Seed composition

Abstract

An objective of the present disclosure is to provide a seed composition having excellent growth ability as compared with ordinary seeds.　One embodiment of the present invention is a seed composition comprising a seed and a biosurfactant, wherein the seed composition contains, with respect to 100 mass% of the seed, 0.25 × 10-4 mass% to 2.0 × 10-2 mass%, inclusive, of the biosurfactant.

Description

seed composition

[0001] The present disclosure relates to seed compositions.

[0002] Various studies have been conducted to efficiently grow plants (vegetables, fruit trees, etc.) For example, Patent Document 1 discloses the use of at least one lipopeptide as a plant vitalizer for plant growth.

[0003] Special Publication No. 2020-504768

[0004] In Patent Document 1, no consideration was given to the amount of lipopeptide, particularly the amount relative to seeds.

[0005] The present disclosure aims to provide a seed composition that has superior growth potential compared to conventional seeds.

[0006] An example aspect of this embodiment is described as follows.

[0007] [1] A seed composition comprising seeds and a biosurfactant, wherein the biosurfactant is 0.25 × 10 per 100% by mass of the seeds. －４ ~2.0 x 10 －２ % by mass. [2] The seed composition according to [1], wherein the biosurfactant is at least one biosurfactant selected from surfactin, rhamnolipid, sophorolipid, and salts thereof. [3] The seed composition according to [1] or [2], wherein the biosurfactant is at least one biosurfactant selected from surfactin and salts thereof. [4] The seed composition according to any one of [1] to [3], comprising a soybean meal hydrolyzate. This specification incorporates the disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-042998, from which the present application claims priority.

[0008] The seed compositions of the present disclosure have superior growth potential compared to conventional seeds.

[0009] The present invention will be described in detail below. The seed composition according to this embodiment is a seed composition containing seeds and a biosurfactant, and the biosurfactant is contained in an amount of 0.25 × 10% relative to 100% by mass of the seeds.－４ ~2.0 x 10 －２ The seed composition of the present disclosure has superior growth potential compared to ordinary seeds. The term "superior growth potential" means that the seed composition grows faster or larger than ordinary seeds after sowing and germination, for example.

[0010] <Seeds> The seed composition contains seeds. The seeds are not particularly limited, and are preferably seeds of crop plants, more preferably seeds of edible plants. Examples of crop plants include corn (maize), wheat, barley, rye, oats, rice, soybean, canola (rapeseed), cotton, sunflower, sugar beet, potato, tobacco, broccoli, lettuce, cabbage, spinach, komatsuna (Japanese mustard spinach), cauliflower, coconut, tomato, cucumber, eggplant, melon, pumpkin, okra, bell pepper, watermelon, carrot, radish, onion, leek, fruit trees, ornamental plants, turf, and pasture grass.

[0011] <Biosurfactant> The seed composition contains a biosurfactant. Examples of the biosurfactant include at least one biosurfactant selected from peptide-type biosurfactants and sugar-type biosurfactants. The seed composition may contain one type of biosurfactant alone or two or more types. Because the seed composition contains a biosurfactant, it has superior growth potential compared to ordinary seeds.

[0012] The seed composition contains a biosurfactant, which gives it excellent growth potential. The reason for this is unclear, but this effect was not observed when synthetic surfactants were used, and was a unique effect of the biosurfactant.

[0013] In the seed composition, it is preferable to use a biosurfactant that is not derived from Wickerhamomyces anomalus yeast from the viewpoints of odor and food hygiene.

[0014] Examples of peptide biosurfactants include lipopeptide biosurfactants. Lipopeptide biosurfactants have peptides containing a hydrophobic group and a hydrophilic portion, exhibit surface activity, and are produced by microorganisms. Examples of lipopeptide biosurfactants include surfactin, arthrofactin, iturin, fengycin, serawettin, lykesin, viscosin, and salts thereof.

[0015] The peptide biosurfactant is preferably at least one peptide biosurfactant selected from surfactin and salts thereof. Surfactin and surfactin salts can be represented by the following general formula (1). One type of surfactin or surfactin salt may be used, or two or more types may be used.

