Inactive Yeast and Nitrogen Source for Crop Yield
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Solution Overview
Problem
The excessive use of nitrogen fertilizers in agriculture leads to environmental damage and inefficient plant growth, as only a portion is absorbed by plants, while the rest can pollute waterways and increase greenhouse gas emissions, necessitating a reduction in nitrogen input without compromising crop yields.
Innovation Solution
A method and composition involving the application of inactive yeast and/or yeast derivatives in combination with a nitrogen source, excluding ammonium nitrate, to enhance plant growth by stimulating soil microflora and improving nitrogen supply through synergistic effects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If nitrogen fertilizer application is increased to improve plant growth, then crop yield increases, but environmental damage increases including nitrate leaching and greenhouse gas emissions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces microorganisms (yeast, bacteria, fungi) as intermediary agents that facilitate nitrogen conversion and plant growth. These microorganisms act as mediators between nitrogen fertilizer and plants, improving nitrogen utilization efficiency and reducing environmental pollution while maintaining crop yield.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical form and availability parameters of nitrogen by using microbial agents to convert nitrogen into different forms (ammonification, nitrification). This parameter change improves nitrogen absorption by plants and reduces leaching and greenhouse gas emissions.
2Productivity
If nitrogen fertilizer is applied to promote plant growth, then biomass production increases, but nitrogen absorption efficiency decreases due to excessive application
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs microorganisms that naturally occur in the soil to perform nitrogen conversion functions. These microorganisms self-service by converting nitrogen into plant-available forms through their metabolic processes, eliminating the need for excessive fertilizer application and improving nitrogen use efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
Microorganisms serve as intermediaries that enhance nitrogen absorption efficiency by converting nitrogen into forms that plants can more effectively utilize, thereby increasing biomass production without excessive nitrogen application.
3Productivity
If ammonium nitrate is used as nitrogen fertilizer to increase crop yield, then plant growth is enhanced, but safety hazards increase due to volatility and explosive risks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses microorganisms as temporary, biodegradable agents that perform nitrogen conversion functions. These biological agents replace hazardous chemical fertilizers like ammonium nitrate, providing the necessary nitrogen conversion without the safety hazards of volatility and explosiveness.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If microbial agents are used to improve nitrogen utilization, then environmental impact is reduced, but the complexity of the fertilization system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent leverages the natural self-service capabilities of soil microorganisms to perform nitrogen conversion. By utilizing organisms that naturally occur in the soil ecosystem, the system avoids the need for complex external intervention mechanisms, thereby reducing system complexity while minimizing environmental impact.
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 combination of inactive yeast and/or yeast derivatives with a nitrogen source significantly increases plant growth and biomass production, achieving up to 50% greater dry weight and biomass compared to using either component alone, while reducing environmental impact by minimizing nitrogen fertilizer usage.
Implementation Method 1
improve or accelerate the phases of fragmentation, ammonification and nitrification of organic nitrogen into mineral azote
Implementation Method 2
improve or accelerate the phases of fragmentation, ammonification and nitrification of organic nitrogen into mineral azote
Implementation Method 3
only a part of the applied nitrogen is absorbed by the plants
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a method and a composition for improving plant growth including applying to a plant, roots of a plant, soil or substrate, or seeds of plants inactive yeast and/or yeast derivatives and at least one nitrogen source.