fungicides, copper inngkides, dicarhoxirokle fungicides, , diniirophenol fungicides, dithioearbamale fungicides, di thin-Sane fungicides, fbramide fungicides. furan^'iikle fungicides., hydrazlde il:ngicides, imidazole fungicides, mercury fungicides, orphohne fungicides, organophosphorous fungicides, organotin fungicides, oxsthiin fungicides, oxasole fungicides, phenyisulltuTude ilsngicides, polysuitide fungicides, pyw.ote fungicides, pyridine fungicides, pyrimidine -fuo¾ici.des, pyrrole fungicides, quaternary ammonium fungicides, quinoboe tungicides, uinorte tungicides. quinoxallne ^'fungicides, strofjdufin fungicides, xul nanilide fungicides. tbia ki ie fungicides, thi&go!e fungicides, thiazoikime fungicides, thioearbamate fungicides, thiophenc fungicides, t ia me fungicides, tr; ;.:ok: fungicides, ulaxok>pyrkni.dhie fungicides, area fungicides, vaimamide fungicides, aui zinc fungicides. Particularly suitable are fungicides such as ludioxo l. thiabendazole_: ineiaiaxyi and mefenosam, strobilurin fungicides sock asoxystrobin, pkoxystrobin. pyraclostrobim pyraoxysfrobln, and kresoxiro- ntctbyi, SDH! fungicides such as boscalkk sedaxaoe. peaihiepyrad, peoOuieiy isopyrazaro. Purasnetpyr, fiuxapy ro.v d. bix -ien, ^'ihiiiuxarnide, earboxim oxyearbox;m fenfuratn, •loopy ram, benodanii, fluwiaroi, arid mepronil. When present, suitable insecticides Include, but are not limited to benzoy i ureas, carbantates. vhhsvekeonoyk.. diac> kg mseunes. diamxk-:-. i^'lpi^'oles, macro! ide n t^'oinaaes. nkromethy ienes. orgauntkkoilnev onxmophosphatcs. ofganoss!ieons. οοίίίίχΗίί):·*, phenylpytw&hes, phosphoric esters, pyrethroids. *piriO¾ ¾.

tetmmic ac id de: i :_;p ivc-> and tei rcidc id d ri.viui «s. .Particularly suitable I nsect icides include neooieotmoid i nsecticides such as thiamethoxam, eJoihianrdm, tbiaeioprid, _.arid miidacloprid, abansecPn, and diarnkk iosectiedies such as ehluiamiram bproSe,

eyamranihproi-e, cyela iiiprole, and flu endiamide. in addition Pa fungicides and imcc.tid.de:*, the coating compositions may -comprise one or more of (he fol io w ng composition components such as binders, latex_< amurtierobiais, ptxete vatives . fertilizers, plarn hormones, and water,

10026 | When present, each of the abo e-mentioned add itional composi tion components (other than water) may be present in any amount, but are typically each independently present- in amounts ranging t out greater than 0 to about 20 wi% of the total weight ot the coating composition.

002? J f be disclosed methods of extending the shelf lite a d^' vitality of sugarcane stem sections may further comprise dry ing the coated sugarcane stent section at a dr ing temperature to form a dried coated sugarcane stem section. Typically, the drying step com rises drying, the coated sugarcane ste n sections at a dry ing temperature, w herei n the drying temperature is room temperature, in some embodiments, the dr ing temperature ranges from about Hh'C to about v^::C

[0028] l ire dried coated sugarcane stem section , ;xs shown dried coated sugarcane stein section l t> in b li.i I., -ma -comprise any amount dried coaling composition thereon.

Typically, dried coated sugarcane stem sections of the present invention comprise from about 0.01 to about 10.0 of coating composition thereon . As used herein, the term "dried" means dry to the touch, for example, when touched w ith water sensitive paper,

ji0O 9 j The disclosed methods of extending the sheif life and vital ity of sugarcane stern sections may even further c m rise storing the dried coated sugarcane ste n sections for a storage time period in a storage container .at a storage tern erature. ^'t he storage me period may be sis weeks or longer. Typically, the storage t ime per iod is up to about four w eeks, i n Sonne embodi ments, the stoosge time period is from about seven days to about 2 1 days. The storage period will vary depending on a number of factors including, hut not li mited to, the production needs and schedul ing of processors that need the coated sugarcane stem sections of ^' he present invention.

