Vegetation Growth Management

Abstract

The method for controlling plant growth of the present invention includes treating the leaves of plants with a composition without preheating. Treatment with the composition of the present invention causes penetration into and destruction of leaf cells. The composition of the present invention comprises an aqueous solution of at least one sugar, and optionally additional ingredients such as a penetrant and a fatty acid. The sugar can be selected from natural plant sugars, sugar substitutes, and sugar alcohols. The concentration of the active ingredient can be adjusted to produce either a weed-killing effect or a plant growth-suppressing effect, depending on the desired effect.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for managing the growth of plants, a composition for management, and its use. Specifically, the present invention relates to an environmentally friendly method for managing or killing unwanted plants, i.e., weeds.

Background Art

[0002] Regarding the growth of plants in unwanted places, it can be managed by physically eradicating weeds, but this is time-consuming and labor-intensive. Weeds are generally managed by locally applying chemicals commonly called herbicides, i.e., spraying a chemical solution on unwanted plants, or by scattering powdery or granular chemicals on and around the weeds. The use of chemical herbicides is recognized as environmentally unacceptable because it causes continuous damage not only to the environment but also to wild animals, insects, and microorganisms that may be present particularly near the weeds. This is why an environmentally more acceptable method of weed management is strongly desired.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0003] It has been proposed to weed by burning weeds with a flame weeder of a suitable design, but this method is accompanied by a risk of fire, and when paraffin or other hydrocarbon-based liquid fuels are used in this flame weeder, there is a risk of soil contamination by the fuel. WO94 / 26102 discloses a method for managing weeds by spraying a jet stream of pressurized hot water generally in a temperature range of 100 to 110 °C and a pressure range of 200 to 1000 psi (about 13.75 to 69 bar) in an unwanted plant growth area. Such temperature generation and pressure generation are difficult, and the energy efficiency deteriorates particularly when treating a large area. In addition, if the temperature of the jet stream colliding with the plants drops too quickly, the growth of the weeds is only delayed, and this recovers immediately.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0004] In an attempt to address the above problem, it has been proposed to use hot water in the form of bubbles. These bubbles can stop on the leaves of weeds and serve as a heat-insulating blanket, thus retaining the heat of the sprayed hot water on the leaf parts of the weeds. This method is described in WO0207513 (Waipuna International Limited). In this method, a foaming agent such as alkyl polyglucoside (APG) is blended into water, and this water is heated to the boiling point of water or near the boiling point, and the heated water is sprayed so that hot bubbles adhere to the vegetation.

Advantages of the Invention

[0005] WO0207513 mentions "plant sugar extract", but no exact definition of the foaming agent to be used can be found. Furthermore, WO0207513 states that "trials are continuing to reduce the actual content of plant sugars and instead use natural polymers". The reason given is that many plant sugar extracts are known to be unstable at high temperatures, and it is preferred to use another foaming agent as a substitute for the plant sugar extract. APG is a preferred foaming agent because it can withstand the high temperatures required for weed control.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0006]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0007]

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0008] There is no exact definition for the term "sugar", but generally it means sweet and soluble carbohydrates. Here, the term "sugar" shall refer to one or more of natural sugars having a molecular chain of CHO, sugar substitutes and sugar alcohols.

[0009] As used herein, the term "sugar substitute" refers to a substitute that is much sweeter than natural sugars, but cannot be categorized as a natural sugar, nor can it be chemically defined. Sugar substitutes may be obtained from natural plant sources or can be chemically prepared, such as those that can be synthesized in a laboratory like saccharin. Commercially available sugar substitutes can also be referred to as sweeteners, high-intensity sweeteners, or bulk sweeteners.

[0010] As used herein, the term "sugar alcohol" usually refers to an organic compound (also called polyhydric alcohol, polyalcohol, alditol or glycitol) derived from natural sugars and having one hydroxyl group (-OH) bonded to each carbon atom.

