Gibberellin 3 Application for Corn Cold Damage Recovery

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Solution Overview

Problem

Crop growers face significant yield losses due to cold temperature damage, as early planting increases the risk of damage, and existing methods for recovery are either costly or ineffective in reducing these losses.

Innovation Solution

Applying gibberellin 3 (GA3) at a rate of 6 to 16 grams per hectare during the early vegetative growth stage of corn, specifically during the V2 and V3 growth stages, to enhance recovery from cold damage, which can be administered before or after exposure to cold temperatures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If growers plant crops early to maximize yield, then productivity increases, but cold temperature damage occurs more frequently

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveyieldVSAvoidcold temperature damage
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies gibberellin treatment to corn seedlings before cold temperature exposure occurs, priming the plants to develop cold resistance in advance. This preliminary hormonal treatment enables the plants to withstand cold stress that would otherwise occur during early planting, allowing growers to plant earlier without sacrificing plant survival.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Loss of energy

If growers wait several days to assess plant recovery before replanting, then resource spending on damaged crops is reduced, but valuable planting time is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresource spendingVSAvoidplanting time
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent establishes a feedback mechanism where gibberellin treatment status and plant response to cold stress provide information about recovery potential. By treating plants with gibberellin and monitoring their response to cold exposure, growers can make informed decisions about whether to replant, reducing both resource waste and time loss through better decision-making.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If growers apply gibberellin to enhance cold damage recovery, then plant recovery improves, but additional resource input is required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecold damage recoveryVSAvoidgibberellin application
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the concentration and timing parameters of gibberellin application to achieve effective cold damage recovery at minimal effective doses. By carefully controlling these parameters, the treatment achieves reliable recovery results while minimizing the quantity of gibberellin required, thus reducing resource input.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 application of GA3 significantly reduces yield losses by promoting plant recovery and growth, allowing for earlier planting without increased risk of cold weather damage, as demonstrated by increased plant height and reduced anthocyanin accumulation in treated plants.

Implementation Method 1

applying an effective amount of at least one gibberellin to the corn foliage during an early vegetative growth stage

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHormonal regulation:

Data Source

PatentEP3160231B1Method to reduce cold damage in corn
Publication Date: 2021.05.05 VALENT BIOSCIENCES CORP

AI summary

The present invention is directed to methods for improving cold temperature damage recovery of a cereal grain comprising applying an effective amount of at least one gibberellin to the cereal grain during early vegetative growth stage. The present invention is also directed to methods for improving yield of a cereal grain comprising applying an effeetive amount of at least one gibberellin to a cereal grain suffering from cold temperature damage during the early vegetative growth stage.