Methods and compositions for increasing tolerance to abiotic stress in plants
Patent Information
- Application Number
- EP2024760791
- Authority / Receiving Office
- EP · EP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2023-02-20
- Filing Date
- 2024-02-15
- Publication Date
- 2025-12-31
AI Technical Summary
Current methods for alleviating abiotic stress in plants are inadequate, particularly when plants are subjected to multiple stress factors simultaneously, leading to conflicts in stress responses that reduce their ability to adjust naturally and result in significant yield and quality reductions.
A composition comprising agmatine and/or its salts combined with dicarboxylic acids and/or their salts, which synergistically increases tolerance to abiotic stress in plants by contacting the plants with these compounds, thereby enhancing their ability to withstand stress conditions such as high temperature, drought, and high light intensity.
The combination of agmatine and dicarboxylic acids significantly enhances plant tolerance to abiotic stress, reducing consequences like sunburn damage, flower abortion, and yield reduction, as demonstrated in soybean and corn trials, by providing a synergistic effect that improves stress resistance beyond the individual effects of each compound alone.
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Figure US2024015899_29082024_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
[0001]Attorney Docket No: 9818.5.WO METHODS AND COMPOSITIONS FOR INCREASING TOLERANCE TO ABIOTIC STRESS IN PLANTS STATEMENT OF PRIORITY This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.63 / 485,931, filed February 20, 2023, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference herein. FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to the field of plant response to abiotic stress and provides methods and compositions for increasing tolerance to abiotic stress in plants. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Abiotic stresses negatively impact the growth and development of plants and result in significant reductions in crop yield and quality. Abiotic stresses include excessive or insufficient light intensity, cold temperature resulting in freezing or chilling, warm or high temperature, drought, ozone, salinity, toxic metals, nutrient poor soils, and the like. Plants acclimate to particular stress conditions using responses that are specific for that stress. As an example, during drought conditions, a plant closes its stomata to reduce water loss. However, plants are often subjected to a combination of stresses. For example, drought conditions often are combined with excessive heat conditions. In contrast to a plant’s response to drought, a plant's response to heat is to open stomata so that the leaves are cooled by transpiration. This conflict in response reduces a plant’s ability to naturally adjust to such stresses. A number of methods for alleviating abiotic stress in plants have been developed and many are available commercially. Thus, for example, shade netting, mesh, or cloth can be used to alleviate excessive heat and light. The use of reflective fabric, such as metalized surface plastics, white plastics, and foil materials on the ground of an orchard or vineyard can result in an increase in fruit size and yield with a concomitant reduction in fruit sunburn damage resulting from exposure to abiotic stress. Fruit surface temperature can be reduced through the application of low volumes of water, which cools the fruit through evaporative cooling of the surrounding air. A further method for alleviating heat stress includes the use of reflective, particle film technology (PFT), such as the commercial products RAYNOX®, SUNSHIELD®and SURROUND®. Many of the available products and methods described Attorney Docket No: 9818.5.WO above have serious shortcomings. As a consequence, additional methods and products are needed for alleviating the stress caused by abiotic factors. The present invention overcomes previous shortcomings in the art by providing methods and compositions that increase the tolerance to abiotic stress in plants. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In one aspect, a composition comprising agmatine and / or a salt thereof, and a dicarboxylic acid and / or a salt thereof is provided. The composition may be a synergistic composition. In some embodiments, the composition may synergistically increase tolerance to abiotic stress and / or reduce the consequence of abiotic stress in a plant and / or part thereof. In a further aspect, a method is provided for increasing tolerance to abiotic stress and / or for reducing the consequence of abiotic stress in a plant and / or part thereof, the method comprising contacting a plant and / or part thereof with a composition comprising agmatine and / or a salt thereof; and one or more dicarboxylic acids and / or salts thereof, thereby increasing tolerance to abiotic stress and / or reducing the consequence of abiotic stress in a plant and / or part thereof as compared to a control. These and other aspects of the invention will be set forth in more detail in the description of the invention that follows. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig.1 shows soybean yields after application of various treatments to soybean plants: PHOTON®(blend of dicarboxylic acids) (none, 4 g / ha and 40 g / ha); and CMM S (agmatine) (5g / ha). Fig.2 shows corn yields after application of various treatments to corn plants: PHOTON®(blend of dicarboxylic acids) (none, 4 g / ha and 40 g / ha) and CMM S (agmatine) (5g / ha). DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention now will be described hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings and examples, in which embodiments of the invention are shown. This description is not intended to be a detailed catalog of all the different ways in which the invention may be implemented, or all the features that may be added to the instant invention. For example, features illustrated with respect to one embodiment may be incorporated into other embodiments, and features illustrated with respect to a particular embodiment may be Attorney Docket No: 9818.5.WO deleted from that embodiment. Thus, the invention contemplates that in some embodiments of the invention, any feature or combination of features set forth herein can be excluded or omitted. In addition, numerous variations and additions to the various embodiments suggested herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the instant disclosure, which do not depart from the instant invention. Hence, the following descriptions are intended to illustrate some particular embodiments of the invention, and not to exhaustively specify all permutations, combinations, and variations thereof. Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. The terminology used in the description of the invention herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. All publications, patent applications, patents and other references cited herein are incorporated by reference in their entireties for the teachings relevant to the sentence and / or paragraph in which the reference is presented. As used in the description of the invention and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Accordingly, "a," "an" or "the" can mean one or more than one (e.g., one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve, thirteen, fourteen, fifteen, etc.). For example, a plant can mean a plurality of plants and a stress can refer to one or more stresses and equivalents thereof known to those of skill in the art. Unless the context indicates otherwise, it is specifically intended that the various features of the invention described herein can be used in any combination. Moreover, the present invention also contemplates that in some embodiments of the invention, any feature or combination of features set forth herein can be excluded or omitted. To illustrate, if the specification states that a composition comprises components A, B and C, it is specifically intended that any of A, B or C, or a combination thereof, can be omitted and disclaimed singularly or in any combination. Also as used herein, “and / or” refers to and encompasses any and all possible combinations of one or more of the associated listed items, as well as the lack of combinations when interpreted in the alternative (“or”). The term “about,” as used herein when referring to a measurable value such as an amount or concentration and the like, is meant to encompass variations of ± 10%, ± 5%, ± 1%, ± 0.5%, or even ± 0.1% of the specified value as well as the specified value. For example, “about X” where X is the measurable value, is meant to include X as well as Attorney Docket No: 9818.5.WO variations of ± 10%, ± 5%, ± 1%, ± 0.5%, or even ± 0.1% of X. A range provided herein for a measureable value may include any other range and / or individual value therein. As used herein, phrases such as "between X and Y" and "between about X and Y" should be interpreted to include X and Y. As used herein, phrases such as "between about X and Y" mean "between about X and about Y" and phrases such as "from about X to Y" mean "from about X to about Y." The term “comprise,” “comprises” and “comprising” as used herein, specify the presence of the stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof. As used herein, the transitional phrase “consisting essentially of” means that the scope of a claim is to be interpreted to encompass the specified materials or steps recited in the claim and those that do not materially affect the basic and novel characteristic(s) of the claimed invention. Thus, the term “consisting essentially of” when used in a claim of this invention is not intended to be interpreted to be equivalent to “comprising.” "Alkane" as used herein refers to a linear or branched alkyl group, which may be substituted or unsubstituted, having from 1 to about 20 carbon atoms, e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, or 20 carbon atoms. Exemplary alkane groups include methane (-CH2-); ethane (-CH2-CH2-); propane (-(CH2)3-); butane (-(CH2)4-); pentane (-(CH2)5-); hexane (-(CH2)6-) septane (-(CH2)7-), octane (-(CH2)8-), nonane (-(CH2)9-), and decane (-(CH2)10-), and the like. Thus, an alkane group can have 1 carbon atom to 10 carbon atoms (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10), 5 carbon atoms to 14 carbon atoms (e.g., 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, or 14) and / or 6 carbon atoms to 20 (e.g., 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, or 20) carbons, and the like. As discussed above, the alkane group can be optionally substituted. In some embodiments, an alkane may be substituted with one or more substituents that may be selected from alkyl, alkenyl, or alkynyl. The term "abiotic stress" as used herein refers to outside, nonliving, factors which can cause harmful effects to plants. Thus, as used herein, abiotic stress includes, but is not limited to, cold temperature that results in freezing, chilling, heat or high temperatures, drought, high light intensity, low light intensity, salinity, ozone, and / or combinations thereof. Parameters for abiotic stress factors are species specific and even variety specific and therefore vary widely according to the species / variety exposed to the abiotic stress. Thus, while one species may be severely impacted by a high temperature of 23ºC, another species may not be impacted until at least 30ºC, and the like. Temperatures above 30°C result in Attorney Docket No: 9818.5.WO dramatic reductions in the yields of most important crops. This is due to reductions in photosynthesis that begin at approximately 20-25°C, and the increased carbohydrate demands of crops growing at higher temperatures. The critical temperatures are not absolute but vary depending upon such factors as the acclimatization of the crop to prevailing environmental conditions. In addition, because most crops are exposed to multiple abiotic stresses at one time, the interaction between the stresses affects the response of the plant. For example, damage from excess light occurs at lower light intensities as temperatures increase beyond the photosynthetic optimum. Water stressed plants are less able to cool overheated tissues due to reduced transpiration, further exacerbating the impact of excess (high) heat and / or excess (high) light intensity. Thus, the particular parameters for high / low temperature, light intensity, drought, and the like, which impact crop productivity will vary with species, variety, degree of acclimatization and the exposure to a combination of environmental conditions. As used herein, “an area comprising a plant and / or part thereof” refers to an agricultural field, golf course, a residential lawn, an ornamental garden, a roadside, an athletic field, a recreational field, greenhouse, orchard, vineyard, and / or nursery. "Synergistic", "synergy", or grammatical variants thereof as used herein refer to a combination exhibiting an effect greater than the effect that would be expected from the sum of the effects of the individual active ingredients of the combination alone. For example, the terms "synergistic" or "synergy" with regard to a combination of agmatine, and / or a salt thereof, and at least one (one or