Plant vitalizing agent and plant cultivation method

Abstract

The present invention relates to a plant vitalizing agent containing a plant extract and / or squeezed juice, wherein the plant extract and / or squeezed juice contains a terpene compound, the terpene compound is one or more selected from the group consisting of terpinen-4-ol, p-cymene, 1,8-cineole, linalool, and α-terpineol, and the weight ratio of the terpene compound is 0.003-90 wt% based on the weight of the plant vitalizing agent.

Description

Plant vitality agent and method for cultivating plants 【0001】 The present invention relates to a plant vitality agent, a method for cultivating plants, and the like. 【0002】 The growth of plants is inhibited by environmental stress. Since leaving environmental stress leads to a decrease in crop productivity, it is desirable to remove environmental stress. However, environmental stresses such as heavy rain, sweltering heat, and drought in recent years are difficult to deal with. In the agricultural field, there is often a tendency to overuse fertilizers containing nutrient components such as phosphorus in order to recover the decreased productivity (Non-Patent Document 1). However, excessive supply of fertilizers increases production costs and can also lead to environmental burdens such as soil pollution, so another approach has been sought. 【0003】 Jpn. J. Soil Sci. Plant Nutr. 89(5): 365 - 368 (2018) "Study on nutrient stress in crops" 【0004】 An object of the present invention is to provide a plant vitality agent that imparts resistance to environmental stresses such as drought, high temperature, and high sodium chloride concentration to plants and promotes the growth of the plants under these environmental stresses, and a method for cultivating plants using the plant vitality agent. 【0005】The inventors of the present invention, after diligent research to solve these problems, discovered that a composition containing specific terpene compounds in a specific weight ratio has the effect of conferring environmental stress tolerance, such as heat resistance, salt resistance, and drought resistance, to plants when applied to them. They then discovered for the first time that the above composition can be suitably used as a plant vitality agent based on the above effect, leading to the present invention. That is, the present invention is a plant vitality agent comprising a plant extract and / or sap, wherein the plant extract and / or sap comprises a terpene compound, the terpene compound being one or more selected from the group consisting of terpinen-4-ol, p-cymene, 1,8-cineole, linalool, and α-terpineol, and the weight ratio of the terpene compound being 0.003 to 90% by weight based on the weight of the plant vitality agent; and a method for cultivating plants by applying the plant vitality agent to plants. 【0006】 According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a plant vitality agent that imparts resistance to environmental stresses such as drought, high temperature, and high sodium chloride concentration to plants, and promotes the growth of such plants under these environmental stresses, as well as a method for cultivating plants using the plant vitality agent. 【0007】 The present invention will be described in detail below. The plant vitality agent of the present invention is a plant vitality agent comprising a plant extract and / or sap, wherein the plant extract and / or sap comprises a terpene compound, and the terpene compound is one or more selected from the group consisting of terpinen-4-ol, p-cymene, 1,8-cineole, linalool, and α-terpineol, and the weight percentage of the terpene compound is 0.003 to 90% by weight based on the weight of the plant vitality agent. 【0008】The plant vitality agent of the present invention comprises plant extracts and / or sap. The plant extracts and / or sap are not particularly limited, but include extracts obtained by extracting from a plant using an extraction solvent, and sap obtained by pressing a plant. As for the plant, any plant containing terpene compounds as described later may be used, and depending on the type of plant, the whole plant may be used, as well as parts such as the above-ground parts, rhizomes, trunks, leaves, stems, inflorescences, flower buds, fruits, pericarps, seeds, bark, and resin. 