Title: Tillering promoter for plant and method for tillering promotion of plant
Abstract: Herein are disclosed a tillering promoter for a plant comprising an amino acid, especially proline, or inosine in addition thereto, as effective ingredient(s), and a method for tillering promotion for a plant wherein the tillering promoter is especially applied onto the leaf surfaces, in accordance with which are provided a tillering promoter for a plant which enables the reduction of the amount of fertilizer hitherto used in a large amount and the maintenance of a satisfactory green state by promoting the tillering of a plant, especially lawn grass without requiring the application of pesticides and plant hormones, also exhibits growth promotion and coloring promotion of leaves, is not a chemical fertilizer, and does not adversely affect the environment and men and beasts, and a method for applying the same.
Patent Number: 6,869,911 Issued on 03/22/2005 to Miyazawa, et al.
| Inventors:
|
Miyazawa; Yuki (Kawasaki, JP);
Kurauchi; Masahiko (Kawasaki, JP);
Sato; Hiroyuki (Kawasaki, JP)
|
| Assignee:
|
Ajinomoto Co., Inc. (Tokyo, JP)
|
| Appl. No.:
|
987549 |
| Filed:
|
November 15, 2001 |
Foreign Application Priority Data
| Nov 27, 2000[JP] | 2000-358705 |
| Current U.S. Class: |
504/136; 504/287 |
| Intern'l Class: |
A01N 043//36; A01N 043//90 |
| Field of Search: |
504/136,287,118
71/11,27
|
References Cited [Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
| 5422343 | Jun., 1995 | Yamamoto et al.
| |
| 6448202 | Sep., 2002 | Miyazawa et al. | 504/136.
|
| Foreign Patent Documents |
| 0 841 007 | May., 1998 | EP.
| |
| 1095565 | May., 2001 | EP.
| |
| 1 095 565 | May., 2001 | EP.
| |
| 2852677 | Feb., 1999 | JP.
| |
| 2001-131009 | May., 2001 | JP.
| |
| 3515935 | Apr., 2004 | JP.
| |
| 9110726 | Jul., 1991 | WO.
| |
| WO 91/10726 | Jul., 1991 | WO.
| |
| WO 94/00009 | Jan., 1994 | WO.
| |
| WO 91/00009 | Jan., 1997 | WO.
| |
Other References
Patent Abstracts of Japan, JP 2001-199812, Jul. 24, 2001.
Patent Abstracts of Japan, JP 63-045211, Feb. 26, 1988.
Patent Abstracts of Japan, JP 03-201914, Sep. 3, 1991.
|
Primary Examiner: Pryor; Alton
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Oblon, Spivak, McClelland, Maier & Neustadt, P.C.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A method for tillering promotion of lawn grass, comprising:
applying at least one amino acid selected from the group consisting of
arginine, glutamine and proline onto the surfaces of the leaves of lawn
grass; and
applying inosine to the subterranean part(s) of the lawn grass.
2. The method according to claim 1, wherein said amino acid is applied to
the leaves of grass in a concentration of from 0.2 ppm to 0.2%.
3. The method according to claim 2, wherein said concentration of said
amino acid ranges from 10 to 300 ppm.
4. The method according to claim 3, wherein said concentration of said
amino acid ranges from 100 to 300 ppm.
5. The method according to claim 1, wherein said inosine is applied to the
soil in an amount of from 5 to 100 g per 100 tons of soil.
6. The method according to claim 1, wherein said at least one amino acid
has been purified to a purity of 90% or more.
7. The method according to claim 1, wherein said at least one amino acid
has been dissolved in a solvent.
8. The method according to claim 1, wherein said at least one amino acid
has been formulated into a powder, granule or tablet.
9. The method according to claim 1, wherein arginine is applied onto the
surfaces of the leaves of lawn grass.
10. The method according to claim 1, wherein glutamine is applied onto the
surfaces of the leaves of lawn grass.
