Use of silicate in greenhouse film for increasing flower development of plant

Abstract

To provide a method for promoting development of flowers in a simple manner that may be used for various types of plants.SOLUTION: Provided is use of silicate S1 in a greenhouse film for increasing the flower development of a plant, wherein the film comprises at least a matrix and silicate S1, and the silicate S1 exhibits (a) light emission having a first peak wavelength in the range from 400 nm to 500 nm, preferably from 420 nm to 455 nm, and a second peak wavelength in the range from 550 nm to 700 nm, preferably from 590 nm to 660 nm; and (b) absorption of 20% or less, preferably 15% or less, more preferably 10% or less, and possibly 5% or less, at a wavelength greater than 440 nm.SELECTED DRAWING: None

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the use of silicate in a greenhouse film comprising at least a matrix and silicate for increasing the development of plant flowers. The invention also relates to a film comprising at least a matrix and said silicate for increasing the development of plant flowers, and to the use of a film comprising at least a matrix and said silicate in a greenhouse for increasing the development of plant flowers.

Background Art

[0002] Flowers have long been admired and used by humans for bringing beauty to the environment, and for purposes of romance, ceremony, religion, medicine, and as a source of food. Furthermore, there are several commercial values, as well as many uses and applications, derived from natural products extracted from flowers.

[0003] The morphology of flowers is very complex and unique and can be considered as a series of distinct developmental steps, namely floral induction, formation of floral primordia, and generation of floral organs. There are three physiological developments that must occur for this to happen: First, the plant must transition from a sexually immature to a sexually mature state (i.e., the transition to flowering); second, the conversion of the action of the apical meristem from vegetative meristem to floral meristem or inflorescence; and finally, the growth of the individual organs of the flower. The latter stage has been modeled using the ABC model, which explains the biological basis of the process from the perspective of molecular and developmental genetics. Mutations that disrupt each step have been isolated in various species, suggesting that a genetic hierarchy guides the flowering process (see Weigel and Meyerowitz, In Molecular Basis of Morphogenesis (ed. M. Bernfield). 51st Annual Symposium of the Society for Developmental Biology, pp. 93 - 107, New York, 1993 for an overview).

[0004] Flower development is considered to be very specific and is not associated with plant growth. It is usually defined as something that promotes, increases, or improves the plant growth rate, or increases or promotes the plant diameter. In fact, in addition to the increase in its biomass, proper flower development is also required, that is, to ensure the number of flowers produced by the plant, their size and / or quality.

[0005] Flower development is usually obtained by using pesticide compositions, genetically modified organisms or specific varieties.

[0006] Such pesticide compositions must be efficient from the perspective of promoting plant growth and increasing the harvest yield. Therefore, it is generally desirable to obtain high plant productivity. In order to improve the productivity, many organic products have been widely used to increase the harvest productivity, but concerns have arisen about the long-term effects of these products on mammals, especially humans. Therefore, it is also necessary to improve the harvest productivity with the help of products without concerns about the long-term effects of the products. The use of genetically modified organisms or specific varieties to achieve an appropriate increase in flower development is complex and cannot be adapted to a wide range of plants and varieties.

[0007] In that case, it is necessary to promote flower development in a simple manner that can be used for various types of plants. Summary of the Invention

[0008] The present invention aims to solve this technical problem and the unsolved problems. In fact, a pesticide composition that does not directly contact the plant and has radiation-induced emission efficiency seems to show excellent results in flower development such as the number of flowers produced by the plant, their size and / or quality. Now, it seems possible to perform a treatment of the plant that enables an increase in flower development without using chemicals that affect natural plant hormones and without concerns about the long-term effects of the products.

[0009] The present invention provides a treatment of plants that is highly effective from the perspective of increasing flower development and leads to an improvement in harvest yield. Furthermore, the treatment used in the present invention has excellent physicochemical properties, particularly improved stability during storage. Also, the particles of inorganic nature have a lower impact on the environment, particularly a reduction in the long-term impact on mammals, especially humans.

[0010] The rose and flower industry is estimated to be worth over $5 billion to $6 billion (US) at the grower level in North America. This industry typically requires a turnaround time of about 11 to 14 weeks from cutting to market shipment. When the technology of the present invention is provided, the ability to produce a higher quality product with a reduction of about 10 to 20 days to market is a significant cost advantage for the cut flower / horticulture industry.

[0011] The present invention relates to the use of silicate S1 in a greenhouse film for increasing the flower development of plants, said film comprising at least a matrix and silicate S1, preferably the particles of silicate S1 are dispersed in the matrix, and said silicate S1 has (a) light radiation having a first peak wavelength in the range of 400 nm to 500 nm, preferably 420 nm to 455 nm, and a second peak wavelength in the range of 550 nm to 700 nm, preferably 590 nm to 660 nm, and (b) shows an absorption of 20% or less, preferably 15% or less, more preferably 10% or less, and if possible 5% or less at wavelengths higher than 440 nm.

[0012] The present invention also relates to a film comprising at least a matrix and said silicate S1 for increasing the flower development of plants, and the use of a film comprising at least a matrix and said silicate S1 in a greenhouse for increasing the flower development of plants. Such a film, and thus silicate S1, is advantageously used in the manufacture and construction of greenhouses (greenhouse roofs, walls).

[0013] With the silicate of the present invention, the film is capable of converting solar or artificial radiation, preferably UV radiation, particularly into blue and / or red light, or alternatively, solar or artificial radiation, preferably UV radiation, particularly solar UV radiation, into low-energy radiation, which then appears to enable the improvement of flower development.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0014] Definition The following terms are believed to be understood by those skilled in the art, but the following definitions are provided to facilitate the description of the subject matter disclosed herein. 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 the subject matter disclosed herein pertains. Any methods, devices, and materials similar to or equivalent to those described herein may be used in the practice or testing of the subject matter disclosed herein, but representative methods, devices, and materials are described herein.

[0015] If the disclosure of any patent, patent application, and publication incorporated herein by reference conflicts with the description of this application to the extent that it may obscure the terms, the description herein shall control.

[0016] Throughout this specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the words "comprise", "include", or variations thereof, such as "comprises", "comprising", "includes", "including", are to be understood to mean that they include the stated element or method step or group of elements or method steps but do not exclude any other element or method step or group of elements or method steps. According to a preferred embodiment, the words "comprise" and "include" and variations thereof mean "consist exclusively of".

[0017] As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an", and "the" include plural aspects unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. The term "and / or" includes the meanings of "and", "or", and also all other possible combinations of the elements related to this term.

[0018] The term "between ~ and ~" should be understood to include the limiting points.

[0019] Ratios, concentrations, amounts, and other numerical data may be presented in range format in this specification. Such range format is used merely for convenience and brevity and is to be interpreted flexibly so as to include not only the numerical values explicitly recited as the limiting points of the range, but also all individual numerical values or sub-ranges within the range as if each numerical value and sub-range were explicitly recited. For example, a temperature range of about 120°C to about 150°C includes not only the explicitly recited limiting points of about 120°C to about 150°C, but also sub-ranges such as 125°C to 145°C, 130°C to 150°C, etc., and also individual amounts within the stated range, such as small quantities like 122.2°C, 140.6°C, and 141.3°C.

[0020] The term "aryl" refers to an aromatic carbocyclic group having 6 to 18 carbon atoms, which is monocyclic (e.g., phenyl), polycyclic (e.g., biphenyl), or polycyclic-fused (condensed) ring (e.g., naphthyl or anthranyl). Also, an aryl group may be condensed or bridged with an aliphatic or heterocyclic ring that is not aromatic so as to form a polycycle, such as tetralin. The term "aryl" includes aromatic groups such as phenyl, naphthyl, tetrahydronaphthyl, indane, and biphenyl. An "arylene" group is a divalent analog of an aryl group.

[0021] The term "heteroaryl" refers to an aromatic ring group having 3 to 10 carbon atoms and having a heteroatom selected from oxygen, nitrogen, and sulfur in at least one ring (when two or more rings are present).

[0022] The term "aliphatic" refers to a substituted or unsubstituted saturated alkyl chain having 1 to 18 carbon atoms, a substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl chain having 1 to 18 carbon atoms, or a substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl chain having 1 to 18 carbon atoms.

[0023] As used herein, the term "alkyl" group includes straight-chain alkyl groups such as methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl, heptyl, octyl, nonyl, decyl; cyclic alkyl groups such as cyclopropyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cycloheptyl, and cyclooctyl (or "cycloalkyl" or "alicyclic" or "carbocyclic" groups); branched-chain alkyl groups such as isopropyl, tert-butyl, sec-butyl, and isobutyl; and alkyl-substituted alkyl groups such as alkyl-substituted cycloalkyl groups and cycloalkyl-substituted alkyl groups; and includes saturated hydrocarbons having one or more carbon atoms. The term "aliphatic group" includes an organic moiety typically having between 1 and 18 carbon atoms and characterized by a straight-chain or branched chain. In complex structures, the chain may be branched, bridged, or cross-linked. Aliphatic groups include alkyl groups, alkenyl groups, and alkynyl groups.

