Growth hormone containing formulation and method of use

Abstract

A growth hormone formulation includes an enzyme inactivating component as creatine and a preservative. The formulation can also include a fertilizing additive, and a surfactant. The growth hormone can be a natural one such as that found in kelp or a synthetic one or a combination of both.

Description

[0001] GROWTH HORMONE CONTAINING FORMULATION AND METHOD OF USE

[0002] FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The present invention relates to a liquid kelp formulation and a method of making, and in particular, to a formulation that includes an enzyme inactivating component.

[0004] BACKGROUND ART

[0005] Kelp, commonly referred to as seaweed, grows along coastlines around the world and is botanically classified as algae. The use of liquid kelp as a growth stimulant is well known in the agricultural industry. This sea plant is rich in micronutrients and natural growth hormones, including cytokinins, auxins and gibberellins, which stimulate cell division and larger root systems. Kelp extracts can be applied as a foliar spray on plants and the like, or on soil for later contact and absorption by root structures. An extract applied to land plants is known to accelerate growth, increase fruiting and flowering, intensify color, and provide resistance to disease, insects, drought, and frost. Many commercial liquid formulations of kelp are available for use in the agricultural industry and can be found in various retail and wholesale outlets, as well as through the internet. These kelp formulations are basically an extract of kelp diluted with water, and may contain other components as the manufacturer of the formula may see fit. Examples of formulations include those sold at the Gardens Alive website www.gardensalive.com, Sea Crop Liquid Kelp Extract (to be diluted in water), and the like.

[0006] It is also known to use kelp in tablet or capsule form to treat different health problems. One problem with present day liquid kelp materials is the short shelf life of the formulation. When the kelp is combined with water and other components, bacteria or other impurities present in the water or other additives break down the growth hormones found in the kelp, thus rendering them ineffective over time.

[0007] It is also known to improve liquid kelp formulations or formulations using synthetic growth hormones by the use of an effective amount of an enzyme inactivating component selected from the group consisting of sarcosine, manganese chloride, sodium dodecyl sulfate, sodium lauryl sarcosinatc. grape seed oil, pine bark extract, grape leaf, black currant, passion flower, and Morelia vulgaris to reduce the degradation of growth hormones in the liquid kelp formulation or the formulations using synthetic growth hormones. These known formulations also include a preservative, the preservative amount effective to retard growth of bacteria, fungi, and / or mold in the liquid kelp formulation. The enzyme inactivating component preferably ranges from zero and up to 5.00% by weight of the formulation, more preferably between 0.25% and 3.0%, and most preferably between 0.5 to 1.5%. A preferred enzyme inactivating component for the known formulation is sarcosine. These formulations and methods of use are found in United States Patent No. 8,133,920 to Johnson et al., such patent incorporated by herein by reference.

[0008] However, there still exists a need to provide an enzyme inactivating component in these kinds of formulations that can inactivate a greater number of enzymes and further improve the stability of the growth-hormone containing formulation.

[0009] The present invention solves this need by employing an improved enzyme inactivating component and its method of use.

[0010] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011] One object of the present invention is an improved liquid kelp or synthetic growth hormone-containing formulation.

[0012] Another object of the invention is a method of making the liquid or synthetic growth hormone-containing formulation.

[0013] Yet another object is a system of providing kelp or a synthetic growth hormone for agricultural purposes, but without subjecting the kelp / growth hormone to prolonged exposure to water and / or other additives.

[0014] Other objects and advantages will become apparent as a description thereof proceeds.

[0015] In satisfaction of the foregoing objects and advantages, the invention is an improvement in liquid kelp or synthetic growth hormone-containing formulations by the presence of an effective amount of an enzyme inactivating component as creatine to reduce the degradation of growth hormones in the liquid kelp formulation. A preservative is also included, the preservative amount effective to retard growth of bacteria, fungi, and / or mold in the liquid kelp formulation. The enzyme inactivating component preferably ranges from zero and up to 5.00% by weight of the formulation, more preferably between 0.25% and 3.0%, and most preferably between 0.5 to 1.5%.

[0016] The preservative is preferably a food grade preservative and / or the preservative is in a range of from 0.10 to 1% by weight, more preferably between 0.15% and 0.50%, and most preferably around 0.2-0.3%. The preservative is preferably one of citric acid, methyl paraben, propyl paraben, and diazolidinyl urea. If citric acid is employed, a preferred range would be 3- 10% by weight, with more preferred ranges being 4-8% and 5-7%.

