Edible coatings for use as plant biostimulants

Abstract

The present invention relates to the field of natural biofilms for use as plant biostimulants. In particular, the applicants have surprisingly provided an edible coating composition in the form of an oil-in-water (O / W) emulsion and its use as a biostimulant for pre-harvest agricultural crops or cultivated plants selected from the list comprising cereals, fruits, vegetables, flowers, trees, grasses and seeds.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of natural biofilms for use as plant biostimulants. In particular, the applicants have surprisingly provided an edible coating composition in the form of an oil-in-water (O / W) emulsion and its use as a biostimulant for pre-harvest agricultural crops or cultivated plants selected from the list comprising cereals, fruits, vegetables, flowers, trees, grasses and seeds. [Background technology]

[0002] The applicants, having expertise in the development of agricultural technologies, have identified a need to enhance the yield of certain agricultural crops and the growth of ornamental plants from qualitative, quantitative and time-related perspectives, taking into account that the crops of interest are inevitably exposed to biotic and / or abiotic factors.

[0003] A qualitative aspect can be understood as, for example, the need to obtain better quality fruits, vegetables or grains, which translates into the size of the fruit on the plant or the nutritional quality of the fruit or grain, resulting in a highly valuable agricultural commodity crop.

[0004] A quantitative aspect may be understood as, for example, more fruits, vegetables or grains produced per hectare, or in other words, better yield of crops and improved control of organisms damaging the crops of interest.

[0005] The time-related aspect means that the time to harvest is significantly reduced, so that rows can close earlier and crops flower earlier, thus bringing forward the time to harvest the fruit or grain at its optimum point.

[0006] The economic aspect means obtaining optimized results from a given crop harvest in qualitative, quantitative and time-related terms and should be seen as an imperative from the standpoint of minimizing economic risks to agricultural producers.

[0007] Biostimulants are typically applied to plants or the rhizosphere to stimulate natural processes, thus improving nutrient uptake, nutrient efficiency, resistance to abiotic stress and plant quality.

[0008] EP 2735232 A1 discloses a biostimulant containing 79.3-83.4% hydrolyzed algal protein as well as 2.0-2.1% betaine. However, this biostimulant shows little or no improved effect under stress conditions, such as drought stress, compared to standard products. Therefore, in EP 2735232 A1, selenium is additionally added to the biostimulant mixture. This selenium addition can improve plant responses to drought stress, particularly fruit production. However, the use of selenium has many drawbacks. While selenium is an essential trace element for humans in minimal amounts, selenium has toxic effects when ingested in excess of the required amount. This is problematic because plant treatment with the composition proposed in EP 2735232 A1 has been shown to significantly increase the selenium content in the edible parts of the treated plants. Higher selenium concentrations also have toxic effects on honeybees and other insects.

[0009] U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2022 / 274893A1 (ALEXANDER ALVIN [Germany]) discloses a biostimulant agent useful for treating plants and / or plant seeds, having a protein hydrolysate ratio and a betaine ratio in a mass ratio of 10:1 to 1:10. The composition having a protein hydrolysate ratio and a betaine ratio in a mass ratio of 10:1 to 1:10 may be provided as a biostimulant agent for treating plants and / or plant seeds.

[0010] WO 2019 / 058211 A1 (DECCO WORLDWIDE POST HARVEST HOLDINGS BV [Netherlands]) describes a method for treating and controlling physiological disorders caused during the post-harvest process of fruit, comprising the application of an aqueous solution that is an edible coating, the coating comprising at least one phospholipid, or at least one polysorbate, or at least one sorbitan ester, or at least one sucrose ester of a fatty acid, or at least one sucroglyceride of a fatty acid, or combinations thereof, from any one of the stages of the post-harvest process through to shipping and sale at the final destination.

[0011] WO 2021 / 094552A1 (UNIV GENT (University of Ghent) [Belgium]; UNIV LEUVEN KATH (Catholic University of Leuven) [Belgium] et al.) relates to plant extracts and their use as biostimulants and biocontrol agents. More specifically, this document provides extracts of plants of the genus Helianthus that can modify root structure in plants and stimulate root development. Thus, the extracts can be used to control plant development, for example, to improve overall root structure, increase nutrient uptake, and increase plant drought tolerance. Additionally, these extracts can be used to control plant diseases.

[0012] GODLEWSKA KATARZYNA et al.: "Plant extracts - importance in sustainable agriculture", ITALIAN JOURNAL OF AGRONOMY, Volume 16, Issue 2, June 17, 2021 (2021-06-17), Pages 1-22, XP055886631, IT ISSN: 1125-4718, DOI: 10.4081 / ija.2021.1851 provides a literature review describing the effects of plant-derived extracts / biostimulants (PDB) on crops grown in controlled and real conditions and under various abiotic and biotic stresses, the extraction methods used to obtain PDB, and the specific components responsible for their biostimulatory activity. The application of these bioproducts could be beneficial for sustainable production due to several advantages such as low toxicity to humans and the environment, enhanced tolerance of cultivated plants to biotic and abiotic stresses, increased crop yield and quality, and reduced use of inorganic fertilizers and pesticides. However, greater collaboration between industrial and academic research is needed to accelerate the development of new environmentally safe solutions for future agriculture.

[0013] BEN-JABEUR MAISSA et al.: "A Novel Aspect of Essential Oils: Coating Seeds with Thyme Essential Oil Induces Drought Resistance in Wheat", PLANTS, Volume 8, Issue 10, September 25, 2019 (2019-09-25), pages 371-1, XP093058926, ISSN: 2223-7747, DOI: 10.3390 / plants 8100371 discloses the use of thyme oil as a biostimulant for plants and a method for coating seeds to promote germination and reduce abiotic stress.

[0014] HARA MASAKAZU: "Potential use of essential oils to enhance heat tolerance in plants," ZEITSCHRIFT FUER NATURFORSCHUNG. C, A JOURNAL OF BIOSCIENCES, Vol. 75, No. 7-8, April 28, 2020 (2020-04-28), pp. 225-231, XP093059133, DE ISSN: 0939-5075, DOI: 10.1515 / znc-2019-0233, discloses that isothiocyanates, monoterpenes, and leaf volatiles are components of essential oils that induce the expression of heat shock protein genes in plant systems. This document describes the mode of heat shock response induced by essential oil compounds and their thermotolerance-enhancing activity. Traditionally, green manures produced from essential oil-containing plants have been used because they are believed to have beneficial effects in fertilization, allelopathy, antimicrobial activity, and animal repellency. In addition to these effects, they are also expected to enhance stress tolerance (especially heat stress). Biostimulants containing such essential oils may be able to maintain crop yield and quality under elevated ambient temperatures. In this review, chemicals that enhance plant heat tolerance are referred to as heat tolerance enhancers (HTLEs). Several essential oil compounds can be classified as HTLEs, which can be used as biostimulants.

[0015] RAO DORAJEE et al.: "Effect of crude edible and non-edible oils on plant growth, yield, and quality: A review," JOURNAL OF PHARMACOGNOSY AND PHYTOCHEMISTRY, Vol. 8, No. 4, January 1, 2019 (2019-01-01), pp. 2024-2029, XP093059274, discloses the use of vegetable oils to enhance the yield and quality of plants, particularly fruit crops. Today, organic edible and non-edible oils are traditionally used as fertilizers in agriculture to obtain high-quality yields at low cost per crop. Methods: Crude edible and non-edible oils were extracted from several seeds, nuts, cereal grains, and fruits using traditional solvent and mechanical extraction methods. Results: The oils contained sufficient amounts of macronutrients and micronutrients, justifying their suitability for agro-industrial applications. To reduce production costs by minimizing or completely eliminating the use of chemical fertilizers (which reduces environmental hazards), improve soil structure, promote agricultural utilization, and obtain high yield quality crops. Some vegetable oils, neem oil and mustard oil, have been very effective in reducing the incidence of diseases. Conclusion: Recently, farmers have adopted the practice of applying crude edible and non-edible oils from sources such as groundnut, rice bran, cotton, neem, mustard, and pongamia to obtain better growth and higher yields and better quality in several of their horticultural and field crops. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0016] [Patent Document 1] European Patent Application Publication No. 2735232A1 [Patent Document 2] US Patent Application Publication No. 2022 / 274893A1 [Patent Document 3] International Publication No. 2019 / 058211A1 Brochure [Patent Document 4] International Publication No. 2021 / 094552A1 Brochure [Non-patent literature]

[0017] [Non-Patent Document 1] GODLEWSKA KATARZYNA et al.: ITALIAN JOURNAL OF AGRONOMY, Volume 16, Issue 2, June 17, 2021 (2021-06-17), Pages 1-22, XP055886631, IT ISSN: 1125-4718, DOI: 10.4081 / ija.2021.1851 [Non-patent document 2] BEN-JABEUR MAISSA et al.: PLANTS, Volume 8, Issue 10, September 25, 2019 (2019-09-25), Pages 371-1, XP093058926, ISSN: 2223-7747, DOI: 10.3390 / plants 8100371 [Non-patent document 3] HARA MASAKAZU: ZEITSCHRIFT FUER NATURFORSCHUNG. C, A JOURNAL OF BIOSCIENCES, Volume 75, Issue 7-8, April 28, 2020 (2020-04-28), Pages 225-231, XP093059133, DE ISSN: 0939-5075, DOI: 10.1515 / znc-2019-0233 [Non-patent document 4] RAO DORAJEE et al.: JOURNAL OF PHARMACOGNOSY AND PHYTOCHEMISTRY, Volume 8, Issue 4, January 1, 2019 (2019-01-01), Pages 2024-2029, XP093059274 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0018] The present invention aims to provide an improved, easy-to-manufacture edible coating for pre-harvest grown plants made strictly from food-grade compounds that does not exhibit one or more of the drawbacks of prior art methods and products.

[0019] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide improved biostimulant agents, in particular biostimulant agents with reduced toxicity.

[0020] In particular, the present invention aims to provide a cost-effective and robust natural biofilm for use as a biostimulant for pre-harvest cultivated plants or crops, which consists of a coating in the form of an oil-in-water microemulsion that is easy to apply to plants or seeds.

