阅读说明：本技术 组合物及其在农业中的用途 (Compositions and their use in agriculture ) 是由 亚历山德罗·比亚索内 多娜塔·迪托马索 乔瓦尼·波维罗 温琴佐·劳瑞特 阿尔贝托·皮亚杰西 于 2019-07-18 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明涉及基于藻类提取物和/或植物提取物的组合物及其在农业中提高植物和/或农业水管理中的水利用效率和/或水生产率,从而导致每单位使用的水作物植物的增加的产量的用途。(The present invention relates to compositions based on algae extracts and/or plant extracts and their use in agriculture to increase the water use efficiency and/or the aquatic yield in plants and/or agricultural water management, resulting in increased yield of water crop plants per unit of use.)

1. A method for increasing water use efficiency and/or aquatic productivity in plant and/or agricultural water management, comprising the steps of:

(iii) having plants to be treated or in need of treatment, and

(iv) the plants are fed with an effective amount of a composition comprising at least one algae extract and/or at least one plant extract, preferably by soil.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the plant to be treated or in need of treatment is in non-drought conditions.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the non-drought conditions correspond to:

1) above 0.15mol H₂O m^-2s^-1Preferably measured by a stomatometer/Licor gas exchange system or any other instrument known to the skilled person for this purpose, and/or

2) A value for soil moisture content in the range between-10 kPa and-60 kPa, preferably between-10 kPa and-40 kPa, wherein said soil moisture content is preferably measured by using a tensiometer or any further instrument known to the skilled person for this purpose.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein said at least one plant extract is present in said composition at a concentration of up to 60%, preferably at a concentration in the range of between 5% and 50%, more preferably between 10% and 45%, still more preferably between 30% and 45%, still more preferably about 40-45%, said concentration being w/w.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1-4, wherein the at least one algal extract is present in the composition at a concentration of up to 60%, preferably at a concentration in the range of between 3% and 58%, more preferably between 5% and 45%, still more preferably between 20% and 45%, still more preferably about 27-30%, said concentration being w/w.

6. The method of any one of claims 1-5, wherein the composition comprises at least one algal extract at a concentration of up to 40%, preferably up to 30%, and at least one plant extract at a concentration of up to 60%, preferably up to 45% -50%.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1-6, wherein the algae comprise macroalgae and/or microalgae, preferably the macroalgae are seaweed, more preferably red seaweed, brown seaweed or green seaweed, wherein the brown seaweed is preferably selected from the group consisting of: ascophyllum nodosum (Ascophyllum nodosum), Ecklonia maxima (Ecklonia maxima), Laminaria japonica (Laminaria saccharana), Laminaria digitata (Laminaria digitata), Fucus vesiculosus (Fucus spiralis), Fucus serratus (Fucus serratus), Fucus vesiculosus (F.vesiculosus), Macrocystis sp.sp., Pelvetia canadensis (Pelvetia canadensis), Laminaria elongata (Himanthalia elongata), Undaria pinnatifida (Undaria pinnatrifida), Sargassum sp.sp.and combinations thereof; wherein the red seaweed is preferably selected from: kappaphycus spp, carrageenin spp, Palmaria spp, Gracilaria spp, Porphyridium spp, megachilium spp, megachilus spp, polysiphora spp and combinations thereof; wherein the green seaweed is preferably selected from: ulva spp, bracken spp, Codium spp, metacarpium spp, acromion spp, acetoabularia spp, Cladophora spp, and combinations thereof; wherein the microalgae are preferably selected from: spirulina (Spirulina), Scenedesmus (Scenedesmus), Nannochloropsis (Nannochloropsis), Haematococcus (Haematococcus), Chlorella (Chlorella), Phaeodactylum (Phaeodactylum), Arthrospyra, Tetraselmis (Tetraselmis), Isochrysis (Isochrysis), Synechocystis (Synechocystis), Chlamydomonas (Chlamydomonas), Parietochlorris, Desmodesmus (Desmodus), Neochlorella (Neochloris), Dunaliella (Dunaliella), Thalassia (Thalossisia), Pavlova (Pavlova), Nacovilia (Nacuvila), Chaetoceros (Chaetoceros), and combinations thereof.

8. The method of any one of claims 1-7, wherein the plant extract is a plant-derived material, wherein the plant is selected from the group consisting of: sugar beet, sugar cane, alfalfa, corn, mustard, halophyte, soybean, wheat, yucca, quillaja, hops, coffee, citrus, olive, lupin, legume, pea, lentil, mushroom, carrot, apple, tomato, and combinations thereof; wherein said at least one plant is a whole plant or any part thereof, preferably said part of a plant is selected from the group consisting of: leaf, root, stem, fruit, flower, seed, seedling, bark, berry, pericarp, and combinations thereof.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the plant to be treated or in need of treatment is any monocotyledonous and dicotyledonous species, preferably a crop, more preferably selected from: fruit trees irrigated with a fertilizer, preferably selected from: stone fruit, pome fruit, olive, citrus, grapes and small fruit; preferably selected from tropical fruits; vegetable species, preferably selected from: fruiting vegetables, leafy vegetables, tuber and bulb forming species and ornamentals; and a row crop/cash crop, preferably selected from: cereals, sugar crops, protein and oil crops, forage crops, fibre crops and biomass crops.

10. The method of any one of claims 1-9, wherein the composition further comprises:

-a macro-micronutrient source, preferably at a concentration in the range of between 1% and 30%, preferably between 15% and 25%, more preferably about 20-22% w/w, wherein said macro-micronutrient source is preferably selected from the group consisting of: a nitrogen source, a potassium source, a manganese source, a zinc source, an iron source, a copper source, and combinations thereof; and/or

-at least one metabolic stimulant, preferably a vitamin, preferably in a concentration ranging from 0.1% to 1%; and/or

-Phytobiostimulant (PBS); and/or

-a microorganism, preferably selected from: bacteria, more preferably PGPR (plant growth promoting rhizobacteria), yeast, fungi and mycorrhiza; and/or

-and/or an agriculturally compatible carrier; and/or

-herbicides, nematicides or nematode inhibitors, fungicides, insecticides; and/or

-a desiccant.

11. The method of any one of claims 1-10, wherein the composition is formulated as a solution, a suspension, a water-soluble concentrate, a dispersible concentrate, an emulsifiable concentrate, an emulsion, a suspension, a microemulsion, a gel, a microcapsule, a granule, an ultra-low volume liquid formulation, a wettable powder, a powderable powder, or as a formulation for seed coating, spraying, and ready-to-use.

12. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the composition is used for once or repeatedly feeding the plant, preferably after being diluted in water, throughout the plant cycle, preferably throughout the crop cycle, wherein the feeding step is preferably performed by soil and/or by leaves.

13. The method of any one of claims 1 to 12, further comprising a monitoring step of monitoring a soil moisture content value and/or a blade porosity conductivity value, the monitoring step being performed before and after the feeding step.

14. The method according to any one of claims 1-13, wherein when the soil moisture content and/or water availability is maintained at an optimal or sub-optimal value for crop development, and/or at a reduced/limited irrigation water availability condition, as long as drought conditions are not reached, preferably when the value of soil moisture content is preferably in the range between-10 kPa and-60 kPa, more preferably between-10 kPa and-40 kPa; and/or the porosity value of the blade is higher than 0.15mol H₂O m^-2s^-1At the time, a feeding step is performed, preferably by soil.

15. The method of any one of claims 1-14, wherein the extract from a plant or from an algae or from a microalgae is prepared by using a process comprising one or more of the following steps:

(i) providing a sample of algae and/or a sample of microalgae and/or a sample of a plant; and

(ii) contacting the sample with an aqueous solution comprising an extractant.

Background

The global population is expected to grow for a long time in the future and reaches 91 billion by 2050 (FAO, 2011). This increase would require a 55% increase in fresh water availability (fresh water availability) to support. Meanwhile, since the precipitation pattern (precipitation pattern) changes and the global air temperature increases by 1 ℃ to 2.5 ℃ in the next 50 years, the water availability and water usage pattern (water use pattern) is expected to be changed for a long time in the future (Morison et al, 2008).

In the case described above, the agricultural sector will be negatively affected, since a reduction in water availability will affect Plant productivity (Frontiers in Plant Science, Research Topic, 2018). Furthermore, as water quality and water quantity in many areas decrease, competition between agriculture and other users is expected to increase (FAO, 2011).

Agriculture accounts for 80% -90% of all fresh water used by humans on a global scale, and most of them are used for crop production. Clearly, making agriculture sustainable requires a substantial reduction in water use in many regions. In line with this, legislative restrictions are being imposed on Water use in agriculture (e.g., the 2003Water Act in the United kingdom (2003Water Act) and the 2020 target of China for 20% reduction in agricultural Water; Morison et al, 2008).

In this case, important goals are to reduce the water usage per unit of crop yield, to increase the productivity of water used per unit, and to achieve "more crops per drop" (more crop per drop).

