Plant growth promoter, plant growth composition, growing medium, and method for promoting plant growth

Abstract

The present invention provides a plant growth promoter, a plant growth composition, a growing medium, and a method for promoting plant growth that can accelerate plant growth and increase yield. [Solution] A plant growth promoter containing pyrroloquinoline quinone and / or a salt thereof as an active ingredient, a plant growth composition or culture medium containing the plant growth promoter such that the concentration of pyrroloquinoline quinone and / or a salt thereof is 0.8 to 10 μmol / L, and a method for promoting the growth of plants using these.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a plant growth promoter, a composition for plant growth, a medium, and a method for promoting plant growth.

Background Art

[0002] Pyrroloquinoline quinone (4,5-dihydro-4,5-dioxo-1H-pyrrolo[2,3-f]quinoline-2,7,9-tricarboxylic acid) (hereinafter sometimes referred to as PQQ) was isolated from methanol-assimilating bacteria as the coenzyme of the third redox enzyme following NAD(P) and FAD in 1979. Subsequently, it has become known to be widely present in yeast, mold, animal cells, etc.

[0003] As an invention applying PQQ to plants, a plant disease control agent and a plant disease control method have been reported (Patent Document 1). This invention is a method for improving the disease resistance of plants by combining PQQ and an iron component.

[0004] Also, a composition for imparting environmental stress tolerance (salt, light, chemical substances, drying, pests and low temperature / freezing stress) to plants, containing at least one of PQQ, its salt or its derivative as an active ingredient, and a method for applying this composition to plants and regulating the growth of the plants have been reported (Patent Document 2).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] Efficient food production is a crucial challenge in agriculture, and inventions to achieve higher yields are needed.

[0007] Previously, it was not known that PQQ could promote plant growth and increase yields.

[0008] The object of the present invention is to provide a plant growth promoter, a plant growth composition, a growing medium, and a method for promoting plant growth that can promote plant growth and increase yield. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following plant growth promoters, plant growth compositions, growing media, and methods for promoting plant growth.

[0010] [1] A plant growth promoter that contains pyrroloquinoline quinone and / or a salt thereof as an active ingredient, which promotes the growth of plants. [2] The plant growth promoter described in [1] above, which promotes the growth of plants in hydroponics. [3] The plant growth promoter according to [1] or [2], wherein the salt is a disodium salt. [4] The plant growth promoter according to any one of [1] to [3], wherein the plant includes agricultural crops. [5] The plant growth promoter according to any one of [1] to [3], wherein the plant includes vegetables. [6] The plant growth promoter according to [5], wherein the vegetables include leafy vegetables. [7] A plant growth composition comprising a plant growth promoter described in any one of [1] to [6] above, such that the concentration of pyrroloquinoline quinone and / or a salt thereof is 0.8 to 10 μmol / L. [8] The plant growth composition described in [7] above, for use in hydroponics. [9] A culture medium containing a plant growth promoter described in any one of [1] to [6] above, or a plant growth composition containing the plant growth promoter, such that the concentration of pyrroloquinoline quinone and / or its salt is 0.8 to 10 μmol / L.

[10] The medium according to [9], which is for hydroponics.

[11] A method for promoting plant growth, which uses the plant growth promoter according to any one of [1] to [6] or a plant growth composition containing the plant growth promoter.

Advantages of the Invention

[0011] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a plant growth promoter, a plant growth composition, a medium, and a method for promoting plant growth that can promote plant growth and increase the yield.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0012] [Figure 1] A photograph showing the harvested product (Komatsuna) of Example 1. [Figure 2] A photograph showing the harvested product (Komatsuna) of Example 2. [Figure 3] A photograph showing the harvested product (Komatsuna) of Comparative Example 1. [Figure 4] A photograph showing the harvested product (Komatsuna) of Comparative Example 2. [Figure 5A] A graph showing the temperature change during growth (August 22 to 31, 2024). [Figure 5B] A graph showing the temperature change during growth (September 1 to 10, 2024). [Figure 5C] A graph showing the temperature change during growth (September 11 to 20, 2024). [Figure 5D] A graph showing the temperature change during growth (September 21 to 25, 2024).

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0013] Hereinafter, the modes for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail, but the present invention is not limited to these, and various modifications are possible without departing from the gist thereof.

[0014] }] 〔Plant Growth Promoter〕 The plant growth promoter according to an embodiment of the present invention (hereinafter referred to as "the present embodiment") contains pyrroloquinoline quinone and / or its salt as an active ingredient.