[0021] In the present invention, the applicants have surprisingly developed an edible coating composition for use as a biostimulant for pre-harvest cultivated plants selected from the list consisting of grains, fruits, vegetables, flowers, trees, grasses and seeds, the composition comprising a mixture of vegetable oil, water and an emulsifier which is a non-ionic sucrose fatty acid ester. [Means for solving the problem]

[0022] One object of the present invention is to provide a method for the preparation of a plant biostimulant for pre-harvest agricultural crops or cultivated plants selected from the list comprising cereals, fruits, vegetables, flowers, trees, grasses and seeds, natural vegetable oils selected from the group consisting of argan, avocado, canola, safflower, castor, coconut, grape seed, hazelnut, hemp seed, linseed, olive, palm, peanut, pumpkin seed, sesame, sunflower, and walnut, or mixtures thereof; a mixture of nonionic sucrose fatty acid ester emulsifiers comprising a sucrose monoester and a sucrose polyester, wherein the ratio (percentage) of the sucrose monoester to the sucrose polyester is 25 to 70% by weight of each of the nonionic sucrose fatty acid ester emulsifiers and corresponds to a final hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB) of the mixture of nonionic sucrose fatty acid ester emulsifiers of 5 to 15; The remainder is water. The present invention provides a use of an edible coating emulsion comprising a combination of the above, wherein the plant biostimulant for pre-harvest agricultural crops or cultivated plants is intended to promote sexual or asexual reproduction; improve tolerance to stresses consisting of drought stress and salt stress; and promote plant growth, the plant growth including increased yield, increased root length, increased shoot growth, early maturity, and combinations thereof.

[0023] Another object of the present invention is to provide a method for the treatment of cultivated plants and / or plant seeds before harvest, comprising the steps of: a natural vegetable oil selected from the group consisting of argan, avocado, canola, safflower, castor, coconut, grape seed, hazelnut, hemp seed, linseed, olive, palm, peanut, pumpkin seed, sesame, sunflower, and walnut, or mixtures thereof; a mixture of two nonionic sucrose fatty acid ester emulsifiers consisting of a sucrose monoester and a sucrose polyester, wherein the ratio of the sucrose monoester to the sucrose polyester is 25 to 70% by weight of each of the nonionic sucrose fatty acid ester emulsifiers and corresponds to a final hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB) of the mixture of the nonionic sucrose fatty acid ester emulsifiers being 5 to 15; The remainder is water. The plant biostimulant treatment includes providing a biofilm of the plant biostimulant agent, the biofilm comprising a combination of: The object of the present invention is to provide a method for sexual or asexual reproduction; improving tolerance to stresses including drought stress and salt stress; and promoting plant growth, which can be increased yield, increased root length, increased shoot growth, earlier maturity, and combinations thereof, compared to plants that have not received an agriculturally effective amount of this plant biostimulant agent.

[0024] A still further object of the present invention is an abiotic plant biostimulant for the pre-harvest treatment of agricultural crops or cultivated plants, the plant biostimulant being in the form of an oil-in-water (O / W) edible coating emulsion, the oil-in-water (O / W) edible coating emulsion comprising: a natural or non-synthetic vegetable oil selected from the group consisting of canola and sunflower, wherein the natural vegetable oil accounts for 6% to 12% w / w of the total weight of the edible coating emulsion; a mixture of two nonionic sucrose fatty acid ester emulsifiers consisting of a sucrose monoester and a sucrose polyester, wherein the ratio of sucrose monoester to sucrose polyester is 25-70% by weight of each of the nonionic sucrose fatty acid ester emulsifiers, corresponding to a final hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB) of the mixture of nonionic sucrose fatty acid ester emulsifiers of 5-15%, and the mixture of nonionic sucrose fatty acid ester emulsifiers accounts for 7% w / w-15% w / w of the total weight of the edible coating emulsion; wherein the relative proportions of the components are selected from within their respective ranges, with the remainder being water, the sum of which is 100% of the edible coating emulsion, to provide an abiotic plant biostimulant for pre-harvest treatment.

[0025] Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from a review of the following detailed description and appended claims, which proceeds with reference to the following illustrative drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0026] [Figure 1]1 shows the difference in the number of leaves and shoots (shoots) in strawberry plants coated with a biostimulant of the present invention compared to uncoated plants (control). The figure shows that the coated plants grew faster (i.e., had more leaves and shoots) throughout the 10-week experiment. [Figure 2] 1 depicts the difference in total weight of strawberry plants coated with a biostimulant of the present invention compared to uncoated plants (control) at the end of the experiment (week 10). [Figure 3] 1 shows the difference in the developmental stage of stolon (runner) coated with the biostimulant of the present invention compared to uncoated plants (control) at the end of the experiment (week 10). The figure shows that the coated plants developed more stolon than the uncoated plants. [Figure 4] 1 shows the difference in shoot and root biomass of seedlings from lentil plants treated with a biostimulant of the present invention compared to untreated crops (control) after a 4-week experiment. [Figure 5] Figure 1 shows the difference in shoot biomass and seedling height from (i) spring wheat, (ii) rapeseed shoot biomass, and (iii) flaxseed shoot biomass treated with our biostimulants compared to untreated crops (control) after a 4-week experiment. [Figure 6] 1 shows the difference in shoot and root height and biomass of seedlings from buckwheat and lentil plants treated with a biostimulant of the present invention compared to untreated crops (control) after a 4-week experiment. [Figure 7] Figure 1 shows the difference in yield of plants treated with Applicant's biostimulants compared to plants treated with classical biological treatments (Kocide® Opti and Thiovit Jet). [Figure 8] 1 depicts the difference in growth of plants treated with a biostimulant of the present invention compared to untreated plants one week after a second mowing that simulates mowing. [Figure 9]Figure 1 shows the difference in growth (leaf size) between coated and uncoated banana trees. [Figure 10] 1 depicts the difference in relative chlorophyll content (SPAD) between plants treated with a biostimulant of the present invention and untreated plants. [Figure 11] 1 shows the difference in yield of strawberry plants treated with a biostimulant of the present invention compared to untreated plants under salinity stress. [Figure 12] The difference in shoot to root ratio for coated versus uncoated plants is presented. [Figure 13] Figure 1 shows the difference in relative chlorophyll content (SPAD) in leaves of treated versus untreated plants at 5 and 6 weeks under salinity stress. [Figure 14] Figure 1 shows the difference in photosystem 2 efficiency (percentage of light used for photochemistry; Phi2) between leaves of treated versus untreated plants at 5 and 6 weeks under salt stress. [Figure 15] Figure 1 represents the difference in yield between treated versus untreated plants under salinity stress. [Figure 16] The coated plants showed that after six weeks of treatment, they were more efficient in using light for photochemistry (Phi2; useful light that plants use to obtain food). [Figure 17] The difference in abscisic acid levels in leaves of treated versus untreated plants is shown. [Figure 18] It represents the variation in yield between treated and untreated plants under standard conditions. [Figure 19] 1 depicts the difference in salicylic acid, abscisic acid, and jasmonic acid concentrations between plants treated with a biostimulant of the present invention and controls for new and old leaves. [Figure 20] Figure 1 shows the difference in productivity (grape weight in kg) between plots treated with the biostimulant of the present invention and the control. [Figure 21]Figure 22 depicts the difference in SPAD levels in plants treated with a biostimulant of the invention and a Decco product. Figure 22 depicts the difference in flower number on plants treated with a biostimulant of the invention, a sucrose ester and a Decco product. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0027] Although methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the present invention, suitable methods and materials are described below. All patent application publications, patent applications, patents, and other references mentioned herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety. The patent application publications and applications discussed herein are provided solely for their disclosure prior to the filing date of the present application. Nothing herein should be construed as an admission that the present invention is not entitled to antedate such publications by virtue of prior invention. Additionally, the materials, methods, and examples are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting.

[0028] In case of conflict, the present specification, including definitions, will control. Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the subject matter of this specification belongs. As used herein, the following definitions are provided to facilitate the understanding of the present invention.

[0029] The term "comprise" is generally used in the sense of include, i.e. allowing for the presence of one or more features or components. Thus, the "consisting in or consisting of" claim format is typically understood by case law to convey a closed claim that excludes any item not expressly recited in the claim.

[0030] As used in the specification and claims, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0031] The presence in some instances of broadening words and phrases such as "one or more," "at least," "including but not limited to," or other similar phrases should not be construed to mean that a narrower case is intended or required in instances where such broadening phrases may not be present.

[0032] The terms "coating" and "biofilm" refer to the product and result of a process that coats pre-harvest cultivated plants selected from the list consisting of grains, fruits, vegetables, flowers, grasses and seeds.

[0033] The term "oil" refers to oil / butter extractions from other fruit and / or seed contents such as solid materials and liquids, but also includes any other lipophilic and hydrophilic compounds from plants that can be transformed into oil / butter through an extraction process.

[0034] "Natural vegetable oils" or in general natural oils are obtained from the most diverse parts of oil-containing plants. Depending on the type of plant, different plant parts such as seeds, fruits, leaves, flowers, stems, bark, wood (including their resins) or roots can be used for this purpose. The term "natural" is used to refer to non-synthetic materials. Natural vegetable oils include, for example, argan, avocado, canola, safflower, castor, coconut, grape seed, hazelnut, hemp seed, linseed, olive, palm, peanut, pumpkin seed, sesame, sunflower, and walnut oils, or mixtures thereof.

[0035] For purposes of the present invention, "plant" refers to a type of living organism exemplified by trees, shrubs, herbs, grasses, ferns, and mosses that typically grow in a permanent location, absorb water and minerals through their roots, and synthesize nutrients in their leaves by photosynthesis using the green pigment chlorophyll. Plants include germinated seeds, saplings, newly emerged seedlings (young plants), and established plants, including leaves, stems, flowers, fruits, branches, members, roots, and above-ground parts such as roots.

[0036] Shrubs are members of the grass family and grow either spontaneously or are planted in fields, used as fodder, and also cultivated in gardens, parks, meadows and lawns. Turf is a ground cover consisting of the surface layer of grass and grass roots.

[0037] Plants of agricultural interest are any kind of edible or non-edible plants used for commercial consumption; they may be trees, flowering or cryptogamous plants, grasses, turf, etc.

[0038] Fruits / grains for the purposes of this application, fruits or grains are considered to be the result of harvesting an agricultural crop.

[0039] The term "vegetable" is used for plants or parts of plants used as food, including, for example, some fruits, leaves, stems, roots and tubers.

[0040] A "seed" is an embryonic plant enclosed in a protective outer covering. Seed formation is part of the reproductive process in seed-propagating plants, i.e., spermatophytes, including gymnosperms and angiosperms. A seed is the product of a mature ovule after fertilization by pollen and some growth within the mother plant. The term "seed" also has the general meaning preceding it, such as a "seed" potato, a corn "seed," or a sunflower "seed," anything that can be sown. In the case of sunflower and corn "seed," it is the seed enclosed in a husk or husk that is sown, while for potatoes it is the tuber.

[0041] Many structures commonly called "seeds" are actually dried fruits. Plants that produce berries are called baccates. Sunflower seeds are sometimes sold commercially while still enclosed inside the hard wall of the fruit, which must be split open to access the seed. Different groups of plants have other modifications, such as so-called drupes (such as peaches) that have a hardened fruit layer (endocarp) fused to and surrounding the actual seed. Nuts are the one-seed, hard-shelled fruits of some plants with indehiscent seeds, such as acorns or hazelnuts. Coffee beans and green coffee beans are also included within this term.

