Plant activator

Abstract

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a sustained release plant activator from which an appropriate elution amount of an active component is eluted. This plant activator contains plant charcoal and at least one compound selected from oxo fatty acids, or derivatives thereof or salts thereof, and hydroxylated fatty acids, or derivatives thereof or salts thereof. The compound selected from oxo fatty acids, or derivatives thereof or salts thereof, and hydroxylated fatty acids, or derivatives thereof or salts thereof, is held in the plant charcoal. This plant activator contains a particle-like carbide, a binder resin, and at least one compound selected from oxo fatty acids, or derivatives thereof or salts thereof, and hydroxylated fatty acids, or derivatives thereof or salts thereof. The compound selected from oxo fatty acids, or derivatives thereof or salts thereof, and hydroxylated fatty acids, or derivatives thereof or salts thereof, is held in the particle-like carbide.

Description

Plant activators

[0001] The present invention relates to a plant activator.

[0002] Fertilizers containing nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus, and other essential elements are widely used to efficiently fertilize soil. However, not all applied fertilizer is absorbed or utilized by plants; instead, it is dissolved into the soil by rain or irrigation and released into the environment. Therefore, after a certain period of time has passed since application, the fertilizer's effectiveness cannot be sustained unless it is re-applied. This leads to the well-known problem of over-fertilization. Furthermore, applying too much fertilizer at once can actually harm crops, so the frequency of fertilizer application must be adjusted to achieve the desired growth rate.

[0003] Therefore, fertilizer formulation technologies have been developed that use a substrate capable of supporting the active ingredient, thereby controlling the release rate of the active ingredient from the pesticide formulation into the soil and water, and allowing the active ingredient to be gradually eluted.

[0004] Patent Document 1 discloses a plant activator having sustained release properties, in which an oxo fatty acid or a hydroxylated fatty acid is held in a porous body such as activated carbon.

[0005] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2021-102597

[0006] As a problem of the first invention, the inventors have conducted extensive research and discovered that when activated carbon is used as a substrate for supporting a plant activator, the active ingredient, oxo fatty acid or hydroxylated fatty acid, is strongly adsorbed to the activated carbon, and even when watered, a sufficient amount of the active ingredient is not eluted from the plant activator, resulting in a problem that the plant activator is not sufficiently effective.

[0007] In view of the above problems, the first invention aims to develop a plant activator component that can release an active ingredient from a plant activator in an appropriate amount, and that has excellent disease resistance and growth-promoting effects, with the release lasting for a long period of time.

[0008] (First Invention) The present invention relates to a plant activator comprising vegetable charcoal and at least one compound selected from "oxo fatty acids or derivatives thereof or salts thereof" and "hydroxylated fatty acids or derivatives thereof or salts thereof", wherein the at least one compound selected from the oxo fatty acids or derivatives thereof or salts thereof and the hydroxylated fatty acids or derivatives thereof or salts thereof is retained in the vegetable charcoal.

[0009] The oxo fatty acid, or a derivative or salt thereof is preferably a fatty acid having a carbonyl group in the carbon skeleton excluding the carboxyl group.

[0010] The plant activator is preferably a sustained-release plant activator.

[0011] It is preferable that the plant activator further contains a water-absorbing polymer.

[0012] In the plant activator further comprising a water-absorbent polymer, it is preferred that at least one compound selected from the oxo fatty acid, its derivative, or its salt, and the hydroxylated fatty acid, its derivative, or its salt is retained by the water-absorbent polymer. This is because it is believed that the amount of the at least one compound selected from the oxo fatty acid, its derivative, or its salt, and the hydroxylated fatty acid, its derivative, or its salt is retained in the plant activator is greater than when the water-absorbent polymer is not included. The greater the retained amount, the longer the release period of the growth-promoting agent.

[0013] The plant activator further comprising a water-absorbing polymer is preferably a sustained-release plant activator.

[0014] The oxo fatty acid, or a derivative thereof, or a salt thereof has the following formula: HOOC-(R 1 )-CH=CH-C(=O)-R 2 (I) (wherein, R 1 R is a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon group containing 6 to 12 carbon atoms; 2: an alkyl group having 2 to 8 carbon atoms, which may contain one or more branches and / or double bonds), or a derivative or salt thereof.

[0015] The oxo fatty acid is R 1 The hydrocarbon group has 8 to 10 carbon atoms, and R 2 The plant activator is preferably an oxo fatty acid having an alkyl group of 4 to 6 carbon atoms.

[0016] The oxo fatty acid is R 1 is an oxo fatty acid containing a double bond that forms a conjugated double bond with the double bond between the α and β carbons of the carbonyl group in formula (I).

[0017] The oxo fatty acid is R 1 is a linear or branched hydrocarbon group having 9 carbon atoms, and R 2 However, a plant activator that is an oxo fatty acid, which is an alkyl group having 5 carbon atoms, is preferred.

[0018] The plant activator is preferably one in which the oxo fatty acid is ketooctadecadienoic acid.

[0019] The plant activator is preferably one in which the oxo fatty acid is 13-oxo-9,11-octadecadienoic acid.

[0020] The hydroxylated fatty acid or its derivative or salt thereof is represented by the following formula (II) and / or (III): HOOC-(R 3 )-CH(OH)-CH(OH)-CH=CH-CH(OH)-R 4 (II) HOOC-(R 3 )-CH(OH)-CH=CH-CH(OH)-CH(OH)-R 4 (III) (wherein, R 3 R is a linear or branched hydrocarbon group having 4 to 12 carbon atoms, which may contain one or more double bonds and / or OH groups, and when a double bond is contained, the position of the double bond is not limited; 4is a linear or branched hydrocarbon group having 2 to 8 carbon atoms, which may contain one or more double bonds and / or OH groups, and when a double bond is contained, the position of the double bond is not limited.

[0021] The hydroxylated fatty acid is R 3 The hydrocarbon group has 6 to 8 carbon atoms, and R 4 Preferred are plant activators in which the hydrocarbon group has 4 to 6 carbon atoms.

[0022] The hydroxylated fatty acid is R 3 But -(CH2) n -(n is an integer of 4 to 12), and R 4 But C n H 2n+1 A plant activator having the structure -(n is an integer of 2 to 8) is preferred.

[0023] The hydroxylated fatty acid is R 3 is a linear saturated hydrocarbon group having 7 carbon atoms (-(CH2)7-), and R 4 Preferably, the plant activator is an alkyl group having 5 carbon atoms (CH3CH2CH2CH2CH2-).

[0024] The plant activator is preferably one in which the hydroxylated fatty acid is hydroxyoctadecenoic acid.

[0025] The plant activator is preferably one in which the hydroxylated fatty acid is 9,10,13-trihydroxy-11-octadecenoic acid.

[0026] The plant activator is preferably one in which the hydroxylated fatty acid is 9,12,13-trihydroxy-10-octadecenoic acid.

[0027] The above-mentioned "9,10,13-trihydroxy-11-octadecenoic acid" can also be written as "9,10,13-trihydroxyoctadec-11-enoic acid." Similarly, the above-mentioned "9,12,13-trihydroxy-10-octadecenoic acid" can also be written as "9,12,13-trihydroxyoctadec-10-enoic acid." In the examples, the manufacturer's name is also written in parentheses. The above explanation also applies to all "octadecenoic acid" used in this specification, claims, drawings, and abstract.

[0028] The structural formula of "9,10,13-trihydroxy-11-octadecenoic acid" is shown in the following structural formula (1).

[0029]

[0030] The structural formula of "9,12,13-trihydroxy-10-octadecenoic acid" is shown in the following structural formula (2).

[0031]

[0032] A preferred plant activator is one in which at least one kind of the oxo fatty acid or its derivative or salt and at least one kind of the hydroxylated fatty acid or its derivative or salt are held in the plant charcoal.

[0033] It is preferable that the plant activator in which at least one of the oxo fatty acids or derivatives thereof or salts thereof and at least one of the hydroxylated fatty acids or derivatives thereof or salts thereof are held in the plant charcoal further contains a water-absorbing polymer.

[0034] In the plant activator in which at least one type of oxo fatty acid or its derivative or salt and at least one type of hydroxylated fatty acid or its derivative or salt are held in the plant charcoal, it is preferred that at least one type of oxo fatty acid or its derivative or salt and at least one type of hydroxylated fatty acid or its derivative or salt are held in the water-absorbing polymer.

[0035] In the plant activator in which at least one of the oxo fatty acids or its derivatives or salts and at least one of the hydroxylated fatty acids or its derivatives or salts are held on the plant charcoal, it is preferred that the oxo fatty acid is ketooctadecadienoic acid and the hydroxylated fatty acid is hydroxyoctadecenoic acid.

[0036] In the plant activator in which at least one type of the oxo fatty acid, or a derivative thereof, or a salt thereof, and at least one type of the hydroxylated fatty acid, or a derivative thereof, or a salt thereof are held on the plant charcoal, it is preferred that the oxo fatty acid is 13-oxo-9,11-octadecadienoic acid, and the hydroxylated fatty acid is 9,10,13-trihydroxy-11-octadecenoic acid and / or 9,12,13-trihydroxy-10-octadecenoic acid.

[0037] The derivatives of the oxo fatty acids and hydroxylated fatty acids are preferably esters of the oxo fatty acids and hydroxylated fatty acids, respectively. As salts of the oxo fatty acids and hydroxylated fatty acids, salts such as sodium salts, potassium salts, and ammonium salts, which will be described later, can be used.

[0038] The vegetable charcoal is preferably rice husk charcoal.

[0039] The plant activator is preferably a plant activator used for plants selected from the Brassicaceae, Poaceae, Leguminosae, Solanaceae, Rosaceae, Amaranthaceae, and Malvaceae families.

[0040] In the plant activator further comprising a water-absorbing polymer, the plant activator is preferably in the form of a sheet or film. For example, the sheet or film plant activator can be used as an agricultural mulch sheet.

[0041] In the plant activator further containing a water-absorbing polymer, the plant activator is preferably a plant activator that coats the surface of a seed.

[0042] The plant activator of the present invention comprises vegetable charcoal; component (A): 13-oxo-9,11-octadecadienoic acid or a derivative or a salt thereof, and 9-oxo-10,12-octadecadienoic acid or a derivative or a salt thereof; and component (B): 9,10,13-trihydroxy-11-octadecenoic acid or a derivative or a salt thereof, and / or 9,12,13-trihydroxy-10-octadecenoic acid or a derivative or a salt thereof, and it is preferred that component (A) and component (B) are retained in the vegetable charcoal.

[0043] In the plant activator of the present invention, the weight ratio of the 13-oxo-9,11-octadecadienoic acid or a derivative or a salt thereof to the 9-oxo-10,12-octadecadienoic acid or a derivative or a salt thereof is preferably 13-oxo-9,11-octadecadienoic acid or a derivative or a salt thereof / 9-oxo-10,12-octadecadienoic acid or a derivative or a salt thereof>1, and more preferably 13-oxo-9,11-octadecadienoic acid or a derivative or a salt thereof / 9-oxo-10,12-octadecadienoic acid or a derivative or a salt thereof>2.17.

[0044] In the plant activator of the present invention, the component (B) is 9,10,13-trihydroxy-11-octadecenoic acid, or a derivative thereof, or a salt thereof, and 9,12,13-trihydroxy-10-octadecenoic acid, or a derivative thereof, or a salt thereof, and the total weight of the 13-oxo-9,11-octadecadienoic acid, or a derivative thereof, or a salt thereof, and the 9-oxo-10,12-octadecadienoic acid, or a derivative thereof, or a salt thereof is preferably 2 to 10 times, and more preferably 2 to 6.5 times, the total weight of the 9,10,13-trihydroxy-11-octadecenoic acid, or a derivative thereof, or a salt thereof, and the 9,12,13-trihydroxy-10-octadecenoic acid, or a derivative thereof, or a salt thereof.

[0045] In the plant activator of the present invention, the vegetable charcoal is preferably rice husk charcoal.

[0046] The plant activator of the present invention preferably further contains a water-absorbing polymer.

[0047] The plant activator of the present invention contains an oxo fatty acid or hydroxylated fatty acid as an active ingredient in vegetable charcoal. Unlike when activated carbon is used as a substrate, the active ingredient is appropriately adsorbed to the vegetable charcoal, allowing the active ingredient to be eluted in sufficient amounts into the soil by irrigation or rain. Excellent sustained release properties, as well as high disease resistance induction and growth promotion effects, can be achieved. Because an appropriate amount of elution is obtained over a long period of time, the frequency of application of the plant activator can be reduced, thereby achieving labor savings.

[0048] Next, as a problem of the second invention, when a particulate carbonized material such as activated carbon is actually used as a substrate for supporting a plant activator, such carbonized particles tend to float in the air, resulting in problems such as black staining of the user's work clothes and preventing proper fertilization.

