METHOD FOR IMPROVING THE STABILITY OF A CROP

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for treating a cereal crop on a field, wherein the method provides that a conventional application plan, in which a certain quantity of one or more growth regulators is sprayed at least once at one or more specific times, is modified.

[0002] Healthy plants are essential for high-yielding agricultural production, as infestation of crops with phytopathogenic bacteria, fungi, or viruses can lead to significant yield losses, as can damage from insect feeding or other plant pests. Therefore, to protect plant health, pesticides (herbicides, fungicides, insecticides, nematicides, rodenticides) are frequently applied to control harmful organisms.

[0003] Another important characteristic of healthy plants is their stability. Strong gusts of wind and heavy rain can cause crops to collapse in patches or strips across large areas ("lodging"). Cereals, flax, corn, rapeseed, and potatoes are particularly susceptible to this.

[0004] Storage significantly complicates harvesting and reduces quality. While modern harvesting machines can sometimes still harvest lodged crops, fallen plants usually cannot be processed into higher-quality goods after harvesting, and particularly with plants that are already lodged at an early stage of development, considerable yield losses can be observed.

[0005] Growth regulators are used in agriculture to improve stability.

[0006] These are substances that influence plant growth, for example by reducing stem elongation, which leads to shorter plants and thus stronger shoots. Most growth regulators are natural phytohormones or their synthetic analogs. Since growth regulators fundamentally interfere with the hormonal control of plant growth, an overdose can also have negative consequences.

[0007] The use of growth regulators depends on many factors, such as plant variety, nutrient supply, water supply, soil type, and weather. In agricultural arable farming, the question is not only whether applying growth regulators will increase yield, but also what quantities must be applied to actually achieve the desired yield increase. Even small deviations from the optimum can have significant consequences.

[0008] A typical conventional application plan for growth regulators involves two applications: a first injection of a specific amount of growth regulator, followed by a second injection of a specific amount of growth regulator, which may be greater, less, or equal to the amount applied in the first injection.

[0009] A method for treating a crop on arable land with a growth regulator and a high silicon concentration is known from CN 102 503 659 A.

[0010] For several reasons, there is a need for a method to reduce the amount of growth regulators applied in a conventional application plan. Firstly, lower quantities typically mean lower costs. Secondly, it is desirable for ecological reasons to reduce the overall amount of growth regulators used in agriculture.

[0011] However, extreme caution must be exercised when reducing growth regulators. There is always the risk that even a slightly excessive reduction could lead to significant yield losses or even a complete crop failure.

[0012] The present invention therefore proposes a method according to claim 1.

[0013] The modification of a conventional application plan proposed according to the invention results in the amount of growth regulator used according to the modified application plan being lower than the amount that would have to be used according to the conventional application plan. This allows for savings in acquisition costs for growth regulators and reduces the environmental impact of growth regulator input.

[0014] The present invention relates to a method for treating a cereal crop on arable land. The term "crop" is to be understood as encompassing all cultivated plants that are used for economic purposes, and includes both useful plants and ornamental plants.

[0015] The term "crop" encompasses cultivated plants that are used for further processing as food, stimulants, medicinal plants, animal feed, or for technical purposes (renewable raw materials). The term "crop" includes, in particular, the typical field crops traditionally used in agriculture, such as cereals, pulses, root crops, and oilseeds, but also vegetables and fruits.

[0016] A method for improving the "stability" of a plant means that, through the application of the method, plant parts, especially shoots, are less prone to bending or breaking under mechanical stress. Improved stability thus means greater resistance of the treated plants to strong gusts of wind and heavy rain. Therefore, in stands of plants with improved stability, significantly fewer lodgings occur, even under weather conditions with strong winds and rain.

[0017] In the context of the present invention, the term "application plan" means a plan for the application of a growth regulator to a plant grown in a field, wherein the plan includes at least the amount of the agent applied (per application) and the number of applications of the agent.

[0018] A "conventional" application plan is understood to be all those application plans that are conventionally used and that do not include all process steps of the modified application plan according to the invention. Accordingly, the "modified" application plan represents a "conventional" application plan adapted according to the invention.

[0019] Treating the crop according to the modified application plan means that the crops grown on a field are treated with the measures specified in the modified application plan. The products used can be applied in the conventional way, especially by spraying.