11. The method according to claim 1, wherein proline is applied onto the
surfaces of the leaves of lawn grass.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Technical Field Pertinent to the Invention
The present invention relates to a tillering promoter for a plant
comprising, as the effective ingredient(s), an amino acid, especially at
least one of arginine, glutamine and proline which is effective for
increasing tillering (as well known, branching out from the joints of
stems near to the roots of rice, barley and wheat, lawn grass or the like)
and weight of living plant, or inosine in addition to the amino(s) acid,
and to the use of such a tillering promoter for a plant, or it relates to
a method for tillering promotion of a plant wherein the amino acid(s) and
inosine are each applied to the same part(s) or different part(s) of the
plant at the same time or at slightly different times (i.e., used in
combination).
2. Related Art
The present inventors have previously developed a withering preventing and
quick-acting nutrition supplementing agent for a gramineous plant
comprising proline, one kind of amino acid, or inosine in addition
thereto, as the effective ingredient(s) (Japanese Patent Application No.
308,281/1999). As a result of the studies for finding out further novel
effects, the present inventors have achieved the present invention.
Hitherto, some examples have been known wherein an amino acid-related
compound, e.g., proline is applied to a plant.
For example, (a) Japanese Patent Publication No. 42,566/1971 discloses a
promoter of flower bud formation comprising at least one of uracil and
cytosine, and proline.
However, since the increase of the number of tillering is not observed in
the promoter of flower bud formation and the method of application is
different from the case of the present invention, the promoter is
obviously different from the present invention.
Furthermore, for the promotion of the tillering of lawn grass, there are
known some examples wherein substances having indole skeleton(s) or plant
hormone(s).
For example, (a) Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 267,803/1995
discloses a tillering promoter for a gramineous plant comprising an
fluorine-containing indolebutyric acid derivative, e.g., an alkyl ester of
4,4,4-trifluoro-3-(indole-3-)butyric acid.
However, the tillering promoter is a chemical fertilizer and thus, it is
obviously different from the present invention wherein amino acids, i.e.,
natural products are utilized, in view of the influence against the
environment.
Moreover, (b) Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 82,113/1995
discloses a growth promoter of lawn grass comprising a gibberellin and a
cytokine.
However, the growth promoter for lawn grass comprises plant hormones of
gibberellin and cytokine, and thus, there is a possibility of exerting
undesirable influences on the natural environment, so that the promoter is
obviously different from the present invention.
Furthermore, (c) Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 201,914/1991
discloses a method for the promotion of the rooting and tillering of rice
seedlings for transplantation, which comprises applying an amino acid
fermentation liquid (containing, for example, proline, alanine, valine,
and glutamic acid all together) during raising of seedlings in wet-rice
farming.
However, in the method of tillering promotion, proline is not solely used,
and the amount of the amino acid fermentation liquid to be used is defined
as total concentration of the amino acids, so that these amino acids are
placed on the same level, i.e., are treated as equivalents.
Incidentally, for example, lawns are utilized in many places such as parks,
gardens and ball game fields, and are particularly indispensable for golf
courses. However, a large quantity of fertilizers and pesticides has
hitherto been used for maintenance of lawn grass and the use has become a
big problem in view of the environmental aspect.
In particular, the stress by high temperature causes cold-district type
lawn grass indirect growth stop and direct withering, but there is only a
measure of good air-ventilation against the problems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[Problems to be Solved by the Invention]
Thus, it is an object of the present invention to provide a tillering
promoter for a plant which enables the reduction of the amount of
fertilizer hitherto used in a large amount and the maintenance of a
satisfactory green state by promoting the tillering of a plant, especially
lawn grass without requiring the application of pesticides and plant
hormones, also exhibits growth promotion and coloring promotion of leaves,
is not a chemical fertilizer, and does not adversely affect the
environment and men and beasts. Another object is to provide a method for
applying the same.
[Means for Solving the Problems]
As a result of extensive studies for achieving the aforementioned objects,
the present inventors have first found that an amino acid, especially
proline exhibits a remarkable effect on the promotion of the tillering of
lawn grass and inosine has an action of enhancing the tillering effect of
the amino acid by promoting the growth of a plant. Accordingly, they have
accomplished the present invention based on the findings.
Namely, the present invention relates to a tillering promoter for a plant
comprising an amino acid, especially proline, or inosine in addition
thereto, as effective ingredient(s), and a method for tillering promotion
for a plant wherein the tillering promoter is especially applied onto the
leaf surfaces.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The following will explain the present invention in detail.
