PLANT METABOLISM PROMOTING COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS OF USE

Abstract

A plant metabolism promoting composition for promoting metabolic processes in plants includes an L-amino acid, or a salt or a derivative thereof, having a chemical formula of HO.sub.2CCH(NH.sub.2)CH.sub.2CH.sub.2CONHR, wherein R is an alkyl or an alkenyl. An amount of the composition applied to one or both of a seed and a plant is sufficient to augment one or more of: i. growth of a plant growing from the seed or growth of the plant, ii. health of a plant growing from the seed or health of the plant, iii. quality of yield from a plant growing from the seed or quality of yield from the plant, and iv. quantity of yield from a plant growing from the seed or quantity of yield from the plant.

Claims

1. A plant metabolism promoting composition comprising: an L-amino acid, or a salt or a derivative thereof, having a chemical formula of HO.sub.2CCH(NH.sub.2)CH.sub.2CH.sub.2CONHR, wherein R is an alkyl or an alkenyl, wherein an amount of the composition applied to one or both of a seed and a plant is sufficient to augment one or more of: growth of a plant growing from the seed or growth of the plant; health of a plant growing from the seed or health of the plant; quality of yield from a plant growing from the seed or quality of yield from the plant; and quantity of yield from a plant growing from the seed or quantity of yield from the plant.

2. The plant metabolism promoting composition of claim 1, wherein R is ethyl or methyl.

3. The plant metabolism promoting composition of claim 1, wherein the plant metabolism promoting composition comprises a solvent.

4. The plant metabolism promoting composition of claim 3, wherein the solvent comprises water.

5. The plant metabolism promoting composition of claim 3, further including the plant metabolism promoting composition comprising one or more of a fertilizer, an adjuvant, an oil, a fungicide, an insecticide, an herbicide, a plant growth regulator, plant growth promoting organism, a seaweed, a humic acid, and a fulvic acid.

6. A method of promoting metabolism in a plant, the method comprising the steps of: providing a plant metabolism promoting composition comprising an L-amino acid, or a salt or a derivative thereof, having a chemical formula of HO.sub.2CCH(NH.sub.2)CH.sub.2CH.sub.2CONHR, wherein R is an alkyl or an alkenyl; and applying an amount of the plant metabolism promoting composition to one or both of a plurality of seeds and a plurality of plants sufficient to augment one or more of: growth of plants growing from the seeds or growth of the plants; health of plants growing from the seeds or health of the plants; quality of yield from plants growing from the seeds or quality of yield from the plants; and quantity of yield from plants growing from the seeds or quantity of yield from the plants.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein: the plant metabolism promoting composition comprises an aqueous solution of the L-amino acid, or the salt or the derivative thereof; and the plant metabolism promoting composition is applied by one or more of: coating the seeds; soaking the seeds; spraying soil proximate to the plants at time of planting of the seeds; spraying soil proximate to the plants during the growing season; spraying foliage of the plants during the growing season; incorporation of the plant metabolism promoting composition into a dry fertilizer and applying it to seeds or plants; and incorporation of the plant metabolism promoting composition into a fertilizer solution used for fertigation of the plants during the growing season.

8. The method of claim 7, further including an additional step of between one and five additional applications of the plant metabolism promoting composition to the plurality of plants during the growing season.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein R is ethyl or methyl.

10. The method of claim 7, wherein the plant metabolism promoting composition is applied to the plurality of plants at a rate 0.1 g to 2000.0 g of the L-amino acid, or the salt or the derivative thereof, per acre.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the plant metabolism promoting composition is applied to the plurality of plants at a rate 10.0 g to 1000.0 g of the L-amino acid, or the salt or the derivative thereof, per acre.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the plant metabolism promoting composition is applied to the plurality of plants at a rate 25.0 g to 100.0 g of the L-amino acid, or the salt or the derivative thereof, per acre.

13. A plant or a seed treated with the plant metabolism promoting composition according to the method recited in claim 7.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

[0023] The disclosure will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings and images wherein:

[0024] FIG. 1 is a photo showing a representative untreated plant (left) and a representative L-theanine treated plant (right) from a 2021 York, NE Corn Replicated Field Trial.