more) dicarboxylic acid, and / or salt thereof, for increasing tolerance to abiotic stress and / or for reducing the consequence of abiotic stress in a plant and / or part thereof, refers to an efficacy for increasing tolerance to abiotic stress and / or for reducing the consequence of abiotic stress in a plant and / or part thereof, that is greater than that which would be expected from the sum of the individual effects of agmatine, and / or a salt thereof, and the at least one (one or more) dicarboxylic acid, and / or the salt thereof, alone. As used herein, the terms “increase,” “increasing,” “increased,” “enhance,” “enhanced,” “enhancing,” and “enhancement” (and grammatical variations thereof) describe an elevation of at least about 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 50%, 75%, 100%, 150%, 200%, 300%, 400%, 500% or more as compared to a control (e.g., 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, Attorney Docket No: 9818.5.WO 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100, 110, 120, 130, 140, 150, 160, 170, 180, 190, 200, 220, 240, 260, 280, 300, 320, 340, 360, 380, 400, 420, 440, 460, 480, or 500% or more or any range or value therein). In some embodiments, as used herein, these terms refer to an enhancement or augmentation of, for example, the number of fruits produced by a plant, as a response to alleviating abiotic stress to which the plant is exposed. Thus, in some embodiments, a plant or plant part contacted with a composition(s) of the invention (e.g., first and second compositions, a synergistic composition, etc.) may have increased tolerance to abiotic stress as compared to a plant or plant part that has not been contacted with the composition(s) of the invention. As used herein, the terms “reduce,” “diminish,” and “decrease” (and grammatical variations thereof), describe, for example, a decrease of at least about 5-100% (e.g., at least about 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, or 100% or any range or value therein) as compared to a control. In some embodiments, the reduction may result in no or essentially no (i.e., an insignificant amount, e.g., less than about 10% or even less than about 5%) detectable activity or amount. Thus, in some embodiments, as used herein these terms refer to a diminished, a decrease in, or a diminution in, for example, plant size, as a response to abiotic stress. Thus, in some embodiments, a plant and / or part thereof contacted with a composition(s) of the invention (e.g., first and second compositions, synergistic composition) may have reduced consequences of abiotic stress as compared to a plant and / or part thereof that has not been contacted with the composition(s) of the invention. An "increased tolerance to abiotic stress" as used herein refers to the ability of a plant and / or part thereof exposed to abiotic stress and contacted with a composition(s) of the invention (e.g., first and second compositions, synergistic composition) to withstand a given abiotic stress better than a control plant and / or part thereof (i.e., a plant and / or part thereof that has been exposed to the same abiotic stress but has not been contacted with the composition(s) of the present invention). Increased tolerance to abiotic stress can be measured using a variety of parameters including, but not limited to, the size and / or number of plants or parts thereof, and the like (e.g., number and / or size of fruits), the level or amount of cell division, the amount of floral abortion, the amount of sunburn damage, crop yield, and the like. Thus, in some embodiments of this invention, a plant and / or part thereof having been contacted with a composition(s) of the invention (e.g., first and second compositions, Attorney Docket No: 9818.5.WO synergistic composition), and having increased tolerance to the abiotic stress, for example, would have reduced flower abortion as compared to a plant and / or part thereof exposed to the same stress but not having been contacted with the composition(s) of the invention. "A consequence of abiotic stress" as used herein refers to the effects, results, or outcome of exposure of a plant and / or part thereof to one or more than one (e.g., one, two, three, four, five, etc.) abiotic stress. Thus, a consequence of abiotic stress includes, but is not limited to, sunburn damage, flower abortion, fruit drop, a reduction in the number of plants or parts thereof, a reduction in produce quality (e.g., fruit quality) measured as color, finish, and / or shape (e.g., reduced quality of produce due to appearance and texture), a reduction in the size of plants or parts thereof, a reduction in cell division, and the like. Thus, the consequences of abiotic stress are typically those consequences which negatively impact on crop yield and quality. "Reducing the consequence of abiotic stress" as used herein refers to the ability of a plant and / or part thereof exposed to abiotic stress and contacted with a composition(s) of the invention to withstand a given abiotic stress better than a control plant and / or part thereof (i.e., a plant and / or part thereof that has been exposed to the same abiotic stress but has not been contacted with the composition(s) of the present invention), thereby diminishing or reducing the consequence of abiotic stress in the plant and / or part thereof. The consequence of abiotic stress can be measured using a variety of parameters including, but not limited to, the size and / or number of plants or parts thereof, and the like (e.g., number and / or size of fruits), the level or amount of cell division, the amount of floral abortion, the amount of fruit drop, the amount of sunburn damage, and the like, and combinations thereof. Thus, reducing the consequence of abiotic stress as used herein can also mean maintaining the size and number of plants and / or parts thereof, and the like (e.g., number and / or size of fruits), the level or amount of cell division, the amount of floral abortion, the amount of fruit drop and / or the amount of sunburn damage and / or other quality parameters (e.g., fruit color, finish and / or shape) as observed in a control plant which has not been exposed to the abiotic stress. The present inventor has surprisingly discovered that agmatine and a dicarboxylic acid (and / or a salt thereof) can have a synergistic effect when they are contacted with a plant and / or part thereof, resulting in an increase in the tolerance of the plant and / or plant part to abiotic stress and / or a reduction in the consequence of abiotic stress in the plant and / or part thereof as compared to an untreated control (e.g., a plant not contacted (not treated) with agmatine and a dicarboxylic acid (and / or a salt thereof)). This synergistic response can be observed when the agmatine and dicarboxylic acid are contacted with the plant or plant part Attorney Docket No: 9818.5.WO thereof in the same composition or in separate compositions (a first composition and a second composition). In some embodiments, the amount of the one or more dicarboxylic acids (and / or salts thereof) needed to show an increase in abiotic stress resistance or a reduction in the consequence of abiotic stress in a plant or part thereof can be reduced by at least about 1 / 10thin the presence of agmatine (and / or salt thereof) (e.g., in the synergistic compositions or applying the first composition and the second composition of the present invention) as compared to when the one or more dicarboxylic acids (and / or salts thereof) are applied to plant(s) or parts thereof in the absence of agmatine (and / or salt thereof). In some embodiments, not only may the amount of the one or more dicarboxylic acids (and / or salts thereof) be reduced in the presence of agmatine (and / or salts thereof), but the activity of the combination of agmatine (and / or salts thereof) and one or more dicarboxylic acids (and / or salts thereof) may be greater (an increased response) than that observed for the one or more dicarboxylic acids (and / or salts thereof) alone at higher concentrations. See, for example, Fig. 1 and Fig.2. This surprising effect of being able to reduce the amount or rates of the one or more dicarboxylic acids (and / or salts thereof) when applied to plants or parts thereof in combination with agmatine as described herein and yet retain or increase the abiotic stress resistance response in a treated plant or part thereof is not observed when one or more dicarboxylic acids (and / or salts thereof) are applied in combination with other guanidine compounds, such as aminoguanidine. Moreover, the magnitude of the synergistic effect of the combination of one or more dicarboxylic acids (and / or salts thereof) and agmatine is greater than with a combination of one or more dicarboxylic acids (and / or salts thereof) and aminoguanidine. These surprising results could not have been predicted based on what was known at the time of this invention. Accordingly, in some embodiments, the present invention provides a method for synergistically increasing tolerance to abiotic stress and / or for reducing the consequence of abiotic stress in a plant and / or part thereof, comprising contacting a plant and / or part thereof with a composition (an effective amount of the composition) comprising, consisting essentially of, or consisting of agmatine, and / or a salt thereof; and one or more dicarboxylic acids and / or salts thereof, thereby synergistically increasing the tolerance of the plant and / or plant part to abiotic stress and / or reducing the consequence of abiotic stress to the plant and / or plant part as compared to a control plant that has not been contacted with the composition. A composition comprising agmatine and a dicarboxylic acid as described herein may be referred to as a synergistic composition. Attorney Docket No: 9818.5.WO In some embodiments, the present invention provides a method for increasing tolerance to abiotic stress and / or for reducing the consequence of abiotic stress in a plant and / or part thereof, comprising contacting a plant and / or part thereof with a synergistic combination of a first composition and a second composition (an effective amount of each), wherein the first composition comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of agmatine, and / or a salt thereof; and the second composition comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of one or more dicarboxylic acids and / or salts thereof, thereby increasing tolerance to abiotic stress and / or for reducing the consequence of abiotic stress in a plant and / or part thereof as compared to a control plant that has not been contacted with the first composition and second composition. In some embodiments, a method is provided for reducing the amount of flower abortion or fruit drop in a plant and / or part thereof exposed to abiotic stress comprising contacting the plant and / or part thereof with an effective amount of a first composition comprising, consisting essentially of, or consisting of agmatine, and / or a salt thereof; and an effective amount of a second composition comprising, consisting essentially of, or consisting of at least one (one or more) dicarboxylic acid and / or a salt thereof, thereby reducing flower abortion or fruit drop as compared to a control plant and / or part thereof exposed to the same stress but not having been contacted with said first and second composition. In some embodiments, a method is provided for reducing the amount of flower abortion or fruit drop in a plant and / or part thereof exposed to abiotic stress comprising contacting the plant and / or part thereof with a synergistic composition (an effective amount of the synergistic composition) comprising, consisting essentially of, or consisting of agmatine, and / or a salt thereof; and at least one dicarboxylic acid and / or a salt thereof, thereby reducing flower abortion or fruit drop as compared to a control plant and / or part thereof exposed to the same stress but not having been contacted with said synergistic composition. In some embodiments, the consequence of abiotic stress may be sunburn damage. Thus, in some embodiments, a method is provided for reducing sunburn damage in a plant and / or part thereof comprising contacting a plant and / or part thereof with an effective amount of a first composition comprising, consisting essentially of, or consisting of agmatine, and / or a salt thereof; and an effective amount of a second composition comprising, consisting essentially of, or consisting of at least one (one or more) dicarboxylic acid and / or a salt thereof, thereby reducing the amount of sunburn damage as compared to a control plant and / or part thereof exposed to the same stress but not having been contacted with the compositions of the invention (e.g., the first and second composition and / or a composition Attorney Docket No: 9818.5.WO comprising the first and second compositions (e.g., synergistic combination)). In some embodiments, a method is provided for reducing sunburn damage in a plant and / or part thereof comprising contacting a plant and / or part thereof with an effective amount of a synergistic composition of the invention comprising, consisting essentially of, or consisting of agmatine, and / or a salt thereof; and at least one dicarboxylic acid and / or a salt thereof, thereby reducing the amount of sunburn damage as compared to a control plant and / or part thereof exposed to the same stress but not having been contacted with the composition(s) of the invention. In some aspects of the invention, the abiotic stress may be high temperature and high light intensity and the consequence of this combination of abiotic stresses may be sunburn damage. In some embodiments, the consequence of abiotic stress may be reduced fruit size and the invention provides a method for reducing the reduction in fruit size in a plant and / or part thereof comprising: contacting a plant and / or part thereof with an effective amount of a first composition comprising agmatine, and / or a salt thereof; and an effective amount of a second composition comprising at least one (one or more) dicarboxylic acid and / or a salt thereof, thereby reducing the reduction in fruit size as compared to a control plant and / or part thereof exposed to the same stress but not having been contacted with the compositions of the invention. In some embodiments, the invention provides a method for reducing the reduction in fruit size in a plant and / or part thereof comprising: contacting a plant and / or part thereof with an effective amount of a synergistic composition comprising agmatine, and / or a salt thereof; and at least one dicarboxylic acid and / or a salt thereof, thereby reducing the reduction in fruit size as compared to a control plant and / or part thereof exposed to the same stress but not having been contacted with the compositions of the invention. An example agmatine structure: Agmatine is also known as 4-aminobutyl-guanidine. In some embodiments, a first composition of the invention and / or a synergistic composition of the invention comprises agmatine, and / or a salt thereof. In some embodiments, a second composition of the invention and / or a synergistic composition of the invention may comprise at least one (one or more) dicarboxylic acid (e.g., a saturated dicarboxylic acid) (e.g., comprised in the second composition or the synergistic Attorney Docket No: 9818.5.WO composition), wherein the at least one dicarboxylic acid is a compound having the formula HOOC-R-COOH, and R is a C5 to C14 alkane. Thus, in some embodiments, R may be a C5, C6, C7, C8, C9, C10, C11, C12, C13, or C14 alkane. In some embodiments of the present invention, R may be a C6 alkane. In some embodiments, R may be a C7 alkane. In some embodiments, R may be a C8 alkane. In some embodiments, R may be aC9 alkane. In additional embodiments, R may be a C10 alkane. Thus, in some embodiments of this invention, the dicarboxylic acid may be pimelic acid (heptanedioic acid), suberic acid (octanedioic acid), azelaic acid (nonanedioic acid), sebacic acid (decanedioic acid), undecanedioic acid, dodecanedioic acid, brassylic acid (tridecanedioic acid), thapsic acid (hexadecanedioic acid), tetradecanedioic acid, and / or pentadecanedioic acid, and / or derivatives thereof (e.g., salts), and / or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, the dicarboxylic acid may be one or more of suberic acid, azelaic acid, sebacic acid, and / or undecanedioic acid, and / or salts thereof. In some embodiments, the dicarboxylic acid may be azelaic acid and / or a salt thereof. In some embodiments, the dicarboxylic acid may be sebacic acid and / or a salt thereof. In some embodiments, the dicarboxylic acid may be suberic acid and / or a salt thereof. In some embodiments, the dicarboxylic acid may be undecanedioic acid and / or a salt thereof. As used herein, a derivative of a dicarboxylic acid may include any compound that is derived from a dicarboxylic acid as described herein. Thus, in some embodiments, a derivative may be a salt or an ester of a dicarboxylic acid. Non-limiting examples of a dicarboxylic acid salt include mono-sodium dicarboxylate, di-sodium dicarboxylate, mono- potassium dicarboxylate, di-potassium dicarboxylate, and the like. Examples of dicarboxylic acid esters of include, but are not limited to, dimethyl-dicarboxylate, diethyl-dicarboxylate, dipropyl-dicarboxylate, dihexyl-dicarboxylate, di-(t-butyl)-dicarboxylate and the like. Thus, in some embodiments, additional non-limiting examples of dicarboxylic acid derivatives include mono-sodium azelate, mono-potassium azelate, mono-sodium pimelate, di-sodium sebacic acid, mono-potassium brassylate or di-potassium sebacic acid, dimethyldodecanedioic acid, diethylthapsic acid, dipropylazelate, dihexylsuberic acid, di-(t- butyl) pimelate, and the like. In some embodiments, a composition of the invention (e.g., a second composition, a synergistic composition) comprising a dicarboxylic acid or salt thereof may comprise one or more (e.g., one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve, thirteen, fourteen, fifteen, etc.) different dicarboxylic acids or derivatives thereof. Thus, in some embodiments, the present invention also provides a method for increasing tolerance to, and / or Attorney Docket No: 9818.5.WO reducing the consequences, of abiotic stress in a plant and / or part thereof, comprising contacting the plant and / or part thereof with a composition comprising one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, or more dicarboxylic acids and / or derivatives thereof. In some aspects of the invention, a plant and / or part thereof may be contacted with one or more than one composition (e.g., one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve, thirteen, fourteen, fifteen, etc.) comprising one or more than one (e.g., one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve, thirteen, fourteen, fifteen, etc.) dicarboxylic acids and / or derivatives thereof. Thus, in some embodiments, a synergistic composition of the invention may comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of agmatine, and / or a salt thereof, and / or any combination thereof; and at least one (one or more) dicarboxylic acid and / or salt thereof. In some embodiments, a synergistic composition of the invention may comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of agmatine, and / or a salt thereof, and / or any combination thereof; and at least one dicarboxylic acid having the formula HOOC-R-COOH, wherein R is C6 to 9 alkane, and / or a salt thereof. In some embodiments, a synergistic composition of the invention may comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of agmatine, and / or a salt thereof, and / or any combination thereof; and at least one of suberic acid, azelaic acid, sebacic acid, and / or undecanedioic acid, and / or salt thereof. In some embodiments, a synergistic composition of the invention may comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of agmatine, and / or a salt thereof, and / or any combination thereof; and suberic acid, azelaic acid, sebacic acid, and undecanedioic acid, or salts thereof. In some embodiments, a synergistic composition of the invention may comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of agmatine, and / or a salt thereof, and / or any combination thereof; and suberic acid and / or salt thereof. In some embodiments, a synergistic composition of the invention may comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of agmatine, and / or a salt thereof, and / or any combination thereof; and azelaic acid and / or salt thereof. In some embodiments, a synergistic composition of the invention may comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of agmatine, and / or a salt thereof, and / or any combination thereof; and sebacic acid and / or salt thereof. In some embodiments, a synergistic composition of the invention may comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of agmatine, and / or a salt thereof, and / or any combination thereof; and undecanedioic acid and / or salt thereof. Accordingly, in some embodiments, the present invention provides a method for increasing tolerance to abiotic stress and / or for reducing the consequence of abiotic stress in a Attorney Docket No: 9818.5.WO plant and / or part thereof, comprising contacting a plant and / or part thereof with a synergistic combination of an effective amount of a first composition comprising agmatine, and / or salt thereof, or any combination thereof, and an effective amount a second composition comprising of at least one (one or more) dicarboxylic acid and / or salt thereof. In some embodiments, the plant and / or part thereof may be contacted with an effective amount of a first composition comprising agmatine, and / or a salt thereof, and / or any combination thereof; and a second composition comprising an effective amount of at least one dicarboxylic acid having the formula HOOC-R-COOH, wherein R is C6 to 9 alkane and / or salt thereof. In some embodiments, a plant and / or part thereof may be contacted with an effective amount of a first composition comprising agmatine, and / or a salt thereof, and / or any combination thereof; and an effective amount of a second composition comprising at least one of suberic acid, azelaic acid, sebacic acid, and / or undecanedioic acid and / or salts thereof. In some embodiments, a plant and / or part thereof may be contacted with an effective amount of a first composition comprising agmatine, and / or a salt thereof, and / or any combination thereof; and an effective amount of a second composition comprising suberic acid and / or a salt thereof. In some embodiments, a plant and / or part thereof may be contacted with an effective amount of a first composition comprising agmatine, and / or a salt thereof, and / or any combination thereof; and an effective amount of a second composition comprising azelaic acid and / or salt thereof. In some embodiments, a plant and / or part thereof may be contacted with an effective amount of a first composition comprising agmatine, and / or a salt thereof, and / or any combination thereof; and an effective amount of a second composition comprising sebacic acid and / or salt thereof. In some embodiments, a plant and / or part thereof may be contacted with an effective amount of a first composition comprising agmatine, and / or a salt thereof, and / or any combination thereof; and an effective amount of a second composition comprising undecanedioic acid and / or salt thereof. In some embodiments, the amount (e.g., effective amount) of agmatine, and / or salts thereof in a first composition of the invention and / or in a synergistic composition of the invention may be in the range of about 1x10-9M to about 1 M. Thus, in some embodiments, an effective amount of the agmatine, and / or salt thereof, in a first composition of the invention and / or in a synergistic composition of the invention for increasing tolerance to abiotic stress and / or for reducing the consequence of abiotic stress in a plant and / or part thereof may be in the range of about 1x10-9M to about 1 M. Thus, in some embodiments, the amount (e.g., effective amount) of agmatine, and / or salt thereof in a first composition or a synergistic composition of the invention may be in the Attorney Docket No: 9818.5.WO range of about 5×10-9M to about 1 M, about 1×10-8M to about 1 M, about 1×10-7M to about 1 M, about 1×10-6M to about 1 M, about 1×10-5M to about 1 M, about 1×10-4M to about 1 M, about 1×10-3M to about 1 M, about 1×10-2M to about 1 M, about 1×10-1M to about 1 M, about 1×10-9M to about 1×10-1M, about 1×10-8M to about 1×10-1M, about 1×10-7M to about 1×10-1M, about 1×10-6M to about 1×10-1M, about 1×10-5M to about 1×10-1M, about 1×10-4M to about 1×10-1M, about 1×10-3M to about 1×10-1M, about 1×10-2M to about 1×10-1M, about 5×10-9M to about 5×10-1M, about 5×10-8M to about 5×10-1M, about 5×10-7M to about 5×10-1M, about 5×10-6M to about 5×10-1M, about 5×10-5M to about 5×10-1M, about 5×10-4M to about 5×10-1M, about 5×10-3M to about 5×10-1M, about 5×10-2M to about 5×10-1M, about 1×10-9M to about 1×10-2M, about 1×10-8M to about 1×10-2M, about 1×10-7M to about 1×10-2M, about 1×10-6M to about 1×10-2M, about 1×10-5M to about 1×10-2M, about 1×10-4M to about 1×10-2M, about 1×10-3M to about 1×10-2M, about 5×10-9M to about 5×10-1M, about 5×10-8M to about 5×10-2M, about 5×10-7M to about 5×10-2M, about 5×10-6M to about 5×10-2M, about 5×10-5M to about 5×10-2M, about 5×10-4M to about 5×10-2M, about 1×10-9M to about 1×10-3M, about 1×10-8M to about 1×10-3M, about 1×10-7M to about 1×10-3M, about 1×10-6M to about 1×10-3M, about 1×10-5M to about 1×10-3M, about 1×10-4M to about 1×10-5M, about 5×10-9M to about 5×10-3M, about 5×10-8M to about 5×10-3M, about 5×10-7M to about 5×10-3M, about 5×10-6M to about 5×10-3M, about 5×10-5M to about 5×10-3M, about 5×10-4M to about 5×10-3M, about 1×10-9M to about 1×10-4M, about 1×10-8M to about 1×10-4M, from about 1×10-7M to about 1×10-4M, about 1×10-6M to about 1×10-4M, about 1×10-5M to about 1×10-4M, about 5×10-9M to about 5×10-4M, about 5×10-8M to about 5×10-4M, from about 5×10-7M to about 5×10-4M, about 5×10-6M to about 5×10-4M, about 5×10-5M to about 5×10-4M, about 1×10-9M to about 1×10-5M, about 1×10-8M to about 1×10-5M, about 1×10-7M to about 1×10-5M, about 1×10-6M to about 1×10-5M, about 1×10-9M to about 1×10-6M, about 1×10-8M to about 1×10-6M, about 1×10-7M to about 1×10-6M, about 1×10-9M to about 1×10-8M, about 5×10-9M to about 5×10-5M, about 5×10-8M to about 5×10-5M, about 5×10-7M to about 5×10-5M, about 