[0015] PQQ used in the present embodiment is a compound having a chemical structure represented by the following formula (Chemical Formula 1).

Chemical Formula

[0016] In addition to the oxidized PQQ represented by the above formula, PQQ used in the present embodiment may be reduced PQQ having a chemical structure represented by the following formula (Chemical Formula 2). The reduced PQQ is produced by reducing the oxidized PQQ in an aqueous solution.

Chemical Formula

[0017] PQQ may be used in the form of a salt. The salt of PQQ is formed by one to three of the carboxyl groups in the above formula forming a salt with an alkali metal ion or the like. The salt of PQQ is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include alkali metal salts such as sodium and potassium (specifically, sodium PQQ, potassium PQQ, etc.), alkaline earth metal salts such as calcium and magnesium (specifically, calcium PQQ, magnesium PQQ, etc.), PQQ aluminum, PQQ zinc, PQQ manganese, and PQQ iron. Among these, the salt of PQQ is preferably sodium PQQ or calcium PQQ. In particular, for the sodium salt, monosodium, disodium, and trisodium can be used, and disodium pyrroloquinoline quinone is easily available and easy to use.

[0018] PQQ and its salt may be used in the form of a solvate. Examples of the solvate include hydrates, and preferably 1 to 3 hydrates. Disodium pyrroloquinoline quinone trihydrate is easily available and preferred.

[0019] PQQ and its salts may be used individually or in combination of two or more types.

[0020] The method of obtaining PQQ and its salts is not particularly limited and may be natural, derived from animals or plants, or obtained by chemical synthesis or fermentation. A suitable method for producing PQQ and its salts can be appropriately selected based on the purity of the obtained PQQ and its salts and the manufacturing cost. In addition, commercially available PQQ and its salts can be used. For example, products manufactured or sold by Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Company, Ltd. can be used as such. Furthermore, in this embodiment, PQQ or a composition containing PQQ obtained by culturing bacteria (such as PQQ bacteria) using fermentation can be used as is or after granulation processing.

[0021] Since PQQ and its salts are designated as food products in Japan and can be used as food and beverages, the plant growth promoter according to this embodiment can be said to be sufficiently safe for humans and other animals.

[0022] The plant growth promoter according to this embodiment can promote plant growth and increase yield. In particular, it can promote plant growth in hydroponic cultivation.

[0023] The plants whose growth is promoted by the plant growth promoter according to this embodiment include dicotyledonous and monocotyledonous plants, preferably agricultural crops, and more preferably vegetables, grains, legumes, and medicinal and ornamental crops.

[0024] Specifically, examples include leafy vegetables such as lettuce, komatsuna, water spinach, kale, spinach, basil, parsley, lemongrass, broccoli, mint, shiso, houttuynia cordata, and cilantro; fruit vegetables such as tomatoes; root vegetables such as radishes, carrots, and wasabi; grains such as rice, wheat, and barley; legumes such as soybeans; and medicinal and stimulant crops such as tobacco, lotus, and houttuynia cordata. The plant growth promoter according to this embodiment is particularly suitable for use with leafy vegetables.

[0025] [Composition for plant growth] The plant growth composition according to this embodiment contains the plant growth promoter according to this embodiment such that the concentration of pyrroloquinoline quinone and / or its salt is 0.8 to 10 μmol / L. If the concentration is lower than this, no improvement in yield will be observed. If the concentration is higher than this, the risk of damage increases and costs become higher. The lower limit of the concentration is preferably 1 μmol / L, more preferably 1.1, 1.2, 1.3 or 1.4 μmol / L, more preferably 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8 or 1.9 μmol / L, and even more preferably 2 μmol / L. The upper limit of the concentration is preferably 9.5 or 9 μmol / L, more preferably 8.5 or 8 μmol / L, and even more preferably 7.5 or 7 μmol / L.

[0026] The plant growth composition according to this embodiment may contain raw materials for general powder and liquid fertilizers containing nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. It is preferable to contain CaO at a final concentration of 50-400 mg / L, and more preferably to contain total nitrogen at 200-500 mg / L, phosphorus at 50-300 mg / L, K2O at 100-800 mg / L, MgO at 10-120 mg / L, and CaO at 50-400 mg / L.

[0027] The plant growth composition according to this embodiment may contain a sulfur source and, if necessary, trace metals such as boron, copper, iron, manganese, molybdenum, and zinc. Preferably, MnO 0.1-20 mg / L, B2O3 0.1-10 mg / L, Fe 0.1-20 mg / L, Cu 0.001-0.1 mg / L, Zn 0.001-1 mg / L, and Mo 0.001-0.1 mg / L can be added.

