Composition, uses and preparation process thereof, as well as method to ensure high corn crop yield

Abstract

The present invention relates to a composition comprising a plant growth regulator and/or fungicide and/or insecticide and/or acaricide and the preparation process thereof. Additionally, the present invention discloses the use of a plant growth regulator and/or fungicide and/or insecticide and/or acaricide to prepare a composition and the use of a composition to ensure high yield per area of a corn crop. Furthermore, the present invention provides methods to reduce excessive growth of corn plants, to strengthen stems, the root system and adventitious roots of corn plants, to combat diseases and pests and to confer resistance to pest control, as well as a method to identify a composition that ensures high corn crop yield.

Claims

1. A method for improving yield in corn crops planted in densities of greater than 100,000 plants per hectare by reducing excessive growth of corn plants, comprising the steps: (a) planting a corn crop at a seeding density higher than 100,000 corn plants per hectare; and during late vegetative stages from V6 to V9 of the corn crop, (b) applying to the corn and/or its progeny in said late vegetative stages an agronomically effective amount of a composition consisting essentially of: (i) a plant growth regulator and a fungicide; or (ii) a plant growth regulator and an insecticide; or (iii) a plant growth regulator and an acaricide; or (iv) a plant growth regulator and a fungicide and an insecticide; or (v) a plant growth regulator and an insecticide and an acaricide; or (vi) a plant growth regulator and a fungicide and an acaricide.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said plant growth regulator is one selected from the group consisting of: ethephon, mepiquat chloride, Ca-prohexadione, ancymidol, flurprimidol, chlormequat, dikegulac sodium, mefluidide, uniconazole, paclobutazole, 1-naphthaleneacetic acid, 1-naphthalene acetamide, carbaryl, 6-benzyladenine, etichlozate, sulphocarbamide, ethylene, gibberellic acid, GA.sub.4+7, choline chloride, cyanamide, cynetine, and acybenzolar-S-methyl.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein said plant growth regulator is selected from the group consisting of ethephon, chlormequat, and acybenzolar-S-methyl.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the plant growth regulator is applied in an amount of from 1 to 1,000 grams of plant growth regulator per hectare.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein the plant growth regulator is applied in an amount of from 2.5 to 500 grams of plant growth regulator per hectare.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the plant growth regulator is ethephon, and is applied in an amount between 216 and 576 grams of plant growth regulator per hectare.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the plant growth regulator is chlormequat, and is applied in an amount between 42.5 and 127.5 grams of plant growth regulator per hectare.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(1) As mentioned above, the present invention consists of using a growth regulator together with fungicide and/or insecticide and/or acaricide to provide a corn crop in higher planting densities. In this sense, the cultivation of corn is made with densities greater than 100,000 plants per hectare. For these plants have condition to express their yield potential, even when subjected to a high density per area, it is necessary to apply a growth regulator in the culture's development stage V6-V9. After said growth regulator is applied, the plant stops growing, it initiates the formation of adventitious roots, promotes greater stiffness of the stem and continues its normal reproductive development.

(2) The term “plant growth regulator” herein refers to natural or synthetic chemical compounds that, when applied, regulate or alter the growth of a plant or part of a plant.

(3) The term “fungicide” herein refers to chemical compounds that eliminate or inhibit fungi growth, reproduction and/or infestation in plants.

(4) The term “insecticide” herein refers to chemical compounds that eliminate or inhibit insect growth, reproduction and/or infestation in plants.

(5) The term “acaricide” herein refers to chemical compounds that eliminate or inhibit mite growth, reproduction and/or infestation in plants.

(6) The interaction between a plant growth regulator and/or a fungicide and/or an insecticide and/or an acaricide promotes the reduction of growth in the aerial parts of the corn, the strengthening of the stems (branching), the development of the root system, the development of adventitious roots, among others, providing better corn plant health and enabling proper conditions for obtaining high yield.

(7) The present invention further relates to a composition comprising a plant growth regulator and/or fungicide and/or insecticide and/or acaricide.

(8) The plant growth regulator, according to the present invention, is selected from the group consisting of ethephon (2-chloroethylphosphonic acid), mepiquat chloride, Ca-prohexadione, ancymidol, flurprimidol, chlormequat, dikegulac sodium, mefluidide, uniconazole, paclobutazole, 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA), 1-naphthalene acetamide, carbaryl, 6-benzyladenine (6BA), etichlozate, sulphocarbamide, ethylene, gibberellic acid (GA3), GA47, choline chloride, benzyladenine, cyanamide, cynetine, acybenzolar-S-methyl.

