Method for expressing defense mechanism of adjacent plant body

Abstract

To find that a plant body adjacent to an application object plant body expresses a mechanism to defend itself as a result of applying composition with organic acid and / or its salt as an effective component to the application object plant body, and to provide an agricultural chemical material using the defense mechanism.SOLUTION: There is provided a method in which composition with organic acid and / or its salt as an effective component is applied to a plant body, and a volatile substance is diffused from the plant body for expressing a defense mechanism of a plant body adjacent to the plant body.SELECTED DRAWING: None

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method of applying a composition containing an organic acid and / or its salt as an active ingredient to a plant body, causing the plant body to emit volatile substances, and thereby expressing the defense mechanism of a plant body adjacent to the plant body.

Background Art

[0002] Current agriculture is in a situation where it has to rely on synthetic chemical pesticides for much of pest control. On the other hand, against the backdrop of a healthy diet, the activation of sustainable production and consumption, and the expansion of the ESG investment market, the movement towards agriculture that emphasizes the SDGs and the environment has accelerated, and attempts to move away from agriculture that depends only on synthetic chemical pesticides are becoming popular both at home and abroad. In addition, in home vegetable gardens and home gardening, due to the increasing safety orientation of users, the need for pest control agents derived from natural products is increasing. In response to these attempts and needs, proposals (such as Patent Documents 1 and 2) have been made to obtain a pest control effect by using materials called specific control materials (specific pesticides) such as baking soda and acetic acid. However, these specific control materials (specific pesticides) have problems such as the need to use a high-concentration spraying solution or apply a large amount of a low-concentration spraying solution in order to obtain a satisfactory pest control effect, which may cause phytotoxicity to the plant body. In addition, the mechanism by which a pest control effect can be obtained by specific control materials (specific pesticides) has not yet been fully elucidated.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The present invention has found that when a composition containing an organic acid and / or its salt as an active ingredient is applied to a target plant to be applied, the plant adjacent to the target plant to be applied expresses a mechanism for self-defense, and aims to provide a pesticidal material that utilizes this defense mechanism.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The present inventors focused on the fact that plants emit volatile substances, and thought that if the emission of these plant volatile substances could be promoted, damage by pests could be suppressed. As a result of intensive research, by applying a composition containing an organic acid and / or its salt as an active ingredient to a plant, the volatile substances emitted by the plant increase, and the adjacent plant receives the volatile substances, thereby finding that the defense mechanism of the adjacent plant is expressed, and the present invention has been completed.

[0006] The present invention mainly comprises the following matters in detail. 1. A method for expressing a defense mechanism of a plant adjacent to a target plant by applying a composition containing an organic acid and / or its salt as an active ingredient to the plant to cause the plant to emit volatile substances. 2. The method for expressing a defense mechanism of an adjacent plant according to 1., wherein the defense mechanism is an increase in chlorophyll and / or an enhancement of physical strength. 3. A method for inhibiting pest colonization on a plant adjacent to a target plant by applying a composition containing an organic acid and / or its salt as an active ingredient to the plant to cause the plant to emit volatile substances. 4. The method for inhibiting pest colonization on an adjacent plant according to 3., wherein the inhibition of pest colonization is due to an increase in chlorophyll and / or an enhancement of physical strength. 5. An agent for expressing a defense mechanism of a plant adjacent to a target plant by causing the target plant to emit volatile substances, which contains acetic acid and / or its salt as an active ingredient. 6. The defense mechanism expression agent for adjacent plants according to 5., wherein the defense mechanism expression is an increase in chlorophyll and / or an enhancement of physical strength. 7. A pest establishment inhibitor based on the expression of a defense mechanism in a plant adjacent to the plant to be applied, by causing the plant to be applied to emit a volatile substance, wherein acetic acid and / or its salt is an active ingredient. 8. The pest establishment inhibitor for adjacent plants according to 7., wherein the defense mechanism expression is an increase in chlorophyll and / or an enhancement of physical strength.

Advantages of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, the amount of volatile substances emitted by the plant increases, and the volatile substances act on the plants adjacent to the plant to be applied, or the plants adjacent to the plant to be applied receive the volatile substances, whereby the defense mechanism of the plants adjacent to the plant to be applied is expressed. Specifically, for example, the chlorophyll of the plants adjacent to the plant to be applied increases, and defense mechanisms such as an enhancement of the physical strength of the plants adjacent to the plant to be applied are expressed, so that the establishment of pests on the plants adjacent to the plant to be applied is inhibited, and thus damage caused by pests such as defoliation and sap-sucking can be suppressed. In addition, since the physical strength of the plants adjacent to the plant to be applied is enhanced, the occurrence of plant diseases can also be suppressed. As a result, it becomes possible to promote the growth of the plants adjacent to the plant to be applied. According to the present invention, it is useful because a new control effect such as suppressing damage caused by pests such as defoliation and sap-sucking to plants adjacent to the plant to be applied can be obtained without using chemically synthesized pesticides.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail. <Regarding the Expression of the Defense Mechanism of Plants Adjacent to the Target Plant for Application in the Present Invention> In the present invention, by applying a composition containing an organic acid and / or its salt as an active ingredient to a plant, the amount of volatile substances emitted and the types of volatile substances emitted increase. Furthermore, the volatile substances emitted by the plant (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the "target plant for application") act on the plants adjacent to the target plant for application, or the plants adjacent to the target plant for application receive the volatile substances emitted by the target plant for application, thereby expressing the defense mechanism of the adjacent plants. The defense mechanism expressed by the adjacent plants in the present invention means, for example, a defense mechanism against environmental stresses such as high-temperature stress, drought stress, and salt stress, a defense mechanism against growth damage caused by chewing or sap-sucking by pests, and a defense mechanism against plant diseases. The present invention is excellent in expressing, among others, a defense mechanism against growth inhibition caused by chewing or sap-sucking by pests and a defense mechanism against plant diseases. Furthermore, the present invention is remarkably excellent in that by expressing the defense mechanism of the plants adjacent to the target plant for application, the chlorophyll of the plants adjacent to the target plant for application increases and / or the physical strength of the plants adjacent to the target plant for application is enhanced. As a result, not only is the colonization of pests on the plants adjacent to the target plant for application inhibited, but also the onset of plant diseases is suppressed. That is, the present invention applies a composition containing an organic acid and / or its salt as an active ingredient to the target plant for application to cause the plant to emit volatile substances and increase the amount of volatile substances emitted, thereby expressing the defense mechanism of the plants adjacent to the target plant for application, for example, inhibiting the colonization of pests on the plants adjacent to the target plant for application and suppressing the onset of plant diseases. In addition, the adjacent plant bodies in the present invention mean the plant bodies located near the plant body to which the composition is to be applied, and the adjacent distance means the shortest distance between the above-ground parts of the two plant bodies. Specifically, the shortest distance between the above-ground part such as the outermost leaf of the plant body to which the composition is to be applied and the above-ground part such as the outermost leaf of the plant body located near the plant body to which the composition is to be applied is defined as the adjacent distance. This distance is not limited as long as it is within the distance range that the volatile substance can reach, and depends on the environment where the two plant bodies exist. Preferably, it is within 100 cm, more preferably within 50 cm, still more preferably within 30 cm, and particularly preferably within 10 cm. In addition, the emission of the volatile substance from the plant body to which the composition is to be applied means that when a composition containing an organic acid and / or its salt as an active ingredient is applied to the plant body to which the composition is to be applied, the plant body to which the composition is to be applied emits a volatile substance that it did not emit before the application, and in addition, the emission amount of the volatile substance that has been emitted since before the application increases and is emitted due to the application.