【0009】 The method for obtaining an extract from a plant using an extraction solvent is not particularly limited, and known methods can be used. For example, a plant extract can be obtained by mixing the plant with an extraction solvent and, if necessary, heating, pressing, or filtering. It is preferable to improve the extraction efficiency by pre-grinding or finely chopping the plant. Examples of extraction solvents include water; alcohols such as ethanol, isopropyl alcohol, and butanol; polyhydric alcohols such as 1,3-butylene glycol and propylene glycol; ketones such as acetone and methyl ethyl ketone; and polar solvents such as diethyl ether and tetrahydrofuran. From the viewpoint of impact on plant growth and consideration for the environment, water, alcohols, or mixtures of water and alcohols are preferred as the extraction solvent. 【0010】 The method for obtaining the juice by squeezing the plant is not particularly limited and known methods can be used. For example, the plant can be used as is, or after adding water to the plant, 2.0 × 10 ５ ~3.0 x 10 ５ Plant sap can be obtained by pressing it under a pressure of Pa. 【0011】 In the plant vitality agent of the present invention, the plant extract and / or sap may be an extract or sap obtained by the above method and further purified. In the plant vitality agent of the present invention, the plant extract and / or sap is preferably a plant essential oil. 【0012】In the plant vitality agent of the present invention, the plant extract and / or sap contains a terpene compound, the terpene compound being one or more selected from the group consisting of terpinen-4-ol, p-cymene, 1,8-cineole, linalool, and α-terpineol. From the viewpoint of promoting plant growth and conferring environmental stress tolerance, the terpene compound preferably contains terpinen-4-ol or 1,8-cineole, and more preferably contains terpinen-4-ol. 【0013】 Examples of plants containing the aforementioned terpene compounds include tea tree, ho wood, eucalyptus, ginger, frankincense, citrus, wasabi, mustard, chamomile, sage (e.g., Spanish sage), geranium, Japanese pepper, perilla, cardamom, vanilla, onion, cypress, sweet marjoram, oregano, thyme, wintergreen, caraway, mint, peppermint, spearmint, lavender (e.g., spike lavender), basil, juniper, anise, orange, lemon, fennel, star anise, clove, cinnamon, and garlic. Among these, at least one selected from the group consisting of tea tree, eucalyptus, thyme, ginger, lemon, ho wood, frankincense, cinnamon, sage, geranium, perilla, cypress, spearmint, lavender, basil, and juniper is preferred. 【0014】In the plant vitality agent of the present invention, the weight percentage of the terpene compound is 0.003 to 90% by weight, based on the weight of the plant vitality agent. However, this weight percentage of the terpene compound is merely the weight percentage for a commercially available plant vitality agent, and when actually applying it to plants in agricultural settings, it is preferable to dilute it as described below. If the weight percentage of the terpene compound is less than 0.003% by weight, based on the weight of the plant vitality agent, the dilution range becomes narrow, limiting mixing with water and other agricultural materials in agricultural settings. Conversely, if it exceeds 90% by weight, significant dilution becomes necessary, increasing the burden on the field. In this specification, the weight percentage of the terpene compound refers to the total weight percentage of terpinen-4-ol, p-cymene, 1,8-cineole, linalool, and α-terpineol, and does not include the weight of terpene compounds other than terpinen-4-ol, p-cymene, 1,8-cineole, linalool, and α-terpineol. 【0015】 In the plant vitality agent of the present invention, when the plant extract and / or sap is a plant extract (e.g., essential oil), from the viewpoint of the manufacturing efficiency of the plant vitality agent, the weight percentage of the terpene compound is preferably 10 to 90% by weight, and more preferably 12 to 30% by weight, based on the weight of the plant vitality agent. Furthermore, when the plant extract and / or sap is a plant sap, similarly from the viewpoint of the manufacturing efficiency of the plant vitality agent, the weight percentage of the terpene compound is preferably 0.003 to 0.05% by weight, and more preferably 0.005 to 0.02% by weight, based on the weight of the plant vitality agent. 【0016】 Furthermore, in the plant vitality agent of the present invention, from the viewpoint of promoting plant growth and conferring environmental stress tolerance, if the terpene compound contains terpinen-4-ol, the weight percentage of terpinen-4-ol is preferably 0.1 to 95% by weight, and more preferably 4 to 65% by weight, based on the weight of the terpene compound. 