Preventing or reducing plant growth by biocementation

Abstract

The present invention relates primarily to the use of a mixture that is capable of biocementation, as agent for preventing or reducing plant growth, preferably the growth of weeds. The invention further relates to a method for preventing or reducing plant growth, preferably the growth of weeds on or in a substrate.

Description

[0001] Preventing or reducing plant growth through biocementation

[0002] The present invention primarily relates to the use of a mixture capable of biocementation as an agent for preventing or reducing plant growth, preferably weed growth, on / in a substrate. The invention further relates to a method for preventing or reducing plant growth, preferably weed growth, on / in a substrate.

[0003] Further aspects and preferred embodiments of the present invention will become apparent from the following explanations, the attached examples and in particular the attached patent claims.

[0004] The uncontrolled growth of weeds poses a constant problem in agriculture, cities and municipalities, and home gardens, as it leads to yield losses in agriculture and is considered highly disruptive and unsightly, for example, on paths and other surfaces. For this reason, weeds are controlled and / or destroyed using thermal methods such as flame weeding, manual weeding by hand or with the aid of various tools, or with chemical agents. However, it is currently being observed that resistance is increasingly developing against many existing products, necessitating repeated applications, which further increases their cost. Moreover, treated areas are quickly recolonized by uncontrolled seed dispersal.

[0005] The primary objective of the present invention was therefore to provide a means for preventing or reducing unwanted plant growth that overcomes the problems mentioned above.

[0006] According to the invention, this primary problem is solved by using a mixture capable of biocementation as a means of preventing or reducing (in each case through the processes of biocementation) plant growth, preferably the growth of weeds.

[0007] In this text, the term biocementation refers to the essentially natural hardening and / or stabilization of (permeable) substrates (as defined below in the context of the inventive process). This prevents or reduces plant growth on / in these substrates. Biocement, as defined herein, is the product of the biocementation process.

[0008] According to a preferred embodiment, said essentially natural solidification and / or hardening is a process in which parts of the substrate, on / in which plant growth is to be reduced or prevented, are joined together by one or more binders that are contained in the mixture to be used according to the invention and / or are formed from its components, and in this way solidification and / or hardening (biocementation) of the substrate or parts of the substrate is effected.According to a particularly preferred embodiment, said natural solidification and / or hardening is a process in which (living) organisms, parts thereof, or enzymes, preferably obtained from and / or produced by said organisms or parts thereof, are used to form, induce, and / or catalyze carbonate formation. The carbonates formed bind the parts of the substrate or the substrate itself, on / in which plant growth is to be reduced or prevented, thereby solidifying and / or hardening the substrate or parts thereof. For the purposes of this text, the carbonates formed therefore preferably constitute a minimum component of the biocement. Optionally or alternatively, the substrate or parts thereof can be further enhanced by the addition of certain additives (as defined below).The parts of the substrate on / in which plant growth is to be reduced or prevented are (additionally) solidified and / or hardened. According to a further embodiment, the biocement can therefore also consist of or comprise these additives to be used according to the invention or substances derived therefrom (as defined below).

[0009] According to a preferred embodiment, therefore, the removal of the substrate on / in which plant growth, preferably weed growth, is to be reduced or prevented is not necessary to prevent or reduce plant growth and is therefore preferably not part of a use according to the invention, especially since a solidification and / or hardening of the substrate (in each case by the processes of biocementation) causes the prevention or reduction of plant growth, preferably weed growth.

[0010] According to a further preferred embodiment, the removal of the substrate on / in which plant growth, preferably weed growth, is to be reduced or prevented, from its original location is followed by a mixing of said substrate with the mixture capable of biocementation (as described herein) at another location (for example, in a mixing device) and a (re-)application of the resulting mixture at the original location (or alternatively at another location) where biocementation is to take place.

[0011] Furthermore, in the context of the use according to the invention as described herein, it is advantageously not necessary to compact the substrate on / in which plant growth is to be reduced or prevented, or the mixture of substrate and mixture capable of biocementation (as described herein), or the formed biocement layer, in order to prevent or reduce plant growth, preferably the growth of weeds, and thus preferably not be part of a use according to the invention.

[0012] In this text, the term "plant" refers to land plants, that is, the monophyletic group of Embryophyta characterized by a common, functionally understood complex of traits comprising several synapomorphies. Its most important groups are: the liverworts (Marchantiopsida), hornworts (Anthocerotopsida), and mosses (Bryopsida), which are often grouped together in the paraphyletic group of mosses; the clubmosses (Lycopsida), horsetails (Equisetopsida), and ferns (Filicopsida); and the monophyletic seed plants (Spermatophyta), including the angiosperms and the various evolutionary lineages of the gymnosperms.

[0013] In this text, the term "weed" refers to all plants (including mosses and ferns) that spontaneously or undesirably grow alongside cultivated plants, grassland, or (home) gardens. These plants develop from the soil's seed bank (as initial shoots or regrowth), via root runners, plant parts, or windblown seeds, and are preferably not intentionally cultivated. Synonyms for "weed" include "companion plants," "wild plants," and "wildflowers." In this text, the term "cultivated plants" refers to plants whose growth is desired.

[0014] The process of microbial biocementation is described, for example, in patent application WO 2006 / 066326 A1. This application discloses a method for forming high-strength biocement in a permeable starting material, wherein the starting material is treated with an effective amount of (i) a urease-producing microorganism, (ii) urea, and (iii) calcium ions. Through the urease-catalyzed conversion of the urea to carbonate and its reaction with the supplied calcium ions, calcium carbonate is formed, which solidifies the starting material. It is described, among other things, that the disclosed method is suitable for applications in mining, civil engineering, or for the production of specialty materials.

[0015] WO 2016 / 010434 A1 describes a method for producing a self-healing cementitious material comprising mixing a cement starting material, a healing substance, and a fibrous reinforcing material, wherein the healing substance comprises bacterial material and the fibrous reinforcing material comprises a biodegradable polymer. The bacteria used therein are capable of providing carbonates or phosphates and, according to one embodiment, can be denitrifying bacteria. The approach of the present invention is based on the use of biocementation for the mechanical suppression, i.e., prevention or reduction, of plant growth, preferably weed growth, by biologically hardening the substrate on / in which the plant grows. The mixture to be used according to the invention is therefore hereinafter referred to as a weed suppressant.Depending on the individual components of the mixture to be used according to the invention (see below), in addition to the mechanical suppression, i.e. prevention or reduction, of plant growth, other processes (as described below) can also play a role in suppressing plant growth.

[0016] According to one embodiment, the use of the mixture according to the invention as described herein can take place in a locally limited area, so that in the area not treated with the mixture (as described herein), where no solidification and / or hardening of the substrate on / in which the plants grow takes place, crops can (continue to) be cultivated.

[0017] According to a further embodiment, it is conceivable to treat the substrate on / in which the plants grow with a specific quantity or type of the mixture (as described herein) such that the resulting consolidation and / or hardening of said substrate enables the growth of cultivated plants while preventing or reducing the growth of weeds. In this case—but also generally in connection with the present invention—the mixture to be used according to the invention may also contain fertilizers that stimulate the growth of said cultivated plants.

[0018] A preferred embodiment therefore relates to a use according to the invention of a mixture as described herein, wherein the resulting solidification and / or hardening of the substrate on / in which the plant grows enables the growth of one or more crop plants, but prevents or reduces the growth of weeds.

[0019] In an exemplary experiment, a field of topsoil was plowed and fertilized, young kohlrabi plants were planted, and the soil was intensively irrigated. The following day, a mixture capable of biocementation (as described herein, see, for example, the example section below) was applied to the topsoil, either as a solid mixture by hand or as a liquid mixture using a crop sprayer. In contrast to a control in which only water was applied instead of a biocementation mixture (as described herein), good weed suppression was achieved, with only isolated weed germinations, while the crop (kohlrabi) continued to grow.

[0020] Advantageously, using the mixture according to the invention results in a biocement layer thickness particularly suitable for the purposes described herein. Preferably, a biocement layer with a thickness of at least 1 mm is obtained, more preferably at least 3 mm, and more preferably at least 10 mm. It is further preferred if the layer thickness is a maximum of 100 mm, more preferably a maximum of 50 mm, more preferably a maximum of 35 mm, and more preferably a maximum of 30 mm. Ultimately, it is particularly preferred if the thickness of the overall biocement layer formed is in the range of 1 mm to 100 mm, more preferably from 10 mm to 50 mm, more preferably from 10 mm to 35 mm, and more preferably from 10 mm to 30 mm. The thickness of the biocement layer comprises the area of ​​the substrate that is solidified by the addition of the mixture.The thickness of the biocement layer can be determined manually by measuring it with calipers after mechanically fracturing the layer. Alternatively, depending on the thickness of the consolidation, various (non-destructive) measuring methods from construction, agriculture, geology, or other fields can be used (e.g., the MIT-SCAN-T2 handheld device).

[0021] According to a preferred embodiment, using the mixture as described herein according to the invention results in a biocement layer that is water-permeable, i.e., water-permeable or water-semipermeable. This is particularly advantageous because, for example, rainwater in outdoor areas can penetrate and drain away from the biocement layer without hindrance. The water permeability of a sample is conventionally expressed as the water flow through the sample in a defined period of time. It can be expressed as a permeability rate (in cm / h, mm / h, or cm / day) or alternatively as the coefficient of permeability (in m / s). Specifying the coefficient of permeability allows for the classification of a sample, preferably a soil sample, for example, into the categories of (water)permeable, (water)semipermeable, and (water)impermeable.In the context of this text, the term "water-permeable biocement layer" refers to a biocement layer with a (water) permeability coefficient greater than 10. 5 up to 10° m / s, and the term "water-semipermeable biocement layer" for a biocement layer with a (water) permeability coefficient greater than 10 9 up to 10 5 m / s, and the term "water-impermeable biocement layer" for a biocement layer with a (water) permeability coefficient of 10 11 (or less) up to 10 9 m / s. Common methods for determining the permeability coefficient include laboratory methods (e.g., percussion core soundings and subsequent determination of the water-saturated permeability in the laboratory) and field methods (e.g., determination of the infiltration rate with a double-ring infiltrometer).

[0022] A preferred embodiment relates to the use of a mixture as defined herein, wherein the biocement layer formed has a (water) permeability coefficient of greater than 10 9 up to 10° m / s, preferably greater than 10 9 up to 10 3 m / s, preferably greater than 10 8 up to 10 3 m / s.

[0023] The use according to the invention exhibits robust functionality under real-world (environmental) conditions, is easy to apply (often requiring only a single application), and allows for the elimination or reduction of chemical herbicides. Furthermore, it can also be used in combination with existing products or methods for weed control. Advantageously, the use according to the invention is also reversible, meaning that the biocementation of the substrate or parts thereof can be reversed, for example, by applying suitable acids, by mechanical breaking, or by weathering and natural degradation. In this way, the substrate or parts thereof can be made available again for the cultivation of crops.

[0024] A preferred embodiment therefore relates to the use of a mixture as defined herein, wherein the biocementation of the substrate or parts of the substrate can be reversed or is preferably reversed.

[0025] Another preferred embodiment relates to the use of a mixture as defined herein, wherein the mixture comprises or consists of one or more organisms and / or enzymes. Preferably, the use according to the invention relates to a use as described above, wherein the mixture comprises or consists of the following components:

[0026] (i) one or more organisms and / or enzymes that are capable of forming, inducing and / or catalyzing carbonate formation,

[0027] (ii) one or more substances that form carbonate,

[0028] (iii) optional: one or more cation gulels, and

[0029] (iv) optional: one or more additives.

[0030] According to a preferred embodiment, the organism(s) in component (i) of the mixture to be used according to the invention is / are an organism / several organisms which, when performing an assay A comprising the following steps

[0031] Assay A

[0032] (i) Providing and bringing into contact an organism or mixture of organisms to be characterized, one or more substances to form carbonate (and optionally other substances) and optionally a substrate,

[0033] (ii) Providing a means of detecting ureolysis and / or

[0034] Carbonate formation

[0035] (iii) Combining the mixture resulting from step (i) with the agent from step (ii), and

[0036] (iv) Determining, using the means from step (ii), whether ureolysis and / or carbonate formation is present, in step (iv) resulting in the detection of ureolysis and / or carbonate formation, preferably - if a substrate has been provided - in the detection of biocementation, preferably one sufficient to prevent or reduce plant growth, preferably the growth of weeds (for details on controlling the prevention or reduction of plant growth see below, Example section).

[0037] Advantageously, both ureolytic and non-ureolytic organisms can be examined for their ability to biocement within the framework of Assay A.

[0038] The following explanations may be helpful in selecting suitable organisms for use in accordance with the invention.

[0039] The substance(s) to be provided in step (i) of Assay A, as defined herein, for the formation of carbonate, and the optional substrate to be provided, which is solidified or hardened by biocementation, are defined in more detail below, including selected and preferred examples. The optional additional substances may include, for example, culture media, nutrient sources, cation sources (as described below), and / or additives (as described below).

[0040] In step (i) of Assay A as defined herein, pure cultures of the organism to be characterized (e.g., from strain collections) can be provided, and / or the organism or mixture of organisms to be characterized can be isolated from a suitable sample (e.g., soil sample) using a nutrient medium (e.g., Christensen urea agar, B4 medium, or M-3P medium) and cultured into a cell culture suitable for further investigation. The nutrient medium used for isolation and cultivation can be liquid or solid. It is known to those skilled in the art that the nutrient medium can be varied according to the requirements of the organism(s). The organism(s) are preferably cultured to a cell density of between 1 x 10 7 up to 1 x 10 12Cells / ml are cultured. It is known to those skilled in the art that, for example, the cultivation temperature and the medium composition are selected according to the needs of the organism or mixture of organisms. The prepared cell culture is then brought into contact with the substance(s) for carbonate formation (and optionally other substances) and optionally a substrate to obtain a mixture which is then combined in step (iii) with the agent from step (ii). The agent for detecting ureolysis and / or carbonate formation in step (ii) of Assay A as defined herein is, for example, a pH indicator, a device and / or one or more substances for measuring urease activity, a device and / or one or more substances for measuring the amount of carbonate formed by biocementation, or a device for measuring the degree of substrate solidification (by biocementation).

[0041] The determination of whether ureolysis and / or carbonate formation is present in step (iv) of assay A as defined herein, in particular the detection of biocementation, preferably biocementation sufficient to prevent or reduce plant growth, preferably weed growth, may be carried out qualitatively or preferably quantitatively.

[0042] A preferred method for said determination is, for example, the addition of a suitable pH indicator (e.g., phenol red, preferably at a concentration of 15 mg / L) to the mixture resulting from step (i). In the case of ureolysis and / or carbonate formation, the pH of the mixture increases, leading to a color change of the indicator (e.g., to a pink color in the case of phenol red).

[0043] If a cation source, preferably a calcium source, is added to the mixture from step (i) (in addition to the one or more substances for carbonate formation), ureolysis and / or carbonate formation in solid media generally leads to the formation of calcification crusts around or on the colonies of the organism(s). In liquid culture media, sufficient availability of a cation source, preferably a calcium source (e.g., CaC₆), and a carbonate source (e.g., urea) generally leads to calcium precipitation. This calcium crust formation or precipitation can also serve as visual evidence of ureolysis and / or carbonate formation. Alternatively, the aforementioned calcium crust formation or precipitation can be confirmed by qualitative and / or quantitative carbonate determination, preferably using the (semi-)quantitative carbonate determination according to Scheibler or a further development of this method (e.g.,as described in Horväth, B. et al., A Simple Method for Measuring the Carbonate Content of Soils, Soil Science Society of America Journal 2005, 69, 1066-1068). Another preferred method for the aforementioned determination is, for example, measuring the urease activity of the organism or mixture of organisms. In this method, the organism or mixture of organisms to be analyzed is mixed with, among other things, buffered urea (e.g., 1.5 M urea in 0.1 M Tris-HCl, pH 7.5), and the formation of the resulting ammonium ions is measured conductometrically as the increase in the measurement signal over time, and the urease activity is calculated (as described, for example, in VS Whiffin, Microbial CaCOs Precipitation for the production of Biocement, Dissertation, 2004, Murdoch University, Western Australia). The urease activity is preferably between 1 x 10⁻⁶. 7 up to 1 x 10 11mM hydrolyzed urea / min / cm / cells / ml, further preferably between 1 x 10 8 up to 1 x 10 1 ° mM hydrolyzed urea / min / cm / cells / ml, further preferably between 1 x 10 8 up to 1 x 10 9mM hydrolyzed urea / min / cm² / cells / ml. The former corresponds approximately to a urea hydrolysation rate of 0–300 mM hydrolyzed urea / min, depending on the number of cells used. Another preferred method for the aforementioned determination is, for example, the measurement of the amount of carbonate formed by the biocementation, preferably using the (semi-)quantitative carbonate determination according to Scheibler. The mixture to be analyzed is preferably incubated openly at room temperature (25 °C) for 48 h. Subsequently, a precipitated pellet can be obtained by centrifugation and drying for further use. The (semi-)quantitative detection of the calcium carbonate formed can be carried out using the dried pellet, preferably by the carbonate determination according to Scheibler. Optionally, the dried precipitate can be weighed beforehand and the precipitation efficiency calculated.Optionally, an additional qualitative determination can be carried out in parallel to determine whether ureolysis and / or carbonate formation is present. For this purpose, phenol red (15 mg / L) can be added to the mixture from step (i). The supernatant to be discarded during pellet production will then usually be pink if ureolysis and / or carbonate formation is present.

[0044] Another preferred method for the aforementioned determination is, for example, the measurement of the degree of substrate consolidation (by the carbonate formed during biocementation). A suitable substrate for this is, for example, quartz sand, preferably with a grain size of 0 to 2 mm (as a model substrate). The remaining components of the mixture from step (i) are preferably added in an amount of 5 l / m³ of the resulting mixture. 2(In the case of a liquid mixture) applied to or into the substrate. Subsequent incubation should be open and carried out at room temperature or above room temperature for at least 2 days (preferably for at least 10 days). The strength of the resulting biocement layer is then determined by fracture mechanics analysis using a digital (fracture) force measuring device in accordance with DIN EN 196-1:2005-05. Compared to the control (application of a reference mixture without organism(s) to the substrate), differences in fracture strength of > 3 N (or > 0.01 MPa), preferably > 30 N (or > 0.1 MPa), should be detectable.