[0030] The dried coated sugarcane stem section may be stored in a variety of containers, in some embodiments, the dried coated sugarcane stem sections are stored in air-tight container such as jars , in other embodiments, the dried coated sugarcane stem sections are stored in storage containe s that a!knv air transfer between an interior of the storage container and an exterior of the storage container. Such a storage container is h w n in F I^'G. ! s storage container 11 ,

[003 1 ] The storage temperature may vary depending on a number of factors- including, but n:ot limited to. the iramuiaeturmg location, the time of year, the period of Storage, etc. to some embodiments, the storage temperature is room temperature, whatever the room temperature is at a given location. I n other ern wdinre»¾. the storage temperature ranges horn about f(f- C to about 40T. in other embodiments, the storage temperature ranges from about 20*€ to about ^C.

[0032] !rt some emb diments.; the storage step further comprises mtmrruV.mg light x osu e of the dried coated sugarcane stem section during storage. As used herein, the phrase "minimizing light exposure " refers to l imiting exposure to natural iight and/or artificial li ght to less than 3 hours a day. desirably, less than f. hour a day.

[0033] five present invention is a lso directed to methods o f i ncreasing an a verage germination rate of sugarcane stern sections. In one exemplars- embodi ment, the- method of increasing an average germination rate of sugarcane stem sections comprises: forming coated sugarcane stem sections using any on of t e above-disclosed methods. As d iscussed below in the example section, in some embodiments of the present i n venti on, the coated sugarcane stem sections have ( i) an average germinat ion rate greater than an average germination rate of control uneoated sugarcane stern sections, i if) an average germination rate f greater than 90% after storage for 2 1 days, or fin) both ft) and ( if).

[0034 ] ^'The present invention is further directed to coated sugarcane stem sections formed by the methods disclosed herein. The coated sugarcane stem sections, formed by the methods disclosed herein, provide a number of advantages over uneoated s a can stem sections, i n some embodiments_., a pl urality o f ike coated vngarcane stem sections has an average genmnaiio;) rate greater than on average germination rate of a plural ity of control anooased sugarcane stern sections. As used herein, trie phrase ^{' '}-control uneoated /sugarcane stem sections'' is used to describe sugarcane stem, sections that are treated identical ly to- a correspotvding set of coated sugarcane stem sections except that the "control uneoated sugarcane stem sections" are not coated. In Other words, the "control uneoated sugarcane stem sections" ate cut, and stored tor a storage time period in storage contai ner at a storage temperature that is Identical to corresponding coated sugarcane stem sections that have been cut, coated, and stored for an identical storage time period in an identical storage container at an: identical storage temperature, [00351 .In. some embodiments, a plurality of ihe coated sugarcane stem section. formed by the metho s disclosed Herein, has an average germination cute f greater limn 80% after storage: f«r 21 days.. In other embodiments, a plurality of .the coated sugarcane stern seed on. formed by the methods disclosed herein, has an average germination rate of greater than Ψ.⁾% after storage for 21 days.

[0036] in addition, a phiraht) of the oaled suga c ne stem .section, formed by ihe methods disclosed herehe produce sugarcane plants having an average shoot height at greater than an average shoot hei ht oh sugarcane plants resuhmg. from planting control uocoated sugarcane stem sections.

10037] The present invent ton is even further directed to methods of grow ing sugarcane plants, in one exemplary embodiment, the method of growing su acane plants comprises^; planting (i) one or more coated sugar cane stern sections formed by the snethod of the resent inven ion in a growing medium.

i^'OOsS] The present invention is even further directed to methods of i r a i g the vliahty of sugarcane lants formed i^'r .m sugarcane stem sections, in one exemplary embodiment, ^•the method of increasing the^■vitality of sugarcane plants formed from sugarcane stem sections comprises; forming coated sug c ne stem sections using any one of the herein- described methods; arid -planting one or more coated sugarcane stem sections formed b any^¬ one of the herein-described methods.

10039] In methods of growing sugarcane plants and .methods of increasing the vitality of sugarcane plants formed from sugarcane stem sections, the coated sugarcane stem sections may foe stored up to 42 days for more) prior to planting, in some embodiments, the coated igareane stern sections arc stored tor more than Ϊ0 da s prior to planting-, i other embodiments, the coated sugacan stem sections are st red for from about 7 to ab ut 7 i days prior to planting.

Γ0040] The 0O.-SCS:: invention is even further directed t sugarcane p¾¾ms for e fr m coated sugarcane stein sections of the present invention. In some ^'exemplary embodiments_: the sugarcane plants resulting from coated sugarcane stem sections of the present invention (i.e., formed via the above-described methods; loo e an average shoot height greater than an average shoot height of sugarcane plants resulting horn planting one or snore control uneoated sugarcane stem sections.

