PROCESS AND COMPOSITION FOR PLANT GROWTH REGULATION

Abstract: The growth of the field plants is controlled by treating the plants in the vegetative stage with 4-chloro-meta-cresol, p-cresol, hydroquinone, p-nitro-phenol, p-chloro-phenol, phenol, resorcinol, pyrogallol, 2,4-dichloro-phenol, 2,6-dichloro-phenol, pyrocatechol, o-butyl-phenol, 4-methyl-7-hydroxy-/2H/benzopyran-2-one, diacetyl-pyrocatechol, pyrocatechol-metalyl-ether, 2,2,4-trimethyl-5-hydroxy-/2,4/-chromene, 2,2,4-trimethyl-7-hydroxy-/2,4/-chromene or a mixture thereof at an application rate of 0.3-4 kg./ha and optionally microelements and/or mesoelements such as boron, magnesium, sulphur (in the form of sulphate), manganese, copper, zinc and molybdenum in the form of water soluble salts and metal chelates respectively, and urea or ammonium salts, at an application rate of 0.5-5.0 liter/ha at a concentration of 5-500 g./liter and simultaneously or previously with 2-chloroethyl phosphonic acid or esters or salts thereof at an application rate of 0.5-3.0 kg./ha.

Description: PROCESS AND COMPOSITION FOR PLANT GROWTH REGULATION The present invention concerns a process and a composition for regulating the growth of field plants by combined treatment. Background of the invention Synthetic compounds, first of all beta-3-indolyl- -3-acetic acid and derivatives thereof having auxin activity are known to act through the leaves or root of the plant. These compounds can be used as plant growth regulators but their effectivity is relatively low as the auxin type compounds are rapidly decomposed in the plant cells by peroxydase type enzymes. Another group of the compositions stimulating the inner synthesis of auxins /auxin-inductors/ is formed by 2-chloroethyl phosphonic acid and derivatives thereof. According to FR-PS 2 322 544 these compounds among others show auxin activity, /increase plant growth/, influence seed germination, etc. When using 2-chloroethyl phosphonic acid the releasing ethylene induces the inner auxin synthesis. By the increased plant hormone level the synthesis of enzymes controlling physiological processes is also enhanced e.g. the activity of decomposing enzymes /peroxydases/. Due to this effect the required amount of 2-chloroethyl phosphonic acid is higher per hectare and if the treatment is not carried out in a suitable growth stage of the plants then depression, withering and necrotic symptoms may occur. Disclosure of the invention The present invention is directed to regulating the growth of monocotyledonous and dicotyledonous field plants, suitable compositions for controlling plant growth without harmful side effects. According to the present invention the growth of the field plants is controlled by treating the plants in the vegetative stage with 4-chloro-meta-cresol, p- -cresol, hydroquinone, p-nitro-phenol, p-chloro-phenol, phenol, resorcinol, pyrogallol, 2,4-dichloro-phenol, 2,6- -dichloro-phenol, pyrocatechol, o-butyl-phenol, 4-methyl- -7-hydroxy-/2H/benzopyran-2-one, diacetyl-pyrocatechol, pyrocatechol-metallyl-ether, 2,2,4-trimethyl-5-hydroxy- -/2,4/-chromene, 2,2,4-trimethyl-7-hydroxy-/2,4/-chromene or a mixture thereof at an application rate of 0.3 - 4 kg/ha and optionally microelements and/or mesoelements such as boron, magnesium, sulphur /in the form of sulphate/, manganese, copper, zinc and molybdenum in the form