[0042] The terms "apply," "apply," "spread," "application," "applying," "coating," "treat," "treated," "administering," "administering," or "administered" refer to the application of a composition disclosed herein to a seed, seedling, plant, or plant part. The composition may be applied to the seed, seedling, plant, or plant part by spray application, dipping, watering / sprinkler system, or immersion. For example, seeds can be dipped in, sprayed with, or washed with a composition disclosed herein before packaging or planting.

[0043] The terms "about," "approximately," "approximate," and "around" are used in this patent application to describe certain quantitative aspects of the present invention. It should be understood that absolute precision is not required for the present invention to function. When these terms are used to describe quantitative aspects of the present invention, the associated aspect may vary by up to ±10%. Thus, the terms "about," "approximately," "approximate," and "around" allow for variations in various disclosed quantitative aspects of the present invention of ±1%, ±2%, ±3%, ±4%, ±5%, ±6%, ±7%, ±8%, ±9%, or up to ±10%. For example, a 10% plant extract may contain 9% to 11% plant extract.

[0044] As used herein, the term "extract" refers to an active preparation derived from plant material. In this context, "active" means that the extract is capable of producing the desired effect disclosed herein. Extracts are obtained by the process of "extraction," which is understood by those skilled in the art as a method of extracting active ingredients. The extraction process may involve treating the plant material with a liquid or supercritical fluid to dissolve the active preparation and separate it from the remaining unwanted plant material. The extract may be in liquid form (e.g., as a decoction, solution, infusion, or tincture) or in solid form (e.g., as a powder or granules). Exemplary extraction processes include treatment with food-grade solvents including hexane, acetone, ethanol, water or mixtures thereof, mechanical extraction by grounding the plant (e.g., vegetable oil), mixing with oil followed by heating, stirring and press filtration, supercritical carbon dioxide extraction in multiple steps using pressurized hot water extraction with small amounts of ethanol, ultrasound-assisted methanol extraction, and steam distillation and maceration with ethanol.

[0045] A "natural composition" or natural product is a chemical compound or substance produced by a living organism found in nature. In its broadest sense, a natural product or natural composition includes any substance produced by a living organism. The term natural product has also been broadened commercially to refer to cosmetics, dietary supplements, and foods made from natural sources without the addition of artificial ingredients.

[0046] Synergy: In general, synergy may be defined as the combination of two elements such that the result of the combination is greater than the sum of the individual results of each element. Thus, synergy is simply the sum of factors focused on the same goal. A composition containing "synergistic activity" or a "synergistic composition" is a combination of compounds that exhibits increased biological or functional activity as a nonlinear multiple of the biological or functional activity of the individual compounds.

[0047] A blend is composed of two or more simple or complex substances. A blend may be solid or liquid, and may or may not be homogeneous.

[0048] Homogeneous Blend: A blend of substances that may have been identifiable at the start, but as a result of blending, the substances can no longer be identified in isolation. A homogeneous blend has a uniform appearance to the naked eye, and the blend is also single-phase.

[0049] A "biostimulant" is a substance applied to plants to increase nutrient efficiency, increase resistance to abiotic stress, increase productivity, and / or improve the quality of the product. According to Article 22 of the EU Fertilizer Regulation, a plant biostimulant is a fertilizer product that has the function of stimulating plant nutritional processes, independently of the nutrient content of the product, for the sole purpose of improving one or more of the following characteristics of a plant or the plant's rhizosphere: (a) nutrient use efficiency, (b) resistance to abiotic stress, (c) quality traits, or (d) availability of trapped nutrients in the soil or rhizosphere. Article 23 of this Regulation now distinguishes between fertilizers and plant protection products covered by Regulation (EC) No. 1107 / 2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 21 October 2009 on the placing on the market of plant protection products and fertilizers and plant protection products covered by the repealed Council Directives 79 / 117 / EEC and 91 / 414 / EEC (OJ L 309, 24 November 2009, p. 1).

[0050] On the other hand, plant protection products (PPPs) are defined in Article 2, Scope 1 of Regulation EU 1107 / 2009. This EU Regulation applies to products which, in the form supplied to the user, consist of or contain active substances, safeners or synergists and which are intended for one of the following uses: (a) to protect plants or plant products from all harmful organisms or to prevent the action of such organisms, unless the main purpose of these products is considered to be for reasons of hygiene rather than for the protection of plants or plant products; (b) to affect plant life processes other than as nutrients or plant biostimulants, such as substances that affect plant growth; (c) to preserve plant products, unless such substances or products are subject to specific Community provisions on preservatives; (d) to destroy unwanted plants or plant parts, except algae, unless the product is applied to soil or water to protect plants; or (e) to check or prevent unwanted plant growth, except algae, unless the product is applied to soil or water to protect plants. These products are called "plant protection products" (PPPs).

[0051] The Regulation is intended to apply to substances, called "active substances", including microorganisms, which have a general or specific action against harmful organisms or on plants, plant parts or plant products.

[0052] A substance or preparation that is used or intended to be used in a plant protection product or adjuvant but is not an active substance, safener or synergist is called a "co-formulant".

[0053] The term "essentially" is a relative term and is used in the context of the claims of this patent to define the major components of the claimed plant biostimulant. In this case, the term "essentially" means "for the most part" or "mainly" or "substantially," and thus the claimed composition contains "for the most part, but not exclusively," since other things may also be present.

[0054] "Abiotic factors" may be understood as the sum total of all influences that living things in an ecosystem may be subjected to in their environment, whether physical, chemical or physico-chemical, such as light, solar radiation, temperature, time, water, soil composition and pressure, among others.

[0055] "Biotic factors" are the living parts of an ecosystem. Every living organism in an ecosystem can be considered a biotic factor because of the way ecosystems operate as complex systems of competition and cooperation in which the actions of any living organism can affect all others. Biotic factors such as soil bacteria, plant life, apex predators, and pollution sources can all profoundly shape which organisms can survive in an ecosystem and what survival strategies they use. Scientists classify biotic factors into three major groups, which define their role in the energy flow that all organisms in an ecosystem need to survive. These groups are producers or autotrophs, consumers or heterotrophs, and decomposers or detritivores.

[0056] Biotic factors, along with non-living abiotic factors such as temperature, sunlight, geography, and chemistry, determine what an ecosystem looks like and what environmental niches are available.

[0057] There are two basic types of water and oil emulsions. A relatively low oil content produces an oil-in-water (O / W) emulsion, while a relatively low water content produces a water-in-oil (W / O) emulsion. In an oil-in-water emulsion, very fine droplets of oil are suspended in water, while in a water-in-oil emulsion, water droplets are suspended in oil. An emulsifier is a substance that is attracted to both water and oil. Thus, the emulsifier is attracted to the interface of the suspended droplets, where it tends to maintain the emulsified state of the mixture.

[0058] Oil-in-water emulsions are preferred over water-in-oil emulsions for two reasons. First, oil-in-water emulsions result in thinner, more easily applied coating materials. Second, oil-in-water emulsions are preferred for their properties in preventing mold growth. Mold forms and grows best in water that is deprived of air. In oil-in-water emulsions, the aqueous phase is exposed to air, whereas in water-in-oil emulsions, which are typically creams rather than liquids, the suspended water droplets are sealed by the surrounding oil bodies, thus providing an anaerobic environment for organisms normally found in the aqueous phase.

[0059] emulsifier Emulsifiers are additives that aid in the mixing of two liquids. For example, water and oil separate in a glass, but adding an emulsifier helps them mix. Emulsifiers consist of a water-loving hydrophilic head and an oil-loving hydrophobic tail. The hydrophilic head faces the water phase, and the hydrophobic tail faces the oil phase. Emulsifiers have a stabilizing effect on emulsions by positioning themselves at the oil / water or air / water interface and reducing surface tension. Emulsifiers belong to the surfactant family and typically have an oil-loving (lipophilic) portion and a water-loving (hydrophilic) portion, which can stably exist near the boundary layer between the aqueous and oily portions. Oil and water repel each other, easily breaking down emulsions without an emulsifier. Emulsifiers prevent this rejection by projecting their water-loving side toward water and their fat-loving side toward fat. The degree to which hydrophilic or lipophilic characteristics dominate is expressed by the HLB value of the surfactant (HLB = hydrophilic-lipophilic balance). A high HLB value (10-18) indicates a hydrophilic substance suitable for emulsifying fats and oils in water. Substances with a low HLB (3-8) are lipophilic and suitable for water-in-oil emulsions.

[0060] "Ionic emulsifiers" are those that have a charge (single or more). There are three types of ionic surfactants: Anionic (negative charge) Cationic (positively charged) Amphoteric (including positive and negative charges)

[0061] "Nonionic emulsifiers" do not contain an electric charge. Structurally, nonionic emulsifiers have a combination of uncharged hydrophilic and hydrophobic groups, which makes them effective in wetting and spreading, and as foaming agents.

[0062] Sucrose Esters Sucrose ester emulsifiers are a class of synthetic emulsifiers obtained by chemically esterifying sucrose molecules with one or more fatty acids (or glycerides). Sucrose is a disaccharide consisting of glucose and fructose subunits linked together through ether bonds. It has the molecular formula C 11 H 22 O 11 and has the IUPAC name β-D-fructofuranosyl α-D-glucopyranoside. It has eight hydroxyl groups (-OH) that can be esterified, as in the case of sucrose ester emulsifiers. Fatty acids are molecules consisting of a carboxylic acid (-COOH) and an aliphatic chain, which may be either saturated (no carbon-carbon double bonds in the chain) or unsaturated (one or more carbon-carbon double bonds). In nature, the carbon chain usually has an even number of carbons, ranging from 4 to 28. They also exist as esters, e.g., triglycerides or phospholipids, in which the carboxylic acid has reacted with an alcohol to form an ester bond. For sucrose ester emulsifiers, the fatty acid carbon chain length (typically C 12 ~C 22 Depending on the sucrose content and the number of fatty acid chains per sucrose molecule (primarily monoesters, diesters, and triesters), a wide range of hydrophilic-lipophilic balances can be achieved, ranging from 2 to 18. These molecules are approved and registered in the European Union by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) under the E number E473. Sucrose esters are typically produced by transesterification between sucrose and fatty acid methyl esters. As emulsifiers, sucrose esters are used in cosmetic, pharmaceutical, and food applications due to their broad emulsifying properties.

[0063] The "hydrophilic-lipophilic balance" (HLB) is a value used to characterize the degree to which an emulsifier is hydrophilic or lipophilic, ranging from 0 to 20. The lower the HLB value, the more hydrophobic the molecule. For nonionic emulsifiers, the method was first described by Griffin in 1949 for molecules such as polyethylene oxide (PEO) (Griffin, William C. (1949), "Classification of Surface-Active Agents by 'HLB'" (PDF), Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Chemists, 1(5):311-26), and has been adapted for sucrose esters. The HLB of commercially available sucrose ester emulsifiers can be adjusted by varying the degree of re-esterification or by varying the carbon chain length of the fatty acids. For a given carbon chain length, monoesters (one fatty acid ester per sucrose unit) are more hydrophilic than diesters (two fatty acid esters per sucrose molecule), while triesters (three fatty acid esters per sucrose molecule) are the most hydrophobic.