[0016] [In formula (1), X represents an amino acid residue selected from leucine, isoleucine, and valine, R represents an alkyl group having 9 to 18 carbon atoms, and M ＋ are each independently a hydrogen ion (H + ), an alkali metal ion, an ammonium ion, or a pyridinium ion.

[0017] In addition, M ＋ When CO is a hydrogen ion, ２ ‐ (M ＋ ) is a hydroxyl group (COOH group). ＋ is a hydrogen ion, it is surfactin, and at least one of M ＋ is an alkali metal ion, an ammonium ion or a pyridinium ion, it means a salt of surfactin. The general formula of surfactin is shown in the following general formula (1').

[0018] [In formula (1′), X and R have the same meanings as in formula (1)]

[0019] X is an amino acid residue selected from leucine, isoleucine and valine, and may be either an L-amino acid residue or a D-amino acid residue, with an L-amino acid residue being preferred.

[0020] R is an alkyl group having 9 to 18 carbon atoms, and is a linear or branched monovalent saturated hydrocarbon group having at least 9 but no more than 18 carbon atoms. Examples of the alkyl group having 9 to 18 carbon atoms include an n-nonyl group, a 6-methyloctyl group, a 7-methyloctyl group, an n-decyl group, an 8-methylnonyl group, an n-undecyl group, a 9-methyldecyl group, an n-dodecyl group, a 10-methylundecyl group, an n-tridecyl group, an 11-methyldodecyl group, an n-tetradecyl group, an n-pentadecyl group, an n-hexadecyl group, an n-heptadecyl group, and an n-octadecyl group, with the 10-methylundecyl group being preferred.

[0021] M ＋ are each independently a hydrogen ion (H + ), alkali metal ions, ammonium ions, or pyridinium ions. The alkali metal ions are not particularly limited, but include lithium ions, sodium ions, and potassium ions. The ammonium ions are not particularly limited, but include, for example, N(R １ ) ４ + Examples of the ammonium ion include those represented by the formula: R １ each independently represents hydrogen or an organic group. As an ammonium ion, R １A preferred embodiment of the quaternary ammonium ion is one in which all of the above are organic groups. Examples of the organic group include an alkyl group, an aralkyl group, and an aryl group. Specifically, examples of the alkyl group include alkyl groups having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, such as methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, and t-butyl. Examples of the aralkyl group include aralkyl groups having 7 to 12 carbon atoms, such as benzyl, methylbenzyl, and phenylethyl. Examples of the aryl group include aryl groups having 6 to 15 carbon atoms, such as phenyl, toluyl, and xylyl. Examples of the ammonium ion include a tetramethylammonium ion and a tetraethylammonium ion. The pyridinium ion is not particularly limited. In the pyridinium ion, a hydrogen atom bonded to a carbon atom constituting a pyridine ring may be substituted with an organic group. In addition, examples of the pyridinium ion include those in which a nitrogen atom constituting a pyridine ring is substituted with an organic group. ＋ The bond to may be, for example, hydrogen or an organic group. The organic group contained in the pyridinium ion is R １ The organic groups mentioned in the explanation of 1. above can be used appropriately.

[0022] Two M present in general formula (1) ＋ may be the same or different. ＋ For example, some M ＋ are hydrogen ions, and some M ＋ In one preferred embodiment, M is an alkali metal ion. The alkali metal ion is not particularly limited, but represents a lithium ion, a sodium ion, a potassium ion, etc. In addition, two M present in the general formula (1) ＋ However, if there are two or more types of ions, when focusing on one molecule (salt), two M ＋ may be the same type of ion. ＋ When there are two types of ions, the ratio (molar ratio) of a certain ion A to a certain ion B is, for example, 1:10 to 10:1, preferably 1:5 to 5:1, and more preferably 1:3 to 3:1. ＋ Some of these are hydrogen ions, and some are sodium ions (Na＋ ) is one of the preferred embodiments.

