Methods for reducing plant damage and increasing crop yield

Abstract

Methods of reducing plant damage and / or increasing plant or crop yield are provided. The method comprises contacting a plant, a plant part, soil or a soilless culture medium with an HYT plant modifier composition and one or more pesticides and / or plant growth regulators, wherein the HYT plant modifier and the one or more pesticides and / or plant growth regulators are simultaneously or sequentially contacted with the plant, plant part, soil or soilless culture medium.

Description

[0001] Cross - Reference to Related Applications

[0002] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 439,354, filed on January 17, 2023, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Technical Field

[0003] The present disclosure relates to methods for reducing plant damage and increasing crop yields, particularly by using plant modifiers or formulation excipients. Background Art

[0004] Pesticides (e.g., herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, bactericides, acaricides, nematicides, defoliants, fumigants, etc.) and plant growth regulators are used to control pests and enhance the growth, yield, and overall value of desired vegetation in agricultural, horticultural, industrial, and non - crop environments. Pesticides and / or plant growth regulators are typically selective for desired vegetation for many reasons, which may include one or more of the following: 1) genetic manipulation or breeding methods (GMO and non - GMO) for enhanced resistance / tolerance; 2) natural mechanisms of resistance, including but not limited to target - site insensitivity or absence and metabolism, compartmentalization, or exudation of these chemicals; 3) differential application methods or placement selectivity of these chemicals to minimize contact and absorption in desired vegetation; 4) limiting the use rate of pesticides and plant growth regulators to the lowest possible dose that still controls the desired pests or allows the desired improvement in plant yield or productivity without harming the desired vegetation; and 5) using safeners and antidotes in mixtures.

[0005] Recommend application rates of pesticides and plant growth regulators to produce desired effects while minimizing potential damage to desired vegetation. The selectivity of pesticides and / or plant growth regulators can be affected by many factors, including tank mix components (e.g., adjuvants), soil conditions, rainfall, soil / air temperature, and various environmental factors. To enhance crop selectivity, safeners can be included in formulations to prevent, mask, or aid in recovery from pesticide and / or plant growth regulator damage. Safeners, such as natural or synthetic ones, while valuable, also have limitations as some safeners are only effective against specific chemicals or specific classes of chemicals, and the vast majority of these safeners only aid in crop response to pesticides and plant growth regulators in monocot crops (such as corn, rice, wheat, sorghum, etc.). One of the rare cases of pesticide safening in dicot crops is when an organophosphate insecticide (e.g., phorate or disulfoton) is applied in combination with the pre - herbicide clomazone, thus preventing its conversion to the active form keto - clomazone and making it a beneficial herbicide in cotton. However, most dicot crops lack viable options for mixture additives that would mitigate phytotoxic symptoms caused by pesticides and plant growth regulators. In fact, there are no examples of tank - mix additives that can reduce the phytotoxicity of pesticides and plant growth regulators to various desired dicotyledonous and monocotyledonous vegetation.

[0006] Safeners and antidotes can reduce visual symptoms associated with phytotoxic responses caused by pesticides and plant growth regulators; however, they do not always offset all fitness penalties associated with such damage to desired vegetation. In fact, while the desired vegetation may visually recover and appear normal, there are often negative impacts late in the growing season, including losses in yield or product quality. Therefore, there is still a need for products that help prevent or reverse the phytotoxic effects of many chemical classes of pesticides and plant growth regulators in a wide range of crops (monocot and dicot crops), while ensuring maximum yield and product quality metrics. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The present disclosure provides methods for reducing plant damage and / or increasing plant or crop yields. The methods include contacting a plant, plant part, soil, or soilless medium with an HYT plant modifier composition and one or more pesticides and / or plant growth regulators, wherein the contacting with the HYT plant modifier and the one or more pesticides and / or plant growth regulators is simultaneous or sequential. In some examples, the one or more pesticides include one or more herbicides, one or more insecticides, one or more fungicides, one or more bactericides, one or more acaricides, and / or one or more nematicides. In some examples, the methods further include contacting the plant, plant part, soil, or soilless medium with one or more additional tank mix additives or formulation components.

[0008] In some examples, the HYT plant modifier composition comprises one or more of chitosan, glucosamine, amino acids, trace elements, proteins, and polysaccharides. In some examples, the HYT plant modifier composition comprises about 0.01 - 0.025% w / w chitin, about 0.03 - 0.045% w / w chitosan, about 0.002 - 0.005% w / w N-acetylglucosamine, and about 0.001 - 0.0025% w / w glucosamine. In one specific example, the HYT plant modifier composition is B (AMVAC Chemical Corporation). In some examples, the plant, plant part, soil, or soilless medium is contacted with the HYT plant modifier composition at a rate of about 0.25 to about 20 liters per hectare. In certain examples, the plant, plant part, soil, or soilless medium is contacted with the HYT plant modifier about 1 hour to 12 months before contacting the plant, plant part, soil, or soilless medium with the one or more pesticides and / or plant growth regulators. Detailed Description

[0009] I. Overview of Certain Aspects

[0010] The present invention provides methods for reducing damage to plants and / or increasing crop yield and / or crop quality. The methods include contacting a plant with a plant modifier (e.g., "HYT plant modifier") and one or more pesticides and / or plant growth regulators. As used herein, "plant growth regulator" may also be referred to as "plant regulator" or "growth regulator" in some cases. These methods can provide additive or synergistic improvements in one or more of the following aspects: pest control, desired plant growth and appearance, plant nutrients (e.g., levels of sugars, amino acids, fatty acids, nutrient elements, proteins, antioxidants / phytochromes (e.g., xanthophyll cycle pigments, carotenoids, chlorophyll, etc.)) and / or crop yield or other value-added traits related to crop yield (e.g., improved fruit size / grain size, taste or health enhancement, grade quality, improved aesthetic quality, enhanced ripening / faster harvest time, etc.).

[0011] In some aspects, the methods include applying one or more pesticides (such as one or more herbicides, fungicides, bactericides, insecticides, acaricides, and / or nematicides) or plant growth regulators and a plant modifier to a plant, plant part, soil, soilless medium, water, or other medium or environment in which the plant grows.

[0012] In some aspects, the methods include applying the pesticide or plant growth regulator and the plant modifier to the plant simultaneously (e.g., as a mixture or combination, e.g., in a tank mix). In other aspects, the methods include applying the one or more pesticides or plant growth regulators and the plant modifier to the plant, plant part, soil, soilless medium, water, or other medium or environment in which the plant grows sequentially (e.g., the one or more plant growth regulators, followed by the plant modifier or the plant modifier, followed by the one or more pesticides or plant growth regulators). The sequential application of the plant modifier and the one or more pesticides or plant growth regulators can be spaced over a period ranging from about 1 hour to about 12 months (e.g., spaced about 1-24 hours, about 1-7 days, about 1-2 weeks, about 2-4 weeks, about 1-3 months, about 3-6 months, about 6-9 months, or about 9-12 months). The timing of the sequential application can be selected by one of ordinary skill in the art, e.g., based on the plant or crop, the one or more pesticides or plant growth regulators used, the location, the time of year, and other factors.

[0013] The timing and amount of application of the one or more pesticides and / or plant growth regulators can be selected by a person of ordinary skill in the art, for example, based on the plant or crop, the one or more pesticides or plant growth regulators used, the location, the time of year, and other factors. In some examples, the one or more pesticides (such as one or more herbicides, fungicides, bactericides, insecticides, acaricides, or nematicides), plant growth regulators, and / or plant modifiers can be applied to the plant, plant part, soil, soilless medium, water, or other medium or environment in which the plant grows one or more times (such as 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 times or more), for example, one or more times per growing season or calendar year.

[0014] In some aspects, compared to applying the one or more pesticides and / or plant growth regulators in the absence of a plant modifier, the simultaneous or sequential application of a plant modifier and the one or more pesticides and / or plant growth regulators results in a reduction in damage to the plant (such as visual damage or other damage). In some aspects, compared to treating with the one or more pesticides and / or plant growth regulators in the absence of a plant modifier, the damage is reduced by at least about 5% (such as at least about 5%, at least about 10%, at least about 15%, at least about 20%, at least about 25%, at least about 30%, at least about 40%, at least about 50%, at least about 60%, at least about 75%, at least about 80%, at least about 90% or more). In other examples, compared to treating with the one or more pesticides and / or plant growth regulators in the absence of a plant modifier, the simultaneous or sequential application of a plant modifier and the one or more pesticides and / or plant growth regulators results in an increase in plant biomass accumulation, plant height, plant nutrient measurements, chlorophyll fluorescence, measurements of the plant surface light reflection pattern, transpiration, respiration, photosynthesis, yield, or any other quantitative or qualitative measurement of plant health and vigor by at least about 1% (such as at least about 1%, at least about 2%, at least about 3%, at least about 4%, at least about 5%, at least about 6%, at least about 7%, at least about 8%, at least about 9%, at least about 10%, at least about 15%, at least about 20%, at least about 25%, at least about 30%, at least about 40%, at least about 50%, at least about 60%, at least about 75%, at least about 80%, at least about 90% or more).

[0015] In some examples, one or more pesticides and / or plant growth regulators are applied at a rate (amount) that causes visual injury in the range of about 1% to about 99% (e.g., about 2.5% to about 75% or about 5% to about 50%). Visual injury is determined by the average percentage of damage caused by a combination of stunting, thinning, lodging, defoliation, albino, chlorosis, necrosis (burn), and root malformation or other symptoms that are observable in the treated plants compared to the untreated plants after application of one or more pesticides and / or plant growth regulators. In other examples, one or more pesticides and / or plant growth regulators may not produce obvious visual injury. In these cases, tools for measuring differences in any other quantitative or qualitative measurements of plant biomass accumulation, plant height, plant nutrient measurements, chlorophyll fluorescence, measurements of plant surface light reflection patterns, transpiration, respiration, photosynthesis, yield, or plant health and vigor can also be used to measure injury.

[0016] In some aspects, a plant conditioner may also be used in various ratios with one or more additional components consistent with standard practices in agricultural, horticultural, industrial, and non-crop situations, before, mixed with, or after the application of one or more pesticides and / or plant growth regulators. In some examples, the additive or formulation component includes synthetic additional agrochemicals, natural products, or pesticides derived from biological sources, such as insecticides, fungicides, bactericides, nematicides, herbicides, acaricides, defoliants, fumigants, and / or plant growth regulators. In other examples, the additive or formulation component includes diluents and / or additives for producing formulated products. For example, these components may include solid and / or liquid formulated product materials, such as glycerol, propylene glycol, cellulose, oils, paraffin / wax, emulsifiers, thickeners, adhesives, spreaders, dyes, mineral clays, organic solvents, stabilizers, biocides, water, humectants, etc. In additional examples, the additive or formulation component includes adjuvants, such as wetting agents, adhesives, nonionic surfactants, anionic surfactants, seed- or petroleum-based oils, silicone surfactants, water conditioners, AMS / UAN-based additives, etc. In other examples, the additive or formulation component may include fertilizers and other nutrient-based additives (such as individual nutrients or mixtures of multiple macronutrients such as nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus and / or micronutrients such as manganese, magnesium, iron, copper, boron, zinc, etc.). In other examples, additional additives include drift retardants, defoamers, dyes, etc. In further examples, additional additives include crop safeners, such as benoxacor, BPCMS, cloquintocet, cyometrinil, cyprosulfamide, dichlormid, dicyclonon, dietholate, fenchlorazole, fenclorim, flurazole, fluxofenim, furilazole, isoxadifen, jiecaowan, jiecaoxi, mefenpyr, mephenate, metcamifen, phthalic anhydride, oxabetrinil, etc.

