Compositions, systems and methods for improving plant quality

Abstract

In some embodiments, the composition comprises a nitrogen fertilizer, a reactive oxygen species, and a reactive oxygen species inducer. The effective amount of reactive oxygen species is an amount sufficient to increase reactive oxygen species in a plant and induce an increase in the efficiency of nitrogen uptake by the plant and an increase in the efficiency of nitrogen utilization in the plant. In some embodiments, the reactive oxygen species inducer is a black walnut extract. In some embodiments, the reactive oxygen species inducer is hydrogen peroxide.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] [CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS] This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 415,867, filed October 13, 2022, which is a continuation of U.S. Application No. 18 / 483,463, filed October 9, 2023, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. [Background technology]

[0002] Modern farming practices involve the use of additives in the form of fertilizers, insecticides, herbicides, biostimulants, etc. to nourish plants, control harmful insects or other pests, control weeds or other harmful or resource-competing plants, and for other reasons. Many farming practices involve providing nutrients to plants in the form of fertilizers. One such nutrient is nitrogen. Nitrogen is an important element for all plants, contributing to the production of DNA, proteins, and chlorophyll. A crop or series of crops can deplete nitrogen levels in the soil, as well as leaching into the environment. To restore nitrogen levels, farmers use nitrogen fertilizers or apply nitrogen to the soil. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The present disclosure generally relates to compositions, systems, and methods for improving plant quality based on the application of an aqueous solution containing reactive oxygen species and a reactive oxygen species inducer. In some embodiments, the composition comprises a reactive oxygen species and a reactive oxygen species inducer. An effective amount of the reactive oxygen species and inducer is an amount sufficient to increase the reactive oxygen species in a plant to induce nitrogen uptake efficiency by the plant and nitrogen utilization efficiency in the plant. In some embodiments, the reactive oxygen species and inducer are an aqueous solution of soluble carbon molecules and black walnut extract. In some embodiments, the reactive oxygen species and inducer are hydroxyl, singlet oxygen, or any of the nine peroxides.

[0004] This Summary is provided to introduce some concepts that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended for use as an aid in limiting the scope of the claimed subject matter.

[0005] Additional features and advantages of embodiments of the present disclosure will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by the practice of such embodiments. The features and advantages of such embodiments will be realized and obtained by means of the instruments and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0006] To explain the manner in which the above-mentioned and other features of the present disclosure can be obtained, a more particular description will be made by reference to specific embodiments thereof, which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. For better understanding, like elements have been designated with like reference numerals throughout the various accompanying views. While some of the drawings may depict concepts in a schematic or exaggerated manner, at least some of the drawings are drawn to scale. With the understanding that the drawings depict several exemplary embodiments, the embodiments will be described with additional specificity and detail using the accompanying drawings. [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a representative diagram of a nitrogen uptake system, according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] 1 is a flowchart of a method for enhancing plant quality according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The present disclosure generally relates to compositions, systems, and methods for maintaining plant biomass while reducing plant-available nitrogen based on the application of reactive oxygen species inducers. The maintained biomass can be based on improved nutrient uptake efficiency and / or improved nutrient utilization efficiency in crops. Plant biomass is often associated with plant nutrient (including nitrogen) uptake. Increasing plant nutrient uptake efficiency requires affecting root morphology, root physiology, and root microorganisms. For example, plants with improved nutrient uptake efficiency absorb more nitrogen and other nutrients from soil and / or water through their roots, and plants with improved nutrient utilization efficiency have better nutrient movement within and throughout the plant.

[0008] During agricultural operations, crops can reduce or deplete nutrients in the soil. For example, crops can reduce or deplete the level or concentration of plant-available nitrogen (e.g., nitrate (NO3), ammonium (NH4)) in the soil. This results in less nutrient uptake by future and successive crops, thereby reducing the plant biomass or quality of the successive crops. Nutrients in the soil can be replenished in natural ways. For example, available nitrogen levels in the soil can be increased through the process of fixing free nitrogen from the atmosphere. Nitrogen fixation can involve many processes and / or organisms, including nitrogen-fixing bacteria, nitrifying bacteria, nitrogen-fixing plants, other organisms, and combinations thereof.

[0009] In some situations, farmers can increase the level of nutrients in the soil by adding and / or applying nutrients to the soil. For example, farmers may increase the available nitrogen level in the soil by applying nitrogen to the soil. The concentration and application rate of nitrogen fertilizer are determined based on the crop being planted, its associated nitrogen uptake rate, soil characteristics, and other factors. Additionally, soil research laboratories and university extension services can provide localized recommendations for nitrogen inputs based on crop and environmental conditions. It is rare for any organization to issue a recommendation that justifies a 5% reduction in the application of macronutrients, including nitrogen. In fact, university extension services have found that a 50% reduction in the recommended rate of nitrogen fertilizer can result in a 30% to 40% reduction in crop yield. Following these recommendations, farmers and other producers typically apply the maximum recommended amount of nitrogen fertilizer to avoid a reduction in crop yield. An example of a university extension service is the University of California, Davis (UC Davis) Extension. U.S. Davis Extension fertilization guidelines can be found online at www.cdfa.ca.gov / is / ffldrs / frep / FertilizationGuidelines / .

[0010] Traditionally, a 50% assimilation rate of applied nitrogen has been considered optimal. Unabsorbed nitrogen (e.g., the remaining 50%) can volatilize into the atmosphere as greenhouse gases and / or leach from the soil into groundwater as a pollutant. Traditionally, attempts to increase plant nitrogen uptake have often involved applying excess nitrogen fertilizer to the soil without increasing nitrogen uptake. Excess nitrogen interferes with plant signaling pathways and is toxic to other plants and crops. In some situations, excess nitrogen can be washed into adjacent areas. For example, rain, wind, or other transport mechanisms can move excess nitrogen into adjacent areas. These adjacent areas can include other fields, streams, ponds, lakes, oceans, other adjacent areas, and combinations thereof. As a result, nitrogen accumulates in these areas and can become toxic to plants, animals, and other organisms, a condition known as eutrophication. Farmers have long attempted to find mechanisms to reduce nitrogen application to crops while maintaining plant biomass, but with limited or no success. In accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, the techniques described herein can be utilized to reduce the amount of nitrogen applied to soil. As used herein in one or more described embodiments and empirical testing, 100% nitrogen application represents the most common agronomic recommendation for a particular crop and the region in which it is grown. Similarly, any reduction in nitrogen identified is a reduction from the most common agronomic recommendation for that crop and region.

[0011] Reactive oxygen species (ROS, "active oxygen species") Oxygen (oxygen) can damage plants. There are more than a dozen positive benefits that ROS provide to plants in the balance between ROS production and consumption. In some embodiments, soluble carbon molecules bound to ROS in black walnuts help maintain this balance. Increasing ROS levels in plants can induce regulation of cell growth, cell cycles including programmed cell death, tissue development, and responses to biotic and abiotic stress. It is hypothesized that the properties of ROS as signaling molecules create signaling pathways that allow plants to adequately absorb nutrients from nitrogen-containing soils. This could be the result of one or more of the following: increased nitrogen uptake efficiency, improved nitrogen availability within the plant that affects nitrogen metabolism, changes in the activity of soil microorganisms that prepare or fix nitrogen for plant uptake, other processes, or a combination thereof. While not all mechanisms are fully understood, improved nutrient uptake efficiency is ultimately achieved by reducing the proportion of nitrogen supplied to the plant, thereby maintaining, if not improving, plant growth and reproductive function. Application of ROS inducers can increase plant nutrient uptake efficiency and maintain plant biomass.

[0012] In accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, ROS and / or ROS inducers can induce an ROS response in plants due to their chemical nature of having at least one unpaired electron, which can rapidly react with other molecules to increase ROS within the plant.

[0013] According to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, an ROS inducer can increase the efficiency of nutrient uptake in crops by increasing ROS in plants. Some basic components of ROS include superoxide, hydrogen peroxide, hydroxyl radical, and singlet oxygen. Because ROS are free radicals and highly reactive, application of ROS is expected to directly increase and indirectly stimulate the concentration of reactive oxygen species in plants. This can result in increased nutrient uptake efficiency, including increased nitrogen uptake by plants.

[0014] In accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, application of an ROS inducer to crops can increase nitrogen uptake efficiency and nitrogen use efficiency, even with reduced nitrogen application rates. Experimental results provided herein demonstrate that when an ROS inducer is applied together with nitrogen fertilizer, nitrogen uptake efficiency is improved while maintaining harvest weight. Experimental results further demonstrate that when an ROS inducer is applied with a reduced amount of nitrogen fertilizer, nitrogen uptake and use efficiency is increased and harvest biomass is maintained. It is hypothesized that a synergistic relationship exists between ROS, ROS inducers, and the plant's nutrient uptake system, allowing nutrient uptake efficiency to be increased even with reduced applied nutrients. It is also hypothesized that a synergistic relationship exists between ROS inducers and the plant's nutrient uptake system, allowing nitrogen uptake and use efficiency to be increased even with reduced nitrogen application rates (i.e., reduced nitrogen fertilizer application rates).

[0015] According to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, ROS and / or ROS inducers can help improve the overall health of the soil. For example, during application of ROS and / or ROS inducers, the ROS and / or ROS inducers can help increase microbial activity in the soil, thereby promoting improved soil health. In some embodiments, the ROS and / or ROS inducers can help increase soil nitrogen fixation by free-fixing nitrogen organisms. Thus, the ROS and / or ROS inducers can help improve nitrogen utilization and / or nitrogen efficiency by improving the soil conditions in which plants are planted.

[0016] This disclosure utilizes various terms to describe the features and advantages of an efficient nitrogen uptake system. Further details regarding the meaning of such terms are provided herein. For example, as used herein, the term "plant quality" refers to one or more metrics used to determine the health or value of a plant or crop. In some embodiments, plant quality is a quantifiable indicator. For example, plant quality may be quantified using one or more plant quality parameters. Plant quality parameters may include chlorophyll measurements by spud meter (e.g., the transmittance of red and / or infrared light through leaves), verdure (a measure of green color), vigor (e.g., how large and fast a plant grows), canopy (e.g., the crown coverage of a plant), days to germination, days to emergence, germination rate, survival rate, disease prevalence, root development, other plant quality parameters, and combinations thereof. In some embodiments, plant quality refers to a single plant quality parameter. In some embodiments, plant quality refers to a combination of two or more plant quality parameters.

