Water-repellent and soil-growing agent

Abstract

To provide a water-repellency inhibitor for compost that is capable of inhibiting water repellency in compost while avoiding growth disorder as much as possible, and to provide compost.SOLUTION: A water-repellency inhibitor for compost comprises polyoxyethylene alkyl ether phosphate ester salts where the average number of moles of ethylene oxide added is 10 or higher.SELECTED DRAWING: None

Description

【Technical Field】 【0001】 The present invention relates to a water-repellent inhibitor for cultivation soil and cultivation soil. 【Background Art】 【0002】 Cultivation soil used at the time of sowing and raising seedlings of vegetables, fruit trees, flowers, etc. is being lightened in order to reduce the burden on farmers. To lighten the cultivation soil, it is dealt with by reducing the moisture in the cultivation soil or by blending a light organic soil conditioner. Also, in order to prevent mold growth during storage of the cultivation soil and prevent freezing in winter in cold regions, measures are taken to reduce the moisture in the cultivation soil. 【0003】 However, by taking these countermeasures, the cultivation soil tends to show water repellency, and as a result, water does not spread evenly to the plants, which has an adverse effect on growth. Therefore, measures such as mixing a surfactant into the cultivation soil are taken to prevent water repellency of the cultivation soil. However, although the water-repellent performance is excellent depending on the type of surfactant, on the other hand, growth disorders in plants are likely to occur, and there is a problem that it is difficult to balance the water-repellent performance and growth disorders. 【0004】 In order to solve these problems, the following technologies have been proposed. In Patent Documents 1 to 4, nonionic surfactants are used as surfactants, but nonionic surfactants usually have a concern of causing growth disorders in plants. Patent Document 1 also proposes the use of dialkyl sulfosuccinate as an anionic surfactant, but there is also a great concern that dialkyl sulfosuccinate may cause growth disorders in plants. 【0005】 Patent Documents 5 and 6 propose a composition combining a compound such as a long-chain alcohol and a surfactant and a chelating agent with it, but the use is to impart vitality to plants, and the water-repellent performance of the cultivation soil has not been studied. 【0006】 The applicant has proposed that compositions using sulfate ester type or phosphate ester type anionic surfactants are more effective in suppressing plant growth disorders than the conventional techniques described above (Patent Document 7). [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents] 【0007】 [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 11-256160 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2005-52012 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2005-52013 [Patent Document 4] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2008-92955 [Patent Document 5] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2000-198703 [Patent Document 6] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2007-195546 [Patent Document 7] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-162599 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve] 【0008】 However, sulfate-type anionic surfactants are more likely to cause plant growth disorders compared to phosphate-type anionic surfactants. Furthermore, the number of ethylene oxide moles added to the alcohol in polyoxyethylene alkyl ether phosphate salts has not been sufficiently investigated. In recent years, there has been a demand for further performance improvements in preventing water repellency and suppressing growth disorders, and against this backdrop, further technological improvements have been desired. 【0009】 This invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and aims to provide a water-repellent agent and growing medium for growing soil that imparts water-repellent properties while being extremely resistant to growth disorders. [Means for solving the problem] 【0010】 To solve the above problems, the inventors conducted diligent research and discovered a new finding: in phosphate ester salt type anionic surfactants, increasing the average number of moles of ethylene oxide added compared to conventional studies significantly improves both water repellency prevention and suppression of growth disorders. This led to the completion of the present invention. 