[0024] As used herein, the term "alkenyl" or "alkenyl group" refers to an aliphatic hydrocarbon group that may be straight-chain or branched and contains at least one carbon-carbon double bond. Examples of alkenyl groups include, but are not limited to, ethenyl, propenyl, n-butenyl, i-butenyl, 3-methylbut-2-enyl, n-pentenyl, heptenyl, octenyl, decenyl, etc. The term "alkynyl" refers to a straight-chain or branched-chain hydrocarbon group having at least one triple carbon-carbon bond such as ethynyl.

[0025] The term "aryl aliphatic" refers to an aryl group covalently bonded to an aliphatic group, where aryl and aliphatic are defined herein.

[0026] The term "alicyclic" refers to a carbocyclic group of 3 to 20 carbon atoms having a monocyclic ring or polycyclic fused ring which may be partially unsaturated, where aryl and aliphatic are defined herein. The term "heterocyclic group" includes a closed ring structure similar to a carbocyclic group in which one or more of the carbon atoms in the ring are elements other than carbon (e.g., nitrogen, sulfur, or oxygen). The heterocyclic group may be saturated or unsaturated.

[0027] The term "alkoxy" refers to a straight-chain or branched oxy-containing group having an alkyl moiety of 1 to about 24 carbon atoms, or preferably 1 to about 12 carbon atoms each. Examples of such groups include methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy, butoxy, and tert-butoxy.

[0028] The specialized term "(Cn~Cm)" (wherein n and m are each an integer) regarding organic groups used herein indicates that this group may contain from n to m carbon atoms per group.

[0029] The term "plant" as used herein refers to a member of the plant kingdom and includes, without limitation, all stages of the plant life cycle including the species, and all plant parts. Plants according to the present invention can be agricultural and horticultural plants, shrubs, trees, and grasses, and may hereinafter be collectively referred to as plants.

[0030] The term "biomass amount" means the total mass or weight (fresh or dry) of a given time of a plant tissue, a plurality of plant tissues, an entire plant, or a population of plants. The biomass amount is usually given as the weight per unit area. Increases in the biomass amount include, without limitation, increases in the pod biomass amount, increases in the stem biomass amount, and increases in the root biomass amount.

[0031] Flowers, sometimes known as blooms or blossoms, are the reproductive structures found in flowering plants (plants belonging to the Magnoliophyta division, also called angiosperms), which typically have carpels, stamens, perianths, and axes. The biological function of a flower is usually to effect reproduction by providing a mechanism for the union of sperm with eggs. Flowers may facilitate outcrossing (fusion of sperm and eggs from different individuals in a population) or allow selfing (fusion of sperm and eggs from the same flower). Some flowers produce diaspores without fertilization (parthenocarpy). Flowers contain sporangia and are the sites where gametophytes develop. Specific terms are used to describe flowers and their parts. Many flower parts are fused together; fused parts originating from the same whorl are connate, while fused parts originating from different whorls are adnate, and parts that are not fused are free. In those with two or more flowers on an axis, the collective cluster of flowers is termed an inflorescence. Some inflorescences are composed of many small flowers arranged in a pattern similar to a single flower.

[0032] The term "flower development" refers to the development and growth of a plant's flowers, for example, particularly the time when the plant flowers, flower production, onset of flowering and flowering time, i.e., the time when, for example, by light microscopy or using the naked eye, the floral meristem is first visually detected in the plant. Flower development is also the process by which angiosperms produce patterns of gene expression in the meristem and organs leading to an appearance oriented towards sexual reproduction and the flower.

[0033] The term "floral meristem" refers to the meristem in which cell types that develop into inflorescence meristems, secondary inflorescence meristems, floral organs or reproductive organs are generated by a differentiation process. The meristem or organ may contain, during development, but not limited to, reproductive or non-reproductive tissues including, for example, carpels, stamens, stigmas, ovules, pistils, petals and sepals.

[0034] The term "film" can be used in a general sense to include structural elements having a geometric configuration as a three-dimensional solid whose thickness (distance between planar surfaces) is small compared to other characteristic dimensions of the film or sheet, particularly length and width. Films are commonly used to separate areas or volumes, hold items, function as barriers, or provide printable surfaces.

[0035] The term "greenhouse" must be understood in the broadest sense herein to include any type of shelter used for the protection and growth of crops. For example, they can be plastic greenhouses and large plastic tunnels, glass greenhouses, large shelters, semi-forcing tunnels, flat protection sheets, walls, mulching (multifilm), and are particularly described in the pamphlet "L’evolution de la plasticulture dans le Monde" by Jean-Pierre Jouet, published by CIPA (Congres International du Plastique dans l’Agriculture), 65 rue de Prony, Paris. Greenhouses can also refer to gardening kits and germination kits.

[0036] The term "emission" corresponds to photons emitted by a luminescent material under a stimulating wavelength that matches the excitation spectrum of the luminescent material.

[0037] The term "peak wavelength" has its commonly recognized meaning and can include, herein, the main peak of the emission / absorption (preferably emission) spectrum having the maximum intensity / absorption and side peaks having intensities / absorptions smaller than the main peak. The term "peak wavelength" can be related to the side peaks. The term "peak wavelength" can be related to the main peak having the maximum intensity / absorption.

[0038] The term "radiation-induced emission efficiency" should also be understood in this context, i.e., the silicate absorbs radiation in a specific wavelength range and emits radiation in another wavelength range with a specific efficiency.

[0039] Plant The plants included in the present invention are any flowering plants, including monocotyledonous and dicotyledonous plants. Examples of monocotyledonous plants include, but are not limited to, vegetables such as asparagus, onions, and garlic; cereals such as maize, barley, wheat, rice, sorghum, foxtail millet, rye, and oats; and grasses such as forage grass and turf grass. Examples of dicotyledonous plants include, but are not limited to, vegetables, forage, and oil crops, such as tomatoes, beans, soybeans, peppers, lettuce, peas, alfalfa, clover, Brassica species (e.g., cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, rapeseed, and radish), carrots, beets, eggplants, spinach, cucumbers, squash, melons, cantaloupe, sunflowers; fiber crops such as cotton; and various ornamental plants such as flowers and shrubs. The plants used for the present invention can be cultivated for the production of agricultural and horticultural products, such as cereals, foods, fibers, etc. The plants may be cereal straws.

