WO2022256898A1

WO2022256898A1 - Crop health compositions and methods of use thereof

Info

Publication number: WO2022256898A1
Application number: PCT/BR2022/050211
Authority: WO
Inventors: Bruno ORUI SAITO; Daniela Regina DE SOUZA; Veronica Lorena DOVIS; Michel CASTELLANI DA ROCHA
Original assignee: Icl America Do Sul S. A.
Priority date: 2021-06-10
Filing date: 2022-06-10
Publication date: 2022-12-15
Also published as: BR112023025873A2

Abstract

Described herein are crop health compositions including organic base with or without inorganic compounds that are particularly useful for application to plants. Also described herein are methods of making and using the crop health compositions.

Description

SPECIFICATION OF PATENT OF INVENTION FOR “CROP HEALTH COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS OF USE THEREOF”

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0001] Described herein are crop health compositions with proprieties of sunscreen and biostimulants, including an organic base with or without inorganic compounds. These crop health compositions are particularly useful for application to plants to reduce sunburn damage and enhance the metabolism. Also described herein are methods of making and using the compositions.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE:

[0002] Plants are autotrophs organisms that rely on the sun to produce sugars through photosynthesis for survive and growth, and with that sustain the living of others organism. The sunlight spectrum encompasses wavelengths lower than 400 nm (nanometers), ultra-violet radiation (UV) that can damage not only skin but can deteriorate the plant^'s leaves. The effects can be associated with direct destruction of the DNA, disruption of cell membranes and, the most affected, damage of chlorophylls and photosynthetic apparatus. These effects result in reduced growth and development of plants. Infrared wavelengths, above 700 nm, have no effects on photosynthesis, these wavelengths are absorbed by other molecules. In the region of 900 nm water vapor absorbs energy and heat up himself. Accordingly, a sunscreen composition available to plants could reduce the damage produce by UV radiation and the excessive heating by IR radiation. Alternative, in some plant species, ecologically fitting to ambient of low radiation, as coffee plants it is possible observe benefits reducing the light intensity. In this kind of plants, when cultivated in high intensity of PAR (photosynthetic active radiation) could be over-saturation in the electron transport chain, causing photoinibition of photosynthesis and chlorophyll destruction. In addition, high temperature and/or dry ambient condition can cause stomatal closure and reduce biochemical process of C0₂ fixation. This condition exacerbates the photoinibition and chlorophyll destruction.

[0003] It has now been found that a combination of organic and inorganic compounds can mitigate the harmful effects of excess of irradiance and UV radiation. Several natural organic compounds can provide substantial benefits to plant sunscreen compositions. For example, carnauba wax is a natural organic compound that can reduce the irradiance in all the visible spectrum and prevent the sunburn damage in plants. There are some previously composition that use clay and lipid formulations to claim the protective effect of wax emulsion on horticultural crops, focus on preventing apple fruit sunburn. In this composition the effects it is limited to reflects undesired solar infrared light and part of the UV radiation (US006857224B1) without any mechanism of stress alleviating.

[0004] Still, certain inorganic compounds can be used for compounding a sunscreen product for application in plant. This composition is cited in the document US008986741 B2, in this case the suspension of Titanium Dioxide (Ti0₂), Zinc Oxide (ZnO) and/or Silicon Dioxide (Si0₂) when spraying on leaf protecting then from ultraviolet radiation, heat stress and/or sunburn. In this case the protective effects are based only in the physics barrier perform by the film Ti0₂, ZnO and/or Si0₂, without any compound to ameliorating stress.

[0005] Also, seaweed extract is a natural extract compounded by several metabolites and biostimulants known to contribute to increases the plant abiotic stress tolerance, as heat or water stress and contribute to increase crop yields (Santaniello et al., 2017; Arioli et al., 2015; Battacharyya et al., 2015).