[0023] Peptide biosurfactants such as surfactin or a salt of surfactin can be obtained by culturing a microorganism, for example, a strain belonging to Bacillus subtilis, and isolating it from the culture medium according to a known method. A purified product may be used, or an unpurified product, for example, the culture medium, may be used as is. Furthermore, those obtained by chemical synthesis methods can also be used in the same way as long as the molecular structure is the same. Commercially available products can also be used.

[0024] Examples of the sugar-type biosurfactant include rhamnolipid, sophorolipid, mannosylerythritol lipid, cellobiose lipid, trehalose lipid, succinoyltrehalose lipid, glucose lipid, polyol lipid, oligosaccharide fatty acid ester, and salts thereof.

[0025] The sugar-type biosurfactant is preferably at least one sugar-type biosurfactant selected from rhamnolipids, sophorolipids, and salts thereof.

[0026] The glyco-type biosurfactant can be obtained according to a known method, and commercially available products can also be used.

[0027] As the biosurfactant, at least one kind of biosurfactant selected from surfactin, rhamnolipid, sophorolipid, and salts thereof is preferred, and as the biosurfactant, at least one kind of biosurfactant selected from surfactin and salts thereof is particularly preferred.

[0028] <Soybean meal hydrolyzate> The seed composition may contain a soybean meal hydrolyzate, which is preferable because the seed composition has excellent growth ability even when the biosurfactant concentration is low.

[0029] The soybean meal hydrolyzate can be obtained, for example, by subjecting soybean meal to Bacillus fermentation treatment using Bacillus bacteria.

[0030] <Additives> The seed composition may contain, as necessary, components other than the seeds, biosurfactants, and soybean meal hydrolyzate described above. The seed composition may contain one or more additives. Examples of additives include, but are not limited to, thickeners, humectants, colorants, antifoaming agents, UV protectants, antifreeze agents, preservatives, biological control agents or biocides, emulsifiers, sequestrants, plasticizers, phospholipids, flow agents, coalescing agents, waxes, dispersants, and / or elements necessary for plant growth (e.g., one or more selected from the group consisting of Mo, Co, B, Fe, Cu, Zn, Mn, S, Mg, Ca, N, P, and K).

[0031] <Seed composition> The seed composition is a seed composition containing seeds and a biosurfactant as described above, and the biosurfactant is contained in an amount of 0.25 × 10% by mass of the seeds relative to 100% by mass of the seeds. －４ ~2.0 x 10 －２ Including mass%.

[0032] In the present disclosure, "substantially free of" a certain component means that the component is present in an amount of 0.01 parts by mass or less, preferably 0.001 parts by mass or less, when the biosurfactant contained in the seed composition is taken as 100 parts by mass.

[0033] The seed composition contains 0.3 × 10 of the biosurfactant relative to 100% by mass of the seeds. －４ ~1.5 x 10 －２ It may contain 0.35×10 －４ ~1.3 x 10 －２ It may contain 0.4 × 10 －４ ~1.1 x 10 －２ It may contain % by mass.

[0034] When the seed composition does not substantially contain a soybean meal decomposition product, the biosurfactant is added in an amount of 0.4 × 10 relative to 100% by mass of the seeds. －４~6.0 x 10 －３ It is preferable that the content is 0.45×10 －４ ~5.3 x 10 －３ It is more preferable that the content is 2.0 × 10 －４ ~5.2 x 10 －３ It is more preferable that the content is 4.5×10 －４ ~5.1 × 10 －３ It is particularly preferred that the seed composition contains 100% by mass of the hydroxybenzoates in the amount of ...