[0011] In a method for managing the growth of vegetation according to one aspect of the present invention, without preheating the leaves of the plant, an aqueous solution of at least one sugar is applied to penetrate the cells of the leaves and destroy these cells. For the terms "composition" and "solution" as used herein, it should be understood that the solution is a component of the composition as a whole. That is, when the sugar component is in the solution, other components can also exist in the form of a solution or other mixtures where water is present as a suspension, dispersion or emulsion.

[0012] In that the sugar used in the present invention is an absolute essential component for the method of managing plants by allowing it to penetrate the cells of the plant, particularly the cells of the leaves, the method of the present invention is a method contrary to the method described in WO0207513.

[0013] Furthermore, the method of the present invention can be carried out without heating the composition. That is, it can be applied to plants at ambient temperature or a temperature near thereto (preferably by spraying). When the composition is heated, depending on the sugar used, there is a possibility that part of the sugar is destroyed and the effectiveness of the method of the present invention is reduced. In contrast, in the method described in WO0207513, the plant sugar extract is not involved in the management function of plants. That is, the only purpose of the plant sugar extract is to foam and hold hot water on the plants so that it acts as a heat insulation bracket.

[0014] When an osmotic inducer is used, water in the cells of the plant crosses the cell wall and causes plasmolysis. That is, as a result of water loss from the cells, the protoplast of each affected cell shrinks. For this reason, cell death of the plants to which the composition is applied occurs immediately.

[0015] As shown by the tests conducted on the method of the present invention, die-back progresses immediately after the composition is used on plants. Even perennial weeds that are usually considered difficult to eradicate are mostly killed in their entirety, and in many cases, no regrowth from the roots is observed. It is not clear why the entire weed dies, but as shown by experimental tests, this is the most common case, and even "difficult-to-control" weeds such as bindweed and dandelion fall into this case.

[0016] A further effect of the present invention is that the sugar solution is not toxic to the environment in any respect. Also, for plants growing at ground level under the vegetation to be managed, even if there is rainwater flowing out from the leaves, even though there may be an impact due to penetration into the plants, there is no particular harmful effect on insects and the fauna otherwise. Furthermore, even if there is rainwater flowing out from the leaves, this is beneficial to the microorganisms that help improve the soil quality.

[0017] For the sugar used to prepare the solution for carrying out the method of the present invention, at least one plant-based natural sugar defined herein can be used. Separately from this, or in addition to this, the sugar may have at least one sugar substitute defined herein. Separately from this, or in addition to this, the sugar may have at least one sugar alcohol defined herein.

[0018] When the solution has at least one plant-based natural sugar, it is preferably selected from the group consisting of sucrose, glucose, fructose, galactose, maltose, arabinose, lactose, inositol, mannose, ribose, trehalose and xylose.

[0019] When the solution has at least one sugar substitute, it is preferably selected from the group consisting of saccharin, sodium saccharin, stevia, siraitia grosvenori, aspartame, acesulfame potassium, sucralose, neotame and advantame.

[0020] When the solution has at least one sugar alcohol, it is preferably selected from the group consisting of sorbitol, xylitol, lactitol, mannitol, erythritol and maltitol.

[0021] When strengthening vegetation management, a solution containing two or more sugars selected from the group consisting of natural sugar, sugar substitute and sugar alcohol can be used.

[0022] The sugar solution most preferably has sodium saccharin, and most preferably has a plant-based natural sugar as appropriate.

[0023] Regarding the speed and amount of treatment and application of the composition to the leaf part, it is best to determine experimentally considering the nature of the plants to be treated. Also, plant density, the leaf part of this plant, the growth and establishment of the plant, the height of the plant, and other related factors should be considered. Generally, for weeds growing in places where they are not needed, although not all of the leaf part of the plant, it can be sprayed with a spraying amount sufficient to moisten most of it.