[0017] The formulation can also include an effective amount of a surfactant for wetting purposes, preferably a nonionic surfactant such as an alcohol ethoxylate. The alcohol ethoxylate preferably has 9 or more moles of ethoxylation.

[0018] The formulation can also include a source of nitrogen, phosphorous, or potassium, and if nitrogen is used, it is preferred to use a compound containing ammonia or urea.

[0019] The formulation can also be formulated as a certified organic formulation using organic inputs and procedures to make the formulation consistent with US government regulations so that the formulation can be deemed certified organic. In this embodiment, the growth hormone, creatine, and preservative making up the formulation would be organic inputs.

[0020] The invention entails the method of using the formulation wherein the liquid kelp or synthetic growth hormone-containing formulation is applied to plant, for example, by direct application to the plants themselves, including to the foliage and / or roots of the plants, and to the soil in the vicinity of the plants.

[0021] Another aspect of the invention entails improvements in the method of applying a liquid kelp or synthetic growth hormone-containing formulation to plants. In this aspect, the kelp or synthetic growth hormone-containing formulation may be provided into a solid form, made into a solution, and immediately applied to plants or soil. This method can be modified by including the enzyme inactivating component and / or preservative discussed above. The enzyme inactivating component and / or preservative can be present as part of either the solid kelp or the water prior to the adding step. In another alternative, the enzyme inactivating component and / or preservative could be maintained as separate components and added either individually or together to either the water or a water-kelp / synthetic growth hormone-containing formulation solution.

[0022] It should be understood that the use of synthetic growth hormones is in place of or with the natural hormones found in kelp. In this embodiment, the kelp can be replaced with or combined with synthetic growth hormones for treating plants, seeds, and the like. The synthetic growth hormone-containing formulation can be applied to seeds, plants, etc., in a similar manner as disclosed for the formulation containing kelp. While creatine can be the sole enzyme inactivating component, in yet a further embodiment, the enzyme inactivating component as creatine can be combined with an effective amount of the known enzyme inactivating component as detailed in the Johnson patent noted above. A ratio of creatine to the other enzyme inactivating component (creatine: enzyme inactivating component) can range from 99:1 to 1:99.

[0023] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] Figure 1 is a bar graph showing yield percentages in bushels / acre for Iowa corn.

[0025] Figure 2a is a bar graph showing a tissue analysis for nitrogen in Illinois com.

[0026] Figure 2b is a bar graph showing a tissue analysis for phosphorous in Illinois com.

[0027] Figure 2c is a bar graph showing a tissue analysis for potassium in Illinois com.

[0028] Figure 2d is a bar graph showing yield percentages in bushels / acre for Nebraska com.

[0029] Figure 3a is a bar graph showing a tissue analysis for nitrogen in Nebraska com.

[0030] Figure 3b is a bar graph showing a tissue analysis for phosphorous in Nebraska corn.

[0031] Figure 3c is a bar graph showing a tissue analysis for potassium in Nebraska com.

[0032] Figure 3d is a bar graph showing yield percentages in bushels / acre for Nebraska com.

[0033] Figure 4 is a bar graph showing yield percentages in bushels / acre for Iowa soybeans.

[0034] Figure 5a is a bar graph showing a tissue analysis for nitrogen in Iowa soybeans.

[0035] Figure 5b is a bar graph showing a tissue analysis for phosphorous in Iowa soybeans.

[0036] Figure 5c is a bar graph showing a tissue analysis for potassium in Iowa soybeans.

[0037] Figure 5d is a bar graph showing yield percentages in bushels / acre for Iowa soybeans.

[0038] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0039] The present invention is an improvement over the kelp or other growth hormone- containing formulations found in the prior ail. By practicing the invention, the breakdown of the growth hormones found in kelp is slowed or eliminated as a result of additives combined with the kelp or the manner in which the kelp is combined with water and additives. Thus, the kelp is better preserved and this results in improvements in the plants and crops treated with the kelp. The prior art or other growth hormone (synthetic or natural) formulations are well known in the ail. As described above and in more detail below, the inventive formulation includes an effective amount of creatine to slow down or eliminate the breakdown of growth hormones found in kelp and like formulations. The amount of kelp or other grown hormone that is contained in the inventive formula is typical of what is found in prior art formulations having kelp or similar growth hormones as a pail thereof. Thus, the amount of used kelp in the inventive formula is like that found in the prior art kelp-containing formulations. An exemplary range of kelp in the inventive formulation is between zero and up to 10% by weight with a preferred range of 2-8%, and a more preferred range being 4-6%.