[0025] FIG. 2 is a photo of representative samples of the untreated onions (left) and L-theanine treated onions (right) produced in a 2021 Pennsylvania Onion Replicated Field Trial.

[0026] FIG. 3 is a flow diagram for a method utilizing an embodiment of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0027] An embodiment of the disclosure meets the needs presented above by generally comprising an L-amino acid, or a salt or a derivative thereof, having a chemical formula of HO.sub.2CCH(NH.sub.2)CH.sub.2CH.sub.2CONHR, wherein R is an alkyl or an alkenyl. R may comprise ethyl (such that the L-amino acid is L-theanine), methyl (such that the L-amino acid is γ-glutamylmethylamide), propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isoprenyl, or the like.

[0028] The plant metabolism promoting composition generally comprises a solvent into which the L-amino acid, or the salt or the derivative thereof, is substantially dissolved to achieve a concentration of the L-amino acid sufficient to promote a metabolic process in a plant. The solvent generally comprises water, but also may include cosolvents, such as, but not limited to, alcohols, dimethyl sulfoxide, and the like. The composition also may comprise one or more of a fertilizer, an adjuvant, an oil, a fungicide, an insecticide, an herbicide, a plant growth regulator, a plant growth promoting organism, a seaweed, a humic acid, a fulvic acid, and the like.

[0029] The plant metabolism promoting composition may be applied to one or both of a plurality of seeds and a plurality of plants by one or more application methods. These application methods include, but are not limited to, soaking the seeds, coating the seeds, spraying soil proximate to the plants at time of planting of the seeds, spraying soil proximate to the plants during the growing season, spraying foliage of the plants during the growing season, incorporating the composition onto dry fertilizer which then is applied to plants, and incorporating the composition into a fertilizer solution used for fertigation of the plants during the growing season.

[0030] An amount of the composition applied to one or both of a seed and a plant is sufficient to augment one or more of: i. growth of a plant growing from the seed or growth of the plant, ii. health of a plant growing from the seed or health of the plant, iii. quality of yield from a plant growing from the seed or quality of yield from the plant, and iv. quantity of yield from a plant growing from the seed or quantity of yield from the plant.

[0031] The plant metabolism promoting composition may be applied to the plurality of seeds and plants at a rate 0.1 g to 2000.0 g of the L-amino acid, or the salt or the derivative thereof, per acre. The plant metabolism promoting composition may be applied to the plurality of plants at a rate 10.0 g to 1000.0 g of the L-amino acid, or the salt or the derivative thereof, per acre. The plant metabolism promoting composition may be applied to the plurality of plants at a rate 25.0 g to 100.0 g of the L-amino acid, or the salt or the derivative thereof, per acre.

[0032] The plant metabolism promoting composition enables a method of promoting metabolism in a plant. The method comprises a first step of providing a plant metabolism promoting composition according to the specification above. A second step of the method is applying an amount of the plant metabolism promoting composition to one or both of a plurality of seeds and a plurality of plants sufficient to augment one or more of: i. growth of plants growing from the seeds or growth of the plants, ii. health of plants growing from the seeds or health of the plants, iii. quality of yield from plants growing from the seeds or quality of yield from the plants, and iv. quantity of yield from plants growing from the seeds or quantity of yield from the plants. The method may include an additional step of between one and twelve additional applications of the plant metabolism promoting composition to the plurality of plants during the growing season.

[0033] Provided below are detailed examples of the plant metabolism promoting compositions and methods for their use in greenhouse and replicated field trials. These examples should not be viewed as limiting in regard to compositions, methods, or plant species. [0034] I. Definitions

[0035] CHK stands for check and represents the untreated control for a trial. LSD stands for least significant difference and C.V. stands for Coefficient of Variance. “a” denotes the corresponding value is significantly different from any other value that does not contain the letter “a”. Similarly, “b” denotes the corresponding value is significantly different from any other value that does not contain the letter “b”. [0036] II. Greenhouse Trials

[0037] The base formulation used in greenhouse trials was an aqueous solution of L-theanine (20% by weight). The base formulation was further diluted with water as detailed for each trial.