[0017] In some examples, the method includes applying one or more pesticides (such as one or more herbicides, fungicides, bactericides, insecticides, acaricides or nematicides) or plant growth regulators and plant modifiers to desired vegetation or contacting the desired vegetation with one or more pesticides (such as one or more herbicides, fungicides, bactericides, insecticides, acaricides or nematicides) or plant growth regulators and plant modifiers. The desired vegetation can be described as any row crop, vegetable crop, fruit crop, planted crop, forest / tree / shrub / vine / non-grass herbaceous plant, ornamental / garden plant, turf, forage, herbaceous plant and pasture plant, aquatic vegetation, Christmas tree, including plants grown in greenhouses and growth chambers, and any naturally growing plant in a native environment.Crops or plants include but are not limited to alfalfa, corn (maize), sweet corn, popcorn, hemp, sorghum, millet, broomcorn, cotton, soybeans, edamame, sugar beets, sugarcane, safflower, sunflowers, rapeseed, canola, peanuts, rice, barley, oats, triticale, rye, wheat, agave, potatoes, flax, tobacco, mushrooms, fruits (e.g., apples, apricots, avocados, bananas, blackberries, raspberries, loganberries, blackcurrants, blueberries, cherries, cranberries, figs, oranges, grapefruits, lemons, limes, tangerines, clementines, mandarins, olives, grapes, guavas, kiwis, mangoes, nectarines, papayas, peaches, pears, persimmons, pineapples, plums, pomegranates, quinces, strawberries, tomatoes, eggplants, peppers, melons, cucumbers, watermelons, zucchinis, pumpkins, squashes, cantaloupes, honeydews, etc.), nuts (e.g., almonds, beechnuts, butternuts, Brazil nuts, candlenuts, cashews, chestnuts, hazelnuts, hickories, kola nuts, pecans, macadamias, mayan nuts, paradise nuts, pili nuts, pistachios, walnuts, etc.), edible legumes and vegetables (e.g., asparagus, artichokes, green cabbages, mustards, celery, kale, leafy greens, lettuce, chickpeas, kidney beans, lima beans, cabbages, dry beans, dry peas, peas, lentils, radishes, rhubarb, spinach, onions, garlic, carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, sweet potatoes, turnips, etc.), turfgrasses (e.g., fescues, bentgrasses, Kentucky bluegrass, zoysiagrass, centipedegrass, bermudagrass, St. Augustinegrass, etc.), forage grasses (e.g., foxtail, fescue, oatgrass, gamagrass, bromegrass, wheatgrass, lovegrass, kikuyugrass, canarygrass, centipedegrass, bermudagrass, signalgrass, gamagrass, bluegrass, buffalograss, timothy, ryegrass, etc.), leguminous forages (e.g., clovers, pigeon peas, centro, calopogonium, vetch, lupines, acacias, lespedezas, etc.), ornamental plants (e.g., various woody, herbaceous, perennial, biennial, and annual flowers, bulbs, vines, shrubs, trees, and groundcovers, etc.), forest plants (e.g., pines, hardwood trees, shrubs, vines, non-graminoid herbs, wildflowers, etc.), herbaceous plants or other flavor / aroma-enhancing crops (e.g., mints, spearmints, chicories, cloves, ginger, horseradish, lavender, licorice, cinnamon, thyme, basil, nutmeg, sesame, herbs, etc.), and planted crops (e.g., oil palms, cocoas, coffees, teas, hops, pineapples, gutta-percha, rubbers, eucalypts, coconuts, betel nuts, etc.).

[0018] In some aspects, the plants can include genetically modified plants (produced by plastid, vector, ballistic, CRISPR, or any other method of altering or incorporating genetic material into the plant, resulting in pesticidal and / or plant growth regulator tolerance, pest tolerance, stress tolerance, or any other improvement in the plant's adaptation to its environment). In other examples, the plants can include those that are not genetically modified plants. Additionally, the plants can also include those plants that are not considered genetically modified organisms, which may or may not have enhanced pesticidal and / or plant growth regulator tolerance or other improvements through forced mutagenesis and / or conventional plant breeding techniques.

[0019] II. Plant Amendment Compositions

[0020] The methods provided herein include applying or contacting a plant, plant part, soil, soilless medium, water, or other medium or environment in which a plant grows with a plant amendment. In some aspects, the plant amendment is referred to as "HYT plant amendment" or "HYTB". In additional aspects, the plant amendment includes Product B (AMVAC Chemical Corporation).

[0021] In some aspects, the HYT plant amendment contains 0.5% total nitrogen and 0.5% soluble potassium (K2O). The HYT plant amendment also includes chitin, chitosan, N-acetylglucosamine, and glucosamine. In certain examples, the HYT plant amendment contains approximately 0.01 - 0.025% w / w chitin, approximately 0.03 - 0.045% w / w chitosan, approximately 0.002 - 0.005% w / w N-acetylglucosamine, and approximately 0.001 - 0.0025% w / w glucosamine.

[0022] In some examples, the HYT plant amendment can also contain other polysaccharides, proteins, or amino acids, as well as other trace elements. In some examples, the HYT plant amendment is a liquid. In other examples, the HYT plant amendment is a solid (e.g., the dried form of a liquid composition) and can be reconstituted with water or other liquid (e.g., a liquid fertilizer) prior to use.

[0023] In some aspects, the HYT plant modifier is produced by biodegradation of chitin-containing biomaterials (e.g., aquatic animals or aquatic animal by-products, insects, or fungi) with a microbial composition or consortium. In some examples, the HYT plant modifier is produced by mixing one or more microbial compositions with a chitin-containing biomaterial to form a mixture, fermenting the mixture, and separating the mixture into a solid fraction, an aqueous fraction, and an optional lipid fraction. In non-limiting examples, the microbial composition includes one or more compositions described in any of U.S. Patent Nos. 8,748,124, 10,932,470, 11,066,341, 11,230,505, and 11,230,506 and / or any of U.S. Patent Publications 2012 / 0084886 and 2019 / 0183131.

[0024] Chitin-containing biomaterials include, but are not limited to, aquatic animals or aquatic animal by-products, insects, and fungi. In some examples, the chitin-containing biomaterial is an aquatic animal, such as an aquatic arthropod (e.g., a member of the Malacostraca). Aquatic arthropods used in the disclosed methods include shrimp, crabs, lobsters, crayfish, and krill. In some examples, the whole aquatic animal (such as an aquatic arthropod) or an aquatic animal by-product is used in the biodegradation method disclosed herein. Aquatic animal by-products include any part of an aquatic animal, such as any part produced by processing an aquatic animal. In some examples, the aquatic animal by-product is all or part of the exoskeleton of an aquatic animal, such as a shrimp, crab, crayfish, or lobster shell. In other examples, the aquatic animal by-product is a part of an aquatic animal, such as a shrimp cephalothorax.

[0025] In other examples, the chitin-containing biomaterial includes fungi, such as fungi from the Phylum Zygomycota, Basidiomycota, Ascomycota, or Deuteromycota. Specific exemplary fungi include species of Aspergillus, Penicillium, Trichoderma, Saccharomyces, and Schizosaccharomyces. Thus, oven, brewery, and distillery waste streams can provide a source of chitin-containing biomaterials. In further examples, the chitin-containing biomaterial includes insects that contain chitin in their exoskeletons, such as locusts, crickets, beetles, and other insects. By-products of processing such insects are also considered a source of chitin.

[0026] Mix a chitin-containing biomaterial with a microbial composition (such as the composition described above) to form a substantially homogeneous mixture. In some examples, the chitin-containing biomaterial is ground, crushed, chopped, milled, or otherwise dispersed prior to mixing with the microbial composition described herein. In certain examples, the mixture contains about 10-50% (such as about 10-20%, about 20-30%, about 30-40%, about 25-40%, for example about 25%, about 30%, about 35%, about 40%, about 45%, or about 50%) of the chitin-containing material (such as shrimp heads) (w / v) in an inoculum, and the inoculum contains about 0.1-5% (such as about 0.1-1%, about 0.5-2%, about 1-2%, about 2-3%, about 0.1%, about 0.2%, about 0.3%, about 0.5%, about 0.8%, about 1%, about 1.25%, about 1.5%, about 1.75%, about 2%, about 2.5%, about 3%, about 4%, or about 5%) of the microbial composition (v / v).

[0027] In some examples, the inoculum, the chitin-containing biomaterial, and a sugar (or other carbon source) are mixed together, for example, by stirring or agitating. In other examples, one or more microorganisms in the microbial composition are optionally activated before being mixed with the chitin-containing biomaterial and fermented. The methods disclosed herein do not require activation. Those skilled in the art can adjust the fermentation time and / or temperature, depending on whether the microorganisms are activated prior to fermentation. Activation of the microorganisms can be carried out by incubating the inoculum of the microbial composition with a carbon source such as a sugar, for example, glucose, sucrose, fructose, or other sugars, for a period of time sufficient for the microorganisms to grow at a certain temperature. In some examples, the inoculum of the microorganisms, such as the microbial composition described herein, has a concentration of about 0.05 - 5% v / v (e.g., about 0.5 - 5%, about 0.5 - 2%, about 1 - 2%, or about 2 - 3%) in a liquid medium. The inoculum is diluted in a solution containing about 0.1 - 1% sugar (e.g., about 0.1 - 0.5%, about 0.1 - 0.3%, about 0.2 - 0.6%, or about 0.5 - 1%, such as about 0.1%, about 0.2%, about 0.3%, about 0.4%, about 0.5%, about 0.6%, about 0.7%, about 0.8%, about 0.9%, or about 1%) and incubated at ambient temperature, for example, about 20 - 40°C (such as about 20°C, about 25°C, about 30°C, about 35°C, or about 40°C) for about 1 - 5 days (such as about 24 hours, about 48 hours, about 72 hours, about 96 hours, or about 120 hours). In other examples, activation of the one or more microorganisms can be carried out by incubating the inoculum of the microbial composition for a period of time sufficient for the microorganisms to grow at a certain temperature, for example, incubating at about 20°C - 40°C (such as about 25°C - 35°C) for 12 hours to 5 days (such as 1 - 4 days or 2 - 3 days). In some non-limiting examples, the microorganisms are considered activated when the culture reaches an optical density > 0.005 at 600 nm.

