Field of the invention

The invention relates to plant regulator, conditioner and nutrient compositions containing active ingredients prepared from substances of natural origin, i.e. from the excrements of earthworm, preferably from that of Eisinia foetida and to their use in plant production.

Background of the invention

It is well-known that earthworm excrement (hereinafter EW exc.) has excellent characteristics from the point of view of plant physiology, since in addition to its favorable macro-, meso- and microelement content it contains a ino acids, enzymes and humic substances (humic acids, fulvic acids, humins and ul ins) which are of great importance for plant life and growth (Lunt, H. A. and Jacobson, M. G. M. , Soil Sci., vol. 58, pp. 347-370, 1944; Mirowski, Z. , vol. 19, pp. 163-171, 1968). Based on this knowledge, the organic fertilizer prepared by vermi-composting from organic materials of various origin can be used for traditional fertilization to improve soil quality. When using EW exc. in the production of ornamental plants or in horticulture, its usual dose is from 1.5 to 3 t/ha (1 500-3 000 kg/ha) .

Due to their small mobilizing capacity, the plants absorb the said humic substances only with difficulty, therefore the positive effect of the humic substances barely appears.

Disclosure of the invention

The invention is based on the recognition that ground EW exc. or an extract thereof prepared with an appropriate solvent or solvent system or a mixture of the ground and

extracted EW exc. exerts an excellent effect on plant growth and on the quantity and quality of the crop. When adding ground dolomite and/or hydrolyzed protein to the EW exc. extracts and/or grist, synergy is observed. Plant growth is promoted and the quality of the crop is improved to an unexpectedly high extent by the use of said mixture.

The invention relates to compositions having plant regulatory and nutritive effect, preferably to leaf fertilizers which contain EW exc. grist and/or one or more EW exc. extracts as active ingredient(s) , optionally ground dolomite and/or a hydrolyzed protein and optionally one or more known additives.

The particle size of EW exc. grist is from 0.1 to 20 μm.

EW exc. grist is prepared by dry or wet grinding or by the combination thereof. During wet grinding the weight ratio of EW exc. to water is generally between 2 : 1 and 1 : 10, depending on the type of the grinder and on the original water content of the starting material, preferably it is 1 : 1. If required, a surface active grinding auxiliary material is added to the substance to be ground. As surface active grinding auxiliary material preferably from 0.1 to 5 weight% of a non-ionic surface active agent, e.g. sodium-oleyl-methyl-taurid-sulphonic acid polymer is used.

The wet EW exc. grist can be used directly as the active ingredient of the compositions or it can be supplemented with the usual additives, e.g. with the surface active agent used for the grinding process.

The dry grist, if required, can be supplemented with the usual additives.

The EW exc. extracts are prepared with water, an aqueous electrolyte solution and/or an organic solvent or with a solvent mixture. The aqueous electrolyte solution is preferably a 0.05-0.5 N sodium hydroxide solution, sulfuric acid or sodium pyrophosphate solution, as an organic solvent ethyl alcohol or a mixture of ethyl alcohol and benzene can

be used .

The extraction can be carried out as a batchwise or as a continuous process. It can also be carried out in several subsequent steps, using different solvents in each step.

During the extraction the weight ratio of EW exc. to solvent is between 1:1 and 1:20, preferably it is 1:2. The pH-value of the extracts thus obtained is to be adjusted so as to meet the agronomical needs and to ensure unproblematic use, the preferable pH-value is neutral. By the use of water or of an aqueous electrolyte the extracts obtained with an organic solvent can, if necessary, be transformed into aqueous solutions or aqueous electrolyte solutions.

From the active ingredients prepared according to the invention various compositions,preferably leaf fertilizer products can be prepared. The compositions can be used preferably as leaf fertilizers in the form of dusts. By the use of the compositions plant growth can be effectively influenced with a fraction of the usual field doses (that is with doses of 1.0-20.0 kg/ha).

Another object of the invention is a process for the use of the compositions of the invention wherein the compositions of the invention are applied to the land under cultivation in an amount corresponding to 1-20 kg active ingredient/ha.

It is to be pointed out that the compositions of the invention are not fertilizers in the classical sense of the word, since the applied quantities are practically negligible, considering the nutrient requirement of the plants. Their function is to act as catalysts in terms of increasing the efficiency of the utilization of nutrients that are available in the usual quality.