1 0-1] f )|.hss. f:. tiy;hl. ter::.s:

I 042j Myeihyods^ j 00431 I, A method of extending shelf lite and vitality of a su arc ne stem section, said •method comprising: coating at least » portion of the sugarcane stern- section with a- coating- corn position comprising at least one additive selected from: silver nitrate, silver acetate, silver diiosutfate. potassium ferrocyanide, and ot ssium ierricyanide. so as to form a coated sugarcane tern section.

(0044 j 2. i^'iie method of embodiment i, wherein .said coating ste comprises eoat g cm ends of the sugarcane m see don ith the -coating composition.

[0f t5^'j 3. live method of embodiment i or 2. wherein aid

comprises coating all of the sugarcane stem section with the -coatin composition

10046] The method of an one of ettibodimettts I to 3. w erein the sugarcane stem section comprises one or more nodes along the sugarcane stem section.

[00471 The method of any one of embodiments J to 4, whew-h: the sugar a e tern section comprises a single node along the sugarcane sk-m section

j0048j 6. : he method of n one of embodiments I to 5, wherein the eoanna composition comprises silver nitrate.

{004 1 7. The mediod ofany one of embodiments ! to 6, wherein the coating composition com ise- one or (note additives, wherein each additi e is independen jy present at a concentration of up to about 2400 u Moi.

[0050] 8. The method of any one of embodiments I to 7, wherein the coating composition comprises one or mofc additives, wherein each additive is independently present at a concentration of irons about 200 to about 1200 itMol,

[005 i I 9, The roethud o any one of embodiments I to 8, wherein the coati g composition comprises one or more additiv s, wherein each additi e w irdeper;deoti} present at a concentration of from about 30.0 to about 600^'μ.Μοί.

10052 j 10. The method ofany one of embodiments I to 0. wherein; the coating composition comprises one or more additives, wherein each additive is ndependently present at a concentration of a boot 600 g ot.

d0as| II. I he method of any one of embodimeisis 1 m 1 , wherein the coating composition further comprises a fungicide. ^'a insecticide,- or both.

{0054] 12. The method o ny one of embodiments i to I ]... wherein said costing step comprises at least one method chosen from dipping, spraying, brushing and smearing.

[005a | So. The method of any one of embo iment i to 12, wherein said coating step com rise: dipping the sugarcane stem section in the coating eomposlfiori tor time period. 3 ί0056] 1 . The method of embodiment 13, wherein the time period is less- than ne mi mite.

[0057] .15, The method of an one of embodiments J to 14. further comprising: dr ing the coated sugarcane stem s«e-†i m at a drying temperature -to form dried coated sugarca e stern section.

1.0058_.1 16. The method o embodiment 15- t erein im^' drying ^'temperature is room temperature.

(0051 i?. The method of cm bod in; erst i 3 or 16, wherein the drying temperature r tges from about HTT to about 55"C.

[O06O] 18, The method of any one of embodiments 15 to 17„ wherein the dried coated sugarcane stem section comprises from about 0,01 to 100 μΜοί of silver nitrate, silver acetate, silver thiusulf te, polassium ferroe anide, or potassium ferrkyasidc, 01 a conbiantion thereof.

i^' Ohi 19. The method of soy one of embodi ments 15 to 18, further comprising: atoning the dried eoated sugarcane stem section tor a storage time period So a storage container at a stoa e temperature.

[0062] 20. The method of embodiment 1 , wherein the age time period is up to four weeks.

[0063 i 2 i . The method of embodiment i 9 or 20, wherein the storage time* period is from about seven days io about 21 days.

[0064] 22 The method of any one of embodiments, !^ o ] , therein the storage container allows air transfer between an interior of the storage comamcr and an exterior of die storage container.

[0065] 23, The method of any one of embodiment 19 to 22.. vh do the storage temperature is room tem erature.

[0066] 24. The method of any one of embodiments S.9 to 23, wherein the storage tempe attire ranges from about UH7 to about 4D^eC.

[0067] 25. The method f any one of embodiments 19 to 2a, wherein the storage temperature ranges bom about ^* to about 2ffT.

[00 Sj 2o The- method of any mw. of embodiments !O to 2¾. vvhefdn said, storage step further comprises minimizing light exposure of the dried coated sugarcane stem section. yl Oiedliel

Seetions: [0070 i 27. A method f iricreasing.an average goron nation rate of sugarcane stern sections, said method- comprising: forming coated sugarcane sem sections using the method of am? one of embodiments 1 to 26,

1 0 1 j routed Sugarcane Tutting Seui n.

j 0072] 8. A coated sugarcane cutting section l aned by the method of an one of esnbodmrerus 1 m- 27.

j 07.3-j 29. The coated sugarcane cutting section of embodiment 28_: whereus a plurality of said coated sugarcane cutting sect-son has an average germination rate greater man an average germination, rat of a plurality of control uneoated sugarcane stem sections.

