Permanent Eco-Fertilizer Against Fruit Physiological Disorders and Pests

Abstract

The present invention refers to a permanent solid calcium fertilizer suitable against fruit physiological disorders and pests, characterized in that it comprises more than 98.5% weight of calcium carbonate. It is also an object of the invention the use of this fertilizer for the protection of agricultural crops against pests and preferably for the protection of pear and/or apple crops.

Claims

1-7. (canceled)

8. A method for the fertilization and for the protection of agricultural crops against pests or against fruit physiological disorders or both for the protection of agricultural crops against pests and against fruit physiological disorders comprising: applying a solid calcium composition comprising more than 98.5% weight of calcium carbonate, wherein between 1% and 12% weight of the solid calcium composition dispersed in an aqueous suspension is applied, at a foliar level, and wherein the surface chemical composition of the solid calcium composition comprises Ca.sup.2+, CO.sub.3.sup.2− and the following ionic species: CaOH.sup.+, CO.sub.3H.sup.− and CO.sub.3CaOH.sup.− under humidity conditions, providing a calcium bioavailability in the range of 62 ppm to 132 ppm.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the agricultural crops are pear and/or apple crops.

10. The method according to claim 8, wherein the application of the aqueous suspension of the solid calcium composition is applied by micro-pulverization at a pressure between 7 and 10 bar, generating a spray of micro-droplets having a diameter equal to or smaller than 80 μm.

11. The method according to claim 8, wherein the aqueous suspension of the solid calcium composition is applied during the whole agricultural cycle.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the application comprises: applying a first treatment in January to the crops consisting of a 5% w/w aqueous suspension of the solid calcium composition in an amount of 50 kg/Ha; applying a second treatment from the end of April until the beginning of May to the crops consisting of a 6% w/w aqueous suspension of the solid calcium composition in an amount of 60 kg/Ha; applying a third treatment in June to the crops consisting of a 2% w/w aqueous suspension of the solid calcium composition in an amount of 20 kg/Ha and an additional application in July consisting of applying to the crops a 1% w/w aqueous suspension of the solid calcium composition in an amount of 10 kg/Ha; and applying a fourth treatment from October to November to the crops consisting of a 1% w/w aqueous suspension of the solid calcium composition in an amount of 10 kg/Ha.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0036] FIG. 1 shows the distribution of the fertilizer in the crops. In particular, it shows how the calcium particles are distributed inside the stomata of the leaves on which the fertilizer is applied. This is an important advantage of the fertilizer as claimed as compared with other fertilizers known in the art that, due to their size, the fertilizer cannot penetrate inside the stomates of the plant;

[0037] FIG. 2 shows the distribution of the calcium particles in the guard cells of the stomates of a leaf;

[0038] FIG. 3 shows the distribution of the calcium particles on the cuticle and the epidermis of Golden apples;

[0039] FIG. 4 is a detailed view of the calcium particles penetrating inside the epidermis of a Golden apple;

[0040] FIG. 5 shows a detailed view of the calcium particles distributed on the cuticle of a Conference pear.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0041] One of the main advantages of the fertilizer object of the present invention, as compared to other calcium fertilizers known in the state of the art, is its high permanence in the crops under all weather conditions and during the whole agricultural cycle. Therefore, one of its main benefits is that it works as a continuous calcium pump. This avoids the need of applying calcium in multiple foliar applications as it is required when using calcium liquid fertilizers such as calcium chloride.

[0042] This advantageous effect of the new fertilizer is due to the surface chemical composition of the fertilizer, which in addition to Ca.sup.2+ or CO.sub.3.sup.2− comprises other ionic species such as CaOH.sup.+, CO.sub.3H.sup.− or CO.sub.3CaOH.sup.− (confirmed by XPS or TOF-SIMS measurements). All of them are activated under humidity conditions (rain, dew) and allow increasing the calcium bioavailability. In particular, it has been surprisingly found that the effective amount of calcium provided by the fertilizer object of the invention is much higher than the calcium provided by other fertilizers of the sate of the art. It was indeed unexpected obtaining a surprisingly high synergistic fertilizing effect, achieving a calcium bioavailability in the range of 62 ppm to 132 ppm.

