Microalgae Bioprotection Compositions for Plant Immunity
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Solution Overview
Problem
The excessive use of agrochemicals, particularly pesticides, has detrimental effects on soil health and the environment, leading to a need for environmentally safe and sustainable alternatives to improve plant health and productivity without harming the soil or environment.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the application of microalgae-based compositions to host plants to enhance their immunity, which upregulates gene expression and induces Systemic Acquired Resistance (SAR), thereby improving resistance to fungal, bacterial, and viral infections without direct pathogenicidal activity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If agrochemicals (particularly pesticides) are used to protect plants from pathogens, then plant protection efficacy is improved, but environmental safety and soil health deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces microalgae-based compositions as an intermediary substance that indirectly protects plants by stimulating their immune system rather than directly killing pathogens. The microalgae composition acts as a mediator between the plant and pathogen, activating the plant's own defense mechanisms (Systemic Acquired Resistance) to fight infections, thereby achieving protection without the harmful environmental effects of direct chemical pesticides
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/chemical approach of directly killing pathogens with pesticides with a biological approach that stimulates the plant's immune system. Instead of using agrochemicals to mechanically eliminate pathogens, the microalgae composition triggers the plant's natural defense responses (upregulation of immune genes, SAR activation), substituting chemical warfare with biological immunity enhancement
2Object-affected harmful factors
If microalgae-based compositions are applied to stimulate plant immunity, then environmental safety is improved, but direct pathogen killing capability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional approach to plant protection. Instead of applying substances that directly kill pathogens (chemical pesticides), the microalgae composition works by enhancing the plant's own immune capabilities. The protection mechanism is inverted from external pathogen elimination to internal immune system activation, where the plant itself becomes the active agent in fighting pathogens
Solution Approach 2:
The microalgae-based composition enables the plant to protect itself against pathogens by stimulating its own immune system. The plant's immune genes are upregulated and Systemic Acquired Resistance is activated, allowing the plant to autonomously fight off infections without requiring direct pathogen killing agents. The plant essentially serves its own protection needs through the microalgae-induced immune response
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure is related to plant bioprotection compositions comprising microalgae components. The disclosure also provides methods of using the bioprotection compositions, e.g., for suppressing, delaying, or treating pathogen infection within host plants.