【0011】 In other words, the water-repellent agent for growing soil of the present invention is characterized by containing a polyoxyethylene alkyl ether phosphate salt having an average number of moles of ethylene oxide added of 10 or more. The growing medium of the present invention is characterized by containing a polyoxyethylene alkyl ether phosphate salt and growing medium constituent materials, wherein the average number of moles of ethylene oxide added is 10 or more. [Effects of the Invention] 【0012】 The water-repellent inhibitor for growing media of the present invention imparts water-repellent properties to growing media that exhibit water repellency while significantly suppressing growth disorders in plants. [Modes for carrying out the invention] 【0013】 The following describes specific embodiments for carrying out the present invention. (Water-repellent agent for soil preparation) The water-repellent agent for growing media of the present invention contains a polyoxyethylene alkyl ether phosphate salt having an average number of moles of ethylene oxide added of 10 or more. 【0014】 The alkyl group of the polyoxyethylene alkyl ether phosphate salt in this invention may be linear or branched, and may be saturated or unsaturated. The number of carbon atoms in the alkyl group is not particularly limited, but for example, it is 10 to 22 carbon atoms, and preferably 12 to 18 carbon atoms. From the perspective of further improving the water repellency and suppressing growth disorders, the number of carbon atoms is preferably 14 or more, more preferably 16 or more, and even more preferably 18 or more. Also, the alkyl group is preferably unsaturated. The average number of moles of ethylene oxide added is 10 or more, for example, 10 to 60 moles. From the perspective of further improving the water repellency, 15 or more is preferable, 20 or more is more preferable, and 25 or more is even more preferable. 【0015】 The polyoxyethylene alkyl ether phosphate salt is not particularly limited, and examples include polyoxyethylene decyl ether phosphate salt, polyoxyethylene lauryl ether phosphate salt, polyoxyethylene tridecyl ether phosphate salt, polyoxyethylene myristyl ether phosphate salt, polyoxyethylene cetyl ether phosphate salt, polyoxyethylene oleyl ether phosphate salt, polyoxyethylene stearyl ether phosphate salt, polyoxyethylene eicosyl ether phosphate salt, polyoxyethylene behenyl ether phosphate salt, and the like. These may be used alone or in combination of two or more. Among these, from the perspective of exerting the effects of the present invention, polyoxyethylene cetyl ether phosphate salt, polyoxyethylene oleyl ether phosphate salt, polyoxyethylene stearyl ether phosphate salt, and the like are preferable. 【0016】 The salt constituting the polyoxyethylene alkyl ether phosphate salt of the present invention is not particularly limited, and examples include alkali metal salts, amine salts, or ammonium salts. The alkali metal salts are not particularly limited, and examples include sodium salts, potassium salts, and the like. The amine salts are not particularly limited, and examples include salts derived from amine compounds. From the perspective of the effects of the present invention, particularly the less likelihood of growth disorders occurring, and among them, from the perspective of exerting the effects over a long period after producing the culture soil, potassium salts are preferable. 【0017】 Without limiting the interpretation of this invention, the following findings may also be considered regarding the effects of this invention. Plants absorb water and nutrients through their roots. Water absorption occurs through osmotic diffusion, while nutrients, dissolved in water and in ionic form, are taken into cells via ion channels and ion transporters. Ionic nutrients taken in from root cells enter the xylem vessels of the roots, move to the above-ground parts along with water, and are supplied to the stems and leaves. It is thought that surfactants mixed into the growing medium are absorbed into the plant body in a similar manner to this nutrient absorption mechanism. Nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium are the three major nutrients for plants, and these are often applied as fertilizers during plant growth. Among these, phosphorus is a component of cell membranes, which are mainly composed of DNA, RNA (nucleic acids), and phospholipids, which are the basis of genes and information transmission, and is an important component involved in photosynthesis and nitrogen assimilation. The effects that surfactants directly induce in plants have been suggested to include (1) plant toxicity (effects on photosynthesis and cell division), (2) changes in ultrastructure, and (3) permeability of the cuticle membrane. The polyoxyethylene alkyl ether phosphate salt, an essential component of the water-repellent agent for growing media of the present invention, is less likely to cause growth disorders compared to other types of surfactants, which is thought to be due to the presence of phosphoric acid, which plays an important role in the life activities of plants. Furthermore, the polyoxyethylene alkyl ether phosphate salt, an essential component of the water-repellent agent for growing media of the present invention, tends to cause less growth disorders in plants as the number of moles of ethylene oxide added increases. This is thought to be because the limit of plasmodesmata, which penetrate the cell wall and connect cell membranes, is said to be around a molecular weight of 800. As the number of moles of ethylene oxide added to the polyoxyethylene alkyl ether phosphate salt increases and the molecular weight increases, it becomes more difficult for it to pass through the cell membrane, thereby suppressing growth disorders in plants. 