[0040] The films and uses of the present invention can be applied to substantially any type of plant. The plants can be selected from, but are not limited to, the following list: - Edible crops: for example, cereals including maize / corn (Zea mays), sorghum (Sorghum spp.), millet (Panicum miliaceum, P. sumatrense), rice (Oryza sativa indica, Oryza sativa japonica), wheat (Triticum sativa), barley (Hordeum vulgare), rye (Secale cereale), triticale (Triticum X Secale) and oat (Avena fatua); - Leafy vegetables: for example, brassicaceous plants such as cabbage, broccoli, pak choi, rocket; salad greens such as spinach, brassica, basil and lettuce; - Fruit and flower vegetables: for example, avocado, sweet corn, artichoke, cucurbits such as squash, cucumber, melon, watermelon, squashes such as zucchini, pumpkin; solononaceous vegetables / fruits such as tomato, eggplant and pepper; - Leguminous vegetables: for example, soybean, pea, bean, lentil, chickpea and okra; - Bulb and stem vegetables: for example, asparagus, celery, allium crops such as garlic, onion and leek; - Root and tuber vegetables: for example, carrot, beet, bamboo shoot, cassava, yam, ginger, sweet potato, parsnip, radish, potato, sweet potato, taro, turnip and wasabi; - Sugar crops: for example, sugar beet (Beta vulgaris) and sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum); - Crops grown for the production of non-alcoholic beverages and stimulants: for example, coffee, black, herb and green tea, cocoa and tobacco; - Fruit crops: true berry fruits (e.g., kiwi, grape, currant, gooseberry, guava, feijoa, pomegranate), citrus fruits (e.g., orange, lemon, lime, grapefruit), epigynous fruits (e.g., banana, cranberry, blueberry), aggregate fruits (blackberry, raspberry, boysenberry), multiple fruits (e.g., pineapple, fig), stone fruit crops (e.g., apricot, peach, cherry, plum), pip-fruit (e.g., apple, pear), and strawberry and sunflower seeds, etc.; - Culinary and medicinal herbs: for example, rosemary, basil, ginkgo, coriander, mint, indole, Hypericum, digitalis, aloe vera and rose hip; - Crop plants that produce spices: for example, black pepper, cumin, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, clove, saffron, cardamom, mace, paprika, masala and star anise; - Crops grown for the production of nuts and oils: for example, almonds and walnuts, Brazil nuts, cashew nuts, coconuts, macadamia nuts, pistachio nuts; peanuts, pecan nuts, soybeans, cotton, olive, sunflower, sesame, lupin seeds and brassicaeous crops (e.g., canola / rapeseed); - Crops grown for the production of beer, wine and other alcoholic beverages: for example, grapes, hops; - Plants used in livestock agriculture: for example, legumes: Trifolium species, Medicago species, and Lotus species; white clover (T. repens); red clover (T. pratense); Caucasian clover (T. ambiguum); subterranean clover (T. subterraneum); alfalfa / lucerne (Medicago sativum); annual medics; barrel medic; black medic; sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia); birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus); greater birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus pedunculatus); - Forage and amenity grasses: for example, cool-season forages such as Lolium species; Festuca species; Agrostis spp.; Perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne); Hybrid ryegrass (Lolium hybridum); Annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum); Tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea); Meadow fescue (Festuca pratensis); Red fescue (Festuca rubra); Festuca ovina; Festuloliums (Lolium X Festuca crosses); Cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata); Kentucky bluegrass Poa pratensis; Poa palustris; Poa nemoralis; Poa trivialis; Poa compressa; Bromus species; Phalaris (Phleum species); Arrhenatherum elatius; Agropyron species; Avena strigosa; and Setaria italic; - Warm-season forages such as: Phalaris species; Brachiaria species; Eragrostis species; Panicum species; Bahia grass (Paspalum notatum); Brachypodium species; - Grasses used for biofuel production: for example, switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) and miscanthus species; - Fiber frops: for example, hemp, jute, coconut, sisal, flax (Linum spp.), New Zealand flax (Phormium spp.); plantation and natural forest species harvested for paper and engineered wood fiber products such as coniferous and hardwood forest species; - Trees and shrub species used in plantations and biofuel crops: for example, pine (Pinus spp.); Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga spp.); spruce (Picea spp.); cypress (Cupressus spp.); wattle (Acacia spp.); alder (Alnus spp.); oak species (Quercus spp.); redwood (Sequoiadendron spp.); willow (Salix spp.); birch (Betula spp.); cedar (Cedurus spp.); ash (Fraxinus spp.); larch (Larix spp.); eucalyptus species; bamboo (Bambuseae) and poplar (Populus spp.); - Plants grown for conversion to energy, biofuels or industrial products by extraction, biological, physical or biochemical processes: for example, oil-producing plants such as oil palm, jatropha and linseed; - Latex-producing plants: for example, para rubber tree, Hevea brasiliensis and Panama rubber tree Castilla elastica; - Sugar crops (e.g., beets, sugarcane), starch-producing crops (e.g., C3 and C4 cereal crops and tuber crops), cellulose crops, e.g., forestry materials (e.g., pine, eucalyptus), and Graminaceous and Poaceous plants, e.g., bamboo, switchgrass, miscanthus, i.e., plants used as direct or indirect raw materials for biofuel production after chemical, physical (e.g., thermal or catalytic), or biochemical (e.g., enzymatic pretreatment), or biological (e.g., microbial fermentation) conversion during the production of biofuels, industrial solvents, or chemical products, e.g., ethanol or butanol, propanediol, or other fuels or industrial materials; - Crops used in energy, biofuel, or industrial chemical production by gasification of gas and / or microbial or catalytic conversion into biofuels or other industrial raw materials, e.g., solvents or plastics, regardless of the production of biocchar, e.g., biomass crops, e.g., coniferous plants, eucalyptus, warm-climate or broad-leaved trees, Graminaceous and Poaceous plants, e.g., bamboo, switchgrass, miscanthus, sugarcane, or hemp or cork, e.g., poplar, willow; - Biomass crops used in biocchar production; - Crops that produce natural products useful for the pharmaceutical, agricultural, nutraceutical, and cosmeceutical industries: e.g., crops that produce pharmaceutical precursors or compounds or nutraceutical and cosmeceutical compounds and materials, e.g., star anise (shikimic acid), Japanese knotweed (resveratrol), kiwifruit (soluble fiber, proteolytic enzyme); - Floriculture, ornamental plants, and amenity plants grown for their aesthetic or environmental characteristics: e.g., flowers, e.g., roses, tulips, chrysanthemums; - Ornamental shrubs, for example, of the genus Buxus, Hebe, Rosa, Rhododendron and Hedera; - Amenity plants, for example, of the genus Platanus, Choisya, Escallonia, Euphorbi and Carex; and - Plants grown for bioremediation: of the genus Helianthus, Brassica, Salix, Populus and Eucalyptus.

[0041] Plant species include, but are not limited to, corn (Zea mays), Brassica species (e.g., B. napus, B. rapa, B. juncea), alfalfa (Medicago sativa), rice (Oryza sativa), rye (Secale cereale), sorghum (Sorghum bicolor, Sorghum vulgare), millet (e.g., pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum), proso millet (Panicum miliaceum), foxtail millet (Setaria italica), finger millet (Eleusine coracana)), sunflower (Helianthus annuus), safflower (Carthamus tinctorius), wheat (Triticum aestivum), soybean (Glycine max), tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum), potato (Solanum tuberosum), peanut (Arachis hypogaea), cotton (Gossypium barbadense, Gossypium hirsutum), sweet potato (Ipomoea batatus), cassava (Manihot esculenta), coffee (Cofea spp.), coconut (Cocos nucifera), pineapple (Ananas comosus), citrus trees (Citrus spp.)) Cocoa (Theobroma cacao), tea plant (Camellia sinensis), banana (Musa spp.), avocado (Persea americana), fig (Ficus casica), guava (Psidium guajava), mango (Mangifera indica), olive (Olea europaea), papaya (Carica papaya), cashew (Anacardium occidentale), macadamia (Macadamia integrifolia), almond (Prunus amygdalus), sugar beet (Beta vulgaris), sugarcane (Saccharum spp.), tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), lettuce (e.g., Lactuca sativa), common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris), lima bean (Phaseolus limensis), pea (Lathyrus spp.), cauliflower (Brassica oleracea), broccoli (Brassica oleracea), turnip (Brassica rapa var. rapa), radish (Raphanus raphanistrum subsp. sativusSativus)), spinach (Spinacia oleracea), cabbage (Brassica oleracea), asparagus (Asparagus officinalis), onion (Allium cepa), garlic (Allium sativum), pepper (Piperaceae), for example, Piper nigrum, Piper cubeba, Piper longum, Piper retrofractum, Piper borbonense and Piper guineense, celery (Apium graveolens), Cucumis, for example, cucumber (Cucumis sativus), cantaloupe (Cucumis cantalupensis) and muskmelon (Cucumis melo), oats (Avena sativa), barley (Hordeum vulgare), plants of the Cucurbitaceae family, for example, squash (Cucurbita pepo), pumpkin (Cucurbita maxima) and zucchini (Cucurbita pepo), apple (Malus domestica), European pear (Pyrus spp.), quince (Cydonia oblonga), plum (Prunus subg. Prunus), peach (Prunus persica), cherry (for example, Prunus avium and Prunus cerasus), nectarine (Prunus persica var.peach (e.g., Prunus persica), apricot (e.g., Prunus armeniaca, Prunus brigantina, Prunus mandshurica, Prunus mume, Prunus zhengheensis, and Prunus sibirica), strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa), grape (Vitis vinifera), raspberry (genus Rubus), blackberry (Rubus ursinus, Rubus laciniatus, Rubus argutus, Rubus armeniacus, Rubus plicatus, Rubus ulmifolius, and Rubus allegheniensis), sorghum (Sorghum bicolor), rapeseed (Brassica napus), clover (Syzygium aromaticum), carrot (Daucus carota), lentil (Lens culinaris), and Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) are included.

[0042] Furthermore, without limitation, ornamental plant species including, but not limited to, hydrangea (Macrophylla hydrangea), hibiscus (Hibiscus rosasanensis), petunia (Petunia hybrida), rose (Rosa spp.), azalea (Rhododendron spp.), tulip (Tulipa spp.), daffodil (Narcissus spp.), carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus), poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima) and chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum indicum); and coniferous tree species including, but not limited to, loblolly pine (Pinus taeda), slash pine (Pinus elliotii), ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa), lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta) and radiata pine (Pinus radiata), Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii), etc.; Tsuga canadensis; Picea glauca; Sequoia sempervirens; true fir, such as Abies amabilis and balsam fir (Abies balsamea); and cedar, such as Western red cedar (Thuja plicata) and Alaska yellow cedar (Chamaecyparis nootkatensis).