[0049] In view of the above problems, the second invention aims to develop a sustained-release plant activator component that is easy to handle and has excellent disease resistance and growth-promoting effects.

[0050] (Second Invention) The present invention relates to a plant activator comprising a particulate carbonized material, a binder resin, and at least one compound selected from "oxo fatty acids or derivatives thereof or salts thereof" and "hydroxylated fatty acids or derivatives thereof or salts thereof," wherein the at least one compound selected from the oxo fatty acids or derivatives thereof or salts thereof and the hydroxylated fatty acids or derivatives thereof or salts thereof is retained in the particulate carbonized material.

[0051] The oxo fatty acid, or a derivative or salt thereof is preferably a fatty acid having a carbonyl group in the carbon skeleton excluding the carboxyl group.

[0052] The plant activator is preferably a sustained-release plant activator.

[0053] It is preferable that the plant activator is one in which particles of the particulate carbonized material carrying at least one compound selected from the oxo fatty acid, its derivative, or its salt, and the hydroxylated fatty acid, its derivative, or its salt are bonded together via the binder resin.

[0054] The oxo fatty acid, or a derivative thereof, or a salt thereof has the following formula: HOOC-(R 1 )-CH=CH-C(=O)-R 2 (I) (wherein, R 1 R is a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon group containing 6 to 12 carbon atoms; 2 : an alkyl group having 2 to 8 carbon atoms, which may contain one or more branches and / or double bonds), or a derivative or salt thereof.

[0055] The oxo fatty acid is R 1 The hydrocarbon group has 8 to 10 carbon atoms, and R 2 The plant activator is preferably an oxo fatty acid having an alkyl group of 4 to 6 carbon atoms.

[0056] The oxo fatty acid is R 1 is an oxo fatty acid containing a double bond that forms a conjugated double bond with the double bond between the α and β carbons of the carbonyl group in formula (I).

[0057] The oxo fatty acid is R 1 is a linear or branched hydrocarbon group having 9 carbon atoms, and R 2 However, a plant activator that is an oxo fatty acid, which is an alkyl group having 5 carbon atoms, is preferred.

[0058] The plant activator is preferably one in which the oxo fatty acid is ketooctadecadienoic acid.

[0059] The plant activator is preferably one in which the oxo fatty acid is 13-oxo-9,11-octadecadienoic acid.

[0060] The hydroxylated fatty acid or its derivative or salt thereof is represented by the following formula (II) and / or (III): HOOC-(R 3 )-CH(OH)-CH(OH)-CH=CH-CH(OH)-R 4 (II) HOOC-(R 3 )-CH(OH)-CH=CH-CH(OH)-CH(OH)-R 4 (III) (wherein, R 3 R is a linear or branched hydrocarbon group having 4 to 12 carbon atoms, which may contain one or more double bonds and / or OH groups, and when a double bond is contained, the position of the double bond is not limited; 4 is a linear or branched hydrocarbon group having 2 to 8 carbon atoms, which may contain one or more double bonds and / or OH groups, and when a double bond is contained, the position of the double bond is not limited.

[0061] The hydroxylated fatty acid is R 3 The hydrocarbon group has 6 to 8 carbon atoms, and R 4 Preferred are plant activators in which the hydrocarbon group has 4 to 6 carbon atoms.

[0062] The hydroxylated fatty acid is R 3 But -(CH2) n -(n is an integer of 4 to 12), and R 4 But C n H 2n+1 A plant activator having the structure -(n is an integer of 2 to 8) is preferred.

[0063] The hydroxylated fatty acid is R 3 is a linear saturated hydrocarbon group having 7 carbon atoms (-(CH2)7-), and R 4 Preferably, the plant activator is an alkyl group having 5 carbon atoms (CH3CH2CH2CH2CH2-).

[0064] The plant activator is preferably one in which the hydroxylated fatty acid is hydroxyoctadecenoic acid.

[0065] The plant activator is preferably one in which the hydroxylated fatty acid is 9,10,13-trihydroxy-11-octadecenoic acid.

[0066] The plant activator is preferably one in which the hydroxylated fatty acid is 9,12,13-trihydroxy-10-octadecenoic acid.

[0067] The above-mentioned "9,10,13-trihydroxy-11-octadecenoic acid" can also be written as "9,10,13-trihydroxyoctadec-11-enoic acid." Similarly, the above-mentioned "9,12,13-trihydroxy-10-octadecenoic acid" can also be written as "9,12,13-trihydroxyoctadec-10-enoic acid." In the examples, the manufacturer's name is also written in parentheses. The above explanation also applies to all "octadecenoic acid" used in this specification, claims, drawings, and abstract.

[0068] The structural formula of "9,10,13-trihydroxy-11-octadecenoic acid" is shown in the following structural formula (1).

[0069]

[0070] The structural formula of "9,12,13-trihydroxy-10-octadecenoic acid" is shown in the following structural formula (2).

[0071]

[0072] The plant activator is preferably one in which at least one kind of the oxo fatty acid or its derivative or salt and at least one kind of the hydroxylated fatty acid or its derivative or salt are held on the particulate carbonized material.

[0073] In the plant activator in which at least one type of oxo fatty acid or its derivative or salt and at least one type of hydroxylated fatty acid or its derivative or salt are held on the particulate carbonized material, it is preferred that the oxo fatty acid is ketooctadecadienoic acid and the hydroxylated fatty acid is hydroxyoctadecenoic acid.

[0074] In the plant activator in which at least one type of the oxo fatty acid, or a derivative thereof, or a salt thereof, and at least one type of the hydroxylated fatty acid, or a derivative thereof, or a salt thereof are held on the particulate carbonized material, it is preferred that the oxo fatty acid is 13-oxo-9,11-octadecadienoic acid, and the hydroxylated fatty acid is 9,10,13-trihydroxy-11-octadecenoic acid and / or 9,12,13-trihydroxy-10-octadecenoic acid.

[0075] The derivatives of the oxo fatty acids and hydroxylated fatty acids are preferably esters of the oxo fatty acids and hydroxylated fatty acids, respectively. As salts of the oxo fatty acids and hydroxylated fatty acids, salts such as sodium salts, potassium salts, and ammonium salts, which will be described later, can be used.

[0076] The particulate charcoal is preferably rice husk charcoal.

[0077] The binder resin is preferably a water-absorbent polymer. When the binder resin is a water-absorbent polymer, at least one compound selected from oxo fatty acid, its derivative, or its salt, and hydroxylated fatty acid, its derivative, or its salt can be retained inside the water-absorbent polymer, and the amount of at least one compound selected from oxo fatty acid, its derivative, or its salt, and hydroxylated fatty acid, its derivative, or its salt in the plant activator is thought to be increased compared to when the water-absorbent polymer is not included. The greater the amount retained, the longer the period over which the growth-promoting agent can be released.

[0078] The binder resin is preferably sodium polyacrylate.

[0079] The plant activator is preferably a plant activator used for plants selected from the Brassicaceae, Poaceae, Leguminosae, Solanaceae, Rosaceae, Amaranthaceae, and Malvaceae families.

[0080] The plant activator is preferably in the form of a sheet or film. For example, the plant activator in the form of a sheet or film can be used as a mulch sheet for agricultural use.

[0081] The plant activator is preferably a plant activator that coats the surface of seeds.

[0082] The plant activator of the present invention comprises a particulate carbonized material; a binder resin; component (A): 13-oxo-9,11-octadecadienoic acid or a derivative or a salt thereof, and 9-oxo-10,12-octadecadienoic acid or a derivative or a salt thereof; and component (B): 9,10,13-trihydroxy-11-octadecenoic acid or a derivative or a salt thereof, and / or 9,12,13-trihydroxy-10-octadecenoic acid or a derivative or a salt thereof, and it is preferable that component (A) and component (B) are held by the particulate carbonized material.

[0083] In the plant activator of the present invention, the weight ratio of the 13-oxo-9,11-octadecadienoic acid or a derivative or a salt thereof to the 9-oxo-10,12-octadecadienoic acid or a derivative or a salt thereof is preferably 13-oxo-9,11-octadecadienoic acid or a derivative or a salt thereof / 9-oxo-10,12-octadecadienoic acid or a derivative or a salt thereof>1, and more preferably 13-oxo-9,11-octadecadienoic acid or a derivative or a salt thereof / 9-oxo-10,12-octadecadienoic acid or a derivative or a salt thereof>2.17.

[0084] In the plant activator of the present invention, the component (B) is 9,10,13-trihydroxy-11-octadecenoic acid, or a derivative thereof, or a salt thereof, and 9,12,13-trihydroxy-10-octadecenoic acid, or a derivative thereof, or a salt thereof, and the total weight of the 13-oxo-9,11-octadecadienoic acid, or a derivative thereof, or a salt thereof, and the 9-oxo-10,12-octadecadienoic acid, or a derivative thereof, or a salt thereof is preferably 2 to 10 times, and more preferably 2 to 7 times, the total weight of the 9,10,13-trihydroxy-11-octadecenoic acid, or a derivative thereof, or a salt thereof, and the 9,12,13-trihydroxy-10-octadecenoic acid, or a derivative thereof, or a salt thereof.

[0085] In the plant activator of the present invention, the particulate carbonized material is preferably rice husk carbonized material.

[0086] The plant activator of the present invention comprises a particulate carbonized material containing an oxo fatty acid or a hydroxylated fatty acid as an active ingredient and a binder resin. The use of the binder resin bonds the particles of the particulate carbonized material containing the active ingredient together, increasing the particle size of the plant activator. As a result, scattering of the particles can be prevented, facilitating application and spraying of the plant activator. A sustained-release plant activator can be provided that is easy to use and fully exhibits plant activating effects such as disease resistance induction and growth promotion.

[0087] The first and second inventions described above are incorporated by reference in their entirety in Japanese Patent Application Nos. 2023-186829 and 2023-186837, and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2021-102597.

[0088] 1 is a diagram showing the efflux rate relative to the amount of growth-promoting agent carried in each effluent (fr1 to 3). 2 is a diagram showing the cumulative efflux rate relative to the amount of growth-promoting agent carried in each effluent (fr1 to 3). 3 is a diagram showing the efflux rate and cumulative efflux rate relative to the amount of growth-promoting agent carried in each effluent (fr1A to 3A).

[0089] (First Invention) Plant Activator The plant activator of the present invention comprises vegetable charcoal and at least one compound selected from "oxo fatty acids or derivatives thereof or salts thereof" and "hydroxylated fatty acids or derivatives thereof or salts thereof", and is characterized in that at least one compound selected from oxo fatty acids or derivatives thereof or salts thereof and hydroxylated fatty acids or derivatives thereof or salts thereof is retained in the vegetable charcoal.

[0090] In the present invention, "plant activation" means adjusting the growth activity of a plant in some way to activate or maintain it, and is a concept that includes plant growth regulating actions such as growth promotion (a concept that includes the expansion of stems and leaves, and the promotion of tuber and root growth, etc.), dormancy suppression, induction and imparting of plant resistance to stress (such as disease), and anti-aging.

[0091] The plant activator of the present invention contains at least one compound selected from an oxo fatty acid, a derivative thereof, or a salt thereof, and a hydroxylated fatty acid, a derivative thereof, or a salt thereof as an active ingredient for plant activation. When applied to a portion of a plant's stem, leaves, or roots, the at least one compound selected from an oxo fatty acid, a derivative thereof, or a salt thereof functions as a growth promoter that can impart growth-promoting effects to plants. Compared to untreated plants, plants inoculated with the plant activator of the present invention exhibited increases in leaf length and leaf weight, which are indicators of plant growth, and promoted tuber or tuberous root growth, suggesting that the plant activator of the present invention imparts a growth-promoting effect to plants. Use of the plant activator of the present invention can promote plant growth and increase the yield of plants such as vegetables, grains, and fruits. The plant activator of the present invention has an extremely high plant growth-promoting effect, which can result in significant increases in the yield of commercial crops and improved harvest efficiency. Furthermore, when the plant activator of the present invention is applied to a part of the stems, leaves, or roots of a plant, it can activate the salicylic acid pathway involved in resistance induction in the plant body, thereby inducing resistance to diseases and the like in the plant.

[0092] In the plant activator of the present invention, at least one compound selected from the group consisting of the oxo fatty acid, its derivative, or its salt, and the hydroxylated fatty acid, its derivative, or its salt is dispersed and retained in the plant charcoal as an active ingredient exhibiting plant activation. Because it is less likely to come into contact with oxygen in the air, it is less likely to undergo oxidative decomposition, and it is believed that the active ingredient of the plant activator of the present invention is stably contained in the plant activator.