[0024] Similarly, the sugar concentration of the solution may be in the range of 50 - 133 g, preferably approximately 100 g, per liter of the solution. Note that when the concentration of the active ingredient (sugar) is lowered, a plant growth inhibitory reaction advantageous to agricultural producers will occur.

[0025] The effect of the composition when inducing penetration into the leaf part is enhanced by incorporating a penetrant that can promote the osmotic action of the solution. The term "penetrant" as used herein refers to a biochemical agent used in combination with a pesticide (in this case, a solution of natural sugar or sugar substitute) that enables the plant to absorb more effectively and thus be more receptive to the osmotic action of the composition. This penetrant maximizes the effect when used on plants that may exhibit resistance to the composition. The leaf parts of such plants are flexible, strong, and shiny, and thus tend to easily repel the composition.

[0026] A penetrant widely used in the pesticide industry is the penetrant marketed by De Sangosse Limited under the registered trademark Validate(R). The Validate(R) product has an emulsifiable concentrate formulation containing a penetrant / transfer agent and adjuvant, namely 50.0% w / w soy phospholipids, 25.0% w / w alkoxylated alcohol, and 25.0% w / w oil (soy fatty acid esters).

[0027] Other penetrants other than Validate(R) can also be used, and alkyl polyglucosides (APG) or Yucca extracts can be exemplified. These penetrants generally have one or more of a surfactant, wetting agent, and adjuvant.

[0028] The above penetrant is present in the solution, and the amount thereof may be 0.15% to 0.5% by volume, preferably 0.375% by volume, based on the water volume.

[0029] Regarding the above composition, it is preferably further provided with a bactericide in order to prevent bacteria from being generated over time in the composition during storage.

[0030] Furthermore, the above composition may have one or more additional components selected from citric acid, fatty acids, and essential oils. As this additional component, it is most preferably a fatty acid or has this.

[0031] Regarding such an additional component, it may be mixed with the sugar solution, and the composition may be formed either during the manufacturing process or usually at the time of treating the composition, which is called "tank mixing", on plants. In such a process, the sugar solution and the additional component may be mixed at a ratio of approximately 50:50.

[0032] When using one or more essential oils, it is preferable to select the essential oil from the group consisting of pine oil, manuka oil, and tea tree oil (pine oil, manuka oil, and tea tree oil).

[0033] When using one or more fatty acids, it is preferable to select the fatty acid from pelargonic acid, acetic acid, and caprylic acid. As this fatty acid, it is most preferably pelargonic acid or has this.

[0034] Regarding the amount of fatty acid in the composition, it may be in the range of 9% to 17% by volume, preferably approximately 9% by volume, based on the water volume.

[0035] Lowering the above fatty acid level and, in conjunction therewith, appropriately suppressing the level of the active sugar component, is particularly suitable when intending to use the composition of the present invention for plant growth management by enhancing the effect of suppressing plant growth, as opposed to uprooting the target plant.

[0036] As described in this specification, the present invention relates not only to a composition having a solution containing at least one kind of sugar, but also to the use of such a composition in a method for managing the growth of plants. In this method of use, without preheating, the composition is used to treat the leaves of the plants (apply the composition to the leaves of the plants) so as to penetrate into the cells of the leaves and destroy these cells.

[0037] To further facilitate the understanding of the present invention, specific examples of the method for managing the growth of plants according to the present invention will be described in detail below. The tables and attached photos to be described are as follows.

[0038] Table 1 shows various natural sugars that can be used when implementing the present invention, and the natural sugar sources are also noted. Table 2 shows various sugars that can be used when implementing the present invention, which are chemically synthesized except for stevia and lakanka extracted from plants. Table 3 shows various sugar alcohols that can be used when implementing the present invention, and the natural sugar sources are also noted. Table 4 shows the formulations of various compositions used for managing the growth of plants, and the control compositions for comparison (Examples 1 to 3) and the results obtained using the compositions are also noted. Table 5 shows the formulations of various compositions containing additional components used for managing the growth of plants, and the control compositions for comparison (Examples 13 to 14) and the results of further experiments conducted using the compositions are shown.