【0018】 The water-repellent agent for cultivation soil of the present invention is not particularly limited in its dosage form, and examples include solution, solid, gel, etc. Among these, from the viewpoint of being easily and uniformly adhered to the cultivation soil constituent materials by spraying, dipping, etc., it is preferably in the form of a solution in which a polyoxyethylene alkyl ether phosphate salt is dissolved or dispersed in a solvent. 【0019】 The solvent is not particularly limited as long as it can dissolve or disperse the polyoxyethylene alkyl ether phosphate salt, and examples include water, organic solvents, and mixtures thereof. Among these, water is preferred. 【0020】 When in the form of a solution, the concentration of the polyoxyethylene alkyl ether phosphate salt is preferably 1 to 99% by mass, more preferably 10 to 80% by mass, and even more preferably 15 to 30% by mass from the viewpoints of viscosity and permeability to the soil. 【0021】 In the water-repellent agent for cultivation soil of the present invention, other components other than the above can be added as raw materials within a range that does not impair the effects of the present invention. Such other components are not particularly limited, and examples include alcohols, anionic surfactants other than polyoxyethylene alkyl ether phosphate salts, cationic surfactants, nonionic surfactants, zwitterionic surfactants, salts, antifoaming agents, thickeners, thinning agents, bactericides, solvents, fragrances, colorants, pH adjusters, fertilizer components such as nutrient sources and minerals, etc. These can be used alone or in combination of two or more. 【0022】 The alcohol is not particularly limited, but examples include monohydric alcohols having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, dihydric alcohols having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, trihydric alcohols having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, and alkoxy alcohols having 2 to 8 carbon atoms. Examples of monohydric alcohols having 1 to 8 carbon atoms include methanol, ethanol, propanol, butanol, isopropanol, isobutanol, pentanol, 2-methyl-2-butanol, hexanol, methylpentanol, dimethylbutanol, 2-ethylbutanol, heptanol, octanol, and 2-ethylhexanol. 【0023】 Anionic surfactants other than polyoxyethylene alkyl ether phosphate salts are not particularly limited, but examples include sulfonate-type anionic surfactants, sulfate-type anionic surfactants, and carboxylate-type anionic surfactants. These may be used individually or in combination of two or more. 【0024】 Examples of sulfonate-type anionic surfactants are not particularly limited, but include sulfosuccinate esters, alkylbenzene sulfonates, alkyl sulfonates, sulfo fatty acid esters, alkylnaphthalene sulfonates, α-olefin sulfonates, and alkylallyl sulfonates. Examples of sulfate ester type anionic surfactants are not particularly limited, but include alkyl sulfates, alkyl ether sulfates, polyoxyethylene styrene-phenyl ether sulfates, and polyoxyethylene alkylphenyl ether sulfates. Examples of carboxylate-type anionic surfactants are not particularly limited, but include fatty acid salts, N-acyl amino acid salts (such as N-acyl-L-glutamate and N-acyl-L-arginine ethyl-DL-pyrrolidone carboxylate), alkyl ether carboxylates, and polyoxyethylene alkyl ether acetates. 【0025】 Cationic surfactants are not particularly limited, but examples include monoalkyltrimethylammonium salts, dialkyldimethylammonium salts, alkylpyridinium salts, N,N-dialkylyloxyethyl-N-methyl,N-hydroxyethylammonium salts, alkylamine salts, and stearyldimethylbenzylammonium salts. 【0026】 Nonionic surfactants are not particularly limited, but examples include sorbitan fatty acid esters, polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid esters, polyoxyethylene fatty acid esters, polyoxyethylene hydrogenated castor oil, polyoxyethylene castor oil, polyoxyethylene hydrogenated castor oil fatty acid esters, castor oil fatty acid esters, hydrogenated castor oil fatty acid esters, ethylene glycol fatty acid esters, sucrose fatty acid esters, glycerin fatty acid esters, diglycerin fatty acid esters, polyglycerin fatty acid esters, organic acid monoglycerides, polyethylene glycol fatty acid monoethanolamide, propylene glycol fatty acid esters, polyoxyethylene lanolin alcohol ether, polyoxyethylene alkyl ether, lauric acid alkanolamide, polyoxyethylene glycerin fatty acid esters, polyoxyethylene hydrogenated castor oil pyroglutamic acid fatty acid diesters, pyroglutamic acid fatty acid glyceryl, polyoxyethylene glyceryl pyroglutamic acid fatty acid diesters, and polyether-modified silicones. 