Plant protecting and regulating compositions – Plant growth regulating compositions
Patent
1995-12-27
1997-12-02
Clardy, S. Mark
Plant protecting and regulating compositions
Plant growth regulating compositions
504188, 504354, A01N 2530, A01N 3322, A01N 5924
Patent
active
056935919
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
This application has been filed under 35 USC 371 as a national stage application of PCT/EP94/01180, filed Apr. 14, 1994.
The present invention relates to the use of particular compounds as activity promoting additives for rest-breaking agents, to rest-breaking compositions comprising these additives and to the use of these compositions for rest-breaking of deciduous fruit trees.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Deciduous fruit trees require winter chilling to grow normally. The amount of chilling required depends upon the kind of fruit and the cultivar. If winter chilling is insufficient, then growth abnormalities such as delayed and uneven blossoming, poor leaf cover, insufficient fruit-set and reduced fruit size can occur. These symptoms are generally referred to as delayed foliation according to the article, Blommaert, K. L. J., "Winter Dormancy and Delayed Foliation," The Deciduous Fruit Grower, (1956).
Measures to reduce the symptoms of delayed foliation include treatment with high volumes of chemical rest-breaking agents during later winter and various physical manipulations such as pruning.
In South Africa, for example, most apple trees receive insufficient winter chilling to break rest completely and thus annual application of a chemical rest-breaking agent is standard practice. The most widely used rest-breaking agent in commercial apple orchards is dinitro-ortho-cresol (DNOC) in combination with winter-oil emulsion (a lipophilic agent) (Erez, A. et al., "Improved Methods of Breaking Rest in the Peach and Other Deciduous Fruit Species," J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci., 96, pp. 519-522 (1971)). This article also mentions the use of the potassium salt of gibberellic acid, kinetin, indoleacetic acid and thiourea as potential rest-breaking agents. DNOC is a non-systemic stomach poison and contact insecticide, ovicidal to the eggs of certain insects. It is strongly phytotoxic and its permissable use as an insecticide is limited to dormant sprays or on waste ground. Further, DNOC is known to act as a cumulative poison in man. Although DNOC is relatively inexpensive and effective as a rest-breaking agent, it is toxic enough to limit its continued use and it is currently on the European Red List of agricultural chemicals which will be prohibited in the future. DNOC is also banned in the United States for use as an agricultural chemical.
One of the most effective alternatives to DNOC is hydrogen cyanamide according to the publications, Snir, I., "Chemical Dormancy Breaking of Red Raspberry," HortScience, 18, pp. 719-713 (1983); North, M. S., "Effects of Cyanamide and DNOC/oil on Budbreak, Yield and Fruit Size of Golden Delicious Apples," S. Afr. J. Plant Soil, 6(3), pp. 176-178 (1989); Stadler, J. D., North, M. S. and Lutze, G. F. A., "Artificial Rest-Breaking of Apricot and Plum Cultivars Using Hydrogen Cyanamide," J.S.Afr.Soc.Hort.Sci., 1(1), pp. 9-11, (1991); Nee, C. C. and Fuchigami, L. H., "Overcoming Rest at Different Growth with Hydrogen Cyanimide," Scientia Horticulturae, 50, pp. 107-113 (1992); and North, M. S., "Alternative Rest-Breaking Agents to DNOC/oil for Apples," S. Afr. J. Plant Soil, 9(1), pp. 39-40 (1992).
Hydrogen cyanamide is a skin and eye irritant and is especially acute when used in combination with the consumption of alcohol. The toxicity and relatively high price limit its market acceptance and hydrogen cyanamide has also been placed on the European Red List.
Thus, there exists an immediate need for new, milder rest-breaking agents, not only in South Africa, but also in countries which are currently developing deciduous fruit industries but do not have an ideal climate therefor, such as Brazil. Further, there is a need for such new rest-breaking agents in countries with existing deciduous fruit industries that, up to now, did not appreciate the extent of the problem of delayed foliation.
The response of a tree to a rest-breaking agent is dependent upon the chemical composition of the agent, its application rate and timing and on the nutritional status of the tree according to Terblanche, J
REFERENCES:
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Artificial Rest-Breaking of Apricot and Plum Cultivars using Hydrogen Cyanamide, J.D. Stadler, M.S. North and G.F.A. Lotze, Fruit and Fruit Technology Research Institute, J.S. Afr. Soc. Hort. Sci. 1.(1) May 1991.
Abstract of EP 0 272 542 A2 (BASF) Jun. 1988.
Improved Methods for Breaking Rest in the Peach and Other Deciduous Fruit Species. J. Amer. Soc Hort Sci. 96(4):519-522, 1971.
Effect of cyanamide and DNOC/oil on budbreak, yield and fruit size Golden Delicious apples. S-Afr. Tydskr, Plant Grond 1989 6(3).
Overcoming rest at different growth stages with hydrogen cyanamide Scientia Horticulturae, 50 (1992) 107-113.
Alternative rest-breaking agents to DNOC/oil for apples S. Afr J. Plant Soil 1992 9(1).
Effects of autumnal nitrogen nutrition, urea sprays and a winter rest-breaking spray on budbreak and blossoming of young Golden Delicious trees grown in sand culture. The Deciduous Fruit Grower Jan. 1973.
Dormancy Release in Deciduous Fruit Trees. Horticultural Reviews vol. 7, pp. 239-300, AVI Publishing Co. Westport,, CT (1985).
Time of Thiourea-KNO.sub.3 Application on the Rest Requirement and Bud Development in Loring Peach.sup.1 HortScience 11(4): 400-402. 1976.
Chemical treatments for breaking rest in peach in relation to accumulated chilling. Journal of Horticultural Science (62) 4(1987) 457-461.
Derwent Publications Ltd. 43-700-192/27 SKW Trostberg AG Jun. 1983.
Chemical Dormancy Breaking of Red Rasberry. Hort Science 18(5):710-713. 1983.
Coggins, C. W. et al. "Possible methods to increase efficacy of gibberellic acid applied to navel orange trees", Chapter 55 of Adjuvants for Agrichemicals. Chester L. Foy, Ed. CRC Pr. P. 567-572. 1992.
Butselaar Robert Jan
North Michael Shaun
Akzo Nobel N.V.
Clardy S. Mark
Mancini Ralph J.
Morris Louis A.
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