[0045] As part of Assay A, the thickness of the biocement layer can also be determined using a caliper; if consolidation is successful, this should preferably average > 3 mm in the area under investigation.

[0046] According to a preferred embodiment, the organism(s) in component (i) of the mixture to be used according to the invention is / are an organism / several organisms which, in step (iv) of assay A as defined herein with respect to two or more of the above-described determination methods, preferably three or more, particularly preferably four or more, most preferably all determination methods, causes ureolysis and / or carbonate formation, preferably biocementation, to be detected, preferably one sufficient to prevent or reduce plant growth, preferably the growth of weeds (for details on controlling the prevention or reduction of plant growth, see below, Example Section).

[0047] Preferably, the mixture is used as described above, wherein it is in liquid form, as a gel, paste or as a powder.

[0048] The mixture to be used according to the invention can be in the form of a liquid, gel-like, pasty or powdery mixture, or in the form of two, three, four or more separately existing liquid and / or gel-like and / or pasty and / or powdery pre-mixtures which are mixed together before or during use.

[0049] Particularly in powder form, the mixture or premixes advantageously exhibit a particularly long storage stability, preferably of at least 12 to 24 months. A powder form of the mixture or premix can be obtained by standard processes familiar to those skilled in the art, for example, by spray drying, freeze-drying, (low-temperature) vacuum drying, fluidized bed drying, and / or by filtration with filter aids.

[0050] In the context of this text, "powdery" means that the content of liquid components, preferably water, in the mixture is 10 wt.% or less, preferably 5 wt.% or less, preferably 2.5 wt.% or less, more preferably 1.0 wt.% or less, most preferably 0.1 wt.% or less, based on the total weight of the mixture or premix to be used according to the invention.

[0051] The content of liquid components, preferably water, in the mixture or premix can be determined by standard methods known to those skilled in the art. For example, a gravimetric determination of the liquid component content can be carried out, whereby the sample is weighed, then heated to a temperature above the boiling point of the liquid components for a sufficient period of time until dry, and subsequently weighed again. The weight difference before and after drying allows the content of liquid components, preferably water, to be determined in wt.%.

[0052] According to a further embodiment, the mixture to be used according to the invention can also be in the form of a gel-like or pasty mixture or in the form of two, three, four or more separately existing solid and / or liquid and / or gel-like and / or pasty pre-mixtures which are mixed together before or during use.

[0053] A use as described above is preferred, wherein one, several, or all of the organisms are selected from the group consisting of microorganisms, preferably selected from the group consisting of microorganisms of the phylum Firmicutes, preferably of the class Bacilli, preferably of the order Bacillales, preferably of the families Planococcaceae or Bacillaceae, preferably of the genera Sporosarcina, Lysinibacillus, or Bacillus, preferably selected from the species Sporosarcina pasteurii, Sporosarcina ureae, Lysinibacillus sphaericus, Lysinibacillus fusiformis, Bacillus megaterium, Lysinibacillus sp., Bacillus pseudofirmus, Bacillus halodurans, or Bacillus cohnir, and microorganisms of the phylum Proteobacteria, preferably of the classes Alphaproteobacteria, Gammaproteobacteria, Deltaproteobacteria, or Epsilonproteobacteria, preferably of the orders Enterobacteriales. Myxococcales, Campylobacterales, Pseudomonadales or Caulobacterales,preferably of the families Enterobacteriaceae, Myxococcaceae, Helicobacteraceae, Pseudomonadaceae or Caulobacteraceae, preferably of the genera Proteus, Myxococcus, Helicobacter, Pseudomonas or Brevundimonas, preferably selected from the species Proteus vulgaris, Proteus mirabilis, Myxococcus xanthus, Helicobacter pylori, Pseudomonas aeruginosa or Brevundimonas diminuta; and microorganisms of the division Actinobacteria, preferably of the class Actinobacteria, preferably of the order Actinomycetales, preferably of the families Brevibacteriaceae or Micrococcineae, preferably of the genera Brevibacterium or Micrococcaceae, preferably selected from the species Brevibacterium linens or Arthrobacter crystallopoietes; and microorganisms of the division Cyanobacteria, preferably of the class Cyanobacteria, preferably of the order Synechococcales, preferably of the family Synechococcaceae, preferably of the genus Synechococcus,preferably of the species Synechococcus; and aerobic bacteria, anaerobic bacteria, facultative anaerobic bacteria and their intermediate stages.

[0054] This also includes all variants, serotypes, mutants and spores, as well as any derived genetically modified microorganisms.

[0055] The aforementioned organism(s), preferably microorganisms, may be present (together or separately) in liquid(s) such as buffer solutions, solvents, culture media and / or mixtures thereof, these mixtures may also be deep-frozen, or in powder form.

[0056] According to the present invention, the organism or organisms that are capable of forming, inducing and / or catalyzing carbonate formation are a component of the mixture used.

[0057] Alternatively, and also disclosed within the scope of this text, it is conceivable that (indigenous) organisms present in the substrate, preferably soil, in / on which plant growth takes place, or isolated from said substrate, cultivated in the laboratory, and then reintroduced onto / into the substrate, are capable of forming, inducing, and / or catalyzing carbonate. In this case, alternative or equivalent embodiments are conceivable (and accordingly included herein as according to the invention) in which the organisms of the mixture to be used according to the invention and the (indigenous) organisms in / on the substrate jointly form, induce, and / or catalyze carbonate, or in which the mixture to be used itself does not contain any organisms capable of forming, inducing, and / or catalyzing carbonate.According to a preferred embodiment, component (i) of the mixture to be used according to the invention comprises or consists of a combination of one or more organisms that are capable of forming carbonate, inducing and / or catalyzing carbonate formation, and those that are not capable of doing so.

[0058] According to a preferred embodiment, component (i) of the mixture to be used according to the invention comprises or consists of a combination of aerobic bacteria, anaerobic bacteria and / or facultative anaerobic bacteria and / or their intermediates.

[0059] According to a further preferred embodiment, component (i) of the mixture to be used according to the invention comprises or consists of a combination of one or more organisms that are capable of ureolytically forming carbonate, inducing and / or catalyzing carbonate formation, and of one or more organisms that are not capable of ureolysis or are not capable of forming carbonate, inducing and / or catalyzing carbonate formation.

[0060] It is known to those skilled in the art that biocementation (as defined herein) using a mixture (as defined herein) according to the invention is particularly efficient within a specific cell number range of the organisms used. According to our own investigations, the cell number of the organism(s) in the mixture to be used according to the invention is preferably at least 10 7cells / mL, preferably at least 10 8 cells / mL, and / or preferably not more than 10 12 cells / mL, preferably no more than 10 1 ° cells / mL, preferably no more than 10 9 cells / mL. According to a preferred embodiment, the cell count of the organism(s) in the mixture to be used according to the invention is 10 8 up to 10 9 Cells / mL. Preferred is a use as described above, wherein one or the, several or all of the enzymes are selected from the group consisting of urease, asparaginase, carbonic anhydrase and metabolic enzymes.

[0061] In the context of this text, metabolic enzymes are preferably enzymes of the metabolism of one or more (micro)organisms as described herein, which are capable of forming, inducing, and / or catalyzing carbonate, for example, by reacting acetate and / or lactate. Preferably, component (i) of the mixture to be used according to the invention contains one or more organisms (as defined above) that are capable of producing one or more of the aforementioned enzymes, or preferably, the aforementioned enzymes are obtained from or released from the aforementioned organisms.

[0062] If the organism(s) used is a pathogenic organism(s), it is preferred within the scope of this text if only the non-pathogenic enzymes obtained or released from it are used in component (i) of the mixture to be used according to the invention.

[0063] According to a further preferred embodiment, component (i) of the mixture to be used according to the invention can contain combinations of enzymes obtained from or released from the organisms mentioned above with enzymes of non-microbial origin (for example, plant enzymes). The enzyme urease, for example, can be obtained from soybeans and used according to the invention.

[0064] According to a further preferred embodiment, component (i) of the mixture to be used according to the invention can contain combinations of one or more of the above-mentioned organisms, which are capable of forming, inducing, and / or catalyzing carbonate formation, with one or more of the above-mentioned enzymes, which are capable of forming, inducing, and / or catalyzing carbonate formation. Carbonates can be generated with the aid of the above-mentioned enzymes through various metabolic processes. For example, ammonification can occur through aerobic metabolism of organic carbon sources (e.g., the enzyme asparaginase), or heterotrophic metabolism of organic carbon sources (e.g., calcium lactate or calcium acetate) can occur. Both processes provide carbonates.Aerobic and anaerobic photosynthesis can also be used to form carbonates, as can anaerobic denitrification, anaerobic sulfate reduction and (an)aerobic methane oxidation.

[0065] Biocementation using the mixture according to the invention can therefore be based on one or more of the aforementioned metabolic processes.

[0066] Therefore, a use as described above is preferred, wherein one or more...The substance(s) selected for the formation of carbonate are from the group consisting of urea and its salts, organic acids such as lactic acid and its salts, preferably carboxylates, and their esters, gluconic acid and its salts, preferably carboxylates, and their esters, acetic acid and its salts, preferably carboxylates, and their esters, formic acid and its salts, preferably carboxylates, and their esters, peptides, preferably containing asparagine, glutamine and / or glutamic acid, amino acids, preferably asparagine, glutamine and glutamic acid, and their salts, preferably carboxylates, and their esters, plant and animal complex substrates, in particular peptone, yeast extract, meat extract, nutrient broth and casamino acid, industrial residue streams, in particular corn steeping water, lactose mother liquor, protein lysates, preferably from peas, meat or tomatoes, anaerobic substrates, preferably carbon dioxide and methane.

[0067] A further preferred use is as described above, wherein one, several, or all of the cation sources are selected from the group consisting of organic and inorganic calcium salts, preferably calcium nitrate, calcium acetate, calcium lactate, and calcium chloride; magnesium salts, manganese salts, zinc salts, cobalt salts, nickel salts, copper salts, lead salts, iron salts, cadmium salts; polymers, preferably cationic polymers; heavy metal cations; light metal cations; radioactive cations; and mixtures thereof. According to the present invention, the cation source(s) may or may not be included in the mixture to be used according to the invention. If they are not included in the mixture, they may be present on or in the substrate on which the plant grows, or may be added to it to enable biocementation.

[0068] It is also preferred to use the product as described above, wherein one, several or all of the additives are selected from the group consisting of the following substances / mixtures (preferably provided that these are not already included in component (ii)): nutrients; (Bio-)polymers, preferably polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB), polylactide (PLA), polybutylene succinate (PBS), polyacrylic acid (PAA), polymethacrylate (PMA), poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (PHEMA), polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH), polyvinyl acetate (PVAC), polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline), polystyrene (PS), polyamide, copolymers, polyamino acids, cellulose and their derivatives, starch and their derivatives, lignins and their derivatives, pectins and their derivatives, natural adhesives, in particular gum arabic, latex, rubber, and their derivatives, chitin and its derivatives, chitosan and its derivatives, cyclodextrins and their derivatives, dextrins and their derivatives;Hydrogel formers, preferably xanthan gum, alginates, and agar agars; cold-soluble and / or warm-soluble (plant) glues; calcium carbonates and mixtures containing calcium carbonates, preferably mother-of-pearl, amorphous calcium carbonates, precipitated calcium carbonate, aragonite, calcite, vaterite, and mixtures and derivatives thereof; polysaccharides and extracellular polymeric substances (EPS), preferably microbial exopolysaccharides, preferably containing or consisting of maleic acid, acetic acid, lactic acid, lactose, sucrose, glucose, fructose, and / or inulin; protein sources, fibers, and fibrous materials, preferably casein, albumin, yeast extracts, peptones, cellulose fibers, wood fibers, and wood cellulose fibers; residues and industrial materials, preferably corn steep water, lactose mother liquor, protein lysates, molasses, protein waste, preferably from yeast production, meat processing, the dairy industry, and papermaking; silicates and their derivatives; Acrylates and their derivatives;Water glasses and water glass-like binders; cements and cement additives, preferably sand, lime and its derivatives, aluminum oxide, calcium oxide, calcium hydroxide, aluminum hydroxide, ash, preferably fly ash and bone ash, microsilica, kaolins, bentonites, fillers, preferably hydrated lime, crushed limestone sand and limestone flour; resins and epoxides; natural and chemical herbicides; fungicides; molluscicides; insecticides; water repellents and wax emulsions; emulsifying agents; binders; thixotropic agents; nucleation sites and crystallization modifiers; fatty acids; minerals and trace elements; salts, preferably phosphates and sulfates; rocks, preferably pumice and shale flour; bacteria capable of polymer formation; and substance(s) that modifies / modifies biocementation.

[0069] Within the scope of the present invention, the additive(s) are preferably either substances that influence the biocementation process itself (for example, nutrients), or substances that influence the resulting product of the biocementation, i.e., the properties of the biocement (e.g., its water resistance), or substances that influence the plant whose growth is suppressed (for example, herbicides).

[0070] Examples of substances that can influence the properties of the biocement are preferably additives used according to the invention that are capable of (additionally) solidifying and / or hardening the substrate or parts of the substrate on / in which plant growth is to be reduced or prevented. These can be, for example, sugar molecules (as defined above) or polymers formed by bacteria. As described above, the additives used according to the invention are, in this case, a component—optionally the sole component—of the biocement (alternatively to or alongside the preferably formed carbonate(s)).

[0071] According to the present invention, the additive(s) can be present in the mixture to be used according to the invention (i.e., be a component of the mixture to be used) or can be contained on / in the substrate on / in which the plant growth takes place. Alternatively, they can also be absent.

[0072] Within the scope of this text, the monomers of the aforementioned additives, in particular the (bio)polymers mentioned, are also considered additives to be used according to the invention.

[0073] It is known to those skilled in the art that the amount used and the mode of action of the additive(s) depend strongly on its own properties or the properties of the other components of the mixture to be used according to the invention or the properties of the substrate, and will accordingly select suitable combinations and amounts of the additive(s).

[0074] Bevorzugt ist besätt eine Verwendung wie vorangehend beschreibungen, gehen die Pflanze bzw. the weeds selected are from the group consisting of dicotyledons of the genera: Abutilon, Aegopodium, Aethusa, Amaranthus, Ambrosia, Anachusa, Anagallis, Anoda, Anthemis, Aphanes, Arabidopsis, Atriplex, Barbarea, Bellis, Bidens, Bunias, Capsella, Carduus, Cassia, Centaurea, Chenopodium, Chrysanthemum, Cirsium, Conium, Conyza, Consolida, Convolvulus, Datura, Descurainia, Desmodium, Emex, Equisetum, Erigeron, Erodium, Erysimum, Euphorbia, Fumaria, Galeopsis, Galinsoga, Galium, Geranium, Heracleum, Hibiscus, Ipomoea, Kochia, Lamium, Lapsana, Lathyrus, Lepidium, Lithospermum, Linaria, Lindernia, Lycopsis, Malva, Matricaria, Mentha, Mercurialis, Mullugo, Myosotis, Papaver, Pharbitis, Plantago, Polygonum, Portulaca, Ranunculus, Raphanus, Rorippa, Rotala, Rumex, Salsola, Senecio, Sesbania, Sida, Mustard, Sisymbrium, Solanum, Sonchus, Sphenoclea, Stachys, Stellaria, Taraxacum, Thlaspi, Trifolium,Tussaligo, Urtica, Veronica, Viola, Xanthium; Dicotyledons of the genera: Arachis, Beta, Brassica, Cucumis, Cucurbita, Helianthus, Daucus, Glycine, Gossypium, Ipomoea, Lactuca, Linum, Lycopersicon, Nicotiana, Phaseolus, Pisum, Solanum, Vicia Monocotyledons of the genera: Aegilops, Agropyron, Agrostis, Alopecurus, Apera, Avena, Brachiaria, Bromus, Cenchrus, Commelina, Cynodon, Cyperus, Dactyloctenium, Digitaria, Echinochloa, Eleocharis, Eleusine, Eragrostis, Eriochloa, Festuca, Fimbristylis, Heteranthera, Imperata, Ischaemum, Juncus, Leptochloa, Lolium, Monochoria, Panicum, Paspalum, Phalaris, Phleum, Poa, Rottboellia, Sagittaria, Scirpus, Setaria, Sorghum; und Monokotylen der Gattungen: Garlic, Pineapple, Asparagus, Oats, Barley, Oryza, Panicum, Saccharum, Secale, Sorghum, Triticale, Triticum, Zea\ Moosen der Abstammungslinien Lebermoose (Marchantiosida), Hornmoose (Anthocerotopsida), Laubmoose (Bryopsida); prässigkeit weinheit das Wachstum von bestsingen zwei, drei, vier, fünf, sechs,seven, eight, nine, ten, more than ten or all of these plants is prevented or reduced.