[0028] After mixing a chitin-containing biomaterial and a microbial composition (which is optionally activated), the mixture is fermented. In some examples, the pH of the mixture is measured before fermentation. If desired, the pH is adjusted to a selected range (e.g., pH of about 3 to about 4 or about 3.5 to 4) before fermentation. The mixture is incubated at a temperature of about 20 - 40 °C (e.g., about 30 °C - 36 °C, such as about 30 °C, about 31 °C, about 32 °C, about 33 °C, about 34 °C, about 35 °C, about 36 °C, about 37 °C, about 38 °C, about 39 °C or about 40 °C) for about 1 - 30 days (such as about 3 - 28 days, about 7 - 21 days, about 3, 5, 7, 10, 14, 16, 20, 24, 28 or 30 days). The mixture is agitated periodically (e.g., non - continuously). In some examples, the mixture is stirred for a period of time every 1 - 7 days, e.g., every 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7 days. In some non - limiting examples, fermentation proceeds until the titratable acidity (TTA) is about 3 - 5% and the pH is about 4 - 5.

[0029] After fermentation, the resulting fermentation mixture is separated into at least a solid fraction and a liquid fraction. In some examples, the liquid component is a HYT plant conditioner or HYTB. In some examples, the fermentation is transferred from the tank to a settling device. Subsequently, the liquid is decanted and centrifuged. In one non - limiting example, the fermentation mixture is centrifuged at about 5 °C at 1250 rpm (930 xg) for 15 minutes to obtain a liquid and a lipid (e.g., pigment) fraction. The liquid (or aqueous) fraction obtained from the biodegradation process can be stored at ambient temperature. In some non - limiting examples, sugar is added to the liquid fraction, e.g., at 1 - 10% v / v.

[0030] The liquid fraction may include components such as proteins, amino acids, glucosamine, trace elements (such as calcium, magnesium, zinc, copper, iron, and / or manganese), and / or enzymes (such as lactase, protease, lipase, and / or chitinase). In some non-limiting examples, the liquid fraction contains about 1 - 5% (w / v) total amino acids (such as about 1 - 3%, about 2 - 4%, or about 3 - 5% total amino acids), about 3 - 10% protein (such as about 3 - 6%, about 4 - 7%, about 5 - 8%, about 6 - 9%, or about 7 - 10% protein), about 0.5 - 2% nitrogen (such as about 0.5 - 1%, about 0.75 - 1.25%, about 1 - 1.5%, or about 1.5 - 2% nitrogen), less than about 0.2% phosphorus, about 0.5 - 1% potassium, about 4 - 8% carbon (such as about 4 - 6%, about 5 - 7%, or about 6 - 8% carbon), about 0.2 - 1% calcium (such as about 0.2 - 0.5%, about 0.4 - 0.8%, or about 0.7 - 1% calcium), less than about 0.2% magnesium, less than about 0.2% sodium, and / or about 0.1 - 0.4% sulfur (such as about 0.1 - 0.3% or about 0.2 - 0.4% sulfur). In additional non-limiting examples, the liquid fraction contains about 0.001 - 0.01% glucosamine (e.g., about 0.005% or less, about 0.002% or less, or about 0.001% or less). The liquid fraction may also contain one or more microorganisms (e.g., from the inoculum used to initiate the fermentation process) and / or trace amounts of chitosan or chitin.

[0031] In some aspects, the HYT plant improver is applied in a tank mix or as a premix formulation with one or more pesticides and / or plant growth regulators or in multiple applications at a rate of about 0.25 to about 20 liters per hectare (e.g., about 0.25 liters per hectare to about 1 liter per hectare, about 0.5 liters per hectare to about 10 liters per hectare, about 1 liter per hectare to about 3 liters per hectare, about 2.5 liters per hectare to about 12.5 liters per hectare, about 10 liters per hectare to about 15 liters per hectare, or about 15 liters per hectare to about 20 liters per hectare). In some examples, the HYT plant improver is applied to the soil, water (in flood irrigation or by other irrigation methods), or various parts of the plant, roots, plant cuttings, grafts, fruiting bodies, or seeds before or in combination with the one or more pesticides and / or plant growth regulators. In other examples, the HYT plant improver is applied before the application of one or more pesticides and / or plant growth regulators or as a remedial treatment after the application of one or more pesticides and / or plant growth regulators. Multiple applications of the HYT plant improver can be applied before, in combination with, or after the application of the multiple or single active ingredients of the pesticides and / or plant growth regulators.

[0032] In some examples, compared to the situation where the HYT plant modifier is not applied, the methods provided herein allow for an increased application rate of a pesticide or a plant growth regulator while reducing or maintaining the level of plant damage and / or increasing or maintaining crop yield or productivity.

[0033] III. Combinations with Herbicides

[0034] In some aspects, the methods provided herein include combining a plant modifier (“HYT plant modifier”) with one or more herbicides (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4 or more herbicides) and applying them to a plant simultaneously or sequentially. This application may further be combined with or without a diluent, adjuvant, fertilizer, nutrient-based additive, crop safener, other pesticides and / or plant growth regulators and / or other additives. Information on herbicide classification can be found on the Herbicide Resistance Action Committee website (hracglobal.com / tools / ). Herbicides include salts, esters, pre-herbicide variants, dimers, conjugates, and formulated forms of herbicide actives, such as those listed below.

[0035] In some examples, the herbicides include inhibitors of acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACCase), such as alloxydim, butroxydim, clethodim, cloproxydim, cycloxydim, profoxydim, sethoxydim, tepraloxydim, tralkoxydim, clodinafop, clofop, cyhalofop, diclofop, fenoxaprop, fenthiaprop, fluazifop, haloxyfop, isoxapyrifop, metamifop, quizalofop, and pinoxaden, as well as other inhibitors of ACCase known to those of ordinary skill in the art.

[0036] In other examples, the herbicide includes inhibitors of acetolactate synthase (ALS), such as bispyribac, pyribenzoxim, pyriftalid, pyriminobac, pyrithiobac, pyrimisulfan, triafamone, cloransulam, diclosulam, florasulam, flumetsulam, metosulam, penoxsulam, pyroxsulam, amidosulfuron, azimsulfuron, bensulfuron, chlorimuron, chlorsulfuron, cinosulfuron, cyclosulfamuron, ethametsulfuron, ethoxysulfuron, flazasulfuron, flucetosulfuron, flupyrsulfuron, foramsulfuron, halosulfuron, imazosulfuron, iodosulfuron, mesosulfuron, metazosulfuron, metsulfuron, nicosulfuron, orthosulfamuron, oxasulfuron, primisulfuron, propyrisulfuron, prosulfuron, pyrazosulfuron, rimsulfuron, sulfometuron, sulfosulfuron, triasulfuron, tribenuron, thifensulfuron, trifloxysulfuron, triflusulfuron, tritosulfuron,Imazamethabenz-methyl, Imazamox, Imazapic, Imazapyr, Imazaquin, Imazethapyr, Flucarbazone, Propoxycarbazone, Thiencarbazone-methyl and other ALS inhibitors known to those of ordinary skill in the art.

[0037] In a further example, the herbicide comprises a photosynthesis inhibitor. Photosynthesis inhibitors include, but are not limited to, compounds that bind to the Qb binding niche of the D1 protein. Exemplary photosynthesis inhibitors include Atraton, Atrazine, Ametryne, Aziprotryne / Aziprotryn, Chlorazine, CP 17029, Cyanazine, Cyprazine, Desmetryne, Dimethametryn, Dipropetryn, Eglinazine, Ipazine, Methoprotryne / Methoprotryn, Procyazine, Proglinazine, Prometon, Prometryne, Propazine, Sebuthylazine, Secbumeton, Simetryne, Simazine, Terbumeton, Terbuthylazine, Terbutryne, Trietazine, Amicarbazone, Ethiozin, Hexazinone, Isomethiozin, Metamitron, Metribuzin, Bromacil, Isocil, Lenacil, Terbacil, Chlorprocarb, Desmedipham, Phenisopham, Phenmedipham, Chloridazon / Pyrazon, Brompyrazon, Benzthiazuron, Bromuron, Buturon, Chlorbromuron, Chlorotoluron, Chloroxuron, Difenoxuron, Dimefuron, Diuron, Ethidimuron, Fenuron, Fluometuron,Fluothiuron, Isoproturon, Isouron, Linuron, Metobenzuron, Metobromuron, Methabenzthiazuron, Metoxuron, Monolinuron, Monuron, Neburon, Parafluron, Siduron, Tebuthiuron, Thiazafluron, Chloranocryl / Dicryl, Pentanochlor, Propanil, Bromofenoxim, Bromoxynil, Ioxynil, Pyridate, Bentazon, and other photosynthesis inhibitors known to those of ordinary skill in the art.、

[0038] In additional examples, the herbicide includes protoporphyrinogen oxidase (PROTOX) inhibitors, such as Lactofen, Acifluorfen, Bifenox, Chlornitrofen, Fomesafen, Fluorodifen, Fluoroglycofen, Fluoronitrofen, Nitrofen, Oxyfluorfen, Chlomethoxyfen, Pyraflufen, Oxadiargyl, Oxadiazon, Azafenidin, Carfentrazone, Sulfentrazone, Fluthiacet, Butafenacil, Saflufenacil, Pentoxazone, Chlorphthalim, Cinidon, Flumiclorac, Flumioxazin, Flumipropyn, Trifludimoxazin, Tiafenacil, Pyraclonil, and other PROTOX inhibitors known to those of ordinary skill in the art.

[0039] In other examples, the herbicide includes photosystem I electron diversion agents (PS1 inhibitors), such as Cyperquat, Diquat, Morfamquat, Paraquat, and other PS1 inhibitors known to those of ordinary skill in the art.

[0040] In additional examples, the herbicide includes inhibitors of 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase (HPPD), such as mesotrione, sulcotrione, tembotrione, tefuryltrione, bicyclopyrone, fenquinotrione, benzobicyclone, benzofenap, pyrasulfotole, topramezone, pyrazolynate, pyrazoxyfen, tolpyralate, isoxachlortole, isoxaflutole, and other HPPD inhibitors known to those of ordinary skill in the art.

[0041] In additional examples, the herbicide includes inhibitors of phytoene desaturase (PDS), such as beflubutamid, diflufenican, picolinafen, flurochloridone, norflurazon, fluridone, flurtamone, and other PDS inhibitors known to those of ordinary skill in the art.

[0042] In other examples, the herbicide includes inhibitors of homogentisate solanesyltransferase (HST), such as cyclopyrimorate, and other HST inhibitors known to those of ordinary skill in the art.

[0043] In further examples, the herbicide includes inhibitors of 1-deoxy-D-xylulose 5-phosphate synthase (DOXP synthase), such as bixlozone, clomazone, and other DOXP synthase inhibitors known to those of ordinary skill in the art.

[0044] In additional examples, the herbicide includes inhibitors of 5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase (EPSP synthase), such as glyphosate, sulfosate, and other EPSP synthase inhibitors known to those of ordinary skill in the art.