【0017】In the plant vitality agent of the present invention, from the viewpoint of promoting plant growth and imparting environmental stress tolerance, when the terpene compound contains p-cymene, the weight percentage of p-cymene is preferably 0.1 to 65% by weight, and more preferably 1.0 to 30% by weight, based on the weight of the terpene compound. 【0018】 In the plant vitality agent of the present invention, from the viewpoint of promoting plant growth and imparting environmental stress tolerance, if the terpene compound contains 1,8-cineole, the weight percentage of 1,8-cineole is preferably 0.5 to 90% by weight, and more preferably 5 to 85% by weight, based on the weight of the terpene compound. 【0019】 In the plant vitality agent of the present invention, from the viewpoint of promoting plant growth and conferring environmental stress tolerance, if the terpene compound contains linalool, the weight percentage of linalool is preferably 0.3 to 99% by weight, and more preferably 1.0 to 55% by weight, based on the weight of the terpene compound. 【0020】 In the plant vitality agent of the present invention, from the viewpoint of promoting plant growth and conferring environmental stress tolerance, if the terpene compound contains α-terpineol, the weight percentage of α-terpineol is preferably 0.1 to 15% by weight, and more preferably 0.5 to 14% by weight, based on the weight of the terpene compound. 【0021】 The weight of the terpene compounds contained in the plant vitality agent of the present invention can be measured using gas chromatography under the following measurement conditions. 【0022】 (Measurement conditions) Apparatus: Agilent 8890 / 5977B GC / MSD (manufactured by Agilent Technologies, Inc.) Column: DB-WAX UI (total length 30 m, inner diameter 0.25 mm, film thickness 0.25 μm, manufactured by Agilent Technologies, Inc.) Vaporization chamber temperature: 250°C Pressure: 100 kPa Split ratio: Splitless Temperature program: Hold at 80°C for 5 minutes, then raise to 250°C at a rate of 10°C / min, and hold at 250°C for 10 minutes Sample injection volume: 1 μL 【0023】The following can be used as standard substances: 1,8-cineole (manufactured by Tokyo Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.), p-cymene (manufactured by Tokyo Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.), linalool (manufactured by Fujifilm Wako Pure Chemical Industries, Ltd.), α-terpineol (manufactured by Fujifilm Wako Pure Chemical Industries, Ltd.), and terpinen-4-ol (manufactured by Fujifilm Wako Pure Chemical Industries, Ltd.). 【0024】 In the plant vitality agent of the present invention, the content of plant extracts and / or sap is preferably 0.005 to 100% by weight, and more preferably 0.01 to 100% by weight, based on the weight of the plant vitality agent, from the viewpoint of work efficiency in the farm. If the content of plant extracts and / or sap is 100% by weight, the plant extracts and / or sap will be used as the plant vitality agent as is. In the plant vitality agent of the present invention, if the plant extracts and / or sap are plant extracts (e.g., essential oils), the weight percentage of the plant extracts and / or sap is preferably 0.005 to 100% by weight, and more preferably 0.01 to 100% by weight, based on the weight of the plant vitality agent. Furthermore, if the plant extract and / or juice is a plant juice, the weight percentage of the plant extract is preferably 60 to 100% by weight, and more preferably 80 to 100% by weight, based on the weight of the plant vitality agent. 【0025】 The plant vitality agent of the present invention may further contain any optional components, as long as they do not impair the effects of the present invention. Examples of such components include solvents, carriers, pH adjusters, spreading agents to enhance adhesion to plants, surfactants to enhance penetration into plants, fertilizer components such as minerals to enhance fertilizer efficacy, pesticide components, binders, and fillers. As these optional components, for example, components used in pesticides, fertilizers, etc., can be used. 【0026】 The plant vitality agent of the present invention can be applied to plants as a mixture with water and / or agricultural materials. Examples of agricultural materials include fertilizers, soil conditioners, fertilizer enhancers, agricultural chemicals, plant growth regulators, and biostimulant materials. 