[0017] The term "plant biomass" includes plant weight, aboveground biomass (wet and dry), belowground biomass (wet and dry), harvest weight, yield, and harvestability. In some embodiments, harvest weight may refer to the weight of the harvested crop. Harvest weight may be based on criteria such as weight per unit (e.g., weight per fruit, berry, grain, stalk), weight per field (e.g., weight per acre), weight per plant (e.g., weight per tree, stalk, shrub), any other criteria, and combinations thereof. In some embodiments, yield may refer to the volume of the harvested crop. Yield may be based on criteria such as yield per field (e.g., bushels per acre), yield per plant (e.g., bushels per tree, stalk, shrub), any other criteria, and combinations thereof. "Harvestability" may refer to the ability or capacity to be harvested. For example, harvestability may refer to whether a crop will mature during the growing season. In some instances, harvestability may refer to whether (or the percentage of) the crop is damaged at harvest.

[0018] As used herein, "nitrogen fertilizer" includes any fertilizer that contains nitrogen. Nitrogen fertilizers can include any type of nitrogen. In some embodiments, nitrogen fertilizers can include any fixed form of nitrogen. In some embodiments, nitrogen fertilizers include natural ammonia (NH), synthetic ammonia (NH), anhydrous ammonia (NH), nitric acid (HNO), ammonium (NH4 + ), ammonium nitrate (NH4NO3), urea (CO(NH2)2), nitrate (NO3 -), any other type of nitrogen, and combinations thereof. Nitrogen fertilizers may be applied to crops in any form, such as solid, liquid, gas, injection into the soil, other application forms, and combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the nitrogen fertilizer may be a pre-packaged nitrogen fertilizer having a known composition and concentration of nitrogen. Such nitrogen fertilizers may include CAN ("calcium-nitrogen or calcium ammonium nitrate") 17 (e.g., 17-0-0) or other types of nitrogen fertilizers.

[0019] As used herein, reactive oxygen species (ROS) include reactive chemicals formed from elemental oxygen (e.g., O) that can be a source of oxygenated radicals. ROS are often referred to as "activated oxygen species." ROS are a group of reactive oxygen species, where R is a branched or unbranched alkane, alkene, or alkyne containing 1 to 12 carbon atoms, and Ar is an aromatic ring, usually containing 6 carbon atoms, or a combination of such rings, that can be used to generate other reactive or activated oxygen species, and combinations thereof, such as peracetic acid (CH3CO3H), hydroxyl radical (OH), singlet oxygen ( 1 O2), α-oxygen (α-O), sodium peroxide (Na2O2), potassium oxide (K2O), potassium peroxide (KO2), calcium peroxide (CaO2), urea peroxide (hydrogen peroxide-urea, CH6N2O3), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), hydroperoxide (ROOX), peroxide (ROOR), and superoxide (O2 - In some embodiments, the ROS may include one or more of: natural ROS, or ROS prepared or extracted from plant or animal sources. ROS levels in plants refer to the level or concentration of ROS or ROS in the plant.

[0020] As used herein, the term "nutrient" refers to any substance beneficial to the growth of plants and related crops. Nutrients can be chemicals, ions, compounds, elements, other substances, and combinations thereof. Examples of nutrients for plants include nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), sulfur (S), other nutrients, and combinations thereof. Nutrients can include chemical compounds and / or ions of elements.

[0021] As used herein, the term "ROS response" refers to a plant's response based on increased ROS or reactive oxygen species levels in the plant. As described in detail herein, increased ROS levels are associated with increased nutrient uptake efficiency. In some instances, a ROS response can directly increase the efficiency of nitrogen uptake by and nitrogen utilization in the plant, or indirectly through a cascade effect. For example, a ROS response can induce or permit biological functions such as chemical reactions, metabolic pathways, or other activities in the plant's cells and / or macrostructures that increase the efficiency of nutrient uptake in the plant.

[0022] As used herein, the term "ROS inducer" refers to a substance that induces a ROS response in a plant. A ROS inducer can include any material, compound, molecule, composition, mixture, extract, or other material that induces a ROS response in a plant. For example, a ROS inducer can include a composition that induces a ROS response when absorbed by a plant. In some examples, a ROS inducer can include ROS. In some examples, ROS can include any other composition, such as naphthoquinone and / or naphthoquinone derivatives, as discussed in more detail herein. In some embodiments, a ROS inducer can include any combination of materials, including naphthoquinone, naphthoquinone derivatives, ROS, any other ROS or ROS inducers, and combinations thereof. As used herein, unless otherwise specified, reference to a ROS inducer can include ROS inducers, signaling molecules, ROS, or other molecules or compounds used to generate a ROS response. In some embodiments, a ROS inducer can signal a plant to produce protective compounds, such as antioxidants. The production of these protective compounds can lead to improved nutrient efficiency and / or utilization, including improved nitrogen efficiency and / or utilization.

[0023] As used herein, the term "efficiency" relates to nutrient usage relative to the amount of nutrient applied to a particular plant. For example, high efficiency can result in high utilization of the nutrient by the plant. In some instances, high efficiency can result in high uptake of the nutrient by the plant.

[0024] The terms "nutrient uptake" or "nutrient uptake efficiency" are used herein to describe the mechanism by which plant biomass is hypothesized to be maintained. While the exact mechanism is still unknown, it is hypothesized that increased nutrient uptake efficiency in plants is involved in the maintenance of plant biomass as detailed herein. Such increased nutrient utilization efficiency may result in increased nutrient uptake, increased nutrient uptake efficiency, increased root mass, increased root activity, other nutrient uptake mechanisms, and combinations thereof, without limiting the present disclosure.

[0025] As a specific example of nutrient uptake and nutrient uptake efficiency, the terms "nitrogen uptake" or "nitrogen uptake efficiency" are used to describe the mechanism by which plant biomass is hypothesized to be maintained. Although the exact mechanism is still unknown, it is hypothesized that increased nitrogen uptake efficiency in plants is involved in the maintenance of plant biomass as discussed herein. Such increased nitrogen use efficiency may result in increased nitrogen uptake, increased nitrogen uptake efficiency, increased root mass, increased root activity, other nitrogen uptake mechanisms, and combinations thereof, without limiting the present disclosure.

[0026] The term "nutrient utilization efficiency" is used herein to describe the movement of nutrients within a plant. Nutrient utilization within a plant refers to increased physiological efficiency and improved transport of nutrients and other solutes within tissues and between cells, particularly their reimmobilization throughout the plant. Increased nutrient utilization efficiency affects both plant biomass and plant quality parameters. With regard to plant quality parameters, nutrient utilization efficiency affects macro- and micronutrients throughout the plant, including the reproductive parts that are harvested and contribute to the yield.

[0027] As a specific example of nutrient use efficiency, the term "nitrogen utilization" is used to describe the movement of nitrogen within a plant. Nitrogen utilization within a plant refers to increased physiological efficiency, improved transport of nitrogen and other solutes between tissues or cells, and especially their re-immobilization throughout the plant. Increased nitrogen use efficiency affects both plant biomass and plant quality parameters. With regard to plant quality parameters, nitrogen use efficiency affects macro- and micronutrients in the whole plant, including the reproductive parts that are harvested and contribute to yield.

[0028] As used herein, the term "crop" refers to plants grown in fields, typically in an agricultural environment, and includes plants intended for human or animal consumption, plants for fiber use, plants used or processed as medicines, plants grown for their fragrance, flowers, herbs, and ornamental, recreational, and decorative plants. In this context, tree farms, such as farms growing conifers for use as Christmas trees, and grass farms grown for use as turf, are included. The term also encompasses plants grown hydroponically, in soil, in greenhouses, and other methods, as well as combinations thereof.

[0029] As used herein, the terms "apply," "applied," "applying," "application," and other forms of the word "apply" refer to placing a composition of the present disclosure where it is available to a crop. The term "apply" can refer to any mechanism used to apply a composition to a crop. For example, the compositions of the present disclosure can be applied by application to the soil in which the crop is planted, application to the roots of the plant, basal application, top dressing, side dressing, foliar application, drill and place, broadcast, fertigation, any other application mechanism, and combinations thereof.

[0030] The composition of the present disclosure contacts the soil that is connected to the roots of plants, and refers to the soil that is close enough to the roots of the plants that are intended to be treated so that the amount of the composition that is applied can be reasonably expected to reach the roots of the target plants.For example, the thin water film that surrounds the roots of plants may be in communication with the moisture and nutrients in the soil.This allows the roots to absorb the moisture and nutrients in the soil that is close to the roots.For example, in relation to field crops or orchard trees, this phrase refers to the soil that surrounds the roots of the field crops or orchard trees.

[0031] As used herein, an "effective amount" of a composition is an amount that, when applied to a crop, results in an increase in nitrogen uptake efficiency in the plant. The effective amount may be based on the mechanism of application. As a specific, non-limiting example, an effective amount of a composition may be the amount applied to the soil in close proximity to the roots of a plant (e.g., within 24 inches (61.0 cm), within 12 inches (30.5 cm), within 6 inches (15.2 cm), within 3 inches (7.6 cm), within 1 inch (2.5 cm), within 0.5 inches (1.3 cm), less than 0.5 inches (1.3 cm), or any value in between). In some examples, an effective amount may be otherwise applied to any part of the plant itself. In some embodiments, an effective amount may increase nutrient uptake efficiency by 1%, 5%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, or more. In some embodiments, an effective amount may be the amount of ROS or ROS inducer applied to a plant or crop. In some embodiments, an effective amount can be the amount of nitrogen fertilizer applied to a plant or crop, hi some embodiments, an effective amount can be the amount of ROS or ROS inducer combined with the amount of nitrogen fertilizer applied to a plant or crop.

[0032] 1 is a representative diagram of a nitrogen uptake system 100 according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. The nitrogen uptake system 100 includes a plant 102 planted in soil 104. The plant 102 includes roots 106 in the soil 104 and leaves 108 above the soil 104 that are exposed to the sun.

[0033] In accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, nitrogen 110 may be applied to plant 102. Nitrogen 110 may be applied to plant 102 in any manner. For example, nitrogen 110 may be applied to the soil 104, leaves 108, and / or roots 106 of plant 102. In some embodiments, nitrogen 110 is a nitrogen fertilizer. For example, nitrogen 110 may be combined with other fertilizer nutrients, such as calcium, phosphate, potassium, any other fertilizer nutrient, and combinations thereof.

