Method for accelerating onion bulb enlargement

Abstract

To accelerate onion bulb enlargement.SOLUTION: A method for accelerating onion bulb enlargement includes foliar application of a foliar spraying fertilizer including zinc and a seaweed extract.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to the cultivation of onions. [Background technology]

[0002] Zinc is said to be necessary for the activity of over 300 enzymes in plants, and has been reported to be involved in the biosynthesis of the plant hormone auxin and in photosynthesis. In particular, carbonic anhydrase, one of the enzymes that requires zinc, converts gaseous carbon dioxide into a form that can dissolve in water. If zinc does not function, carbon dioxide cannot be absorbed, which greatly affects photosynthesis.

[0003] Because crops absorb most of their zinc from the soil through their roots, zinc deficiency is largely dependent on soil pH, type, and moisture. However, in modern Japanese agriculture, the relationship with soil phosphate plays a major role. Excessive accumulation of phosphate in field soils in Japan is a major issue, with 10% of Andosol soils reported to exceed 100 mg / 100 g and 40% of non-Andosol soils reported to exceed 75 mg / 100 g (Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, "Current Status and Issues of Agricultural Soils"). Because zinc binds with phosphate to form insoluble zinc phosphate and weakens the activity of VA mycorrhizal fungi, it is believed that crops in excess of phosphate have difficulty absorbing zinc and iron from the soil (Horst Marschner (2005) Mineral nutrition of higher plants; Takeshi Shimizu and JA Zennoh Fertilizer and Pesticides Department (2018) Dictionary of Elemental Disorders). Excessive accumulation of phosphate can have a negative impact on crop growth, so in tomato cultivation, for example, a soil concentration of Truoglyte phosphate of 100 mg / 100 g or more is described as a potential excess (Takii Seed Co., Ltd. website, "Pests and Diseases / Physiological Disorders," "Tomato," "Phosphate Excess"). On the other hand, it has been shown that low soil concentrations of available phosphate in onion cultivation result in low yields, with the highest yields occurring at concentrations of 80 to 130 mg / 100 g of Truoglic acid (Non-patent literature: Soma and Iwabuchi 1982. Effects of phosphate fertility and phosphate application on onion growth and yield. Bulletin of the Hokkaido Agricultural Experiment Station 47:47-56.). For this reason, phosphate application is encouraged, especially in onion cultivation. However, many growers apply phosphate without conducting soil analysis, resulting in many fields with excess phosphate. In such fields, zinc deficiency symptoms may be observed, and even if deficiency symptoms are not apparent, yields may plateau, which is thought to be due in part to insufficient zinc absorption. In such cases, it is thought that an effective measure would be to supply zinc by foliar spraying without passing it through the soil. Patent Document 1 reports that the absorption efficiency of soybeans is higher when applied by foliar spraying than when applied by soil application, and that this efficiency is further increased by adding seaweed extract. Therefore, the inventors discovered that foliar application of zinc to onions grown in soils with excessive phosphorus can promote bulb growth, and that the effect can be enhanced by simultaneously applying zinc and seaweed extract.Furthermore, the inventors discovered that the effect is even greater when the soil has an excess of phosphorus. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 5022702 [Patent Document 2] Soma and Iwabuchi, 1982. Effects of phosphorus fertility and phosphorus application on growth and yield of onion. Bulletin of Hokkaido Agricultural Experiment Station, 47:47-56. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] An object of the present invention is to promote the thickening of onion bulbs. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present inventors have intensively investigated methods for solving the above problems and have discovered that foliar spraying of a fertilizer for foliar spraying containing zinc and a seaweed extract promotes the growth of onion stems and leaves and promotes the thickening of onion bulbs. The method according to the invention is then as follows. 1. A method for promoting onion bulb growth by spraying a foliar fertilizer containing zinc and seaweed extract onto the leaves of onions. 2. The method for promoting onion bulb thickening according to 1, wherein the seaweed extract is an extract of seaweed from the Laminariales and / or Fucales order. 3. The method for promoting onion bulb thickening according to 1 or 2, which is carried out on onions grown in soil containing an excess of phosphorus. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, by foliar spraying a fertilizer for foliar spray containing zinc and seaweed extract, it is possible to promote bulb thickening of onion, a member of the Liliaceae family. Furthermore, the effect is greater when the soil in which onions are grown contains excessive amounts of phosphorus. Onion bulb thickening refers to an increase in diameter or weight. The method for promoting onion bulb thickening of the present invention is more efficient, more economical, and less environmentally hazardous than applying zinc to the soil. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] Graph showing the results of Example 1. [Figure 2] In Experiment 2, the results when 0g of superphosphate was mixed are shown. [Figure 3] In Experiment 2, the results when 1g of superphosphate was mixed are shown. [Figure 4] In Experiment 2, the results when 3g of superphosphate was mixed are shown. [Figure 5] In Experiment 2, the results when 10g of superphosphate was mixed are shown. [Figure 6]In Experiment 2, the results when 30g of superphosphate was mixed are shown. [Figure 7] In Experiment 2, from the left, 0g, 1g, 3g, 10g, and 30g of superphosphate were mixed, and the results are shown for when no foliar fertilizer was applied. [Figure 8] In Experiment 2, from the left, 0g, 1g, 3g, 10g, and 30g of superphosphate were mixed and the results are shown for foliar fertilizer applied using the method of Experiment 2 above. [Figure 9] Graph showing the results of Experiment 4. [Figure 10] Graph showing the results of Experiment 5. [Figure 11] Graph showing the results of Experiment 5. [Figure 12] Graph showing the results of Experiment 6. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] [Seaweed extract] As seaweeds as a raw material for the seaweed extract used in the method for promoting onion bulb thickening of the present invention, brown algae are preferred, with Laminariales and Fucales being particularly preferred. The families of Psammophilaceae and Fucales are even more preferred. Ainu wakame (Alaria praelonga) and Ascophyllum nodosum are the most preferred. Seaweed extracts are extracts obtained by acid hydrolysis and can be prepared, for example, as follows: An acid such as dilute sulfuric acid or dilute hydrochloric acid is added to the seaweed material, and the mixture is heated to 60°C or higher, preferably boiling temperature, to carry out hydrolysis. In this case, sulfuric acid is preferably used. The concentration of the acid, such as dilute sulfuric acid or dilute hydrochloric acid, is preferably 0.5 to 2N. A higher heating temperature is preferred, as it increases the decomposition rate. The pH is adjusted by adding an appropriate amount of alkali to the obtained hydrolyzate, and the solids are then removed by centrifugation or filtration to obtain the seaweed extract. To obtain a suitable fertilizer for foliar application, zinc can be added to the seaweed extract itself or to a diluted solution. The resulting seaweed extract may be used as an aqueous solution for foliar spray. Alternatively, the concentration of the seaweed extract may be adjusted by removing water from the seaweed extract or by adding more water. Alternatively, the seaweed extract in aqueous solution may be dried.

