Enzyme Crop Prophylaxis for Copper-Free Infection Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for controlling fungal and bacterial infections in crops and ornamental plants, particularly oomycetes and bacteria, are ineffective and environmentally harmful, with copper-based treatments posing ecotoxicological concerns and limited alternatives available for ecological farming.
Innovation Solution
A method using protease and optionally β-glucanase and/or chitinase enzyme preparations applied as a concentrate or ready-to-use solution, combined with stabilizers and wetting agents, to prevent infections by wetting the plant surface at specific temperatures, effectively inhibiting zoospores and bacterial pathogens.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If copper-containing plant protection products are used for prophylaxis of fungal and bacterial infections, then protection effectiveness is improved, but environmental safety deteriorates due to ecotoxicological concerns
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the chemical nature of the protective agent from copper-based chemicals to enzyme-based preparations (proteases, β-glucanases, chitinases). This parameter change transforms the mechanism of action from toxic inhibition to biological degradation, maintaining protection effectiveness while eliminating copper's ecotoxicological harm.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the chemical toxic mechanism (copper-based plant protection products) with a biological enzymatic mechanism. The enzymes protease, β-glucanase, and chitinase substitute for copper chemicals, providing pathogen control through biological decomposition rather than toxic inhibition, thus resolving the contradiction between effectiveness and environmental safety.
2Reliability
If conventional fungicides are used continuously for controlling oomycetes, then infection control is improved, but resistance development and environmental harm worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces chemical fungicides with enzymatic preparations that work through biological degradation mechanisms. The enzymes protease, β-glucanase, and chitinase attack different structural components of pathogens (proteins, cell walls, chitin), creating a multi-target biological control system that reduces resistance development pressure compared to single-mode chemical fungicides.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses composite enzyme preparations containing multiple types of enzymes (proteases, β-glucanases, chitinases) that work synergistically. This composite approach targets multiple structural components of pathogens simultaneously, creating a more robust control mechanism that is less prone to resistance development than single-chemical fungicides.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If enzyme preparations are applied for pathogen control, then environmental safety is improved, but application stability deteriorates due to degradation by rain and UV exposure
Solution Approach 1:
The invention incorporates stabilizers into the enzyme preparation formulation before application. These stabilizers provide prior protection against degradation from rain and UV exposure, cushioning the enzyme preparations from environmental stressors and extending their duration of action on plant surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates composite formulations that combine enzyme preparations with stabilizing agents and adjuvants. This composite material approach enhances the stability and persistence of enzymes on plant surfaces, protecting them from premature degradation by environmental factors while maintaining their biological activity.
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 enzyme preparations provide a safe, effective, and long-lasting protection against fungal and bacterial pathogens, reducing infestation without phytotoxicity or environmental harm, maintaining efficacy through rain and UV exposure.
Implementation Method 1
a first enzyme preparation comprising at least one protease
Implementation Method 2
a second enzyme preparation comprising at least one β-glucanase
Implementation Method 3
a third enzyme preparation comprising at least one chitinase
Implementation Method 4
The active ingredients are used in concentrations of 0.01-5% in each case, independently of one another, in the form of concentrates or ready-to-use solutions, optionally in combination with stabilizers and wetting agents
Data Source
AI summary
The invention concerns a method for prophylaxis of infections by fungi, particularly by oomycetes, and of bacterial infections in crop and ornamental plants. Areas of application are vine, fruit, vegetable and ornamental plant growing. The method of the invention is characterized in that an aqueous solution of a protease, alone or in combination with β-glucanases and/or chitinases, is prepared, stabilizers, stickers and wetters are added, and the additized solution is applied by conventional techniques to the plants a number of times within the vegetation period, preferably ahead of weather-related phases of high infection threat.