Plant growth promoter, method for producing same, concentrated liquid preparation, plant growth promotion kit, and plant growth promotion method

Abstract

Provided is a plant growth promoter containing humic acid and one or more amino acids as active ingredients, wherein the humic acid has a melanic index of 2 or more, and the one or more amino acids are derived from enzymatic decomposition products or hydrolysates of animal-derived and plant-derived raw materials.

Description

Plant growth promoter, its manufacturing method, concentrated liquid, plant growth promotion kit, and plant growth promotion method

[0001] The present invention relates to a plant growth promoter, a method for producing the same, a concentrated liquid preparation, a kit for promoting plant growth, and a method for promoting plant growth.

[0002] Humic substances are a general term for organic matter (non-living organic matter) with an unspecified chemical structure that is produced when the remains of living organisms are broken down by the action of microorganisms, etc., and can generally be classified based on their solubility in alkali and acid into humic acids, which dissolve in alkali and / or acid, and humins, which do not dissolve in alkali or acid. Regarding humic acids, for example, Patent Document 1 describes the use of fulvic acid, a type of humic acid, as a plant vitalizer.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-171215

[0004] However, the present inventors have found a problem in that when humic acid is applied alone, the growth tends to soon catch up with that of a control plant to which humic acid is not applied.

[0005] In view of the above problems, the present invention aims to provide an agent that exhibits a superior plant growth-promoting effect compared to the application of humic acid alone, as well as a method for producing the same, a concentrated liquid agent, a kit, and a method.

[0006] The present inventors have conducted extensive research to solve the above problems and have found that a combination of humic acid and one or more amino acids can provide a greater plant growth-promoting effect than humic acid alone, thereby completing the present invention.

[0007] That is, the present invention relates to the following [1] to

[33] . [1] A plant growth promoter comprising, as active ingredients, humic acid and one or more amino acids, wherein the humic acid has a melanic index of 2 or more, and the one or more amino acids are derived from an enzymatic decomposition product or hydrolysate of a raw material derived from an animal or plant. [2] The plant growth promoter according to [1], wherein the one or more amino acids are derived from an enzymatic decomposition product of a soybean-derived raw material or a milk protein hydrolysate. [3] The plant growth promoter according to [1] or [2], wherein the one or more amino acids are one or more selected from 20 types of α-amino acids. [4] The plant growth promoter according to any of [1] to [3], wherein the total mass of the one or more amino acids relative to the total mass of the humic acid is 1% to 55%. [5] The plant growth promoter according to any of [1] to [4], wherein the enzyme comprises papain. [6] The plant growth promoter according to any one of [1] to [5], wherein the humic acid comprises one or more selected from the group consisting of humic acid, fulvic acid, nitrohumic acid, potassium humate, ammonium humate, calcium humate, magnesium humate, ammonium nitrohumate, calcium nitrohumate, magnesium nitrohumate, potassium fulvic acid, ammonium fulvic acid, calcium fulvic acid, magnesium fulvic acid, ammonium nitrofulvic acid, calcium nitrofulvic acid, and magnesium nitrofulvic acid. [7] A method for producing the plant growth promoter according to any one of [1] to [6], comprising mixing humic acid and one or more amino acids. [8] A plant growth promoter used in combination with one or more amino acids, comprising a humic acid having a melanic index of 2 or more as an active ingredient, wherein the one or more amino acids are hydrolysates or enzymatic decomposition products of raw materials derived from animals or plants. [9] The plant growth-promoting agent according to [8], wherein the one or more amino acids are derived from an enzymatic hydrolysis product of a soybean-derived material or a milk protein hydrolysate.

[10] The plant growth-promoting agent according to [8] or [9], wherein the one or more amino acids include at least 16 types of α-amino acids.

[11] The plant growth promoter according to any one of [8] to

[10] , wherein the total mass of the one or more amino acids relative to the total mass of humic acid is 1% to 55%.

[12] The plant growth promoter according to any one of [8] to

[11] , wherein the enzyme comprises papain.

[13] The plant growth promoter according to any one of [8] to

[12] , wherein the humic acid comprises one or more selected from the group consisting of humic acid, fulvic acid, nitrohumic acid, potassium humate, ammonium humate, calcium humate, magnesium humate, ammonium nitrohumate, calcium nitrohumate, magnesium nitrohumate, potassium fulvic acid, ammonium fulvic acid, calcium fulvic acid, magnesium fulvic acid, ammonium nitrofulvic acid, calcium nitrofulvic acid, and magnesium nitrofulvic acid.

[14] A concentrated liquid preparation that, upon dilution with water, constitutes the plant growth promoter according to any one of [1] to [6] or the plant growth promoter according to any one of [8] to

[13] .

[15] A plant growth promotion kit comprising humic acid and one or more amino acids, wherein the humic acid has a melanic index of 2 or higher, and the one or more amino acids are hydrolysates or enzymatic decomposition products of raw materials derived from animals or plants.

[16] The kit according to

[15] , wherein the one or more amino acids are derived from enzymatic decomposition products of soybean-derived raw materials or milk protein hydrolysates.

[17] The kit according to

[15] or

[16] , wherein the one or more amino acids comprise at least 16 α-amino acids.

[18] The kit according to any of

[15] to

[17] , wherein the total mass of the one or more amino acids relative to the total mass of the humic acid is 1% to 55%.

[19] The kit according to any of

[15] to

[18] , wherein the enzyme comprises papain.

