Plant growth regulator for improving growth performance of tomato and use thereof

Abstract

The application discloses a kind of plant growth regulators for improving the growth performance of tomato and application thereof, belong to plant growth regulator technical field, the synergistic regulation system of S-antimycin-aminexetine basic regulator combined with specific regulator in different stages is first constructed in the application, precise and differentiation management of tomato whole growth period is realized.The application is aimed at seedling stage, initial flowering stage, fruit expansion stage and color changing stage four key growth stages, respectively designed with fulvic acid humic acid-polyglutamic acid, chitosan-boric acid-sorbitol chelate, gamma-aminobutyric acid-trehalose and methyl jasmonate as characteristic component stage regulator, and S-antimycin-aminexetine mixed agent is used in stage compounding.The experimental results show that the plant growth regulator provided by the application can significantly improve the yield and fruit quality of tomato, and it is proved that the stage accurate compounding has significant advantages compared with single basic regulation.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of plant growth regulator technology, and in particular relates to a plant growth regulator for improving the growth performance of tomatoes and its application. Background Technology

[0002] Current technologies typically employ the same plant growth regulator or a fixed compound formulation, repeatedly applied throughout the entire tomato growth cycle, including seedling, initial flowering, fruit expansion, and ripening stages. However, the physiological needs of tomatoes differ significantly at different growth stages. The seedling stage prioritizes root development and seedling vigor; the initial flowering stage focuses on flower protection and pollination; the fruit expansion stage emphasizes fruit cell division and enlargement; and the ripening stage prioritizes pigment synthesis and quality formation. Applying the same formulation throughout the entire growth cycle fails to provide precise regulation tailored to the specific needs of each stage, leading to poor regulatory effects or side effects.

[0003] Therefore, developing a plant growth regulator that can precisely regulate the specific needs of tomatoes at different growth stages is of great practical significance for improving tomato yield and quality. Summary of the Invention

[0004] To address the above problems, this invention provides a plant growth regulator for improving tomato growth performance and its application.

[0005] To achieve the above-mentioned objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution: In a first aspect, the present invention provides a plant growth regulator to improve the growth performance of tomatoes, including an S-inducer-amino ester mixture, a seedling stage regulator, an initial flowering stage regulator, a fruit expansion stage regulator, and a color-changing stage regulator.

[0006] Furthermore, the S-inducer-amino ester mixture is composed of S-inducer and amino ester in a mass ratio of 1:(1-5).

[0007] S-inducer, a natural abscisic acid, promotes root development and enhances plant resistance by activating stress response pathways, inducing the accumulation of osmotic regulators and antioxidant enzyme activity. Aminoethyl ester, a cytokinin-active substance, enhances nutrient absorption and transport by promoting cell division and elongation, increasing chlorophyll content and photosynthetic efficiency. In this invention, S-inducer and aminoethyl ester are combined to form a mixture. Their mechanisms of action are complementary. S-inducer maintains endogenous hormone balance, preventing excessive aminoethyl ester from causing excessive vegetative growth, while aminoethyl ester promotes growth and development, compensating for any potential growth inhibition caused by S-inducer. The combined effect is superior to single-agent use, synergistically improving tomato root vigor, leaf photosynthetic capacity, and stress resistance.

[0008] Furthermore, the seedling stage regulator is composed of fulvic acid and polyglutamic acid in a mass ratio of (2-3):1; the initial flowering stage regulator is composed of chitosan oligosaccharide and boric acid-sorbitol chelate in a mass ratio of (3-5):1; the fruit expansion stage regulator is composed of γ-aminobutyric acid and trehalose in a mass ratio of 1:(1.5-2.5); and the color-changing stage regulator is selected from methyl jasmonate.

[0009] Furthermore, the seedling stage regulator is composed of fulvic acid and polyglutamic acid in a mass ratio of 2.5:1; the initial flowering stage regulator is composed of chitosan oligosaccharide and boric acid-sorbitol chelate in a mass ratio of 4:1; and the fruit expansion stage regulator is composed of γ-aminobutyric acid and trehalose in a mass ratio of 1:2.