【0027】 Examples of amphoteric surfactants are not particularly limited, but include alkyl betaine, fatty acid amidopropyl betaine, lauryl hydroxysulfobetaine, 2-alkyl-N-carboxymethyl-N-hydroxyethylimidazolinium betaine, lecithin, hydrogenated lecithin, alkyloxyhydroxypropylarginine hydrochloride, lauryl hydroxysultaine, lauriminodipropionic acid, undecylhydroxyethylimidazolinium betaine sodium, laurylaminodiphosphate sodium, lauryldimethylaminoacetic acid betaine, N-[3-alkyloxy-2-hydroxypropyl]-L-arginine hydrochloride, alkylhydroxysulfobetaine, alkyldimethylamine oxide, alkylaminodipropionate sodium, dihydroxyalkylmethylglycine, and lauryldiaminoethylglycine sodium. 【0028】 The pH of the soil-forming water-repellent agent of the present invention is not particularly limited, but from the viewpoint of minimizing the occurrence of growth disorders, a pH of 5 to 10 is preferred, and 6 to 8 is more preferred. 【0029】 (cultivating soil) The growing medium of the present invention comprises a polyoxyethylene oleyl ether phosphate salt having an average number of moles of ethylene oxide added of 10 or more, and growing medium constituent materials. 【0030】 The growing medium of the present invention, through the action of polyoxyethylene oleyl ether phosphate salt having an average number of added ethylene oxide moles of 10 or more, imparts water-repellent properties to the growing medium's constituent materials while significantly suppressing growth disorders in plants grown in the growing medium. 【0031】 The polyoxyethylene oleyl ether phosphate salt in the growing medium of the present invention, which has an average number of moles of ethylene oxide added of 10 or more, is the same as the polyoxyethylene oleyl ether phosphate salt described above. 【0032】 In the growing medium of the present invention, the content of polyoxyethylene alkyl ether phosphate salt having an average number of added moles of ethylene oxide of 10 or more is preferably 0.001 to 20 parts by mass per 100 parts by mass of growing medium components. From the viewpoint of further improving water-repellent performance, it is more preferable to have 0.01 parts by mass or more per 100 parts by mass of growing medium constituent material. Furthermore, from the viewpoint of being less prone to growth disorders and ease of planting, it is more preferable to have 10 parts by mass or less per 100 parts by mass of growing medium constituent material, and even more preferable to have 5 parts by mass or less. Note that the polyoxyethylene alkyl ether phosphate salt content is calculated on an effective basis. 【0033】 The materials used to make up the growing medium of the present invention are not particularly limited, but include those commonly used as growing medium for agriculture and horticulture, such as plant-derived organic matter, porous inorganic matter, non-porous inorganic matter, fertilizer, and soil. These growing medium materials may be used individually or in combination of two or more. 【0034】 Examples of plant-derived organic materials include peat moss, coconut husks, rice husks, sawdust, bamboo powder, bagasse, peat, and charcoal. These may be used individually or in combination of two or more. 【0035】 Examples of porous inorganic materials include vermiculite, attapulgite, diatomaceous earth, sepiolite, zeolite, and perlite. These may be used individually or in combination of two or more. 【0036】 Examples of non-porous inorganic materials include silica sand, sea sand, alumina sand, talc, bentonite, and calcium carbonate. These may be used individually or in combination of two or more. 【0037】 Examples of fertilizers include nitrogen fertilizers, phosphate fertilizers, potassium fertilizers, calcium compounds such as calcium hydroxide, magnesium compounds such as magnesium hydroxide, and zinc compounds such as zinc oxide. These may be used individually or in combination of two or more. 【0038】 Examples of soils include natural soils such as Kuroboku soil, Akadama soil, Kanuma soil, Hyuga soil, paddy field soil, black soil, decomposed granite soil, Keto soil, mountain soil, mountain sand, river sand, volcanic ash soil, volcanic soil, and red soil. These can be used individually or in combination of two or more types. 【0039】 Among these growing medium components, from the viewpoint of demonstrating the effects of the present invention, it is preferable that the growing medium contains plant-derived organic materials such as peat moss, coconut husk, rice hull, and sawdust, and particularly fibrous materials such as peat moss and coconut husk. The content of such plant-derived organic materials in the growing medium components is preferably 10% by volume or more, and more preferably 20 to 80% by volume. 【0040】 The moisture content in the growing medium of the present invention is, for example, 60% by mass or less, 50% by mass or less, or 40% by mass or less. 