[0093] Furthermore, by providing the plant activator in such a form, the plant activator of the present invention can gradually and sustainably release a sufficient amount of the active ingredient over time under the desired environment. In addition to the high plant activating effect described above, the plant activator of the present invention has a sustained effect with a single application, eliminating the need for repeated applications, and is therefore extremely advantageous in terms of labor savings.

[0094] The vegetable charcoal used in the present invention is a carrier that can contain, for example, at least one compound selected from an oxo fatty acid, a derivative thereof, or a salt thereof, and a hydroxylated fatty acid, a derivative thereof, or a salt thereof, dispersed therein. Examples of vegetable charcoal include those obtained by carbonizing plant-derived raw materials such as coconut shells, rice husks, sawdust, wood, and cellulose at relatively low temperatures, such as about 260 to 500°C. This vegetable charcoal is produced by carbonizing a carbonaceous material and then further chemically or physically treating it, such as with a chemical activation method or a gas activation method using high-temperature treatment with steam or carbon dioxide. Compared to conventional activated carbon, which has many micropores, a high porosity, and a large specific surface area, the charcoal has larger pores and a smaller specific surface area, resulting in lower adsorption capacity. Therefore, the vegetable charcoal can support at least one compound selected from the oxo fatty acid, a derivative thereof, or a salt thereof, and a hydroxylated fatty acid, a derivative thereof, or a salt thereof, of the present invention, with adequate adsorption capacity.

[0095] For example, examples of vegetable charcoal include, but are not limited to, binchotan charcoal, wood charcoal, bamboo charcoal, coconut shell charcoal, rice husk charcoal, plum charcoal, pine charcoal, birch charcoal, maple charcoal, sawdust charcoal, lamp black soot, pine soot soot, buckwheat husk charcoal, sorghum charcoal, etc. For example, the vegetable charcoal is preferably rice husk charcoal.

[0096] The vegetable charcoal has a network structure. At least one compound selected from the oxo fatty acid, its derivative, or salt thereof, and the hydroxylated fatty acid, its derivative, or salt thereof of the present invention is incorporated into the internal space formed by this network structure and held therein by physical adsorption or hydrogen bonding. In other words, the plant activator of the present invention is a sustained-release plant activator in which the plant-activating compound is held with moderate adsorption strength in the matrix of the network structure of the vegetable charcoal. When the plant activator is placed in or comes into contact with water, a controlled amount of the held compound is released into the water. The desired release characteristics of the plant activator component are based on the characteristic of vegetable charcoal, which has a lower adsorption capacity than activated carbon, as described above. Furthermore, the release characteristics can be adjusted to suit the application conditions of the plant activator by appropriately selecting the vegetable charcoal material, porosity, specific surface area, etc.

[0097] As described above, the plant activator of the present invention comprises at least one compound selected from an oxo fatty acid, a derivative thereof, or a salt thereof, and a hydroxylated fatty acid, a derivative thereof, or a salt thereof, which are held on plant charcoal. The oxo fatty acid, a derivative thereof, or a salt thereof of the present invention is a fatty acid having a carbonyl group in the carbon skeleton excluding the carboxyl group. Specifically, the oxo fatty acid, a derivative thereof, or a salt thereof of the present invention is a fatty acid represented by the following formula: HOOC-(R 1 )-CH=CH-C(=O)-R 2 (I) (wherein, R 1 R is a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon group containing 6 to 12 carbon atoms; 2 An oxo fatty acid having the structural formula: ##STR1## or a derivative thereof, or a salt thereof, can be preferably used.

[0098] In the present invention, R in the oxo fatty acid 1 The hydrocarbon group has 8 to 10 carbon atoms, and R 2 The number of carbon atoms in the alkyl group of the oxo fatty acid is 4 to 6. 1contains a double bond that forms a conjugated double bond with the double bond between the α and β carbons of the carbonyl group in formula (I). 1 is a linear or branched hydrocarbon group having 9 carbon atoms, and R 2 is preferably an alkyl group having 5 carbon atoms.

[0099] Specific examples of oxo fatty acids of the present invention include ketooctadecadienoic acids, such as, but not limited to, 9-oxo-10,12-octadecadienoic acid (9-oxoODA), 13-oxo-9,11-octadecadienoic acid (13-oxoODA), 5-oxo-6,8-octadecadienoic acid, 6-oxo-9,12-octadecadienoic acid, 8-oxo-9,12-octadecadienoic acid, 10-oxo-8,12-octadecadienoic acid, 11-oxo-9,12-octadecadienoic acid, 12-oxo-9,13-octadecadienoic acid, and 14-oxo-9,12-octadecadienoic acid, as well as isomers thereof.

[0100] The oxo fatty acid of the present invention may be two or more of the above-mentioned ketooctadecadienoic acids, for example, the oxo fatty acid of the present invention is 13-oxo-9,11-octadecadienoic acid and 9-oxo-10,12-octadecadienoic acid.

[0101] When the plant activator of the present invention contains two acids, 13-oxo-9,11-octadecadienoic acid and 9-oxo-10,12-octadecadienoic acid, the weight ratio of 13-oxo-9,11-octadecadienoic acid to 9-oxo-10,12-octadecadienoic acid is preferably 13-oxo-9,11-octadecadienoic acid / 9-oxo-10,12-octadecadienoic acid>1, and more preferably 13-oxo-9,11-octadecadienoic acid or a derivative or a salt thereof / 9-oxo-10,12-octadecadienoic acid or a derivative or a salt thereof>2.17.

[0102] This is because the plant growth-promoting effect is superior when the amount of 13-oxo-9,11-octadecadienoic acid is greater than that of 9-oxo-10,12-octadecadienoic acid.

[0103] Furthermore, when the amount of 13-oxo-9,11-octadecadienoic acid is greater than that of 9-oxo-10,12-octadecadienoic acid, the retention force in the pores of the plant charcoal is improved, allowing for sustained release over a longer period of time.

[0104] Esters are preferred as derivatives of oxo fatty acids. Examples of esters of oxo fatty acids of the present invention include, but are not limited to, methyl esters, ethyl esters, propyl esters, butyl esters, pentyl esters, isopentyl esters, octyl esters, etc. Examples of salts of oxo fatty acids include ammonium salts such as ammonium salts and alkylammonium salts such as tetramethylammonium salts, alkaline earth metal salts such as calcium salts and magnesium salts, alkali metal salts such as sodium salts, lithium salts, and potassium salts, and metal salts such as cobalt salts and manganese salts. However, the salts are not particularly limited as long as they are one or more agriculturally acceptable salts, such as salts contained in fertilizers.

[0105] The hydroxylated fatty acid or its derivative or salt thereof of the present invention is a compound represented by the following formula (II) and / or (III): HOOC-(R 3 )-CH(OH)-CH(OH)-CH=CH-CH(OH)-R 4 (II) HOOC-(R 3 )-CH(OH)-CH=CH-CH(OH)-CH(OH)-R 4 (III) (wherein, R 3 R is a linear or branched hydrocarbon group having 4 to 12 carbon atoms, which may contain one or more double bonds and / or OH groups, and when a double bond is contained, the position of the double bond is not limited; 4is a linear or branched hydrocarbon group having 2 to 8 carbon atoms, which may contain one or more double bonds and / or OH groups, and when a double bond is contained, the position of the double bond is not limited.) A hydroxylated fatty acid having the following structural formula, or a derivative or salt thereof, can be preferably used.

[0106] In the present invention, R in the hydroxylated fatty acid 3 The hydrocarbon group of R has 6 to 8 carbon atoms, 4 The hydrocarbon group of R in the above hydroxylated fatty acid has 4 to 6 carbon atoms. 3 is -(CH2) n -(n is an integer of 4 to 12), and R 4 is C n H 2n+1 -(n is an integer of 2 to 8). 3 is a linear saturated hydrocarbon group having 7 carbon atoms (-(CH2)7-), and R 4 is preferably an alkyl group having 5 carbon atoms (CH3CH2CH2CH2CH2-).

[0107] Specific examples of hydroxylated fatty acids of the present invention include hydroxyoctadecenoic acids, such as, but not limited to, 9,10,13-trihydroxy-11-octadecenoic acid and / or 9,12,13-trihydroxy-10-octadecenoic acid and isomers thereof.

[0108] The hydroxylated fatty acids of the present invention may be 9,10,13-trihydroxy-11-octadecenoic acid and 9,12,13-trihydroxy-10-octadecenoic acid.

[0109] When the plant activator of the present invention contains two acids, 13-oxo-9,11-octadecadienoic acid and 9-oxo-10,12-octadecadienoic acid, and two acids, 9,10,13-trihydroxy-11-octadecenoic acid and 9,12,13-trihydroxy-10-octadecenoic acid, the total weight of 13-oxo-9,11-octadecadienoic acid and 9-oxo-10,12-octadecadienoic acid is preferably 2 to 10 times, and more preferably 2 to 6.5 times, the total weight of 9,10,13-trihydroxy-11-octadecenoic acid and 9,12,13-trihydroxy-10-octadecenoic acid.

[0110] This is because "13-oxo-9,11-octadecadienoic acid and 9-oxo-10,12-octadecadienoic acid" and "9,10,13-trihydroxy-11-octadecenoic acid and 9,12,13-trihydroxy-10-octadecenoic acid" act synergistically within the above range to express the TAA1 gene and YUCCA gene involved in the synthesis of plant hormones, thereby promoting plant growth.

[0111] Esters are preferred as derivatives of hydroxylated fatty acids. Examples of esters of hydroxylated fatty acids of the present invention include, but are not limited to, methyl esters, ethyl esters, propyl esters, butyl esters, pentyl esters, isopentyl esters, octyl esters, etc. Examples of salts of hydroxylated fatty acids include ammonium salts such as ammonium salts and alkylammonium salts such as tetramethylammonium salts, alkaline earth metal salts such as calcium salts and magnesium salts, alkali metal salts such as sodium salts, lithium salts, and potassium salts, and metal salts such as cobalt salts and manganese salts. However, the salts are not particularly limited as long as they are one or more agriculturally acceptable salts, such as salts contained in fertilizers.

[0112] When the compounds exemplified in this specification have isomers, all possible isomers can be used in the present invention unless otherwise specified.

[0113] The plant activator of the present invention is only required to contain at least one of the above-mentioned oxo fatty acids, derivatives thereof, or salts thereof, or the above-mentioned hydroxylated fatty acids, derivatives thereof, or salts thereof, as at least one compound selected from oxo fatty acids, derivatives thereof, or salts thereof, and hydroxylated fatty acids, derivatives thereof, or salts thereof. In other words, for example, the plant activator may contain two or more types of oxo fatty acids, derivatives thereof, or salts thereof, or hydroxylated fatty acids, derivatives thereof, or salts thereof, or may contain at least one type of oxo fatty acid, derivative, or salt thereof and at least one type of hydroxylated fatty acid, derivative, or salt thereof.

[0114] The plant activator of the present invention may also contain two or more substrates for supporting at least one compound selected from oxo fatty acids, derivatives thereof, or salts thereof, and hydroxylated fatty acids, derivatives thereof, or salts thereof. For example, the plant activator of the present invention may contain, in addition to plant charcoal, a water-absorbent polymer capable of containing at least one compound selected from oxo fatty acids, derivatives thereof, or salts thereof, and hydroxylated fatty acids, derivatives thereof, or salts thereof dispersed therein. It is believed that a greater amount of at least one compound selected from oxo fatty acids, derivatives thereof, or salts thereof, and hydroxylated fatty acids, derivatives thereof, or salts thereof can be supported within the plant activator, and the plant activator may be able to release the plant activator's at least one compound selected from oxo fatty acids, derivatives thereof, or salts thereof, and hydroxylated fatty acids, derivatives thereof, or salts thereof over a longer period of time. The water-absorbing polymer is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include one or more selected from polyacrylate-based polymers, polysulfonate-based polymers, maleic anhydride-based polymers, polyacrylamide-based polymers, polyvinyl alcohol-based polymers, starch-based polymers, cellulose-based polymers, polyalginic acid-based polymers, etc. Specific examples of suitable water-absorbing polymers include sodium polyacrylate, crosslinked polymers based on sodium polyacrylate, polyacrylamide copolymers, ethylene-maleic anhydride copolymers, crosslinked carboxymethyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, polyvinyl alcohol copolymers, PVA-polyacrylate, crosslinked polyethylene oxide, and starch graft copolymers of polyacrylonitrile, isobutylene-maleate, etc. Suitable water-absorbing polymers include, for example, sodium polyacrylate.