[0010] The seedling stage is a critical period for tomato root development. Seedlings are weak and sensitive to water and nutrient supply. Fulvic acid, as the main component, has low molecular weight components that can be effectively utilized by the roots, stimulating root cell division, promoting lateral root and root hair formation, and improving the rhizosphere microenvironment. Polyglutamic acid, as an auxiliary component, has strong water retention and chelating abilities, providing a stable water and nutrient environment for seedlings. However, its viscosity is extremely high; an excessively high proportion will lead to an overly viscous solution, affecting spray uniformity. Maintaining a mass ratio of fulvic acid to polyglutamic acid of (2-3):1 ensures a sufficient supply of the main root-promoting component while achieving water retention and chelation through an appropriate amount of polyglutamic acid, thus avoiding excessively high solution viscosity that could affect atomization.

[0011] The initial flowering stage is a sensitive period for tomato flower development and pollination / fertilization. Flowers are susceptible to pathogen infection, and boron is required for pollen germination and pollen tube elongation. Chitosan oligosaccharide, as the dominant component, can induce systemic acquired resistance in plants, protecting flowers from pathogen infection. Boric acid-sorbitol chelates provide boron nutrition, but boron is a trace element; excessive amounts can inhibit pollen germination or even cause toxicity. Maintaining a chitosan oligosaccharide to boric acid-sorbitol chelate mass ratio of (3–5):1 not only enhances the immune-inducing function but, more importantly, acts as a dilution carrier, keeping the effective boron concentration within a safe range. The slow release of chelated boron avoids the risk of acute boron toxicity. This ratio achieves synergistic effects between flower immune protection and reproductive nutrient supply, effectively improving fruit set rate.

[0012] The fruit expansion stage is a period of rapid cell division and enlargement in tomato fruits, requiring a sufficient energy supply. Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), as a signaling molecule, can induce plants to initiate stress response mechanisms, enhancing their resistance. Trehalose, as an energy reserve, can provide energy for fruit expansion through metabolic breakdown, stabilize protein and cell membrane structures, and protect cells from damage during rapid expansion. Maintaining a mass ratio of GABA to trehalose of 1:(1.5–2.5) ensures the necessary energy and osmotic protection for fruit expansion.

[0013] Secondly, this invention provides an application of the plant growth regulator described above for improving tomato growth performance in tomato cultivation. During the tomato seedling stage, the S-inducer-aminoethyl ester mixture and the seedling stage regulator are combined and diluted to an S-inducer concentration of 0.5–2 mg / L for foliar spraying. During the initial flowering stage, the S-inducer-aminoethyl ester mixture and the initial flowering stage regulator are combined and diluted to an S-inducer concentration of 1–3 mg / L for foliar spraying. During the fruit expansion stage, the S-inducer-aminoethyl ester mixture and the fruit expansion stage regulator are combined and diluted to an S-inducer concentration of 2–5 mg / L for foliar spraying. During the color-changing stage, the S-inducer-aminoethyl ester mixture and the color-changing stage regulator are combined and diluted to an S-inducer concentration of 3–6 mg / L for foliar spraying.

[0014] Further, the mass ratio of the S-inducer-aminoethyl ester mixture to the seedling stage regulator is (10-50):1; the mass ratio of the S-inducer-aminoethyl ester mixture to the initial flowering stage regulator is (20-50):1; the mass ratio of the S-inducer-aminoethyl ester mixture to the fruit expansion stage regulator is (8-30):1; and the mass ratio of the S-inducer-aminoethyl ester mixture to the color-changing stage regulator is (3-15):1.

[0015] Furthermore, the mass ratio of the S-inducer-aminoethyl ester mixture to the seedling stage regulator is 25:1; the mass ratio of the S-inducer-aminoethyl ester mixture to the initial flowering stage regulator is 30:1; the mass ratio of the S-inducer-aminoethyl ester mixture to the fruit expansion stage regulator is 15:1; and the mass ratio of the S-inducer-aminoethyl ester mixture to the color-changing stage regulator is 8:1.