The advantage of the compositions is that they significantly promote plant growth, when applied as leaf- fertilizers they can positively influence the nutrient concentration of the leaves and they ensure a better vigor. The effect of the compositions of the invention is significantly higher in promoting plant growth than that of

the known leaf-fertilizers. They increase the yield and improve the quality of the crop.

The invention is illustrated by the following examples.

Example 1

Wet grinding of earthworm excrement (EW exc. )

₃ 1000 g of EW exc. and 1000 cm of water are added into a 5000 cm 3 porcelain ball and tube mill together with porcelain balls having 20 mm diameter. The volume of the porcelain balls corresponds to 60 % of the useful volume of the mill. The mill is operated with 60 r.p.m. for 4-8 hours depending on the quality of the EW exc. until a particle size of 5-10 μm is reached.

The suspension thus obtained is separated from the porcelain balls by means of a filter having a hole width of

10 mm. Thus 1800-1900 g of a brown, stable suspension is obtained.

Example 2

Wet grinding of EW exc. in the presence of a surface active agent

The procedure of Example 1 is repeated with the proviso

₃ that 1000 g of EW exc, 1000 cm of water and 40 g of sodium oleyl methyl tauride sulfonic acid polymer surface active agent are added into the porcelain ball and tube mill.

Example 3

Dry grinding of EW exc. in two subsequent steps

1000 g of EW exc. dried at 40 "c in an exsiccator are ground in a laboratory hammer mill until a particle size of 0.1-0.5 mm is reached. Then grinding was continued in an Alpine mill until a particle size of under 10 μro is reached. Thus 950-980 g of a beige-grey powder are obtained.

Example 4

Dry and wet grinding of EW exc.

1000 g of EW exc. dried at 40 °C in an exsiccator are ground in a laboratory hammer mill until a particle size of 0.1-0.5 mm is reached. The grinding of the product thus obtained is continued with water in a laboratory ball mill until a particle size of 10 μm is reached, the weight ratio

₃ ooff EEWW eexxcc.. ttoo wwaatteerr iiss 11::33..55. Thus 4-4.5 dm of a thin, brown suspension are obtained.

Example 5

Preparation of an aqueous extract

50 g of EW exc. and 100 ml of distilled water are added into a 250 ml Erlenmeyer flask. The mixture thus obtained is homogenized with a high speed mixer. Then the flask is closed and it is shaken on a laboratory shaker for 4 hours with a rate of 150/minute. The shaker is equipped with a water bath adjusted to 40 °C. Then the suspension is allowed to stand at room temperature for 10-12 hours, whereafter shaking is continued for an additional 15 minutes. The suspension is then filled in a polyethylene centrifuge tube and it is centrifuged at 12 000 rpm until a complete phase separation is reached (about 15 minutes). The aqueous solution is decanted from the solid precipitate, then it is filtered through cotton-wool. Thus 90-95 ml of a clear, yellowish-brown solution are obtained.

Example 6

Preparation of a sodium hydroxide extract

50 g of EW exc. and 100 ml of a IN sodium hydroxide solution are added into a 250 ml Erlenmeyer flask and the procedure of Example 5 is repeated.

After centrifuging and filtering the pH-value of the solution thus obtained is adjusted to 7 by means of a sulfuric acid solution (1:1 dilution with water). Thus 90-

95 ml of a yellowish-brown solution are obtained.

Example 7

Preparation of a sulfuric acid extract

50 g of EW exc. and 100 ml of a 0.5 N sulfuric acid solution are added into a 250 ml Erlenmeyer flask and the procedure of Example 5 is repeated.

After centrifuging and filtering the pH-value of the solution thus obtained is adjusted to 7 by means of a 10 w/v% sodium hydroxide solution. Thus 90-95 ml of a clear, yellowish-brown solution are obtained.

Example 8

Preparation of a sodium pyrophosphate extract

50 g of EW exc. and 100 ml of a 0.1 N sodium pyrophosphate solution are added into a 250 ml Erlenmeyer flask and the procedure of Example 5 is repeated. Thus 90-95 ml of a clear, neutral, yellowish solution are obtained.

Example 9

Preparation of an extract with acidic and alkaline extraction

50 g of EW exc. and 100 ml of a 0.5 N sulfuric acid solution are added into a 250 ml Erlenmeyer flask and the procedure of Example 7 is repeated. The 90-95 ml filtrate is set aside.

The solid residue remained in the centrifuge tube is added into a 500 ml Erlenmeyer flask and 100 ml of 0.5 N sodium hydroxide are added. Then the procedure of Example 6 is repeated.