[0020] The term "field" or "arable land" here refers to any area used for growing a crop, and an "arable land unit" is a defined unit of area (e.g. square meter, are, hectare) of the field.

[0021] The modification of a conventional application plan proposed according to the invention results in the second amount of growth regulator used according to the modified application plan being less than the first amount that would have to be used according to the conventional application plan.

[0022] In certain embodiments, the second quantity per unit area of ​​the first growth regulator is 75% or less, preferably 50% or less, and particularly preferably 25% or less, of the first quantity per unit area of ​​the first growth regulator. In some embodiments of the invention, the second quantity per unit area is zero, while in others it is greater than zero.

[0023] "Growth regulators" within the meaning of the present invention are agents that influence plant growth. These include, in particular, natural phytohormones or their synthetic analogues, as well as activators and inhibitors of phytohormones or substances that have a regulatory effect on plant phytohormone metabolism.

[0024] According to the invention, the growth regulator is selected from among mepiquat, trinexapac, prohexadione, as well as their salts, esters and other derivatives or a combination of the aforementioned growth regulators.

[0025] The present invention also includes embodiments in which the conventional application plan includes two or more injections with growth regulator.

[0026] In the application variants where the conventional application plan includes more than two sprays with growth regulator, the modified application plan preferably provides for a modified timing, at least for the first spray or the second spray.

[0027] In certain embodiments, the second injection is administered after the first. In alternative embodiments, the second injection is administered before the first.

[0028] In some embodiments of the invention, the timing for the application of the silicon-containing mixture is the same as the timing for the first injection. In other embodiments, the silicon-containing mixture and at least the first or second growth regulator are mixed and injected in a single operation.

[0029] In certain embodiments of the invention, the conventional application plan further includes a sixth quantity per unit of arable land of a silicon-containing mixture for application and a time for the application of the silicon-containing mixture with the sixth quantity per unit of arable land.

[0030] Preferably, the silicon-containing mixture applied in a sixth quantity is a liquid silicon-containing mixture that is applied by spraying.

[0031] In the context of the present invention, a "silicon-containing mixture" is understood to be a mixture of substances that provides silicon in a form that can be absorbed by plants.

[0032] According to the invention, a liquid mixture containing silicon is used that is suitable for spraying. For this purpose, the silicon-containing liquid mixture must be able to be sprayed through appropriate spray nozzles. In certain embodiments, the silicon-containing liquid mixture is a suspension of silicon-containing solid particles, a solution of soluble silicon compounds, or a liquid mixture in which both silicon-containing solid particles are suspended and soluble silicon compounds are dissolved. Preferably, the silicon-containing solid particles and / or the soluble silicon compounds are suspended or dissolved in an aqueous suspension or solution.

[0033] In certain embodiments, the concentration of the silicon-containing solid particles and / or the soluble silicon compounds, either individually or in total, based on the total weight of the liquid mixture, is in the range of 0.1 to 50.0 wt.%, particularly preferably in the range of 0.1 to 30.0 wt.%, and even more preferably in the range of 0.1 to 25.0 wt.%. In certain embodiments, the lower limit is at least 0.2 wt.%, at least 0.5 wt.%, or at least 1.0 wt.%.

[0034] In certain embodiments, the liquid silicon-containing mixture with the concentrations specified above is diluted by a factor of 10 to 1500 immediately before spraying, preferably by a factor of 10 to 1000, and particularly preferably by a factor of 10 to 500.

[0035] In the context of the present invention, a "silicon-containing mixture" is understood to be a mixture that provides silicon in a form absorbable by the crop plant, preferably in a form absorbable via the root and / or leaf. Particularly preferred is a mixture that provides silicon in a form absorbable by the crop plant via the leaf.

[0036] Preferably, the pH value of the silicon-containing liquid mixture is in the range of 2 to 10, particularly preferably in the range of 3 to 9, even more preferably in the range of 4 to 8 and most preferably in the range of 5 to 7.

[0037] In certain embodiments, the silicon-containing mixture is provided in the form of silicon-containing rock flour containing or consisting of silicate minerals and / or silicon dioxide. Preferably, the rock flour is provided in the form of an aqueous suspension of the rock flour.