The percentage of Water supplied to plants that is efficiently absorbed by the plants and not lost due to drainage, evaporation or entrapment of bare soil is called "Water Use Efficiency" (WUE). Another parameter related to WUE called "Water production, WP", represents the yield of a crop obtained by using a given amount of Water (ratio Y kg]Water [ m ]³])。

Increasing WP means using less water to accomplish a particular task, or the same amount of water but with more production. Furthermore, increased WP has been associated with improved food safety and livelihood (Cook et al, 2009 b; Cai et al, 2011). Thus, increased WP is an important factor for effective management of water and ecosystems for sustainable agriculture and food safety (Desheemaeker et al, 2013).

WUE improvement is generally equated with better drought tolerance or increased crop yield under drought stress (drought stress). However, this is not always the case. In fact, it should be noted that WUE and WP can be improved even under non-water stress (non-water stress) conditions, such as i) under standard water management (adequate water supply), or ii) at a certain water volume reduction (water volume reduction), as long as it does not lead to a drought situation.

Focusing on plant physiology, water is essential for plant growth and tissue expansion, and thus for crop production. However, more than 90% of the water required by terrestrial plants is not used in any biochemical manner, but is lost by transpiration.

In geographical areas where irrigation is used, the supply efficiency and the much better utilization of the water used should be improved. In other areas where rainfall represents the only source of water for crop growth, any improvement in production/yield through crop management, fertilization, soil improvement, biotic stress control will generally increase the aquatic yield (Morison et al, 2008).

Several solutions have been developed to make more efficient use of irrigation water, in particular compositions using soil additives as moisturizers and based on polymers derived from natural or synthetic sources. Other solutions are based on the use of spongy materials, such as superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) or SAPs, which are capable of absorbing at least 10 times their own weight of water, which is retained in the polymer structure in such a way that it cannot be released by simply squeezing the material.

Although effective, both solutions are based on materials that are not readily biodegradable or not biodegradable at all in most cases, since they are usually derived from synthetic processes. For this reason, their use may lead to contamination of the soil with unwanted substances, and this contamination may also be repeated several times during the crop cycle, leading to the accumulation of synthetic non-biodegradable chemicals in the soil.

Therefore, there remains a need to find alternative sustainability solutions for these agronomic practices to improve water utilization efficiency and water productivity.

Summary of The Invention

The present invention relates to a method for increasing water use efficiency and/or water yield in plant and/or agricultural water management, the method comprising the steps of:

(i) having plants to be treated or in need of treatment, and

(ii) the plant is preferably fed (fed) through soil with an effective amount of a composition comprising at least one algae extract and/or at least one plant extract.

Preferably, the plant to be treated or in need of treatment is under non-drought conditions (also referred to as mild water stress), which preferably correspond to:

1) above 0.15mol H₂O m^-2s^-1Preferably measured by a stomatometer/Licor gas exchange system or any other instrument known to the skilled person for this purpose, and/or

2) A value of soil water content (soil water content) below-60 kPa, preferably below-40 kPa, more preferably said soil water content has a value in the range between-10 kPa and-60 kPa, still more preferably between-10 kPa and-40 kPa, wherein said soil water content is preferably measured by using a tensiometer or any further instrument known to the skilled person for this purpose.

Preferably, the at least one plant extract is present in the composition in a concentration of up to 60%, preferably in a concentration ranging between 5% and 50%, more preferably between 10% and 45%, still more preferably between 30% and 45%, still more preferably about 40% -45%, said concentration being w/w.

Preferably, the at least one algal extract is present in the composition at a concentration of up to 60%, preferably at a concentration ranging between 3% and 58%, more preferably between 5% and 45%, still more preferably between 20% and 45%, still more preferably about 27% -30%, said concentration being w/w.

According to a preferred embodiment, the composition comprises at least one algae extract in a concentration of up to 40%, preferably up to 30%, and at least one plant extract in a concentration of up to 60%, preferably up to 45%.

According to a preferred embodiment, the algae comprise macroalgae and/or microalgae, preferably the macroalgae are seaweed, more preferably red seaweed, brown seaweed or green seaweed, wherein the brown seaweed is preferably selected from the group consisting of: ascophyllum nodosum (Ascophyllum nodosum), Ecklonia cava (Ecklonia maxima), Laminaria species (Laminaria saccharolina), Laminaria digitata (Laminaria digita), Fucus vesiculosus (Fucus spiralis), Fucus serratus (Fucus serratus), Fucus vesiculosus (F.vesiculosus), Macrocystis species (Macrocystis spp.), Pelvetia canadensis (Pelvetia canonica), Zostera marina (Himantaria elongata), Undaria pinnatifida (Undaria pinnatifida), Sargassum species (Sarassius spp.), and combinations thereof; wherein the red seaweed is preferably selected from: kappaphycus spp, carrageenin spp, Palmaria spp, Gracilaria spp, Porphyridium spp, megachilium spp, megachilus spp, polysiphora spp and combinations thereof; wherein the green seaweed is preferably selected from: ulva spp, bracken spp, Codium spp, metacarpium spp, acromion spp, acetoabularia spp, Cladophora spp, and combinations thereof; wherein the microalgae are preferably selected from: spirulina (Spirulina), Scenedesmus (Scenedesmus), Nannochloropsis (Nannochloropsis), Rhodococcus (Chlorella), Phaeodactylum (Phaeodactylum), Arthrospyra (Arthrosponia), Tetraselmis (Tetraselmis), Isochrysis (Isochrysis), Synechocystis (Synechocystis), Chlamydomonas, Parietochloris, Desmodusmus (Desmodusmusus), Neochlorella (Neochloris), Dunaliella (Dunaliella), Thalassia (Thalasiosis), Pavlova (Pavlova), Navicula (Navicula), Chaetoceros (Chaetocerous) and combinations thereof.

According to a preferred embodiment, the plant extract is selected from: sugar beet, sugar cane, alfalfa, corn, mustard (brassica), halophytes, soybean, wheat, yucca, quillaja, hops, coffee, citrus (citrus), olive, lupine, legumes (bean), peas, lentils, mushrooms, carrots, apples, tomatoes, and combinations thereof; wherein said at least one plant is a whole plant or any part thereof, preferably said part of a plant is selected from the group consisting of: leaf, root, stem, fruit, flower, seed, seedling, bark, berry, pericarp, and combinations thereof.

Preferably, the plant to be treated or in need of treatment is any monocotyledonous and/or dicotyledonous species, preferably a crop, more preferably selected from: fertigated irrigated fruit trees (fertigated orchards), preferably selected from: stone, pome, olive, citrus, grape, small fruit (small) and nut (tree nut) crops; preferably selected from tropical fruits; vegetable species, preferably selected from: fruiting vegetables, leafy vegetables, tuber and bulb forming species and ornamentals; and row crop/cash crop (industrial crop), preferably selected from: cereals, sugar crops, protein and oil crops, forage crops, fibre crops and biomass crops.

According to a preferred embodiment, the composition further comprises: a source of macro-micronutrients, preferably in a concentration in the range of between 1% and 30%, preferably between 15% and 25%, more preferably about 20-22% w/w, wherein the source of macro-micronutrients is preferably selected from the group consisting of: a nitrogen source, a potassium source, a manganese source, a zinc source, an iron source, a copper source, and combinations thereof; and/or at least one metabolic stimulant, preferably a vitamin, preferably in a concentration ranging from 0.1% to 1%; and/or Plant Biostimulant (PBS); and/or a microorganism, preferably selected from: bacteria, more preferably PGPR (Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria), yeast, fungi and mycorrhiza; and/or an agriculturally compatible carrier (agricutural compatible carrier); and/or herbicides, nematicides (nematicides) or nematode inhibitors (nematostatic agents), fungicides, insecticides; and/or a desiccant.

According to a preferred embodiment, the composition is formulated as a solution, suspension, water soluble concentrate, dispersible concentrate, emulsifiable concentrate, emulsion, suspension, microemulsion, gel, microcapsule, granule, ultra low volume liquid (ultra low volume liquid), wettable powder (wet powder), dustable powder (dustable powder), or as a formulation for seed coating, spraying and ready-to-use.

Preferably, the composition is used for once or repeatedly feeding the plant throughout the plant cycle, preferably throughout the crop cycle, preferably after being diluted in water, wherein the feeding step is preferably performed by soil and/or by leaves.

According to a preferred embodiment, the method further comprises the step of monitoring the soil moisture content value and/or the blade porosity conductivity value, said monitoring step being carried out before and after the feeding step. Preferably, when the soil moisture content and/or water availability is maintained at an optimal or sub-optimal level for crop development, and/or at a reduced/limited irrigation water availability condition, as long as drought conditions are not reached, preferably when the value of the soil moisture content is in the range between-10 kPa and-40 kPa; and/or the porosity value of the blade is higher than 0.15mol H₂O m^-2s^-1At the time, a feeding step is performed, preferably by soil.

According to a preferred embodiment, the extract from a plant or from an alga or from a microalgae is prepared by using a process comprising the following steps: providing a sample of algae and/or a sample of microalgae and/or a sample of a plant; and contacting the sample with an aqueous solution comprising an extractant.

Brief Description of Drawings

FIG. 1 shows a list of GO (Gene ontology/biological Process) groups that are involved in the root development process and the tested compositions are upregulated ≧ 5-fold (cut-off p < 0.01). Y-axis: biological process description; an X axis: the number of up-regulated genes ("matched entities") for each biological process.