[0115] The method for retaining at least one compound selected from the oxo fatty acid, its derivative, or salt thereof, and the hydroxylated fatty acid, its derivative, or salt thereof in the vegetable charcoal, or the vegetable charcoal and the water-absorbent polymer, is not particularly limited and can be selected appropriately depending on the intended use of the vegetable charcoal, water-absorbent polymer, or plant activator used. For example, this can be achieved by immersing the vegetable charcoal or water-absorbent polymer in a solution prepared by dissolving or dispersing at least one compound selected from the oxo fatty acid, its derivative, or salt thereof, and the hydroxylated fatty acid, its derivative, or salt thereof in a suitable solvent, followed by removing the solvent and drying as necessary. The immersion time for the vegetable charcoal or water-absorbent polymer is also not particularly limited, but it should be long enough to achieve a uniform concentration of the oxo fatty acid, its derivative, or salt thereof, and the hydroxylated fatty acid, its derivative, or salt thereof, in the vegetable charcoal or water-absorbent polymer, for example, about 1 to 24 hours. When the soaking time is within this range, at least one compound selected from oxo fatty acids or their derivatives or salts and hydroxylated fatty acids or their derivatives or salts is sufficiently introduced into the vegetable charcoal or water-absorbent polymer, and there is no variation in concentration within the vegetable charcoal or water-absorbent polymer, resulting in a homogeneous vegetable charcoal or water-absorbent polymer that uniformly contains at least one compound selected from oxo fatty acids or their derivatives or salts and hydroxylated fatty acids or their derivatives or salts.

[0116] The amount of at least one compound selected from an oxo fatty acid, a derivative thereof, or a salt thereof, and a hydroxylated fatty acid, a derivative thereof, or a salt thereof carried in the plant activator of the present invention is not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected, for example, taking into consideration the recommended application amount of the plant activator as an active ingredient. For example, the ratio of the at least one compound selected from an oxo fatty acid, a derivative thereof, or a salt thereof, and a hydroxylated fatty acid, a derivative thereof, or a salt thereof to a total of 100 parts by mass of the carrier such as plant charcoal or a water-absorbent polymer, and the oxo fatty acid, a derivative thereof, or a salt thereof, and the hydroxylated fatty acid, a derivative thereof, or a salt thereof can be about 0.001 to 0.1 parts by mass.

[0117] The plant activator of the present invention gradually releases at least one compound selected from an oxo fatty acid, a derivative thereof, or a salt thereof, and a hydroxylated fatty acid, a derivative thereof, or a salt thereof, thereby exerting a plant activating effect over a long period of time, for example, for a period of more than about 30 days and not more than 180 days.

[0118] The plant activator of the present invention may optionally contain other components in addition to at least one compound selected from the group consisting of an oxo fatty acid, a derivative thereof, or a salt thereof, and a hydroxylated fatty acid, a derivative thereof, or a salt thereof. Such other components include, but are not limited to, agriculturally acceptable additives such as fatty acids, surfactants, binders, solvents, absorbents, stabilizing agents, inorganic salts, and excipients.

[0119] The plant activator of the present invention can be applied to plants by any method. For example, it can be applied by uniformly spraying it directly onto a field or by spraying it directly into paddy field water. It can also be used as a planting hole treatment agent, a row spray, a base spray, or a box treatment agent. The formulation (form) of the plant activator of the present invention is not particularly limited. For example, it can be a dust (general dust, DL dust, flow dust, etc.), a granule, or a powder granule (microgranule, microgranule F, etc.). It can also be in the form of a granule, sheet, block, film, or the like, which can be manufactured according to known manufacturing methods. When applied to a plant, the plant activator of the present invention confer a long-lasting plant growth-promoting effect and resistance to stresses such as disease over a long period of time.

[0120] When the plant activator of the present invention contains a water-absorbent polymer, the plant activator may be formed into a sheet or film. When the plant activator is formed into a sheet or film, the sheet or film-like plant activator can be used as an agricultural mulch sheet. By covering ridges or the like as an agricultural mulch sheet, at least one compound selected from an oxo fatty acid, a derivative thereof, or a salt thereof, and a hydroxylated fatty acid, a derivative thereof, or a salt thereof is slowly released from the sheet, thereby reducing the effort required for fertilization. Furthermore, forming the plant activator into a sheet or film is thought to improve handling and be advantageous for transportation, etc.

[0121] When the plant activator is formed into a sheet, the plant activator of the present invention may be impregnated into or coated on a fibrous substrate and dried to form a sheet. Nonwoven fabric, paper, etc. can be used as the fibrous substrate. Alternatively, the plant activator of the present invention may be mixed with raw fiber constituting the fibrous substrate and then formed into a sheet by papermaking.

[0122] Furthermore, when the plant activator of the present invention contains a water-absorbent polymer, the plant activator may coat the surface of a seed. This is because the plant activator coating the surface of the seed slowly releases at least one compound selected from an oxo fatty acid, a derivative thereof, or a salt thereof, and a hydroxylated fatty acid, a derivative thereof, or a salt thereof, thereby aiding seed germination and root development and promoting the growth of germinated shoots and cotyledons. Here, "seed" refers to the mature ovule of gymnosperms and angiosperms, and embryos surrounded by a protective membrane such as a seed coat or pericarp, and may include pelleted seeds, true seeds, plant seedlings, rhizomes, plant-forming tissues, tuberous roots, bulbs, and other plants that can be planted in agriculture to produce plants.

[0123] For example, seeds that can be used include seeds of agricultural crops such as fruit vegetables, grains, and leafy vegetables, and specifically seeds of tomatoes, strawberries, eggplants, cucumbers, sorghum, soybeans, corn, rice, cabbage, spinach, lettuce, etc.

[0124] When the plant activator of the present invention contains a water-absorbing polymer, the plant activator of the present invention can coat the surface of the seeds, for example, by applying a layer of plant activator around the seeds. The seed coating method is not limited, and known techniques can be used, such as film coating, pelleting, and encrusting. The coating is preferably applied to substantially the entire surface of the seeds, for example, 90% or more of the seed surface to form a layer, but the seed surface may also be partially coated.

[0125] The plants to which the plant activator of the present invention can be applied are not particularly limited, and can be used effectively on plants in general. For example, it can be suitably applied to plants of the Brassicaceae, Poaceae, Leguminosae, Solanaceae, Rosaceae, Amaranthaceae, or Malvaceae families. Furthermore, the plants to which it can be applied are not limited to wild-type plants, and may be, for example, mutants or transformants. Furthermore, the varieties of each plant are also not particularly limited.

[0126] Furthermore, it has been found that the plant activator of the present invention can be used as a plant activator that exhibits a strong resistance induction effect, and has been found to exhibit growth-promoting effects, fruit yield-increasing effects, and disease-suppressing effects in various plants. Specific examples of disease suppression effects include gray mold, fusarium wilt, vine wilt, and downy mildew on leaves of Cucurbitaceae plants such as cucumber, watermelon, melon, and pumpkin; bacterial wilt, wilt, verticillate wilt, damping-off, and brown root rot on Solanaceae plants such as tomato, eggplant, and potato; powdery mildew, black scab, gray mold, and anthracnose on Rosaceae plants such as rose and strawberry; downy mildew on Amaranthaceae plants such as spinach; black rot, soft rot, bacterial spot disease, Rhizoctonia disease on Brassicaceae plants such as Chinese cabbage, cabbage, and Komatsuna; southern blight on Apiaceae plants such as carrot; and rice blast on Gramineae plants.

[0127] (Second Invention) Plant Activator The plant activator of the present invention comprises a particulate carbonized material, a binder resin, and at least one compound selected from "oxo fatty acids or derivatives thereof or salts thereof" and "hydroxylated fatty acids or derivatives thereof or salts thereof", and is characterized in that at least one compound selected from oxo fatty acids or derivatives thereof or salts thereof and hydroxylated fatty acids or derivatives thereof or salts thereof is held by the particulate carbonized material.

[0128] In the present invention, "plant activation" means adjusting the growth activity of a plant in some way to activate or maintain it, and is a concept that includes plant growth regulating actions such as growth promotion (a concept that includes the expansion of stems and leaves, and the promotion of tuber and root growth, etc.), dormancy suppression, induction and imparting of plant resistance to stress (such as disease), and anti-aging.

[0129] The plant activator of the present invention contains at least one compound selected from an oxo fatty acid, a derivative thereof, or a salt thereof, and a hydroxylated fatty acid, a derivative thereof, or a salt thereof as an active ingredient for plant activation. When applied to a portion of a plant's stem, leaves, or roots, the at least one compound selected from an oxo fatty acid, a derivative thereof, or a salt thereof functions as a growth promoter that can impart growth-promoting effects to plants. Compared to untreated plants, plants inoculated with the plant activator of the present invention exhibited increases in leaf length and leaf weight, which are indicators of plant growth, and promoted tuber or tuberous root growth, suggesting that the plant activator of the present invention imparts a growth-promoting effect to plants. Use of the plant activator of the present invention can promote plant growth and increase the yield of plants such as vegetables, grains, and fruits. The plant activator of the present invention has an extremely high plant growth-promoting effect, which can result in significant increases in the yield of commercial crops and improved harvest efficiency. Furthermore, when the plant activator of the present invention is applied to a part of the stems, leaves, or roots of a plant, it can activate the salicylic acid pathway involved in resistance induction in the plant body, thereby inducing resistance to diseases and the like in the plant.

[0130] In the plant activator of the present invention, at least one compound selected from the group consisting of the oxo fatty acid, its derivative, or its salt, and the hydroxylated fatty acid, its derivative, or its salt is dispersed and retained in the particulate carbonized material as an active ingredient exhibiting plant activation. Because it is less likely to come into contact with oxygen in the air, it is less likely to be subjected to oxidative decomposition reactions, and it is believed that the active ingredient of the plant activator of the present invention is stably contained in the plant activator.

[0131] Furthermore, by providing the plant activator in such a form, the plant activator of the present invention can gradually and sustainably release a sufficient amount of the active ingredient over time under the desired environment. In addition to the high plant activating effect described above, the plant activator of the present invention has a sustained effect with a single application, eliminating the need for repeated applications, and is therefore extremely advantageous in terms of labor savings.

[0132] The particulate carbonized material used in the present invention is a carrier capable of supporting at least one compound selected from, for example, an oxo fatty acid, its derivative, or a salt thereof, and a hydroxylated fatty acid, its derivative, or a salt thereof, dispersed therein and with adequate adsorption performance. Any particulate carbonized material can be used, including vegetable charcoal and activated carbon, regardless of their origin or preparation or processing method, such as activation during preparation of the activated carbon. Examples of vegetable charcoal include those obtained by carbonizing plant-derived raw materials such as coconut shells, rice husks, sawdust, wood, and cellulose at relatively low temperatures, such as around 400°C. Examples of vegetable charcoal include one or more selected from the group consisting of binchotan charcoal, wood charcoal, bamboo charcoal, coconut shell charcoal, rice husk charcoal, plum charcoal, pine charcoal, birch charcoal, maple charcoal, sawdust, lamp soot, pine soot, buckwheat husk charcoal, and sorghum charcoal. Preferably, the particulate carbonized material is vegetable charcoal. As the vegetable charcoal, for example, rice husk charcoal is preferably used.

[0133] The particulate carbonized material of the present invention has a network structure. At least one compound selected from the oxo fatty acid, its derivative, or salt thereof, and the hydroxylated fatty acid, its derivative, or salt thereof of the present invention is incorporated into the internal space formed by this network structure and held therein by physical adsorption or hydrogen bonding. In other words, the plant activator of the present invention is a sustained-release plant activator in which the compound having plant activating effect is held with appropriate adsorption strength in the matrix of the network structure of the plant charcoal. When the plant activator is placed in water or comes into contact with water, a controlled amount of the held compound is released into the water. The desired release characteristics can be adjusted to suit the application conditions of the plant activator by appropriately selecting the material, porosity, specific surface area, etc. of the particulate carbonized material used.

[0134] The plant activator of the present invention contains a binder resin in addition to the particulate carbonized material described above on which at least one compound selected from an oxo fatty acid, a derivative thereof, or a salt thereof, and a hydroxylated fatty acid, a derivative thereof, or a salt thereof is supported. The particles of the particulate carbonized material of the present invention on which at least one compound selected from an oxo fatty acid, a derivative thereof, or a salt thereof, and a hydroxylated fatty acid, a derivative thereof, or a salt thereof is supported are bound together by the binder resin.

[0135] The plant activator of the present invention has a relatively large particle size due to the binding of the particulate carbon particles via the binder resin. For example, the particle size of the granular activated carbon is not particularly limited, but is approximately 0.1 μm to 10 mm. By making the particle size of the plant activator this large, it is possible to prevent particles from scattering into the air during handling. This is thought to facilitate application and spraying of the plant activator and improve handleability. Furthermore, when handling carbonized materials, there has been a problem of carbonized material scattering into the air, causing carbon stains to adhere to the user's clothing. However, by increasing the particle size of the carbonized material, scattering is thought to be less likely to occur.