[0006] Amino acids are well-known biostimulants which have positive effects on plant growth and yield and significantly mitigate the injuries caused by abiotic stresses (Kowalczyk et al. , 2008). Amino acids as constituents of a variety of proteins have the potential to alleviate abiotic stresses in crop plants (Sadak et al., 2015; Sadak and Abdelhamid, 2015)

[0007] In the present invention disclosure the crop health compositions bring a triple benefit, UV and IR radiation reduction, decrease in PAR light excess getting to PSII and metabolites and stimulating substances that help to avoid or decrease oxidative stress, keep chlorophylls and keep stomates opening. All these combined factors contribute to reduce to sunburn damage and enhance the metabolism promoting a better plant growth process and a better quality and quantity crop yield.

[0008] Accordingly, it is an object of the present disclosure to provide crop health compositions with sunscreen effect including the use of an organic base with or without an inorganic additive for physical protection and adding a physiological stimulants, able to alleviate leaves damage caused by sunburn.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0009] Figure 1: Glass plates sprayed with several crop health compositions with a A) reference (organic base) and different inorganic additive B) additive 1 and C) additive 2.

[0010] Figure 2: Aspect of the coffee leaves after prototypes spraying: A) reference organic base (carnauba wax + seaweed extract) and B) organic base + additives.

[0011] Figures 3A, 3B, 3C: Measurement of reduction of UV radiation and Total Solar Radiation (TSR) by the compositions. A) Solarimeter, equipment used to measure the TSR reduction. B) Total Solar Radiation (TSR) reduction as function of the crop health compositions tested (reference: organics base = Carnauba Wax + Seaweed Extract). C) 350nm UV-Ray reduction as function of the of the crop health compositions tested (reference: organic base = Carnauba Wax + Seaweed Extract).

[0012] Figure 4: Stomatal conductance measurements in experiments with crop protection composition in accordance with the present disclosure. A) Field coffee plants of 6 years old with or without organic base + inorganic additive (OB+Ti0₂) spraying. B and C) Potted coffee plants of 6 months old with or without crop protection composition, using organic base + different additives: Ti0₂ or ZnO (OB+Ti0₂ and OB+ZnO) in two different measurement day. D) Potted coffee plants of 6 months old with or without crop protection composition, only organic base and organic base + inorganic additives (OB and OB+Ti0₂).

[0013] Figure 5: Total chlorophyll concentration in coffee leaves. Measurements performed 45 days after spraying the crop protection composition (organic base + inorganic additive - OB+Ti0₂). Experiments in Field coffee plants of 6 years old.

[0014] Figure 6: Total carotenoids concentration in coffee leaves. Measurements performed 45 days after spraying the crop protection composition (organic base + inorganic additive - OB+Ti02). Experiments in Field coffee plants of 6 years old.

[0015] Figure 7: A) Photochemical quenching, B) Apparent carboxylation efficiency (A/Ci, pmol C0₂ Pa^-1); C) Photosynthesis (Net C0₂ assimilation, pmol C0₂ nr² s ¹). Measurement performed in coffee potted plants treated with the composition in accordance with the present disclosure. Organic base + inorganic additive Ti0₂ (0B+Ti0₂) and Organic base + inorganic additive ZnO (OB+ZnO). Measurement at 15 days after treatment application in two different moments of the day (09:00 a.m. and 01 :00 p.m.) [0016] Figure 8: Productivity in coffee plants in field experiments in two areas in different locations A) Area#1 : cherry coffee (kg/pl), B) Area#2: total grains (Tn/ha). Plants were spraying with the crop protection composition organic base (OB) and organic base + inorganic additive (0B+Ti0₂).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0017] Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a crop health composition with capacity for reduce or prevent sunburn, and/or alleviate the damage caused by an excess of solar radiation and by heat stress in sensitive plants. Besides that, the stimulating substances and metabolites in the composition also contribute to reduce the oxidative stress. Furthermore, is provide a method of making a crop health composition and a method of a protecting plants from sunburn.