[0039] In order to test the method of the present invention, experiments were conducted using a sugar-containing composition on a wide range of plants regarded as common weeds, including Japanese buttercup, grass, dandelion, bindweed, common sorrel, fat hen, amaranth, field forget-me-not, etc. The results of the composition formulation and experiments are shown in Table 4. "0" in the column of "days after treatment" indicates that the phytotoxic effect is zero, and similarly, "10" indicates an excellent effect with a plant death rate of 100%. In any case, the treatment of the plants with the composition was carried out by spraying the plant leaves, and the spraying amount was sufficient to moisten the plant leaves. In addition, a penetrant was used in combination, and APG was also used in combination as appropriate.

[0040] Referring mainly to Table 4, APG is an alkyl polyglucoside and a non-ionic surfactant. This APG is utilized when implementing the method described in WO94 / 26102 and helps in the application of the high-temperature foam of the present invention to the plant leaves. In the experiments of the present invention, it was confirmed that even when APG was used, APG did not cause deterioration of plant life in a low-temperature aqueous solution, that is, APG was not involved in the method for managing the growth of plants and grasses.

[0041] Validate(R) is as defined previously. Similarly, in the experiments of the present invention, even when Validate(R) was used, it was confirmed that this did not cause deterioration of plant life in a low-temperature aqueous solution, that is, this was not involved in the method for managing the growth of plants and grasses.

[0042] Yucca is an extract from the plant Yucca. Since the extract from certain species has a high saponin content, it is widely used as a natural surfactant or a wetting agent. Except for Examples 1, 2, and 3 where APG, Validate(R), and Yucca were used alone respectively, the compositions described in Table 4 were prepared by mixing water with a predetermined amount of natural sugar and / or sugar substitutes in combination with a surfactant / spreader / penetrant. All are as shown in each column of Table 4.

[0043] Except for Examples 1, 2, and 3 where APG, Validate(R), and Yucca were each used alone and no phytotoxin was observed, the results of treating (applying) the composition to a wide range of weeds as a whole showed the physical mode of action of sugars, which is the "physical" mode of action of plasmolysis, and exceeded the performance of other herbicides such as glyphosate (e.g., Roundup(R)).

[0044] In Example 4, 100 g of sodium saccharin and 2.5 ml of Validate(R) were mixed into 1000 ml of water. As shown in the table, withering was observed after 42 days and there was no regrowth even after 189 days.

[0045] In Example 5, 50 g of sodium saccharin and 50 g of stevia were mixed into 1000 ml of water together with 1.5 ml of APG. As shown in the table, most of those that had an initial reaction had regrown after 42 days.

[0046] In Example 6, 100 g of stevia and 7.5 ml of Yucca were mixed into 2000 ml of water. As shown in the table, the initial reaction reached its maximum after 42 days, but some regrowth occurred thereafter.

[0047] In Example 7, 100 g of natural sugar and 50 g of stevia were mixed into 2000 ml of water together with 7.5 ml of Yucca. As shown in the table, the plants treated with this composition had very limited phytotoxin.

[0048] In Example 8, 100 g of natural sugar, 50 g of stevia, and 5 ml of Validate(R) were mixed into 2000 ml of water. As shown in the table, it was superior to Example 7, but the plants treated with this composition had very limited phytotoxin.

[0049] In Example 9, 100 g of sodium saccharin and 50 ml of Validate(R) were mixed into 2000 ml of water. As shown in the table, withering occurred after 42 days and there was no regrowth even after 189 days.

[0050] In Example 10, 75 g of sodium saccharin, 125 g of natural sugar, and 10 ml of yucca were mixed into 2000 ml of water. As shown in the table, there were very limited phytotoxins in the plants treated with this composition.