[007 1 20, The eoated sugarcane cutting section of embodiment 28 or 29, wherem a plurality of said coated sugarcane cutting section has an average gernVioaiioo rate of greater than 80% after storage fur i days.

j0075j 3 ί . She co ed^■ sugacane cutting section of any one of embodiments 2S to 0, wherein a plurality of s d coated sugarcane curving see- ion has an average germination one of greater than 90^'% after storage for 21 days-.

|00?61 32, The coated sugarcane cutting section of any one of em bod i meats 28 to 31 _> wherein sugarcane plants resulting from the eoated sugarcane sten sections have art average shoot height greater than an a verage shoot height of control sugarcane plants resulting f rom piano ng uneoated sugarcane stem sections.

j00?8^'j 33. A method of growing s gacane plants comprising, planting ( I ) one or snor coaled sugarcane cutting sections formed by the method, of any one of embodiments i to 27.. (at the eoated sugarcane stem section of any one of embodiments 28 to 32, or {in} both (I) and (is) in a growing medium. i007«i .eoell^'g^

[0080] .34. A method of increasing vitality of sugarcane plants formed from sugarcane stent sections, sa;d method composing: terming coated sug rcan stem ections usin die method of any one oi^'eorboomieno; I to 27; and planting ii) one or more eoated sugarcane st m .sections formed, b the method of any one of embodiments i to 27. ti.i) the coated sugarcane ste ^'section of any one of embodiments 28 ^'to 2, or ; : both (Ϊ) and i>) in a growing medium. ί^'008.1 35. The met od of embodiment 33 or 34, w rein the coated sugarcane stern sections are stored tip to 28 days prior to s id planting step.

[0082] 36. The method of any one of embodiments 33 to 55. wherein the coated sugarcane stem sections arc stored for more than Id days prior vo saici planting step.

|00 3j 37 The method of any one of embodiments 33 to 33, wherein the coated sugarcane stern sections are stored for fro n^'t about 7 to 3! days prior to said planting step, i 008-4] .38._. The method of any one of any one of embodiments to 3?_s wherein the sugarcane plants resulting immthe coated sugarcane stern sections have an average shoot height at greater than an average shoot height of control sugarcane plants resulting iron: lanting one or more urscoated control sugarcane stem sections.

10083] The following examples arc for illustration only, and are in no way intended to limit the scope of the invention.

!0086] i^!MUr!enLL.^

T n^s

10087] Sugarcane stent sections having a diameter of approximately 23-30 nan and a length of appms.iniaf.eiy 50 mm were generaied (e.g., eat) from sugarcane talks. Coatin compositions comprising silver nitrate were prepared at. various concentrations as shown in Table 1 below. One set of cut stsgareane stern section;; ·.·.■: re dipped intothe coating compositions fo a dwell time of about 60 seconds, and subsequently allowed to dry at room temperature the., about 3^'0*Ct. Another set of ^'control sugarcane stem sections were not coated and remained at room temperature {i.e.. about 30ⁱT'}(i.e., identified below as "No AgNOi^" ") The coated and control t. coaiec sugarcane stem sections were then planted as is {.i.e.. these stent sections are identified below as "Day Zero"; o -.nw.-a for a period of time no to three weeks it; an air- tight jar at room tcmpe; saare < i.e., about 30^i: }, f ohowing storage, the coated and control uoeoated sugaretme Stea; sections were xhtn germinated in bloebarnber boxes. AO coated and control uncoated sugarcane stem sections were g rminat d in a growth chaosher and evaluated seven days .die^; planting.