[0040] The inventive kelp formulation can be described as a sustainable kelp-based biostimulant with an amino acid profile, that stimulates and enhances a plant’s natural cell processes, increasing plant quality and providing for greater yields. The formulation has a unique set of attributes that deliver plant and soil health providing an increased abiotic stress tolerance by working simultaneously in the plant and in the soil to increase overall natural processes unlocking the genetic potential of the crop. Other features of the formulation include the promotion of healthier plants, the promotion of healthier soil, increasing plant biomass, being sustainable and regenerative, increasing nitrogen uptake, increasing abiotic stress tolerance, enhancing nutrient absorption, increasing organic matter, having the ability to be used on any crop, being flexible in terms of application timing, being compatible with other crop treatments, and being able to be applied without the need for any specialized equipment. The liquid kelp formulation or system of the invention can be applied to plants or any vegetation that would require a boost in growth or benefit from other effects attributable to kelp. The term “plants” is intended to encompass any and all vegetation in this regard that would benefit from application of kelp. Examples includes vegetables, legumes, flowers, shrubs, trees, grasses, fruits, vines, etc., and their roots in the event that the formulation is used as a root dip or applied to soil to improve root structure. The inventive formulation could also be employed to treat seeds, e.g., coating or treating the seeds with the formulation by spraying, immersing, or the like.

[0041] In one embodiment of the invention, an additive-containing kelp formulation is made that has extended shelf life, and can then be used at a later time to stimulate growth in plants and the like.

[0042] In another embodiment, a system is provided that produces an aqueous liquid formulation, with or without various additives. As part of this system, the kelp is maintained separately from the liquid formulation until the formulation as made is to be applied in a given manner. The kelp, in virtually any solid form, can be added to the aqueous liquid formulation. The formulation can contain additives when combined with the kelp, can be additive free, or can have the additives added after kelp addition. For example, the solid form of the kelp could be a capsule, a pellet, granule, tablet, meal, or other solid form. The additives can be those employed with the liquid formulation of the invention, or other known additives that are commonly found in kelp formulations.

[0043] Turning to the liquid kelp formulation aspect of the invention, one additive is an enzyme inactivating component as creatine. Creatine is an organic compound with the nominal formula (H2N)(HN)CN(CH3)CH2CO2H and can be represented by the formula below.

[0044] An effective amount of the creatine is employed in the liquid kelp formulation such that the growth hormones therein do not break down as fast over time as they would without the inactivating additive. A more preferred amount is up to 5.0% by weight of the total formulation, with more preferred ranges between 0.25 and 3.0%, and most preferably between 0.5 to 1.5%.

[0045] It is believed that creatine is a more effective enzyme inactivating agent as compared to sarcosine as it is able to inactivate a greater number of enzymes that are found in growth hormone-containing formulation like those containing liquid kelp and synthetic growth hormones. More particularly, creatine includes a hydroxide ion in its structure. This ion prefers to bond with positively-charged ions and enzymes of the type found in kelp and synthetically made are known to have a positive charge. Since sarcosine doesn’t have a hydroxide ion in its structure, it is believed that sarcosine would be less effective than creatine as an enzyme inactivating component to our formula. With the ability to inactivate a greater number of different types of enzymes, the stability provided by the creatine is improved and the formulations containing the effective amount of creatine last longer in terms of their effectiveness. Also, with creatine’s ability to inactivate a greater number of different types of enzymes, the enzymes in the kelp remain active and the creatine-containing formulation provides improved performance as described above regarding the plants, the soil, plant biomass, abiotic stress tolerance, nitrogen uptake, nutrient absorption, organic matter increase, and sustainability and regenerative ability.

[0046] Another additive for the liquid kelp formulation is a preservative in an amount effective to preserve the formulation and resist bacterial, fungi, and / or mold growth. Preferred ranges include from 0.10 to 1% by weight, more preferred ranges include 0.15% to 0.5% with a target of around 0.2-0.3%. Virtually any known preservative can be employed in the formulation, with examples including those using propyl paraben, methyl paraben, and diazolidinyl urea, e.g., Germaben II. Another specific preservative that can be used is Dantoguard® manufactured by Lonza, see www.Lonza.com. Dantoguard® Plus is another preservative adaptable for use in the invention, this particular preservative more adapted for battling fungi and bacteria.

