An agent for shortening the growth period of a plant, a composition for shortening the growth period, an agent for inducing the expression of an anthogenesis-inducing gene, a method for shortening the growth period of a plant, a plant, an agent for ensuring uniformity of the growth rate of a plant, and a method for ensuring uniformity of the growth rate of a plant

Abstract

Provided is an agent for shortening the growth period of a plant, said agent comprising an active ingredient that is a compound represented by formula (I), a tautomer thereof, or an agriculturally acceptable salt of the compound or the tautomer.　(In formula (I), R1 and R2 each independently represent a hydrogen atom or a C1-4 alkyl group, and R3, R4, and R5 each independently represent a C1-4 alkyl group.)

Description

Agent for shortening the growth period of plants and formulation for shortening the growth period, agent for inducing expression of flowering-inducing gene, method for shortening the growth period of plants, plant body, agent for equalizing the growth rate of plants, and method for equalizing the growth rate of plants

[0001] The present invention relates to an agent for shortening the growth period of a plant, a formulation for shortening the growth period, an inducer of flowering-inducing gene expression, a method for shortening the growth period of a plant, a plant body, an agent for standardizing the growth rate of a plant, and a method for standardizing the growth rate of a plant.

[0002] By their very nature, plants require a long period of time from sowing seeds or transplanting seedlings until they flower, bear fruit, and are ready for harvest. In order to reduce plant growth costs and the possibility of fluctuations in yield due to bad weather, etc., there is a demand for shortening the plant growth period so that plants can be harvested in a shorter period of time.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 describes that by irradiating microwaves to the seeds or bulbs to be cultivated for a predetermined period of time after they have germinated and formed new shoots, the time when the plants switch from the vegetative growth period to the reproductive growth period can be accelerated, resulting in earlier flowering and fruiting, thereby enabling earlier harvesting.

[0004] In addition, Patent Document 2 discloses that NO is produced in the early stages of plant growth. ２ It is stated that exposure can accelerate plant growth.

[0005] Furthermore, Patent Document 3 describes that treating germinated plants with an aqueous ergothioneine solution increases plant height, the number of flowers and fruits, and the seed yield.

[0006] International Publication No. 2017 / 022563 JP 2012-235748 A International Publication No. 2021 / 005970

[0007] As described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, germinated plants are irradiated with microwaves or NO. ２Methods for shortening plant growth periods by exposing plants to chemicals have been investigated. However, these methods require large-scale equipment, which is costly, and it is not easy to treat large numbers of plants. Furthermore, in agriculture and horticulture, if harvest times are not uniform, the overall growth period of the crops may be extended, or more plants may need to be sown to thin out the plants and ensure uniform growth. Therefore, there is a need to develop methods for shortening plant growth periods and for uniforming growth rates by treating plants with chemicals.

[0008] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above problems, and aims to provide a plant growth period shortening agent and a formulation for shortening the growth period, an agent for inducing expression of a flowering-inducing gene, a method for shortening the plant growth period using these, and a plant whose growth period has been shortened using this method.

[0009] One embodiment of the present invention for solving the above problems relates to a plant growth period shortening agent and a growth period shortening formulation, a method for shortening a plant growth period, a plant body, an agent for standardizing the growth rate of a plant, and a method for standardizing the growth rate of a plant, as set forth in the following [1] to

[13] : [1] A plant growth period shortening agent comprising an active ingredient which is a compound represented by the following formula (I) or a tautomer thereof, or an agriculturally acceptable salt thereof: (In formula (I), R １ and R ２ each independently represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms; R ３ , R ４ and R ５independently represent an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms.) [2] The plant growth period shortening agent according to [1], wherein the compound represented by formula (I) is ergothioneine. [3] The plant growth period shortening agent according to [2], wherein the ergothioneine includes D-ergothioneine. [4] The plant growth period shortening agent according to [1] or [2], which is an early flowering agent. [5] The plant growth period shortening agent according to [1] or [2], which is an agent for early fruit setting. [6] The plant growth period shortening agent according to any of [1] to [5], which induces the expression of a flowering-inducing gene in a treated plant. [7] An agent comprising an active ingredient which is a compound represented by the following formula (I) or a tautomer thereof, or an agriculturally acceptable salt thereof, [8] A formulation for shortening the growing period of a plant, comprising an active ingredient which is a compound represented by the following formula (I) or a tautomer thereof, or an agriculturally acceptable salt thereof: (In formula (I), R １ and R ２ each independently represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms; R ３ , R ４ and R ５ independently represent an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms.) [9] A method for shortening the growth period of a plant, comprising treating the plant with a treating agent containing the formulation according to [8].

[10] The method for shortening the growth period of a plant according to [9], wherein the plant is caused to flower early by treatment with the treating agent. "11" The method for shortening the growth period of a plant according to [9], wherein the plant is caused to fruit early by treatment with the treating agent.

[12] A plant whose growth period has been shortened by treating with a treating agent containing the formulation according to [8].

[13] The plant according to

[12] , which is a propagule or a transplant.

[14] The plant according to

[12] or

[13] , which is a tomato.

[15] An agent for uniformizing the growth rate of a plant, comprising an active ingredient which is a compound represented by the following formula (I) or a tautomer thereof, or an agriculturally acceptable salt thereof. (In formula (I), R １ and R ２each independently represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms; R ３ , R ４ and R ５ and independently represent an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms.)

[16] A method for uniforming the harvest time of plants, comprising treating the plants with a treating agent containing a formulation containing an active ingredient which is a compound represented by the following formula (I) or a tautomer thereof, or an agriculturally acceptable salt thereof: (In formula (I), R １ and R ２ each independently represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms; R ３ , R ４ and R ５ each independently represents an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms.

[0010] According to the present invention, there are provided an agent for shortening the growth period of a plant and a formulation for shortening the growth period, a method for shortening the growth period of a plant using the agent, a plant whose growth period has been shortened using the agent, an agent for uniforming the growth rate of a plant, and a method for uniforming the growth rate of a plant.

[0011] One embodiment of the present invention relates to an agent for shortening the growth period of plants or an agent for uniforming the growth rate of plants, comprising an active ingredient which is a compound represented by the following formula (I) or a tautomer thereof, or an agriculturally acceptable salt thereof:

[0012] The active ingredient is a compound represented by the following formula (I) or a tautomer thereof, or an agriculturally acceptable salt thereof. The growth period shortening agent or growth rate uniforming agent may contain only one type of the active ingredient or may contain multiple types.

[0013]

[0014] In formula (I), R １ and R ２ each independently represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms; R ３ , R ４ and R ５ each independently represents an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms.

[0015] R１ ~R ５ The alkyl group that R can take may be linear or branched. １ ~R ５ Examples of the alkyl group that can be taken include a methyl group, an ethyl group, a propyl group, an isopropyl group, a butyl group, an isobutyl group, a sec-butyl group and a tert-butyl group.

[0016] R １ and R ２ At least one of R is preferably a hydrogen atom, and more preferably both are hydrogen atoms. １ and R ２ When is an alkyl group, it is preferably a methyl group, an ethyl group, or a propyl group, more preferably a methyl group or an ethyl group, and even more preferably a methyl group.

[0017] R ３ , R ４ and R ５ are preferably independently a methyl group, an ethyl group, or a propyl group, more preferably a methyl group or an ethyl group, and even more preferably a methyl group. ３ , R ４ and R ５ Preferably, at least one of the groups is a methyl group, more preferably at least two of the groups are methyl groups, and even more preferably all of the groups are methyl groups.

[0018] The compound of formula (I) is R １ and R ２ When at least one of R is a hydrogen atom, the compound represented by formula (I) has tautomers. ２ When R is a hydrogen atom, the compound represented by the following formula (II) is a tautomer. １ is a hydrogen atom, the compound has the following tautomer, which is represented by formula (III): In this specification, when simply referring to "tautomer", it means both the compound represented by formula (II) and the compound represented by formula (III).

[0019]

[0020] In formulas (II) and (III), R １ ~R ５ is R in formula (I). １ ~R ５ is the same as

[0021] Generally, in a solution, the compound represented by formula (I) and the compound represented by formula (II) or formula (III) can exist in equilibrium. The ratio of the compound represented by formula (I) to the compound represented by formula (II) or formula (III) can vary depending on the solvent, temperature, pH, etc.

[0022] Furthermore, the compound represented by formula (I) or its tautomer has an optical isomer. The compound represented by formula (I) or its tautomer may contain an L-isomer or a D-isomer. Furthermore, the compound represented by formula (I) or its tautomer may contain only an L-isomer, only a D-isomer, or a mixture thereof (LD-isomer). From the viewpoint of enhancing the effect of shortening the growth period, it is preferable that the compound represented by formula (I) or its tautomer contains a D-isomer.

[0023] When the mixture is a mixture of L and D isomers, the ratio of the D isomer to the L isomer (D isomer / L isomer x 100%) is preferably greater than 0% and less than 100%, more preferably greater than 0% and 50% or less, even more preferably greater than 0% and 30% or less, and particularly preferably greater than 0% and 10% or less.

[0024] The compound represented by formula (I) or a tautomer thereof is preferably ergothioneine, and from the viewpoint of more significantly exhibiting the effects of the present invention, may contain D-ergothioneine or may be a mixture of D-ergothioneine and L-ergothioneine.

