Silicate Biostimulant Composition Preventing Polymerization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing biostimulant compositions for plants do not effectively provide bioavailable silicon, which is essential for plant growth and stress resistance, as they often contain phytotoxic components and fail to maintain silicon in a usable form due to excessive polymerization of orthosilicic acid.
Innovation Solution
A biostimulant stock composition comprising a silicate, ascorbic acid, and optionally tyrosine and phenylalanine, which forms a stable solution with a pH of 10 to 11, allowing for the formation of bioavailable orthosilicic acid upon dilution, preventing excessive polymerization and ensuring silicon remains in a usable form for plant uptake.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If silicate is used as a source of silicon in biostimulant compositions, then silicon can be provided to plants, but orthosilicic acid undergoes excessive polymerization making silicon unavailable to plants
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by formulating the biostimulant composition with specific pH buffers and chelating agents before application to prevent orthosilicic acid polymerization. The composition is prepared in advance with controlled pH (5.0-7.0) and containing agents that will maintain silicon in bioavailable form upon contact with plant tissues, rather than allowing polymerization to occur after application.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes critical parameters including pH control (maintaining 5.0-7.0 range), silicon concentration (0.01-3.0 wt%), and composition formulation (adding buffers and chelating agents). These parameter changes prevent orthosilicic acid polymerization while maintaining silicon availability for plant uptake, directly resolving the contradiction between providing silicon and maintaining its bioavailability.
2Productivity
If high concentration of silicate is used to stimulate plant growth, then more silicon is available, but the composition becomes phytotoxic
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the silicate concentration parameter to 0.01-3.0 wt% and controls pH to 5.0-7.0 range, transforming the high concentration phytotoxic formulation into a low concentration safe formulation that still provides effective silicon nutrition without harmful effects on plants.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces buffering agents and chelating agents as intermediary substances that mediate between the silicate source and plant tissues. These intermediaries control the release and form of silicon, preventing direct phytotoxic effects while maintaining bioavailability, thus enabling safe use of silicon at effective concentrations.
3Ease of operation
If existing biostimulant compositions are used, then plant treatment can be performed, but they fail to provide bioavailable silicon due to polymerization and contain phytotoxic components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite biostimulant composition combining silicate source (0.01-3.0 wt%), pH buffers, and chelating agents in specific proportions. This composite formulation ensures silicon remains in bioavailable orthosilicic acid form while being safe for plants, improving reliability of silicon delivery compared to existing single-component or simpler formulations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses buffering agents and chelating agents as intermediary substances that ensure reliable silicon delivery. These intermediaries maintain the chemical environment necessary for silicon bioavailability throughout storage and application, making the silicon delivery process reliable and effective.
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 composition effectively stimulates plant growth and stress resistance by providing bioavailable silicon, as demonstrated by increased germination rates and biomass in plant trials, while maintaining stability and safety during handling and storage.
Implementation Method 1
the ascorbic acid facilitates the production of a stock composition having a suitable pH (for example, from 10 to 11)
Implementation Method 2
preventing excessive polymerization and ensuring silicon remains in a usable form for plant uptake
Implementation Method 3
orthosilicic acid forms rapidly upon dilution of the biostimulant stock composition
Implementation Method 4
plant roots are generally capable of absorbing silicon in the form of orthosilicic acid
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a biostimulant stock composition comprising a carrier liquid and a silicate, the composition having a pH of at least 9, the concentration of silicon being from 0.01wt% to 3.0wt%, wherein wt% is measured relative to the total weight of the composition, and one or more of ascorbic acid, tyrosine and phenylalanine. A treatment composition is also provided.