5×10-6M to about 5×10-5M, about 5×10-9M to about 5×10-6M, about 5×10-8M to about 5×10-6M, about 5×10-7M to about 5×10-6M, about 5×10-9M to about 5×10-8M, and any value or range therein. In some embodiments, the amount (e.g., effective amount) of agmatine, and / or salt thereof in a composition of the invention may be about 1×10-9M, 2×10-9M, 3×10-9M, 4×10-9M, 5×10-9M, 6×10-9M, 7×10-9M, 8×10-9M, 9×10-9M, 1×10-8M, 2×10-8M, 3×10-8M, 4×10-8M, 5×10-8M, 6×10-8M, 7×10-8M, 8×10-8M, 9×10-8M, 1×10-7M, 2×10-7M, 3×10-7M, Attorney Docket No: 9818.5.WO 4×10-7M, 5×10-7M, 6×10-7M, 7×10-7M, 8×10-7M, 9×10-7M, 1×10-6M, 2×10-6M, 3×10-6M, 4×10-6M, 5×10-6M, 6×10-6M, 7×10-6M, 8×10-6M, 9×10-6M, 1×10-5M, 2×10-5M, 3×10-5M, 4×10- 5M, 5×10- 5M, 6×10-5M, 7×10-5M, 8×10-5M, 9×10-5M, 1×10-4M, 2×10-4M, 3×10-4M, 4×10- 4M, 5×10- 4M, 6×10-4M, 7×10-4M, 8×10-4M, 9×10-4M, 1×10-3M, 2×10-3M, 3×10-3M, 4×10- 3M, 5×10- 3M, 6×10-3M, 7×10-3M, 8×10-3M, 9×10-3M, 1×10-2M, 2×10-2M, 3×10-2M, 4×10- 2M, 5×10- 2M, 6×10-2M, 7×10-2M, 8×10-2M, 9×10-2M, 1×10-1M, 2×10-1M, 3×10-1M, 4×10- 1M, 5×10-1M, 6×10-1M, 7×10-1M, 8×10-1M, 9×10-1M, 1M, or any value or range therein. In some embodiments, an amount of at least one (one or more) dicarboxylic acid, and / or a salt thereof, in a second composition of the invention and / or in a synergistic composition of the invention may be in the range of about 1x10-9M to about 1 M. Thus, in some embodiments, an effective amount of the at least one dicarboxylic acid, and / or a salt thereof in the second composition of the invention and / or in the synergistic composition of the invention for increasing tolerance to abiotic stress and / or for reducing the consequence of abiotic stress in a plant and / or part thereof may be in the range of about 1x10-9M to about 1 M. In some embodiments, when the composition (e.g., synergistic or second composition) comprises more than one dicarboxylic acid, the amount of each dicarboxylic acid in the composition may be in the range of about 1x10-9M to about 1 M, or in some embodiments, the total amount of the more than one dicarboxylic acid may be in the range of about 1x10-9M to about 1 M. Thus, in some embodiments, the amount (e.g., effective amount) of a dicarboxylic acid, and / or salt thereof (one or more dicarboxylic acids and / or salts thereof) in a second composition of the invention or a synergistic composition of the invention may be in the range of about 5×10-9M to about 1 M, about 1×10-8M to about 1 M, about 1×10-7M to about 1 M, about 1×10-6M to about 1 M, about 1×10-5M to about 1 M, about 1×10-4M to about 1 M, about 1×10-3M to about 1 M, about 1×10-2M to about 1 M, about 1×10-1M to about 1 M, about 1×10-9M to about 1×10-1M, about 1×10-8M to about 1×10-1M, about 1×10-7M to about 1×10-1M, about 1×10-6M to about 1×10-1M, about 1×10-5M to about 1×10-1M, about 1×10-4M to about 1×10-1M, about 1×10-3M to about 1×10-1M, about 1×10-2M to about 1×10-1M, about 5×10-9M to about 5×10-1M, about 5×10-8M to about 5×10-1M, about 5×10-7M to about 5×10-1M, about 5×10-6M to about 5×10-1M, about 5×10-5M to about 5×10-1M, about 5×10-4M to about 5×10-1M, about 5×10-3M to about 5×10-1M, about 5×10-2M to about 5×10-1M, about 1×10-9M to about 1×10-2M, about 1×10-8M to about 1×10-2M, about 1×10-7M to about 1×10-2M, about 1×10-6M to about 1×10-2M, about 1×10-5M to about Attorney Docket No: 9818.5.WO 1×10-2M, about 1×10-4M to about 1×10-2M, about 1×10-3M to about 1×10-2M, about 5×10-9M to about 5×10-1M, about 5×10-8M to about 5×10-2M, about 5×10-7M to about 5×10-2M, about 5×10-6M to about 5×10-2M, about 5×10-5M to about 5×10-2M, about 5×10-4M to about 5×10-2M, about 1×10-9M to about 1×10-3M, about 1×10-8M to about 1×10-3M, about 1×10-7M to about 1×10-3M, about 1×10-6M to about 1×10-3M, about 1×10-5M to about 1×10-3M, about 1×10-4M to about 1×10-5M, about 5×10-9M to about 5×10-3M, about 5×10-8M to about 5×10-3M, about 5×10-7M to about 5×10-3M, about 5×10-6M to about 5×10-3M, about 5×10-5M to about 5×10-3M, about 5×10-4M to about 5×10-3M, about 1×10-9M to about 1×10-4M, about 1×10-8M to about 1×10-4M, from about 1×10-7M to about 1×10-4M, about 1×10-6M to about 1×10-4M, about 1×10-5M to about 1×10-4M, about 5×10-9M to about 5×10-4M, about 5×10-8M to about 5×10-4M, from about 5×10-7M to about 5×10-4M, about 5×10-6M to about 5×10-4M, about 5×10-5M to about 5×10-4M, about 1×10-9M to about 1×10-5M, about 1×10-8M to about 1×10-5M, about 1×10-7M to about 1×10-5M, about 1×10-6M to about 1×10-5M, about 1×10-9M to about 1×10-6M, about 1×10-8M to about 1×10-6M, about 1×10-7M to about 1×10-6M, about 1×10-9M to about 1×10-8M, about 5×10-9M to about 5×10-5M, about 5×10-8M to about 5×10-5M, about 5×10-7M to about 5×10-5M, about 5×10-6M to about 5×10-5M, about 5×10-9M to about 5×10-6M, about 5×10-8M to about 5×10-6M, about 5×10-7M to about 5×10-6M, about 5×10-9M to about 5×10-8M, and any value or range therein. In some embodiments, the amount (e.g., effective amount) of a dicarboxylic acid, and / or salt thereof (one or more dicarboxylic acids and / or salts thereof), and / or salt thereof in a second composition of the invention or a synergistic composition of the invention may be about 1×10-9M, 2×10-9M, 3×10-9M, 4×10-9M, 5×10-9M, 6×10-9M, 7×10-9M, 8×10-9M, 9×10-9M, 1×10-8M, 2×10-8M, 3×10-8M, 4×10-8M, 5×10-8M, 6×10-8M, 7×10-8M, 8×10-8M, 9×10-8M, 1×10-7M, 2×10-7M, 3×10-7M, 4×10-7M, 5×10-7M, 6×10-7M, 7×10-7M, 8×10-7M, 9×10-7M, 1×10-6M, 2×10-6M, 3×10-6M, 4×10-6M, 5×10-6M, 6×10-6M, 7×10-6M, 8×10-6M, 9×10-6M, 1×10-5M, 2×10-5M, 3×10-5M, 4×10- 5M, 5×10- 5M, 6×10-5M, 7×10-5M, 8×10-5M, 9×10-5M, 1×10-4M, 2×10-4M, 3×10-4M, 4×10- 4M, 5×10- 4M, 6×10-4M, 7×10-4M, 8×10-4M, 9×10-4M, 1×10-3M, 2×10-3M, 3×10-3M, 4×10- 3M, 5×10- 3M, 6×10-3M, 7×10-3M, 8×10-3M, 9×10-3M, 1×10-2M, 2×10-2M, 3×10-2M, 4×10- 2M, 5×10- 2M, 6×10-2M, 7×10-2M, 8×10-2M, 9×10-2M, 1×10-1M, 2×10-1M, 3×10-1M, 4×10- 1M, 5×10-1M, 6×10-1M, 7×10-1M, 8×10-1M, 9×10-1M, 1M, or any value or range therein. In some embodiments, contacting a plant and / or part thereof comprises administering the first composition and the second composition, separately or in combination (e.g., as a Attorney Docket No: 9818.5.WO single synergistic composition), to an area comprising the plant and / or part thereof. In some embodiments, the rate of administration of agmatine and / or a salt thereof (e.g., first composition or synergistic composition) to an area comprising the plant and / or part thereof may be in a range from about 1 microgram per hectare (Ha) to about 1 kg per Ha. Thus, in some embodiments, administration of agmatine, and / or a salt thereof (e.g., in the first composition and / or synergistic composition) to an area comprising the plant and / or part thereof may be in an amount of about 10 µg to about 1 kg, about 50 µg to about1 kg, about 100 µg to about 1 kg, about 500 µg to about 1 kg, about 1 g to about 1 kg, about 50g to about 1 kg, about 100 g to about 1 kg, about 500 g to about 1 kg, about 750 g to about 1 kg, about 1 µg to about 750 g, about 10 µg to about 750 g, about 50 µg to about 750 g, about 100 µg to about 750 g, about 500 µg to about 750 g, about 1 g to about 750 g, about 50g to about 750 g, about 100 g to about 750 g, about 500 g to about 750 g, about 1 µg to about 500 g, about 10 µg to about 500 g, about 50 µg to about 500 g, about 100 µg to about 500 g, about 500 µg to about 500 g, about 1 g to about 500 g, about 50g to about 500 g, about 100 g to about 500 g, about 250 g to about 500 g, about 1 µg to about 250 g, about 10 µg to about 250 g, about 50 µg to about 250 g, about 100 µg to about 250 g, about 250 µg to about 250 g, about 500 µg to about 250 g, about 1 g to about 250 g, about 50g to about 250 g, about 100 g to about 250 g, about 200 g to about 250 g, about 1 µg to about 100 g, about 10 µg to about 100 g, about 50 µg to about 100 g, about 100 µg to about 100 g, about 250 µg to about 100 g, about 500 µg to about 100 g about 1 g to about 100 g, about 50g to about 100 g, about 1 µg to about 50 g, about 10 µg to about 50 g, about 50 µg to about 50 g, about 100 µg to about 50 g, about 250 µg to about 50 g, about 500 µg to about 50 g about 1 g to about 50 g, about 1 µg to about 10 g, about 10 µg to about 10 g, about 50 µg to about 10 g, about 100 µg to about 10 g, about 250 µg to about 10 g, about 1 g to about 10 g, about 2 g to about 10 g, about 5g to about 10 g, about 1g to about 5 g per hectare, or any value or range therein. In some embodiments, the rate of administration of agmatine, and / or a salt thereof (e.g., in the first composition and / or synergistic composition) to an area comprising the plant and / or part thereof may be in an amount of about 1 µg, 5 µg, 10 µg, 15 µg, 20 µg, 25 µg, 30 µg, 35 µg, 40 µg, 50 µg, 55 µg, 60 µg, 65 µg, 70 µg, 75 µg, 80 µg, 85 µg, 90 µg, 95 µg, 100 µg, 200 µg, 300 µg, 400 µg, 500 µg, 600 µg, 700 µg, 800 µg, 900 µg, 1 g, 2 g, 3 g, 4 g, 5 g, 6 g, 7 g, 8 g, 9 g, 10 g, 15 g, 20 g, 25 g, 30 g, 35 g, 40 g, 50 g, 55 g, 60 g, 65 g, 70 g, 75 g, 80 µg, 85 g, 90 g, 95 g, 100 g, 200 g, 300 g, 400 g, 500 g, 600 g, 700 g, 800 g, 900 g, 1000g per hectare or any value or range therein. Attorney Docket No: 9818.5.WO In some embodiments, the rate of administration of at least one (one or more) dicarboxylic acid and / or a salt thereof (e.g., in the second composition and / or synergistic composition) may be in a range from about 10 µg per hectare (Ha) to about 1 kg per Ha. Thus, in some embodiments, the rate of administration of at least one dicarboxylic acid, and / or a salt thereof (e.g., second composition or synergistic composition) to an area comprising the plant and / or part thereof may be in an amount of about 25 µg to about 1 kg, about 50 µg to about1 kg, about 100 µg to about 1 kg, about 500 µg to about 1 kg, about 1 g to about 1 kg, about 50g to about 1 kg, about 100 g to about 1 kg, about 500 g to about 1 kg, about 750 g to about 1 kg, about 1 µg to about 750 g, about 10 µg to about 750 g, about 50 µg to about 750 g, about 100 µg to about 750 g, about 500 µg to about 750 g, about 1 g to about 750 g, about 50g to about 750 g, about 100 g to about 750 g, about 500 g to about 750 g, about 1 µg to about 500 g, about 10 µg to about 500 g, about 50 µg to about 500 g, about 100 µg to about 500 g, about 500 µg to about 500 g, about 1 g to about 500 g, about 50g to about 500 g, about 100 g to about 500 g, about 250 g to about 500 g, about 1 µg to about 250 g, about 10 µg to about 250 g, about 50 µg to about 250 g, about 100 µg to about 250 g, about 250 µg to about 250 g, about 500 µg to about 250 g, about 1 g to about 250 g, about 50g to about 250 g, about 100 g to about 250 g, about 200 g to about 250 g, about 1 µg to about 100 g, about 10 µg to about 100 g, about 50 µg to about 100 g, about 100 µg to about 100 g, about 250 µg to about 100 g, about 500 µg to about 100 g about 1 g to about 100 g, about 50g to about 100 g, about 1 µg to about 50 g, about 10 µg to about 50 g, about 50 µg to about 50 g, about 100 µg to about 50 g, about 250 µg to about 50 g, about 500 µg to about 50 g, about 1 g to about 50 g, about 1 µg to about 20 g, about 10 µg to about 20 g, about 50 µg to about 20 g, about 100 µg to about 20 g, about 250 µg to about 20 g, about 500 µg to about 20 g, about 1 g to about 20 g, about 5 g to about 20 g, about 10 g to about 20 g, about 1 µg to about 10 g, about 10 µg to about 10 g, about 50 µg to about 10 g, about 100 µg to about 10 g, about 250 µg to about 10 g, about 1 g to about 10 g, about 2 g to about 10 g, about 5g to about 10 g, about 1g to about 5 g per hectare, or any value or range therein. In some embodiments, administration of at least one (one or more) dicarboxylic acid, and / or a salt thereof (e.g., second composition or synergistic composition) to an area comprising the plant and / or part thereof may be in an amount of about 10 µg, 15 µg, 20 µg, 25 µg, 30 µg, 35 µg, 40 µg, 50 µg, 55 µg, 60 µg, 65 µg, 70 µg, 75 µg, 80 µg, 85 µg, 90 µg, 95 µg, 100 µg, 200 µg, 300 µg, 400 µg, 500 µg, 600 µg, 700 µg, 800 µg, 900 µg, 1 g, 2 g, 3 g, 4 g, 5 g, 6 g, 7 g, 8 g, 9 g, 10 g, 11 g, 12 g, 13 g, 14 g, 15 g, 16 g, 17 g, 18 g, 19 g, 20 g, 21 g, 22 g, 23 g, 24 g, 25 g, 30 g, 35 g, 40 g, 50 g, 55 g, 60 g, 65 g, 70 g, 75 g, 80 µg, 85 g, 90 g, Attorney Docket No: 9818.5.WO 95 g, 100 g, 200 g, 300 g, 400 g, 500 g, 600 g, 700 g, 800 g, 900 g, 1000 g per hectare, and / or any value or range therein. In some embodiments, a first composition of the invention may comprise agmatine, and / or a salt thereof, in an amount of about 0.1% to about 99.9%, about 0.5% to about 99.5%, about 5% to about 95%, about 5% to about 80%, about 10% to about 75% by weight of active components in the composition. In some embodiments, a second composition of the invention may comprise one or more dicarboxylic acids (and / or salts thereof) in an amount of about 0.1% to about 99.9%, about 0.5% to about 99.5%, about 5% to about 95%, about 5% to about 80%, about 10% to about 75% by weight of active components in the composition. In some embodiments, a synergistic composition of the invention may comprise agmatine, and / or a salt thereof, in an amount of about 0.1% to about 99.9%, about 0.5% to about 99.5%, about 5% to about 95%, about 5% to about 80%, about 10% to about 75% by weight of active components in the composition and at least one (one or more) dicarboxylic acid and / or a salt thereof in an amount of about 