[0051] In Example 11, 50 g of sodium saccharin, 150 g of stevia, and 2.5 ml of AGP were mixed into 1500 ml of water. As shown in the table, basically no toxicity was observed in the plants treated with this composition.

[0052] In Example 12, 75 g of sodium saccharin, 125 g of natural sugar, and 7.5 ml of Validate(R) were mixed into 2000 ml of water. As shown in the table, withering was observed after 42 days, and no regeneration was observed even after 189 days.

[0053] From the results of the above experiments, it can be seen that APG has no effect as an active ingredient in plant growth management (Example 1). Similarly, when Validate(R) was mixed, it can be seen that it has no effect as an active ingredient in plant growth management (Example 2). In contrast, when sugar substitutes (sodium saccharin and stevia) were used in combination with Validate(R), remarkable results were observed at all mixing ratios.

[0054] When natural sugar was used alone at the mixing ratios used, practically acceptable results were not obtained. When compared with yucca, the best results were obtained when Validate(R) was used as a surfactant and penetrant in all examples. The action of yucca was inferior to that of Validate(R) in all experiments.

[0055] In the experiment, as a result of treating many perennial species, "transfer" occurred and it was confirmed that the root systems of the weeds were completely destroyed. That is, it can be seen that the osmotic action of the sugar used in the treatment reached the root systems, and the leaf parts sprayed with the composition of the present invention did not show activity by themselves. This indicates that the "mode of action" of the present invention is one of "plasmolysis" by leaf stimulation, and this produces a secondary effect either by sealing the "osmotic action" in the rhizomes of the plants (preventing the suction of water into the plants) or by sealing other transfer activities generated by the destruction of the leaf parts.

[0056] This is a method that is contrastive to other contact methods for managing the growth of vegetation, such as methods using paraquat treatment or heat treatment in which little twig blight is seen (such as WO0207513).

[0057] Five photographs are attached to this specification. Three of them show the treated areas. What is shown in the photographs was taken when treating plants (regarded as weeds as a whole) with the specific compositions described in Table 4 at the time of treatment, 7 days later, and 62 days later. As can be seen in the photographs, in Examples 4, 9, and 12, the weeds completely withered.

[0058] Continuing the explanation with reference to Table 5, further experiments were conducted using a composition having sodium saccharin, which is a suitable sugar component, and pelargonic acid, which is a suitable additive component. Experiments were conducted to examine the potential effects of these active ingredients on weed withering in winter from November / December.

[0059] Example 13 is a control composition consisting only of pelargonic acid, and the concentration recommended by the manufacturer is 85 ml per 500 ml of water. As shown in the example, the effectiveness score 15 days after treatment on the same scale as above was 3.

[0060] Example 14 is a control composition consisting only of sodium saccharin, and the concentration recommended by the manufacturer is 100 g per 1000 ml of water. As shown in the example, the effectiveness score 15 days after treatment on the same scale as above was 2.

[0061] The composition of Example 15 contains 100 g of sodium saccharin and 180 ml of pelargonic acid in 2000 ml of water, and 5 ml of Validate(R) is used in combination. The concentrations of the two active ingredients are thus approximately 50% of the recommended levels. As shown in the examples, the effectiveness score 15 days after treatment on the same scale as above was 7.

[0062] The composition of Example 16 contains 100 g of sodium saccharin and 340 ml of pelargonic acid in 2000 ml of water, and 5 ml of Validate(R) is used in combination. The concentration of sugar is thus approximately 50% of the recommended level, and the concentration of fatty acid is at the recommended level. As shown in the examples, the effectiveness score 15 days after treatment on the same scale as above was similarly 7.

[0063] The composition of Example 17 contains 200 g of sodium saccharin and 180 ml of pelargonic acid in 2000 ml of water, and 5 ml of Validate(R) is used in combination. The concentration of sugar is thus at the recommended level, and the concentration of fatty acid is approximately 50% of the recommended level. As shown in the examples, the effectiveness score 15 days after treatment on the same scale as above was similarly 7.

