Γ-aminobutyric acid-containing composition

Abstract

To provide a γ-aminobutyric acid-containing composition.SOLUTION: According to the present invention, GABA can be used in fields other than foods. Provided is a plant growth promoting composition comprising GABA and nitrogen, potassium, or a combination thereof. A plant growth promoting effect can be expected by applying the GABA-containing composition of the present invention to a plant.SELECTED DRAWING: None

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-containing composition, and in particular to a GABA-containing composition for promoting plant growth. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA, 4-aminobutyric acid) has attracted attention as an amino acid widely distributed in nature that can be added to foods without impairing their flavor. GABA is an inhibitory neurotransmitter found in large quantities in the mammalian central nervous system. It is known to suppress the excessive secretion of excitatory neurotransmitters, calm nerve excitement, and exert relaxation and anti-stress effects. It is also known to have a wide range of physiological activities, including lowering blood pressure, lowering cholesterol, and suppressing immune system decline. Because GABA is found in vegetables, grains, and the human body, it is easy to add to foods, and GABA-containing chocolate and numerous supplements are available on the market. Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0003] Therefore, the present inventors have conducted extensive research into whether GABA can be used in areas other than food, and have found that it also has various effects on plants.

[0004] Therefore, according to a main aspect of the present invention, the following inventions are provided. (Item 1) A composition for promoting plant growth containing GABA. (Item 2a) A plant growth promoting composition according to the above item, which is a composition for promoting the reproductive growth of plants. (Item 2b) A plant growth promoting composition according to any one of the preceding items, for promoting the reproductive growth of a plant. (Item 2c) A plant growth promoting composition according to any one of the preceding items, for controlling the rate of reproductive growth of a plant. (Item 3a) A plant growth-promoting composition according to any one of the preceding items, which is an aqueous solution containing about 0.2 μM or more of GABA. (Item 3b) A plant growth-promoting composition according to any one of the preceding items, which is an aqueous solution containing about 1 mM or more of GABA. (Item 4a) A plant growth-promoting composition according to any one of the preceding items, which is an aqueous solution containing GABA at a concentration of about 0.2 μM or more and about 5 M or less. (Item 4b) A plant growth-promoting composition according to any one of the preceding items, which is an aqueous solution containing GABA at a concentration of about 1 mM or more and about 5 M or less. (Item 4c) A plant growth-promoting composition according to any one of the preceding items, which is an aqueous solution containing approximately 50 μM GABA. (Item 5) Item 10. The plant growth promoting composition according to any one of the preceding items, comprising a salt, an amino acid, or a combination thereof. (Item 6) Item 10. The plant growth promoting composition according to any one of the preceding items, wherein the amino acid comprises alanine, proline, aspartic acid, arginine, or glycine, or a combination thereof. (Item 7) A plant growth promoting composition according to any one of the preceding items, comprising at least about 0.01 mM alanine. (Item 8) 2. The plant growth-promoting composition according to any one of the preceding items, comprising GABA:alanine in a ratio of about 1000:about 1 to about 1:about 1000. (Item 8a) Item 10. The plant growth promoting composition of any one of the preceding items, comprising a nitrogen fertilizer, a phosphate fertilizer, a potassium fertilizer, or a combination thereof. (Item 9) A plant growth promoting composition according to any one of the above items, characterized in that it is a concentrate containing the GABA, and the concentrate is diluted and applied to the plant. (Item 10) The plant growth-promoting composition according to any one of the preceding items, wherein the concentrate contains about 25% by mass to about 50% by mass of GABA. (Item 11) The plant growth-promoting composition according to any one of the preceding items, wherein the concentrate solution further comprises about 25% by mass to about 50% by mass of water, about 5% by mass to about 10% by mass of salt, less than about 5% by mass of alanine, and less than about 5% by mass of amino acids other than alanine. (Item 12) The plant growth-promoting composition according to any one of the preceding items, wherein the plant includes a plant of the Solanaceae, Brassicaceae, Cucurbitaceae, Asteraceae, Apiaceae, Rosaceae, Malvaceae, Poaceae, Fabaceae, Convolvulaceae, Chenopodiaceae, Liliaceae, Araceae, Convolvulaceae, Lamiaceae, Rutaceae, Musaceae, Vitaceae, Ebenaceae, Actinidiaceae, Bromeliaceae, Violaceae, and Orchidaceae families. (Item 13) The plant growth-promoting composition according to any one of the preceding items, wherein the reproductive growth of the plant includes maturation from the juvenile stage, flower bud formation, flowering, fruiting, fruit enlargement, coloration, or a combination thereof. (Item 14a) The plant growth-promoting composition according to any one of the preceding items, which is used to grow a plant under conditions of about 10°C to about 50°C. (Item 14b) The plant growth-promoting composition according to any one of the preceding items, which is used to grow a plant under conditions of about 38°C to about 50°C. (Item 15) The plant growth-promoting composition according to any one of the preceding items, which achieves the plant growth promotion by improving the expression level of a gibberellin receptor gene. (Item A1a) A method for promoting plant growth, comprising the step of applying the plant growth promoting composition described in any one of the preceding items to a plant. (Item A1b) A method for controlling plant growth, comprising the step of applying the plant growth promoting composition described in any one of the preceding items to a plant. (Item A2) The method according to any one of the preceding items, wherein the step of applying the plant growth-promoting composition to a plant is carried out when the plant is in the reproductive growth stage or at maturity. (Item A3a) The method according to any one of the preceding items, further comprising growing the plant under conditions of about 10°C to about 50°C. (Item A3b) The method according to any one of the preceding items, further comprising growing the plant under conditions of about 38°C to about 50°C. (Item A4) The method according to any one of the preceding items, wherein the plant growth promotion is achieved by increasing the expression level of a gibberellin receptor gene. (Item B1) A plant-based amino acid-boosting composition containing GABA. (Item B2a) The composition according to any one of the preceding items, which is an aqueous solution containing about 0.2 μM or more of GABA. (Item B2b) The composition according to any one of the preceding items, which is an aqueous solution containing about 1 mM or more of GABA. (Item B3a) The composition according to any one of the preceding items, which is an aqueous solution containing GABA at about 0.2 μM or more and about 5 M or less. (Item B3b) The composition according to any one of the preceding items, which is an aqueous solution containing GABA at about 1 mM or more and about 5 M or less. (Item B3c) The composition of any one of the preceding items, which is an aqueous solution containing about 50 μM GABA. (Item B4) The composition of any one of the preceding items, comprising a salt, an amino acid, or a combination thereof. (Item B5) The composition of any one of the preceding items, wherein the amino acid comprises alanine, proline, aspartic acid, arginine, or glycine, or a combination thereof. (Item B6) The composition of any one of the preceding items, comprising about 0.01 mM or more alanine. (Item B7) The composition according to any one of the preceding items, comprising GABA:alanine in a ratio of about 1000:about 1 to about 1:about 1000. (Item B7a) The composition according to any one of the preceding items, comprising a nitrogen fertilizer, a phosphate fertilizer, a potassium fertilizer, or a combination thereof. (Item B8) The composition according to any one of the preceding items, characterized in that it is a concentrate containing the GABA, and the concentrate is diluted and applied to plants. (Item B9) The composition according to any one of the preceding items, wherein the concentrate contains about 25% to about 50% by mass of GABA. (Item B10) The composition according to any one of the preceding items, wherein the concentrate solution further comprises about 25% by mass to about 50% by mass of water, about 5% by mass to about 10% by mass of salt, less than about 5% by mass of alanine, and less than about 5% by mass of amino acids other than alanine. (Item B11) The composition according to any one of the preceding items, wherein the plant includes a plant of the Solanaceae, Brassicaceae, Cucurbitaceae, Asteraceae, Apiaceae, Rosaceae, Malvaceae, Poaceae, Fabaceae, Convolvulaceae, Chenopodiaceae, Liliaceae, Araceae, Convolvulaceae, Lamiaceae, Rutaceae, Musaceae, Vitaceae, Ebenaceae, Actinidiaceae, Bromeliaceae, Violaceae, and Orchidaceae families. (Item B12a) The composition according to any one of the preceding items, which is used for growing a plant under conditions of about 10°C to about 50°C. (Item B12b) The composition according to any one of the preceding items, which is used for growing a plant under conditions of about 38°C to about 50°C. (Item C1) A composition for improving plant resistance to physical and / or mechanical stimuli, comprising GABA. (Item C2a) The composition according to any one of the preceding items, which is an aqueous solution containing about 0.2 μM or more of GABA. (Item C2b) The composition according to any one of the preceding items, which is an aqueous solution containing about 1 mM or more of GABA. (Item C3a) The composition according to any one of the preceding items, which is an aqueous solution containing GABA at about 0.2 μM or more and about 5 M or less. (Item C3b) The composition according to any one of the preceding items, which is an aqueous solution containing GABA at about 1 mM or more and about 5 M or less. (Item C3c) The composition of any one of the preceding items, which is an aqueous solution containing about 50 μM GABA. (Item C4) The composition of any one of the preceding items, comprising a salt, an amino acid, or a combination thereof. (Item C5) The composition of any one of the preceding items, wherein the amino acid comprises alanine, proline, aspartic acid, arginine, or glycine, or a combination thereof. (Item C6) The composition of any one of the preceding items, comprising about 0.01 mM or more alanine. (Item C7) The composition according to any one of the preceding items, comprising GABA:alanine in a ratio of about 1000:about 1 to about 1:about 1000. (Item C7a) The composition of any one of the preceding items, comprising a nitrogen fertilizer, a phosphate fertilizer, a potassium fertilizer, or a combination thereof. (Item C8) The composition according to any one of the preceding items, characterized in that it is a concentrate containing the GABA, and the concentrate is diluted and applied to plants. (Item C9) The composition according to any one of the preceding items, wherein the concentrate contains about 25% to about 50% by mass of GABA. (Item C10) The composition according to any one of the preceding items, wherein the concentrate solution further comprises about 25% by mass to about 50% by mass of water, about 5% by mass to about 10% by mass of salt, less than about 5% by mass of alanine, and less than about 5% by mass of amino acids other than alanine. (Item C11) The composition according to any one of the preceding items, wherein the plant includes a plant of the Solanaceae, Brassicaceae, Cucurbitaceae, Asteraceae, Apiaceae, Rosaceae, Malvaceae, Poaceae, Fabaceae, Convolvulaceae, Chenopodiaceae, Liliaceae, Araceae, Convolvulaceae, Lamiaceae, Rutaceae, Musaceae, Vitaceae, Ebenaceae, Actinidiaceae, Bromeliaceae, Violaceae, and Orchidaceae families. (Item C12a) The composition according to any one of the preceding items, which is used for growing a plant under conditions of about 10°C to about 50°C. (Item C12b) The composition according to any one of the preceding items, which is used for growing a plant under conditions of about 38°C to about 50°C. (Item D1) A storage and / or transport product containing GABA, a container for storing and / or transporting GABA; A product comprising about 25% to about 50% by mass of GABA.