088] Results are Huumuitmxl in Table 1 beiow

^'t ble I Average Plant Heights arid Gerodoatk Rates

Sample g.1 i eight ]mm wvg i era^'s \ \ Std. Dew

Day Zero 50.2; 78,57 3.30 i No AgNC 2 eks 48.29 6L 90 20.20

200 μ οΙ g^'NO?, 2 weeks 51.38 83,33 3.36

400 μΜοΙ AgNO;;.2 weeks 39,66 52.38 ^■47. j 4

600 μΜοϊ A Oj, 2 w ks 40,79 61.90 53.90

1 No AgNO;,, 3 weeks 16.28 35,00 3500

1200 u oi Ag Oo 3 weeks 42,91 52.50 46.00

1400 μ οί AgND;, 2 weeks 30.53 45.00 49.50

1600 μ οΙ AgNOj, 3 weeks 55. 9 S3.50 4.5

|0089j As shown in Table k the coatee! sugarcane -stern sections, showed increased germs nation at the 200 pmol concentration compared io the control "s AgNO;^" sample after 2 weeks of storage in an a^:;r-4 igii jar. After 3 weeks ofsPsrage in an air-tight jar, ihe AgNO; coated sugarcane stetn section samples demonstrated improved germination and plant height over the control ^om- g^' samples.

[0090] !¾j⁾gr ^¾.P^

Secnpm

[0091 i Sugarcane stent sections A e.. two varieties: CP 88- 1762 and CPOO-1101 } h ing a diameter f a roximately 25-30 mm and a length

mrn were cur and coated for ieft uneoated; as described in Example 1 using coating compositions having AgND;; concentrations oiO. .600 and 1200 uMol ofA NO The coaled and control pneoated ss.tgare;tne stein sections were then planted as is or stored for a period of time up to three weeks in one gallon air-tight jars pi.e., about 0 coated sugarcane stein sections per jar} at ) 6^iJC Following storage, the coated and control uneoated sugarcane st m sections we e then gerndoated in enher bmchaniber hose or potted s d trays ;l,e._; 5 jars each) or both. Ah coated ar l control uneoated sugarcane st m sections were planted and evaluated as i Slows: germination rates were takes in the biod: a er boxes at .3..5, and 7 days after removal from the jars: gern-unaflon rates were taken in the potted trays at 10, : 3. and 14 days after removal iron! the jars.

10092] Results are shewn in flOS.2-7 (note, the term ^"Plerie^" raters to a sugarcane stem section treated with a control coating/slurry composition). As shown F .iS, 2-7, nt all cases, the coatitigAlnrry compositions -containing AgNOa applied to sugarcane stent sections showed improved germination r tes w en compared to the standard .slurry applied sugarcane stern sections.

I 09 j Hss em^

¾«i is

\ 0 4] Sugarcane stern sections of CP88- I 762 having a diameter of approximately 25 -.3Ό nun and a length of approximateiy 50 mm were coated with a standard treatment slurr (designated control treatment) or treated w ith the standard treatment slurry which also conta ined AgNOj at a concentration of 600 pMoi of Ag O_:< (designated as Ag O_;;

treatment). The AgN.O_:; treated and control sugarcane tein sections were then planted as is or stared tor a period of time up to three weeks in storage containers as shown in FK1 ! ( i.e., storage containers that allow gas transfer between an interior and an exterior ohthe storage container} at storage temperatures ranging .from UPC t« 2.2 °€. fol lowing storage , the AgNGo treated and control sugarcane stem sections w ere planted in in trays of po ting soil and placed i a greenhouse. The tra s were watered daily to maintain moisture arid the greenhouse maintained at 26/20(2 maximum/minimum temperatures with i 5 hours light. Growth and germination of all AgNGy treated and control sugarcane iean sections w ere eval uated at 7, N, and 21 days after removal from storage containers.

|^'0ϋ¾Ί Results are shown in F IGS 8- s>. As shown in F IGS. 8-9. in ail eases, the AgNGo treated sugarcane stem sections showed improved germination rates and plant vitality (as m asure ' by plant height) when compared to eontroi sugarcane stent sections i. . , identica l sugarcane stem sections that were treated identically as the Ag O- treated sugarcane stem sections except did not ha e AgNO_? iri the treatment slurry g in particular, the AgNOy treated sugarcane stem sections demonstrated signi ficant enhancement f stem section germination at 7 through 21 days storage, and .sigmik vnt ^'enhancement of shoot lengths at ai l siotage ^'periods^' incluchng day 0 planting.