[0010] <Regarding organic acids and / or their salts> The active ingredient of the composition in the method of the present invention is an organic acid and / or its salt. The present invention relates to applying a composition containing an organic acid and / or its salt as an active ingredient to a plant body to which the composition is to be applied to cause the defense mechanism of the plant body adjacent to the plant body to which the composition is to be applied to be expressed. Specifically, the defense mechanism is, for example, to increase the chlorophyll of the plant body adjacent to the plant body to which the composition is to be applied and / or to enhance the physical strength of the plant body adjacent to the plant body to which the composition is to be applied. By the expression of this defense mechanism, the establishment of pests on the plant body adjacent to the plant body to which the composition is to be applied is inhibited, and the occurrence of plant diseases is suppressed. The organic acid in the present invention includes carboxylic acids having a carboxyl group (-CO 2 OH group) and sulfonic acids having a sulfo group (-SO 3Examples of the sulfonic acid having (H group) include carboxylic acids, among which carboxylic acids are preferred. Examples of the carboxylic acid include saturated carboxylic acids such as formic acid and acetic acid, unsaturated carboxylic acids such as oleic acid, hydroxycarboxylic acids such as malic acid and citric acid, aromatic carboxylic acids such as benzoic acid, and dicarboxylic acids such as oxalic acid and succinic acid. Among them, organic acids having 1 to 10 carbon atoms are preferred. For example, saturated fatty acids such as formic acid, acetic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid, valeric acid, caproic acid, enanthic acid, caprylic acid, pelargonic acid, and capric acid, dicarboxylic acids such as oxalic acid, malonic acid, succinic acid, glutaric acid, adipic acid, fumaric acid, and maleic acid, hydroxycarboxylic acids such as lactic acid, malic acid, citric acid, and tartaric acid, and aromatic carboxylic acids such as benzoic acid, phthalic acid, isophthalic acid, terephthalic acid, and salicylic acid can be mentioned. Among these organic acids, saturated carboxylic acids having 1 to 5 carbon atoms are preferably used as the active ingredient in the present invention. When acetic acid is used as the active ingredient in the present invention, for example, in addition to pure acetic acid, it includes brewing vinegar and synthetic vinegar which are food vinegars. These are commercially available, and for example, cereal vinegar, extra strong vinegar, high-concentration brewing vinegar, powdered food vinegar (a mixture of acetic acid and dextrin, etc.) can be used. Also, fruit vinegars such as wine vinegar and apple vinegar can be used. Examples of the salts of organic acids include sodium salts, potassium salts, calcium salts, magnesium salts, ammonium salts, ethanolamine salts, triethanolamine salts, etc. When acetate is used as the active ingredient in the present invention, sodium salts, triethanolamine salts, ammonium salts, and potassium salts are preferred. These salts may be added to the composition of the present invention as a single substance, or a neutralizing agent corresponding to the organic acid may be added separately to form a salt during the preparation of the formulation. For example, acetic acid and sodium hydroxide as a neutralizing agent can be added separately and used as a sodium salt. Sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, etc. are preferred as the neutralizing agent. As the active ingredient of the composition in the present invention, those containing the above organic acids and / or their salts may be used alone or in combination of two or more. The active ingredient of the defense mechanism inducer or pest establishment inhibitor of the present invention is acetic acid and / or its salt.

