USE OF GUAR DERIVATIVES FOR MICROORGANISMS GROWTH
The present invention relates to the in vitro use of a guar derivative for maintaining or increasing the growth rate of microorganisms, wherein said guar derivative contains at least one anionic group.
1 . A method, comprising maintaining or increasing the growth rate of microorganisms by using a guar derivative in vitro or on a plant, on a seed or in soil, wherein said guar derivative contains at least one anionic group.
2 . (canceled)
3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the microorganisms are fungi or bacteria.
4 . The method of claim 1 , for increasing the growth rate of microorganisms is increased.
5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said anionic group is a carboxyalkyl group.
6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said guar derivative exhibits a DS for anionic substituent groups ranging from 0.01 to 3.0.
7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said guar derivative further contains at least one nonionic group.
8 . The method of claim 17 , wherein said hydroxyalkyl group is a C1-C6 hydroxyalkyl groups.
9 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said guar derivative has a degree of hydroxyalkylation comprised between about 0.1 and about 1.0.
10 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the guar derivative has an average molecular weight comprised between 100,000 g/mol and about 4,000,000 g/mol.
11 . A method for maintaining or increasing the growth rate of microorganisms, the method comprising a step of contacting at least one seed with a guar derivative containing at least one anionic group.
12 . (canceled)
13 . A biostimulant composition comprising at least one microorganism, and at least one guar derivative containing at least one anionic group.
14 . A kit comprising at least one microorganism, and at least one guar derivative containing at least one anionic group.
15 . (canceled)
16 . A seed coated with the biostimulant composition of claim 13 .
17 . The method of claim 7 , wherein the at least one nonionic group is a hydroxyalkyl group.
18 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the hydroxyalkyl group is a C1-C6 hydroxyalkyl group selected from the group consisting of a hydroxymethyl group, a hydroxyethyl group, a hydroxypropyl group and a hydroxybutyl group.
19 . The method of claim 18 , wherein the hydroxyalkyl group is a hydroxypropyl group.
20 . The biostimulant composition of claim 13 , wherein the at least one microorganism is a bacterium.
21 . The kit of claim 14 , wherein the at least one microorganism is a bacterium.