[0075] According to a preferred embodiment of the use according to the invention, the one, several or all of the plants are one or more liverworts selected from the group consisting of the genera: Acolea, Acrobolbus, Acrochila, Acromastigum, Acroscyphella, Acroscyphus, Acrostolia, Adelocolia, Aitchisoniella, Alicularia, Allisonia, Allisoniella, Alobiella, Alobiellopsis, Amazoopsis, Amphicephalozia, Amphilophocolea, Andrewsianthus, Aneura, Anomacaulis, Anomoclada, Anomylia, Anthelia, Anthelis, Aphanolejeunea, Aplozia, Apomarsupella, Apometzgeria, Apotreubia, Arachniopsis, Arctoscyphus, Arnellia, Ascidiota, Asterella, Athalamia, Austrofossombronia, Austrolembidium, Austrolophozia, Austrometzgeria, Austroscyphus, Balantiopsis, Bazzania, Blasia, Blepharidophyllum, Blepharostoma, Brevianthus, Calycularia, Calypogeia, Calyptrocolea, Campanocolea, Castanoclobos, Cavicularia, Cephalojonesia, Cephalolobus, Cephalomitrion, Cephalozia, Cephaloziella, cephalociopsis,Ceratolejeunea, Cesius, Chaetophyllopsis, Chiastocaulon, Chiloscyphus, Chloranthelia, Chonecolea, Cladomastigum, Cladopodiella, Clandarium, Clasmatocolea, Cololejeunea, Colura, Conocephalum, Conoscyphus, Corsinia, Cronisia, Crossogyna, Cryptochila, Cryptocolea, Cryptocoleopsis, Cryptomitrium, Cryptostipula, Cryptothallus, Cuspidatula, Cyanolophocolea, Cyathodium, Cylindrocolea, Delavayella, Dendrobazzania, Dendromastigophora, Denotarisia, Dichiton, Dinckleria, Diplocolea, Diplophyllum, Douinia, Drepanolejeunea, Drucella, Dumortiera, Dumortieropsis, Enigmella, Eocalypogeia, Eoisotachis, Eopleurozia, Eotrichocolea, Eremonotus, Eucalyx, Evansia, Evansianthus, Exormotheca, Fossombronia, Frullania, Fuscocephaloziopsis, Gackstroemia, Geocalyx, Geothallus, Gerhildiella, Goebeliella, Goebelobryum, Gongylanthus, Gottschea, Gottschelia, Greeneothallus, Grollea, Gymnanthe, Gymnocoleopsis, Gymnomitrion, Gymnoscyphus, Gyrothyra, Haesselia, Haplomitrium, Harpalejeunea, Harpanthus, Hattoria,Hattorianthus, Hattoriella, Hepatostolonophora, Herbertus, Herpetium, Herpocladium, Herzogianthus, Herzogobryum, Heterogemma, Heteroscyphus, Horikawaella, Hyalolepidozia, Hygrobiellalwatsukia, Hygrolembidium, Hygrophila, Hymenophyton, Hypoisotachis, Isolembidium, Isotachis, Jamesoniella, Jensenia, Jubula, Jubulopsis, Jungermannia, Jungermannites, Krunodiplophyllum, Kurzia, Kymatocalyx, Lamellocolea, Leiocolea, Leiomitra, Leiomylia, Leioscyphus, Lejeunea, Lembidium, Lepidogyna, Lepidolaena, Lepidozia, Leptolejeunea, Leptophyllopsis, Leptoscyphopsis, Leptoscyphus, Lethocolea, Liochlaena, Lobatiriccardia, Lophocolea, Lophonardia, Lophozia, Lophoziopsis, Lunularia, Macrodiplophyllum, Maculia, Makinoa, Mannia, Marchantia, Marchesinia, Marsupella, Marsupidium, Massula, Massularia, Mastigobryum, Mastigopelma, Mastigophora, Mastigopsis, Mesoptychia, Metacalypogeia, Metahygrobiella, Metzgeria, Metzgeriopsis, Micrisophylla, Microlejeunea, Microlepidozia, Micropterygium, Mizutania, Mnioloma,Moerckia, Monocarpus, Monoclea, Monodactylopsis, Monosolenium, Mytilopsis, Nanomarsupella, Nardia, Neesioscyphus, Neogrollea, Neohodgsonia, Neotrichocolea, Noteroclada, Nothogymnomitrion, Nothostrepta, Notoscyphus, Nowellia, Obtusifolium, Odontolejeunea, Odontoschisma, Oleolophozia, Oxymitra, Pachyglossa, Pachyschistochila, Pallavicinia, Paracromastigum, Paraschistochila, Patarola, Pedinophyllopsis, Pedinophyllum, Pellia, Peltolepsis, Perdusenia, Perssoniella, Petalophyllum, Phycolepidozia, Phyllothallia, Physiotium, Physotheca, Pisanoa, Plagiochasma, Plagiochila, Plagiochilidium, Plagiochilion, Platycaulis, Plectocolea, Pleuranthe, Pleuroclada, Pleurocladopsis, Pleurocladula, Pleurozia, Podanthe, Podomitrium, Porella, Prasanthus, Preissia, Prionolobus, Protolophozia, Protomarsupella, Protosyzgiella, Protosyzygiella, Pseudocephalozia, Pseudocephaloziella, Pseudolophocolea, Pseudolophozia, Pseudomarsupidium, Pseudoneura, Pseudotritomaria, Psiloclada, Pteropsiella, Ptilidium, Radula,Reboulia, Rhizocaulia, Rhodoplagiochila, Riccardia, Riccia, Ricciella, Ricciocarpos, Riella, Roivainenia, Ruizanthus, Ruttnerella, Saccobasis, Saccogyna, Sandeothallus, Sarcocyphos, Sarcomitrium, Sauteria, Scapania, Scaphophyllum, Schiffneria, Schisma, Schistochila, Schistochilaster, Schistochilopsis, Schofieldia, Sendtnera, Seppeltia, Sewardiella, Simodon, Solenostoma, Southbya, Sphaerocarpos, Sphagnoecetis, Sprucella, Steereella, Steereocolea, Stenorrhipis, Stephandium, Stephaniella, Stephaniellidium, Stephensoniella, Symphyogyna, Symphyogynopsis, Symphyomitra, Synhymenium, Syzygiella, Taeniolejeunea, Targionia, Tegulifolium, Telaranea, Thallocarpus, Treubia, Triandrophyllum, Trichocolea, Trichocoleopsis, Trichostylium, Trichotemnoma, Trilophozia, Tritomaria, Tylimanthus, Vanaea, Vandiemenia, Verdoornia, Vetaforma, Wettsteinia, Wiesnerella, Xenochila, Xenothallus, Zoopsidella, Zoopsis.,

[0076] According to a further preferred embodiment of the use according to the invention, the one, several or all of the plants are one or more mosses selected from the group consisting of the genera: Abietinella, Acanthocladiella, Acanthocladium, Acanthodium, Acanthorrhynchium, Acaulon, Acaulonopsis, Achrophyllum, Acidodontium, Acrocladium, Acroporium, Acroschisma, Actinodontium, Actinothuidium, Adelothecium, Aequatoriella, Aerobryidium, Aerobryopsis, Aerobryum, Aerolindigia, Algaria, Aligrimmia, Alleniella, Allioniellopsis, Aloina, Aloinella, Alophosia, Alsia, Ambiyodon, Amblyodum, Amblystegiella, Amblystegium, Amblytropis, Ambuchanania, Amphidium, Amphoridium, Amphoritheca, Anacalypta, Anacamptodon, Anacolia, Ancistrodes, Andoa, Andreaea, Andreaeobryum, Anictangium, Anisothecium, Anodon, Anodontium, Anoectangium, Anomobryum, Anomodon, Antitrichia, Aongstroemia, Aongstroemiopsis, Apalodium, Aphanorrhegma, Apiocarpa, Aplodon, Apterygium, Aptycheiia,Aptychopsis, Aptychus, Arbuscula, Arbuscuiohypopterygium, Archephemeropsis, Archidium, Arctoa, Argyrobryum, Arthrocormus, Aschisma, Aschisma, Aschiscium, Astomiopsis, Astomum, Astrodontium, Astrophyllum, Atractylocarpus, Atrichopsis, Atrichum, Aulacomitrium, Aulacomnium, Aulacopilum, Austinella, Austrohondaella, Austrophilibertiella, Baldwiniella, Barbella, Barbellopsis, Barbula, Bartramia, Bartramiopsis, Beeveria, Bellibarbula, Benitotania, Bestia, Bissetia, Blindia, Boulaya, Brachelyma, Brachydontium, Brachymenium, Brachymitrion, Brachyodus, Brachysteleum, Brachytheciastrum, Brachytheciella, Brachythecium, Brachytrichum, Braithwaitea, Braunfelsia, Braunia, Breidleria, Breutelia, Brothera, Brotherella, Brotherobryum, Bruchia, Bryhnia, Brymela, Bryoandersonia, Bryobeckettia, Bryobrittonia, Bryobrothera, Bryoceuthospora, Bryochenea, Bryocrumia, Bryodixonia, Bryodusenia, Bryoerythrophyllum, Bryohaplocladium, Bryohumbertia, Bryomaltaea, Bryomanginia, Bryomnium, Bryonoguchia,Bryonorrisia, Bryophixia, Bryosedgwickia, Bryostreimannia, Bryotestua, Bryum, Buckiella, Bucklandiella, Burnettia, Buxbaumia, Callialaria, Callicladium, Callicosta, Callicostella, Callicostellopsis, Calliergidium, Calliergon, Calohypnum, Calymperastrum, Calymperes, Calymperidium, Calymperopsis, Calyptopogon, Calyptothecium, Calyptrochaeta, Camptochaete, Camptodontium, Camptothecium, Campyliadelphus, Campylidium, Campylium, Campylodontium, Campylophyllum, Campylopodiella, Campylopodium, Campylopus, Campylostelium, Canalohypopterygium, Cardotia, Cardotiella, Caribaeohypnum, Catagoniopsis, Catagonium, Catharinea, Catharinella, Cataromnion, Catoscopium, Cecalyphum, Ceratodon, Ceuthospora, Ceuthotheca, Chaetomitrella, Chaetomitriopsis, Chaetomitrium, Chaetophora, Chamaebryum, Chamberlainia, Chameleion, Cheilothela, Chenia, Chileobryon, Chionoloma, Chionostomum, Chorisodontium, Chryso-hypnum, Chrysoblastella, Chrysocladium, Chrysohypnum, Cinclidium, Circulifolium, Cirriphyllum, Cladastomum,Cladomnion, Cladophascum, Cladopodanthus, Cladopodanthus, Claopodium, Qasmatodon, Clastobryella, Clastobryophilum, Clastobryopsis, Clastobryum, Clavitheca, Cleistocarpidium, Cleistostoma, Climacium, Cnestrum, Codonoblepharon, Codonoblepharum, Codriophorus, Coelidium, Coleochaetium, Colobodontium, Conardia, Conomitrium, Conostomum, Coscinodon, Coscinodontella, Costesia, Craspedophyllum, Cratoneurella, Cratoneuron, Cratoneuropsis, Crosbya, Crossidium, Crossomitrium, Crumia, Crumuscus, Cryhphaea, Cryphaeadelphus, Cryptocarpon, Cryptodicranum, Cryptogonium, Cryptoleptodon, Cryptopapillaria, Cryptopodia, Cryptopodium, Cryptotheca, Ctenidiadelphus, Ctenidium, Ctenium, Cupressina, Curvicladium, Curviramea, Cyathophorella, Cyathophorum, Cyclodictyon, Cygniella, Cylicocarpus, Cynodon, Cynodontiella, Cynodontium, Cynontodium, Cyrto-hypnum, Cyrtomnium, Cyrtopodendron, Daltonia, Dasymitrium, Dawsonia, Dendro-hypnum, Dendroalsia, Dendrocyathophorum, Dendrohypopterygium, Dendroligotrichum,Dermatodon, Desmatodon, Desmotheca, Dialytrichia, Diaphanophyllum, Dichelodontium, Dichelyma, Dichodontium, Dicladiella, Dicnemoloma, Dicranella, Dicranodon, Dicranodontium, Dicranoloma, Dicranoweisia, Dicranum, Didymodon, Dimerodontium, Dimorphocladon, Diobelon, Diobelonella, Diphascum, Diphyscium, Diplocomium, Diploneuron, Diplostichum, Discelium, Discophyllum, Dissodon, Disticha, Distichium, Distichophyllidium, Distichophyllum, Ditrichopsis, Ditrichum, Dixonia, Dolichomitra, Dolichomitriopsis, Dolotortula, Donnellia, Donrichardsia, Dorcadion, Dozya, Drepanium, Drepano-hypnum, Drepanocladus, Drepanophyllaria, Drepanophyllum, Drummondia, Dryptodon, Dusenia, Duthiella, Eccremidium, Echinodiopsis, Echinodium, Echinophyllum, Ectropotheciella, Ectropotheciopsis, Ectropothecium, Eleutera, Elharveya, Elmeriobryum, Elodium, Encalypta, Endotrichella, Endotrichellopsis, Endotrichum, Entodon, Entosthodon, Entosthymenium, Eobruchia, Eohypopterygiopsis, Eoleucodon, Eosphagnum, Ephemerella,Ephemeridium, Ephemeropsis, Ephemerum, Epipterygium, Eremodon, Eriodon, Eriopus, Erpodium, Erythrobarbula, Erythrodontium, Erythrophyllastrum, Erythrophyllopsis, Erythrophyllum, Esenbeckia, Eucamptodontopsis, Eucatagonium, Eucladium, Euephemerum, Eumyurium, Euptychium, Eurhynchiadelphus, Eurhynchiastrum, Eurhynchiella, Eurhynchiella, Eurohypnum, Eustichia, Euzygodon, Exodictyon, Exostratum, Exsertotheca, Fabroleskea, Fabronialschyrodon, Fabronidium, Fallaciella, Fauriella, Felipponea, Fiedleria, Fifealsotheciadelphus, Fissidens, Flabellidium, Fleischerobryum, Floribundaria, Florschuetziella, Flowersia, Fontinalis, Foreauella, Forsstroemia, Frahmiella, Funaria, Funariella, Gammiella, Ganguleea, Garckea, Garovaglia, Gasterogrimmia, Geheebia, Gemmabryum, Georgia, Gertrudia, Gertrudiella, Gigaspermum, Giraldiella, Globulina, Globulinella, Glossadelphus, Glyphomitrium, Glyphomitrium, Glyphothecium, Glyptothecium, Gollania, Gongronia, Goniobryum, Goniomitrium, Gradsteinia, Grimmia, Groutiella,Guembelia, Guerramontesia, Gymnostomiella, Gymnostomum, Gyroweisia, Habrodon, Habrodonlshibaealwatsukiella, Hageniella, Hamatocaulis, Hampeella, Hampeohypnum, Handeliobryum, Haplocladium, Haplodon, Haplodontium, Haplohymenium, Haptymenium, Harpidium, Harpophyllum, Harrisonia, Harveya, Hebantialtatiella, Hedenaesia, Hedenasiastrum, Hedwigia, Hedwigidium, Helicoblepharum,

[0077] Helicodontiadelphus, Helicodontium, Heliconema, Helicophyllum, Helodium, Hemiragis, Henicodium, Hennediella, Herpetineuron, Herzogiella, Heterocladium, Heterodon, Heterophyllium, Hildebrandtiella, Hilpertia, Himantocladium, Holoblepharum, Holodontium, Holomitriopsis, Holomitrium, Homalia, Homaliadelphus, Homaliodendron, Homaliopsis, Homalotheciella, Homalothecium, Homomallium, Hondaella, Hookeria, Hookeriopsis, Horikawaea, Horridohypnum, Husnotiella, Hyalophyllum, Hydrocryphaealsodrepanium, Hydrogonium, Hydropogon, Hydropogonella, Hygroamblystegium, Hygrodicranum, Hygrohypnella, Hygrohypnum, Hylocomiadelphus, Hylocomiastrum, Hylocomiopsis, Hylocomium, Hymenodon, Hymenodontopsis, Hymenoloma, Hymenostomum, Hymenostyliella, Hymenostylium, Hyocomium, Hyophila, Hyophiladelphus, Hyophilopsis, Hypnella, Hypnites, Hypnobartlettia, Hypnodendron, Hypnum, Hypodontium, Hypopterygium, Imbribryum, Indopottia, Indothuidium, Indusiella, Inouethuidium, Isopterygiopsis, Isopterygium, Isotheciopsis,Isothecium, Jaegerina, Jaegerinopsis, Jaffueliobryum, Juratzkaeella, Kiaeria, Kindbergia, Kingiobryum, Kleioweisiopsis, Koponenia, Kurohimehypnum, Lamprophyllum, Leersia, Leiodontium, Leiomela, Leiomitrium, Leiotheca, Lembophyllum, Lepidopilidium, Lepidopilum, Leptangium, Leptobarbula, Leptobryum, Leptocladiella, Leptocladium, Leptodictyum, Leptodontiella, Leptodontiopsis, Leptodontium, Leptohymenium, Leptophascum, Leptopterigynandrum, Leptostomopsis, Leptostomum, Leptotheca, Leptotrichella, Leptotrichum, Lepyrodon, Lepyrodontopsis, Leratia, Leratiella, Lescuraea, Leskea, Leskeadelphus, Leskeella, Leskeodon, Leskeodontopsis, Lesquereuxia, Leucobryum, Leucodon, Leucodontella, Leucolepis, Leucoloma, Leucomium, Leucoperichaetium, Leucophanella, Leucophanes, Levierella, Limbella, Limnobium, Limprichtia, Lindbergia, Lindigia, Loeskeobryum, Loeskypnum, Loiseabryum, Looseria, Lophiodon, Lopidium, Lorentzia, Lorentziella, Loxotis, Ludorugbya, Luisierella, Lyellia, Macgregorella, Macouniella,Macrocoma, Macrodictyum, Macrohymenium, Macromitrium, Macrosporiella, Macrothamniella, Macrothamnium, Mamillariella, Mandoniella, Maschalanthus, Maschalocarpus, Mastopoma, Matteria, Meesia, Meiotheciella, Meiotheciopsis, Meiothecium, Meiotrichum, Merceya, Merceyopsis, Mesochaete, Mesonodon, Mesotus, Metadistichophyllum, Metaneckera, Meteoridium, Meteoriella, Meteoriopsis, Meteorium, Metzlerella, Metzleria, Micralsopsis, Microbryum, Microcampylopus, Microcrossidium, Microctenidium, Microdus, Microeurhynchium, Micromitrium, Micropoma, Microthamnium, Microtheciella, Microthuidium, Miehea, Mielichhoferia, Mildea, Mildeella, Mironia, Mitrobryum, Mittenia, Mittenothamnium, Mitthyridium, Miyabea, Mniadelphus, Mniobryum, Mniodendron, Mniomalia, Mnium, Moenkemeyera, Molendoa, Mollia, Morinia, Moseniella, Muelleriella, Muellerobryum, Muscoflorschuetzia, Muscoherzogia, Myrinia, Myurella, Myuriopsis, Myurium, Myuroclada, Nanobryum, Nanomitriopsis, Nanomitrium, Neckera, Neckeradelphus, Neckerites,Neckeropsis, Nematocladia, Neobarbella, Neocardotia, Neodicladiella, Neodolichomitra, Neohyophila, Neolescuraea, Neolindbergia, Neomacounia, Neomeesia, Neonoguchia, Neophoenix, Neorutenbergia, Neosharpiella, Niphotrichum, Nobregaea, Nogopterium, Noguchiodendron, Notoligotrichum, Ochiobryum, Ochrobryum, Ochyraea, Octodiceras, Oedicladium, , Orthothuidium, Orthotrichum, Osterwaldiella, Oticodium, Oxyrrhynchium, Oxystegus, Pachyneuropsis, Pachyneurum, Palaeocampylopus, Palamocladium, Palisadula, Paludella, Palustriella, Panckowia, Pancovia, Papillaria, Papillidiopsis, Paraleucobryum, Paramyurium, Pararhacocarpus, Parisia,Pelekium, Pendulothecium, Pentastichella, Penzigiella, Peromnion, Pharomitrium, Phasconica, Phascopsis, Phascum, Philibertiella, Philonotis, Philophyllum, Photinophyllum, Phyllodon, Phyllodrepanium, Phyllogonium, Physcomitrella, Physcomitrium, Physedium, Picobryum, Pictus, Piloecium, Pilopogon, Pilopogonella, Piloseriopus, Pilotrichella, Pilotrichidium, Pilotrichum, Pinnatella, Pirea, Pireella, Plagiobryoides, Plagiobryum, Plagiomnium, Plagiopus, Plagioracelopus, Plagiothecium, Plasteurhynchium, Platydictya, Platygyriella, Platygyrium, Platyhypnidium, Platyhypnum, Platyloma, Platylomella, Platyneuron, Plaubelia, Pleuriditrichum, Pleuridium, Pleurochaete, Pleurophascum, Pleuropus, Pleurorthotrichum, Pleuroweisia, Pleurozium PleurozygodonPottiopsis, Powellia, Powelliopsis, Pringleella, Prionidium, Prionodon, Pseudatrichum, Pseudephemerum, Pseudisothecium, Pseudoamblystegium, Pseudobarbella, Pseudobraunia, Pseudobryum, Pseudocalliergon, Pseudocampylium,