[0038] Preferably, the silicon-containing rock flour is selected from clay minerals, phyllosilicates and framework silicates, such as mica, talc, serpentine, vermiculite, muscovite, bentonite, zeolite and kaolinite, or from silicate volcanic rocks, such as picrite, basalt, andesite, dacite and granite. The silicon content in the silicon-containing rock flour (calculated as SiO₂) is preferably in the range of 40 to 80 wt.%, more preferably in the range of 60 to 80 wt.%.

[0039] In certain embodiments, the silicon-containing mixture is provided in the form of silicates and / or in the form of monosilicic acid and / or in the form of polysilicic acid.

[0040] Preferably, the silicates are salts and esters of orthosilicic acid (Si(OH)₄) and their condensates. Examples of orthosilicic acid salts are alkali and alkaline earth silicates. Examples of orthosilicic acid esters are C₁-C₁₂ alkyl orthosilicates. Preferably, these are water-soluble silicates.

[0041] In embodiments with monosilicic acid and / or polysilicic acid, this is preferably stabilized, preferably stabilized with polysaccharides, polyalcohols, humic acids, fulvic acids, macro- or micronutrients, organic acids, salts of organic acids, esters of organic acids, carboxylic acids, quinoline, inorganic acids, algae, molasses, betaine, plant extracts, amino acids or a combination thereof.

[0042] In certain embodiments, spraying with the silicon-containing substance according to the modified application plan additionally leads to improved protection of the crop against drought, improved winterkill protection, improved heat protection, an increase in crop quality, in particular an increased protein content, improved shelf life, or improved transport and / or storage properties. Preferably, in these embodiments, the silicon is provided in the form of monosilicic acid and / or in the form of polysilicic acid; particularly preferably, the silicon is provided in the form of stabilized monosilicic acid and / or in the form of stabilized polysilicic acid.

[0043] Depending on the form in which silicon is used, different amounts of silicon-containing mixture are required.

[0044] In embodiments where the silicon-containing mixture is provided in the form of silicates, monosilicic acid, or polysilicic acid, the concentration of silicon in the silicon-containing mixture is preferably, calculated as SiO₂, 50 g per hectare or more, and particularly preferably 100 g per hectare or more. In certain embodiments, the amount used is less than 5000 g per hectare, less than 1000 g per hectare, less than 750 g per hectare, or even less than 500 g per hectare.

[0045] In embodiments where the silicon-containing mixture is provided in the form of silicon-containing rock flour, silicate minerals and / or silicon dioxide, the quantity used is preferably up to 50 kg per hectare.

[0046] In certain embodiments of the invention, the silicon-containing mixture additionally contains at least one trace nutrient, preferably selected from a group consisting of iron, copper, manganese, boron, molybdenum, nickel and zinc.

[0047] Preferably, the at least one trace nutrient is contained in an amount of 1 g per hectare or more, preferably 5 g per hectare or more, preferably 10 g per hectare or more.

[0048] In preferred embodiments, the mixture contains a combination of the following trace nutrients Copper in an amount of 1 g to 250 g per hectare, manganese in an amount of 1 g to 250 g per hectare and / or zinc in an amount of 1 g to 250 g per hectare.

[0049] In preferred embodiments, the mixture contains a combination of the following trace nutrients Copper in an amount of 5 g to 20 g per hectare, manganese in an amount of 5 g to 20 g per hectare and / or zinc in an amount of 10 g to 30 g per hectare.

[0050] In preferred embodiments, the zinc content is greater than the copper and / or manganese content, preferably each being greater than the manganese content and the copper content.

[0051] In certain embodiments, in which the silicon is provided in the form of monosilicic acid and / or in the form of polysilicic acid, in particular in which the silicon is provided in the form of stabilized monosilicic acid and / or in the form of stabilized polysilicic acid and which contain at least copper, manganese or zinc as trace nutrients, spraying with the silicon-containing substance according to the modified application plan leads to at least improved protection of the crop against drought, improved winterkill protection of the crop, improved heat protection of the crop, an increase in the quality of the crop, in particular an increased protein content, improved shelf life or improved transport and / or storage capability.

[0052] In certain embodiments, it is particularly preferred if the at least one trace nutrient is in the form of a chelate, preferably in the form of an ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid chelate.

[0053] In particularly preferred embodiments, the mixture contains a combination of the following trace nutrients, each in chelated form. Copper in a quantity of 10 g per hectare, manganese in a quantity of 10 g per hectare and / or zinc in a quantity of 15 g per hectare.