[0011] The defense mechanism inducer or pest establishment inhibitor of the composition in the present invention or of the plant adjacent to the plant to be treated can contain the organic acid (or acetic acid) and / or its salt, which is the active ingredient, preferably at a content of 0.04% by weight or more, more preferably 0.05% by weight or more, still more preferably 0.06% by weight or more, based on the total amount of the defense mechanism inducer or pest establishment inhibitor of the composition or of the plant adjacent to the plant to be treated. Also, if too much of the organic acid (or acetic acid) and / or its salt is used, in addition to phytotoxicity to the plant to be treated, there are some users who are concerned about the pungent odor caused by the organic acid (or acetic acid). Therefore, it is preferably at a content of 10% by weight or less, more preferably 4% by weight or less, still more preferably 1% by weight or less. The defense mechanism inducer or pest establishment inhibitor of the composition in the present invention or of the plant adjacent to the plant to be treated can be directly applied to the plant to be treated, but it can also be diluted with water at the time of use using a formulation containing a predetermined active ingredient and then used to treat the plant to be treated. When diluting and using, it is preferable to appropriately adjust the dilution ratio according to the concentration of the organic acid (or acetic acid) and / or its salt, which is the active ingredient, in the total amount of the defense mechanism inducer or pest establishment inhibitor of the composition or of the plant adjacent to the plant to be treated. Also, in the formulation diluted with water, it is preferably prepared and used such that the content of the organic acid (or acetic acid) and / or its salt, which is the active ingredient, is preferably 0.04% by weight or more, more preferably 0.05% by weight or more, still more preferably 0.06% by weight or more, and also preferably 10% by weight or less, more preferably 4% by weight or less, still more preferably 1% by weight or less.

[0012] The defense mechanism inducer or pest establishment inhibitor of the composition in the present invention or of the plant adjacent to the plant to be treated can be used as various formulations. Examples of the formulation include oil agents, emulsions, wettable powders, flowables (aqueous suspensions, aqueous emulsions, etc.), microcapsule agents, powders, granules, tablets, liquids, sprays, aerosol agents, and the like. Among them, spray formulations such as sprays and aerosol agents, and spraying agents in which a liquid is filled in a container with a watering can head, etc., are suitable as formulation types that can maximize the performance of the composition in the present invention or the agent for expressing the defense mechanism of plants adjacent to the plant to be applied or the agent for inhibiting pest establishment. To make a spray or aerosol agent, an aerosol can or a medicine bottle equipped with a spray device for supplying a predetermined spray pattern and spray particles can be used. As one production example of the above formulation, an organic acid (or acetic acid) and / or its salt as an active ingredient is dissolved in a solvent using a surfactant as needed to prepare a solution (solution A), and this solution A is mixed with an appropriate amount of water and stirred to make a formulation, whereby there is no need to dilute at the time of use, and a method for making the composition in the present invention or the agent for expressing the defense mechanism of plants adjacent to the plant to be applied or the agent for inhibiting pest establishment can be mentioned. As the water, tap water, ion-exchanged water, distilled water, filtered water, sterilized water, groundwater, etc. can be used.

[0013] Examples of the liquid carriers used in the preparation include alcohols (such as methanol, ethanol, n-propanol, isopropanol, butanol, hexanol, benzyl alcohol, ethylene glycol, etc.), ethers (such as diethyl ether, ethylene glycol dimethyl ether, diethylene glycol monomethyl ether, diethylene glycol monoethyl ether, propylene glycol monomethyl ether, tetrahydrofuran, dioxane, etc.), esters (such as ethyl acetate, butyl acetate, isopropyl myristate, ethyl lactate, etc.), ketones (such as acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone, cyclohexanone, etc.), aromatic or aliphatic hydrocarbons (such as xylene, toluene, alkyl naphthalene, phenylxylylethane, kerosene, light oil, hexane, cyclohexane, etc.), halogenated hydrocarbons (such as chlorobenzene, dichloromethane, dichloroethane, trichloroethane, etc.), nitriles (such as acetonitrile, isobutyronitrile, etc.), sulfoxides (such as dimethyl sulfoxide, etc.), heterocyclic solvents (such as sulfolane, γ-butyrolactone, N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, N-ethyl-2-pyrrolidone, N-octyl-2-pyrrolidone, 1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone), acid amides (such as N,N-dimethylformamide, N,N-dimethylacetamide, etc.), alkylidene carbonates (such as propylene carbonate, etc.), vegetable oils (such as soybean oil, cottonseed oil, etc.), essential oils (such as orange oil, hyssop oil, peppermint oil, lemon oil, etc.), and water.

[0014] Examples of surfactants used in the preparation include nonionic surfactants, anionic surfactants, cationic surfactants, and amphoteric surfactants. Examples of nonionic surfactants include polyoxyalkylene allyl phenyl ether, polyoxyethylene alkyl ether, polyoxyethylene alkyl phenyl ether, polyoxyethylene allyl phenyl ether, polyoxyethylene styryl phenyl ether, polyoxyethylene alkyl phenyl ether formaldehyde condensate, polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene block polymer, polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene block polymer alkyl phenyl ether, sorbitan fatty acid esters (e.g., sorbitan monooleate, sorbitan laurate), polyoxyethylene fatty acid esters, glycerin fatty acid esters, polyglycerin fatty acid esters, polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid esters, polyoxyethylene hydrogenated castor oil, polyoxyethylene castor oil, propylene glycol fatty acid esters, polyethylene glycol fatty acid esters, polyoxyalkylene alkyl ether, polyoxyalkylene alkyl phenyl ether, polyoxyethylene resin acid esters, sucrose fatty acid esters, modified silicone oil, and the like.Examples of anionic surfactants include sodium, calcium or ammonium salts of alkyl sulfates, polyoxyethylene alkyl ether sulfates, polyoxyethylene alkyl phenyl ether sulfates, polyoxyethylene benzyl (or styryl) phenyl ether sulfates or polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene block polymer sulfates; alkyl sulfonates, dialkyl sulfosuccinates, alkyl benzene sulfonates (e.g., calcium dodecyl benzene sulfonate, etc.), mono- or di-alkyl naphthalene sulfonic acids, naphthalene sulfonic acid formaldehyde condensates, lignin sulfonates, polyoxyethylene alkyl phenyl ether sulfonates or polyoxyethylene alkyl ether sulfosuccinates of sodium, calcium, ammonium or alkanolamine salts; sodium or calcium salts of polyoxyethylene alkyl ether phosphates, polyoxyethylene, mono- or di-alkyl phenyl ether phosphates, polyoxyethylene benzyl (or styryl) phenyl ether phosphates, polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene block polymer phosphates, etc. Examples of cationic surfactants include, for example, quaternary ammonium salts, alkylamine salts, alkyl pyridinium salts, alkyl oxides, etc. Examples of amphoteric surfactants include, for example, alkyl betaines, amine oxides, lecithins, etc. Incidentally, the surfactant can also be used as a spreading agent. Examples of the spreading agent used during formulation include glycerin fatty acid ester, polyglycerin fatty acid ester, sorbitan fatty acid ester, polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid ester, polyoxyethylene fatty acid ester, sucrose fatty acid ester, propylene glycol fatty acid ester, polyethylene glycol fatty acid ester, lecithin, polyoxyethylene alkyl ether, polyoxyethylene alkyl phenyl ether, polyoxyethylene castor oil, polyoxyethylene hydrogenated castor oil, modified silicone oil, etc. Among them, polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid ester, modified silicone oil, polyglycerin fatty acid ester, sucrose fatty acid ester, polyoxyethylene alkyl phenyl ether, and polyoxyethylene alkyl ether are preferred.