[20] The kit according to any one of

[15] to

[19] , wherein the humic acid comprises one or more selected from the group consisting of humic acid, fulvic acid, nitrohumic acid, potassium humate, ammonium humate, calcium humate, magnesium humate, ammonium nitrohumate, calcium nitrohumate, magnesium nitrohumate, potassium fulvic acid, ammonium fulvic acid, calcium fulvic acid, magnesium fulvic acid, ammonium nitrofulvic acid, calcium nitrofulvic acid, and magnesium nitrofulvic acid.

[21] A method for promoting plant growth, comprising applying humic acid and one or more amino acids, wherein the humic acid has a melanic index of 2 or higher and the one or more amino acids are derived from an enzymatic decomposition product or hydrolysate of an animal or plant-derived material.

[22] The method according to

[21] , wherein the one or more amino acids are derived from an enzymatic decomposition product of a soybean-derived material or a milk protein hydrolysate.

[23] The method according to

[22] , wherein the one or more amino acids comprise at least 16 α-amino acids.

[24] The method according to any one of

[21] to

[23] , wherein the total mass of the one or more amino acids relative to the total mass of the humic acid is 1% to 55%.

[25] The method according to any one of

[21] to

[24] , wherein the enzyme comprises papain.

[26] The method according to any one of

[21] to

[25] , wherein the humic acid comprises one or more amino acids selected from the group consisting of humic acid, fulvic acid, nitrohumic acid, potassium humate, ammonium humate, calcium humate, magnesium humate, ammonium nitrohumate, calcium nitrohumate, magnesium nitrohumate, potassium fulvic acid, ammonium fulvic acid, calcium fulvic acid, magnesium fulvic acid, ammonium nitrofulvic acid, calcium nitrofulvic acid, and magnesium nitrofulvic acid.

[27] Use of a composition comprising humic acid and one or more amino acids for promoting plant growth, wherein the humic acid has a melanic index of 2 or more, and the one or more amino acids are derived from an enzymatic decomposition product or hydrolysate of an animal or plant-derived material.

[28] Use of a composition containing a humic acid with a melanic index of 2 or more for promoting plant growth, characterized in that the composition is used in combination with one or more amino acids, wherein the one or more amino acids are hydrolysates or enzymatic decomposition products of raw materials derived from animals or plants.

[29] The use according to

[27] or

[28] , wherein the one or more amino acids are derived from enzymatic decomposition products of soybean-derived raw materials or milk protein hydrolysates.

[30] The use according to any of

[27] to

[29] , wherein the one or more amino acids comprise at least 16 α-amino acids.

[31] The use according to any of

[27] to

[30] , wherein the total mass of the one or more amino acids relative to the total mass of humic acid is 1% to 55%.

[32] The use according to any of

[27] to

[31] , wherein the enzyme comprises papain.

[33] The use according to any one of

[27] to

[32] , wherein the humic acid comprises one or more selected from the group consisting of humic acid, fulvic acid, nitrohumic acid, potassium humate, ammonium humate, calcium humate, magnesium humate, ammonium nitrohumate, calcium nitrohumate, magnesium nitrohumate, potassium fulvic acid, ammonium fulvic acid, calcium fulvic acid, magnesium fulvic acid, ammonium nitrofulvic acid, calcium nitrofulvic acid, and magnesium nitrofulvic acid.

[0008] According to the present invention, a higher plant growth promoting effect can be obtained than when humic acid is used alone.

[0009] 1 is a graph showing the leaf area on days 0, 4, 7, and 12 after application of humic acid and / or casamino acids in Example 1. 2 is a graph showing the leaf area on days 0, 4, 7, and 12 after application of humic acid and / or soy peptone in Example 1. 3 is a graph showing the leaf area 12 days after application of humic acid and / or casamino acids in Example 1 (Dunnett's test*: p<0.05). 4 is a graph showing the leaf area 12 days after application of humic acid and / or soy peptone in Example 1 (Dunnett's test*: p<0.05). 5 is a graph showing the leaf area 12 days after application of humic acid and / or soy peptone in Example 1 (Dunnett's test*: p<0.05). 6 shows an overview of the cultivation test divisions in Example 3.

[0010] A plant growth promoter according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises, as active ingredients, humic acid and one or more amino acids, wherein the humic acid has a melanic index of 2 or more, and the one or more amino acids are derived from an enzymatic decomposition product or hydrolysis product of an animal or plant-derived material.

[0011] Humic acid includes one or more of the group consisting of humic acid and humate salts. Examples of humic acid include natural humic acid produced in nature, such as peat and weathered coal, artificially produced humic acid, and humate salts obtained by neutralizing natural or artificial humic acid with alkaline substances such as sodium, potassium, ammonia, calcium, and magnesium. Examples of artificial humic acid include artificial humic acid derived from lignite and artificial humic acid derived from brine. Artificial humic acid derived from lignite can be produced, for example, by nitric acid oxidation of lignite. Artificial humic acid derived from brine can be produced, for example, by the method described in JP 2003-171215 A.

[0012] The humic acid may be a humic acid extract. The term "humic acid extract" refers to an extract obtained by extracting nitric acid oxides from young coal, such as lignite and brown coal, at a pH range of 2 to 8, preferably at a pH range of 2 to 7. The humic acid extract can be obtained, for example, by mixing a mixture of nitric acid oxides from young coal (hereinafter referred to as "crude humic acid") obtained by oxidatively decomposing young coal with nitric acid, an inorganic compound containing at least one monovalent or divalent alkali selected from potassium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide, ammonium hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide, and calcium hydroxide, and water, stirring the mixture at 40 to 90°C for 0.5 to 1 hour, and then performing a solid-liquid separation process. The inorganic compound is added to water to achieve a pH range of 5 to 8. A method for producing a humic acid extract is described in Japanese Patent Publication No. 6231059. From the perspective of plant growth-promoting effects, the humic acid is preferably a humic acid extract derived from lignite.