[0047] The formulation can also be formulated as an organic one that could be considered certified according to US government regulations providing that the organic certification requirements of these regulations are satisfied. The growth hormone can be an organic kelp formulation, which are readily available. The creatine matches that found in the human body so that it would be considered organic. For the preservative, a preservative that is characterized as organic can be used. One example is citric acid obtained by fermentation of non-GMO com, which is considered an organic citric acid. It is believed that greater effective amounts of citric acid are needed as a preservative as compared to the preservatives noted above. A range for the citric acid is believed to be about 3-10%, with a more preferred range of 4-8%, and even more preferred range of 5-7%. Citric acid that is not deemed organic can also be used as a preservative in a non-organic formulation. As is well known in the art, producing an organic formulation such as the inventive one requires that the inputs for the formulation are organic, which is met by the inputs for the inventive formulation, i.e., the organic kelp, creatine, and the non-GMO citric acid. The final organic designation is then obtained by meeting the organic certification standards of the US Department of Agriculture, wherein the formulation maker needs to adopt the necessary organic practices along with obtaining a certifying agent and go through the necessary steps to ultimately obtain an organic certificate. Since these are well known procedures, a further description of them is not required for understanding the certified organic nature of the inventive formulation.

[0048] Since the kelp could be sprayed on food bearing plants, it is important to ensure that the additives are food safe. In this regard, if the liquid kelp is intended to be sprayed on plants or other vegetation or come into contact with any vegetation that may be eaten or bear fruit, the preservative should be a food grade preservative such as the methyl or propyl parabens mentioned above.

[0049] If so desired, the kelp formulation could be enhanced with additional fertilizing additives or agents that provide nitrogen, phosphorous, or potassium, or other micronutrients such as those containing trace elements like boron, selenium, zinc, and the like. One example would be an amount of ammonia to provide additional nitrogen. The amount should be sufficient to have an effect on the treated plants, with a preferred amount being up to about 10.0% by weight of the formulation, and more preferably 5-10% by weight. One example would be a formulation of 3- 3-3 of nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium.

[0050] One example of a preferred formulation is as follows:

[0051] Component Percentage by 55 gallons (in lbs. 5 gallons weight except for water) (in\ lbs.)

[0052] Powdered kelp 5.0 23 2.3

[0053] Nipasol-m-sodium10.3 1.4 0.1

[0054] Ammonia20.5% 2.3 0.2

[0055] Creatine 1.0 4.6 0.4

[0056] Water 93.2 51 gallons 37.2

[0057] 'Nipasol-m-sodium is a propyl paraben preservative.

[0058] 2Ammonia is added as an additional fertilizer boost.

[0059] Another preservative that could be used as pail of the formulation is Nipacide Bit-20 made by Clariant Corporation of Charlotte, N.C. While ammonia is exemplified here, other fertilizers such as urea could be used.

[0060] In formulating the liquid kelp, it is preferred to dissolve the preservative into the water first while taking the necessary precautions to avoid inhaling any of the preservative, and then add the remaining components, although the components could be added in any order if so desired.

[0061] The liquid kelp formulation can be made in a concentrated form which would be diluted by the end user, or in a ready to use concentration as exemplified by the table above, with either of these modes of delivery well known in the art. When making a concentrate, the weight percentages of the various additives would be adjusted so that when the concentrate is diluted, the percentages still fall within the ranges given above for the broad and more preferred embodiments of the invention.

[0062] The manner of application of the liquid kelp formulation can be any type known in the art. For example, the formulation can be used as a foliar spray, or for dipping plant roots, or applied directly to soil so that the formulation can interact with roots of the plants in the soil, or for treating seeds such as by coating, immersion, or the like.

[0063] It should also be understood that the formulation can include one or more surfactants for wetting if so desired. When using a surfactant, virtually any surfactant that imparts wetting to the formulation can be used. A preferred class of surfactants includes nonionic types such as alcohol ethoxylates, with preferred moles of ethoxylation being about 9 or more.

[0064] The kelp can be obtained from any commercial source of kelp for use in the invention, either in making the liquid kelp formulation or a solid form for later dissolution and use.