【0041】 The growing medium of the present invention is not particularly limited in its use, but it can be suitably used for seedling cultivation. The growing medium used before seedling cultivation is typically in a granular state that is easily fluid. Because the growing medium can be distributed in a bagged, granular state, it is easy to handle and can be filled into seedling containers of various shapes and cell counts. Therefore, farmers can use seedling containers they already own, which contributes to lowering the cost of agricultural production. 【0042】 When growing plants using the growing medium of the present invention, for example, the growing medium can be filled into commercially available cell trays using a seeding machine, compacted, and then air-dried to solidify it. Then, vegetable or other plant seeds can be sown one per cell using the seeding machine, covered with the growing medium, and then watered. These are all normal procedures to promote germination and seedling growth. Alternatively, the growing medium can be pre-mixed with vegetable or other plant seeds, filled into commercially available cell trays using a seeding machine, compacted, air-dried to solidify it, and then watered. These are all normal procedures to promote germination and seedling growth. In addition to seeds, cuttings can also be rooted and grown into seedlings. After growing plants using the growing medium of the present invention, cell seedlings or potted seedlings can be separated using a transplanting machine, and the root balls can be transplanted into the ground. 【0043】 The growing medium of the present invention can be used for agricultural purposes such as growing vegetables and rice, as well as for horticultural purposes. The types of plants that can be grown using the growing medium of the present invention are not particularly limited and can be used for vegetables, fruits, flowers, trees, fruit trees, etc. Specifically, for example, it can be suitably used for cultivating leafy vegetables such as bok choy, komatsuna, lettuce, and herbs, and fruit vegetables such as tomatoes, eggplants, bell peppers, melons, watermelons, and strawberries, which are grown for their fruit. 【0044】 As a method for mixing a polyoxyethylene alkyl ether phosphate salt having an average number of moles of ethylene oxide added of 10 or more with a growing medium component, any commonly used method can be appropriately employed to uniformly disperse it in the growing medium component. For example, if the water-repellent agent for growing medium of the present invention is liquid at room temperature, it can be used as is; if it is solid or paste-like at room temperature, it can be heated and melted into a liquid state; or, if the water-repellent agent for growing medium of the present invention is mixed with water, it can be used as an aqueous solution. The water-repellent agent for growing medium of the present invention can be applied to the growing medium component by spraying it with these forms and then mixing, or by immersing the growing medium component in the water-repellent agent of the present invention. 【0045】 The growing medium of the present invention may contain other components, depending on the plant species being grown, as long as these components do not impair the effects of the present invention. These other components are not particularly limited, but examples include agricultural chemicals. Examples of agricultural chemicals include herbicides, animal repellents, growth regulators, soil conditioners, beneficial microorganisms, beneficial bacteria, and water permeability agents. These may be used individually or in combination of two or more. [Examples] 【0046】 The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to examples, but the present invention is not limited to these examples. (1) Manufacturing of water-repellent agents for growing soil A water-repellent agent for growing media was produced by stirring and mixing components such as surfactants at room temperature, according to the formulations shown in each example and comparative example in Table 1. 【0047】 (2) Production of growing medium A growing medium was prepared using a growing medium composition (peat moss: 50%, vermiculite: 40%, silica sand: 10%). The above-mentioned water-repellent agent for growing medium was mixed with 100 parts by mass of this growing medium composition to achieve the adhesion amount shown in Table 1. The adhesion amount is calculated based on the effective content (parts by mass) of the water-repellent agent for growing medium. 