[0038] A. 2021 Greenhouse Tomato Trial

[0039] Table 1 presents the results of this trial. Rutgers variety tomato plant seedlings (n=6/treatment) were planted in commercial potting soil and then were transplanted to 3 gallon pots. L-theanine treatment was applied at the equivalent of 1 pint in 100 gallons of water (125 ppm) and sprayed till runoff. Two treatment applications were made to the plants approximately 14 days apart.

[0040] Trial conclusions: Application of L-theanine increased basal diameter, plant height, and fruit count by 1.1 mm (+19.5%), 2.5 in (+13.3%), and 3.75 (+83.3%), respectively. The increase in early fruit production/yield is interesting because it points to the plant either accelerating its development and/or improving the nutrient content of the plant.

TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Basal Plant Treatment Treatment Diameter Height Leaf Fruit # Composition (mm) (in) (count) (count) 1 CHK 5.65 a 18.75 a 5 a 4.5 b  2 L-theanine 6.75 a 21.25 a 5 a  8.25 a LSD 1.393   4.947 3.528 P = 0.05 C.V. 10.0 .sup.    11.0 .sup.  0   24.6  

[0041] B. 2021 Greenhouse Bell Pepper Trial

[0042] Table 2 presents the results of this trial. CalWonder variety pepper plant seedlings (n=4/treatment) were planted in commercial potting soil and then were transplanted to 3-gallon pots. L-theanine treatment was applied at the equivalent of 1 pint in 100 gallons of water (125 ppm) and sprayed till runoff. Two treatment applications were made to the plants approximately 14 days apart.

[0043] Trial conclusions: Application of L-theanine improved basal diameter and fruit count by 1.82 mm (+48.8%) and 3.0 (+120%), respectively. L-theanine dramatically increased stalk girth relative to the check and increased early fruit set, an important metric in continuously picked crop species like bell peppers.

TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Basal Plant Treatment Treatment Diameter Height Fruit # Composition (mm) (in) (count) 1 CHK 3.73 b 27 a 2.5 b 2 L-theanine 5.55 a 26 a 5.5 a LSD 0.509    4.684  2.905 P = 0.05 C.V. 4.88.sup.   7.86 32.27.sup. 

[0044] C. 2021 Greenhouse Spinach Trial

[0045] Table 3 presents the results of this trial. Whale variety spinach plant seedlings (n=6/treatment) were planted in commercial potting soil and then were transplanted to 3-gallon pots. L-theanine treatment was applied at the equivalent of 1 pint in 100 gallons of water (125 ppm) and sprayed till runoff. Two treatment applications were made to the plants approximately 14 days apart.

[0046] Trial conclusions: Application of L-theanine increased plant height and leaf count by 1.67 in (+23.9%) and 1 (+13.1%), respectively. Since leaves are the harvestable portion of spinach, increasing leaf count is the contributing factor to improved yield.

TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 3 Basal Plant Treatment Treatment Diameter Height Leaf # Composition (mm) (in) (count) 1 CHK 3.08 a 7.0 b  7.66 b 2 L-theanine 3.07 a  8.67 a 8.66 a LSD 0.784  1.271 0.677  P = 0.05 C.V. 17.17 .sup.  10.93  2.85t 

[0047] D. 2021 Greenhouse Squash Trial

[0048] Table 4 presents the results of this trial. Butterbaby variety squash plant seedlings (n=4/treatment) were planted in commercial potting soil and then were transplanted to 3-gallon pots. L-theanine treatment was applied at the equivalent of 1 pint in 100 gallons of water (125 ppm) and sprayed till runoff. Two treatment applications were made to the plants approximately 14 days apart.

[0049] Trial conclusions: Application of L-theanine increased vine length and fruit per vine by 11.25 in (+25.7%) and 2.75 fruit (+183.3%), respectively. Application of L-theanine improved plant productivity, early flowering, and early fruit set.