[0078] Pseudochorisodontium, Pseudocrossidium, Pseudodimerodontium, Pseudodistichium, Pseudoditrichum, Pseudohygrohypnum, Pseudohyophila, Pseudohypnella, Pseudoleskea, Pseudoleskeella, Pseudoleskeopsis, Pseudopiloecium, Pseudopilotrichum, Pseudopleuropus, Pseudopohlia, Pseudopterobryum, Pseudoracelopus, Pseudorhynchostegiella, Pseudoscleropodium, Pseudosymblepharis, Pseudotimmiella, Pseudotrismegistia, Psilopilum, Pterigynandrum, Pterobryella, Pterobryidium, Pterobryon, Pterobryopsis, Pterogoniadelphus, Pterogonidium, Pterogoniella, Pterogonium, Pterygoneurum, Pterygophyllum, Ptilium, Ptychodium, Ptychomitriopsis, Ptychomitrium, Ptychomniella, Ptychomnion, Ptychostomum, Puiggaria, Puiggariella, Puiggariopsis, Pulchrinodus, Pungentella, Pursellia, Pylaisia, Pylaisiadelpha, Pylaisiella, Pylaisiobryum, Pyramidula, Pyramitrium, Pyromitrium, Pyrrhobryum, Quaesticula, Racelopodopsis, Racelopus, Racomitrium, Racopilum, Radulina, Raineria, Rauia, Rauiella, Regmatodon, Reimersia, Remyella, Renauldia,Rhabdodontium, Rhabdoweisia, Rhacocarpus, Rhacopilopsis, Rhamphidium, Rhaphidorrhynchium, Rhaphidostegium, Rhaphidostichum, Rhexophyllum, Rhizofabronia, Rhizogonium, Rhizohypnum, Rhizomnium, Rhizopelma, Rhodobryum, Rhyncho-hypnum, Rhynchostegiella, Rhynchostegiopsis, Rhynchostegium, Rhystophyllum, Rhytidiadelphus, Rhytidiastrum, Rhytidiopsis, Rhytidium, Richardsiopsis, Rigodiadelphus, Roellia, Rosulabryum, Rottleria, Rutenbergia, Saelania, Sagenotortula, Sainthelenia, Saitoa, Saitobryum, Saitoella, Sanionia, Saproma, Sarconeurum, Sarmentypnum, Sasaokaea, Sauloma, Scabridens, Schimperella, Schimperobryum, Schistidium, Schistomitrium, Schistophyllum, Schistostega, Schizomitrium, Schizymenium, Schliephackea, Schlotheimia, Schraderobryum, Schwetschkea, Schwetschkeopsis, Sciadocladus, Sciaromiella, Sciaromiopsis, Sciaromium, Sciuro-hypnum, Sclerodontium, Sclerohypnum, Scleropodiopsis, Scleropodium, Scopelophila, Scorpidium, Scorpiurium, Scouleria, Scytalina, Sebillea, Sehnemobryum, Sekra,Seligeria, Sematophyllites, Sematophyllum, Semibarbula, Serpoleskea, Serpotortella, Sharpiella, Shevockia, Sigmatella, Simophyllum, Simplicidens, Sinocalliergon, Sinskea, Skitophyllum, Skottsbergia, Solmsia, Solmsiella, Sorapilla, Sphaerangium, Sphaerocephalus, Sphaerothecium, Sphagnum, Spiridentopsis, Spirula, Splachnum, Sporledera, Spruceella, Squamidium, Stableria, Steerecleus, Steereobryon, Stegonia, Stellariomnium, Stenocarpidiopsis, Stenodesmus, Stenodictyon, Stenotheciopsis, Stenothecium, Steppomitra, Stereodon, Stereodontopsis, Stereohypnum, Steyermarkiella, Stokesiella, Stonea, Stoneobryum, Straminergon, Straminergon, Streblopilum, Streblotrichum, Streimannia, Strephedium, Streptocalypta, Streptocolea, Streptopogon, Streptotrichum, Stroemia, Strombulidens, Struckia, Struckia, Stylocomium, Swartzia, Symblepharis, Symphyodon, Symphysodon, Symphysodontella, Syntrichia, Syrrhopodon, Systegium, Taiwanobryum, Takakia, Tamariscella, Taxicaulis, Taxiphyllum, Taxithelium, Tayloria,Teichodontium, Teniolophora, Teretidens, Terrestria, Tetracoscinodon, Tetraphidopsis, Tetraphis, Tetraplodon, Tetrapterum, Tetrastichium, Tetrodontium, Thamniella, Thamniopsis, Thamnium, Thamnobryum, Thamnomalia, Thelia, Thiemea, Thuidiopsis, Thuidium, Thyridium, Thysanomitrion, Timmia, Timmiella, Timokoponenia, Toloxis, Tomentypnum, Tortella, Tortula, Touwiadendron, Trachybryum, Trachycarpidium, Trachycladiella, Trachycystis, Trachyloma, Trachymitrium, Trachyodontium, Trachyphyllum, Trachythecium, Trachyxiphium, Trematodum, Trichodon, Trichodontium, Tricholepis, Trichosteleum, Trichostomopsis, Trichostomum, Tridontium, Trigonodictyon, Tripterocladium, Triquetrella, Trismegistia, Tristichium, Tuerckheimia, Uleastrum, Uleobryum, Ulota, Unclejackia, Valdonia, Venturiella, Verrucidens, Vesicularia, Vesiculariopsis, Vetiplanaxis, Viridivellus, Vittia, Voitia, Vrolijkheidia, Warburgiella, Wardia, Warnstorfia, Webera, Weisiodon, Weisiopsis, Weissia, Weissiodicranum, Werneriobryum,Weymouthia, Wijkia, Wildia, Willia, Wilsoniella, Yunnanobryon, Zelometeorium, Zygodon, Zygotrichia.,

[0079] According to a further preferred embodiment of the use according to the invention, the, one, several or all of the plants are one or more hornworts selected from the group consisting of the genera: Anthoceros, Dendroceros, Folioceros, Hattorioceros, Leiosporoceros, Megaceros, Mesoceros, Nothoceros, Notothylas, Paraphymatoceros, Phaeoceros, Phaeomegaceros, Phymatoceros, Sphaerosporoceros.

[0080] A preferred embodiment relates to a use as described herein, wherein the biocementation reaction is not an exothermic reaction. For the purposes of this text, an exothermic reaction is a reaction in which energy is released to the surroundings in the form of heat at constant pressure, preferably a reaction in which, at constant pressure, the temperature of the reactants, intermediates, and / or products increases by more than 5°C, more preferably by more than 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, or 100°C (relative to the initial temperature before the start of the biocementation reaction).

[0081] Another aspect of the present invention relates to a method for preventing or reducing plant growth, preferably the growth of weeds, on / in a substrate, comprising or consisting of the following steps:

[0082] (a) Identifying a substrate to be treated on / in which plant growth, preferably weed growth, is to be prevented or reduced,

[0083] (b) Providing a mixture (as defined above),

[0084] (c) Applying and / or incorporating the mixture provided in step (b) onto / into the substrate to be treated, in an amount sufficient to enable biocementation, and (d) forming a biocement layer (as defined above) so that plant growth or weed growth on / in the substrate is prevented or reduced.

[0085] According to a preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, in step (c) (only) the mixture provided in step (b) is applied to / into the substrate to be treated. According to a further preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, in step (c) the mixture provided in step (b) is applied to / into the substrate to be treated and subsequently introduced, for example by submixing.

[0086] According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention

[0087] In step (c) of the procedure, the mixture provided in step (b) is (only) introduced onto / into the substrate to be treated.

[0088] According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention

[0089] In this process, the substrate or parts thereof identified in step (a) are removed from their original location, mixed with the mixture provided in step (b) in an amount sufficient to enable biocementation (for example, in a mixing device), and the resulting mixture is returned to the original location of the substrate (or alternatively, to another location where a biocement layer is to be formed), followed by step (d) as described herein. In such a preferred embodiment, step (c) of the process as described herein is omitted.

[0090] Depending on the form (solid / powdery, liquid, gel-like, or pasty) of the mixture provided in step (b) of the process according to the invention (see the above descriptions), the application and / or incorporation in step (c) can be carried out in different ways. Powdered mixtures, for example, can be sprinkled onto the substrate to be treated and / or incorporated into the substrate. Liquid mixtures, for example, are poured or sprayed onto the substrate to be treated and optionally subsequently incorporated into the substrate. Advantageously, a single application and / or incorporation of the mixture provided in step (b) onto / into the substrate to be treated is usually sufficient to form a biocement layer as defined in step (d) of the process according to the invention.Preferably, a single application of the mixture provided in step (b) onto / into the substrate to be treated is sufficient to form a biocement layer as defined in step (d) of the inventive method.

[0091] It is known to those skilled in the art that biocementation (as defined herein) in the process according to the invention is particularly efficient at a specific application volume or a specific concentration of the mixture from step (b) (see also the preferred cell numbers of the organism(s) in the mixture to be used according to the invention, as defined above). According to our own investigations, the application volume of the mixture to be used according to the invention (as defined above) is preferably at least 0.1 l / m². 2 , preferably at least 0.5 l / m 2 , preferably at least 1.0 l / m 2 , preferably at least 2.0 l / m 2 , at least 3.0 l / m²2 , at least 4.0 l / m² 2 or at least 5.0 l / m² 2 , and / or preferably not more than 20.0 l / m² 2 , preferably no more than 10.0 l / m 2 .

[0092] For an effective biocementation process in step (d) of the process according to the invention, it is advantageous if the system consisting of the mixture to be used according to the invention and the substrate (as defined herein) has a water content of more than 10 wt.% based on the total weight of said system. If the mixture to be used according to the invention is used in powder form (as defined above) in step (b) of the process according to the invention, and the substrate in step (a) or (c) of the process according to the invention is also substantially anhydrous, so that a water content of said system of 10 wt.% or less based on the total weight of the system results, it is advantageous if the process according to the invention comprises a further step in which sufficient water is added to the mixture from step (b) of the process either before or after application or incorporation onto / into the substrate to be treated.An aqueous solution is added, resulting in a water content of more than 10 wt% of the total weight of the system. Alternatively or simultaneously, a corresponding amount of water or aqueous solution can be added to the substrate to be treated before or after the application or introduction of the mixture provided in step (b) of the inventive method.

[0093] Furthermore, when using the inventive method outdoors, it is advantageous not to carry out the process in heavy rain or wind. Heavy rain or wind can potentially lead to a loss or significant dilution of the mixture used according to the invention even before the formation of the biocement layer (step (d)), which could prevent the formation of the biocement layer or negatively affect its strength and / or thickness. After applying or introducing the mixture provided in step (b) of the inventive method onto / into the substrate to be treated, i.e., in step (d) of the inventive method, the formation of the biocement layer preferably takes place over an incubation period of at least 6 hours, preferably at least 24 hours, and more preferably at least 48 hours, during which preferably no amount of rain or wind occurs.Artificial irrigation occurs, which leads to a significant loss of the mixture used according to the invention. The required incubation period for the formation of the biocement layer in step (d) of the process according to the invention depends on various environmental parameters, such as the room or outside temperature and humidity, and on the application volume of the mixture.Should a significant loss of the mixture to be used according to the invention occur during the aforementioned incubation period of at least 6 hours, preferably at least 24 hours, and more preferably at least 48 hours, due to rain or wind, it is advantageous to repeat steps (b) to (d) of the process according to the invention as often as necessary, preferably once, twice, three times or more, until a sufficient thickness and strength of the biocement layer is achieved to prevent or reduce plant growth, preferably the growth of weeds, on / in the substrate. Furthermore,Alternatively, it may prove advantageous to repeat steps (b) to (d) of the inventive method, preferably once, twice, three times or more, should the thickness and / or strength of the formed biocement layer on / in the substrate decrease over time due to weathering and / or natural degradation and thereby no longer be sufficient to prevent or reduce plant growth, preferably the growth of weeds, on / in the substrate.

[0094] The thickness of the biocement layer can be determined manually by measuring it with calipers after mechanically breaking the layer. Alternatively, depending on the thickness of the hardening, various (non-destructive) measuring methods from construction, agriculture, geology, or other fields can be used (e.g., the MIT-SCAN-T2 handheld device). The thickness of the biocement layer encompasses the area of ​​the substrate that is hardened by the addition of the mixture.

[0095] The strength of the biocement layer corresponds to the breaking force (in Newtons (N)) required to break the biocement layer. Breaking the biocement layer is the point at which no further (plastic) deformation of the layer occurs under force, and instead, the (biocement) layer breaks through. Breaking is indicated by a drop in the measured force. The breaking force (maximum value of the force measurement) can be determined using the following method: This method is based on the standardized test procedure for determining the strength of cement according to DIN EN 196-1:2005-05. Using a digital (breaking) force meter, the breaking force is measured according to the manufacturer's instructions. A test specimen is pressed into the sample (until breakage) using a crank test stand, and the applied force is continuously measured. The average breaking force is calculated from several measurements (>3).The average breaking strength is preferably between 0.5 and 1000 N, more preferably between 3 and 300 N.

[0096] A preferred method is also one as described herein, wherein the biocement layer formed (in step (d) of the method according to the invention) has a (water) permeability coefficient of greater than 10 9 up to 10° m / s, preferably greater than 10 9 up to 10 3 m / s, preferably greater than 10 8 up to 10 3 m / s.

[0097] Optionally, after step (d) of the method according to the invention, a further step (e) can be carried out, which includes or consists of checking whether plant growth, preferably weed growth, has been prevented or reduced. This check can be carried out, for example, by determining the degree of plant or weed cover by manual visual assessment, as described in the following examples. Step (e) of the method according to the invention can be repeated at regular intervals, for example, every 24 or 48 hours, if necessary.

[0098] A preferred method is as described above, wherein the substrate is selected from the group consisting of sand, soil, preferably topsoil and potting soil, humus, gravel, pebbles, loam, clay, silt, sawdust, paper, cardboard, particleboard, softwood, limestone, coal, and mixtures thereof. A further preferred substrate used in the method according to the invention is selected from the group consisting of organic and inorganic materials and mixtures thereof in which plant growth is possible, preferably cable sand, fine sand, natural sand, quartz sand, crystalline quartz sand, bird sand, gravel sand, jointing sand, crushed sand, quartz flour, mineral mixture (stone, chippings, gravel), Triple Hell, Savonniere stone flour, gypsum, loess, topsoil, crushed limestone sand, limestone flour, calcium carbonate (including...Polymorphs, derivatives and mixed forms, as well as naturally based (GCC ground calcium carbonate) and synthetic PCC (precipitated calcium carbonate), talc, dolomite, hydrated lime, trass, cements and mixtures, microsilicates, chalk (mixture), marble, perlite, overburden, spoil heap material, hematite, red ochre, magnesite, iron ore, steatite, soapstone, kaolin, marl, alumina, attapulgite, clay minerals, bentonite, zeolite, (calco)stucco, gravel (mining), glass flour, aluminum oxide, aluminum hydroxide, magnesium oxide, calcium oxide, calcium hydroxide, magnesite, slate flour, pumice, cristobalite (sand), Roman cement, bauxite, pyrite, sphalerite, silicates, oxides, carbonates, wood (shavings), mulch, alluvial soil, laterite, hematite, ash (wood, fly, bone ash) (Pig) farm soils, LUFA standard soils (e.g., http: / / www.lufa-speyer.de / or mixtures thereof).

[0099] A further preferred method is as described above, wherein the substrate is a soil or usable area, preferably in the open field, such as a (home) garden area, a joint surface of terraces or entrances and exits, an arable area, an orchard, an area for viticulture, a tree nursery area, a park, a part of a built-up property or urban area, a road, a street, a footpath, a railway line or an area that is used industrially.