[0045] In a further example, the herbicide comprises a glutamine synthetase (GS) inhibitor, such as glufosinate, bialaphos / bilanafos, and other GS inhibitors known to those of ordinary skill in the art.

[0046] In other examples, the herbicide comprises a dihydropteroate synthase (DS) inhibitor, such as asulam, and other DS inhibitors known to those of ordinary skill in the art.

[0047] In additional examples, the herbicide comprises an inhibitor of mitosis, microtubule assembly, or microtubule organization, such as benefin / benfluralin, butralin, dinitramine, ethalfluralin, fluchloralin, isopropalin, nitralin, prodiamine, profluralin, oryzalin, pendimethalin, trifluralin, dithiopyr, thiazopyr, butamifos, DMPA, chlorthal / DCPA, propyzamide / pronamide, barban, carbetamide, chlorbufam, chlorpropham, propham, swep, and other mitosis inhibitors known to those of ordinary skill in the art.

[0048] In a further example, the herbicide comprises a cellulose synthesis inhibitor (such as a cellulose synthase inhibitor), for example, flupoxam, isoxaben, triaziflam, indaziflam, dichlobenil, chlorthiamid, quinclorac, and other cellulose synthesis inhibitors known to those of ordinary skill in the art.

[0049] In other examples, the herbicide includes an oxidative phosphorylation uncoupler (Oxphos uncoupler), such as dinoterb (Dinosam), dinoseb, DNOC, dinoterb, etinofen, medinoterb, and other Oxphos uncouplers known to those of ordinary skill in the art.

[0050] In additional examples, the herbicide includes a very long chain fatty acid synthesis inhibitor (VLCFA inhibitor), such as scientificlachlor, allidochlor / CDAA, butachlor, butenachlor, delachlor, diethatyl, dimethachlor, dimethenamid, metazachlor, metolachlor, pethoxamid, pretilachlor, propachlor, propisochlor, prynachlor, thenylchlor, mefenacet, flufenacet, butylate, cycloate, dimepiperate, EPTC, esprocarb, molinate, orbencarb, pebulate, prosulfocarb, thiobencarb / benthiocarb, tiocarbazil, tri-allate, vernolate, benfuresate, ethofumesate, and other VLCFA inhibitors known to those of ordinary skill in the art.

[0051] In other examples, the herbicide includes auxin mimics and / or auxin transport inhibitors, such as picloram, clopyralid, aminopyralid, halauxifen, florpyrauxifen, triclopyr, fluroxypyr, 2,4,5-T, 2,4-D, 2,4-DB, clomeprop, dichlorprop, fenoprop, mecoprop, MCPA, MCPB, dicamba, chloramben, TBA, quinclorac, quinmerac, aminocyclopyrachlor, benazolin, chlorfenac / fenac, chlorfenprop, naptalam, diflufenzopyr, and other auxin mimics and / or auxin transport inhibitors known to those of ordinary skill in the art.

[0052] In additional examples, the herbicide includes fatty acid thioesterase (FAT) inhibitors, such as cinmethylin, methiozolin, and other FAT inhibitors known to those of ordinary skill in the art.

[0053] In further examples, the herbicide includes serine-threonine protein phosphatase (STPP) inhibitors, such as endothal, and other STPP inhibitors known to those of ordinary skill in the art.

[0054] In other examples, the herbicide includes solanesyl diphosphate synthase (SDPS) inhibitors, such as aclonifen, and other SDPS inhibitors known to those of ordinary skill in the art.

[0055] In other examples, the herbicide includes lycopene cyclase inhibitors, such as amitrole, CPTA, and other LC inhibitors known to those of ordinary skill in the art.

[0056] In additional examples, the herbicides also include those having unknown or not fully understood mechanisms of action, such as Bromobutide, Cumyluron, Difenzoquat, DSMA, Dymron / Daimuron, Etobenzanid, Flamprop, Fosamine, Methyldymron, Monalide, MSMA, oleic acid, Oxaziclomefone, Pelargonic acid, Pyributicarb, Quinoclamine, Diphenamid, Naproanilide, Napropamide, Tebutam, Bensulide, Dalapon, Flupropanate, TCA, Mefluidide, Perfluidone, CAMA, Cacodylic acid, copper, and other herbicides known to those of ordinary skill in the art.

[0057] In further examples, the herbicides include natural products and / or organic herbicides, such as Sorgoleone, Fischerellin A, Juglone, Ailanthone, Anthroquinone, Gliotoxin, Catechin, Thaxtomin A, vinegar (acetic acid), citric acid (), essential oils (such as clove oil, eugenol, cinnamon oil, peppermint oil, lemongrass oil, D-limonene, manuka oil, Mentha extracts, etc.), herbicidal soaps (such as ammonium soaps of fatty acids, sodium lauryl sulfate, etc.), acids (pelargonic acid, caprylic acid, capric acid, etc.), corn gluten meal, phytotoxic salts (such as sodium chloride, sodium chlorate, etc.), and other natural products and / or organic herbicides known to those of ordinary skill in the art.

[0058] In specific non-limiting examples, the herbicide includes one or more of fomesafen, lactofen, 2,4-D, chlorimuron, and / or trifloxysulfuron.

[0059] IV. Combinations with Fungicides and / or Bactericides

[0060] In other aspects, the methods provided herein include combining the HYT plant modifier with one or more fungicides and / or bactericides (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4 or more fungicides and / or bactericides) and applying the combination to plants simultaneously or sequentially. This application can further be combined with or without diluents, adjuvants, fertilizers, nutrient-based additives, crop safeners, other pesticides and / or plant growth regulators and / or other additives. Information on the classification of fungicides and bactericides can be found on the Fungicide Resistance Action Committee website (www.ifrac.info / docs / ). The fungicides and bactericides in these mixtures include salts, esters, pre-fungicide / pre-bactericide variants, dimers, conjugates and formulated forms of fungicide and / or bactericide active substances, such as those listed below.

[0061] In some aspects, the fungicides and / or bactericides include agents that target nucleic acid metabolism. In some examples, the fungicides and / or bactericides target RNA polymerase, such as Benalaxyl, Benalaxyl-M / Kiralaxyl, Furalaxyl, Metalaxyl, Metalaxyl-M / Mefenoxam, Oxadixyl, Ofurace and other active substances known to those of ordinary skill in the art that target RNA polymerase. In other examples, the fungicides and / or bactericides target adenosine deaminase, such as Bupirimate, Dimethirimol, Ethirimol and other active substances known to those of ordinary skill in the art that target adenosine deaminase. In further examples, the fungicides and / or bactericides target DNA / RNA synthesis, such as Hymexazole, Octhilinone and other active substances known to those of ordinary skill in the art that target DNA / RNA synthesis. In additional examples, the fungicides and / or bactericides target DNA topoisomerase type II (gyrase), such as Oxolinic Acid and other active substances known to those of ordinary skill in the art that target DNA topoisomerase type II (gyrase). In still other examples, the fungicides and / or bactericides inhibit dihydroorotate dehydrogenase, such as Ipflufenoquin and other active substances known to those of ordinary skill in the art that inhibit dihydroorotate dehydrogenase in de novo pyrimidine biosynthesis.

[0062] In other aspects, the fungicide and / or bactericide includes reagents that target the cytoskeleton and motor proteins. In some examples, the fungicide and / or bactericide inhibits tubulin polymerization B1 - B3, such as Benomyl, Carbendazim, Fuberidazole, Thiabendazole, Thiophanate, Thiophanate-methyl, Diethofencarb, Zoxamide, Ethaboxam, and other reagents known to those of ordinary skill in the art that inhibit tubulin polymerization B1 - B3. In further examples, the fungicide and / or bactericide affects cell division (unknown site) or the delocalization of spectrin-like proteins, such as Pencycuron, Fluopicolide, Fluopimomide, and other active substances known to those of ordinary skill in the art that inhibit the cytoskeleton and motor proteins by affecting cell division (unknown site) or the delocalization of spectrin-like proteins. In other examples, the fungicide and / or bactericide includes tubulin dynamics regulators or actin / myosin / fibrin function regulators, such as Phenamacril, metrafenone, Pyriofenone, Pyridachlometyl, and other active substances known to those of ordinary skill in the art that inhibit tubulin dynamics or disrupt actin / myosin / fibrin function.

[0063] In other aspects, the fungicide and / or bactericide includes a respiration-targeting agent. In some examples, the fungicide and / or bactericide includes an inhibitor of complex I NADH oxidoreductase, such as diflumetorim, tolfenpyrad, fenazaquin, and other active substances known to those of ordinary skill in the art that inhibit respiration through complex I NADH oxidoreductase. In other examples, the fungicide and / or bactericide includes an inhibitor of succinate dehydrogenase, such as benodanil, flutolanil, mepronil, isofetamid, fluopyram, cyclobutrifluram, fenfuram, carboxin, oxycarboxin, thifluzamide, benzovindiflupyr, bixafen, fluindapyr, fluxapyroxad, furametpyr, inpyrfluxam, isopyrazam, penflufen, penthiopyrad, sedaxane, isoflucypram, pydiflumetofen, boscalid, pyraziflumid, and other active substances known to those of ordinary skill in the art that inhibit respiration through succinate dehydrogenase.In a further example, the fungicide and / or bactericide comprises an inhibitor of Complex III: cytochrome bc1 (ubiquinol oxidase) at the Qo site (cytb), such as azoxystrobin, coumoxystrobin, enoxastrobin, flufenoxystrobin, picoxystrobin, pyraoxystrobin, mandestrobin, pyraclostrobin, pyrametostrobin, triclopyricarb, kresoxim-methyl, trifloxystrobin, dimoxystrobin, fenaminstrobin, metominostrobin, orysastrobin, famoxadone, fluoxastrobin, fenamidone, pyribencarb, metyltetraprole, and other active substances known to those of ordinary skill in the art that inhibit respiration through Complex III: cytochrome bc1 (ubiquinol oxidase) (cyt b gene) at the Qo site. In another example, the fungicide and / or bactericide comprises an inhibitor of cytochrome bc1 (ubiquinone reductase) at the Qi site or Qo site of Complex III, the stigmatellin-binding subsite, such as cyazofamid, amisulbrom, fenpicoxamid, florylpicoxamid, ametoctradin, and other active substances known to those of ordinary skill in the art that inhibit respiration through cytochrome bc1 (ubiquinone reductase) at the Q1 site or Qo site of Complex III, the stigmatellin-binding subsite. In a further example, the fungicide and / or bactericide comprises an uncoupler of oxidative phosphorylation, such as binapacryl, meptyldinocap, dinocap, fluazinam, and other active substances known to those of ordinary skill in the art that inhibit respiration as uncouplers of oxidative phosphorylation.In a further example, the fungicide and / or bactericide comprises an inhibitor of oxidative phosphorylation, ATP synthase or ATP transport (proposed), such as fentin acetate, fentin chloride, fenton hydroxide, silthiofam, and other active substances known to those of ordinary skill in the art that inhibit respiration by inhibiting oxidative phosphorylation, ATP synthase or ATP transport (proposed).