TABLE-US-00004 TABLE 4 Vine Treatment Treatment Length Fruit/Vine # Composition (in) (count) 1 CHK 43.75 a 1.5 a 2 L-theanine 55.00 a  4.25 a LSD 12.95.sup.  3.98  P = 0.05 C.V. 11.66.sup.  61.49.sup. 

[0050] E. 2021 Watermelon Trial

[0051] Table 5 presents the results of this trial. Seedless watermelon plant seedlings (n=4/treatment) were planted in commercial potting soil and then were transplanted to 3-gallon pots. L-theanine treatment was applied at the equivalent of 1 pint in 100 gallons of water (125 ppm) and sprayed till runoff. Two treatment applications were made to the plants approximately 14 days apart.

[0052] Trial conclusions: Application of L-theanine increased vine development by 14.5 cm (+39.7%) and average fruit per vine by 4.75 (100.0%).

TABLE-US-00005 TABLE 5 Treatment Vine Length Fruit/Vine Treatment # Composition (cm) (count) 1 CHK 36.5 b  4.75 b 2 L-theanine 51.0 a  9.50 a LSD P = 0.05  8.37  2.718 C.V.  8.5 16.95

[0053] F. 2021 Zinnia Greenhouse Trial

[0054] Table 6 presents the results of this trial. Zinna seeds (n=6/treatment) were planted in commercial potting soil and then transplanted into 3-gallon pots. L-theanine treatment was applied at the equivalent of 1 pint in 100 gallons of water (125 ppm) and sprayed till runoff. Two treatments were made to the plants approximately 14 days apart.

[0055] Trial conclusions: Application of L-theanine increased basal diameter (mm), plant height (cm) and flower counts by 1.2 mm (+22.9%), 9.66 cm (+36.9%), and 6.0 (+143.9%), respectively, over the untreated check.

TABLE-US-00006 TABLE 6 Treatment Basal Diameter Plant Height Flower Treatment # Composition (mm) (cm) (count) 1 CHK 5.25 b 26.17 b  4.17 2 L-theanine 6.45 a 35.83 a 10.17 LSD P = 0.05 0.715  4.952  3.384 C.V. 8.23 10.76 31.82

[0056] G. 2021 Greenhouse Sunflower Trial

[0057] Table 7 presents the results of this study. Dwarf sunflower seeds (n=9/treatment) were planted in commercial potting soil in 1-gallon pots. Approximately 14 days after emergence, an L-theanine solution was applied to the foliage at the equivalent of 8 fl. oz./acre in 50 gallons of water (125 ppm) and sprayed till run off. One application was made.

[0058] Trial conclusions: Application of L-theanine increased the biomass (grams), root length (cm), root surface area (cm.sup.2) and root volume (cm.sup.3) of sunflowers by 4.4 grams (+12.8%), 70.5 cm, (+4.2%), 61.5 cm.sup.2 (+14.3%), and 2.2 cm.sup.3 (+25.3%), respectively, over the untreated check.

TABLE-US-00007 TABLE 7 Treatment Plant Biomass Root Length Root Surface Root Volume Treatment # Composition (g) (cm) Area (cm.sup.2) (cm.sup.3) 1 CHK 34.26 b 1694.6 a 429.6 a  8.7 a 2 L-theanine 38.63 a 1765.1 a 491.1 a 10.9 a LSD P = 0.05  4.034  261.3  84.3  2.3 C.V. 10.18  13.9  16.84 21.53

[0059] H. 2020 Greenhouse Corn Seed Treatment Trial

[0060] Table 8 presents the results of this trial. Corn seed (n=9/treatment) was treated with an aqueous solution of L-theanine at a rate of 1.0 fl. oz. per hundredweight of corn seed. The seeds were planted in commercial potting soil in 1-gallon pots. The plants were grown for 21 days before they were harvested.