[0015] Examples of the propellant used when making an aerosol include, for example, butane gas, chlorofluorocarbon gas, alternative chlorofluorocarbons (HFO, HFC, etc.), liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), dimethyl ether, and carbon dioxide gas. Examples of the solid carrier include, for example, clays (kaolin, diatomaceous earth, bentonite, clay, acid clay, etc.), synthetic hydrated silicon oxide, talc, zeolite, ceramic, other inorganic minerals (sericite, quartz, sulfur, activated carbon, calcium carbonate, hydrated silica, etc.), porous bodies, etc.

[0016] For the composition in the present invention or the defense mechanism inducer or pest settlement inhibitor of the plant adjacent to the plant to be applied, defoamers, preservatives, antioxidants, thickeners, etc. can be added as necessary during formulation preparation. Examples of the defoamer include, for example, silicone-based defoamers, fluorine-based defoamers, etc. Examples of the preservative include organic nitrogen-sulfur composites, organic bromine compounds, isothiazoline compounds, benzyl alcohol mono(poly)hemiformal, 1,2-benzisothiazolin-3-one, 5-chloro-2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one, 2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one, 2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3-diol, potassium sorbate, sodium dehydroacetate, and the like. Examples of the antioxidant include tetrakis[methylene-3-(3,5-di-t-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)propionate]methane, dibutylhydroxytoluene (BHT), butylhydroxyanisole (BHA), propyl gallate, vitamin E, mixed tocopherol, α-tocopherol, ethoxyquin, and ascorbic acid. Examples of the thickener include polyvinylpyrrolidone, xanthan gum, polyvinyl alcohol, guar gum, carboxyvinyl polymer, and the like.

[0017] <Regarding pests and plant diseases> The pests whose establishment on the adjacent plant is inhibited by the expression of the defense mechanism of the plant adjacent to the plant to be applied in the present invention mean pests that cause damage to the plant by chewing or sucking sap. In addition, mites such as spider mites are also included in the pests in the present invention. As pests in the present invention, specifically, for example, chewing pests such as Spodoptera litura, Spodoptera exigua, flea beetles, sweet potato hornworms, cutworms, diamondback moths, leaf beetles, cucumber beetles, ladybugs, moths, and weevils of the order Lepidoptera; longhorn beetles, stag beetles, click beetles, scarab beetles, ladybug larvae, and mealybugs of the order Coleoptera; fruit flies, mushroom flies, etc. of the order Diptera; bees, wasps, etc. of the order Hymenoptera; grasshoppers, crickets, etc. of the order Orthoptera; pill bugs, etc. of the order Isopoda; sucking pests such as aphids, whiteflies, green peach aphids, scale insects, stink bugs, and shield bugs of the order Hemiptera; thrips of the order Thysanoptera; spider mites, rust mites, dust mites, etc. of the order Acarina; cyst nematodes, root-knot nematodes, soybean cyst nematodes, etc. of the order Tylenchida, etc. Among these, preferably, aphids, spider mites, whiteflies, thrips, Spodoptera litura, fruit flies, etc. are mentioned. As plant diseases in which the expression of the defense mechanism of the plant adjacent to the plant to be applied in the present invention suppresses the incidence of the disease on the adjacent plant, specifically, for example, powdery mildew, gray mold, scab, downy mildew, rice blast, rust, leaf mold, anthracnose, brown spot, filamentous fungi, etc. are mentioned.