[0043] The chemical mechanisms involved in the continuous supply of calcium of the fertilizer as claimed are the following ones: [0044] a) firstly, the ionic species Ca.sup.2+ and CO.sub.3.sup.2− of the surface of the solid calcium compound are activated and liberated in the aqueous suspension:

Fertilizer+H.sub.2O.Math.H Ca.sup.2++CO.sub.3.sup.2−+H.sub.2O [0045] b) the liberated CO.sub.3.sup.2− is then hydrolyzed and transformed into CO.sub.3H.sup.−:

CO.sub.3.sup.2−+H.sub.2O.Math.CO.sub.3H.sup.−+OH.sup.−+H.sub.2O [0046] c) finally, the bicarbonate anion CO.sub.3H.sup.− is transformed into CO.sub.2 in the aqueous medium:

CO.sub.3H.sup.−+H.sub.2O.Math.CO.sub.2+OH.sup.−+H.sub.2O

[0047] The high surface activity of the fertilizer as claimed allows obtaining a continuous supply of Ca.sup.2+ and CO.sub.2 since these ionic species are liberated under humidity conditions (rain or dew) and they are transported across the xylem of the crops until reaching the pulp of the fruits. The CO.sub.2 absorption by the crops shifts the equilibrium towards a higher production of CO.sub.3H.sup.−, which at the same time is transformed into Ca.sup.2+ and CO.sub.2.

[0048] Thus, the application of the fertilizer onto the surface of the crops (stem, leaves and fruits) and the effect of the rain or dew increases the production of calcium bicarbonate, which is then broken down into Ca.sup.2+ and CO.sub.2 in the aqueous solution:

Fertilizer+H.sub.2O+CO.sub.2(g).Math.Fertilizer+CO.sub.3H.sub.2H.sub.2.Math.Ca(HCO.sub.3).sub.2.Math.Ca.sup.2++CO.sub.2+H.sub.2O+CO.sub.3.sup.2−

[0049] It is also an object of the invention the use of the fertilizer as claimed in agricultural crops for the protection against pests. The distribution of the fertilizer on the surface of the leaves/fruits is essential for the subsequent activity as a calcium fertilizer: its deposition forming a thin monolayer structure maximizes the coverage effect of the fertilizer.

[0050] Besides, this allows increasing the contact surface area of the fertilizer particles in the tree trunks, the stem of the plants, the leaves or the fruits that are treated with the fertilizer. In this way, the permanence of the fertilizer is guaranteed under all weather conditions (rain, dew or wind).

[0051] In addition to the fertilizing activity, the fertilizer is suitable against agricultural pests. In particular, the new fertilizer protects both the trees and fruits against sunburn and pests. It has been demonstrated that the new fertilizer is able to reduce the pests affecting the trees in more than 80%. This is due to the way the fertilizer is distributed on the surface of the tree as well as to its long permanence.

[0052] Therefore, it is also an object of the invention the application of the fertilizer to agricultural crops, during the whole agricultural cycle. The deposition of the fertilizer is achieved by micro-pulverization at high pressures (preferably, between 7 bar and 10 bar) of an aqueous suspension of the fertilizer, generating a spray of micro-droplets preferably having a diameter equal to or smaller than 80 μm. The subsequent evaporation of the water contained in the particles distribute them forming a uniform layer on the surface of the fruits or leaves on which the fertilizer is applied, maximizing the covering effect of the fertilizer.

EXPERIMENTS

[0053] In order to prove the effectiveness of the product as claimed, different experiments were carried out consisting of treating pear and apple crops.