[0100] Depending on the properties of the substrate to be treated, it may prove advantageous to add one or more of the above-mentioned additives to the substrate (or component (i), (ii) and / or (iii) of the mixture provided in step (b)) in order, for example, to improve the reactivity of the substrate with the biocement formed during the process according to the invention. This advantageously leads to a particularly hard or stable biocement layer, which suppresses weed growth particularly effectively.

[0101] The method according to the invention makes it possible, for example, to seal and / or harden joint surfaces of terraces, driveways, access roads, streets, or footpaths, or open areas, using biocementation, and thus effectively suppress the growth of plants, preferably weeds, in / on these substrates. The method according to the invention can also be used for weed suppression in agriculture, for example, on cultivated land in grain or fruit growing.

[0102] A preferred embodiment therefore relates to a method according to the invention as described herein, wherein the biocement layer formed in step (d) enables the (further) growth of cultivated plants, but prevents or reduces the growth of new weeds.

[0103] Bevorzugt ist ein Verfahren wie vorangehend beschreibungen, weinde die Pflanze bzw. the weeds selected are from the group consisting of dicotyledons of the genera: Abutilon, Aegopodium, Aethusa, Amaranthus, Ambrosia, Anachusa, Anagallis, Anoda, Anthemis, Aphanes, Arabidopsis, Atriplex, Barbarea, Bellis, Bidens, Bunias, Capsella, Carduus, Cassia, Centaurea, Chenopodium, Chrysanthemum, Cirsium, Conium, Conyza, Consolida, Convolvulus, Datura, Descurainia, Desmodium, Emex, Equisetum, Erigeron, Erodium, Erysimum, Euphorbia, Fumaria, Galeopsis, Galinsoga, Galium, Geranium, Heracleum, Hibiscus, Ipomoea, Kochia, Lamium, Lapsana, Lathyrus, Lepidium, Lithospermum, Linaria, Lindernia, Lycopsis, Malva, Matricaria, Mentha, Mercurialis, Mullugo, Myosotis, Papaver, Pharbitis, Plantago, Polygonum, Portulaca, Ranunculus, Raphanus, Rorippa, Rotala, Rumex, Salsola, Senecio, Sesbania, Sida, Sinapis, Sisymbrium, Solanum, Sonchus, Sphenoclea, Stachys, Stellaria, Taraxacum, Thlaspi, Trifolium, Tussaligo,Urtica, Veronica, Viola, Xanthium; Dicotyledons of the genera: Arachis, Beta, Brassica, Cucumis, Cucurbita, Helianthus, Daucus, Glycine, Gossypium, Ipomoea, Lactuca, Linum, Lycopersicon, Nicotiana, Phaseolus, Pisum, Solanum, Vicia Monocotyledons of the genera: Aegilops, Agropyron, Agrostis, Alopecurus, Apera, Avena, Brachiaria, Bromus, Cenchrus, Commelina, Cynodon, Cyperus, Dactyloctenium, Digitaria, Echinochloa, Eleocharis, Eleusine, Eragrostis, Eriochloa, Festuca, Fimbristylis, Heteranthera, Imperata, Ischaemum, Juncus, Leptochloa, Lolium, Monochoria, Panicum, Paspalum, Phalaris, Phleum, Poa, Rottboellia, Sagittaria, Scirpus, Setaria, Sorghum; und Monokotylen der Gattungen: Garlic, Pineapple, Asparagus, Oats, Barley, Rice, Panicum, Saccharum, Secale, Sorghum, Triticale, Triticum, Zea\ Moosen der Abstammungslinien Lebermoose (Marchantiosida), Hornmoose (Anthocerotopsida),Mosses (Bryopsida). According to a preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, the one, several or all of the plants are one or more liverworts selected from the group consisting of the genera: Acolea, Acrobolbus, Acrochila, Acromastigum, Acroscyphella, Acroscyphus, Acrostolia, Adelocolia, Aitchisoniella, Alicularia, AHisonia, Allisoniella, Alobiella, Alobiellopsis, Amazoopsis, Amphicephalozia, Amphilophocolea, Andrewsianthus, Aneura, Anomacaulis, Anomoclada, Anomylia, Anthelia, Anthelis, Aphanolejeunea, Aplozia, Apomarsupella, Apometzgeria, Apotreubia, Arachniopsis, Arctoscyphus, Arnellia, Ascidiota, Asterella, Athalamia, Austrofossombronia, Austrolembidium, Austrolophozia, Ausstrometzgeria, Austroscyphus, Balantiopsis, Bazzania, Blasia, Blepharidophyllum, Blepharostoma, Brevianthus, Calycularia, Calypogeia, Calyptrocolea, Campanocolea, Castanoclobos, Cavicularia, Cephalojonesia, Cephalolobus, Cephalomitrion, Cephalozia,Cephaloziella, Cephaloziopsis, Ceratolejeunea, Cesius, Chaetophyllopsis, Chiastocaulon, Chiloscyphus, Chloranthelia, Chonecolea, Cladomastigum, Cladopodiella, Clandarium, Clasmatocolea, Cololejeunea, Colura, Conocephalum, Conoscyphus, Corsinia, Cronisia, Crossogyna, Cryptochila, Cryptocolea, Cryptocoleopsis, Cryptomitrium, Cryptostipula, Cryptothallus, Cuspidatula, Cyanolophocolea, Cyathodium, Cylindrocolea, Delavayella, Dendrobazzania, Dendromastigophora, Denotarisia, Dichiton, Dinckleria, Diplocolea, Diplophyllum, Douinia, Drepanolejeunea, Drucella, Dumortiera, Dumortieropsis, Enigmella, Eocalypogeia, Eoisotachis, Eopleurozia, Eotrichocolea, Eremonotus, Eucalyx, Evansia, Evansianthus, Exormotheca, Fossombronia, Frullania, Fuscocephaloziopsis, Gackstroemia, Geocalyx, Geothallus, Gerhildiella, Goebeliella, Goebelobryum, Gongylanthus, Gottschea, Gottschelia, Greeneothallus, Grollea, Gymnanthe, Gymnocoleopsis, Gymnomitrion, Gymnoscyphus, Gyrothyra, Haesselia, Haplomitrium, Harpalejeunea,Harpanthus, Hattoria, Hattorianthus, Hattoriella, Hepatostolonophora, Herbertus, Herpetium, Herpocladium, Herzogianthus, Herzogobryum, Heterogemma, Heteroscyphus, Horikawaella, Hyalolepidozia, Hygrobiellalwatsukia, Hygrolembidium, Hygrophila, Hymenophyton, Hypoisotachis, Isolembidium, Isotachis, Jamesoniella, Jensenia, Jubula, Jubulopsis, Jungermannia, Jungermannites, Krunodiplophyllum, Kurzia, Kymatocalyx, Lamellocolea, Leiocolea, Leiomitra, Leiomylia, Leioscyphus, Lejeunea, Lembidium, Lepidogyna, Lepidolaena, Lepidozia, Leptolejeunea, Leptophyllopsis, Leptoscyphopsis, Leptoscyphus, Lethocolea, Liochlaena, Lobatiriccardia, Lophocolea, Lophonardia, Lophozia, Lophoziopsis, Lunularia, Macrodiplophyllum, Maculia, Makinoa, Mannia, Marchantia, Marchesinia, Marsupella, Marsupidium, Massula, Massularia, Mastigobryum, Mastigopelma, Mastigophora, Mastigopsis, Mesoptychia, Metacalypogeia, Metahygrobiella, Metzgeria, Metzgeriopsis, Micrisophylla, Microlejeunea, Microlepidozia, Micropterygium,Mizutania, Mnioloma, Moerckia, Monocarpus, Monoclea, Monodactylopsis, Monosolenium, Mytilopsis, Nanomarsupella, Nardia, Neesioscyphus, Neogrollea, Neohodgsonia, Neotrichocolea, Noteroclada, Nothogymnomitrion, Nothostrepta, Notoscyphus, Nowellia, Obtusifolium, Odontolejeunea, Odontoschisma, Oleolophozia, Oxymitra, Pachyglossa, Pachyschistochila, Pallavicinia, Paracromastigum, Paraschistochila, Patarola, Pedinophyllopsis, Pedinophyllum, Pellia, Peltolepsis, Perdusenia, Perssoniella, Petalophyllum, Phycolepidozia, Phyllothallia, Physiotium, Physotheca, Pisanoa, Plagiochasma, Plagiochila, Plagiochilidium, Plagiochilion, Platycaulis, Plectocolea, Pleuranthe, Pleuroclada, Pleurocladopsis, Pleurocladula, Pleurozia, Podanthe, Podomitrium, Porella, Prasanthus, Preissia, Prionolobus, Protolophozia, Protomarsupella, Protosyzgiella, Protosyzygiella, Pseudocephalozia, Pseudocephaloziella, Pseudolophocolea, Pseudolophozia, Pseudomarsupidium, Pseudoneura, Pseudotritomaria, Psiloclada, Pteropsiella,Ptilidium, Radula, Reboulia, Rhizocaulia, Rhodoplagiochila, Riccardia, Riccia, Ricciella, Ricciocarpos, Riella, Roivainenia, Ruizanthus, Ruttnerella, Saccobasis, Saccogyna, Sandeothallus, Sarcocyphos, Sarcomitrium, Sauteria, Scapania, Scaphophyllum, Schiffneria, Schisma, Schistochila, Schistochilaster, Schistochilopsis, Schofieldia, Sendtnera, Seppeltia, Sewardiella, Simodon, Solenostoma, Southbya, Sphaerocarpos, Sphagnoecetis, Sprucella, Steereella, Steereocolea, Stenorrhipis, Stephandium, Stephaniella, Stephaniellidium, Stephensoniella, Symphyogyna, Symphyogynopsis, Symphyomitra, Synhymenium, Syzygiella, Taeniolejeunea, Targionia, Tegulifolium, Telaranea, Thallocarpus, Treubia, Triandrophyllum, Trichocolea, Trichocoleopsis, Trichostylium, Trichotemnoma, Trilophozia, Tritomaria, Tylimanthus, Vanaea, Vandiemenia, Verdoornia, Vetaforma, Wettsteinia, Wiesnerella, Xenochila, Xenothallus, Zoopsidella, Zoopsis.,

[0104] According to a further preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, the one, several or all of the plants are one or more mosses selected from the group consisting of the genera: Abietinella, Acanthocladiella, Acanthocladium, Acanthodium, Acanthorrhynchium, Acaulon, Acaulonopsis, Achrophyllum, Acidodontium, Acrocladium, Acroporium, Acroschisma, Actinodontium, Actinothuidium, Adelothecium, Aequatoriella, Aerobryidium, Aerobryopsis, Aerobryum, Aerolindigia, Algaria, Aligrimmia, Alleniella, Allioniellopsis, Aloina, Aloinella, Alophosia, Alsia, Ambiyodon, Amblyodum, Amblystegiella, Amblystegium, Amblytropis, Ambuchanania, Amphidium, Amphoridium, Amphoritheca, Anacalypta, Anacamptodon, Anacolia, Ancistrodes, Andoa, Andreaea, Andreaeobryum, Anictangium, Anisothecium, Anodon, Anodontium, Anoectangium, Anomobryum, Anomodon, Antitrichia, Aongstroemia, Aongstroemiopsis, Apalodium, Aphanorrhegma, Apiocarpa, Aplodon, Apterygium, Aptychella,Aptychopsis, Aptychus, Arbuscula, Arbusculohypterygium, Archephemeropsis, Archidium, Arctoa, Argyrobryum,

[0105] Arthrocormus, Aschisma, Aschistodon, Asteriscium, Astomiopsis, Astomum, Astrodontium, Astrophyllum, Atractylocarpus, Atrichopsis, Atrichum, Aulacomitrium, Aulacomnium, Aulacopilum, Austinella, Austrohondaella, Austrophilibertiella, Baldwiniella, Barbella, Barbellopsis, Barbula, Bartramia, Bartramiopsis, Beeveria, Bellibarbula, Benitotania, Bestia, Bissetia, Blindia, Boulaya, Brachelyma, Brachydontium, Brachymenium, Brachymitrion, Brachyodus, Brachysteleum, Brachytheciastrum,

[0106] Brachytheciella, Brachythecium, Brachytrichum, Braithwaitea, Braunfelsia, Braunia, Breidleria, Breutelia, Brothera, Brotherella, Brotherobryum, Bruchia, Bryhnia, Brymela, Bryoandersonia, Bryobeckettia, Bryobrittonia, Bryobrothera, Bryoceuthospora, Bryochenea, Bryocrumia, Bryodixonia, Bryodusenia, Bryoerythrophyllum, Bryohaplocladium, Bryohumbertia, Bryomaltaea, Bryomanginia, Bryomnium, Bryonoguchia, Bryonorrisia, Bryophixia, Bryosedgwickia, Bryostreimannia, Bryotestua, Bryum, Buckiella, Bucklandiella, Burnettia, Buxbaumia, Callialaria, Callicladium, Callicosta, Callicostella, Callicostellopsis, Calliergidium, Calliergon, Calohypnum, Calymperastrum, Calymperes, Calymperidium, Calymperopsis, Calyptopogon, Calyptothecium, Calyptrochaeta, Camptochaete, Camptodontium, Camptothecium, Campyliadelphus, Campylidium, Campylium, Campylodontium, Campylophyllum,

[0107] Campylopodiella, Campylopodium, Campylopus, Campylostelium, Canalohypopterygium, Cardotia, Cardotiella, Caribaeohypnum, Catagoniopsis, Catagonium, Catharinea, Catharinella, Catharomnion, Catoscopium, Cecalyphum, Ceratodon, Ceuthospora, Ceuthotheca, Chaetomitrella, Chaetomitriopsis, Chaetomitrium, Chaetophora, Chamaebryum, Chamberlainia, Chameleion, Cheilothela, Chenia, Chileobryon,

[0108] Chionoloma, Chionostomum, Chorisodontium, Chryso-hypnum, Chrysoblastella, Chrysocladium, Chrysohypnum, Cinclidium, Circulifolium, Cirriphyllum, Cladastomum, Cladomnion, Cladophascum, Cladopodanthus, Cladopodanthus, Claopodium, Qasmatodon, Clastobryella, Clastobryophilum, Clastobryopsis, Clastobryum, Clavitheca, Cleistocarpidium, Cleistostoma, Climacium, Cnestrum, Codonoblepharon, Codonoblepharum, Codriophorus, Coelidium, Coleochaetium, Colobodontium, Conardia, Conomitrium, Conostomum, Coscinodon, Coscinodontella, Costesia, Craspedophyllum, Cratoneurella, Cratoneuron, Cratoneuropsis, Crosbya, Crossidium, Crossomitrium, Crumia, Crumuscus, Cryhphaea, Cryphaeadelphus, Cryptocarpon, Cryptodicranum, Cryptogonium, Cryptoleptodon, Cryptopapillaria, Cryptopodia, Cryptopodium, Cryptotheca, Ctenidiadelphus, Ctenidium, Ctenium, Cupressina, Curvicladium, Curviramea, Cyathophorella, Cyathophorum, Cyclodictyon, Cygniella, Cylicocarpus, Cynodon, Cynodontiella, Cynodontium, Cynontodium, Cyrto-hypnum,Cyrtomnium, Cyrtopodendron, Daltonia, Dasymitrium, Dawsonia, Dendro-hypnum, Dendroalsia, Dendrocyathophorum, Dendrohypopterygium, Dendroligotrichum, Dermatodon, Desmatodon, Desmotheca, Dialytrichia, Diaphanophyllum, Dichelodontium, Dichelyma, Dichodontium, Dicladiella, Dicnemoloma, Dicranella, Dicranodon, Dicranodontium, Dicranoloma, Dicranoweisia, Dicranum, Didymodon, Dimerodontium, Dimorphocladon, Diobelon, Diobelonella, Diphascum, Diphyscium, Diplocomium, Diploneuron, Diplostichum, Discelium, Discophyllum, Dissodon, Disticha, Distichium, Distichophyllidium, Distichophyllum, Ditrichopsis, Ditrichum, Dixonia, Dolichomitra, Dolichomitriopsis, Dolotortula, Donnellia, Donrichardsia, Dorcadion, Dozya, Drepanium, Drepano-hypnum, Dr.Endotrichella, Endotrichellopsis, Endotrichum, Entodon, Entosthodon, Entosthymenium, Eobruchia, Eohypopterygiopsis, Eoleucodon, Eosphagnum, Ephemerella, Ephemeridium, Ephemeropsis, Ephemerum, Epipterygium, Eremodon, Eriodon, Eriopus, Erpodium, Erythrobarbula, Erythrodontium, Erythrophyllastrum, Erythrophyllopsis, Erythrophyllum, Esenbeckia, Eucamptodontopsis, Eucatagonium, Eucladium, Euephemerum, Eumyurium, Euptychium, Eurhynchiadelphus, Eurhynchiastrum, Eurhynchiella, Eurhynchium, Eurohypnum, Eustichia, Euzygodon, Exodictyon, Exostratum, Exsertotheca, Fabroleskea, Fabronialschyrodon, Fabronidium, Fallaciella, Fauriella, Felipponea, Fiedleria, Fifealsotheciadelphus, Fissidens, Flabellidium, Fleischerobryum, Floribundaria, Florschuetziella, Flowersia, Fontinalis, Foreauella, Forsstroemia, Frahmiella, Funaria, Funariella, Gammiella, Ganguleea, Garckea, Garovaglia, Gasterogrimmia, Geheebia, Gemmabryum, Georgia, Gertrudia, Gertrudiella, Gigaspermum, Giraldiella, Globulina, Globulinella,Glossadelphus, Glyphomitrium, Glyphomitrium, Glyphothecium, Glyptothecium, Gollania, Gongronia, Goniobryum, Goniomitrium, Gradsteinia, Grimmia, Groutiella, Guembelia, Guerramontesia, Gymnostomiella, Gymnostomum, Gyroweisia, Habrodon, Habrodonlshibaealwatsukiella, Hageniella, Hamatocaulis, Hampeella, Hampeohypnum, Handeliobryum, Haplocladium, Haplodon, Haplodontium, Haplohymenium, Haptymenium, Harpidium, Harpophyllum, Harrisonia, Harveya, Hebantialtatiella, Hedenaesia, Hedenasiastrum, Hedwigia, Hedwigidium, Helicoblepharum,