[0034] In some embodiments, the nitrogen 110 is applied separately from the ROS inducer 112. For example, the nitrogen 110 may be applied at a different time than the ROS inducer 112. In some embodiments, the nitrogen 110 and the ROS inducer 112 may be applied simultaneously. In some embodiments, the nitrogen 110 and the ROS inducer 112 may be applied simultaneously, before or after each other. For example, the nitrogen 110 and the ROS inducer 112 may be dissolved in irrigation water that is sprayed on the leaves 108 and / or soil 104. In some examples, the ROS inducer 112 may be applied by foliar application. For example, the ROS inducer 112 may be mixed in a spray tank and sprayed on the plant leaves. This allows the ROS inducer 112 to remain on the plant leaves, thereby allowing at least a portion of the ROS inducer 112 to be at least partially absorbed by the plant leaves and / or to induce an increased ROS response. In some embodiments, the nitrogen 110 and / or the ROS inducer 112 may be applied by injection into the soil. For example, nitrogen 110 and / or ROS inducer 112 may be injected into the soil through a shank applied below the crop row. In some embodiments, the ROS inducer 112 may be applied by spraying the ROS inducer 112 and / or nitrogen 110 on top of the soil. Water sprayed on the soil may extrude the ROS inducer 112 and / or nitrogen 110 through the soil to the roots. For example, a sprayer containing a solution of ROS inducer 112 and nitrogen 110 may be set to spray the soil, and the solution may be sprayed directly onto the soil before irrigating or otherwise watering the soil. In some embodiments, the nitrogen 110 and ROS inducer 112 may be applied using the same application technique (e.g., foliar, soil) and / or the same application medium (e.g., mixed in the same solution). In some embodiments, the nitrogen 110 and ROS inducer 112 may be applied using different application techniques and / or application media (e.g., mixed in different solutions).

[0035] It will be appreciated that different crops may have different levels of nitrogen uptake and utilization efficiency at different times in their growing cycle. According to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, the ROS inducer 112 may be applied with each application of nitrogen 110. For example, whenever nitrogen fertilizer is applied to the soil 104, the ROS inducer 112 may be applied at the same time. In some instances, the ROS inducer 112 may be applied after the application of nitrogen 110. For example, the nitrogen 110 may be applied as part of the fertilizer, and the ROS inducer 112 may be applied during a growing period that is particularly sensitive to nitrogen uptake, such as during the flowering or fruiting period of the crop. In some instances, the ROS inducer 112 may be applied during nitrogen assimilation by the plant 102. In some instances, the nitrogen 110 may be applied at the end of the growing season, such as during the fall and / or winter, and the ROS inducer 112 may be applied in the spring during planting, germination, and / or emergence of the plant 102. In some embodiments, nitrogen 110 and ROS inducer 112 can be applied at any time relative to one another. In some embodiments, ROS inducer 112 can be blended with nitrogen 110 prior to application, and the blended ROS inducer 112 and nitrogen 110 can be applied through the soil, through foliar application, or through soil injection.

[0036] In some embodiments, it is believed that the ROS inducer 112 may be most effectively absorbed through the roots 106 of the plant 102. In this manner, root application of the ROS inducer 112 may help improve nitrogen and other nutrient uptake efficiency in the plant 102, thereby improving plant quality. In some embodiments, the ROS inducer 112 may be absorbed through the leaves 108 of the plant 102. In this manner, the ROS and ORS inducer 112 may be applied via foliar spray.

[0037] In some embodiments, without being bound by theory, it is believed that the ROS inducer 112 can be effectively absorbed through the leaves or foliage of the plant. In this way, foliar application of the ROS inducer 112 can cause an increase in ROS levels in the plant 102. In some embodiments, foliar application of the ROS inducer 112 can cause an ROS response or an increase in the response in the plant 102. In some embodiments, the ROS inducer 112 can be applied in a combination of foliar and root application. This can help further increase the ROS response in the plant.

[0038] The ROS inducer 112 can be any compound capable of increasing ROS levels in the plant 102. In some embodiments, the ROS inducer 112 can be derived from a plant. For example, and as described in further detail herein, the ROS inducer 112 can include a plant extract, such as a black walnut extract. In some embodiments, application of the black walnut extract can increase ROS levels in the plant 102, thereby increasing the efficiency of nitrogen 110 uptake by the plant 102. In some embodiments, application of the black walnut extract can induce an increased ROS response in the plant 102. In some embodiments, the black walnut extract can be in an aqueous solution with soluble carbon molecules. A mixture of the black walnut extract and soluble carbon can help induce an increased ROS response in the plant 102.

[0039] ROS inducer 112 is naphthoquinone (C 10The naphthoquinones may include extracts formed from any plant family that produces naphthoquinone derivatives (H6O2) and / or naphthoquinone derivatives. In some embodiments, the naphthoquinones may include 1,4-naphthoquinone. Different concentrations of the derivatives or combinations with other compounds, such as naphthoquinone juglone, may be phytotoxic to some plants (Babula et al., 2014). In some embodiments, the naphthoquinones may include other isomers of naphthoquinone, such as 1,2-naphthoquinone or 2,6-naphthoquinone. In some embodiments, the naphthoquinones may include hydroxynaphthoquinones. In some embodiments, the naphthoquinones may include dihydroxynaphthoquinone (C 10 H6O4), trihydroxynaphthoquinone (C 10 H6O5), tetrahydroxynaphthoquinone (C 10 H6O6), pentahydroxynaphthoquinone (C 10 H6O7), hexahydroxynaphthoquinone (C 10 HO), any other naphthoquinone derivatives, and combinations thereof. In some embodiments, naphthoquinones can include derivatives of naphthoquinone. In some embodiments, 1,4-naphthoquinone derivatives can include 2-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone (lawsone), 5-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone (juglone), 6-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone, any other 1,4-naphthoquinone derivatives, and combinations thereof.

[0040] As used herein, naphthoquinone-producing plants can include any plants that produce naphthoquinone and / or naphthoquinone derivatives. For example, 1,4-naphthoquinone-producing plants can include any plants that produce 1,4-naphthoquinone and / or 1,4-naphthoquinone derivatives. In some examples, 1,4-naphthoquinone-producing plants can produce 1,4-naphthoquinone, hydroxynaphthoquinone, other naphthoquinone derivatives, other naphthoquinones, and combinations thereof. In some examples, 1,4-naphthoquinone-producing plants can directly produce 1,4-naphthoquinone, hydroxynaphthoquinone, naphthoquinone derivatives, and combinations thereof. In some examples, 1,4-naphthoquinone-producing plants can produce precursors of 1,4-naphthoquinone, hydroxynaphthoquinone, naphthoquinone derivatives, and combinations thereof. The precursors may yield one or more 1,4-naphthoquinones, hydroxynaphthoquinones, and naphthoquinone derivatives at any point during processing, such as after harvesting, during extraction, after extraction, at any other point during processing, and combinations thereof.

[0041] Plant families that produce 1,4-naphthoquinone and its derivatives (e.g., 1,4-naphthoquinone-producing plants) can include Juglandaceae, Plumbaginaceae, Ebacillaceae, Boraginaceae, Dioncorphyraceae, Acanthaceae, Iridaceae, Verbenaceae, Scrophulariaceae, Avicenniaceae, Balsaminaceae, Bignoniaceae, Gentianaceae, Sundaceae, Asteraceae, and any other plant family or species that produce 1,4-naphthoquinone and its derivatives, as well as combinations thereof. In some embodiments, certain algae, fungi, bacteria, and animals can produce 1,4-naphthoquinone or its derivatives. In some embodiments, the ROS inducer 112 can include an extract from trees of the genus Juglans. As discussed herein, juglone is not a ROS but is a 1,4-naphthoquinone derivative. 1,4-naphthoquinone extracts have been found to induce increased ROS levels in plants or crops. In some embodiments, the presence of 1,4-naphthoquinone may be a useful marker for species of the Juglandaceae family useful in preparing the compositions of the present invention. Juglans species are preferred. The ROS inducer 112 may include extracts from J. nigra (black or American walnut), J. regia (English walnut), and J. cinerea (butternut) seeds. In some embodiments, extracts from J. nigra may be important for increasing ROS levels in plants. However, it should be understood that materials from more than one species of the Juglandaceae family can be used together to form the compositions of the present invention. For example, materials from J. nigra, J. cinerea, and J. regia, or any two of these materials, may be mixed to form the ROS inducer 112. It should be recognized that one or more members of any plant species that produce 1,4-naphthoquinone can be used in combination or individually to achieve the result of inducing an ROS stimulus within the plant.

[0042] ROS inducers can be derived from any part of a plant that contains 1,4-naphthoquinone and / or its derivatives. The highest activity is found in the husks and leaves of nuts, with the husks exhibiting the strongest ROS-inducing effect. However, all other parts of the tree tested to date, including roots, leaves, fruit, flowers, firewood, bark, and shells, are also active and can be used. Nuts are typically not used in the preparation of the compositions of the present invention because they typically cost more per pound than wood chips, nuts, bark, and other by-products of nut or wood production. However, walnuts may be used in the preparation of the compositions of the present invention, if desired. When nuts are used in the preparation of the compositions, it is desirable to include other parts of the plant in the extracted material.

[0043] The present disclosure provides an economical use for waste wood from trees used to form the compositions of the present disclosure. For example, bark (also known as shell) is a waste product from walnut production, and sawdust and wood chips are waste products from producing walnut wood for furniture or other uses. These waste products can be used in making the compositions of the present disclosure. Furthermore, after being used to make the compositions of the present disclosure, the materials can be dried and then used, for example, as biomass in power generation or, in the case of wood chips and sawdust, as a base for forming manufactured wood products. Because these waste products are generated during other uses, they are relatively inexpensive, which can reduce the cost of preparing the compositions while increasing the value of raw materials that might otherwise be discarded economically to the producer or processor.

[0044] According to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, the composition of the present disclosure is an extract of the above-described plant material in an extraction solution. Extraction solutions include aqueous alcohol-acid solutions, aqueous acid solutions, and aqueous acid-alcohol solutions. Alcohol extraction can yield compositions with the highest ROS-increasing activity. Any type of alcohol can be used, including methanol, isopropanol, and ethanol. While 1,4-naphthoquinone is known to be soluble in ethanol, many other naphthoquinones are also present in plant materials that can be used to prepare the compositions of the present disclosure and are known to be soluble in ethanol. For example, walnut shells contain 1,4-naphthoquinone and 1,4-naphthoquinone derivatives, including juglone (5-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone), 2-methyl-1,4-naphthoquinone, and plumbagin (5-hydroxy-2-methyl-1,4-naphthoquinone). Tannins and iodine are also found in the shells. Numerous other types of compounds can also be present in the compositions of the present disclosure. For example, J. regi a (English walnut) leaves are known to contain, in addition to juglone, ascorbic acid, carotene, quercetin, cyanazine, kaempferol, caffeic acid, and trace amounts of p-coumaric acid, hyperin (0.2%), quercitrin, kaempferol 3-arabinoside, and quercetin-3-arabinoside. Without being bound by theory, it is believed that the dramatic increase in nitrogen uptake and utilization activity observed with the disclosed compositions compared to juglone alone is due to the synergistic effect of one or more other components present, or a combination of some or all of the components. In some embodiments, the extract solution may be mixed with soluble carbon molecules.