[0028] The plant growth composition according to this embodiment may be in any form as long as it can achieve its purpose.

[0029] The plant growth composition according to this embodiment can be applied in combination with known plant growth regulators, plant environmental stress tolerance agents, pest and disease agents (e.g., insecticides, disease agents, acaricides, etc.), fertilizers, etc.

[0030] Examples of plant growth regulators or plant environmental stress tolerance agents include abscisin, aminolevulinic acid, and polyamines, such as putrescine, cadaverine, cardine, and spermidine.

[0031] The plant growth composition according to this embodiment is suitable for use in various growing media, including hydroponic growing media, but is more suitable for use in hydroponic growing media.

[0032] The plant growth composition according to this embodiment can be used in a variety of applications by combining it with appropriate materials, such as creating horticultural soil and potting soil, using it as a seed mulch, covering the spaces between rows of flowers and vegetables, and forming potting mixes. By combining this plant growth composition with appropriate basic materials, it is possible to create a plant growth medium. Suitable basic materials include soil and seed mulch. In certain embodiments, the basic materials are selected from a variety of materials widely used in the fields of horticulture and agriculture. For example, these include sphagnum moss, bark powder, perlite, yucca, coco peat (coconut fiber), rock wool, wood fiber, and other organic compounds. Furthermore, the potting mix may contain substantially no soil or may contain soil such as garden soil.

[0033] [Culture medium] The culture medium according to this embodiment contains the plant growth promoter or plant growth composition according to this embodiment so that the concentration of pyrroloquinoline quinone and / or its salt is 0.8 to 10 μmol / L. If the concentration is lower than this, no improvement in yield will be observed. If the concentration is higher than this, the risk of damage increases and costs become higher. The lower limit of the concentration is preferably 1 μmol / L, more preferably 1.1, 1.2, 1.3 or 1.4 μmol / L, more preferably 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8 or 1.9 μmol / L, and even more preferably 2 μmol / L. The upper limit of the concentration is preferably 9.5 or 9 μmol / L, more preferably 8.5 or 8 μmol / L, and even more preferably 7.5 or 7 μmol / L.

[0034] The culture medium according to this embodiment may contain raw materials for general nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium powders and liquid fertilizers. It is preferable to contain CaO at a final concentration of 50-400 mg / L, and more preferably to contain total nitrogen at 200-500 mg / L, phosphoric acid at 50-300 mg / L, K2O at 100-800 mg / L, MgO at 10-120 mg / L, and CaO at 50-400 mg / L.

[0035] In this embodiment, a sulfur source and trace metals such as boron, copper, iron, manganese, molybdenum, and zinc may be added to the culture medium as needed. Preferably, MnO 0.1-20 mg / L, B2O3 0.1-10 mg / L, Fe 0.1-20 mg / L, Cu 0.001-0.1 mg / L, Zn 0.001-1 mg / L, and Mo 0.001-0.1 mg / L can be added.

[0036] The culture medium according to this embodiment may be in any form as long as it can achieve its purpose.

[0037] The culture medium according to this embodiment may contain known plant growth regulators, plant environmental stress tolerance agents, pest and disease agents (e.g., insecticides, disease agents, acaricides, etc.), fertilizers, and the like.

[0038] Examples of plant growth regulators or plant environmental stress tolerance agents include abscisin, aminolevulinic acid, and polyamines, such as putrescine, cadaverine, cardine, and spermidine.

[0039] The culture medium according to this embodiment can be suitably used in various culture media in addition to hydroponic culture media, but is more suitably used as a hydroponic culture medium.

[0040] The culture medium according to this embodiment can be prepared in a concentrated state. It can also be prepared in powder form. The concentrated culture medium can be added and used. Alternatively, any deficiencies may be added as cultivation progresses.

[0041] [Methods to promote plant growth] The method for promoting plant growth according to this embodiment involves using the plant growth promoter or plant growth composition according to this embodiment described above. The concentration of pyrroloquinoline quinone and / or its salts, and other details, are the same as those described for the plant growth composition and culture medium according to this embodiment, and are therefore omitted. [Examples]

[0042] The present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to examples, but these are illustrative and do not limit the scope of the present invention in any way.