[0061] Trial conclusions: Application of L-theanine as a seed applied treatment increased biomass (g), root length (cm) and root tips by 1.3 g (+4.4%), 69.1 cm (+7.0%), and 883.8 (+18.5%), respectively, over the untreated check. Of note is that root tips are the primary interface between the root and the soil and, generally speaking, increasing root tips will facilitate the increased uptake of both water and nutrients into the plant.

TABLE-US-00008 TABLE 8 Treatment Plant Biomass Root Length Treatment # Composition (g) (cm) Root Tips (#) 1 CHK 28.62 a 980.01 a 4772.4 b 2 L-theanine 29.88 a 1049.08 a 5656.2 a LSD P = 0.05  2.337  82.47  806.2 C.V. 14.57  21.3  28.2

[0062] I. 2020 Greenhouse Soybean Seed Treatment Trial

[0063] Table 9 presents the results of this trial. Soybean seed (n=32/treatment) was treated with an aqueous solution of L-theanine at a rate of 1.0 fl. oz. per hundredweight of soybean seed. The seeds were planted in commercial potting soil in 1-gallon pots. The plants were grown for 21 days before they were harvested.

[0064] Trial conclusions: Application of L-theanine as a seed applied treatment increased biomass (g), root length (cm) and root tips by 0.43 g (+8.0%), 94.4 cm (+8.1%), and 763.4 (+21.0%), respectively, over the untreated check.

TABLE-US-00009 TABLE 9 Treatment Plant Biomass Root Length Root Tips Treatment # Composition (g) (cm) (count) 1 CHK 5.37 a 1169.3 b 3628.6 b 2 L-theanine 5.80 a 1263.7 a 4392.0 a LSD P = 0.05 0.435  65.3  343.1 C.V. 6.86  10.52  16.76

[0065] J. 2021 Greenhouse Mustard Trial

[0066] Table 10 presents the results of this trial. Mustard seeds (n=28/treatment) were planted in commercial potting soil in 1-gallon pots. Approximately 14 days after seedling emergence, an aqueous L-theanine solution was mixed into water at a rate of 0.2 mL per 1000 mL water. The resulting solution was applied to the soil of the pots at a rate of 50 mL per plant. Plants were grown for an additional 14 days then harvested.

[0067] Trial conclusions: Soil application of L-theanine increased plant biomass (g), root length (cm) and root tips by 2.8 g (+14.5%), 120.9 cm (+28.5%), and 887 (+38.7%), respectively, above the untreated check.

TABLE-US-00010 TABLE 10 Treatment Plant Biomass Root Length Root Tips Treatment # Composition (g) (cm) (count) 1 CHK 19.38 b 424.6 b 2291.7 b 2 L-theanine 22.19 a 545.5 a 3178.7 a LSD P = 0.05  2.05  72.9  391.5 C.V. 17.96  27.36  26.05

[0068] K. 2021 Greenhouse Soybean Trial

[0069] Table 11 presents the results of this trial. Soybean seeds (n=28/treatment) were planted in commercial potting soil in 1-gallon pots. Approximately 14 days after seedling emergence, an aqueous L-theanine solution was mixed into water at a rate of 0.2 mL per 1000 mL water. The resulting solution was applied to the soil of the pots at a rate of 50 mL per plant. Plants were grown for an additional 14 days then harvested.

[0070] Trial conclusions: Application of L-theanine increased soybean biomass (g) and root length (cm) by 1.3 g (+20.4%) and 66.4 cm (+4.2%), respectively, above the untreated check.

TABLE-US-00011 TABLE 11 Treatment Plant Biomass Root Length Treatment # Composition (g) (cm) 1 CHK  6.18 b 1565.0 a 2 L-theanine  7.44 a 1631.4 a LSD P = 0.05  0.761  115.6 C.V. 20.38  13.19

[0071] L. 2021 Greenhouse Soybean Trial

[0072] Table 12 presents the results of this trial. Soybean seeds (n=12/treatment) were planted in commercial potting soil in 1 gallon pots. Approximately 14 days after emergence, an aqueous solution of L-theanine was applied to the foliage at a rate of 8 fl. oz./50 gallons of water (125 ppm) and sprayed till runoff. The plants were grown for another 14 days then harvested.