[0025] These compounds may be commercially available or may be synthesized by techniques well known to those skilled in the art, such as those described in JP-A-2013-506706 and JP-A-2006-160748. Ergothioneine is also known to be produced by bacteria and fungi. Examples of production methods using such microorganisms include those described in JP-A-2012-105618, JP-A-2014-223051, WO-A-2016 / 104437, WO-A-2016 / 121285, WO-A-2015 / 168112, and WO-A-2017 / 150304. Ergothioneine may be used as a culture containing ergothioneine obtained from these microorganisms, or ergothioneine obtained by concentrating or purifying the culture may be used.

[0026] "Agriculturally acceptable" means safe, non-toxic, and not biologically or otherwise undesirable, and acceptable for agricultural use, particularly for agricultural use that shortens the growing season.

[0027] An "agriculturally acceptable salt" of a compound represented by formula (I) or a tautomer thereof means an agriculturally acceptable salt as defined above that provides the functions and effects of a compound represented by formula (I) or a tautomer thereof. Examples of such salts include hydrates, solvates, acid addition salts, salts formed by replacing an acidic proton present in a compound represented by formula (I) or a tautomer thereof with a metal ion, and salts formed by coordinating the acidic proton with an organic or inorganic base.

[0028] Acid addition salts may be formed with inorganic or organic acids. Examples of inorganic acids include hydrochloric acid, hydrobromic acid, sulfuric acid, nitric acid, and phosphoric acid. Examples of organic acids include acetic acid, benzenesulfonic acid, benzoic acid, camphorsulfonic acid, citric acid, ethanesulfonic acid, fumaric acid, glucoheptonic acid, gluconic acid, glutamic acid, glycolic acid, hydroxynaphthoic acid, 2-hydroxyethanesulfonic acid, lactic acid, maleic acid, malic acid, mandelic acid, methanesulfonic acid, muconic acid, 2-naphthalenesulfonic acid, propionic acid, salicylic acid, succinic acid, dibenzoyl-L-tartaric acid, tartaric acid, p-toluenesulfonic acid, trimethylacetic acid, and trifluoroacetic acid.

[0029] Examples of metal ions which can be substituted for the acidic protons present in the compound of formula (I) or its tautomers include alkali metal ions, alkaline earth metal ions, and aluminum ions.

[0030] Examples of organic bases that can coordinate with the acidic protons present in the compound of formula (I) or its tautomer include diethanolamine, ethanolamine, N-methylglucamine, triethanolamine, and tromethamine, etc. Examples of inorganic bases that can coordinate with the acidic protons present in the compound of formula (I) or its tautomer include aluminum hydroxide, calcium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, sodium carbonate, and sodium hydroxide, etc.

[0031] The shortening of the growth period in this embodiment is achieved by using the active ingredient as an active ingredient to shorten the growth period of a plant. For example, treating a plant with a treatment agent containing the active ingredient is expected to have the effects of accelerating flower bud formation, budding, flowering, fruit set, and harvesting. Therefore, the plant growth period shortening agent can also be used as an agent for early budding, early flowering, early fruit set, early fruiting, and early harvesting. These effects can also reduce plant cultivation costs and reduce the labor required for plant cultivation, thereby reducing environmental impact.

[0032] The active ingredient also standardizes the growth rate of treated plants. That is, it reduces discrepancies in the timing of budding, flowering, fruiting, fruit set, and harvesting for plants grown under the same conditions, making it easier for plants to bud, flower, fruit set, fruit set, and harvest at the same time. As a result, the active ingredient can standardize the growth rate of plants growing in the same field, making it easier to align the harvest time.

[0033] As described in Patent Document 3, the active ingredient also has the effect of increasing the number of flowers and fruits of a plant and increasing the seed yield, so in addition to shortening the growing period of the plant, the active ingredient also has the effect of increasing the yield of the plant.

[0034] According to the new findings of the present inventors, the compound represented by formula (I) or its tautomer induces the expression of a flowering-inducing gene in plants. Therefore, the compound represented by formula (I) or its tautomer can also be used as an inducer of flowering-inducing gene expression. It is believed that the effect of the active ingredient in accelerating plant flowering is at least partially contributed to by the induction of flowering-inducing gene expression.

[0035] The flowering-inducing gene whose expression is induced is not particularly limited, and for example, in Arabidopsis thaliana, known genes such as the CONSTANS (CO) gene, FLOWERING LOCUS T (FT) gene, SUPPRESSOR OF OVEREXPRESSION OF CONSTANS 1 (SOC1) gene, and LEAFY (LFY) gene can be used. Of these, the FT gene is preferred. These genes may have mutations in their gene sequence (DNA sequence) depending on the plant species. For example, it is also possible to induce expression of the rice Hd3a gene and the tomato SFT gene, which are genes homologous to the FT gene in species other than Arabidopsis thaliana. The flowering-inducing gene, the expression of which is induced, may be a gene encoding an amino acid sequence having 70% or more, preferably 90% or more, and more preferably 95% or more homology to the amino acid sequence of a protein encoded by an FT gene (particularly the FT gene of Arabidopsis thaliana).Furthermore, the flowering-inducing gene, the expression of which is induced, may be a gene consisting of a sequence having 90% or more, preferably 95% or more, and more preferably 99% or more homology to the FT gene (particularly the FT gene of Arabidopsis thaliana).

[0036] In some plant species, the protein encoded by the FT gene has functions other than flower induction. For example, the FT gene in potato not only induces flowering but also induces tubers. The functions of the induced expression of the flowering-inducing gene are not limited to flower induction.

[0037] The growth period shortening agent or plant growth rate uniforming agent may be used to treat any plant. Examples of such plants include the Gramineae family, such as rice, wheat, barley, rye, oats, triticale (triticale), maize, sorghum, sugarcane, turfgrass, bentgrass, Bermudagrass, fescue, and ryegrass; the Fabaceae family, such as soybean, peanut, kidney bean, pea, adzuki bean, and alfalfa; the Convolvulaceae family, such as sweet potato; the Solanaceae family, such as chili pepper, bell pepper, tomato, eggplant, potato, and tobacco; the Polygonaceae family, such as buckwheat; the Asteraceae family, such as sunflower; the Araliaceae family, such as ginseng; the Brassicaceae family, such as rapeseed, broccoli, Chinese cabbage, turnip, cabbage, arugula, radish, and radish; the Chenopodiaceae family, such as sugar beet; the Malvaceae family, such as cotton; and the Rubia family, such as coffee plants. Family: Sterculiaceae such as cacao; Theaceae such as tea; Cucurbitaceae such as watermelon, melon, cucumber and pumpkin; Liliaceae such as onion, leek and garlic; Rosaceae such as strawberry, apple, almond, apricot, plum, cherry, plum, peach and pear; Umbelliaceae such as carrot; Araceae such as taro; Anacardiaceae such as mango; Bromeliaceae such as pineapple; Papaya family such as papaya; Ebenaceae such as persimmon; Ericaceae such as blueberry; Juglandaceae such as pecan; Musaceae such as banana; Oleaceae such as olive; Palm family such as coconut and date palm; Rutaceae such as mandarin orange, orange, grapefruit and lemon; Vitaceae such as grape; Flowers and ornamental plants; trees other than fruit trees and other ornamental plants.

[0038] Furthermore, the above-mentioned plants may be any of wild plants, plant cultivars, plants and plant cultivars obtained by conventional biological breeding such as crossbreeding or protoplast fusion, and genetically modified plants and plant cultivars obtained by genetic engineering. Examples of genetically modified plants and plant cultivars obtained by genetic engineering include herbicide-resistant crops, pest-resistant crops incorporating insecticidal protein-producing genes, disease-resistant crops incorporating disease-resistance inducer-producing genes, crops with improved eating quality, crops with improved yield, crops with improved storability, and crops with improved yield. Examples of genetically modified plant cultivars approved in various countries include the various varieties stored in the database of the International Society for the Advancement of Agriculture (ISAA). Specifically: AgriSure, AgriSure 3000GT, AgriSure 3122 EZ Refuge, AgriSure 3122 Refuge Renew, AgriSure Artesian 3030A, AgriSure Artesian 3011A, AgriSure Duracade, AgriSure Duracade 5222 EZ Refuge, AgriSure GT, AgriSure GT / CB / LL, AgriSure RW, AgriSure Viptera 3110, AgriSure Viptera 3111, AgriSure Viptera 3220 EZ Refuge, AgriSure Viptera 3220 Refuge Renew, BiteGard, Bollgard, Bollgard II, Bollgard II / Roundup Ready, Bollgard 3 XtendFlex Cotton, Bollgard Cotton, Bollgard / Roundup Ready Cotton, Bt, Bt / BXN Cotton, Bt Maize, BtXtra, BXN, BXN Canola, BXN Cotton, Clearfield, DroughtGard, Enlist, Enlist Cotton, Enlist WideStrike 3 Cotton, Genuity, Genuity Bollgard II XtendFlex, Genuity Intacta RR2 Pro, GenuitySmartStax、GenuitySmartStax RIB Complete、Genuity VT Double Pro、Genuity VT Double Pro RIB Complete、Genuity VT Triple Pro、Genuity VT Triple Pro RIB Complete、GlyTol、GlyTol Cotton、Herculex、Herculex 1、Herculex RW、Herculex XTRA、IMI、IMI Canola、InVigor、KnockOut、Liberty Link、Liberty Link Conola、Liberty Link cotton、NatureGard、Newleaf、Nucotn、Optimum、Optimum AcreMax、Optimum AcreMax I、Optimum AcreMax-R、Optimum AcreMax RW、Optimum AcreMax RW-R、Optimum AcreMax Xtra-R、Optimum AcreMax Xtreme-R、Optimum AcreMax Xtreme、Optimum Intrasect、Optimum Intrasect Xtra、Optimum Intrasect Xtreme、Optimum Leptra、Optimum TRIsect、Poast Compatible、Powercore、Powercore Corn、Powercore Corn Refuge Advanced、Protecta、Roundup Ready、Roundup Ready 2、Roundup Ready Conola、Roundup Ready Cotton、Roundup Ready Xtend、Roundup Ready / YieldGard、RR Flex / Bollgard II、SCS、SmartStax、SmartStax Refuge Advanced、StarLink、Twinlink、VipCot、VipCot Cotton、WideStrike、WideStrike3、YieldGard、YieldGard Corn Borner、YieldGard Rootworm、YieldGard PlusおよびYieldGardThese include trademarks such as VT Triple.