[0013] Examples of humic acids include humic acid, fulvic acid, nitrohumic acid, potassium humate, ammonium humate, calcium humate, magnesium humate, ammonium nitrohumate, calcium nitrohumate, magnesium nitrohumate, potassium fulvic acid, ammonium fulvic acid, calcium fulvic acid, magnesium fulvic acid, ammonium nitrofulvic acid, calcium nitrofulvic acid, and magnesium nitrofulvic acid. From the viewpoint of plant growth-promoting effects, it is preferable that the humic acid contains one or more selected from the group consisting of the above humic acids and humate salts. The humic acid may contain two or more, three or more, four or more, or five or more selected from the group consisting of the above humic acids and humate salts. It may contain humic acid and / or humate salts, fulvic acid and / or fulvic acid salts, or a combination of humic acid and / or humate salts with fulvic acid and / or fulvic acid salts.

[0014] The melanic index (MI) of humic acid is 2 or more, preferably 2.0 or more. MI is an index used to classify humic acids and is the ratio of absorbance at wavelengths of 450 nm and 520 nm (A450 / A520) in the absorption spectrum of a sodium hydroxide extract. (Kyōichi Kumada, Chemistry of Soil Organic Matter, 2nd ed., Academic Press (1981); Sadahiro Yamamoto et al., "Simple Estimation of Humic Acid Types Using the Melanic Index," Japanese Journal of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition, Vol. 71, No. 1, pp. 82-85 (2000)).

[0015] More specifically, the MI is calculated by the following method: A sample is crushed into a 250 μm sieve using a mortar and a 250 μm sieve. Approximately 10 g of the crushed material is weighed accurately into a weighing bottle with a known mass. The weighing bottle is left in a dryer maintained at 105°C for approximately 12 hours, then returned to room temperature in a desiccator and weighed again. The weight loss is considered to be moisture, and the moisture content of the sample is calculated. Next, 0.10 g of the 250 μm sieve-under (dry weight equivalent) and 45 ml of 0.5 mol / L sodium hydroxide solution are placed in a 50 ml centrifuge tube, shaken at 250 rpm for approximately 1 hour at room temperature (20°C), and then centrifuged at 3,000 × g for approximately 10 minutes. The supernatant is filtered through Advantec No. 5C filter paper. The absorbance of the filtrate at 450 nm and 520 nm is measured using distilled water as a blank. If the absorbance at 450 nm is 1.0 or greater, add 0.1 mol / L aqueous sodium hydroxide to adjust the absorbance to 0.8 or greater but less than 1.0, and then measure the absorbance at 520 nm. The ratio (absorbance at 450 nm / absorbance at 520 nm) is calculated and used as the MI.

[0016] The upper limit of MI is not particularly limited, but can be set to 6 or less, preferably 6.0 or less. The numerical range of MI is preferably 2.0 to 5.5.

[0017] The total organic carbon (TOC) concentration of the humic acid extract is preferably 5,000 mg / L or more. The TOC concentration of the humic acid extract is preferably 200,000 mg / L or less. The TOC concentration of the humic acid extract may be, for example, 20,000 to 150,000 mg / L, 80,000 to 120,000 mg / L, or 100,000 to 150,000 mg / L.

[0018] The TOC concentration of the extract is measured as follows: The extract of humic acid crude is centrifuged at 3,000 x g, and the supernatant is measured using a total organic carbon meter (TOC-L manufactured by Shimadzu Corporation) by combustion catalytic oxidation. When non-humic substances such as urea, which is a fertilizer component, are contained, the fractions (humic acid and fulvic acid fractions) are separated according to the International Humic Substances Society method (Fujitake, Humic Substances Research Vol. 3, p. 1-9), and the TOC concentration of the extract is measured using the above method.

[0019] The proportion of humic acid in the plant growth promoter according to this embodiment is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, in the range of 20 ppm to 1000 ppm based on the total mass of the plant growth promoter, and may be 30 ppm or more, 40 ppm or more, 800 ppm or less, 500 ppm or less, or 200 ppm or less.

[0020] Plants that are targets of the plant growth promoter according to this embodiment may be seed plants, ferns, or bryophytes. The seed plants may be gymnosperms or angiosperms, and the angiosperms may be monocotyledons or dicotyledons. Seed plants also include plants that reproduce without forming seeds, such as vegetatively propagated plants that reproduce by bulbs or tubers. From a commercial perspective, it is preferable to target one or more species from the group consisting of vegetables and ornamental plants.