[0005] It is contemplated that one or more of the above features may be provided in combinations other than those explicitly stated. Further embodiments and advantages of the present disclosure will be recognized by those skilled in the art upon reading and understanding the following detailed description, if necessary.

[0006] Note that features and significant actions and effects of the present disclosure other than those described above will become apparent to those skilled in the art by referring to the following description of the preferred embodiments of the invention and the drawings. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, applying a GABA-containing composition to plants can be expected to promote plant growth. This also allows GABA to be used as a fertilizer, which is less likely to disrupt ecosystems than conventional synthetic fertilizers or hormone-based fertilizers and has high utility value. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a graph showing the flowering promotion effect on roses in one embodiment of the present invention, comparing a water spray area (control area 1), a spray area of ​​a mixture of amino acids, polysaccharides, and fulvic acid (control area 2), a GABA solution spray area, and a GABA + Ala solution spray area. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a graph and photographs showing the leaf growth promoting effect of broccoli, comparing a water spray group (control group) with a GABA solution spray group, in one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a graph showing the flowering-promoting effect in cherry tomatoes, comparing a spray area with an aqueous solution, a spray area with an ammonium nitrate solution, a spray area with a glutamic acid solution, and a spray area with GABA+Ala in one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a graph showing the fruit-setting promoting effect on cherry tomatoes, comparing the plots sprayed with an aqueous solution, ammonium nitrate solution, glutamic acid solution, and GABA+Ala in one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a graph showing the reproductive growth promoting effect in cherry tomatoes, comparing spray areas with water, spray areas with 100 mM GABA + 1 mM Ala solution, spray areas with 10 mM GABA + 0.1 mM Ala solution, and spray areas with 1 mM GABA + 0.01 mM Ala solution in one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a graph showing the effect of suppressing the decrease in the number of flowers caused by a typhoon, comparing the water sprayed group (control group) with the GABA+Ala solution sprayed group, in one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7]FIG. 7 is a graph showing the effect of promoting amino acid content in fruit (strawberry) comparing the water spray group (control group) with the GABA+Ala solution spray group in one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a graph showing the effect of promoting amino acid content in fruit (tomato) comparing the water spray group (control group) with the GABA+Ala solution spray group in one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] 9 is a graph showing the change in umami taste in fruit (tomato) in one embodiment of the present invention, comparing the water sprayed area (control area) with the GABA+Ala solution sprayed area. ■: Water sprayed area, -: GABA+Ala solution sprayed area. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a graph showing the effect of improving the bolting induction rate by mixing GABA and Ala in one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a graph showing the optimal concentration of GABA that induces accelerated flowering in one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a graph showing the effect of GABA on gibberellin receptor gene expression in one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a graph showing the effect of GABA in inducing accelerated flowering under high temperature conditions in one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a graph showing the effect of increasing fresh weight by combining GABA and fertilizer components in one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a graph showing the root elongation effect of a combination of GABA and fertilizer components in one embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The present disclosure will be described below while showing the best mode. Throughout this specification, singular expressions should be understood to include the concept of the plural unless otherwise specified. Therefore, singular articles (for example, in the case of English, "a," "an," "the," etc.) should be understood to include the concept of the plural unless otherwise specified. Furthermore, terms used in this specification have the meanings normally used in the art unless otherwise specified. It should be understood that the terms "terms" and "technical terms" are used in the context of the present disclosure. Therefore, 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 this disclosure belongs. In case of conflict, the present specification (including definitions) will control.

[0010] The following provides definitions of terms particularly used in this specification and / or explains basic technical content as appropriate.

[0011] As used herein, "about" means ±10% of the preceding numerical value.

[0012] As used herein, "plant growth" refers to the development and enlargement of plant cells, tissues, organs, etc., and includes vegetative growth and reproductive growth in plants.

[0013] As used herein, "reproductive growth" refers to growth related to reproduction in plants, such as budding, flowering, and fruiting.

[0014] As used herein, "vegetative growth" refers to the growth of only vegetative organs such as plant stems, leaves, and roots.

[0015] As used herein, "plant resistance to physical and / or mechanical stimuli" refers to the strength or ability of a plant to prevent fruit dropping, leaf and flower dropping, branch breakage, etc., in response to physical and / or mechanical stimuli such as rain, wind, and typhoons.

[0016] As used herein, "high temperature conditions" refers to temperatures between 28°C and 50°C.

[0017] (Preferred embodiment) Preferred embodiments of the present disclosure are described below. The embodiments provided below are provided for a better understanding of the present disclosure, and the scope of the present disclosure should not be limited to the following description. Therefore, it is clear that those skilled in the art can make appropriate modifications within the scope of the present disclosure in light of the description herein. In addition, the following embodiments of the present disclosure can be used alone or in combination.

[0018] In one aspect of the present invention, a plant growth promoting composition containing GABA is provided.

[0019] Because gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is an amino acid widely distributed in nature, including vegetables and grains, in one embodiment of the present invention, the origin of GABA is not particularly limited as long as it is suitable for use in foods and beverages. For example, GABA-containing plant extracts or purified products may be used, or it may be prepared from a fermented product obtained by adding glutamic acid decarboxylase or a microorganism containing said enzyme, such as lactic acid bacteria or Bacillus subtilis, to a glutamic acid-containing raw material. GABA-containing products and commercially available GABA can also be used in the method of the present invention as long as the effects of the method are not impaired.

[0020] In one embodiment of the present invention, the GABA-containing composition of the present invention can be used as a composition for promoting the reproductive growth of plants. Plant growth can be divided into vegetative growth and reproductive growth. Specifically, vegetative growth refers to the growth of mainly vegetative organs such as stems, leaves, and roots, while reproductive growth refers to growth related to reproduction, such as budding, flowering, and fruiting. Plants typically transition from a vegetative growth phase to a reproductive growth phase. It is known that the balance between vegetative and reproductive growth affects growth conditions and yields. Promoting reproductive growth generally promotes flower and fruit growth, leading to increased fruit yields and higher quality fruit.

[0021] In one embodiment of the present invention, plant reproductive growth can include maturation from the juvenile stage, flower bud formation, flowering, fruiting, fruit enlargement, coloring, or a combination thereof. Therefore, spraying the plant growth-promoting composition of the present invention on a plant can accelerate flowering, increase the number of fruits, and accelerate bud formation. In one embodiment, the concentration of the plant growth-promoting composition required to achieve these effects can be appropriately determined depending on the type and size of the plant, the time of spraying, the type of soil, and nutritional conditions. For example, the concentration may be about 0.1 μM or more, about 0.2 μM or more, about 0.5 μM or more, about 1 μM or more, about 0.01 mM or more, about 0.02 mM or more, about 0.03 mM or more, about 0.04 mM or more, about 0.05 mM or more, or about 0.1 μM or more. M or more, about 0.06 mM or more, about 0.07 mM or more, about 0.08 mM or more, about 0.09 mM or more, about 0.1 mM or more, about 0.2 mM or more, about 0.3 mM or more, about 0.4 mM or more, about 0.5 mM or more, about 0.6 mM or more, about 0.7 mM or more, about 0.8 mM or more, about 0.9 mM or more, about 1 mM or more, about 5 mM or more, about 7 mM or more, about 10 mM or more, about 20 mM or more, about 30 mM or more, It can be about 40 mM or more, about 50 mM or more, about 60 mM or more, about 70 mM or more, about 80 mM or more, about 90 mM or more, about 100 mM or more, about 200 mM or more, about 300 mM or more, about 400 mM or more, about 500 mM or more, about 600 mM or more, about 700 mM or more, about 800 mM or more, about 900 mM or more, about 1000 mM or more, about 2 M or more, about 3 M or more, about 4 M or more, etc. About 5M or less, about 4M or less, about 3M or less, about 2M or less, about 1000mM or less, about 500mM or less, about 100mM or less, about 10mM or less, about 1mM or less, about 0.9mM or less, about 0.8mM or less, The aqueous solution may contain GABA at a concentration of about 0.7mM or less, about 0.6mM or less, about 0.5mM or less, about 0.4mM or less, about 0.3mM or less, about 0.2mM or less, about 0.1mM or less.

[0022] In one embodiment of the present invention, the plant growth-promoting composition of the present invention can contain any ingredient other than GABA that does not substantially impair the effectiveness of the plant growth-promoting composition of the present invention, such as salts, amino acids, or combinations thereof. In one embodiment, the plant growth-promoting composition of the present invention can contain ingredients known as fertilizers, such as nitrogen fertilizers, phosphate fertilizers, potassium fertilizers, or combinations thereof. Nitrogen fertilizers include urea, nitrate, ammonium sulfate, ammonium nitrate, ammonium chloride, and lime nitrogen. Potassium fertilizers include potassium sulfate, potassium chloride, potassium sulfate, potassium bicarbonate, potassium humate, potassium silicate, crude potassium salt, processed bittern potassium, coated potassium, liquid potassium silicate, fused potassium silicate, by-product potassium, and mixed potassium. Phosphate fertilizers include superphosphate, triple superphosphate, magnesium phosphate, fused phosphate, calcined phosphate, humic acid phosphate, fused silicic acid phosphate, slag phosphate, processed slag phosphate, coated phosphate, liquid phosphate, fused sludge ash, silicic acid phosphate, processed phosphate, by-product phosphate, and mixed phosphate. In one embodiment, the amino acids that can be contained in the plant growth-promoting composition of the present invention are not particularly limited, and can include, for example, protein-constituting amino acids such as isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan, valine, histidine, tyrosine, cysteine, aspartic acid, asparagine, serine, glutamic acid, glutamine, proline, glycine, alanine, arginine, or combinations thereof; hydroxyproline, an amino acid produced by modification after protein synthesis; and non-protein-constituting amino acids (free amino acids) such as ornithine and citrulline, or combinations thereof. Preferably, the plant growth-promoting composition of the present invention contains alanine, proline, aspartic acid, arginine, or glycine, or combinations thereof. More preferably, the plant growth-promoting composition of the present invention contains alanine.

[0023] In one embodiment of the present invention, the plant growth-promoting composition of the present invention can contain alanine in any amount or ratio. For example, the plant growth-promoting composition of the present invention can contain GABA:alanine in a ratio of about 1000:about 1 to about 1:about 1000. In one embodiment, the plant growth-promoting composition of the present invention can contain alanine at about 0.01 mM or more. In another embodiment, the plant growth-promoting composition of the present invention can contain GABA at about 1 mM or more and alanine at about 0.01 mM or more.

[0024] In one embodiment, the compositions of the present invention may also contain one or more other agriculturally or genetically acceptable ingredients, examples of which include water, nutrient substances, plant health or growth promoting substances, vegetable oils, metabolic stimulants, emulsifiers, thickeners, suspending agents, dispersing agents, carriers or excipients, solubilizers, wetting agents, binders, and essential oils.

[0025] In one embodiment of the present invention, the composition of the present invention can be applied or sprayed to plants by a method conventional in the art, such as soil or foliar spraying. In one embodiment, the composition of the present invention can also be applied or sprayed to roots, stems, seeds, grains, tubers, flowers, fruits, etc. as needed. Examples of application methods include spraying with a conventional sprayer and direct spraying onto the soil or plants.

[0026] In one embodiment of the present invention, the composition of the present invention can be diluted appropriately before application or spraying depending on the type, part, spraying means, spraying time, amount, mixture, etc. of the plant to which it is applied or sprayed. For example, the composition of the present invention can be the lactic acid bacteria fermentation broth used in producing GABA, which can be used as is, or a solution obtained by filtering the lactic acid bacteria fermentation broth. In another embodiment, the composition of the present invention can be used by diluting such a fermentation broth or filtrate as necessary.

[0027] In one embodiment of the present invention, the composition of the present invention may comprise a solvent in which the composition of the present invention can be dispersed or dissolved, such solvent being preferably water.

[0028] The lactic acid bacteria fermentation liquid (raw liquid) used to produce GABA can contain at least about 10% by mass or more, about 15% by mass or more, about 20% by mass or more, about 25% by mass or more, about 30% by mass or more, about 35% by mass or more, about 40% by mass or more, about 45% by mass or more, or about 50% by mass or more of GABA, and preferably contains about 25% to about 50% by mass of GABA.

[0029] In one embodiment, the lactic acid bacteria fermentation broth (stock solution) used to produce GABA can contain, in addition to GABA, a suitable solvent (preferably water), any salts, and amino acids. In one embodiment, the lactic acid bacteria fermentation broth (stock solution) can contain at least about 10% by mass or more, about 15% by mass or more, about 20% by mass or more, about 25% by mass or more, about 30% by mass or more, about 35% by mass or more, about 40% by mass or more, about 45% by mass or more, or about 50% by mass or more of water, and preferably contains about 30% to about 50% by mass of water.

[0030] In one embodiment, the lactic acid bacteria fermentation liquid (raw solution) used to produce GABA can contain at least about 1% by mass or more, about 2% by mass or more, about 3% by mass or more, about 4% by mass or more, about 5% by mass or more, about 6% by mass or more, about 7% by mass or more, about 8% by mass or more, about 9% by mass or more, or about 10% by mass or more of salt, and preferably contains about 5% to about 10% by mass of salt.

[0031] In one embodiment, the lactic acid bacteria fermentation liquid (raw liquid) used in producing GABA can contain less than about 1% by mass, less than about 2% by mass, less than about 3% by mass, less than about 4% by mass, or less than about 5% by mass of alanine, and preferably less than about 5% by mass of alanine.

[0032] In one embodiment, the lactic acid bacteria fermentation liquid (raw liquid) used to produce GABA can contain less than about 1% by mass, less than about 2% by mass, less than about 3% by mass, less than about 4% by mass, or less than about 5% by mass of amino acids other than alanine, and preferably contains less than about 5% by mass of amino acids other than alanine.

[0033] In one embodiment, the plant to which the plant growth-promoting composition of the present invention is applied is not particularly limited, and can be applied to all plants, such as various monocotyledons, dicotyledons, gymnosperms, and trees. Examples of dicotyledons include, but are not limited to, tubers, legumes, and Solanaceae. Examples of monocotyledons include Poales, Zingiberales, and Arecaceae. Examples of gymnosperms include cedar, cypress, pine, and spruce. According to one aspect, from the perspective of breeding, plants to which the plant growth-promoting composition of the present invention is applied include plants of the Solanaceae, Brassicaceae, Cucurbitaceae, Asteraceae, Apiaceae, Rosaceae, Malvaceae, Poaceae, Fabaceae, Convolvulaceae, Chenopodiaceae, Liliaceae, Araceae, Convolvulaceae, Lamiaceae, Rutaceae, Musaceae, Vitaceae, Ebacaceae, Actinidiaceae, Bromeliaceae, Violaceae, and Orchidaceae.

[0034] In one embodiment of the present invention, the plant growth-promoting composition of the present invention can achieve plant growth promotion by increasing the expression level of gibberellin receptor genes such as GID1a and GID1c. In one embodiment, the plant growth-promoting composition of the present invention can exert a plant growth-promoting effect even when a plant is grown under a predetermined temperature condition, particularly under a high-temperature condition. The lower limit of the temperature condition can be, for example, about 10°C or higher, about 11°C or higher, about 12°C or higher, about 13°C or higher, about 14°C or higher, about 15°C or higher, about 16°C or higher, about 17°C or higher, about 18°C ​​or higher, about 19°C or higher, about 20°C or higher, about 21°C or higher, about 22°C or higher, about 23°C or higher, about 24°C or higher, about 25°C or higher, about 26°C or higher, about 27°C or higher, about 28°C or higher, or about 29°C or higher. The temperature may be above about 30°C, above about 31°C, above about 32°C, above about 33°C, above about 34°C, above about 35°C, above about 36°C, above about 37°C, above about 38°C, above about 39°C, above about 40°C, above about 41°C, above about 42°C, above about 43°C, above about 44°C, above about 45°C, above about 46°C, above about 47°C, above about 48°C, or above about 49°C. The upper limit of the temperature condition is, for example, about 50°C or less, about 49°C or less, about 48°C or less, about 47°C or less, about 46°C or less, about 45°C or less, about 44°C or less, about 43°C or less, about 42°C or less, about 41°C or less, about 40°C or less, about 39°C or less, about 38°C or less, about 37°C or less, about 36°C or less, about 35°C or less, about 34°C or less, about 33°C or less, about 32°C or less, about 31°C or less. The temperature may be below about 30°C, below about 29°C, below about 28°C, below about 27°C, below about 26°C, below about 25°C, below about 24°C, below about 23°C, below about 22°C, below about 21°C, below about 20°C, below about 19°C, below about 18°C, below about 17°C, below about 16°C, below about 15°C, below about 14°C, below about 13°C, below about 12°C, or below about 11°C. The temperature condition may also be within a range of any two values ​​selected from the above lower and upper limits. Regarding plant growth under high temperature conditions in particular, gibberellins, which are involved in plant elongation growth, promotion of germination, and breaking dormancy, cause phytotoxicity when sprayed on plants under high temperature conditions. Therefore, the plant growth-promoting effect of the plant growth-promoting composition of the present invention under high temperature conditions is extremely surprising.Therefore, the plant growth-promoting composition of the present invention can exert a plant growth-promoting effect even when the plant is grown under high temperature conditions, and can be used to grow plants under temperature conditions of, for example, about 28°C to about 50°C, preferably about 28°C to about 45°C, more preferably about 28°C to about 40°C, even more preferably about 30°C to about 45°C, and even more preferably about 30°C to about 40°C.