[0064] In another aspect, the fungicide and / or bactericide comprises a reagent that targets amino acid and protein synthesis. In some examples, the fungicide and / or bactericide comprises an inhibitor of the ribosome initiation, elongation or termination steps, such as blasticidin-S, kasugamycin, streptomycin, oxytetracyline, and other active substances known to those of ordinary skill in the art that inhibit the ribosome initiation, elongation or termination steps. In other examples, the fungicide and / or bactericide comprises an inhibitor of methionine biosynthesis (cgs gene), such as cyprodinil, mepanipyrim, pyrimethanil, and other active substances known to those of ordinary skill in the art that inhibit amino acid and protein synthesis by the proposed inhibition of methionine biosynthesis (cgs gene).

[0065] In other aspects, the fungicide and / or bactericide comprises a reagent that targets signal transduction. In some examples, the fungicide and / or bactericide comprises a reagent that disrupts signal transduction through MAP / histidine kinases (os-2, HOGg1, os-2, Daf-1) in osmosensing signal transduction, such as fenpiclonil, fludioxonil, chlozolinate, dimethachlone, iprodione, procymidone, vinclozolin, and other active substances known to those of ordinary skill in the art that disrupt signal transduction through MAP / histidine kinases (os-2, HOGg1 and os-2, Daf1) in osmosensing signal transduction.

[0066] In another aspect, the fungicide and / or bactericide includes reagents that target lipid synthesis or transport / membrane integrity functions (e.g., by cell peroxidation, disrupting cell permeability / integrity, ergosterol binding, disrupting lipid homeostasis / storage, and interacting with the lipid fraction of the cell membrane). In some examples, the fungicide and / or bactericide includes Biphenyl, Chloroneb, Dicloran, Quintozene (PCNB), Tecnazene (TCNB), Tolclofos-methyl, Etridiazole, Iodocarb, Propamocarb, Prothiocarb, Natamycin, Pimaricin, Oxathiapiprolin, Fluoxapiprolin, polypeptide ASFBIOF01-22, and other active substances known to those of ordinary skill in the art that disrupt lipid synthesis or transport and membrane integrity functions.

[0067] In other aspects, the fungicide and / or bactericide includes an agent that inhibits sterol biosynthesis. In some examples, the fungicide and / or bactericide inhibits the C14-demethylase (erg11 / cyp51) in sterol biosynthesis, such as Triforine, Pyrifenox, Pyrisoxazole, Fenarimol, Nuarimol, Imazalil, Oxpoconazole, Pefurazoate, Prochloraz, Triflumizole, Azaconazole, Bitertanol, Bromuconazole, Cyproconazole, Difenoconazole, Diniconazole, Epoxiconazole, Etaconazole, Fenbuconazole, Fluquinconazole, Flusilazole, Flutriafol, Hexaconazole, Imibenconazole, Ipconazole, Mefentrifluconazole, Metconazole, Myclobutanil, Penconazole, Propiconazole, Simeconazole, Tebuconazole, Tetraconazole, Triadimefon, Triadimenol, Triticonazole, Prothioconazole, and other active substances known to those of ordinary skill in the art that inhibit sterol biosynthesis at the C14-demethylase (erg11 / cyp51).In other examples, the fungicide and / or bactericide inhibits the Δ14 reductase and Δ8→Δ7 isomerase (erg24, erg2) in sterol biosynthesis, for example, Aldimorph, Dodemorph, Fenpropimorph, Tridemorph, Fenpropidin, Piperalin, Spiroxamine, and other active substances known to those of ordinary skill in the art that inhibit sterol biosynthesis at the Δ14 reductase and Δ8→Δ7 isomerase (erg24, erg2). In further examples, the fungicide and / or bactericide inhibits 3-ketoreductase, C4-demethylation (erg27), such as Fenhexamid, Fenpyrazamine, and other active substances known to those of ordinary skill in the art that inhibit sterol biosynthesis at 3-ketoreductase, C4-demethylation (erg27). In other examples, the fungicide and / or bactericide inhibits squalene-epoxidase (erg1) in sterol biosynthesis, such as Pyributicarb, Naftifine, Terbinafine, and other active substances known to those of ordinary skill in the art that inhibit sterol biosynthesis at squalene-epoxidase (erg1).

[0068] In other aspects, the fungicide and / or bactericide includes a reagent that inhibits cell wall biosynthesis. In some examples, the fungicide and / or bactericide inhibits cellulose synthase or chitin synthase, such as Polyoxin, Dimethomorph, Flumorph, Pyrimorph, Benthiavalicarb, Iprovalicarb, Valifenalate, Mandipropamid, and other active substances known to those of ordinary skill in the art that inhibit cell wall biosynthesis.

[0069] In a further aspect, the fungicide and / or bactericide comprises an agent that inhibits melanin synthesis in the cell wall, for example, by inhibiting melanin synthesis in the cell wall through a reductase, a dehydratase, or a polyketide synthase. In some examples, the fungicide and / or bactericide comprises fthalide, pyroquilon, tricyclazole, carpropamid, diclocymet, fenoxanil, toprocarb, and other active substances known to those of ordinary skill in the art that inhibit melanin synthesis in the cell wall.

[0070] In other aspects, the fungicide and / or bactericide comprises an agent that induces host plant defenses (such as salicylate-related, polysaccharide inducer, anthraquinone inducer, microbial inducer, or phosphonate). In some examples, the fungicide and / or bactericide comprises acibenzolar-S-methyl, probenazole, tiadinil, isotianil, laminarin, Reynoutria sachalinensis (Japanese knotweed) extract, Bacillus mycoides isolate J, Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain LAS177 cell wall, fosetyl-Al, phosphorous acid and salts, dichlobentiazox, and other active substances known to those of ordinary skill in the art that induce host plant defenses.

[0071] In other aspects, the fungicide and / or bactericide comprises an agent with an unknown or unclear mechanism of action, such as cymoxanil, tecloftalam, triazoxide, flusulfamide, diclomezine, cyflufenamid, dodine, flutianil, fermizone, tebufloquin, picarbutrazox, validamycin, mineral oil, organic oil, inorganic salts, various materials of biological origin, and other active substances, oils, or materials of biological origin known to those of ordinary skill in the art.

[0072] In a further aspect, the fungicide and / or bactericide comprises a reagent exhibiting multi-site activity. In some examples, the fungicide and / or bactericide comprises copper salts, sulfur, Amobam, Ferbam, Mancozeb, Maneb, Metiram, Propineb, Thiram, Zinc Thiazole, Zineb, Ziram, Captan, Captafol, Folpet, Chlorothalonil, Dichlofluanid, Tolyfluanid, Guazatine, Iminoctadine, Anilazine, Dithianon, Chenomethionat / Quinomethionate, Fluoroimide, Methasulfocarb, and other active substances targeting multiple sites of action known to those of ordinary skill in the art.

[0073] In other aspects, the fungicides and / or bactericides include biological products such as plant extracts and microorganisms (extracts of live microorganisms or metabolites). In some examples, the fungicides and / or bactericides include extracts of Lupinus albus seedlings ("BLAD") cotyledons, extracts of Aegle marmelos (Swinglea Glutinosa), extracts of tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) oil, various vegetable oils (eugenol, geraniol, thymol, etc.), species of Trichoderma [(Trichoderma atroviride strains I-1237, LU132, SC1, SKT-1, 77B, etc.), (Trichoderma asperellum strains T34, kd, etc.), (Trichoderma harzianum strains T-22, etc.)], species of Clonastachys (Clonastachys rosea strains J1446, CR-7, etc.), species of Coniothyrium (Coniothyrium minitans strains CON / M / 91-08, etc.), species of Hansensiaspora (Hansensiaspora uvarum strains BC18Y, etc.), species of Talaromyces (Talaromyces flavus strain SAY-Y-94-01), species of Saccharomyces (Saccharomyces cerevisae strains LAS02, DDSF623, etc.), species of Bacillus [(Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strains QST713, FZB24, MBI600, D747, F727, AT-322, etc.), (Bacillus subtilis strains AFS032321, Y1336, HAI-0404, etc.)], species of Erwinia (peptide PHC25279, etc.), species of Gluconobacter (Gluconobacter cerinus strains BC18B, etc.), species of Pseudomonas (Pseudomonas chlororaphis strains AFS009, etc.), species of Streptomyces [(Streptomyces griseovirides strains K61, etc.), (Streptomyces lydicus strains WYEC108, etc.)] and other biological plant extracts and microorganisms (extracts of live microorganisms or metabolites from microorganisms) known to those of ordinary skill in the art.

[0074] In a specific non-limiting example, the fungicide is one or more of PCNB, pydiflumetofen, and / or propiconazole.

[0075] V. Combinations with Insecticides, Acaricides, and / or Nematicides

[0076] In other aspects, the methods provided herein include combining the HYT plant modifier with one or more insecticides, acaricides, and / or nematicides (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4 or more insecticides, acaricides, and / or nematicides) and applying them to the plant simultaneously or sequentially. This application can be further combined with or without diluents, adjuvants, fertilizers, nutrient-based additives, crop safety agents, other pesticides, and / or plant growth regulators and / or other additives. Information on insecticide classification can be found on the Insecticide Resistance Action Committee website (irac-online.org / training-centre / teaching-materials / ). The insecticides, acaricides, and / or nematicides in these mixtures include salts, esters, pre-insecticide / pre-acaricide / pre-nematicide variants, dimers, conjugates, and formulated forms of insecticide, acaricide, and / or nematicide active substances, such as those listed below.

[0077] In some examples, the insecticide, acaricide, and / or nematicide includes a chordotonal organ or chordotonal organ TRPV channel modulator, such as pymetrozine, pyrifluquiazon, afidopyropen, flonicamid, and other active substances known to those of ordinary skill in the art that target chordotonal organs or chordotonal organ TRPV channel modulators.

[0078] In other examples, the insecticide, acaricide, and / or nematicide includes a sodium channel modulator and / or a voltage-dependent sodium channel blocker, such as bifenthrin, cypermethrin, deltamethrin, esfenvalerate, etofenprox, lambda-cyhalothrin, permethrin, tefluthrin, DDT, methoxychlor, indoxacarb, metaflumizone, and other active substances known to those of ordinary skill in the art that act as sodium channel modulators and / or voltage-dependent sodium channel blockers.

[0079] In a further example, the insecticide, acaricide, and / or nematicide includes an agent that modulates the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nACHR), such as a competitive modulator, an allosteric modulator (site I or site II), and / or a channel blocker. In some examples, the insecticide, acaricide, and / or nematicide includes acetamiprid, dinotefuran, clothianidin, imidacloprid, nitenpyram, thiacloprid, thiamethoxam, nicotine, sulfoxaflor, flupyradifurone, triflumezopyrim, spinetoram, spinosad, GS-ω / κHXTX-Hv1a peptide, bensultap, cartap hydrochloride, thiosultap-sodium, and other active substances known to those of ordinary skill in the art that modulate the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nACHR).

