U.S. patent application number 17/127875 was filed with the patent office on 2021-10-14 for foliar nutritional composition and method for using same.
The applicant listed for this patent is Timothy Lee Mann, Richard A Tuck. Invention is credited to Timothy Lee Mann, Richard A Tuck.
Application Number | 20210317050 17/127875 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005678957 |
Filed Date | 2021-10-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20210317050 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Mann; Timothy Lee ; et
al. |
October 14, 2021 |
Foliar Nutritional Composition and Method for Using Same
Abstract
A foliar nutritional composition and method for using same for
providing nutrients and/or for treating disease in plants. The
foliar nutritional composition comprises a metal salt complexed
with amino acids from hydrolyzed yeast extract. The metal salt is
selected for high solubility using a salt of a metal selected from
the group consisting of copper, nickel, zinc, iron, manganese, and
combinations thereof. Preferred metal salt are nitrates, chlorides,
and combinations thereof. In the method, an aqueous solution of
this composition is sprayed on the plant foliage and absorbed by
the plant.
Inventors: |
Mann; Timothy Lee; (Sebring,
FL) ; Tuck; Richard A; (Sebring, FL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Mann; Timothy Lee
Tuck; Richard A |
Sebring
Sebring |
FL
FL |
US
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000005678957 |
Appl. No.: |
17/127875 |
Filed: |
December 18, 2020 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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15212219 |
Jul 16, 2016 |
10947165 |
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17127875 |
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15132643 |
Apr 19, 2016 |
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15212219 |
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62194020 |
Jul 17, 2015 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
C05D 9/02 20130101 |
International
Class: |
C05D 9/02 20060101
C05D009/02 |
Claims
1. A method of providing nutrients and reducing the incidence of
disease in disease in a plant species comprising applying to the
foliage of said plant species a water soluble foliar nutritional
composition comprising yeast hydrolysate from Brewer's yeast and a
metal salt, dissolved in an aqueous solution, such that metal is
absorbed into the plant, wherein the metal salt is selected from
the salts of a metal selected from the group consisting of copper,
nickel, zinc, iron, manganese, and combinations thereof, and
wherein the metal salt has a relatively higher solubility for that
metal.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the metal salt is selected from
the group consisting of nitrates, chlorides and combinations
thereof of the metal selected from the group consisting of copper,
nickel, zinc, iron, manganese, and combinations thereof.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein the solubility of metal salt is
greater than or equal to 70 g/100 g water at 32.degree. F.
4. The method of claim 3 wherein the metal salt is comprised of a
majority of zinc nitrate.
5. The method of claim 3 wherein the metal salt is comprised of a
majority of copper nitrate.
6. The method of claim 3 wherein the metal salt is comprised of a
majority of zinc chloride.
7. The method of claim 1 wherein the yeast hydrolysate comprises
amino acids capable of neutralizing a charge of the metal.
8. The method of claim 1 wherein the yeast hydrolysate comprises
amino acids selected from the group consisting of arginine,
histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, cysteine,
phenylalanine, tyrosine, threonine, tryptophan, and valine.
9. The method of claim 8 wherein the yeast hydrolysate comprises
glutamic acid and aspartic acid.
10. The method of claim 1 wherein the composition is applied to the
leaves on the plant species.
11. The method of claim 1 wherein essentially no metal is deposited
in or remains in the soil.
12. The method of claim 11 wherein the pH of the soil is not
rendered acidic or changed.
13. A foliar nutritional composition for foliar application on
plants comprising yeast hydrolysate from Brewer's yeast and a metal
salt dissolved in an aqueous solution, wherein the metal is plant
absorbable, and wherein the metal salt is selected from the salts
of a metal selected from the group consisting of copper, nickel,
zinc, iron, manganese, and combinations thereof, and wherein the
metal salt has a relatively higher solubility for that metal.
14. The foliar nutritional composition of claim 13 wherein the
metal salt is selected from the group consisting of nitrates,
chlorides and combinations thereof of the metal selected from the
group consisting of copper, nickel, zinc, iron, manganese, and
combinations thereof
15. The foliar nutritional composition of claim 13 wherein the
solubility of metal salt is greater than or equal to 70 g/100 g
water at 32.degree. F.