[0109] Helicodontiadelphus, Helicodontium, Heliconema, Helicophyllum, Helodium, Hemiragis, Henicodium, Hennediella, Herpetineuron, Herzogiella, Heterocladium, Heterodon, Heterophyllium, Hildebrandtiella, Hilpertia, Himantocladium, Holoblepharum, Holodontium, Holomitriopsis, Holomitrium, Homalia, Homaliadelphus, Homaliodendron, Homaliopsis, Homalotheciella, Homalothecium, Homomallium, Hondaella, Hookeria, Hookeriopsis, Horikawaea, Horridohypnum, Husnotiella, Hyalophyllum, Hydrocryphaealsodrepanium, Hydrogonium, Hydropogon, Hydropogonella, Hygroamblystegium, Hygrodicranum, Hygrohypnella, Hygrohypnum, Hylocomiadelphus, Hylocomiastrum, Hylocomiopsis, Hylocomium, Hymenodon, Hymenodontopsis, Hymenoloma, Hymenostomum, Hymenostyliella, Hymenostylium, Hyocomium, Hyophila, Hyophiladelphus, Hyophilopsis, Hypnella, Hypnites, Hypnobartlettia, Hypnodendron, Hypnum, Hypodontium, Hypopterygium, Imbribryum, Indopottia, Indothuidium, Indusiella, Inouethuidium, Isopterygiopsis, Isopterygium, Isotheciopsis,Isothecium, Jaegerina, Jaegerinopsis, Jaffueliobryum, Juratzkaeella, Kiaeria, Kindbergia, Kingiobryum, Kleioweisiopsis, Koponenia, Kurohimehypnum, Lamprophyllum, Leersia, Leiodontium, Leiomela, Leiomitrium, Leiotheca, Lembophyllum, Lepidopilidium, Lepidopilum, Leptangium, Leptobarbula, Leptobryum, Leptocladiella, Leptocladium, Leptodictyum, Leptodontiella, Leptodontiopsis, Leptodontium, Leptohymenium, Leptophascum, Leptopterigynandrum, Leptostomopsis, Leptostomum, Leptotheca, Leptotrichella, Leptotrichum, Lepyrodon, Lepyrodontopsis, Leratia, Leratiella, Lescuraea, Leskea, Leskeadelphus, Leskeella, Leskeodon, Leskeodontopsis, Lesquereuxia, Leucobryum, Leucodon, Leucodontella, Leucolepis, Leucoloma, Leucomium, Leucoperichaetium, Leucophanella, Leucophanes, Levierella, Limbella, Limnobium, Limprichtia, Lindbergia, Lindigia, Loeskeobryum, Loeskypnum, Loiseabryum, Looseria, Lophiodon, Lopidium, Lorentzia, Lorentziella, Loxotis, Ludorugbya, Luisierella, Lyellia, Macgregorella, Macouniella,Macrocoma, Macrodictyum, Macrohymenium, Macromitrium, Macrosporiella, Macrothamniella, Macrothamnium, Mamillariella, Mandoniella, Maschalanthus, Maschalocarpus, Mastopoma, Matteria, Meesia, Meiotheciella, Meiotheciopsis, Meiothecium, Meiotrichum, Merceya, Merceyopsis, Mesochaete, Mesonodon, Mesotus, Metadistichophyllum, Metaneckera, Meteoridium, Meteoriella, Meteoriopsis, Meteorium, Metzlerella, Metzleria, Micralsopsis, Microbryum, Microcampylopus, Microcrossidium, Microctenidium, Microdus, Microeurhynchium, Micromitrium, Micropoma, Microthamnium, Microtheciella, Microthuidium, Miehea, Mielichhoferia, Mildea, Mildeella, Mironia, Mitrobryum, Mittenia, Mittenothamnium, Mitthyridium, Miyabea, Mniadelphus, Mniobryum, Mniodendron, Mniomalia, Mnium, Moenkemeyera, Molendoa, Mollia, Morinia, Moseniella, Muelleriella, Muellerobryum, Muscoflorschuetzia, Muscoherzogia, Myrinia, Myurella, Myuriopsis, Myurium, Myuroclada, Nanobryum, Nanomitriopsis, Nanomitrium, Neckera, Neckeradelphus, Neckerites,Neckeropsis, Nematocladia, Neobarbella, Neocardotia, Neodicladiella, Neodolichomitra, Neohyophila, Neolescuraea, Neolindbergia, Neomacounia, Neomeesia, Neonoguchia, Neophoenix, Neorutenbergia, Neosharpiella, Niphotrichum, Nobregaea, Nogopterium, Noguchiodendron, Notoligotrichum, Ochiobryum, Ochrobryum, Ochyraea, Octodiceras, Oedicladium, , Orthothuidium, Orthotrichum, Osterwaldiella, Oticodium, Oxyrrhynchium, Oxystegus, Pachyneuropsis, Pachyneurum, Palaeocampylopus, Palamocladium, Palisadula, Paludella, Palustriella, Panckowia, Pancovia, Papillaria, Papillidiopsis, Paraleucobryum, Paramyurium, Pararhacocarpus, Parisia,Pelekium, Pendulothecium, Pentastichella, Penzigiella, Peromnion, Pharomitrium, Phasconica, Phascopsis, Phascum, Philibertiella, Philonotis, Philophyllum, Photinophyllum, Phyllodon, Phyllodrepanium, Phyllogonium, Physcomitrella, Physcomitrium, Physedium, Picobryum, Pictus, Piloecium, Pilopogon, Pilopogonella, Piloseriopus, Pilotrichella, Pilotrichidium, Pilotrichum, Pinnatella, Pirea, Pireella, Plagiobryoides, Plagiobryum, Plagiomnium, Plagiopus, Plagioracelopus, Plagiothecium, Plasteurhynchium, Platydictya, Platygyriella, Platygyrium, Platyhypnidium, Platyhypnum, Platyloma, Platylomella, Platyneuron, Plaubelia, Pleuriditrichum, Pleuridium, Pleurochaete, Pleurophascum, Pleuropus, Pleurorthotrichum, Pleuroweisia, Pleurozium PleurozygodonPottiopsis, Powellia, Powelliopsis, Pringleella, Prionidium, Prionodon, Pseudatrichum, Pseudephemerum, Pseudisothecium, Pseudoamblystegium, Pseudobarbella, Pseudobraunia, Pseudobryum, Pseudocalliergon, Pseudocampylium,

[0110] Pseudochorisodontium, Pseudocrossidium, Pseudodimerodontium, Pseudodistichium, Pseudoditrichum, Pseudohygrohypnum, Pseudohyophila, Pseudohypnella, Pseudoleskea, Pseudoleskeella, Pseudoleskeopsis, Pseudopiloecium, Pseudopilotrichum, Pseudopleuropus, Pseudopohlia, Pseudopterobryum, Pseudoracelopus, Pseudorhynchostegiella, Pseudoscleropodium, Pseudosymblepharis, Pseudotimmiella, Pseudotrismegistia, Psilopilum, Pterigynandrum, Pterobryella, Pterobryidium, Pterobryon, Pterobryopsis, Pterogoniadelphus, Pterogonidium, Pterogoniella, Pterogonium, Pterygoneurum, Pterygophyllum, Ptilium, Ptychodium, Ptychomitriopsis, Ptychomitrium, Ptychomniella, Ptychomnion, Ptychostomum, Puiggaria, Puiggariella, Puiggariopsis, Pulchrinodus, Pungentella, Pursellia, Pylaisia, Pylaisiadelpha, Pylaisiella, Pylaisiobryum, Pyramidula, Pyramitrium, Pyromitrium, Pyrrhobryum, Quaesticula, Racelopodopsis, Racelopus, Racomitrium, Racopilum, Radulina, Raineria, Rauia, Rauiella, Regmatodon, Reimersia, Remyella, Renauldia,Rhabdodontium, Rhabdoweisia, Rhacocarpus, Rhacopilopsis, Rhamphidium, Rhaphidorrhynchium, Rhaphidostegium, Rhaphidostichum, Rhexophyllum, Rhizofabronia, Rhizogonium, Rhizohypnum, Rhizomnium, Rhizopelma, Rhodobryum, Rhyncho-hypnum, Rhynchostegiella, Rhynchostegiopsis, Rhynchostegium, Rhystophyllum, Rhytidiadelphus, Rhytidiastrum, Rhytidiopsis, Rhytidium, Richardsiopsis, Rigodiadelphus, Roellia, Rosulabryum, Rottleria, Rutenbergia, Saelania, Sagenotortula, Sainthelenia, Saitoa, Saitobryum, Saitoella, Sanionia, Saproma, Sarconeurum, Sarmentypnum, Sasaokaea, Sauloma, Scabridens, Schimperella, Schimperobryum, Schistidium, Schistomitrium, Schistophyllum, Schistostega, Schizomitrium, Schizymenium, Schliephackea, Schlotheimia, Schraderobryum, Schwetschkea, Schwetschkeopsis, Sciadocladus, Sciaromiella, Sciaromiopsis, Sciaromium, Sciuro-hypnum, Sclerodontium, Sclerohypnum, Scleropodiopsis, Scleropodium, Scopelophila, Scorpidium, Scorpiurium, Scouleria, Scytalina, Sebillea, Sehnemobryum, Sekra,Seligeria, Sematophyllites, Sematophyllum, Semibarbula, Serpoleskea, Serpotortella, Sharpiella, Shevockia, Sigmatella, Simophyllum, Simplicidens, Sinocalliergon, Sinskea, Skitophyllum, Skottsbergia, Solmsia, Solmsiella, Sorapilla, Sphaerangium, Sphaerocephalus, Sphaerothecium, Sphagnum, Spiridentopsis, Spirula, Splachnum, Sporledera, Spruceella, Squamidium, Stableria, Steerecleus, Steereobryon, Stegonia, Stellariomnium, Stenocarpidiopsis, Stenodesmus, Stenodictyon, Stenotheciopsis, Stenothecium, Steppomitra, Stereodon, Stereodontopsis, Stereohypnum, Steyermarkiella, Stokesiella, Stonea, Stoneobryum, Straminergon, Straminergon, Streblopilum, Streblotrichum, Streimannia, Strephedium, Streptocalypta, Streptocolea, Streptopogon, Streptotrichum, Stroemia, Strombulidens, Struckia, Struckia, Stylocomium, Swartzia, Symblepharis, Symphyodon, Symphysodon, Symphysodontella, Syntrichia, Syrrhopodon, Systegium, Taiwanobryum, Takakia, Tamariscella, Taxicaulis, Taxiphyllum, Taxithelium, Tayloria,Teichodontium, Teniolophora, Teretidens, Terrestria, Tetracoscinodon, Tetraphidopsis, Tetraphis, Tetraplodon, Tetrapterum, Tetrastichium, Tetrodontium, Thamniella, Thamniopsis, Thamnium, Thamnobryum, Thamnomalia, Thelia, Thiemea, Thuidiopsis, Thuidium, Thyridium, Thysanomitrion, Timmia, Timmiella, Timokoponenia, Toloxis, Tomentypnum, Tortella, Tortula, Touwiadendron, Trachybryum, Trachycarpidium, Trachycladiella, Trachycystis, Trachyloma, Trachymitrium, Trachyodontium, Trachyphyllum, Trachythecium, Trachyxiphium, Trematodum, Trichodon, Trichodontium, Tricholepis, Trichosteleum, Trichostomopsis, Trichostomum, Tridontium, Trigonodictyon, Tripterocladium, Triquetrella, Trismegistia, Tristichium, Tuerckheimia, Uleastrum, Uleobryum, Ulota, Unclejackia, Valdonia, Venturiella, Verrucidens, Vesicularia, Vesiculariopsis, Vetiplanaxis, Viridivellus, Vittia, Voitia, Vrolijkheidia, Warburgiella, Wardia, Warnstorfia, Webera, Weisiodon, Weisiopsis, Weissia, Weissiodicranum, Werneriobryum,Weymouthia, Wijkia, Wildia, Willia, Wilsoniella, Yunnanobryon, Zelometeorium, Zygodon, Zygotrichia.,

[0111] According to a further preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, the, one, several or all of the plants are one or more hornworts selected from the group consisting of the genera: Anthoceros, Dendroceros, Folioceros, Hattorioceros, Leiosporoceros, Megaceros, Mesoceros, Nothoceros, Notothylas, Paraphymatoceros, Phaeoceros, Phaeomegaceros, Phymatoceros, Sphaerosporoceros.

[0112] A further preferred method is as described above, wherein the mixture is in liquid form, as a gel, paste or as a powder (see above).

[0113] The mixture provided in step (b) of the method according to the invention can therefore be in the form of a mixture, preferably in powder form, or in the form of two, three, four or more separately existing liquid and / or gel-like and / or pasty and / or powdery pre-mixtures which are mixed together before or during application or introduction onto / into the substrate to be treated in step (c).

[0114] Advantageously, a single execution of steps (b) to (d) of the method according to the invention is usually sufficient to ensure satisfactory weed suppression.

[0115] According to a further embodiment, steps (b) to (d) and (b) and (c) can be repeated once, twice, three times, or more as required to ensure particularly effective biocementation of the substrate to be treated, and thus particularly effective weed suppression. Optionally, according to a further embodiment, before applying or introducing the mixture provided in step (b) onto / into the substrate to be treated (as identified in step (a) of the method according to the invention), one or more further process steps can be carried out, such as flame-treating plants, preferably weeds, located on / in the substrate, manually removing (weeding) plants, preferably weeds, located on / in the substrate, and / or treating the plants, preferably weeds, located on / in the substrate with chemical herbicides.These preliminary steps can also be repeated once, twice, three times or more.

[0116] A preferred embodiment relates to a method as described herein, wherein the formation of a biocement layer in step (d) of the method does not involve an exothermic reaction (as defined herein).

[0117] According to a preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, a step of removing the substrate identified in step (a), on / in which plant growth, preferably weed growth, is to be prevented or reduced, is not necessary to prevent or reduce plant growth and is therefore preferably not part of a method according to the invention, in particular since the solidification and / or hardening of the substrate during the formation of the biocement layer in step (d) of the method causes the prevention or reduction of plant growth, preferably weed growth.

[0118] Furthermore, within the framework of the inventive method as described herein, it is advantageously not necessary to compact the substrate on / in which plant growth is to be reduced or prevented, or the formed biocement layer, in order to prevent or reduce plant growth, preferably the growth of weeds, and thus preferably not be part of an inventive method.

[0119] The statements made herein regarding a use according to the invention also apply to a method according to the invention described herein and vice versa. This applies in particular to (preferred) embodiments of the use according to the invention that correspond to or can be derived from (preferred) embodiments of the method according to the invention, and vice versa. The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to selected examples. Unless otherwise stated, all information refers to weight.

[0120] Images:

[0121] Figure 1: Suppression of weed growth by non-ureolytic biocementation using the bacterial strain B. pseudofirmus: efficacy against monocots (annual bluegrass) and dicots (ribwort plantain). Mean weed cover during the 42-day documentation period with weekly monitoring of the control (top) compared to the sample treated with biocementation mixture 1 (middle). Visual representation (bottom) of weed growth in the control application (bottom left) compared to treatment with biocementation mixture 1 (bottom right) after 42 days of growth.

[0122] Figure 2: Suppression of weed growth by non-ureolytic biocementation using the bacterial strains A. crystallopoietes, B. cohnii, B. halodurans, and B. pseudofirmus: efficacy against monocots (annual bluegrass) and dicots (ribwort plantain). Mean weed cover levels during the 42-day documentation period with weekly measurements of the control compared to the samples treated with biocementation mixture 1.

[0123] Figure 3: Application of ureolytic biocementation with L. sphaericus to suppress weed growth in quartz sand: effect against monocotyledonous weeds

[0124] (Annual bluegrass) and dicotyledonous (ribwort plantain) weeds. Average weed growth coverage (top) over a 42-day documentation period with weekly assessment of control versus biocementing mixture 2 and biocementing mixture 3. Visual representation (center) of weed growth in the control application (center left) compared to treatment with

[0125] Biocement mixture 2 (center center) and biocement mixture 3 (center right) after 42 days of growth in the laboratory. Graphical representation of the hardening of the biocement layers (bottom) by examining the mean fracture strength of the samples.

[0126] Figure 4: Application of ureolytic biocementation with L. sphaericus for weed suppression in topsoil: efficacy against monocotyledonous (annual bluegrass) and dicotyledonous (ribwort plantain) weeds. Mean weed cover (top) over a 42-day documentation period with weekly assessment of control versus biocementation mixture 2 and biocementation mixture 3. Visual representation (center) of weed growth in the control application (center left) compared to treatment with

[0127] Biocement mixture 2 (center center) and biocement mixture 3 (center right) after 42 days of growth in the laboratory. Graphical representation of the hardening of the biocement layers (bottom) by examining the mean fracture strength of the samples.

[0128] Figure 5: Application of ureolytic biocementation with Sp. pasteurii to suppress weed growth in quartz sand: effect against monocotyledonous weeds

[0129] (Annual bluegrass) and dicotyledonous (ribwort plantain) weeds. Average weed growth coverage (top) over a 42-day documentation period with weekly assessment of the control versus biocementing mixture 4 and biocementing mixture 5. Visual representation (center) of weed growth in the control application (center left) compared to treatment with

[0130] Biocement mixture 4 (center center) and biocement mixture 5 (center right) after 42 days of growth in the laboratory. Graphical representation of the hardening of the biocement layers (bottom) by examining the mean fracture strength of the samples.

[0131] Figure 6: Application of ureolytic biocementation with Sp. pasteurii to suppress weed growth in topsoil: effect against monocotyledonous weeds

[0132] (Annual bluegrass) and dicotyledonous (ribwort plantain) weeds. Average weed growth coverage (top) over a 42-day documentation period with weekly assessment of the control versus biocementing mixture 4 and biocementing mixture 5. Visual representation (center) of weed growth in the control application (center left) compared to treatment with

[0133] Biocement mixture 4 (center center) and biocement mixture 5 (center right) after 42 days of growth in the laboratory. Graphical representation of the hardening of the biocement layers (bottom) by examining the mean fracture strength of the samples.