[0065] As mentioned above, another aspect of the invention is a system entailing making of a liquid kelp formulation by providing a solid form of kelp and dissolving it in water. The water can contain other additives as desired. Alternatively, the kelp in solid form could contain the additives, as desired. The additives can be those known in the ail such as fertilizing additives, or the additives noted above.

[0066] In an alternate mode of this aspect of the invention, the additives could be separate from the water and solid kelp and added to the water, either before or after dissolving the kelp.

[0067] This system of the invention is advantageous in that the kelp is kept separate from the water and its impurities until it is desired to apply the kelp to a given plant or area. Thus, a potent kelp liquid is provided that does not suffer from potency loss like liquid kelps that have been stored over time do. The form of the solid kelp can be any type, e.g., tablet, pill, capsule, powder, granule, pellet, cake, or the like. The form of the additives can also be any type, liquid or solid. As noted above, the additives can be any type typically found in known kelp formulations or they can include those mentioned above in terms of the enzyme inactivating component, preservative, and / or surfactant and fertilizer. It is anticipated that the enzyme inactivating component may be optional in this mode of the invention since the kelp would be used immediately after forming the liquid, and the breakdown of growth hormones would not be the significant problem that it is with prior art kelp liquids. The preservative may also be optional, but could be added to the solid kelp to preserve its shelf life.

[0068] Another embodiment of the invention entails the use of the enzyme inactivating component in combination with a formulation containing a synthetic growth hormone instead of the above-mentioned liquid or solid kelp formulation that contain natural growth hormones such as cytokinins, auxins, and gibberellins. One example of these synthetic growth hormones is Technical Kinetin, which is sold as 98.5 wt. % cytokinin and 1.5 wt. % other ingredients, and is available from Stoller USA of Houston Tex. Other materials from Stoller USA that are synthetic growth hormones include Technical Gibberellic Acid (GA3), which contains 92 wt. % of gibberellic acid and 8 wt. % other ingredients material, and Indole-3-butyric acid, which contains 99 wt. % indole- 3 -butyric acid (auxin) and 1 wt. % other ingredients. Other synthetic growth hormones include abscisic acid (ABA), jasmonic acid, ethylene, 1 -naphthylacetic acid (NM) brassinosteriods, salicylic acid (SA), oligogalacturonides (pectin-derived polymers), xyloglucan (hemicellulose-derived polymers), and benzyladenine (BA). It should be understood that the Stoller USA products and those recited above are only examples of the types of synthetic growth hormones that can be employed and others that are commercially available are also within the scope of the invention.

[0069] The synthetic growth hormone can be used with the enzyme inactivating component and preservative in any number of ways. The synthetic growth hormone is normally provided in liquid form can be combined with the enzyme inactivating component and preservative and sprayed or otherwise applied to the intended material for treatment. If the synthetic growth hormone is in solid form such as a powder, it can be combined with the enzyme inactivating component and preservative formulation and then made into a solution or added to a solution containing the enzyme inactivating component and preservative. In addition, the synthetic growth hormones can also be employed in the same manner as described above for the kelp in both solid and liquid forms. Using synthetic growth hormones in substitution of kelp offers the advantages that the possible contaminants in kelp arc avoided, and supply problems which may occur since kelp must be harvested can be eliminated. Since kelp has filtering properties when it is in water, it can take up unwanted materials such as heavy metals due to ocean pollution. While there are ample sources of kelp and the contamination of kelp is not believed to be a severe problem, using synthetic hormones eliminates any risk of the presence of unwanted materials in the kelp. Also, since the supply of kelp could be disrupted to do economic or natural events, its availability can fluctuate. The manufacture of synthetic growth hormones is not subject to such influences, and it can always be readily available, if needed.

[0070] As yet another embodiment, the synthetic growth hormones could be combined with the kelp when using the enzyme inactivating component and preservative if so desired. The weight ratio of the two could vary from just a minor amount of synthetic growth hormone, e.g., less than 1 percent, to a predominance of the synthetic growth hormone, e.g., greater than 99%.

[0071] In yet another embodiment of the invention, the creatine as an enzyme inactivating agent could be combined with sarcosine for improved stabilizing of the growth hormone-containing formulation. In this embodiment, the same guidelines provided above for the amount of the creatine as an enzyme inactivating agent would apply when both sarcosine and creatine are used in the growth hormone-containing formulation. The ratio of creatine to sarcosine can range from 99:1 creatine to sarcosine to 1:99 creatine to sarcosine.

