Agronomic Composition for Cold Tolerance and Phosphate Uptake
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Solution Overview
Problem
Agricultural crops, particularly those of tropical origin like maize, face yield losses due to cold stress in early development stages, and existing fertilizers struggle to effectively utilize phosphate in soils while avoiding environmental harm from excessive phosphate accumulation.
Innovation Solution
An agronomic composition comprising zinc, manganese, and specific microorganisms like Bacillus megaterium, which promotes phosphate uptake and cold tolerance in plants, applied as a seed treatment or soil fertilizer, allowing plants to access fixed phosphate without adding additional phosphate, thus reducing environmental impact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If highly soluble phosphate forms are used to support early seedling growth, then plant growth is improved, but phosphate accumulation in the ground increases causing environmental harm
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces phosphate-solubilizing microorganisms as intermediaries that convert fixed, unavailable phosphate in the soil into soluble, plant-available forms. These microorganisms produce organic acids that solubilize phosphate, making it accessible to plants without requiring application of additional phosphate fertilizers, thus avoiding environmental accumulation while supporting plant growth
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes the natural phosphate-solubilizing capability of certain microorganisms already present in the soil or introduced via seed treatment. These microorganisms self-generate organic acids that mobilize phosphate from fixed forms, providing a self-sustaining mechanism for phosphate availability that does not rely on continuous external phosphate input
2Object-generated harmful factors
If phosphate fertilization is decreased to avoid environmental harm, then phosphate accumulation is reduced, but plant yield and growth are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
Phosphate-solubilizing microorganisms serve as intermediaries that bridge the gap between fixed phosphate in the soil and plant uptake requirements. By producing organic acids, these microorganisms mobilize phosphate from insoluble forms, enabling plants to access sufficient phosphate for high yields without requiring high rates of phosphate fertilizer application that would cause environmental accumulation
3Quantity of substance
If phosphate solubilizing microorganisms are applied, then phosphate availability is improved, but cold stress damage prevention is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines phosphate-solubilizing microorganisms with cold-protective compounds (such as compatible solutes, antioxidants, or cold-resistant microbial strains) in a single agronomic composition. This merging provides dual functionality: the microorganisms solubilize phosphate for improved nutrient availability, while the accompanying cold-protective agents mitigate cold stress damage during early plant development
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite agronomic composition that integrates multiple functional components: phosphate-solubilizing microorganisms, cold-protective substances, and potentially other beneficial compounds. This composite formulation simultaneously addresses both phosphate availability and cold stress protection, providing reliable performance under combined nutritional and environmental stress conditions
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 composition enhances nutrient uptake and cold tolerance in plants, preventing tissue damage and yield loss from cold stress, while adhering to phosphate restriction regulations by utilizing existing soil phosphate, thereby promoting sustainable agriculture.
Implementation Method 1
It is known that some microorganisms are able to solubilize inorganic phosphate, which is fixed in the soil and thus make it available to the plants. The phosphate solubilizing microorganisms produce organic acids, which are largely responsible for the solubilisation of phosphate
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to an agronomic composition comprising zinc, manganese and microorganism(s) capable of promoting nutrient uptake by a plant from the soil. Furthermore, the present invention provides a seed coated by an agronomic composition according to the invention and a method for improving the yield of a plant, in particular for increasing nutrient uptake and/or cold tolerance in early stages of development by applying the agronomic composition according to the invention to a seed or to soil, in which a seed is planted. Finally, the present invention also relates to the use of an agronomic composition of the present invention to improve the yield of a plant. In particular, the composition of the present invention is used to improve recovery of a plant and/or to prevent tissue damage when the plant is exposed to low temperatures at the seed or seedling stage.