[0136] Any resin capable of binding carbonized particles together can be used as the binder resin. For example, it may be preferable for the binder resin to be a polymer, such as a water-absorbent polymer, that is itself capable of supporting at least one compound selected from oxo fatty acids, their derivatives, or salts thereof, and hydroxylated fatty acids, their derivatives, or salts thereof. This is because the amount of at least one compound selected from oxo fatty acids, their derivatives, or salts thereof, and hydroxylated fatty acids, their derivatives, or salts thereof supported in the plant activator can be improved. This is believed to enable the plant activator to release the plant activator component, at least one compound selected from oxo fatty acids, their derivatives, or salts thereof, and hydroxylated fatty acids, their derivatives, or salts thereof, over a longer period of time. Examples of such water-absorbent polymers include, but are not limited to, polyacrylate-based polymers, polysulfonate-based polymers, maleic anhydride-based polymers, polyacrylamide-based polymers, polyvinyl alcohol-based polymers, starch-based polymers, cellulose-based polymers, and polyalginic acid-based polymers. Specifically, for example, suitable binder resins include sodium polyacrylate, cross-linked polymers based on sodium polyacrylate, polyacrylamide copolymers, ethylene-maleic anhydride copolymers, cross-linked carboxymethyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, polyvinyl alcohol copolymers, PVA-polyacrylate, cross-linked polyethylene oxide, and starch graft copolymers of polyacrylonitrile, isobutylene-maleate, etc. These binder resins may be used alone or as a mixture of two or more. Suitable water-absorbing polymers include, for example, sodium polyacrylate.

[0137] As described above, the plant activator of the present invention comprises an oxo fatty acid, or a derivative thereof, or a salt thereof, and at least one compound selected from a hydroxylated fatty acid, or a derivative thereof, or a salt thereof, held on a particulate carbonized material, and a binder resin. The oxo fatty acid, or a derivative thereof, or a salt thereof of the present invention is a fatty acid having a carbonyl group in the carbon skeleton excluding the carboxyl group. Specifically, the oxo fatty acid, or a derivative thereof, or a salt thereof of the present invention is a fatty acid represented by the following formula: HOOC-(R 1 )-CH=CH-C(=O)-R 2 (I) (wherein, R 1 R is a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon group containing 6 to 12 carbon atoms; 2 An oxo fatty acid having the structural formula: ##STR1## or a derivative thereof, or a salt thereof, can be preferably used.

[0138] In the present invention, R in the oxo fatty acid 1 The hydrocarbon group has 8 to 10 carbon atoms, and R 2 The number of carbon atoms in the alkyl group of the oxo fatty acid is 4 to 6. 1 contains a double bond that forms a conjugated double bond with the double bond between the α and β carbons of the carbonyl group in formula (I). 1 is a linear or branched hydrocarbon group having 9 carbon atoms, and R 2 is preferably an alkyl group having 5 carbon atoms.

[0139] Specific examples of oxo fatty acids of the present invention include ketooctadecadienoic acids, such as, but not limited to, 9-oxo-10,12-octadecadienoic acid (9-oxoODA), 13-oxo-9,11-octadecadienoic acid (13-oxoODA), 5-oxo-6,8-octadecadienoic acid, 6-oxo-9,12-octadecadienoic acid, 8-oxo-9,12-octadecadienoic acid, 10-oxo-8,12-octadecadienoic acid, 11-oxo-9,12-octadecadienoic acid, 12-oxo-9,13-octadecadienoic acid, and 14-oxo-9,12-octadecadienoic acid, as well as isomers thereof.

[0140] The oxo fatty acid of the present invention may be two or more of the above-mentioned ketooctadecadienoic acids, for example, the oxo fatty acid of the present invention is 13-oxo-9,11-octadecadienoic acid and 9-oxo-10,12-octadecadienoic acid.

[0141] When the plant activator of the present invention contains two acids, 13-oxo-9,11-octadecadienoic acid and 9-oxo-10,12-octadecadienoic acid, the weight ratio of 13-oxo-9,11-octadecadienoic acid to 9-oxo-10,12-octadecadienoic acid is preferably 13-oxo-9,11-octadecadienoic acid / 9-oxo-10,12-octadecadienoic acid>1, and more preferably 13-oxo-9,11-octadecadienoic acid or a derivative or a salt thereof / 9-oxo-10,12-octadecadienoic acid or a derivative or a salt thereof>2.17.

[0142] This is because the plant growth-promoting effect is superior when the amount of 13-oxo-9,11-octadecadienoic acid is greater than that of 9-oxo-10,12-octadecadienoic acid.

[0143] Furthermore, when the amount of 13-oxo-9,11-octadecadienoic acid is greater than that of 9-oxo-10,12-octadecadienoic acid, the retention force within the pores of the particulate carbonized material is improved, thereby enabling sustained release over a longer period of time.

[0144] Esters are preferred as derivatives of oxo fatty acids. Examples of esters of oxo fatty acids of the present invention include, but are not limited to, methyl esters, ethyl esters, propyl esters, butyl esters, pentyl esters, isopentyl esters, octyl esters, etc. Examples of salts of oxo fatty acids include ammonium salts such as ammonium salts and alkylammonium salts such as tetramethylammonium salts, alkaline earth metal salts such as calcium salts and magnesium salts, alkali metal salts such as sodium salts, lithium salts, and potassium salts, and metal salts such as cobalt salts and manganese salts. However, the salts are not particularly limited as long as they are one or more agriculturally acceptable salts, such as salts contained in fertilizers.

[0145] The hydroxylated fatty acid or its derivative or salt thereof of the present invention is a compound represented by the following formula (II) and / or (III): HOOC-(R 3 )-CH(OH)-CH(OH)-CH=CH-CH(OH)-R 4 (II) HOOC-(R 3 )-CH(OH)-CH=CH-CH(OH)-CH(OH)-R 4 (III) (wherein, R 3 R is a linear or branched hydrocarbon group having 4 to 12 carbon atoms, which may contain one or more double bonds and / or OH groups, and when a double bond is contained, the position of the double bond is not limited; 4 is a linear or branched hydrocarbon group having 2 to 8 carbon atoms, which may contain one or more double bonds and / or OH groups, and when a double bond is contained, the position of the double bond is not limited.) A hydroxylated fatty acid having the following structural formula, or a derivative or salt thereof, can be preferably used.

[0146] In the present invention, R in the hydroxylated fatty acid 3 The hydrocarbon group of R has 6 to 8 carbon atoms, 4 The hydrocarbon group of R in the above hydroxylated fatty acid has 4 to 6 carbon atoms. 3 is -(CH2) n-(n is an integer of 4 to 12), and R 4 is C n H 2n+1 -(n is an integer of 2 to 8). 3 is a linear saturated hydrocarbon group having 7 carbon atoms (-(CH2)7-), and R 4 is preferably an alkyl group having 5 carbon atoms (CH3CH2CH2CH2CH2-).

[0147] Specific examples of hydroxylated fatty acids of the present invention include hydroxyoctadecenoic acids, such as, but not limited to, 9,10,13-trihydroxy-11-octadecenoic acid and / or 9,12,13-trihydroxy-10-octadecenoic acid and isomers thereof.

[0148] The hydroxylated fatty acids of the present invention may be 9,10,13-trihydroxy-11-octadecenoic acid and 9,12,13-trihydroxy-10-octadecenoic acid.

[0149] When the plant activator of the present invention contains two acids, 13-oxo-9,11-octadecadienoic acid and 9-oxo-10,12-octadecadienoic acid, and two acids, 9,10,13-trihydroxy-11-octadecenoic acid and 9,12,13-trihydroxy-10-octadecenoic acid, the total weight of 13-oxo-9,11-octadecadienoic acid and 9-oxo-10,12-octadecadienoic acid is preferably 2 to 10 times, and more preferably 2 to 7 times, the total weight of 9,10,13-trihydroxy-11-octadecenoic acid and 9,12,13-trihydroxy-10-octadecenoic acid.

[0150] This is because "13-oxo-9,11-octadecadienoic acid and 9-oxo-10,12-octadecadienoic acid" and "9,10,13-trihydroxy-11-octadecenoic acid and 9,12,13-trihydroxy-10-octadecenoic acid" act synergistically within the above range to express the TAA1 gene and YUCCA gene involved in the synthesis of plant hormones, thereby promoting plant growth.

[0151] Esters are preferred as derivatives of hydroxylated fatty acids. Examples of esters of hydroxylated fatty acids of the present invention include, but are not limited to, methyl esters, ethyl esters, propyl esters, butyl esters, pentyl esters, isopentyl esters, octyl esters, etc. Examples of salts of hydroxylated fatty acids include ammonium salts such as ammonium salts and alkylammonium salts such as tetramethylammonium salts, alkaline earth metal salts such as calcium salts and magnesium salts, alkali metal salts such as sodium salts, lithium salts, and potassium salts, and metal salts such as cobalt salts and manganese salts. However, the salts are not particularly limited as long as they are one or more agriculturally acceptable salts, such as salts contained in fertilizers.

[0152] When the compounds exemplified in this specification have isomers, all possible isomers can be used in the present invention unless otherwise specified.

[0153] The plant activator of the present invention is only required to contain at least one of the above-mentioned oxo fatty acids, derivatives thereof, or salts thereof, or the above-mentioned hydroxylated fatty acids, derivatives thereof, or salts thereof, as at least one compound selected from oxo fatty acids, derivatives thereof, or salts thereof, and hydroxylated fatty acids, derivatives thereof, or salts thereof. In other words, for example, the plant activator may contain two or more types of oxo fatty acids, derivatives thereof, or salts thereof, or hydroxylated fatty acids, derivatives thereof, or salts thereof, or may contain at least one type of oxo fatty acid, derivative, or salt thereof and at least one type of hydroxylated fatty acid, derivative, or salt thereof.

[0154] The method for retaining at least one compound selected from the oxo fatty acid, its derivative, or salt thereof, and the hydroxylated fatty acid, its derivative, or salt thereof, on the particulate carbonized material is not particularly limited and can be selected appropriately depending on the intended use of the particulate carbonized material and the plant activator used, but can be, for example, by immersing the particulate carbonized material described above in a solution in which the oxo fatty acid, its derivative, or salt thereof, and at least one compound selected from the hydroxylated fatty acid, its derivative, or salt thereof, of the present invention are dissolved or dispersed in a suitable solvent, and then removing the solvent and drying as necessary. The immersion time for the particulate carbonized material is also not particularly limited, but should be long enough to achieve a uniform concentration of the oxo fatty acid, its derivative, or salt thereof, and the at least one compound selected from the hydroxylated fatty acid, its derivative, or salt thereof, within the particulate carbonized material, and can be, for example, about 1 to 24 hours. When the immersion time is within this range, at least one compound selected from oxo fatty acids or their derivatives or salts and hydroxylated fatty acids or their derivatives or salts is sufficiently introduced into the particulate carbonized material, and there is no variation in concentration within the particulate carbonized material, resulting in a homogeneous particulate carbonized material that uniformly contains at least one compound selected from oxo fatty acids or their derivatives or salts and hydroxylated fatty acids or their derivatives or salts.

[0155] The amount of at least one compound selected from an oxo fatty acid, a derivative thereof, or a salt thereof, and a hydroxylated fatty acid, a derivative thereof, or a salt thereof supported in the plant activator of the present invention is not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected, for example, taking into consideration the recommended application amount of the plant activator as an active ingredient. For example, the ratio of the at least one compound selected from an oxo fatty acid, a derivative thereof, or a salt thereof, and a hydroxylated fatty acid, a derivative thereof, or a salt thereof to a total of 100 parts by mass of the particulate carbonized carrier and the at least one compound selected from an oxo fatty acid, a derivative thereof, or a salt thereof, and a hydroxylated fatty acid, a derivative thereof, or a salt thereof can be about 0.001 to 0.1 parts by mass.

[0156] Furthermore, in the plant activator of the present invention, the binder resin may be added in an amount of, for example, about 1 part by mass to about 100 parts by mass, more preferably about 5 parts by mass to about 20 parts by mass, relative to 100 parts by mass of the particulate carbonized material. This amount of binder resin is sufficient to bond the particles of the particulate carbonized material together, and can also provide a plant activator with a suitable particle size.

[0157] The plant activator of the present invention gradually releases at least one compound selected from an oxo fatty acid, a derivative thereof, or a salt thereof, and a hydroxylated fatty acid, a derivative thereof, or a salt thereof, thereby exerting a plant activating effect over a long period of time, for example, for a period of more than about 30 days and not more than 180 days.

[0158] The plant activator of the present invention may optionally contain other components in addition to at least one compound selected from the group consisting of an oxo fatty acid, a derivative thereof, or a salt thereof, and a hydroxylated fatty acid, a derivative thereof, or a salt thereof. Such other components include, but are not limited to, agriculturally acceptable additives such as fatty acids, surfactants, binders, solvents, absorbents, stabilizing agents, inorganic salts, and excipients.