[0039] [Other Components] The growth period shortening agent or growth rate uniforming agent contains the above-mentioned active ingredient as an active ingredient, and can be distributed on the market as a formulation of various dosage forms together with adjuvants or other active ingredients. The above-mentioned active ingredient may be formulated as a formulation itself, or may be formulated as a formulation of various dosage forms together with other adjuvants or other active ingredients. The formulation form is not particularly limited and may be selected depending on the treatment method, etc. Examples of formulation forms include dusts, granules, powders, wettable powders, water-soluble powders, emulsions, solutions, oils, aerosols, microcapsules, pastes, liniments, fumigants, fumigants, and micro-dusting formulations.

[0040] (Adjuvants) Examples of the adjuvants include carriers, surfactants, and other adjuvants. Carriers can improve the solubility, water retention, water compatibility, oil absorption, and duration of effect on plants of the active ingredient, thereby increasing the utilization efficiency of the active ingredient and improving handling. Surfactants can also improve the solubility, stability, dispersibility, emulsification, wettability, dilution, drift reduction, adhesion to plants, penetration, absorption, and spreadability of the active ingredient and formulation, thereby enhancing the effect of the active ingredient on plants.

[0041] The carrier may be a solid carrier or a liquid carrier.

[0042] Examples of solid carriers include minerals such as clay, talc, diatomaceous earth, zeolite (boiling stone), montmorillonite, bentonite, kaolinite, kaolin, pyrophyllite, rosewood, acid clay, activated clay, attapulgite, attapulgus clay, limestone, calcite, marble, vermiculite, perlite, pumice, silica stone, silica sand, sericite (sericite), and pottery stone; synthetic organic substances such as urea; salts such as calcium carbonate, sodium carbonate, magnesium carbonate, sodium sulfate, ammonium sulfate, potassium chloride, hydrated lime, and sodium bicarbonate; amorphous silica (white carbon, fumed silica, etc.); These include various powdered and granular carriers, such as synthetic inorganic materials such as titanium oxide, plant-based carriers such as wood flour, corn stalks (cobs), walnut shells (nut husks), fruit kernels, rice husks, coconut shells, sawdust, bran, soybean flour, powdered cellulose, starch, dextrin, and sugars (lactose, sucrose, etc.), and various polymeric carriers such as cross-linked lignin, cationic gels, gelatin that gels with heat or polyvalent metal salts, water-soluble polymer gels (agar, etc.), chlorinated polyethylene, chlorinated polypropylene, polyvinyl acetate, polyvinyl chloride, ethylene / vinyl acetate copolymers, and urea / aldehyde resins.

[0043] Examples of liquid carriers include aliphatic solvents such as paraffins (normal paraffin, isoparaffin, naphthene), aromatic solvents such as xylene, alkylbenzene, alkylnaphthalene, and solvent naphtha, mixed solvents such as kerosene, machine oils such as refined high-boiling aliphatic hydrocarbons, alcohols such as methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, butanol, and cyclohexanol, polyhydric alcohols such as ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, propylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, hexylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, and polypropylene glycol, polyhydric alcohol derivatives such as propylene glycol ethers, acetone, acetophenone, cyclohexane ... ketones such as cyclohexanone, methylcyclohexanone, and γ-butyrolactone; esters such as fatty acid methyl esters (coconut oil fatty acid methyl esters), ethylhexyl lactate, propylene carbonate, and dibasic acid methyl esters (dimethyl succinate, dimethyl glutamate, dimethyl adipate); nitrogen-containing solvents such as N-alkylpyrrolidones and acetonitrile; sulfur-containing solvents such as dimethyl sulfoxide; oils and fats such as coconut oil, soybean oil, and rapeseed oil; amide solvents such as dimethylformamide, N,N-dimethyloctanamide, N,N-dimethyldecanamide, 5-(dimethylamino)-2-methyl-5-oxo-valeric acid methyl ester, and N-acylmorpholine solvents (CAS No. 887947-29-7, etc.); and water.

[0044] As the surfactant, various surfactants such as nonionic surfactants, anionic surfactants, cationic surfactants, amphoteric surfactants, silicone surfactants, fluorine-based surfactants and biosurfactants can be used.

[0045] Examples of the nonionic surfactants include sorbitan fatty acid esters, polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid esters, sucrose fatty acid esters, polyoxyethylene fatty acid esters, polyoxyethylene resin acid esters, polyoxyethylene fatty acid diesters, polyoxyethylene alkyl ethers, polyoxyethylene alkylphenyl ethers, polyoxyethylene dialkylphenyl ethers, polyoxyethylene alkylphenyl ether formalin condensates, polyoxyethylene / polyoxypropylene block polymers, alkyl polyoxyethylene / polyoxypropylene block polymer ethers, alkyl phenyl polyoxyethylene / polyoxypropylene block polymer ethers, polyoxyethylene alkylamines, polyoxyethylene fatty acid amides, polyoxyethylene fatty acid bisphenyl ethers, polyoxyethylene benzylphenyl (or phenylphenyl) ethers, polyoxyethylene styrylphenyl (or phenylphenyl) ethers, polyoxyethylene castor oil, polyoxyethylene hydrogenated castor oil, and alkyl glycosides.

[0046] Examples of the anionic surfactant include sulfates such as alkyl sulfate, polyoxyethylene alkyl ether sulfate, polyoxyethylene alkylphenyl ether sulfate, polyoxyethylene benzyl (or styryl)phenyl (or phenylphenyl) ether sulfate, and polyoxyethylene / polyoxypropylene block polymer sulfate, paraffin (alkane) sulfonate, α-olefin sulfonate, dialkyl sulfosuccinate, alkylbenzene sulfonate, mono- or dialkylnaphthalene sulfonate, naphthalene sulfonate-formalin condensate, alkyldiphenyl ether disulfonate, lignin sulfonate, polyoxyethylene alkyl ether sulfate, polyoxyethylene alkylphenyl ... Examples of suitable carboxylic acids include sulfonates such as polyoxyethylene alkyl phenyl ether sulfonate and polyoxyethylene alkyl ether sulfosuccinic acid half ester, carboxylates such as fatty acids, resin acids, polycarboxylic acids, alkyl ether carboxylates, alkenyl succinic acids, N-acyl amino acids and naphthenic acids, and phosphates such as polyoxyethylene alkyl ether phosphate, polyoxyethylene mono- or dialkyl phenyl ether phosphate, polyoxyethylene benzyl (or styryl) phenyl (or phenylphenyl) ether phosphate, polyoxyethylene / polyoxypropylene block polymer phosphate and alkyl phosphate.

[0047] Examples of the cationic surfactant include salts of amines such as alkylamines and alkylpentamethylpropylenediamines, and salts of ammoniums such as alkyltrimethylammonium, methylpolyoxyethylenealkylammonium, alkylpyridinium, mono- or di-alkylmethylated ammonium, alkyldimethylbenzalkonium, and benzethonium (octylphenoxyethoxyethyldimethylbenzylammonium).

[0048] Examples of the amphoteric surfactant include dialkyldiaminoethyl betaine, alkyldimethylbenzyl betaine, and lecithin (phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, etc.).

[0049] Examples of the silicone surfactant include trisiloxane ethoxylate.

[0050] Examples of the fluorosurfactant include perfluoroalkyl carboxylates, perfluoroalkyl sulfonates, and perfluoroalkyl trimethylammonium salts.

[0051] Examples of the biosurfactants include sophorolipid, rhamnolipid, trehalose lipid, mannosylalditol lipid, cellobiose lipid, glucose lipid, oligosaccharide fatty acid ester, spiculesporic acid, corynomycolic acid, agaritic acid, surfactin, cerawettin, viscosin, lykensin, arthrofactin, emulsan, and alasan.

