TRACEABLE COMPOSITE FOR MARKING SEEDS AND PLANTS

Abstract

The invention concerns compositions and methods for authenticating an agricultural product.

Claims

1-42. (canceled)

43. A composition comprising at least one XRF identifiable marker for use in a method selected from: a method of marking a seed or a seedling under conditions permitting development of a plant enriched with the XRF identifiable marker; a method of enriching a living plant with the XRF identifiable marker through irrigation or fertilization; and a method of applying a marker composition to a surface of a living plant, pre- or post-harvest.

44. The composition according to claim 43, adapted to be taken up by a living plant.

45. The composition according to claim 43, further comprising at least one additive selected from adhesive materials, coloring materials, pesticides, fertilizers, and nutrients.

46. The composition according to claim 43, for application onto a surface region of an explant capable of developing into a viable plant.

47. The composition according to claim 46, wherein the explant is selected from a shoot tip, an axillary bud, a somatic embryo and a seed.

48. The composition according to claim 43, for application onto a surface region of a living plant.

49. The composition according to claim 43, wherein the plant is cannabis.

50. A method for XRF marking an explant with at least one XRF identifiable marker, the method comprising forming a coating of the at least one XRF identifiable marker on at least a region of the explant, wherein the at least one XRF identifiable marker is optionally comprised within at least one carrier material.

51. The method according to claim 50, wherein the explant is a seed.

52. A seed coated on its surface with a coating comprising at least one XRF identifiable marker, wherein the marker is not naturally present in the seed.

53. The seed according to claim 52, wherein the coating comprises at least one carrier material selected amongst natural or synthetic polymers.

54. The seed according to claim 53, wherein the at least one carrier material comprises cellulose and cellulose-derived materials, chitosan, acacia gum, starch, polyethylene glycol, polyvinyl acetate and polyvinylpyrrolidone.

55. A seedling or a germ having at least one tissue region thereof comprising an amount of at least one XRF identifiable marker, wherein the marker is not naturally present in said seedling or germ.

56. A method for XRF marking a living plant with at least one XRF identifiable marker, the method comprising watering said living plant with waters enriched with at least one XRF identifiable marker to enable uptake of the marker by the living plant, wherein the marker is not naturally present in the seed, and wherein the marker is an amount sufficient to enable XRF identification in a tissue derived from said living plant.

57. The method according to claim 56, wherein watering is achieved by irrigation.

58. A method for XRF marking a living plant with at least one XRF identifiable marker, the method comprising incorporating at least one XRF identifiable marker in a growing medium or soil of said living plant and allowing uptake of the marker by the living plant, wherein the marker is not naturally present in the seed, and wherein the marker is in an amount sufficient to enable XRF identification in a tissue derived from said living plant.

59. A method for XRF marking a living plant with at least one XRF identifiable marker, the method comprising applying at least one XRF identifiable marker onto a surface region of said living plant, wherein the marker is not naturally present in the seed, and wherein the marker is in an amount sufficient to enable XRF identification in a tissue derived from said living plant.

60. A method of authenticating a seed or an explant having been marked with at least one XRF identifiable marker, the method comprising directing a X-ray signal to the explant and detecting and analyzing a (secondary) X-ray response signal from the explant, such that when the response signal corresponds to said at least one XRF identifiable marker, the explant is authenticated.

61. A method for identifying a production and commercial history of a plant-based product, the method comprising treating a seed or an explant with a formulation comprising a first XRF-identifiable marker at a first time point, under conditions permitting embedding said first marker in the seed surface or in the explant surface or tissue; wherein the first marker encoding at least one parameter relating to the seed or explant or a growing process relating thereto; at a second time point, optionally treating a seedling grown from said seed with a second XRF-identifiable marker under conditions permitting embedding said second marker in a tissue of said seedling; wherein the second marker encoding at least one parameter relating to seedling growing stage; and analyzing the presence of the first and second XRF-identifiable markers in a plant derived from said seed, explant or seedling or in a product manufactured therefrom.

62. A method for managing a chain of supply of a plant or a product derived therefrom, the method comprising marking a seed or an explant of said plant, and/or marking a seedling developed from said seed or explant with at least one XRF-identifiable marker, wherein the marker is not naturally present in the seed, and wherein the marker is in an amount sufficient to enable XRF identification in a tissue derived from said living plant at a time after said marking, to thereby obtain at least one information relating to the plant or product chain of supply.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0073] In order to better understand the subject matter that is disclosed herein and to exemplify how it may be carried out in practice, embodiments will now be described, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0074] FIGS. 1A-B show the detected marker signal intensity on the seed and the primary root (after washing with distilled water) as well as a spectrum from an unmarked seed.

[0075] FIG. 2 depicts graphs D.sub.2-0, D.sub.2-4, D.sub.2-7 and D.sub.2-19 showing the marker (Br) signal intensity vs. energy measured from typical leaves of plant 2 picked on day 0 (before marking), day 4, day 7, and day 19 of the 14 day period, respectively.

