Resumen
The present invention is directed to methods and compositions for increasing the growth characteristics of a plant, increasing the nutrient utilization efficiency of a plant, or improving the ability of a plant to overcome biological or abiotic stress, comprising propagating a material to a plant, plant parts, plant propagation materials, plant growth materials, plant growth materials, plant growth materials, plant growth materials, plant growth materials, plant growth materials, and plant growth materials. Or applying to the soil, hydroponic solution or growth medium in which the target plant is growing a composition comprising a hybrid linker beta-1, 3/beta-1, 4 glucan (MLG).
Reivindicaciones
1. WHAT IS CLAIMED IS: 1. A composition for increasing a growth characteristic of a plant or part thereof, increasing nutrient use efficiency of a plant or part thereof, and/or increasing abiotic and/or biotic stress tolerance of a plant or part thereof, comprising an effective amount/rate of mixed linked b-1,3/b-1,4 glucans (MLGs). 2. The composition of claim 1, wherein the composition further comprises a surfactant, a humectant, an adjuvant, an antioxidant, a preservative, a plant macronutrient, a plant micronutrient, a plant growth regulator, a plant biostimulant, a pesticide, a fungicide, an antiviral, an anti-bacterial, a herbicide, or any combination thereof. 3. The composition of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the composition is in the form of an aqueous solution, a non-aqueous solution, a suspension, a gel, a foam, a paste, a powder, a dust, a solid, and/or an emulsion. 4. The composition of claim 1, wherein the mixed linked b-1,3/b-1,4 glucans (MLGs) comprise a degree of polymerization from 2 to >100, preferably from 3 to 8. 5. The composition of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the mixed linked b- 1 ,3/b- 1 ,4 glucans (MLGs) is in the composition in an amount from about 0.1 mg/1 to > lOOg/1, preferably from 0.5 mg/1 to 5 g/1 of the composition. 6. A method for increasing a growth characteristic of a plant or part thereof, the method comprising applying a composition comprising an effective amount/rate of mixed linked b-1,3/b-1,4 glucans (MLGs) to a plant or plant part thereof, or to the soil, hydroponic solution or growth media in which a target plant is growing. 7. A method for increasing nutrient use efficiency of a plant or part thereof, the method comprising applying a composition comprising an effective amount/rate of mixed linked b-1,3/b-1,4 glucans (MLGs) to a plant or plant part thereof, or to the soil, hydroponic solution or growth media in which a target plant is growing. 8. The method of claim 6 or 7, wherein applying comprises contacting the plant with the composition at least two times. 9. The method of any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the composition further comprises a surfactant, a humectant, an adjuvant, an antioxidant, a preservative, a plant macronutrient, a plant micronutrient, a plant growth regulator, a plant biostimulant, a pesticide, a fungicide, an antiviral, an anti-bacterial, a herbicide, or any combination thereof. 10. The method of any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein the mixed linked b- 1 ,3/b- 1 ,4 glucans (MLGs) is in the composition in an amount from about 0.1 mg/1 to > lOOg/1, preferably from 0.5 mg/1 to 5 g/1 of the composition. 11. The method of any one of claims 6 or 8 to 10, wherein the increased growth characteristic is increased fruit production, increased inflorescence production, increased fruit quality, and/or an increased biomass as compared to a control plant or plant part thereof. 12. The method of any one of claims 6 to 11, wherein said plant is a monocotyledonous or dicotyledonous plant. 13. The method of any one of claims 6 to 12, wherein said plant part is a seed. 14. A method for increasing disease tolerance/re si stance of a plant or part thereof, the method comprising applying a composition comprising an effective amount/rate of mixed linked b-1,3/b-1,4 glucans (MLGs) to a plant or plant part thereof, or to the soil, hydroponic solution or growth media in which a target plant is growing. 15. A method for increasing abiotic stress tolerance of a plant or part thereof, the method comprising applying a composition comprising an effective amount/rate of mixed linked b-1,3/b-1,4 glucans (MLGs) to a plant or plant part thereof, or to the soil, hydroponic solution or growth media in which a target plant is growing. 16. The method of claim 14 or 15, wherein applying comprises contacting the plant with the composition at least two times. 17. The method of any one of claims 14 to 16, wherein the composition further comprises a surfactant, a humectant, an adjuvant, an antioxidant, a stabilizer, a plant macronutrient, a plant micronutrient, a plant growth regulator, a plant biostimulant, a pesticide, a fungicide, an antiviral, an anti-bacterial, a herbicide, or any combination thereof. 18. The method of any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein the mixed linked b- 1 ,3/b- 1 ,4 glucans (MLGs) is in the composition in an amount from about 0.1 mg/1 to > lOOg/1, preferably from 0.5 mg/1 to 5 g/1 of the composition. 19. The method of any one of claims 14 or 16 to 18 wherein the disease to which the plant or part thereof has increased tolerance is a fungal disease, a bacterial disease, an insect disease and/or a viral disease. 20. The method of any one of claims 15 to 18, wherein the abiotic stress is due to salinity, drought, flooding, freezing, cold temperature, and/or high temperature. 21. The method of any one of claims 14 to 20, wherein said plant is a monocotyledonous or dicotyledonous plant.