[0018] <Regarding plants> The plants to be applied in the present invention are not limited to plant species that can emit volatile substances from the above-ground part. Specifically, for example, root vegetables such as radish, carrot, burdock, and potato; leafy vegetables such as Chinese cabbage, cabbage, green onion, onion, broccoli, and asparagus; fruit vegetables such as tomato, cherry tomato, eggplant, cucumber, pepper, pumpkin, kidney bean, broad bean, and okra; aromatic vegetables such as perilla, ginger, wasabi, basil, mint, rosemary, and parsley; fruiting vegetables such as strawberry, melon, and watermelon; flower plants such as rose, tulip, pansy, chrysanthemum, hydrangea, morning glory, and marigold; fruit trees such as blueberry, persimmon, orange, plum, and lemon; trees such as cherry tree, hydrangea, azalea, rhododendron, sweet osmanthus, camellia sasanqua, and camellia japonica; foliage plants such as pothos, ivy, dracaena, and monstera; succulent plants such as cactus and aloe, etc. are mentioned. The plant adjacent to the plant to which the composition of the present invention is applied may be a plant of a different type from the above-mentioned plant to which the composition is applied, but is preferably a plant of the same type. The composition of the present invention, or the agent for expressing the defense mechanism or the agent for inhibiting pest establishment of the plant adjacent to the plant to which the composition is applied, is not limited to the part of the plant to which it is attached as long as it can be attached to the plant to which the composition is applied. However, from the viewpoint of good absorption efficiency, it is preferably applied to the foliage part or the root part of the plant to which the composition is applied. The treatment timing of the composition of the present invention, or the agent for expressing the defense mechanism or the agent for inhibiting pest establishment of the plant adjacent to the plant to which the composition is applied, may be appropriately selected according to the growth status of the plant to which the composition is applied. The application frequency is preferably once every 1 to 10 days, more preferably once every 1 to 7 days, and even more preferably once every 1 to 4 days. The application means is not particularly limited. As the application amount of the composition of the present invention, or the agent for expressing the defense mechanism or the agent for inhibiting pest establishment of the plant adjacent to the plant to which the composition is applied, to the plant to which the composition is applied, regardless of the application frequency, the cumulative treatment amount of the organic acid (or acetic acid) and / or its salt, which is the active ingredient, is 0.0001 g / week or more and 5 g / week or less, preferably 0.0005 g / week or more and 3 g / week or less, more preferably 0.001 g / week or more and 1 g / week or less for a plant to which the composition is applied with a ground part less than 60 cm. For a plant with a ground part of 60 cm or more, the cumulative treatment amount of the organic acid (or acetic acid) and / or its salt is 0.001 g / week or more and 50 g / week or less, preferably 0.005 g / week or more and 30 g / week or less, more preferably 0.01 g / week or more and 10 g / week or less.

[0019] The composition in the present invention, or the defense mechanism inducer or pest establishment inhibitor for plants adjacent to the plant to be treated, when applied to the plant to be treated, increases the amount of volatile substances released and the types of volatile substances released. Further, it exhibits the effect of causing the plant adjacent to the plant to be treated to express a defense mechanism by receiving the volatile substances released by the plant to be treated. As the defense mechanism expressed by the plant adjacent to the plant to be treated, specifically, for example, an increase in the chlorophyll of the plant adjacent to the plant to be treated and / or an enhancement of the physical strength of the plant adjacent to the plant to be treated can be mentioned. By increasing the chlorophyll of the plant adjacent to the plant to be treated or enhancing the physical strength of the plant adjacent to the plant to be treated, not only is the establishment of pests on the plant adjacent to the plant to be treated inhibited, but also the occurrence of plant diseases is suppressed. That is, the present invention applies a composition containing an organic acid (or acetic acid) and / or its salt as an active ingredient to the plant to be treated to increase the amount of volatile substances released from the plant to be treated and the types of volatile substances released, thereby causing the plant adjacent to the plant to be treated to express a defense mechanism. By the expression of the defense mechanism, a pest control effect on the plant adjacent to the plant to be treated can be obtained. In particular, it exhibits an excellent effect in that the expression of the defense mechanism can inhibit the establishment of pests on the plant adjacent to the plant to be treated and also suppress the occurrence of plant diseases. Based on the test examples described below, the following will be explained. As an active ingredient in the present invention, volatile substances emitted from a plant body to which a composition containing acetic acid is applied, compared to a plant body to which a composition not containing acetic acid is applied, (Z)-3-hexenal, 1-penten-3-ol, (E)-2-hexenal, 1-octen-3-one, hexenyl acetate, 3-hexen-1-ol, and an increase in α-farnesene was confirmed (Table 1). Also, an increase in (Z)-3-hexenal, 1-octen-3-ol, hexenyl acetate, heptanal, and octanal was confirmed (Table 2). 3,5-octadien-2-one was confirmed to be emitted only from the plant body to which the composition containing acetic acid was applied and was not confirmed to be emitted from the plant body to which the composition not containing acetic acid was applied. Adjacent plants to the plant to which the application is targeted express a defense mechanism by receiving these components. Among them, by the expression of the defense mechanism that the chlorophyll of the plant adjacent to the plant to which the application is targeted increases and / or the physical strength of the plant adjacent to the plant to which the application is targeted is enhanced, it is considered that not only the establishment of pests on the plant adjacent to the plant to which the application is targeted is inhibited, but also the excellent effect of suppressing the onset of plant diseases is exhibited. The emission of volatile substances from the plant to which the application is targeted by the application of an organic acid (salt) (or acetic acid (salt)), that is, the amount of volatile substances emitted from the plant to which the application is targeted and the types of volatile substances emitted increase, and the adjacent plants to the plant to which the application is targeted receive the emitted volatile substances and express a defense mechanism. Among them, as one of the defense mechanisms, increasing the chlorophyll of the plant adjacent to the plant to which the application is targeted and / or enhancing the physical strength of the plant adjacent to the plant to which the application is targeted. By these, inhibiting the establishment of pests on the plant adjacent to the plant to which the application is targeted and suppressing the onset of plant diseases, etc. These series of mechanisms are not known at all, and the inventors have newly discovered for the first time the new functions of organic acid (salt) (or acetic acid (salt)).

[0020] In addition, depending on the purpose, for example, a bactericide, a fungicide, an insect and acaridicide, a repellent, a fragrance, an essential oil, etc. may be used in combination. For example, bactericides such as bitertanol, bromoconazole, cyproconazole, difenoconazole, hexaconazole, imazalil, myclobutanil, simconazole, tetraconazole, thiabendazole, penthiopyrad, mancozeb; fungicides such as benzethonium chloride, benzalkonium chloride, chlorhexidine hydrochloride, chlorhexidine gluconate, hinokitiol, phenoxyethanol, isopropylmethylphenol; pyrethroid compounds such as pyrethrum extract, natural pyrethrin, prallethrin, imiprothrin, phthalothrin, allethrin, bifenthrin, resmethrin, phenothrin, cyphenothrin, permethrin, cypermethrin, etofenprox, cyfluthrin, deltamethrin, bifenthrin, fenvalerate, fenpropathrin, empenthrin, silafluofen, transfluthrin, metofluthrin, profuthrin, carbamate compounds such as carbaryl, propoxur, methomyl, thiodicarb, oxadiazole compounds such as methoxadiazone, phenylpyrazole compounds such as fipronil, sulfonamide compounds such as amidoflumet, neonicotinoid compounds such as dinotefuran, imidacloprid, pyrrole compounds such as chlorfenapyr, etc., organophosphorus compounds such as fenitrothion, diazinon, malathion, pyridaphenthion, prothiofos, hokxim, chlorpyrifos, dichlorvos, etc. as insect and acaridicides; one or more of repellents such as DEET, di-n-butyl succinate, hydroxyanisole, rotenone, ethyl-butylacetylaminopropionate, icaridin (picaridin), 3-(N-n-butyl-N-acetyl) aminopropionic acid ethyl ester (IR3535) can be used. As the fragrance and essential oil, one or more combinations appropriately selected from the group consisting of natural fragrances, synthetic fragrances, natural extracts, etc. can be used according to the use.