The target plants to which the tillering promoter of the present invention
is to be applied include preferably lawn grass, but also rice, fruits
vegetables, leafy vegetables, decorative plants, and the like.
As the amino acids, there may be mentioned arginine, glutamine and proline,
and especially proline is effective, but these amino acids are not
necessarily to be a purified one. They may be in the form of a protein
hydrolysate or a mixture of amino acids containing a large quantity of
proline unless it exerts an adverse effect. Each amino acid is preferably
a product having a high purity of 90% or more (ratio of the amino acid per
the total solute excluding the inosine in the tillering promoter for a
plant of the present invention to be applied onto leaf surfaces).
The tillering promoter for a plant of the present invention comprising an
amino acid, especially proline, as the effective ingredient can be
prepared into a form wherein the effective ingredient is dissolved
optionally in an appropriate solvent such as water or the like. Moreover,
the promoter can be formulated into a powder, granules, or tablets by
using an optional filler or binder. The application method is preferably
foliar application. In this case, an amino acid concentration of 0.2 ppm
to 0.2% (2,000 ppm), preferably 10 to 300 ppm, further preferably 100 to
300 ppm is effective. This is because no effect is exhibited at a
concentration lower than the range, and there is a possibility of
withering by excessive fertilization at a concentration higher than the
range. By the way, in the case of dissolving in a solvent, it is optional
to formulate the promoter by incorporating a fungicide, a surfactant, or a
preservative in view of the prevention of rot. Furthermore, in the case of
foliar application, the ombined use with a spreader is effective.
As the way of application of the tillering promoter including application
timing, there may be mentioned application as an additional fertilizer,
application after mowing grass, or the like. With regard to the way of
fertilizing, it is particularly effective to apply amino acid(s),
especially proline, to the above-ground part(s) such as foliar application
or the like, and inosine to subterranean part(s) by spraying to soil,
addition to hydroponic medium, or the like.
The foliar application of proline is effective not only for tillering
promotion of a plant but also as a means for promoting the growth such as
prevention of withering, feeding of fast-acting nitrogen, and the like.
Moreover, the promotion of coloring leaves is also observed.
Application amounts of the tillering promoter for a plant of the present
invention vary depending on the application timing, the kind of plants,
cultivation density, growing stage, and so on. In short, the amounts may
be ones in which the tillering of the plant cultivated by using the
tillering promoter of the present invention are superior to the tillering
of the plant cultivated under entirely the same conditions with the
exception that the tillering promoter of the present invention is not
applied. It is possible to determine the amounts by some preliminary
comparative test which is easy to carry out for those skilled in the art.
For example, in the case of foliar application in a liquid form (as an
agent for foliar application), proline may be applied at a low
concentration, e.g., as low as 0.2 ppm within the above concentration
range. That is, the tillering promotion of lawn grass is effected at such
a low concentration. In addition, the application amounts of inosine may
be in a range of 0.05 to 1 ppm to soil (5 to 100 g per 100 tons of soil),
and in the case of hydroponic cultivation, inosine may be applied in an
amount of 0.1 to 2 ppm to hydroponic medium.
By the way, the tillering promoter for a plant of the present invention may
be in a form containing also (mixing) inosine in addition to a
predetermined amino acid as explained in the above. However, the amino
acid and inosine may be, of course, applied each at the same time or at
slightly different times. Such an application way is also an embodiment of
the present invention. As a formulation suitable for such an application
way, there may be mentioned a kit form wherein the amino acid and inosine
are packaged separately and both the packages are made one set.
EXAMPLES
In the following will be explained the present invention in further detail
with reference to the Examples.
Example 1
Effect of Proline on Hydroponic Cultivation of Lawn Grass (1)
Seedlings of grass (a European grass; bent grass) were raised and divided
into four groups of A to D, and hydroponic cultivation was carried out
(Table 1 shown below). Concerning Groups B and D, inosine was added to
each hydroponic medium in such amount that the concentration became 2 ppm.