[0021] Specific examples of such plants include plants from the Brassicaceae family, Poaceae family, Solanaceae family, Asteraceae family, Cucurbitaceae family, Apiaceae family, Rosaceae family, Liliaceae family, Orchidaceae family, Amaryllidaceae family, Primulaceae family, Fabaceae family, Onionaceae family, Polygonaceae family, Convolvulaceae family, Chenopodiaceae family, Vitaceae family, Rutaceae family, Ebenaceae family, Theaceae family, Oleaceae family, Malvaceae family, Musaceae family, Zingiberaceae family, Rubiaceae family, and Bromeliaceae. Examples of plants from the Brassicaceae family include komatsuna (Japanese mustard spinach), bok choy, turnip, cauliflower, cabbage, radish, Chinese cabbage, and broccoli. Examples of plants from the Poaceae family include rice, barley, wheat, sugarcane, and corn. Examples of plants from the Solanaceae family include tomato, tobacco, green pepper, potato, chili pepper, eggplant, paprika, and bell pepper. Examples of plants in the Asteraceae family include lettuce, artichoke, burdock, garland chrysanthemum, chrysanthemum, and sunflower. Examples of plants in the Cucurbitaceae family include pumpkin, cucumber, watermelon, and melon. Examples of plants in the Apiaceae family include parsley, celery, carrots, and parsley. Examples of plants in the Rosaceae family include strawberries, roses, apples, pears, peaches, loquats, and almonds. Examples of plants in the Liliaceae family include asparagus, tulips, and lilies. Examples of plants in the Orchidaceae family include orchids and cymbidiums. Examples of plants in the Amaryllidaceae family include daffodils. Examples of plants in the Primulaceae family include cyclamen. Examples of plants in the Fabaceae family include soybeans, kidney beans, and adzuki beans. Examples of plants in the Liliaceae family include leeks, chives, scallions, and garlic. Examples of plants in the Polygonaceae family include buckwheat. Examples of plants in the Convolvulaceae family include sweet potatoes. Examples of plants in the Chenopodiaceae family include spinach and sugar beet. Examples of plants in the Vitaceae family include grapes. Examples of plants in the Rutaceae family include mandarin oranges, lemons, and oranges. Examples of plants in the Ebenaceae family include persimmons. Examples of plants in the Theaceae family include tea. Examples of plants in the Oleaceae family include olives and jasmine. Examples of plants in the Malvaceae family include cotton, cacao, and okra. Examples of plants in the Musaceae family include bananas. Examples of plants in the Zingiberaceae family include ginger. Examples of plants in the Rubiaceae family include coffee trees. Examples of plants in the Bromeliaceae family include pineapples and bromeliads.

[0022] The one or more amino acids may be proteinogenic amino acids, free amino acids, or a mixture thereof.

[0023] In this embodiment, the one or more amino acids are derived from an enzymatic decomposition product or hydrolysate of an animal or plant-derived raw material. "Derived from an enzymatic decomposition product or hydrolysate" means that the one or more amino acids may be present in a form contained in the enzymatic decomposition product or hydrolysate, or may be isolated or purified from the enzymatic decomposition product or hydrolysate.

[0024] The animal- and plant-derived raw materials are not particularly limited as long as they contain protein, and may be animal- and plant-derived proteins. Examples of animal-derived raw materials include milk-derived raw materials, meat such as pork, beef, and chicken, fish meat such as bonito and tuna, and insects. Examples of plant-derived raw materials include soybean-derived raw materials, pea-derived raw materials, wheat-derived raw materials, corn-derived raw materials, and residual raw materials of leafy vegetables and fruit vegetables.

[0025] Enzymatic hydrolysis products of animal- and plant-derived raw materials can be obtained by enzymatically hydrolyzing the animal- and plant-derived raw materials. Examples of protein-degrading enzymes (proteases) include endopeptidases such as papain, pepsin, pancreatin, and trypsin, and exopeptidases such as aminopeptidase and carboxypeptidase. The enzymes may include one or more, two or more, three or more, four or more, or five enzymes selected from the group consisting of papain, pepsin, trypsin, aminopeptidase, and carboxypeptidase. When enzymatically hydrolyzing plant-derived raw materials, the enzyme preferably includes papain.

[0026] Hydrolysates of animal and plant-derived raw materials can be obtained by hydrolyzing the animal and plant-derived raw materials with an acid or an enzyme such as a protease. Examples of the acid include hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, and nitric acid.

[0027] From the viewpoint of the plant growth-promoting effect, the one or more amino acids are preferably derived from an enzymatic hydrolysis product of a soybean-derived material or a milk protein hydrolysate.

[0028] When the animal / plant-derived raw material is a soybean-derived raw material, examples of the soybean-derived raw material include soybean flour, soybean isolate, defatted soybean meal, and soybean lees. Enzymatic hydrolysates can be obtained by hydrolyzing these raw materials with an enzyme such as papain. Such hydrolysates contain 16 or more amino acids. The enzymatic hydrolysate of the soybean-derived raw material may be soy peptone. Soy peptone may be prepared by digesting defatted soybean flour with papain, or commercially available soy peptone (e.g., product number 18889-95 from Nacalai Tesque, Inc.) may be used.

[0029] When the animal or plant-derived raw material is a milk-derived raw material, examples of the milk-derived raw material include milk proteins (whey, casein). A hydrolysate can be obtained by hydrolyzing a milk protein with, for example, an acid such as hydrochloric acid or an enzyme such as a protease. Such a hydrolyzate contains 16 or more amino acids. The milk protein hydrolyzate may be casamino acids obtained by hydrolyzing casein. Casamino acids may be prepared by hydrolyzing casein, or commercially available casamino acids (e.g., product number A1404HA from Fujifilm Wako Pure Chemical Industries, Ltd.) may be used.

[0030] Examples of amino acids include alanine, arginine, asparagine, aspartic acid, cysteine, glutamine, glutamic acid, glycine, histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, proline, serine, threonine, tryptophan, tyrosine, and valine.

[0031] The one or more amino acids may include, for example, at least five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve, thirteen, fourteen, fifteen, sixteen, seventeen, eighteen, or nineteen amino acids selected from the group consisting of alanine, arginine, asparagine, aspartic acid, cysteine, glutamine, glutamic acid, glycine, histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine (lysine), methionine, phenylalanine, proline, serine, threonine, tryptophan, tyrosine, and valine, or may include all of these. From the viewpoint of the plant growth-promoting effect, it is preferable that the one or more kinds of amino acids include at least 16 kinds of amino acids. The amino acids are preferably α-amino acids. α-amino acids are amino acids in which an amino group is also bonded to the carbon atom (α carbon) to which a carboxy group is bonded, and are represented by the general formula RCH(NH ２ ) COOH.