[0064] As a conclusion, satisfactory results cannot be obtained with the active ingredients alone. When two active ingredients are used in combination, satisfactory results can be obtained even if the concentration of one of the two active ingredients is 50% of the recommended level. A synergistic effect is recognized between the two active ingredients.

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Claims

1. A method for managing the growth of plants, which comprises applying a composition having a water-soluble solution of at least one sugar component to the leaf parts of plants at ambient temperature without preheating, thereby allowing it to penetrate into the cells of the leaf parts and destroying the cells, wherein the sugar component is selected from plant-based natural sugars, sugar substitutes, and sugar alcohols, the composition has a penetrant that promotes the osmotic action of the solution, and the penetrant is composed of a penetrant and an auxiliary agent with osmotic and transfer properties, and has an emulsifiable concentrate formulation containing 50.0% w / w soy lecithin, 25.0% w / w alkoxylated alcohol, and 25.0% w / w oil containing soy fatty acid esters characterized in that it is a method for managing the growth of plants.

2. The management method according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the plant-based natural sugars is selected from sucrose, glucose, fructose, galactose, maltose, arabinose, lactose, inositol, mannose, ribose, trehalose, and xylose.

3. The management method according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein at least one of the sugar substitutes is selected from saccharin, sodium saccharin, stevia, luo han guo, aspartame, acesulfame potassium, sucralose, neotame, and advantame.

4. The management method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein at least one of the sugar alcohols is selected from sorbitol, xylitol, lactitol, mannitol, erythritol, and maltitol.

5. The management method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the solution has two or more sugar components selected from natural sugars, sugar substitutes, and sugar alcohols.

6. The management method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the sugar component has sodium saccharin and optionally has a natural sugar.

7. The management method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the sugar component concentration of the solution is in the range of 50 to 133 g / liter.

8. The management method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the sugar concentration of the solution is approximately 100 g / liter.

9. The management method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising that the composition has a bactericide.

10. The management method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, further comprising that the penetrant has a surfactant. **Claim 11**: The management method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, further characterized in that the penetration agent is selected from alkyl polyglucosides (APG) and / or Yucca extract. **Claim 12** The management method according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the penetration agent is present in the solution in an amount in the range of 0.15% to 0.5% by volume based on the water volume. **Claim 13** The management method according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the penetration agent is present in the solution in an amount of 0.375% by volume based on the water volume. **Claim 14** The management method according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the composition has one or more additional components selected from citric acid, fatty acids, and essential oils. **Claim 15** The management method according to claim 14, wherein the essential oil is one or more selected from the group consisting of pine oil, manuka oil, and tea tree oil. **Claim 16** The management method according to claim 14 or claim 15, wherein the additional component is a fatty acid or has a fatty acid. **Claim 17** The management method according to claim 16, wherein the fatty acid is one or more selected from pelargonic acid, acetic acid, and caprylic acid. **Claim 18** The management method according to claim 16 or claim 17, wherein the fatty acid is pelargonic acid or has pelargonic acid. **Claim 19** The management method according to any one of claims 16 to 18, wherein the composition has a solution of a sugar component of substantially 50% and a fatty acid of substantially 50%. **Claim 20** The management method according to any one of claims 16 to 18, wherein the fatty acid is present in the composition in an amount of substantially 9% by volume based on the water volume. **Claim 21** The management method according to any one of claims 1 to 20, wherein the composition is spray-treated. **Claim 22** The management method according to claim 21, wherein the composition is sprayed in an amount sufficient to moisten most of the leaf parts of the plant to be treated. **Claim 23** Use of a composition having a solution of at least one sugar component in the method according to any one of claims 1 to 22. **Claim 24** Use of the composition according to claim 23 in the method according to any one of claims 1 to 22, wherein the composition further has a fatty acid.

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