[0018] In one embodiment, the present disclosure is directed to a crop health composition comprising an organic base as a wax emulsion with optical properties and a biostimulant additive able to alleviate plants from sunburn.

[0019] In another embodiment, there is provided a crop health composition comprising an organic base with or without inorganic additive forming a wax emulsion with optical properties and a biostimulant additive able to alleviate plants from sunburn.

[0020] In another embodiment, the present disclosure is directed to a method of making a crop health composition comprising an organic base with or without an inorganic additive, the method comprising adding the organic base and with or without the inorganic additive to the base to form a mixture and mixing the mixture.

[0021] In yet another embodiment, the present disclosure is directed to a method of protecting a plant from sunburn, the method comprising applying to the plant a crop health composition comprising an organic base with or without an inorganic additive.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0022] Described herein are crop health composition with sunscreen and biostimulant activity including organic base compounds and with or without inorganic additives that are particularly useful for application to plants. Also described herein are methods of making and using the crop health compositions. Benefits of the compositions of the present disclosure include protection of plants from sunburn and enhance the plant metabolism.

[0023] The organic additives according to the present disclosure promote the protection of sunburn plants by filtering irradiance and the UV wavelengths, thereby reducing the potential damage effects of sunlight in sensible irradiation plants. The organic additives are preferably natural organic additives. Natural wax is a particularly beneficial organic additive. The natural waxes have compatibility with the serosity of the leaf by the polarity affinity that could retain more on the surface of the leaf even in rainy conditions. Natural waxes are component of cuticle and upper epidermis of fruit and leaves, perennials plants have high content of this kind of compound. These natural waxes are responsible for reflect and absorb part of the UV radiation, reducing the damage produced. Plant extracts according to the present disclosure promote the oxidation stress reduction helping to reduce the UV radiation achieving the leaf.

[0024] The organic could be selected from organic or synthetic wax, such as Carnauba wax, rice wax, castor wax, PEO wax and/or mixture of thereof.

[0025] The inorganic additives according to the present disclosure enhance the protection and other beneficial properties imparted by organic base compositions. The inorganic additives may have various particle sizes and be present in various size distributions. These compounds have the potential to block a portion of harmful UV rays, especially UV rays having a wavelength of about 350 nm, that together with excess of solar radiation may cause sunburn in plant leaves and/or fruits.

[0026] Generally, the additives of the present disclosure can be added to suitable crop health composition known in the art. Such suitable crop health compositions are recognized in the present disclosure as base sunscreen. In some embodiments, the organic base comprises an organic compound. In some embodiments, the organic base comprises compounds selected from the group consisting of a natural wax, carnauba wax, a plant extract, a seaweed extract, aminoacids and any combination thereof. In some embodiments, the organic base is carnauba wax and/or seaweed extract.

[0027] As used herein, seaweed includes any of the red, green, or brown marine algae that grow along seashores. Seaweeds contain identifiable amounts of active plant growth substances such as auxins, cytokinins, and/or their derivatives. [0028] To prepare the liquid composition, suitable surfactant additives could be used. Such surfactant additives include, but are not limited to, alkyl sulphates, alkyl EO sulphates, alkylbenzene sulfonates, non-ionic surfactants such as amine-n-oxide, dispersant agents and antifoam agents, wetting agents.

[0029] In some embodiments, the organic base comprises two organic additives in a ratio range of from about 2:1 to about 20:1. (carnauba wax:seaweed extract).

[0030] In many embodiments, the inorganic additive is selected from the group consisting of inorganic oxides. In some embodiments, the inorganic additive is selected from the group consisting of inorganic oxides comprising a transition metal. In some embodiments, the inorganic oxide is selected from the group consisting of titanium dioxide (Ti0₂), zinc oxide (ZnO), iron oxide (Fe₂0₃), calcium oxide (CaO), magnesium oxide (MgO) and combinations thereof.