[0043] <Materials used> PQQ: Pyrroloquinoline quinone disodium salt (BioPQQ, manufactured by Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Co., Ltd.) Plant: Komatsuna (Japanese mustard spinach) "Kabuhari Wakana / Nakahara Seed Farm"

[0044] <Cultivation method> After preparing a culture medium with the composition shown in Table 1, a culture medium containing this medium and PQQ was prepared, and urethane seedlings were transplanted into panels in this medium and their growth was observed. PQQ was added in the following amounts: 2 μM in Example 1, 1 μM in Example 2, 0 μM (not added) in Comparative Example 1, and 0.5 μM in Comparative Example 2, using a 100 μM aqueous solution of PQQ. For each example and comparative example, two 590 × 880 mm panels with 32 holes per panel were used. (Experiment period) • Preparation period (seedling cultivation period in urethane culture medium): 1 week • Cultivation period: 4 weeks (Management of water and culture medium) Water levels were checked Monday through Friday, and water was supplied to maintain a consistent level. The nutrient solution was replaced on the 15th day after transplanting (September 6, 2024). The nutrient solution replacement was carried out using the following procedure. (1) Supply water (in 10L units). (2) Add a 100 μM aqueous solution of PQQ to reach the specified concentration. (3) Apply additional fertilizer. Specifically, after watering, electrical conductivity (EC) and pH were measured. The goal was to maintain an EC of around 1.8 to 2.2 mS / cm, and when the EC fell below 1.8, additional fertilizer was applied. Since iron precipitation and iron deficiency occur when the pH exceeds 6.5, diluted phosphorus was added with the goal of maintaining a pH of around 5.8 to 6.3.

[0045] [Table 1]

[0046] <Example 1> PQQ concentration 2 μM The yield per hole was 99.1g.

[0047] <Example 2> PQQ concentration 1 μM The yield per hole was 81.4g.

[0048] <Comparative example 1> PQQ concentration 0μM (no additives) The yield per hole was 73.2g.

[0049] <Comparative example 2> PQQ concentration 0.5μM The yield per hole was 76.7g.

[0050] The results of Examples 1 and 2 and Comparative Examples 1 and 2 are summarized in Table 2. Photographs of the cultivated plants are shown in Figures 1 to 4.

[0051] [Table 2]

[0052] As can be seen from Table 2 above, the yield per hole increased by 135% in Example 1 (with 2 μM of PQQ added) compared to Comparative Example 1 (no PQQ added). Also, the yield per hole increased by 111% in Example 2 (with 1 μM of PQQ added) compared to Comparative Example 1 (no PQQ added). Furthermore, the average plant height (height of the edible portion excluding the roots) increased by 109% in Example 1 compared to Comparative Example 1. Also, the average plant height increased by 105% in Example 2 compared to Comparative Example 1. In Examples 1 and 2, the addition of PQQ resulted in increased yield, larger leaves, and longer stems compared to Comparative Example 1.

[0053] On the other hand, in Comparative Example 2, where 0.5 μM of PQQ was added, the increase in yield per unit area was slight, indicating that there is a threshold PQQ concentration effective for growth.

[0054] No growth inhibition was observed in the komatsuna (Japanese mustard spinach) grown using the method described in the example. Furthermore, no leaf discoloration that would reduce its market value was observed.

[0055] The growing environment temperatures are shown in Figures 5A to 5D.

Claims

1. A plant growth promoter containing pyrroloquinoline quinone and / or a salt thereof as an active ingredient, which promotes plant growth.

2. A plant growth promoter according to claim 1, which promotes the growth of plants in hydroponics.

3. The plant growth promoter according to claim 1, wherein the salt is a disodium salt.

4. The plant growth promoter according to claim 1, wherein the plant includes agricultural crops.

5. The plant growth promoter according to claim 1, wherein the plant includes vegetables.

6. The plant growth promoter according to claim 5, wherein the vegetables include leafy vegetables.

7. A plant growth composition comprising a plant growth promoter according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the concentration of pyrroloquinoline quinone and / or its salt is 0.8 to 10 μmol / L.

8. The plant growth composition according to claim 7, for use in hydroponic cultivation.

9. A culture medium containing a plant growth promoter according to any one of claims 1 to 6 or a plant growth composition containing the plant growth promoter, such that the concentration of pyrroloquinoline quinone and / or its salt is 0.8 to 10 μmol / L.

10. A culture medium according to claim 9, for use in hydroponics.

11. A method for promoting plant growth using a plant growth promoter described in any one of claims 1 to 6 or a plant growth composition containing the plant growth promoter.

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