[0134] Figure 7: Application of biocementation for weed suppression in the field: efficacy against unsprouted and newly germinated weeds on agricultural land. Average coverage of the water control area (top) compared to the area treated with biocementation mixture 6 (middle) over a 42-day documentation period with weekly assessments. Visual representation of weed growth in the control application (bottom left) compared to treatment with biocementation mixture 6 (bottom right) after 42 days of growth in the field.

[0135] Figure 8: Application of biocementation to suppress weed growth in the field: efficacy against unsprouted and newly germinated weeds in paving joints. Average coverage of the water control (top) compared to the area treated with biocementation mixture 6 (middle) over a 42-day documentation period with weekly assessments. Visual representation of weed growth in the control application (bottom left) compared to treatment with biocementation mixture 6 (bottom right) after 42 days of growth in the field.

[0136] Examples:

[0137] Example 1: Non-urea-resistant biocementation with B. oseudofirmus -

[0138] Suppression of the growth of monocots and dicots

[0139] weeds

[0140] Materials and methods:

[0141] The experiment was conducted in the laboratory in plant pots with a volume of 450 cm³. 3The procedure was carried out. The application area was 78.5 cm² in each case. 2 A total of 6 samples were treated.

[0142] The soil substrate in the experiment consisted of quartz sand with a grain size of 0-2 mm. The sand was washed and dried by the manufacturer and used directly. 300 g of quartz sand were used per plant pot as the soil substrate.

[0143] The quartz sand was free of weeds before treatment and contained only remnants of endemic weed seeds or windblown seeds. However, these were insufficient for efficient weed growth. Weeds were sown with 0.2 g each of Plantago lanceolata (ribwort plantain) and Poa annua (annual bluegrass) per container. For this purpose, the weed seeds were worked into the topsoil at a depth of 2-4 mm. A liquid biocementing mixture 1 was used, consisting of the following components in the following concentrations:

[0144] 20.0 g / l yeast extract

[0145] 0.2 M calcium acetate

[0146] 0.2 M calcium lactate

[0147] 6.0 g / l urea

[0148] 5 x 10 L 8 cells / ml B. pseudofirmus

[0149] Furthermore, the mixture contains trace elements and traces of, for example, salts and sugars (<1 wt%). Urea served primarily as a nitrogen source in this medium (and not as a carbonate source).

[0150] All components of the present mixture capable of biocementation, except for the bacteria of the strain B. pseudofirmus, were in solid form. The bacteria were present as a liquid culture in a culture medium known from the prior art, as described, for example, in Jonkers HM et al., Tailor Made Concrete Structures - Walraven & Stoelhorst (eds), 2008, Taylor & Francis Group, London, ISBN 978-0-415-47535-8, Section 2.1, wherein, within the scope of the present invention, 5 g / L yeast extract was used. The solid components and the bacteria in liquid culture were mixed immediately before use, whereby the solid components dissolved.

[0151] Biocement mixture 1 and a water control were each applied to the test areas in three replicates. The application rate was consistently 5 liters per replicate per square meter. A pipette was used for application.

[0152] After application of the biocement mixture 1, an incubation period of 48 hours took place during which no irrigation occurred. During this period, the temperature ranged from a minimum of 14.2 °C to a maximum of 25.2 °C.

[0153] Weed growth was documented for 42 days after application. The minimum and maximum temperatures during this period were 10.7 °C and 34.0 °C, respectively. The containers were watered one to three times per week, as needed. The plant pots were exposed to natural light with a day / night cycle. Weed growth was documented weekly. Both the biocement layer (layer thickness, strength) and the so-called cover percentage were determined. The cover percentages of weed growth were determined by manually visual assessment of the plant pots at the specified times. The cover percentage describes the percentage of the area covered by weeds. From this, the Abbott efficacy was calculated as follows:

[0154] Efficiency = (Coverage Control Day xy - Coverage Product^ xy) / Coverage Control Day xy

[0155] To verify carbonate formation, 10 ml of the biocementing mixture 1 were incubated openly in a reaction vessel at room temperature for 24 h. The precipitated pellet was then obtained by centrifugation and drying. A carbonate test according to Scheibler was performed on the dried pellet.

[0156] Results:

[0157] Weed growth was almost completely reduced compared to the control (Fig. 1). The average coverage after 42 days was 2% on the treated area (Fig. 1, center) and 60% on the control area (Fig. 1, top). A biocement layer formed after treatment with the biocementing mixture 1 described above. Weed growth occurred mainly in areas where the biocement layer was damaged (e.g., in drying cracks). The time courses over the 42 days can be seen in Figure 1 (top and center). The effect of the biocementing on weed suppression is visible over time. Figure 1 illustrates the direct comparison between a control sample (bottom left) and an application sample (bottom right) after 42 days of growth. The final efficacy of the biocementing product was 96.7%.

[0158] The biocement mixture is advantageously as effective as many commercially available weed suppressants (data not shown), while avoiding various disadvantages of such weed suppressants.

[0159] Qualitative analysis of carbonate formation according to Scheibler showed a positive reaction for the biocement mixture. In contrast, the control showed no carbonate formation whatsoever (data not shown). Comparable effects on weed growth were also achieved with slightly modified formulations of biocement mixture 1, which contained calcium acetate, calcium lactate, and / or calcium chloride at concentrations of 0.05 to 0.3 M each and did not exceed a total calcium concentration of 0.4 M in the mixture (data not shown). Variations in the urea concentration (0.0 to 0.2 M) or in the amount of yeast extract (0.1 to 30 g / L) also yielded good results. Weed suppression was dependent on the concentrations of the components of the biocement mixture used (data not shown).

[0160] The entire experiment described above was alternatively conducted using weed seeds that had already germinated 24 hours before the application of the biocement mixture. For this experiment, the biocement mixture was applied 24 hours after the start of germination. The results obtained were comparable to those described in the present example, and an almost complete reduction of weed growth was achieved through the application of the mixture (data not shown).

[0161] Furthermore, in the previously described biocement mixture 1, the bacterial strain B. pseudofirmus was replaced by the same cell count concentration of B. cohnii, B. halodurans, or A. crystallopoietes, with the experiment being carried out as described above. B. cohnii and B. halodurans were in the same culture medium as B. pseudofirmus (see above), and A. crystallopoietes was in a known culture medium, such as that described in Hamilton, RW et al., Journal of Bacteriology 1977, 129(2), 874-879 (see section "Materials and Methods", pp. 874-875). The test results for weed suppression with these alternative biocement mixtures are shown in Figure 2.

[0162] Example 2: Ureolvtic biocementation with L. sohaericus

[0163] Suppression of the growth of monocots and dicots

[0164] weeds

[0165] Materials and methods:

[0166] In this experiment, two biocement mixtures, each containing the same bacterial strain, were tested on two different soil substrates. The experiment was conducted in the laboratory using plant pots with a volume of 450 cm³. 3 The procedure was carried out. The application area per vessel was 78.5 cm². 2 A total of 9 plant pots per soil substrate were treated with the two different biocementing mixtures (su).

[0167] The first soil substrate in the experiment consisted of quartz sand with a grain size of 0-2 mm. The quartz sand was washed and dried by the manufacturer and used directly. 300 g of quartz sand were used per plant pot as the soil substrate. In a subsequent series, sifted garden soil was used as the second soil substrate. Here, 250 g of garden soil were used per application container.

[0168] Both soil substrates were free of weeds prior to treatment. However, both soils contained minimal remnants of endemic weed seeds or windblown seeds. These were insufficient for efficient weed growth. A weed inoculation was carried out using 0.2 g of Plantago lanceolata (ribwort plantain) and 0.1 g of Poa annua (annual bluegrass) per container. For this purpose, the weeds were worked into the topsoil at a depth of 2-4 mm.

[0169] Two different liquid biocement mixtures were used in the experiment.

[0170] Mixture 2 consisted of the following components in the following concentrations:

[0171] 20.0 g / l yeast extract

[0172] 0.25 M calcium chloride

[0173] 18.0 g / l urea

[0174] 4 x 10 L 8 cells / ml L. sphaericus

[0175] Furthermore, the mixture contained trace elements and traces of substances such as salts and sugars (<1%). Urea served primarily as a carbonate source and secondarily as a nitrogen source in this medium.

[0176] In mixture 3, an additional 50 ml / l of Silicade 8 (silica sol-acrylic dispersion) was added as an additive. This additive was used to achieve longer-lasting stability of the biocement layer. The components of biocement mixtures 2 and 3 (without bacteria) were each in solid form. The bacteria were each in liquid culture in a culture medium known from the prior art, as described, for example, in Dick, J. et al., Biodegradation 2006, 17, 357-367 (see section "Materials and Methods", p. 359). The solid components and the bacteria in liquid culture were mixed immediately before use, causing the solid components to dissolve. Silicade 8 was in liquid form and was only added to mixture 3.

[0177] Biocement mixtures 2 and 3, along with a water control, were applied side-by-side in three replicates each to the two test substrates. The application rate was consistently 5 liters per replicate per square meter. A pipette was used for application.

[0178] After application of the biocement mixtures, an incubation period of 48 hours took place during which no irrigation occurred. During this period, the temperature ranged from a minimum of 12.4 °C to a maximum of 24.2 °C.

[0179] Weed growth was documented for 42 days after application. The minimum and maximum temperatures during this period were 9.7 °C and 27.9 °C, respectively. The containers were watered one to three times per week, as needed. The plant pots were exposed to natural light with a day / night cycle.

[0180] Weed growth was documented weekly. This included determining both the biocement layer (layer thickness, strength) and the so-called weed cover. Weed cover was determined by manually visual inspection of the plant pots at the specified times. The weed cover describes the percentage of the area covered by weeds. From this, the Abbott efficiency was calculated as follows:

[0181] Efficiency = (Coverage Control Day xy - Coverage Product xy) / Coverage Control Day xy

[0182] To verify carbonate formation, 10 ml each of biocement mixtures 2 and 3 were incubated openly in a reaction vessel at room temperature for 24 h. The precipitated pellets were then obtained by centrifugation and drying. A carbonate test according to Scheibler was performed on the dried pellets. Results:

[0183] On the quartz sand, weed growth was completely reduced compared to the control with both biocement mixtures 2 and 3 (Fig. 3). The average coverage after 42 days was [missing information].

[0184] The biocementation mixture 2 treated area showed 0% biocementation, the biocementation mixture 3 treated area also showed 0% biocementation, and the control area showed 31% biocementation. A biocement layer formed with both treatments (biocementation mixtures 2 and 3). Weed growth occurred primarily in areas where the biocement layer was damaged (e.g., in drying cracks). The time courses over the 42 days are shown in Figure 3 (top). The effect of biocementation on weed suppression is illustrated in Figure 3 (middle) and demonstrates the direct comparison between a control (center left), biocementation mixture 2 (center middle), and biocementation mixture 3 (center right). The final efficiency of both biocementation mixtures was 100%. After 42 days, the strength of the biocementation layers was determined (as described above).The biocement sample with mixture 2 exhibited a layer with an average breaking strength of 4.3 N, which is lower than that of mixture 3 at 19.1 N (see Fig. 3 (below)). By incorporating the additive Silicade 8 into the biocement layer (using biocement mixture 3), increased resistance to environmental parameters and thus a presumably longer service life could be achieved. The control sample had no biocement layer.

[0185] On the topsoil, weed growth was almost completely reduced compared to the control (Fig. 4). The average coverage after 42 days was 0% on the area treated with biocement mixture 2, 2% on the area treated with biocement mixture 3, and 50% on the control area. A biocement layer was formed with both treatments (biocement mixtures 2 and 3). Weed growth occurred mainly in areas where the biocement layer was damaged (e.g., in drying cracks). The time series over the 42 days can be seen in Figure 4 (top). The effect of biocementation on weed suppression is illustrated in Figure 4 (middle) and demonstrates the direct comparison between a control sample (center left), biocement mixture 2 (center center), and biocement mixture 3 (center right).The efficiency of the two biocement mixtures 2 and 3 was ultimately 100% and 96%, respectively. After 42 days, the strength of the resulting biocement layers was determined (as described above). The biocement sample with mixture 2 showed a layer with an average breaking strength of 20.5 N, which is lower than that of mixture 3 at 84.3 N. By incorporating the additive Silicade 8 into the biocement layer (using biocement mixture 3), increased resistance to environmental parameters and thus a presumably longer service life was achieved. The control sample had no biocement layer.

[0186] Qualitative analysis of carbonate formation according to Scheibler yielded a positive result for biocement mixtures 2 and 3. The controls showed no carbonate formation (data not shown).

[0187] Comparable effects on weed growth were also demonstrated with slightly modified formulations of biocement mixtures 2 and 3, containing calcium acetate, calcium lactate, and / or calcium chloride at concentrations of 0.05 to 0.3 M each, and not exceeding a total calcium concentration of 0.4 M (data not shown). Greater variation in urea concentration (e.g., 0.1 to 1.0 M) or in the amount of yeast extract (e.g., 0.1 to 30 g / L) also yielded good results. Weed suppression was dependent on the concentrations of the components used in the respective biocement mixture (data not shown).

[0188] All previously described trials were alternatively conducted using weed seeds that had already germinated 24 hours before the application of the respective biocement mixture. For this trial, the biocement mixture was applied 24 hours after germination began. The results obtained were comparable to those described in the present example, and an almost complete reduction of weed growth was achieved through the application of the respective mixture (data not shown).

[0189] Example 3: Ureolvtic biocementation with So. oasteurii

[0190] Growth suppression of monocots and dicots

[0191] Weeds: Materials and methods:

[0192] In the present experiment, two biocement mixtures, each containing the same bacterial strain, were tested on two different soil substrates.

[0193] The experiment was conducted in the laboratory in plant pots with a volume of 450 cm³. 3 The procedure was carried out. The application area was 78.5 cm² in each case. 2 A total of nine plant pots per soil substrate were treated with the two different bio-cementing mixtures (su). The application area per pot was 78.5 cm². 2 .

[0194] The first soil substrate in the experiment consisted of quartz sand with a grain size of 0-2 mm. The quartz sand was washed and dried by the manufacturer and used directly. 300 g of quartz sand were used per plant pot as the soil substrate. In a subsequent series, sifted garden soil was used as the second soil substrate. Here, 250 g of garden soil were used per application container.

[0195] Both soil substrates were free of weeds prior to treatment. Minimal remnants of endemic weed seeds or windblown seeds were present in both soils. However, these were insufficient for efficient weed growth. Weeds were sown using 0.2 g of Plantago lanceolata (ribwort plantain) and 0.1 g of Poa annua (annual bluegrass) per container. For this purpose, the weeds were worked into the topsoil at a depth of 2-4 mm.

[0196] Two different liquid biocement mixtures were used in the experiment.

[0197] Mixture 4 consisted of the following components in the following concentrations:

[0198] 20.0 g / l yeast extract

[0199] 0.25 M calcium chloride

[0200] 18.0 g / l urea

[0201] 4 x 10 L8 cells / ml Sp. paste urii. Furthermore, the mixture contained trace elements and traces of, for example, salts and sugars (<1%). Urea served primarily as a carbonate source and secondarily as a nitrogen source in this medium.

[0202] Mixture 5 also contained 50 ml / l of Silicade 8 (silica sol-acrylic dispersion) as an additive. This additive was used to achieve longer-lasting stability of the biocement layer.

[0203] The components of biocement mixtures 4 and 5 (excluding bacteria) were each in solid form. The bacteria were each in liquid culture in a culture medium known from the prior art, as described, for example, in Cuthbert, MO et al., Ecological Engineering 2012, 41, 32-40 (see Section 2.2, p. 33). The solid components and the bacteria in liquid culture were mixed immediately before use, causing the solid components to dissolve. Silicade 8 was in liquid form and was only added to mixture 5.

[0204] Biocement mixtures 4 and 5, along with a water control, were applied in three replicates each to the two test substrates side by side. The application rate was consistently 5 liters per replicate per square meter. A pipette was used for application.

[0205] After application of the respective biocement mixtures, an incubation period of 48 hours took place during which no irrigation occurred. During this period, the temperature ranged from a minimum of 12.4 °C to a maximum of 24.2 °C.

[0206] Weed growth was documented for 42 days after application. The minimum and maximum temperatures during this period were 9.7 °C and 27.9 °C, respectively. The containers were watered one to three times per week, as needed. The plant pots were exposed to natural light with a day / night cycle.

[0207] Weed growth was documented weekly. This included determining both the biocement layer (layer thickness, strength) and the so-called cover rate. Weed cover rates were determined by manually visual inspection of the plant pots at the specified times. Cover rate describes the percentage of the area covered by weeds. From this, the efficiency was calculated according to Abbott as follows: Efficiency = (Cover Rate Control Day xy - Cover Rate Product^ xy) / Cover Rate Control Day xy

[0208] To verify carbonate formation, 10 ml each of biocementing mixtures 4 and 5 were incubated openly in a reaction vessel at room temperature for 24 h. The precipitated pellet was then obtained by centrifugation and drying. A carbonate test according to Scheibler was performed on the dried pellets.

[0209] Results:

[0210] Weed growth on the quartz sand was completely eliminated compared to the control (Fig. 5). The average coverage after 42 days was 0% on the area treated with biocement mixture 4, 0% on the area treated with biocement mixture 5, and 40% on the control area. A biocement layer formed upon treatment with the mixtures. Weed growth occurred mainly in areas where the biocement layer was damaged (e.g., in drying cracks). The time courses over the 42 days can be seen in Figure 5 (top). The effect of biocementation on weed suppression is illustrated in Figure 5 (middle) and demonstrates the direct comparison between a control (center left), biocement mixture 4 (center middle), and biocement mixture 5 (center right). The final efficacy of both biocement mixtures was almost 100%.After 42 days, the strength of the biocement layers was determined (as described above). The biocement sample with mixture 4 showed a layer with an average breaking strength of 4.1 N, while the sample with mixture 5 showed an average breaking strength of 19.3 N (see Fig. 5 (below)). By incorporating the additive Silicade 8 into the biocement layer (using biocement mixture 5), increased resistance to environmental parameters and thus a presumably longer service life were achieved. No biocement layer was present in the control sample.