[0035] In one embodiment of the present invention, the plant growth-promoting composition of the present invention can be produced by fermenting glutamic acid derived from a plant such as sugarcane as a starting material with lactic acid bacteria (e.g., K-3 strain) or Bacillus subtilis to produce a high-concentration GABA fermentation liquid.

[0036] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for promoting plant growth, comprising the step of applying the plant growth-promoting composition of the present invention to a plant. In one embodiment, the plant growth-promoting composition of the present invention is applied to the plant at the reproductive growth stage or maturity stage, thereby promoting the reproductive growth of the plant.

[0037] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of stimulating reproductive growth in a plant, comprising the step of applying to the plant the plant growth promoting composition of the present invention.

[0038] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for promoting maturation in a plant, comprising the step of applying the plant growth promoting composition of the present invention to the plant.

[0039] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for increasing flowering or promoting the initiation of flowering in a plant, comprising the step of applying to the plant the plant growth promoting composition of the present invention.

[0040] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for improving fruit set or promoting the initiation of fruit set in a plant, comprising the step of applying to the plant the plant growth promoting composition of the present invention.

[0041] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a composition for increasing the amino acid content of a plant, comprising GABA, which may optionally have the characteristics of the plant growth promoting composition described elsewhere herein.

[0042] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a composition for improving plant tolerance to physical and / or mechanical stimuli, comprising GABA, which may optionally have the characteristics of the plant growth-promoting composition described elsewhere herein.

[0043] The plant tolerance improving composition of the present invention can improve the plant tolerance of a wide range of plants to prevent fruit drop, leaf drop, flower drop, branch breakage, etc. The plant tolerance improving composition of the present invention can effectively prevent fruit drop in plants, and when applied to cultivated plants for agricultural and horticultural use, can significantly increase the yield of fruits and the like.

[0044] Furthermore, the plant resistance improving composition of the present invention contains GABA as an active ingredient, and because it uses such a safe and reliable amino acid, it can be used as a safe and reliable flowering promoter or fruit abscission inhibitor, unlike pesticides.

[0045] In this specification, "or" is used when "at least one or more" of the items listed in the sentence can be employed. The same applies to "alternative." In this specification, when it is specified that "within a range" of "two values," the range includes the two values ​​themselves. All references cited herein, including scientific literature, patents, patent applications, and the like, are incorporated by reference in their entirety to the same extent as if each were specifically set forth.

[0046] The present disclosure has been described above by showing preferred embodiments for ease of understanding. The present disclosure will be described below based on examples. However, the above description and the following examples are provided for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the present disclosure. Therefore, the scope of the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments or examples specifically described herein, but is limited only by the scope of the claims. [Example]

[0047] (Example 1: Preparation of GABA spray solution) The method for preparing the GABA-containing composition (spray solution) used in the following examples is described below. (1) Preparation of GABA solution Commercially available GABA (manufactured by Fujifilm Wako Pure Chemical Industries, Ltd.) was dissolved in water to prepare aqueous solutions of the desired concentrations. (2) GABA Aqueous solution containing GABA and Ala used in the Examples A solution containing 5 M GABA and 0.05 M alanine (Ala), produced by lactic acid fermentation (Pharma Foods Co., Ltd.), was diluted with water, or Ala (Fujifilm Wako Pure Chemical Industries, Ltd.) was added to GABA to prepare aqueous solutions of the desired concentrations.

[0048] (Example 2: Flowering promotion effect on roses) In this example, roses were used as test plants, and the effect of using a spray solution containing GABA on increasing the number of flowers per plant was examined.

[0049] The materials and conditions used in this example are shown below. 1. Test plant: Rose (variety: True Bloom Red Captain)

[0050] 2. Preparation of Spray Solution The following solutions were prepared: a mixed solution of amino acids, polysaccharides, and fulvic acid (1-2), a GABA solution (a synthetic GABA solution) (1-3), and a GABA + Ala solution (a GABA fermentation solution) (1-4). The proportions of the components in each solution were adjusted so that the nitrogen content was equal. [Table 1]

[0051] Spray solution 1-2: The amino acid, polysaccharide, and fulvic acid mixed solution was prepared by diluting the amino acid, polysaccharide, and fulvic acid mixed solution with water so that the nitrogen content was 11 mg / kg. The main component percentages and nutrient content percentages of the amino acid, polysaccharide, and fulvic acid mixed solution are shown below. [Table 2]

[0052] 3. Test soil and materials The planter used was a 28L 510 type deep pot (manufactured by Aika Co., Ltd.) measuring 51.6 x 34 x 26H (cm), and the potting soil used was 20L of "Kagome Light Vegetable Soil" (registered trademark) (manufactured by Kagome Co., Ltd.), plus 5L of stones (manufactured by Natural Applied Science Co., Ltd.) for placing at the bottom of home gardening pots.

[0053] 4. Procedure (1) The plots were divided into three spraying areas: one sprayed with water (control area 1), one sprayed with a mixture of amino acids, polysaccharides, and fulvic acid (control area 2), one sprayed with GABA solution, and one sprayed with GABA + Ala solution. Three test rose plants were planted in each spraying area. No additional fertilization was performed after planting. (2) After planting, the roses were thinned out before spraying to ensure that the initial flower buds and number of flowers were the same. Watering was performed once a day. (3) Two weeks after planting, the spray solution was drenched into the soil, and this was continued once a week until completion. Approximately 1 L of the spray solution was applied per 3 plants per drenching. (4) The number of flowers was recorded in all test plots every Monday through Friday, and the survey was conducted over a four-week period from mid-August to mid-September.

[0054] 5.Results The relationship between the number of days sprayed and the number of flowers was examined using a two-way analysis of variance. The change in the number of flowers was significantly faster in the GABA solution and GABA + Ala solution sprayed plots than in the water (control plot 1) and the amino acid, polysaccharide, and fulvic acid mixed solution sprayed plots (control plot 2) (p<0.05) (Figure 1).

[0055] In addition, the frequency of flowering over a 4-week period in the GABA+Ala solution-sprayed area and the GABA solution-sprayed area was confirmed using a chi-square test. The GABA+Ala solution-sprayed area had a higher frequency of flowering (p<0.05) (Figure 1).

[0056] These results confirmed that soil drenching with GABA solution or GABA + Ala solution had a flowering-promoting effect. Furthermore, the GABA + Ala solution exhibited superior flowering-promoting effects compared to commercially available fertilizer (Hyponex's "Stress Blocker") and GABA solution. Therefore, it was suggested that soil drenching with GABA + Ala solution had the effect of shifting the growth of the test plants toward reproductive growth. Soil drenching with GABA + Ala solution was confirmed to have a flowering-promoting effect compared to soil drenching with GABA only.

[0057] Example 3: Growth promoting effect on broccoli In this example, broccoli was used as a test plant, and the effect of irrigating the soil with a spray solution containing GABA+Ala on leaf growth was examined.

[0058] The materials and conditions used in this example are shown below.

[0059] 1. Test plant: Broccoli

[0060] 2. Preparation of Spray Solution A GABA+Ala solution was prepared as in Example 1.

[0061] 3. Procedure The plants were divided into two treatment zones: a water spray zone (control) and a GABA solution spray zone. Broccoli seeds were sown and cultivated in each treatment zone. The plants were cultivated in Miyazaki Prefecture (maximum temperature: 29°C, minimum temperature: 21°C). The materials were sprayed once a week starting on August 5th, and leaf area per image was calculated using photographs taken on August 29th. Leaf area was analyzed and calculated using ImageJ Fiji (ImageJ-win64). Specifically, Image > Color > Split Channels was selected. Then, using the green image, Image > Adjust > Threshold was used to binarize the leaf and other components. Finally, the binarized image was used to calculate the leaf percentage per image by selecting Analyze > Analyze Particles.

[0062] 4.Results When water was sprayed (control), the percentage of leaves in the image was approximately 20%, whereas when the GABA solution was sprayed, the percentage of leaves in the image was approximately 80%, a four-fold increase compared to the control (Figure 2). This confirms that the GABA solution has the effect of promoting leaf growth.

[0063] Example 4: Effect of promoting flowering and increasing fruit set on cherry tomatoes In this example, cherry tomatoes were used as test plants, and the effects of spraying a GABA-containing solution on promoting flowering and increasing the number of fruits were examined.

[0064] The materials and conditions used in this example are shown below.

[0065] 1. Test plant: Cherry tomato (variety: Junama) (manufactured by Suntory)

[0066] 2. Preparation of Spray Solution The spray solutions used were water, an ammonium nitrate solution (100 mg / L), a glutamic acid solution (100 mg / L), and the GABA+Ala solution of the present invention (1 mM GABA+0.01 mM Ala).

[0067] 3. Test soil and materials 27 L of Golden Granular Potting Soil (manufactured by Iris Ohyama), a potting soil for flowers and vegetables, was used as the potting soil.

[0068] 4. Procedure (1) The area was divided into four spraying areas: a water spraying area (control area), an ammonium nitrate solution spraying area, a glutamic acid solution spraying area, and a GABA+Ala solution spraying area, and cherry tomatoes were grown in each spraying area.