[0076] FIG. 3 depicts graphs D.sub.3-0, D.sub.3-3, D.sub.3-9 and D.sub.3-14 showing the marker (Br) signal intensity Vs. energy measured from typical leaves of plant 3 picked on day 0 (before marking), day 3, day 9, and day 14 of the 14 day period, respectively.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

General Marking Compositions

[0077] Compositions of the invention have been prepared utilizing a variety of XRF markers. Some of the markers were water-soluble and some were water-insoluble. The following are non-limiting examples of markers used according to the invention.

[0078] Soluble Markers:

[0079] Bis-bromo-ethylpropane-diol; Co(NO.sub.3).sub.2*6H.sub.2O; Ni(NO).sub.2*6H.sub.2O; Y(NO.sub.3).sub.2*6H.sub.2O; SnCl.sub.2*2H.sub.2O; NH.sub.4Br; NaCl; KI; Cs.sub.2CO.sub.3; Na.sub.2O.sub.4Se.

[0080] Non-Soluble Markers:

[0081] CoAcAc; NiAcAc; Tin Ethyl hexanoate; Tribromoanyline; Trichloroaniline; WO.sub.2; Nb.sub.2O.sub.5

Example 1—Seeds

[0082] Six types of seeds where marked: two different types of tomato seeds, two different types of paper seeds, and two different types of watermelon seeds. Each type of seeds was marked with a marking composition including 2 to 3 molecules, each molecule comprising a one or two marker elements. The following 7 marker molecules where used:

[0083] Bi Germanium Oxide—Bi.sub.4Ge.sub.3O.sub.12; Gallium Oxide—Ga.sub.2O.sub.3; Strontium molybdate—SrMoO.sub.4; Yttrium oxide—Y.sub.2O.sub.3: Niobium oxide—Nb.sub.2O.sub.5; Bismuth (III) citrate—BiC.sub.6H.sub.5O.sub.7; Bismuth Oxide—Bi.sub.2O.sub.3.

[0084] Six marking compositions each comprising 2-3 of these molecules (defining 6 codes for the respective six seed types) were prepared. The marking compositions were dispersed/dissolved/suspended in an industrial coating composition for seeds (i.e. a coating composition used in the industry), wherein the final concentrations of each marker element in the blend were between 0.1% to 0.15% by weight. The coating composition with the marking compositions was applied to the seeds by a rotating drum. Each batch of seeds was inspected by a handheld XRF device directly (outside a package) and inside their package. The seed package comprised a laminated polymeric material including metalized barrier layer with a total thickness of 100 μm. The intensity of the signals received by the XRF device was reduced when measured inside the package was reduced by few percent to 50% (compared to the non-packaged samples), yet all six seed batches were identified both outside and inside the package.

[0085] In a similar fashion, other XRF markers were used for the purpose of marking seeds.

Example 2—Seeds (Solution)

[0086] Melon and watermelon seeds were marked by soluble marking compositions dissolved in a water-based coating composition (one which is used in the industry). Each type of seeds was marked by a marking composition including one or two molecules, each molecule comprising one marker element. The following 3 molecules were used: Sodium Bromide—NaBr; Yittrium (III) nitrate hexahydrate—Y(NO.sub.3).sub.3*6H.sub.2O; and Cobalt (III) nitrate hexahydrate—C.sub.o(NO.sub.3).sub.2*6H.sub.2O.

[0087] The seeds were coated by coating composition by a rotating drum or alternatively by an airbrush. The concentration of all markers in the coating composition was between 1000 ppm to 2000 ppm. Each batch of coated seeds was inspected by a handheld XRF device directly (outside a package) and inside their package. The seed package comprised a laminated polymeric material including metalized barrier layer with a total thickness of 100.sub.μm. The intensity of the signals received by the XRF device was reduced when measured inside the package was reduced by few percent to 50% (compared to the non-packaged samples). All batches of marked seeds were identified both outside and inside the package.

Example 3—Germination

[0088] Mung bean (Vigna radiata) seeds where marked prior and during germination by a marking composition comprising Chromium (III) chloride hexahydrate (CrCl.sub.3*H.sub.2O) in several concentrations. The seeds were inspected by a handheld XRF device prior to marking and no significant Cr signal marker was detected.

[0089] A first batch of seeds where soaked in water for 24 hours and then coated by a seed coating composition including the marking composition in concentration 5000 ppm. The seeds were placed in a sprouting vessel for germination. The seeds/germs were kept moist watering the sprouting vessel with distilled water. After two days the germ was inspected by a handheld XRF device and a strong Cr signal was detected measuring the seed. A weaker Cr signal was detected on the primary root coming out of the seed (the radicle).