Fig. 2 shows the level of "Green Index", comparing: 1) untreated controls in which plants were optimally irrigated according to standard protocols (UTC 100); 2) an untreated control in which plants were irrigated with a reduced amount of water (water volume) corresponding to 70% (UTC 70); 3) experimental conditions the tested compositions, wherein tomato plants were treated with the tested compositions (3 applications at a rate of 20L/ha). Time selection: once every 7-10 days) and irrigated with 70% water compared to a fully watered UTC100 theme. Measurements were taken from "time 0" until 14 days after treatment.

Figure 3A shows the level of "Digital Biovolume", comparing: 1) untreated controls in which plants were optimally irrigated according to standard protocols (UTC 100); 2) untreated controls in which plants were irrigated with reduced amounts of water corresponding to 70% (UTC 70); 3) experimental conditions the tested compositions, wherein tomato plants were treated with the tested compositions (3 applications in an amount of 20L/ha). Time selection: once every 7-10 days) and irrigated with 70% water compared to a fully watered UTC100 theme. Measurements were taken from time 0 until 14 days after treatment.

FIG. 3B shows the area of the blade (cm) at the end of the experiment²) And fresh weight (g) measurements, which compare: 1) untreated control, where plants were optimally irrigated according to standard protocol (UTC w.100%); 2) untreated control, in which plants were irrigated with reduced water amounts corresponding to 70% (UTC w.70%); 3) experimental conditions w.70% + the tested composition, wherein tomato plants were treated with the tested composition (3 applications in an amount of 20L/ha). Time selection: once every 7-10 days) and irrigated with 70% water compared to well watered UTC w.100% theme.

Figure 4 shows the water content measurement, expressed as "wetting Index" (Humid Index), which compares: 1) untreated controls in which plants were optimally irrigated according to standard protocols (UTC 100); 2) untreated controls in which plants were irrigated with reduced amounts of water corresponding to 70% (UTC 70); 3) experimental conditions the tested composition, wherein tomato plants were treated with the claimed composition (3 applications in an amount of 20L/ha). Time selection: once every 7-10 days) and irrigated with 70% water compared to a fully watered UTC100 theme. Measurements were taken from time 0 until 14 days after treatment.

Figure 5A shows stomatal conductance measurements on tomato plants after day 1, day 2, day 3, day 4 from application of the composition, comparing: 1) untreated controls in which plants were optimally irrigated according to standard protocols (UTC 100%); 2) untreated control, where plants were irrigated with reduced water amounts corresponding to 70% (UTC 70%); 3) experimental conditions 70% of the composition tested (10L/ha), wherein tomato plants were treated with the composition tested in an amount of 10L/ha and irrigated with an amount of water of 70% compared to a well watered UTC 100% theme; 4) experimental conditions 70% of the tested composition (20L/ha), wherein tomato plants were treated with the tested composition in an amount of 20L/ha and irrigated with an amount of water of 70% compared to a well watered UTC 100% theme.

Fig. 5B shows stomatal conductance measurements on grape plants, comparing: 1) untreated controls in which plants were optimally irrigated according to standard protocols (UTC 100); 2) untreated controls in which plants were irrigated with reduced amounts of water corresponding to 70% (UTC 70); 3) experimental conditions the tested compositions, wherein grape plants were treated with the tested compositions (3 applications in an amount of 10L/ha). Time selection: once every 7-10 days; each treatment is identified by an arrow in the figure) and irrigated with 70% water compared to a fully watered UTC100 theme. Measurements were taken from time 0 until 19 days after treatment.

Fig. 6A shows net assimilation rate (in other words "net photosynthesis") measurements on tomato plants after day 1, day 2, day 3, day 4 from the application of the composition, which compare: 1) untreated controls in which plants were optimally irrigated according to standard protocols (UTC 100%); 2) untreated control, where plants were irrigated with reduced water amounts corresponding to 70% (UTC 70%); 3) experimental conditions 70% of the composition tested (10L/ha), wherein tomato plants were treated with the composition tested in an amount of 10L/ha and irrigated with an amount of water of 70% compared to a well watered UTC 100% theme; 4) experimental conditions 70% of the tested composition (20L/ha), wherein tomato plants were treated with the tested composition in an amount of 20L/ha and irrigated with an amount of water of 70% compared to a well watered UTC 100% theme.

Fig. 6B shows the net assimilation rate measurements on grape plants, comparing: 1) untreated controls in which plants were optimally irrigated according to standard protocols (UTC 100); 2) untreated controls in which plants were irrigated with reduced amounts of water corresponding to 70% (UTC 70); 3) experimental conditions the tested composition, in which grape plants were treated with the claimed composition (3 applications in an amount of 10L/ha). Time selection: once every 7-10 days; each treatment is identified by an arrow in the figure) and irrigated with 70% water compared to a fully watered UTC100 theme. Measurements were taken from time 0 until 19 days after treatment.

Figure 7 shows the aquatic productivity (bio-volume/water used) measurements, which compare: 1) untreated controls in which plants were optimally irrigated according to standard protocols (UTC 100); 2) untreated controls in which plants were irrigated with reduced amounts of water corresponding to 70% (UTC 70); 3) experimental conditions the tested compositions, wherein tomato plants were treated with the tested compositions (3 applications in an amount of 20L/ha). Time selection: once every 7-10 days) and irrigated with 70% water compared to a fully watered UTC100 theme. Measurements were taken from time 0 until 24 days after treatment.

Detailed Description

A first aspect of the present invention relates to a method for increasing water use efficiency and/or water production rate in plants and/or agricultural water management, said method comprising at least one stage of feeding the plants with an effective amount of a composition comprising at least one algae extract and/or at least one plant extract.

Accordingly, the present invention relates to a method for increasing water use efficiency and/or water yield in plant and/or agricultural water management, the method comprising the steps of: (i) having a plant to be treated or in need of treatment, and (ii) feeding (treating) said plant with an effective amount of a composition comprising at least one algae extract and/or at least one plant extract. The treatment step may be carried out one or more times, and-essentially-it comprises feeding or applying to the plant of step (i) an effective amount of a composition comprising at least one algae extract and/or at least one plant extract.

In other words, to increase water use efficiency and/or water production in plant and/or agricultural water management, the plant to be treated is fed with an effective amount of a composition characterized by a carbon source comprising (based on) a plant extract and/or an algae extract.

Alternatively, or in addition to the above mentioned objects, the methods disclosed herein may also be used to modulate plant physiology such that less irrigation water is required per unit of yield produced by plants treated with a composition as disclosed herein.

The plants to be treated or to be treated are preferably cultivated (grown/sown) under non-drought conditions (sometimes also referred to as mild water stress), in other words under optimal/suboptimal or mild reduction/limitation of irrigation water availability. As already mentioned, mild means when the stomatal conductance level of the leaves of the plant is higher than 0.15mol H₂O m^-2s^-1Preferably by a gas porometer/Licor gas exchange system or any further instrument known to the skilled person for this purpose, and/or 2) when the value of the soil water content is in the range between-10 kPa and-60 kPa, preferably between-10 kPa and-40 kPa, wherein said soil water content is preferably measured by using a tensiometer or any further instrument known to the skilled person for this purpose.

Thus, the methods disclosed herein may also be used to enhance efficient irrigation of water, preferably in hot and/or dry environments that naturally tend to have high evaporation rates.

As used herein, "yield per unit of yield (unit of yield)" means the measured fresh or dry weight per surface unit or biomass (biomass) per plant produced by a plant. It may refer to a commercially valuable part of a plant, or to the biomass of a whole plant.

As used herein, "optimal/suboptimal irrigation water availability" means an optimal or near optimal volume of irrigation water supplied to plants that avoids both excess water and/or moderate/heavy water shortages, preferably using specialized equipment and/or calculated from farmer experience.

As used herein, "reduced/limited irrigation water availability" means a reduction in irrigation water volume, preferably, up to 40% as compared to typical agricultural practice, as long as drought conditions (according to the definition below) are not reached.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the algae meal (meal) and/or juice and/or suspension and/or emulsion may be used as an alternative to or in combination with the extract from algae. According to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, any plant-derived material and/or plant meal and/or juice and/or suspension and/or emulsion may be used as an alternative to or in combination with the extract from the plant.

In this context, extract means any substance and/or product and/or by-product, preferably agro-industrial by-product, and/or any derivative obtained from the processing and/or extraction of the donor plant and/or algae and/or microalgae. Preferably, the substance/product/byproduct/derivative is selected from: extracts, meals, pulps (pulp), molasses (molases), juices (juice), oils (oil), waste flours (waste flours), bran (bran), residues and derivatives thereof.

As used herein, "water use efficiency" (WUE) means the percentage (%) of water supplied to a plant that is efficiently absorbed by the plant and not lost, for example, by drainage, bare soil evaporation, entrapment, or transpiration. In other words, it means the ratio between the available water and the actual water intake, and it characterizes the degree of availability of water from the plant in a particular process.

As used herein, "productivity" is the ratio between unit output and unit input. In particular, "aquatic yield" (WP) means the quantity or value of the product with respect to the volume or value of the water consumed or transferred, in other words it means the yield of the plant obtained by using a given quantity of water (ratio Y kg]Water [ m ]³]). The value of the product can be expressed in different terms, preferably in terms of biomass, grain (grain) or currency.