[0052] Examples of other adjuvants include inorganic salts (sodium, potassium, etc.) used as pH adjusters, water-soluble salts such as table salt, xanthan gum, guar gum, carboxymethylcellulose, polyvinylpyrrolidone, carboxyvinyl polymers, acrylic polymers, polyvinyl alcohol, starch derivatives, water-soluble polymers (polysaccharides, etc.), alginic acid and its salts, etc. used as thickeners, metal stearates, sodium tripolyphosphate, sodium hexametaphosphate, etc. used as disintegrating and dispersing agents, benzoic acid and its salts, sorbic acid and its salts, propionic acid and its salts, p-hydroxybenzoic acid, methyl p-hydroxybenzoate, 1,2-benzothiazolin-3-one, etc. used as preservatives, and supplements. These include sodium polyphosphate, sodium polyacrylate, sodium lignosulfonate, sodium citrate, gluconate / sodium glucoheptanoate, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid and its disodium salt or ammonium salt, etc., which are used as colorants, pigments, dyes, etc., which are used as colorants, fluorine-based antifoaming agents, silicone-based antifoaming agents, ethylene oxide / propylene oxide copolymers, etc., which are used as antioxidants, phenol-based antioxidants, amine-based antioxidants, sulfur-based antioxidants, phosphoric acid-based antioxidants, etc., which are used as ultraviolet absorbers, salicylic acid-based ultraviolet absorbers, benzophenone-based ultraviolet absorbers, etc., which are used as ultraviolet absorbers, quicklime, magnesium oxide, etc., which are used as desiccants, as well as spreading agents and phytotoxicity safeners, etc.

[0053] (Other active ingredients) Examples of other active ingredients include active ingredients contained in biostimulants, plant growth regulators, fungicides, insecticides, acaricides, nematicides and herbicides. In addition, by using other biostimulants in combination with the above-mentioned growth period shortening agent or growth rate uniforming agent, it is possible to further improve tolerance to various abiotic stresses and enhance the growth promotion effect.

[0054] Examples of the biostimulants include seaweed extract, corn extract, microalgae, mycorrhizal fungi, humic acid, fulvic acid, oxidized glutathione, L-proline, glycine betaine, 5-aminolevulinic acid, 2-hexenal, trehalose, silicic acid, nicotinic acid, acetic acid, and ethanol.

[0055] Examples of the plant growth regulator include aminoethoxyvinylglycine, chlormequat, chlorpropham, cyclanilide, dikegulac, daminozide, ethephon, flurprimidol, flumetralin, forchlorfenuron, gibberellin, mepiquat chloride, methylcyclopropene, benzylaminopurine, paclobutrazol, prohexadione, thidiazuron, tributyl phosphorotrithioate, trinexapac-ethyl, uniconazole, sodium 1-naphthaleneacetate, 1-methylpropanol ... -naphthylacetamide, 1-methylcyclopropene, 4-CPA (4-chlorophenoxyacetic acid), MCPB (ethyl 2-methyl-4-chlorophenoxybutyrate), isoprothiolane, indolebutyric acid, ethychlozate, calcium formate, chlormequat, choline, cyanamide, dichlorprop, decyl alcohol, sorbitan trioleate, nicosulfuron, pyraflufen-ethyl, butruarin, prohydrojasmone, anicifluprine, and pendimethalin.

[0056] Examples of the fungicides include nucleic acid synthesis metabolic inhibitors, fungicides acting on the cytoskeleton and motor proteins, respiratory inhibitors, amino acid / protein biosynthesis inhibitors, signal transduction inhibitors, lipid biosynthesis or transport / cell membrane structure or function inhibitors, cell membrane sterol biosynthesis inhibitors, cell wall biosynthesis inhibitors, melanin biosynthesis inhibitors, host plant resistance inducers, multi-site fungicides, and biological pesticides / biologically derived pesticides with multiple mechanisms of action.

[0057] Specific examples of the nucleic acid synthesis metabolic inhibitor include benalaxyl, benalaxyl M or chiralaxyl, furalaxyl, metalaxyl, metalaxyl M or mefenoxam, ofurace, oxadixyl, bupirimate, dimethirimol, ethirimol, hydroxyisoxazole, octhilinone, and oxolinic acid.

[0058] Examples of fungicides that act on the cytoskeleton and motor proteins include benomyl, carbendazim, fuberidazole, thiabendazole, thiophanate, thiophanate-methyl, diethofencarb, ethaboxam, pencycuron, zoxamide, fluopicolide, fluopimomide, fenamacril, metrafenone, and pyriophenone.

[0059] Examples of such respiratory inhibitors include diflumetrim, fenazaquin, tolfenpyrad, benodanil, benzovindiflupyr, bixafen, boscalid, carboxin, fenfuram, flubeneteram, fluindapyr, fluopyram, flutolanil, fluxapyroxad, furametpyr, inpirfluxam, isofetamide, isoflucipram, isopyrazam, mepronil, oxycarboxin, penflufen, penthiopyrad, pydiflumetofen, pyrapropoin, pyraziflumid, sedaxane, thifluzamide, azoxystrobin, cumoxystrobin, dimoxystrobin, enestrobin, enoxastrobin, famoxadone, and phenamide. These include phenaminestrobin, flufenoxystrobin, fluoxastrobin, kresoxim-methyl, mandestrobin, metominostrobin, methyltetraprole, orysastrobin, picoxystrobin, pyraclostrobin, pyrametostrobin, pyroxystrobin, pyribencarb, triclopyricarb, trifloxystrobin, amisulbrom, cyazofamid, fenpicoxamide, florylpicoxamide, methallylpicoxamide, binapacryl, dinocap, fluazinam, meptyldinocap, triphenyltin acetate, triphenyltin chloride, triphenyltin hydroxide, silthiofam, and ametoctrazine.

[0060] Examples of the amino acid / protein biosynthesis inhibitors include cyprodinil, mepanipyrim, pyrimethanil, blasticidin S, kasugamycin, streptomycin, and oxytetracycline.

[0061] Examples of the signal transduction inhibitors include proquinazid, quinoxyfen, fludioxonil, chlozolinate, dimethaclon, fenpiclonil, iprodione, procymidone, and vinclozolin.

[0062] Examples of the lipid biosynthesis or transport / cell membrane structure or function inhibitors include edifenphos (EDDP), iprobenfos (IBP), isoprothiolane, pyrazophos, biphenyl, chloroneb, dicloran (CNA), etridiazole, quintozene (PCNB), tecnazene (TCNB), tolclofos-methyl, iodocarb, propamocarb, prothiocarb, tea tree extract, vegetable oil mixture (eugenol, geraniol, thymol), natamycin (pimaricin), fluoxapiprolin, and oxathiapiprolin.

[0063] Examples of inhibitors of sterol biosynthesis in the cell membrane include azaconazole, bitertanol, bromuconazole, cyproconazole, difenoconazole, diniconazole, epoxiconazole, etaconazole, fenbuconazole, fluoxythioconazole, fluquinconazole, flusilazole, flutriafol, hexaconazole, imazalil, imibenconazole, ipconazole, ipfentrifluconazole, mefentrifluconazole, metconazole, myclobutanil, oxpoconazole, pefurazoate, penconazole, prochloraz, propiconazole, prothioconazole, simeconazole, tebuconazole, tetraconazole, triadimefon, triadimenol, triflumizole, triticonazole, fenarimol, nuarimol, pyrifenol, oxaloxazole, pyrisoxazole, triforine, methyl (2RS)-2-[2-chloro-4-(4-chlorophenoxy)phenyl]-2-hydroxy-3-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)propanoate, 1-((1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)methyl)-5-(4-chlorobenzyl)-2-(chloromethyl)-2-methylcyclopentan-1-ol, methyl 2-((1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)methyl)-3-(4-chlorobenzyl)-2-hydroxy-1-methylcyclopentane-1-carboxylate, aldimorph, dodemorph, fenpropimorph, tridemorph, fenpropidin, piperalin, spiroxamine, fenhexamid, fenpyrazamine, pyributicarb, naftifine, and terbinafine.

[0064] Examples of the cell wall biosynthesis inhibitors include polyoxin, benthiavalicarb (benthiavalicarb isopropyl), dimethomorph, flumorph, iprovalicarb, mandipropamid, pyrimorph, and valifenalate.

[0065] Examples of the melanin biosynthesis inhibitors include fthalide, pyroquilon, tricyclazole, carpropamid, diclocymet, fenoxanil, and tolprocarb.

[0066] Examples of the resistance inducer for the host plant include acibenzolar-S-methyl, probenazole, tiadinil, isotianil, laminarin, giant knotweed extract, Bacillus mycoides isolate J, cell wall of Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain LAS117, fosetyl (fosetyl-aluminum, fosetyl potassium, fosetyl sodium), phosphoric acid, phosphate salts, and diclobentiazox.

[0067] Examples of multi-site fungicides include ferbam, mancozeb, maneb, metiram, propineb, thiuram, zinc thiazole, zineb, ziram, ambam, anilazine, dithianon, dichlofluanid, tolylfluanid, guazatine, iminoctadine acetate, iminoctadine albesilate, copper or various copper salts (e.g., basic copper chloride, cupric hydroxide, basic copper sulfate, copper sulfate, organic copper (oxine copper), copper nonylphenolsulfonate, DBEDC, etc.), sulfur, captan, captafol, folpet, TPN (chlorothalonil), quinoxalines (quinomethionate), fluorimide, and metasulfocarb.