[0064] "Sucrose monoesters" consist of sucrose molecules with one fatty acid ester, while "sucrose polyesters" include all sucrose molecules with multiple fatty acid esters (including diesters, triesters, etc.). Alternatively, for a given number of fatty acid esters per sucrose molecule, the longer the carbon chain of the fatty acid, the more hydrophobic (lower HLB) the sucrose ester emulsifier. However, even though these two methods for adjusting HLB exist, the degree of esterification has a more significant effect on HLB than the length of the fatty acid carbon chain. To prepare hydrophobic sucrose esters, decreasing the weight percentage of sucrose monoester (relative to the sucrose polyester) is more efficient than shortening the length of the fatty acid carbon chain. Sisterna®, a company that manufactures and sells sucrose ester emulsifiers for cosmetic and food applications, has products with an HLB range of 1 to 16. They are made with stearic acid (C) for interesterification. 18 ) and palmitic acid (C 16 ) and adjust the HLB of the final product by varying the proportion of monoesters. The more monoesters in the blend, the more hydrophilic (higher HLB). Such products can be found at https: / / www.sisterna.com / food / product-range / .

[0065] Another company, Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation®, also sells a similar product under the name Ryoto Sugar Ester®. Unlike Sisterna®, they use fatty acids of different chain lengths and do not use the same mixture of palmitic acid / stearic acid. For example, they do not use lauric acid (C 12 ) or behenic acid (C 22 ) are used. They contain fatty acids with unsaturated carbon chains, such as oleic acid (C 18 -monounsaturated) or erucic acid (C 22 -monounsaturated). These products can be found at https: / / www.mfc.co.jp / english / ryoto_se / seihin.htm.

[0066] One object of the present invention is to provide a method for the preparation of a plant biostimulant for pre-harvest agricultural crops or cultivated plants selected from the list comprising cereals, fruits, vegetables, flowers, trees, grasses and seeds, a natural vegetable oil selected from the group consisting of argan, avocado, canola, safflower, castor, coconut, grape seed, hazelnut, hemp seed, linseed, olive, palm, peanut, pumpkin seed, sesame, sunflower, and walnut, or mixtures thereof; a mixture of nonionic sucrose fatty acid ester emulsifiers consisting of a sucrose monoester and a sucrose polyester, wherein the ratio of sucrose monoester to sucrose polyester is comprised between 25 and 70% by weight of each of the nonionic sucrose fatty acid ester emulsifiers, and the final hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB) of the mixture of nonionic sucrose fatty acid ester emulsifiers is comprised between 5 and 15; The remainder is water. and (c) use of an edible coating emulsion comprising a combination of the above-mentioned plant biostimulants for pre-harvest agricultural crops or cultivated plants to promote sexual or asexual reproduction; improve tolerance to stresses including drought stress and salt stress; and promote plant growth, wherein the plant growth includes increased yield, increased root length, increased shoot growth, early maturity, and combinations thereof.

[0067] Preferably, the pre-harvest crop is a plant of agricultural interest, which is any kind of edible or non-edible plant used for commercial consumption; these may be trees, flowering or cryptogamous plants, grasses, turf, etc., as well as seeds, or fruits / grains that are the result of harvesting crops, and "vegetables" which include, for example, some fruits, leaves, stems, roots and tubers, etc.

[0068] Surprisingly, the plant biostimulants for pre-harvest crops or cultivated plants promote sexual or asexual reproduction; improved tolerance to stresses consisting of drought stress, salt stress; and plant growth, including increased yield, increased root length, increased shoot growth, earlier maturity, and combinations thereof.

[0069] Preferably, the natural vegetable oil is a cold-pressed oil selected from the group consisting of argan, avocado, canola, safflower, castor, coconut, grape seed, hazelnut, hemp seed, linseed, olive, palm, peanut, pumpkin seed, sesame, sunflower and walnut, or mixtures thereof. More preferably, said natural vegetable oil corresponds to a mixture of two natural vegetable oils selected from the group consisting of canola, olive and sunflower.

[0070] Because it is important that the coating be edible, natural vegetable oils are used in the present invention, although mineral oils could be used instead, which, when tested under the same conditions, have also proven to give good results on pre-harvest crops, but the fact that the coating of the present invention is edible is nevertheless an important requirement from consumers. Mineral oils are usually obtained as a by-product of crude oil refining to produce gasoline or petroleum. They are composed primarily of alkanes, cycloalkanes, and naphthalenes (polycyclic hydrocarbons). They have lower densities and viscosities than edible oils. Antioxidants are not present in mineral oils, but are usually added later.

[0071] According to one embodiment of the invention, the ratio of sucrose monoester to sucrose polyester is 60% of the total weight of the sucrose fatty acid ester emulsifier, corresponding to a final hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB) of 13.

[0072] According to another embodiment of the invention, the ratio of sucrose monoester to sucrose polyester is 25% of the total weight of the sucrose fatty acid ester emulsifier, corresponding to a final hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB) of 5.

[0073] According to another embodiment, the non-ionic sucrose fatty acid ester emulsifier comprises 75% w / w to 15% w / w of the total weight of the edible coating emulsion before dilution. Preferably, the non-ionic sucrose fatty acid ester emulsifier comprises about 10% w / w or about 13% w / w of the total weight of any edible coating emulsion before dilution.

[0074] The edible coating emulsion of the present invention comprises a mixture of nonionic sucrose fatty acid ester emulsifiers with different hydrophilic-lipophilic balances. As explained above, the hydrophilic-lipophilic balance is determined by the HLB, and the HLB of commercially available sucrose ester emulsifiers can be adjusted by varying the degree of interesterification or by changing the carbon chain length of the fatty acid. Preferably, the nonionic sucrose fatty acid ester emulsifiers with different hydrophilic-lipophilic balances are selected from the list comprising sucrose monostearate and distearate or tristearate or polystearate α-D-glucopyranoside, β-D-fructofuranosyl, mixed palmitates and stearates, i.e., SP70 and SP30. According to one embodiment, the mixture corresponds to two nonionic sucrose fatty acid ester emulsifiers. Preferably, the two nonionic sucrose fatty acid ester emulsifiers are mixed palmitates and stearates, SP70 and SP30. More preferably, the fatty acids of the two nonionic sucrose fatty acid esters are selected from the group consisting of stearic acid (C18) and palmitic acid (C16) or mixtures thereof.

[0075] According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the non-ionic sucrose fatty acid ester emulsifier is selected from the list comprising sucrose (α-D-glucopyranoside, β-D-fructofuranosyl) monostearate and distearate or tristearate or polystearate and sucrose (α-D-glucopyranoside, β-D-fructofuranosyl) palmitate and dipalmitate or tripalmitate or polypalmitate. Preferably, the non-ionic sucrose fatty acid ester emulsifier is HABO MX T050 (https: / / www.compassfoods.com / habo-sucrose-esters.html). According to this embodiment, the non-ionic sucrose fatty acid ester emulsifier mixture consists of a mixture of 25% monoester and 75% polyester by weight, with a final hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB) of 5, and the fatty acid consists essentially of stearic acid (C18).

[0076] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the edible coating emulsion is a microemulsion having an average particle size distribution of the oil droplets in the coating emulsion of about 20 micrometers in diameter, preferably 2-5 micrometers in diameter.

[0077] Preferably, the natural vegetable oil comprises 6% w / w to 12% w / w of the total weight of the edible coating emulsion before any dilution. Most preferably, the natural vegetable oil comprises about 9% of the total weight of the edible coating emulsion before any dilution.

[0078] All concentrations or percentages given correspond to the pure, undiluted plant biostimulant product.

[0079] Additionally, common agricultural adjuvants can be added to the edible coating emulsion of the present invention. Adjuvants are chemicals or mixtures of chemicals that enhance the effectiveness of biostimulant products. These adjuvants include, but are not limited to, adhesives (e.g., Sticman®, https: / / www.agrileader.fr / adjuvants / 1148-0377200-sticman.html), spreading agents (e.g., Silwet™ L-77, https: / / www.momentive.com / en-us / categories / agriculture / silwet-l-77-ag-spray-adjuvant), antifoaming agents (e.g., Abate®, https: / / www.interagro.co.uk / product / abate / ), and wetting agents (e.g., Presto®, https: / / www.cerience.fr / en / solutions / presto). Optionally, a preservative such as citric acid, benzoic acid, or sorbic acid may be added to the edible coating emulsion of the present invention.

[0080] Advantageously, natural fungicides or formulations containing natural fungicides can be added or combined with the edible coating emulsion of the present invention, which may be, for example, algae and cyanobacteria extracts. Preferably, the natural fungicide is an isothiocyanate derivative as described in WO 2020011750(A1) (UNIV DE LAUSANNE, Switzerland). Other non-natural fungicides may also be used, for example, fungicides selected from the group including: azoxystrobin, cyproconazole, mandipropamide, zoxamide, copper oxysulfate, cymoxanil, fenpropidin, difenoconazole, propiconazole, captan, cyprodinil, copper oxychloride, fosetylaluminum, folpet, dithianon, potassium phosphate, mancozeb, cyflufenamid, difenoconazole, benzovindiflupyr, pro Tioconazole, metalaxyl, fluazinam, boscalid, tebuconazole, bupirimate, epoxiconazole, fenpropimorph, fluxapyroxad, fludioxonil, trifloxystrobin, sulfur metrafenone, hydrogen peroxide, peroxyacetic acid, chlorothalonil, iprodione, liquid hydrocarbons, flutolanil, propamocarb hydrochloride, pyrimethanil, dodine, copper octanoate, triadimenol, copper(II) hydroxide, thiabendazole, epoxyconazole zol), Prochloraze, Methyl thiophanate, Triflumizole, Mancozeb, Picoxystrobine, Fenbuconazole, Myclobutanil, Quinoxyfene, Famoxadone, Metiram, Potassium phosphite, Flutriafol, Bixafen, Kresoxim-methyl, Fluoxastrobin, Methyl thiophanate, Ziram, Polyoxin D Zinc Salt, Chlorothalonil, Hydroxytrimethylsilane Liphenyltin, ethaboxam, mandestrobin, clothianidin, ipconazole, proquinazide, strobilurins and triazoles, triforine, thiuram, cyazofamid, isofetamide, nuarimol, spiroxamine, propamocarb, epoxiconazole, ametoctradine, dimethomorph, fenpyrazamine, xemium, penthiopyrad.