As used herein, "agricultural water management" means the use of water and irrigation schedules to provide the plants with the amount of water they require to ensure adequate productivity, also taking into account the water ultimately supplied to the crops by rainfall. Agricultural water management includes the management of water used in plant production (both dry farming and irrigation), stockbreeding production, and inland fisheries.

As used herein, "feeding a plant" means applying a composition according to the present disclosure, preferably a composition diluted in water, to an area of soil probed by the plant roots or canopy (explore). Solutions comprising compositions according to the present disclosure may be dispensed into plants/crops, preferably via drip irrigation systems, or may be poured onto soil or injected into soil near the root zone, which may also be dispensed via a pivot (pivot) or other overhead irrigation system (overhead irrigation system). Alternatively, the composition may be applied to the foliage and/or the seeds. Repeated application is possible depending on the plant. Preferably, the dose is from 5 to 20 liters/Ha, more preferably from 5 to 10L/Ha, still more preferably about 10L/Ha. Depending on the plant and agricultural practice, single or multiple applications are possible, preferably from 1 to 5.

As used herein, "drought" means water stress with moderate to severe water deficit, having a negative impact on plant yield throughout the world. Drought conditions, meaning moderate to severe water deficit, can be assessed by measuring various parameters. The most common measured parameters defining whether a plant lives in drought conditions are: 1) a blade porosity conductance level as defined above; and/or the value of the soil moisture content, preferably measured by using a tensiometer or any further instrument known to the skilled person for this purpose, wherein said value is lower than-40 kPa, preferably lower than-60 kPa. Preferably, the value of the water content of the soil is in the range between-10 kPa and-60 kPa, more preferably between-10 kPa and-40 kPa.

Generally, less than 0.15mol H₂O m^-2s^-1The leaf stomatal conductance level of (a) indicates the drought condition of the plant. This parameter may be measured by a gas pocket meter/Licor gas exchange system or any other instrument known to the skilled person for this purpose。

However, as may be apparent to any person skilled in the art, drought conditions depend on several parameters, such as the kind of plant, variety, plant stage, type of soil and other environmental parameters that have a strong influence on the water demand of the plant and thus on drought stress.

The prospect of agriculture may be attractive given that water resources are decreasing and climate change is expected to increase the amount of dry land (Battisti and Naylor, 2009). Strategies to cope with water deficit vary depending on the species and genotype of the plant and depending on the type of drought. Generally, plants respond to drought by a series of physiological mechanisms including stomata closure, cell growth and inhibition of photosynthesis, which results in plant wilting, an overall reduction in plant biomass and yield. In addition, many changes at the cellular and molecular levels occur, including a broad increase in the expression levels of genes that protect plants from stress damage (Shinozaki and Yamaguchi-Shinozaki, 2007).

As used herein, "non-drought" means a state of a plant ranging from optimal water availability to mild water deficit. This state can be measured, for example, with the following as a reference: above 0.15mol H₂O m^-2s^-1The value of the blade porosity level of (a), which is preferably measured by using a pore meter/Licor gas exchange system or any other instrument known to the skilled person for this purpose; and/or the value of the soil moisture content, which is preferably in the range from-10 kPa to-40 kPa, which is preferably measured by using a tensiometer or any other instrument known to the skilled person for this purpose. In any case, any person skilled in the art will recognize and recognize, particularly thanks to the instruments currently available and exemplified above, when the soil water content reaches the critical value of the plants, in other words when the plants are overcoming "non-drought conditions" -i.e. ranging from optimal/normal water availability to mild water shortage-and they are facing drought.

As used herein, "green index" means the relative green area of each image, which is calculated as the sum of the frequencies of the histogram classes included in the hue range, preferably from yellow-green to blue-green (hue angle preferably in the range from 80 ° to 180 °).

As used herein, "digital bio-volume" means the calculation of the area of a plant in three orthogonal images from an RGB chamber. Preferably, this value is calculated by applying the following formula, but any formula for this purpose may be used:

sigma pixel side view 0 deg. + Sigma pixel side view 90 deg. + log10 (Sigma pixel top view/3)

As used herein, "wetting index" means a weighted average of NIR intensity color grades (colour classes) preferably obtained using a near infrared cell.

As used herein, "porosity conductance" means a measure of water vapor exiting through the pores of the blade.

As used herein, "assimilation rate" (in other words, net photosynthesis) means carbon dioxide CO used in the photosynthetic process at a precise moment₂The amount of (c).

The methods disclosed herein act on plants (which are therefore targets) and are based on natural products (algae and/or plant extracts/derivatives) which represent novel, innovative and eco-friendly practices that improve water utilization efficiency and/or water production rates in plants and/or agricultural water management compared to currently available methods that are instead based on the use of chemicals that are potentially dangerous to the ecosystem. Indeed, the products currently available on the market for this purpose are mainly wetting agents that act on the soil and not on the plants (and therefore their aim is the soil). Furthermore, they are based on the use of chemicals, such as polymeric surfactants or alcohols, which allow to increase the water holding capacity (water holding capacity), water penetration and water distribution of the soil particles, which slows down the natural gravitational movement of water.

Because of the observed and herein disclosed effects on (receiving) plants, the compositions used in the herein disclosed methods may also ultimately be defined as biostimulant compositions.

As used herein, "Biostimulant" falls within the definition provided by the European Biostimulant Industry Council (EBIC), according to which plant Biostimulant promotes plant growth and development throughout the plant life cycle from seed germination to plant maturity in a number of ways demonstrated, including making water use more efficient (EBIC, 2018).

A further aspect of the invention relates to a composition for use in the methods disclosed herein, said composition comprising at least one algae extract and/or at least one plant extract or at least one plant-derived material.

According to a preferred embodiment, the at least one plant extract/plant-derived material is present in the composition in a concentration of up to 60%, preferably in a concentration of between 5% and 50%, more preferably between 10% and 45%, still more preferably between 30% and 45%, still more preferably in the range of about 40% -45% or 45% -50%, said concentration being w/w.

In this context, the concentration is expressed as a percentage (%) w/w, i.e. the weight of the plant extract in g per 100g of the composition.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the at least one algal extract is present in the composition at a concentration of up to 60%, preferably at a concentration of between 3% and 58%, more preferably between 5% and 45%, still more preferably between 20% and 45%, still more preferably in the range of about 27% -30%, said concentration being w/w.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the composition comprises at least one algae extract in a concentration of up to 40%, preferably up to 30%, and at least one plant extract (plant-derived material) in a concentration of up to 60%, preferably up to 45% -50%.

As used herein, "algae" refers to a functional group (functional group) of organisms that perform aerobic photosynthesis and are not embryogenic plants. They include both bacteria (cyanobacteria) and/or eukaryotes. The term encompasses photoautotrophic, heterotrophic, or mixotrophic organisms and is commonly found in freshwater and marine systems (marine systems). The term algae includes macroalgae and/or microalgae.

Preferably, the macroalgae are seaweed, preferably red seaweed, brown seaweed or green seaweed, wherein the brown seaweed is selected from the group consisting of: ascophyllum nodosum, Laminaria maxima, Laminaria species, Laminaria digitata, Fucus vesiculosus, Macrocystis species, Pelvetia canaliculata, Laminaria elongata, Undaria, Sargassum species, and combinations thereof; wherein the red seaweed is selected from: a kappaphycus species, a carrageenan algae species, a palmaria species, a gracilaria species, a porphyra species, a porphyridium species, a codium species, a multicladium species, and combinations thereof; wherein the green seaweed is selected from: ulva species, bracken species, pinus species, cactus species, agaricus species, cladophora species, and combinations thereof.

Ascophyllum nodosum is particularly preferred for the purposes of the present invention.

As used herein, "microalgae" refers to any microalgae that are unicellular microorganisms and simple multicellular microorganisms, including both prokaryotic microalgae, preferably cyanobacteria (chlorophytia)), and eukaryotic microalgae, preferably green algae (Chlorophyta), red algae (Rhodophyta), or diatoms (diatoms). Preferably, the microalgae are selected from: spirulina, scenedesmus, nannochloropsis, rhodococcus, chlorella, phaeodactylum, artrospyr, tetraselmis, isochrysis, synechocystis, chlamydomonas, parietochris, desmodinium, neochlorella, dunaliella, thalassospira, pavlova, navicula, chaetoceros, and combinations thereof.

As used herein, "plant" means any of a large number of organisms within the kingdom Plantae of biology (biological kingdom Plantae). Conventionally, the term plant implies a taxon with multiple cells, a cellular structure with walls comprising cellulose and features of organisms capable of photosynthesis. Modern classification schemes are driven by somewhat stringent classifications inherent in DNA and common ancestors. Preferably, they include monocotyledonous and dicotyledonous species, including trees, non-gramineous herbaceous plants (forb), shrubs, grasses, vines, ferns, mosses and crop plants, preferably vegetables, fruit trees and row crops/cash crops.

In this context, plants are used as a source (starting material) of the extract/derivative, in other words, as a plant from which the extract (or derivative/substitute) is derived/obtained, and in this case, they are also defined as "donor plants".