[0072] Since creatine and sarcosine both have enzyme inactivating characteristics and the two compounds are not the same, it is believed that combining the two would be even more effective in stabilizing the formulation. That is, creatine may effectively inactivate one enzyme present in the growth hormone formulation, whereas sarcosine may inactivate another enzyme present in the growth hormone formulation that would not necessarily be inactivated by the creatine, thus producing a more effective overall enzyme inactivation for formulation stability.

[0073] The creatine-containing kelp formulation could also be combined with known biologicals to gain the benefit of such biologicals along with those already provided by the creatine- containing kelp formulation. Biologicals for agricultural purposes are well known and examples of suppliers of biologicals for agriculture include BASF, Corteva Agriscience, and Bayer. The biologicals of these companies as well as other biologicals available can be combined in an effective amount to achieve the known aims of the biological with the creatine-containing kelp formulation.

[0074] Trials were conducted to determine changes in tissue analysis and yield between crops treated with the inventive kelp formulation and those without. The crops that were tested included corn and soybeans, each being from different geographic areas. For the trials relating to com, corn from Iowa, Nebraska, and Illinois were used. For trials relating to soybeans, soybeans from Illinois and Iowa were used. In all of the bar graphs of Figures l-5d, the top bar represents a value for the treated corn or soybean with the bottom bar representing a value for the untreated com or soybean.

[0075] The formulation for the trials is as follows.

[0076] The procedure for making the trial formulation is as follows.

[0077] Step 1: Fill drum with total deionized water less 8 lbs.

[0078] Step 2: Heat up the remaining 8 lbs. of deionized water and, when hot enough, dissolve both of the preservatives, e.g., the potassium sorbate and sodium benzoate.

[0079] Step 3: Add creatine to the hot water to dissolve.

[0080] Step 4: Mix in the slurry of step 3 to the drum of water at a medium speed while stirring.

[0081] Step 5: Mix in the kelp powder in the drum with the slurry of step 4 at a medium speed while stirring until fully dissolved into the liquid. Mix for about 3 mins after all ingredients are mixed.

[0082] For the corn trials, a certain acreage in a field of com was identified. A portion of this acreage was treated with the inventive kelp formulation and a portion was left untreated. For Iowa corn, 120 acres were treated and 23 acres in the field were untreated, with the 23 acres situated midway between the treated acreage. A single application of the kelp formulation at a rate of 8.5 ounces per acre was made at the V3 growing stage of the com. The trial acreage experienced very dry conditions up to the V3 stage and normal conditions during the V3-V5 growing stages. Figure 1 shows a bar graph comparing the yields between the untreated and treated acreage, with the untreated producing 209 bushels of com per acre and the treated acreage producing 256 bushels per acre, roughly a 25% increase in yield.

[0083] Similar trials were conducted for both Illinois com and Nebraska corn.

[0084] Figures 2(a)-2(d) show the results of the trial for Illinois corn in terms of tissue analysis for nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium, and yield in terms of bushels per acre, respectively. Figures 2a- 2c show increases in nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium for the treated corn and an increase of 10 bushels per acre of corn for the treated corn, 256 bushels / acre treated as compared to 246 bushels / acre untreated.

[0085] Figures 3(a)-3(d) show the results in terms of nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium tissue analysis and yield for Nebraska com, respectively. These results are similar to the results associated with the Illinois corn, including an increase of almost 12 bushels per acre of corn for the treated com, 222.79 bushels / acre treated as compared to 211.31 bushels / acre untreated.

[0086] As noted above, trials were also conducted for soybeans with Figure 4 showing yield (bushels / acre) for Iowa soybeans. In this trial, 207 acres were used with 180 acres treated and 27 acres untreated. The weather conditions for the trial were unreasonably high heat and early stage drought conditions. The application rate of the kelp formulation was 8.5 ounces per acre at the V3-V5 trifoliate stage. Another application at 8.5 ounces per acre was made on the soybeans prior to bloom. Figure 4 shows that the treated soybean yield increased by 16 bushels per acre of soybean for the treated soybean, 76.8 bushels / acre treated as compared to 60.8 bushels / acre untreated, roughly a 25 percent increase in yield, which is a remarkable increase.