096] In addition, FIG, 10 depicts a comparison between {^*<} sugarcane plants formes! v ia AgNO;; treated sugarcane stern sessions stored for N days in the above- dese t bed storage container at 72^:'C and t u ) sugarcane giants formed, via control sugarcane stem sections stored lor 1 days in the above-described storage container at 22 t ^". A il plants are show n 2% da s alter planting under the descri bed greenhouse growang conditions. As sh wn in FIG. 1 ; sugarcane plants formed- from AgNGu treated sugarcane stem sections demonstrated much more vitality when compared to sugarcane plants, formed from control sugarcane stent sections w ithout Ag Os treatment. [0098] Sugarcane stem sections of CP88- 1762 having a diameter of approximately 25 - 30 mm and a length of approxmiauiiy 50 mm were eat and treated with .a standard treatment slurr or standard treatment slurry containing A gNO> at a ilnai concentration of 600 μΜο! of Ag Ov s described in Example 3 . ^'The AgNOg treated and control ( without

AgNO; Suga^'rcsne stem sections w ere then planted as is or stored for an extended period of time up to 42 days m storage containers as shown in. FIG. ! ( i .e.. storage containers that allow gas transfer between an interior and an exterior of the storage -container) at a storage temperature of ! 0^<!C F llow mg storage-, the AgNGx treated and eorsUoj sugarcane stem sections were planted in tras s of potting soil and placed in a greenhouse as described in example 3 . A H sugarcane stem sections were evaluated i¾ germination and shoot growth at 14 days after planting.

[0099] Results are shown in FIGS. 1 1 - 12. As .shown m FIG S, U -U, throughout, ihe 42 day s sit storage:, the AgNOg treated sugarcane stem sections showed improved germination rates arid plant vitalit {as measured by plant height) when compared to controi sugarcane stem sections (i.e., identical sugarcane stern sections that were treated identically as the AgNCA treated sugarcane stent sections except did not have Ag^'N<¾ in t treatment sl urry }. At timet* durin the 42 day storage period, the A g Os treaied sugarcane tem section demonstrated germinat ion rates greater than germination rates of control stjgarcane Men; sections (see, PIG. I i }, and the resulting sugarcane plants produced via the Ag D* treated sugarcane stern sections demonstrated shoot heights greater than sugarcane plants produced vi the controi sugarcane stein sections ( see. F IG, 1.2). Further, as shown in FI 1 1 . AgNOj treated sugarcane ste sections demonstrated a 68% germination rate with sil ver nitrate treatm nt after 6 weeks and storage at l iFG, hich wa suhstantiallv ecnn valeui to the aeon i nation rate of control control sugarcane stem sevi!o w t he,, w ithout sil ver nitrate ; alto; i week of storage a; i F^'C. fO lOOj ^'N otw ithstanding that the numerical ranges and parameters etting forth the broad scope of the invention are a proximati ns, the numerical valu s set. forth Irt the spec the examples are reported as precisely as possi ble. Any numerical value; however, inherently contains eerta in errors ecess ril resulting from the standard deviation found in their respecti ve testing measurements. Moreover, al l ranges disclosed herein are to be understood to encompass any and ail subranges s ubsumed therein, and every number between the end points. For exam le, stated range of " i. to J O" should be considered to include any and all subranges between fan inclusive of) the minimum lue of I and Use maximum value o 1.0; that is. all subranges beginning with a minimum value of I or more, e.g. I to 6. 1 , and endin velth a maximum value of 10 or less, e.g., 5.5 i 1 0. as well as ai l ranges beginning and endi ng within the end points, e.g. 2 to 9,. 3 to K, 3 to 9,-4 to ?, and il nahy to each number 1 , 2, 5, 4. 5, f>, 7, £_} 9 and 10 contained within the range.

101^' i J If is further noted that, as used m this sped lleation, the singular forms '^"a," "and^' and ^" he" include plural referents unless expressly and unequi vocal ly limited to one referent. i d 1021 it should be understood that although the above-described coated .sugarcane stem sections, sugarcane plants resulting .therefrom, and methods are described as "compr sin " one or more components or steps, the above-descri bed coated sugarcane stem sections, sugarcane plants resulting therehom, and methods may ^' comprise.^" "consists off or '"consist essentially of any o f he above-described components:, features or steps of the coated sugarcane stem sections, sugarcane plants resulting bete iVorn, and methods. Consetjuenf y . where t e present invention, or a portion thereof has been described w ith an open-ended term such as "comprising," u should he readi ly understood fen (unless otherwise stated} the description of the present inventmn, or the portion thereof, should also be interpreted to describe the present invention, or a portion thereof using the terms "consisting essential iy of or "consisti ng of or eariaiions thereof _.as discussed below

fQ 1 3 A s used herein, the terms "eompi isesf "comprising," "includes," "including,^"' "has,^" "having,^{" "}"containsf "containing," "gsharactermed by" or any other variation thereof are intended to encompass a non-exclusive inclusion, subject to any i inf ration explicitly indicated otherwise, of the recited components. For example, a coated sugarcane stern section and/or method that '^"comprises^" a list of elements (e.g.. oong onents. features or steps) is not necessari ly limited to onl those elements t or components or steps ), hut may Include other■elements ( or eoogionenis or steps; no! expressly listed or usherem to rue coverin a for method.