[0032] The percentage (%) of the total mass of amino acids or free amino acids contained in the enzymatic decomposition or hydrolysis product of animal or plant-derived raw materials can be measured by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).

[0033] The proportion (%) of the total mass of amino acids contained in the enzymatic decomposition product or hydrolysate of the animal or plant-derived raw material may be, for example, 40% to 80%, 45% to 80%, 50% to 80%, 45% to 70%, or 50% to 65% based on the entire enzymatic decomposition product or hydrolysate.

[0034] The proportion (%) of the total mass of free amino acids contained in the enzymatic hydrolysate of a plant-derived raw material may be, for example, 3% to 30%, 5% to 25%, 10% to 25%, 15% to 25%, or 15% to 20% based on the entire enzymatic hydrolysate.

[0035] The proportion (%) of the total mass of free amino acids contained in the hydrolysate of animal-derived raw materials may be, for example, 40% to 80%, 43% to 80%, 45% to 80%, 45% to 70%, or 45% to 60% based on the entire hydrolysate.

[0036] The plant growth-promoting agent of this embodiment may further contain other components as long as the plant growth-promoting effect is exhibited. For example, the plant growth-promoting agent may contain water, humin, seaweed extract, polysaccharides, vitamins, minerals, plant-derived extracts, and microbial-derived extracts. Humin is a type of humic substance and refers to a dark brown or dark black organic fraction that is insoluble in both alkali and acid.

[0037] In the plant growth-promoting agent of this embodiment, the total mass (%) of one or more amino acids relative to the total mass of humic acid can be adjusted appropriately by those skilled in the art depending on the type of plant, growth method, etc., but may be, for example, 1% to 55%, 3% to 52%, 4% to 12%, 4% to 10%, 4% to 9%, 4% to 6%, or 5% to 10%. When the humic acid is in the form of a humic acid extract, the TOC concentration of the humic acid extract is regarded as the humic acid concentration to calculate the total mass. Furthermore, when one or more amino acids are provided as enzymatic decomposition products or hydrolysates of animal or plant-derived raw materials, the total amount of amino acids contained in the enzymatic decomposition products or hydrolysates is used as the total mass of the one or more amino acids. From the viewpoint of plant growth-promoting effects, for example, 4% to 9% is preferred for Brassicaceae plants, and 4% to 52% is preferred for Gramineae plants. From the viewpoint of the plant growth-promoting effect, when the one or more amino acids are casamino acids, the total mass (%) of the one or more amino acids relative to the total mass of humic acid is preferably, for example, 4% to 52%, and more preferably 4% to 12% in the case of soil application or foliar application (foliar spray), and preferably 10% to 53% in the case of hydroponic cultivation. From the viewpoint of the plant growth-promoting effect, when the one or more amino acids are soy peptone, the total mass (%) of the one or more amino acids relative to the total mass of humic acid is preferably, for example, 4% to 52%, and more preferably 4% to 12% in the case of soil application or foliar application (foliar spray), and preferably 20% to 52% in the case of hydroponic cultivation.

[0038] The proportion of casamino acid and / or soy peptone in the plant growth promoter according to this embodiment is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, 4 ppm to 800 ppm, or 40 ppm to 200 ppm, based on the total mass of the plant growth promoter.

[0039] In this specification, the phrase "containing as an active ingredient" means containing an amount that exhibits the function, that is, an effective amount.

[0040] The plant growth promoter of this embodiment may be expressed as a plant growth promoting composition.

[0041] The application amount and application period of the plant growth promoter of this embodiment are not particularly limited, and in the case of soil application and foliar application (foliar spray), it can be applied once or more per crop season with a humic acid total organic carbon concentration of up to 3000 mg per plant, and in the case of hydroponic cultivation, it can be applied with a humic acid total organic carbon concentration of up to 500 mg / L. From the viewpoint of plant growth promotion effect, in the case of soil application and foliar application (foliar spray), the plant growth promoter is preferably applied at 30 mL / 10 a to 1000 mL / 10 a, 300 mL / 10 a to 500 mL / 10 a, 350 mL / 10 a to 450 mL / 10 a, particularly 400 mL / 10 a.

[0042] Whether plant growth is promoted can be confirmed by, for example, an increase in leaf area, dry matter mass of above-ground and / or below-ground (root) parts, leaf length and / or root length, etc. Whether or not there is an increase can be determined by comparing with a control, where the control refers to a plant treated under the same conditions except that humic acid and one or more amino acids are not applied.

[0043] Leaf area can be measured by image analysis using a photograph of the plant taken from directly above. Leaf area can be calculated using a photograph using, for example, Image J or LIA for Win32 (LIA32) (freeware provided by Kazukiyo Yamamoto, Nagoya University, available at https: / / www.agr.nagoya-u.ac.jp / ~shinkan / LIA32 / ). Plant growth can be determined to be promoted, for example, when the leaf area is significantly increased (e.g., increased by 5% or more, increased by 10% or more) compared to the control.

[0044] The dry matter mass of the above-ground parts and / or underground parts (roots) can be measured by drying the harvested plant body in a thermostatic chamber at 80° C. for 8 hours or more. When the dry matter mass of the above-ground parts and / or underground parts is significantly increased (for example, increased by 5% or more, increased by 10% or more) compared to the control, it may be determined that the plant growth is promoted.

[0045] The leaf length and / or root length can be measured by a conventional method. For example, if the leaf length and / or root length is significantly increased (e.g., increased by 5% or more, increased by 10% or more) compared to the control, it may be determined that the plant growth is promoted.