0.1% to about 99.9%, about 0.5% to about 99.5%, about 5% to about 95%, about 5% to about 80%, about 10% to about 75% by weight of active components in the composition. In some embodiments, the ratio of the first composition to the second composition may be in the range of about 1:1 to about 1:1×10-9or about 1×10-9:1 to about 1:1. In some embodiments, the ratio of the first composition to the second composition may be in the range of about 1:1, 1:2, 1:3, 1:4, 1:5, 1:6, 1:7, 1:8, 1:9, 1:10, 1:15, 1:20, 1:25, 1:30, 1:35, 1:40, 1:50, 2:1, 3:1, 4:1, 5:1, 6:1, 7:1, 8:1, 9:1, 10:1, 15:1; 20:1, 25:1, 30:1, 35:1, 40:1, 45:1, 50:1, and the like, and / or any range or value therein. In some embodiments, the ratio of the agmatine, and / or a salt thereof, to the at least one (one or more) dicarboxylic acid and / or salt thereof in a synergistic composition of the invention may be in the range of about 1:1 to 1:1×10-9or 1×10-9:1 to about 1:1. In some embodiments, the ratio of agmatine, and / or a salt thereof, to the one or more dicarboxylic acids, and / or salts thereof, in a synergistic composition of the invention may be may be in the range of about 1:1, 1:2, 1:3, 1:4, 1:5, 1:6, 1:7, 1:8, 1:9, 1:10, 1:15, 1:20, 1:25, 1:30, 1:35, 1:40, 1:50, 2:1, 3:1, 4:1, 5:1, 6:1, 7:1, 8:1, 9:1, 10:1, 15:1; 20:1, 25:1, 30:1, 35:1, 40:1, 45:1, 50:1, and the like, and / or any range or value therein. In some embodiments, a composition(s) of the invention (e.g., a first composition, a second composition, and / or a synergistic composition) may further comprise one or more additional active components. Attorney Docket No: 9818.5.WO In some embodiments, one or more additional active component may be provided in one or more than one composition that is / are separate from a composition(s) of the invention (e.g., the first and second compositions, the synergistic composition). Thus, in some embodiments, methods of the invention may further comprise contacting the plant and / or part thereof with one or more additional active components separately from the compositions of the invention. When provided in one or more than one separate composition(s), the additional active components may be contacted with a plant and / or part thereof, before, concurrent with, and / or within a few minutes (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 15, 20, 30, 40, 50 minutes or more), hours (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 hours or more) several hours (e.g, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 hours or more hours), days (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 days or more ) and / or weeks (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 weeks or more) before and / or after contacting a composition of this invention to the plant and / or part thereof. Non-limiting examples of additional active components include furanocoumarin, terpene, tripene, pinene, 2-carene, phellandrene, rosmarinic acid, benzyl acetate, a plant hormone, a growth regulator, an auxin transport inhibitor, an amino acid, a fertilizer, a nutrient, a micronutrient, a terpene, a pesticide, a fungicide, a nematicide, reflective material, or any combination thereof. Plant hormones may include, but are not limited to, auxin, cytokinin, abscisic acid, gibberellin, ethylene, salicylic acid, brassinosteriod (e.g., brassinolide), or any combination thereof. A non-limiting example of a growth regulator may include napthelene acetic acid (NAA) and / or indole-3-butyric acid, and / or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, a composition of the invention may include an active component that is an amino acid, wherein the amino acid may be glycine betaine, aminobutyric acid, and / or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, a composition of the invention may include salicylic acid. In some embodiments, a composition of the invention may include salicylic acid and glycine betaine. In some embodiments, a composition of the invention may comprise a reflective material such as, for example, kaolin. In some embodiments, a composition of the invention may further comprise calcium carbonate. Thus, in some embodiments of this invention, a composition of the invention may comprise kaolin and / or calcium carbonate, and / or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, a composition of the invention that further comprises additional active components may comprise each additional active ingredient in an amount of Attorney Docket No: 9818.5.WO between about 0.00001 gram to about 1000 grams active ingredient per hectare. Thus, in some embodiments, the amount of each additional active ingredient can be between about 0.0001 gram to about 750 grams per hectare, about 0.001 gram to about 500 grams active ingredient per hectare, about 0.005 gram to about 250 grams active ingredient per hectare, about 0.01 gram to about 100 grams active ingredient per hectare, about 0.5 gram to about 50 grams active ingredient per hectare, or about 1 gram to about 25 grams active ingredient per hectare. In some embodiments, the amount of each additional active ingredient in a composition (e.g., a first composition, a second composition, a synergistic composition, or a separate composition) may be about 0.1, 0.25, 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50 grams active ingredient per hectare, and the like, and / or any range or value therein. In some embodiments, a composition may further comprise kaolin in an amount in a range from about 5kg / ha to about 100 kg / ha. Thus, in some embodiments, the amount of kaolin can be in a range from about 5kg / ha to about 10 kg / ha, about 5kg / ha to about 15 kg / ha, about 5kg / ha to about 20 kg / ha, about 5kg / ha to about 30 kg / ha, about 5kg / ha to about 40 kg / ha, about 5kg / ha to about 50 kg / ha, about 5kg / ha to about 60 kg / ha, about 5kg / ha to about 70 kg / ha, about 5kg / ha to about 80 kg / ha, about 5kg / ha to about 90 kg / ha, about 15kg / ha to about 30 kg / ha, about 15kg / ha to about 40 kg / ha, about 15kg / ha to about 50 kg / ha, about 15kg / ha to about 60 kg / ha, about 15kg / ha to about 80 kg / ha, about 15kg / ha to about 90 kg / ha, about 15kg / ha to about 100 kg / ha, about 20kg / ha to about 50 kg / ha, about 20kg / ha to about 80 kg / ha, about 20kg / ha to about 100 kg / ha, about 40kg / ha to about 80 kg / ha, about 40kg / ha to about 100 kg / ha, about 50kg / ha to about 80 kg / ha, about 50kg / ha to about 100 kg / ha, about 75kg / ha to about 100 kg / ha, and the like, and / or any range or value therein. A plant and / or part thereof that is contacted with a composition of the invention may be contacted with other compounds that are comprised in the same composition / formulation (as that of the invention, e.g., first composition, second composition and / or synergistic composition) or may be comprised in separate compositions / formulations. For example, kaolin and / or calcium carbonate, and the like, or combinations thereof, may be in the same composition / formulation with a composition of the invention (e.g., first and second composition and / or synergistic composition) or can be provided in one or more than one (e.g., one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve, thirteen, fourteen, fifteen, etc.) separate compositions / formulations. When provided in separate compositions / formulations, the plant and part thereof can be contacted with the first and second compositions or synergistic composition before, concurrent with, and / or after, the Attorney Docket No: 9818.5.WO plant and / or part thereof is contacted with other compounds, e.g., a reflective compound such as kaolin and / or calcium carbonate. In some embodiments, a plant and / or part thereof contacted with a composition(s) of the present invention may be contacted with one or more than one additional active component present in one or more than one composition that may be separate from the composition(s) of the invention (e.g., first and second composition and / or synergistic composition). As discussed herein, if in separate compositions, the order of application of the compositions can vary according to need. In some embodiments, a composition of the invention (e.g., a first composition, a second composition, and / or a synergistic composition) may further comprise an agriculturally acceptable carrier. An agriculturally acceptable carrier of the present invention can include, but is not limited to, a natural or synthetic, organic or inorganic material which is combined with the active component to facilitate its application to the plant, or part thereof. In some embodiments, an agriculturally-acceptable carrier of the present invention can include, but is not limited to, a support, filler, dispersant, emulsifier, wetter, adjuvant, solubilizer, colorant, tackifier, binder, anti-foaming agent and / or surfactant, or combinations thereof, that can be used in agricultural formulations. Agriculturally acceptable carriers can be solid or liquid. Solid carriers include, but are not limited to, silicas, silica gels, silicates, talc, kaolin, limestone, lime, chalk, bole, loess, clay, dolomite, attapulgite clay, bentonite, acid clay, pyrophillite, talc, calcite, corn starch powder, dolomite, diatomaceous earth, calcium sulfate, magnesium sulfate, magnesium oxide, ground synthetic materials, resins, waxes, polysaccharides, e.g. cellulose, starch, fertilizers such as ammonium sulfate, ammonium phosphate, ammonium nitrate, urea, products of vegetable origin such as cereal meal, tree bark meal, wood meal and nutshell meal (e.g., walnut shell powder), cellulose powders and the like; and combinations thereof. Non-limiting examples of liquid carriers include water, alcohols, ketones, petroleum fractions, aromatic or paraffinic hydrocarbons, chlorinated hydrocarbons, liquefied gases and the like, and combinations thereof. Thus, liquid carriers can include, but are not limited to, xylene, methylnaphthalene and the like, isopropanol, ethylene glycol, cellosolve and the like, acetone, cyclohexanone, isophorone and the like, vegetable oils such as soybean oil, cottonseed oil, corn oil and the like, dimethyl sulfoxide, acetonitrile, and combinations thereof. In some embodiments, an agriculturally acceptable carrier of the present invention may comprise a surface active agent (surfactant), which can be an emulsifying, dispersing or Attorney Docket No: 9818.5.WO wetting agent of ionic or nonionic type. Non-limiting examples of surface active agents suitable for use with the compositions of the present invention, include alkyl benzene and alkyl naphthalene sulfonates, alkyl and alkyl aryl sulfonates, alkyl amine oxides, alkyl and alkyl aryl phosphate esters, organosilicones, fluoro-organic wetting agents, alcohol ethoxylates, alkoxylated amines, sulfated fatty alcohols, amines or acid amides, long chain acid esters of sodium isothionate, esters of sodium sulfosuccinate, sulfated or sulfonated fatty acid esters, petroleum sulfonates, sulfonated vegetable oils, ditertiary acetylenic glycols, block copolymers, polyoxyalkylene derivatives of alkylphenols (particularly isooctylphenol and nonylphenol) and polyoxyalkylene derivatives of the mono-higher fatty acid esters of hexitol anhydrides (e.g., sorbitan). Examples of surfactants are provided in, for example, McCutcheon's, Vol.1: Emulsifiers and Detergents, McCutcheon's Directories, Glen Rock, USA, 2008 (International Ed. or North American Ed.). Non-ionic surface active agents useful with the compositions of this invention can include, but are not limited to, polyglycol ether derivatives of aliphatic or cycloaliphatic alcohols, saturated or non-saturated fatty acids and alkylphenols, which have 3 to 10 glycol ether groups and 8 to 20 carbon atoms in the (aliphatic) hydrocarbon residue and 6 to 18 carbon atoms in the alkyl residue of the alkyl phenols. Additional non-limiting examples of suitable non-ionic surface active agents include the water-soluble, 20 to 200 ethylene glycol ether groups containing polyadducts of ethylene oxide and polypropylene glycol, ethylene diamino polypropylene glycol, alkyl polypropylene glycol with 1 to 10 carbon atoms in the alkyl moiety, nonylphenol polyethoxy ethanols, castor oil polyglycol ether, fatty acid esters of polyoxy ethylene sorbitan, such as polyoxy ethylene sorbitan trioleate, polyadducts of ethylene oxide and polypropylene, tributyl phenoxy polyethoxy ethanol, polyethylene glycol, octyl phenoxy polyethoxy ethanol, Tween serials such as polyoxyethylene sorbitan monolaurate, polyoxyethylene sorbitan monopalmitate, polyoxyethylene sorbitan monooleate, and the like. Non-limiting examples of dispersants useful with the compositions of the present invention include methyl, cellulose, polyvinyl alcohol, sodium lignin sulfonates, calcium lignosulfonates, polymeric alkyl naphthalene sulfonates, sodium naphthalene sulfonate, polymethylene binaphthalene sulfonate, neutralized polyoxyethylated derivatives and / or ring- substituted alkyl phenol phosphates. In some embodiments, the compositions of the invention may further comprise stabilizers, such as magnesium aluminum silicate, xanthan gum and the like. Attorney Docket No: 9818.5.WO Accordingly, in some embodiments, the compositions of the invention may be mixed with one or more agriculturally acceptable