[0081] The coatings of the present invention, i.e., plant biostimulants, can also form an inert physical barrier on the plant to fungal pathogens, thus retarding their development by preventing them from accessing plant resources required for their growth, without the presence of any fungitoxic compounds present in the coating. In this particular embodiment, the coatings of the present invention can qualify as plant protection products (PPPs).

[0082] Yet another object of the present invention is an abiotic plant biostimulant for the pre-harvest treatment of agricultural crops or cultivated plants, the plant biostimulant being in the form of an oil-in-water (O / W) edible coating emulsion, the oil-in-water (O / W) edible coating emulsion comprising: a natural or non-synthetic vegetable oil selected from the group consisting of canola and sunflower, wherein the natural vegetable oil accounts for 6% to 12% w / w of the total weight of the edible coating emulsion; a mixture of two nonionic sucrose fatty acid ester emulsifiers consisting of a sucrose monoester and a sucrose polyester, wherein the ratio of sucrose monoester to sucrose polyester is 25-70% by weight of each of the nonionic sucrose fatty acid ester emulsifiers, corresponding to a final hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB) of the mixture of nonionic sucrose fatty acid ester emulsifiers of 5-15%, and the mixture of nonionic sucrose fatty acid ester emulsifiers accounts for 7% w / w-15% w / w of the total weight of the edible coating emulsion; wherein the relative proportions of the ingredients are selected from within their respective ranges, with the remainder being water, the total of which is 100% of the edible coating emulsion. The concentrations or percentages given correspond to the pure, undiluted plant biostimulant product. The plant biostimulant product of the present invention consists only of the three components mentioned above: vegetable oil, non-ionic sucrose fatty acid ester, and water.

[0083] Preferably, the plants are plants of agricultural interest, which are any kind of edible or non-edible plants used for commercial consumption; these may be trees, flowering or cryptogamous plants, grasses, turf, etc., as well as seeds, or fruits / grains that are the result of harvesting agricultural crops, and "vegetables" which include, for example, some fruits, leaves, stems, roots and tubers, etc.

[0084] Preferably, the natural vegetable oil is a cold-pressed oil selected from the group consisting of argan, avocado, canola, safflower, castor, coconut, grape seed, hazelnut, hemp seed, linseed, olive, palm, peanut, pumpkin seed, sesame, sunflower and walnut or mixtures thereof. More preferably, said natural vegetable oil corresponds to a mixture of two natural vegetable oils selected from the group consisting of canola, olive and sunflower.

[0085] According to one preferred embodiment of the present invention, the ratio of sucrose monoester to sucrose polyester is 60% of the total weight of the two sucrose fatty acid ester emulsifiers, corresponding to a final hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB) of 13.

[0086] According to another embodiment of the invention, the ratio of sucrose monoester to sucrose polyester is 25% of the total weight of the sucrose fatty acid ester emulsifier, corresponding to a final hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB) of 5.

[0087] According to yet another embodiment, the non-ionic sucrose fatty acid ester emulsifier comprises 7% w / w to 15% w / w of the total weight of the edible coating emulsion before dilution. Preferably, the non-ionic sucrose fatty acid ester emulsifier comprises about 10% w / w or about 13% w / w of the total weight of any edible coating emulsion before dilution.

[0088] According to one embodiment, the edible coating emulsion, i.e., plant biostimulant, of the present invention comprises two non-ionic sucrose fatty acid ester emulsifiers with different lipophilicity balances. Preferably, the two non-ionic sucrose fatty acid ester emulsifiers with different lipophilicity balances are selected from the list comprising sucrose monostearate and distearate or tristearate or polystearate α-D-glucopyranoside, β-D-fructofuranosyl, mixed palmitates and stearates, i.e. SP70 and SP30. Preferably, the two non-ionic sucrose fatty acid ester emulsifiers are mixed palmitates and stearates, SP70 and SP30. More preferably, the fatty acids of the two nonionic sucrose fatty acid esters are selected from the group consisting of stearic acid (C18) and palmitic acid (C16) or mixtures thereof.

[0089] According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the non-ionic sucrose fatty acid ester emulsifier is selected from the list comprising sucrose (α-D-glucopyranoside, β-D-fructofuranosyl) monostearate and distearate or tristearate or polystearate and sucrose (α-D-glucopyranoside, β-D-fructofuranosyl) palmitate and dipalmitate or tripalmitate or polypalmitate. Preferably, the non-ionic sucrose fatty acid ester emulsifier is HABO MX T050. According to this embodiment, the non-ionic sucrose fatty acid ester emulsifier mixture consists of a mixture of 25% monoester and 75% polyester by weight, with a final hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB) of 5, and the fatty acid consists essentially of stearic acid (C18).

[0090] Advantageously, the plant biostimulant is a microemulsion having an average particle size distribution of the oil droplets in the coating emulsion of about 20 micrometers in diameter, preferably between 2 and 5 micrometers in diameter.

[0091] Preferably, the natural vegetable oil comprises 6% to 12% w / w of the total weight of the edible coating emulsion before any dilution. Most preferably, the natural vegetable oil comprises about 9% of the total weight of the edible coating emulsion before any dilution.

[0092] According to a preferred embodiment, natural fungicides, such as those exemplified above, can be added to or combined with the edible coating emulsion of the present invention.

[0093] Additionally, common agricultural adjuvants can be added to the edible coating emulsion of the present invention. Adjuvants are chemicals or mixtures of chemicals that enhance the effectiveness of biostimulant products. These adjuvants include, but are not limited to, adhesives (e.g., Sticman®, https: / / www.agrileader.fr / adjuvants / 1148-0377200-sticman.html), spreading agents (e.g., Silwet™ L-77, https: / / www.momentive.com / en-us / categories / agriculture / silwet-l-77-ag-spray-adjuvant), antifoaming agents (e.g., Abate®, https: / / www.interagro.co.uk / product / abate / ), and wetting agents (e.g., Presto®, https: / / www.cerience.fr / en / solutions / presto). Optionally, a preservative such as citric acid, benzoic acid, or sorbic acid may be added to the edible coating emulsion of the present invention.

[0094] Yet another object of the present invention is a method for the treatment of cultivated plants and / or plant seeds before harvest, comprising the steps of: a natural vegetable oil selected from the group consisting of argan, avocado, canola, safflower, castor, coconut, grape seed, hazelnut, hemp seed, linseed, olive, palm, peanut, pumpkin seed, sesame, sunflower, and walnut, or mixtures thereof; a mixture of two nonionic sucrose fatty acid ester emulsifiers consisting of a sucrose monoester and a sucrose polyester, wherein the ratio of the sucrose monoester to the sucrose polyester is 25 to 70% by weight of each of the nonionic sucrose fatty acid ester emulsifiers and corresponds to a final hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB) of the mixture of the nonionic sucrose fatty acid ester emulsifiers being 5 to 15; The remainder is water. The plant biostimulant treatment includes applying a biofilm of a plant biostimulant agent comprising a combination of: The object of the present invention is to provide a method for promoting sexual or asexual reproduction; improving tolerance to stresses such as drought stress and salt stress; and promoting plant growth, which can be characterized by increased yield, increased root length, increased shoot growth, earlier maturity, and combinations thereof, compared to plants that have not received an agriculturally effective amount of the plant biostimulant agent.

[0095] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the treatment comprises contacting at least one part of a cultivated plant and / or a plant seed before harvest with the plant biostimulant agent.

[0096] Advantageously, the cultivated plants and / or plant species before harvest are contacted with said plant biostimulant agent for at least 10 hours and / or at most 14 hours.

[0097] According to another embodiment, the treatment is carried out before a stress event on the cultivated plant and / or plant seed before harvest. Preferably, the stress event is drought stress, salt stress, and / or treatment with a herbicide, fungicide and / or insecticide.

[0098] According to yet another embodiment, the treatment is carried out at least 24 hours and at most 48 hours before the stress event.

[0099] Preferably, treatment with the plant biostimulant promotes sexual or asexual reproduction; improved tolerance to stress, including drought stress and salt stress; and plant growth, which can be increased yield, increased root length, increased shoot growth, earlier maturity, and combinations thereof, compared to plants that have not received an agriculturally effective amount of the plant biostimulant.

[0100] According to another embodiment, treatment with the biostimulants of the present invention comprises: Increasing plant biomass in a plant, wherein plant biomass includes root mass, shoot mass, total plant mass, root length, shoot length, stem diameter, wet weight, or any combination thereof; Increased nutrient uptake in a plant compared to a plant that did not receive an agriculturally effective amount of the composition, wherein the increased nutrient uptake is nickel, copper, zinc, manganese, iron, molybdenum, boron, calcium, sulfur, phosphorus, magnesium, calcium, potassium, nitrogen, carbon, or a combination thereof. The device is adapted to:

[0101] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the resulting mixture, i.e., the plant biostimulant of the present invention, is diluted to 2% to 20% by weight in water (i.e., this corresponds to a final product diluted 5 to 50 times) to prepare an edible coating composition for ready-to-spray or ready-to-dip use in the form of an oil-in-water (O / W) emulsion.

[0102] The coating emulsion, i.e., the biostimulant agent described above, can be applied by several techniques, preferably by spraying or bath dipping. If the coating emulsion used has a high viscosity, a dilution of the emulsion is preferably used to apply the emulsion, while for emulsions with low viscosity, the spray / dip technique is preferably used. After application, the coating is either left to dry or forced to dry.

[0103] In the case of concentrated compositions with low water content, the composition is diluted before use.

[0104] The preparation method may result in a coating thickness of 5 to 20 micrometers, which can be achieved in a single coating step, for example by dipping or spraying.

[0105] It is also possible to apply the coating in multiple steps, for example in two steps, where the first coating step produces a primer layer and the second a "top" layer, however for efficiency it is preferred that the coating be done in one step.

[0106] The emulsion of the coating composition of the present invention may be applied directly to the plant item in one or more applications, preferably in one application. The emulsion of the coating composition of the present invention is applied directly to plants before harvest and is edible.

[0107] According to one embodiment, the present invention relates to a method for treating plants and / or plant seeds, which treatment is carried out with a biostimulant agent according to the invention.

[0108] In a preferred embodiment of the method, the treatment comprises contacting at least a portion of a plant and / or a plant seed with the biostimulant. Preferably, the plant part comprises one or more leaves of the plant. In particular, the biostimulant can be applied to the plant part and / or plant seed by spraying, for example in the form of a solution, an aerosol, and / or a gas mixture.

[0109] In the case of treating plant seeds, these are preferably placed in a biostimulant and / or washed with the biostimulant before the sowing process. For this purpose, the biostimulant may also be present in the form of a solution, an aerosol, preferably in the form of a spray (nebulizer), and / or as a gas mixture. In a preferred method embodiment, the plant seeds are incubated in an aerated aqueous solution in which the diluted biostimulant has a concentration of 2 to 20 percent by weight. In this way, particularly effective germination promotion of seeds is achieved under stress conditions, such as low temperature stress.

