Use of 9-beta-D-adenosine to increase crop production
Inventors
Assignees
University of California San Francisco UCSF • University of California San Diego UCSD
Publication Number
US-8846572-B2
Publication Date
2014-09-30
Expiration Date
2030-12-28
Interested in licensing this patent?
MTEC can help explore whether this patent might be available for licensing for your application.
Abstract
Described are compositions and methods to increase bud break in order to increase aspects of one or both of plant vegetative and reproductive growth, by use of a natural metabolite. In particular, the present disclosure provides a natural metabolite either alone or as part of a fertilizer blend to increase crop production. Additionally the present disclosure provides a natural metabolite in combination with one or both of a plant growth regulator and a bio stimulant to increase crop production.
Core Innovation
The invention provides compositions and methods to increase bud break with the purpose of enhancing one or both of plant vegetative and reproductive growth, using a natural metabolite. In particular, the disclosure focuses on the use of a natural metabolite—either alone or as part of a fertilizer blend—to increase crop production. The compositions may also include one or both of a plant growth regulator and a biostimulant, in combination with the natural metabolite, to further increase crop production.
The need addressed by this innovation is to provide growers with compositions and methods that employ natural compounds to increase crop production, as opposed to synthetic plant growth regulators (PGRs), which face regulatory hurdles and are less favored by consumers who prefer organic produce. Current methods rely mainly on synthetic PGRs from five classic groups, and new, effective strategies using natural compounds are highly desired in modern agriculture.
The present disclosure details methods of increasing crop production by administering a composition containing an effective amount of a purified natural compound, including adenosine, its phosphates, inosine, inosine phosphates, adenine, hypoxanthine, xanthine, and combinations thereof. In preferred embodiments, the compound is 9-beta-D-adenosine. The methods apply to both perennial and annual crops, with administration via foliar spray, irrigation, or trunk injection, at specific growth stages to achieve enhanced bud break, increased numbers of vegetative and fruiting shoots, fruit size, and total yield.
Claims Coverage
The patent includes one independent claim, which defines a method for increasing crop production using a specific natural metabolite.
Method of increasing crop production with 9 beta-D-adenosine
A method is provided comprising administering to a crop plant a composition that contains an effective amount of a nucleoside consisting of at least 95% 9 beta-D-adenosine, so as to increase the crop production of the crop plant. The increased crop production specifically includes an increase in reproductive growth.
The main inventive feature is the targeted application of a substantially pure form of 9 beta-D-adenosine to increase reproductive growth and crop production.
Stated Advantages
Adenosine can increase the number of lateral vegetative shoots and lateral reproductive shoots, number of leaves, number of fruit, and fruit diameter, resulting in significant improvements over controls and standard plant growth regulators.
Adenosine-treated plants achieve net increases in both the quantity and size of fruit, including a net increase of 87.5% in fruit number per plant and a 61% increase in average fruit size over untreated controls.
Application of adenosine increases the cumulative yield and marketable value of large-sized, commercially valuable fruit, without reducing total yield and without negative effects on fruit quality.
Unlike some standard PGR treatments, adenosine does not require caution for adverse effects such as undesired fruit set, reduced fruit size, leaf drop under stress, or fruit dryness, and does not have restrictions on crop load or application timing.
The natural metabolite adenosine is suitable for organic growers as it is a nutritional supplement rather than a synthetic regulator, and its active ingredient is readily available and recognized as safe.
Documented Applications
Administration of adenosine by irrigation to increase fruit production in tomato plants.
Foliar spray application of adenosine to mandarin trees to increase number and yield of commercially valuable fruit.
Trunk injection of adenosine to 'Hass' avocado trees to increase spring bud break, floral intensity, and avocado production.
Interested in licensing this patent?