[0068] Examples of biopesticides / biological pesticides having multiple modes of action include Bacillus subtilis AFS032321 strain, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens QST713 strain, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens FZB24 strain, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens MBI600 strain, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens D747 strain, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens F727 strain, Clonostachys rosea CR-7 strain, and Gliocladium catenarata. Examples of suitable extracts include extracts from Trichoderma atroviride strain J1446, Pseudomonas chlororaphis strain AFS009, Streptomyces griseoviridis strain K61, Streptomyces lidicus strain WYEC108, Trichoderma atroviride strain I-1237, Trichoderma atroviride strain LU132, Trichoderma atroviride strain SC1, Trichoderma asperellum strain T34, Swainglea glutinosa, and extracts from cotyledons of lupin seedlings.

[0069] Other examples of compounds for fungicide use include chlorinconazid, seboxylamine, flumethylsulfolim, flufenoxadiazam, galquin, fenopyramid, feneptamidoquin, bifemetstrobin, fluquinometoate, cyflufenamid, cymoxanil, diclomedine, dipimethitron, dodine, fenitropan, ferimzone, flusulfamide, flutianil, harpin, inorganic salts (bicarbonates (sodium bicarbonate, potassium bicarbonate), potassium carbonate), ipflufenoquin, quinoprol, natural product origin, machine oil, organic oil, picarbutrazox, pyridaclomethyl, quinofumelin, tebufloquine, tecloftalam (bactericide), triazoxide, validamycin, aminopyrifen, and shiitake mushroom mycelium extract.

[0070] Examples of such insecticides include acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors, GABA-gated chloride channel blockers, sodium channel modulators, nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) competitive modulators, nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) allosteric modulators, glutamate-gated chloride channel (GluCl) allosteric modulators, juvenile hormone analogs, other non-specific (multi-site) inhibitors, chordotonal organ TRPV channel modulators, mite growth inhibitors acting on CHS1, microbial-derived insect midgut membrane disruptors, mitochondrial ATP synthase inhibitors, oxidative phosphorylation uncouplers that disrupt the proton gradient ... nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) competitive modulators, nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) allosteric modulators, nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) allosteric modulators, nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) competitive modulators, nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) allosteric modulators, nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) competitive modulators, nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) These include cholinergic receptor (nAChR) channel blockers, chitin biosynthesis inhibitors acting on CHS1, chitin biosynthesis inhibitors (type 1), molting inhibitors (Diptera), molting hormone (ecdysone) receptor agonists, octopamine receptor agonists, mitochondrial electron transport chain complex III inhibitors, mitochondrial electron transport chain complex I inhibitors (METI), voltage-dependent sodium channel blockers, acetyl-CoA carboxylase inhibitors, mitochondrial electron transport chain complex IV inhibitors, mitochondrial electron transport chain complex II inhibitors, ryanodine receptor modulators, chordotonal organ modulators, GABA-gated chloride ion channel allosteric modulators, and baculovirus.

[0071] Specific examples of the acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors include alanycarb, aldicarb, bendiocarb, benfuracarb, butocarboxim, butoxycarboxim, NAC (carbaryl), carbofuran, carbosulfan, ethiofencarb, BPMC (fenobucarb), fenothiocarb, formetanate, furathiocarb, MIPC (isoprocarb), methiocarb, methomyl, MTMC (metolcarb), oxamyl, pirimicarb, PHC (propoxur), thiodicarb, thiofanox, triazamate, trimethacarb, XMC, MPMC (xylylcarb), Rub), acephate, azamethiphos, azinphos-ethyl, azinphos-methyl, cadusafos, chlorethoxyphos, CVP (chlorfenvinphos), chlormephos, chlorpyrifos, chlorpyrifos-methyl, coumaphos, CYAP (cyanophos), demeton-S-methyl, diazinon, DDVP (dichlorvos), dicrotophos, dimethoate, dimethylvinphos, ethylthiometon (disulfoton), EPN, ethion, ethoprophos, fenflur, fenamiphos, MEP (fenitrothion), MPP (fenthion), fosthiazate, heptenophos, imicyaphos, isofenphos, isopropyl O-(methoxyaminothiophosphoryl) salicylate, isoxathion, malathion, mecarbam, methamidophos, DMTP (methidathion), mevinphos, monocrotophos, BRP (naled), omethoate, oxydemeton methyl, parathion, methyl parathion (parathion methyl), PAP (phenthoate), phorate, phosalone, PMP (phosmet), phosphamidon, phoxim, pirimiphos methyl, profenofos, propetamphos, prothiofos, pyraclofos, pyridaphenthion, quinalphos, sulfotep, tebupirimfos, temephos, terbufos, CVMP (tetrachlorvinphos), thiometon, triazophos, DEP (trichlorfon), and vamidothion.

[0072] Examples of the GABA-gated chloride ion channel blockers include chlordane, benzoepine (endosulfan), dienochlor, ethiprole, fipronil, pyriprole, and nicofluprole.

[0073] Examples of such sodium channel modulators include acrinathrin, allethrin (allethrin, d-cis-trans-, d-trans-isomers), bifenthrin, bioallethrin (bioallethrin, S-cyclopentenyl-isomer), bioresmethrin, chloroprallethrin, chlorfenthrin, cycloprothrin, cyfluthrin (cyfluthrin, β-isomer), cyhalothrin (cyhalothrin, λ-, γ-isomers), cypermethrin (cypermethrin, α-, β-, θ-, ζ-isomers), cyphenothrin [(1R)-trans isomer], deltamethrin, dimefluthrin, empenthrin [(EZ)-(1R)-isomer], esfenvalerate, etofenprox, flumethrin ... Examples of such insecticides include fenpropathrin, fenvalerate, flubrocythrinate, flucythrinate, flumethrin, fluvalinate (τ-fluvalinate), halfenprox, imiprothrin, kadesrin, metofluthrin, momfluorothrin, epsilon metofluthrin, epsilon momfluorothrin, permethrin, fenothrin [(1R)-trans isomer], prallethrin, profluthrin, pyrethrins, resmethrin, silafluofen, tefluthrin, phthalthrin (tetramethrin), tetramethrin [(1R)-isomer], tralomethrin, transfluthrin, DDT, methoxychlor, aldrin, dieldrin, and lindane (lindane).

[0074] Examples of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) competitive modulators include acetamiprid, clothianidin, dinotefuran, imidacloprid, nitenpyram, thiacloprid, thiamethoxam, nicotine sulfate (nicotine), sulfoxaflor, flupyradifurone, dichloromezothiaz, phenmezodithiaz, and triflumezopyrim.

[0075] Examples of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) allosteric modulators include spinetoram, spinosad, flupirimine, and GS-omega / kappa HXTX-Hv1a peptide.

[0076] Examples of the glutamate-gated chloride channel (GluCl) allosteric modulators include abamectin, emamectin benzoate, lepimectin, and milbemectin.

[0077] Examples of the juvenile hormone mimetics include hydroprene, kinoprene, methoprene, fenoxycarb, and pyriproxyfen.

[0078] Examples of the above and other non-specific (multi-site) inhibitors include methyl bromide, other alkyl halides, chloropicrin, sodium aluminum fluoride, sulfuryl fluoride, borax, boric acid, disodium octaborate, sodium metaborate, tartar emetic, dazomet, carbam (metam ammonium salt), metam sodium salt, and methyl isothiocyanate (methyl isothiocyanate).

[0079] Examples of such chordotonal organ TRPV channel modulators include pymetrozine, pyrifluquinazone, and afidopiropen.

[0080] Examples of the acarid growth inhibitors acting on CHS1 include clofentezine, diflobidazine, hexythiazox, and etoxazole.

[0081] Examples of the insect midgut membrane disrupting agent derived from a microorganism include Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. israelensis, Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. aizawai, Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki, Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. tenebrionis, B.t. These include proteins found in crops (Cry1Ab, Cry1Ac, Cry1Fa, Cry1A.105, Cry2Ab, Vip3A, mCry3A, Cry3Bb, Cry34Ab1 / Cry35Ab1) and Bacillus sphaericus.

[0082] Examples of the mitochondrial ATP synthase inhibitors include diafenthiuron, azocyclotin, tricyclohexyltin hydroxide (cyhexatin), fenbutatin oxide, BPPS (propargite), and tetradifon.

[0083] Examples of oxidative phosphorylation uncouplers that disrupt the proton gradient include chlorfenapyr, DNOC, and sulfluramide.

[0084] Examples of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) channel blockers include bensultap, cartap hydrochloride, thiocyclam, thiosultap sodium salt, and monosultap.

[0085] Examples of the chitin biosynthesis inhibitors acting on CHS1 include bistrifluron, chlorfluazuron, diflubenzuron, flucycloxuron, flufenoxuron, hexaflumuron, lufenuron, novaluron, noviflumuron, teflubenzuron, and triflumuron.

[0086] Examples of the chitin biosynthesis inhibitor (type 1) include buprofezin.

[0087] Examples of the molting inhibitors (Diptera) include cyromazine.

[0088] Examples of the molting hormone (ecdysone) receptor agonists include chromafenozide, halofenozide, methoxyfenozide, and tebufenozide.

[0089] Examples of the octopamine receptor agonists include amitraz.

[0090] Examples of the mitochondrial electron transport chain complex III inhibitor include hydramethylnon, acequinocyl, fluacrypyrim, flupiroxystrobin, and bifenazate.

[0091] Examples of the mitochondrial electron transport chain complex I inhibitors (METI) include fenazaquin, fenpyroximate, pyridaben, pyrimidifen, tebufenpyrad, tolfenpyrad, and derris (rotenone).