[0035] In one preferred embodiment, the seed composition contains the biosurfactant and the soybean meal hydrolyzate. When the seed composition contains the biosurfactant and the soybean meal hydrolyzate, the biosurfactant is added in an amount of 0.3 × 10 with respect to 100% by mass of the seeds. －４ ~5.5 x 10 －３ It is preferable that the content is 0.35×10 －４ ~2 x 10 －３ It is more preferable that the content is 0.4×10 －４ ~8.0 x 10 －４ It is more preferable that the content is 4.5×10 －４ ~6.0 x 10 －４ It is particularly preferable that the seed composition contains the biosurfactant and the soybean meal hydrolyzate in an amount of 0.3 × 10 mass % relative to 100 mass % of the seeds. Within the above range, the seed composition has particularly excellent growth ability, which is preferable. When the seed composition contains the biosurfactant and the soybean meal hydrolyzate, the soybean meal hydrolyzate is preferably contained in an amount of 0.3 × 10 mass % relative to 100 mass % of the seeds. －４ ~3 x 10 －２ It is preferable that the content is 1×10 －４ ~2.6 x 10 －２ It is more preferable that the content is 5×10 －４ ~1.3 x 10 －２ It is more preferable that the content is 2×10 －３ ~8 x 10 －３ It is particularly preferable that the content is 4×10 －３ ~6 x 10 －３When the seed composition contains the biosurfactant and the soybean meal hydrolyzate, the biosurfactant and the soybean meal hydrolyzate are contained in a mass ratio (biosurfactant / soybean meal hydrolyzate) of preferably 0.001 to 183, more preferably 0.001 to 20, even more preferably 0.003 to 1.6, and particularly preferably 0.01 to 1. A mass ratio within the above range tends to provide excellent handling during production of the seed composition, and is therefore preferred.

[0036] The seed composition contains a biosurfactant, may contain a soybean meal hydrolyzate, and may contain an additive. In the seed composition, these components may be present on the surface of the seeds, may be present inside the seeds after permeation into the seeds, or may be present partially on the surface of the seeds and partially inside the seeds.

[0037] The method for producing the seed composition is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include a method in which components other than seeds among the components constituting the seed composition, i.e., a biosurfactant, and optionally used soybean meal hydrolyzate and additives, are dissolved or dispersed in water or the like to prepare a coating solution, and the seed surface is coated with the coating solution to prepare the seed composition. Examples of liquids such as water used in preparing the coating solution include water, organic solvents, and mixed solvents of water and organic solvents, and water is one of the preferred embodiments.

[0038] When water is used to prepare the coating solution, the amount of water can be adjusted depending on the water absorption of the seeds. For example, in the case of seeds with low water absorption (e.g., corn, soybean, wheat, etc.), the amount of water is preferably adjusted so that 8 L to 10 L of coating solution is used per ton of seeds. For example, in the case of seeds with medium water absorption (e.g., barley, rice, oilseed rape, oats, etc.), the amount of water is preferably adjusted so that 10 L to 12 L of coating solution is used per ton of seeds. For example, in the case of seeds with high water absorption (e.g., sugar beet, spinach, etc.), the amount of water is preferably adjusted so that 12 L to 150 L of coating solution is used per ton of seeds. The water is then dried, if necessary.

[0039] The present embodiment will be described below with reference to examples, but the present disclosure is not limited to these examples.

[0040] In the present examples, "SF" refers to Surfactin Na (product name: Kaneka Surfactin, manufactured by Kaneka), "soybean meal hydrolysate" refers to a peptide material produced by subjecting soybean meal to Bacillus fermentation treatment in accordance with APPLIED AND ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY, Jan. 1994, pp. 243-247, and "SL" refers to sophorolipid (prepared in accordance with Journal of Oleo Science, 60, (5) pp. 267-273 (2011)).

[0041] [Experimental Example 1] A seed composition was prepared as follows, and corn was grown under normal conditions.

[0042] A seed composition was prepared by coating 100 g of corn seeds (variety: Snowdent Otoha) with 800 μL of a coating solution containing SF, soybean meal hydrolyzate, and a thickener (polyvinyl alcohol (Poval)) in water using a coating device (manufactured by SATEC Co., Ltd.) The coating solution was prepared so that the amount of SF was 0.5 g to 100 g per ton of seeds and the amount of soybean meal hydrolyzate was 50 g to 250 g per ton of seeds.