[0043] Preferably, the plant is selected from the group consisting of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), watermelon (Cucurbitaceae lanatus), pepper, zucchini, cucumber, melon, strawberry, blueberry, raspberry and rose. For example, they are tomatoes.

[0044] Particularly interesting classifications of tomatoes can be selected from the group consisting of long life, globe, cluster, smooth or salad tomatoes, cherry and Roma tomatoes. Examples of some varieties include Alicante, Trujillo, Genio, Cocktail, Beefsteak, Marmande, Conquista, Kumato, Adoration, Better Boy, Big Raimbow, Black Krim, Brandwyne, Campari, Canario, Tomkin, Early Girl, Garden peach, Hanover, Jersey Boy, Jubilee, Matt’s Wild Cherry, Micro Tom, Montesora, Mortgage Lifter, Plum Tomato, Raf Tomato, Delizia, Roma, San Marzano, Santorini, Super Sweet 10, Tomaccio, Pear Tomato and Yellow Pear.

[0045] Silicate The silicate S1 according to the present invention is (a) light emission having a first peak wavelength in the range of 400 nm to 500 nm, preferably 420 nm to 455 nm and a second peak wavelength in the range of 550 nm to 700 nm, preferably 590 nm to 660 nm, and (b) shows an absorption of 15% or less, preferably 10% or less, more preferably 5% or less at wavelengths higher than 440 nm.

[0046] The light emission spectrum can be obtained using a Jobin Yvon HORIBA Fluoromax-4+ equipped with a xenon lamp and two monochromators (one for the excitation wavelength and the other for the emission wavelength). The excitation wavelength is fixed at 370 nm, and the spectrum is recorded from 390 to 750 nm.

[0047] The absorption can be obtained from the diffuse reflection spectrum. Such a spectrum can be recorded using a Jobin Yvon HORIBA Fluoromax-4+ spectrometer equipped with a xenon lamp and two monochromators (one for the excitation wavelength and the other for the emission wavelength) that can work synchronously. For the product, for each given value of the wavelength, a reflection (R product ) value (intensity) is obtained, thereby finally obtaining a reflection spectrum (R product ) as a function of the wavelength. The first reflection (R white ) spectrum of BaSO4 is recorded from 280 nm to 500 nm. The BaSO4 spectrum corresponds to 100% light reflection (referred to as "white"). The second reflection (R black ) spectrum of black carbon is recorded from 280 nm to 500 nm. The black carbon spectrum corresponds to 0% light reflection (referred to as "black"). The sample reflection (R sample ) spectrum is recorded from 280 nm to 500 nm. For each wavelength, the following relationship is calculated: A = 1 - R (where R is equal to (R sample -R black ) / (R white -R black ), that is, A = (R white -R sample ) / (Rwhite -R black ) and this represents the absorption at each wavelength and provides an absorption spectrum (as a function of wavelength).

[0048] The silicate S1 used in the present invention can be a compound containing at least barium, magnesium and silicon. Preferably, in the silicate S1, barium and magnesium may be substituted by at least one other element: for example, europium, praseodymium and / or manganese.

[0049] The silicate S1 is particularly of the formula (I): aMO.a’M’O.bM’’O.b’M’’’O.cSiO2(I) (wherein M and M’’ are selected from the group consisting of strontium, barium, calcium, zinc, magnesium or combinations thereof, and M’ and M’’’ are selected from the group consisting of europium, manganese, praseodymium, gadolinium, yttrium, 0.5 < a ≤ 3, 0.5 < b ≤ 3, 0 < a’ ≤ 0.5, 0 < b’ ≤ 0.5 and 1 ≤ c ≤ 2).

[0050] In addition to the silicate S1, the film may contain other types of silicates such as, for example, Ba2SiO4 (for example, in trace amounts).

[0051] The silicate S1 is particularly of the formula (II): aBaO.xEuO.cMgO.yMnO.eSiO2(II) (wherein (where 0.5 < a ≤ 3, 0 < x ≤ 0.5, 0 < c ≤ 1, 0 < y ≤ 0.5, 1 ≤ e ≤ 2)).

[0052] Preferably, a + b + c + d + e constitutes 90% to 100% by weight, more preferably 95% to 99% by weight, and usually 98% by weight or more.

[0053] In formula (II), preferably, 0.0001 ≦ x ≦ 0.4 and 0.0001 ≦ y ≦ 0.4, more preferably, 0.01 ≦ x ≦ 0.35 and 0.04 ≦ y ≦ 0.15.

[0054] In the compound of formula (II), barium, magnesium, and silicon may be partially substituted by elements other than those described above. Thus, barium may be partially substituted by calcium and / or strontium at a ratio that can be up to about 30%, and this ratio is represented by the substitution / (substitution + barium) atomic ratio. Magnesium may be partially substituted by zinc at a ratio that can be about 30%, and this ratio is also represented by the Zn / (Zn + Mg) atomic ratio. Finally, silicon may be partially substituted by germanium, aluminum, and / or phosphorus at a ratio that can be about 10%, and this ratio is represented by the substitution / (substitution + silicon) atomic ratio.

[0055] While barium magnesium silicate doped with europium emits in the blue range, the presence of manganese as a dopant can direct the emission of this compound towards the red range. By changing the Eu / Mn ratio, it is possible to adjust the colorimetry of the emission of the additive of the present invention.

[0056] In the silicate S1 of formula (II), barium, magnesium, and silicon are preferably not substituted by elements other than europium and manganese.

[0057] The silicate S1 of formula (II) is -Ba 2.7 Eu 0.3 Mg 0.9 Mn 0.1 Si2O8, -Ba 2.7 Eu 0.3 Mg 0.8 Mn 0.2 Si2O8, -Ba 2.94 Eu 0.06 Mg 0.95 Mn0.05 Si2O8, -Ba 2.9 Eu 0.1 Mg 0.95 Mn 0.05 Si2O8, and -BaMg2Si2O7:Eu,Mn may be selected from the group consisting of.

[0058] The silicate S1 used for the present invention is of the formula (III): Ba 3(1-x-y) Eu 3x Pr 3y Mg 1-z Mn z Si 2(1-3v / 2) M 3v O8(III) (wherein M is aluminum, gallium or boron, 0 < x ≦ 0.3, 0 < y ≦ 0.1, 0 < z ≦ 0.3, 0 ≦ v ≦ 0.1), and may also correspond to a compound.

[0059] The silicate S1 used for the present invention is generally prepared by a solid state reaction at high temperature.

[0060] As starting materials, the required metal oxides, or organic or mineral compounds capable of forming these oxides by heating, such as carbonates, oxalates, hydroxides, acetates, nitrates or borates of said metals, can be used directly.

[0061] A close mixture of all starting materials in appropriate concentrations in a fine form is formed.

[0062] For example, it can be imagined to prepare the starting mixture by coprecipitation using a solution of a precursor of the desired oxide and / or a slurry of the oxide in an aqueous medium.

[0063] Next, the mixture of starting materials is heated at least once at a temperature of about 500°C to 1600°C for a period of 1 hour to about 100 hours. In order to make all europium in the divalent form, it is preferable to perform the heating at least partially under a reducing atmosphere, such as hydrogen in argon. Before the heating step, a flux such as BaF2, BaCl2, NH4Cl, MgF2, MgCl2, Li2B4O7, LiF, H3BO3 may be added to the raw material mixture.

[0064] The silicate used in the present invention can be produced in particular as described in WO 2004 / 044090 pamphlet and WO 2004 / 041963 pamphlet.

[0065] It is also possible to produce the silicate of the present invention by mixing a silica suspension and starting materials, such as nitrates, followed by spray drying and firing, in particular firing in air and / or a reducing atmosphere. Such silicates can be produced in particular as described in WO 2016 / 001219 pamphlet.

[0066] There is no limitation on the form, morphology, particle size or particle size distribution of the silicate thus obtained. These products may be surface-treated by grinding, atomization, screening and in particular by organic additives in order to promote their compatibility or dispersibility in the application medium.

[0067] The particles of silicate S1 are preferably such that the dispersion remains stable even after a certain time.

[0068] Silicate S1 is in the form of solid particles, such as crystallized particles, having a diameter D50 of 1 μm to 50 μm, more preferably 2 μm to 10 μm. Silicate S1 can also be in the form of solid particles, such as crystallized particles, having a diameter D50 of 0.1 μm to 1.0 μm, preferably 0.1 μm to 0.5 μm.