Example

[0021] The present invention will be described in more detail by way of examples below, but the present invention is not limited thereto. In the examples, unless otherwise specified, "parts" means parts by weight.

[0022] <Confirmation Test of Inhibitory Effect on Pest Colonization on Plants Adjacent to the Target Plant for Application> (1) Test Specimens Test Specimen 1 Using 0.25 parts by weight of acetic acid, 0.05 parts by weight of a spreading agent (polyether-modified silicone: tricosiloxane ethoxylate), and ion-exchanged water, Test Specimen 1 was prepared with a total amount of 100 parts by weight. Test Specimen 2 Using 0.05 parts by weight of a spreading agent (tricosiloxane ethoxylate) and ion-exchanged water, Test Specimen 2 was prepared with a total amount of 100 parts by weight.

[0023] (2) Method for Confirming the Inhibitory Effect on Pest Colonization on Plants Adjacent to the Target Plant for Application As test plants, kidney beans (Nagatoro) about 10 days after sowing in polypots (7.5 cm in diameter, 220 mL in volume) filled with nursery soil (manufactured by Takii Seed Co., Ltd.) were used. For the test plants, Test Specimen 1 or Test Specimen 2 was sprayed using a hand spray so that the entire above-ground part of the plant body was evenly wetted (about 10 - 20 mL was applied per application). Each test specimen was treated 3 times in total at 48-hour intervals. 72 hours after the third treatment of the test specimen, kidney beans cultivated under the same conditions as the test plants were used as adjacent plants, and were placed adjacent to the test plants for 1 week in a plastic cage (24 × 36 × 24 cm). In the plastic cage, two plants each of the test plants treated with Test Specimen 1 or Test Specimen 2 and the adjacent plants were installed diagonally (Figure 1). At this time, the adjacent distance between the test plants treated with Test Specimen 1 or Test Specimen 2 and the adjacent plants was 10 cm. One week after the treatment, leaf discs (2 cm in diameter) were prepared from the primary leaves of adjacent plants. A leaf disc prepared from an adjacent plant adjacent to the test plant treated with Test Specimen 1 and a control leaf disc prepared from an adjacent plant adjacent to the test plant treated with Test Specimen 2 were placed back to back, 5 mm apart, at the center of a 9-cm petri dish lined with absorbent cotton moistened with water (Figure 2). As a "bridge" connecting the two leaf discs, Parafilm (5 mm × 10 mm, manufactured by Bemis) was placed in the center between the leaf discs with the long side (10 mm) connecting the leaf discs, and one adult female mite of Tetranychus urticae was inoculated at the center of the Parafilm serving as the "bridge". Twenty-four hours after the inoculation of Tetranychus urticae, it was recorded on which leaf disc Tetranychus urticae was present as the leaf disc selected by Tetranychus urticae. This confirmation test was repeated 20 times, and the percentage of individuals of Tetranychus urticae that selected each leaf disc was summarized and shown in Figure 3. The numbers within the bars in Figure 3 represent the average values of the number of individuals of Tetranychus urticae selected, and the lengths of the bars indicate the percentages (%) calculated from the number of individuals of Tetranychus urticae selected.

[0024] As shown in Figure 3, it was revealed that the colonization of Tetranychus urticae on the plants adjacent to the plants treated with Test Specimen 1 decreased. The plants treated with Test Specimen 1 had an increase in the amount and types of volatile substances emitted from the plants, and it is considered that the adjacent plants expressed a defense mechanism by receiving these volatile substances, and as a result, the colonization of pests on the adjacent plants was inhibited. In addition, 72 hours after each treatment of Test Specimen 1 and Test Specimen 2 in the third test, volatile substances were collected from the test plants, and the collected volatile substances were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). As a result, no difference was observed in the amount of acetic acid emitted from the test plants between Test Specimen 1 and Test Specimen 2. From this result, it was confirmed that the inhibition of pest colonization on adjacent plants was not caused by the acetic acid emitted from the test plants.

[0025] (3) Identification test of volatile substances emitted by plants As test specimens, the above test specimens 1 and 2 were used. <Collection method> As test plants, kidney beans grown in the same manner as in (2) above and cabbages (Hikari) approximately 30 days after sowing in polypots (7.5 cm in diameter, 220 mL in volume) filled with seedling raising soil (manufactured by Takii Seed Co., Ltd.) were used. In addition, for the two types of test plants, test specimens 1 and 2 were treated in the same manner as in (2) above, and the volatile substances emitted by the test plants were collected by the following method. Air washed with activated carbon was adjusted to 0.3 L / min with a flow meter and passed through a glass container (12.5 cm in diameter, 2 L in volume) containing one test plant with the above-ground part covered with aluminum foil. Using a glass collection tube TenaxTA (60 / 80 mesh, filled with 180 mg, manufactured by Camsco), the volatile substances emitted by the test plant were collected for 3 hours. After collecting the volatile substances, 5 μL of nonyl acetate (1 μg / mL) diluted with hexane as an internal standard substance was added to the collection tube. Air washed with activated carbon was adjusted to 0.05 L / min with a flow meter and passed through the collection tube with the internal standard substance added for 1 minute to dry the collection tube. The volatile substances emitted by the above test plants were collected, and the volatile substances collected in the collection tube with the internal standard substance added were analyzed by the thermal desorption method described below. This analysis was repeated 15 times.

