Hydroxycinnamic Acid Root Nodule Formation Agent

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Solution Overview

Problem

The mechanism of root nodule formation in plants is not fully understood, and existing substances like nucleobases and thiamine biosynthesis genes only partially promote root nodule formation, limiting their effectiveness in plant growth promotion.

Innovation Solution

Hydroxycinnamic acids, specifically cinnamic acid compounds such as cinnamic acid, p-coumaric acid, ferulic acid, sinapinic acid, and caffeic acid, are used to promote root nodule formation in plants by acting on their roots, enhancing symbiosis with rhizobia and thereby improving plant growth.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If nucleobases or thiamine biosynthesis genes are used to promote root nodule formation, then root nodule formation is partially promoted, but the mechanism remains unknown and effectiveness is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveroot nodule formationVSAvoidmechanism knowledge

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the chemical parameter by identifying hydroxycinnamic acids (with specific chemical structure formula (1)) as the active substance, replacing previous unknown mechanisms with a defined chemical class that promotes root nodule formation through specific molecular interactions with rhizobia and plant roots

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces hydroxycinnamic acids as an intermediary substance that mediates between rhizobia and plant roots, facilitating symbiosis by enhancing nodule formation without directly being the rhizobia or plant tissue itself

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If existing substances like nucleobases are applied to promote symbiosis, then some root nodule formation occurs, but plant growth promotion is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveplant growthVSAvoidsymbiosis promotion effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the chemical substance parameter from nucleobases to hydroxycinnamic acids, which have a different chemical structure (formula (1)) that provides more reliable and effective symbiosis promotion, leading to better plant growth outcomes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention copies the successful symbiosis promotion effect by identifying and using hydroxycinnamic acids as the active substance, allowing reproduction of the beneficial effect with improved reliability and effectiveness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentUS20230404075A1Rhizobia symbiosis promoting agent and symbiosis promotion method

Publication Date: 2023.12.21 TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK

AI summary

Provided is an agent for promoting root nodule formation, which contains cinnamic acid or hydroxycinnamic acid as an active ingredient.