[0159] The plant activator of the present invention can be applied to plants by any method. For example, it can be applied by uniformly spraying it directly onto a field or by spraying it directly into paddy field water. It can also be used as a planting hole treatment agent, a row spray, a base spray, or a box treatment agent. The formulation (form) of the plant activator of the present invention is not particularly limited. For example, it can be a dust (general dust, DL dust, flow dust, etc.), a granule, or a powder granule (microgranule, microgranule F, etc.). It can also be in the form of a granule, sheet, block, film, or the like, which can be manufactured according to known manufacturing methods. When applied to a plant, the plant activator of the present invention confer a long-lasting plant growth-promoting effect and resistance to stresses such as disease over a long period of time.

[0160] For example, when the plant activator of the present invention is formed into a sheet or film, the sheet or film plant activator can be used as an agricultural mulch sheet. By covering ridges or the like using the plant activator as an agricultural mulch sheet, at least one compound selected from an oxo fatty acid, a derivative thereof, or a salt thereof, and a hydroxylated fatty acid, a derivative thereof, or a salt thereof is slowly released from the sheet, thereby reducing the effort required for fertilization. Furthermore, forming the plant activator into a sheet or film is thought to improve handling and be advantageous for transportation, etc.

[0161] In the present invention, when the plant activator is formed into a sheet, the plant activator of the present invention may be impregnated into or coated on a fibrous substrate and dried to form a sheet. Nonwoven fabric, paper, etc. can be used as the fibrous substrate. Alternatively, the plant activator of the present invention may be mixed with raw fiber constituting the fibrous substrate and formed into a sheet by papermaking.

[0162] The plant activator of the present invention may also coat the surface of seeds. This is because the plant activator coating the surface of the seeds slowly releases at least one compound selected from an oxo fatty acid, a derivative thereof, or a salt thereof, and a hydroxylated fatty acid, a derivative thereof, or a salt thereof, thereby aiding seed germination and root development and promoting the growth of germinated shoots and cotyledons. Here, "seed" refers to a mature ovule of a gymnosperm or an angiosperm, or an embryo surrounded by a protective membrane such as a seed coat or pericarp, and may include pelleted seeds, true seeds, plant seedlings, rhizomes, plant-forming tissues, tuberous roots, bulbs, and other plants that can be planted in agriculture to produce plants.

[0163] For example, seeds that can be used include seeds of agricultural crops such as fruit vegetables, grains, and leafy vegetables, and specifically seeds of tomatoes, strawberries, eggplants, cucumbers, sorghum, soybeans, corn, rice, cabbage, spinach, lettuce, etc.

[0164] The plant activator of the present invention can coat the surface of seeds, for example, by applying a layer of plant activator around the seeds. The seed coating method is not limited, and known techniques can be used, including film coating, pelleting, encrusting, etc. The coating is preferably applied to substantially the entire surface of the seeds, for example, 90% or more of the seed surface, to form a layer, although partial coating of the seed surface is also acceptable.

[0165] The plants to which the plant activator of the present invention can be applied are not particularly limited, and can be used effectively on plants in general. For example, it can be suitably applied to plants of the Brassicaceae, Poaceae, Leguminosae, Solanaceae, Rosaceae, Amaranthaceae, or Malvaceae families. Furthermore, the plants to which it can be applied are not limited to wild-type plants, and may be, for example, mutants or transformants. Furthermore, the varieties of each plant are also not particularly limited.

[0166] Furthermore, it has been found that the plant activator of the present invention can be used as a plant activator that exhibits a strong resistance induction effect, and has been found to exhibit growth-promoting effects, fruit yield-increasing effects, and disease-suppressing effects in various plants. Specific examples of disease suppression effects include gray mold, fusarium wilt, vine wilt, and downy mildew on leaves of Cucurbitaceae plants such as cucumber, watermelon, melon, and pumpkin; bacterial wilt, wilt, verticillate wilt, damping-off, and brown root rot on Solanaceae plants such as tomato, eggplant, and potato; powdery mildew, black scab, gray mold, and anthracnose on Rosaceae plants such as rose and strawberry; downy mildew on Amaranthaceae plants such as spinach; black rot, soft rot, bacterial spot disease, Rhizoctonia disease on Brassicaceae plants such as Chinese cabbage, cabbage, and Komatsuna; southern blight on Apiaceae plants such as carrot; and rice blast on Gramineae plants.

[0167] The first invention will be described based on the following examples, but the present invention is not limited to these examples.

[0168] Preparation of growth-promoting formulation: 580 g of 90% pure linoleic acid (NOF Corp.) was used as a fatty acid-containing raw material, and 216 g of potassium carbonate (FUJIFILM Wako Pure Chemical Industries, Ltd.), 280 g of dipotassium hydrogen phosphate (FUJIFILM Wako Pure Chemical Industries, Ltd.), and 13,000 mL of distilled water were added to prepare a test solution. The pH of the test solution was 9.0.

[0169] To the test solution, 40 mg of lipoxygenase (Nacalai Tesque, Inc., soybean-derived) was added, and the mixture was reacted at 15°C for 3 hours while being aerated with oxygen and stirred. The reaction mixture was then placed in a water bath at 90°C for 90 minutes. The resulting reaction solution was designated as Solution A.

[0170] To 6500 mL of Solution A, 35 mL of phosphoric acid (manufactured by Fujifilm Wako Pure Chemical Industries, Ltd.) was added to adjust the pH to 7.0. This solution was reacted at 50°C for 22 hours while being aerated with oxygen and stirred, and then the reaction mixture was placed in a water bath at 90°C for 2 hours. The resulting reaction solution was designated Solution B.

[0171] The entire amount of solution A and the entire amount of solution B obtained above were mixed, and the resulting mixture was analyzed by MS using 13-oxoODA (13-oxo-9,11-octadecadienoic acid) and 9-oxoODA (9-oxo-10,12-octadecadienoic acid) manufactured by Cayman Chemical Company, and 9,10,13-trihydroxy-11-octadecenoic acid and 9,12,13-trihydroxy-10-octadecenoic acid manufactured by Larodan Fine Chemicals as standard substances. 2 Quantitation was performed by LC-MS using the absolute calibration curve method using spectral analysis. The detection wavelengths for each substance were 272 nm for ketooctadecadienoic acid (13-oxoODA, 9-oxoODA) and 210 nm for trihydroxyoctadecenoic acid.

[0172] 13-oxoODA was obtained in a yield of 3.7%, which was the combined yield of isomers such as (E,E isomer) and (E,Z isomer). The yield of 9-oxoODA was 1.7%. The combined yield of 9,10,13-trihydroxy-11-octadecenoic acid and 9,12,13-trihydroxy-10-octadecenoic acid was 1.2% (peaks were inseparable by LC-MS), and the recovery rate of linoleic acid was 84.1%. The yield (%) was calculated based on the following formula: Yield (%) = (wt% of 13-oxoODA, 9-oxoODA, 9,10,13-trihydroxy-11-octadecenoic acid, or 9,12,13-trihydroxy-10-octadecenoic acid produced) / (initial wt% of raw linoleic acid used)

[0173] 0.1 mL of the mixture of the total amount of Solution A and the total amount of Solution B obtained above was diluted with ion-exchanged water to 2000 mL to prepare the growth-promoting formulation for Examples 1 and 2 and Comparative Example 1 below.

[0174] Example 1: 750 μg of the growth-promoting formulation prepared above was added to 2.0 g of rice husk charcoal (biochar (rice husk charcoal), maximum long side: 5 mm and short side: 1 mm, manufactured by Kansai Sangyo Co., Ltd.), and then air-dried at room temperature of 25° C. for one day to prepare a loaded sample. The amount loaded was based on the recommended application amount of the growth-promoting product, and was set at a six-month application amount.

[0175] Example 2 750 μg of the growth-promoting formulation prepared above was added to a mixture of 0.2 g of sodium polyacrylate (polymerization degree: 2700-7500, product code: 193-02965, manufactured by Fujifilm Wako Pure Chemical Industries, Ltd.) and 1.8 g of rice husk charcoal (biochar (rice husk charcoal), manufactured by Kansai Sangyo Co., Ltd.), and the mixture was air-dried at room temperature of 25°C for one day to prepare a supported sample. The supported amount was determined to be a six-month application amount based on the recommended application amount of the growth promoter product, as in Example 1.

[0176] Comparative Example 1: 750 μg of the growth-promoting formulation prepared above was added to 2.0 g of activated carbon (granular activated carbon, product number: 2-1818-01, manufactured by AS ONE Corporation), and then air-dried at room temperature of 25° C. for one day to prepare a loaded sample. The loaded amount was based on the recommended application amount of the growth promoter product, and was equivalent to a six-month application amount.

[0177] Example 3: To the growth-promoting formulations used in Examples 1 and 2 and Comparative Example 1, 0.1 mL of a mixture of the entire amounts of Solution A and Solution B was diluted to 2000 mL with ion-exchanged water, and commercially available 9-oxoODA diluted with ion-exchanged water was added to adjust the weight ratio of 13-oxoODA:9-oxoODA:total of 9,10,13-trihydroxy-11-octadecenoic acid and 9,12,13-trihydroxy-10-octadecenoic acid to 3.7:4.1:1.2, to prepare the growth-promoting formulation for Example 3.

[0178] Using this growth promoting formulation for Example 3, a supported sample was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1.

[0179] The prepared support samples of Examples 1 to 3 and Comparative Example 1 were crushed and homogenized to approximately 2 mm squares. 0.2 g of the crushed and homogenized sample was mixed with 3.8 g of culture soil (culture soil for sowing vegetables and flowers, manufactured by Takii Seed Co., Ltd.), and the mixture was packed into a column (inner diameter 1 cmφ).

[0180] Ion-exchanged water was passed through the column packed with the mixture, and the effluent that passed through was collected three times, each 18 mL (fr1, fr2, fr3). The amount of effluent collected was determined based on the theoretical volume of the packed mixture containing the supported sample, which was 18 mL.

[0181] The concentrations of 13-oxoODA in each of the effluents (fr1 to 3) in Examples 1 to 3 and Comparative Example 1 were analyzed using an LC-MS / MS system (LC unit: DIONEX Ultimate 3000, MS / MS unit: Q Exactive Focus: manufactured by Thermo Fisher Scientific Co., Ltd.) under the following conditions: Column: Acclaim PR-MS 2.1 mmφ × 150 mm (manufactured by Thermo Fisher Scientific Co., Ltd.), Solvent: 2% acetonitrile / acetic acid water → 10% acetonitrile / acetic acid water, Flow rate: 0.25 mL / min, Column temperature: 40°C, Detection: MS-(SIM), Injection: 2 μL of sample solution. 13-oxoODA manufactured by Cayman Chemical Company was used as the standard substance, and the detection wavelength was 272 nm.

[0182] The test results were shown as the efflux ratio, which is the amount of growth-promoting agent effluxed relative to the amount of growth-promoting agent carried by the loaded sample in the mixture, for each effluent (fr1 to 3). The cumulative efflux ratio for each effluent (fr1 to 3) was also calculated.

[0183] The results of the runoff rate and cumulative runoff rate of the growth-promoting agent in Example 1, Example 2, and Comparative Example 1 are shown in Figure 1 and Figure 2. Figure 1 shows the runoff rate relative to the amount of growth-promoting agent carried in each effluent (fr1 to 3), and Figure 2 shows the cumulative runoff rate relative to the amount of growth-promoting agent carried in each effluent (fr1 to 3).

[0184] Although not shown in the figures, the runoff rates and cumulative runoff rates of the growth-promoting formulation for Example 3 were as follows: Runoff rates of the growth-promoting formulation were fr1: 3.5%, fr2: 3.2%, and fr3: 2.3%, and cumulative runoff rates were fr1: 3.5%, fr2: 6.7%, and fr3: 9.0%.

[0185] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, in Comparative Example 1, in which the growth-promoting agent was supported on activated carbon, only a very small amount of the growth-promoting agent was observed to be eluted. This result indicates that the growth-promoting agent was strongly adsorbed to the activated carbon and could not be eluted. Although the elution rate of the growth-promoting agent in the effluent collected in the third run (FR3) was higher than that in the effluent collected in the first and second runs (FR1, FR2), a sufficient amount of the growth-promoting agent was not eluted. The cumulative elution rate of the effluent collected in the third run (FR3) relative to the amount of the growth-promoting agent supported was only 0.168%. This indicates that the plant activator of Comparative Example 1, in which the growth-promoting agent was supported on activated carbon as a substrate, did not exhibit sufficient plant activator effects.