[0054] The fertilizing treatments were carried out in the last week of April, using a 6% weight suspension of the fertilizer in water (60 kg fertilizer/Ha) and pulverizing it at a pressure of 8 bar.

[0055] FIGS. 1 and 2 show the distribution of the fertilizer on the leaves. In particular, the figures show how the fertilizer is able to penetrate inside the leaf stomata (FIG. 1) or how it is distributed surrounding the stomatal pores, on the guard cells located in the leaf epidermis (FIG. 2).

[0056] FIGS. 3 to 5 show the distribution of the fertilizer on the fruits.

[0057] FIG. 3 shows how the fertilizer particles are distributed on the cuticle and the epidermis of Golden Apples.

[0058] FIG. 4 shows how some fertilizer particles penetrate inside the polygonal cells of the epidermis of Golden apples. Similar experiments were carried out using Conference pears, having a thicker cuticle than the cuticle of Golden apples. The cells of the Conference pears are not polygonal. They have a rounded shape and have a less ordered distribution than the apple cells.

[0059] FIG. 5 shows how other fertilizer particles are distributed along the whole cuticle surface of the pears, close to the cuticle pores that connect the cells with the epidermis cells of Conference pears, in a disordered multi-layer structure. Below the epidermis is the periderm and below it, the pulp, which is formed by parenchyma cells.

[0060] Under humidity conditions (dew or rain), the fertilizer can liberate more Ca.sup.2+, which is available for the fruit and accumulates in the pulp. Thus, under humidity conditions, the fertilizer favours the supply of Ca.sup.2+ and CO.sub.2 “in situ” in the epidermis and, from epidermis to the pulp.

[0061] The experiments carried out also demonstrated a synergetic effect due to the characteristics of the fertilizer as claimed. In particular, due to the high doses of Ca.sup.2+ fed to the fruits, the fertilizer allows reducing the physiological disorders of the fruits such as the bitter pit or the lenticel blotch pit, whilst maintaining the firmness of the fruits.

[0062] An additional advantage of the fertilizer as claimed is that it is easily removed from the fruit after having been harvested. Therefore, it does not adversely affect the physical appearance of the fruit, as compared with other well known fertilizers such as calcined kaolin.

[0063] The application of the new fertilizer can be carried out during the whole agricultural cycle and it allows both nourishing the crops with an effective amount of calcium and protecting the crops against agricultural pests. The treatments can be carried out at different moments during the agricultural cycle, depending on the weather conditions.

[0064] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, this treatment can be carried out as follows: [0065] Dormant treatment (winter): [0066] Pre-harvest protection of fruit trees: First treatment in January consisting of applying a 5% (w/w) aqueous suspension of the fertilizer in an amount of 50 kg/Ha; [0067] Spring, summer and fall treatments: [0068] Foliar fertilization of the fruit with Ca and CO.sub.2, including fruit protection against sunburn and pests in a second treatment from the end of April until the beginning of May consisting of applying a 6% (w/w) aqueous suspension of the fertilizer in an amount of 60 kg/Ha; [0069] Cuticular fertilization of the fruit with Ca and CO.sub.2, including fruit protection against sunburn and pests in a third treatment in June consisting of applying a 2% (w/w) aqueous suspension of the fertilizer in an amount of 20 kg/Ha and an additional application in July consisting of applying a 1% (w/w) aqueous suspension of the fertilizer in an amount of 10 kg/Ha; [0070] Post-harvest protection of the fruit tree against pests in a fourth treatment from October to November consisting of applying a 1% (w/w) aqueous suspension of the fertilizer in an amount of 10 kg/Ha.

[0071] Although this is a preferred embodiment, it will be possible to vary the time of the year when the fertilizer is applied to the crops, depending on the weather conditions of the location of the crops.

[0072] However, since the calcium is more easily absorbed, in a continuous way, coinciding with the fruit cell division (during the period of 6 to 8 weeks after bloom), the first foliar treatments of the pulp of the fruit are preferably carried out during this period.