[0104] -f. used herein:, die transitional

"consists of and "consisting of e xclude any element step, or component not speci fied, for example, ^'"oomnsis Of or "consisting of^" used in a claim wou ld l im it the claim to the components, materials or steps speeiheahy recited in the claim except for i mparities ordinarily associated therewith s he. , impurities within a given component)^', When the pis-axe "consists of or "cons isting of appears in a clause of the body of a claim, rather than immediately following the preamble, the phrase ""c nsists of or "consisting of i units only the elem ts - or components^' or steps } set forth in thai clause; other elements or coiii onents) are not excluded front the idai n as a whole. 10 Ϊ 051 As vis d herein, the .transitional phrases "consists essentially of* and "consisting essentially of are used to define a coated sugarcane stem section, sugarcane plant resulting therefrom, and/or method that in lud -, materials, s'eps. features., components, or dements, in addition to those llteralh disclosed, provided that these additional materials, steps, features, eenn portents, or elements do not materially affect the basic and novel eharacieristieis) of the claimed invention. The term ''consisti g essentially of occupies noddle ground between "com risin " and "consisting of.

[0106] Further, it should be understood that the herein-described coated sugarcane stern sections, sugarcane plants resulting therefrom, arid methods may comprise, consist essentially, of or consist of any- of the herein-described components and features, as shown in the ig r s with or without any tennnef s) not shown in she figure In other words, in some

embodiments, the c nied sug nr ne stem sections., sugatearic plants resulting therefrom, and methods of the present invention do not have any additional features other than those shown in the figures, and suc additional .features, not sh wn In the figures, are specifically excluded from the coated su anane stern sections, sugarcane plants resulting therefrom, and methods. In other embodiments, the coated sugarcane stem sechoos, sugarcane plains result trig therefrom, and methods of the present invenfon do have one ot more additional futures that are not shown in the figures,

[0107] While the s ec if teat ion has heen described m detail with respect to -specific emb dim ns thereof it will be appreciated dia; ihose skilled in the art. upon attaining an understanding of the foregoing, may readily conceive of alterations to. ari tions of, and equivalents to these embodiments, According!) . the scope of she present invention h uld be assessed as dial of the appended claims arid raw emavalents thereto.

1?

Claims

WHAT iSCLAl h^'D IS:

1. A method of extending shel lite and vitality of a sugarc ne stem section. said method comprising.;

l ing to at bass, a portion of the sugarcane -item ee-i n with a composition corn prising at least e additive selected fhwi: silver nitrate, silver acetate, silver thiosultate. otassium fe-S oeyanide, and potassium terricyanide.

2, The method oi^'cann I. wherein said application step comprises coating cot ends of the sugarcane oca^': section w t the coating composition.

So The method oi^" claim 1 or 2, n herein sa.d application step comprises -coating all of the sugarcane stern section with the coating composition. j ^'The method of any one of claims 1 to 3. wherein the sugarcane siem section comprises one or more nodes along the sugarcane stem section.

5. ^'The method of any one of claims I to 4. wherein the sugarcane stem section comprises a single nude along the sngarcane stem section.

6. The method of any one of claims I to s. wherein the composition comprise ^'silver nitrate.

?. The method of any one of claims I to r, wherein the composition comprises one as- more additives, n herein each additive is iodep<.-iuksrtiy p sent at a eoriccraration oi^' up to ahoui T-tGt! n^'Mol.

8. The method oi any one -of claim;; I to 7, w erem the com ositi n comprises one or mots additives, wher in each -additive, is mdependeniiy present at a concentration of from si hoot 200 to about 1200 pKdol.

9. The method of any one of claims ! to 8. wherein the composition comprises one or snore additives, wherein each additive is iiidepe leiriiy present t a eoneemraiion οΠτοίη ghaut 300 to about 600 μΜοί. i ). The method -of am- one o f clai ms i to 9, vvhei¾m the composition comprise* one or more additives. wherein each additive is independently present at a coneentrahou of about 600 M OL i i . ! h soe.Pmd of an one of eiaims I to u>, . he i e lite composition sYaiher comprises one or more fungicides or one or more insecticides, or both.

!2. Hi method of any one of claims § to 11, w erein s id »ppficau tt step c mprises »t le st one method chosen from dipping, spraying, brushing arid smearing.

IT The^■method of any one or eiamrs I to 12, wherein said application step comprises dipping the sugarcane stem section in the coating cosnposkio-o lor time period.