[0186] In contrast, in Example 1, in which the growth-promoting agent was supported on rice husk charcoal, good elution of the supported growth-promoting agent was observed. The elution of the growth-promoting agent continued until the third runoff (FR3) (Figure 1), and the cumulative elution rate relative to the amount of growth-promoting agent supported also gradually increased. The elution rate and cumulative elution rate results for Example 3 also show sustained elution of the growth-promoting agent and a gradually increasing cumulative elution rate of the growth-promoting agent. That is, when rice husk charcoal is used as the substrate, unlike excessive adsorption between the activated carbon and the growth-promoting agent, the growth-promoting agent is adsorbed to the rice husk charcoal with moderate adsorption strength, resulting in gradual elution of the growth-promoting agent from the rice husk charcoal. When the plant activators of Examples 1 and 3 are actually applied, it is believed that sufficient amounts of the growth-promoting agent can be continuously eluted into the soil by irrigation or rain.

[0187] Furthermore, in Example 2, in which the growth-promoting agent was supported on a mixture of the water-absorbent polymer sodium polyacrylate and rice husk charcoal, good dissolution of the supported growth-promoting agent was observed. As in Example 1, dissolution of the growth-promoting agent continued up to the third sample of effluent (fr3) (Figure 1), and the cumulative dissolution rate relative to the amount of supported growth-promoting agent also gradually increased. These results demonstrate that the supported samples of Examples 1 to 3 are plant activators with excellent sustained-release properties, i.e., sustained plant activation effects, which allow the growth-promoting agent to be gradually released from the substrate.

[0188] From the above results, it can be seen that the plant activators of Examples 1 to 3 achieve sufficient and sustained dissolution of the growth-promoting formulation and are plant activators with excellent sustained-release properties that can maintain the growth-promoting effect for a long period of time.

[0189] The second invention will be described based on the following examples, but the present invention is not limited to these examples.

[0190] Preparation of growth-promoting formulation: 580 g of 90% pure linoleic acid (NOF Corp.) was used as a fatty acid-containing raw material, and 216 g of potassium carbonate (FUJIFILM Wako Pure Chemical Industries, Ltd.), 280 g of dipotassium hydrogen phosphate (FUJIFILM Wako Pure Chemical Industries, Ltd.), and 13,000 mL of distilled water were added to prepare a test solution. The pH of the test solution was 9.0.

[0191] To the test solution, 40 mg of lipoxygenase (Nacalai Tesque, Inc., soybean-derived) was added, and the mixture was reacted at 15°C for 3 hours while being aerated with oxygen and stirred. The reaction mixture was then placed in a water bath at 90°C for 90 minutes. The resulting reaction solution was designated as Solution A.

[0192] To 6500 mL of Solution A, 35 mL of phosphoric acid (manufactured by Fujifilm Wako Pure Chemical Industries, Ltd.) was added to adjust the pH to 7.0. This solution was reacted at 50°C for 22 hours while being aerated with oxygen and stirred, and then the reaction mixture was placed in a water bath at 90°C for 2 hours. The resulting reaction solution was designated Solution B.

[0193] The entire amount of solution A and the entire amount of solution B obtained above were mixed, and the resulting mixture was analyzed by MS using 13-oxoODA (13-oxo-9,11-octadecadienoic acid) and 9-oxoODA (9-oxo-10,12-octadecadienoic acid) manufactured by Cayman Chemical Company, and 9,10,13-trihydroxy-11-octadecenoic acid and 9,12,13-trihydroxy-10-octadecenoic acid manufactured by Larodan Fine Chemicals as standard substances. 2 Quantitation was performed by LC-MS using the absolute calibration curve method using spectral analysis. The detection wavelengths for each substance were 272 nm for ketooctadecadienoic acid (13-oxoODA, 9-oxoODA) and 210 nm for trihydroxyoctadecenoic acid.

[0194] 13-oxoODA was obtained in a yield of 3.7%, which was the combined yield of isomers such as (E,E isomer) and (E,Z isomer). The yield of 9-oxoODA was 1.7%. The combined yield of 9,10,13-trihydroxy-11-octadecenoic acid and 9,12,13-trihydroxy-10-octadecenoic acid was 1.2% (peaks were inseparable by LC-MS), and the recovery rate of linoleic acid was 84.1%. The yield (%) was calculated based on the following formula: Yield (%) = (wt% of 13-oxoODA, 9-oxoODA, 9,10,13-trihydroxy-11-octadecenoic acid, or 9,12,13-trihydroxy-10-octadecenoic acid produced) / (initial wt% of raw linoleic acid used)

[0195] 0.1 mL of the mixture of the entire amount of Solution A and the entire amount of Solution B obtained above was diluted with ion-exchanged water to 2000 mL to prepare the growth-promoting formulation for Example 1A below.

[0196] Example 1A 750 μg of the growth-promoting formulation prepared above was added to a mixture of 1.8 g of rice husk charcoal (biochar (rice husk charcoal), manufactured by Kansai Sangyo Co., Ltd.) as particulate charcoal and 0.2 g of sodium polyacrylate (degree of polymerization: 2700-7500, product code: 193-02965, manufactured by Fujifilm Wako Pure Chemical Industries Co., Ltd.) as a binder resin, and the mixture was air-dried at room temperature of 25°C for one day to prepare a sample in which the growth-promoting formulation was supported on the particulate charcoal. The amount of growth-promoting formulation supported was determined to be equivalent to six months' worth of application based on the recommended application amount of the growth-promoting product.

[0197] Example 2A To the growth-promoting formulation for Example 1A, 0.1 mL of a mixture of the entire amounts of Solutions A and B was diluted to 2000 mL with ion-exchanged water, and commercially available 9-oxoODA diluted with ion-exchanged water was added to adjust the weight ratio of 13-oxoODA:9-oxoODA:total of 9,10,13-trihydroxy-11-octadecenoic acid and 9,12,13-trihydroxy-10-octadecenoic acid = 3.7:4.7:1.2, to prepare the growth-promoting formulation for Example 2A.

[0198] Using this growth promoting formulation for Example 2A, a supported sample was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1A.

[0199] Comparative Example 1A 750 μg of the growth-promoting formulation for Example 2A prepared above was added to 2.0 g of activated carbon (granular activated carbon, product number: 2-1818-01, manufactured by AS ONE Corporation), and then air-dried at room temperature of 25° C. for 1 day to prepare a loaded sample. The loaded amount was based on the recommended application amount of the growth promoter product, and was equivalent to a six-month application amount.

[0200] The prepared support samples of Examples 1A, 2A, and Comparative Example 1A were crushed and homogenized to approximately 2 mm squares. 0.2 g of the crushed and homogenized sample was mixed with 3.8 g of culture soil (culture soil for sowing vegetables and flowers, manufactured by Takii Seed Co., Ltd.), and the mixture was packed into a column (inner diameter 1 cm).

[0201] Ion-exchanged water was passed through the column packed with the mixture, and the effluent that passed through was collected three times, each 18 mL (fr1A, fr2A, fr3A). The collected amount of the effluent was determined based on the theoretical volume of the packed mixture containing the supported sample, which was 18 mL.

[0202] The concentrations of 13-oxoODA in the effluents (fr1A to 3A) from Examples 1A, 2A, and Comparative Example 1A were analyzed using an LC-MS / MS system (LC unit: DIONEX Ultimate 3000, MS / MS unit: Q Exactive Focus: manufactured by Thermo Fisher Scientific Co., Ltd.) under the following conditions: Column: Acclaim PR-MS 2.1 mmφ × 150 mm (manufactured by Thermo Fisher Scientific Co., Ltd.), Solvent: 2% acetonitrile / acetic acid in water → 10% acetonitrile / acetic acid in water, Flow rate: 0.25 mL / min, Column temperature: 40°C, Detection: MS-(SIM), Injection: 2 μL of sample solution. 13-oxoODA manufactured by Cayman Chemical Company was used as the standard substance, and the detection wavelength was 272 nm.

[0203] The test results were expressed as the efflux ratio, which is the amount of growth-promoting agent effluxed relative to the amount of growth-promoting agent carried by the loaded sample, for each effluent (fr1A to 3A). The cumulative efflux ratio for each effluent (fr1A to 3A) was also calculated.

[0204] The results of the flux and cumulative flux of the growth-promoting formulation in Example 1A are shown in Figure 1A. In Figure 1A, the flux rate versus the amount of growth-promoting formulation carried in each effluent (fr1A to 3A) is shown in a bar graph, and the cumulative flux rate versus the amount of growth-promoting formulation carried in each effluent (fr1A to 3A) is shown in a line graph.

[0205] Although not shown, the runoff rates and cumulative runoff rates of the growth-promoting formulations for Example 2A and Comparative Example 1A were as follows: The runoff rates of the growth-promoting formulation for Example 2A were 3.2% for fr1, 2.7% for fr2, and 2.0% for fr3, and the cumulative runoff rates were 3.2% for fr1, 5.9% for fr2, and 7.9% for fr3. The runoff rates of the growth-promoting formulation for Comparative Example 1A were 0.08% for fr1, 0.08% for fr2, and 0.1% for fr3, and the cumulative runoff rates were 0.08% for fr1, 0.16% for fr2, and 0.26% for fr3.

[0206] As can be seen from Figure 1A and the above results, the plant activators of Examples 1A and 2A demonstrated good dissolution of the growth-promoting agent. Dissolution of the supported growth-promoting agent from the supported sample continued until the third sample of effluent (fr3A), and the cumulative dissolution rate relative to the amount of supported growth-promoting agent gradually increased. In contrast, in Comparative Example 1A, in which the growth-promoting agent was supported on activated carbon, only a very small amount of the growth-promoting agent was observed to dissolve. This result indicates that Comparative Example 1A used activated carbon without a binder resin, and therefore lacked pores formed by the binder resin and activated carbon. As a result, the growth-promoting agent was strongly adsorbed to the activated carbon, preventing its dissolution. In other words, the supported samples of Examples 1A and 2A of the present invention, which contain particulate carbon, a binder resin, and a growth-promoting agent, are plant activators with excellent sustained-release properties, i.e., sustained plant activation effects, capable of gradually dissolving the growth-promoting agent. When the plant activators of Examples 1A and 2A are actually applied, it is believed that sufficient amounts of the growth-promoting formulation can be continuously eluted into the soil by irrigation or rain.

[0207] Furthermore, despite the use of particulate charcoal as the substrate for supporting the growth-promoting agent, the plant activators of Examples 1A and 2A were easy to handle during weighing and testing. Formulations containing particulate charcoal have the problem of scattering into the air during handling. However, in the plant activators of Examples 1A and 2A, the rice husk charcoal particles supporting the growth-promoting agent are bound together by the binder resin sodium polyacrylate, granulating them into larger particles. This is believed to have significantly improved ease of handling. The plant activators are also believed to be excellent in terms of ease of handling and sprayability during actual use.

[0208] From the above results, the plant activators of Examples 1A and 2A achieve sufficient and sustained dissolution of the growth-promoting formulation, and are plant activators with excellent sustained-release properties that can maintain their growth-promoting effects for a long period of time.At the same time, the larger particle size of the particulate carbonized material that makes up the plant activator solves the problems that arise with formulations in which the active ingredient is simply supported on particulate carbonized material, such as the formulation being light in weight and scattering into the air during handling, and the difficulty of measuring when applied, without sacrificing the sustained-release properties and activating effect of the plant activator.

Claims

1. A plant activator comprising vegetable charcoal and at least one compound selected from an oxo fatty acid, or a derivative or a salt thereof, and a hydroxylated fatty acid, or a derivative or a salt thereof, wherein the at least one compound selected from the oxo fatty acid, or a derivative or a salt thereof, and the hydroxylated fatty acid, or a derivative or a salt thereof, is retained in the vegetable charcoal.

2. The plant activator according to claim 1, wherein the oxo fatty acid or its derivative or salt is a fatty acid having a carbonyl group in the carbon skeleton excluding the carboxyl group.

3. The plant activator according to claim 1 or 2, which is a sustained-release plant activator.

4. The plant activator according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a water-absorbent polymer.

5. The plant activator according to claim 4, wherein at least one compound selected from the group consisting of oxo fatty acids, derivatives or salts thereof, and hydroxylated fatty acids, derivatives or salts thereof is held by the water-absorbent polymer.

6. The plant activator according to claim 5, wherein the plant activator is a sustained-release plant activator.

7. The plant activator according to claim 2, wherein the oxo fatty acid or its derivative or salt is represented by the following formula: HOOC-(R 1 )-CH=CH-C(=O)-R 2 (I) (wherein, R 1 R is a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon group containing 6 to 12 carbon atoms; 2 : an alkyl group having 2 to 8 carbon atoms, which may contain one or more branches and / or double bonds), or a derivative or salt thereof.