[0010] It is preferable to dry the seaweed extract in order to adjust the concentration of the seaweed extract in the foliar fertilizer and to facilitate foliar application. The content of the dried seaweed extract in the foliar fertilizer is arbitrary, but is preferably 0.1% by weight or more, more preferably 1.0% by weight or more, and even more preferably 3.0% by weight or more. It is also preferably 20.0% by weight or less, more preferably 10.0% by weight or less, and even more preferably 5.0% by weight or less.

[0011] [zinc] The zinc contained in the foliar fertilizer of the present invention must be derived from a water-soluble zinc compound that can be made to the required concentration. Such zinc compounds are not particularly limited, but examples thereof include zinc sulfate, zinc chloride, zinc nitrate, zinc formate, zinc acetate, chelates such as zinc EDTA, etc. Furthermore, zinc sulfate is particularly preferred in terms of the transferability of zinc to onions after foliar spraying. The concentration of zinc is not limited as long as the effect of using zinc in combination in the present invention is exhibited, but it is preferable that the fertilizer for foliar application of the present invention contains zinc in an amount of 0.01% by weight or more, and preferably 2.0% by weight or less.

[0012] [Other ingredients that foliar fertilizers may contain] The foliar fertilizer of the present invention may contain, in addition to the seaweed extract and zinc described above, a spreading agent, a surfactant, a foliar fertilizer, and other ingredients.

[0013] (Spreading agent, surfactant) To enhance adhesion to the foliar surface and pod-bearing areas, it is preferable to add a spreader and surfactant commonly used in agriculture to the foliar fertilizer of the present invention. There are no particular limitations on the spreader and surfactant used, but nonionic, anionic, cationic, and amphoteric surfactants can be used. Examples include polyoxyethylene alkyl ethers, polyoxyethylene alkylaryl ethers, polyoxyethylene fatty acid esters, sorbitan fatty acid esters, polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid esters, oxyethylene polymers, oxypropylene polymers, polyoxyethylene alkyl phosphates, fatty acid salts, alkyl sulfates, alkyl sulfonates, alkylaryl sulfonates, alkyl phosphates, alkyl phosphate salts, polyoxyethylene alkyl sulfates, quaternary ammonium salts, oxyalkylamines, lecithin, and saponin. Gelatin, casein, starch, agar, polyvinyl alcohol, sodium alginate, and the like can also be used as adjuvants, if necessary.

[0014] (Fertilizer for foliar spraying) The foliar fertilizer of the present invention may or may not contain a foliar fertilizer commonly used in agriculture. There are no particular restrictions on the foliar fertilizer, but fertilizers that are alkaline after dissolution are not preferred because zinc will precipitate as a salt. Preferred foliar fertilizers include urea, ammonium phosphate, ammonium chloride, ammonium sulfate, phosphoric acid, and pyrophosphate. The addition of urea is particularly preferred, as it can increase zinc absorption (Mortvedt and Gilkes 1993. Zinc fertilizer. "Zinc in soils and plants," Kluwer Academic Publishers). Instead of incorporating the fertilizer for foliar spray into the fertilizer for foliar spray as described above, the fertilizer for foliar spray may be sprayed on the leaves simultaneously with the foliar spray of the fertilizer for foliar spray and / or immediately before or after the foliar spray of the fertilizer for foliar spray.

[0015] (foliar spray) The best time to apply foliar fertilizer is from the 3-leaf stage to the thickening stage, especially from the 5-leaf stage to the early stages of thickening. The total number of applications during the crop growth period is preferably 2 to 7 times. [Phosphate concentration in the soil where onions are grown] There is no particular limitation on the phosphate concentration in the soil of an onion cultivation field to which the above-mentioned fertilizer for foliar application is to be applied. The soil is preferably excessively phosphate-rich, and specifically, the additional phosphate concentration as analyzed by the Truogue method described in the soil analysis method below is preferably 50 mg / 100 g or more, and more preferably 80 mg / 100 g or more. (See agricultural environmental conservation agriculture-related information, prefectural fertilization standards, etc., soil and crop nutrition diagnostic manual, 1 soil analysis method (https: / / www.maff.go.jp / j / seisan / kankyo / hozen_type / h_sehi_kizyun / attach / pdf / ibaraki01-4.pdf)) [Example]

[0016] The effects of the present invention will be explained more specifically below with reference to test examples and working examples. (Production Example 1) (Foliar fertilizer concentrate 1) Dried Ainu wakame (Alaria praelonga) was shredded with scissors into 5cm cubes. 2,550mL of 1N sulfuric acid was added to 450g of these shredded pieces and boiled with stirring for 2 hours. The resulting liquid was cooled by placing the container in crushed ice and then centrifuged at 8,000G for 60 minutes. 1.5L of the resulting supernatant was diluted with 1L of water. Zinc sulfate was added to this to make it contain 10.8% zinc by weight, and this was used as the Ainu wakame extract-containing zinc solution, the foliar fertilizer concentrate 1.