Concerning Groups C and D, proline was applied onto leaf surfaces once a
week in an amount of 20 ppm. Group A was the control. Upon confirmation on
the 40th day, the tillering promotion was clearly observed in the two
groups of C and D wherein proline had been applied onto leaf surfaces, but
no tillering promotion was observed in Groups A and B which had not been
applied. Furthermore, five average stocks which had not been withered were
sampled from each group and examined. As shown in the following Table 1,
with regard to all of the root length, leaf length and number
(above-ground parts), total weight of the living plant, and tillering
number, good growth was found in the proline-treated plots. Especially, it
was confirmed that the effect became more remarkable when inosine was used
in combination.
TABLE 1
Comparison of the lawn grasses
between the groups (5 roots each)
Average Average Total weight Number of
root leaf Number of of living tillering
length length leaves per plants per per one
(cm) (cm) one root five roots (g) root
A (Control) 1 18 5 0.28 1
B (Inosine) 2 20 7 0.40 2
C (Proline) 1 22 16 0.53 5
D (Inosine + 3 22 23 1.00 6
Proline)
Example 2
Effects of Proline, Glutamine, Arginine and Urea on Hydroponic Cultivation
of Grass
Seedlings of grass (a European grass: bent grass) were raised and divided
into five groups of A to E, and hydroponic cultivation was carried out
(Table 2 shown below). Group A was the control. Concerning Group B,
proline was applied onto leaf surfaces once a week in an amount of 20 ppm.
And, concerning the three groups of C to E, aqueous solutions of arginine,
glutamine, and urea were applied onto leaf surfaces, respectively, once a
week in such a amount that the nitrogen amount was the same as that of the
proline in Group B. Upon confirmation on the 40th day, the tillering
promotion was clearly observed in the groups of B to D, but no tillering
promotion was observed in the groups of A and E.
Furthermore, five average stocks which had not been withered were sampled
from each group and examined. As shown in the following Table 2, with
regard to the number of leaves and total weight of the living plant, good
results were observed in the plots treated with proline, glutamine, and
arginine, and the effects were more remarkable than that of urea which is
a generally-used nitrogen source for foliar application.
TABLE 2
Comparison of the lawn grasses
between the groups (5 roots each)
Average Average Total weight Number of
root leaf Number of of living tillering
length length leaves per plants per per one
(cm) (cm) one root five roots (g) root
A (Control) 2 14 8 0.33 2
B (Proline) 2 14 17 0.60 5
C (Arginine) 2 18 9 0.51 3
D (Glutamine) 2 18 11 0.66 3
E (Urea) 2 15 6 0.34 1
Example 3
Effect of Proline on Hydroponic Cultivation of Grass (2)
Seedlings of grass (a European grass: bent grass) were raised and divided
into six groups of A to F, and hydroponic cultivation was carried out
(Table 3 shown below). At that time, inosine was added to the hydroponic
media for all the groups in such amount that the concentration became 2
ppm in each hydroponic medium. Group A was the control. In the groups of B
to F, proline was applied onto leaf surfaces once a week with the
concentration being changed stepwise. Upon confirmation on the 40th day,
the tillering promotion was clearly observed in the groups of B to F, but
no tillering promotion was observed in Group A. However, inhibition of the
growth or withering was observed in Group F.
Furthermore, five average stocks which had not been withered were sampled
from each group and examined. As shown in the following Table 3, with
regard to the number of leaves and total weight of the living plant, good
results were observed in the plots treated with proline at a concentration
of 2 ppm to 0.2%.
TABLE 3
Comparison of the lawn grasses
between the groups (5 roots each)
Average Average Total weight Number of
root leaf Number of of living tillering
length length leaves per plants per per one
(cm) (cm) one root five roots (g) root
A (Control) 3 22 14 0.59 2
B (2 ppm 4 24 14 1.04 3
Inosine)
C (20 ppm 4 24 15 0.95 4
Proline)
D (200 ppm 5 24 24 1.01 4
Proline)
E (0.2% 5 23 14 0.90 3
Proline)
F (2.0% 3 19 11 0.40 3
Proline)
[Effects of the Invention]
According to the present invention, the application of at least one of
proline, arginine and glutamine, or the application of inosine in addition
to the amino acid(s) promotes the tillering of a plant, especially lawn
grass, and also affords a nutrition effect easily.
*