[0016] This invention employs a combination of a seedling growth regulator and an S-inducer-aminoethyl ester mixture. Humic acid (a type of fulvic acid) stimulates root cell division, promoting the formation of lateral roots and root hairs; polyglutamic acid, through its superior water retention and chelating ability, provides a stable water and nutrient environment for seedlings. The S-inducer-aminoethyl ester mixture plays a fundamental regulatory role in promoting root growth and seedling development, while the seedling growth regulator synergistically improves the rhizosphere microenvironment. By limiting the mass ratio of the two components, this invention ensures that fundamental regulation is dominant while environmental optimization is secondary, avoiding excessive vegetative growth and cultivating robust seedlings with well-developed root systems, thick stems, and strong resistance, laying a solid foundation for subsequent growth stages.

[0017] This invention employs a combination of an initial flowering stage regulator and an S-inducer-aminoethyl ester mixture. Chitosan oligosaccharides induce systemic acquired resistance in plants, protecting floral organs from pathogen infection; boric acid-sorbitol chelates promote pollen germination and pollen tube elongation through the slow release of boron. The S-inducer-aminoethyl ester mixture stably maintains the hormonal environment required for floral development and protects flowers and fruits, while the initial flowering stage regulator precisely provides the boron nutrition needed for immune protection and pollination and fertilization during the flowering period. The mass ratio of the two (20-50):1 represents the lowest proportion of the stage regulator among the four stages, strictly controlling the boron concentration within a safe window to avoid excessive micronutrients inhibiting pollen germination or interfering with the balance of endogenous hormones in floral organs, thus significantly improving fruit set without causing phytotoxicity or nutritional imbalance.

[0018] The fruit expansion regulator was applied in combination with a mixture of S-inducer and aminoethyl ester. γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) acts as a signaling molecule to induce the plant to initiate a stress response mechanism, enhancing its resistance. Trehalose, as an osmotic protectant and energy reserve, participates in the fruit expansion process and stabilizes protein and cell membrane structures. The S-inducer-aminoethyl ester mixture promotes cell division and expansion and regulates osmotic balance, while the fruit expansion regulator provides sufficient energy supply and osmotic protection. The mass ratio of the two (8–30):1 is significantly higher than in the previous two stages, meeting the dual needs of rapid fruit development for nutrition and stress protection. This effectively addresses adverse stresses such as high temperature and drought, promotes uniform fruit expansion, and reduces the occurrence of cracked and deformed fruits.

[0019] The color-changing period is a crucial stage for tomato chlorophyll degradation and the synthesis of carotenoids and lycopene, requiring the initiation of secondary metabolism and regulation of pigment transformation. Methyl jasmonic acid is a potent secondary metabolism inducer that can activate the phenylpropanoid and isoprene metabolic pathways, promoting chlorophyll degradation and the synthesis and accumulation of carotenoids and lycopene. However, the effective concentration of methyl jasmonic acid is extremely low; excessive application can induce leaf senescence and abscission, and even lead to excessively rapid fruit softening and decreased storage performance. This invention limits the color-changing period regulator to methyl jasmonic acid, and through its combined application with an S-inducer-aminoethyl ester mixture, achieves the following synergistic regulatory effects: First, the S-inducer-aminoethyl ester mixture maintains the basic hormonal environment for fruit ripening and delays senescence. S-inducer, as a natural abscisic acid analog, can promote the initiation of chlorophyll degradation while maintaining the balance of endogenous hormones in cells, avoiding the premature aging effect induced by excessive methyl jasmonate. Amino acid esters, on the other hand, maintain cell division activity, delaying the fruit softening process and ensuring that pigment transformation proceeds in an orderly manner within the appropriate time window. Secondly, methyl jasmonate, as a specific regulator of the color-changing period, precisely controls the intensity of secondary metabolism initiation. By controlling the mass ratio of the S-inducer-amino acid ester mixture to methyl jasmonate at (3–15):1, the extremely low effective concentration of methyl jasmonate is precisely matched. At this ratio, methyl jasmonate exerts a strong inducing effect at an extremely low absolute content, ensuring the full activation of the phenylpropanoid and isoprene metabolic pathways while avoiding premature leaf aging and premature fruit softening caused by excessive concentrations. Thirdly, they synergistically achieve orderly chlorophyll degradation and full pigment synthesis. S-inducer promotes the initiation of chlorophyll degradation, methyl jasmonate activates the synthesis pathways of carotenoids and lycopene, and amino acid esters maintain the integrity of cell structure. The three work synergistically to promote the orderly conversion of chlorophyll into carotenoids and lycopene, resulting in uniform fruit coloring, bright color, and excellent quality, while avoiding premature aging or excessive softening caused by excessive hormone regulation.

