Reactive Oxygen Species Composition for Improved Plant Nitrogen Uptake
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional farming methods result in excessive nitrogen application, leading to reduced nitrogen uptake efficiency by plants, soil degradation, and environmental contamination, while attempts to reduce nitrogen application often result in decreased crop yield and biomass.
Innovation Solution
Application of an aqueous solution containing reactive oxygen species (ROS) and an ROS inducer, such as a black walnut extract, to induce nitrogen uptake efficiency in plants, thereby reducing the need for nitrogen fertilizer and enhancing nutrient utilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional farming methods apply excessive nitrogen fertilizer, then crop yield and biomass are maintained, but nitrogen uptake efficiency decreases and environmental contamination increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical state of oxygen in the system by introducing reactive oxygen species (ROS) in various forms (hydrogen peroxide, singlet oxygen, superoxide, etc.). This parameter change in oxygen reactivity triggers biological responses in plants that enhance nitrogen uptake efficiency and utilization, allowing reduced nitrogen application while maintaining crop yield
Solution Approach 2:
Reactive oxygen species act as an intermediary substance that mediates between the applied nitrogen and plant uptake mechanisms. The ROS inducers (including black walnut extract) introduce ROS that serve as signaling molecules to activate plant pathways for improved nitrogen absorption and utilization, resolving the contradiction between nitrogen application amount and uptake efficiency
2Object-affected harmful factors
If nitrogen fertilizer application is reduced, then environmental contamination decreases, but crop yield and biomass decrease
Solution Approach 1:
By changing the oxidation state and reactivity of oxygen through ROS induction, the patent enhances plant metabolic efficiency for nitrogen utilization. This allows the system to maintain high productivity with lower nitrogen inputs, thereby reducing environmental contamination from excess fertilizer application
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potential harm of reduced nitrogen application (which would normally lead to yield loss) into a benefit by using ROS to stimulate plant pathways that improve nitrogen use efficiency. The controlled oxidative stress from ROS actually benefits plant nutrient uptake, allowing reduced fertilizer use without sacrificing yield
3Quantity of substance
If excessive nitrogen is applied to restore soil nitrogen levels, then soil nitrogen availability increases, but soil degradation and leaching to environment occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables plants to self-enhance their nitrogen uptake capacity through ROS-induced biological responses. Plants activated with ROS inducers develop improved ability to absorb and utilize nitrogen from the soil, reducing the need for external nitrogen supplementation and preventing the cycle of excessive fertilization that causes soil degradation
Solution Approach 2:
The introduction of reactive oxygen species changes the biological activity parameters in the plant-soil system. This triggers cascading effects including improved root function, enhanced nitrogen assimilation pathways, and better nitrogen use efficiency, allowing the system to maintain nitrogen availability without excessive fertilizer application that causes leaching and degradation
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 ROS inducer increases nitrogen uptake and utilization efficiency, maintaining plant biomass and soil health while minimizing nitrogen application, thus reducing environmental impact and maintaining crop yield.
Implementation Method 1
application of an aqueous solution containing reactive oxygen species and reactive oxygen species inducers... sufficient to increase a reactive oxygen species in a plant to induce nitrogen uptake efficiency
Implementation Method 2
the reactive oxygen species and inducer is sufficient to increase a reactive oxygen species in a plant to induce nitrogen uptake efficiency by the plant and nitrogen utilization efficiency in the plant
Data Source
AI summary
In some embodiments, a composition includes a nitrogen fertilizer, a reactive oxygen species, and a reactive oxygen species inducer. An effective amount of the reactive oxygen species is sufficient to increase reactive oxygen species in a plant to induce increased nitrogen uptake efficiency by the plant and increased nitrogen utilization efficiency in the plant. In some embodiments, the reactive oxygen species inducer is a black walnut extract. In some embodiments, the reactive oxygen species inducer is hydrogen peroxide.