(9) The fungicides according to the present invention comprise different groups, namely: triazoles (the examples include, but are not limited to azaconazole, bitertanol, bromuconazole, cyproconazole, difenoconazole, diniconazole, epoxyconazole, ethaconazole, fenbuconazole, fluquinconazole, flusilazole, flutriafole, hexaconazole, imibenconazole, ipconazole, metconazole, myclobutanil, penconazole, propiconazole, protioconazole, simeconazole, tebuconazole, tetraconazole, triadimefon, triadimenol, triticonazole), strobirulins (examples include, but are not limited to azoxystrobin, enestrobin, picoxystrobin, piraoxystrobin, pyraclostrobin, pyrametostrobin, kresoxim-methyl, trifloxystrobin, dimoxystrobin, metominostrobin, orysastrobin, famoxadone, fluoxastrobin, fenamidone, pyribencarb), benzimidazoles (examples include, but are not limited to benomyl, carbendazim, fuberidazole, thiabendazole, thiophanate, thiophanate-methyl), acylanilides (examples include, but are not limited to benalaxyl, furalaxyl, metalaxyl, metalaxyl-M, mefenoxam), benzamides (examples include, but are not limited to benodanil, fluopiram, flutolanil, mepronil), carboxanilides (examples include, but are not limited to fenfuram, carboxin, oxycarboxin, thifluzamide, bixafen, furametpyr, isopyrazam, penflufen, penthiopyrad, sedaxane, boscalid), pyrazoles (examples include, but are not limited to fipronil, etiprole), Bacillus subtilis and the fungicidal lipopeptides produced (examples include, but are not limited to Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus pumilus), dithiocarbamates and derivatives (examples include, but are not limited to ferbam, mancozeb, maneb, metiram, propineb, tiram, zineb, ziram), phthalimides (examples include, but are not limited to captan, captafol, folpet), chloronitriles (phthalonitriles) (examples include, but are not limited to chlorothalonil) and inorganics (examples include, but are not limited to copper, sulfur).

(10) More preferably, the fungicides according to the present invention consist of: triazoles, strobilurins and carboxanilides.

(11) The insecticides according to the present invention comprise different groups, namely: anthranilamide (examples include, but are not limited to chlorantraniliprole and cyantraniliprole), phthalic acid diamide (examples include, but are not limited to flubendiamide), pyrazole analog (examples include, but are not limited to chlorphenapyr), avermectins (examples include, but are not limited to abamectin), benzoylurea (examples include, but are not limited to chlorfluazuron, diflubenzuron, flufenoxuron, lufenuron, novaluron, teflubenzuron, triflumuron), biological agents (examples include, but are not limited to Bacillus thuringiensis, Baculovirus anticarsia, Metarhizium anisopliae), bis(thiocarbamate) (cartap hydrochloride), ketoenol (examples include, but are not limited to spiromesifen, spirodiclofen, spirotetramat), chloro-cyclodiene (examples include, but are not limited to endosulfan), spinosyns (examples include, but are not limited to espinosade), pyridyloxypropyl ether (examples include, but are not limited to pyriproxyfen), phenylpyrazole (examples include, but are not limited to ethiprole), phenylthiourea (examples include, but are not limited to diafenthiuron), carbamates (examples include, but are not limited to benfuracarb, carbofuran, carbosulfan, furathiocarb, alanycarb, aldicarb, methomyl, thiodicarb), neonicotinoid (examples include, but are not limited to acetamiprid, clothianidin, imidacloprid, thiacloprid, thiamethoxam, clothianidin), nicotinoid (examples include, but are not limited to flonicamid), organophosphorous (examples include, but are not limited to acephate, cadusafos, chlorpyrifos, diazinon, dimethoate, disulfoton, ethione, fenitrothion, fenthion, phenthoate, phorate, phosmet, fosthiazate, malathion, methamidophos, methidathion, mevinphos, parathion-methyl, pyridaphenthion, pirimiphos-methyl, profenophos, prothiophos, tebupirimphos, terbuphos, triazophos, trichlorphon), oxadiazine (examples include, but are not limited to indoxacarb), pyrazole (examples include, but are not limited to fipronil), pyrethroid (examples include, but are not limited to alpha-cypermethrin, beta-cyfluthrin, beta-cypermethrin, bifenthrin, cyfluthrin, cypermethrin, deltamethrin, esfenvalerate, fenpropathrin, fluvalinate, gamma-cyhalothrin, lambda-cyhalothrin, permethrin, zeta-cypermethrin).

(12) More preferably, the insecticides according to the present invention consist of: neonicotinoids, carbamates and pyrethroids.

(13) The acaricides according to the present invention comprise different groups, namely: avermectins (examples include, but are not limited to abamectin), bis(arylformamidine) (examples include, but are not limited to amitraz), ketoenol (examples include, but are not limited to spirodiclofen, spirotetramat, spiromesifen), chlorodiphenyl sulfone (examples include, but are not limited to tetradifon), diacyl-hydrazine (examples include, but are not limited to chromafenozide), diphenyl oxazoline (examples include, but are not limited to ethoxazole), dinitrophenol (examples include, but are not limited to dinocap), phenylthiourea (examples include, but are not limited to diafenthiuron), oxazolidinedione (examples include, but are not limited to famoxadone), pyrazole (examples include, but are not limited to fenpyroxymate), pyridazinone (examples include, but are not limited to pyridaben), alkyl sulphite (examples include, but are not limited to propargite), tetrazine (examples include, but are not limited to clofentezine), thiadiazinone (examples include, but are not limited to buprofezin) thiazolidine carboxamide (examples include, but are not limited to hexythiazox).

(14) More preferably, the acaricides according to the present invention consist of: avermectins, phenylthiourea and ketoenol.

(15) These fungicides, insecticides and acaricides are provided only as examples. There are alternative names and classifications for the cited active ingredients that would also be covered in the scope of protection of the present invention.

(16) The plant growth regulator according to the present invention can be applied in an amount ranging from about 1 to about 1000 g a.i./ha, more preferably, from about 2.5 to about 500 g a.i./ha.

(17) The plant growth regulator is used with fungicide and/or insecticide and/or acaricide, which is present in an amount ranging from about 10 to about 500 g/L or g/kg of formulated product, more preferably, from about 20 to about 400 g/L or g/kg of formulated product.

(18) The plant crops according to the present invention include conventional corn, transgenic corn, mutagenic corn, modified corn, sweet corn and popcorn, in which the corn plants are grown at a density greater than or equal to 100,000 plants per hectare.

(19) In a preferred embodiment, the present invention relates also to the use of a plant growth regulator and/or fungicide and/or insecticide and/or acaricide to prepare a composition, as well as to the use of a composition to ensure high yield per area of a corn crop, together with the control of diseases and parasites (pests) that affect corn crops.

(20) The parasites (pests) according to the present invention are selected from the group consisting of caterpillars (Spodoptera frugiperda, Spodoptera latifacea, Spodoptera eridanea, Spodoptera sp.), leafworms (Mocis latipes), leafhoppers (Deois flavopicta), corn planthoppers (Peregrinus maidis and Dalbulus maidis), corn aphids (Rhopalosiphum maidis), sugarcane borer (Diatraea saccharalis), corn earworms (Helicoverpa zea), pentatomid bugs (Dichelops melacanthus and Dichelops furcatus), neotropical brown stinkbugs (Euschistus heros, Nezara viridula, Piezodorus guildine), leaffooted bugs (Leptoglossus zonatus), squash bug (Phthia picta), armyworms (Pseudaletia sp.) and mites.

(21) The diseases caused by parasites according to the present invention are selected from the group consisting of spot blotch (Exerohilum turcicum), white leaf spot or phaeospheria leaf spot (Phaeosphaeria maydis); diplodia spot (Diplodia macrospora), cercospora leaf spot (Cercospora zea-maydis), anthracnose (Colletotrichum graminicola), polissora rust (Puccinia polysora), tropical rust (Physopella zeae) and common rust (Puccinia sorghi).

(22) These parasites are provided only as examples. There are alternative names and classifications for the cited parasites that are equally encompassed in the scope of protection of the present invention.

(23) Furthermore, the present invention relates to methods to reduce excessive growth of corn plants, to strengthen stems, root system and adventitious roots of corn plants, comprising the application of an agronomically effective amount of a composition comprising a plant growth regulator and/or fungicide and/or insecticide and/or acaricide, to the plant, its habitat, progeny and/or propagation material.

(24) Still, a method is provided for combating pests, in which an agronomically effective amount of a composition is allowed to act in said pests and/or their habitat.

(25) A method is provided to confer resistance to pest control in a corn crop, comprising the application of an agronomically effective amount of a composition to the corn crop, wherein the pests are selected from the group consisting of caterpillars (Spodoptera frugiperda, Spodoptera latifacea, Spodoptera eridanea, Spodoptera sp.), leafworms (Mocis latipes), leafhoppers (Deois flavopicta), corn planthoppers (Peregrinus maidis and Dalbulus maidis), corn aphids (Rhopalosiphum maidis), sugarcane borer (Diatraea saccharalis), corn earworms (Helicoverpa zea), pentatomid bugs (Dichelops melacanthus and Dichelops furcatus), neotropical brown stinkbugs (Euschistus heros, Nezara viridula, Piezodorus guildine), leaffooted bugs (Leptoglossus zonatus), squash bugs (Phthia picta), armyworms (Pseudaletia sp.) and mites.

(26) The present invention also discloses a method for identifying a composition that ensures high yield of corn crops, comprising the steps of:

(27) a) applying an agronomically effective amount of a candidate composition to one or more plants;

(28) b) sprouting said one or more plants;

(29) c) comparing the growth rate of said plants with the growth rate of untreated plants; and

(30) d) identifying the candidate composition as a composition that ensures high yield in corn crops and that additionally ensures control of diseases caused by parasites that attack corn plants, wherein said candidate composition comprises a plant growth regulator and a fungicide, a plant growth regulator and more than one type of fungicide, a plant growth regulator and an insecticide, a plant growth regulator and more than one type of insecticide, a regulator and an insecticide and a fungicide, and wherein said high yield is related to a reduction of the excessive growth of corn plants, strengthening of the stems of corn plants, strengthening of the corn plant root system.

(31) The candidate composition can be applied at a rate of 1 to 2000 g a.i./ha, more preferably 2.5 to 1000 g a.i./ha.

(32) In another embodiment, the present invention relates to a process for preparing a composition comprising combining agronomically effective amounts of a plant growth regulator and/or fungicide and/or insecticide and/or acaricide and, later, properly mixing them with carriers, adjuvants and/or excipients thereof. In this sense, the plant growth regulator may be ethephon, mepiquat chloride, Ca-prohexadione, ancymidol, flurprimidol, chlormequat, dikegulac sodium, mefluidide, uniconazole, paclobutazole, 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA), 1-naphthalene acetamide, carbaryl, 6-benzyladenine (6BA), etichlozate, sulphocarbamide, ethylene, gibberellic acid (GA3), GA47, choline chloride, benzyladenine, cyanamide, cynetine or acybenzolar-S-methyl, and the fungicide is selected from the group consisting of triazoles, strobilurins, benzimidazoles, anilides, carboxanilides, benzamides, pyridines and pyrazoles. The insecticides are selected from the group consisting of anthranilamide, phthalic acid diamide, pyrazole analogs, avermectins, benzoylurea, biological agents, bis(thiocarbamate), ketoenol, chloro-cyclodiene, spinosyns, pyridyloxypropyl ether, phenylpyrazole, phenylthiourea, carbamates, neonicotinoids, nicotinoids, organophosphorous, oxadiazine, pyrazole, pyrethroid, and the acaricides are selected from the group consisting of avermectins, bis(arylformamidine), ketoenol, chlorodiphenylsulfone, diacyl-hydrazine, diphenyl oxazolin, dinitrophenol, phenylthiourea, oxazolidinadione, pyrazole, pyridazinone, alkyl sulphide, tetrazine, thiadiazinone, thiazolidine carboxamide. The carriers, adjuvants and/or excipients are selected from the group consisting of mineral oil, vegetable oil, silicone adjuvants, non-silicone adjuvants, methyl ester of soybean oil, nonylphenol ethoxylate, ethoxylated alkyl ester of phosphoric acid, mixture of paraffin hydrocarbons, cyclic paraffins and saturated and unsaturated aromatics.

(33) The illustrative examples presented below will serve to better describe the present invention. However, the data and procedures used as examples merely relate to some embodiments of the present invention and shall not be considered to be limiting the scope thereof.

Example 1—Effect of Growth Regulator Ethephon Applied to Corn at the Stage of Development V8

(34) In the moment of the application, the insecticide methomyl (215 g ha.sup.−1 a.i.) and the fungicide pyraclostrobin+epoxyconazole (99.75+37.5 g ha.sup.−1 a.i.) were added in all treatments, including the control.

(35) The application of ethephon to corn at the stage of development V8 caused a reduction in shoot length, increased formation of adventitious roots, strengthening of the stem, strengthening of the root system, increased ventilation in the culture, proper development of male and female inflorescences.

(36) The reduction in shoot length is significant and it was observed a week after application. At 30 days after application (DAA), the control had 233.6 cm while the treatments with the application of ethephon had shoot length less than or equal to 159.1 cm (Table 1).

(37) The application of ethephon reduces the length and diameter of ears of corn and the yield reduction was not significant (Table 1). However, it provides the necessary conditions for the enhancement of corn plant density per hectare, without etiolation, excessive lengthening of the internodes of the stem and lodging of corn plants.

(38) In the estimation of the corn crop yield with a planting density of 100,000 plants per hectare, the application of ethephon would provide yield increases of more than 39% when compared to the control without application at the normal density of sowing (Table 2).

(39) TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Average results in shoot length (height), ear length and diameter and corn yield in function of the treatments. Nova Mutum - Mato Grosso state - Brazil. 30 DAA Dose Height Ear Length Ear Diameter Yield Treatment g ha.sup.−1 a.i. CP L ha.sup.−1 (cm) (cm) (mm) kg/ha 1 Control 233.6 a 27.9 a 54.6 a 5075.6 a 2 Ethephon 216 0.3 157.3 c 25.8 c 50.4 a 4335.6 a 3 Ethephon 360 0.5 153.9 c 25.6 c 51.6 cd 4253.3 a 4 Ethephon 576 0.8 152.2 c 25.4 c 50.7 cd 4680.0 a 5 Acybenzolar-S-methyl 5 0.01 206.8 b 26.5 bc 53.7 ab 4815.6 a 6 Dietholate 100 0.125 234.0 a 27.6 ab 52.3 bc 4653.3 a 7 Ethephon + Dietholate 360 + 100 0.5 + 0.125 152.8 c 26.3 bc 48.8 c 5422.2 a 8 Ethephon + 360 + 5  0.5 + 0.01  159.1 c 25.8 c 50.9 cd 5626.7 a Acybenzolar-S-methyl LSD (P = .05) 7.45 1.28 1.64 923.79 CV 2.8 3.3 2.15 12.93 * Averages followed by the same letter in the column do not differ by Duncan's test at 5% probability.

(40) TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Corn yield in function of the treatments. Nova Mutum - Mato Grosso state - Brazil. Population of corn plants Yield estimates Increased Dose 60,000 plants/ha 100,000 plants/ha 100,000 plants/ha Yield Treatment g ha.sup.−1 a.i. CP L ha.sup.−1 kg/corn plant kg/corn plant kg/ha (%) 1 Control 0.085 2 Ethephon 216 0.3 0.072 0.072 7226.0 42.4 3 Ethephon 360 0.5 0.071 0.071 7088.8 39.7 4 Ethephon 576 0.8 0.078 0.078 7800.0 53.7 5 Acybenzolar-S-methyl 5 0.8 0.080 6 Dietholate 100 0.125 0.078 7 Ethephon + Dietholate 360 + 100 0.5 + 0.125 0.090 0.090 9037.0 78.0 8 Ethephon + 360 + 5  0.5 + 0.01  0.094 0.094 9377.8 84.8 Acybenzolar-S-methyl

Example 2—Effect of Growth Regulator Ethephon Applied to Corn at the Stage of Development V6

(41) In the moment of the application, the insecticide chlorantraniliprole (25 g ha.sup.−1 a.i.) and the fungicide cyproconazole+azoxystrobin (24+60 g ha.sup.−1 a.i.) were added in all treatments, including the control.

(42) The application of ethephon to corn at the stage of development V6 caused a reduction in shoot length, increased formation of adventitious roots, strengthening of the stem, strengthening of the root system, increased ventilation in the culture, proper development of male and female inflorescences.

(43) The reduction in shoot length is significant and it was observed a week after application. At 30 days after application (DAA), the control had 233.4 cm while the treatments with the application of ethephon had shoot length less than or equal to 152.5 cm (Table 3).

(44) The application of ethephon reduces the length and diameter of ears of corn and the yield reduction was significant for some treatments, and the yield increase was also significant for some treatments with ethephon (Table 3). However, it provides the necessary conditions for the enhancement of corn plant density per hectare, without etiolation, excessive lengthening of the internodes of the stem and lodging of corn plants.

(45) In the estimation of the corn crop yield with a planting density of 100,000 plants per hectare, the application of ethephon would provide yield increases of more than 10.1% when compared to the control without application at the normal density of sowing (Table 4).

(46) TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 3 Average results in shoot length (height), ear length and diameter and corn yield in function of the treatments. Nova Mutum - Mato Grosso state - Brazil. 30 DAA Dose Height Ear Length Ear Diameter Yield Treatment g ha.sup.−1 a.i. CP L ha.sup.−1 (cm) (cm) (mm) kg/ha 1 Control 223.4 a 23.9 a 38.2 ab 2886.7 ab 2 Ethephon 216 0.3 144.3 e 21.4 cd 37.9 ab 1906.7 c 3 Ethephon 360 0.5 148.5 de 21.1 d 36.7 bc 3553.3 a 4 Ethephon 576 0.8 144.9 e 23.3 ab 37.7 ab 3540.0 a 5 Acybenzolar-S-methyl 5 0.01 195.2 c 21.9 cd 34.7 c 2662.2 b 6 Dietholate 100 0.125 207.3 b 22.8 abc 40.2 a 2968.9 ab 7 Ethephon + Dietholate 360 + 100 0.5 + 0.125 145.8 e 22.4 bc 34.0 c 1957.8 c 8 Ethephon + 360 + 5  0.5 + 0.01  152.5 d 22.5 bc 38.3 ab 2784.5 ab Acybenzolar-S-methyl LSD (P = .05) 5.69 1.22 2.74 697.85 CV 2.27 3.71 5.01 17.05 * Averages followed by the same letter in the column do not differ by Duncan's test at 5% probability.

(47) TABLE-US-00004 TABLE 4 Corn yield in function of the treatments. Nova Mutum - Mato Grosso state - Brazil. Population of corn plants Yield estimates Increased Dose 60,000 plants/ha 100,000 plants/ha 100,000 plants/ha Yield Treatment g ha.sup.−1 a.i. CP L ha.sup.−1 kg/corn plant kg/corn plant kg/ha (%) 1 Control 0.048 2 Ethephon 216 0.3 0.032 0.032 3177.8 10.1 3 Ethephon 360 0.5 0.059 0.059 5922.2 105.2 4 Ethephon 576 0.8 0.059 0.059 5900.0 104.4 5 Acybenzolar-S-methyl 5 0.8 0.044 6 Dietholate 100 0.125 0.049 7 Ethephon + Dietholate 360 + 100 0.5 + 0.125 0.033 0.033 3263.0 13.0 8 Ethephon + 360 + 5  0.5 + 0.01  0.046 0.046 4640.8 60.8 Acybenzolar-S-methyl

Example 3—Effect of Growth Regulator Ethephon+Cyclanilide Applied to Corn at the Stage of Development V8

(48) In the moment of the application, the insecticide methomyl (215 g ha.sup.−1 a.i.) and the fungicide pyraclostrobin+epoxyconazole (99.75+37.5 g ha.sup.−1 a.i.) were added in all treatments, including the control.

(49) The application of ethephon+cyclanilide to corn at the stage of development V8 caused a reduction in shoot length, increased formation of adventitious roots, strengthening of the stem, strengthening of the root system, increased ventilation in the culture, proper development of male and female inflorescences.

(50) The reduction in shoot length is significant and it was observed a week after application. At 30 days after application (DAA), the control had 233.6 cm while the treatments with the application of ethephon+cyclanilide had shoot length less than or equal to 156.7 cm (Table 5).

(51) The application of ethephon+cyclanilide reduces the length and diameter of ears of corn and the yield reduction was not significant (Table 5). However, it provides the necessary conditions for the enhancement of corn plant density per hectare, without etiolation, excessive lengthening of the internodes of the stem and lodging of corn plants.

(52) In the estimation of the corn crop yield with a planting density of 100,000 plants per hectare, the application of ethephon would provide yield increases of more than 44.4% when compared to the control without application at the normal density of sowing (Table 6).

(53) TABLE-US-00005 TABLE 5 Average results in shoot length (height), ear length and diameter and corn yield in function of the treatments. Nova Mutum - Mato Grosso state - Brazil. 30 DAA Dose Height Ear Length Ear Diameter Yield Treatment g ha.sup.−1 a.i. CP L ha.sup.−1 (cm) (cm) (mm) kg/ha 1 Control 233.6 a 27.9 a z,899;4.6 a 5075.6 bc 2 Cyclanilide + Ethephon 27 + 216 0.45 156.7 b 23.8 c z,899;0.8 c 4777.8 c 3 Cyclanilide + Ethephon 45 + 360 0.75 153.3 b 24.0 c 53.1 ab 4397.8 c 4 Cyclanilide + Ethephon 72 + 576 1.2  155.0 b 24.7 c 52.6 abc 4884.4 c 5 Cyclanilide + Ethephon + 22.5 + 180 + 0.375 + 0.75 155.8 b 26.3 b 53.0 ab 5884.4 ab Ethephon 180 6 Cyclanilide + Ethephon + 22.5 + 180 + 0.375 + 0.75 + 148.3 c 25.3 bc 51.2 bc 4973.3 c Ethephon + 180 + 5 0.01 Acybenzolar-S-methyl 7 Cyclanilide + Ethephon + 45 + 360 +  0.75 + 0.125 147.2 c 24.9 bc 52.4 bc 6520.0 a Dietholate 100 LSD (P = .05) 3.38 1.34 1.93 849.57 CV 1.39 3.56 2.47 10.96 * Averages followed by the same letter in the column do not differ by Duncan's test at 5% probability.

(54) TABLE-US-00006 TABLE 6 Corn yield in function of the treatments. Nova Mutum - Mato Grosso state - Brazil. Population of corn plants Yield estimates Increased Dose 60,000 plants/ha 100,000 plants/ha 100,000 plants/ha Yield Treatment g ha.sup.−1 a.i. CP L ha.sup.−1 kg/corn plant kg/corn plant kg/ha (%) 1 Control 0.085 2 Cyclanilide + Ethephon 27 + 216 0.45 0.080 0.080 7963.0 56.9 3 Cyclanilide + Ethephon 45 + 360 0.75 0.073 0.073 7329.7 44.4 4 Cyclanilide + Ethephon 72 + 576 1.2  0.081 0.081 8140.7 60.4 5 Cyclanilide + Ethephon + 22.5 + 180 + 0.375 + 0.75 0.098 0.098 9807.3 93.2 Ethephon 180 6 Cyclanilide + Ethephon + 22.5 + 180 + 0.375 + 0.75 + 0.083 0.083 8288.8 63.3 Ethephon + 180 + 5 0.01 Acybenzolar-S-methyl 7 Cyclanilide + Ethephon + 45 + 360 +  0.75 + 0.125 0.109 0.109 10866.7 114.1 Dietholate 100

Example 4—Effect of Growth Regulator Ethephon+Cyclanilide Applied to Corn at the Stage of Development V6

(55) In the moment of the application, the insecticide chlorantraniliprole (25 g ha.sup.−1 a.i.) and the fungicide cyproconazole+azoxystrobin (24+60 g ha.sup.−1 a.i.) were added in all treatments, including the control.

(56) The application of ethephon+cyclanilide to corn at the stage of development V6 caused a reduction in shoot length, increased formation of adventitious roots, strengthening of the stem, strengthening of the root system, increased ventilation in the culture, proper development of male and female inflorescences.

(57) The reduction in shoot length is significant and it was observed a week after application. At 30 days after application (DAA), the control had 233.4 cm while the treatments with the application of ethephon+cyclanilide had shoot length less than or equal to 151.0 cm (Table 7).

(58) The application of ethephon+cyclanilide reduces the length and diameter of ears of corn and the yield reduction was not significant for the treatments with ethephon+cyclanilide (Table 7). However, it provides the necessary conditions for the enhancement of corn plant density per hectare, without etiolation, excessive lengthening of the internodes of the stem and lodging of corn plants.

(59) In the estimation of the corn crop yield with a planting density of 100,000 plants per hectare, the application of ethephon+cyclanilide would provide yield increases of more than 36.1% when compared to control without application at the normal density of sowing (Table 8).

(60) TABLE-US-00007 TABLE 7 Average results in shoot length (height), ear length and diameter and corn yield in function of the treatments. Nova Mutum - Mato Grosso state - Brazil. 30 DAA Dose Height Ear Length Ear Diameter Yield Treatment g ha.sup.−1 a.i. CP L ha.sup.−1 (cm) (cm) (mm) kg/ha 1 Control 223.4 a 23.9 a 38.2 a 2886.7 a 2 Cyclanilide + Ethephon 27 + 216 0.45 151.0 b 22.1 bc 37.5 ab 2837.8 a 3 Cyclanilide + Ethephon 45 + 360 0.75 145.0 c 22.4 b 34.1 bc 2357.8 a 4 Cyclanilide + Ethephon 72 + 576 1.2  126.3 f 21.8 bcd 38.8 a 2862.2 a 5 Cyclanilide + Ethephon + 22.5 + 180 + 0.375 + 0.75 132.7 e 20.6 d 32.7 c 1257.8 b Ethephon 180 6 Cyclanilide + Ethephon + 22.5 + 180 + 0.375 + 0.75 + 140.9 d 21.8 bcd 37.0 ab 2933.3 a Ethephon + 180 + 5 0.01 Acybenzolar-S-methyl 7 Cyclanilide + Ethephon + 45 + 360 +  0.75 + 0.125 132.7 e 21.1 cd 37.4 ab 2713.3 a Dietholate 100 LSD (P = .05) 3.5 1.17 3.42 784.18 CV 1.57 3.59 6.31 20.7 * Averages followed by the same letter in the column do not differ by Duncan's test at 5% probability.

(61) TABLE-US-00008 TABLE 8 Corn yield in function of the treatments. Nova Mutum - Mato Grosso state - Brazil. Population of corn plants Yield estimates Increased Dose 60,000 plants/ha 100,000 plants/ha 100,000 plants/ha Yield Treatment g ha.sup.−1 a.i. CP L ha.sup.−1 kg/corn plant kg/corn plant kg/ha (%) 1 Control 0.048 2 Cyclanilide + Ethephon 27 + 216 0.45 0.047 0.047 4729.7 63.8 3 Cyclanilide + Ethephon 45 + 360 0.75 0.039 0.039 3929.7 36.1 4 Cyclanilide + Ethephon 72 + 576 1.2  0.048 0.048 4770.3 65.3 5 Cyclanilide + Ethephon + 22.5 + 180 + 0.375 + 0.75 0.021 0.021 2096.3 −27.4 Ethephon 180 6 Cyclanilide + Ethephon + 22.5 + 180 + 0.375 + 0.75 + 0.049 0.049 4888.8 69.4 Ethephon + 180 + 5 0.01 Acybenzolar-S-methyl 7 Cyclanilide + Ethephon + 45 + 360 +  0.75 + 0.125 0.045 0.045 4522.2 56.7 Dietholate 100

Example 5—Effect of Growth Regulator BF 428-5 Applied to Corn at the Stage of Development V8

(62) In the moment of the application, the insecticide methomyl (215 g ha.sup.−1 a.i.) and the fungicide pyraclostrobin+epoxyconazole (99.75+37.5 g ha.sup.−1 a.i.) were added in all treatments, including the control.

(63) The application of BF 428-5 (chlormequat chloride) to corn at the stage of development V8 caused a reduction in shoot length, increased formation of adventitious roots, strengthening of the stem, strengthening of the root system, increased ventilation in the culture, proper development of male and female inflorescences.

(64) The reduction in shoot length is significant and it was observed a week after application. At 30 days after application (DAA), the control had 233.6 cm while the treatments with the application of BF 428-5 had shoot length less than or equal to 218.8 cm (Table 9).

(65) The application of BF 428-5 does not reduce the length and diameter of ears of corn and there is no yield reduction (Table 9). However, it provides the necessary conditions for the enhancement of corn plant density per hectare, without etiolation, excessive lengthening of the internodes of the stem and lodging of corn plants.

(66) In the estimation of the corn crop yield with a planting density of 100,000 plants per hectare, the application of BF 428-5 would provide yield increases of more than 43% when compared to control without application at the normal density of sowing (Table 10).

(67) TABLE-US-00009 TABLE 9 Average results in shoot length (height), ear length and diameter and corn yield in function of the treatments. Nova Mutum - Mato Grosso state - Brazil. 30 DAA Dose Height Ear Length Ear Diameter Yield Treatment g ha.sup.−1 a.i. CP L ha.sup.−1 (cm) (cm) (mm) kg/ha 1 Control 233.6 a 27.9 a 54.6 a 5075.6 ab 2 BF 428-05 42.5 0.1 214.6 b 27.8 a 54.3 a 5762.2 a 3 BF 428-05 85 0.2 218.8 b 27.3 a 53.9 a 4355.6 b 4 BF 428-05 127.5 0.3 217.8 b 27.2 a 54.2 a 4968.9 ab LSD (P = .05) 8.1 1.12 1.26 849.04 CV 2.29 2.54 1.46 10.53 * Averages followed by the same letter in the column do not differ by Duncan's test at 5% probability.

(68) TABLE-US-00010 TABLE 10 Corn yield in function of the treatments. Nova Mutum - Mato Grosso state - Brazil. Population of corn plants Yield estimates Increased Dose 60,000 plants/ha 100,000 plants/ha 100,000 plants/ha Yield Treatment g ha.sup.−1 a.i. CP L ha.sup.−1 kg/corn plant kg/corn plant kg/ha (%) 1 BF Control 0.085 2 BF 428-05 42.5 0.1 0.096 0.096 9603.7 89.2 3 BF 428-05 85 0.2 0.073 0.073 7259.3 43.0 4 BF 428-05 127.5 0.3 0.083 0.083 8281.5 63.2

Example 6—Effect of Growth Regulator BF 428-5 Applied to Corn at the Stage of Development V6

(69) In the moment of the application, the insecticide chlorantraniliprole (25 g ha.sup.−1 a.i.) and the fungicide cyproconazole+azoxystrobin (24+60 g ha.sup.−1 a.i.) were added in all treatments, including the control.

(70) The application of BF 428-5 (chlormequat chloride) to corn at the stage of development V6 caused a reduction in shoot length, increased formation of adventitious roots, strengthening of the stem, strengthening of the root system, increased ventilation in the culture, proper development of male and female inflorescences.

(71) The reduction in shoot length is significant and it was observed a week after application. At 30 days after application (DAA), the control had 233.4 cm while the treatments with the application of ethephon had shoot length less than or equal to 206.0 cm (Table 11).

(72) The application of BF 428-5 does not reduce the length and diameter of ears of corn and there is no yield reduction (Table 11). However, it provides the necessary conditions for the enhancement of corn plant density per hectare, without etiolation, excessive lengthening of the internodes of the stem and lodging of corn plants.

(73) In the estimation of the corn crop yield with a planting density of 100,000 plants per hectare, the application of BF 428-5 would provide yield increases of more than 9.8% when compared to the control without application at the normal density of sowing (Table 12).

(74) TABLE-US-00011 TABLE 11 Average results in shoot length (height), ear length and diameter and corn yield in function of the treatments. Nova Mutum - Mato Grosso state - Brazil. 30 DAA Dose Height Ear Length Ear Diameter Yield Treatment g ha.sup.−1 a.i. CP L ha.sup.−1 (cm) (cm) (mm) kg/ha 1 Control 223.4 a 23.9 a 38.2 a 2886.7 a 2 BF 428-05 42.5 0.1 206.0 b 23.9 a 38.4 a 3126.7 a 3 BF 428-05 85 0.2 205.8 b 22.9 b 37.0 a 1902.2 a 4 BF 428-05 127.5 0.3 200.3 b 21.5 c 37.9 a 2500.0 a LSD (P = .05) 6.69 0.63 2.73 1111.44 CV 2 1.71 4.5 26.69 * Averages followed by the same letter in the column do not differ by Duncan's test at 5% probability.

(75) TABLE-US-00012 TABLE 12 Corn yield in function of the treatments. Nova Mutum - Mato Grosso state - Brazil. Population of corn plants Yield estimates Increased Dose 60,000 plants/ha 100,000 plants/ha 100,000 plants/ha Yield Treatment g ha.sup.−1 a.i. CP L ha.sup.−1 kg/corn plant kg/corn plant kg/ha (%) 1 Control 0.048 2 BF 428-05 42.5 0.1 0.052 0.052 5211.2 80.5 3 BF 428-05 85 0.2 0.032 0.032 3170.3 9.8 4 BF 428-05 127.5 0.3 0.042 0.042 4166.7 44.3

(76) All the changes induced by the growth regulator in the corn plant provided suitable conditions for obtaining high crop yield, which clearly shows the completely new and unexpected effect of the present invention compared to the prior art.

(77) With the present invention, the corn crop yield is ensured, as well as the control of pests and diseases that affect the crops.