16. The foliar nutritional composition of claim 15 wherein the
metal salt is comprised of a majority of zinc nitrate.
17. The foliar nutritional composition of claim 15 wherein the
metal salt is comprised of a majority of copper nitrate.
18. The foliar nutritional composition of claim 15 wherein the
metal salt is comprised of a majority of zinc chloride.
19. The foliar nutritional composition of claim 13 wherein the
yeast hydrolysate comprises amino acids capable of neutralizing a
charge of the metal.
20. The foliar nutritional composition of claim 13 wherein the
metal complexes with one or more of the amino acids.
21. The foliar nutritional composition of claim 13 wherein the
yeast hydrolysate comprises amino acids selected from the group
consisting of arginine, histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine,
methionine, cysteine, phenylalanine, tyrosine, threonine,
tryptophan, and valine.
22. The foliar nutritional composition of claim 13 wherein the
yeast hydrolysate comprises glutamic acid and aspartic acid.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional
Application Ser. No. 62/194,020 filed Jul. 17, 2015, pending, and
is a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No.
15/132,643, filed Apr. 19, 2016, pending.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to foliar nutritional
compositions and methods for providing nutrients, preventing
disease in plants and enhancing the resistance and/or tolerance of
plants to disease, as well as treating, suppressing, and/or
controlling plant disease inhibited by metals, using a foliar
nutritional composition according to the present invention.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Certain metals, such as iron, copper, zinc, manganese and
nickel, are recognized as essential for plant growth. The range for
such metals in most plant tissue has been considered low and may in
such amounts often be considered readily available in the soil.
[0004] Nevertheless, certain metals are key components of some
plant enzymes and play roles in various important metabolic
processes, such as ureolysis, hydrogen metabolism, methane
biogenesis and acetogenesis. Metals may also have other functions
that have yet to be discovered in plants. Further, there has been
evidence that certain metals help with disease tolerance in plants,
although how this happens is not always certain.
[0005] Plants with minor deficiencies in desirable metals may
display no visual symptoms, but can have reduced growth and plant
yield. Plants with significant metal deficiencies will typically
display visual symptoms, such as for example shortened internodes,
weak shoot growth, decreased expansion of the leaf blade, necrosis
of the leaf tips, and death of terminal buds and eventual death of
shoots and branches. The leaves may develop a condition called
"mouse-ear" in which the leaflets are small with rounded tips vs.
long and pointed.
[0006] The uptake of metals in plants is typically carried out
mainly by root systems via passive diffusion and active transport.
The ratio of uptake between active and passive transport varies
with the plant species and the form and concentration of desired
metal in the soil or nutrient solution, as well as the presence of
other metals that may inhibit or compete with absorption of the
desired metal, and the pH of the soil or solution.
[0007] An ongoing need exists for improved foliar nutritional
compositions and methods for applying desired metals to plants.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is
provided a method of providing nutrients and reducing the incidence
of disease in disease in a plant species comprising applying to the
foliage of said plant species a water soluble foliar nutritional
composition comprising yeast hydrolysate from Brewer's yeast and a
metal salt, dissolved in an aqueous solution, such that metal is
absorbed into the plant, wherein the metal salt is selected from
the salts of a metal selected from the group consisting of copper,
nickel, zinc, iron, manganese, and combinations thereof, and
wherein the metal salt has a relatively higher solubility for that
metal.
[0009] According to another aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a foliar nutritional composition for foliar application
on plants comprising yeast hydrolysate from Brewer's yeast and a
metal salt dissolved in an aqueous solution, wherein the metal is
plant absorbable, and wherein the metal salt is selected from the
salts of a metal selected from the group consisting of copper,
nickel, zinc, iron, manganese, and combinations thereof, and
wherein the metal salt has a relatively higher solubility for that
metal.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0010] The present invention provides a foliar nutritional
composition and a method for using a foliar nutritional composition
for providing nutrients to and preventing disease in plants. The
composition and method may also be used for treating disease in
plants where the disease is known to be reduced or inhibited by
certain metals. The present invention provides a mechanism for
introducing metal into the plant itself, through the plant foliage,
to enable the plant to resist disease. This invention thus provides
the advantages of metal in treating disease without the
disadvantages of metal washing off of the leaves and accumulating
in the soil.