[0110] In a further preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, it is provided that the plants and / or plant seeds are contacted with the biostimulant mixture for at least 10 hours and / or at most 14 hours. It has been found that the greatest improvement in the stress tolerance of the plants and / or plant seeds is achieved during these durations of contact with the biostimulant mixture.

[0111] The beneficial effects of the biostimulant mixture are, of course, also achieved with shorter or longer contact times. In certain method embodiments, the plant and / or plant seed is contacted with the biostimulant mixture for at least 1 hour, at least 2 hours, at least 3 hours, at least 4 hours, at least 5 hours, at least 6 hours, at least 7 hours, at least 8 hours, at least 9 hours, at least 10 hours, at least 11 hours, at least 12 hours, at least 13 hours, at least 14 hours, at least 15 hours, at least 16 hours, at least 17 hours, at least 18 hours, at least 19 hours, at least 20 hours, at least 24 hours, at least 36 hours, at least 48 hours, or at least 72 hours.

[0112] Additionally or alternatively, the plant and / or plant seed may be contacted with the biostimulant mixture for at most 1 hour, at most 2 hours, at most 3 hours, at most 4 hours, at most 5 hours, at most 6 hours, at most 7 hours, at most 8 hours, at most 9 hours, at most 10 hours, at most 11 hours, at most 12 hours, at most 13 hours, at most 14 hours, at most 15 hours, at most 16 hours, at most 17 hours, at most 18 hours, at most 19 hours, at most 20 hours, at most 24 hours, at most 36 hours, at most 48 hours or at most 72 hours.

[0113] In a preferred embodiment of the method, the treatment with the biostimulant is provided before a stress event occurs in the plant and / or plant seed. In this way, the stimulating function is at least partially or completely effective by the time the stress event occurs, ensuring a reliable improvement in stress tolerance. In other words, the plant or plant seed is thus prepared for a planned and / or expected stress event by improving its stress tolerance prior to the stress event through treatment with the biostimulant agent of the present invention. In addition to or instead of treatment before the stress event, treatment with the biostimulant agent can also be carried out after the stress event in the plant and / or plant seed. Surprisingly, it has been found that even plants that have already been damaged by a stress event can be largely restored by treatment with the biostimulant agent of the present invention. In this way, crop losses can be significantly reduced, for example, even after unexpectedly high temperatures or dry periods.

[0114] The inventors have found that the method of the present invention is suitable for enhancing plant growth and improving the tolerance of plants or plant seeds to a wide variety of stress events. In particular, the stress event may be drought stress and / or salt stress. Generally, plants are subjected to drought stress when there is too little water available. This may be due to soil drying, soil freezing, osmotic water retention, or insufficient root system expansion. An example of drought stress is soil moisture less than 50% or less than 30% of the available field water capacity (%nFK).

[0115] Stress events can also be treatments with herbicides, fungicides, and / or insecticides, which are typically associated with plant stress. In particular, the application of herbicides sometimes causes significant stress to useful plants, and as a result, even selective herbicides can reduce plant productivity. For example, even the application of selective sugar beet herbicides usually results in a significant reduction in sugar yield. The method of the present invention effectively and reliably counters these stress effects due to a sufficient amount of internal resources, allowing growers to extend the life of their crops while waiting to identify the correct treatment for the current biotic stress.

[0116] In this context, treatment with herbicides, fungicides and / or insecticides are examples of stress events that can be planned. Anticipated stress events can be predicted, for example, using meteorological data, in particular with the help of precipitation and / or temperature forecasts. The respective parameters that characterize stress events, such as temperature patterns, soil water-holding capacity and / or salt concentration, precipitation patterns, air humidity patterns, etc., are well known to those skilled in the art for each plant species or plant variety.

[0117] In a preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, the treatment is carried out 24 to 48 hours before the stress event, which is advantageous as it provides sufficient time for the uptake and metabolism of the biostimulant agent by the plant or plant seed, thus resulting in a particularly significant and reliable improvement in stress tolerance.

[0118] In further advantageous method embodiments, the treatment is carried out at least 1 hour, at least 2 hours, at least 3 hours, at least 4 hours, at least 5 hours, at least 6 hours, at least 7 hours, at least 8 hours, at least 9 hours, at least 10 hours, at least 11 hours, at least 12 hours, at least 13 hours, at least 14 hours, at least 15 hours, at least 16 hours, at least 17 hours, at least 10 hours, at least 19 hours, at least 20 hours, at least 24 hours, at least 36 hours, at least 48 hours, or at least 72 hours before and / or after the stress event.

[0119] Additionally or alternatively, the treatment may be carried out at most 1 hour, at most 2 hours, at most 3 hours, at most 4 hours, at most 5 hours, at most 6 hours, at most 7 hours, at most 8 hours, at most 9 hours, at most 10 hours, at most 11 hours, at most 12 hours, at most 13 hours, at most 14 hours, at most 15 hours, at most 16 hours, at most 17 hours, at most 18 hours, at most 19 hours, at most 20 hours, at most 24 hours, at most 36 hours, at most 48 hours, or at most 72 hours before and / or after the stress event.

[0120] The method according to the invention can in principle be used in the treatment of all known plant species or plant varieties and / or their plant seeds, for example in the case of arable plants, garden plants, ornamental plants, grasses, trees, shrubs and / or turf. Preferably, the method according to the invention comprises the treatment of one or more of the following plant species or plant varieties and / or their plant seeds: cereals, maize, wheat, barley, rye, rice, sunflower, oil plants, canola, soybean, cotton plants, potatoes, fruits, vegetables, legumes, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, cucumber, eggplant, lettuce, melon, watermelon, onion, peas, spice plants, herbs, pepper, spinach, tomato and / or tea.

[0121] It goes without saying that the method according to the invention and / or the biostimulant according to the invention can in principle be used to treat a single plant. Such application is particularly intended in the field of ornamental plants. However, preferably, the method and / or the biostimulant is applied to a large number of plants, and is used in particular on a large agricultural scale.

[0122] Those skilled in the art will understand that the invention described herein is susceptible to variations and modifications other than those specifically described. It is to be understood that the invention includes all such variations and modifications to the extent that they do not depart from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The invention includes all steps, features, compositions, and compounds referred to or shown in this specification, individually or collectively, as well as any and all combinations of any two or more of such steps or features. The present disclosure is therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims, and all changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalents are intended to be embraced therein.

[0123] The above description will be more fully understood with reference to the following examples. However, such examples are illustrative of methods of practicing the invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. [Example]

[0124] Example 1 Applicants have developed coatings for use as biostimulants for pre-harvest cultivated plants. Unless explicitly stated otherwise, emulsion preparation was performed on a Kenwood Cooking Chef Gourmet KC9040S robot equipped with a K-Haken agitator.

[0125] 1a. Emulsion preparation using Sisterna's sucrose ester emulsifiers SP30 and SP70 The aqueous phase was prepared by mixing 367 g of MilliQ water with 35 g of SP70 sucrose ester emulsifier and 10 g of SP30 sucrose ester emulsifier and heating the solution to 80° C. with the agitation speed set at level 1. 40g of vegetable oil containing a 50 / 50 w / w% mixture of sunflower oil and canola oil was heated to 75°C on an IKA Basic heating plate with an agitation speed of 300 rpm. The oil was then added to the water phase. The emulsion was maintained at 80°C for 25 minutes with the agitation speed set to minimum. At the end of emulsification, a cooking mixer was used for 2 minutes to produce the final emulsion. The heating was then stopped, and the emulsion was allowed to cool to room temperature while stirring. The cooking mixer was used two more times for 2 minutes during the cooling process to ensure a homogeneous emulsion. The preparation is summarized in Table 1.

[0126] 1b. Emulsion Preparation Using CompassFood Sucrose Ester Emulsifier Habo MX An aqueous phase was prepared by mixing 367 g of MilliQ water with 45 g of HABO MX T050 sucrose ester emulsifier and heating the solution to 80°C with the stirring speed set at level 1. 40 g of vegetable oil containing a 50 / 50 w / w% mixture of sunflower and canola oils was heated to 75°C on an IKA Basic heating plate with the stirring speed set at 300 rpm. This oil was then added to the aqueous phase. The stirring speed was set to minimum and the emulsion was maintained at 80°C for 25 minutes. At the end of the emulsification, a kitchen mixer was used for 2 minutes to produce the final emulsion. The heating was then stopped and the emulsion was allowed to cool to room temperature while stirring. The kitchen mixer was used two more times for 2 minutes during the cooling process to ensure a homogeneous emulsion. The preparation is summarized in Table 1.

[0127] 1c Final emulsion dilution and application The stock emulsion was further diluted with MilliQ water to 2%, 5%, 10%, or 15% by weight (e.g., 15 g of stock emulsion + 85 g of MilliQ water to obtain a 15% emulsion), and this diluted emulsion was transferred to a sprayer or bath for application to plants.

[0128] [Table 1]

[0129] Example 2 Our biostimulant was diluted to a concentration of 5% and then sprayed once a week for a total of 10 weeks on strawberry seedlings (6 plants) maintained under standard conditions in a greenhouse. From week 0 to week 10, the number of leaves and shoots on the coated plants was measured and compared to control plants (6 uncoated plants sprayed with water once a week). At the end of the experiment (week 10), the total root weight and the stolon developmental stage of each plant were recorded. These stages were divided into eight categories (Category 1: initiation of one stolon; Category 2: one stolon + one attached seedling; Category 3: one seedling + initiation of a second seedling; Category 4: two seedlings + initiation of a third seedling; Category 5: three seedlings + initiation of the first branch [stolon initiated from a seedling]; Category 6: three seedlings + a branch and seedling initiated from it; Category 7: three seedlings + two branches + one seedling on the first branch + initiation of a seedling on the second branch; Category 8: four seedlings + three branches + two seedlings on the first branch + one seedling on the second branch).

[0130] Conclusion: The applicants emphasized that their biostimulant promotes the growth of strawberry plants through the analysis of several parameters. More specifically, Figure 1 shows that the number of leaves and shoots in the coated strawberry plants was consistently higher than that of the uncoated plants (control) throughout the 10-week experiment. Figure 2 shows that at the end of the experiment (10 weeks), the root biomass was also higher in the coated plants than in the uncoated plants. Finally, the inventors emphasized that the vegetative reproductive system (stolon) developed more quickly in the coated plants than in the uncoated plants (see Figure 3).

[0131] Example 3 Applicant's biostimulant was tested on four different agronomically important crop species (spring wheat, rapeseed, green lentil, and flaxseed) under normal conditions (i.e., without water stress). Seeds were sown in seed trays and placed in a climate chamber with a constant humidity (45%) and a 12-hour 25°C day / 12-hour 23°C night cycle. Plants were watered by adding water from the bottom of the tray. After one week, plants were sprayed with a 15% (w / w) coating or water (control). This treatment was repeated weekly to cover newly produced leaves. Plant height and leaf number and / or size were assessed weekly, starting one week after the first treatment. After one month, plants were harvested. Root biomass and shoot biomass were measured.