[0054] As mentioned at the outset, the use of growth regulators depends on many factors, such as plant variety, nutrient supply, water supply, soil type, and weather. Against this background, determining the conventional application plan is expediently based on one or more of the following parameters, selected from a group consisting of a crop species, a crop variety, crop density on the field, soil type, amount of nitrogen fertilizer applied per unit area, a mixture of the first or second growth regulator with another growth regulator, and a pesticide (e.g.,...).herbicide, fungicide, insecticide, nematicide, rodenticide) or with a fertilizer, an expected nitrogen supply in the soil of the field, a developmental stage of the crop, a water supply of the field, a weather pattern before the time for the first spraying, an expected weather pattern after the time for the first spraying and an expected radiation intensity of the sun after the time of the first spraying, a note in the instructions for use of the first and / or second growth regulator, a local consultation or economic consideration or a combination thereof.

[0055] In some embodiments of the invention, at least one spraying with the silicon-containing mixture takes place at a time when the crop has not yet developed leaves. In some embodiments of the invention, at least one spraying with the silicon-containing mixture takes place at a time when the crop has already developed leaves. In certain embodiments of the invention, at least one spraying with the silicon-containing mixture takes place at a time when the crop has not yet developed leaves, and a further spraying with the silicon-containing mixture takes place at a time when the crop has already developed leaves.In embodiments in which at least one spraying of the crop plant with the silicon-containing mixture takes place at a time when the crop plant has already formed leaves, the spraying preferably takes place specifically on the areas in which the crop plant has formed its leaves. EXAMPLES OF EXECUTION Attempt 1

[0056] When cultivating a winter wheat crop, the higher yields shown in the following table were achieved by applying application plans modified according to the invention, compared to the corresponding conventional application plan. The trial cultivation was carried out according to the GEP standard in accordance with Regulation (EU) No. 284 / 2013 and the Plant Protection Products Regulation. variant EC 21-29 (Spring) EC 31 / 32 Yield in dt / ha Conventional application plan 360 g per hectare chlormequat chloride + 75 g per hectare trinexapac-ethyl 104,7 Modified Application Plan 1 50 g per hectare Trinexapac-ethyl + 100 g per hectare Silicon (SiO 2 ), 105,4 10g of copper per hectare as EDTA chelate, 10 g per hectare of manganese as EDTA chelate, 15 g per hectare of zinc as EDTA chelate Modified Application Plan 2 100 g per hectare of silicon (SiO 2 ), 50 g per hectare Trinexapac-ethyl + 100 g per hectare SiO 2 , 106,2 10g of copper per hectare as EDTA chelate, 10g of copper per hectare as EDTA chelate, 10 g per hectare of manganese as EDTA chelate, 10 g per hectare of manganese as EDTA chelate, 15 g per hectare of zinc as EDTA chelate 15 g per hectare of zinc as EDTA chelate Attempt 2

[0057] When cultivating a winter wheat crop, the higher yields shown in the following table were achieved by applying application plans modified according to the invention, compared to the corresponding conventional application plan. The trial cultivation was carried out according to the GEP standard in accordance with Regulation (EU) No. 284 / 2013 and the Plant Protection Products Regulation. variant EC 13-21 (Autumn) EC 21-29 (Spring) EC 31132 EC 37 / 39 Yield in dt / ha Conventional application plan 504 g per hectare of chlormequat chloride 288 g per hectare chlormequat chloride + 75 g per hectare trinexapac-ethyl 120 g per hectare of mepinquat chloride, 78,5 20 g per Hectare Prohexadion-Calcium Modified Application Plan 1 100 g per Hectare Silica (SiO 50 g per Hectare Trinexapac-ethyl + 100 g per Hectare Silicon (SiO 60 g per Hectare Mepinquatchloride, 83,2 10 g per Hectare Prohexadion-Calcium + 100 g per Hectare Silicon (SiO 10 g per Hectare Copper as EDTA Chelate, 10 g per Hectare Copper as EDTA Chelate, 10 g per Hectare Manganese as EDTA-Chelate, 10 g per Hectare Manganese as EDTA-Chelate, 10 g per Hectare Copper as EDTA Chelate, 15 g per Hectare Zinc as EDTA Chelate 10 g per Hectare Manganese as EDTA-Chelate, 15 g per Hectare Zinc as EDTA Chelate 15 g per Hectare Zinc as EDTA Chelate Modified Application Plan 2 100 g per Hectare Silica (SiO 50g Trinexapac-ethyl + 100 g per Hectare Silicon (SiO 60 g per Hectare Mepinquatchloride, 81,7 10 g per Hectare Prohexadion-Calcium + 100 g per Hectare Silicon (SiO 10 g per Hectare Copper as EDTA Chelate, 10 g per Hectare Copper as EDTA Chelate, 10 g per Hectare Manganese as EDTA-Chelate, 10 g per hectare manganese as EDTA chelate, 10 g per Hectare Kupfer als EDTA-Chelate, 15 g per Hectare Zink als EDTA-Chelat 10 g per hectare manganese as EDTA chelate, 15 g per Hectare Zink als EDTA-Chelat 15 g per Hectare Zink als EDTA-Chelat