[0045] Black walnut extracts were prepared and analyzed for component concentrations using gas chromatography. With a detection limit of 2 ppm, acetic acid was approximately 6,100 ppm, ethyl acetate approximately 600 ppm, 1,1-diethoxypropane 3 ppm, and unidentified glycol 94 ppm. Gas chromatography did not detect juglone, lawsone, plumbagin, or 1,4 naphthoquinone. Therefore, the presence of these compounds in the material is hypothesized to signal the presence of other ROS-inducing compounds.

[0046] It is also noted that the ethanol-extracted composition is surprisingly more effective than the water-extracted composition, and naphthoquinones are soluble in alcohol. Therefore, while other compounds may be involved, it is speculated that it is 1,4-naphthoquinone and other naphthoquinones in particular that provide the dramatic nutrient absorption benefits using the compositions of the present invention in the methods of the present invention. It should be noted that 1,4-naphthoquinone is not believed to be responsible for the nutrient absorption benefits of the compositions of the present disclosure, but is believed to be a marker for the presence of other compounds, such as other naphthoquinones, that may be responsible for these effects, either by themselves or together.

[0047] The acid or alcohol used to prepare the plant extract may be present at a concentration between 10% and 90% by weight, between about 20% and 80% by weight, or between 40% and 75% by weight. For alcohol extractions, particularly good results have been obtained using alcohol concentrations between about 50% and about 70% by weight. While alcohols such as ethanol are available in pure form (e.g., "absolute" ethanol), they are typically sold commercially as highly concentrated solutions in water. For example, ethanol is typically sold as a 95% aqueous solution. In the research underlying this invention, a 70% solution of ethanol was used, but other solutions may be used based on ease of handling. In the United States, ethanol is often denatured to prevent its use for drinking purposes without payment of the appropriate federal tax. If denatured ethanol is used, it should be denatured with a denaturant that is not toxic to plants at the concentrations present when the extract is applied to soil.

[0048] In some embodiments, the extraction solution may contain up to 95.6% alcohol. In some embodiments, the extraction solution may contain 30% to 95.6% alcohol. In some embodiments, the extraction solution may contain 30% to 70% alcohol. In some embodiments, it may be important for the extraction solution to contain 30% to 70% alcohol to improve extraction of 1,4-naphthoquinone and its related derivatives.

[0049] In some embodiments, the extraction solution may contain up to 99% acid (such as glacial acetic acid). In some embodiments, the extraction solution may contain 30% to 99% acid. In some embodiments, the extraction solution may contain 30% to 70% acid. In some embodiments, it may be important for the extraction solution to contain 30% to 70% acid to improve extraction of 1,4-naphthoquinone and its related derivatives.

[0050] In some embodiments, the extraction solution may comprise an acid-alcohol aqueous solution. In some embodiments, the acid-alcohol aqueous solution may comprise 30% to 70% alcohol and 30% to 70% acid. In some embodiments, it may be important for the acid-alcohol aqueous solution to contain 30% to 70% alcohol and 30% to 70% acid to improve extraction of 1,4-naphthoquinone and its related derivatives.

[0051] In some embodiments, the extract may be water-based. For example, the extract may be prepared by steeping plant material, such as black walnut plant material, in water. In some embodiments, the extract may be prepared by boiling the water extract.

[0052] In some embodiments, the extract can be prepared using a carbon dioxide extraction process. For example, the plant material can be placed in a container with carbon dioxide at a controlled temperature, pressure, and concentration. The carbon dioxide can facilitate the extraction of 1,4-naphthoquinone and other materials from the plant material.

[0053] Compositions of the present disclosure may include extracts of the above-described plant materials in an alcoholic, acidic, aqueous, or alcoholic solution. In some embodiments, the alcoholic extract may use glacial acetic acid. Diluting the acetic acid to about 30-80%, about 40-60%, or about 50% is believed to improve extraction of ROS inducers from plant materials.

[0054] Extracting plant material with an acid can result in a composition with surprisingly higher ROS-increasing activity than an extract made from the same material using only water. The acid is non-toxic to plants and environmentally friendly. The acid can be an organic acid, such as acetic acid, citric acid, peracetic acid, or isocitric acid. In particular, acetic acid and citric acid are widely available and inexpensive, and the composition is not harmful to plants at the concentrations applied in the field.

[0055] While embodiments of the present disclosure may discuss the application of an extraction solution and / or a solution including an extraction solution, it should be understood that the ROS inducer 112 may take any form. For example, the ROS inducer 112 may be prepared as a powder. A powder may facilitate shipping and handling. In some examples, the ROS inducer 112 may be prepared as a powder by drying, precipitating, or otherwise solidifying components of an extract.

[0056] The ROS inducer 112 may include a mixture and / or solution of one or more materials. For example, the ROS inducer 112 may include a mixture and / or solution of one or more of water, alcohol, acid, acid-alcohol, aqueous acid-alcohol, extracted elements black walnut extract, one or more ROS, any other elements, and combinations thereof.

[0057] In accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, the ROS inducer 112 can include ROS or multiple different types of ROS. When applied to a plant, ROS can act as a ROS inducer. In some embodiments, the ROS inducer 112 can include a concentration of ROS. For example, the ROS inducer 112 can include a concentration of hydrogen peroxide or other peroxide. In some embodiments, the concentration of the plant extract-based ROS inducer 112 can be from about 1 ppm to about 500,000 ppm. In some embodiments, the concentration of the plant extract-based ROS inducer 112 can be from about 1,500 ppm to about 20,000 ppm. In some embodiments, the concentration of the plant extract-based ROS inducer 112 can be from about 2,000 ppm to about 15,000 ppm. In some embodiments, the concentration of the plant extract-based ROS inducer 112 can be from about 3,000 ppm to about 10,000 ppm. In some embodiments, the concentration of the plant extract-based ROS inducer 112 may be about 3,500 ppm to about 8,000 ppm. In some embodiments, the concentration of the plant extract-based ROS inducer 112 may be about 4,000 ppm to about 7,000 ppm. In some embodiments, the concentration of the plant extract-based ROS inducer 112 may be about 4,500 ppm to about 6,000 ppm. In some embodiments, the concentration of the plant extract-based ROS inducer 112 may be about 5,000 ppm to about 10,000 ppm. In some embodiments, a concentration of 5,000 ppm to 10,000 ppm of the plant extract-based ROS inducer 112 may be important to increase plant ROS levels to enhance nitrogen uptake and utilization efficiency. As used herein, the term "about" recognizes that precise application is difficult to achieve and that the concentration of the composition may vary within a range of about 200 ppm or more in any given application. It is also understood that such small variations do not have a measurable effect on the ROS-increasing potency of the ROS inducer 112.

[0058] In some embodiments, the ROS or ROS inducer 112 solution applied to the plant 102 can include soluble carbon. For example, the soluble carbon can include one or more acids, such as humic acid and / or fulvic acid. In some embodiments, the ROS or ROS inducer 112 can include leonardite extract. The leonardite extract can include soluble carbon. In some embodiments, the leonardite extract can be present in the ROS or ROS inducer 112 at a concentration ranging from 0.1% to 50%. For example, the leonardite extract can be present in the ROS or ROS inducer 112 at a concentration of 0.1%, 0.5%, 1%, 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, or any value therebetween.

[0059] In some embodiments, the ROS inducer 112 can be applied at an application rate. The application rate can be the amount of ROS inducer 112 solution applied per land area. In some embodiments, the application rate can be the amount of ROS inducer 112 solution applied foliarly and / or via soil injection. In some embodiments, the application rate can be an upper limit, a lower limit, or a range with upper and lower limits including any of 0.01 gallons / acre, 0.05 gallons / acre, 0.1 gallons / acre, 0.2 gallons / acre, 0.3 gallons / acre, 0.4 gallons / acre, 0.5 gallons / acre, 0.6 gallons / acre, 0.7 gallons / acre, 0.8 gallons / acre, 0.9 gallons / acre, 1.0 gallons / acre, 1.1 gallons / acre, 1.2 gallons / acre, 1.3 gallons / acre, 1.4 gallons / acre, 1.5 gallons / acre, 2 gallons / acre, 5 gallons / acre, 10 gallons / acre, 20 gallons / acre, 30 gallons / acre, 40 gallons / acre, 50 gallons / acre, 75 gallons / acre, 100 gallons / acre, or any value therebetween. For example, the application rate may be greater than 0.01 gallons / acre. In another example, the application rate may be less than 100 gallons / acre. In yet another example, the application rate may be any value within the range between 0.01 gallons / acre and 100 gallons / acre. In some embodiments, an application rate of 0.25 to 3 gallons / acre may be important to improve the ROS response of crops.

[0060] In some embodiments, the ROS inducer 112 can include synthetic ROS. For example, the ROS inducer 112 can include hydrogen peroxide. The hydrogen peroxide can be present at any concentration. For example, the hydrogen peroxide can be present at 10 ppm, 50 ppm, 100 ppm, 250 ppm, 500 ppm, 1,000 ppm, 2,500 ppm, 5,000 ppm, 10,000 ppm, 25,000 ppm, 50,000 ppm, 100,000 ppm, or any value therebetween. In some embodiments, the hydrogen peroxide can be present at a concentration between 10 ppm and 100,000 ppm. In some embodiments, the hydrogen peroxide can be present at a concentration between 100 ppm and 50,000 ppm. In some embodiments, a hydrogen peroxide concentration between 1,000 ppm and 10,000 ppm can be important to improve ROS responses in plants or crops.

[0061] In some embodiments, the extracts and / or compositions of the present disclosure may contain a surfactant. The surfactant may help improve transport through the soil and / or absorption by the plant. For example, the surfactant may aid in the movement of the ROS inducer from the application site to the roots (e.g., improve penetration of the ROS inducer). This may allow greater absorption of the ROS inducer by the plant roots and / or improve the effectiveness of the ROS inducer. The surfactant may comprise 0.01% to 50% by weight of the composition to help the solution filter through the soil and reach the plant roots.