[0092] Examples of the voltage-dependent sodium channel blockers include indoxacarb and metaflumizone.

[0093] Examples of the acetyl-CoA carboxylase inhibitor include spirodiclofen, spiromesifen, spiropydione, spidoxamat, spirobudifen, and spirotetramat.

[0094] The mitochondrial electron transport chain complex IV inhibitors include aluminum phosphide, calcium phosphide, hydrogen phosphide, zinc phosphide, hydrocyanic acid (calcium cyanide, sodium cyanide), potassium cyanide, and the like.

[0095] Examples of the mitochondrial electron transport chain complex II inhibitor include cyenopyrafen, cetopyrafen, cyflumetofen, piflubumid, and cyclobutrifluram.

[0096] The ryanodine receptor modulators include chlorantraniliprole, cyantraniliprole, cyclaniliprole, flubendiamide, tetraniliprole, fluchlordiniliprole, thiolanthraniliprole, pioxaniliprole, tetrachlorantraniliprole, cyhalodiamide, and ciproflanilide.

[0097] Examples of such chordotonal organ modulators include flonicamide and the like.

[0098] Examples of the GABA-gated chloride ion channel allosteric modulators include broflanilide, fluxametamide, and isocycloceram.

[0099] Examples of such baculoviruses include the codling moth Cydia pomonella GV, the false codling moth Thaumatotibia leucotreta GV, the velvet bean caterpillar Anticarsis gemmatalis MNPV, and the cotton bollworm Helicoverpa armigera NPV.

[0100] Examples of other insecticides, acaricides and nematicides include azadirachtin, benzomate (benzoximate), phenisobromorate (bromopropylate), quinoxalines (quinomethionate), Kelthane (dicofol), lime sulfur, mancozeb, pyridalyl, sulfur, acinonapyr, amidoflumet, benzpyrimoxane, fluazaindolizine, fluensulfone, fluhexafon, flupentiofenox, flometoquin, metaldehyde, cyclopyrazoflurane, zinzpropylidaz, trifluenfuronate, indazapiroxamet, sulfiflumin, bisulfufen, isoflualanum, piperfuranilide, cybenzoxasulfyl, galquin, vadescana, These include tiapyrachlor, bentiofluorin, flumetnicam, sulfoxamyl, Burkholderia spp., Wolbachia pipientis (Zap), Atractylodes macrocarpa extract, glycerin or fatty acid monoesters with propanediol, neem oil, machine oil, rapeseed oil, formulated oil, starch, reduced starch saccharification product, sodium oleate, ferric phosphate, nemadectin, Beauveria bassiana strain, Metarhizium anisopria strain (F52), Paecilomyces fumosoroseus apopka strain (97), diatomaceous earth, DCIP (dichlorodiisopropyl ether), D-D (1,3-dichloropropene), levamisole hydrochloride, morantel tartrate, and tioxazafen.

[0101] Examples of the herbicide include acetolactate synthase (ALS) inhibitor compounds, amino acid compounds, cyclohexanedione compounds, acetamide compounds, bipyridylium compounds, allyloxyphenoxypropionic acid compounds, carbamate compounds, pyridine compounds, urea compounds, dinitroaniline compounds, protoporphyrinogen oxidase (PPO) inhibitor compounds, phenoxyacetic acid compounds, hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase (HPPD) inhibitor compounds, and triazine compounds.

[0102] Specifically, examples of the acetolactate synthesis (ALS) inhibitor compounds include imazamethabenz and imazamethabenz-methyl, imazamox, imazapic, imazapyr, imazaquin, imazethapyr, amidosulfuron, azimsulfuron, bensulfuron and bensulfuron-methyl, chlorimuron and chlorimuron-methyl, chlorimuron-ethyl, chlorsulfuron, cinosulfuron, cyclosulfamuron, ethametsulfuron and ethametsulfuron. Methyl, ethoxysulfuron, flazasulfuron, flucetosulfuron, flupyrsulfuron, flupyrsulfuron methyl and its salts, foramsulfuron, halosulfuron, halosulfuron methyl, imazosulfuron, iodosulfuron and its salts, iodosulfuron methyl and its salts, mesosulfuron, mesosulfuron methyl, metazosulfuron, metsulfuron, metsulfuron methyl, nicosulfuron, oxasulfuron, primisulfuron, primisulfuron These include rimisulfuron methyl, propyrisulfuron, prosulfuron, pyrazosulfuron, pyrazosulfuron ethyl, rimsulfuron, sulfometuron, sulfometuron methyl, sulfosulfuron, thifensulfuron, thifensulfuron methyl, triasulfuron, tribenuron, tribenuron methyl, trifloxysulfuron and its salts, triflusulfuron, triflusulfuron methyl, tritosulfuron, imizamethabenz methyl, bispyribac-sodium, cloransulam, cloransulam-methyl, diclosulam, florasulam, flucarbazone and its salts, flumetsulam, metosulam, orthosulfamuron, penoxsulam, pyroxsulam, propoxycarbazone and its salts, pyribenzoxim, pyriftalid, pyriminobac-methyl, pyrimisulfan, pyrithiobac and its salts, pyroxisulam, thiencarbazone, thiencarbazone-methyl, and triafamone.

[0103] Examples of the amino acid compound include bialaphos and its salts, glufosinate and its salts, glufosinate P and its salts, and glyphosate and its salts.

[0104] Examples of the cyclohexanedione compounds include alloxydim, butroxydim, clethodim, cloproxidim, cycloxydim, propoxydim, sethoxydim, tepraloxydim, tralkoxydim, and feproxidim.

[0105] Examples of the acetamide compounds include napropamide, dimethachlor, petoxamide, acetochlor, alachlor, allidochlor (CDAA), butenachlor, delaclor, diethatylethyl, propisochlor, pirinachlor, butachlor, dimethenamid, dimethenamid P, metazachlor, metolachlor, S-metolachlor, pretilachlor, propachlor, thenylchlor, flufenacet, and mefenacet.

[0106] Examples of the bipyridylium compounds include cyperquat, morphamquat, diquat, and paraquat.

[0107] Examples of the allyloxyphenoxypropionic acid compounds include clodinafop, clodinafop propargyl, clofop, cyhalofop butyl, diclofop, diclofop methyl, diclofop P methyl, fenoxaprop, fenoxaprop ethyl, fenoxaprop P ethyl, fluazifop, fluazifop butyl, fluazifop P butyl, haloxyfop, haloxyfop methyl, haloxyfop P methyl, isoxapiripop, metamifop, propaquizafop, quizalofop, quizalofop ethyl, quizalofop P ethyl, and quizalofop P tefuryl.

[0108] Examples of the carbamate compounds include asulam, carbetamide, desmedipham, chlorprocarb, phenisopham, cycloate, dimepiperate, pebulate, thiocarbazyl, vernalate, barban, chlorbufam, chlorpropham, propham, swep, phenmedipham, butyrate, EPTC, esprocarb, molinate, orbencarb, prosulfocarb, pyributicarb, thiobencarb (benthiocarb), and triallate.

[0109] Examples of the pyridine compounds include aminopyralid, clopyralid, diflufenican, dithiopyr, fluridone, fluroxypyr, haloxifene, florpyrauxifene, picloram and its salts, picolinafen, thiazopyr, and triclopyr and its salts.

[0110] Examples of the urea compounds include benzthiazolone, bromuron, buturon, chlorbromuron, chloroxuron, difenoxuron, dimefuron, ethidimuron, fenuron, fluothiuron, metobenzuron, metobromuron, metoxuron, monolinuron, monuron (CMU), nebron, parafluron, siduron, thiazafluron, chlorotoluron, dymron, diuron (DCMU), fluometuron, isoproturon, linuron, methabenzthiazuron, tebuthiuron, cumyluron, carbutilate, and isouron.

[0111] The dinitroaniline compounds include benfluralin (besrodin), butralin, dinitramine, ethalfluralin, fluchloralin, isopropaline, nitralin, profluralin, oryzalin, pendimethalin, prodiamine, and trifluralin.

[0112] Examples of the protoporphyrinogen oxidase (PPO) inhibitor compounds include acifluorfen, aclonifen, azafenidin, bifenox, clomethoxynil, ethoxyfene, ethoxyfen-ethyl, fomesafen, fluazolate, fluoroglycofen, fluoroglycofen-ethyl, halosafen, lactofen, oxyfluorfen, butafenacil, epirifenacil, chlornitrofen (CNP), fluorodifen, fluoronitrofen (CFNP), nitrofen (NIP), oxiflufen, chlorphthalim, flumipropyne, carfentrazone, carfentrazone-ethyl, cinidon-ethyl, flumiclorac pentyl, flumioxazin, fluthiacet, fluthiacet-methyl, oxadiargyl, oxadiazone, pentoxazone, pyraclonil, pyraflufen, pyraflufen-ethyl, saflufenacil, sulfentrazone, thidiazimine, benzfendizone, profluazole, and flufenpyr-ethyl.

[0113] Examples of the phenoxyacetic acid compounds include 2,4,5-T, 2,4-D and salts thereof, 2,4-DB and salts thereof, clomeprop, dichlorprop, fenoprop, MCPA and salts thereof, MCPB and salts thereof, mecoprop (MCPP) and salts thereof, and mecoprop P and salts thereof.