[0020] Furthermore, the amount of foliar spraying is determined by ensuring that the front surface of the leaf is evenly covered with droplets.

[0021] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following advantages and technical effects: Existing technologies typically employ single plant growth regulators or fixed formulations for application throughout the entire growth cycle, making it difficult to match the specific physiological needs of tomatoes at different growth stages. This invention, for the first time, constructs a synergistic regulatory system combining an S-inducer-aminoethyl ester basic regulator with stage-specific regulators, achieving precise and differentiated management of tomatoes throughout their entire growth cycle. This invention targets four key growth stages: seedling stage, initial flowering stage, fruit expansion stage, and color change stage. Stage regulators characterized by humic acid-polyglutamic acid, chitosan oligosaccharide-boric acid-sorbitol chelate, γ-aminobutyric acid-trehalose, and methyl jasmonic acid are designed for each stage, and are then applied in combination with an S-inducer-aminoethyl ester mixture. Experimental results show that using the plant growth regulators provided by this invention significantly improves tomato yield and fruit quality, demonstrating that precise stage-specific compounding has significant advantages over single basic regulation. Detailed Implementation

[0022] Various exemplary embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail. This detailed description should not be considered as a limitation of the present invention, but rather as a more detailed description of certain aspects, features, and embodiments of the present invention.

[0023] It should be understood that the terminology used in this invention is merely for describing particular embodiments and is not intended to limit the invention. Furthermore, with respect to numerical ranges in this invention, it should be understood that each intermediate value between the upper and lower limits of the range is also specifically disclosed. Every smaller range between any stated value or intermediate value within a stated range, and any other stated value or intermediate value within said range, is also included in this invention. The upper and lower limits of these smaller ranges may be independently included or excluded from the range.

[0024] Unless otherwise stated, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. While only preferred methods and materials have been described herein, any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein may be used in the implementation or testing of this invention. All references to this specification are incorporated by way of citation to disclose and describe methods and / or materials associated with those references. In the event of any conflict with any incorporated reference, the content of this specification shall prevail.

[0025] Various modifications and variations can be made to the specific embodiments described in this specification without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Other embodiments derived from this specification will also be apparent to those skilled in the art. This specification and embodiments are merely exemplary.

[0026] The terms “include,” “including,” “have,” “contain,” etc., used in this article are all open-ended terms, meaning that they include but are not limited to.

[0027] Unless otherwise specified, all materials used in this invention are commercially available products.

[0028] This invention was tested in a greenhouse at the Hainan University experimental base. Tomatoes (American Big Red 988) were cultivated using a pot cultivation method. The plastic pots were 300×400mm in size, with one tomato seedling transplanted into each pot. The cultivation soil was loam with an organic matter content of 2.14%, pH=6.9, available nitrogen 89.7 mg / kg, available phosphorus 40.12 mg / kg, and available potassium 86.27 mg / kg. Water and fertilizer management followed normal greenhouse cultivation standards. The cultivation conditions were in a research-grade plastic greenhouse, with daytime high temperatures controlled at 28-30℃ and nighttime low temperatures controlled at 15-20℃, and relative humidity at 65%-85%. The experimental research greenhouse provided good temperature control and light conditions.

[0029] The reagents used in the embodiments and comparative examples of this invention were all purchased commercially available.

[0030] Example 1 - Example 3 Tomato plants with uniform growth were selected as treatment subjects. During the tomato seedling stage, the S-inducer-aminoethyl ester mixture and the seedling stage regulator (composed of fulvic acid-type humic acid and polyglutamic acid) were dissolved in a 0.1 wt% Tween-80 aqueous solution, and then mixed with water to prepare the required concentration for the experiment. Foliar spraying was carried out at the 2-3 leaf stage of the seedlings, mainly on the upper surface of the leaves. At the initial flowering stage, the S-inducer-aminoethyl ester mixture and the initial flowering stage regulator (composed of chitosan oligosaccharide and boron) were applied. The following formulations were prepared: S-acid-sorbitol chelate mixture and fruit expansion regulator (composed of γ-aminobutyric acid and trehalose) were dissolved in a 0.1 wt% Tween-80 aqueous solution, then mixed with water to prepare the required concentration for the test. Foliar spraying was carried out when the first inflorescence reached 30%–50% flowering rate. During the fruit expansion period, S-acid-aminobutyric acid chelate mixture and fruit expansion regulator (composed of γ-aminobutyric acid and trehalose) were dissolved in a 0.1 wt% Tween-80 aqueous solution, then mixed with water to prepare the required concentration for the test. Foliar spraying was carried out when the fruit diameter reached 2–3 cm. During the color change period, S-acid-aminobutyric acid chelate mixture and color change regulator (methyl jasmonate) were dissolved in a 0.1 wt% Tween-80 aqueous solution, then mixed with water to prepare the required concentration for the test. Foliar spraying was carried out when the fruit entered the green ripening stage. The spraying amount for the above foliar spraying was based on the goal of evenly covering the upper surface of the leaves with droplets.

[0031] The mass ratios of S-inducer and aminoethyl ester in Examples 1-3, the mass ratios of each component in the seedling stage regulator, the initial flowering stage regulator, and the fruit expansion stage regulator are shown in Table 1. The application ratios of the S-inducer-aminoethyl ester mixture and the regulators at each stage are shown in Table 2. The application concentrations of S-inducer at each stage are shown in Table 3. In each example, 10 tomato plants were treated.

[0032] Table 1 Table 2 Table 3 Comparative Example 1 Same as Example 2, except that only the S-inducer-amine ester mixture is applied during the seedling stage, initial flowering stage, fruit expansion stage and color change stage.

[0033] Comparative Example 2 Same as Example 2, except that only the S-inducer-amino ester mixture is applied during the seedling stage.

[0034] Comparative Example 3 Same as Example 2, except that only the S-inducer-amino ester mixture is applied at the initial flowering stage.

[0035] Comparative Example 4 Same as Example 2, except that only the S-inducer-amine ester mixture is applied during the fruit expansion period.

[0036] Comparative Example 5 Same as Example 2, except that only the S-inducer-amino ester mixture is applied during the color-changing period.

[0037] The number of mature fruits in tomato plants of Examples 1-3 and Comparative Examples 1-5, the longitudinal diameter, transverse diameter and single fruit weight of each fruit were examined. The yield of all mature fruits from the first batch of mature tomatoes to 30 days thereafter was counted. The calculation method is as follows: The effect of the plant growth regulator provided by this invention to improve tomato growth performance on tomato growth and yield was analyzed using Duncan's new multiple range method of the DPS data system. The blank control group was that no agent was applied to tomatoes at any stage. The results are shown in Table 4.

[0038] The effect of plant growth regulators is calculated according to formula (1), as follows: (1); In the formula: R Plant growth regulation effect, expressed as a percentage (%); X1 : Survey indicators for the drug treatment group; X0 : Blank control corresponding survey indicators.