[0046] Whether the growth-promoting effect is superior to that of humic acid alone can be determined by the degree of growth promotion, i.e., an increase in leaf area, dry matter weight of the above-ground and / or below-ground (root) parts, leaf length and / or root length, etc., or by an increase in the sustainability of the growth-promoting effect, or by both. The sustainability of the growth-promoting effect can be determined to be improved if the number of days until the growth of the control is caught up is significantly longer (for example, one day longer, 1.5 times longer, etc.) compared to that of humic acid alone.

[0047] The plant growth promoter of this embodiment can be produced by a method including mixing humic acid and one or more amino acids. In this production method, the method for mixing humic acid and one or more amino acids is not particularly limited. For example, a humic acid extract may be mixed with an enzymatic decomposition product or hydrolysate of an animal or plant-derived material containing one or more amino acids. The method may also include adjusting the humic acid and one or more amino acids to an appropriate concentration by appropriately diluting the mixture with water or an aqueous solution before or after mixing. Examples of aqueous solutions that can be used include those containing fertilizer components or trace essential nutrients for plants, such as urea, sodium nitrate, potassium nitrate, potassium hydroxide, potassium chloride, sodium phosphate, and ammonium phosphate. The production method may also include preparing humic acid and one or more amino acids before mixing them.

[0048] In one embodiment, the present invention provides a plant growth promoter comprising humic acid as an active ingredient in combination with one or more amino acids, wherein the humic acid has a melanic index of 2.0 or more, and the one or more amino acids are derived from enzymatic decomposition or hydrolysis products of raw materials of animal or plant origin.

[0049] As a method of using the plant growth promoter containing humic acid in combination with one or more amino acids, the plant growth promoter containing humic acid may be mixed with one or more amino acids before use, or the plant growth promoter containing humic acid may be applied before, after, or simultaneously with the application of the plant growth promoter containing humic acid.

[0050] The application amount and application period of humic acid are not particularly limited. In the case of soil application and foliar application (foliar spray), it can be applied at least once per crop season with a total organic carbon concentration of up to 3,000 mg per plant body, and in the case of hydroponic cultivation, it can be applied with a total organic carbon concentration of up to 500 mg / L.

[0051] The application amount and application period of one or more amino acids are not particularly limited. In the case of soil application and foliar application (foliar spray), they can be used in combination with or mixed with humic acid at least once per crop season in parallel with the application of humic acid. In the case of hydroponic cultivation, they can be used in combination with or mixed with humic acid in parallel with the application of humic acid.

[0052] The total mass of one or more amino acids relative to the total mass of humic acid is as described above.

[0053] The humic acid, one or more amino acids, and target plants are as described above, and the above-described embodiments can be applied without limitation to specific embodiments of the method.

[0054] In one embodiment, the present invention provides a use of a composition containing humic acid and one or more amino acids for promoting plant growth. Here, the humic acid has a melanic index of 2.0 or higher, and the one or more amino acids are derived from enzymatic decomposition or hydrolysis of raw materials derived from animals or plants. In this embodiment, the same aspects as those of the plant growth promoter containing humic acid and one or more amino acids described above can be applied.

[0055] In one embodiment, the present invention also provides a use for promoting plant growth of a composition containing humic acid having a melanic index of 2.0 or more. This use is characterized by being used in combination with one or more amino acids, where the one or more amino acids are hydrolysates or enzymatic decomposition products of raw materials derived from animals or plants. This embodiment can be applied in the same manner as the plant growth promoter containing humic acid characterized by being used in combination with one or more amino acids.

[0056] The humic acid, one or more amino acids, and target plants are also as described above, and the above-described embodiments can be applied without limitation to specific embodiments of their use.

[0057] In one embodiment, the present invention also provides a concentrated liquid that, upon dilution with water, constitutes the plant growth promoter containing humic acid and one or more amino acids, or the plant growth promoter containing humic acid. The dilution ratio with water is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, 100x, 250x, 1000x, 5000x, or 10000x. The concentrations of each component in the concentrated liquid may be set so that the plant growth promoter is obtained when diluted to each dilution ratio. The proportion of humic acid in the concentrated liquid according to this embodiment is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, in the range of 0.5 to 50% based on the total mass of the concentrated liquid, and may be, for example, 40% or less, 30% or less, 20% or less, 10% or less, 5% or less, or 1% or less.

[0058] In one embodiment, the present invention provides a plant growth promotion kit comprising humic acid and one or more amino acids, wherein the humic acid has a melanic index of 2.0 or greater, and the one or more amino acids are derived from an enzymatic decomposition product or hydrolysate of an animal or plant-derived material.

[0059] In the kit of this embodiment, humic acid and one or more amino acids may be contained in different containers, or humic acid and one or more amino acids may be contained in the same container, or humic acid and one or more amino acids may be contained in concentrated forms in different containers, or humic acid and one or more amino acids may be contained in concentrated forms in the same container. That is, the kit of this embodiment may include a first container containing humic acid and a second container containing one or more amino acids, a first container containing humic acid and one or more amino acids, a first container containing concentrated humic acid and a second container containing concentrated one or more amino acids, or a first container containing concentrated humic acid and one or more concentrated amino acids. If concentrated, it is used by diluting with water to an appropriate concentration before application.

[0060] The humic acid may be contained as a humic acid extract, and one or more amino acids may be contained as an enzymatic decomposition product or hydrolysate of raw materials derived from animals or plants.

[0061] The kit of this embodiment may further include containers (second, third, and fourth containers) that contain water for dilution, additional components, and the like, in addition to the above.