of water soluble salts and metal chelates respectively, and urea or ammonium salts, at an application rate of 0.5 - 5.0 liter/ha at a concentration of 5 - 500 g/liter and simultaneously or previously with 2-choroethyl phosphonic acid or esters or salts thereof at an application rate of 0.5 - 3.0 kg/ha. As a result of the treatment with higher doses both for monocotyledonous and dicotyledonous field plants a depression of growth occurs, by decreasing the dosis the growth can be increased or the fruit yield can be increased. The invention provides compositions for regulating the growth of plants, which contain 1 to 60 % by weight of 4-chloro-metacresol, p-cresol, hydroquinone, p-nitro- phenol, p-chloro-phenol, phenol, resorcinol, pyrogallol, 2,34-dichloro-phenol, 2,6-dichloro-phenol, pyrocatechol, o-butyl-phenol, 4-methyl-7-hydroxy-/2H/benzopyran-2-one, pyrocatechol-metallyl-ether, 2,2,4-trimethyl-5-hydroxy- /2, /-chromene, 2,2,4-trimethyl-7-hydroxy-/2,4/-chromene, and optionally boron, magnesium, sulphur /in the form of sulphate/, manganese, copper, zinc, molybdenum, said metals being in the form of water soluble salts or soluble chelates, further urea or ammonium salts and 2-chloroethyl phosphonic acid, salts or esters thereof together with solid or liquid carriers, optionally surfactants. The compositions are preferably used in the form of tank mixtures in diluted state and if desired the active ingredients are combined prior to use in the tank mixture. The compositions according to the invention contain known components. The used compounds and their physical constants are as follows: I. 4-chloro-meta-cresol, m.p.: 56 C, b.p.: 235 C II. p-cresol m.p.: 36 °C, b.p.: 202 °C III. hydroquinone m.p.: 172 °C, b.p.: 285 °C IV. p-nitro-phenol m.p.: 113 °C, b.p.: 279 °C V. p-chloro-phenol m.p.: 43 °C, b.p.: 220 °C • VI. phenol, m.p.: 35 - 41 C VII. resorcinol m.p.: 110 °C, b.p.: 280 °C VIII. pyrogallol m.p.: 133 °C, b.p.: 309 °C IX. 2,4-dichloro-phenol m.p.: 42 °C, b.p. 209 °C X. 2,6-dichloro-phenol m.p.: 65 °C, b.p. 218 °C XI. pyrocatechol m.p. 104 °C, b.p.: 245 °C XII. o-butyl-phenol b.p.: 234 C XIII. 4-methyl-7-hydroxy-/2H/benzopyran-2-one m.p.: 185 °C /4-methyl-umbelliferon, 7-hydroxy-4-methyl-coumarin/ XV. diacetyl pyrocatechol m.p.: 64 -C 0 XVI. pyrocatechol-metallyl-ether XVII. 2,2,4-trimethyl-5-hydroxy-2, -chromene XVIII. 2,2,4-trimethyl-7-hydroxy-/2,4/-chromene 2-chloroethyl phosphonic acid is disclosed in FR-PS 2 322 544. It is used in aqueous solutions of a concentration of 10 - 5000 ppm, preferably 10 - 1000 ppm. Compounds I-XVIII used according to the invention 5 are applied in the form of dusting agents, wettable powders or emulsifiable concentrates, which can contain solid or liquid carriers and/or surfactants. Among solid carriers kaolin j bentonite, silicic acid, dolomite, calcium carbonate, talc, and among liquid ] _0 carriers aliphatic, aromatic, cycloaromatic solvents, mineral oil fractions and alcohols can be mentioned. Surfactants can be non-ionic and anionic, as anionic surfactants salts of aliphatic sulfonic acid esters, salts of aromatic sulfonated compounds, alkali salts of ligno- 5 sulfonate and as non-ionic surfactants fatty alcohol derivatives of ethylene oxide or propylene oxide, alkyl phenols, oils or fats can be employed. The compositions in concentrated form are diluted prior to use to 0.01-5 % sprayable compositions. The dosis of the compositions is 0 0.5-5 kg per hectare, but higher doses may be used as well for special purposes. As monocotyledonous plants the crops, corn and as dicotyledonous plants, sunflower, cole-seed, sugar beet, soya are mentioned, c We have found that the compounds I-XVIII together with 2-chloroethyl phosphonic acid show excellent plant growth regulating activity, if the microelements and mesoelements required for these processes are present, which upon penetrating into the plant form biologically Q active complex with the enzyme protein, thus the hormone and enzyme level of the plant can be brought into equilibrium and the depression accompanying the use of plant growth regulators can be eliminated in case of proper use. 5 Micro- and mesoelements are generally used in the form of chelates. As chelate forming agent K-p-phenol- -lignosulfonate can be used. As chelates magnesium chelate at a concentration of 40 g/1, manganese chelate at a concentration of 30 g/1, copper chelate at a concentration of 40 " g/1, zinc chelate at a concentra¬ tion of 30 g/1 can be mentioned. Sulphur /in the form of a sulphate/can be added in ammonium sulphate solution of a concentration of 300 g/1, and molybdenum in ammonium olybdenate solution of a concentration of 3 g/1. Modes of embodiment of the invention Emulsifiable concentrates, wettable powder mixtures and dusting agents can be prepared as disclosed in the following Examples: Example 1 A mixture of 25 g. of 4-methyl-7-hydroxy/2H/benzo- pyran-2-one and 25 g. of 2-chloroethyl phosphonic acid is dissolved in 30 g. of xylene. 10 g. of an adduct prepar¬ ed from 8 to 10 moles of ethylene oxide and 1 mole of oleic acid-N-monoethanol-amide, 5 g. of calcium salt of dodecyl benzene sulfonic acid, 5 g. of an adduct prepared from 40 moles of ethylene oxide and 1 mole castor oil are added. The obtained solution is dispersed in 1150 g. of water and the aqueous composition contains 2 % by weight of the active ingredients. To this composi¬ tion chelates of the microelements and soluble salts of the mesoelements and if desired further excipients and nutrients can be added. Example 2 In order to prepare a dusting agent 25 g. 4- -chloro-meta-cresol and 25 g. of 2-chloroethyl phosphonic acid are admixed with 3 g. of diisobutyl-naphtalene- -sulphonic acid sodium salt, 5 g. sodium salt of lignin- sulponic acid and 42 g. of kaolin. The mixture is homogenised and ground. As surfactant an adduct of 40 moles of ethylene oxide and 1 mole of nonyl phenol, a condensate of sodium salt of naphtalene-sulfonic acid and formaldehyde of a molar ratio 2:1, an adduct of 20 moles of ethylene oxide, or 20 moles of propylene oxide with 1 mole nonyl phenol and calcium salt of ligninsulphonic acid can be used. Example 3 A mixture of 25 g. of pyrocatechol diacetate and 25 g. of 2-chloroethyl phosphonic acid is dissolved in a mixture of 20 g. xylene and 15 g of methyl ethyl ketone. 10 g. of an adduct prepared of 20 moles of propylene oxide and 1 mole of castor oil as well as 5 g of calcium salt of dodecyl benzene sulfonic acid are added. The composition is diluted with water prior to use to the desired concentration. Example 4 A mixture of 25 g. of 2,6-dichloro-phenol and 25 g. of 2-chloroethyl phosphonic acid is dissolved in a mixture of 25 g. xylene and 10 g. methyl ethyl ketone. 