[0031] In many embodiments, the inorganic additive is an inorganic mineral. In some embodiments, the inorganic additive is selected from the group consisting of smectite phyllosilicate mineral clays and aluminum silicate. In some embodiments, the smectite phyllosilicate mineral clay is selected from the group consisting of sodium bentonite clays, potassium bentonite clays, calcium bentonite clays, aluminum bentonite clays, kaolin, and combinations thereof.

[0032] In some embodiments, the inorganic additive is selected from the group consisting of inorganic compounds, titanium dioxide (Ti0₂), zinc oxide (ZnO), iron oxide (Fe₂0₃), smectite phyllosilicate mineral clays, sodium bentonite clays, potassium bentonite clays, calcium bentonite clays, aluminum bentonite clays, and combinations thereof.

[0033] Generally, the crop health compositions may be prepared by suitable manufacturing techniques known in the art. In some embodiments, a method of making a crop health composition in accordance with the present disclosure comprises adding an organic additive and optionally an inorganic additive to an organic base to form a mixture and mixing the mixture. In some embodiments, a method of making a crop health composition in accordance with the present disclosure comprises mixing at least two organic additives to form an organic base and optionally adding an inorganic additive to the organic base and mixing the resulting mixture. In some embodiments, a method of making a crop health composition in accordance with the present disclosure comprises mixing seaweed extract and carnauba wax and water and surfactants to form an organic base, and optionally adding an inorganic additive to the organic base and mixing the resulting mixture.

[0034] The crop health composition in accordance with the present disclosure are particularly beneficial for protecting plants from sunburn. In some embodiments, a method of protecting a plant from sunburn with a crop health composition in accordance with the present disclosure comprises applying the crop health composition to the plant.

[0035] In many embodiments, the plant may be any suitable plant known in the art that is need of protection from sunburn. In some embodiments, the plant is selected from the group consisting of fruit plants, vegetable plants, C3 plants, soybean plants, coffee plants, and combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the plant is a coffee plant.

[0036] The crop health compositions in accordance with the present disclosure may be applied to plants according to suitable methods known in the art. In some embodiments, the method step of applying the crop health compositions comprises applying the crop health compositions to a part of the plant selected from the group consisting of a leaf, a fruit, a flower, a stem, a root, a seed, and combinations thereof. The crop health compositions may be applied before and/or after evidence of sunburn.

[0037] In some embodiments, the method step of applying the crop health composition comprises applying the crop health composition with a technique selected from the group consisting of spraying, lathering, spotting, wiping, painting, covering, and combinations thereof. In some particular embodiments, the method step of applying the crop health composition comprises spraying the plant with the crop health composition.

[0038] Generally, the crop health composition including inorganic additives in accordance with the present disclosure are capable of reducing irradiance over a broad range of wavelengths and/or transmittance of a broad or narrow range of wavelengths. In some embodiments, the crop health compositions including inorganic additives in accordance with the present disclosure reduce the total solar irradiance relative to crop health compositions not including inorganic additives. In some embodiments, the crop health compositions including inorganic additives in accordance with the present disclosure reduce the solar irradiance within a range of wavelengths relative to crop health compositions not including inorganic additives. [0039] In some embodiments, the crop health composition including inorganic additives in accordance with the present disclosure reduce the infrared radiation transmittance relative to crop health compositions not including inorganic additives. Infrared radiation is understood to mean light with a wavelength in a range of from about 780 nm to about 1 mm.

[0040] In some embodiments, the crop health composition including inorganic additives in accordance with the present disclosure reduce the visible light radiation transmittance relative to crop health compositions not including inorganic additives. Visible light radiation is understood to mean light with a wavelength in a range of from about 200 nm to about 800 nm.

[0041] In some embodiments, the crop health composition including inorganic additives in accordance with the present disclosure reduce the ultraviolet (UV) radiation transmittance relative to crop health compositions not including inorganic additives. UV radiation is understood to mean light with a wavelength in a range of from about 100 nm to about 400 nm.