Plants are also used as target for the methods/applications disclosed herein, in other words plants to be treated or in need of treatment, and in this case plants are also defined as "recipient plants".

Preferably, the "donor plant" is selected from: several types of sugar beets, sugar cane, alfalfa, corn, mustard, halophytes, soybean, wheat, yucca, quillaja, hops, coffee, citrus, olive, lupin, legumes, peas, lentils, mushrooms, carrots, apples, tomatoes, and combinations thereof.

For the purposes of the present invention, the whole plant or any part thereof may be used. Preferably, the moiety is selected from: leaf, root, stem, fruit, flower, seed, seedling, bark, berry, pericarp, and combinations thereof.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the plant to be treated-the "recipient plant" -is any monocotyledonous and dicotyledonous species, preferably a crop, further comprising genetically modified and/or edited crops selected from: a fertigated irrigated fruit tree, preferably selected from the group consisting of: stone, pome, olive, citrus, grape, small and nut tree crops; selected from tropical fruits; vegetable species, preferably selected from: fruiting vegetables, leafy vegetables, tuber and bulb forming species and ornamentals; a row crop, preferably selected from: grain, sugar, protein and oil crops, forage, fiber and biomass crops, and combinations thereof.

For the purposes of the present invention, the whole plant or any part thereof may be treated. Preferably, the recipient plant is treated as seed, plants grown in a protected environment and in an open field (open field), adult plants in the vegetative and/or reproductive stage (adult plant), trees and perennial species of any age.

Preferably, the plant/algae/microalgae processing/extraction is performed by using solvents, acids, bases, enzymes or mechanical means, eventually in any combination. Preferably, the processing/extraction is performed as disclosed in more detail below.

Preferably, the extract is prepared from plants, from algae or from microalgae by using a similar process (extraction process). More preferably, the extraction process comprises the steps of:

(i) providing a sample of algae and/or a sample of microalgae and/or a sample of plant according to the detailed disclosure reported above; and

(ii) the sample is contacted with an aqueous solution comprising an extraction agent, in other words an extraction solution with an aqueous base (extraction/processing step).

As used herein, the extractant may be a base and/or an acid and/or an enzyme. These kinds of extractants may be used in any combination or individually.

For the purposes of the present invention, the base is preferably an inorganic base, more preferably selected from: NaOH, KOH, Na₂CO₃、K₂CO₃、NH₃、NaHCO₃、KHCO₃Salts thereof, and any combination thereof.

For the purposes of the present invention, the acid is preferably selected from: h₂SO₄、HNO₃、HCl、H₃PO₄And a plurality of organic nature acids, preferably selected from: acetic acid, citric acid, formic acid, butyric acid and ascorbic acid, gluconic acid, and any combination thereof.

For the purposes of the present invention, the enzyme is preferably selected from: papain, trypsin, amylase, pepsin, bromelain and specific enzymes that degrade organic polymers present in the algae, preferably alginase, and any combination thereof.

The choice of the extractant to be used in the process depends on the kind of algae/microalgae/plant to be extracted and/or the molecules and/or components to be extracted therefrom.

Preferably, the temperature of the extraction step (step ii) is in the range between-20 ℃ and 120 ℃, more preferably between 20 ℃ and 100 ℃.

Preferably, the extraction time ranges from a few minutes to a few hours, more preferably between 30 minutes and 18 hours.

Preferably, the extraction step is effected at atmospheric pressure or at a pressure of up to 10 bar, more preferably at a pressure in the range of from 1 to 8 bar.

When it is desired to use only the extract in the formulation of the biostimulant, the extraction step may be followed by a further step of separating/removing undissolved and/or unextracted components. The removal/separation step is preferably carried out by decantation, filtration or centrifugation.

Alternatively, a suspension comprising both extracted and unextracted components may be used.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the composition further comprises humic and/or fulvic acid and salts thereof. Preferably, the humic and/or fulvic acid is present at a concentration in the range from 5% to 30% w/w.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the composition further comprises a macro-micronutrient source, preferably in a concentration in the range of between 1% and 30% w/w, preferably between 5% and 25% w/w, more preferably about 7% -15% w/w.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the source of macro-micronutrients is selected from the group consisting of: a nitrogen source, a potassium source, a phosphorus source, a manganese source, a zinc source, an iron source, a copper source, a boron source, a molybdenum source, a calcium source, a magnesium source, and combinations thereof.

Preferably, the nitrogen source is selected from: ammonium phosphate, ammonium nitrate, ammonium sulfate, ammonium thiosulfate, potassium thiosulfate, ammonia, urea, nitric acid, potassium nitrate, magnesium nitrate, calcium nitrate, sodium nitrate, animal-derived protein hydrolysates, amino acids, proteins, yeast lysates, manganese nitrate, zinc nitrate, slow release urea, preferably urea formaldehyde, similar compounds, and combinations thereof.

Preferably, the nitrogen source is present at a concentration ranging between 3% and 15%, more preferably between 5% and 12%, still more preferably about 8% -10%.

Preferably, the phosphorus source is selected from: ammonium phosphate, potassium phosphate, phosphoric acid, sodium phosphate, calcium phosphate, magnesium phosphate, rock phosphate such as hydroxyapatite and fluorapatite, phosphorous acid, sodium phosphite, potassium phosphite, calcium hydrogen phosphite, magnesium hydrogen phosphite, organophosphorus compounds such as inositol-phosphate, sodium glycerophosphate, ATP, and similar phosphorus sources.

Preferably, the phosphorus source is present in a concentration ranging between 0.1% and 10%, more preferably between 0.2% and 5%, still more preferably about 0.5%.

Preferably, the potassium source is selected from: potassium acetate, potassium citrate, potassium sulfate, potassium thiosulfate, potassium phosphate, potassium phosphite, potassium carbonate, potassium chloride, potassium hydroxide, potassium nitrate, mixed salts of magnesium and potassium, potassium sorbate, potassium ascorbate, organic forms of potassium, and combinations thereof.

Preferably, the potassium source is present at a concentration in the range of between 2.5% and 25%, more preferably between 4% and 12%, still more preferably about 4% -8%.

Preferably, the zinc source is selected from: zinc sulfate, zinc oxide, zinc hydroxide, zinc chloride, zinc carbonate, zinc phosphate, zinc nitrate, zinc chelated with EDTA, DTPA, HEDTA, EDDHA, EDDHSA, EDDHCA, EDDHMA, HBED, EDDS; zinc complexed with amino acids, lignosulfonates, humic acids, fulvic acids, gluconic acids, glucoheptonic acids (heptagluonic acids), zinc citrate, zinc malate, zinc tartrate, zinc acetate, zinc lactate, zinc ascorbate, and organic forms of zinc.

Preferably, the zinc source is present in a concentration ranging between 0.5% and 3%, more preferably between 1% and 2%, still more preferably about 1.5%.

Preferably, the manganese source is selected from: manganese sulfate, manganese oxide, manganese hydroxide, manganese chloride, manganese carbonate, manganese phosphate, manganese nitrate, manganese chelated with a chelating agent preferably selected from EDTA, DTPA, HEDTA, EDDHA, EDDHSA, EDDHCA, EDDHMA, HBED, EDDS, IDHA, HJB, NTA, HIDS, IDS, GLDA, HEIDA, PDA, EDDM and MGDA; manganese complexed with amino acids, lignosulfonates, humic acids, fulvic acids, gluconic acids, glucoheptonic acids, manganese citrate, manganese malate, manganese tartrate, manganese acetate, manganese lactate, manganese ascorbate, and organic forms of manganese.

Preferably, the manganese source is present in a concentration ranging between 0.5% and 3%, more preferably between 1% and 2%, still more preferably about 1.5%.

Preferably, the iron source is selected from: iron sulfate, iron oxide, iron hydroxide, iron chloride, iron carbonate, iron phosphate, iron nitrate, preferably iron chelated with a chelating agent selected from EDTA, DTPA, HEDTA, EDDHA, EDDHSA, EDDHCA, EDDHMA, HBED, EDDS, IDHA, HJB, NTA, HIDS, IDS, GLDA, HEIDA, PDA, EDDM and MGDA; iron complexed with amino acids, lignosulfonates, humic acids, fulvic acids, gluconic acids, glucoheptonic acids, ferric citrate, ferric malate, ferric tartrate, ferric acetate, ferric lactate, ferric ascorbate, and organic forms of iron.

Preferably, the iron source is present in a concentration ranging between 0.1% and 10%, more preferably between 0.2% and 9%, still more preferably about 0.5%.

Preferably, the copper source is selected from: copper sulfate, copper oxide, copper hydroxide, copper chloride, copper carbonate, copper phosphate, copper nitrate, copper chelated with a chelating agent preferably selected from EDTA, DTPA, HEDTA, EDDHA, EDDHSA, EDDHCA, EDDHMA, HBED, EDDS, IDHA, HJB, NTA, HIDS, IDS, GLDA, HEIDA, PDA, EDDM and MGDA; copper complexed with amino acids, lignosulfonates, humic acids, fulvic acids, gluconic acids, glucoheptonic acids, copper citrate, copper malate, copper tartrate, copper acetate, copper lactate, copper ascorbate, and organic forms of copper.