[0043] 9 cm pots were filled with culture soil, and one seed composition (coated corn seed) was sown per pot. After sowing, the seeds were kept in a closed greenhouse set at 24°C / 14 hours during the day and 18°C / 10 hours at night, and the growth status was investigated 21 days after sowing. The investigation was carried out by measuring the dry weight of the aboveground and underground parts. The test was repeated 12 times, and the average value was calculated.

[0044] Table 1 shows the results of measuring the total dry weight, which is the sum of the dry weight of the above-ground parts and the dry weight of the root parts, in Experimental Example 1. In Table 1, corn seeds that had not been subjected to the above-mentioned coating treatment were used for the seeds in which the amount of SF and the hydrolyzed soybean meal used was 0 g / MT-seed. In Table 1, the total dry weight, which is the sum of the dry weight of the above-ground parts and the dry weight of the root parts, is shown as a relative value (%) when the total dry weight, which is the sum of the dry weight of the above-ground parts and the dry weight of the root parts of corn seeds in which the amount of SF and the hydrolyzed soybean meal used was 0 g / MT-seed, is set to 100.

[0045]

[0046] Table 1 shows that the seed compositions of the present disclosure have superior growth potential compared to regular seeds. The seed compositions containing a biosurfactant and a soybean meal decomposition product tended to show particularly superior growth potential.

[0047] [Experimental Example 2] As shown below, a seed composition was prepared, and corn was cultivated under salt stress conditions.

[0048] A seed composition was prepared by coating 100 g of corn seeds (variety: Snowdent Otoha) with 800 μL of a coating solution containing SF, soybean meal hydrolyzate, and a thickener (polyvinyl alcohol (Poval)) in water using a coating device (manufactured by SATEC Co., Ltd.) The coating solution was prepared so that the amount of SF was 0.5 g to 100 g per ton of seeds and the amount of soybean meal hydrolyzate was 50 g to 250 g per ton of seeds.

[0049] After filling 7.5 cm pots with culture soil, the bottoms were allowed to absorb a sodium chloride solution, and one seed composition (coated corn seeds) was sown per pot. After sowing, the plants were kept in a closed greenhouse set at 24°C / 14 hours during the day and 18°C / 10 hours at night, and the growth status was investigated 21 days after sowing. The investigation was carried out by measuring the dry weight of the aboveground and underground parts. The test was repeated 12 times, and the average value was calculated.

[0050] Table 2 shows the results of measuring the total dry weight, which is the sum of the dry weight of the above-ground parts and the dry weight of the underground parts, in Experimental Example 2. In Table 2, corn seeds that had not been subjected to the above-mentioned coating treatment were used for the seeds in which the amount of SF and the hydrolyzed soybean meal used was 0 g / MT-seed. In Table 2, the total dry weight, which is the sum of the dry weight of the above-ground parts and the dry weight of the underground parts, is shown as a relative value (%) when the total dry weight, which is the sum of the dry weight of the above-ground parts and the dry weight of the underground parts of corn seeds in which the amount of SF and the hydrolyzed soybean meal used was 0 g / MT-seed, is set to 100.

[0051]

[0052] Table 2 shows that the seed compositions of the present disclosure have superior growth potential compared to normal seeds even under salt stress conditions. Seed compositions containing a biosurfactant and a soybean meal decomposition product tended to show particularly superior growth potential.

[0053] [Experimental Example 3] Seed compositions were prepared as follows, and corn was grown under normal conditions.

[0054] A seed composition was prepared by coating 100 g of corn seeds (variety: Snowdent Otoha) with 800 μL of a coating solution containing a biosurfactant (SF or SL), a soybean meal hydrolyzate, and a thickener (polyvinyl alcohol (Poval)) in water using a coating device (manufactured by SATEC). The coating solution was prepared so that the amount of biosurfactant and soybean meal hydrolyzate was 50 g per ton of seeds.