carriers, solid or liquid, and prepared by various means, e.g., by homogeneously mixing, blending and / or grinding the composition(s) with suitable carriers using conventional formulation techniques. The compositions of the present invention can be made in any formulation suitable for applying to or contacting with a plant and / or part thereof. Formulations suitable for contacting the compositions of the invention to a plant and / or part thereof include, but are not limited to, a spray, a suspension, a powder, a granule, a tablet, an extruded granule, a mist, an aerosol, a foam, paste, emulsions (e.g., in oil (vegetable or mineral), or water or oil / water), a capsule, and combinations thereof. Powders and dusts may be prepared by mixing or jointly grinding the active compound or compounds with a solid carrier. Granules (e.g., coated granules, impregnated granules or homogeneous granules) may be prepared by binding the active component to a solid carrier. Solutions may be prepared by dissolving the active component in a liquid carrier, optionally including a surface active agent. The frequency of contacting a plant and / or part thereof with a composition of the invention (a first composition, a second composition, a synergistic composition) can be as often as necessary to impart the desired effect of increasing tolerance to abiotic stress, and / or reducing the consequence of abiotic stress. For example, the composition may be contacted with the plant and / or part thereof one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, or more times per day, one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, or more times per week, one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, or more times per month, and / or one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, or more times per year, as necessary to achieve increased tolerance to abiotic stress. Thus, in some embodiments, a composition of the invention may be contacted with a plant and / or part thereof 1 to 10 times per season, 1 to 11 times per season, 1 to 12 times per season, 1 to 13 times per season, 1 to 14 times per season, 1 to 15 times per season, and the like. In some embodiments, number of days between applications of (i.e., contacting the plant and / or part thereof with) a composition of the invention (a first composition and a second composition; a synergistic composition) may be 1 day to 100 days, 1 day to 95 days, 1 day to 90 days, 1 day to 85 days, 1 day to 80 days, 1 day to 75 days, 1 day to 70 days, 1 day to 65 days, 1 day to 60 days, 1 day to 55 days, 1 day to 50 days, 1 day to 45 days, 1 day to 40 days, and the like, and any combination thereof. In some embodiments, the number of days between applications of composition(s) of the invention may be 1 day, 4 days, 7 days, 10 days, 13 days, 15 days, 18 days, 20 days, 25, days, 28, days, Attorney Docket No: 9818.5.WO 30 days, 32, days, 35 days, 38 days, 40 days, 45 days, and the like, and any combination thereof. Accordingly, the amount and frequency of application or contacting of the compositions of the invention to a plant and / or part thereof can be varied depending on the plant / crop type, the condition of the plant / crop, the abiotic stress or consequences thereof being alleviated and the like. In some embodiments, a composition of the invention can be effective for increasing tolerance to abiotic stress and / or reducing the consequence of abiotic stress in a plant and / or part thereof regardless of whether the initial application of the composition of the present invention is applied to the plant prior to, during, and / or after the initiation of the abiotic stress(es). Accordingly, a plant and / or part thereof may be contacted with a composition of the invention more than once (e.g., 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or more times) and / or with more than one composition (e.g., the first and second composition of the invention, the synergistic composition, and / or compositions comprising additional active components, and the like) simultaneously, consecutively and / or intermittently, and / or in any order and / or in any combination. In some embodiments, a plant and / or part thereof may be contacted with a first composition of the invention and second composition of the invention one or more times (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or more times) simultaneously as two separate compositions or in a single composition or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, the plant and / or part thereof may be contacted with the first composition of the invention and second composition of the invention at least twice (e.g., 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or more times) simultaneously as two separate compositions or in a single composition or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, the plant and / or part thereof may be contacted with a first composition of the invention and second composition of the invention separately one or more times (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or more times) and in any order. In some embodiments, the plant and / or part thereof may be contacted with the first composition of the invention and second composition of the invention sequentially beginning with the first composition or beginning with the second composition. In some embodiments, the plant and / or part thereof may be contacted with the first composition of the invention before being contacted with the second composition of the invention. In some embodiments, the plant and / or part thereof may be contacted with the first composition of the invention after being contacted with the second composition of the invention. In some embodiments, the plant and / or part thereof may be contacted with the first composition of the invention before and Attorney Docket No: 9818.5.WO after being contacted with the second composition of the invention. In some embodiments, the plant and / or part thereof may be contacted with the second composition before and after being contacted with the first composition. In some embodiments, a plant and / or part thereof is may be contacted with the first composition at least two times (e.g., 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or more times) prior to being contacted with the second composition. In some embodiments, the plant and / or part thereof may be contacted with the second composition at least two times (e.g., 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or more times) prior to being contacted with the first composition. In some embodiments, a plant and / or part thereof may be contacted with a composition of the invention during different stages of development of the plant and / or plant part. Non-limiting examples of different stages of development may include a seed, seedling, adult or mature plant, budding plant, flowering plant, and / or fruiting plant. Thus, for example, a plant may be contacted at a seedling stage with the composition of the invention and again at the fruiting stage or a seed may be treated with a composition of the invention and then the seedlings, plants, flowers or fruit of planta grown from the seed may be treated (e.g., several months later depending on the plant species; e.g., up to about 3 months between the seed treatment and the late reproductive stage for, for example, corn or soybean). Thus, for example, a part of a plant may be a seed and the seed may be contacted with a first composition of the invention and with a second composition of the invention, at least once each (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or more times) and in any order. In some embodiments, a plant may be germinated from the seed that has been contacted. In some embodiments, the plant / seedling that is germinated from the seed (which has been so contacted) may be contacted with the first composition and the second composition at least once each and in any order. In some embodiments, a plant may be contacted with a first composition of the invention and a second composition of the invention at least once each and in any order and then a part (e.g., a seed, flower, fruit and the like) of the plant (which has been so contacted) may be contacted with the first composition and the second composition at least once each and in any order. In some embodiments, a plant and / or part thereof may be contacted with a synergistic composition of the invention one or more times. In some embodiments, the plant and / or part thereof may be contacted with a synergistic composition of the invention at least twice (e.g., 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or more times) and the time between contacting the plant or plant part thereof with the synergistic composition and subsequently or again contacting the plant or Attorney Docket No: 9818.5.WO plant part thereof with the synergistic composition may be up to 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30 or more days in between. In some embodiments, a plant and / or part thereof is may be contacted with a synergistic composition of the invention more than once (e.g., 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or more times) and during different stages of development of the plant and / or plant part. Non- limiting examples of different stages of development may include a seed, seedling, adult or mature plant, budding plant, flowering plant, and / or fruiting plant. Accordingly, in some embodiments, a part of a plant may be a seed and the seed may be contacted with a synergistic composition of the invention at least once (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or more times) and the seed that has been contacted with the synergistic composition of the invention may germinate to produce a plant / seedling. In some embodiments, a plant may be contacted with a synergistic composition of the invention at least once, and subsequently a part of that plant (e.g., a seed, flower, fruit and the like) may be contacted with the synergistic composition at least once. As an example, an application to a maize or soybean plant may be made at the seed stage (a seed treatment or an in-furrow treatment), which may be followed by a postemergence treatment, such as between the v2 (2 leaf) and V6 (six leaf) stage of growth. As another example, for a tomato plant, applications may begin pre-transplant and continue at two to three-week intervals through early harvest. In citrus, applications may begin prior to flowering and continue at three to four-week intervals for six or seven applications. As discussed above, abiotic stress includes, but is not limited to, cold temperature, freezing, chilling, heat or high temperature, drought, high light intensity, salinity, ozone, and / or combinations thereof. In some particular embodiments of the present invention, the abiotic stress is freezing. In other aspects of the invention, the abiotic stress is chilling. In still other aspects of the invention, the abiotic stress is high light intensity. In additional embodiments of the invention, the abiotic stress is high temperature. As one of skill in the art would recognize, at any one time, a plant may be exposed to one or more abiotic stresses. (Mittler, R., Trends Plant Sci.11(1) (2006)). Thus, in some embodiments of the invention, the term abiotic stress refers to a combination of stresses. Such combinations of stresses include, but are not limited to, high light intensity and high temperature; high light intensity and drought; high light intensity and salinity; high temperature and salinity; drought and high temperature; high light intensity and cold temperature; high light intensity, high temperature, and drought; high light intensity, high temperature, and salinity; and the like. In some particular embodiments, a combination of abiotic stresses may be high temperature and high Attorney Docket No: 9818.5.WO light intensity. In some embodiments, a combination of abiotic stresses may be high temperature, high light intensity and drought. In some embodiments, a combination of abiotic stresses may be high temperature and drought. In some embodiments, a combination of abiotic stresses may be high light intensity and drought or cold temperature (or chilling) and high light intensity. A plant and / or part thereof exposed to high temperature, alone or in combination with high light intensity, can develop sunburn. Sunburn damage is a significant problem in the fruit industry resulting in losses in the millions of dollars. Three types of sunburn on fruit have been identified in, for example, apple studies. The first type is a necrotic spot on the sun-exposed side of the fruit resulting from the thermal death of cells in the peel when the surface temperature of the fruit reaches about 126°F. High temperature alone is sufficient to induce this condition. The second type is called "sunburn browning" and results in a yellow, bronze, or brown spot on the sun-exposed side of the fruit. This type of damage occurs in apples at a fruit surface temperature from about 115°F to 120°F and requires the presence of sunlight. The threshold temperature required for sunburn browning is cultivar dependent. The third type of sunburn damage occurs on fruit that is suddenly exposed to full sunlight, for instance, after thinning of tree