[0011] The foliar nutritional composition of the present invention
comprises a metal considered desirable for plant health, from a
metal salt, complexed with water soluble amino acids from yeast
extract that may be absorbed by plants and used by the plants for
nutritional benefits and to resist disease. The invention is
believed effective against any plant disease treatable with or
responsive to the metal. By selecting a metal salt that has a
higher solubility, the foliar nutritional composition will have
increased hygroscopicity compared to compositions with other salts
of the same metal and a low or lower point of deliquescence. The
amino acids are preferably derived from hydrolyzed Brewer's yeast
extract. The complex of the metal with the amino acids may
neutralize the charge of the metallic ions and may form a compound
that occurs naturally in the plant. The method of the invention
comprises formulating a composition comprising metal salt and amino
acid complex as indicated above and applying an aqueous solution of
the composition of the invention onto the plant, preferably by
spraying the solution on the plant foliage.
[0012] For the plant to be able to internalize or use a metal, the
metal must be in a soluble form that can be taken in by the plants
along with water. However, metals are known to be insoluble in
water and in their pure form cannot be used by plants. Some metal
salts are also insoluble in water and thus unusable by plants.
[0013] The metal salts used in the method and composition of the
present invention are selected from the salts of a metal selected
from the group consisting of copper, nickel, zinc, iron, manganese,
and combinations thereof.
[0014] Various salts of the metals listed above were evaluated and
compared for solubility, and therefore, its hygroscopicity and
deliquescence. Metal salts showing the highest solubility are the
preferred metal salts for use in the invention. With the higher
solubility, the compositions have increased hygroscopicity and
lower deliquescence. All of the advantages of the invention can
only be realized when plants are able to absorb the metal salt,
particularly to the degree that none, or an insignificant amount,
of the metal salt ends up in the soil, even when the metal salt is
complexed with amino acids.
[0015] For example, some commercially available compositions use
metal sulfates for proving metals to plants. However, metal
sulfates have lower solubility than the metal salts used in the
foliar nutritional composition of the present invention. In an
effort to combat this deficiency, such commercial compositions tend
to include surfactants in an effort to improve foliar uptake. Such
surfactants may provide additional complications and/or not improve
foliar uptake sufficiently. Therefore, growers striving to reach a
target metal concentration in plant tissue may be required to use
excess amounts of solution.
[0016] Accordingly, the inventors have determined that the
preferred metal salts have a solubility greater than or equal to 70
g/100 g water at 32.degree. F. Preferably, the metal salts are
selected from metal nitrates and metal chlorides.
[0017] In a most preferred embodiment of the present invention, the
metal salt is comprised of a majority of zinc nitrate. In another
most preferred embodiment of the present invention, the metal salt
of comprised of a majority of copper nitrate. In a further most
preferred embodiment of the present invention, the metal salt is
comprised of a majority of zinc chloride.
[0018] According to the present invention, adding amino acids, such
as glutamic acid and aspartic acid preferably derived from yeast
extract, or preferably adding yeast extract hydrolysate most
preferably from Saccharomyces cerevisiae or Brewer's yeast (which
comprises amino acids), to a metal salt in an aqueous solution is
believed to significantly enhance the uptake of the metal by the
plant upon application to the plant foliage. The combination of
amino acids or yeast extract with metal salts in water results in
the metal remaining in solution and enables the plant and plant
leaves to internalize the metal.
[0019] Without wishing to be limited by theory, it is believed that
this composition of the present invention provides a water soluble
metal complex with the amino acids which effectively neutralizes a
positively charged metal so that the negatively charged leaf does
not resist uptake of the metal. Rather, when complexed with amino
acids, metal is able to move more quickly and easily into and
through the plant cell structure. Further, as noted above, the
metal and amino acid complex of the invention is hygroscopic,
attracting moisture from the air to the leaf surface, for
availability of the moisture at the leaf surface to facilitate
transfer of the complex into the plant. Again without wishing to be
limited by theory, it is believed that once in the plant tissue,
the metal remains complexed with amino acid for transport in the
xylem for use by the plant in resisting disease.