[0087] Another soybean trial similar to that done on Iowa soybeans was conducted on Illinois soybeans. Figures 5(a)-(d) show tissue analysis for nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium and yield (bushels / acre), respectively for the Illinois soybeans. Figures 5(a) and 5(b) show increases in nitrogen and phosphorous for the treated soybeans. An increase in yield is also shown in Figure 5(d), wherein an increase of 4 bushels per acre of soybean for the treated soybean, 76 bushels / acre treated as compared to 72 bushels / acre untreated. Figure 5(c) shows that the potassium content was less for the treated corn and this anomaly is a result of the field being used in the trial being treated with an excess amount of potassium early in the season and, as a result, the plant took up potassium early in the plant life and not when the tissue sample was taken. Thus, it is expected that under normal conditions, an increase in potassium would also be seen in the treated soybeans.

[0088] What these trials described above demonstrate is that a significant improvement in uptake of nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium is realized when the crops of com and soybeans are treated with the inventive creatine-containing kelp formulation. In addition, significant improvements in yield are obtained, in some examples up to a 25% increase.

[0089] As such an invention has been disclosed in terms of preferred embodiments thereof, which fulfills each and every one of the objects of the invention as set forth above, and provides a growth hormone-containing formulation and method of use.

[0090] Of course, various changes, modifications and alterations from the teachings of the present invention may be contemplated by those skilled in the art without departing from the intended spirit and scope thereof. It is intended that the present invention only be limited by the terms of the appended claims.

Claims

I CLAIM:

1. In a growth hormonc-containing formulation, wherein the growth hormone is the main active ingredient of the growth hormone-containing formulation and is a growth stimulant for plants, the improvement comprising an effective amount of creatine as an enzyme inactivating component to reduce the degradation of growth hormones in the growth hormone-containing formulation, and a preservative in an amount effective to retard growth of bacteria, fungi, and / or mold in the growth hormone-containing formulation.

2. The formulation of claim 1, wherein the enzyme inactivating component ranges up to 5.0% by weight of the formulation.

3. The formulation of claim 2, wherein the enzyme inactivating component ranges between 0.25 and 3.0% by weight of the formulation.

4. The formulation of claim 1, wherein the preservative is a food grade preservative.

5. The formulation of claim 4, wherein the preservative is in the range of from 0.10 to 1.0% by weight of the formulation.

6. The formulation of claim 5, wherein the preservative is in the range of from 0.15 to 0.5% by weight of the formulation.

7. The formulation of claim 1, wherein the preservative is one of citric acid, methyl paraben, propyl paraben and diazolidinyl urea.

8. The formulation of claim 1, further comprising an effective amount of a surfactant for wetting purposes.

9. The formulation of claim 8, wherein the surfactant is an alcohol ethoxylate.

10. The formulation of claim 9, wherein the alcohol ethoxylate has 9 or more moles of ethoxylation.

11. The formulation of claim 1, further comprising a plant fertilizing agent comprising nitrogen, phosphorous, or potassium.

12. The formulation of claim 11, comprising ammonia as the nitrogen source.

13. The formulation of claim 1. wherein the enzyme inactivating component further comprises an effective amount of sarcosine for the purpose of enzyme inactivation, a ratio of creatine to sarcosine ranging from 99:1 to 1 :99.

14. A method for plant growth stimulation comprising applying a growth hormone-containing formulation to plants or seeds, wherein the growth hormone-containing formulation comprises an amount of growth hormone that is a growth stimulant for plants, an effective amount of creatine as an enzyme inactivating component or an effective amount of creatine and sarcosine as an enzyme inactivating component to reduce the degradation of growth hormones in the growth hormone-containing formulation, and a preservative in an amount effective to retard growth of bacteria, fungi, or mold in the growth hormone-containing formulation.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the formulation is applied directly to the plants or seeds, or applied to the plants or seeds indirectly via application to soil.

16. The formulation of claim 1, wherein the growth hormone-containing formulation contains a synthetic growth hormone.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein the growth hormone-containing formulation contains a synthetic growth hormone.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the growth hormone-containing formulation further contains a natural kelp.

19. The formulation of claim 3. wherein the enzyme inactivating component ranges between 0.5 and 1.5% by weight of the formulation.

20. The formulation of claim 6, wherein the preservative is in the range of from around 0.2 to 0.3% by weight of the formulation.

21. The formulation of claim 8, wherein the surfactant is a non-ionic surfactant.

22. The method of claim 14, wherein the growth hormone is the main active ingredient of the growth hormone-containing formulation.

23. The formulation of claim 1, wherein the growth hormone, creatine, and preservative are organic inputs for the formulation.

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