[0069] (2) The test plants were grown in single-plant, vertically guided planters. Three plants were planted per planter of test soil. Planting took place on June 8, 2022. No additional fertilization was performed after planting. Watering was carried out at the same rate to avoid differences between test sections. Watering was carried out at 1.5 to 4 liters per day per 1-culture planter, depending on the weather and the growth stage of the plants.

[0070] (3) Three test areas were set up: an aqueous solution spray area, an ammonium nitrate solution spray area, a glutamic acid solution spray area, and a GABA+Ala spray area, and tomatoes were grown in each test area.

[0071] (4) Soil drench with each fertilizer began on the day of planting. Fertilizer was applied once a week for a total of four times until June 29th. Soil drench was performed using a watering can, with approximately 300 ml of fertilizer solution per plant being applied to the base of each plant.

[0072] (5) The number of flowers and fruit set were recorded. Harvesting was carried out in all test plots every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, and the harvest date, harvest yield, and number of harvested fruits were recorded for each plant and each cluster. Harvesting began on May 2, 2022, and the final harvest date was July 1, 2022.

[0073] (6) June 10, 2022, the second day after the start of spraying, was used as the reference date, and the number of flowers and fruits on the 23rd day, three weeks later, were compared for each spray solution.

[0074] 5.Results The number of flowers bloomed on July 10th was tested by Student's t-test for the spraying intervals of each material. The study was conducted using a 200-mg dose. Compared to the control water spray, the glutamic acid solution and the GABA+Ala solution sprayed significantly increased the number of flowers. In particular, the GABA+Ala solution had an average of 12 flowers, demonstrating a remarkable flowering-promoting effect compared to the other solutions (Figure 3).

[0075] Similarly, for fruit set, the application intervals of each material were examined using Student's t-test. Compared to the control water spray, only the GABA+Ala solution sprayed resulted in a significant increase in fruit set. In particular, when comparing the glutamic acid solution with the GABA+Ala solution, the average number of fruits set was 11, which was approximately double the number set by glutamic acid, which showed the second highest fruit-setting promoting effect, and the fruit-setting promoting effect was so remarkable that a statistically significant difference was observed compared to the other solutions (Figure 4).

[0076] Example 5: Effect of accelerating harvesting of cherry tomatoes Below, we investigated the effect of GABA+Ala solution on accelerating the harvest of cherry tomatoes. 1. Test plants: Cherry tomato (variety: Ecosweet) (manufactured by Aisan Seed Co., Ltd.)

[0077] 2. Test soil and materials As the culture medium, 27 L of Uma Tomato Bag Culture Medium (organic culture medium, manufactured by Kawai Fertilizer Co., Ltd.) was used.

[0078] 3. Procedure The control group was sprayed with water, and the following spray solutions were used: 100 mM GABA + 1 mM Ala solution (GABA fermentation solution), 10 mM GABA + 0.1 mM Ala solution (GABA + Ala solution), and 1 mM GABA + 0.01 mM Ala solution (GABA solution). Cherry tomatoes were grown in each spray group.

[0079] Test plants were grown in single-stem, vertically trained soil bags. Two plants were planted per soil bag. After growth, the tops of the plants were pinched off, leaving only one leaf directly above the sixth inflorescence, and the second through sixth inflorescences were used for the study. Topping was performed on April 27, 2022. To minimize influences other than those caused by the sprayed materials, the first inflorescence was pinched off to five flowers, and the second through sixth inflorescences were pinched off to 10 flowers. No additional fertilization was performed after planting. Lateral buds were removed as soon as they were confirmed, and leaf pinching was performed on the same day and at the same level to avoid differences between the test sections (described below). Watering was performed at the same level to avoid differences between the test sections. Watering was performed at 1.5 to 4 L per day per soil bag, depending on the weather and the plant's growth stage.

[0080] Foliar spraying of fertilizer began one month after planting. Fertilizer was sprayed once a week for a total of nine times until one month after topping. Foliar spraying was carried out using a sprayer, with the spray applied to each leaf at a distance of 20-30 cm from the sprayer nozzle so that the spray solution was evenly applied to the underside of the leaf. Approximately 50 ml of fertilizer solution was used per plant per foliar spray.

[0081] The number of cherry tomatoes harvested and the harvest date were recorded. Harvesting was carried out in all test plots every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, and the harvest date, harvest yield, and number of fruits harvested were recorded for each plant and each cluster. Harvesting began on May 2, 2022, and the final harvest date was July 1, 2022.

[0082] result In FIG. 5, the horizontal axis represents the number of days for spraying, and the vertical axis represents the average (%) of the cumulative daily yield for the test plots when the total yield for each plant is taken as 100%.

[0083] When the significant difference in the relationship between the number of days and cumulative yield was examined using a two-way analysis of variance, the increase in cumulative yield was significantly faster in the GABA + Ala solution sprayed area than in the control area sprayed with water (p<0.05) (Figure 5).

[0084] These test results confirmed that the harvest rate increased in the test area where the GABA+Ala solution was sprayed on the leaves compared to the area where water was sprayed. Furthermore, because the number of flowers was the same, a significant difference was observed in the total harvest amount between the test areas (ANOVA). Therefore, it was suggested that the foliar spray of the GABA+Ala solution had the effect of promoting the reproductive growth of the test plants.

[0085] Example 6: Effect of reducing mechanical stress and / or flooding stress In this example, Laurentia was used as a test plant, and the effect of using a spray solution containing GABA on reducing mechanical stress and / or flooding stress on the plant was examined.

[0086] The materials and conditions used in this example are shown below.

[0087] 1. Test plant: Laurentia (variety: Fizz and Pop Deep Pink)

[0088] 2. Preparation of Spray Solution The spray solution used was water and a 1 mM GABA+0.01 mM Ala solution (1 mM GABA+0.01 mM).

[0089] 3. Test soil and materials The planter used was a 6L Queen Planter 450 type 450 x 208 x 170 (mm), and the culture soil used was 20L of Kagome (registered trademark) Light Vegetable Soil (registered trademark) (manufactured by Kagome Co., Ltd.).

[0090] 4. Procedure (1) Each planter was filled with 6 L of potting soil and 0.5 L of stones (manufactured by Shizen Oyo Kagaku Co., Ltd.) to put in the bottom of the pot, and three test plants were planted. No additional fertilization was performed after planting. Watering was performed once a day at the same rate to avoid differences between test sections.

[0091] (2) A water spray area (control area) and an area sprayed with 1 mM GABA + 0.01 mM Ala solution were set up, and three test plants were grown in each test area.

[0092] (3) Soil drench with the spray solution began four weeks before the typhoon passed. Soil drench with the spray solution was carried out approximately once a week until the end of the survey, with approximately 1 L of spray solution used per 3 plants.

[0093] (4) The number of flowers was recorded one week before the typhoon passed, and the number of flowers was recorded in all test plots every Monday through Friday for two weeks.

[0094] 5.Results Figure 6 shows the change in the number of flowers per plant before and after the typhoon when water and GABA+Ala solution were sprayed. A two-way analysis of variance was used to examine the significance of the relationship between the number of days and the number of flowers. The number of flowers was significantly higher in the GABA+Ala solution sprayed area than in the water sprayed area (control area) (p<0.05) (Figure 6).

[0095] In the test plots where the GABA+Ala solution was drenched in the soil four weeks prior to the typhoon, the reduction in flower numbers due to the typhoon was suppressed compared to the plots where water spraying was used. In other words, drenching the soil with the GABA+Ala solution reduced the impact of the typhoon on the test plants.

[0096] Example 7: Amino acid enhancement effect in strawberries In this example, strawberries were used as test plants, and changes in the amino acid content in the fruit when a 1 mM GABA+0.01 mM Ala solution was used were examined.

[0097] The materials and conditions used in this example are shown below.

[0098] 1. Test plant: strawberry (variety: Yotsuboshi) (organic nico)

[0099] 2. Preparation of Spray Solution The spray solutions used were water and a 100 mM GABA+1 mM Ala solution (GABA+Ala solution).

[0100] 3. Test soil and materials The culture medium used was a 1:1 mixture of solar-sterilized soil (fine-grained ordinary clay-accumulated red-yellow soil) collected from the production fields of Organic Nico Co., Ltd. and culture medium specifically for sowing (manufactured by Yamato Fertilizer Co., Ltd., electrical conductivity (EC): 0.46 ms / cm (at time of manufacture), pH 5.0 to pH 6.0 (at time of manufacture), N element content: 150 mg / L (calculated value), P element content: 300 mg / L (calculated value), K element content: 200 mg / L (calculated value)).

[0101] 4. Procedure (1) The soil pots used for elevated cultivation had three holes per pot, and the capacity per hole was 3 L.

[0102] (2) Before the start of the test, strawberry plants used for production purposes by Organic Nico Co., Ltd. were sprayed once with a 300-fold diluted Sun Crystal (registered trademark) emulsion as a measure against spider mites.

[0103] (3) After the start of the test, management work included removing flowers and fruits that were not yet of a saleable size, removing diseased leaves and fruits, removing yellowed leaves, and removing fruit stalk branches that had already been harvested.

[0104] (4) The amount of water irrigation was about 500-750 mL / plant on sunny days and about 250 mL / plant on cloudy days. Watering was not performed on rainy days.

[0105] (5) Two experimental areas were set up: a water spray area (control area) and an area sprayed with 100 mM GABA + 1 mM Ala solution, and 70 strawberry plants were grown in each experimental area.

[0106] (6) Foliar spraying of each spray solution began on February 16, 2022, the day after spraying Sun Crystal Emulsion on February 15, 2022. Thereafter, spraying was carried out once a week on Wednesdays between 10:00 and 12:00, for a total of 15 times until May 25, 2022. Approximately 1.5 to 2.0 L (20 to 30 mL / plant) of each spray solution was sprayed in each test plot per spray.