【0048】 (3) Evaluation The following evaluations were performed on the growing media of each example and comparative example prepared as described above. <Water-repellent performance> [Water permeability speed] A certain amount of growing medium was filled into a Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries standard cell tray (30mm square, 128 holes) using a seeding machine, compacted, and then watered with a certain amount of water. The time (in seconds) until the water permeated the growing medium (no water floating) was measured, and the water permeability speed was evaluated. Measurements were taken for both unwatered soil and soil that had been watered 50 times. The 50th watering refers to the measurement results after 50 days of watering with a fixed amount of water once a day. The growing medium used was either immediately after manufacturing or 120 days after manufacturing. The growing medium 120 days after manufacturing was filled into a plastic bag, sealed, and stored at 30°C after manufacturing. 【0049】 [Water permeability] A certain amount of growing medium was filled into a Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries standard cell tray (30cm square, 128 holes) using a seeding machine, compacted, and then watered with a certain amount of water. One minute after watering, the growing medium was dug up with a spatula, and the overall water permeability was observed and evaluated according to the following criteria. ◎: 90% or more ○: 60% or more but less than 90% △: 40% or more but less than 60% ×: Less than 40% The evaluation was performed on soil that had not been watered and soil that had been watered 50 times. The 50th watering refers to the evaluation results after 50 days of watering with a fixed amount of water once a day. The growing medium used was either immediately after manufacturing or 120 days after manufacturing. The growing medium 120 days after manufacturing was filled into a plastic bag, sealed, and stored at 30°C after manufacturing. 【0050】 <Growth> [Germination rate] A certain amount of growing medium was filled into a Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries standard cell tray (30cm square, 128 holes) using a seed planter, compacted, and then one seed of komatsuna or lettuce was sown per cell using the seed planter again. The seeds were then covered with a certain amount of growing medium and watered with a certain amount to complete the sowing process. After sowing, the seedlings were watered with a certain amount once a day and raised, and the germination rate was observed and evaluated 7 days after sowing according to the following criteria. Growing medium was used immediately after manufacturing and 120 days after manufacturing. The growing medium 120 days after manufacturing was prepared by filling the growing medium into a plastic bag, sealing it, and storing it at 30°C after manufacturing. ◎: 95% or more ○: 90% or more but less than 95% △: 85% or more but less than 90% ×: Less than 85% 【0051】 [Rooting status] Furthermore, to check the growth status after germination, the root development of komatsuna was observed and evaluated according to the following criteria: seedlings were pulled up 30 days after sowing, the soil attached to the roots was washed with water, and the root development was observed and evaluated. The growing medium used was both immediately after manufacture and 120 days after manufacture. The growing medium 120 days after manufacture was filled into a plastic bag, sealed, and stored at 30°C after manufacture. ◎: Good ○: Slightly good △: Slightly poor ×: Bad 【0052】 [Ground weight] Furthermore, regarding the above-ground weight of komatsuna, 30 days after sowing, all seedlings were pulled up, the soil attached to the roots was washed with water, and the above-ground parts and roots were separated. The above-ground parts and roots of the samples were then dried separately at 70°C for 3 days, and the weight of the above-ground parts was measured. The average of 20 komatsuna plants was calculated, and then a relative value was calculated with the value of the sample without water-repellent agent added (blank) set to 100%, and evaluated according to the following criteria. The growing medium used was either immediately after manufacture or 120 days after manufacture. The growing medium 120 days after manufacture was prepared by filling the growing medium into a plastic bag, sealing it, and storing it at 30°C after manufacture. ◎: 95% or more ○: 90% or more but less than 95% △: 85% or more but less than 90% ×: Less than 85% 【0053】 The results of the above evaluation are shown in Table 1. 【0054】 [Table 1]

Claims

[Claim 1] A water-repellent agent for growing media containing a polyoxyethylene alkyl ether phosphate salt having an average number of moles of ethylene oxide added of 10 or more. [Claim 2] A growing medium containing polyoxyethylene alkyl ether phosphate salts and growing medium constituent materials, wherein the average number of moles of ethylene oxide added is 10 or more. [Claim 3] The growing medium according to claim 2, wherein the content of the polyoxyethylene alkyl ether phosphate salt is 0.001 to 20 parts by mass per 100 parts by mass of the growing medium constituent material.

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