ABA-Malic Acid Composition for Predictable Drought Tolerance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods struggle to effectively improve plant growth and stress tolerance under abiotic conditions, particularly drought, when multiple plant growth regulators are applied simultaneously, as their effects are unpredictable.
Innovation Solution
Applying a mixture of (S)-abscisic acid (ABA) and malic acid to plants at specific weight ratios ranging from 3.3:1 to 1:33.3 to enhance stress tolerance, growth, and yield, particularly under drought conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple plant growth regulators are applied simultaneously to improve plant growth and stress tolerance, then the potential for enhanced performance exists, but the effects become unpredictable and difficult to control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent specifies precise weight ratios of ABA to malic acid (from 1:10 to 10:1) to optimize the synergistic effect. By controlling the concentration parameters and ratio relationships between the two regulators, the unpredictable effects of multiple regulators are transformed into controlled, predictable outcomes that reliably improve stress tolerance and growth.
2Reliability
If ABA is applied to improve stress tolerance, then drought resistance increases, but the effect on stomatal control and photosynthesis remains unclear when combined with malic acid
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses malic acid as an intermediary substance that works synergistically with ABA to mediate stomatal control. The combination of these two compounds creates a coordinated effect where malic acid enhances ABA's stress tolerance benefits while the specific weight ratios ensure predictable stomatal responses, eliminating the uncertainty about individual compound effects.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The mixture of ABA and malic acid unexpectedly improves drought stress tolerance, plant growth, water use efficacy, and carbon fixation, leading to increased photosynthetic rates and dry weight.
Implementation Method 1
malic acid is synthesized by stomatal guard cells in plant leaves and has been shown to play an important role in stomatal control
Implementation Method 2
Malic acid is an intermediate compound in the citric acid (TCA) cycle, and the C4 carbon fixation process of the chloroplast
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is directed to methods of improving stress tolerance, growth and/or yield in plants by applying an effective amount of a mixture of abscisic acid and malic acid to the plant.