[0090] A second batch of seeds was marked by soaking the seeds in water with the marking composition for 20 hour period and then watering the seeds (placed on a moist cotton wool substrate) by water containing the marking composition. This was done for three different concentrations of the marking composition in the water (for both soaking seed and watering the germ) 20 ppm and 100 ppm. The seeds and the primary roots coming out of seeds were inspected by handheld XRF device before and after washing with distilled water. The marker was detected in the seed, the primary root, of germ for all 3 concentrations both before and after washing. The signal received from the seeds and primary roots decreased after washing by few percent and up to 50%.

[0091] FIGS. 1A and 1B show the detected marker signal intensity on the seed and the primary root (after washing with distilled water) as well as the spectrum from an unmarked seed. FIG. 1A shows the marker signal intensity Vs. energy for the seed (top line), primary root (middle line) marked by a solution with marker concentration of 20 ppm and an unmarked seed bottom line. As shown in FIG. 1A the Cr signal intensity of a seed marked with 20 ppm solution was higher by 124% than signal received from an unmarked seed. The signal received from the primary root (after washing) was higher than the unmarked seed by 57%. FIG. 1B shows the marker signal intensity Vs. energy for the seed (top line), primary root (middle line) marked by 100 ppm solution and an unmarked seed (bottom line). The Cr signal intensity measured from the seed marked by a 100 ppm solution was higher by 218% than the signal intensity of an unmarked seed, while the Cr signal intensity measured from the primary root was higher by 60%.

[0092] A third batch of seeds was marked by soaking the seeds in water containing the marking composition for a period of 13 hours. The seeds were then placed on a moist cotton wool substrate and watered with distilled water (without a marking composition). This was done for three different concentration 20 ppm, 50 ppm, and 100 ppm. The germs were inspected by a handheld XRF device. The marker was detected on the seed.

Example 4—Plants

[0093] Three spearmint (Mentha spicata) plant in a pot with potting mix was marked by irrigation (watering the potting mix). The marking composition dissolved in the irrigation water for all three plants included Calcium bromide (CaBr.sub.2). The plants were inspected by a handheld XRF device daily or every few days. In each inspections three leaves from three different stalks were inspected measuring the Br signal in the acquired spectrum. The leaves were inspected both before and after washing with tap water without any processing. No significant difference was found between the washed and unwashed leaves. In all leaves that were inspected (for three plants) a very small signal of Br was detected prior to marking. This signal (for all three plants) was much smaller (up to orders of magnitude) than the signal of the marked plants.

[0094] Plant 1 was watered daily for two weeks with tap water with CaBr.sub.2 in concentration of 5000 ppm. After two weeks the ratio between the Br signal intensity (averaged over 3 leaves) to the Br signal intensity prior to marking was 496. From that point onward the plant was watered with tap water (without a marker). The ratio between the Br signal intensity to the Br signal prior to marking decreased gradually to about 320 after 29 days regular irrigation (without a marker).

[0095] Three leaves were picked after five days of irrigation with marked water and then dried for two weeks in room conditions (temperature and lighting). These leaves were inspected before and after drying. The signal intensity of the marker increased significantly after drying. On average (over the three leaves) the ratio of the marker signal to the background increased by 34%.

[0096] Plant 2 was watered daily over a 19 day period with tap water with 50 ppm of CaBr.sub.2. Three leaves (from 3 different stalks) were inspected each day by a handheld XRF before each watering. The ratio of the Br signal intensity to the Br intensity increased to 16.3 (that is, by more that 1500%) on that period. After the 19 day period the plant was watered daily with regular tap water (without the marker) for further 10 days (29 days in total). No significant decrease in the marker signal intensity to was detected after the 10 day period. FIG. 2 depicts graphs D.sub.2-0, D.sub.2-4, D.sub.2-7 and D.sub.2-19 showing the marker (Br) signal intensity Vs. energy measured from typical leaves of plant 2 picked on day 0 (before marking), day 4, day 7, and day 19 of the 14 day period respectively.

[0097] Three leaves were picked on the after five days of irrigation with marked water and then dried for two weeks in room conditions (temperature and lighting). These leaves were inspected before and after drying. The ratio of the marker signal intensity to marker intensity prior to marking increased on average (over the three leaves) by 21%.

[0098] Plant 3 was watered daily over a 14 day period with tap water wherein 50 ppm of CaBr.sub.2 marker were dissolved in the water every third day (in total 4 times). Three leaves (from 3 different stalks) were inspected by a handheld XRF before each watering. The average (over three leaves each day) marker signal intensity increased, relatively to the unmarked plant (as measured on day 0 before marking), by 569% on day 3, by 774% by day 9, and by 1052% by day 14. FIG. 3 depicts graphs D.sub.3-0, D.sub.3-3, D.sub.3-9 and D.sub.3-14 showing the marker (Br) signal intensity Vs. energy measured from typical leaves of plant 3 picked on day 0 (before marking), day 3, day 9, and day 14 of the 14 day period respectively.