【0027】The dosage form of the mixture is not particularly limited and may be any of the following: liquid, powder, granule, emulsion, wettable powder, oil, aerosol, flowable, etc. When the plant vitality agent of the present invention is used after being diluted with water, it can be applied to plants as an aqueous solution, aqueous dispersion, or emulsion. 【0028】 The method of applying the plant vitality agent of the present invention to plants as a mixture with water and / or agricultural materials is not particularly limited and general methods can be used, such as spraying, coating, irrigating, docking, adding to hydroponic solutions, and mixing into soil. Among these, spraying onto the leaves and roots of plants, and docking the base of the plants are preferred. 【0029】 From the viewpoint of promoting plant growth and conferring environmental stress tolerance, the weight percentage of the terpene compound in the mixture (for example, a diluted solution of the plant vitality agent of the present invention) is preferably 0.00026 to 100 ppm, and more preferably 0.03 to 100 ppm, based on the weight of the mixture. In this specification, "ppm" means "ppm by weight". －４ This represents a percentage by weight. 【0030】 The plants to which the plant vitality agent of the present invention can be applied are not particularly limited, and include fruit and vegetable plants such as tomatoes, bell peppers, peas, cucumbers, watermelons, edamame, melons, strawberries, okra, eggplants, green beans, pumpkins, broad beans, and corn; as well as butterbur, green onions, Japanese ginger, garlic, lettuce, shallots, broccoli, cabbage, perilla, Chinese cabbage, bok choy, Japanese parsley, Japanese angelica tree, and spinach. Examples of suitable plants include leafy vegetables such as cauliflower, lettuce, Brussels sprouts, asparagus, Japanese parsley, onions, parsley, chives, garland chrysanthemum, and celery; root vegetables such as radishes, turnips, burdock, carrots, potatoes, taro, sweet potatoes, yams, ginger, and lotus roots; flowering plants such as roses, sweet peas, chrysanthemums, lilies, orchids, lisianthus, poppies, and nemophila; and rice and wheat. In one embodiment of the present invention, fruit vegetables are preferred as the target plants for application of the plant vitalizer of the present invention. In another embodiment of the present invention, nightshade plants such as tomatoes, eggplants, potatoes, and bell peppers are preferred as the target plants for application of the plant vitalizer of the present invention, with tomatoes being more preferred. 【0031】 In this specification, environmental stress tolerance includes, for example, heat resistance (high temperature tolerance), salt resistance, and drought resistance. In this specification, imparting environmental stress tolerance also includes improving or inducing environmental stress tolerance. In this specification, imparting environmental stress tolerance includes, for example, imparting, improving, or inducing heat resistance (high temperature tolerance), salt resistance, and drought resistance. The plant vitality agent of the present invention may also be called a composition for improving the environmental stress tolerance of plants, a composition for improving the heat resistance of plants, a composition for improving the salt resistance of plants, a composition for improving the drought resistance of plants, or a plant protection composition, etc. Furthermore, the plant vitality agent of the present invention may also be called a plant environmental stress tolerance imparting agent, a plant heat resistance imparting agent, a plant salt resistance imparting agent, a plant drought resistance imparting agent, a plant protection agent, etc. 【0032】 The present invention also includes a method for cultivating plants by applying the plant vitality agent of the present invention described above to plants. In the plant cultivation method of the present invention, the plant vitality agent of the present invention, the plants to which the plant vitality agent of the present invention is applied, and preferred embodiments thereof are the same as those of the plant vitality agent of the present invention described above. 