[0042] In some embodiments, the crop health compositions including inorganic additives in accordance with the present disclosure reduce the UV radiation transmittance at about 350 nm relative to crop health compositions not including inorganic additives.

[0043] In some embodiments, the crop health compositions including inorganic additives in accordance with the present disclosure reduce a portion of solar irradiance, total solar irradiance, a portion of UV radiation transmittance, and/or UV radiation transmittance at about 350 nm by at least 1%, at least 2%, at least 3%, at least 4%, at least 5%, at least 6%, at least 7%, at least 8%, at least 9%, at least 10%, at least 11%, at least 12%, at least 13%, at least 14%, at least 15%, at least 16%, at least 17%, at least 18%, at least 19%, at least 20%, at least 21%, at least 22%, at least 23%, at least 24%, at least 25%, at least 26%, at least 27%, at least 28%, at least 29%, at least 30%, at least 31%, at least 32%, at least 33%, at least 34%, at least 35%, at least 36%, at least 37%, at least 38%, at least 39%, at least 40%, at least 41%, at least 42%, at least 43%, at least 44%, at least 45%, at least 46%, at least 47%, at least 48%, at least 49%, at least 50%, at least 51%, at least 52%, at least 53%, at least 54%, at least 55%, at least 56%, at least 57%, at least 58%, at least 59%, at least 60%, at least 61%, at least 62%, at least 63%, at least 64%, at least 65%, at least 66%, at least 67%, at least 68%, at least 69%, at least 70%, at least 71%, at least 72%, at least 73%, at least 74%, at least 75%, at least 76%, at least 77%, at least 78%, at least 79%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99, at least 100%, at least 150%, at least 200%, at least 250%, at least 300%, at least 350%, at least 400%, at least 450%, or at least 500% relative to no crop health composition or crop health compositions not including inorganic additives.

EXAMPLES

[0044] The following examples set several compositions of and methods in accordance with the disclosure. It is to be understood, however, that these examples are provided by way of illustration, and nothing therein should be taken as a limitation upon the overall scope of the disclosure. The examples below show that formulations comprising an organic base and/or inorganic additive has the potential to alleviate sunburn damage in plants due to his function as a sunscreen and biostimulant.

Example 1. Comparison between coverage on glass from reference organic base compositions and organic base and different inorganic additive in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0045] First, we establish the visual aspects of several composition when applying on a clean glass plate in accordance with the present disclosure. We used a reference composition comprising (i.e. carnauba wax + seaweed extract) and the reference plus several inorganic additives spraying on a clean glass plate. The glass plate was used to simulate the visual effect on the surface of the leaves. Figure 1A shows a glass plate sprayed with a reference composition (i.e. carnauba wax + seaweed extract), and Figure 1 B shows a glass plate sprayed with a reference + additive 1 (BentNa+Ti0₂) and Figure 1C shows a glass plate sprayed with a reference + additive 2 (BentNa+ZnO) and surfactants mixture.

[0046] This example demonstrates that crop health compositions including the inorganic additives according to the present disclosure provide a higher degree of coverage on glass plates relative to reference compositions after they are applied (i.e. sprayed) over the glass plates.

Example 2. Comparison between coverage on plant leaves from reference organic base compositions and compositions of organic base + additives in accordance with the present disclosure. [0047] A comparison between reference organic compositions comprising (i.e. carnauba wax + seaweed extract) and the reference plus several inorganic additives spraying on coffee plant leaves (Figures 2A-2B). In particular, Figure 2A shows sprayed with a reference organic base (i.e. carnauba wax + seaweed extract), and Figure 2B shows coffee plant leaves sprayed with a organic base including an inorganic additive in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0048] This example demonstrates that crop health compositions including the inorganic additives according to the present disclosure provide a higher degree of coverage on plant leaves, such as coffee leaves, relative to reference compositions after they are applied (i.e. sprayed) over the plant leaves.