[0107] (8) After spraying, all test plots were harvested every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.

[0108] (9) On May 27, 2022, five strawberries were selected from each of the water-sprayed area (control area) and the 100 mM GABA + 1 mM Ala solution-sprayed area and frozen at -80°C.

[0109] (10) The strawberries to be measured were crushed in a mill and the amino acid content was measured. Methanol, chloroform, MQ (MeOH / Chloroform / MQ = 1:1:0.4 (molar ratio)) and the internal standard solution 2-isopropylmalic acid were added to the crushed strawberries, mixed in a vortex mixer, centrifuged at 15,000 rpm for 5 minutes, and the supernatant was collected, filtered, and subjected to LC-MS measurement.

[0110] (11) LC-MS measurements were performed under the following conditions. Standards: Amino acid standard solution, asparagine standard solution, tryptophan, glutamine Detection: SIM method, positive ion mode Eluent A: acetonitrile / formic acid = 100 / 0.3 Eluent B: Acetonitrile / 100 mM ammonium formate = 20 / 80 Column: Intrada Amino Acid, 100 x 3 mm Temperature: 37℃ Flow rate: 0.5mL / min Gradient: 20% B (0-4.8 min), 20-100% B (4.8-16.8 min), 100% B (16.8-19.2 min), 20% B (19.2-25 min)

[0111] 5.Results Compared to water spray (control), when the GABA + Ala solution was sprayed, a significant increase in various amino acids (phenylalanine (Phe), tryptophan (Trp), leucine (Leu), isoleucine (Ile), methionine (Met), threonine (Thr), lysine (Lys), tyrosine (Tyr), Pro (proline), alanine (Ala), glutamine (Gln), asparagine (Asn), glutamic acid (Glu), aspartic acid (Asp), serine (Ser), arginine (Arg), and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)) was observed in the harvested fruit (strawberry) (Figure 7).

[0112] Therefore, the GABA+Ala solution can increase the amino acid content of the plant fruit (strawberry), and has the effect of promoting the reproductive growth of the plant.

[0113] (Example 8: Amino acid enhancement effect in cherry tomatoes) In this example, cherry tomatoes were used as test plants, and changes in the amino acid content and umami taste in the fruit when a GABA-containing spray solution was used were examined.

[0114] The materials and conditions used in this example are shown below. 1. Test plants: Cherry tomato (variety: Ecosweet) (manufactured by Aisan Seed Co., Ltd.)

[0115] 2. Preparation of Spray Solution The spray solution was water and a 100 mM GABA + 1 mM Ala solution (GABA + Ala solution) was used.

[0116] 3. Test soil and materials The culture medium used was 27 L of Uma Tomato Bag Culture Medium (organic culture medium, Kawai Fertilizer Co., Ltd.).

[0117] 4. Procedure (1) Test plants were grown in single-stem, vertically trained soil bags. Two plants were planted per soil bag. After growth, the tops of the plants were pinched off, leaving only one leaf directly above the sixth inflorescence, and the second to sixth inflorescences were used for the study. Topping was performed on April 27, 2022. To minimize influences other than those caused by the sprayed materials, the first inflorescence was pinched off to five flowers, and the second to sixth inflorescences were pinched off to 10 flowers. No additional fertilization was performed after planting. Lateral buds were removed as soon as they were confirmed, and leaf pinching was performed on the same day and at the same level to avoid differences between the test sections (described below). Watering was performed at the same level to avoid differences between the test sections. Watering was performed at 1.5 to 4 L per day per soil bag, depending on the weather and the plant's growth stage.

[0118] (2) A water spray area (control area) and a 100 mM GABA + 1 mM Ala solution spray area (control area) were set up, and 10 tomato plants were grown in each test area.

[0119] (3) Foliar spraying of each spray solution began one month after planting (April 11, 2022). Foliar spraying was performed using a sprayer, with the spray solution applied evenly to all leaves at a distance of 20-30 cm from the sprayer nozzle. Approximately 50 ml of each spray solution was used per plant per foliar spray.

[0120] (4) After spraying, all test plots were harvested every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.

[0121] (5) The fruits harvested on May 30, 2022 were subjected to taste analysis using the taste analyzer TS-5000Z (Incent Sensor Technology Co., Ltd.).

[0122] (6) Fruits harvested on June 1, 2022, were frozen at -80°C and used for amino acid analysis. Seven cherry tomatoes were randomly selected and crushed in a mill. 10% sulfosalicylic acid was added and the mixture was vortexed to precipitate proteins. The mixture was centrifuged at 2000 rpm for 10 minutes, and the supernatant was collected, filtered, and subjected to LC-MS analysis.

[0123] (7) LC-MS measurements were performed under the following conditions. Standards: Amino acid standard solution, asparagine standard solution, tryptophan, glutamine Detection: SIM method, positive ion mode Eluent A: acetonitrile / formic acid = 100 / 0.3 Eluent B: Acetonitrile / 100 mM ammonium formate = 20 / 80 Column: Intrada Amino Acid, 100 x 3 mm Temperature: 37℃ Flow rate: 0.5 mL / min Gradient: 20% B (0-4.8 min), 20-100% B (4.8-16.8 min), 100% B (16.8-19.2 min), 20% B (19.2-25 min)

[0124] 5-1. Results (Changes in amino acid content) Compared to the control treatment with water, the treatment with the GABA + Ala solution increased the amino acid concentrations of phenylalanine (Phe), tryptophan (Trp), leucine (Leu), isoleucine (Ile), methionine (Met), threonine (Thr), lysine (Lys), tyrosine (Tyr), proline (Pro), alanine (Ala), glutamine (Gln), asparagine (Asn), glutamic acid (Glu), aspartic acid (Asp), serine (Ser), arginine (Arg), and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the harvested fruit (tomatoes). The increase in glutamic acid (Glu) was particularly significant (Figure 8).

[0125] Therefore, the GABA+Ala solution can increase the amino acid content of the plant fruit (tomato), and has the effect of promoting the reproductive growth of the plant.

[0126] 5-2. Results (changes in umami) Compared to the water-sprayed control, the GABA+Ala solution sprayed on the plants all showed an increase in umami flavor (Figure 9). This was thought to be due to a significant increase in the glutamic acid content, primarily among amino acids.

[0127] Example 9: Antibacterial effect of GABA In this example, the antibacterial effect of GABA was examined.

[0128] method: <Culture preparation> 23.5 g of standard agar medium (granules) (Nissui Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.) was added to 1 L of distilled water and dissolved by heating. After autoclaving at 121°C for 15 minutes, the mixture was kept at approximately 50°C. <Preparation of sample solution> GABA solutions were prepared using sterile saline at concentrations of 50% (w / w), 25% (w / w), and 12.5% ​​(w / w). Sample solutions were then prepared by further diluting the solutions 1:10 with sterile saline. <General live bacteria test> 1.0 mL of sample solution was dispensed into a Petri dish. Approximately 15 mL of agar medium was poured into the Petri dish and immediately mixed to ensure that the sample and medium were thoroughly mixed. The above procedure was repeated for five Petri dishes.

[0129] For the control, 1.0 mL of the same sterilized saline solution used to prepare the sample solution was dispensed into a Petri dish. Approximately 15 mL of agar medium was poured into the Petri dish, and the sample and medium were immediately mixed thoroughly to ensure complete solidification. The agar medium was then cultured at 35±1°C for 24 hours, after which the number of colonies on each Petri dish was counted. The average number of colonies on each Petri dish was calculated, and any fractional part was rounded off. The number of colonies measured was calculated using the following formula: Formula: Number of colonies x 10 = Number of bacteria (units) / 1g of sample

[0130] However, when the number of bacteria is 0, it is set to 10 bacteria / g or less based on the detection limit, and when the number of bacteria is 3000 bacteria or more, it is impossible to judge visually, so it is set to 3000 bacteria / g or more.

[0131] The results are shown in the table below. [Table 3] By setting the GABA solution in the range of 25g / 100g to 50g / 100g, general viable bacteria could be significantly suppressed.

[0132] Example 10: Bolting induction rate by GABA In this example, the bolting induction rate was measured to evaluate the reproductive growth promoting effect of GABA and Ala.

[0133] The materials and conditions used in this example are shown below.

[0134] 1. Test plant: Arabidopsis thaliana

[0135] 2. Culture Medium Preparation The culture medium was prepared by mixing a GABA solution and an alanine solution with Murashige-Skoog (MS) medium and diluting the mixture to the concentrations shown in the table below. [Table 4]

[0136] 3. Twenty Arabidopsis seeds were sown in a 93mm diameter plastic dish and cultured in the culture medium. 20 days after sowing, the number of individuals with confirmed bolting was counted, and the bolting rate for each sample and the control was calculated.

[0137] 4. The bolting induction rate of each sample 20 days after sowing was calculated using the formula shown below. Bolting induction rate (%) = (bolting rate (%) of each sample) - (bolting rate (%) of control)

[0138] In addition, to evaluate whether mixing GABA and Ala would have a synergistic effect on the bolting induction rate, the Colby equation was used. If the actual measured value was greater than the theoretical value calculated by the Colby equation below, it was determined that a synergistic effect existed. Colby's formula: theoretical value = A + B - (A × B) / 100 A: GABA bolting induction rate (%) B: Ala bolting induction rate (%)

[0139] When Arabidopsis thaliana was grown for 20 days on a medium containing a 1000:1 mixture of GABA and Ala, a bolting induction rate of 14.9% was confirmed, exceeding the theoretical value of 7.4% (Figure 10). On the other hand, when Arabidopsis thaliana was grown for 20 days on a medium containing a 1:1000 mixture of GABA and Ala, a bolting induction rate of 10.0% was confirmed, exceeding the theoretical value of 7.4% (Figure 10). These results demonstrate that the combination of GABA and Ala can improve the bolting induction rate compared to when either compound is used alone.