[0062] In accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, a composition comprising a nitrogen fertilizer may contain one or more other ingredients. For example, the composition may further comprise one or more of menadione, lysine, isoleucine, salicylic acid, or melatonin. These ingredients may help increase nitrogen uptake and utilization efficiency in plants or crops and / or improve plant quality. It has been found that each of these ingredients can exhibit synergistic effects when added to a composition of the present disclosure. For example, the addition of menadione (e.g., vitamin K3) may act synergistically with an ROS inducer to provide improved nutrient uptake efficiency, improved plant quality, improved harvest weight, and other benefits, and combinations thereof, compared to applying menadione, black walnut solution, or nitrogen fertilizer alone to a plant. Similarly, the addition of lysine, isoleucine, salicylic acid, or melatonin may synergistically enhance a plant's ROS response compared to these ingredients alone, black walnut extract alone, or nitrogen fertilizer alone. Although the exact mechanism by which plant quality is improved is unknown, it is speculated that these additional components may help improve ROS response and / or other pathways in the plant, leading to increased nutrient uptake efficiency, plant biomass, and plant quality.

[0063] Application method It will be appreciated that the intent is to have an effective concentration of the composition applied to the crop in any manner, including via the soil, roots, foliage, etc. As a specific, non-limiting example, the composition is applied to provide a concentration of about 1 ppm to 10,000 ppm of ROS inducer in and around the roots. For most plants, the roots are close to the surface during early growth, and the concentration in the roots is close to the concentration applied to the surface. Young plants and some species of plants, such as turf grasses used on golf courses, lawns, and parks, tend to have short, fibrous roots. For these plants, applying the ROS inducer to the soil surface at about 1 ppm to 10,000 ppm provides approximately that concentration in the roots and surrounding soil, improving nitrogen uptake and utilization efficiency and plant quality.

[0064] While some grasses and young plants have shallow root structures, many plants, and many more mature plants, have deep root structures, often located 4-12 inches below the soil surface. In some embodiments, the majority of roots involved in nutrient and water absorption occur in the top 12 inches of soil, with deeper roots tending to anchor the plant. In sandy, permeable soils, roots involved in nutrient transport can extend up to 18 inches. Infiltrating the roots in the top 12 inches of soil with compositions of the present disclosure can improve nutrient uptake efficiency.

[0065] The compositions of the present invention can be applied in several ways. As will be appreciated, 30,000 gallons of water will typically flood one acre to a depth of 12 inches (an "acre-foot"). To deliver 5000 ppm of the compositions of the present invention, 15 gallons of the composition are added to the water and applied to the field. Alternatively, the composition can be applied to the soil surface at 30,000 ppm by "pushing" water into the soil to move the composition into the acre-foot of soil to deliver a concentration of 5000 ppm up to 12 inches.

[0066] It will be appreciated that on a golf course having turf where the roots only penetrate perhaps the first 5-6 inches of the soil, only 1000-1500 gallons of water would be required and only 6-7.5 gallons of composition would be needed to provide 5000 ppm of composition in the water.

[0067] It should be noted that a farmer will usually be familiar with the area covered, as well as the flow rate per acre of the irrigation system or other soil application system installed on his or her land. The farmer can calculate the amount of water to be used to water the land for a specific period of time (e.g., 300 gallons per minute x 50 acres x 450,000 gallons of water in 30 minutes). The farmer can then calculate the volume needed to apply the desired concentration of solution.

[0068] In some embodiments, the compositions of the present disclosure induce a ROS response when a plant is in contact with the composition for a contact period. In some embodiments, the contact period can be an upper limit, a lower limit, or a range of upper and lower limits, including 1 minute, 2 minutes, 5 minutes, 10 minutes, 30 minutes, 1 hour, 2 hours, 5 hours, 10 hours, 20 hours, 1 day, 2 days, 3 days, 5 days, 10 days, or any value therebetween. For example, the contact period can be 1 minute or longer. In another example, the contact period can be less than 10 days. In yet another example, the contact period can be any value within the range of 1 minute to 10 days. In some embodiments, a contact period of less than 1 day can be important to increase the ROS response based on the absorption of the ROS inducer.

[0069] In some embodiments, the contact period may be based on the type of ROS inducer used. For example, the contact period for an extract from a black walnut plant may be indefinite. In other words, even if the black walnut extract is applied to soil, it may take several days, for example, 10 days or more, for the ROS response induction effect to be achieved before it is absorbed by the plant roots. In some examples, the contact period for hydrogen peroxide may be 24 hours or less. Hydrogen peroxide may decompose into water and oxygen in the presence of sunlight and / or other elements. As a result, the contact period for hydrogen peroxide may be shorter than the contact period for black walnut extract.

[0070] The above-mentioned periods for contacting plant roots with the compositions of the present disclosure are intended to describe periods effective to cause increased nitrogen uptake and utilization efficiency, and / or maintenance of plant biomass, and / or increased plant quality. In some embodiments, the compositions of the present invention are not harmful to plants and can be left undisturbed after the desired period has elapsed.

[0071] The composition may be applied to the soil through a hose, pipe, drip, sprinkler, irrigation channel, or other mechanism. In reality, agriculture is not an exact science, and the equipment used is generally not precision. Thus, when the water flow is stopped, the water usually continues to drip or flow from the hose or through the irrigation channel or other applicator for a period of time. Therefore, it is understood that the application time is generally an approximation and is measured from the start of the flow of the mixture to the time the flow of the mixture is stopped, regardless of whether a portion of the mixture continues to drip or flow from the applicator.

[0072] The composition of the present disclosure can be applied to plant leaves. For example, the composition of the present disclosure can be mixed in a spray tank and sprayed onto plants. The spray tank can be configured so that droplets of the ROS inducer remain on the plant leaves. This allows the plant leaves to absorb and / or react to the presence of the ROS inducer, thereby increasing ROS levels in the plant and / or inducing an increased ROS response in the plant.

[0073] Those skilled in the art will recognize that non-chemical methods, such as crop rotation and cover crops, are used in place of or in combination with chemical methods to control nitrogen uptake and utilization efficiency, and the compositions of the present invention can be used in combination with or in place of these methods.

[0074] Embodiments of the present disclosure can be used to improve nitrogen uptake efficiency, nitrogen use efficiency, and / or plant biomass and plant quality in almost all plants. While some plants are thought to be susceptible to damage from elevated ROS levels, the concentrations of ROS inducers when the compositions of the present disclosure are applied at the rates contemplated herein do not damage even sensitive plants. Plants protected by the present disclosure can be, inter alia, dicotyledons, such as carrots, lettuce, tomatoes, grapes, citrus fruits, and legumes, or monocotyledons, such as corn. Plants are grown for human or animal consumption, such as grains, vegetables, and fruits. Cultivated plants can be decorative, such as flowers, or ornamentals, such as trees grown as Christmas trees or plants grown as houseplants. Additionally, some plants are grown for fiber, such as cotton, or for use as turf. While embodiments of the present disclosure can be used to protect plants grown in fields as crops or other open environments, such as tree farms or turf, the present disclosure can also be used to protect plants grown in greenhouses and greenhouse-like environments. The compositions may also be used in hydroponic applications. [Example]

[0075] The experimental results described herein are the result of various empirical studies on the effects of black walnut extract on nitrogen application. The experiments described below provide a baseline 100% nitrogen application rate. This baseline 100% nitrogen application rate is based on conventional nitrogen application rates advised by local soil laboratories, appropriate university extension services, and commercial organizations for specific crops, regions, and soil conditions. In fact, where a range of nitrogen application rates was available, the lower end of the range was used for comparison. As discussed herein, traditional and current thinking in agriculture is that 100% nitrogen application rates maximize crop yields, and that reduced nitrogen application rates are generally associated with reduced crop yields.

[0076] [Experiment 1] A third-party field trial was conducted on celery to compare the effectiveness of black walnut extract containing salicylic acid applied in combination with CAN-17 nitrogen fertilizer to nitrogen fertilizer alone. The experiment was conducted in a 40-square-foot test field. Treatments were applied five times over a 15-week growing period. 10% of the treatments were applied in week 4, 15% in week 7, 20% in week 9, 25% in week 11, and 30% in week 13, with the crop harvested approximately in week 15.

[0077] Nitrogen fertilizer was applied at a ratio of approximately 100:1 to black walnut extract. As seen in Table 1 below, the total application rate of nitrogen fertilizer was 80 gallons per season and black walnut extract was 0.8 gallons per season.

[0078] [Table 1]

[0079] To determine the effect of black walnut extract on plant biomass, various plant indicators were measured. For example, harvest weight was measured as an indicator of plant biomass, as seen in Table 2 below.

[0080] [Table 2]

[0081] As can be seen from Table 2, application of black walnut extract and nitrogen fertilizer resulted in increased harvest weight. For example, application of 100% nitrogen fertilizer and black walnut extract resulted in an 8% increase in harvest weight compared to application of 100% nitrogen fertilizer (e.g., (1329-1227) / 1227). Application of 50% black walnut extract and nitrogen fertilizer resulted in a 37% increase in harvest weight compared to application of 50% nitrogen fertilizer (e.g., (1381-1007) / 1007). These results indicate that application of black walnut extract with nitrogen fertilizer improves plant quality, especially harvest weight.

[0082] It has been shown that reducing the application rate of nitrogen fertilizer leads to a decrease in harvest weight. For example, as seen in Table 2, reducing the amount of nitrogen fertilizer from a 100% application rate to a 50% application rate resulted in a decrease in harvest weight. Surprisingly, when black walnut extract and nitrogen fertilizer were applied at 50%, harvest weight increased by 13% compared to when nitrogen fertilizer was applied at 100% (e.g., (1381-1227) / 1227). These results indicate that application of black walnut extract increases harvest weight even when nitrogen fertilizer is applied at a reduced rate. In fact, reducing the application rate of black walnut extract and nitrogen fertilizer surprisingly increased harvest weight. Reducing the application rate of black walnut extract and nitrogen fertilizer from 100% to 50% resulted in a 4% increase in harvest weight.

[0083] These surprising results indicate a synergistic effect between nitrogen fertilizer and black walnut extract. While the exact mechanism remains unclear and we are not bound by theory, it is believed that adding black walnut extract to nitrogen fertilizer increases the efficiency of nitrogen uptake by plants and improves nitrogen utilization efficiency in plants or crops. As described herein, applying black walnut extract is believed to increase ROS levels in plants or crops. This can induce a nitrogen starvation state in plants, which can result in increased nitrogen absorption efficiency and nitrogen utilization efficiency. Both increased nitrogen absorption efficiency and increased nitrogen utilization efficiency have been associated with increased harvest weight.