15 g. of an adduct prepared from 40 moles of ethylene oxide and 1 mole of lauric acid are added. Prior to use to the compostion is diluted with water the desired concentra¬ tion. Example 5 The biological activity of the process and composition according to the invention was examined on Chenopodium murale dicotyledonous plant /nettle leafed goosefoot/. Plants of same age and development stage were planted to plastic pots filled with green-house turf at 2-4 pairs leaf stage, to each pot two plants were planted. The plants were grown until 6-8 pairs leaf stage and then treated with the compositions according to the invention as follows: " 625 ppm = 1 liter/ha 1250 ppm = 2 liter/ha 2500 ppm = 4 liter/ha 5000 ppm = 8 liter/ha 10000 ppm = 16 liter/ha The emulsifiable concentrates contained 25 % by weight of active ingredient. The test were repeated 6 times and the plants were sprayed with 25 ml. of solution for 6 dishes. Before spraying the height of each plant was measured. On the 8th day after the treatments the plant height was measured and the extent of the change of height per day was calculated. The results are shown in the following Table and expressed in cm. x day " . TABLE 625 ppm 1250 ppm 2500 ppm 5000 ppm 10000 ppm Untreated control 0.35 100.0 I 0.37 105.7 0.65 185.7 0.69 197.1 0.80 228.0 0.31 88.0 II 0.36 102.6 0.43 128.8 0.52 148.6 0.39 111.4 0.32 91.4 III 0.39 111.4 0.37 105.7 0.38 108.6 0.41 117.1 0.39 111.4 IV 0.58 165.7 0.43 122.8 0.71 202.9 0.44 125.7 0.19 54.3 V 0.39 111.4 0.34 97.1 0.29 52.9 0.35 100.0 0.40 114.3 VI 0.46 131.4 0.39 111.4 0.35 100.0 0.39 111.4 0.34 97.1 VII 0.39 111.4 0.60 171.4 0.24 68.6 0.10 38.6 0.15 42.5 VIII 0.33 94.3 0.45 128.6 0.37 109.7 0.50 142.9 0.57 163.1 IX 0.39 111.4 0.45 128.6 0.47 134.2 0.51 145.7 0.39 111.4 X 0.59 168.3 0.47 134.2 0.41 117.1 0.36 102.8 0.20 57.1 XI 0.43 122.8 0.38 108.6 0.43 122.8 0.52 148.6 0.40 114.1 XII 0.49 140.0 0.47 134.2 0.40 114.3 0.47 134.2 0.41 117.1 XIII 0.30 103.0 0.35 117.3 0.39 131.0 0.21 71.3 0.20 67.3 XV 0.29 98.7 0.20 66.7 0.12 42.7 0.14 47.7 0.10 34.3 The result of the Table show that growth rate of the test plants is differently influenced by the test compositions. Compositions I, II, IV, VII, XIII. increased the rate of growth to a dosage of 4-81/ha, the daily rate of growth was even lower than the value of the control. Composition X. showed similar results but the rate of the growth increased the most at the lowest dosage /l liter/ha/, By further increasing the dosage this value decreased. Compositions III, V, VI. did not significantly influence the rate of growth. The increase of the growth rate of the plants treated with compositions VIII, IX, XI, XII. surpassed the rate of the control plants at each tested dosage. The effect o .compound XV. was different. At 1 1/ha the rate of growth was not changed but by increasing the amount per hectare the rate of growth was in each case lower than the control value. Further test results show that compositions I-XV. according to the invention when combined with 2-chloro- ethyl-phosphonic acid decreased the daily growth rate /R = 2-chloroethyl phosphonic acid/ TABLE Growth rate Growth rate Growth rate Treatments R 0.5 1/ha + R 1.0 1/ha + I-XV. 4 1/ha I-XV. 4 1/ha cm x, cm x, % cm x, % day "1 day "1 day " Untreated control 0.35 100.0 R 0.5 1/ha 0.28 80.0 R 1.0 1/ha 0.15 