The 93-98 ml solution thus obtained is combined with the extract obtained in the previous step. If necessary, the pH of the mixture is adjusted to 7 with an acid or base. Thus 180-190 of a clear, yellowish brown solution is

obtained.

Example 10

Preparation of an extract with consecutive extraction

50 g of EW exc. and 100 ml of distilled water are added into a 250 ml Erlenmeyer flask and the procedure of Example 5 is repeated. The 90-95 ml aqueous extract is set aside.

The solid residue is returned into the Erlenmeyer flask and 100 ml of a 0.5N sulfuric acid solution is added, then the procedure of Example 7 is repeated. The 90-95 ml solution thus obtained is set aside too.

The residue obtained after the acidic extraction is again returned into the Erlenmeyer flask and 100 ml of a 0.5N sodium hydroxide solution are added, then the procedure of Example 6 is repeated. The 90-95 ml solution thus obtained is set aside too.

The residue obtained after the alkaline extraction is again returned into the Erlenmeyer flask and 100 ml of a 0.1N sodium pyrophosphate solution are added, then the procedure of Example 8 is repeated. The 90-95 ml solution thus obtained is combined with the three solutions set aside previously. Thus 360-380 ml of a clear, aqueous, light yellow solution are obtained.

Example 11

Preparation of an extract with an organic solvent

50 g of EW exc. and 100 ml of a 1:1 v/v ethyl alcohol-benzene mixture are added into a 250 ml Erlenmeyer flask, then the procedure of Example 5 is repeated. The organic solvent is removed from the clear, straw-yellow solution thus obtained in a rotation vacuum evaporator. The evaporation residue is washed from the walls of the flask with 100 ml of a 50 v% aqueous ethyl alcohol. Thus 100 ml of a light yellow, slightly opalescent solution are obtained.

Example 12

Preparation of an extract with an organic solvent

The procedure of Example 11 is repeated with the difference that the evaporation residue is washed with 100 ml of a 2% sodium oleyl methyl tauride sulfonic acid polymer solution from the flask. Thus 100 ml of a slightly opalescent, stable aqueous emulsion are obtained.

Example 13

Preparation of a leaf fertilizer composition containing EW. exc. extract and dolomite grist

A leaf fertilizer composition is prepared by mixing and homogenizing the following components: 28 % by weight of dolomite grist, 72 % by weight of the extract of Example 11.

Example 14

Preparation of a leaf fertilizer composition containing EW exc. extract and hydrolyzed protein

A leaf fertilizer composition is prepared by mixing and homogenizing the following components:

9 % by weight of hydrolyzed protein (total N about

13%),

91 % by weight of the extract of Example 5.

Example 15

Preparation of a leaf fertilizer composition containing EW exc. grist and hydrolized protein

A leaf fertilizer composition is prepared by mixing and homogenizing the following components:

13 % by weight of hydrolyzed protein (total N about 13%),

87 % by weight of EW exc. grist.

Example 16

Preparation of a leaf fertilizer composition containing EW exc. grist, EW exc. extract, dolomite grist and hydrolyzed protein

A leaf fertilizer composition is prepared by mixing and homogenizing the following components:

35 % by weight of the extract of Example 8,

35 % by weight of EW exc. grist,

25 % by weight of dolomite grist, 5 % by weight of hydrolyzed protein (total N about 13%).

Example 17

Use of a composition containing EW exc. extract and hydrolyzed protein for the leaf fertilization of potato plant

Field test were carried out according to the following agrotechnical data:

Test plant: 45,000 potato stock/ha, distance between the rows: 125 cm, distance between the plants: 30 cm, potato variety: Desiree, number of treatments: two, first treatment: at the beginning of flowering, second treatment: 3-4 weeks prior to harvesting.

The treatment was carried out with the product of Example 14. Two doses (2.75 and 5.5 litres/ha) were used, diluted to 300 litres with water and sprayed on the leaves of the plants. Besides untreated control, the leaf fertilizer Peritrix II was used as standard control (dosage: 5 litres/ha).

By the use of the composition of the invention the yield of potato increased by 2.96 and 8.70 % resp.,

depending on the dose used when compared to the control.

Example 18

Use of a composition containing EW exc. grist and dolomite grist for the leaf fertilization of sugar beet plant

Field tests were carried out on a uniform sugar beet block. The plants were treated twice with 5.25 and 11.5 kg/ha doses of the product prepared according to Example 15, diluted with 600 litres of water. The compositions were sprayed on the leaves of the plants. First application was made when the plants reached the full vegetation stage, the second one was made when the growing stage finished (8-10 weeks after the first application or about 3-4 weeks before harvesting).