[0080] In other examples, the insecticide, acaricide, and / or nematicide includes a GABA-gated chloride channel antagonist and / or allosteric modulator, such as chlordane, endosulfan, ethiprole, fipronil, broflanilide, fluxametamide, and other active substances known to those of ordinary skill in the art that act as GABA-gated chloride channel antagonists and / or allosteric modulators.

[0081] In additional examples, the insecticide, acaricide, and / or nematicide includes an allosteric modulator of the glutamate-gated chloride channel (GluCl), such as abamectin, emamectin, lepimectin, millbemectin, and other active substances known to those of ordinary skill in the art that act as allosteric modulators of the glutamate-gated chloride channel (GluCl).

[0082] In other examples, the insecticide, acaricide, and / or nematicide includes a ryanodine receptor (RyR) modulator, such as Chlorantraniliprole, Cyantraniliprole, Cyclaniliprole, Flubendiamide, Tetraniliprole, and other RyR modulators known to those of ordinary skill in the art.

[0083] In a further example, the insecticide, acaricide and / or nematicide comprises an acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitor such as aldicarb, aminocarb, bendiocarb, butocarboxim, methiocarb, oxamyl, carbaryl, dimetilan, ethiofencarb, fenobucarb, fenoxycarb, formetanate, formparanate, metolcarb, mexacarbate, methomyl, thiodicarb, carbofuran, carbosulfan, m-cumenylMethylcarbamate, Pirimicarb, Promecarb, Propoxur, Thiofanox, Acephate, Fenitrothion, Methamidophos, Azinphos, BAY-29952, Chlorethoxyfos, Chlorpyrifos, Crufomate, Cyanophos, Diazinon, Dicrotophos, Dichlorvos, Ethoprop, Ethoprophos, Fenamiphos, Fenthion, Fensulfothion, Fonofos, Formothion, Isoxathion, Malathion, Methamidophos, Metrifonate / Trichlorfon, Mevinphos, Naled, Omethoate, Oxydemeton, Phorate, Phosalone, Phosfolan, Phosmet, Phosphamidon, Phoxim, Profenofos, Propetamphos, Prothoate, Quinalphos, Dimethoate, Dioxathion, Sulfotep (TEDP / Dithione / Dithiophos), Tebupirimfos, Temefos, Terbufos, Triazophos, Trichloronate and other AChE inhibitors known to those of ordinary skill in the art.

[0084] In additional examples, the insecticide, acaricide, and / or nematicide includes an octopamine receptor agonist such as amitraz and other octopamine receptor inhibitors known to those of ordinary skill in the art.

[0085] In other examples, the insecticide, acaricide, and / or nematicide includes juvenile hormone mimics such as hydroprene, methoprene, kinoprene, fenoxycarb, pyriproxyfen, and other active substances known to those of ordinary skill in the art that act as juvenile hormone mimics.

[0086] In further examples, the insecticide, acaricide, and / or nematicide includes ecdysone receptor agonists such as chromafenozide, halofenozide, methoxyfenozide, tebufenozide, and other ecdysone receptor agonists known to those of ordinary skill in the art.

[0087] In other examples, the insecticide, acaricide, and / or nematicide includes chitin synthesis inhibitors (such as those that affect CHS1, mite growth inhibitors that affect CHS1, and chitin biosynthesis inhibitors), for example clofentezine, diflovidazin, hexythiazox, etoxazole, diflubenzuron, flufenoxuron, lefenuron, novaluron, teflubenzuron, buprofezin, and other active substances known to those of ordinary skill in the art that inhibit chitin synthesis.

[0088] In additional examples, the insecticide, acaricide, and / or nematicide includes inhibitors of acetyl-CoA carboxylase such as spirodiclofen, spiromesifen, spirotetramat, and other active substances known to those of ordinary skill in the art that inhibit acetyl-CoA carboxylase.

[0089] In other examples, the insecticide, acaricide, and / or nematicide includes inhibitors of mitochondrial cellular respiration complexes I-V, such as fenazaquin, fenpyroximate, pyridaben, pyrimidifen, tebufenpyrad, toufenpyrad, rotenone, cyenopyrafen, cyflumetofen, pyflubumide, hydramethylnon, acequinocyl, fluacrypyrim, bifenazate, aluminum phosphide, calcium phosphide, zinc phosphide, phosphine, cyanide salts, diafenthiuron, azocyclotin, cyhexatin, fenbutatin oxide, propargite, tetradifon, and other active substances known to those of ordinary skill in the art that inhibit mitochondrial cellular respiration complexes I-V.

[0090] In other examples, the insecticide, acaricide, and / or nematicide includes uncouplers of oxidative phosphorylation, such as chlorfenapyr, DNOC, sulfluramid, and other active substances known to those of ordinary skill in the art as uncouplers of oxidative phosphorylation.

[0091] In additional examples, the insecticide, acaricide, and / or nematicide includes a microbial disruptor of the insect midgut, such as Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis, Bacillus thuringiensis aizawai, Bacillus thuringiensis kurstaki, Bacillus thuringiensis tenebrionis, Bacillus sphaericus, and the Bt crop proteins Cry1Ab, Cry1Ac, Cry1Fa, Cry1A.105, Cry2Ab, Vip3A, mCry3A, Cry3Ab, Cry 3Bb, Cry34Ab1 / Cry25Ab1, and other microbial disruptors of the insect midgut known to those of ordinary skill in the art. In other examples, the insecticide, acaricide, and / or nematicide includes a baculovirus that acts on the insect midgut, such as Cydia pomonella GV, Thaumatotibia leucotreta GV, Anticarsia gemmatalis MNPV, Helicoverpa armigera NPV, and other baculoviruses that act on the insect midgut known to those of ordinary skill in the art.

[0092] In other examples, the insecticide, acaricide, and / or nematicide includes non-specific multi-site inhibitors, such as Methyl Bromide, Chloropicrin, Cryolite, Sulfuryl Fluoride, Borax, Tartar Emetic, Dazomet, Metam, and other non-specific multi-site inhibitors known to those of ordinary skill in the art.

[0093] In a further example, the insecticide, acaricide, and / or nematicide includes agents with unknown or poorly understood mechanisms of action (including bacteria, fungi, synthetics, oils, extracts, non-specific mechanical disruptors), such as Azadirachtin, Benzoximate, Bromopropylate, Chinomethionat, Dicofol, Fluensulfone, Mancozeb, Pyridalyl, Sulfurs, CaSX (lime sulfur), Burkholderia species, Wolbachia pipientis (Zap), Chenopodium ambrosiodides extra, fatty acid monoesters (plus glycerol or propylene glycol), Neem Oil, Beauveria bassiana strains, Metarhizium anisopliae strain F52, Purpureocillium lilacinus strain 251, Paecilomyces fumosoroseus / Isaria fumosorosea Apopka strain 97, diatomaceous earth, Clitoria ternatea extract, and other agents with unknown or poorly understood mechanisms of action known to those of ordinary skill in the art.

[0094] VI. Combinations with Plant Growth Regulators

[0095] In other aspects, the methods provided herein include combining the HYT plant modifier with one or more plant growth regulators (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, or more plant growth regulators) and applying them to the plant simultaneously or sequentially. This application may further be combined with or without diluents, adjuvants, fertilizers, nutrient-based additives, crop safety agents, other pesticides, and / or plant growth regulators and / or other additives. The plant growth regulators in these mixtures include salts, esters, pre-regulator variants, dimers, conjugates, and formulated forms of plant growth regulators, such as those listed below.

[0096] In some examples, the plant growth regulators include abscisic acid (and synthetic mimics of abscisic acid), 6-benzyladenine, alcohols, ancymidol, auxins (and synthetic mimics of auxins), brassinosteroids (and synthetic mimics of brassinosteroids), brassinolide, benzyladenine, butralin, butyl phosphorotrithioate, chlormequat chloride, cytokinins (and synthetic mimics of cytokinins), cyclanilide, daminozide, n-decanol, dikegulac, dimethipin, ethephon, ethylene, flurprimidol, gibberellins (and synthetic mimics of gibberellins), indolebutyric acid, indoleacetic acid, jasmonates / jasmonic acid (and synthetic mimics of jasmonates / jasmonic acid), maleic hydrazide, mefluidide, mepiquat, naphthaleneacetic acid, 1-naphthylacetamide, nitric oxide (and synthetic mimics of nitric oxide), paclobutrazol, polyamines, prohexadione, salicylic acid, thidiazuron, TIBA, triacontanol, tribufos, trinexapac, uniconazole, and other plant growth regulators known to those of ordinary skill in the art.

[0097] In specific non-limiting examples, the plant growth regulator includes one or more of trinexapac, paclobutrazol, prohexadione, and / or flurprimidol.

[0098] VII. Additional aspects

[0099] Aspect 1. A method for reducing plant damage and / or increasing yield, comprising contacting a plant, a plant part, soil, or a soilless medium with:

[0100] a HYT plant modifier composition; and

[0101] one or more pesticides and / or plant growth regulators,

[0102] wherein the contacting with the HYT plant modifier and the one or more pesticides and / or plant growth regulators is simultaneous or sequential,

[0103] thereby reducing the plant damage and / or increasing the yield.

[0104] Aspect 2. The method according to aspect 1, wherein the HYT plant modifier composition comprises one or more of chitosan, glucosamine, amino acids, trace elements, proteins, and polysaccharides.

[0105] Aspect 3. The method according to aspect 2, wherein the HYT plant modifier composition comprises about 1-5% (w / v) total amino acids, about 3-10% (w / v) proteins, about 0.5-2% (w / v) nitrogen, less than about 0.2% (w / v) phosphorus, about 0.5-1% (w / v) potassium, about 4-8% (w / v) carbon, about 0.2-1% (w / v) calcium, less than about 0.2% (w / v) magnesium, less than about 0.2% (w / v) sodium, and / or about 0.1-0.4% (w / v) sulfur.

[0106] Aspect 4. The method according to aspect 2 or aspect 3, wherein the HYT plant modifier composition comprises about 0.001-0.0% (w / v) glucosamine.

[0107] Aspect 5. The method according to any one of aspects 1 to 4, wherein the plant, plant part, soil, or soilless medium is contacted with the HYT plant modifier composition at a rate of about 0.25 to about 20 liters per hectare.

[0108] Aspect 6. The method according to any one of aspects 1 to 5, wherein the one or more pesticides include one or more herbicides, one or more insecticides, one or more fungicides, one or more bactericides, one or more acaricides, or one or more nematicides.

[0109] Aspect 7. The method according to any one of aspects 1 to 5, wherein the one or more plant growth regulators include abscisic acid, 6-benzyladenine, alcohols, cyproconazole, auxins, brassinosteroids, brassinolide, benzyladenine, butralin, butylate, chlormequat chloride, cytokinins, cyclanilide, daminozide, decanol, difenzoquat, thidiazuron, ethephon, ethylene, fenarimol, gibberellins, indolebutyric acid, indoleacetic acid, jasmonates, jasmonic acid, maleic hydrazide, flumetsulam, mepiquat chloride, naphthaleneacetic acid, 1-naphthylacetamide, nitric oxide, paclobutrazol, polyamines, prohexadione-calcium, salicylic acid, thidiazuron, TIBA, triacontanol, defoliant phosphorus, trinexapac-ethyl, or uniconazole.