42.9 I. 4 1/ha 0.69 197.1 0.32 91.4 0.21 60.0 II. 4 » 0.52 148.6 0.29 82.9 0.19 54.3 III. 4 0.38 108.6 0.15 42.9 0.15 42.9 IV. 4 0.71 202.9 0.34 97.1 0.22 62.9 V. 4 0.29 52.9 0.14 40.0 0.12 34.3 VI. 4 0.35 100.0 0.24 68.6 0.14 40.0 VII. 4 0.24 68.6 0.22 62.9 0.11 31.4 VIII. 4 0.37 109.7 0.27 77.1 0.16 45.7 IX. 4 0.47 134.2 0.30 85.7 0.18 51.4 X. 4 0.41 117.1 0.28 80.0 0.16 45.7 XI. 4 0.43 122.8 0.27 77.1 0.17 48.6 XII. 4 0.40 114.3 0.25 71.4 0.17 48.6 XIII. 4 " 0.39 111.4 0.26 74.3 0.15 42.8 XV. 4 " 0.12 34.3 0.13 37.1 0.10 28.6 Upon combination compounds I-XV. with 0.5 and 1 liter doses of composition R /2-chloroethyl phosphonic aicd 40 % concentrate/ the daily rate of growth decreased in each case When adding to a dosage of 4 1/ha of the compounds I-XV. composition R then the same tendencies could be observ ed as when testing compounds I-XV. alone. Differences were only in the absolute value of the growth rate. When using the compositons according to the invention at lower doses and together with microelements then the daily growth rate is enhanced by the active ingredients, i.e. the growth stimulating effect occurs. TABLE Treatments cm x day -1 Untreated control 0.35 100 R 0.25 1/ha 0.30 85.7 R 0.25 1/ha + K 0.33 94.3 I. 1 1/ha + R 0.25 1/ha+K 0.41 117.1 II.1 1/ha + R 0.25 1/ha+K 0.36 102.9 III.l 1/ha + R 0.25 1/ha+K 0.34 97.1 IV. 1 l/ha+ R 0.25 1/ha+K 0.38 108.6 VI.1 1/ha + R 0.25 1/ha+K 0.33 94.1 VI.1 1/ha + R 0.25 1/ha+K 0.36 102.9 VII.1 1/ha+R 0.25 1/ha+K 0.42 120.0 VIII.1 1/ha+R 0.251/ha+K 0.44 125.7 IX. 1 1/ha +R 0.25 1/ha+K 0.42 120.0 X. 1 1/ha + R 0.25 1/ha+K 0.44 125.7 XI. 1 1/ha+R 0.25 1/ha+K 0.45 128.6 XII. 1 1/ha+R 0.25 1/ha+K 0.43 122.9 XII. 1 1/ha+R 0.25 1/ha+K 0.41 117.1 XV. 1 1/ha +R 0.25 1/ha+K 0.35 100.0 K = chelates according to Example 6. OMPI < * .-eo / - - 13 - Example 6 Freeland experiments were carried out under the following conditions: Plant: Jubilejnaja /winter wheat/ Sowing: October 5th Harvest: July 12th Weed-killing: Dikamin D /40 %/ 2.8 1/ha 2.4-D-NH A salt Chemical fertilizer: N = 200 kg./ha P 2 0 5 = 120 kg./ha K 2 0 = 140 kg./ha Stock-number: 6.2 million stock/ha Plotland size: 20 m Compositions: 25 % emulsifiable concentrate containing compound I., IV. and VIII. as active ingredient 2-chloroethyl phosphonic acid, in a 40 % emulsifiable concentrate /R/ Cu- +Zn +Mg +B- chelates /K/ at a concentration of 40 g./l 30 g./l 40 g./l 7 g./l with K-paraphenol-lignosulfonate Time of treatment: growing into bush or 2 nodes stage. TABLE Effect of compositions on Jubilejnaja 50 /winter wheat/ crop Treatment Dosage 1 Crop t/ha Average % of control I. II. III. Control 7.22 7.49 7.44 7.33 100.0 /I/ 1.5 8.05 8.22 6,94 7.74 105.6 3.0 8.11 8.22 8.11 8.15 111.9 /I/+R+K 1.5+1.0+2.0 8.05 8.66 7.94 8.22 112.1 /I/+R+K 3.0+1.0+2,0 7.05 8.77 7.83 7.88 107.5 /IV/ 1.5 7.55 7.66 7.28 7.10 102.3 /IV/ 3.0 7.33 7.49 8.38 7.74 105.6 /IV/+R+K 1.5+1.0+2.0 6.99 8.16 7.88 7.68 104.7 /IV/+R+K 3.0+1.0+2.0 6.66 7.83 8.16 7.5 103.0 /VIII/ 1.5 7.72 7.22 6.39 7.11 96.9 /VIII/ 3.0 7.22 6.99 7.16 7.13 97.3 /VIII/+R+K 1.5+1.0+2.0 8.22 7.66 6.94 7.63 104.1 /VIII/+R+K 3.0+1.0+2.0 7.39 7.94 8.06 7.79 106.3 Example 7 Freeland plot experiments were carried out under the following conditions: Plant: Marianne sunflower Sowing: April 17th Harvest: September 12th Weed-killing: 3.5 1/ha Treflan + 2.5 kg/ha Maloran /50 WP/ Chemical fertilizer: N = 120 kg./ha P 2 0 5 = 150 kg./ha K 2 0 = 200 kg./ha Stock-number: 57 000 stock/ha 2 Plotsize: 20 m Soil: field cernozjom Time of treatment: in 2-6 pairs leaf stage of the plants Compositions: 2-chloroethyl-phosphonic acid /40 EC/ /R/ Compound XIII /25 EC/ Compound XV /25 EC/ The result are summarized in the following Table. TABLE Effect of the composition according to the invention on the crop of the sunflower /freeland plot experiment/ Method of treatment Dosage 1/ha Crop t/ha I. II. III. Control 3.82 3.67 3.74 100.0 R 1.0 3.59 3.41 3.50 93.6 R 2.0 2.78 2.97 2.88 76.9 /XIII/ 2.5 3.83 4.07 3.95 105.6 /XIII/ 5.0 3.34 3.41 3.38 90.2 /XIII/+R 2.5+2.0 3.10 3.08 3.09 82.6 /XIII/+R 5.0+1.0 4.47 4.18 4.32 115.5 /XV/ 2.5 4.36 4.11 4.24 113.2 /XV/ 5.0 3.39 3.58 3.49 93.2 /XV/+R 2.5+2.0 3.34 3.50 3.44 91.8 /XV/+R 5.0+1.0 3.76 3.84 3.80 101.6 /XV/// 2.5 4.50 4.33 4.42 118.0 /XVII/ 5.0 3.91 4.12 4.02 107.4 /XVII/+R 2.5+2.0 3,80 3.42 3.86 103.2 /XVII/+R 5.0+1.0 4.64 4.42 4.53 121.1

Claims: C l a i m s : 1. Process for regulating the growth of field plants, which c o m p r i s e s treating the plants 5 in vegetative stage at an application rate of 0.3 - 4.0 kg./ha with one or more compounds selected from 4-chloro- -meta-cresol, p-cresol, hydroquinone, p-nitrophenol, p- -chloro-phenol, phenol, resorcinol, pyrogallol, 2,4- -dichloro-phenol, 2,6-dichlorophenol, pyrocatechol, o- 0 -butyl-phenol, 4-methyl-7-hydroxy-/2H/benzopyran-2-one or diacetyl-pyrocatechol, pyrocatechol-metallyl-ether, 2,2,4-trimethyl-5-hydroxy-/2,4/-chromene, 2,2,4-trimethyl- -7-hydroxy-/2,4/-chromene and optionally at a rate of 0.5 - 5.0 liter/ha with a mixture containing micro- and/or 5 mesoelements of a concentration of 5 - 500 g./l such as magnesium, manganese, copper, zinc, in the form of metal chelates and boron and sulphur in the form of water soluble derivatives and urea or ammonium salt, furtheron with 0.5 - 3.0 kg./ha of 2-chloroethyl phosphonic acid, esters 0 or salts thereof simultaneously or previously. 2. Plant growth regulating composition preferably for regulating the growth of field plants in the vegetative stage, which c o m p r i s e s 1 to 60 % by weight of 4-chloro-meta-cresol, p-cresol, hydroquinone, p-nitro- 5 -phenol, p-chloro-phenol, phenol, resorcinol, pyrogallol, 2,4-dichloro-phenol, 2,6-dichloro-phenol, pyrocatechol, o-butyl-phenol, 4-methyl-7-hydroxy-/2H/benzopyran-2-one, diacetyl-pyrocatechol, pyrocatechol-metallyl-ether, 2,2, -trimethyl-5-hydroxy-/2,4/-chromene, 2 , 2 ,4-trimethyl- Q -7-hydroxy-/2,4/-chromene or a mixture thereof, and optionally micro- and/or mesoelements in the form of soluble salts or chelates such as boron, magnesium, sulphur, manganese, copper, zinc or molybdenum, urea or ammonium salt and 2-chloroethyl phosphonic acid, salts or esters 5 thereof and solid or liquid carriers and/or surfactants.

Inventors: BALINT SANDOR, BENCZIK JUDIT NEE PASZTOR, GAAL SANDOR, GARDI IVAN, KARSAI JOZSEF, KIS GYOERGY, KOLONICS ZOLTAN, PAPP ANDRAS, SEBESTYEN ENDRE, TOEMOERDI ELEMER, BALINT, SANDOR, BENCZIK, JUDIT NEE PASZTOR, GAAL, SANDOR, GARDI, IVAN, KARSAI, JOZSEF, KIS, GYOERGY, KOLONICS, ZOLTAN, PAPP, ANDRAS, SEBESTYEN, ENDRE, TOEMOERDI, ELEMER
Applicants: NITROKEMIA IPARTELEPEK
Application year: 1984
Main classification: A01N31
IPC codes: A01N31, A01N33, A01N37, A01N43, A01N55, A01N57, A01N59