【0033】 This specification discloses the following: 【0034】 (I) of the present disclosure is a plant stimulant comprising a plant extract and / or sap, wherein the plant extract and / or sap comprises a terpene compound, the terpene compound being one or more selected from the group consisting of terpinen-4-ol, p-cymene, 1,8-cineole, linalool, and α-terpineol, and the weight percentage of the terpene compound is 0.003 to 90% by weight based on the weight of the plant stimulant. 【0035】 The present disclosure (II) is a plant stimulant according to the present disclosure (I), wherein the terpene compound contains terpinen-4-ol, and the weight percentage of terpinen-4-ol is 0.1 to 95% by weight based on the weight of the terpene compound. 【0036】 The present disclosure (III) is a plant stimulant according to the present disclosure (I) or (II), wherein the plant extract and / or juice is a plant essential oil. 【0037】 This disclosure (IV) is a method of cultivating plants, which involves applying a plant stimulant described in any of disclosures (I) to (III) to the plants. 【0038】 The present invention will be further described below with reference to examples and comparative examples, but the present invention is not limited thereto. 【0039】 <Manufacturing Examples 1-5: Production of Plant Extracts (Essential Oils)> Appropriate amounts of plant material were collected according to the plant type and part listed in Table 1, and plant extracts (essential oils (S-1) to (S-5)) were obtained by steam distillation using the following procedure. Each collected plant material was cut with scissors until it was less than 10 cm in diameter. 100 g of crushed plant material and 500 mL of distilled water were placed in a 1 liter eggplant-shaped flask and heated to 100°C in an oil bath. The steam was cooled using a Liebig condenser to obtain a distillate. From the obtained distillate, the oil layer was collected using a separatory funnel and obtained essential oils (S-1) to (S-5). 【0040】 <Manufacturing Examples 6-23: Commercially Available Essential Oils> The following commercially available essential oils were used as essential oils (S-6) to (S-23), respectively. (S-6): Tea tree essential oil, manufactured by Amazing Craft Co., Ltd. (S-7): Ho wood essential oil, manufactured by Prost Co., Ltd. (S-8): Eucalyptus essential oil, manufactured by Amazing Craft Co., Ltd. (S-9): Thyme essential oil, manufactured by PHATOIL Co., Ltd. (S-10): Ginger root oil, manufactured by Yuan Co., Ltd. (S-11): Frankincense essential oil, manufactured by Seikatsu no Mokusei Co., Ltd. (S-12): Cinnamon essential oil, manufactured by Florihana Co., Ltd. (S-13): Sage essential oil, manufactured by Seikatsu no Mokusei Co., Ltd. (S-14): Spanish sage essential oil, manufactured by PRANAROM Co., Ltd. (S-15): Geranium essential oil, manufactured by Seikatsu no Mokusei Co., Ltd. (S-16): Perilla essential oil, manufactured by aromato Co., Ltd. (S-17): Hinoki leaf essential oil, manufactured by Kaorito Co., Ltd. (S-18): Hinoki leaf oil, manufactured by Seikatsu no Mokusei Co., Ltd. (S-19): Spearmint essential oil, manufactured by Seikatsu no Mokuzai Co., Ltd. (S-20): Lavender essential oil, manufactured by Seikatsu no Mokuzai Co., Ltd. (S-21): Spike lavender essential oil, manufactured by Seikatsu no Mokuzai Co., Ltd. (S-22): Basil essential oil, manufactured by Flavor Life Co., Ltd. (S-23): Juniper essential oil, manufactured by Seikatsu no Mokuzai Co., Ltd. 【0041】 <Production Examples 24 to 27: Production of Plant Squeezed Juice (1)> According to the plant types and parts described in Table 2, an appropriate amount of the plant body was collected, and using the plant body, plant squeezed juice (squeezed juices (S-24) to (S-27)) was obtained by the following procedure. Each of the collected plant bodies was cut with scissors until it became less than 10 cm in diameter. The crushed plant bodies were put into a roller crusher "commercial sugarcane press" (manufactured by MNSSR N Co., Ltd.), and squeezed and extracted at 25°C without adding water to obtain a crude squeezed juice. The solid content of this crude squeezed juice was removed with a 50-mesh filter to obtain squeezed juices (S-24) to (S-27). 