Claims

1. Method for treating a cereal crop plant on a field area according to a modified application plan, comprising the step of determining a conventional application plan, which comprises a first amount per unit of the field area of a first growth regulator for a first spraying of the crop plant, wherein the first growth regulator is selected from mepiquat, trinexapac, prohexadione or a combination thereof, and a point in time for the first spraying, a second amount per unit of the field area of a second growth regulator for a second spraying of the crop plant, wherein the second growth regulator is chlormequat, and a point in time for the second spraying, the method additionally comprising the steps of: modifying the conventional application plan to obtain a modified application plan, wherein the modified application plan comprises a third amount per unit of the field area of the first growth regulator for the first spraying, wherein the third amount per unit of the field area is less than the first amount per unit of the field area, a point in time for the first spraying of the third amount, a fourth amount per unit of the field area of the second growth regulator for the second spraying, wherein the fourth amount is zero, a fifth amount per unit of the field area of a liquid silicon-containing mixture of substances for a spraying, and a point in time for spraying the fifth amount per unit of the field area of the silicon-containing mixture of substances, and treating the crop plant on the field area according to the modified application plan, wherein in the silicon-containing mixture, the concentration of silicon, calculated as SiO2, is 25 g per hectare or more.

2. Method according to the preceding claim, wherein the growth regulator is a natural phytohormone or its synthetic analogue, or is an activator or inhibitor of a natural phytohormone, or is a substance that regulates plant phytohormone metabolism.

3. Method according to the preceding claim, wherein the third amount per unit of the field area of the first growth regulator is 75% or less, preferably 50% or less and particularly preferably 25% or less of the first amount per unit of the field area of the first growth regulator.

4. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the point in time for applying the silicon-containing mixture of substances is the same as the point in time for the first spraying.

5. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the modified application plan comprises a sixth amount per unit of the field area of a silicon-containing mixture of substances for applying and a point in time for applying the silicon-containing mixture of substances with the sixth amount per unit of the field area.

6. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the silicon-containing mixture contains silicon in the form of rock flour, preferably rock flour in suspension, or contains silicon in the form of a silicate, or contains silicon in the form of monosilicic acid or a polysilicic acid.

7. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein in the silicon-containing mixture of substances, the concentration of silicon, calculated as SiO2, is 50 g per hectare or more and, particularly preferably, 100 g per hectare or more.

8. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the silicon-containing mixture of substances contains at least one trace nutrient, preferably selected from a group consisting of iron, copper, manganese, boron, molybdenum, nickel and zinc.

9. Method according to the preceding claim, wherein the mixture of substances contains the at least one trace nutrient in an amount of 1 g per hectare or more, preferably in an amount of 5 g per hectare or more, preferably 10 g per hectare or more.

10. Method according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the at least one trace nutrient is present in the form of a chelate, preferably in the form of a chelate of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid.

11. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the determination of the conventional application plan is made depending on a parameter selected from a group consisting of a type of crop plant, a variety of crop plant, a plant density of the crop plant on the field area, a soil type of the field area, an amount per unit of the field area of nitrogen fertilisation of the field, a mixture of the first or second growth regulator with a plant protection product or with a fertiliser, an expected nitrogen replenishment in the soil of the field area, a stage of development of the crop plant, a water supply to the field area, weather conditions prior to the point in time of the first spraying, expected weather conditions after the point in time of the first spraying and expected solar radiation intensity after the point in time of the first spraying, information in the instructions for use of the first and / or second growth regulator, local advice or economic considerations, or a combination thereof.