[0073] Trial conclusions: Application of L-theanine increased biomass (g), root length (cm), and root tips by 2.2 g (+20.1%), 254.6 cm (+13.2%), and 1345.1 (+36.1%), respectively, above the untreated check.

TABLE-US-00012 TABLE 12 Treatment Plant Biomass Root Length Root Tips Treatment # Composition (g) (cm) (count) 1 CHK 10.84 a 1931.2 a 3730.8 b 2 L-theanine 13.02 a 2185.8 a 5075.9 a LSD P = 0.05  2.291  355.76  911.33 C.V. 21.11  19  22.75

[0074] M. 2021 Greenhouse Corn Trial

[0075] Table 13 presents the results of this study. Corn seed (n=14/treatment) was planted in commercial potting soil in 3-gallon pots. Approximately 14 days after emergence, an aqueous solution of L-theanine was applied at a rate of 0.2 mL (Treatment 2) and 0.4 mL (Treatment 3) per 1000 mL water. The resulting solutions were drenched at a rate of 50 mL per pot. The plants were grown for an additional 21 days then harvested.

[0076] Trial conclusions: Application of L-theanine to corn plants at two different rates changed biomass and root length by 9.0 grams (+13.9%) and −106.8 (−6.0%), respectively for Treatment 2 and 9.1 grams (+14.1%) and 65.3 (+3.6), respectively, for Treatment 3 above the untreated check. Interestingly, the higher rate of L-theanine not only improved the biomass of the plant, it also stimulated additional root growth over both the untreated and the lower rate of L-theanine.

TABLE-US-00013 TABLE 13 Treatment Plant Biomass Root Length Treatment # Composition (g) (cm) 1 CHK 64.96 b 1790.6 a 2 L-theanine 74.0 a 1683.8 a (8 fl. oz./acre) 3 L-theanine (16 74.1 a 1855.9 a fl. oz./acre) LSD P = 0.05  6.663  220 C.V.  9.39  16.33 [0077] III. Replicated Field Trials

[0078] A. 2021 York, NE Corn Replicated Field Trial

[0079] FIG. 1 is a photo from a 2021 York, NE Corn Trial. An aqueous solution of L-theanine was applied to the corn as an in-furrow application at a rate of 8 fl. oz. per acre. The pictures from the trial were taken at the V5 (5th Leaf) growth stage.

[0080] Trial conclusions: FIG. 1 is a photo showing a representative untreated plant (left) and a representative L-theanine treated plant (right). The L-theanine treated plant shows increases in root biomass development and stalk girth.

[0081] B. 2021 Pennsylvania Onion Replicated Field Trial

[0082] Table 14 presents the results of this study. Onions were maintained under grower standard practices. Four replications were performed per treatment. In this trial, applications of L-theanine were performed every 14 days for a total of 4 applications.

[0083] Trial conclusions: Application of L-theanine increased biomass of the onions by 75.0 g (49.3%). FIG. 2 is a photo of representative samplings of the untreated onions (left) and L-theanine treated onions (right) produced in this trial. Notable is the increase in size and uniformity for the treated onions over the untreated onions.

TABLE-US-00014 TABLE 14 Treatment Fresh Onion Treatment # Composition Mass (g) 1 CHK 152 b 2 L-theanine 227 a LSD P = 0.05  13.8 C.V.  8.09

[0084] C. 2021 New York Replicated Apple Field Trial

[0085] Table 15 presents the results of this field trial. Mature apple trees (n=6) were treated with a 20% aqueous L-theanine solution at 1 pint per acre with application timings at Pink Bud, Bloom, Petal Fall, and every 2 weeks from Petal Fall until harvest.

[0086] Trial Conclusions: Applications of L-theanine increased salable yield by 93.1 bushels/acre (12.5%; 1 bushel=48 lbs), increased salable yield (a measure of fruit quality) , and reduced the number of defective fruits.