[0132] Conclusion: The applicants have highlighted that lentil seedlings coated with the biostimulant of the present invention exhibit higher biomass (for shoots and roots) and more leaves than uncoated seedlings (Figure 4). For spring wheat, the biomass (sprouts) and height of coated seedlings were higher than uncoated seedlings (Figure 5). Finally, for rapeseed and linseed seedlings, both showed higher shoot biomass when coated (Figure 5).

[0133] Example 4 Our biostimulant was tested on two different agriculturally important crop species (buckwheat and lentil) under water stress. Seeds were sown in seed trays and placed in a climate chamber with a constant humidity (45%) and a 12-hour 25°C day / 12-hour 23°C night cycle. Plants were watered by adding water from the bottom of the tray. After one week (post-germination), drought stress conditions were applied by providing the plants with a reduced amount of water. After one week, the plants were sprayed with a 15% (w / w) coating or water (control). This treatment was repeated weekly to cover newly produced leaves. Plant height and leaf number and / or size were assessed weekly, starting one week after the first treatment. After one month, the plants were harvested. Root biomass and shoot biomass were measured.

[0134] Conclusion: The applicants highlighted that at the end of the experiment (4 weeks), coated seedlings of both species showed higher height under water stress compared to uncoated seedlings (control). Shoot biomass was also higher in coated lentils compared to uncoated lentils (Figure 6).

[0135] Example 5 From May to August 2022, grape vines (variety: Chasselas) were treated with the applicant's biostimulant a total of eight times in a field (Nyon, western Switzerland) (the first three treatments: 15% concentration, followed by five treatments at 7%). The test was carried out on 40 plants distributed over four plots. The yield of the grape vines (weight / grape) was then compared with that of a classical biological treatment carried out on 40 plants distributed over four plots. Eight treatments with the pesticides Kocide® Opti (Bayer) and Thiovit Jet (Syngenta) were applied to the plants from May to August 2022.

[0136] Conclusion: The applicants highlighted that plants treated with their biostimulants exhibited higher yields (weight / grape) than plants treated with biological treatments (Figure 7).

[0137] Example 6 Example of calculating the percentage of monoesters - blending different products Calculation example using Sisterna® Sisterna® sucrose ester emulsifiers are mixed esters of palmitic acid (C16) and stearic acid (C18), and their HLB ratio is adjusted by the proportion of monoesters in the blend. For example, SP30 contains 30% monoesters and 70% polyesters by weight and has an HLB of 6. Another product, SP50, contains 50% monoesters and 50% polyesters by weight and has an HLB of 11. For a 50 / 50 w / w mixture of these two products, the final blend contains (0.5 x 30%) + (0.5 x 50%) = 40% monoesters and (0.5 x 70%) + (0.5 x 50%) = 60% polyesters. Therefore, the HLB value of this mixture is (0.5 x 6) + (0.5 x 11) = 8.5.

[0138] In another example, Sisterna® sucrose ester emulsifiers SP30 (30% monoester and 70% polyester, HLB 6) and SP70 (30% monoester and 70% polyester, HLB 15) are mixed in a 23 / 77 w / w ratio of SP30 / SP70. The final blend has a weight percentage of (0.23 x 30%) + (0.77 x 70%) = 60.8% monoester and (0.23 x 70%) + (0.77 x 30%) = 39.2% polyester. The HLB value of this blend is therefore (0.23 x 6) + (0.77 x 15) = 12.93.

[0139] Calculation example using Ryoto (registered trademark) Ryoto® Sugar Ester S-370 is composed of 20% monoester and 80% polyester by weight and has an HLB of 3. P-1670 is composed of 80% monoester and 20% polyester by weight and has an HLB of 16. A blend containing 30 / 70 w / w S-370 / S-1670 has (0.3 x 20%) + (0.7 x 80%) = 62% monoester and (0.7 x 80%) + (0.3 x 20%) = 38% polyester by weight and has an HLB of (0.3 x 3) + (0.7 x 16) = 12.1.

[0140] Calculation example using CompassFood HABO MX HABO MX T050 consists of 25% monoester and 75% polyester by weight and has an HLB of 5. HABO MX T150 consists of 65% monoester and 35% polyester by weight and has an HLB of 15. A blend containing 20 / 80 w / w MX T050 / MX T150 has (0.2 x 25%) + (0.8 x 65%) = 57% monoester and (0.2 x 75%) + (0.8 x 35%) = 43% polyester by weight and an HLB of (0.2 x 5) + (0.8 x 15) = 13.

[0141] Example 7 Seeds of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne), commonly used for turfgrass, were sown in seed trays and placed in a climate chamber with a constant humidity (45%) and a 12-hour 25°C day / 12-hour 23°C night cycle. Plants were watered by adding water from the bottom of the tray. After one week, plants were sprayed with 5 or 15% (w / w) biostimulant or water (control). This treatment was repeated weekly to cover newly produced leaves. Plant height was assessed weekly, starting one week after the first treatment. After five and seven weeks, plants were mowed before coating application to simulate mowing.

[0142] Conclusion: The applicants have highlighted that perennial ryegrass treated with the biostimulant of the present invention grows faster than untreated plants one week after the second mowing, which simulates mowing (Figure 8).

[0143] Example 8 A total of 18 banana plants were used for this study: 9 were used as controls and 9 were coated with a 7% diluted biostimulant of the present invention. At the start of the experiment, the plants were all of similar size, i.e., between 15 and 20 cm in height, and randomly distributed within treatments. The study was carried out in a greenhouse under controlled conditions (temperature 28°C and humidity >80%). The biostimulant of the present invention was applied once to the treated plants, and the size of new leaves was measured one week after application of the biostimulant.

[0144] Conclusion: The applicants have highlighted that banana trees, when coated with the biostimulant of the present invention, grow larger leaves compared to uncoated trees (Figure 9).

[0145] Example 9 Our biostimulant was diluted to a concentration of 10% and then sprayed once a week for a total of 6 weeks on strawberry seedlings (8 plants) maintained under standard conditions in a greenhouse. From week 0 to week 6, the relative chlorophyll content (SPAD) of the coated plants was measured and compared with that of control plants (8 uncoated plants sprayed with water once a week). All plants were subjected to water stress (the plants were watered at half the amount normally required by the plants). Measurements were performed using a Photosynq device.

[0146] Conclusion: Applicants have highlighted that the biostimulant of the present invention promotes the overall health of strawberry plants and the relative chlorophyll content in the leaves under water stress (Figure 10).

[0147] Example 10 Our biostimulant was diluted to 5% and 10% concentrations and then sprayed on strawberry plants (8 plants for each treatment) once a week for a total of 6 weeks. The plants were maintained in a greenhouse under standard conditions. From week 0 to week 6, the number of strawberries on the coated plants was measured and compared with the control plants (8 uncoated plants sprayed with water once a week). At the end of the experiment (week 6), the total weight of the strawberries was recorded. All plants were subjected to salt stress (they were watered with saline water; salt concentration 3-4 g / L).

[0148] Conclusion: The applicants emphasized that the biostimulant of the present invention promotes the total yield of strawberry plants under salt stress conditions. More specifically, Figure 11 shows that at the end of the experiment (6 weeks), the total yield in the coated strawberry plants was higher than that of the uncoated plants (control). Strawberries coated with a 5% biostimulant concentration weighed 26% more than those in the water-treated control. For plants coated with a 10% biostimulant concentration, the weight difference was 20% compared to the control (Figure 11).

[0149] Example 11 Our biostimulant was diluted to a concentration of 10% and then sprayed once a week for a total of 12 weeks on strawberry seedlings (8 plants) maintained under standard conditions in a greenhouse. At the end of the experiment (week 12), the total weight of the roots and shoots (the above-ground parts of the plants) was recorded and the ratio of shoots to roots for each plant was calculated and compared to control plants (8 uncoated plants sprayed with water once a week).

[0150] Conclusion: The applicants have highlighted that the biostimulant of the present invention promotes the growth of strawberry plants through analysis of the shoot to root ratio. FIG. 12 shows that the shoot to root ratio of coated plants is higher than that of uncoated plants (control).

[0151] Example 12 Our biostimulant was diluted to a concentration of 15% and then sprayed once a week for a total of 6 weeks on potato plants (8 plants) maintained under standard conditions in a greenhouse. From week 0 to week 6, several parameters were measured on the coated plants and compared with those of control plants (8 uncoated plants sprayed with water once a week). These parameters were leaf relative chlorophyll content (SPAD) and photosystem 2 efficiency (percentage of light used for photochemistry; Phi2). At the end of the experiment, the total weight of the potato yield was recorded. Parameter measurements were performed using a Photosynq device. All plants were subjected to salinity stress (they were watered with saline water at a salt concentration of 3-4 g / L).

[0152] Conclusion: The applicants have emphasized that the biostimulant of the present invention promotes the overall health and yield of potato plants under salt stress. More specifically, Figure 13 shows that the leaves of coated plants have a higher relative chlorophyll content compared to uncoated plants, while Figure 14 shows that the coated plants are more efficient in using light for photochemistry (light that plants use to obtain food). Figure 15 shows that at the end of the experiment, the yield of coated potato plants is higher than that of uncoated plants (control). Potatoes coated with a 15% biostimulant concentration have a weight 20% greater than those of the uncoated treatment (control).

[0153] Example 13 Our biostimulant was diluted to 5% and 7% concentrations and then sprayed once a week for a total of 6 weeks on grapevine plants (8 plants per treatment) maintained under standard conditions in a greenhouse. From week 0 to week 6, the efficiency of photosystem 2 (the percentage of light used for photochemistry; Phi2) was measured and compared with control plants (8 uncoated plants sprayed with water once a week). All plants were subjected to salt stress (they were watered with saline at a concentration of 3-4 g / L).

[0154] Conclusion: Applicants have highlighted that the biostimulant of the present invention promotes the overall health of potato plants through analysis of the efficiency of Photosystem 2. More specifically, Figure 16 shows that after 6 weeks of treatment, the coated plants are more efficient in using light for photochemistry (useful light that plants use to obtain food).