Preferably, the copper source is present in a concentration ranging between 0.1% and 10%, more preferably between 0.2% and 9%, still more preferably in a concentration of about 0.5%.

Preferably, the boron source is selected from: boric acid, sodium octaborate, boron complexed with amines bearing hydroxyl groups such as ethanolamine, and mineral forms of boron.

Preferably, the boron source is present at a concentration in the range between 0.1% and 2%, more preferably between 0.2% and 2%, still more preferably at a concentration of about 0.5%.

Preferably, the molybdenum source is selected from: mineral forms of sodium molybdate, ammonium molybdate, potassium molybdate and molybdenum.

Preferably, the molybdenum source is present in a concentration ranging between 0.01% and 0.1%, more preferably between 0.02% and 0.05%, still more preferably in a concentration of about 0.03%.

According to a preferred embodiment, the at least one plant extract/plant-derived material is present in the composition at a concentration of up to 60%, preferably at a concentration in the range of between 5% and 50%, more preferably between 10% and 45%, still more preferably between 30% and 45%, still more preferably about 40% -45%; and/or the at least one algal extract is present in the composition at a concentration of up to 60%, preferably at a concentration ranging between 3% and 58%, preferably between 5% and 45%, more preferably between 20% and 45%, still more preferably about 25% -30%; and/or the macro-micronutrient source is present at a concentration in the range of between 1% and 30%, preferably between 15% and 25%, more preferably about 18% -22%, the concentration (%) being w/w.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the composition further comprises at least one preservative, preferably present in a concentration ranging from 0.05% to 2%, preferably about 1%, said concentration being w/w.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the composition further comprises at least one metabolic stimulant, preferably a vitamin, preferably in a concentration ranging from 0.1% to 1%. Preferably, the vitamins are selected from: vitamin B1, vitamin B2, vitamin B3, vitamin B5, vitamin B6, vitamin B9, vitamin B12, vitamin E, vitamin a, vitamin D, vitamin C, vitamin PP, vitamin H, vitamin K1, vitamin K2, vitamin K3, and combinations thereof.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the composition comprises at least one further ingredient, preferably selected from: proteins, protein hydrolysates, yeast lysates, yeast broth (yeast broth), peptides, oligopeptides, peptidoglycans, low molecular weight peptides, synthetic amino acids, and naturally occurring amino acids; molasses, polysaccharides, lipopolysaccharides, monosaccharides, disaccharides, oligosaccharides, sulfated oligosaccharides (sulfated oligosaccharides), exopolysaccharides, chitosan, stress protecting molecules (stress protecting molecules), preferably selected from: betaines, mannitol and other polyols, hormones, hormone-like compounds with similar action, preferably selected from: melatonin, auxins, auxin-like compounds, cytokinins, cytokinin-like compounds, gibberellins, gibberellin-like compounds, abscisic acid, jasmonates (jasmonate), hormone precursors such as polyamines, spermine, spermidine, putrescine, and combinations thereof.

For the purposes disclosed herein, it may be advantageous to add other molecules to the composition, preferably selected from: nucleic acids, uronic acids and their polymers, glucuronic acids and their polymers, small organic acids, preferably oxalic acid and succinic acid. Preferably, the small molecule may be a synthetic and/or naturally derived nucleic acid molecule comprising more than one nucleotide, preferably when the length of the molecule is 18-25 nucleotides it is defined as an oligonucleotide and when the molecule is 26 or more nucleotides it is defined as a polynucleotide. Preferably, the oligonucleotide or polynucleotide or mixture of both comprises an RNA or DNA or RNA/DNA hybrid or a chemically modified oligonucleotide or polynucleotide or a mixture thereof.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the composition further comprises a Plant Biostimulant (PBS) and/or a carrier, preferably an agriculturally compatible carrier.

As used herein, "agriculturally compatible carrier" refers to any synthetic or naturally derived molecule capable of delivering a product in an active form in a site of action, preferably, the carrier is selected from the group consisting of: surfactants, thickeners, suspending agents, wetting agents, and combinations thereof.

As used herein, a surfactant means any molecule that is capable of altering the surface tension of water and allowing the product to impact a larger area of the leaves and/or roots and/or fruit or any other part of the plant. Preferably, the surfactant is selected from: synthetic or naturally derived ionic, nonionic, cationic surfactants, preferably selected from: alkyl sulfonates, alkyl aryl sulfonates, ethoxylated alcohols, alkoxylated ethers, ethoxylated esters, alkyl polyglucosides (alkylpolyglucosides), block copolymers, lignosulfonates, saponins, and combinations thereof. Typically, the surfactant is used at a minimum concentration, merely to facilitate formulation of the composition and/or dissolution of the ingredients. Preferably, they are used in a concentration ranging between 3% and 1%, more preferably about 2%, said concentration being w/w. Preferably, the saponin is derived from a plant. More preferably, they are used in a concentration ranging from 0.1% to 1%, more preferably about 0.5%, said concentration being w/w.

As used herein, "thickener" means any molecule capable of altering the rheology of any given composition in the sense of improving and stabilizing viscosity. Preferably, the thickening agent is selected from: natural and synthetic gums, lignosulfonates, molasses and similar thickeners.

As used herein, "suspending agent" means any molecule capable of surrounding insoluble particles, avoiding precipitation, and allowing the production of a stable suspension of insoluble matter. Preferably, the suspending agent is selected from: natural and synthetic colloids, clays and derivatives thereof, and similar suspending agents.

As used herein, "wetting agent" means any molecule capable of avoiding rapid water evaporation on a given surface and retaining water for a long period of time. Preferably, the wetting agent is selected from: glycols, glycerin and its derivatives, and similar wetting agents.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the composition further comprises a microorganism, preferably a bacterium, more preferably a PGPR (plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria) or PGR, yeast, fungus, mycorrhiza.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the composition further comprises a fertilizer or a pesticide, preferably a fungicide, insecticide, nematicide, nematode inhibitor or herbicide.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the composition further comprises a desiccant used in the agricultural industry.

According to a preferred embodiment, the composition is formulated as a solution, suspension, water-soluble concentrate, dispersible concentrate, emulsifiable concentrate, emulsion, suspension, microemulsion, gel, microcapsule, granule, ultra-low volume liquid, wettable powder, pulverizable powder, or seed coating formulation, spray and ready-to-use formulation.

According to a preferred embodiment, the composition (preferably in any of the formulations disclosed above) is applied to the soil and/or foliage, preferably after dilution with water.

The composition is preferably applied once or may be applied multiple times throughout the plant cycle, preferably throughout the crop cycle.

Preferably, the composition is applied by using a fertigation irrigation system.

Preferably, the composition is applied when the plant to be treated is in a condition of suboptimal water availability as defined above, preferably in the area occupied by the plant roots and/or sprayed onto the leaves.

In this regard, it is possible to monitor soil moisture content, preferably by using a soil tensiometer or any other instrument available for this range.

The plant physiological response to soil moisture is closely related to: species of plant/crop, phenological stage, type of soil, environmental parameters and agricultural practices.

In fact, it is possible that the soil moisture content is kept within a certain limit, considered compatible with plant growth, critical values of soil moisture content corresponding to drought stress of the plants can be avoided.

Examples

Examples of compositions

Several compositions suitable for the present invention were tested.

Some compositions comprise both plant-derived material and an algae extract. Additional compositions comprise only plant extracts/plant derived materials or algae extracts. Algae means macroalgae or microalgae.

Algae have been used as examples of macroalgae, particularly Ascophyllum nodosum and Kappaphycus SAP.

Several plant extracts (plant derivatives) have been used, such as several types of sugar beet derivatives, corn derivatives and sugar cane.

Some of the tested compositions further included: n and/or K and/or Mn and/or Zn source; and/or vitamins; and/or a chelating agent; and/or preservatives; and/or a small amount of a surfactant.

In particular, the following compositions have been tested:

TABLE I

Composition 1 also contained 21.9% w/w of N-K-Mn-Zn source and 0.6% w/w of vitamins.

The plant extract/plant derived material and the algae extract are mixed together at 25 ℃ and the vitamins and N, K, Mn and Zn source are added under stirring. The stirring conditions were maintained for an additional 1 hour, and then the composition was considered ready for use.

Genomic studies of examples of compositions of the invention

The purpose of this experiment was to understand the molecular network modulated by the compositions of the invention by microarray methods using arabidopsis plants as a model.

This approach is widely used, even in agriculture, to understand the effect of molecules/compositions/raw materials of interest at the transcriptome level and thus to assume possible modes of action.

In this context, in particular, arabidopsis seeds were sterilized in 1.7% (v/v) bleaching solution for 7 minutes, rinsed 6 times in excess sterile water, and transferred to 2.5ml of liquid growth medium (half-strength MS solution) in 6-well plates. Plates were incubated at 4 ℃ in the dark for 2 days and finally transferred to continuous light (90 μm photon m-2) with gentle vortexing in a plant growth chamber at 22 ℃ for 4 days. The treatment was performed by adding the above disclosed composition of the invention formulated as a solution/suspension to the wells in an amount of 1 ml/L. Water was already added to the control wells. Control samples and treated samples for microarray experiments were collected after 24 hours from treatment.