TABLE-US-00015 TABLE 15 Treatment Salable Yield Defects Total Yield Treatment # Composition (bu/acre) (bu/acre) (bu/acre) 1 CHK 744.7 b 156.0 a 900.6 a 2 L-theanine 837.8 a 114.5 a 952.3 a LSD P = 0.05  41.7  47.8  62.6 C.V.  3.55  23.81  4.55

[0087] D. 2022 Replicated California Cherry Trial

[0088] Table 16 presents the results of this field trial. Mature cherry trees (n=6) were treated with a 10% aqueous L-theanine solution at 1 pint per acre with application timings at Early Bloom, Petal Fall, and Early Fruit set. The trial was maintained at grower standard fertilizer and pest management throughout the course of the trial.

[0089] Trial Conclusions: Applications of L-theanine increased yield by 12.8 boxes/acre (22.3%) over the untreated check.

TABLE-US-00016 Treatment Yield Treatment # Composition (Boxes/Acre) 1 CHK 57.5 b 2 L-theanine 70.3 a LSD P = 0.05 10.5 C.V. 11.08

[0090] E. 2021 Replicated California Almond Trial

[0091] Table 17 presents the results of this trial. Almond trees (n=6) were treated with a 20% aqueous solution of L-theanine at 1 pint per acre at pink bud and full bloom. Additional applications at 0.5 pint per acre soil were applied at petal fall, petal fall +3 weeks, and petal fall +6 weeks for a total of applications. The trial was maintained at grower standard fertilizer and pest management throughout the course of the trial.

[0092] Trial Conclusions: Application of L-theanine increased almond yield by an average of 15.3 lbs per tree (11.2%).

TABLE-US-00017 TABLE 17 Treatment Yield Treatment # Composition (lbs/tree) 1 CHK 136.9 b 2 L-theanine 152.2 a LSD P = 0.10  13.02 C.V.  7.75

[0093] F. 2021 Replicated Nebraska Soybean Field Trial

[0094] Table 18 presents the results of this trial. Soybean seeds (Glycine max) were planted at a rate of 150,000 seeds per acre. The treated plot size was 5 ft×40 ft and this was replicated 4 times. A 20% aqueous L-theanine solution was applied to the foliage at 8 fl. oz./acre at the R2 (full flowering) growth stage. The trial was fertilized and maintained under grower standard practices.

[0095] Trial Conclusions: Application of L-theanine increased yield by 6.0 bushels per acre (7.6%) over the untreated control.

TABLE-US-00018 TABLE 18 Treatment Yield Treatment # Composition (Bushels/Acre) 1 CHK 78.6 b 2 L-theanine 84.6 a LSD P = 0.05  5.23 C.V.  2.85

[0096] E. 2022 Replicated South Dakota Spring Wheat Field Trial

[0097] Table 19 presents the results of this trial. Wheat seed (Triticum aestivum) was planted at a rate of 90 lbs/acre. The treated plot size was 5 ft×40 ft and this was replicated 4 times. A 20% L-theanine solution was applied at 8 fl. oz./acre to the foliage of the wheat approximately 40 days after emergence. The trial was fertilized and maintained under grower standard practices.

[0098] Trial Conclusions: Application of L-Theanine increased yield by 5.3 bushels/acre (10.9%) over the untreated control.

TABLE-US-00019 TABLE 19 Treatment Yield Treatment # Composition (Bushels/Acre) 1 CHK 48.6 b 2 L-theanine 53.9 a LSD P = 0.05  4.86 C.V.  4.22

[0099] Although the foregoing invention has been described in some detail by way of illustration and example for purposes of clarity and understanding, it will be readily apparent, in light of the teachings of this invention, that certain changes and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit or scope of the following claims.

[0100] Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the disclosure. In this patent document, the word “comprising” is used in its non-limiting sense to mean that items following the word are included, but items not specifically mentioned are not excluded. A reference to an element by the indefinite article “a” does not exclude the possibility that more than one of the elements is present, unless the context clearly requires that there be only one of the elements.