[0026] <Analysis method> Thermal desorption: TD-30 (manufactured by Shimadzu Corporation) Gas chromatography mass spectrometer: GCMS-TQ8040 NX (manufactured by Shimadzu Corporation) Column: DB-WAX (inner diameter 0.25 mm, length 30 m, film thickness 0.25 μm) (manufactured by Agilent Technologies, Inc.) [TD-30 conditions] Tube desorption temperature: 250 °C Tube desorption flow rate: 0.07 L / min (for 10 minutes) Trap cooling temperature: -25 °C Trap desorption temperature: 250 °C (for 2 minutes) Joint temperature: 220 °C Valve temperature: 220 °C Transfer line temperature: 220 °C [GC conditions] Carrier gas: Helium Carrier gas pressure: 61.8 kPa Injection mode: Splitless Column oven temperature: 40 °C (5 min) - (5 °C / min) - 220 °C (5 min) [MS conditions] Ion source temperature: 200 °C Interface temperature: 250 °C Measurement mode: Single MS mode Scan mass range: m / z 45 - 500 After correcting the peak areas of the volatile substances emitted by the plants treated with test specimen 2 and the volatile substances emitted by the plants treated with test specimen 1 with an internal standard substance, a comparison was made, and the average relative ratio of the volatile substances of test specimen 1 to the volatile substances of test specimen 2 in the same components was taken as the "degree of increase in volatile substances". The results of kidney beans were shown in Table 1, and the results of cabbages were shown in Table 2.

[0027]

Table 1

[0028]

Table 2

[0029] As shown in Table 1, the volatile substances emitted by the plants (kidney beans) treated with test specimen 1 containing acetic acid were compared with the volatile substances emitted by the plants (kidney beans) treated with test specimen 2 not containing acetic acid, and an increase in (Z)-3-hexenal, 1-penten-3-ol, (E)-2-hexenal, 1-octen-3-one, hexenyl acetate, 3-hexen-1-ol, and α-farnesene was observed. As shown in Table 2, the volatile substances emitted by the plant body (cabbage) to which Test Specimen 1 containing acetic acid was applied showed an increase in (Z)-3-hexenal, 1-octen-3-ol, hexenyl acetate, heptanal, and octanal compared to the volatile substances emitted by the plant body (cabbage) to which Test Specimen 2 not containing acetic acid was applied. In addition, 3,5-octadien-2-one was not confirmed to be emitted in the plant body (kidney bean) to which Test Specimen 2 not containing acetic acid was applied, and it was confirmed that it was emitted only in the plant body (kidney bean) to which Test Specimen 1 containing acetic acid was applied. These volatile substances are known as the fragrance of plants, and in particular, (Z)-3-hexenal, (E)-2-hexenal, 3-hexen-1-ol, and hexenyl acetate are components known to be involved in plant defense. Therefore, the results of the above-mentioned "test for confirming the inhibitory effect of pest establishment on the plant body adjacent to the application target plant body" are explained by the increase in the emission amount of the volatile substances of the plant body to which Test Specimen 1 was applied. It is considered that the amount and type of volatile substances emitted from the plant body to which Test Specimen 1 was applied increased, and the adjacent plant body received these volatile substances to express a defense mechanism, and as a result, the establishment of pests on the adjacent plant body was inhibited.

[0030] <Test for confirming the effect of increasing chlorophyll in the plant body adjacent to the application target plant body> (1) Test Specimen Test Specimens 1 and 2 used in the above-mentioned "test for confirming the inhibitory effect of pest establishment on the plant body adjacent to the application target plant body" were used. (2) Method for confirming the effect of increasing chlorophyll in the plant body adjacent to the application target plant body As the test plants, mini tomatoes about 40 days after sowing in polypots (7.5 cm in diameter, 220 mL in volume) filled with nursery soil (manufactured by Takii Seed Co., Ltd.) were used. For the test plants, Test Specimen 1 or Test Specimen 2 was sprayed using a hand spray so that the entire above-ground part of the plant body was evenly wetted (about 10 - 20 mL was applied per application). Each test specimen was treated 3 times in total at 48-hour intervals. 72 hours after the third treatment of the test specimen, tomatoes cultivated under the same conditions as the test plants were used as adjacent plants, and the test plants treated with the test specimen were adjacent to them for one week in a transparent PE bag (width 46 cm × height 60 cm). In the bag, the test plants treated with Test Specimen 1 or Test Specimen 2 and the adjacent plants were installed one by one so that the adjacent distance was 10 cm. One week after installation, for the true leaves of the 2nd to 4th branches below the top branch of adjacent plant A of the test plant treated with Test Specimen 1 and adjacent plant B of the test plant treated with Test Specimen 2, the chlorophyll content (SPAD value) was measured avoiding the main vein. The chlorophyll content (SPAD value) was measured 10 times using a chlorophyll meter SPAD - 502plus (trade name, manufactured by Konica Minolta Inc.). The average value of the chlorophyll content (SPAD value) of adjacent plant A of the test plant treated with Test Specimen 1 was 45.8, and its standard error (S.E.) was 1.15. On the other hand, the average value of the chlorophyll content (SPAD value) of adjacent plant B of the test plant treated with Test Specimen 2 was 41.2, and its standard error (S.E.) was 1.40.