[0140] Example 11: Optimal concentration of GABA to induce accelerated flowering In this example, the number of days from vernalization treatment to flowering was measured in order to evaluate the optimum concentration at which GABA exerts its reproductive growth-promoting effect.

[0141] The materials and conditions used in this example are shown below.

[0142] 1. Test plant: Arabidopsis thaliana

[0143] 2. Preparation of Spray Solution Distilled water, GABA solution, and gibberellin solution (Tokyo Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.) were used as spray solutions.

[0144] 3. Procedure On June 8, 2023, rockwool (TACO BLOCK 23 / 28) was soaked in tap water and washed several times. The water was drained from the washed rockwool tray, and a single seed was planted in the center of the tray using a toothpick. Then, approximately 1 cm of Hoagland's solution (Sigma) was poured into the tray, which was then wrapped in aluminum foil and vernalized for one day in a 4°C low-temperature room (dark). After vernalization, the tray was transferred to a light-controlled growth shelf (23°C, 16-hour / 8-hour light / dark cycle, 10,000xL intensity) and grown for 13 days, adding Hoagland's solution as needed.

[0145] 4. After vernalization and growing for 13 days, the plants were replanted in 7.5cm pots (with approximately 200ml of potting soil) on June 22, 2023.

[0146] The following test areas were set up: water spray area (control area, distilled water), 0.2 μM GABA solution, 1 μM GABA solution, 10 μM GABA solution, 50 μM GABA solution, 200 μM GABA solution, 1000 μM GABA solution spray area, and 50 μM gibberellin solution spray area (positive control), and eight Arabidopsis plants were grown in each test area.

[0147] Soil application of the materials began on June 23, 2023. The materials were applied once a week until all plants flowered. Soil application was carried out using a Pipetman P5000, with 3 ml of each solution being applied to an area within a 1 cm radius of the base of the plant.

[0148] The flowering dates of Arabidopsis were recorded. Flowering began on July 4, 2023, and all flowering was completed on July 10, 2023.

[0149] result In FIG. 11, the horizontal axis represents the name of the test plot, the vertical axis represents the average number of days from vernalization treatment to flowering for each test plot, and the error bars represent the standard error.

[0150] The flowering date for each test area was examined using Student's t-test. Compared to the control area, plots sprayed with GABA solutions at all concentrations from 0.2 μM to 1000 μM and 50 μM gibberellin solution showed a shortening effect on flowering. In particular, plots sprayed with 10 μM, 50 μM, and 200 μM GABA solutions showed a significant improvement in flowering promotion compared to the control area. Furthermore, the 50 μM GABA solution showed a flowering-promoting effect compared to other GABA concentrations, and was equivalent to that of gibberellin solution.

[0151] Example 12: Effect of GABA on gibberellin receptor gene expression In this example, to confirm the effect of GABA on gibberellins that induce reproductive growth, changes in gene expression of gibberellin receptors (GID1a, GID1c) were examined.

[0152] The materials and conditions used in this example are shown below.

[0153] 1. Test plant: Arabidopsis thaliana

[0154] 2. Preparation of Spray Solution As the spray solution, distilled water alone was used in the water spray area, which was the control area, and GABA solution was used in the GABA spray area. 3. Primers used for PCR UBQ-F: 5'-CTGCGACTCAGGGAATCTTCTAA-3' (SEQ ID NO: 1) UBQ-R: 5'-TTGTGCCATTGAATTGAACCC-3' (SEQ ID NO: 2) GID1a-F: 5'-AAACGCTAAAGCTTGTGGAAGAA-3' (SEQ ID NO: 3) GID1a-R: 5'-CCTTTCCAAGTCTCTAAACGCCT-3' (SEQ ID NO: 4) GID1c-F: 5'-TTCTGTGAGGTCTTGGTTGCGC-3' (SEQ ID NO: 5) GID1c-R: 5'-TGCCGATAACCGAAGTGGTCTCTC-3' (SEQ ID NO: 6)

[0155] 4. Procedure On July 12, 2023, rockwool (TACO BLOCK 23 / 28) was soaked in tap water and rinsed several times with water changes. The water was drained from the washed rockwool tray, and a single seed was planted in the center of the tray using a toothpick. Then, approximately 1 cm of Hoagland's solution (Sigma) was poured into the tray, wrapped in aluminum foil, and vernalized for one day in a 4°C low-temperature room (dark). After vernalization, the tray was transferred to a light-controlled growth shelf (23°C, 16-hour / 8-hour light / dark cycle, 10,000 x L) and grown for 21 days, adding Hoagland's solution as needed.

[0156] Sampling was carried out 24 hours after spraying the solution, and at each time, a water spray area (control area) and a 50 μM GABA solution spray area were set up. Nine Arabidopsis plants were grown in each test area.

[0157] Soil spraying of the materials began on August 3, 2023. The materials were sprayed onto the soil using a Pipetman P5000, with 3 ml of the solution being applied once to each plant within a 1 cm radius of the base of the plant.

[0158] Sampling was performed 24 hours after treatment. Three Arabidopsis plants were randomly selected from each of the nine plants, and one leaf was sampled from each plant. This sampling process was repeated five times to form one test sample. The samples were then frozen and stored at -80°C.

[0159] RNA was isolated from frozen material using the NucleoSpin RNA Plant and Fungi Kit (TaKaRa) according to the manufacturer's instructions and PrimeScript TM cDNA was synthesized using a 1st strand cDNA Synthesis Kit (TaKaRa).

[0160] The target genes were PCR housekeeping genes, and UBQ was used as a normalization control. The target genes were the gibberellin receptors GID1a and GID1c, and the enzyme used was TB Green Premix Ex Taq II (TaKaRa). The thermal profile was 95°C for 30 seconds (1 cycle), followed by 40 cycles of 95°C for 5 seconds and 60°C for 30 seconds. Dissociation curve analysis was performed as follows: 95°C for 15 seconds, 60°C for 30 seconds, and 95°C for 15 seconds.

[0161] Gene expression levels were evaluated by quantifying the relative expression levels of GID1a and GID1c mRNA to that of UBQ using real-time PCR using the ΔΔCT value. The expression levels of the samples were expressed relative to the expression level without sample, which was set to 1.

[0162] result FIG. 12 shows the expression levels of the indicated genes in the water-sprayed plot and the 50 μM GABA solution-sprayed plot 24 hours after spraying of the materials, and is shown as the mean ± standard deviation of five values.

[0163] The gene expression levels for each test section were examined using Student's t-test. 24 hours after application, a significant increase in gene expression was observed for GID1a and GID1c when 50 μM GABA solution was applied compared to the control water application. These results demonstrate that GABA increases gene expression of GID1a and GID1c.

[0164] Example 13: Effect of GABA on promoting flowering under high temperature conditions In this example, in order to demonstrate the reproductive growth promoting effect of GABA under high temperature conditions, the number of days from vernalization treatment to flowering was measured.

[0165] The materials and conditions used in this example are shown below.

[0166] 1. Test plant: Arabidopsis thaliana

[0167] 2. Preparation of Spray Solution Distilled water, GABA solution, and gibberellin solution (Tokyo Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.) were used as spray solutions.

[0168] 3. Procedure On October 12, 2023, rockwool (TACO BLOCK 23 / 28) was soaked in tap water and washed several times. The water was drained from the washed rockwool tray, and a single seed was sown in the center of the rockwool using a toothpick. Then, approximately 1 cm of Hoagland's solution (Sigma) was poured into the tray, which was then wrapped in aluminum foil and vernalized for one day in a 4°C low-temperature room (dark). After vernalization, the tray was transferred to a light-controlled growth shelf (23°C, 16-hour / 8-hour light / dark cycle, 10,000xL intensity) and grown for 13 days, adding Hoagland's solution as needed.

[0169] 4. After vernalization and growing for 13 days, they were replanted in 7.5 cm pots (with approximately 200 ml of potting soil) on October 26, 2023, and then transferred to normal conditions (23°C, light / dark cycle: 16 hours / 8 hours, intensity 10,000 x l) and high temperature conditions (35°C, light / dark cycle: 16 hours / 8 hours, intensity 10,000 x l), and grown twice a week with 150 mL of DW added per 8 pots.

[0170] The test groups were set up as follows: a control group sprayed with water under normal conditions, a water group sprayed with water under high temperature conditions, a 50 μM GABA solution sprayed group under high temperature conditions, and a 50 μM gibberellin solution sprayed group under high temperature conditions (positive control). Eight Arabidopsis plants were grown in each test group.

[0171] Soil application of the materials began on October 27, 2023. The materials were applied once a week. Soil application was carried out using a Pipetman P5000, with 3 ml of each solution being applied to an area within a 1 cm radius of the base of the plant.

[0172] The flowering dates of Arabidopsis were recorded. Flowering began on November 6, 2023, and all flowering was completed on November 12, 2023.

[0173] result In FIG. 13, the horizontal axis represents the name of the test plot, the vertical axis represents the average number of days from vernalization to flowering for each test plot, and the error bars represent the average value ± standard error.