[0114] Examples of the hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase enzyme (HPPD) inhibitor compounds include benzobicyclon, benzofenap, bicyclopyrone, isoxaflutole, mesotrione, pyrasulfotole, pyrazolinate (pyrazolate), pyrazoxyfen, sulcotrione, tefuryltrione, tembotrione, topramezone, fenquinotrione, and tolpyralate.

[0115] Examples of the triazine compounds include atraton, adiprothrin, chlorazine, cyprazine, desmetrin, dipropetrin, eglinadin ethyl, ipazine, metoprothrin, procyazine, proglinadin, prometon, propazine, sebutylazine, secbumeton, terbumeton, trietazine, ametryn, atrazine, cyanazine, dimethametryn, hexazinone, indaziflam, metamitron, metribuzin, prometryn, simazine (CAT), simetryn, terbuthylazine, terbutryn, and triaziflam.

[0116] Examples of other herbicides include amicarbazone, ethiozin, isomethiozin, aminocyclopyrachlor, aminotriazole, anilofos, piperophos, beflubutamid, benazolin, benfuresate, bentazone, bromacil, isocyl, bromobutide, bromofenoxime, bromoxynil, butamifos, DMPA, TCTP (chlorthal dimethyl), cafenstrole, chloridazon (PAC), brompyrazone, chlorthal, clomazone, cumyluron, dicamba (MDBA) and its salts, chloramben, TCBA (2,3,8-TBA), benazolin ethyl, chlorfenac, chlorfenprop, dichlobenil (DBN), chlorthiamid (DCBN), cinmethylin, methiozolin, amitrole, flamproprop M, fosamine, methyldymron, monalid, MSMA, difenzoquat, diflufenzopyr, endothal and its salts, ethofumesate, etobenzanide, fenoxasulfone, fentrazamide, flupoxam, fluorochloridone, flurtamo phenanthrene, indanophan, tridiphane, ioxynil, ipfencarbazone, isoxaben, triazifuran, lenacil, methylarsonic acid, naptalam, flurochloridone, norflurazon, oxaziclomefone, pinoxaden, chloranocryl dicryl, pentanochlor (CMMP), propanil, propyzamide, pyridate, pyroxasulfone, promacyl, quinclorac, quinmerac, quinoclamine, terbacil, cyclopyrimorate, Florpyrauxifen-benzyl, Lancotrione and its salts, cyclopyranyl, bixlozone, tetflupirolimet, dimesulfazate, dinosam, dinoseb (DNBP), DNOC, dinoterb, ethinofen, medinoterb, DSMA, cacodylic acid, diphenamide, naproanilide, tebutam, bensulide, dalapon, TCA, mefluidide, pefluidone, CA MA, thiafenacil, trifludimoxadine, rimisoxafen, fenpyrazone, dioxopyritrione, sipirafluone, bipyrazone, benquitrione, fluchloraminopyr, pyriflubenzoxim, flufenoximacil, iptriazopyride, flusulfinam, broclozone, indlauxpyr, icaforin, pyraquinate, metoproxibicyclon, tetrapion (flupropanate) and its salts, and d-limonene.

[0117] [Content] The content of the active ingredient in the formulation can be determined as desired depending on the dosage form, the amount to be treated on plants, etc. For example, the formulation preferably contains the active ingredient in an amount of 0.01% by mass or more and 90% by mass or less, and more preferably 0.1% by mass or more and 50% by mass or less, based on the total mass of the formulation.

[0118] The above-mentioned preparation may be used as a treatment agent as it is, or may be used as a treatment agent prepared by mixing, etc., with the above-mentioned auxiliary agents or other active ingredients. When mixing, etc., the above-mentioned other active ingredients, the treatment agent may be prepared by mixing, etc., a preparation containing the other active ingredients with a preparation containing the above-mentioned active ingredient.

[0119] [Manufacturing Method] The growth period shortening agent or growth rate uniforming agent can be prepared by a conventional method using the active ingredient. A formulation having a predetermined dosage form may be prepared using a solid or liquid carrier. The active ingredient may be an extract from a microorganism that produces the active ingredient. Alternatively, an extract from a microorganism that produces the active ingredient may be used as the growth period shortening agent or growth rate uniforming agent. The active ingredient or an extract from a microorganism that produces the active ingredient may be added to an extract of another microorganism, plant, seaweed, or the like. Using an extract from a microorganism that produces the active ingredient or an extract of a microorganism, plant, or seaweed to which the active ingredient has been added can provide the effects of components contained in the extract other than the active ingredient or can enhance the absorption of the active ingredient by the plant, thereby achieving the effects of the active ingredient at a lower concentration.

[0120] The active ingredients may be stored and transported in a mixed state, or may be stored and transported in separate, unmixed states with the active ingredient contained in a first container and another active ingredient contained in a second container. Also, a first container containing the active ingredient and a second container containing another active ingredient may be packaged (kitted) into a product.

[0121] [Method for shortening the growth period of a plant] The above-mentioned growth period shortening agent or growth rate uniforming agent, or a formulation containing the same, can be used to shorten the growth period of a plant by treating the plant with the agent.

[0122] The treatment method is not particularly limited, and any method may be used, such as foliar spray, incorporation into irrigation water, soil treatment, injection into the subsoil using an injector, treatment of propagules (seeds, bulbs, tubers, etc.), and direct fertilization of plants. These treatment methods can be selected depending on the effect to be achieved. For example, the FT protein formed by expression of the FT gene (and homologous genes) is synthesized in leaves. Therefore, when it is desired to promote the induction of the FT gene (and homologous genes), foliar spray is preferred.

[0123] When mixed into irrigation water, the formulation or treating agent may be applied, for example, when irrigating plants or to the surface water of paddy fields. Alternatively, the roots may be immersed (e.g., by dipping) in the formulation or its diluted solution during seedling cultivation. For example, the concentration of the active ingredient contained in the water used for irrigating or immersing plants or in the surface water of paddy fields may be 0.01 mg / L to 100 g / L, preferably 0.1 mg / L to 10 g / L, and more preferably 1 mg / L to 1 g / L. When treating the surface water of paddy fields, the amount of the active ingredient to be applied may be 0.1 g to 1000 g, preferably 1 g to 100 g, per 10 are of paddy field.

[0124] When foliar spraying or soil treatment is performed, for example, granules or the like may be applied to the planting hole or its surroundings when transplanting seedlings, or the formulation or treatment agent may be applied to the plant body containing the seeds or the soil surrounding the plant body. After soil treatment, the soil and the formulation may be stirred. For example, the concentration of the active ingredient when applied to foliar spraying or soil surface treatment can be 0.01 mg / L or more and 100 g / L or less, preferably 0.1 mg / L or more and 10 g / L or less, and more preferably 1 mg / L or more and 1 g / L or less. Furthermore, the treatment amount of the active ingredient when applied to foliar spraying or soil surface treatment is 100 g / L per 1 m of agricultural or horticultural land. ２ The amount can be 0.1 mg or more and 1000 mg or less, and preferably 1 mg or more and 100 mg or less.

[0125] The propagules may be treated by mixing and stirring a dust or diluted wettable powder with the propagules, or by immersing the propagules in a diluted wettable powder. Alternatively, the propagules may be coated with a formulation containing a carrier. The amount of active ingredient used for the propagule treatment may be at least 0.005 g, preferably at least 0.05 g, per 100 kg of seeds.

[0126] When shortening the plant growth period or uniforming the plant growth rate, the propagules may be treated with the treatment agent, or the treatment agent may be applied immediately after germination, or the treatment agent may be applied during the vegetative growth stage.

[0127] The treated plants can be grown under normal conditions for growing such plants, and the plants grown in this manner may be transplanted after a certain period of growth into other soil or medium for further growth.

[0128] [Other Embodiments] It goes without saying that the above-described embodiments are exemplary embodiments of the present invention, and the present invention may include embodiments other than the above-described embodiments within the scope of its core technical concept.

[0129] The present invention will be described in detail based on examples, but the present invention is not limited to these examples.

[0130] [Experiment 1] A treatment agent was prepared so that the L-isomer of ergothioneine (EGT) had the following concentration: Commercially available EGT was used, and pure water was used as the solvent.

[0131] 90 mL of nursery soil (Takii Seeds) was placed in a 65 mm diameter pot, and tomato (Regina) seeds were sown and cultivated at one plant per pot. The cultivation conditions were set to a room temperature of 22°C in an artificial climate chamber with a 16-hour light period and an 8-hour dark period, with a light intensity of 5000 lx at the center under fluorescent light. Watering was performed by submersion.

[0132] Twenty-eight days after sowing, the tomato seedlings were transplanted into 135 mm diameter pots containing 900 g of nursery soil (Tane no Takii Co., Ltd.) and further grown in a greenhouse set at a room temperature of 25° C. The number of days from sowing to flowering (days to flowering) and the number of days from sowing to fruit setting (days to fruit setting) were recorded.

[0133] Tomato seedlings grown in an artificial climate chamber were treated with 50 mL of 0.1 mM or 0.5 mM treatment agent by bottom watering instead of water supply 22 and 25 days after sowing, and these treatments were designated treatment areas 1-1 and 1-2, respectively.

[0134] Tomato plants were transplanted 28 days after sowing, and 50 mL of 0.5 mM treatment agent was drenched into the soil around the base of the tomato plants 33, 35, and 37 days after sowing to form treatment plots 1-3.