[0110] Aspect 8. The method according to any one of aspects 1 to 7, further comprising contacting the plant, plant part, soil, or soilless medium with one or more additional tank mix additives or formulation components.

[0111] Aspect 9. The method according to aspect 8, wherein the one or more additional tank mix additives or formulation components comprise one or more diluents, formulation additives, adjuvants, fertilizers, nutrient-based additives, drift retardants, defoamers, crop safety agents, dyes, and / or antidotes.

[0112] Aspect 10. The method according to any one of aspects 1 to 9, wherein the plant, plant part, soil, or soilless medium is contacted simultaneously with the HYT plant improver and the one or more pesticides and / or plant growth regulators.

[0113] Aspect 11. The method according to any one of aspects 1 to 9, wherein the plant, plant part, soil, or soilless medium is contacted sequentially with the HYT plant improver and the one or more pesticides and / or plant growth regulators.

[0114] Aspect 12. The method according to aspect 11, wherein the plant, plant part, soil, or soilless medium is contacted with the HYT plant improver about 1 hour to 12 months before contacting the plant, plant part, soil, or soilless medium with the one or more pesticides and / or plant growth regulators.

[0115] Aspect 13. The method according to any one of aspects 1 to 12, wherein the plant, plant part, soil, soilless medium, water, or other medium or environment for plant growth is contacted with the HYT plant improver and / or the one or more pesticides or plant growth regulators one or more times.

[0116] Aspect 14. The method according to any one of aspects 1 to 13, wherein the plant part comprises one or more of leaves, roots, seeds, grafts, and fruiting bodies.

[0117] Aspect 15. The method according to any one of Aspects 1 to 14, wherein the plant is selected from alfalfa, maize (corn), sweet corn, popcorn, cannabis, sorghum, millet, durra, cotton, soybean, edamame, sugar beet, sugar cane, safflower, sunflower, rapeseed, canola, peanut, rice, barley, oats, triticale, rye, wheat, agave, potato, flax, tobacco, mushroom, fruit trees such as apple, apricot, avocado, banana, blackberry, raspberry, loganberry, blackcurrant, blueberry, cherry, cranberry, fig, orange, grapefruit, lemon, lime, tangerine, clementine, mandarin, olive, grape, guava, kiwifruit, mango, nectarine, papaya, peach, pear, persimmon, pineapple, plum, pomegranate, quince, strawberry, tomato, eggplant, pepper, melon, cucumber, watermelon, zucchini, squash, courgette, cantaloupe, honeydew, nuts such as almond, beech, butternut, brazil nut, candlenut, cashew, chestnut, hazelnut, hickory, kola nut, pecan, macadamia, maya nut, paradise nut, pili nut, pistachio, walnut, edible legumes and vegetables, turf grass, forage, leguminous forage, ornamental plants, broad-leaved trees, shrubs, vines, non-graminaceous herbs, wildflowers, herbs and cultivated crops.

[0118] Aspect 16. The method according to any one of Aspects 1 to 15, wherein the plant is a genetically modified plant.

[0119] Aspect 17. The method according to any one of Aspects 1 to 15, wherein the plant is not a genetically modified plant.

[0120] Aspect 18. The method according to any one of Aspects 1 to 17, further comprising assessing crop damage by measuring one or more of stunting, thinning, lodging, defoliation, albinism, chlorosis, necrosis (burn) and root malformation.

[0121] Aspect 19. The method according to any one of Aspects 1 to 17, further comprising assessing crop damage by measuring one or more of plant biomass accumulation, plant height, plant nutrient measurements, chlorophyll fluorescence, measurements of plant surface light reflection patterns, transpiration, respiration, photosynthesis and yield.

[0122] Aspect 20. The method according to any one of Aspects 1 to 19, wherein the improvement of one or more of pest control, desired plant growth and appearance, and crop yield level is caused by contacting the plant, plant part, soil or soilless medium with the HYT plant improver and the one or more pesticides and / or plant growth regulators.

[0123] Examples

[0124] The following examples are provided to illustrate specific features of certain aspects of the disclosure, but the scope of the claims should not be limited to those features illustrated.

[0125] Example 1

[0126] Effects of HYT B combined with fomesafen in soybean

[0127] A field study was conducted in Mantee, MS in 2021 to investigate the effects of the commercial "HYT Plant Improver" B Performance of mixtures with the herbicide fomesafen in soybeans. The study was conducted in a randomized complete block design with six replications in conventionally cultivated soybeans (Glycine max).

[0128] The herbicide was applied in a 20-gallon / acre water carrier and treatments were applied at first bloom (V5 / R1). All fomesafen treatments contained an adjuvant system of 1% v / v crop oil concentrate and 2.5% v / v urea ammonium nitrate, consistent with product label instructions. The treatments included in the trial were as follows: 1) B 16 fluid ounces per acre; 2) B 32 fluid ounces / acre; 3) fomesafen 350g active ingredient / hectare; 5) B 16 fl oz / acre + fomesafen 350g active ingredient / hectare; 6) B 32 fl oz / acre + fomesafen 350 g active ingredient / hectare; 7) untreated control. Visual injury was rated 2 days after application on a percentage scale of 0 to 100, where 0 equals no visual reaction and 100 equals complete plant death.

[0129] In general, the damage for all treatments was between 0 and 7% (Table 1). No damage was observed in the untreated controls. By 7 days after treatment, fomesafen caused 7% damage to soybeans, but surprisingly, the addition of B to the fomesafen treatments Furthermore, fomesafen treatment increased soybean yield by only 4.6%, while B alone increased soybean yield by 4.6%. The yield increased by 5% to 6.3%. Surprisingly, B Tank mixes of sulfafenamide and fomesafen increased soybean yield by 5.9% to 7.8% compared to either component applied alone at its corresponding application rate.

[0130] Table 1.B + fomesafen combination treatment

[0131]

[0132] Example 2

[0133] Effect of HYT B in combination with quintozene in creeping bentgrass

[0134] A field study was conducted in southeastern Pennsylvania during July 2022 to determine the effect of “HYT Plant Conditioner” B when applied in combination with the fungicide quintozene (PCNB) on creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera). PCNB was applied at 227 g active ingredient / 1,000 square feet. A second treatment mixed 227 g active ingredient / 1,000 square feet of PCNB plus 6 fluid ounces / 1,000 square feet of “HYT Plant Conditioner” B On July 14, treatments were applied using an application volume of 2 gallons per 1,000 square feet. Creeping bentgrass injury ratings were taken 5 times, corresponding to 3, 7, 10, 14, and 28 days after application (DAA). Visual injury was evaluated on a percentage scale of 0 to 100, where 0 was equal to no visual response and 100 was equal to complete plant death. Results of PCNB applied alone (Table 2) resulted in an early creeping bentgrass rating of 20%, progressing to 100% injury at the end of the trial evaluation. Surprisingly, 6 fluid ounces / 1,000 square feet of B in combination with 227 g active ingredient / 1,000 square feet of PCNB caused 20% injury, peaked at 55% injury, and ultimately recovered to 27% injury at the end of the trial.

[0135] Table 2. B +PCNB combination treatment

[0136]

[0137] Example 3

[0138] Effect of HYT B in combination with herbicides in GMO soybeans

[0139] A study was conducted in Ames, IA during the summer of 2022 to determine the performance of commercial “HYT Plant Conditioner” B when mixed with the herbicides lactofen, 2,4-D choline salt, and chlorimuron-ethyl in genetically modified (GMO) soybeans engineered to be resistant to 2,4-D. Herbicides were applied in a water carrier of 15 gallons per acre, and treatments were applied to soybeans between the V3 and R1 growth stages. Treatments included 1) B 1 pt / A; 2) lactofen at 218 g active ingredient / ha; 3) lactofen at 218 g active ingredient / ha + B 1 pt / A; 4) 1064 g of 2,4-D choline active ingredient per hectare; 5) 1064 g of 2,4-D choline active ingredient per hectare + B 1 pt / A; 6) 13 g of chlorimuron-ethyl active ingredient per hectare; 7) 13 g of chlorimuron-ethyl active ingredient per hectare + B 1 pt / A. The adjuvants applied vary depending on the treatment and are consistent with the product label recommendations. Pre-emergence herbicides were applied to all treatments to reduce competition from weed species, which would increase variability in the study. Canopy ratings were taken to evaluate the percent ground cover difference of soybeans associated with the various treatments. In these measurements, a greater ground cover number represents a greater amount of soybean leaf tissue, which represents higher crop vigor and overall soybean health.

[0140] When compared to applying the herbicides alone, adding the commercial "HYT Plant Improver" B to the three herbicides lactofen, 2,4-D choline, and chlorimuron-ethyl surprisingly increased the soybean canopy by 7.4% to 12.9% (Table 3).

[0141] Table 3. B + Herbicide combination treatments

[0142]

[0143] Example 4

[0144] Effect of HYT B in combination with herbicides in cotton

[0145] Six field studies were conducted in 2023 in North Carolina, Georgia, South Carolina, Mississippi, Arkansas, and Tennessee to evaluate the "HYT Plant Improver" B in combination with the herbicide trifloxysulfuron in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum). The studies were arranged in a randomized complete block design and replicated 4 times in conventionally tilled cotton. Evaluations were combined by location, and the plots were kept weed-free during the trial period.

[0146] The herbicide was applied to the cotton in a water carrier at three separate growth stages: 1) cotyledon - 2 leaves; 2) 3 - 4 leaves; and 3) 5 leaves or larger. All trifloxysulfuron treatments contained 0.25% v / v of a non-ionic surfactant, which is consistent with the product label instructions. The treatments included in the trial were as follows: 1) 8 g of trifloxysulfuron active ingredient per hectare - cotyledon - 2 leaf cotton; 2) 8 g of trifloxysulfuron active ingredient per hectare + B 1,170 ml / ha - cotyledon - 2 leaf cotton; 3) 8 g of trifloxysulfuron active ingredient per hectare + B 2 pints / acre - cotyledon - 2 - leaf cotton; 4) trifloxysulfuron 8 g active ingredient / ha - 3 - 4 - leaf cotton; 5) trifloxysulfuron 8 g active ingredient / ha + B 1,170 ml / ha - 3 - 4 - leaf cotton; 6) trifloxysulfuron 8 g active ingredient / ha + B 2,340 ml / ha - 3 - 4 - leaf cotton; 7) trifloxysulfuron 8 g active ingredient / ha - 5 - leaf or larger cotton; 8) trifloxysulfuron 8 g active ingredient / ha + B 1,170 ml / ha - 5 - leaf or larger cotton; 9) trifloxysulfuron 8 g active ingredient / ha + B 2,340 ml / ha - 5 - leaf or larger cotton; 10) control. Visual injury was rated on a percentage scale of 0 to 100 approximately 2 to 3 weeks after application, where 0 equals no visual response and 100 equals complete plant death.

[0147] Generally, the injury for all treatments was between 0 and 18% (Table 4). No injury was observed in the untreated control. Trifloxysulfuron alone caused 15% - 18% injury to cotton when applied between the cotyledon and 4 - leaf cotton growth stages. When applied between the cotyledon and 4 - leaf cotton stages, adding 2,340 ml / ha of B could reduce the injury of trifloxysulfuron to cotton to 8% to 12%. At the 5 - leaf stage of cotton, compared with 5% injury caused by trifloxysulfuron alone, 2,340 ml / ha of B plus trifloxysulfuron did not cause visual injury 2 to 3 weeks after treatment.

[0148] Table 4. B in cotton + herbicide combination treatments

[0149]

[0150] Example 5

[0151] Effect of HYT B and herbicide combinations in GMO soybeans

[0152] Four field studies were conducted in Ohio, Nebraska, Indiana, and Illinois in 2023 to determine the effect of 1,170 ml / ha of "HYT Plant Conditioner" B when combined with the herbicide lactofen at 210 g active ingredient / ha and 2,4 - D (as its choline salt) at 2,527 g active ingredient / ha and applied to genetically modified (GM) soybeans (Enlist Effect on the yield of soybean (Glycine max) when soybean (Glycine max) is used, and the genetically modified (GM) soybean is produced to tolerate the application of 2,4-D, glufosinate, and glyphosate. Treatments are applied using an aqueous carrier, where crop oil concentrate is added at 1% v / v to all treatments, and ammonium sulfate is added at 2.24 kg / ha to the herbicide-containing treatments. Yield is adjusted relative to constant humidity and recorded in bushels per acre. The study is arranged in a randomized complete block design and repeated 6 times in conventionally tilled soybeans. All plots are kept weed-free.

[0153] Soybean yields ranged from 61.5 to 66.3 bushels per acre (Table 5). B alone increased soybean yield by 3.6 bushels per acre compared to the control, but lactofen herbicide decreased yield by 0.7 bushels per acre compared to the untreated control. In these GM soybeans, adding B to the lactofen treatment increased yield by an additional 3.2 bushels per acre compared to applying lactofen alone and by 2.5 bushels per acre compared to the control. Similarly, 2,4-D increased soybean yield by 3.1 bushels per acre, and adding B increased the additional bushels of soybeans compared to applying 2,4-D alone. Surprisingly, B increased the yields of two different herbicides with two different sites of action in GM crops, where one herbicide (2,4-D) requires the GM trait for the soybean variety used in this experiment, while the other herbicide (lactofen) has a natural level of tolerance, so it can be used on many soybean varieties, including the varieties evaluated in this experiment.

[0154] Table 5. B in soybeans + Herbicide combination treatments

[0155]

[0156] Example 6

[0157] Effect of HYT B in combination with fungicides in wheat

[0158] Six field studies were conducted in Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Mississippi, Missouri, North Dakota, and Nebraska in 2023 to determine the effect of 1,170 ml / ha of "HYT Plant Improver" B when combined with a fungicide premix containing 150 g active ingredient / ha fluxapyroxad plus 126 g active ingredient / ha propiconazole Effect on wheat (Triticum aestivum) yield. At Feekes stage 10.5, treatments were applied to wheat using an aqueous carrier with 0.25% v / v of a non-ionic surfactant. The study was arranged in a randomized complete block design and replicated 6 times in conventionally tilled wheat. Yield was adjusted relative to constant moisture and recorded in bushels per acre. All plots were kept weed-free.

[0159] Wheat yields ranged between 63.6 and 70.3 bushels per acre (Table 6). B alone increased soybean yield by 3.6 bushels per acre compared to the control, and the fungicide premix of fluxapyroxad plus propiconazole increased soybean yield by 4.4 bushels per acre compared to the control, but surprisingly B plus the fungicide premix combination increased wheat yield by 6.7 bushels per acre compared to the control. Interestingly, when compared to the control, B alone and the fungicide premix each increased wheat protein yield by 0.04%, but when combined together as a mixture, they increased wheat protein by 0.32%.

[0160] Table 6. B in wheat + fungicide combination treatments

[0161]

[0162] Example 7

[0163] Effect of HYT B in combination with plant growth regulators in creeping bentgrass turf

[0164] A field trial was initiated on May 19, 2023 in Spring City, PA to determine how 19,091 ml / ha of "HYT Plant Improver" B improved phytotoxicity produced by various plant growth regulators and their combinations on creeping bentgrass (Agrostis palustris) turf. Each plant growth regulator (PGR) combination was applied at 2 gallons of water per 1,000 square feet and applied 6 times at two-week intervals. Between June 8 and August 11, visual injury was rated 8 times on a percentage scale of 0 to 100, where 0 equals no visual response and 100 equals complete plant death. Visual ratings were combined and the results of those evaluations are as follows (Table 7). In the absence of B each PGR alone or in combination caused 10% to 22% phytotoxicity. Surprisingly, B reduced the phytotoxicity associated with all PGR applications. B The phytotoxicity of the plant with the PGR mixture is 4% to 11%.

[0165] Table 7. B in creeping bentgrass turf + treatment with plant growth regulator combination

[0166]

[0167]

[0168] It is obvious that without departing from the spirit of the aspects described in this disclosure, the exact details of the method or composition can be changed or modified. We claim all such modifications and variations that fall within the scope and spirit of the following claims.

Claims

1. A method for reducing plant damage and / or increasing yield, which comprises contacting a plant, a plant part, soil or a soilless medium with the following substances: The HYT plant modifier composition; and One or more pesticides and / or plant growth regulators, wherein the contacting with the HYT plant modifier and the one or more pesticides and / or plant growth regulators is simultaneous or sequential, thereby reducing the plant damage and / or increasing the yield.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the HYT plant modifier composition comprises one or more of chitosan, glucosamine, amino acids, trace elements, proteins and polysaccharides.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the HYT plant modifier composition comprises about 1-5% (w / v) total amino acids, about 3-10% (w / v) proteins, about 0.5-2% (w / v) nitrogen, less than about 0.2% (w / v) phosphorus, about 0.5-1% (w / v) potassium, about 4-8% (w / v) carbon, about 0.2-1% (w / v) calcium, less than about 0.2% (w / v) magnesium, less than about 0.2% (w / v) sodium and / or about 0.1-0.4% (w / v) sulfur.

4. The method according to claim 2, wherein the HYT plant modifier composition comprises about 0.001-0.0% (w / v) glucosamine.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the plant, the plant part, the soil or the soilless medium is contacted with the HYT plant modifier composition at a rate of about 0.25 to about 20 liters per hectare.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the one or more pesticides include one or more herbicides, one or more insecticides, one or more fungicides, one or more bactericides, one or more acaricides or one or more nematicides.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the one or more plant growth regulators include abscisic acid, 6-benzyladenine, alcohols, cyproconazole, auxins, brassinosteroids, brassinolide, benzyladenine, butralin, butyl phosphorotrithioate, chlormequat chloride, cytokinins, cyclanilide, daminozide, n-decanol, difenzoquat, thidiazuron, ethephon, ethylene, fenfuram, gibberellins, indolebutyric acid, indoleacetic acid, jasmonates, jasmonic acid, maleic hydrazide, flumetsulam, mepiquat chloride, naphthaleneacetic acid, 1-naphthylacetamide, nitric oxide, paclobutrazol, polyamines, trinexapac-ethyl, salicylic acid, thidiazuron, TIBA, triacontanol, defoliant phosphorus, trinexapac-ethyl or uniconazole.

8. The method according to claim 1, which further comprises contacting the plant, the plant part, the soil or the soilless medium with one or more additional tank mix additives or formulation components.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the one or more additional tank mix additives or formulation components comprise one or more diluents, formulation additives, adjuvants, fertilizers, nutrient-based additives, drift blockers, defoamers, crop safeners, dyes and / or antidotes.

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein the plant, plant part, soil or soilless medium is contacted with the HYT plant improver and the one or more pesticides and / or plant growth regulators simultaneously.

11. The method according to claim 1, wherein the plant, plant part, soil or soilless medium is contacted with the HYT plant improver and the one or more pesticides and / or plant growth regulators sequentially.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the plant, plant part, soil or soilless medium is contacted with the HYT plant improver about 1 hour to 12 months before contacting with the one or more pesticides and / or plant growth regulators.

13. The method according to claim 1, wherein the plant, plant part, soil, soilless medium, water or other medium or environment for plant growth is contacted with the HYT plant improver and / or the one or more pesticides and / or plant growth regulators one or more times.

14. The method according to claim 1, wherein the plant part comprises one or more of leaves, roots, seeds, grafts and fruiting bodies.

15. The method according to claim 1, wherein the plant is selected from alfalfa, corn (maize), sweet corn, popcorn, hemp, sorghum, millet, durra, cotton, soybean, edamame, sugar beet, sugar cane, safflower, sunflower, rapeseed, canola, peanut, rice, barley, oats, triticale, rye, wheat, agave, potato, flax, tobacco, mushroom, fruit trees such as apple, apricot, avocado, banana, blackberry, raspberry, loganberry, blackcurrant, blueberry, cherry, cranberry, fig, orange, grapefruit, lemon, lime, tangerine, clementine, mandarin, red tangerine, olive, grape, guava, kiwifruit, mango, nectarine, papaya, peach, pear, persimmon, pineapple, plum, pomegranate, quince, strawberry, tomato, eggplant, pepper, melon, cucumber, watermelon, zucchini, pumpkin, courgette, cantaloupe, honeydew melon, nuts such as almond, beech, butternut, brazil nut, candlenut, cashew, chestnut, hazelnut, hickory, cola nut, pecan, macadamia, maya nut, paradise nut, pili nut, pistachio, walnut, edible legumes and vegetables, turfgrass, forage grass, leguminous forage, ornamental plant, broadleaf tree, shrub, vine, non-grass herb, wild flower, herbaceous plant and cultivated crop.

16. The method according to claim 1, wherein the plant is a genetically modified plant.

17. The method according to claim 1, wherein the plant is not a genetically modified plant.

18. The method according to claim 1, further comprising evaluating crop damage by measuring one or more of stunting, thinning, lodging, defoliation, albino, chlorosis, necrosis (burn) and root malformation.

19. The method according to claim 1, further comprising evaluating crop damage by measuring one or more of plant biomass accumulation, plant height, plant nutrient measurements, chlorophyll fluorescence, measurements of plant surface light reflection patterns, transpiration, respiration, photosynthesis, and yield.

20. The method according to claim 1, wherein the improvement of one or more of pest control, desired plant growth and appearance, and crop yield level is caused by contacting the plant, plant part, soil, or soilless medium with the HYT plant modifier and the one or more pesticides and / or plant growth regulators.

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