[0017] (Production Example 2) (Foliar fertilizer concentrate 2) 2 kg of Ascophyllum nodosum (Nishi-Koh Kelp Powder, Nishinippon Enzyme Co., Ltd.) was placed in 100 L of water, and sulfuric acid was added to adjust the pH to 1.0 or less. This was left to stand for two weeks to separate, and 50 L of supernatant was obtained. Zinc sulfate was added to this to make the zinc content 10.8%, and this was used as a kelp extract-containing zinc solution, which was used as fertilizer concentrate 2 for foliar application.

[0018] (Experiment 1) Verification of the effects of a zinc solution containing seaweed extract on onions (held at Snow Brand Seed Co., Ltd.'s Hokkaido Research Farm (Naganuma-cho, Yubari-gun), the same location for all subsequent experiments) (Test Method) (Example 1) Onion seedlings (variety: Kitamomiji 2000) that had been raised in a greenhouse for 55 days were planted on April 25th. Fertilization was carried out with 16 kg / 1000 m of nitrogen. 2 , phosphorus 20kg / 1000m 2 , Kari 16kg / 1000m 2 The rows were spaced 0.3 m apart and the plants were spaced 0.12 m apart. On June 23 and July 10, a kelp extract-containing zinc solution, which is the fertilizer concentrate 2 for foliar application shown in Production Example 2, was diluted 500 times by volume and applied in an amount of 100 L / 1000 ml. 2 It was sprayed. (Control) A zinc sulfate solution containing zinc sulfate was sprayed in the same manner so that the zinc content was 10.8%. The plants were harvested on August 21st, and the weights of 16 plants in each plot were measured. Two to three replicates were performed. (Untreated area) An untreated area was set up where only water was sprayed.

[0019] (result) As shown in Figure 1, the weight of the harvested onions in the control plot sprayed with zinc sulfate solution increased by 9% compared to the untreated plot. The weight of the harvested onions in the plot sprayed with the zinc solution containing kelp extract (Example 1) increased by 12%. This means that foliar spraying of onions with zinc sulfate promotes their growth, and that the inclusion of kelp extract further enhances this effect.

[0020] (Experiment 2) Effect of seaweed extract-containing zinc solution on onion growth under phosphate-rich conditions (Test Method) Pots with a diameter of 9 cm were filled with culture soil (Sukusuku Club 30 (Snow Brand Seed Co., Ltd.)), and three plots were prepared per pot, each containing 0 g, 1 g, 3 g, 10 g, or 30 g of superphosphate. Three onion seeds (variety: Kitamomiji 2000) were sown per pot, and the plants were grown in a glass greenhouse. Starting 60 days after sowing, a 500-fold volumetric dilution of the Ainu wakame extract-containing zinc solution, foliar fertilizer concentrate 1, was sprayed five times once a week as foliar fertilizer. At this time, Approach BI (Maruwa Biochemical Co., Ltd.), a spreading agent, was added to the diluted solution at a volume of 1 / 1000. Growth was observed over time. The results are shown in the three pots on the right side of Figures 2 to 6, respectively. The results when no foliar fertilizer was sprayed are shown in the three pots on the left side of Figures 2 to 6, respectively. In addition, starting 60 days after sowing, a 500-fold volume dilution of the Ainu wakame extract-containing zinc solution, concentrate solution 1 for foliar spray fertilizer, was sprayed eight times once a week as a foliar fertilizer. The results are shown in Figure 8, and the results without spraying are shown in Figure 7.