[0039] Table 4 Table 4 shows that in Examples 1-3, the application of S-inducer-aminoethyl ester mixture in stages with stage-specific regulators resulted in significantly higher tomato longitudinal diameter, transverse diameter, single fruit weight, and yield compared to the blank control. Comparative Example 1, which used only the S-inducer-aminoethyl ester mixture throughout the entire growth cycle, showed some effect, but the regulation rate was significantly lower than in the examples, demonstrating that the basic regulator must be used in conjunction with stage-specific regulators to achieve the best results. Comparative Examples 2-5, which omitted stage-specific regulators at certain stages, all showed less effect than Example 2. The omission at the initial flowering stage (Comparative Example 3) had the greatest impact on yield, the omission at the fruit expansion stage (Comparative Example 4) had the greatest impact on single fruit weight, and the omission at the color-changing stage (Comparative Example 5) had a smaller impact on quality-related indicators but still negatively affected the overall effect. These results indicate that the present invention, through the precise stage-specific combination of the S-inducer-aminoethyl ester mixture with stage-specific regulators, achieves synergistic regulation of the entire tomato growth cycle. Each stage-specific regulator functions according to the specific physiological needs of that period, and none can be omitted, collectively achieving the technical effect of improving tomato growth performance and yield.

[0040] The above are merely preferred embodiments of the present invention, but the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technology disclosed in the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A plant growth regulator for improving the growth performance of tomatoes, characterized in that, This includes S-inducer-amino ester mixture, seedling stage regulator, initial flowering stage regulator, fruit expansion stage regulator, and color change stage regulator.

2. The plant growth regulator for improving tomato growth performance according to claim 1, characterized in that, The S-inducer-amino ester mixture is composed of S-inducer and amino ester in a mass ratio of 1:(1-5).

3. The plant growth regulator for improving tomato growth performance according to claim 1, characterized in that, The seedling stage regulator is composed of fulvic acid and polyglutamic acid in a mass ratio of (2-3):1; the initial flowering stage regulator is composed of chitosan oligosaccharide and boric acid-sorbitol chelate in a mass ratio of (3-5):1; the fruit expansion stage regulator is composed of γ-aminobutyric acid and trehalose in a mass ratio of 1:(1.5-2.5); and the color-changing stage regulator is methyl jasmonic acid.

4. The plant growth regulator for improving tomato growth performance according to claim 3, characterized in that, The seedling stage regulator is composed of fulvic acid and polyglutamic acid in a mass ratio of 2.5:1; the initial flowering stage regulator is composed of chitosan oligosaccharide and boric acid-sorbitol chelate in a mass ratio of 4:1; and the fruit expansion stage regulator is composed of γ-aminobutyric acid and trehalose in a mass ratio of 1:

2.

5. The application of a plant growth regulator for improving tomato growth performance as described in any one of claims 1 to 4 in tomato cultivation, characterized in that, During the tomato seedling stage, mix the S-inducer-aminoethyl ester mixture with the seedling stage regulator, dilute to a S-inducer concentration of 0.5–2 mg / L, and apply as a foliar spray. During the initial flowering stage, mix the S-inducer-aminoethyl ester mixture with the initial flowering stage regulator, dilute to a S-inducer concentration of 1–3 mg / L, and apply as a foliar spray. During the fruit expansion stage, mix the S-inducer-aminoethyl ester mixture with the fruit expansion stage regulator, dilute to a S-inducer concentration of 2–5 mg / L, and apply as a foliar spray. During the color-changing stage, mix the S-inducer-aminoethyl ester mixture with the color-changing stage regulator, dilute to a S-inducer concentration of 3–6 mg / L, and apply as a foliar spray.

6. The application according to claim 5, characterized in that, The mass ratio of the S-inducer-amino ester mixture to the seedling growth regulator is (10-50):1; The mass ratio of the S-inducer-amino ester mixture to the initial flowering stage regulator is (20-50):1; The mass ratio of the S-inducer-amine ester mixture to the fruit expansion regulator is (8-30):1; The mass ratio of the S-inducer-amino ester mixture to the color-changing period regulator is (3-15):

1.

7. The application according to claim 6, characterized in that, The mass ratio of the S-inducer-amino ester mixture to the seedling growth regulator is 25:1; The mass ratio of the S-inducer-amino ester mixture to the initial flowering stage regulator is 30:1; The mass ratio of the S-inducer-amine ester mixture to the fruit expansion regulator is 15:1; The mass ratio of the S-inducer-amino ester mixture to the color-changing period regulator is 8:

1.

8. The application according to claim 5, characterized in that, The amount of foliar spraying is determined by ensuring that the front of the leaf is evenly covered with droplets.

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