[0155] Example 14 A total of eight treatments were carried out with the applicant's biostimulant on grapevines (variety: Chasselas) in the field (Nyon; western Switzerland) from May to August 2023 (eight treatments at a concentration of 7%). The test was carried out on 40 plants distributed over four plots. In this experiment, the amount of abscisic acid (a plant hormone) in coated leaves was compared to uncoated leaves (control, no treatment). Abscisic acid (ABA) is involved in plant developmental processes, the control of organ size, and stomatal closure, and ABA is particularly important for plants in responding to environmental stresses such as water stress (see Encyclopedia of hormones, 2003; Finkelstein, 2013). More information on ABA: The hormone ABA is synthesized, normally in small amounts, in the mesophyll and guard cells. ABA hormones appear to constitute the first line of defense against water leakage. In the event of a moderate water deficit, ABA stored in the chloroplasts is released and reaches the guard cells, causing their closure. During drought periods, the response of the vine to desiccation from the soil consists of producing the ABA hormone in the roots and transporting it to the leaves via the xylem vessels (see Anatomie et Physiologie, La vigne, Zufferey et al., 2012).

[0156] Conclusion: The applicants have highlighted that plants treated with the biostimulant of the present invention show lower amounts of ABA compared to uncoated plants (control) (Figure 17). This means that coated plants require less ABA production compared to uncoated plants, and as a result, they have greater resistance to moments of water stress.

[0157] Example 15 Our biostimulants were diluted to 5% and 15% concentrations and then sprayed once a week for a total of 15 weeks on tomato plants (24 plants with the 5% biostimulant solution and 24 plants with the 15% biostimulant solution) maintained under standard conditions in a greenhouse. At the end of the experiment (week 15), the total weight of the tomato yield was recorded.

[0158] Conclusion: The applicants emphasize that the biostimulant of the present invention promotes the total yield of tomato plants. More specifically, Figure 17 shows that at the end of the experiment (15 weeks), the total yield of the coated tomato plants is higher than that of the uncoated plants (control). Strawberries coated with a 5% biostimulant concentration have a weight 17% greater than the weight of the water control. For those coated with a 15% biostimulant concentration, the weight difference is 15% compared to the control.

[0159] Example 16 The applicant tested the applicant's biostimulant (eight treatments at a 7% concentration) on grapevines (variety: Chasselas) in a field (Nyon, western Switzerland) from May to September 2023, using a total of eight plots. The tests were carried out on 40 plants distributed across four plots. In this experiment, the levels of different plant hormones (salicylic acid, abscisic acid, and jasmonic acid) in coated leaves were compared with uncoated leaves (control, no treatment). All of these hormones play a role in abiotic and biotic stress. Two types of leaves were selected: new and old. In addition, the productivity of plants treated with the biostimulant was compared with that of control plants.

[0160] Conclusion: The applicants have highlighted that plants treated with the biostimulant of the present invention exhibit lower amounts of plant hormones compared to uncoated plants (control) (Figure 19). This means that the coated plants are less stressed overall and therefore need to produce fewer plant hormones compared to uncoated plants, allowing them to better cope with water stress. Furthermore, the productivity of the treated plants was higher than that of the untreated plants (average 17.0 kg of grapes vs. 5.6 kg of grapes per plot; Figure 20).

[0161] Example 17 Our biostimulant was sprayed once a week for a total of four weeks on nine strawberry plants maintained under standard greenhouse conditions. From week 0 to week 4, the relative chlorophyll content (SPAD) in the leaves of the coated plants was measured and compared with plants treated with Decco solution (nine plants sprayed once a week with Decco coating) and sucrose esters. Decco solution is disclosed in WO 2019 / 058211 A1 (DECO WORLDWIDE POST HARVEST HOLDINGS BV, The Netherlands).

[0162] Preparation of formulations according to WO 2019 / 058211 A1 - Decco To compare Applicant's formulation with the formulation described in Decco's patent application WO 2019 / 058211 A1, Applicant followed the formulation table set out in Table 4 of that patent application. Soy Lecithin 10% Polysorbate 80 4% Sorbitan ester 80 0.5% Water Remaining Briefly, a formulation was prepared by dissolving 20 g of polysorbate 80 (Tween® 80 from Sigma Aldrich) and 2.5 g of sorbitan ester 80 (Span® 80 from Sigma Aldrich) in 427.5 g of distilled water. The solution was stirred at room temperature using a magnet until homogeneous. 50 g of soy lecithin (from Soleil Vie) was then added and the formulation was further stirred until a final homogeneous solution was obtained. This formulation is referred to as "Decco product" in the examples.

[0163] All plants were then subjected to salt stress (they were watered with saline water with a salt concentration of 3-4 g / L). At the end of the four weeks, the total number of strawberry flowers is counted and compared between treatments.

[0164] Conclusion: Applicants have highlighted that the biostimulants of the present invention promote the overall health of strawberry plants and the number of flowers produced by the plants under salinity stress. More specifically, Figure 21 shows that the leaves of the coated plants have a higher relative chlorophyll content compared to leaves of plants coated with Decco solution, while Figure 22 shows that the average number of flowers produced by plants coated with the biostimulant is higher compared to the Decco solution and the solution containing only sucrose esters.

[0165] References Schindelin,J.;Arganda-Carreras,I.and Frise,E.ら(2012) Fiji:an open-source platform for biological-image analysis、Nature methods 9(7):676-682.

Claims

1. As a plant biostimulant for pre-harvest agricultural crops or cultivated plants selected from the list including grains, fruits, vegetables, flowers, trees, grasses and seeds; a natural vegetable oil selected from the group consisting of argan, avocado, canola, safflower, castor, coconut, grape seed, hazelnut, hemp seed, linseed, olive, palm, peanut, pumpkin seed, sesame, sunflower, and walnut, or mixtures thereof; a mixture of nonionic sucrose fatty acid ester emulsifiers consisting of a sucrose monoester and a sucrose polyester, wherein the ratio of sucrose monoester to sucrose polyester is between 25 and 70% by weight of each of the nonionic sucrose fatty acid ester emulsifiers, and corresponds to a final hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB) of the mixture of nonionic sucrose fatty acid ester emulsifiers between 5 and 15; The remainder is water.

1. Use of an edible coating emulsion comprising a combination of the above, wherein the plant biostimulant for pre-harvest agricultural crops or cultivated plants is characterized in that it promotes sexual or asexual reproduction; improves tolerance to stresses consisting of drought stress and salt stress; and promotes plant growth, wherein the plant growth includes increased yield, increased root length, increased shoot growth, early maturity, and combinations thereof.

2. 2. Use of an edible coating emulsion according to claim 1, characterized in that the natural vegetable oil is cold-pressed oil and corresponds to a mixture of two natural vegetable oils selected from the group consisting of canola and sunflower.

3. 3. Use of an edible coating emulsion according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the ratio of sucrose monoester to sucrose polyester is 60% of the total weight of the mixture of sucrose fatty acid ester emulsifiers, corresponding to a final hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB) of 13.

4. 4. Use of an edible coating emulsion according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the mixture of non-ionic sucrose fatty acid ester emulsifiers accounts for 7% w / w to 15% w / w of the total weight of the edible coating emulsion.

5. 5. Use of an edible coating emulsion according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the mixture of non-ionic sucrose fatty acid ester emulsifiers consists of two non-ionic sucrose fatty acid ester emulsifiers, mixed palmitate and stearate SP70 and SP30.

6. 3. Use of an edible coating emulsion according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the non-ionic sucrose fatty acid ester emulsifier mixture consists of a mixture of 25% monoesters and 75% polyesters by weight, with a final hydrophilic lipophilic balance (HLB) of 5, and the fatty acid consists essentially of stearic acid (C18).

7. 7. Use of an edible coating emulsion according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the edible coating emulsion is a microemulsion having an average particle size distribution of oil droplets in the coating emulsion of about 20 micrometers in diameter, preferably 2 to 5 micrometers in diameter.

8. 8. Use of an edible coating emulsion according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the natural vegetable oil accounts for 6% to 12% w / w of the total weight of the edible coating emulsion.

9. 9. The use of the edible coating emulsion according to claim 8, wherein the natural vegetable oil accounts for 9% of the total weight of the edible coating emulsion.

10. 10. Use of an edible coating emulsion according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that a natural fungicide is combined in said edible coating emulsion.

11. 1. A method for treating cultivated plants and / or plant seeds before harvest, comprising: a natural vegetable oil selected from the group consisting of argan, avocado, canola, safflower, castor, coconut, grape seed, hazelnut, hemp seed, linseed, olive, palm, peanut, pumpkin seed, sesame, sunflower, and walnut, or mixtures thereof; a mixture of two nonionic sucrose fatty acid ester emulsifiers consisting of a sucrose monoester and a sucrose polyester, wherein the ratio of sucrose monoester to sucrose polyester is between 25 and 70% by weight of each of the nonionic sucrose fatty acid ester emulsifiers, and corresponds to a final hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB) of the mixture of the nonionic sucrose fatty acid ester emulsifiers between 5 and 15; The remainder is water. The treatment with the plant biostimulant agent includes a step of providing a biofilm of the plant biostimulant agent consisting of a combination of: A method for promoting sexual or asexual reproduction; improving tolerance to stress, including drought stress and salt stress; and promoting plant growth, which can be increased yield, increased root length, increased shoot growth, earlier maturity, and combinations thereof, compared to plants that have not received an agriculturally effective amount of the plant biostimulant agent.

12. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein said treating comprises contacting at least one portion of said pre-harvest cultivated plant and / or said plant seed with said plant biostimulant agent.

13. 13. The method according to claim 11 or claim 12, wherein the pre-harvest cultivated plants and / or plant seeds are contacted with the plant biostimulant agent for at least 10 hours and / or at most 14 hours.

14. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the treatment occurs before a stress event on the pre-harvest cultivated plants and / or plant seeds.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein the stress event is cold stress, heat stress, drought stress, or salt stress.

16. 16. The method of claim 14 or claim 15, wherein the treatment occurs at least 24 hours and at most 48 hours before the stress event.

17. 1. An abiotic plant biostimulant for the pre-harvest treatment of agricultural crops or cultivated plants, said plant biostimulant being in the form of an oil-in-water (O / W) edible coating emulsion, said oil-in-water (O / W) edible coating emulsion comprising: a natural or non-synthetic vegetable oil selected from the group consisting of canola and sunflower, wherein the natural vegetable oil comprises 6% to 12% w / w of the total weight of the edible coating emulsion; a mixture of two nonionic sucrose fatty acid ester emulsifiers consisting of a sucrose monoester and a sucrose polyester, the ratio of sucrose monoester to sucrose polyester being comprised between 25 and 70% by weight of each of the nonionic sucrose fatty acid ester emulsifiers, corresponding to a final hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB) of the mixture of nonionic sucrose fatty acid ester emulsifiers being comprised between 5 and 15%, and the mixture of nonionic sucrose fatty acid ester emulsifiers comprising between 7% w / w and 15% w / w of the total weight of the edible coating emulsion; wherein the relative proportions of the ingredients are selected from within their respective ranges, with the remainder being water, the total of which is 100% of the edible coating emulsion.

18. 18. An abiotic plant biostimulant for pre-harvest treatment according to claim 17, wherein the fatty acid is selected from the group consisting of stearic acid (C18) and palmitic acid (C16) or mixtures thereof.

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