[0069] D50 has its ordinary meaning as used in statistics. D50 corresponds to the median value of the distribution. It represents the particle size such that 50% of the particles are below the diameter and 50% of the particles are above the diameter. D50 is determined from the (volume-based) particle size distribution obtained by a laser diffraction particle size analyzer. The device Malvern Mastersizer 3000 can be used.

[0070] Matrix According to the present invention, as the matrix material, preferably, a transparent photocurable polymer, a thermosetting polymer, a thermoplastic polymer, a glass substrate or any combination thereof can be used. This matrix can be natural or non-natural fibers, for example, silk, wool, cotton or linen, or viscose, nylon, polyamide, polyester and its copolymers. The matrix can also be mineral glass (silicate) or organic glass. The matrix may particularly be based on a thermoplastic type polymer. The matrix may contain at least one polymer or the matrix may be a polymer.

[0071] As the polymer material, preferably, polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polymethylpentene, polybutene, butadiene styrene polymer, polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, polystyrene methacrylate, styrene acrylonitrile, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene, polyethylene terephthalate, polymethyl methacrylate, polyphenylene ether, polyacrylonitrile, polyvinyl alcohol, acrylonitrile polycarbonate, polyvinylidene chloride, polycarbonate, polyamide, polyacetal, polybutylene terephthalate, polytetrafluoroethylene, ethyl vinyl acetate copolymer, ethylene butyl acrylate copolymer, ethylene tetrafluorethylen copolymer, phenol polymer, melamine polymer, urea polymer, urethane, epoxy, unsaturated polyester, polyallyl sulfone, polyarylate, hydroxybenzoic acid polyester, polyetherimide, polycyclohexylene dimethylene terephthalate, polyethylene naphthalate, polyester carbonate, polylactic acid, phenol resin, silicone can be used.

[0072] As the photocurable polymer, preferably, several types of (meth)acrylates can be used. For example, unsubstituted alkyl (meth)acrylates such as methyl acrylate, methyl methacrylate, ethyl acrylate, ethyl methacrylate, butyl acrylate, butyl methacrylate, 2-ethylhexyl acrylate, 2-ethylhexyl methacrylate; substituted alkyl (meth)acrylates such as hydroxyl group, epoxy group or halogen-substituted alkyl (meth)acrylate; cyclopentenyl (meth)acrylate, tetrahydrofurfuryl (meth)acrylate, benzyl (meth)acrylate, polyethylene glycol di(meth)acrylate.

[0073] The matrix material preferably has a melt flow index in the range of 0.1 to 50 g / 10 min, more preferably 0.1 to 7 g / 10 min for polyethylene, and 0.7 to 4 grams / min for ethyl vinyl acetate copolymer, when determined, in particular using an MFI apparatus (in accordance with the standard method ISO 1133), with the sample preheated at 190 °C for 5 minutes and a weight of 2.16 kg used.

[0074] As the thermosetting polymer, preferably a known transparent thermosetting polymer can be used.

[0075] As the thermoplastic polymer, the type of the thermoplastic polymer is not particularly limited. For example, natural rubber (refractive index (n) = 1.52), polyisoprene (n = 1.52), poly-1,2-butadiene (n = 1.50), polyisobutene (n = 1.51), polybutene (n = 1.51), poly-2-heptyl-1,3-butadine (n = 1.50), poly-2-t-butyl-1,3-butadine (n = 1.51), poly-1,3-butadine (n = 1.52), polyoxyethylene (n = 1.46), polyoxypropylene (n = 1.45), polyvinyl ethyl ether (n = 1.45), polyvinyl hexyl ether (n = 1.46), polyvinyl butyl ether (n = 1.46), polyether, polyvinyl acetate (n = 1.47), polyester, for example, polyvinyl propionate (n = 1.47), polyurethane (n to 1.6 = 1.5), ethyl cellulose (n = 1.48), polyvinyl chloride (n = 1.54 to 1.55), polyacrylonitrile (n = 1.52), polymethacrylonitrile (n = 1.52), polysulfone (n = 1.63), polysulfide (n = 1.60), phenoxy resin (n = 1.5 to 1.6), polyethyl acrylate (n = 1.47), polybutyl acrylate (n = 1.47), poly-2-ethylhexyl acrylate (n = 1.46), poly-t-butyl acrylate (n = 1.46), poly-3-ethoxypropyl acrylate (n = 1.47), polyoxycarbonyl tetramethacrylate (n = 1.47), polymethyl acrylate (n = 1.47 to 1.48), polyisopropyl methacrylate (n = 1.47), polydodecyl methacrylate (n = 1.47), polytetradecyl methacrylate (n = 1.47), poly-n-propyl methacrylate (n = 1.48), poly-3,3,5-trimethylcyclohexyl methacrylate (n = 1.48), polyethyl methacrylate (n = 1.49), poly-2-nitro-2-methylpropyl methacrylate (n = 1.49), poly-1,1-diethylpropyl methacrylate (n = 1.49), poly(meth)acrylate, for example, polymethyl methacrylate (n = 1.49), or any combination thereof can preferably be used as desired.

[0076] Examples of thermoplastic polymers suitable for the present invention include polycarbonates such as poly[methanebis(4-phenyl)carbonate], poly[1,1-etherbis(4-phenyl)carbonate], poly[diphenylmethanebis(4-phenyl)carbonate], poly[1,1-cyclohexanebis(4-phenyl)carbonate] and polymers of the same series; polyamides such as poly(4-aminobutyric acid), poly(hexamethylene adipamide), poly(6-aminohexanoic acid), poly(m-xylylene adipamide), poly(p-xylylene sebacamide), poly(2,2,2-trimethylhexamethylene terephthalamide), poly(m-phenylene isophthalamide), poly(p-phenylene terephthalamide) and polymers of the same series; polyesters such as poly(ethylene azelate), poly(ethylene-1,5-naphthalate), poly(1,4-cyclohexanedimethylene terephthalate), poly(ethylene oxybenzoate), poly(parahydroxybenzoate), poly(1,4-cyclohexylidene dimethylene terephthalate), poly(1,4-cyclohexylidene dimethylene terephthalate), polyethylene terephthalate, polybutylene terephthalate and polymers of the same series; vinyl polymers and their copolymers such as polyvinyl acetate, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl chloride; polyvinyl butyral, polyvinylidene chloride, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer and polymers of the same series; acrylic polymers, polyacrylates and their copolymers such as polyethyl acrylate, poly(n-butyl acrylate), polymethyl methacrylate, polyethyl methacrylate, poly(n-butyl methacrylate), poly(n-propyl methacrylate) and ethylene butyl acrylate copolymer, polyacrylamide, polyacrylonitrile, poly(acrylic acid), ethylene-acrylic acid copolymer, ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer, acrylonitrile copolymer, methylstyrene methacrylate copolymer, ethylene-ethyl acrylate copolymer, methacrylate-butadiene-styrene copolymer, ABS and polymers of the same series;Polyolefins, such as low density poly(ethylene), poly(propylene), and other [alpha]-olefins such as 1-butene and 1-hexene which can generally be used up to a maximum of 1%, copolymerized ethylene and propylene [alpha]-olefins may be described. Other comonomers which may be used are cyclic olefins, such as 1,4-hexadiene, cyclopentadiene and ethylidene norbornene. The copolymer may also be a carboxylic acid, such as acrylic acid or methacrylic acid. Finally, low density chlorinated poly(ethylene), poly(4-methyl-1-pentene), poly(ethylene) and poly(styrene) may be described.;

[0077] Among these thermoplastic polymers, particularly most preferred are polyethylene and copolymers, such as low density polyethylene (LDPE), linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE), high density polyethylene (HDPE), polyethylene obtained by metallocene synthesis, ethyl-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA), ethylene butyl acrylate copolymer (EBA), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), (co)polyolefins, such as polyethylene-vinyl alcohol (EVOH), polycarbonate (PC), and mixtures and copolymers based on these (co)polymers.

[0078] Composition The composition used in connection with the present invention comprises at least the matrix and the silicate used according to the present invention. The silicate S1 may be dispersed in the matrix, and the film of the present invention may comprise the matrix and the dispersed particles of the silicate in the matrix. Preferably, the silicate S1 may be dispersed in the polymer, and the film used in the present invention may comprise the polymer and the dispersed particles of the silicate in the polymer.

[0079] The amount of silicate in the film can be, in particular, from 0.01 to 10% by weight, in particular from 0.1% to 5% by weight, and more particularly from 0.3 to 3% by weight, relative to the total amount of the film. Preferably, this amount is equal to 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, 1.9 and 2, and all ranges obtainable by these values.