N. The method of claim 15, wherein hi time period is less than one minute.

15. The method of any one of clams i to M, further coaming;

drying the sugarcane stern section at a drying tem erature w> f m a dried coating on th ugarca e stern section.

16. The method of claim ί , wherein the drying temperature :s room tem o rae re.

17 The method of claim 15 or ;6, wherein the drying temperature ran es from- about 10^CC to about S'~^JC

IS, The method of any one of cia;m¾ 15 to STowkere the dried coated sugarcane .stem section comprise irons about 0.1 to 1 0 pKf l of silver nitrate, silver acetate, silver tkiosuliaie. potassium j rrocy nsde. or potassium kuaky cad-.-, or a comhian oii thereof

19. The method or any one of claims 15 to Ϊ X, turber comprising:

st i ng sugarcane srem section with dried coining kw a stomge time period in a storage oerrtainer at a torage vemperaiure.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the storage time period is up to six weeks..

21. The m thod of claim 19 r 20, w herein (he stofage time eriod is from about, seven days ^'to about 21 days.

22. The m thod of any one of claims 1 · to 21, wherein the stora e containe; allows air transfer between ah interior of the storage container and an exterior of the storage container,

23. The method of any one o -claims 19^' to 22, wherein the -storage temperat re is room temperature.

24. The method of any one of claims 19 to 23, wherein the storage temperature ranges from about KPC to about -sU .

25. Tl-e method of any one of claims 19 o 24, wherein the storage temperature ranges irom about - S0^,;,€ to about ^: ( .

26. The ethod of any orie of claims i 9^' to 25, wherein said storage sie^'p furthet composes miiuiniziiig light exposure of the coated sugarcane stem section,

27. A method of Increasing a average germination mic of sugarcane stem sections, said method comprising:

lormmg sug;m:ane stem section:; using the method of any one of cla ims 1 to

26.

28. A :s.u\:r;:,;ne stem section formed by the method -m any o e of claims Ϊ to 27

29. The sugarcane, stem section of claim 28, wherein a plurality of said stsgsreane stem section has an average geraunation rate greater fhan arr asetage genm nation rate ;>f a nmraihy of untreated control sugarcane stem sections,

30. A method of g owing sugarcane piano; comprising:

planting tit one or mote sugarcane stem section:; formed the method of any^¬ one of claims ! to 27, {sit the sugarcane stem section of any one ol^'eialuts 28 to ^'29, or (ih) both (it and ( ii } in a growing medium

31. A m thod of increasing vitality of sugarcane plants formed from sugarcane stein sections, said method comprising:

orming u arcane stem se ti ns using rht- method of *my e of claims ! ro

27: and

planting fi) one or more sugarcane stem sections f m d by the method ot airy one of claims 1 to 27, (if) the sugarcane .stem section of any one of claims 8 to 29, or tiii} both 0) and {)■■ in a growing medium.

32. The inethod of claim 20 or 21. wherein the sa i saoe stem sections are tored un to 6 weeks prior to said planting step.

23. ^"i^'he inethod of any one of claim 20 to 32, wherein t e sugarcane stern sections are stored lot more th n 10 days prior to said planting step.

24. I^'he method of any one ed^'clalms 20 to 22, w e eon the sugarcane sten secllons are stored hn horn abesut ? to 1 days prior to said planting step.

3.1 The method of claim 18... wh rein the dried coated sugarcane stem section comprises from a boot 00 to f 00 p of of silver nitrate, silver acetate, silver tfnosulfaie, potassium ferrocyamde, or potassium temcyanide, or a combumtlon thereof

36. The method of eiahvf IS. wherein the dried coated sugarcane ste n section com rises from about 0.1 to 60 μΜοΙ of silver nitrate, silver acetate, Silver thiosoltaie, notassm

ferros vanldC; or potassium ieancyftnide, or a eomhiantkei thereof

37. I^'he method of claim IS, wherein the dried co¾ ed sugarcane stern section eompnses from about 0.06 to 30 idviol of silver ornate, silver acetate, silver thiosultate, potassmm ierrecyarude, or potassium ferrieyanide. or combiantioa thereo

35. The method of claim 1, wherein the additive IN present on the sugarcane stern section in amount horn 0.0! to 100 uMo!.

35. The method of claim 1, wherei she additiv .is resent on the ug rcan stem section in amount from 0.1 t 1,2 μ^'ΜοΙ.

35. ^{' '}he method of claim 1·,· wherein the additive k present on the sugarcane stem section in mount iVo?n 0.06 to 0.5 u oi.