[0021] (result) Figure 2 shows the results when 0g of superphosphate was mixed. The three pots on the left are the unsprayed area, and the three pots on the right are the area where foliar fertilizer was sprayed five times. Figure 3 shows the results when 1g of superphosphate was mixed in. The three pots on the left are the unsprayed area, and the three pots on the right are the area where foliar fertilizer was sprayed five times. Figure 4 shows the results when 3g of superphosphate was mixed in. The three pots on the left are the unsprayed area, and the three pots on the right are the area where foliar fertilizer was sprayed five times. Figure 5 shows the results when 10g of superphosphate was mixed in. The three pots on the left are the unsprayed area, and the three pots on the right are the area where foliar fertilizer was sprayed five times. Figure 6 shows the results when 30g of superphosphate was mixed in. The three pots on the left are the unsprayed area, and the three pots on the right are the area where foliar fertilizer was sprayed five times. Figure 7 shows the results when 0g, 1g, 3g, 10g, and 30g of superphosphate were mixed from the left, and no foliar fertilizer was applied. Figure 8 shows the results when, from the left, 0 g, 1 g, 3 g, 10 g, and 30 g of superphosphate were mixed and the foliar fertilizer was sprayed eight times using the method in Experiment 2 above.

[0022] (Summary of Experiment 2 results) In the phosphoric acid (superphosphate) plot, growth clearly improved up to 10g of superphosphate, but not at 30g. On the other hand, up to 10g of superphosphate, it was clearly confirmed that spraying a zinc solution containing Ainu wakame seaweed improved growth. Furthermore, in the plot with 30g of superphosphate, wilting symptoms occurred at the leaf tips, but this was minor in the plot sprayed with a zinc solution containing Ainu wakame seaweed extract. This indicates that heavy phosphate fertilization causes zinc deficiency, which can be compensated for by foliar spraying of a zinc solution containing Ainu wakame seaweed extract. Improved growth of stems and leaves means the enhancement of photosynthetic organs, which naturally leads to bulb enlargement.

[0023] (Experiment 3) Onion continuous crop field test (Test Method) On June 6th and July 7th, 100L / 1000ml of a 500-fold diluted solution of zinc solution containing Ainu wakame extract was applied to onions grown in a continuous onion crop field in Kitami City, Hokkaido. 2 The test was repeated 6 times. Similarly, tests were also conducted on untreated onions that had not been sprayed. On August 11, 90 plants (15 plants x 6 replicates) with moderate growth were sampled and the weight of the bulbs was investigated according to the diameter of the bulb. The standards were LL: 9 cm or more, L: 8 cm to less than 9 cm, L: 7 cm to less than 8 cm, M: 6 cm to less than 7 cm, and S: 5 cm to less than 6 cm.

[0024] (result) In the treated area, the number of LL-grade pieces increased, while the number of S-grade and M-grade pieces decreased. In addition, the total weight in the treated area was 117% of that in the untreated area. As shown in Table 1 below, for the onions in the untreated plot, S standard onions were 5 onions / 6=0.83 onions, with a total weight of 83.3g, M standard onions were 7 onions / 6=1.17 onions, with a total weight of 160.8g, L standard onions were 35 onions / 6=5.83 onions, with a total weight of 1177.5g, L-large standard onions were 32 onions / 6=5.33 onions, with a total weight of 1427.5g, and LL standard onions were 11 onions / 6=1.83 onions, with a total weight of 623.3g. Similarly, for the onions in the treatment plots, the S standard was 1 onion / 6=0.17 onions, for a total of 16.7g of S standard onions, and the M standard was 0 onions, the L standard was 19 onions / 6=3.17 onions, for a total of 700.8g of L standard onions, the L-large standard was 35 onions / 6=5.83 onions, for a total of 1546.7g of L-large standard onions, and the LL standard was 34 onions / 6=5.67 onions, for a total of 1690.0g of LL standard onions. The results showed that the onions in the treatment group according to the present invention had a higher proportion of larger bulbs than those in the untreated group. In other words, it can be said that the onion bulbs were enlarged according to the present invention.