[0080] The composition can optionally further contain one or more additional inorganic fluorescent materials, in particular those emitting blue or red light. As additional inorganic fluorescent materials emitting blue or red light, any known materials, for example, as described in Chapter 2 of the Phosphor handbook (Yen, Shinoya, Yamamoto), can be used if desired.

[0081] The composition can contain other additives, for example, stabilizers, plasticizers, flame retardants, dyes, optical brighteners, lubricants, antiblocking agents, matting agents, processing agents, elastomers or elastomeric compositions, for example, acrylic copolymers or methacrylate - butadiene - styrene copolymers (for improving the flexibility or mechanical strength of the film), adhesives, for example, polyolefins grafted with maleic anhydride enabling adhesion to polyamides, dispersants enabling better distribution of silicate in the material, or any other additives required for the preparation of the structure of multilayer thermoplastic films, in particular those known and often used for manufacturing films for greenhouses, for example, nondrip or anti - fog additives, or catalysts. This list is not essentially limiting.

[0082] Any method for obtaining a dispersion of silicate in a matrix, in particular in a polymeric compound of the type such as the above - mentioned polymers, can be used for preparing the compositions and films used according to the invention.

[0083] The incorporation of silicates and any further components into the polymer can be carried out by known methods such as dry blending in the form of a powder, or wet mixing in the form of a solution, dispersion or suspension in, for example, an inert solvent, water or oil. The silicates and any further additives can be incorporated, for example, before or after shaping, or by application of the dissolved or dispersed additives or additive mixtures to the polymer material, with or without subsequent evaporation of the solvent or suspension / dispersing agent. They may be added directly into the processing apparatus (e.g. an extruder, internal mixer), for example, as a dry mixture or powder, or as a solution, or dispersion, or suspension or melt.

[0084] In particular, the first process consists of mixing the silicate and the other above-mentioned additives in the polymer compound in the molten form and, optionally, subjecting the mixture to high shear, for example, in a twin-screw extrusion forming device, in order to achieve good dispersion. Another process consists of mixing the additives to disperse them in the monomer in the polymer medium and then carrying out the polymerization.

[0085] Another process consists of mixing the polymer in the molten form with a concentrated blend (masterbatch) of the polymer and dispersed additives prepared, for example, according to one of the above processes. The polymer for the masterbatch and the matrix polymer may be of the same type or different. The two polymers are preferably compatible so as to form a homogeneous mixture. For example, if the polymer is an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, the other polymer may be the same ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, or different, or a compatible polymer, for example, polyethylene. The masterbatch is prepared by the same prior art described above and, for example, it can be prepared using an extruder. The advantage of using the masterbatch is that the particles can be sufficiently pre-dispersed using a mixing device showing a high shear rate. Various additives (e.g. the cross-linking agents, auxiliaries described above) may be present in either one of the polymers or added separately.

[0086] In a process for preparing a composition related to the present invention, a masterbatch comprising a polymer (Polymer 1) and a silicate, or a silicate preliminarily dispersed in a polymer (Polymer 1) and a polymer (Polymer 2) is extruded.

[0087] The silicate can be introduced in any form into a synthetic medium for a macromolecular compound or into a thermoplastic polymer melt. It can be introduced, for example, in the form of a solid powder or in the form of a dispersion in water or an organic dispersant.

[0088] For example, by stirring, it is also possible to directly disperse the silicate compound in the form of a powder in the matrix, or to prepare a powder concentrate in a liquid or paste-like medium and then add this to the matrix. The concentrate can optionally be polar or non-polar and can be prepared in an aqueous or solvent medium together with surfactants, water-soluble or hydrophobic polymers, or polymers containing hydrophilic or hydrophobic ends, which may be required for stabilizing the mixture to avoid its decantation. There is no limitation on the additives that can be included in the composition of the concentrate.

[0089] Film The greenhouse film related to the present invention can be of various shapes, such as plates, flat sheets, squares, rectangles, circles, walls, tunnels, ellipses, semi-circles, shelters, protective sheets and building materials for greenhouses.

[0090] The film used according to the present invention comprises at least a matrix and dispersed particles of a silicate S1, preferably the silicate S1, and the silicate S1 (a) light radiation having a first peak wavelength in the range of 400 nm to 500 nm, preferably 420 nm to 455 nm and a second peak wavelength in the range of 550 nm to 700 nm, preferably 590 nm to 660 nm, and (b) shows an absorption of 20% or less, preferably 15% or less, more preferably 10% or less, and if possible 5% or less at wavelengths higher than 440 nm.

[0091] The films according to the invention can be used as such, can be applied onto another substrate such as another film or glass, or can be combined therewith. This application or this combination can be prepared by known methods such as, for example, coextrusion, lamination and coating. The multilayer structure can be formed from one or more layers of materials used according to the invention by combining, via a layer of coextrusion binder, one or more thermoplastic polymers, such as polyethylene or polyvinyl chloride, which can constitute a dominant support component in the film constitution, with one or more other layers. The films thus obtained can be uniaxially or biaxially stretched according to known techniques for the conversion of plastics. Sheets or plates can be cut, thermoformed or stamped in order to obtain the desired shape.

[0092] The films can be coated by the above polymers applied by plasma, web coating or electron beam coating, or by a silicone-based coating (for example, SiOx), or by aluminum oxide, or by any other coating.

[0093] The films according to the invention can also be multilayer films having at least two layers formed from polymers or other materials joined together by any conventional or suitable method including one or more of coextrusion forming, extrusion coating, lamination, vapor deposition coating, solvent coating, emulsion coating and / or suspension coating. At least one of the layers of the multilayer film contains at least silicate S1.

[0094] Generally, the films are transparent and flexible.

[0095] The layer thickness of the film can be in the range of 50 μm to 1 mm, preferably 100 μm to 800 μm, more preferably 200 μm to 700 μm.

[0096] The film related to the present invention can exhibit a transmittance of 80% or more, preferably 85% to 98%. The transmittance can be measured, for example, in accordance with the standard method ASTM D1003 using a Gardner Haze-gard i(4775) Haze Meter from BYK.

[0097] Use The present invention also relates to a method for increasing the flower development of plants by providing the greenhouse film according to the present invention to the plants in the growth medium by light treatment. The present invention also relates to a method for increasing the flower development of plants, wherein the flower development is promoted by the light radiation provided by the greenhouse film. The present invention also relates to a method for increasing the flower development of plants, wherein the plants are in a greenhouse containing the greenhouse film.

[0098] The film can be used to form the cover (roof, wall) of a greenhouse to protect the plants from the surrounding effects, or to cover or protect the plants or parts of the plants from the effects generated from the inside, such as manual watering or spraying of herbicides and / or insecticides, by using the film inside the greenhouse.

[0099] The growth medium is a well-known agronomically suitable medium in which plants can be cultivated. Examples include agronomically suitable components (e.g., sand, soil, vermiculite, peat); agar gels; and various hydroponic media, such as various media containing water, glass wool or Perlite®. Water and mineral nutrients are two inputs essential to any horticultural or agricultural operation, and the management of the application of these substances can have a significant impact on yield and quality. To meet the requirements of the plants, there are a very large number of ways in which these two substances can be applied. In some embodiments, they can be applied to soil or a soilless substrate (i.e., coco coir, peat, etc.), in which case the soil or soilless substrate absorbs water and mineral nutrients and functions as a storage place for these substances. In other embodiments, they can also be supplied in a hydroponic system in which a certain direct access to water and mineral nutrients is provided by flooding, misting, dripping, wicking, or direct submerging of the roots. The roots of the plants can also be developed directly in solution or in the substrate. When a plant grows hydroponically in a substrate, it is called "media-based hydroponics". Media-based hydroponics when the substrate has a high cation exchange capacity (and anion exchange capacity), and when the substrate has little or no cation / anion exchange capacity is typically classified as soilless production. Examples of hydroponic substrates include, but are not limited to, coconut fiber, vermiculite, perlite, expanded clay pellets and rock wool (stone wool).

[0100] The light treatment can have sufficient intensity and duration for a high rate of long-term photosynthesis throughout the growth period, whether it is sunlight or artificial lighting. Appropriate lighting intensity ranges from 400 to 2000 μmol / m 2 / s, in the range of photosynthetically active radiation (400 - 700 nm), and direct sunlight usually provides sufficient lighting. For example, artificial lighting can be obtained using LEDs or sodium and / or mercury lamps.

[0101] Heat treatment can be applied to plants for optimal growth, usually in the range of 10 °C to 35 °C or higher.

[0102] As described above, flower development includes, in particular, the number of flowers produced by the plant, the number of flowers that have bloomed, their size and / or quality, and leads to an improvement in flower yield.