[0020] The particular amino acids and the quantity of each in a
yeast hydrolysate will vary depending on the particular yeast
employed and the growing medium for the yeast. However, all yeasts
provide at least the following amino acids: isoleucine, leucine,
lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan, and
valine. Yeasts also typically provide arginine, histidine, and
cysteine, as well as substantial amounts of aspartic acid and
glutamic acid.
[0021] The solution of the invention may be sprayed directly onto
plants. Since virtually all foliarly applied solution of the
invention goes into the plant itself, little if any metal goes into
the soil to cause adverse effects, whether for the plant itself or
environmentally.
[0022] Growers may elect to apply the foliar nutritional
composition of the present invention based on growing cycles.
However, may of the growers known to the Applicant choose to apply
a predetermined amount of foliar nutritional composition according
to a target metal concentration, by having plant tissue (e.g.,
foliage) samples analyzed for determining the metal concentrations
prior to spraying. Advantageously, this reduces risk to the
environment and reduces growers' costs.
[0023] The following non-limiting examples of embodiments of the
present invention that may be made and used as claimed herein are
provided for illustrative purposes only.
Example 1
[0024] The solubility and uptake of the composition of the present
invention and comparative commercial products was tested.
[0025] The composition of the present invention, embodied by
COP-R-QUIK.RTM., available from Natural Ag Solutions in Sebring,
Fla., has 12 wt. % copper derived from copper nitrate in an aqueous
solution of amino acids.
[0026] The inventive composition was compared to commercially
available products MAGNA-BON.RTM. CS2005.TM. and KOCIDE.RTM.
3000.
[0027] MAGNA-BON.RTM. CS2005.TM. is available from Magna-Bon.RTM.
Agricultural Control Solutions (Florida, USA) and is described on
its website (www.magnabon.com/cs-2005) as a copper sulfate
pentahydrate, acidic, liquid pesticide. An MSDS (dated 5/11) for
Magna-Bon CS 2005.TM. shows a concentration of copper sulfate
pentahydrate in the range of 18.81-20.79%.
[0028] KOCIDE.RTM. 3000 is available from DuPont (Wilmington, Del.)
and is typically sold as a granular product intended to be mixed in
water prior to use as a fungicide/bactericide. The granular product
has 46.1 wt. % copper hydroxide, according to an MSDS (dated Oct.
2, 2009).
[0029] Solutions of the inventive composition and the comparative
products were prepared to each deliver a theoretical 0.045 wt. %
copper (as metal). The prepared solutions were used to treat plots
of citrus plants in a greenhouse study of 24 trees, with 6 trees
being treated by one of the three test solutions and 6 untreated
trees.
[0030] After 0.5 day, leaf samples were taken and tested for metal
uptake at the University of Florida UF/IFAS Extension Soil Testing
Laboratory. Generally, the samples were tested according to the
following steps:
[0031] Weigh 1.00 g oven-dry, ground plant tissue into a 50 ml
porcelain crucible and place in a muffle furnace. Set the
temperature to 500.degree. C. and turn the furnace on. Once the
temperature of the oven reaches 500.degree. C., allow samples to
ash for a minimum of 5 hours (not to exceed 16 hours). Shut oven
off and allow the oven to cool. Once the oven is below 200.degree.
C., carefully open the oven to allow further cooling, without
disturbing the ashed samples.
[0032] Once the ashed samples reach room temperature, remove from
oven and moisten with approximately 5 drops of distilled water
using an eyedropper. Add 5 mL of 6M hydrochloric acid. Allow the
resulting suspension to stand for at least 30 minutes before
proceeding.
[0033] Transfer the solution containing the ash to a 50 mL
volumetric flask. Rinse with distilled water and add to volumetric
flask. Bring volume to 50 mL with distilled water. Mix thoroughly.
Transfer an aliquot of sample to an appropriate container for
analysis by Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP) Spectrometer.
[0034] The results are presented in Table 1. The results show that
the composition of the invention was superior in delivering copper
to the plant, with 36% to 170% higher post-treatment leaf copper
levels than that of the comparative commercially available
products.