branches or shifting of a branch as fruit load increases. This type of sunburn requires light and relatively low ambient temperatures (e.g., about 65ºF) with fruit surface temperature of about 88ºF. Heat stress can also induce or enhance several skin and / or fruit disorders, including lenticel marking (dark spots), sunburn scald, cracking / splitting, misshapen fruit, bitter pit (blotchiness), "Fuji stain," and watercore. Sunburned / heat stressed tissues can also serve as entrance points for fungi and other pathogens. (See, U.S. Patent Application Publication No.20090280985) Thus, in some embodiments, a method of increasing tolerance to high temperature in a plant and / or part thereof is provided, the method comprising contacting the plant and / or part thereof with a composition of the invention (i.e., a first and a second composition of the invention and / or a synergistic composition of the invention), thereby increasing the tolerance of the plant and / or part thereof to high temperature and reducing sunburn damage as compared to a control (i.e., a plant and / or part thereof exposed to the same abiotic stress (i.e., high temperatures) but which has not been contacted with the composition(s) of the present invention). In some embodiments, a method is provided for increasing tolerance to high temperature and high light intensity in a plant and / or part thereof comprising contacting the plant and / or part thereof with a composition(s) of the invention, thereby increasing the Attorney Docket No: 9818.5.WO tolerance of the plant or plant part to high temperature and high light intensity and reducing sunburn damage as compared to a control. In some embodiments, a method is provided for increasing tolerance to high temperature, high light intensity and drought in a plant and / or part thereof comprising contacting the plant and / or part thereof with a composition(s) of the invention (i.e., a first and a second composition of the invention and / or a synergistic composition of the invention), thereby increasing the tolerance of the plant and / or part thereof to high temperature, high light intensity and drought as compared to a control. In some embodiments, a method is provided for increasing tolerance to high temperature and drought in a plant and / or part thereof comprising contacting the plant and / or part thereof with a composition(s) of the invention, thereby increasing the tolerance to high temperature and drought as compared to a control. In some embodiments, a method is provided for increasing tolerance to high light intensity and drought in a plant and / or part thereof comprising contacting the plant and / or part thereof with a composition(s) of the invention, thereby increasing the tolerance to high light intensity and drought as compared to a control. In still further embodiments, a method is provided for increasing tolerance to drought in a plant and / or part thereof comprising contacting the plant and / or part thereof with a composition(s) of the invention, thereby increasing the tolerance to drought as compared to a control. Abiotic stress such as high temperature can result in crop losses due to flower- abortion or fruit drop. Thus, in some embodiments of the invention, methods are provided for increasing tolerance to high temperature in a plant and / or part thereof comprising contacting the plant and / or part thereof with a composition(s) of the invention (i.e., a first and a second composition of the invention and / or a synergistic composition of the invention), thereby increasing the tolerance of the plant and / or part thereof to high temperature and reducing floral abortion as compared to a control (i.e., a plant and / or part thereof which has been exposed to the same abiotic stress conditions but has not been contacted with the composition(s) of the invention). In some embodiments, methods are provided for increasing tolerance to high temperature in a plant and / or part thereof comprising contacting the plant and / or part thereof with a composition(s) of the invention, thereby increasing the tolerance of the plant and / or part thereof to high temperature and reducing fruit drop as compared to a control. Cell division and / or fruit size can be affected by abiotic stress including high temperature, high light intensity and / or drought. Each of these abiotic stress factors, alone or in combination, can result in reduced cell division and / or reduced fruit size. Thus, in some Attorney Docket No: 9818.5.WO embodiments, the present invention provides methods for increasing tolerance to high temperature and / or high light intensity and / or drought in a plant and / or part thereof comprising contacting the plant and / or part thereof with a composition(s) of the invention (i.e., a first and a second composition of the invention and / or a synergistic composition of the invention), thereby increasing the tolerance of the plant and / or part thereof to high temperature and / or high light intensity and / or drought and maintaining cell division and / or fruit size as compared to a control. In some embodiments, the present invention provides methods for increasing tolerance to high temperature in a plant and / or part thereof comprising contacting the plant and / or part thereof with a composition(s) of the invention, thereby increasing the tolerance of the plant and / or part thereof to high temperature and maintaining cell division and / or fruit size as compared to a control. The number and / or size of plants or parts thereof and the quality of the plant or plant part thereof that is produced (e.g., fruit quality) may also be affected by abiotic stress. Thus, depending on the abiotic stress that a plant is exposed to the plant or plant part thereof can be reduced in the size and / or the number of plants or parts thereof can be reduced, and / or the quality of the produced plant and / or part thereof can be reduced (e.g., fruit size and / or quality). Quality can be measured as color, finish, and / or shape (e.g., reduced quality of produce due to appearance and texture). Thus, in some embodiments, the present invention provides methods for increasing tolerance to abiotic stress in a plant and / or part thereof comprising contacting the plant and / or part thereof with a composition(s) of the invention, thereby increasing the tolerance of the plant and / or part thereof to abiotic stress and maintaining the number and / or size of a plant and / or part thereof as compared to a control. In some embodiments, the present invention provides methods for increasing tolerance to abiotic stress in a plant and / or part thereof comprising contacting the plant and / or part thereof with a composition(s) of the invention, thereby increasing the tolerance of the plant and / or part thereof to abiotic stress and maintaining the quality of a plant and / or part thereof of as compared to a control. In some aspects of the invention, “contacting” a plant and / or part thereof includes any method by which a composition(s) of the invention is brought into contact with the plant and / or part thereof. The term "contact" comprises any method in which a plant is exposed to, provided with, or in which a compound is applied to a plant and / or part thereof. Some non- limiting examples of contacting a plant and / or part thereof include spraying, dusting, sprinkling, scattering, misting, atomizing, broadcasting, soaking, soil injection, soil incorporation, drenching (e.g., soil treatment), pouring, coating, leaf or stem infiltration, side Attorney Docket No: 9818.5.WO dressing or seed treatment, and the like, and combinations thereof. These and other procedures for contacting a plant and / or part thereof with compound(s), composition(s) or formulation(s) are well-known to those of skill in the art. As used herein, the surface of the plant and part thereof includes the plant and parts thereof that are above and below the ground. In some particular embodiments of this invention, the composition is contacted with / applied to a surface of the plant or plant part, and the composition may then be absorbed into the plant. A plant and / or part thereof useful with the present invention can include, but is not limited to, the whole plant, the above and below ground parts of the plant, leaves, needles, stems, buds, flowers and parts thereof, fruits and parts thereof, cones and parts thereof, stems, seeds, roots, tubers, rhizomes, and combinations thereof. A whole plant includes all stages of development from seed and seedling to mature plant. In some embodiments, the plant is a seed. In some embodiments, the plant is a seedling. In some embodiments, a plant may be mature and can bear flowers and fruit (i.e., can sexually reproduce). A plant may be contacted with a composition(s) of the present invention at all stages of plant development. The stage or stages of development during which a composition(s) of the present invention may be contacted with the composition(s) of the present invention can depend upon the species of plant, the plant part and the stress to which the plant and / or part thereof is exposed. In embodiment, the stage of development at which a plant may be contacted with a composition(s) of the invention may be at petal fall. In some embodiments of the present invention, the method comprises or further comprises applying the composition to the soil. In some embodiments, the contacting is carried out by providing the composition in irrigation water, and applying the irrigation water to the plant and / or part thereof. In some embodiments, the providing may comprise mixing the agmatine and / or salt thereof, with the one or more dicarboxylic acids and / or salts thereof, into a spray tank comprising the irrigation water. The methods and compositions of the present invention are useful for any type of plant and / or part thereof exposed to or which may become exposed to abiotic stress. Thus, plants useful with the present invention can include, but are not limited to, gymnosperms, angiosperms (monocots and dicots), ferns, fern allies, bryophytes, and combinations thereof. Non-limiting examples of types of plants useful with this invention include woody, herbaceous, horticultural, agricultural, forestry, nursery, ornamental plant species and plant species useful in the production of biofuels, and combinations thereof. In some embodiments, a plant and / or part thereof useful with the invention includes, but is not limited Attorney Docket No: 9818.5.WO to, arabidopsis, apple, tomato, pear, pepper (Capsicum), bean (e.g., green and dried), cucurbits (e.g., squash, cucumber, honeydew melon, watermelon, cantaloupe, and the like), papaya, mango, pineapple, avocado, stone fruits (e.g., plum, cherry, peach, apricot, nectarine, and the like), grape (wine and table), strawberry, raspberry, blueberry, mango, cranberry, gooseberry, banana, fig, citrus (e.g., clementine, kumquat, orange, grapefruit, tangerine, mandarin, lemon, lime, and the like), nuts (e.g., hazelnut, pistachio, walnut, macadamia, almond, pecan, and the like), lychee (Litchi), soybeans, corn, sugar cane, camelina, peanuts, cotton, canola, oilseed rape, sunflower, rapeseed, alfalfa, timothy, tobacco, tomato, sugarbeet, potato, pea, carrot, cereals (e.g., wheat, rice, barley, rye, millet, sorghum, oat, triticale, and the like), buckwheat, quinoa, turf, lettuce, roses, tulips, violets, basil, oil palm, elm, ash, oak, maple, fir, spruce, cedar, pine, birch, cypress, coffee, miscanthus, arundo, switchgrass, and combinations thereof. In some embodiments, a plant and / or part thereof may be soybean or corn. Other aspects of the invention comprise the use of a compound of the invention or a composition of the present invention for carrying out the methods of the present invention described herein. The invention will now be described with reference to the following examples. It should be appreciated that these examples are not intended to limit the scope of the claims to the invention but are rather intended to be exemplary of certain embodiments. Any variations in the exemplified methods that occur to the skilled artisan are intended to fall within the scope of the invention. EXAMPLES Example 1. Soybean Trial Soybean plants were treated with a composition comprising agmatine and dicarboxylic acids as described herein. Fig.1 provides results of the treatments and demonstrates the synergistic effect of the agmatine and dicarboxylic acids on soybean yields when the plants were under abiotic stress (heat (high temperature), water (drought) and light (high light intensity) stress). These trials (n=5) took place in 2021-2022 in Brazil. Attorney Docket No: 9818.5.WO Example 2. Corn Trial Corn plants were treated with a composition comprising agmatine and dicarboxylic acids as described herein. Fig.2 provides results of the treatments and demonstrates the synergistic effect of the agmatine and dicarboxylic acids on corn yields when the plants were under abiotic stress (heat (high temperature), water (drought) and light (high light intensity) stress). These trials (n=5) took place in 2021-2022 in Brazil. The foregoing is illustrative of the present invention and is not to be construed as limiting thereof. The invention is defined by the following claims, with equivalents of the claims to be included therein.