Example 3. Comparison between measured sunlight properties on glass plates from reference organic base compositions and organic base including inorganic additives in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0049] To check the hypothesis that the composition can filter the UV radiation and reduce the negative effects of excess of sunlight several glass plates were spraying with the composition in accordance with the present disclosure. For this porpoise the glass plate was placed into de spectrophotometer chamber and transmittance through the glass plate spraying with the compositions were measured at 350 nm (UV radiation). The proportion of radiation reduce by the composition was considering the ability of reduction UV radiation. At the same time, similar measurement was performed using a solarimeter equipment to evaluate the amount of total solar radiation (TSR) reduce by the composition. The glass plate is entirely exposed to direct sunlight. A solarimeter is placed beneath the glass plate to determine the amount of total solar irradiance that passes through the glass plate + composition. In all cases e clean glass place were used to zeroing the equipment.

[0050] A comparison between measured sunlight properties on glass plates from reference organic base and organic base + additives compositions is shown in Figures 3A, 3B and 3C. The results are tabulated in Table 1. In the present example Addtive #1 is ZnO and Bentonite and Additive #2 is Ti0₂ and Bentonite; and surfactants mixture. Table 1. Measured sunlight properties.

Composition Total Solar Irradiance (%) UV Radiation Transmittance

[0051] This example demonstrates that crop health compositions including the inorganic additives according to the present disclosure provide a higher degree of reduction in sunlight UV radiation, protecting leaves from sunburn, relative to reference compositions.

Example 4: Maintenance the stomatal conductance in coffee leaves in stressful condition using the crop health composition in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0052] In another example to test the hypothesis of that crop health composition could help plants to maintain better photosynthesis, the stomatal conductance was evaluated. The stomata are responsible by the entry of C0₂ for photosynthesis in leaves. Stomatal closure carries on photoinibition of photosystem II, increase in photorespiration, chlorophyll destruction and reduce in growth. For this porpoise coffee plants of 6 years old on field were used. Plants were spraying with a crop health composition comprising an organic base (carnauba wax + seaweed extract) and inorganic additives (Ti0₂), control plants (without application) were used as comparative. The plants were spraying during the summer when temperature and solar radiation were higher. Stomatal conductance was evaluated at 11 :00 a.m. with a SC-1 leaf porometer (Decagon Services). Figure 4 show an increase in 10% in stomatal conductance when plants were protected with the composition.

[0053] In another experiment, young potted coffee plants were spraying with two composition of crop protection composition comprising an organic base (carnauba wax + seaweed extract) and inorganic additives Ti0₂ or ZnO, control plants (without application) were used as comparative. Seven and 15 days after spraying stomatal conductance was evaluated at 09:00 a.m and 13:00 p.m. with an infrared gas analyzer (IRGA, Li-Cor 6800, Lincoln, Nebraska). See figure 4B and 4C, was observed increase between 20% and 120% in the stomatal conductance when the crop protection composition was spraying. [0054] In a third experiment, with another group of young potted coffee plants, the plants were spraying with two composition of crop protection. One of them comprising an organic base (carnauba wax + seaweed extract) and other with the organic base + inorganic additives (Ti0₂), control plants (without application) were used as comparative. Finally, 7 days after application stomatal conductance was evaluated at 09:00 a.m and 13:00 p.m. with an infrared gas analyzer (IRGA, Li-Cor 6800, Lincoln, Nebraska). In Figure 4D it is possible to see increase higher than 80% in stomatal conductance respect as the control plants without crop protection composition spraying.

[0055] All the experiments were conducted during warmer and dry days in summer. These examples demonstrates that crop health compositions including the inorganic additives according to the present disclosure could help plants to maintain higher stomatal conductance, especially in stressful environmental.