[0103] Flower development according to the present invention can result in an increase of at least 5%, preferably 10% - 80%, preferably 15% - 50% in the number of flowers produced by the plant, compared to untreated plants. This can be calculated, for example, per plant, per lot, or per m 2 per. The size of the flower can include the weight, length, area, diameter, circumference, or volume of the flower.

[0104] In a preferred embodiment, the increase in flower production is a net increase in flower production of at least 5%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 75%, 85%, 95%, 100%, 150%, 200% compared to the respective values of untreated control plants, which corresponds to the number of flowers per harvested plant, the weight of flowers per harvested plant, or the total yield of flowers per harvested plant.

[0105] Flower production is generally represented by the total kilograms of flowers per harvested plant, the average kilograms per flower per harvested plant, the total number of flowers per harvested plant, and the average number of flowers per harvested plant.

[0106] The present invention also relates to a method for preserving cut flowers, which includes inserting the cut stem ends of one or more flowers into a storage container that optionally contains a preservative liquid and at least includes a film containing at least a matrix and silicate S1. The present invention also relates to a storage container that at least includes a film containing at least a matrix and silicate S1.

[0107] The present invention relates to a method for preserving cut flowers, which comprises inserting the cut stem ends of one or more flowers into a storage container that optionally contains a preservative liquid and at least includes a film containing at least a matrix and silicate S1, preferably dispersed particles of silicate S1, wherein the silicate S1 has (a) light emissions having a first peak wavelength in the range of 400 nm to 500 nm, preferably 420 nm to 455 nm, and a second peak wavelength in the range of 550 nm to 700 nm, preferably 590 nm to 660 nm, and (b) shows an absorption of 20% or less, preferably 15% or less, more preferably 10% or less, and if possible 5% or less at wavelengths higher than 440 nm.

[0108] The present invention also relates to a storage container, especially for preserving cut flowers, which at least includes a film containing at least a matrix and silicate S1, preferably dispersed particles of silicate S1, wherein the silicate S1 has (a) light emissions having a first peak wavelength in the range of 400 nm to 500 nm, preferably 420 nm to 455 nm, and a second peak wavelength in the range of 550 nm to 700 nm, preferably 590 nm to 660 nm, and (b) shows an absorption of 20% or less, preferably 15% or less, more preferably 10% or less, and if possible 5% or less at wavelengths higher than 440 nm.

[0109] In fact, the film used according to the present invention can also make it possible to preserve the freshness of cut or rooted flowers by containing cut ends or roots, stems / leaves and / or flowers. This can particularly enable good preservation of plants and cut flowers, and after transportation, regional wholesale and retail display by florists, customers can enjoy the flowers for a longer time.

[0110] Such sealable containers preferably include a film used in the present invention having a shape that conforms to the shape of a packaged bouquet of flowers, such as the substantially conical shape of many bouquets. The sealable container may also include liquid and / or gas exchange perforations that allow gas to move in and / or out for gas exchange with the external environment.

[0111] Experimental Section The present invention is further illustrated by the following non-limiting examples.

[0112] Example 1: Ba 2.7 Eu 0.3 Mg 0.9 Mn 0.1 Synthesis of Ba According to the following process, particles of Ba 2.7 Eu 0.3 Mg 0.9 Mn 0.1 Si2O8 (P1) are synthesized.

[0113] An aqueous solution was prepared from a mixture of barium, magnesium, europium and manganese nitrates having the following composition. Ba(NO3)2 113.51 g Mg(NO3)3.6H2O 37.11 g Mn(NO3)2.4H2O 4.00 g Eu(NO3)3 40.44 g

[0114] Water was added to this nitrate mixture to reach a final cation concentration of 0.27 mol / l. A fumed silica (specific surface area: 50 m 2 / g) suspension was also prepared at a Si concentration of 0.71 mol / l. The nitrate solution and the fumed silica suspension were mixed to obtain a total suspension.

[0115] This suspension was dried in a flash spray dryer having an inlet side temperature of 350 °C and an outlet side temperature of 140 °C. The dried product was calcined at 900 °C for 6 hours under air and then at 1200 °C for 6 hours under an Ar / H2 (95 / 5) atmosphere.

[0116] This particle has a size D of 5.2 μm 50 and has.

[0117] This particle exhibits the following: (a) Optical emission having a first peak wavelength of 438 nm and a second peak wavelength in the range of 620 nm, and (b) An absorption lower than 10% at wavelengths greater than 440 nm.

[0118] Example 2: Synthesis of Ba 2.94 Eu 0.06 Mg 0.95 Mn 0.05 Si2O8 According to the following process, particles of Ba 2.94 Eu 0.06 Mg 0.95 Mn 0.05 Si2O8 (P2) are synthesized.

[0119] A solution was prepared from a mixture of barium, magnesium, europium and manganese nitrates having the following composition. Ba(NO3)2 124.60 g Mg(NO3)3.6H2O 39.49 g Mn(NO3)2.4H2O 2.01 g Eu(NO3)3 8.15 g

[0120] Water was added to this nitrate mixture to reach a final cation concentration of 0.27 mol / l. A fumed silica (specific surface area: 50 m 2 / g) suspension was also prepared at a Si concentration of 0.71 mol / l. The nitrate solution and the fumed silica suspension were mixed to obtain an all suspension.

[0121] This suspension was dried in a flash spray dryer having an inlet side temperature of 350 °C and an outlet side temperature of 140 °C. The dried product was calcined at 900 °C for 6 hours under air and then at 1200 °C for 6 hours under an Ar / H2 (95 / 5) atmosphere.

[0122] This particle has a size D of 5.2 μm 50It has

[0123] This particle exhibits the following: (a) Light emission having a first peak wavelength of 438 nm and a second peak wavelength in the range of 620 nm, and (b) Absorption lower than 10% at wavelengths greater than 440 nm.

[0124] Example 3: Production of Polymer Film This example illustrates the use of the particles of Examples 1 and 2 in a polymer film for producing Film 1 and Film 2, respectively.

[0125] A masterbatch MB1 containing 90 wt% ethylene / vinyl acetate copolymer (Elvax® 150 commercially available from DuPont) and 10 wt% silicate was prepared using a co-rotating twin-screw extruder type Prism 25D (diameter 16 mm and L / D ratio 25; screw profile 25.5).

[0126] Pellets of the ethylene / vinyl acetate copolymer and silicate MP1 were premixed in a rotary mixer for 10 minutes and then introduced into the extruder under the following conditions.

[0127]

Table 1

[0128] In this way, masterbatch MB1 was obtained in the form of pellets.

[0129] To obtain Film 1, 402 g of MB1 was mixed with 7650 g of pure ethylene / vinyl acetate copolymer (corresponding to 0.5 wt% silicate loading in the final composition) in a rotary blender for 10 minutes, and then extrusion molded using a co-rotating twin-screw extruder Leistritz LMM 30 / 34 type (diameter 34 mm and L / D ratio 25, screw profile: L16 without degassing) equipped with a slot die (width 300 mm and thickness 450 - 500 microns). The extrusion molding parameters are reported in the following table.

[0130]

Table 2

[0131] To obtain Film 2, 1206 g of MB1 was mixed with 6848 g of pure ethylene / vinyl acetate copolymer (corresponding to 1.5 wt% silicate loading in the final composition), and a similar film was prepared.

[0132] An average thickness of 450 μm was obtained.

[0133] Film 1 had a transmittance of 90.6%, and Film 2 had a transmittance of 85.7% (measured using a Gardner Haze-gard i(4775) Haze Meter from BYK according to the standard method ASTM D1003).

[0134] The obtained Film 1 emits deep red light when illuminated at a wavelength of 365 nm.

[0135] The obtained Film 2 emits deep red light when illuminated at a wavelength of 365 nm.

[0136] Film 0 containing no particles is also produced. Film 0 emits no color when illuminated at a wavelength of 365 nm.

[0137] Example 4: Agronomic test The agronomic behavior of tomato crops was evaluated under a plastic roof in a greenhouse using films 1, 2, and 3.

[0138] These tests were carried out in a special greenhouse with a total area of 20 m 2 . This greenhouse was divided into five different cages, and different film plastic covers were attached to the roof of each cage. This greenhouse was equipped with an active environmental control system by a cooling device controlled by an automated system, and the setpoint temperature and cooling activation were set at 26 °C. Tomato crops were grown in substrates, in coconut fiber bags. Irrigation and fertilization of tomato crops were carried out by using a drip irrigation system where a pair of dripper lines were positioned for each plant, and emitters were located every 50 cm in the same dripper - holder branch. The installation of drip irrigation had self - correcting drippers with a unit flow of 3 liters / hour / dripper. The fertigation system used during this test was automatically controlled by a watering unit equipped with a programmer and one tank of concentrated nutrient solution.