RNA from the collected samples was extracted using RNeasy Plant Mini Kit (RNeasy Plant Mini Kit) (Qiagen). Subsequently, DNase treatment (Agilent, Santa Clara) was performed according to the manufacturer's instructions. RNA quality, concentration and purity were assessed using a NanoChip 2100BioAnalyzer (Agilent).

Hybridization, washing, staining and scanning procedures were performed according to the Agilent technical Manual. Microarray Analysis was performed using an Arabidopsis Gene Expression Microarray, 4x 44K (Agilent), using two-color Microarray-Based Gene Expression Analysis (Rapid amplification Labeling). Subsequently, raw gene expression data was extracted using Agilent Feature Extraction software (Agilent Feature Extraction software) (version 12.0), followed by data analysis by the software GeneSpring GX (Agilent). Differentially expressed genes (DEG, regulated P value 0.01) were filtered by selecting genes that showed a fold change ≧ 5 between treatment and control.

Microarray results show that the composition of the invention has a consistent effect on the transcriptome of Arabidopsis thaliana, in fact it induced 359 genes and repressed 339 transcripts. Observing the effects of differentially expressed genes and focusing on up-regulated differentially expressed genes, the following major processes regulated by the tested compositions have been identified:

1)root development: as reported in figure 1, the tested compositions modulate several genes involved in specific biological processes directly involved in root development, such as root hair development, root elongation, differentiation and morphogenesis.

2)Photosynthesis: in particular the genes GO:0015979 (photosynthesis), GO:0009765 (photosynthesis, light harvest), GO:0009522 (photosystem 1), GO:0009523 (photosystem 2), GO:0009535 (chloroplast thylakoid membrane), GO:0016168 (chlorophyll binding) belonging to the GO group. Furthermore, a gene involved in the biosynthesis of geranylgeranyl diphosphate (GGPP) (GO: 0033386).

3)Dehydrin (Dehydrin) and dehydride early response gene (ERD) genes(GO: 0009414; GO:0009415) -these genes increase water binding capacity, provide stability to other proteins and macromolecules, and drive rapid changes in cellular activity depending on the presence, absence, and concentration of water.

In summary, transcriptome studies on an Arabidopsis plant model revealed that the tested compositions modulate involvement in the above-listed The genetic capacity of processes that are strictly associated, directly or indirectly, with an increase in the water use efficiency of plants.

Phenotypical omics studies (phenotypical invasion) of examples of the compositions of the invention

The purpose of this experiment was to understand the direct effect of the tested compositions on the crop at the level of the phenotypic group by using digital image analysis.

Based on detection morphometry and multi-spectral, high-throughput image analysis of physiological parameters, phenomics approaches allow studying the effect of plant physiology and composition on growth, performance and water content of the plants tested. Such multispectral analysis of the reflected or re-emitted light from the crown, stem and leaves of a plant (infrared, visible and ultraviolet) provides information on the nutritional, hydrological and physiopathological state of the plant and the ability of the plant to absorb light. As a high throughput approach, the experiment has been set up to assay several crops with different compositions in different climatic conditions.

The results for two examples of related commercial crops, namely tomato and grape, are reported here. As mentioned above, several additional crops have been tested in the field, in particular: corn, soybean, fresh tomato, processed tomato (processing tomato), pepper, potato, onion, grape, olive, and stone fruit.

In this context, experiments were carried out under greenhouse conditions at the Plant Phenomics Platform (Plant Phenomics Platform) of the ALSIA-Metapontum Agrobios research center in south Italy (LemnaTec-Scanalyzer3D system).

The tested compositions have been applied to tomato plants (cv. ikram) grown in pots of 16cm diameter-1.5L during the pre-flowering stage. The protocol for the phenotypic testing carried out on the phenotypic Platform (phenotypic Platform) (Alsia research centre) is described in table II.

TABLE II

UTC (100% water) represents an untreated control that irrigates plants according to standard protocols. UTC (70% water) represents an untreated control that irrigates plants with a reduced amount of water corresponding to 70% compared to fully watered UTC (100% water). The compositions tested (70% water) represent the following experimental conditions: wherein tomato plants are treated with the tested compositions reported above (3 applications in an amount of 20L/ha. timing: one application every 7-10 days) and irrigated with a water amount of 70% compared to a well watered UTC (100% water) theme. In particular, in this case, the results relate to composition 1 and composition 3.

The same protocol applies to the grape plants during the vegetative phase, although in this case the tested composition was applied at 10L/ha to also verify its efficacy at low doses.

Phenotypical omics analysis was performed using a LemnaTec-Scanalyzer3D system. Analysis was performed by using visible light (RGB) for digital biomass and green index calculations, near infrared to measure the "wet index" and UV (ultraviolet) light to assess the stress index.

The results of the imaging analysis showed that application of the tested compositions exerted a consistent effect on the plant phenotype panel.

In particular, the following results were observed:

1)increase in Green indexAn increase in the green index is generally associated with increased photosynthetic activity (Thomas and Smart 1993) and the consequent additional benefit on biomass accumulation. It is worth remembering that this observation is consistent with the previously disclosed activation of expression of photosynthetic genes. During the experiment, images of the plants were captured under visible light illumination from three orthogonal viewing angles, the angles being from above and two from the side (0 ° and 90 °). The resulting image is then analyzed by classifying the pixels according to their color. The color classes represent different plant health conditions: dark green is very healthy tissue, green is standard healthy tissue, yellow is chlorosis tissue, and brown is necrotic tissue. The image captured with the RGB sensor is converted with HSI, and then a hue histogram is calculated. The relatively greener area (GGA) of each image is calculated as the sum of the frequencies of the histogram classes included in the hue range from yellow-green to cyan (hue angle in the range from 80 ° to 180 ° -according to casads us et al, 2007).

2)Increase in digital biomass and associated leaf area/fresh weightEberius and Lima-Guerra have proposed the following formula in 2009 to estimate plant bio-volume by image analysis techniques:

sigma pixel side view 0 deg. + Sigma pixel side view 90 deg. + log10 (Sigma pixel top view/3)

Plant pixel areas (plant pixel areas) are derived from all side (in this case two side view images, 0 ° and 90 °) and top view images, and these pixel data are used to estimate the biological volume of the plant and are reported as universal "k units".

The results show that the tested compositions increased digital bio-volume, especially starting 5 days after treatment (fig. 3A). In particular, in this case, the results reported in fig. 3-7 relate to composition 1 and composition 3 provided as the best examples.

At the end of the experiment, the blade area (cm) was also measured²) And tomato plants were collected to assess fresh weight (g). These analyses confirmed what was observed using phenomics, emphasizing the positive effect of administering the tested compositions (fig. 3B).

3)Increase in wetting index (moisture content)In line with the molecular observations, starting from 5 days after the treatment, the wetting index, which means the water content of tomato plants, was higher in the plants treated with the tested compositions (fig. 4). Pixels from the grayscale image generated in the NIR chamber are classified into equidistant classes (equidistance classes) according to their intensity. The group levels indicate absorbance of NIR light, which is directly related to the amount of water in the plant tissue. In this experiment, only values from 105 to 255 were considered and were classified into 10 categories. The high water cut index is calculated by adding the relative areas of the first three categories (the category of highest water cut) and is reported as a fraction (fraction) of the total area.

In summary, phenomics findings of selective agronomic assessments (leaf area and fresh weight) of tomato plants revealed the ability of the tested compositions to increase the following parameters:

i)“index of greenness"which is strictly associated with improvement in photosynthesis and is consistent with previous molecular indications for photosynthesis genes;

ii)plant biomass/biomassAnd an

iii)“Wetting index", a very important parameter for evaluating water use efficiency, and is consistent with the induction of dehydrin and ERD genes described previously.

Additional physiological parameters

Pore conductance balancing under water reducing conditions

Given the amounts of 10L/ha and 20L/ha (tomato) and 10L/ha (grape), specific physiological analyses were performed on tomato and grape plants.

The first objective was to demonstrate that the tested compositions were applied under non-stress conditions, in particular under non-drought conditions. In this way, the final positive effect observed can be attributed to increased water use efficiency, rather than increased tolerance to drought. It is known that drought stress occurs at less than 0.15mol H₂O m^-2s^-1The conductance of pores of (1). Interestingly, in the appended tests, the conditions were always above this value, demonstrating that the tests were performed under non-stressed/non-drought conditions.

The tested compositions were used at 10L/ha and 20L/ha in tomato and 10L/ha in grape. The effect of composition application to tomatoes was an increased/balanced conductance of pores compared to UTC 70% during the first 4 days from the start of application (fig. 5A). Equilibrium of stomatal conductance was also confirmed in grapes for 20 days using the tested composition during the cycle (fig. 5B; arrows indicate the date of composition application).

Increase in photosynthesis

Very interestingly, during the first week from administration, the balanced stomatal closure induced by the tested composition was correlated with increased photosynthesis levels in both tomato and grape compared to UTC 70%. This is again consistent with molecular and phenoomics studies and explains the increase in biomass observed after administration of the formulations (fig. 6A and 6B).

Enhanced water productivity (biovolume/H used)₂O)

By dividing the measured digital bio-volume by the water used, it was confirmed that the composition was significantly effective in increasing the aquatic productivity starting from 5 days after the treatment (fig. 7).