[0062] The container is not particularly limited, but for example, a container whose main material is polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polypropylene, polystyrene, polycarbonate, or the like can be used.

[0063] The kit of this embodiment may be in a box with instructions describing how to use the kit for use in promoting plant growth and / or may include instructions describing how to use the kit for use in promoting plant growth.

[0064] The humic acid, one or more amino acids, and target plants are also as described above, and the above-described embodiments can be applied without limitation to specific embodiments of the kit.

[0065] In one embodiment, the present invention provides a method for promoting plant growth, comprising applying humic acid and one or more amino acids, wherein the humic acid has a melanic index of 2.0 or greater and the one or more amino acids are derived from an enzymatic decomposition product or hydrolysate of an animal or plant-derived material.

[0066] The application of humic acid and one or more amino acids may be carried out by mixing the plant growth promoter containing humic acid with the one or more amino acids before use, or by applying the one or more amino acids before, after, or simultaneously with the application of the plant growth promoter containing humic acid.

[0067] The application amount and application period of humic acid are not particularly limited. In the case of soil application and foliar application (foliar spray), it can be applied at least once per crop season with a total organic carbon concentration of up to 3,000 mg per plant body, and in the case of hydroponic cultivation, it can be applied with a total organic carbon concentration of up to 500 mg / L.

[0068] The application amount and application period of one or more amino acids are not particularly limited. In the case of soil application and foliar application (foliar spray), they can be used in combination with or mixed with humic acid at least once per crop season in parallel with the application of humic acid. In the case of hydroponic cultivation, they can be used in combination with or mixed with humic acid in parallel with the application of humic acid.

[0069] The total mass of one or more amino acids relative to the total mass of humic acid is as described above.

[0070] The humic acid, one or more amino acids, and target plants are as described above, and the above-described embodiments can be applied without limitation to specific embodiments of the method.

[0071] (Humic Acid) The humic acid used was a humic acid extract derived from lignite, and the TOC and MI were adjusted by adjusting the amount of nitric acid added during the production of the humic acid extract according to the method described in Japanese Patent No. 6231059. The humic acid used was a humic acid stock solution (humic acid extract derived from lignite, TOC 120,000 ppm, MI 2.0 or higher). The humic acid stock solution contains both humates and fulvic acids as humic acids, with a higher humate content. Furthermore, although the TOC of the humic acid stock solution is listed in ppm, it is acceptable to consider it to be roughly the same value even in mg / L.

[0072] (Amino Acids) Casamino acids (product number A1404HA) from Fujifilm Wako Pure Chemical Industries, Ltd. were used as casein hydrolysate. Soy peptone (product number 18889-95) from Nacalai Tesque, Inc. was used as soybean-derived enzymatic hydrolysate.

[0073] The total amino acids (%) and free amino acids (%) contained in casamino acids and soy peptone were measured by amino acid analysis or HPLC, and the results are shown in Table 1. Tryptophan in casamino acids was not detected because it is decomposed during the manufacturing process. Free cysteine ​​in soy peptone was not detected because its content was below the detection limit.

[0074]

[0075] Example 1 Foliar Spray Test Test Plant: Komatsuna (variety: Rakuten) In this cultivation test, the seedling raising soil was mixed with vermiculite and Akadama soil in a volume ratio of 1:1:1. The seedling raising soil used was manufactured by Takii Seed Co., Ltd. and contained nitrogen 320, phosphoric acid 210, and potassium 300 mg / L.

[0076] Three to four seeds were sown in each 12 cm pot, and after seven days, one individual was selected. 12 pots were prepared for each test plot, and 10 plants with a uniform growth stage were selected 14 days after sowing and subjected to foliar spraying. At this time, materials were applied to all plots except the control plot, at a rate of 0.35 L / ha. The test plots for foliar spraying and application conditions are shown below. The application rate was 100 μL per pot in all cases. The irrigation rate was 88 L / ha.

[0077]

[0078] The total amino acid content (mass%) relative to humic acid is the value obtained by dividing the total amino acid content (calculated using the total amino acid ratios (51.6% and 59.6%) in casamino acids and soy peptone, respectively, by the total mass of humic acid. The total mass of humic acid was calculated based on the TOC (470 ppm) of the humic acid stock solution, which was regarded as the humic acid concentration.

[0079] Plants were photographed from directly above on days 0, 4, 7, and 12 after application, and the leaf area index (LAI) was calculated. The results using casamino acids are shown in Figure 1, and the results using soy peptone are shown in Figure 2. Furthermore, 12 days after application, the above-ground parts were dissected and the leaf area was calculated, and the dry mass of the above-ground and below-ground parts was measured. The results using casamino acids are shown in Figure 3 and Table 3 below, and the results using soy peptone are shown in Figure 4 and Table 4 below. Leaf area was calculated from the photographs using LIA for Win32 (LIA32) (freeware provided by Kazukiyo Yamamoto, Nagoya University, available at https: / / www.agr.nagoya-u.ac.jp / ~shinkan / LIA32 / ).

[0080]

[0081]

[0082] When humic acid alone was applied, growth was vigorous compared to the control immediately after application, but growth eventually tended to catch up with that of the control. Casamino acids (CA) alone and soy peptone (SP) alone also showed a certain degree of growth-promoting effect, but by combining humic acid with casamino acids (CA) or soy peptone (SP), a synergistic growth-promoting effect was observed, and growth did not tend to catch up with that of the control (Figures 1 and 2). When sprayed onto Komatsuna leaves, the test plots of "humic acid + 1% casamino acids (CA)" and "humic acid + 1% soy peptone (SP)" showed a particularly significant increase in dry matter compared to the control (Figure 3, Table 3, Figure 4 and Table 4).