【0042】 <Production Examples 28 to 41: Production of Plant Squeezed Juice (2)> From the "plants" described in Table 2, an appropriate amount of the "plant parts" described in Table 2 was collected as the plant body, and using the plant body, plant squeezed juice (squeezed juices (S-28) to (S-41)) was obtained by the following procedure. Each of the collected plant bodies was cut with scissors until it became less than 10 cm in diameter. The crushed plant bodies were put into a mixer crusher "juicer mixer" (manufactured by BlendMax Co., Ltd.), and squeezed and extracted at 25°C without adding water to obtain a crude squeezed juice. The solid content of this crude squeezed juice was removed with a 50-mesh filter to obtain squeezed juices (S-28) to (S-41). 【0043】 The plant extracts and squeezed juices obtained in Production Examples 1 to 41 were used as plant activators as they were. For these plant activators, the weight of each terpene compound (terpinene-4-ol, p-cymene, 1,8-cineole, linalool or α-terpineol) contained in the plant activator was measured by gas chromatography under the following measurement conditions. Also, the weights of each terpene compound were added together to calculate the weight (total weight) of the terpene compounds contained in the plant activator. According to the following formula, the weight ratio of the terpene compound based on the weight of the plant activator was calculated respectively. Weight ratio of terpene compound = (weight of terpene compound × 100) / weight of plant activator The above results are shown in Table 1 and Table 2. 【0044】Also, for the plant extracts and squeezed juices obtained in Production Examples 1 to 41, the weight ratio of each terpene compound (terpinene-4-ol, p-cymene, 1,8-cineole, linalool or α-terpineol) based on the weight (total weight) of the terpene compounds was calculated according to the following formula. Weight ratio of each terpene compound = (weight of each terpene compound × 100) / weight of terpene compounds The results obtained are shown in Tables 3 and 4. 【0045】 (Measurement conditions) Apparatus: Agilent 8890 / 5977B GC / MSD (manufactured by Agilent Technologies Co., Ltd.) Column: DB-WAX UI (total length 30 m, inner diameter 0.25 mm, film thickness 0.25 μm, manufactured by Agilent Technologies Co., Ltd.) Vaporization chamber temperature: 250 °C Pressure: 100 kPa Split ratio: Splitless Temperature program: Hold at 80 °C for 5 minutes, then increase the temperature to 250 °C at a rate of 10 °C / min and hold at 250 °C for 10 minutes Measurement sample injection volume: 1 μL 【0046】 Note that 1,8-cineole (manufactured by Tokyo Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.), p-cymene (manufactured by Tokyo Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.), linalool (manufactured by Fujifilm Wako Pure Chemical Corporation), α-terpineol (manufactured by Fujifilm Wako Pure Chemical Corporation), and terpinene-4-ol (manufactured by Fujifilm Wako Pure Chemical Corporation) were used as standard substances. 【0047】 【0048】 【0049】 【0050】 【0051】 <Examples 1 to 41> The plant extracts and squeezed juices obtained in Production Examples 1 to 41 were directly used as plant activators in the following cultivation tests. 【0052】(1) Preparation of tomato seedlings Tomato (variety: Regina) seeds were sown using cell trays (Tokai Chemicals Co., Ltd., TO plug trays, 128 cells) and sterilized vegetable soil (Yanmar Holdings Co., Ltd., Vegetable Soil S standard type). Liquid fertilizer (Hyponex Japan Co., Ltd., Hyponex concentrate) was diluted 500 times with water to prepare a diluted solution. Vegetable soil was placed in the cell trays, and after soaking the cells in the diluted solution to a depth of about 10 mL / cell, tomato seeds that had been soaked in water for 3 minutes were sown to a depth of 1 cm, covered with aluminum foil, and grown in an incubator (Nippon Medical Instruments Co., Ltd., LH-411PFDT-S; the same conditions were used for all tests described later) at 25°C, with 16 hours of light and 8 hours of darkness. 【0053】 After growing the seeds in an incubator under the long-day conditions described above for more than one week, seedlings with six true leaves were selected and subjected to the heat resistance test, salt resistance test, and drought resistance test described later. 【0054】 (2) Heat resistance test: The selected seedlings were covered with aluminum foil and grown for a further 21 days in an incubator under long-day conditions of 40°C, 16 hours of light, and 8 hours of darkness. 【0055】 The plant stimulant (plant extracts and sap obtained in Production Examples 1 to 41) was diluted with water at the dilution ratios shown in Tables 5 and 6. The diluted plant stimulant was applied to each seedling every 7 days at a rate of 300 μL per seedling using a spray vial (manufactured by Maruemu Co., Ltd.) by spraying onto the leaves and irrigating the base of the plants with a dropper. 