Field test

Sweet orange

General information and experimental design.

Field trials Terpsitha (Greece) in the Messinia region, in particular a region dedicated to Citrus crops, was carried out on the sweet orange tree (Citrus Sinensis) variety Lanelate in a farm representative of the region in terms of variety and cultivation practice. The orchard was planted in 2011 with a planting density of 555 plants/ha, a row spacing of 6 meters and a row-to-row plant spacing of 3 meters. The orchard was irrigated via drip lines (strip lines) with drippers placed close to the plants. Experiments were designed as RCB with four replicates (randomized complete block); the plot size was 6mx 12m, each plot including four trees.

In this test, the amount of water supplied in each irrigation cycle of the "UTC 100%" area was calculated by means of an evaporator measuring ET0 (reference evaporative transpiration). The final water volume is ETp ═ ET0 x Kc, where Kc is the crop coefficient (0-1 depending on phenology period).

In the water-reduced plots, an average 31.6% reduction in irrigation water volume was applied, calculated as the ETp at each irrigation cycle as a reference.

Throughout the test period, soil tensiometers have been used in order to continuously monitor soil moisture content and to ensure that in water-reduced plots, the soil moisture content never reached a value (kPa) considered critical for the crop (wilting point-drought condition).

For subjects 3 and 4 of table IV, the composition was applied 4 times via a drip irrigation system during the period of the crop cycle most susceptible to water stress (from 7 months to 9 months).

For samples 3 and 4, the claimed composition was applied at doses of 5L/ha and 10L/ha, respectively, dissolved in a volume of water equal to about 10.000L/ha per application.

The overall weather conditions that occurred throughout the test were lower than normal rainfall and air humidity for the period, with higher than normal air temperature, with regard to rainfall and air humidity.

At harvest, the yield of each plant was measured individually.

Data were analyzed using ANOVA techniques. In case this means a statistically significant difference, this is followed by Student-Newman-Keuls test (Student-Newman-keulstest) for significant differences at 95% confidence level. When two averages share the same alphabetic symbol, they are not significantly different.

Irrigation management in field trials

The water lost in the orchard due to the transpiration process is calculated using the evaporator, which thus includes both water evaporated from the soil and water lost by the crop through plant transpiration, according to the formula ETp-ET 0 x Kc (where ETp is the potential transpiration, ET0 is the value returned by the evaporator, and Kc is the crop coefficient).

During the crop cycle, five rounds of irrigation were performed. In each run, the amount of irrigation water supplied to the crop corresponds to the ETp in sample 1, balancing the total amount of water lost due to the evaporative transpiration process; and corresponds to about 70% of ETp in another subject-thereby resulting in about-30% reduction in irrigation water-as shown in table III.

Table III details of irrigation water management in the experiment.

Soil tensiometers with data logger function have been placed in subjects 1 and 2 during the entire crop cycle to maintain continuously monitored soil moisture content, ensuring that in water-reduced plots, the soil moisture never reached a value (kPa) deemed critical for the crop (so high as to reach a wilting point/drought condition). The value of the soil water potential of about-60 kPa is considered to be a limit before the plants begin to experience drought stress.

Table IV below summarizes the yield results and shows the amount of irrigation water supplied to the crops and the ratio between yield and irrigation water supplied

TABLE IV

The data show that at harvest, yield in grams per strain in the plot of subject 2(UTC, reduced water) is lower than subject 1(UTC "well watered") and is lowest in the experiment.

Compared to subject 2, plots treated with the tested compositions showed significant yield increase at both amounts, which shows the effect of the tested compositions in improving crop yield at reduced water supply conditions. In particular, subject 4 (the composition tested at the highest amount) showed even higher yields than fully watered UTC. The yield results are statistically different from each other.

Greenhouse sweet pepper

General information and experimental design.

Field trials were conducted on sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum) variety 1024RZ grown in a plastic greenhouse of Vicar (Almeria, spain). The crop management and growth system of the farm hosting the trial was consistent with common agricultural practice in the area.

The plant row spacing was 1m, and the plant spacing in the rows was 0.5m, with a planting density of 20.000 plants/ha. The experimental design was RCB with four replicates (randomized complete block), the plot size was so large that each plot comprised four plants.

Due to the alleged impact on water and nutritional management, commercial products for this purpose, i.e. products for this purpose, were included in the test protocolFor reference.

For subjects 3 and 4, the tested compositions, dissolved in a volume of water equal to about 10.000L/ha per application, were applied four times during the crop cycle using a nozzle (injector) connected to an electric pump at a dose of 5L/ha and 10L/ha, respectively. The test lasted about three months and the yield was measured separately for each plot at harvest. Data were analyzed using the ANOVA technique in software Statistica. Where this means a statistically significant difference, this is followed by a Fisher LSD test for significant differences at a 95% confidence level. Where two averages share the same alphabetic symbol, they are not significantly different.

Irrigation management in field trials

In order to test the performance of the compositions tested when applied under conditions of optimal supply of irrigation water (avoiding excessive water and excessively low volumetric supply of water to the crop), a separate fertigation system was set up in the area of experimental interest, which allows independent irrigation management by the farmer, maintaining in any case the same nutritional input level as the rest of the field.

Soil tensiometers have been used to continuously monitor soil water content throughout the test period, which ensures that in the optimum water supply plots (subject 2 to subject 5), the soil water potential is always maintained within the range of values normally acceptable for crops (-10kPa/-20kPa), avoiding reaching critical values.

Subject 1 (untreated) received the same amount of irrigation water as farm standard (farmstand) and was also monitored with a soil tensiometer.

Table V below summarizes the yield results and shows the amount of irrigation water supplied to the crops.

Table V:

the product used as a control was INTEGRATE 20, which is an agricultural soil surfactant. At the end of the test, it was found that farm standards received about + 7% irrigation water volume compared to "best water" plots. This resulted in a reduction in yield of UTC with reduced water (from 4050 g/m) compared to fully watered UTC²Reduced to 3480 g/m²). On the other hand, in both subjects using the tested compositions, yields higher than UTC were recorded (4460 g/m for the tested compositions of 5L/ha and 10L/ha, respectively)²And 4660 g/m²) Reaching values even higher than UTC with adequate watering.

²Commercial products were able to increase yields, but at a lower level (4060 g/m) than the compositions tested.

Greenhouse tomato

General information and Experimental design

The field trials were carried out on fresh tomato (tomato) variety Creativo grown in a plastic greenhouse of Santa Croce camerana (Ragusa, italy). The crop management and growth system of farms hosting the trials is consistent with most common agricultural practices.

The row spacing of the plants was one meter, and the plant spacing in the rows was 0.33m, with a planting density of 30.300 plants/ha. The experiment was designed with four replicates of RCB (randomized complete block) and the plot size was so large that each plot comprised six plants.

Three different commercial products-Integrate, H2Flo and Transformer-were included in the experimental protocol as references.

The tested compositions were applied four times during the fruit forming phase of the crop cycle. The commercial product was applied at the time recommended by the manufacturer in the official technical sheet (official technical sheet) except for the first application date for the treatment of all samples, and thus did not in all cases coincide with the application date of the tested composition.

For samples 3 and 4, the tested compositions were applied at doses of 5L/ha and 10L/ha, respectively, using a nozzle connected to an electric pump, the tested compositions being dissolved in a volume of water equal to about 10.000L/ha per application. The test lasted about two months and the yield of each plot was measured separately at harvest. The data were analyzed using the ANOVA technique in software Statistica and when statistically significant differences were found, the Fisher LSD test was followed for significant differences at the 95% confidence level. When two averages share the same alphabetic symbol, it means that they are not significantly different.

Irrigation management in field trials

To test the performance of the compositions tested when applied under conditions of reduced irrigation water supply, farm irrigation systems were modified in the area of experimental interest by reducing the water volume by 25% compared to farm irrigation management in subjects 2-7. For water reduced plots the same fertilizer input level as the rest of the field is ensured.

Soil tensiometers have been used to continuously monitor soil water content throughout the test, which ensures that in water reduced plots (subject 2 to subject 5) the soil water potential never reaches the crop threshold (which is typically below-20 kPa).

In order to measure the amount of irrigation water supplied to crops, water flow meters were installed in reference plots in subjects 1 and 2, and then L/m was calculated²Values of (c) (as reported in table VI).

Subject 1 (untreated) received the same amount of irrigation water as farm standards and was also monitored with a soil tensiometer and water flow meter.

Table VI summarizes the yield results and shows the amount of irrigation water supplied to the crops.

At the end of the test, it was found that the plots with reduced water received-25% of the volume of irrigation water (42.2L/m) compared to subject 1²Relative to 56.3L/m²). This resulted in a reduction in yield of UTC with reduced water (from 6690 g/m) compared to fully watered UTC²Down to 5770 g/m²)。

In both subjects of the tested compositions used, higher yields (for 5L `) than UTC were recorded ²ha and 10L/ha tested compositions 6440 g/m and 6550 g/m 2, respectively), showing that the compositions improve crop yield Aspect-related efficacy.

Three commercial products tested were also able to be testedYield was increased, but they were all at a lower level than the tested compositions ^{2 2 2}(6280 g/m, 5999 g/m and 6220 g/m, respectively).