[0025] [Table 1]

[0026] (Experiment 4) A comparative study of diluted fertilizer concentrate 1 for foliar spray (zinc solution containing Ainu wakame extract) and diluted fertilizer concentrate 2 for foliar spray (zinc solution containing kelp extract) (Test Method) At a farmer's field in Naganuma-cho, Yubari-gun, Hokkaido, 100L / 1000ml of 500-fold diluted solution of foliar spray fertilizer concentrate 1 (zinc solution containing Ainu wakame extract) and foliar spray fertilizer concentrate 2 (zinc solution containing kelp extract) was applied. 2 The product was sprayed onto the leaves. Spraying was carried out twice, from the 3-6 leaf stage until the early stage of growth. At each harvest time, 30 plants per plot were sampled from three plots. After air-drying and removing the stems, leaves, and roots, the plants were weighed and converted into yield per 10 ares. (result) As shown in Figure 9, compared to the untreated area, the area sprayed with diluted fertilizer concentrate for foliar spray (zinc solution containing Ainu wakame extract) showed an increase of 107%. Similarly, the area sprayed with diluted fertilizer concentrate for foliar spray (zinc solution containing kelp extract) also showed an increase of 112%. All seaweed extracts were effective, with kelp extract being the most effective.

[0027] (Experiment 5) (Test Method) In a production field in Hokkaido, 100L / 1000ml of a 500-fold diluted solution (zinc solution containing Ainu wakame extract) of fertilizer concentrate for foliar spraying was applied to onions. 2 The product was sprayed onto the leaves. Spraying was carried out twice between the 3-6 leaf stage and the early stage of growth. At each harvest time, 30 plants per plot were sampled from three plots. After air drying and removing the stems, leaves, and roots, the weights were measured according to the standard. The test was carried out 25 times, varying the time (year) and test location. The results are shown in Figure 10. (result) In 17 of the 25 tests, the yield was higher in the area sprayed with the Ainu wakame-containing zinc solution than in the untreated area. As shown in Figure 11, the average yield across the 25 tests was 5.87 t / 10a in the untreated area and 6.19 t / 10a in the area sprayed with the Ainu wakame-containing zinc solution, a yield of 105% of the comparison. Although no clear symptoms of zinc deficiency were observed in many of the test fields, the fact that there was potential for increased yields through spraying a zinc solution containing Ainu wakame extract suggests that there may be underlying zinc deficiency.

[0028] (Experiment 6) Verification of zinc application methods for onion under phosphate excess conditions (Test Method) Pots measuring 10.5 cm in diameter were filled with a mixture of 75 g of superphosphate per 1 L of potting soil (Sukusuku Club 30 (Snow Brand Seed Co., Ltd.)). Onion seedlings were transplanted into the pots after 60 days of cultivation, and zinc was applied as indicated in the table. For soil application plot (2), zinc sulfate heptahydrate was mixed into the soil at the time of planting. For foliar spray plots (3–5), a spray solution of various agents, including foliar fertilizer containing zinc and seaweed extract, was applied four times every week starting one week after transplanting (at the four-leaf stage). Approach BI (Maruwa Biochemical Co., Ltd.) was added as a wetting agent at a volume of 1 / 1000 of the spray solution. For foliar spray plot (5), a dimandisen wettable powder (80% mancozeb) was sprayed at the specified dilution. Four replicates were performed. After planting, the plants were grown in a greenhouse for three months, and then the stems and leaves were dried and the zinc content in the stems and leaves was measured. The results are shown in Figure 12. The values ​​on the horizontal axis in Figure 12 correspond to the values ​​for the application and spray areas in Table 2. (result) The zinc content is shown as the average value of four plants. The highest content was in plot 3, where the zinc solution containing kelp extract was sprayed onto the leaves.

[0029] [Table 2]

Claims

1. A method for promoting onion bulb growth by spraying a foliar fertilizer containing zinc and seaweed extract onto the leaves of onions.

2. 2. The method for promoting onion bulb thickening according to claim 1, wherein the seaweed extract is an extract of seaweed belonging to the Laminariales and / or Fucales order.

3. 2. The method for promoting onion bulb thickening according to claim 1, wherein the method is carried out on onions grown in soil containing an excess of phosphoric acid.

Images