[0083] Example 2 Hydroponic Cultivation Test Test Plant: Common wheat (variety: Norin 61) In this cultivation test, a 25% OAT-A formulation (OAT Agrio) with a pH adjusted to 5.60±0.01 was used. Wheat seeds were allowed to absorb water under running water for approximately 6 hours, then vernalized on moistened filter paper in the dark at 10°C for 3 days, acclimatized to cultivation conditions for approximately half a day to a day, and sown on 8-grain polyethylene mesh in each plot. Five days after sowing, the plants were removed from the mesh, and leaf length, root length, and dry matter weight of the aboveground parts and roots were measured.

[0084] The cultivation conditions and results are shown in Tables 5 and 6 below. The value for the control area to which only water was applied is set at 100. The percentage for soy peptone in Table 6 indicates the ratio of soy peptone to humic acid in the humic acid stock solution.

[0085]

[0086]

[0087] In hydroponic wheat cultivation, the combination of humic acid concentrate and casamino acids promoted the growth of both above-ground and below-ground parts, especially at 10 and 40 ppm casamino acids (Table 5). Furthermore, the combination of humic acid concentrate and soy peptone promoted the growth of above-ground parts, particularly at 5 and 10% soy peptone relative to the TOC of the humic acid concentrate, resulting in increased plant height and above-ground dry matter (Table 6).

[0088] Example 3 Foliar Spray Test Test Plant: Common wheat (variety: Kitahonami) This cultivation test was carried out in a test field in Iwamizawa City, Hokkaido.

[0089] An overview of the cultivation test divisions is shown in Figure 5, and foliar spraying was carried out at the wheat panicle formation stage (BBCH 31-35). The spraying conditions are shown in Table 7. In the spray material "humic acid + soy peptone 1%," the total amino acid content (mass%) relative to humic acid was 4.8%.

[0090]

[0091] The values ​​in Table 7 above are calculated as follows: Section 1 ≒ 1.25 x 4.8 = 6 m ２ <Test Areas I, II, III> (7.5 L / 10 a) Materials: 30 mL / 10 a (0.03 mL / m ２ ) = 6m ２ x 0.03mL = 0.18mL / test area Spray volume: 0.18mL x 250-fold dilution = 45mL / test area <Test area IV> (100L / 10a) Materials: 400mL / 10a (0.4mL / m ２ ) = 6m ２ x 0.4 mL = 2.4 mL / test area Spray amount: 2.4 mL x 250-fold dilution = 600 mL / test area

[0092] The results are shown in Table 8 below. The values ​​in parentheses are relative values, with the value for the control area to which only water was applied being set at 100.

[0093]

[0094] In field application tests on wheat, it was found that the combination of humic acid concentrate and soy peptone increased the number of ears. Application of the mixture of humic acid concentrate and soy peptone at a rate of 30 mL / 10 a or more increased yield, and application of 400 mL / 10 a produced even greater yield increases.

Claims

1. A plant growth promoter containing as active ingredients humic acid and one or more amino acids, wherein the humic acid has a melanic index of 2 or more, and the one or more amino acids are derived from an enzymatic decomposition or hydrolysis product of raw materials of animal or plant origin.

2. The plant growth promoter according to claim 1, wherein one or more types of amino acids are derived from an enzymatic hydrolysis product of soybean-derived raw materials or a hydrolysate of milk protein.

3. The plant growth promoter according to claim 1, wherein the one or more types of amino acids include one or more types selected from two types of α-amino acids.

4. A plant growth promoter according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the total mass of the one or more amino acids relative to the total mass of humic acid is 1% to 55%.

5. A plant growth promoter according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the enzyme comprises papain.

6. The plant growth promoter according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the humic acid comprises one or more selected from the group consisting of humic acid, fulvic acid, nitrohumic acid, potassium humate, ammonium humate, calcium humate, magnesium humate, ammonium nitrohumate, calcium nitrohumate, magnesium nitrohumate, potassium fulvic acid, ammonium fulvic acid, calcium fulvic acid, magnesium fulvic acid, ammonium nitrofulvic acid, calcium nitrofulvic acid, and magnesium nitrofulvic acid.

7. A method for producing the accelerator of any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising mixing humic acid and one or more amino acids.

8. A plant growth promoter characterized by being used in combination with one or more types of amino acids, comprising as an active ingredient a humic acid having a melanic index of 2 or more, and wherein the one or more types of amino acids are hydrolysates or enzymatic decomposition products of raw materials derived from animals or plants.

9. The plant growth promoter according to claim 8, wherein one or more types of amino acids are derived from an enzymatic hydrolysis product of a soybean-derived material or a hydrolysate of a milk protein.

10. The plant growth promoter according to claim 8, wherein the one or more types of amino acids include one or more types selected from the 20 types of α-amino acids.

11. A plant growth promoter according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the total mass of the one or more amino acids is 1% to 55% relative to the total mass of humic acid.

12. A concentrated liquid preparation which, when diluted with water, constitutes the plant growth promoter according to any one of claims 1 to 3 or the plant growth promoter according to any one of claims 8 to 10.

13. A kit for promoting plant growth comprising humic acid and one or more amino acids, wherein the humic acid has a melanic index of 2 or more, and the one or more amino acids are hydrolysates or enzymatic decomposition products of raw materials derived from animals or plants.

14. A method for promoting plant growth comprising applying humic acid and one or more amino acids, wherein the humic acid has a melanic index of 2 or more, and the one or more amino acids are derived from an enzymatic decomposition or hydrolysis product of raw materials of animal or plant origin.

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