The results of the experiment were the following: by using the composition according to the invention the yields increased by 2.3-2.6 % independently of the dose used, the sugar content of the beets increased by 1.23 and 12.53 %, respectively, depending on the dose used, when compared to the control.

Example 19

Use of compositions containing EW exc . extract or EW exc. grist and dolomite grist or hydrolyzed protein for the leaf fertilization of grape-vine plant

The tests were carried out on a 4 year old grape yard of the VT-55 variety . The plants were treated three times during the growing season , firstly when the flowering started , secondly when the flowering stage finished and berries formation started , and the third treatment was performed when the maturation stage started.

The plant leaves were treated with the fol lowing compositions:

composition according to Example 13 with doses of 3.5 and 7 litres/ha, compositions according to Examples 5 to 10 with doses of 5 and 10 litres/ha, mixtures of the compositions according to Examples 5 to 10 and dolomite grist (trade name: Biomit C, particle size: about 15 μ, distributed by Biomit Kft, Dunakeszi, Hungary) or hydrolyzed protein ( E.K. , trade name: ZoBioSi Sol A, distributed by Biogazda Kft, Budapest, Hungary), grist according to Example 1 with doses of 5, 10 and 20 kg/ha and composition according to example 15 with doses of 5 and 10 kg/ha.

The above doses were diluted to 600 litres of water and sprayed on the leaves of the grape vine plants.

As standard control the leaf fertilizer Volldϋnger was used in an amount of 5 kg/ha. The dose of Biomit C was 10 kg/ha, that of the hydrolyzed protein 0.5 kg/ha.

The results are summarized in the following Tables.

As it can be seen from the test results a significant improvement was reached both in quality and yield. When EW exc. extracts were combined with dolomite grist or hydrolyzed protein, synergistic effect was observed. A further advantage of the compositions of the invention is that all starting materials used for preparation of the compositions are of natural origin and environmentally safe.

Table I Yields(g)/stock and average number of cluster/stock

K % = % of average values compared with untreated control

Table II. Average cluster's wt.(g). No. of berries/cluster and average wt. of berries

Table 111. Chemical analysis of the grape juice ( must )

Table IV. Yields(g.)/stock and average number of clusters/stock

Table V. Average cluster's wt.(g). No. of berries/cluster and average wt. of berries

Table VI Chemical analysis of the grape juice (must)

Table VII Average yields(g )/stock and average number of clusters / stock

E.K. = Hydrolyzed protein (Trade name: Zobiosi Sol A, distributed by Biogazda Kft., Budapest)

Table VIII Average cluster's wt.(g). No. of berries/cluster and average wt. of berries

E.K. = Hydrolyzed protein (Trade name: Zobiosi Sol A, distributed by Biogazda Ltd., Budapest)

Table IX Chemical analysis of grape juice (must)

r ^V = Hydrolyzed protein (Trade name: Zobiosi Sol A, distributed by Biogazda Kft., Budapest)

Table X Yields(g.)/stocks and average number of clusters/stock

Table XI Average cluster's wt.(g), No. of berries/cluster and average wt. of berτies(g.)

Table XII Chemical analysis of the grape juice (must)

Table XIII Yields(g.)/stock and average number of clusters/stock

Table XIV Average cluster's wt.(g). No. of berries/cluster and average wt. of berries

Table XV Chemical analysis of grape juice (must)

Table XVI Yields(g.)/stock and average number of clusters/stock

Table XVII Average cluster's wt.(g), No. of berries/cluster and average wt. of berries

Table XVIII Chemical analysis of grape juice (must)

Table XIX Yields(g.)/stock and average number of clusters/stock

Table XX Average cluster's wt.(g), No. of berries/cluster and average wt. of berries

Table XXI Chemical analysis of grape juice (must)

Table XXII Yields(g.)/stock and average number of cluster/stock

Table XXIII Average cluster's wt.(g). No. of berries/cluster and average wt. of berries

Table XXIV Chemical analysis of grape juice ( must )

Table XXV YieIds(g.)/stock and average number of cluster/stock

Grist:: milling product of the earthworm excrements

Table XXVI Average cluster's wt.(g), No. of berries/cluster and average wt. of berries

Table XXVII Chemical analysis of grape juice (must)