[0174] The flowering date was examined using Student's t-test for each spraying interval. Under high temperature conditions, the 50 μM GABA solution sprayed area showed a significant promotion of the flowering date compared to water spraying. On the other hand, when 50 μM gibberellin solution was sprayed under high temperature conditions, all individuals failed to flower and died. From these results, gibberellin showed phytotoxicity under high temperature conditions, and all individuals died. On the other hand, the GABA solution sprayed area showed promotion of flowering even under high temperature conditions, demonstrating that GABA solution has a reproductive growth-promoting effect even under high temperature conditions.

[0175] (Example 14: Effect of GABA and fertilizer components on increasing fresh weight) In this example, the fresh weight of the above-ground parts was evaluated to evaluate the synergistic effect of GABA and fertilizer components.

[0176] The materials and conditions used in this example are shown below.

[0177] 1. Test plant: Arabidopsis thaliana

[0178] 2. Preparation of Spray Solution The spray solution was prepared by mixing distilled water with GABA solution, urea (Fujifilm Wako Pure Chemical Industries, Ltd.), ammonium nitrate (Fujifilm Wako Pure Chemical Industries, Ltd.), potassium sulfate (Wako Pure Chemical Industries, Ltd.), and ammonium dihydrogen phosphate (Wako Pure Chemical Industries, Ltd.), and diluting the mixture to the concentrations shown in Table 5 below. [Table 5]

[0179] 3. Procedure On April 17, 2024, rockwool (TACO BLOCK 23 / 28) was soaked in tap water and washed several times. The water was drained from the washed rockwool tray, and a single seed was sown in the center of the rockwool using a toothpick. Then, approximately 1 cm of Hoagland's solution (Sigma) was poured into the tray, which was then wrapped in aluminum foil and vernalized for one day in a 4°C low-temperature room (dark). After vernalization, the tray was transferred to a light-controlled growth shelf (23°C, 16-hour / 8-hour light / dark cycle, 10,000xL intensity) and grown for 13 days, adding Hoagland's solution as needed.

[0180] 4. After vernalization and growing for 13 days, the plants were transplanted into 7.5 cm pots (with approximately 200 ml of potting soil) on May 1, 2024.

[0181] The following test areas were set up: a control area (distilled water), an area sprayed with urea fertilizer, an area sprayed with nitrate fertilizer, an area sprayed with phosphate fertilizer, an area sprayed with potassium fertilizer, an area sprayed with GABA solution, an area sprayed with urea + GABA solution, an area sprayed with nitrate + GABA solution, an area sprayed with phosphate fertilizer + GABA solution, and an area sprayed with potassium fertilizer + GABA solution, and eight Arabidopsis plants were grown in each test area.

[0182] Soil application of the materials began on May 2, 2024. The materials were applied once a week for a total of three times until all plants flowered. Soil application was carried out using a Pipetman P5000, with 3 ml of the solution being applied to an area within a 1 cm radius of the base of the plant.

[0183] The fresh weight of the aboveground parts was calculated by cutting off the roots and measuring their weight on May 23, 2024. Furthermore, to calculate the theoretical value when each material was mixed, the rate of increase or decrease in fresh weight due to the application of each material was calculated in comparison with the control area.

[0184] 5. The rate of increase or decrease in fresh weight due to the application of each material was calculated using the formula shown below. Increase in fresh weight due to application of each material (%) = (average fresh weight of each sample) / (average fresh weight of control) - 1

[0185] In addition, the Colby formula was used to evaluate whether mixing the GABA solution with the fertilizer components of each material would have a synergistic effect on the rate of increase or decrease in fresh weight.If the actual measured value was greater than the theoretical value calculated by the Colby formula below, it was determined that a synergistic effect existed. Colby's formula: theoretical value = A + B - (A × B) / 100 A: Percentage of increase or decrease in fresh weight due to GABA solution B: Percentage of increase or decrease in fresh weight due to the fertilizer components of each material (%)

[0186] When Arabidopsis thaliana was grown for 35 days by spraying a mixture of GABA solution with urea fertilizer, nitrate fertilizer, and potassium fertilizer, the increase / decrease rates of fresh weight were 42%, 58%, and 45%, respectively, exceeding the theoretical values ​​of 30%, 32%, and 43%, respectively. These results show that combining GABA solution with urea fertilizer, nitrate fertilizer, and potassium fertilizer can increase the fresh weight of the aboveground parts more than when each is used alone (Figure 14).

[0187] (Example 15: Effect of GABA and fertilizer components on root growth) In this example, the length of the taproot was evaluated to evaluate the synergistic effect of GABA and fertilizer components.

[0188] The materials and conditions used in this example are shown below.

[0189] 1. Test plant: Arabidopsis thaliana

[0190] 2. Culture Medium Preparation The culture medium was prepared by mixing Murashige-Skoog (MS) medium with GABA solution, GABA solution, urea (Fujifilm Wako Pure Chemical Industries, Ltd.), ammonium nitrate (Fujifilm Wako Pure Chemical Industries, Ltd.), potassium sulfate (Wako Pure Chemical Industries, Ltd.), and ammonium dihydrogen phosphate (Wako Pure Chemical Industries, Ltd.), and diluting the mixture to the concentrations shown in Table 6. [Table 6]

[0191] 3. Procedure On May 27, 2024, seeds were washed in 70% ethanol in a 1.5 mL tube and the supernatant was removed. They were then washed with 1.5% sodium hypochlorite + 0.01% Tween 20 solution for 10 minutes with shaking, followed by three washes with distilled water. After washing, the seeds were stored in a small amount of water, wrapped in aluminum foil, and vernalized for one day in a darkened, low-temperature room at 4°C. After vernalization, 10 Arabidopsis seeds were sown in culture medium in microplate-type dishes and cultured in a climate control chamber (23°C, 16-hour light / dark cycle, 10,000xL). The seeds were then cultured for 14 days.

[0192] Root length was calculated by measuring the length of the taproot on June 11, 2024, using ImageJ. Error bars represent standard error.

[0193] The root length of each application was examined using Student's t-test. When the GABA solution was combined with each fertilizer component alone, no significant changes were observed compared to the control area. However, when the GABA solution was mixed with urea, phosphate, and potassium fertilizer, and when the GABA solution was mixed with nitrate, phosphate, and potassium fertilizer, the taproot length increased significantly (Figure 15). These results demonstrate that combining the GABA solution with urea fertilizer, phosphate fertilizer, and potassium fertilizer, or with nitrate fertilizer, phosphate fertilizer, and potassium fertilizer, significantly improved root establishment compared to when each fertilizer was used alone.

[0194] (Note) As described above, the present disclosure has been illustrated using preferred embodiments thereof, but it is understood that the scope of the present disclosure should be interpreted solely by the claims. It is understood that the patents, patent applications, and other documents cited in this specification are incorporated by reference into this specification in their entirety as if the contents themselves were specifically set forth herein. This application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-108491, filed with the Japan Patent Office on June 30, 2023, the contents of which are incorporated by reference in their entirety as if they constitute the contents of this application. [Industrial Applicability]

[0195] The present invention is useful in the fields of horticulture and plant breeding because the use of GABA makes it possible to control the flowering and harvest times without destroying the ecosystem.

Claims

1. A composition for promoting plant growth comprising GABA and nitrogen, potassium, or a combination thereof.

2. A plant growth promoting composition as described in claim 1 for increasing fresh weight.

3. A plant growth promoting composition as described in claim 1 for promoting root elongation, further containing phosphoric acid.

4. A plant growth-promoting composition as described in claim 2, wherein the concentration of the GABA is about 50 μM or more, and the concentrations of the nitrogen and potassium are each about 3 mM or more.

5. A plant growth-promoting composition as described in claim 3, wherein the concentration of the GABA is about 50 μM or more, and the concentrations of the nitrogen, phosphate, and potassium are each about 3 mM or more.

6. A plant growth promoting composition as described in claim 1, further containing alanine.

7. A plant growth promoting composition as described in claim 1, which is an aqueous solution containing at least about 0.2 μM of GABA.

8. A plant growth promoting composition as described in claim 1, containing at least about 0.01 mM alanine.

9. A plant growth promoting composition as described in claim 1, containing GABA:alanine in a ratio of about 1000:about 1 to about 1:about 1000.

10. A plant growth promoting composition as described in claim 1, for growing plants under conditions of about 10°C to about 50°C.

11. A plant growth promoting composition as described in claim 1, which achieves the plant growth promotion by improving the expression level of a gibberellin receptor gene.

12. A plant growth promoting composition as described in claim 1 for improving plant resistance to physical and / or mechanical stimuli.

13. A plant growth promoting composition described in any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that it is a concentrate containing GABA, and the concentrate is diluted and applied to a plant.

14. A plant growth promoting composition as described in Claim 13, wherein the concentrate contains approximately 25% to approximately 50% by mass of GABA.

15. The plant growth promoting composition described in claim 14, wherein the concentrate further contains about 25% to about 50% by mass of water, about 5% to about 10% by mass of salt, less than about 5% by mass of alanine, and less than about 5% by mass of amino acids other than alanine.

16. A plant growth promoting composition containing GABA for promoting root elongation, the plant growth promoting composition further containing nitrogen, phosphate, and potassium.

17. A plant growth-promoting composition as described in claim 16, wherein the concentration of the GABA is about 50 μM or more, and the concentrations of the nitrogen, phosphate, and potassium are each about 3 mM or more.

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