[0084] Indeed, these surprising results show that reducing the application rate of nitrogen fertilizer and black walnuts increases (or at least maintains) yield weight. Yield weight increases with both nitrogen fertilizer alone and with the combination of nitrogen fertilizer and black walnuts.

[0085] As seen in Table 3 below, when nitrogen fertilizer and black walnut extract were applied at 50%, nitrogen concentration (e.g., %N) increased by 19.7% compared to when nitrogen fertilizer was applied at 50% alone (e.g., (2.13 - 1.78) / 1.78). Nitrogen concentration can be expressed as the amount of nitrogen in the plant based on plant dry matter. These results surprisingly show that black walnut extract increases nitrogen uptake and utilization efficiency even when nitrogen fertilizer application rates are reduced. On the other hand, when nitrogen fertilizer was reduced without black walnut extract, nitrogen concentration decreased significantly.

[0086] [Table 3]

[0087] Experimental results also show an increase and / or maintenance of other plant quality indicators such as SPAD, tree vigor, and canopy.

[0088] [Table 4]

[0089] As can be seen, application of 100% nitrogen fertilizer and black walnut composition increased SPAD by 7% (e.g., (65-60.6) / 60.6), maintained vigor levels, and increased canopy by 2% compared to application of 100% nitrogen fertilizer alone. Application of 100% nitrogen fertilizer and black walnut composition increased SPAD by 5%, increased vigor levels by 4%, and decreased canopy by 1%. These surprising results demonstrate that nitrogen fertilizer and black walnut composition can improve or maintain plant quality indicators such as SPAD, vigor, and canopy. Combined with the increased harvest weight or plant biomass, the experimental results surprisingly demonstrate that application of nitrogen fertilizer and black walnut extract composition can improve overall plant quality compared to nitrogen fertilizer alone. Indeed, the experimental results surprisingly demonstrate that application of nitrogen fertilizer and black walnut extract composition at lower application rates or doses can improve overall plant quality compared to nitrogen fertilizer alone.

[0090] In accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, applying black walnut extract in combination with nitrogen fertilizer allows farmers to reduce the amount of nitrogen fertilizer used in a particular field or for a particular crop. This may result in less nitrogen runoff from nitrogen fertilizer applied to the field. This may prevent damage to fields, waterways, lakes, oceans, etc., caused by high concentrations of nitrogen due to nitrogen runoff. In some embodiments, reducing nitrogen fertilizer may result in a reduction in nitrogen gases (e.g., NOx gases) in the atmosphere. This may help reduce the amount of atmospheric pollution associated with nitrogen fertilizer.

[0091] [Experiment 2] A greenhouse study was conducted on corn to compare the effects of black walnut extract containing salicylic acid applied simultaneously with CAN-17 nitrogen fertilizer and nitrogen fertilizer alone. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse using 14-inch diameter test pots filled with low-nitrogen soil.

[0092] Black walnut extract was applied at a rate of approximately 0.18 gallons per acre. As seen in Table 5 below, the total rate of nitrogen fertilizer was 16.3 gallons per acre, and the 70% and 50% rates of nitrogen fertilizer were analyzed simultaneously with the same rate of black walnut extract (BWE).

[0093] [Table 5]

[0094] To determine the effect of black walnut extract on plant biomass and quality, various plant indicators were measured. For example, above-ground and below-ground plant biomass was measured as an indicator of plant biomass, as shown in Table 6 below.

[0095] [Table 6]

[0096] As can be seen in Table 6, the addition of black walnut extract increased plant biomass in all cases investigated. For example, when black walnut extract was added to 100% CAN-17 nitrogen fertilizer, aboveground wet biomass increased by 24.5% (e.g., (58.31-46.8) / 46.8), aboveground dry biomass increased by 10.5% (e.g., (16.38-14.83) / 14.83), and belowground biomass increased by 20.8% (e.g., (12.16-10.07) / 10.07). When black walnut extract was added to 70% CAN-17 nitrogen fertilizer, aboveground wet biomass increased by 11.2% (e.g., (64.17-57.71) / 57.71), aboveground dry biomass increased by 7% (e.g., (17.75-16.43) / 16.43), and belowground biomass increased by 18.3% (e.g., (13.69-11.57) / 11.57). When black walnut extract was added to 50% CAN-17 nitrogen fertilizer, aboveground wet biomass increased by 12.0% (e.g., (61.33-54.74) / 54.74), aboveground dry biomass increased by 5.6% (e.g., (16.97-16.08) / 16.08), and belowground biomass increased by 5.8% (e.g., (12.36-11.68) / 11.68).

[0097] Surprisingly, the addition of black walnut extract to 50% CAN-17 nitrogen fertilizer increased aboveground wet biomass by 31.1% compared to 100% CAN-17 nitrogen fertilizer alone (e.g., (61.33-46.80) / 46.80), increased aboveground dry biomass by 14.4% compared to 100% CAN-17 nitrogen fertilizer alone (e.g., (16.97-14.83) / 14.83), and increased belowground biomass by 14.4% compared to 100% CAN-17 nitrogen fertilizer alone (e.g., (16.97-14.83) / 14.83). These surprising results demonstrate that the addition of black walnut extract can increase biomass even with reduced nitrogen fertilizer application.

[0098] [Experiment 3] A greenhouse study was conducted on corn in test pots containing high-nitrogen soil to compare the effects of a black walnut extract containing salicylic acid applied simultaneously with UAN-32 nitrogen fertilizer and nitrogen fertilizer alone.

[0099] Black walnut extract was applied at a rate of approximately 0.25 gallons per acre. As seen in Table 7 below, the total rate of nitrogen fertilizer was 8.5 gallons per acre, and both the 70% and 50% rates of nitrogen fertilizer were analyzed simultaneously with the same rate of black walnut extract (BWE).

[0100] [Table 7]

[0101] To determine the effect of black walnut extract on plant biomass and quality, various plant indicators were measured, including above-ground and below-ground plant biomass as indicators of plant biomass, as shown in Table 8 below.

[0102] [Table 8]

[0103] As can be seen in Table 8, the addition of black walnut extract increased plant biomass in all cases investigated. For example, when black walnut extract was added to 100% UAN-32 nitrogen fertilizer, above-ground biomass increased by 13.6% (e.g., (22.14 - 19.50) / 19.50) and below-ground biomass increased by 88.9% (e.g., (4.86 - 2.57) / 2.57). When black walnut extract was added to 80% UAN-32 nitrogen fertilizer, above-ground biomass increased by 19.4% (e.g., (22.00 - 18.43) / 18.43) and below-ground biomass increased by 22.5% (e.g., (5.25 - 4.25) / 4.29). When black walnut extract was added to 50% UAN-32 nitrogen fertilizer, above-ground biomass increased by 11.8% (e.g., (25.71 - 23.00) / 23.00) and below-ground biomass increased by 1.7% (e.g., (5.00 - 4.92) / 4.92). These surprising results demonstrate that black walnut extract can increase plant biomass when applied in combination with nitrogen fertilizer.

[0104] Surprisingly, the addition of black walnut extract to 50% UAN-32 nitrogen fertilizer increased aboveground biomass by 31.9% compared to 100% UAN-32 nitrogen fertilizer alone (e.g., (25.71 - 19.50) / 19.50) and belowground biomass by 94.4% compared to 100% UAN-32 nitrogen fertilizer alone (e.g., (5.00 - 2.57) / 2.57). These surprising results demonstrate that the addition of black walnut extract can increase biomass even with reduced nitrogen fertilizer application rates.

[0105] [Experiment 4] A field study was conducted on corn to compare the effectiveness of black walnut extract containing salicylic acid when applied simultaneously with UAN-32 nitrogen fertilizer and nitrogen fertilizer alone. The experiment was conducted in test pots measuring 90.75 square inches.

[0106] Nitrogen fertilizer and black walnut extract were applied in combination with 0-10-10 fertilizer at the rates shown in Table 9. As can be seen in Table 9 below, the black walnut extract and 0-10-10 application rates remained constant throughout the trial.

[0107] [Table 9]

[0108] Various plant indicators were measured to determine the effect of black walnut extract on plant biomass and quality. For example, ear yield and silage yield were measured as indicators of plant biomass, as shown in Table 10 below. For comparison, untreated plots (e.g., no fertilizer or black walnut extract) were also analyzed.

[0109] [Table 10]

[0110] As seen in Table 10, application of black walnut extract and nitrogen fertilizer resulted in increased yields while reducing nitrogen application rates. For example, application of 70% nitrogen fertilizer and black walnut extract resulted in a 6.9% increase in ear yield relative to application of 100% nitrogen fertilizer (e.g., (188.6-176.4) / 176.4). Application of 50% nitrogen fertilizer and black walnut extract resulted in a 1.9% increase in ear yield relative to application of 100% nitrogen fertilizer (e.g., (179.8-176.4) / 176.4) and a 7.1% increase in ear yield relative to application of 50% nitrogen fertilizer (e.g., (179.8-167.9) / 167.9). Application of 70% nitrogen fertilizer and black walnut extract increased silage yield by 4.4% compared to application of 100% nitrogen fertilizer (e.g., (59.5-57.0) / 57.0). Application of 50% nitrogen fertilizer and black walnut extract increased silage yield by 1.3% compared to application of 100% nitrogen fertilizer (e.g., (57.8-57.0) / 57.0) and by 6.7% compared to application of 50% nitrogen fertilizer (e.g., (57.8-54.2) / 54.2). These results indicate that application of black walnut extract with nitrogen fertilizer improves plant quality, especially corn ear and silage yield.

[0111] [Experiment 5] A field study was conducted on corn to compare the effectiveness of black walnut extract containing salicylic acid when applied simultaneously with UAN-32 nitrogen fertilizer and nitrogen fertilizer alone. The experiment was conducted in test pots measuring 90.75 square inches.

[0112] Nitrogen fertilizer and black walnut extract were applied at the rates shown in Table 11.

[0113] [Table 11]

[0114] Various plant indicators were measured to determine the effect of black walnut extract on plant biomass and quality. For example, ear yield and silage yield were measured as indicators of plant quality, as shown in Table 12 below. For comparison, untreated plots (e.g., no fertilizer or no black walnut extract) were also analyzed.

