Turfgrass Quality via Plant Growth Regulator and Jasmonic Acid
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for enhancing turfgrass quality, particularly for bentgrass, do not effectively address the need for improved visual and functional characteristics such as density, uniformity, and resistance to wear and disease, while also maintaining a healthy green color.
Innovation Solution
The application of trinexapac-ethyl or paclobutrazol, combined with jasmonic acid or its salt/ester, specifically methyl jasmonate, acts as a plant growth regulator to slow vertical growth rate and enhance turfgrass quality by regulating gibberellin biosynthesis and increasing phenolic content, thereby improving visual and functional qualities and color.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If plant growth regulators are applied to slow turfgrass vertical growth rate, then mowing frequency is reduced, but turfgrass quality and visual appearance may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines two different plant growth regulators (trinexapac-ethyl and paclobutrazol) with jasmonic acid or its derivatives into a single composition. This synergistic combination allows for effective growth rate control while maintaining or improving turfgrass quality parameters such as density, uniformity, and resistance to wear and disease.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a composite formulation containing multiple active ingredients (trinexapac-ethyl, paclobutrazol, and jasmonic acid derivatives) along with various formulation components. This composite approach enables the composition to achieve multiple functions simultaneously: regulating growth, enhancing quality, and providing stress tolerance.
2Loss of time
If plant growth regulators are applied to reduce vertical growth rate, then mowing frequency decreases, but turfgrass density and uniformity may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
By merging trinexapac-ethyl or paclobutrazol with jasmonic acid in a single composition, the patent achieves both growth rate reduction and improved turfgrass density and uniformity. The jasmonic acid component specifically enhances these quality parameters while the plant growth regulator controls vertical growth.
3Productivity
If plant growth regulators are applied to slow turfgrass growth, then mowing frequency is reduced, but resistance to wear and disease may decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The composition merges plant growth regulators with jasmonic acid, which is known to enhance plant defense mechanisms. This combination allows the turfgrass to maintain reduced growth rates while simultaneously improving resistance to wear and disease through the jasmonic acid's protective effects.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potential harmful effect of growth reduction into a benefit by using jasmonic acid to enhance stress tolerance. The reduced growth rate combined with enhanced resistance creates a healthier, more resilient turfgrass system that requires less maintenance.
4Loss of time
If plant growth regulators are applied to control vertical growth, then mowing frequency is reduced, but green color and visual quality may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines plant growth regulators with jasmonic acid derivatives that enhance chlorophyll content and green color. This merging allows for effective growth control while simultaneously improving visual quality and color vibrancy, eliminating the trade-off between reduced mowing frequency and aesthetic appearance.
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 significantly enhances turfgrass quality and color, particularly when applied early in the growing season, leading to improved density, uniformity, resistance, and a more vibrant green appearance, while reducing mowing frequency and maintaining health.
Implementation Method 1
Jasmonic acid is a plant hormone that acts as a signalling compound to induce the production of phytoalexins that protect against herbivory, fungal invasion
Implementation Method 2
Jasmonic acid is also thought to regulate plant growth when used at low rates by increasing the total phenolic content of leaves, and therefore inducing free radical buffering capacity
Implementation Method 3
Growth retardants comprising a nitrogen-containing heterocycle, such as flurprimidol, paclobutrazol and uniconazole-P, act as inhibitors of monooxygenases that catalyse oxidative steps in gibberellin biosynthesis
Implementation Method 4
Structural mimics of 2-oxoglutaric acid, such as the acylcyclohexanediones trinexapac-ethyl and prohexadione-calcium, interfere with the late steps of gibberellin biosynthesis
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a method for improving turfgrass quality, by applying to the turfgrass a plant growth regulator and jasmonic acid, or a salt or ester thereof, and to a composition comprising the same.