[0211] On the topsoil, weed growth was almost completely reduced compared to the control (Fig. 6). The average coverage after 42 days was 0% on the area treated with biocement mixture 4, 0% on the area treated with biocement mixture 5, and 50% on the control area. A biocement layer formed upon treatment with the mixtures. Weed growth occurred mainly in areas where the biocement layer was damaged (e.g., in drying cracks). The time courses over the 42 days can be seen in Figure 6 (top). The effect of biocementation on weed suppression is illustrated in Figure 6 (middle) and demonstrates the direct comparison between a control sample (center left), mixture 4 (center middle), and mixture 5 (center right). The final efficacy of both biocement mixtures was 100%.After 42 days, the strength of the resulting biocement layers was determined. The biocement sample with mixture 4 showed a layer with an average breaking strength of 20.8 N, while the sample with mixture 5 had an average breaking strength of 66.8 N. By incorporating the additive Silicade 8 into the biocement layer (using biocement mixture 5), increased resistance to environmental parameters and thus a presumably longer service life was achieved. No biocement layer was present in the control sample.

[0212] Qualitative analysis of carbonate formation according to Scheibler yielded a positive result for biocement mixtures 4 and 5. The controls showed no carbonate formation (data not shown).

[0213] Comparable effects on weed growth were also demonstrated with slightly modified formulations of biocement mixtures 4 and 5, containing calcium acetate, calcium lactate, and / or calcium chloride at concentrations of 0.05 to 0.3 M each, and not exceeding a total calcium concentration of 0.4 M (data not shown). Greater variation in urea concentration (e.g., 0.1 to 1.0 M) also yielded good results. Weed suppression was dependent on the concentrations of the components used in the respective biocement mixture (data not shown).

[0214] All previously described trials were alternatively conducted using weed seeds that had already germinated 24 hours before the application of the respective biocement mixture. For this purpose, the respective biocement mixture was applied 24 hours after the start of germination. The results obtained were comparable to those described in the present example, and an almost complete reduction of weed growth was achieved through the application of the respective mixture (data not shown). Example 4: Open field - suppression of weeds on agricultural land and paved joints

[0215] Materials and methods:

[0216] The trial was conducted on agricultural land and a grouted driveway. The application area was 6 m² in each case. 2 .

[0217] The soil substrate of the agricultural area consisted of natural topsoil. Before the application of the mixture according to the invention (su), the agricultural area was cleared of established weeds by chemical treatment with glyphosate (approximately 6 months prior to the present experiment). After this pretreatment, no plant residues remained on the surface.

[0218] The driveway jointing material consisted mainly of jointing gravel and jointing sand. These surfaces were mechanically cleared of established weeds using a brush cutter before application. After this pretreatment, no plant residue remained on the surface.

[0219] Both soils contained the weed seeds naturally occurring there, windblown seeds, and possibly fresh seedlings or plant debris. No artificial weed sowing was carried out, as sufficient endemic weeds were present at both locations.

[0220] The experiment used a liquid biocementing mixture 6, which consists of the following components and concentrations:

[0221] 18.0 g / l urea

[0222] 62.5 g / l lignosulfonate

[0223] 5 c 10 L 8 cells / ml Sporosarcina pasteurii

[0224] Furthermore, the solution contains trace elements and traces of, for example, salts, sugars and yeast extract (<1%).

[0225] The bacteria were present as a liquid culture in culture medium (see description in the preceding Example 3). The urea and lignosulfonate were originally in solid form. They were dissolved in water immediately before use and mixed with the liquid bacterial culture. The biocementing mixture 6 and a water control were applied to the two test areas in three replicates each. The application rate per square meter was consistently 4 liters per replicate. A standard watering can (5 l volume) was used for application.

[0226] After application of the biocement mixture 6, an incubation period of 48 hours took place, during which no rain or artificial irrigation occurred. During this period, the temperature ranged from a minimum of 5 °C to a maximum of 25 °C.

[0227] Weed growth was documented for 42 days after application. The minimum and maximum temperatures were 5 °C and 33 °C, respectively. Total rainfall during the documentation period was 91 mm (l / m²). 2 Due to the weather conditions, no additional watering was necessary.

[0228] Weed growth was documented weekly. This included determining both the biocement layer (layer thickness, strength) and the so-called weed cover. Weed cover was determined by manually visual inspection of the plant pots at the specified times. The weed cover describes the percentage of the area covered by weeds. From this, the Abbott efficiency was calculated as follows:

[0229] Efficiency = (Coverage Control Day xy - Coverage Product^ xy) / Coverage Control Day xy

[0230] Results:

[0231] On the agricultural land, weed growth was significantly reduced compared to the control. The coverage after 42 days was 3.3% on the treated areas and 70.0% on the control area. A biocement layer was formed. Weed growth occurred mainly in areas where the biocement layer was damaged (e.g., in drying cracks). The time courses over the 42 days can be seen in Figure 7 (top, water control) and Figure 7 (middle, treatment with biocement mixture 6). Figure 7 (bottom) illustrates (within the marked area) the direct comparison between the control and the application. The final efficacy of biocement mixture 6 was 95.2%.

[0232] On the grouted driveway, weed growth was also significantly reduced compared to the control area. The coverage after 42 days was 3.7% on the treated areas and 40.0% on the control area. Here, too, a biocement layer formed. The time courses over the 42 days can be seen in Figure 8 (top, water control) and Figure 8 (middle, treatment with biocement mixture 6). Figure 8 (bottom) illustrates the direct comparison between the control and the application (within the joints). The final efficacy of the biocement product was 90.8%.

[0233] The biocement mixture is advantageously as effective as many commercially available weed suppressants (data not shown), while avoiding various disadvantages of such weed suppressants.

[0234] Comparable effects on weed growth in the field were also shown with alternative mixture formulations that additionally contained 0.1 M to 0.3 M CaCl₂ (relative to mixture 6) (data not shown). A greater variation in urea concentration (1.0 to 0.15 M) also yielded good weed suppression efficacy (data not shown).

Claims

Patent claims:

1. Use of a mixture capable of biocementation as a means of preventing or reducing plant growth, preferably the growth of weeds.

2. Use according to claim 1, wherein the mixture comprises or consists of one or more organisms and / or enzymes.

3. Use according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the mixture comprises or consists of the following components: (i) one or more organisms and / or enzymes that are capable of forming, inducing and / or catalyzing carbonate formation, (ii) one or more substances that form carbonate, (iii) optional: one or more cation gulels, and (iv) optional: one or more additives.

4. Use according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the organism(s), optionally in component (i), of the mixture is / are an organism / several organisms which, when performing an assay A comprising the following steps Assay A (i) Providing and bringing into contact an organism or mixture of organisms to be characterized, one or more substances to form carbonate and optionally other substances and optionally a substrate, (ii) Providing a means of detecting ureolysis and / or carbonate formation, (iii) Combining the mixture resulting from step (i) with the agent from step (ii), and (iv) Determining, using the means from step (ii), whether ureolysis and / or carbonate formation is present, in step (iv) leading to the detection of ureolysis and / or carbonate formation, preferably - if a substrate has been provided - to the detection of biocementation, preferably one sufficient to prevent or reduce plant growth, preferably the growth of weeds.

5. Use according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the mixture is in liquid form, as a gel, paste or as a powder.

6. Use according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein one or more or all of the organisms are selected from the group consisting of microorganisms, preferably selected from the group consisting of microorganisms of the phylum Firmicutes, preferably of the class Bacilli, preferably of the order Bacillales, preferably of the families Planococcaceae or Bacillaceae, preferably of the genera Sporosarcina, Lysinibacillus or Bacillus, preferably selected from the species Sporosarcina pasteurii, Sporosarcina ureae, Lysinibacillus sphaericus, Lysinibacillus fusiformis, Bacillus megaterium, Lysinibacillus sp., Bacillus pseudofirmus, Bacillus halodurans or Bacillus cohnir, and microorganisms of the division Proteobacteria, preferably of the classes Alphaproteobacteria, Gammaproteobacteria, Deltaproteobacteria or Epsilonproteobacteria, preferably of the orders Enterobacteriales, Myxococcales, Campylobacterales, Pseudomonadales or Caulobacterales, preferably of the families Enterobacteriaceae, Myxococcaceae, Helicobacteraceae, Pseudomonadaceae or Caulobacteraceae, preferably of the genera Proteus, Myxococcus, Helicobacter, Pseudomonas or Brevundimonas, preferably selected from the species Proteus vulgaris, Proteus mirabilis, Myxococcus xanthus, Helicobacter pylori, Pseudomonas aeruginosa or Brevundimonas diminuta; and microorganisms of the division Actinobacteria, preferably of the class Actinobacteria, preferably of the order Actinomycetales, preferably of the families Brevibacteriaceae or Micrococcineae, preferably of the genera Brevibacterium or Micrococcaceae, preferably selected from the species Brevibacterium iinens or Arthrobacter crystallopoietes; and microorganisms of the division Cyanobacteria, preferably of the class Cyanobacteria, preferably of the order Synechococcales, preferably of the family Synechococcaceae, preferably of the genus Synechococcus, preferably of the species Synechococcus; and aerobic bacteria, anaerobic bacteria, facultative anaerobic bacteria and their intermediates.

7. Use according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein one or more or all of the enzymes are selected from the group consisting of urease, asparaginase, carbonic anhydrase and metabolic enzymes.

8. Use according to any one of claims 3 to 7, wherein one or morethe, several or all substances selected for the formation of carbonate are from the group consisting of urea and its salts, organic acids such as lactic acid and its salts, preferably carboxylates, and their esters, gluconic acid and its salts, preferably carboxylates, and their esters, acetic acid and its salts, preferably carboxylates, and their esters, formic acid and its salts, preferably carboxylates, and their esters, peptides, preferably containing asparagine, glutamine and / or glutamic acid, amino acids, preferably asparagine, glutamine and glutamic acid, and their salts, preferably carboxylates, and their esters, plant and animal complex substrates, in particular peptone, yeast extract, meat extract, nutrient broth and casamino acid, industrial residue streams, in particular corn steeping water, lactose mother liquor, protein lysates, preferably from peas, meat or tomatoes, anaerobic substrates, preferably carbon dioxide and methane.

9. Use according to any one of claims 3 to 8, wherein one, several or all of the cation gules are selected from the group consisting of organic and inorganic calcium salts, preferably calcium nitrate, calcium acetate, calcium lactate and calcium chloride, magnesium salts, manganese salts, zinc salts, cobalt salts, nickel salts, copper salts, lead salts, iron salts, cadmium salts, polymers, preferably cationic polymers, heavy metal cations, light metal cations, radioactive cations and their mixtures.

10. Use according to any one of claims 3 to 9, wherein one, several or all of the additives are selected from the group consisting of nutrients; (bio)polymers, preferably polyhydroxybutyrate, polylactide, polybutylene succinate, polyacrylic acid, polymethacrylate, poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate), polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl acetate, polyvinylpyrrolidone, poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline), polystyrene, polyamide, copolymers, polyamino acids, cellulose and their derivatives, starch and their derivatives, lignins and their derivatives, pectins and their derivatives, natural adhesives, in particular gum arabic, latex, rubber, and their derivatives, chitin and its derivatives, chitosan and its derivatives, cyclodextrins and their derivatives, dextrins and their derivatives; Hydrogel formers, preferably xanthan gum, alginates and agar agars; cold-soluble and / or warm-soluble (plant) glues;Calcium carbonates and mixtures containing calcium carbonates, preferably mother-of-pearl, amorphous calcium carbonates, precipitated calcium carbonate, aragonite, calcite, vaterite, and mixtures and derivatives thereof; polysaccharides and extracellular polymeric substances (EPS), preferably microbial exopolysaccharides, preferably containing or consisting of maleic acid, acetic acid, lactic acid, lactose, sucrose, glucose, fructose, and / or inulin; protein sources, fibers, and fibrous materials, preferably casein, albumin, yeast extracts, peptones, cellulose fibers, wood fibers, and wood cellulose fibers; residues and industrial materials, preferably corn steep water, lactose mother liquor, protein lysates, molasses, protein waste, preferably from yeast production, meat processing, the dairy industry, and papermaking; silicates and their derivatives; acrylates and their derivatives; water glasses and water glass-like binders;Cements and cement additives, preferably sand, lime and its derivatives, aluminum oxide, calcium oxide, calcium hydroxide, aluminum hydroxide, ash, preferably fly ash and bone ash, microsilica, kaolins, bentonites, fillers, preferably hydrated lime, crushed limestone sand and limestone flour; resins and epoxides; natural and chemical herbicides; fungicides; molluscicides; insecticides; water repellents and wax emulsions; emulsifying agents; binders; thixotropic agents; nucleation sites and crystallization modifiers; fatty acids; minerals and trace elements; salts, preferably phosphates and sulfates; rocks; preferably pumice and slate flour; bacteria capable of forming polymers; and substance(s) that modify / modify the biocementation.

11. Verwendung nach einem der Anschluss 1 bis 10, weinde die Pflanze bzw. the weeds selected are from the group consisting of dicotyledons of the genera: Abutilon, Aegopodium, Aethusa, Amaranthus, Ambrosia, Anachusa, Anagallis, Anoda, Anthemis, Aphanes, Arabidopsis, Atriplex, Barbarea, Bellis, Bidens, Bunias, Capsella, Carduus, Cassia, Centaurea, Chenopodium, Chrysanthemum, Cirsium, Conium, Conyza, Consolida, Convolvulus, Datura, Descurainia, Desmodium, Emex, Equisetum, Erigeron, Erodium, Erysimum, Euphorbia, Fumaria, Galeopsis, Galinsoga, Galium, Geranium, Heracleum, Hibiscus, Ipomoea, Kochia, Lamium, Lapsana, Lathyrus, Lepidium, Lithospermum, Linaria, Lindernia, Lycopsis, Malva, Matricaria, Mentha, Mercurialis, Mullugo, Myosotis, Papaver, Pharbitis, Plantago, Polygonum, Portulaca, Ranunculus, Raphanus, Rorippa, Rotala, Rumex, Salsola, Senecio, Sesbania, Sida, Sinapis, Sisymbrium, Solanum, Sonchus, Sphenoclea, Stachys, Stellaria, Taraxacum, Thlaspi, Trifolium, Tussaligo, Urtica,Veronica, Viola, Xanthium ; Dicots of the genera: Arachis, Beta, Brassica, Cucumis, Cucurbita, Helianthus, Daucus, Sorghum; and monocots of the genera: Allium, Ananas, Asparagus, Avena, Hordeum, Oryza, Panicum, Saccharum, Secale, Sorghum, Triticale, Triticum, Zea; mosses of the lineages liverworts, hornworts, and true mosses (Bryopsida); preferably wherein the growth of at least two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, more than ten, or all of these plants is prevented or reduced.

12. Use according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the biocement layer formed has a water permeability coefficient of greater than 10 9 until 10° m / s, preferably greater than 10 9 up to 10 3 m / s, preferably greater than 10 8 up to 10 3 m / s.

13. Use according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the biocementation reaction is not an exothermic reaction.

14. Method for preventing or reducing plant growth, preferably the growth of weeds, on / in a substrate, consisting of or comprising the following steps: (a) Identifying a substrate to be treated on / in which plant growth, preferably weed growth, is to be prevented or reduced, (b) Providing a mixture as defined in any one of claims 1 to 10, (c) Applying and / or introducing the mixture provided in step (b) onto / into the substrate to be treated, in a quantity sufficient to enable biocementation, and (d) Forming a biocement layer to prevent or reduce plant or weed growth on / in the substrate.

15. Method according to claim 14, wherein the substrate is selected from the group consisting of sand, soil, preferably topsoil and potting soil, humus, gravel, pebbles, loam, clay, silt, sawdust, paper, cardboard, chipboard, softwood, limestone, coal and mixtures thereof.

16. The method of claim 14 or 15, wherein the plant or weed is selected from the group consisting of dicotyledons of the genera: Abutilon, Aegopodium, Aethusa, Amaranthus, Ambrosia, Anachusa, Anagallis, Anoda, Anthemis, Aphanes, Arabidopsis, Atriplex, Barbarea, Bellis, Bidens, Bunias, Capsella, Carduus, Cassia, Centaurea, Chenopodium, Chrysanthemum, Cirsium, Conium, Conyza, Consolida, Convolvulus, Datura, Descurainia, Desmodium, Emex, Equisetum, Erigeron, Erodium, Erysimum, Euphorbia, Fumaria, Galeopsis, Galinsoga, Galium, Geranium, Heracleum, Hibiscus, Ipomoea, Kochia, Lamium, Lapsana, Lathyrus, Lepidium, Lithoserpermum, Linaria, Lindernia, Lycopsis, Malva, Matricaria, Mentha, Mercurialis, Mullugo, Myosotis, Papaver, Pharbitis, Plantago, Polygonum, Portulaca, Ranunculus, Raphanus, Rorippa, Rotala, Rumex, Salsola, Senecio, Sesbania, Sida, Sinapis, Sisymbrium, Solanum, Sonchus, Sphenoclea, Stachys, Stellaria, Taraxacum, Thlaspi, Trifolium, Tussaligo, Urtica, Veronica, Viola, Xanthium ; Dicots of the genera: Arachis, Beta, Brassica, Cucumis, Cucurbita, Helianthus, Daucus, Sorghum; and monocots of the genera: Allium, Ananas, Asparagus, Avena, Hordeum, Oryza, Panicum, Saccharum, Secale, Sorghum, Triticale, Triticum, Zea; mosses of the lineages liverworts, hornworts, and true mosses.

17. Method according to any one of claims 14 to 16, wherein the mixture is in liquid form, as a gel, paste or as a powder.

18. Method according to any one of claims 14 to 17, wherein the biocement layer formed has a water permeability coefficient of greater than 10 9 up to 10° m / s, preferably greater than 10 9 up to 10 3 m / s, preferably greater than 10 8 up to 10 3 m / s.

19. Method according to any one of claims 14 to 18, wherein the formation of a biocement layer in step (d) of the method does not include an exothermic reaction.

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