[0031] It is a known technique (Kansai Plant Protection Research Society Report, Japan, 2007, Vol. 49, pp. 81 - 82, Patent No. 6800834, etc.) that the higher the SPAD value measured by the chlorophyll meter and the darker the color of the leaf, the lower the degree of damage by pests. Considering this, the result of the above-mentioned "Confirmation test of the effect of inhibiting pest establishment on plants adjacent to the plant body to be applied" is that adjacent plant A of the test plant treated with Test Specimen 1 has a significantly higher chlorophyll content (SPAD value) than adjacent plant B of the test plant treated with Test Specimen 2, that is, it is explained by the darker color of adjacent plant A. The amount of volatile substances released from the plants to which Test Specimen 1 was applied and the types of volatile substances released increased. The adjacent plants received these volatile substances and expressed a defense mechanism. Specifically, it is considered that the chlorophyll of the plants adjacent to the plants to be applied increased as a defense mechanism, and as a result, the establishment of pests on the adjacent plants was inhibited.

[0032] <Confirmation Test of the Effect of Enhancing the Physical Strength of Plants Adjacent to the Plants to be Applied> (1) Test Specimen Test Specimens 1 and 2 used in the above-mentioned "Confirmation Test of the Effect of Inhibiting Pest Establishment on Plants Adjacent to the Plants to be Applied" were used. (2) Method for Confirming the Enhancement of the Physical Strength of Plants Adjacent to the Plants to be Applied Regarding the main leaves of the 2nd to 4th branches below the top branch of each of the adjacent plants A and B prepared in the same manner as in the above-mentioned "Confirmation Test of the Chlorophyll Increase Effect of Plants Adjacent to the Plants to be Applied", using a digital force gauge (manufactured by IMADA CO., LTD., DS2-2N), the tensile strength and punch strength were each measured 10 times. The tensile strength in this test means the tensile strength with respect to the main vein direction of the leaf vein. The measuring instrument of the force gauge was clamped at a position 1 cm from the upper and lower ends in a direction perpendicular to the main vein of the main leaf (clamping distance: about 3 - 7 cm), and the strength at which it was cut was measured. The punch strength in this test was measured by installing the measuring instrument of the force gauge with Attachment S-3 attached to the main vein part of the leaf section and measuring the strength when the leaf was penetrated. The average value of the tensile strength of adjacent plant A of the test plant treated with Test Specimen 1 was 786.8 mN, while the average value of the average value of the tensile strength of adjacent plant B of the test plant treated with Test Specimen 2 was 717.6 mN. The average value of the punch strength of adjacent plant A of the test plant treated with Test Specimen 1 was 645.2 mN, while the average value of the average value of the punch strength of adjacent plant B of the test plant treated with Test Specimen 2 was 574.0 mN.

[0033] From the above results, the results of the "Test for confirming the inhibitory effect of pest establishment on plants adjacent to the plant to be treated" were explained by the fact that the adjacent plant A of the test plant treated with test specimen 1 had significantly enhanced tensile strength and punch strength compared to the adjacent plant B of the test plant treated with test specimen 2. The amount and types of volatile substances emitted from the plant to which test specimen 1 was applied increased, and the adjacent plants received these volatile substances, thereby expressing a defense mechanism. Specifically, as a defense mechanism, the physical strength of the plants adjacent to the plant to be treated was enhanced, and as a result, it is considered that the establishment of pests on the adjacent plants was inhibited. In addition, it is a known technique (Japanese Patent No. 6800834, etc.) that when the physical strength of a plant is enhanced, it becomes difficult for either the formation of the appressorium of phytopathogenic fungi adhering to the plant or the insertion of invasive hyphae, and the pathogen cannot invade the plant body. As a result, the onset of plant diseases is suppressed. Considering this, it is obvious that the enhanced physical strength of the adjacent plant A of the test plant treated with test specimen 1 can also suppress the onset of plant diseases.

[0034] From the above results, a composition containing an organic acid (or acetic acid) and / or its salt as an active ingredient is applied to the plant to be treated, causing the plant to emit volatile substances. The adjacent plants receive the volatile substances emitted by the plant to be treated, and the defense mechanism of the plants adjacent to the plant to be treated is expressed. As one of the defense mechanisms, the chlorophyll of the plants adjacent to the plant to be treated is increased and / or the physical strength of the plants adjacent to the plant to be treated is enhanced. Therefore, it is considered that not only can damage caused by pests such as defoliation and sucking damage be suppressed, but also the onset of plant diseases can be suppressed, and the growth of the plants adjacent to the plant to be treated can be promoted.

Claims

1. A composition containing an organic acid and / or a salt thereof as an active ingredient, Apply to the plant body, By dissipating volatile substances from the plant body, A method for expressing a defense mechanism in a plant body adjacent to said plant body.

2. The method for expressing a defense mechanism of an adjacent plant body according to claim 1 , wherein the defense mechanism is an increase in chlorophyll and / or an increase in physical strength.

3. A composition containing an organic acid and / or a salt thereof as an active ingredient, Apply to the plant body, By dissipating volatile substances from the plant body, A method for inhibiting pest establishment in a plant body adjacent to said plant body.

4. 4. The method for inhibiting pest colonization of adjacent plants according to claim 3, wherein the inhibition of pest colonization is due to an increase in chlorophyll and / or an increase in physical strength.

5. Contains acetic acid and / or its salt as an active ingredient. By emitting volatile substances from the target plant body, An agent for expressing a defense mechanism in a plant body adjacent to said plant body.

6. The defense mechanism expression agent of claim 5 , wherein the defense mechanism expression is an increase in chlorophyll and / or an increase in physical strength.

7. Contains acetic acid and / or its salt as an active ingredient. By emitting volatile substances from the target plant body, A pest colonization inhibitor based on the expression of a defense mechanism in a plant body adjacent to said plant body.

8. The pest colonization inhibitor according to claim 7 , wherein the defense mechanism expression is an increase in chlorophyll and / or an increase in physical strength of an adjacent plant body.

Images