【0056】 After 21 days of growth, the seedlings (n=6) were carefully removed from the soil, their roots were immersed in water, and the soil was washed off by shaking the seedlings. The moisture was then wiped off. After that, each seedling was cut into above-ground and underground parts, and the weight of each part was measured and the average weight was calculated (n=6). The results are shown in Tables 5 and 6. 【0057】 (3) Salt tolerance test: The selected seedlings were covered with aluminum foil and grown for a further 21 days in an incubator under long-day conditions of 25°C, 16 hours of light and 8 hours of darkness. During this time, bottom watering with a 0.15 M NaCl solution was performed three times a week. 【0058】The plant stimulant (plant extracts and sap obtained in Production Examples 1 to 41) was diluted with water at the dilution ratios shown in Tables 5 and 6. The diluted plant stimulant was applied to each seedling every 7 days at a rate of 300 μL per seedling using a spray vial (manufactured by Maruemu Co., Ltd.) by spraying onto the leaves and irrigating the base of the plants with a dropper. 【0059】 After 21 days of growth, the seedlings (n=6) were carefully removed from the soil, their roots were immersed in water, and the soil was washed off by shaking the seedlings. The moisture was then wiped off. After that, each seedling was cut into above-ground and underground parts, and the weight of each part was measured and the average weight was calculated (n=6). The results are shown in Tables 5 and 6. 【0060】 (4) Drought tolerance test: The selected seedlings were covered with aluminum foil and grown for a further 21 days in an incubator under long-day conditions of 25°C, 16 hours of light and 8 hours of darkness. During this time, the humidity was maintained at 0% using the dehumidification function of the incubator, and watering was limited to bottom watering once a week. 【0061】 The plant stimulant (plant extracts and sap obtained in Production Examples 1 to 41) was diluted with water at the dilution ratios shown in Tables 5 and 6. The diluted plant stimulant was applied to each seedling every 7 days at a rate of 300 μL per seedling using a spray vial (manufactured by Maruemu Co., Ltd.) by spraying onto the leaves and irrigating the base of the plants with a dropper. 【0062】 After 21 days of growth, the seedlings (n=6) were carefully removed from the soil, their roots were immersed in water, and the soil was washed off by shaking the seedlings. The moisture was then wiped off. After that, each seedling was cut into above-ground and underground parts, and the weight of each part was measured and the average weight was calculated (n=6). The results are shown in Tables 5 and 6. 【0063】 <Comparative Example 1> The same procedure as in Examples 1 to 41 was followed, except that water was used instead of the plant vitality agent (plant extracts and juices obtained in Production Examples 1 to 41). (1) Preparation of tomato seedlings, (2) Heat resistance test, (3) Salt resistance test, and (4) Drought resistance test were performed. The results are shown in Tables 5 and 6. 【0064】 【0065】 【0066】The plant vitality agent of the present invention is suitably used in conjunction with various agricultural materials and is extremely useful as an environmental stress tolerance agent, and is particularly useful as a plant growth promoter under environmental stress.

Claims

1. A plant vitality agent comprising a plant extract and / or sap, wherein the plant extract and / or sap comprises a terpene compound, the terpene compound being one or more selected from the group consisting of terpinen-4-ol, p-cymene, 1,8-cineole, linalool, and α-terpineol, and the weight percentage of the terpene compound being 0.003 to 90% by weight based on the weight of the plant vitality agent.

2. The plant vitality agent according to claim 1, wherein the terpene compound contains terpinen-4-ol, and the weight percentage of terpinen-4-ol is 0.1 to 95% by weight based on the weight of the terpene compound.

3. The plant vitality agent according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the plant extract and / or juice is a plant essential oil.

4. A method for cultivating plants, comprising applying the plant vitality agent described in claim 1 or 2 to the plants.

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