[0073] Besides, there exists a strong competence between the leaves and the fruits for the calcium available in the crops. For this reason, in a preferred embodiment of the invention the new fertilizer as claimed is applied in multiple foliar applications in order for the calcium to directly penetrate inside the pulp, across the cuticle and epidermis of the plant or tree.

[0074] When the fruit, when growing, reaches a diameter of approximately 6 to 8 cm, in a preferred embodiment of the invention the process will comprise applying the fertilizer once more, at a lower concentration of 10 kg/Ha to 30 kg/Ha, to reinforce the supply of calcium (both foliar and cuticular) to the pulp of the fruit.

[0075] The fertilizer object of the invention has also the advantage of providing a fertilizing activity without the side effects associated with an increase in the salt index, which are common when applying the liquid fertilizers available in the state of the art (such as CaCl.sub.2), which is the most commonly used). The new fertilizer has a low salinity, and therefore it avoids the increase in the pH of the soil associated with the use of calcium salts such as calcium chloride. Thus, whilst the “salt index” of calcium chloride is 87, the “salt index” of the new fertilizer is of 0.8. This is an important advantage, since it avoids increasing the osmotic pressure of the soil.

Experiment 1. Foliar Fertilization of the Pulp of Golden Apples

[0076] A first experiment was carried out to measure the foliar fertilization of Golden apples.

[0077] The treatment was carried out the last week of April using a 3% weight suspension of the fertilizer as claimed in water (30 kg/1000 l water/Ha). The reference treatment (blank) was 3% CaCl.sub.2) solution (30 kg/1000 l water/Ha).

[0078] The fertilizer as claimed proved to be 50% more effective in the supply of calcium to the pulp as compared with the supply of calcium achieved with a CaCl.sub.2) treatment.

[0079] The results of this first experiment are shown in table 1 below:

TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Sample Treatment Dry matter Calcium Golden CaCl.sub.2 (30 kg/Ha) 14.3% 24 ppm apple pulp Golden Fertilizer as claimed 15.2% 36 ppm apple pulp (30 kg/Ha)

[0080] This experiment demonstrates that the new fertilizer as claimed is more effective than the most commonly used fertilizer (CaCl.sub.2)). In particular, it has been demonstrated that when the fertilizer as claimed is applied at a concentration of 3% in water (30 kg fertilizer/1,000 l water/Ha) on Golden apples, the supply of calcium to the pulp is 50% higher as compared with the supply of calcium achieved with a CaCl.sub.2 treatment.

Experiment 2. Foliar Fertilization of the Pulp of Conference Pears

[0081] A second experiment was carried out to measure the foliar fertilization of Conference pears.

[0082] The treatment was carried out the last week of April using a 3% weight suspension of the fertilizer in water (30 kg/1000 l water/Ha). The blank was the non-treated fruit.

[0083] As compared with the blank (the fruit without treatment), the fertilizer as claimed proved to be 24% more effective in the supply of calcium to the pulp.

[0084] The results of this second experiment are shown in table 2 below:

TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Sample Treatment Dry matter Calcium Conference No treatment 18.4% 76 ppm pear pulp Conference Fertilizer as claimed 19.3% 94 ppm pear pulp (30 kg/Ha)

[0085] Additional experiments were carried out to demonstrate the effectiveness of the fertilizer in the protection of crops against pests.

[0086] A comparison test was carried out treating pear trees against psila with the new fertilizer. The percentage of psila occupation was calculated by visual inspection of 200 tree suckers sampled from a total crop area of 1 Ha. These trees had only a 5% affection of psila, as compared with non-treated trees, which had a 45% affection of psila.

[0087] An additional comparison test was carried out treating pear trees against the green aphid with the new fertilizer. The percentage of green aphid occupation was calculated by visual inspection of 200 tree suckers sampled from a total crop area of 1 Ha. These trees were not infected, as compared with non-treated trees, which were infected in a percentage of 60%.