Silicon Stimulant for Plant Nitrogen Absorption

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Solution Overview

Problem

Plants face challenges in efficiently assimilating nitrogen, particularly in the form of urea, leading to potential deficiencies that affect growth and yield, and existing fertilizers often result in nitrogen loss and environmental impact.

Innovation Solution

The use of silicon, in combination with urea, as a stimulant to enhance nitrogen absorption in plants, improving fertilizer efficiency and reducing nitrogen usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If nitrogen fertilizers are applied to ensure sufficient nitrogen supply for plant growth, then plant nitrogen absorption is improved, but nitrogen loss and environmental impact increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenitrogen absorptionVSAvoidnitrogen loss
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Silicon acts as an intermediary substance that mediates between nitrogen fertilizer and the plant. It enhances the plant's ability to absorb nitrogen without requiring increased fertilizer application, thereby reducing nitrogen loss to the environment while maintaining improved nitrogen uptake

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If higher quantities of nitrogen fertilizer are used to prevent nitrogen deficiency, then plant growth and yield are improved, but environmental impact and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveyieldVSAvoidenvironmental impact
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the physiological parameters of the plant by introducing silicon, which modifies the plant's nitrogen metabolism and absorption efficiency. This allows achieving the same yield with reduced nitrogen fertilizer quantities, thereby reducing environmental impact

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Quantity of substance

If conventional nitrogen fertilizers are applied to ensure sufficient nitrogen supply, then plant nitrogen content is maintained, but fertilizer efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenitrogen contentVSAvoidfertilizer efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

Silicon serves as a bioactive intermediary that enhances the efficiency of nitrogen fertilizer utilization. It facilitates better nitrogen uptake and metabolism in the plant, meaning less fertilizer is wasted and more is effectively converted into plant nitrogen content

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3458435B1Use of silicon as a stimulant for nitrogen absorption in a plant
Publication Date: 2024.04.10 AGRO INNOVATION INT
  • EP3458435B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3458435B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3458435B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to the use of silicon as a stimulant for nitrogen absorption in a plant. It also relates to a method for stimulating nitrogen absorption in a plant, characterised in that it involves supplying said plant or soils with an effective quantity of silicon.