Example 5: Increase in chlorophyll concentrations in coffee leaves using the crop health composition in accordance with the present disclosure

[0056] To test the hypothesis of that crop health composition can protect photosystems and chlorophyll integrity coffee plants of 6 years old on field were used. Plants were spraying with a crop health composition comprising an organic base (carnauba wax + seaweed extract) and inorganic additives (Ti0₂), control plants (without application) and another group of coffee plants spraying with the commercial sunscreen Surround were used as comparative. The plants were spraying during the summer when temperature and solar radiation were higher. Chlorophyll and carotenoids concentration were measured in leaves completely exposed to sunlight 45 days after the crop health composition applied. Measurement were according Wellburn et al. (1994). Figures 5 and 6 show an increase in 26% in the total chlorophyll concentration and 11% in carotenoids concentration. This evidence the capacity of crop health composition to maintain the integrity of photosystems in coffee leaves.

Example 6: Increase the photosynthesis in coffee leaves using the crop health composition in accordance with the present disclosure [0057] If the crop health composition was able to maintain the stomatal conductance and integrity of photosystems, we expect that C0₂ assimilation (Photosynthesis) is going to increase when the crop health composition is used. To test the hypothesis young potted plants of coffee were used. Plants were sprayed with a crop health composition comprising an organic base (carnauba wax + seaweed extract and/or aminoacid) and inorganic additives (Bent+Ti0₂, Bent+ZnO), control plants (without application) were used as comparative. Two weeks after the plant were applying with the composition and exposed to high solar radiation measurements of C0₂ assimilation and chlorophyll fluorescence were measured with an Infrared gas analyzer (IRGA Li-Cor 6800, Lincoln, Nebraska). Measurements were performed in leaves completely exposed to solar radiation at 09:00 a.m and 13:00 p.m. on a sunny and hot day.

[0058] Figure 7 shows the positive response in A) Photochemical quenching (qP), B) Stomatal conductance (g_s), C) Biochemical efficiency (A/Ci) and D) Photosynthesis. This evidence that the composition could protect leaves from sunburn and stimulate the metabolism, increasing the photosynthesis.

Example 7: Increasing the productivity in coffee plants using the crop health composition in accordance with the present disclosure

[0059] To test the hypothesis of that the increase in photosynthesis obtained with the crop health composition could increase the production of different crops, two areas planting with coffee of more than 8 years old were used. Both areas were spraying with a crop health composition comprising an organic base (carnauba wax + seaweed extract) with or without an inorganic additive (Ti0₂), control plants (without application) were used as comparative. The composition was applied once during the summer, when the temperature and solar radiation were higher than optimal for coffee plants. Four months after composition application the fruits were harvest. Figure 8 shows grain productivity A) Area #1 and B) Area #2. Was observed and increase in productivity between 5% and 20% when compared to control, this confirm that the benefits observed in the previous parameter evaluated can results in production increase.

[0060] This written description uses examples to illustrate the present disclosure, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the disclosure, including making and using any compositions or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the disclosure is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent elements with insubstantial differences from the literal language of the claims.

[0061] As used herein, the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,” “including,” “has,” “having,” “contains”, “containing,” “characterized by” or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, subject to any limitation explicitly indicated. For example, a composition, mixture, process or method that comprises a list of elements is not necessarily limited to only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such composition, mixture, process or method.

[0062] The transitional phrase “consisting of” excludes any element, step, or ingredient not specified. If in the claim, such would close the claim to the inclusion of materials other than those recited except for impurities ordinarily associated therewith. When the phrase “consisting of’ appears in a clause of the body of a claim, rather than immediately following the preamble, it limits only the element set forth in that clause; other elements are not excluded from the claim as a whole.

[0063] The transitional phrase “consisting essentially of” is used to define a composition or method that includes materials, steps, features, components, or elements, in addition to those literally disclosed, provided that these additional materials, steps, features, components, or elements do not materially affect the basic and novel characteristic(s) of the claimed invention. The term “consisting essentially of” occupies a middle ground between “comprising” and “consisting of”.

[0064] Where an invention or a portion thereof is defined with an open-ended term such as “comprising,” it should be readily understood that (unless otherwise stated) the description should be interpreted to also describe such an invention using the terms “consisting essentially of’ or “consisting of.”