[0115] [Table 12]

[0116] As can be seen from Table 12, application of black walnut extract and nitrogen fertilizer resulted in increased yields with reduced nitrogen application rates. For example, when 50% nitrogen fertilizer and 100% black walnut extract were applied, the ear yield increased by 0.8% compared to when 100% nitrogen fertilizer was applied (e.g., (189.4-188.0) / 188.0). When 25% nitrogen fertilizer and 100% black walnut extract were applied, the ear yield increased by 0.8% compared to when 100% nitrogen fertilizer was applied (e.g., (189.5-188.0) / 188.0). When 25% nitrogen fertilizer and 200% black walnut extract were applied, the ear yield increased by 0.4% compared to when 100% nitrogen fertilizer was applied (e.g., (188.8-188.0) / 188.0). When 50% nitrogen fertilizer was applied and 100% black walnut extract was applied, silage yield increased by 9.0% compared to when 100% nitrogen fertilizer was applied (e.g., (60.3-55.3) / 55.3). When 25% nitrogen fertilizer was applied and 100% black walnut extract was applied, silage yield increased by 3.7% compared to when 100% nitrogen fertilizer was applied (e.g., (57.4-55.3) / 55.3). These results indicate that applying black walnut extract with nitrogen fertilizer improves plant quality, especially corn ear and silage yield.

[0117] [Experiment 6] A greenhouse study was conducted on tomatoes to compare the effects of a black walnut extract containing salicylic acid applied simultaneously with UAN-32 nitrogen fertilizer to the effects of nitrogen fertilizer alone. The experiment was conducted in test pots measuring 4 square feet.

[0118] Nitrogen fertilizer and black walnut extract were applied at the rates shown in Table 13.

[0119] [Table 13]

[0120] Various plant indicators were measured to determine the effect of black walnut extract on plant biomass and quality. For example, above-ground and below-ground biomass were measured as indicators of plant quality, as shown in Table 14 below. For comparison, untreated plots (e.g., no fertilizer or black walnut extract) were also analyzed.

[0121] [Table 14]

[0122] As can be seen from Table 14, application of black walnut extract and nitrogen fertilizer resulted in increased yields with reduced nitrogen application. For example, application of 100% nitrogen fertilizer and black walnut extract increased aboveground biomass by 6.1% compared to application of 100% nitrogen fertilizer (e.g., (341.3-321.7) / 321.7). Application of 70% nitrogen fertilizer and black walnut extract increased aboveground biomass by 4.8% compared to application of 100% nitrogen fertilizer (e.g., (337.0-321.7) / 321.7), and aboveground biomass increased by 1.7% compared to application of 70% nitrogen fertilizer (e.g., (337.0-331.3) / 331.3). Application of 50% nitrogen fertilizer and black walnut extract increased aboveground biomass by 8.6% relative to 100% nitrogen fertilizer (e.g., (349.3-321.1) / 349.3) and aboveground biomass by 5.1% relative to 50% nitrogen fertilizer (e.g., (349.3-332.4) / 332.4). Application of 100% nitrogen fertilizer and black walnut extract increased underground biomass by 8.6% relative to application of 100% nitrogen fertilizer (e.g., ((20.9-19.2) / 19.2). Application of 70% nitrogen fertilizer and black walnut extract increased underground biomass by 14.1% relative to application of 100% nitrogen fertilizer (e.g., (21.9-19.2) / 19.2), and underground biomass increased by 35.6% relative to application of 70% nitrogen fertilizer (e.g., (21.9-16.2). ) / 16.2). Application of 50% nitrogen fertilizer and black walnut extract increased belowground biomass by 0.3% relative to 100% nitrogen fertilizer (e.g., (19.3-19.2) / 19.2) and belowground biomass by 3.3% relative to 50% nitrogen fertilizer (e.g., (19.3-18.6) / 18.6). These results indicate that application of black walnut extract with nitrogen fertilizer improves plant quality, especially plant biomass.

[0123] [Experiment 7] A greenhouse study was conducted on tomatoes to compare the effects of a black walnut extract containing salicylic acid applied simultaneously with UAN-32 nitrogen fertilizer to the effects of nitrogen fertilizer alone. The experiment was conducted in test pots measuring 4 square feet.

[0124] Nitrogen fertilizer and black walnut extract were applied at the rates shown in Table 15.

[0125] [Table 15]

[0126] Various plant indicators were measured to determine the effect of black walnut extract on plant biomass and quality. For example, above-ground and below-ground biomass were measured as indicators of plant quality, as shown in Table 16 below. For comparison, untreated plots (e.g., no fertilizer or black walnut extract) were also analyzed.

[0127] [Table 16]

[0128] As can be seen from Table 16, application of black walnut extract and nitrogen fertilizer resulted in increased yields by reducing the nitrogen application rate. For example, when 50% nitrogen fertilizer and 100% black walnut extract were applied, aboveground biomass increased by 26.0% (e.g., (143.5-113.9) / 113.9) and belowground biomass increased by 5.8% (e.g., (8.3-7.9) / 7.9) compared to when 100% nitrogen fertilizer was applied. When 50% black walnut extract and nitrogen fertilizer were applied, aboveground biomass increased by 24.8% (e.g., (142.1-113.9) / 113.9) compared to when 100% nitrogen fertilizer was applied. These results indicate that application of black walnut extract with nitrogen fertilizer improves plant quality, particularly plant biomass. These results also indicate that application of black walnut extract with 25% nitrogen fertilizer reduces yield. In other words, a 25% nitrogen fertilizer rate resulted in less biomass than a 100% nitrogen fertilizer rate.

[0129] A greenhouse study was conducted on corn to compare the effects of black walnut extract containing salicylic acid applied simultaneously with UAN-32 nitrogen fertilizer and nitrogen fertilizer alone. The experiment was conducted in test pots measuring 4 square feet.

[0130] Nitrogen fertilizer and black walnut extract were applied at the rates shown in Table 17.

[0131] [Table 17]

[0132] Various plant indicators were measured to determine the effect of black walnut extract on plant biomass and quality. For example, as shown in Table 18 below, above-ground and below-ground biomass were measured as indicators of plant quality. For comparison, untreated plots (e.g., no fertilizer or black walnut extract) were also analyzed.

[0133] [Table 18]

[0134] As can be seen from Table 18, application of black walnut extract and nitrogen fertilizer resulted in increased yields with reduced nitrogen application. For example, when 50% nitrogen fertilizer and 100% black walnut extract were applied, aboveground biomass increased by 68.1% compared to when 100% nitrogen fertilizer was applied (e.g., (18.3-10.9) / 10.9). When 50% nitrogen fertilizer and 50% black walnut extract were applied, aboveground biomass increased by 44.1% compared to when 100% nitrogen fertilizer was applied (e.g., (15.7-10.9) / 10.9). When 25% nitrogen fertilizer and 100% black walnut extract were applied, aboveground biomass increased by 60.3% compared to 100% nitrogen fertilizer (e.g., (17.4-10.9) / 10.9) and by 19.6% compared to 25% nitrogen fertilizer (e.g., (17.4-14.6) / 14.6). When 25% nitrogen fertilizer and 200% black walnut extract were applied, aboveground biomass increased by 125.3% compared to 100% nitrogen fertilizer (e.g., (24.5-10.9) / 10.9) and by 68.1% compared to 25% nitrogen fertilizer (e.g., (24.5-14.6) / 14.6). When 50% nitrogen fertilizer and 100% black walnut extract were applied, belowground biomass increased by 11.7% compared to 100% nitrogen fertilizer (e.g., (12.4-11.1) / 11.1). When 25% nitrogen fertilizer and 100% black walnut extract were applied, belowground biomass increased by 54.1% compared to 100% nitrogen fertilizer (e.g., (17.1-11.1) / 11.1) and by 15.4% compared to 25% nitrogen fertilizer (e.g., (17.1-14.9) / 14.9). When 25% nitrogen fertilizer and 200% black walnut extract were applied, belowground biomass increased by 111.2% compared to 100% nitrogen fertilizer (e.g., (23.5-12.4) / 12.4) and by 58.2% compared to 25% nitrogen fertilizer (e.g., (23.5-14.9) / 14.9). These results indicate that applying black walnut extract with nitrogen fertilizer improves plant quality, especially plant biomass.

[0135] [Experiment 9] A field study was conducted on corn to compare the effectiveness of black walnut extract containing salicylic acid when applied simultaneously with UAN-32 nitrogen fertilizer and nitrogen fertilizer alone. The experiment was conducted in test pots measuring 200 square feet.

[0136] Nitrogen fertilizer and black walnut extract were applied at the rates shown in Table 19.

[0137] [Table 19]

[0138] To determine the effect of black walnut extract on plant biomass and quality, various plant indicators were measured, including fresh and dry silage as indicators of plant biomass, as seen in Table 20 below.

[0139] [Table 20]

[0140] As can be seen from Table 20, the application of black walnut extract and nitrogen fertilizer resulted in increased silage weight. For example, when 75% nitrogen fertilizer and 100% black walnut extract were applied, fresh plant weight increased by 0.5% compared to when 100% nitrogen fertilizer was applied (e.g., (313.0-311.5) / 313.0). When 50% nitrogen fertilizer and 50% black walnut extract were applied, fresh plant weight increased by 0.1% compared to when 100% nitrogen fertilizer was applied (e.g., (313.0-311.5) / 311.5), and fresh plant weight increased by 2.5% compared to when 50% nitrogen fertilizer was applied (e.g., (311.75-304.75) / 304.75). These results demonstrate that applying black walnut extract with nitrogen fertilizer improves plant quality, particularly plant biomass.

[0141] [Experiment 10] A field study was conducted on corn to compare the effectiveness of black walnut extract containing salicylic acid when applied simultaneously with UAN-32 nitrogen fertilizer and nitrogen fertilizer alone. The experiment was conducted in test pots measuring 200 square feet.

[0142] Nitrogen fertilizer and black walnut extract were applied at the rates shown in Table 21.

[0143] [Table 21]

[0144] To determine the effect of black walnut extract on plant biomass and quality, various plant indicators were measured. For example, corn ear harvest weight was measured as an indicator of plant biomass, as seen in Table 22 below.

[0145] [Table 22]

[0146] As can be seen from Table 20, the application of black walnut extract and nitrogen fertilizer resulted in increased silage weight. For example, when 75% nitrogen fertilizer was applied and 100% black walnut extract was applied, fresh plant weight increased by 2.8% compared to when 100% nitrogen fertilizer was applied (e.g., (44.1-42.88) / 42.88). When 50% nitrogen fertilizer was applied and 50% black walnut extract was applied, fresh plant weight increased by 7.3% compared to when 50% nitrogen fertilizer was applied (e.g., (54.53-53.53) / 53.53). These results indicate that applying black walnut extract with nitrogen fertilizer improves plant quality, particularly plant biomass.

