Lipo-Chitooligosaccharides combination compositions for enhanced plant growth and yield
Compositions and methods for enhancing plant growth and crop yield in legumes and non-legumes are described. The compositions include lipo-chitooligosaccharides in combination with chitins/chitosans or in combination with flavonoid compounds or in combination with a herbicide. The method includes applying the compositions to seeds and/or plants either concomitantly or sequentially.
1 . A method comprising spraying corn plants with a composition comprising at least one flavonoid in an amount effective to increase the yield of said corn plants.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said at least one flavonoid comprises genistein.
3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said at least one flavonoid comprises daidzein.
4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said at least one flavonoid comprises genistein and daidzein.
5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said at least one flavonoid is present in said composition at a concentration of between about 20 μM to about 800 μM.
6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said at least one flavonoid is present in said composition at a concentration of between about 100 μM to about 500 μM.
7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said at least one flavonoid is present in said composition at a concentration of about 10 mM.
8 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising applying at least one lipo-chitooligosaccharide to said corn plants.
9 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said composition further comprises at least one lipo-chitooligosaccharide.
10 . The method of claim 9 , wherein said at least one lipo-chitooligosaccharide is present in said composition at a concentration of between about 10 −14 M to about 10 −5 M.
11 . The method of claim 9 , wherein said at least one lipo-chitooligosaccharide is present in said composition at a concentration of between about 10 −10 M to about 10 −6 M.
12 . The method of claim 9 , wherein said at least one lipo-chitooligosaccharide is present in said composition at a concentration of about 10 −8 M.
13 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said composition is sprayed on said corn plants in an amount effective to increase the yield of said corn plants by at least 3 bushels per acre, as compared to untreated control plants.
14 . A method comprising spraying corn plants with a composition comprising genistein and daidzein in an amount effective to increase the yield of said corn plants.
15 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said genistein and daidzein are present in said composition at a genistein:daidzein ratio of about 8:2.
16 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said genistein and daidzein are present in said composition at a concentration of about 10 mM.
17 . The method of claim 12 , further comprising applying at least one lipo-chitooligosaccharide to said corn plants.
18 . The method of claim 12 , wherein said composition further comprises at least one lipo-chitooligosaccharide.
19 . The method of claim 16 , wherein said at least one lipo-chitooligosaccharide is present in said composition at a concentration of about 10 −8 M.
20 . The method of claim 14 , wherein said composition is sprayed on said corn plants in an amount effective to increase the yield of said corn plants by at least 3 bushels per acre, as compared to untreated control plants.