Claims
Attorney Docket No: 9818.5.WO WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:
1. A composition comprising: agmatine and / or a salt thereof; and one or more dicarboxylic acids and / or salts thereof.
2. The composition of claim 1, wherein the amount of the agmatine and / or salt thereof, in the composition is in a range from about 1x10-9M to about 1 M and the amount of the one or more dicarboxylic acids and / or salts thereof in the composition is in a range from about 1x10-9M to about 1 M.
3. The composition of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the dicarboxylic acid is pimelic acid (heptanedioic acid), suberic acid (octanedioic acid), azelaic acid (nonanedioic acid), sebacic acid (decanedioic acid), undecanedioic acid, dodecanedioic acid, brassylic acid (tridecanedioic acid), thapsic acid (hexadecanedioic acid), tetradecanedioic acid, and / or pentadecanedioic acid, and / or a salt thereof, or any combination thereof.
4. The composition of any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising an agriculturally acceptable carrier, support, filler, dispersant, emulsifier, wetter, adjuvant, solubilizer, colorant, tackifier, binder, anti-foaming agent and / or surfactant.
5. The composition of any one of claims 1-4, further comprising one or more additional active components.
6. The composition of claim 5, wherein the additional active component is furanocoumarin, terpene, tripene, pinene, 2-carene, phellandrene, rosmarinic acid, benzyl acetate, or any combination thereof.
7. The composition of claim 5, wherein the one or more additional active components is a plant hormone, a growth regulator, an auxin transport inhibitor, an amino acid, a fertilizer, a nutrient, a micronutrient, a terpene, a pesticide, a fungicide, a nematicide, a reflective material, or any combination thereof.Attorney Docket No: 9818.5.WO 8. The composition of claim 7, wherein the plant hormone is auxin, cytokinin, abscisic acid, gibberellin, ethylene, salicylic acid, brassinosteriod (e.g., brassinolide), or any combination thereof, and / or the growth regulator is napthelene acetic acid (NAA) and / or indole-3-butyric acid.
9. The composition of claim 7, wherein the amino acid is glycine betaine, aminobutyric acid, or any combination thereof.
10. The composition of claim 7, wherein the reflective material is kaolin.
11. A method for increasing tolerance to abiotic stress and / or for reducing the consequence of abiotic stress in a plant and / or part thereof, comprising contacting the plant and / or part thereof with the composition of any one of claims 1-10, thereby increasing tolerance to abiotic stress and / or reducing the consequence of abiotic stress in a plant and / or part thereof as compared to a control.
12. The method of claim 11, wherein the composition has a synergistic effect on the plant and / or part thereof, thereby increasing tolerance to abiotic stress and / or reducing the consequence of abiotic stress in the plant and / or part thereof.
13. The method of claim 11 or claim 12, wherein the dicarboxylic acid is pimelic acid (heptanedioic acid), suberic acid (octanedioic acid), azelaic acid (nonanedioic acid), sebacic acid (decanedioic acid), unedecandioic acid, dodecanedioic acid, brassylic acid (tridecanedioic acid), thapsic acid (hexadecanedioic acid), tetradecanedioic acid, and / or pentadecanedioic acid, and / or a salt thereof, or any combination thereof.
14. The method of any one of claims 11-13, wherein the dicarboxylic acid is dodecanoic acid, and / or undecanoic acid, and / or a salt thereof.
15. The method of any one of claims 11-13, wherein the dicarboxylic acid is suberic acid (octanedioic acid), azelaic acid (nonanedioic acid), sebacic acid (decanedioic acid), undecanedioic acid, and / or a salt thereof, or any combination thereof.Attorney Docket No: 9818.5.WO 16. The method of any one of claims 11-15, wherein the amount of agmatine, and / or a salt thereof, in the composition is in a range from about 1x10-9M to about 1 M.
17. The method of any one of claims 11-16, wherein the amount of the one or more dicarboxylic acids and / or salt thereof in the composition is in a range from about 1x10-9M to about1 M.
18. The method of any one of claims 11-17, wherein the contacting comprises administering the composition to an area comprising the plant and / or part thereof, wherein the rate of administration (e.g., application) of the agmatine is in a range from about to 1 µg per hectare (Ha) to about 1 kg / Ha and the rate of administration of the one or more dicarboxylic acid is in a range from about 10 µg / Ha to about 1 kg / Ha.
19. The method of any one of claims 11-18, wherein the composition further comprises an agriculturally acceptable carrier, carrier, support, filler, dispersant, emulsifier, wetter, adjuvant, solubilizer, colorant, tackifier, binder, anti-foaming agent and / or surfactant.
20. The method of any one of claims 11-19, wherein the composition further comprises one or more additional active components.
21. The method of any one of claims 11-20, further comprising contacting the plant and / or part thereof with one or more additional active components.
22. The method of claim 20 or claim 21, wherein the additional active components is furanocoumarin, terpene, tripene, pinene, 2-carene, phellandrene, rosmarinic acid, benzyl acetate, or any combination thereof.
23. The method of claim 21 or claim 22, wherein the one or more additional active component is a plant hormone, a growth regulator, an auxin transport inhibitor, an amino acid, a fertilizer, a nutrient, a micronutrient, a terpene, a pesticide, a fungicide, a nematicide, a reflective material, or any combination thereof.
24. The method of claim 23, wherein the plant hormone is auxin, cytokinin, abscisic acid, gibberellin, ethylene, salicylic acid, brassinosteriod (e.g., brassinolide), or any combinationAttorney Docket No: 9818.5.WO thereof, and / or the growth regulator is napthelene acetic acid (NAA) and / or indole-3-butyric acid.
25. The method of claim 23, wherein the amino acid is glycine betaine, aminobutyric acid, or any combination thereof.
26. The method of claim 23, wherein the reflective material is kaolin.
27. The method of any one of claims 11-26, wherein the plant and / or part thereof are contacted one or more times with the composition.
28. The method of any one of claims 11-27, wherein the plant and / or part thereof is contacted at least twice with the composition.
29. The method of any one of claims 11-28, wherein the plant and / or part thereof is contacted with the composition during different stages of development of the plant and / or part thereof. 30 The method of claim 29, wherein the different stages of development of the plant and / or part thereof comprise a seed, seedling, adult or mature plant, budding plant, flowering plant, and / or fruiting plant.
31. The method of any one of claims 11-30, wherein the abiotic stress is cold temperature, freezing, chilling, heat or high temperature, drought, salinity, high light intensity, and / or ozone.
32. The method of any one of claims 11-31, wherein the abiotic stress is a combination of high temperature and high light intensity; high temperature, high light intensity and drought; high temperature and drought; high light intensity and drought; and / or cold temperature or chilling and high light intensity.
33. The method of any one of claims 11-32, wherein the consequence of abiotic stress is sunburn damage, flower-abortion, fruit drop, reduced fruit size, reduced cell division, reduced yield, reduced quality of produce due to appearance and texture, or any combination thereof.Attorney Docket No: 9818.5.WO 34. The method of any one of claims 11-33, wherein abiotic stress is a combination of high temperature and high light intensity, and the consequence of the abiotic stress is sunburn damage.
35. The method of any one of claims 11-34, wherein the step of contacting comprises spraying, dusting, sprinkling, scattering, misting, atomizing, broadcasting, soaking, soil injection, soil incorporation, pouring, coating, side dressing, seed treatment, soil treatment, and any combination thereof.
36. The method of any one of claims 11-35, wherein the plant is a woody, herbaceous, horticultural, agricultural, forestry, nursery, or ornamental plant species, or a plant species useful in the production of biofuels, or any combination thereof.
37. The method of any one of claims 11-36, wherein the plant is arabidopsis, apple, tomato, cherry, pear, pepper, cucumber, honeydew melon, watermelon, cantaloupe, papaya, mango, pineapple, avocado, plum, bean, squash, peach, apricot, grape, strawberry, raspberry, blueberry, mango, cranberry, gooseberry, banana, fig, clementine, kumquat, orange, grapefruit, tangerine, lemon, lime, hazelnut, pistachio, walnut, macadamia, almond, pecan, Litchi, soybeans, corn, sugar cane, camelina, peanut, cotton, canola, alfalfa, timothy, tobacco, tomato, sugarbeet, potato, pea, carrot, wheat, rice, barley, rye, triticale, turf, lettuce, rose, tulip, violet, basil, oil palm, elm, ash, oak, maple, fir, spruce, cedar, pine, birch, cypress, coffee, miscanthus, switchgrass, or arundo, or any combination thereof.
38. The method of any one of claims 11-37, wherein the method further comprises applying the composition to the soil.
39. The method of any one of claims 11-38, wherein the contacting is carried out by providing the composition in irrigation water, and applying the irrigation water to the plant and / or part thereof.
40. The method of claim 39, wherein the providing comprises mixing the agmatine and / or salt thereof, with the one or more dicarboxylic acids and / or salts thereof, into a spray tank comprising the irrigation water.