Use of prolines for improving growth and/or yield
The present invention describes a composition including a mixture of L- and D-pyroglutamate stereoisomers in a ratio of L to D of from about 80:20 to about 97:3, and, a carrier medium for application of the L- and D-pyroglutamate stereoisomers to a target plant. The composition can also be used as a germination medium and may be incorporated into a seed coat for assisting in germination. The present invention further describes a method of increasing the agronomic performance of a target plant by treating a target plant with a composition including a mixture of L- and D-pyroglutamate stereoisomers in a ratio of L to D of from about 80:20 to about 97:3 and a carrier medium for said L- and D-pyroglutamate stereoisomers.
1. A composition comprising a mixture of L- and D-pyroglutamate stereoisomers in a ratio of L to D of from about 80:20 to 97:3; and, a carrier medium for application of said L- and D-pyroglutamate stereoisomers to a target plant.
2. The composition of claim 1 wherein said ratio of L to D stereoisomers is from about 80:20 to about 95:5.
3. The composition of claim 1 wherein said carrier medium is an aqueous solution including a surfactant and a wetting agent.
4. The composition of claim 3 wherein said composition further includes a herbicide.
5. The composition of claim 4 wherein said herbicide is 2,4-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid.
6. A method of increasing the agronomic performance of a target plant comprising: treating a target plant with a composition including a mixture of L- and D-pyroglutamate stereoisomers in a ratio of L to D of from about 80:20 to 97:3 and a carrier medium for said L- and D-pyroglutamate stereoisomers.
7. The method of claim 6 wherein said ratio of L to D stereoisomers is from about 80:20 to about 95:5.
8. The method of claim 6 wherein said carrier medium is an aqueous solution including a surfactant and a wetting agent.
9. The method of claim 6 wherein said target plant is selected from the group consisting of monocots, dicots, crucifers, solanaceae and legumes.
10. The method of claim 6 wherein said treating is by application to foliage of a target plant or by application to roots of a target plant.
11. The method of claim 9 wherein said composition further includes a herbicide.
12. The method of claim 11 wherein said herbicide is 2,4-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid.
13. The method of claim 6 wherein said agronomic performance is selected from the group consisting of plant growth, flowering potential, plant yield and resistance to stress from a herbicide.
14. The method claim 10 wherein said treating is by application to foliage of a target plant.
15. The method of claim 10 wherein said treating is by application to roots of a target plant.
16. A method of treating seeds prior to planting comprising wetting the seeds directly with a solution of a composition including a mixture of L- and D-pyroglutamate stereoisomers in a ratio of L to D of from about 80:20 to 97:3.
17. The method of claim 16 wherein said seeds are selected from the group consisting of rice and peppers.
18. In a seed coating composition, the improvement comprising adding a mixture of L- and D-pyroglutamate stereoisomers in a ratio of L to D of from about 80:20 to 97:3 as one component of said seed coating composition.