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Copper Mean Copper in Solubility Post Leaf
(g/100 g water Treatment Treatment at 32.degree. F.) (mg/kg)
Inventive Composition 84 235.8 MAGNA-BON .RTM. CS 2005 .TM. 23
173.9 (Comparative) KOCIDE .RTM. 3000 0 87.4 (Comparative) Control
10.6
Example 2
[0035] A greenhouse study was conducted on citrus plants. Three
solutions containing different sources of zinc were tested for
metal solubility and uptake into the leaf of the citrus plants,
with one set of control pots. The study was replicated six
times.
[0036] The nutrient solutions tested were: Solution A of the
invention was zinc nitrate, Comparative Solution B was zinc
sulfate, and Comparative Solution C was a tank-mixed zinc sulfate
plus 1 wt. % K2O, resulting in an insoluble precipitate. The
solutions were prepared to each provide a theoretical 0.1 wt % Zn
(as metal).
[0037] Each plant was sprayed with the respective nutrient solution
and analyzed 0.1, 1, 2 and 3 days after spraying. The entire study
was repeated three times.
[0038] Leaf samples were taken and analyzed at the University of
Florida UF/IFAS Extension Soil Testing Laboratory in the manner
described in Example 1 to determine the plant's uptake of zinc.
[0039] The results are demonstrated in Table 2. The results show
that the composition of the invention was superior in delivering
zinc to the plant, with 57% to 250% higher post-treatment leaf zinc
levels than that of the comparative zinc salts.
TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Adsorption of Zn by Plant demonstrated by Zn
Concentration in Leaf (mg/kg) Zinc Solubility Mean of Statistical
(g/100 g H2O Means Treatment at 32.degree. F.) Trial 1 Trial 2
Trial 3 (Mean, mg/kg) A 98 521.81 175.08 179.36 292.1 (177.2) B 42
367.48 83.66 105.92 185.7 (131.5) (Comparative) C 0 150.09 10.30
61.90 84.1 (51.1) (Comparative) Control 65.35 27.60 21.31 38.1
(24.4) LSD* 30.19 11.88 9.99 *LSD = Least Significant
Difference
Example 3
[0040] A greenhouse study was conducted on pecan plants. Three
solutions containing different sources of zinc were tested for
metal solubility and uptake into the leaf of the pecan plants, with
one set of control pots.
[0041] Solution A representing a composition of the present
invention, embodied by NUTRE-QUIK.RTM. Zinc, available from Natural
Ag Solutions in Sebring, Fla., has 23 wt. % zinc derived from zinc
chloride in an aqueous solution of amino acids.
[0042] The inventive composition was compared to zinc nitrate
(Comparative Solution B), also containing a metal salt according to
the present invention, but without the aqueous solution of amino
acids, and zinc sulfate (Comparative Solution C).
[0043] Solutions were used to treat plots containing the same
elemental zinc concentrations, using the three different sources of
nutritional zinc noted above. The amount of solution was selected
to provide a theoretical 0.091 wt. % zinc (as metal) from each
treatment solution.
[0044] 24 pecan plants were used in the study, with six plants
sprayed with each nutrient solution and six plants left untreated
as a control set. Leaf samples were taken 0.5 day after the spray
and analyzed at the University of Florida UF/IFAS Extension Soil
Testing Laboratory in the manner described in Example 1 for metal
uptake.
[0045] The results are demonstrated in Table 3. The results show
that the composition of the invention was superior in delivering
zinc to the plant, with 6% to 27% higher post-treatment leaf zinc
levels than that of the comparative zinc salts.
TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 3 Adsorption of Zn by Zinc Solubility Plant
demonstrated by (g/100 g H2O Zn Concentration in Treatment at
32.degree. F.) Leaf (Mean, mg/kg) Inventive 342 513.97 Composition
ZnNO.sub.3 98 402.81 (Comparative) ZnSO.sub.4 42 484.48
(Comparative) Control 158.16
[0046] The foregoing description of the invention is intended to be
a description of preferred embodiments. Various changes in the
details of the described compositions and methods of use can be
made without departing from the intended scope of this invention as
defined by the appended claims.
* * * * *