[0147] [Experiment 11] An independent field trial was conducted on cantaloupe melon to compare the effects of black walnut extract containing salicylic acid applied in conjunction with two different nitrogen fertilizers (CAN17 and UAN-32) to nitrogen fertilizer alone.

[0148] Nitrogen fertilizer and black walnut extract were applied at the rates shown in Table 23.

[0149] [Table 23]

[0150] To determine the effect of black walnut extract on plant biomass and quality, various plant indicators were measured. For example, cantaloupe melon yield and cantaloupe Brix level were measured as indicators of plant biomass and quality, as seen in Table 24 below.

[0151] [Table 24]

[0152] As can be seen from Table 24, application of black walnut extract and nitrogen fertilizer resulted in increased melon yield and Brix. For example, when 50% UAN-32 nitrogen fertilizer was applied and 100% black walnut extract was applied, melon yield increased by 4.2% (e.g., (1.25-1.2) / 1.2) and Brix increased by 8.3% (e.g., (11.7-10.8) / 10.8) compared to when 100% UAN nitrogen fertilizer was applied. When 50% nitrogen fertilizer was applied and 100% black walnut extract was applied, melon yield increased by 2.4% (e.g., (1.28-1.25) / 1.25) and Brix increased by 11.3% (e.g., (11.8-10.6) / 10.6) compared to when CAN nitrogen fertilizer was applied. These results indicate that application of black walnut extract with nitrogen fertilizer improves plant quality, especially melon yield and Brix, regardless of the type of nitrogen fertilizer.

[0153] [Experiment 12] An independent field study was conducted on celery to compare the effects of black walnut extract containing salicylic acid applied in conjunction with two different nitrogen fertilizers (CAN17 and UAN-32) to the effects of nitrogen fertilizer applied alone.

[0154] Nitrogen fertilizer and black walnut extract were applied at the rates shown in Table 25.

[0155] [Table 25]

[0156] To determine the effect of black walnut extract on plant biomass and quality, various plant indicators were measured. For example, plant biomass was measured as an indicator of plant quality, as seen in Table 26 below.

[0157] [Table 26]

[0158] As can be seen from Table 26, the application of black walnut extract and nitrogen fertilizer resulted in increased biomass. For example, the application of 50% nitrogen fertilizer and black walnut extract resulted in a 3.1% increase in biomass compared to the application of CAN17 nitrogen fertilizer (e.g., (0.757-0.734) / 0.734). Numerically, biomass was lower at the 50% UAN-32 application rate, but the results were within the standard error of the mean for both the 100% UAN-32 application rate alone and the 50% UAN-32 application rate with black walnut extract. These results indicate that applying black walnut extract with nitrogen fertilizer can improve or maintain plant quality, particularly biomass, regardless of the type of nitrogen fertilizer.

[0159] [Experiment 13] A field trial was conducted on broccoli to compare the effects of a black walnut extract containing salicylic acid when applied simultaneously with two different nitrogen fertilizers (CAN17 and UAN-32) with those of nitrogen fertilizer alone.

[0160] Nitrogen fertilizer and black walnut extract were applied at the rates shown in Table 27.

[0161] [Table 27]

[0162] To determine the effect of black walnut extract on plant biomass and quality, various plant indicators were measured. For example, plant yield was measured as an indicator of plant biomass, as seen in Table 28 below.

[0163] [Table 28]

[0164] As can be seen from Table 28, applying black walnut extract and nitrogen fertilizer resulted in the maintenance of biomass. Numerically, the results of reducing nitrogen fertilizer and adding black walnut extract were smaller than the full fertilizer application, but the difference was within the margin of error of the study. These results indicate that applying black walnut extract with nitrogen fertilizer, regardless of the type of nitrogen fertilizer, can maintain plant yield even with reduced nitrogen fertilizer.

[0165] FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a method 220 for enhancing plant quality of a crop, according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. A farmer may prepare a composition including a nitrogen fertilizer and a reactive oxygen species inducer in step 222. The nitrogen fertilizer may include CAN-17 fertilizer, and the reactive oxygen species inducer may include black walnut extract or other ROS inducers discussed herein. In some embodiments, preparing the composition may include mixing the nitrogen fertilizer with the reactive oxygen species and reactive oxygen species inducer in a 100:1 weight ratio. Method 220 may further include applying the composition to the roots of the crop in step 224. The composition may be applied to the roots such that the roots absorb at least a portion of the nitrogen fertilizer and at least a portion of the reactive oxygen species and reactive oxygen species inducer. The reactive oxygen species and reactive oxygen species inducer may be configured to increase ROS levels in the crop to improve crop yield weight. In some embodiments, the composition may be applied to the top 12 inches of soil.

[0166] One or more specific embodiments of the present disclosure are described herein. These described embodiments are examples of the technology of the present disclosure. Additionally, in an effort to provide a concise description of these embodiments, all features of an actual embodiment may not be described in the specification. It should be understood that in developing such an actual implementation, as in any engineering or design project, numerous embodiment-specific decisions will be made and may vary from embodiment to embodiment in order to achieve the developer's particular goals, including compliance with system-related and business-related constraints. Moreover, it should be understood that such a development effort might be complex and time-consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking of design, fabrication, and manufacture for those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure.

[0167] The articles "a," "an," and "the" mean there is one or more of the elements in the preceding description. The terms "comprising," "including," and "having" are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements. Additionally, it should be understood that references to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" of the present disclosure are not intended to exclude the existence of additional embodiments that also incorporate the recited features. For example, any element described in connection with an embodiment described herein can be combined with any element of the other embodiments described herein. Any numbers, percentages, ratios, or other values ​​described herein are intended to include that value and other values ​​that are "about" or "approximately" the recited value, as understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to be encompassed by embodiments of the present disclosure. Accordingly, recited values ​​should be interpreted broadly enough to encompass values ​​at least sufficiently near the recited value to perform the desired function or achieve the desired result. The stated value will include at least the expected variation of a suitable manufacturing or production process, and may include values ​​within 5%, within 1%, within 0.1%, or within 0.01% of the stated value.

[0168] Those skilled in the art should, in light of this disclosure, understand that equivalent structures do not depart from the spirit and scope of the disclosure, and that various changes, substitutions, and alterations can be made to the embodiments disclosed herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Equivalent structures containing functional "means-plus-function" clauses are intended to cover structures that perform the functions described herein, including both structural equivalents that operate in the same manner and equivalent structures that provide the same function. Applicant's express intention is not to use "means-plus-function" or other functional claims in the claims, except in claims in which the phrase "means for" appears with the relevant function. Each addition, deletion, and modification to the embodiments that comes within the meaning and scope of the claims is encompassed within the claims.

[0169] As used herein, the terms "approximately," "about," and "substantially" refer to an amount close to a recited amount that performs a desired function or achieves a desired result. For example, the terms "approximately," "about," and "substantially" may refer to an amount that is less than 5%, less than 1%, less than 0.1%, or less than 0.01% of a recited amount. Furthermore, it should be understood that any directions or frames of reference in the foregoing description are merely relative directions or movements. For example, the terms "up" and "down," or "above" and "below" merely describe the relative positions or movements of the associated elements.

[0170] The present disclosure may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or characteristics. The described embodiments are considered to be illustrative and not limiting. Accordingly, the scope of the present disclosure is indicated by the appended claims, rather than by the foregoing description. Changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are embraced within their scope.

Claims

1. 1. A composition comprising a reactive oxygen species inducer for maintaining plant biomass while reducing nitrogen fertilizer application, comprising: A composition comprising a reactive oxygen species inducer, wherein the effective amount of the reactive oxygen species inducer is an amount sufficient to increase a reactive oxygen species response in the plant, the increased reactive oxygen species response comprising an increase in the efficiency of nutrient uptake by the plant.

2. 10. The composition of claim 1, wherein the reactive oxygen species inducer comprises an extract of a 1,4-naphthoquinone-producing plant.

3. 3. The composition of claim 2, wherein the extract is produced by placing the 1,4-naphthoquinone-producing plant in an extraction solution, the extraction solution being an aqueous acid-alcohol solution having 30% to 70% alcohol and 30% to 70% acid, and the extract comprises the extraction solution in which the plant has been placed.

4. 3. The composition according to claim 2, wherein the 1,4-naphthoquinone-producing plant is a species of the genus Juglans.

5. 5. The composition according to claim 4, wherein the 1,4-naphthoquinone-producing plant is black walnut seeds.

6. 10. The composition of claim 1, wherein the reactive oxygen species inducer comprises a naphthoquinone.

7. 10. The composition of claim 1, further comprising soluble carbon.

8. 8. The composition of claim 7, wherein the soluble carbon comprises a leonardite extract.

9. The composition of claim 1 , further comprising a surfactant.

10. 10. The composition of claim 1, wherein the reactive oxygen species inducer is applied at a ratio of about 100:1 of the nitrogen fertilizer.

11. 10. The composition of claim 1, further comprising at least one of menadione, lysine, isoleucine, salicylic acid, or melatonin.

12. 1. A composition for application to a plant, comprising: Nitrogen fertilizer, and a reactive oxygen species, wherein an effective amount of the reactive oxygen species is sufficient to increase a reactive oxygen species response in the plant, the reactive oxygen species response inducing an increase in at least one of the efficiency of nitrogen uptake or the efficiency of nitrogen utilization by the plant; A composition comprising:

13. 13. The composition of claim 12, wherein the reactive oxygen species comprises at least one of peracetic acid, hydrogen peroxide, and peroxide.

14. 14. The composition of claim 13, wherein the reactive oxygen species comprises hydrogen peroxide.

15. 1. A method for maintaining plant biomass while reducing nitrogen application rates, comprising: preparing a composition comprising an effective amount of a reactive oxygen species inducer; and applying the composition to a crop plant such that the plant absorbs at least a portion of the reactive oxygen species inducer, wherein the effective amount of the reactive oxygen species inducer is an amount sufficient to increase a reactive oxygen species response in the plant, the increased reactive oxygen species response comprising an increased efficiency of nutrient uptake by the plant; A method for providing

16. 16. The method of claim 15, wherein preparing the composition comprises preparing a nitrogen fertilizer with the reactive oxygen species.

17. 17. The method of claim 16, wherein preparing the composition comprises mixing the nitrogen fertilizer and the reactive oxygen species inducer in a ratio of about 100:

1.

18. 16. The method of claim 15, wherein applying the composition to the roots of the crop comprises applying the composition to the top 12 inches of the soil.

19. 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the reactive oxygen species inducer comprises hydrogen peroxide.

20. 16. The method of claim 15, wherein applying the composition comprises applying the composition multiple times in a season.

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