8. The plant activator according to claim 7, wherein the oxo fatty acid is R 1 The hydrocarbon group has 8 to 10 carbon atoms, and R 2 It is an oxo fatty acid in which the alkyl group has 4 to 6 carbon atoms.

9. The plant activator according to claim 8, wherein the oxo fatty acid is R 1 is an oxo fatty acid containing a double bond which forms a conjugated double bond with the double bond between the α and β carbons of the carbonyl group in formula (I).

10. The plant activator according to claim 9, wherein the oxo fatty acid is R 1 is a linear or branched hydrocarbon group having 9 carbon atoms; R 2 is an oxo fatty acid, which is an alkyl group having 5 carbon atoms.

11. The plant activator according to claim 2, wherein the oxo fatty acid is ketooctadecadienoic acid.

12. The plant activator according to claim 11, wherein the oxo fatty acid is 13-oxo-9,11-octadecadienoic acid.

13. The plant activator according to claim 1, wherein the hydroxylated fatty acid or its derivative or salt is represented by the following formula (II) and / or (III): HOOC-(R 3 )-CH(OH)-CH(OH)-CH=CH-CH(OH)-R 4 (II) HOOC-(R 3 )-CH(OH)-CH=CH-CH(OH)-CH(OH)-R 4 (III) (wherein, R 3 R is a linear or branched hydrocarbon group having 4 to 12 carbon atoms, which may contain one or more double bonds and / or OH groups, and when it contains a double bond, the position of the double bond is not limited; 4 is a linear or branched hydrocarbon group having 2 to 8 carbon atoms, which may contain one or more double bonds and / or OH groups, and when a double bond is contained, the position of the double bond is not limited.

14. The plant activator according to claim 13, wherein the hydroxylated fatty acid is R 3 The hydrocarbon group has 6 to 8 carbon atoms, 4 The hydrocarbon group has 4 to 6 carbon atoms.

15. The plant activator according to claim 14, wherein the hydroxylated fatty acid is R 3 But -(CH2) n -(n is an integer from 4 to 12), 4 But, C n H 2n+1 -(n is an integer from 2 to 8).

16. The plant activator according to claim 15, wherein the hydroxylated fatty acid is R 3 is a linear saturated hydrocarbon group having 7 carbon atoms (-(CH2)7-), R 4 is an alkyl group having 5 carbon atoms (CH3CH2CH2CH2CH2-).

17. The plant activator according to claim 1, wherein the hydroxylated fatty acid is hydroxyoctadecenoic acid.

18. The plant activator according to claim 17, wherein the hydroxylated fatty acid is 9,10,13-trihydroxy-11-octadecenoic acid.

19. The plant activator according to claim 17, wherein the hydroxylated fatty acid is 9,12,13-trihydroxy-10-octadecenoic acid.

20. The plant activator according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said oxo fatty acids or their derivatives or salts and at least one of said hydroxylated fatty acids or their derivatives or salts are held in said plant charcoal.

21. The plant activator according to claim 20, further comprising a water-absorbent polymer.

22. The plant activator according to claim 21, wherein at least one of said oxo fatty acids or derivatives or salts thereof and at least one of said hydroxylated fatty acids or derivatives or salts thereof are held in said water-absorbing polymer.

23. The plant activator according to claim 20 or 22, wherein the oxo fatty acid is ketooctadecadienoic acid and the hydroxylated fatty acid is hydroxyoctadecenoic acid.

24. The plant activator according to claim 23, wherein the oxo fatty acid is 13-oxo-9,11-octadecadienoic acid, and the hydroxylated fatty acid is 9,10,13-trihydroxy-11-octadecenoic acid and / or 9,12,13-trihydroxy-10-octadecenoic acid.

25. The plant activator according to claim 1, wherein the vegetable charcoal is rice husk charcoal.

26. The plant activator according to claim 1, which is used for plants selected from the Brassicaceae, Poaceae, Leguminosae, Solanaceae, Rosaceae, Amaranthaceae, and Malvaceae families.

27. The plant activator according to claim 4, which is in the form of a sheet or film.

28. The plant activator according to claim 4, wherein the plant activator is formed by coating the surface of a seed.

29. A plant activator comprising: vegetable charcoal; component (A): 13-oxo-9,11-octadecadienoic acid or a derivative or a salt thereof, and 9-oxo-10,12-octadecadienoic acid or a derivative or a salt thereof; and component (B): 9,10,13-trihydroxy-11-octadecenoic acid or a derivative or a salt thereof, and / or 9,12,13-trihydroxy-10-octadecenoic acid or a derivative or a salt thereof, wherein the components (A) and (B) are retained in the vegetable charcoal.

30. The plant activator according to claim 29, wherein the weight ratio of the 13-oxo-9,11-octadecadienoic acid, or a derivative or a salt thereof, to the 9-oxo-10,12-octadecadienoic acid, or a derivative or a salt thereof is 13-oxo-9,11-octadecadienoic acid, or a derivative or a salt thereof / 9-oxo-10,12-octadecadienoic acid, or a derivative or a salt thereof>1.

31. The plant activator according to claim 29, wherein component (B) is 9,10,13-trihydroxy-11-octadecenoic acid, or a derivative or a salt thereof, and 9,12,13-trihydroxy-10-octadecenoic acid, or a derivative or a salt thereof, and the total weight of the 13-oxo-9,11-octadecadienoic acid, or a derivative or a salt thereof, and the 9-oxo-10,12-octadecadienoic acid, or a derivative or a salt thereof is 2 to 10 times the total weight of the 9,10,13-trihydroxy-11-octadecenoic acid, or a derivative or a salt thereof, and the 9,12,13-trihydroxy-10-octadecenoic acid, or a derivative or a salt thereof.

32. The plant activator according to claim 29, wherein the vegetable charcoal is rice husk charcoal.

33. The plant activator according to claim 29, further comprising a water-absorbent polymer.

34. A plant activator comprising a particulate carbonized material, a binder resin, and at least one compound selected from an oxo fatty acid, or a derivative or a salt thereof, and a hydroxylated fatty acid, or a derivative or a salt thereof, wherein the at least one compound selected from the oxo fatty acid, or a derivative or a salt thereof, and the hydroxylated fatty acid, or a derivative or a salt thereof, is retained in the particulate carbonized material.

35. The plant activator according to claim 34, wherein the oxo fatty acid or its derivative or salt is a fatty acid having a carbonyl group in the carbon skeleton excluding the carboxyl group.

36. The plant activator according to claim 34 or 35, which is a sustained-release plant activator.

37. A plant activator as described in claim 34 or 35, wherein the particles of the particulate carbonized material carrying at least one compound selected from the group consisting of the oxo fatty acid, its derivative or its salt, and the hydroxylated fatty acid, its derivative or its salt are bonded together via the binder resin.

38. The plant activator according to claim 35, wherein the oxo fatty acid or a derivative or a salt thereof is represented by the following formula: HOOC-(R 1 )-CH=CH-C(=O)-R 2 (I) (wherein, R 1 R is a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon group containing 6 to 12 carbon atoms; 2 : an alkyl group having 2 to 8 carbon atoms, which may contain one or more branches and / or double bonds), or a derivative or salt thereof.

39. The plant activator according to claim 38, wherein the oxo fatty acid is R 1 The hydrocarbon group has 8 to 10 carbon atoms, and R 2 It is an oxo fatty acid in which the alkyl group has 4 to 6 carbon atoms.

40. The plant enhancer of claim 39, wherein the oxo fatty acid is selected from the group consisting of R 1 is an oxo fatty acid containing a double bond which forms a conjugated double bond with the double bond between the α and β carbons of the carbonyl group in formula (I).

41. The plant activator according to claim 40, wherein the oxo fatty acid is R 1 is a linear or branched hydrocarbon group having 9 carbon atoms; R 2 is an oxo fatty acid, which is an alkyl group having 5 carbon atoms.

42. The plant enhancer according to claim 35, wherein the oxo fatty acid is ketooctadecadienoic acid.

43. The plant activator according to claim 42, wherein the oxo fatty acid is 13-oxo-9,11-octadecadienoic acid.

44. The plant activator according to claim 34, wherein the hydroxylated fatty acid or its derivative or salt is represented by the following formula (II) and / or (III): HOOC-(R 3 )-CH(OH)-CH(OH)-CH=CH-CH(OH)-R 4 (II) HOOC-(R 3 )-CH(OH)-CH=CH-CH(OH)-CH(OH)-R 4 (III) (wherein, R 3 R is a linear or branched hydrocarbon group having 4 to 12 carbon atoms, which may contain one or more double bonds and / or OH groups, and when it contains a double bond, the position of the double bond is not limited; 4 is a linear or branched hydrocarbon group having 2 to 8 carbon atoms, which may contain one or more double bonds and / or OH groups, and when a double bond is contained, the position of the double bond is not limited.

45. The plant activator according to claim 44, wherein the hydroxylated fatty acid is R 3 The hydrocarbon group has 6 to 8 carbon atoms, 4 The hydrocarbon group has 4 to 6 carbon atoms.

46. ​​The plant activator according to claim 45, wherein the hydroxylated fatty acid is R 3 But -(CH2) n -(n is an integer from 4 to 12), 4 But, C n H 2n+1 -(n is an integer from 2 to 8).

47. The plant activator according to claim 46, wherein the hydroxylated fatty acid is R 3 is a linear saturated hydrocarbon group having 7 carbon atoms (-(CH2)7-), R 4 is an alkyl group having 5 carbon atoms (CH3CH2CH2CH2CH2-).

48. The plant activator according to claim 34, wherein the hydroxylated fatty acid is hydroxyoctadecenoic acid.

49. The plant activator according to claim 48, wherein the hydroxylated fatty acid is 9,10,13-trihydroxy-11-octadecenoic acid.

50. The plant activator according to claim 48, wherein the hydroxylated fatty acid is 9,12,13-trihydroxy-10-octadecenoic acid.

51. The plant activator according to claim 34, wherein at least one of said oxo fatty acids or derivatives or salts thereof and at least one of said hydroxylated fatty acids or derivatives or salts thereof are held on said particulate carbonized material.

52. The plant enhancer of claim 51, wherein the oxo fatty acid is ketooctadecadienoic acid and the hydroxylated fatty acid is hydroxyoctadecenoic acid.

53. The plant activator according to claim 52, wherein the oxo fatty acid is 13-oxo-9,11-octadecadienoic acid, and the hydroxylated fatty acid is 9,10,13-trihydroxy-11-octadecenoic acid and / or 9,12,13-trihydroxy-10-octadecenoic acid.

54. The plant activator according to claim 34, wherein the particulate carbonized material is rice husk carbon.

55. The plant activator according to claim 34, wherein the binder resin is a water-absorbent polymer.

56. The plant activator according to claim 55, wherein the binder resin is sodium polyacrylate.

57. The plant activator according to claim 34, which is used on a plant selected from the group consisting of Brassicaceae, Poaceae, Legumes, Solanaceae, Rosaceae, Amaranthaceae, and Malvaceae.

58. The plant activator according to claim 34, which is in the form of a sheet or film.

59. The plant activator according to claim 34, wherein the plant activator is provided by coating the surface of a seed.

60. A plant activator comprising: a particulate carbonized material; a binder resin; component (A): 13-oxo-9,11-octadecadienoic acid or a derivative or a salt thereof, and 9-oxo-10,12-octadecadienoic acid or a derivative or a salt thereof; and component (B): 9,10,13-trihydroxy-11-octadecenoic acid or a derivative or a salt thereof, and / or 9,12,13-trihydroxy-10-octadecenoic acid or a derivative or a salt thereof, wherein the components (A) and (B) are held in the particulate carbonized material.

61. The plant activator according to claim 60, wherein the weight ratio of the 13-oxo-9,11-octadecadienoic acid, or a derivative or a salt thereof, to the 9-oxo-10,12-octadecadienoic acid, or a derivative or a salt thereof is 13-oxo-9,11-octadecadienoic acid, or a derivative or a salt thereof / 9-oxo-10,12-octadecadienoic acid, or a derivative or a salt thereof>1.

62. The plant activator according to claim 60, wherein component (B) is 9,10,13-trihydroxy-11-octadecenoic acid, or a derivative or a salt thereof, and 9,12,13-trihydroxy-10-octadecenoic acid, or a derivative or a salt thereof, and the total weight of the 13-oxo-9,11-octadecadienoic acid, or a derivative or a salt thereof, and the 9-oxo-10,12-octadecadienoic acid, or a derivative or a salt thereof is 2 to 10 times the total weight of the 9,10,13-trihydroxy-11-octadecenoic acid, or a derivative or a salt thereof, and the 9,12,13-trihydroxy-10-octadecenoic acid, or a derivative or a salt thereof.

63. The plant activator according to claim 60, wherein the particulate carbonized material is rice husk carbon.

Images