[0135] In addition to the same treatment as in treatment 3, 50 mL of a treatment agent with an EGT concentration of 0.5 mM was irrigated into the soil around the tomato plants 39, 41, and 43 days after sowing to form treatment zones 1-4.

[0136] The number of days to flowering and fruit set for each group are shown in Table 1. Note that "Control group 1" in Table 1 is a control group that was not treated with a treatment agent, and "Treatment group 1-1" to "Treatment group 1-4" are treatment groups that were treated with a treatment agent. The values ​​for each evaluation item are the average number of test individuals and the standard deviation (SD).

[0137]

[0138] As shown in Table 1, plants treated with a treatment agent containing the active ingredient, a compound represented by formula (I), either in the water supply or in the soil, showed a shortened time to flowering and fruit set. Additionally, plants treated with a treatment agent containing the active ingredient, a compound represented by formula (I), showed a uniform time to flowering and fruit set.

[0139] [Experiment 2] L- and D-isomers of ergothioneone (EGT) were prepared, and treatment agents were prepared so that the concentrations of each were as follows: Commercially available EGT was used, and pure water was used as the solvent.

[0140] A mixture of 45 mL of nursery soil (Takii Seeds) and 45 mL of vermiculite was placed in plastic pots with a diameter of 60 mm and a height of 55 mm, and one Arabidopsis thaliana (Col-0) plant was sown per pot. Six pots were placed in a deep plastic dish with a diameter of 160 mm and a height of 28 mm. The temperature was set at 22°C in an artificial climate chamber with a 16-hour light period and an 8-hour dark period. Light conditions were set so that the light intensity was 5000 lx at the center under fluorescent light illumination. Watering was performed by bottom watering, with the water level set to approximately 5 mm.

[0141] On the 8th, 10th, 12th and 14th days after sowing, instead of water supply, 50 mL of 0.1 mM treatment agent was supplied as bottom water.

[0142] The number of days to flowering for each species is shown in Table 2.

[0143]

[0144] As shown in Table 2, the D-isomer was more effective in shortening the growth period than the L-isomer.

[0145] [Experiment 3] A treatment agent was prepared so that the L-isomer of ergothioneine (EGT) had the following concentration: Commercially available EGT was used, and pure water was used as the solvent.

[0146] A mixture of granular culture soil (Kumiai Horticultural Culture Soil) and vermiculite at a volume ratio of 3:1 was placed in plastic pots with a diameter of 60 mm and a height of 55 mm, and one Arabidopsis thaliana (Col-0) plant was sown per pot. Six pots were placed in a deep plastic dish with a diameter of 160 mm and a height of 28 mm. The temperature was kept at 22°C, with a 16-hour light period and an 8-hour dark period. Light conditions were set so that the light intensity was 5000 lx at the center under fluorescent light illumination. Watering was performed by bottom watering, with the water level set to approximately 5 mm.

[0147] Eight days after sowing, instead of water supply, 50 mL of 1 mM treatment agent was supplied as bottom water. The plot where the water was replaced with an ergothioneine solution was used as the untreated plot.

[0148] Arabidopsis plants were frozen in liquid nitrogen 20 days after sowing, and total RNA was extracted using NucleoSpin RNA Plant (Takara Bio Inc.), followed by transcriptome analysis using Arabidopsis Microarray Ver. 4.0 (Agilent). In Arabidopsis plants treated with EGT, the amount of FT gene transcripts increased 2.4-fold compared to untreated plants. These results suggest that EGT induces FT gene expression, thereby promoting flowering.

[0149] [Experiment 4] Treatment agents were prepared so that the L-isomer of ergothioneine (EGT) was present at a concentration of 4 mg / L or 30 mg / L. An extract derived from cultured microorganisms was used for EGT, and pure water was used as the solvent. Treatment agent 1 was applied by soil drench, while treatment agents 2 and 3 were applied as foliar sprays. Treatment agent 3 was prepared by adding polysorbate 20 to treatment agent 2 to achieve a concentration of 100 ppm.

[0150] 90 mL of nursery soil (Takii Seeds) was placed in a 60 mm diameter pot, and cherry tomato (Senka) seeds were sown and grown at one plant per pot. The plants were grown in a greenhouse at a room temperature of 25°C and watered from the bottom.

[0151] Fourteen days after sowing, the tomato seedlings were transplanted into 210 mm diameter pots containing 1,000 g of nursery soil (Takii Seeds) and further grown in a greenhouse set at a room temperature of 25° C. After the EGT treatment was completed, the number of days from sowing to bud emergence (days to bud emergence) was recorded for buds that had emerged.

[0152] Tomato seedlings grown in a greenhouse were soil drenched with 4 mg / L of Treatment Agent 1 at 25 mL / plant 18, 25, 33 and 40 days after sowing, and this was designated treatment area 4-1.

[0153] Tomato seedlings grown in a greenhouse were sprayed with 30 mg / L of Treatment Agent 2 at 1000 L / ha on the leaves 18, 25, 33 and 40 days after sowing, to form treatment area 4-2.

[0154] Tomato seedlings grown in a greenhouse were sprayed with 30 mg / L of Treatment Agent 3 at 1000 L / ha on the leaves 18, 25, 33 and 40 days after sowing, to form treatment area 4-3.

[0155] The number of days to bud emergence for each group is shown in Table 3. Note that "Control group 4" in Table 3 is a control group that was not treated with the treatment agent, and "Treatment group 4-1" to "Treatment group 4-3" are treatment groups that were treated with the treatment agent. The numerical values ​​for each evaluation item are the average number of test individuals and the standard deviation (SD).

[0156]

[0157] As shown in Table 3, the time to flower bud formation was shortened for plants treated with each treatment agent containing the active ingredient, which is the compound represented by formula (I), and the time to flower bud formation was uniform for plants treated with a treatment agent containing the active ingredient, which is the compound represented by formula (I).

[0158] This application claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-220982, filed December 27, 2023. The subject matter described in the specification and claims of that application as originally filed is incorporated herein by reference.

[0159] According to the present invention, the growing period of plants can be shortened, and the cost of plant cultivation can be reduced.

Claims

1. A plant growth shortening agent comprising an active ingredient which is a compound represented by formula (I) below, or a tautomer thereof, or an agronomically acceptable salt thereof: [Formula 1] , where in formula (I) each of R 1 and R 2 independently represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and each of R 3 , R 4 and R 5 independently represents an alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms.

2. A means for shortening the growth period of a plant according to claim 1, wherein the compound represented by formula (I) is ergothioneine.

3. The agent for shortening the growth period of a plant according to claim 2, wherein the ergothioneine comprises D-ergothioneine.

4. A means for shortening the growth period of a plant according to any one of paragraphs 1-3, wherein the plant is a transplanted seedling.

5. A means for shortening the growth period of a plant according to claim 1, which is an early flowering means.

6. A means for shortening the growth period of a plant according to paragraph 1, which is a means for early fruit setting.

7. A means for shortening the growth period of a plant according to claim 1, which induces the expression of a flowering induction gene in the treated plant.

8. An inducer of expression of a flowering induction gene, containing an active component which is a compound represented by formula (I) below, or its tautomer, or an agronomically acceptable salt thereof: [Formula 2] .

9. A composition for shortening the growth period of a plant, containing an active component which is a compound represented by formula (I) below, or its tautomer, or an agronomically acceptable salt thereof: [Formula 3] , where in formula (I) each of R 1and R 2 independently represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and each of R 3 , R 4 and R 5 independently represents an alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms.

10. A method for reducing the growth period of a plant, comprising treating the plant with a treatment agent containing the composition described in paragraph 9.

11. The method for reducing the growth period of a plant according to claim 10, wherein the treatment with the treatment agent causes early flowering of the plant.

12. The method for reducing the growth period of a plant according to claim 10, wherein the treatment with the treatment agent causes the plant to set fruits early.

13. A method for shortening the growth period of a plant according to any one of paragraphs 10-12, wherein the plant is a transplanted seedling.

14. A plant organism that is treated with a treatment agent containing the composition described in paragraph 9 and that has a reduced growth period.

15. The plant organism according to paragraph 14, which is a propagule or transplanted seedling.

16. The plant organism according to claim 14, which is a tomato.

17. A plant growth regulator comprising an active ingredient which is a compound represented by formula (I) below, or a tautomer thereof, or an agronomically acceptable salt thereof: [Formula 4] , where in formula (I) each of R 1 and R 2 independently represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and each of R 3 , R 4 and R 5 independently represents an alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms.

18. A means for leveling the growth rate of a plant according to claim 17, wherein the plant is a transplanted seedling.

19. A method for leveling the growth rate of a plant, comprising treating the plant with a treatment agent containing a composition containing an active component which is a compound represented by formula (I) below, or a tautomer thereof, or an agronomically acceptable salt thereof: [Formula 5] , where in formula (I) each of R 1 and R 2 independently represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and each of R 3 , R 4 and R 5 independently represents an alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms.

20. A method for leveling the growth rate of a plant according to claim 19, wherein the plant is a transplanted seedling.

21. A method for producing transplantable seedlings, comprising treating the plant with a treatment agent containing a composition containing an active component, which is a compound represented by formula (I) below, or its tautomer, or an agronomically acceptable salt thereof: [Formula 6] , where in formula (I) each of R 1 and R 2 independently represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and each of R 3 , R 4 and R 5 independently represents an alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms.