Isoflavonoid compounds and use thereof

Abstract

The use of a one or more Isoflavonoid compound Signals which may be with an agriculturally acceptable carrier, applied prior to planting, up to 365 days or more, either directly to the seed or transplant of a non-legume crop or a legume crop, or applied to the soil that will be planted either to a non-legume crop or a legume crop, for the purpose of increasing yield and/or improving seed germination and/or improving earlier seed emergence and/or improving nodulation and/or increasing crop stand density and/or improving plant vigour and/or improving plant growth, and/or increasing biomass, and/or earlier fruiting, all including in circumstances of seedling and plant transplanting.

Claims

1. A treated seed comprising a plant seed coated with a composition that comprises at least one isoflavonoid and is devoid of nitrogen-fixing bacteria, said plant seed coated with said composition in an amount effective to enhance germination of said plant seed and/or growth of a plant that germinates from said plant seed when said plant seed is introduced into a plant growth medium, as compared to an untreated control seed, wherein said at least one isoflavonoid comprises genistein and/or daidzein.

2. The treated seed of claim 1, wherein the seed is a non-leguminous seed.

3. The treated seed of claim 1, wherein the seed is a corn seed.

4. The treated seed of claim 1, wherein the seed is a tomato seed.

5. The treated seed of claim 1, wherein the seed is a wheat seed.

6. The treated seed of claim 1, wherein the seed exhibits improved germination upon the planting as compared to the uncoated control seed.

7. The treated seed of claim 1, wherein the seed exhibits improved earlier emergence upon the planting as compared to the uncoated control seed.

8. The treated seed of claim 1, wherein the plant that germinates from the coated upon the planting seed exhibits increased yield, increased stand density, improved vigor, improved growth, increased biomass and/or earlier fruiting as compared to a plant that germinates from the uncoated control seed.

9. The treated seed of claim 1, wherein the plant that germinates from the coated seed upon the planting exhibits increased yield as compared to a plant that germinates from the uncoated control seed.

10. The treated seed of claim 1, wherein the seed is coated one month before the planting.

11. The treated seed of claim 1, wherein the seed is coated 60 days before the planting.

12. The treated seed of claim 1, wherein the seed is coated 365 days before the planting.

13. The treated seed of claim 1, wherein the composition further comprises one or more herbicides, fungicides, insecticides, fertilizers and/or growth promoters.

14. The treated seed of claim 1, wherein the at least one isoflavonoid comprises genistein.

15. The treated seed of claim 1, wherein the at least one isoflavonoid comprises daidzein.

16. The treated seed of claim 1, wherein the at least one isoflavonoid comprises genistein and daidzein.

17. The treated seed of claim 1, wherein said plant seed coated with said composition in an amount effective to enhance germination of said plant seed and/or growth of a plant that germinates from said plant seed when said plant seed is introduced into a plant growth medium under growth-limiting conditions.

18. The treated seed of claim 1, wherein said plant seed coated with said composition in an amount effective to enhance germination of said plant seed and/or growth of a plant that germinates from said plant seed when said plant seed is introduced into a plant growth medium under pH stress conditions.

19. The treated seed of claim 1, wherein said plant seed coated with said composition in an amount effective to enhance germination of said plant seed and/or growth of a plant that germinates from said plant seed when said plant seed is introduced into a plant growth medium under water stress conditions.

20. The treated seed of claim 1, wherein said plant seed coated with said composition in an amount effective to enhance germination of said plant seed and/or growth of a plant that germinates from said plant seed when said plant seed is introduced into a plant growth medium under temperature stress conditions.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTON OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 shows germination rate of seed coater treated soybean seed.

(2) FIG. 2 shows soybean seed germination one month after treatment by seed coater.

(3) FIG. 3 shows effect of seed coater on soybean plant height.

(4) FIG. 4 shows effect of seed coater on corn seed emergence.

(5) FIG. 5 shows effect of seed coater on corn plant height immediately after treatment by seed coater.

(6) FIG. 6 shows effect of seed coater on corn plant height one month after treatment by seed coater.

(7) FIG. 7 shows effect of seed coater transplant formulation on cherry tomato early fruit numbers.

(8) FIG. 8 shows growth promotion of potato tubers with signals grown in the field.

(9) FIG. 9 shows growth promotion of potato tubers with signals grown in the greenhouse.

(10) Summary: (1) Seed Coater soil applied to transplanted cherry tomato can enhance early fruit number. (2) Seed Coater signals more effective than LCO signal when applied to soil around transplanted roots.

(11) TABLE-US-00001 Data List Table/Fig number Crop/parameter Location Planted time FIG. 1 Soybean/germination Greenhouse Immediately FIG. 2 Soybean/germination Greenhouse One month later FIG. 3 Soybean/height Greenhouse Immediately FIG. 4 Corn/germination Greenhouse Immediately FIG. 5 Corn/height Greenhouse Immediately FIG. 6 Corn/height Greenhouse One month later FIG. 7 Tomato Transplant Fruit Number FIG. 8 Growth Promotion of Potato Tubers Field with Signals FIG. 9 Growth Promotion of Potato Tubers Greenhouse with Signals Table 1 Soybean/nodule Greenhouse Immediately Table 2 Soybean/nodule Greenhouse One month later Table 3 Corn/dry weight Greenhouse Immediately Table 4 Corn/dry weight Greenhouse One month later Table 5 Corn/yield Field Immediately Table 6 Soybean/germination/yield Field 5 weeks Table 7 Soy/nodule/biomass Field 5 weeks Table 8 Pea/germination/nodule/biomass/yield Field Immediately Table 9 Soybean/yield 5 field sites Immediately Table 10 Wheat/germination Field Immediately Table 11 Corn/germination 5 field sites Immediately Table 12 Soybean/germination/yield 2 field sites Immediately Table 13 SeedCoater timing studies on soybeans and corn grown in greenhouse. Treatment of seed Coater increased plant biomass and soybean nodulation 4-5 weeks after planting. The efficacy kept up to 60 days after treatments. Table 14 SeedCoater treatments at different strengths on soybeans in field trials. The same experiment was conducted in Quebec and Ontario. Treatments of seedCoater from 300-800 μM increased soybean yield; yield from Ontario was statistical. Table 15 Comparison of SeedCoater formulations on soybeans in Quebec and Ontario. A formulation of seedCoater containing two isoflavonoids performed better than one with a single isoflavonoid at the same strength. Table 16 SeedCoater treatment on various soybean varieties in field trials at NK Canada. Five of 6 soybean varieties treated with seedCoater showed yield benefit of 2.2 bu/ac using 300 μM seedCoater. Table 17 SeedCoater plus seed treatments and inoculants on soybean in field trials. SeedCoater with or without inoculants performed better than seed treatments alone in soybean land. Table 18 Treatment of seedCoater on pea, soybeans and wheat grown in bean land. SeedCoater of 400 μM as a universal strength increased pea, soybean and wheat yields in field trials. Table 19 Comparison of SeedCoater formulations on grain and silage yield in corn. A formulation (400 μM) of seedCoater with two isoflavonoids performed better than one isoflavonoid in the formulation at the same strength on grain yield when corn was planted 30 days after treatment. Table 20 Corn seedCoater grown in different soil inoculation levels at University of Guelph. SeedCoater treatment resulted in best corn yield at a soil rhizobialevel of 10.sup.3 cells/g soil. SeedCoater at 400 μM significantly increased corn grain yield over control. Table 21 Effect of seedCoater on corn yield when applied one year before planting. SeedCoater treated seed did not reduce percent emergence after 1 year on seed storage at room temperature and increased corn yield up to 19% over seed treatment control. Table 22 SeedCoater field trials on soybeans at multiple sites. SeedCoater with seed treatment increased soybean biomass and grain yield up to 1-2 bu/ac compared to control. Table 23 SeedCoater field trials on corn at multiple sites. SeedCoater with Cruiser raised corn yield from 2 to 41 bu/ac compared to Maxim XL treatment in average of multiple sites. Table 24 Signal applied to tomato seedling roots transplanted into soil inoculated with soybean rhizobia. Early yield were higher than control in fruit number and weight of all treatments.

(12) TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 1 Effect of SeedCoater Dose on soybean nodulation when soybean seed treated and sown immediately. Cumulative weight and Number of nodules from 16 plants at 24 days Total Nodule Nodule Nodule Signal number on 16 weight (g) of Nodule # vs. weight vs. applied (μM) plants 16 plants control control 0 253 0.119 0 0 50 315 0.147 24.50% 23.84% 100 260 0.135 2.70% 13.65% 200 281 0.121 11.20% 1.50% 300 306 0.127 20.94% 6.99% 400 313 0.125 23.70% 5.64% Notes: Greenhouse study conducted in 4″ pots inoculated with Apex at 10.sup.5 cells/g of greenhouse soil before planting, 8 pots per treatment. 100 gram of soybean seed was treated with 0.3 ml of each solution in a plastic bag. Treated seed was planted into pot immediately.

(13) Conclusions: 1. All strengths of Seed Coater treated seed and planted immediately increased nodule number and weight. 2. 50 μM strength proved the best dose for both nodule number and weight when applied and planted immediately.

(14) TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 2 Effect of SeedCoater dose on soybean nodulation when soybean seed treated one month in advance of sowing. Cumulative weight and Number of nodules from 16 plants at 23 days Total Nodule Nodule weight Nodule Signal number on 16 (g) of 16 Nodule # vs. weight applied (μM) plants plants control vs. control 0 336 0.18 0 0 50 373 0.19 11.01% 7.22% 100 365 0.19 8.63% 3.33% 200 369 0.20 9.82% 11.67% 300 410 0.24 22.02% 33.89% 400 382 0.20 13.69% 13.33% Notes: Greenhouse study conducted in 4″ pots inoculated with inoculants at 10.sup.5 cells/g of greenhouse soil before planting, 8 pots per treatment. 100 gram of soybean seed was treated with 0.3 ml of each solution in a plastic bag. Treated seed was stored at room temperature for 30 days.

(15) Conclusions: 1. All strengths of Seed Coater increased nodule number and nodule weight when applied 30 days in advance. 2. 300 μM strength was the best dose for both nodule number and weight when applied 30 days in advance. 3. Application of Seed Coater 30 days in advance required a higher dose (300 μM) than when applied and sown immediately (50 μM—Table 1).

(16) TABLE-US-00004 TABLE 3 Effect of Seed Coater dose on corn plant dry weight in greenhouse study (Planted immediately after treatment) Treatment Dry weight (gram)/plant Increased over control %  0.0 μM 0.8367  50 μM 0.9024 7.3% 100 μM 0.8987 7.4% 200 μM 0.9501 13.5% 300 μM 0.9672 15.6% 400 μM 0.9299 11.1% Notes: 1. Inoculated Bradyrhizobium japonicum at 10.sup.5 cfu/ml in soil 2. Plant at time zero (Table 3) or 1 month later (Table 4) 3. 2 plants/pot and 8 pots/treatment 4. Greenhouse temperature over 30 C. for a few days in April, which affected plant growth in the greenhouse (Table 4) so that plants got bigger compared to plants in Table 3 5. Plants were harvested for biomass 31 days (Table 3) and 32 days (Table 4) after sowing

(17) Conclusions:

(18) No difference in plant height was seen, but plant dry matter increased by all treatments (7-15.6% over control) by 31 days after sowing.

(19) TABLE-US-00005 TABLE 4 Effect of SeedCoater dose on Corn plant dry weight in greenhouse study (planted 1 month after treatment) Treatment Dry weight (gram)/plant Increased over control %  0.0 μM 3.0056  50 μM 3.2844 8.5% 100 μM 3.0650 1.8% 200 μM 3.6975 21.1% 300 μM 3.2456 7.3% 400 μM 3.3781 11.3%

(20) Conclusion:

(21) All Seed Coater treatments increased both plant height and dry weight at 32 days after sowing, but dry weight increased up to 21% at applied strength of 200 μM.

(22) TABLE-US-00006 TABLE 5 Effect of SeedCoater dose on corn grain yield Wet Harvested Grain Wet Grain Yield Grain Yield Grain Yield Treatments (kg/2 rows) (kg/ha) (kg/2 rows) (kg/ha) 250 μM 8.05 b 5963.0 b 6.53 b 4840.1 b 400 μM 9.63 a 7133.3 a 7.71 a 5713.6 a 600 μM 8.17 b 6051.9 b 6.50 b 4817.0 b Untreated control 7.63 b 5244.4 b 6.14 b 4546.4 b Significant at 5% Yes Yes Yes Yes Notes: 1. Treated seeds were stored at room temperature (20° C.) for one month before planting 2. Soil was seeded with inoculants at 10.sup.5 cells/gram soil before planting 3. Seedling stand was examined 1 month after planting and data (not listed) showed that Seed Coater did not affect seed emergence when applied 1 month after treatment. 4. Corn grain was harvested from the two middle rows of each plot (13.5 M.sup.2) at MAC farm (Harvesting date: Oct. 30, 2003, Seeding: May 23, 2003) 5. Grain yield corrected to dry weight by drying approx. 500 gram/plot at 60° C. for days.

(23) Conclusions:

(24) 1. All treatments of Seed Coater increased corn grain yield by 6%-25.6% over control

(25) 2. 400 μM significantly increased both wet and dry grain yield

(26) TABLE-US-00007 TABLE 6 Effect of Seed Coater does on soybean seed germination and final grain yield. Treatments Germination % Yield (kg/ha) 200 μM one month 46.00a 2102.19 a 300 μM one month 37.75b 1970.14 b 400 μM one month 42.00ab 2040.86 a Untreated Control 39.25b 1530.57 c Significant at 5% Yes Yes

(27) TABLE-US-00008 TABLE 7 Effect of Seed Coater dose on soybean nodulation and biomass Growing Stages V3 Blooming Nodule Shoot Nodule Shoot Nodule Dry Dry Nodule Dry Dry Number Weight Weight Number Weight Weight on (g) from (g) from on (g) of (g) of Treatments 5 plants 5 plants 5 plants 5 plants 5 plants 5 plants 200 μM one 122.8 0.2281 7.9 184 0.4994 21.70 month 300 μM one 96.5 0.2629 7.4 186 0.4994 23.56 month 400 μM one 121.8 0.2689 6.77 161 0.4304 19.64 month Untreated 104.0 0.2012 5.21 164 0.4329 15.31 Control Significant at No No No No No No 5% Notes: 1. Experiment was conducted on E. Lods farm of McGill University in 2003. 2. Seeds pre-treated by Seed Coater on Apr. 4, 2003 and stored at room temperature (20° C.), and sown on May 30 (5 weeks). 3. Germination or stand % was examined on July 2, counting seedling in 2-meter long row from two middle rows of each plot. 4. Soil was seeded with rhizobia 10.sup.5 cells/gram on May 30 just before planting. 5. Soybean grain in whole plot was harvested by a combine on Oct. 17, 2003

(28) Conclusions:

(29) There were: 1. Increased seed emergence by strength at 200 and 400 μM dosages, and statistically significant at 200 μM strength. 2. Significantly increased grain yield by all treatments. 3. Increased nodulation and biomass by all treatments, however, not statistically.

(30) TABLE-US-00009 TABLE 8 Effect of SeedCoater Dose on pea seed emergence, nodulation and yield under field conditions Nodule Nodule Average Dry Number Weight Nodule Weight Increase Treat- Stand on 5 (g) of 5 Weight (g) of 5 Bu/ in ments % plants plants (mg) Shoots acre bu/ac Control 95 217.75 0.2227 1.04b 8.81 26.5b 0  50 μM 93 265.75 0.2633 1.13ab 10.17 29.8a 3.3 100 μM 98 287.75 0.2991 1.24ab 8.61 28.0ab 1.5 200 μM 91.25 196.25 0.2931 1.52a 10.14 29.6a 3.1 400 μM 87.5 216.5 0.2585 1.20ab 9.01 29.4a 2.9 600 μM 93 245.75 0.2970 1.33ab 9.02 28.3ab 1.8 Sig- NS NS NS Yes NS Yes nificant at 5% Notes: 1. Experiment was conducted on E. Lods farm of McGill University in 2003. 2. Make stock solution of Naringenin (70 mM) and Hesperetin (30 mM) with DMSO and dilute to the strengths needed for each seed treatment with water. 3. Pea seed (cv. Delta) was treated and planed immediately in plots which was seeded with Rhizobia at 10.sup.5 cells/gram of soil. 4. Seed germination was examined on Jun. 9, 2003 (sown on May 16, 2003). 5. Nodulation examined on Jun. 27, 2003 by sampling 5 plants per plot. 6. Pea was harvested on Aug. 6, 2003 using a combine and grain was dried at 60° C. for 3 days.

(31) Conclusions: 1. There is no difference among treatments on extent of germination of pea. 2. Seeds treated with SeedCoater at 100 μM showed the maximum germination. There was no significant difference when compared to control. 3. SeedCoater increased nodulation and biomass, but not significantly. However, nodule weight was significantly improved at 200 μM. 4. Most treatments significantly increased pea grain yield, some up to 3 bu/ac.

(32) TABLE-US-00010 TABLE 9 Response in soybean yield (Bu/ac) at 5 sites Treatments Untreated Warden RTA W-RTA + Seed Locations control (W-RTA) Coater Brookston, IN 32.97 31.50 40.03 Tolono, IL 36.43 33.80 37.73 Walbash, IN 43.78 44.85 45.14 Wolcott, IN 31.03 36.70 35.83 Mt. Hope, WI 32.90 34.39 38.13 Average yield of 5 35.42 36.25 39.37 sites % vs. control 0.00 2.34 11.15 % vs. W-RTA −2.29 0.00 8.61 Significant at 5% B B A Notes: 1. Seeds were treated at 300 μM and planted immediately in repeat soybean lands at 5 sites. 2. High quality soybean seed commercially treated with Fungicide (Warden RTA) was employed in this trial.

(33) Conclusion: 1. Seed Coater significantly increased soybean grain yield over yields from untreated to and Warden RTA seeds.

(34) TABLE-US-00011 TABLE 10 Effect of SeedCoater Dose on spring wheat seed emergence (%) in field trial Percent of treated seed emerged at 4 weeks Replicates Treatments 1 2 3 4 Average Control 56 64 52 36 52b 100 μM 68 72 60 64  66ab 200 μM 60 72 80 64 69a 400 μM 60 68 68 76 68a 600 μM 80 60 80 48  67ab Notes: 1. 100 treated wheat seeds were planted in each plot of field immediately. 2. Spring wheat seed was coated by chemicals. 3. Emergence was examined at 4 weeks after sowing in field. 4. The field trial was terminated because plots were damaged by animals. No yield data available from this trial.

(35) Conclusion:

(36) Seed Coater significantly improved wheat seed emergence at strength of 200-400 μM.

(37) TABLE-US-00012 TABLE 11 Effect of Seed Coater treatment on fungicide (Maxim XL) treated corn seed emergence at 5 sites in USA, 2003 (% Field Emergence) Iowa Treatments Indiana Illinois Iowa (1) (2) Nebraska Average MaximXL 86.88 86.07 76.79 58.21 84.29 78.448b MaximXL + 85.63 85 79.29 77.5 91.07 83.698a Seed Coater Notes: 1. 250 μM (liquid) of Seed Coater directly applied to corn seed (Hybrid) at 3 ml/kg seed before sowing. 2. Seeds treated with Seed Coater were sown immediately after treatment at 5 sites. 3. Chemical (fungicide) coated corn seed was used in this trial. 4. The Contracted field trials failed and contractor did not submit any yield data.

(38) Conclusions:

(39) Seed Coater significantly improved corn seed emergence.

(40) TABLE-US-00013 TABLE 12 Effect of Seed Coater on soybean stand and grain yield in field trials. Plants/M.sup.2 Grain yield (kg/ha) Treatment Huron Park Ridgetown Huran Park Ridgetown Untreated  21.2 ab 56 1926 a  3177 ab control Seed Coater 22.23 a 49 2026 a 3227 a Inoculant 2  19.8 ab 53 1992 a 2967 c Inoculant 1 13.88 b 47 1842 b  3056 bc Significant LSD.sub.0.05 NS LSD.sub.0.1 LSD.sub.0.1 Notes: 1. Seed Coater treated seed immediately planted in repeat soybean lands. 2. Soybean seed was treated with Seed Coater of 300 μM at 3 ml/kg seeds.

(41) Conclusions: 1. In general, Seed Coater did not negatively affect soybean seed emergence in the fields. 2. Seed Coater increased soybean grain yield over other inoculant treatments and control. However, significance was only seen over control (at 0.1 alpha). The increase was not significant over other inoculant treatments.

(42) TABLE-US-00014 TABLE 13 Early growth promotion by pre-treatment of Seed Coater on soybean and corn seeds in greenhouse Crops and Days pre-treatment before planting treatments Day 0 Day 10 Day 30 Day 60 Plant Plant Plant Plant Nodules height Nodules height Nodules height Nodules height Soy beans (mg) (cm) (mg) (cm) (mg) (cm) (mg) (cm) 300 μM 195.9 41.1 264.4 53.5 222.7 72.0 183.6 67.0 Control 188.2 39.8 248.4 51.1 201.5 69.9 171.1 62.8 Height Biomass Height Biomass Height Biomass Height Biomass Corn (cm) (mg) (cm) (mg) (cm) (mg) (cm) (mg) 400 μM N/A 7.25 108.5 10.28 127.3 12.98 139.2 12.64 Control N/A 6.71 105.0  9.25 124.3 12.03 133.4 12.48 Notes: Chemical seed treatments for soybean (Apron Maxx RTA) and corn (Maxim XL) were used in this study. One kg seed was treated with 3 ml of Signal, SeedCoater solution in a plastic bag and treated seeds were stored at 17° C. Five seeds were planted in a 5″ pot in 0, 10, 30 and 60 days after treatment, in greenhouse, 10 pots each treatment. Mixture of Sunshine Mix ® and Turfase (1:1) as plant growth medium was inoculated with soybean inoculant B. japonicum at 10.sup.5 cells/g. Seed emergence and stand were counted 7 days after sowing, and each pot thinned to the best two seedlings per pot. Plants were harvested at approximately 30 days and measurements were taken for plant height, biomass and nodulation (soybeans).

(43) Conclusions: 1. Treatment with Signals increased plant biomass and soybean modulation 4-5 weeks is after planting. The efficacy kept up to 60 days after treatment. 2. SeedCoater increased soybean plant biomass, height and nodulation up to 60 days after treatment. 3. SeedCoater increased plant biomass and height of corn up to 60 days after treatment. 4. SeedCoater showed no negative effects corn on and soybean seed emergence or stand compared to untreated control.

(44) TABLE-US-00015 TABLE 14 Soybean grain Yield Promotion of Soybeans treated with SeedCoater in field trails. Days pre- Locations Increased % Treatment treatment VARS MAC Average over control 300 μM 0 57.89 38.24 48.1 21.9 30 51.70 48.34 50.0 26.9 400 μM 0 59.89 43.15 51.5 30.7 30 51.70 37.86 44.8 13.6 500 μM 0 63.69 30.22 47.0 19.1 30 62.44 40.36 51.4 30.4 600 μM 0 67.40 41.34 54.4 37.9 30 52.56 33.03 42.8 8.5 800 μM 30 52.25 37.85 45.1 14.3 Control N/A 39.58 39.28 39.4 0 Notes: Experiments with the same design were conducted at Macdonald Agricultural College (MAC) of McGill University, Quebec and Vaughn Agricultural Research Service Ltd. (VARS), Cambridge. Ontario. Before planting, the soil was inoculated with soybean inoculant at 10.sup.5 cells/g mixed into the top 20 cm of soil. Bare soybean seeds were treated using various formulations of SeedCoater 30 days in advance of planting or at planting time.

(45) Conclusion:

(46) The use of SeedCoater in concentrations of 300 to 600 μM increased average soybean grain yield at both locations.

(47) TABLE-US-00016 TABLE 15 Comparison of one active ingredient (genistein) with two (genistein and daidzein) in SeedCoater formulations used in soybean yield trials at VARS and MAC Strength and Days pre- Locations Average Increased % Ingredients treatment VARS MAC (bu/ac) over control 400 μM 30 62.2 34.5 48.35 3.9 (G) 400 μM 30 67.1 38.0 52.58 13.0 (G/D) Control N/A 58.7 34.4 46.54 0.0 Notes: Experiments with the same design were conducted at Macdonald Agricultural Collect (MAC) of McGill University, Quebec and Vaughn Agricultural Research Service Ltd. (VARS), Cambridge, Ontario. Before planting, the soil was inoculated with soybean inoculant at 10.sup.5 cells/g mixed into the top 20 cm of soil. Bare soybean seeds were treated using two formulations of SeedCoater 30 days in advance of planting or at planting time.

(48) Conclusions: 1. Results from the, two sites indicated that the formulation of two active ingredients in SeedCoater (“G/D”) applied on soybean seed increased yield better than the formulation of one ingredient (“G”) at the same strength of 400 μM. 2. SeedCoater ‘G’ was however effective at increasing yield versus the control.

(49) TABLE-US-00017 TABLE 16 Grain yield of SeedCoater treatments on various soybean varieties in field trails at Syngenta Seeds (NK) Canada Soybean Grain yield (bu/ac) Maturity (days after planting) Varieties Untreated Treated Untreated Treated S00-F8 40.6 44.8 114 113 S02-M9 45.4 48.6 115 114 S04-Z9 48.8 51.2 117 117 S08-C3 54.7 56.1 122 121 (X309R) S08-V7 57.7 60.7 121 122 (X408R) S10-T1 52.8 51.6 122 123 Mean Yield 50 52.2 118.5 118.3 LSD.sub.0.05 0.6 Notes: SeedCoater at 300 μM containing 3% of methanol as organic solvent was used in this experiment. Seed was pre-treated for 30 days before planting.

(50) Conclusions: 1. Five of 6 soybean varieties treated with SeedCoater showed a yield benefit using 300 μM SeedCoater. 2. Treatment of SeedCoater significantly increased soybean yield up to 2.2 bu/ac compared to relevant untreated control.

(51) TABLE-US-00018 TABLE 17 SeedCoater treatment of soybeans also treated with commercial seed pre-treatment Days Pre- Seed treated by Seed treated by Treatment Treatment Warden RTA Yield Shield 300 μM 30 67.0 67.7 300 μM + 30 + 0 66.7 67.9 Inoculant Control N/A 64.0 65.3 Notes: 1. SeedCoater (300 μM) containing 3% of methanol as a solvent was used in this study. 2. Soybean seeds were pre-treated with a commercial seed treatment by The Tryon Group Inc., USA and then treated a second time with SeedCoater 30 days in advance of planting, and then treated a third time using a commercial soybean inoculant applied at planting time (300 μM + inoculant). 3. Treated seeds were planted into land in Woodstock, Illinois that had a history of soybeans.

(52) Conclusions: 1. SeedCoater applied sequentially with or with chemicals increased soybean grain yield up to 2.5 bu/ac compared to control. 2. Chemical seed treatments did not affect efficacy of SeedCoater on soybean yield. 3. The use of inoculants on treated seeds did not provide any additional yield benefit compared to SeedCoater.

(53) TABLE-US-00019 TABLE 18 Effects of SeedCoater on yields when applied to field peas, spring wheat and white beans in Eastern Canada Crops Days White Beans pre- Field Peas Spring wheat Yield treat- Yield % over Yield % over (bu/ % over Treatment ment (bu/ac) control (bu/ac) control ac) control 400 μM 0 45.57 7.0 26.78** 18.1 41.06 8.9 30 50.03** 17.5 Control N/A 42.60 0 22.67 0 37.71 0 **statistically significant at 5% Notes: 1. Pea and spring wheat trials were conducted at MAC farm in land inoculated with a pea inoculant at 10.sup.5 cells/g mixed into the top 20 cm soil. The white bean trail was conducted in bean repeat land at the Huron Research Station of Ridgetown College in Exeter, Ontario. Pea seed was treated with SeedCoater 30 days before planting or at planting time (day 0) whereas the spring wheat and white bean seed was treated on the day of planting. 2. The white bean seed was pre-treated using a chemical seed treatment (Apron Maxx), whereas bare pea seed was employed in this study. 3. Application rate of SeedCoater was 10 g/kg for wheat seed and 3 ml/kg for bean and pea seeds.

(54) Conclusions: 1. SeedCoater at 400 μM increased yields of field peas, white beans and spring wheat up to 4 bu/ac compared to correspondent controls. 2. SeedCoater significantly increased yields of field peas at 5% statistical level when applied 30 days before planting. 3. SeedCoater significantly increased yields of spring wheat yield at 5% statistical level.

(55) TABLE-US-00020 TABLE 19 Comparison of corn yields (grain and silage) from the use of two SeedCoater formulations in field trials conducted at VARS and MAC VARS MAC Strength Increase Increased Increase and Days Pre- Grain yield over Silage yield % over Grain yield % over Ingredient treatment (bu/ac) control (ton/ha) control (bu/ac) control 400 μM 0 154.59** 19.8 (G) 30 145.73 1.9 16.61 11.4 400 μM 30 159.04 11.2 15.94 6.9 (G/D) Control N/A 142.99 0 14.91 0 129.05 0 **statistically significant compared to relevant control Notes: Corn seed was pre-treated with Maxim XL seed treatment, and then treated with SeedCoater. Treated seeds were planted in soil seeded with a soybean inoculant 10.sup.5 cells/g mixed into the top 20 cm soil. In a second trial at MAC, bare corn seed was treated with SeedCoater and was planted in a field in which soybeans were grown previously, without the addition of soil inoculation, on day 0.

(56) Conclusions: 1. A formulation (400 μM) of seedCoater with two isoflavonoids performed better than one isoflavonoid in the formulation at the same strength on grain yield when corn was planted 30 days after treatment. 2. SeedCoater increased yield of both grain and silage corn in this study. 3. Corn seed treated with SeedCoater at 400 μM of genistein and planted in soybean land without the addition of soybean inoculant on day 0 can significantly increase corn yield up to 19.8% over control. 4. Both formulations of SeedCoater resulted in increased yields.

(57) TABLE-US-00021 TABLE 20 Corn SeedCoater study using different inoculation levels of soil Main Factor (soil Yield Sub-factor Yield inoculant levels) (bu/ac) (Signal levels) (bu/ac) 0 68.62 0 67.51 10.sup.3 cells/g 68.66 400 μM 70.97 10.sup.4 cells/g 69.56 500 μM 70.58 10.sup.5 cells/g 67.99 600 μM 66.60 LSD.sub.0.05 6.59 3.28 Notes: The SeedCoater treated seed was planted using conventional tillage near Rockwood, Ontario on a fieid that has not grown soybeans before and did not contain populations of Bradyrhizobium japonicum. The corn trial was arranged as a split plot design with 4 replications, main factor (soil inoculant levels) and sub-factor (signal levels). Each plot was 15 m long by 3 m wide with 4 rows per plot and 75 cm spacing between rows. Plots were inoculated with B. japonicum to rates at 10.sup.3, 10.sup.4 and 10.sup.5 cells/g in the top 20 cm soil. SeedCoater was treated onto bare corn seed (hybrid Direct Seed D46) at Agribiotics Inc. over 30 days before planting.

(58) Conclusions: 1. Seedcoater at 400 μM, was the best treatment and increased corn grain yield over control at 5% statistical level. 2. The treatment of SeedCoater at 400-500 μM could increase corn grain yield up 5% over control when planted in soybean inoculant seeded soil. 3. SeedCoater treatment performed best at 10.sup.3 cells/g soil inoculated rate.

(59) TABLE-US-00022 TABLE 21 Effect of SeedCoater on corn yields when applied one year before planting Planted a few days after Planted 1 year treatment after treatment** Yield Yield Treatment Emerge % (bu/ac) Emerge % (bu/ac) Maxim XL 78.4 224.85 91.95 100 Maxim XL + 250 μM 83.7 239.03 93.00 119.3 Seedcoater Notes: *the emergence percentage was average of 5 sites (same data in Table 11) and corn yield from Nebraska, USA. **data of emerge and yield came from 2 Illinois sites. Notes: The experiment was conducted in multiple field locations in the USA. Emergence data were obtained from 5 sites and yield data was obtained from the Nebraska site. The experiment using 1-year pre-treated corn seeds was arranged in two locations in Illinois by The Tryon Group Inc. in 2004. Pretreated corn seed using Maxim XL (chemical seed treatment) was employed in this study.

(60) Conclusions: 1. Seedcoater treated seed did not reduce emergence percentage after 1 year of storage at room temperature 2. Seedcoater treated seed resulted in increased corn yield up to 19% over seed treatment control.

(61) TABLE-US-00023 TABLE 22 SeedCoater field trails on soybeans in multiple sites in USA Planting times* Early Normal Yield Yield Treatments G/plant** (bu/ac) G/plant** (bu/ac) Apron-Maxim 71.18 63.5 165.00 50 Apron-Maxim- 73.66 64.6 163.75 52 Seedcoater Apron-Maxim- 78.24 65.6 177.25 52 Cruiser-Seedcoater Notes: *Early planting from April 24 to May 7, 2004, and normal planting on May 20. **grams - dried weight per plant. Notes: The average of biomass data (gram/plant) was observed at soybean blooming stages which were different at each site. The yield data in the table were average of 4 sites (Missouri, Wisconsin, SE Iowa, and Minnesota) for early planting and one site (Iowa) for normal. Chemical pre-treated soybean seed was used in this study.

(62) Conclusion:

(63) Seedcoater with seed treatments increased soybean biomass and grain yield up to 1-2 bu/ac compared to control,

(64) TABLE-US-00024 TABLE 23 Seedcoater field trails on corn In multiple sites in USA Planting times* Treatments Early Normal Maxim XL 180 196 128 170 Higher rate Lower rate Higher rate Lower rate of Cruiser of Cruiser of Cruiser of Cruiser Maxim XL + 184 205 169 172 Cruiser + SeedCoater Notes: *Corn seeds were planted in the middle of April as “early” planting time and from April 28 to May 3 as “normal” planting time, and corn yield data in table indicate in bu/ac. Notes: The field trials were conducted in Stanton, Hampton, Bloomington, Illinois, Iowa, Geneva Minnesota and Wisconsin for early planting studies and Stanton, two sites in Hampton, and two sites in Bloomington for normal planting studies.

(65) Conclusion:

(66) SeedCoater with Maxim XL+Cruiser raised corn yield from 2 to 41 bu/ac compared to Maxim XL alone treatment, in the average of multiple sites in USA.

(67) TABLE-US-00025 TABLE 24 Signal applied to tomato seedling roots transplanted into soil inoculated with soybean rhizobia Early Normal Fruit/ % vs Kg/ % vs Fruit/ % vs Kg/ % vs Treatments plot ctrl plot ctrl plot ctrl plot ctrl 100 ml water 58 0 10.41 0 219 0 25.60 0 as Control/plant 100 ml 67.75 16.81 12.02 15.47 241.5 10.27 27.10 5.86 genistein at 1 μM/plant 100 ml 66.25 14.22 11.64 11.82 217.75 −0.57 25.91 1.21 genistein at 10 μM/plant 100 ml 71 22.41 12.85 23.44 198.5 −9.36 25.77 0.66 genistein at 50 μM/plant Notes: 1. Soil was inoculated with soybean rhizobia at 10.sup.6 cells/g mixed into the top 20 cm soil. 2. Tomato seedlings at 6-7 leaf stage were transplanted in field 6 plants/plot sized 4.5 M by 1.5 M area and 4 replicates each treatment. 3. Applied 100 ml signal solution of each strength or water to transplanted tomato root system. 4. Signal would induce LCO in situ around root system to promote plant growth. 5. Trials were conducted at MacDonald College, McGill University, Montreal.

(68) Conclusions: 1. All treatments increased fruit weight over control. 2. Early yield of fruit numbers of treatments were higher and the 50 μM rate was statistically higher than control. 3. Early yield of fruit weight of all treatments were higher and the 50 μM rate was statistically higher than control. 4. A similar study was conducted on cherry tomato in greenhouse (see FIG. 7).

(69) Growth Promotion of Potato Tubers with Signals Grown in the Field

(70) Notes: 1. Microtubers (cv. Bintje, tuber size from 0.5-0.7 g) were soaked in each test solution overnight at 25° C. in the incubator. Treatment rate was 50 ml/treatment, and 50 ml water as control. 2. Seeded soybean inoculant into soil at 10.sup.6 cells/g in the top 20 cm soil before planting. 3. Treated potato tubers were planted in soil 10-15 cm deep, 10 tubers in 10 M.sup.2 plot and supplied 500 ml of water to each tuber in ground after planting. 4. Planted date: Aug. 20, 2004 and harvested date: Oct. 15, 2004.

(71) Conclusions: 1. Treatment of potato microtubers soaked in 300 μM genistein solution overnight increased potato tuber yield up to 17.7% over control. See FIG. 8. 2. The higher concentration of treatments (300-500 μM) resulted in larger tuber size. See FIG. 8.

(72) Growth Promotion of Tubers with Signals and Grown in the Greenhouse

(73) Notes: 1. Potato minitubers (cv. Norland, size from 10-15 g) were immersed in each genistein solution overnight (24 hr) at room temperature and planted in 10′ pots containing Sunshine Mix seeded with soybean inoculant at 10.sup.6 cells/g. 2. Greenhouse temperature was maintained at 20/25° C. dark/light. 3. One tuber was planted in each pot and 8 replicates each treatment were completely randomized on two greenhouse benches. 4. Slow release fertilizer (20-20-20) was applied at 50 g/pot. 5. Plated date: Sep. 1, 2004. Harvested date: Nov. 9, 2004

(74) Conclusions: 1. All treatments statistically increased potato tuber yield, and treatment of 300 μM showed the best growth promotion. See FIG. 9. 2. Treated potato seeds exhibited increased sprout numbers for each tuber, and soaking seed in 300 μM solution was the best treatment to stimulate sprout number. See FIG. 9.

CONCLUSION

(75) The present invention demonstrates that one or more Isoflavonoid compound Signals which may be with an agriculturally acceptable carrier, applied prior to planting, up to 365 days or more, either directly to a non-legume crop or a legume crop, or applied to the soil that will be planted either to a non-legume crop or a legume crop, have utility for the purpose of increasing yield and/or improving seed germination and/or improving earlier seed emergence and/or improving nodulation and/or increasing crop stand density and/or improving plant vigour and/or improving plant growth, and/or increasing biomass, and/or earlier fruiting, all including in circumstances of seedling and plant transplanting.

(76) Although the invention herein has been described as aforesaid by way of one or more preferred embodiments, the skilled person will understand it can be modified without departing from the spirit and nature of the invention as defined in the appended claims.