[0139] During the winter - spring tomato harvest cycle (for 5 months), a field test was carried out. Tomato crops (Solanum lycopersicum variety "Trujillo") that were over 20 days old from germination in the seedbed and had three fully developed leaves were transplanted into the greenhouse.

[0140] The plant density used was six plants per 1 m 2 . During this test, tomato crops were led using black polypropylene cords vertically connected to the wire structure of the greenhouse. The total duration of the tomato harvest cycle was 131 days.

[0141] The installation of three different plastic films was carried out in the greenhouse before transplanting the tomato crops. Different plastic films were attached to the roofs of the respective cages so that each cage in the greenhouse was a different experimental treatment. There were six plants per experimental treatment (cage). The experimental treatments to be evaluated were distributed in the greenhouse, and then the blocks were distributed.

[0142] Throughout the test period, the temperature was continuously controlled using a cooling system. When the setpoint temperature of 26 °C was exceeded, the cooling system was activated by releasing air from the outside to the inside of the treatment, thereby enabling air exchange and temperature reduction.

[0143] Various parameters were measured at seven different time points during the development of the tomato crops.

[0144] In each measurement, six tomato plants of each treatment were evaluated. The parameters measured were as follows: basal diameter of the stem, plant length, number of developed leaves, number of flowers. The number of flowers was counted every two weeks for four consecutive months. Flower pollination was carried out by a manual flower vibration system.

[0145] The yield harvested in each episode of harvesting (during four harvesting episodes) was characterized by measuring the number of flowers in each experimental treatment. This characterization was carried out on each plant of the group of six plants per experimental treatment.

[0146] The results are reported in Table 1 below.

[0147]

Table 3

[0148] According to the present invention, by using a specific silicate in a greenhouse film, it appears possible to increase the development of plant flowers compared to a film that does not contain any silicate.

Claims

1. Use of silicate S1 in a greenhouse film for increasing the flower development of plants, said film comprising at least a matrix and silicate S1, said silicate S1 having (a) optical radiation having a first peak wavelength in the range of 400 nm to 500 nm, preferably 420 nm to 455 nm, and a second peak wavelength in the range of 550 nm to 700 nm, preferably 590 nm to 660 nm; and (b) at wavelengths greater than 440 nm, an absorption of 20% or less, preferably 15% or less, more preferably 10% or less, and preferably 5% or less. To indicate, use.

2. The silicate S1 has the formula (I): aMO.a'M'O.bM''O.b'M'''O.cSiO ２ (I) 2. The use according to claim 1, wherein M and M″ are selected from the group consisting of strontium, barium, calcium, zinc, magnesium or combinations thereof, and M′ and M′″ are selected from europium, manganese, praseodymium, gadolinium, yttrium, and 0.5<a≦3, 0.5<b≦3, 0<a′≦0.5, 0<b′≦0.5 and 1≦c≦2.

3. The silicate S1 has the formula (II): aBaO.xEuO.cMgO.yMnO.eSiO ２ (II) 3. The use according to claim 1 or 2, which is a compound of the formula: wherein 0<a≦3, 0<x≦0.5, 0<c≦1, 0<y≦0.5, and 0<e≦2.

4. The use according to claim 3, wherein in formula (II), 0.0001≦x≦0.4 and 0.0001≦y≦0.

4.

5. The use according to claim 3, wherein in formula (II), 0.01≦x≦0.35 and 0.04≦y≦0.

15.

6. The use according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein in formula (II) barium, magnesium and silicon are not replaced by elements other than europium and manganese.

7. The compound of formula (II) is Ba ２．７ EU ０．３ Mg ０．９ Mn ０．１ S ２ O ８ The use according to claim 3,

8. The compound of formula (II) is Ba ２．９４ EU ０．０６ Mg ０．９５ Mn ０．０５ S ２ O ８ The use according to claim 3,

9. The silicate S1 has the formula (III): Ba ３（１－ｘ－ｙ） Eu ３ｘ Pr ３ｙ MM １－ｚ Mn ｚ Si ２（１－３ｖ／２） M ３ｖ O ８ (III) 2. The use according to claim 1, which is a compound of the formula: wherein M is aluminum, gallium or boron, and 0<x≦0.3, 0<y≦0.1, 0<z≦0.3, 0≦v≦0.

1.

10. Use according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the amount of silicate S1 in the film is from 0.01 to 10% by weight, in particular from 0.1 to 5% by weight, relative to the total amount of the film.

11. Use according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said silicate S1 is in the form of solid particles having a diameter D50 between 1 μm and 50 μm, preferably between 2 μm and 10 μm.

12. Use according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said silicate S1 is in the form of solid particles having a size D50 of between 0.1 μm and 1.0 μm, preferably between 0.1 μm and 0.5 μm.

13. The use according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the matrix comprises at least one polymer or the matrix is ​​a polymer.

14. 14. Use according to claim 13, wherein the matrix is ​​based on a polymer selected from the group consisting of polyethylene and copolymers, such as low density polyethylene (LDPE), linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE), high density polyethylene (HDPE), polyethylene obtained by metallocene synthesis, ethyl-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA), ethylene butyl acrylate copolymer (EBA), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), (co)polyolefins, polyethylene-vinyl alcohol (EVOH), polycarbonate (PC), and mixtures and copolymers based on these (co)polymers.

15. The use according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the plant is selected in the group consisting of tomato, watermelon, chilli pepper, zucchini, cucumber, melon, strawberry, blueberry, raspberry and rose.

16. A film for increasing the flower development of a plant, comprising at least a matrix and a silicate S1, said silicate S1 comprising: (a) optical radiation having a first peak wavelength in the range of 400 nm to 500 nm, preferably 420 nm to 455 nm, and a second peak wavelength in the range of 550 nm to 700 nm, preferably 590 nm to 660 nm; and (b) at wavelengths greater than 440 nm, an absorption of 20% or less, preferably 15% or less, more preferably 10% or less, and preferably 5% or less. Showing, film.

17. Use of a film comprising at least a matrix and a silicate S1 in a greenhouse to increase the flower development of plants, said silicate S1 comprising: (a) optical radiation having a first peak wavelength in the range of 400 nm to 500 nm, preferably 420 nm to 455 nm, and a second peak wavelength in the range of 550 nm to 700 nm, preferably 590 nm to 660 nm; and (b) at wavelengths greater than 440 nm, an absorption of 20% or less, preferably 15% or less, more preferably 10% or less, and preferably 5% or less. To indicate, use.

18. A method for increasing the development of flowers in a plant, the development of the flowers being promoted by light radiation provided by a greenhouse film, the film comprising at least a matrix and a silicate S1, the silicate S1 being (a) optical radiation having a first peak wavelength in the range of 400 nm to 500 nm, preferably 420 nm to 455 nm, and a second peak wavelength in the range of 550 nm to 700 nm, preferably 590 nm to 660 nm; and (b) at wavelengths greater than 440 nm, an absorption of 20% or less, preferably 15% or less, more preferably 10% or less, and preferably 5% or less. Showing, a method.

19. A method for increasing the flower development of a plant, the plant being in a greenhouse comprising a greenhouse film, the film comprising at least a matrix and a silicate S1, the silicate S1 being (a) optical radiation having a first peak wavelength in the range of 400 nm to 500 nm, preferably 420 nm to 455 nm, and a second peak wavelength in the range of 550 nm to 700 nm, preferably 590 nm to 660 nm; and (b) at wavelengths greater than 440 nm, an absorption of 20% or less, preferably 15% or less, more preferably 10% or less, and preferably 5% or less. Showing, a method.

20. A method for preserving cut flowers, comprising inserting the cut stem ends of one or more flowers into a preservation container, optionally containing a preservative liquid, comprising at least a matrix and a film comprising silicate S1, said silicate S1 being: (a) optical radiation having a first peak wavelength in the range of 400 nm to 500 nm, preferably 420 nm to 455 nm, and a second peak wavelength in the range of 550 nm to 700 nm, preferably 590 nm to 660 nm; and (b) at wavelengths greater than 440 nm, an absorption of 20% or less, preferably 15% or less, more preferably 10% or less, and preferably 5% or less. Showing, a method.

21. A storage container comprising at least a matrix and a film comprising a silicate S1, said silicate S1 comprising: (a) optical radiation having a first peak wavelength in the range of 400 nm to 500 nm, preferably 420 nm to 455 nm, and a second peak wavelength in the range of 550 nm to 700 nm, preferably 590 nm to 660 nm; and (b) at wavelengths greater than 440 nm, an absorption of 20% or less, preferably 15% or less, more preferably 10% or less, and preferably 5% or less. Indicates a storage container.

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