[0065] Further, unless expressly stated to the contrary, “or” refers to an inclusive or and not to an exclusive or. For example, a condition A or B is satisfied by any one of the following: A is true (or present) and B is false (or not present), A is false (or not present) and B is true (or present), and both A and B are true (or present). [0066] Also, the indefinite articles “a” and “an” preceding an element or component of the invention are intended to be nonrestrictive regarding the number of instances (i.e. occurrences) of the element or component. Therefore “a” or “an” should be read to include one or at least one, and the singular word form of the element or component also includes the plural unless the number is obviously meant to be singular.

[0067] As used herein, the term “about” means plus or minus 10% of the value.

Claims

1. A crop health composition with proprieties of sunscreen and biostimulants comprising an organic base comprising an organic additive.

2. The composition of claim 1 further comprising an inorganic additive.

3. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the organic base comprises natural or synthetic wax and/or seaweed extract and/or aminoacids.

4. The composition of claim 3, wherein the natural or synthetic wax is selected from carnauba wax, rice bran wax, castor wax, PEO wax and combination thereof.

5. The composition of claim 1, wherein the compounds in the organic base are in a ratio range of from about 2: 1 to about 20: 1.

6. The composition of claim 2, wherein the inorganic additive is selected from the group consisting of inorganic oxides, titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, iron oxide, calcium oxide, magnesium oxide, smectite phyllosilicate mineral clays, sodium bentonite clays, potassium bentonite clays, calcium bentonite clays, aluminum bentonite clays, aluminum silicate (kaolin), and combinations thereof.

7. The composition of claim 2 or 6, wherein the inorganic additive is present in a concentration in a range of from 5% to about 25%.

8. The method of making a composition comprising sunscreen and biostimulant functions, the method comprising: adding organic additives and/or inorganic additive to a base composition to form a mixture; and mixing the mixture.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the organic base comprises natural or synthetic wax and/or seaweed extract and/or aminoacids.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the natural or synthetic wax is selected from carnauba wax, rice bran wax, castor wax, PEO wax and combination thereof.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the compounds in the organic base are in a ratio range of from about 2:1 to about 20:1.

12. The method of claim 8, wherein the inorganic additive is selected from the group consisting of inorganic oxides, titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, iron oxide, calcium oxide, magnesium oxide, smectite phyllosilicate mineral clays, sodium bentonite clays, potassium bentonite clays, calcium bentonite clays, aluminum bentonite clays, aluminum silicate (kaolin), and combinations thereof.

13. The method of claim 8 or 12, wherein the inorganic additive is present in a concentration in a range of from about 5% to about 25%.

14. A method of protecting a plant from sunburn, the method comprising applying to the plant a composition showing sunscreen and biostimulant functions comprising an organic base and/or an inorganic additive.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the organic base comprises natural or synthetic wax and/or seaweed extract and/or aminoacids.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the natural or synthetic wax is selected from carnauba wax, rice bran wax, castor wax, PEO wax and combination thereof.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein the compounds in the organic base are in a ratio range of from about 2:1 to about 20:1.

18. The method of claim 14, wherein the inorganic additive is selected from the group consisting of inorganic oxides, titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, iron oxide, calcium oxide, magnesium oxide, smectite phyllosilicate mineral clays, sodium bentonite clays, potassium bentonite clays, calcium bentonite clays, aluminum bentonite clays, aluminum silicate (kaolin), and combinations thereof.

19. The method of claim 14, wherein the inorganic additive is present in a concentration in a range of from about 5% to about 25%.

20. The method of claim 14, wherein the method step of applying the composition comprises applying to a part of the plant selected from the group consisting of a leaf, a fruit, a flower, a stem, a root, a seed, and combinations thereof.

21. The method of claim 14, wherein the method step of applying the composition comprises applying with a technique selected from the group consisting of spraying, lathering, spotting, wiping, painting, covering, and combinations thereof.