[0055] 9 cm pots were filled with culture soil, and one seed composition (coated corn seed) was sown per pot. After sowing, the seeds were kept in a closed greenhouse set at 24°C / 14 hours during the day and 18°C / 10 hours at night, and the growth status was investigated 21 days after sowing. The investigation was carried out by measuring the dry weight of the aboveground and underground parts. The test was repeated 12 times, and the average value was calculated.

[0056] Table 3 shows the measurement results of the dry weight of the above-ground part and the dry weight of the underground part in Experimental Example 3. In Table 3, corn seeds that were not subjected to the above-mentioned coating treatment were used as a control. In Table 3, the dry weight of the above-ground part and the dry weight of the underground part are shown as relative values ​​(%) when the dry weight of the above-ground part and the dry weight of the underground part of the control corn seeds are set to 100.

[0057]

[0058] Table 3 shows that the seed compositions of the present disclosure have superior growth potential compared to regular seeds. Surfactin Na was superior to sophorolipid as a biosurfactant. Furthermore, the seed compositions containing soybean meal hydrolyzate tended to exhibit particularly superior growth potential.

[0059] [Experimental Example 4] As shown below, a seed composition was prepared, and corn was cultivated under salt stress conditions.

[0060] A seed composition was prepared by coating 100 g of corn seeds (variety: Snowdent Otoha) with 800 μL of a coating solution containing a biosurfactant (SF or SL), a soybean meal hydrolyzate, and a thickener (polyvinyl alcohol (Poval)) in water using a coating device (manufactured by SATEC). The coating solution was prepared so that the amount of biosurfactant and soybean meal hydrolyzate was 50 g per ton of seeds.

[0061] After filling 7.5 cm pots with culture soil, the bottoms were allowed to absorb a sodium chloride solution, and one seed composition (coated corn seeds) was sown per pot. After sowing, the plants were kept in a closed greenhouse set at 24°C / 14 hours during the day and 18°C / 10 hours at night, and the growth status was investigated 21 days after sowing. The investigation was carried out by measuring the dry weight of the aboveground and underground parts. The test was repeated 12 times, and the average value was calculated.

[0062] Table 4 shows the measurement results of the dry weight of the aboveground part and the dry weight of the underground part in Experimental Example 4. In Table 4, corn seeds that were not subjected to the above-mentioned coating treatment were used as a control. In Table 4, the dry weight of the aboveground part and the dry weight of the underground part are shown as relative values ​​(%) when the dry weight of the aboveground part and the dry weight of the underground part of the control corn seeds are set to 100.

[0063]

[0064] Table 4 shows that the seed compositions of the present disclosure have superior growth potential compared to normal seeds, even under salt stress conditions. Surfactin Na was a superior biosurfactant compared to sophorolipid. Furthermore, seed compositions containing soybean meal hydrolyzate tended to exhibit particularly superior growth potential.

[0065] The upper and / or lower limits of the numerical ranges described herein can be arbitrarily combined to define a preferred range. For example, the upper and lower limits of the numerical ranges can be arbitrarily combined to define a preferred range, the upper limits of the numerical ranges can be arbitrarily combined to define a preferred range, and the lower limits of the numerical ranges can be arbitrarily combined to define a preferred range. Furthermore, in this application, numerical ranges expressed using the symbol "to" include the numerical values ​​written before and after the symbol "to" as the upper and lower limits, respectively.

[0066] Although the present embodiment has been described in detail above, the specific configuration is not limited to this embodiment, and any design changes that do not deviate from the gist of the present disclosure are also included in the present disclosure. All publications, patents, and patent applications cited in this specification are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

Claims

1. A seed composition comprising seeds and a biosurfactant, wherein the biosurfactant is 0.25 x 10% by mass of the seeds. －４ ~2.0 x 10 －２ A seed composition comprising % by weight.

2. The seed composition according to claim 1, wherein the biosurfactant is at least one biosurfactant selected from surfactin, rhamnolipid, sophorolipid, and salts thereof.

3. The seed composition according to claim 1, wherein the biosurfactant is at least one biosurfactant selected from surfactin and salts thereof.

4. The seed composition according to claim 1, comprising soybean meal decomposition product.

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