Fertilizing and bio stimulating product containing fructo oligosaccharides, application method and uses

Abstract

The present invention relates to the use of a fructooligosaccharide (FOS) comprising from 2 to 10 monosaccharide units, as an elicitor of the mechanisms of absorption of mineral elements from the soil, and of the defense mechanisms against pathogens. It also relates to a fertilizing and biostimulating composition containing these fructooligosaccharides, and to the use thereof in a method for treating crop plants.

1 . A fertilizing and/or biostimulating composition, characterized in that it contains at least one fructooligosaccharide (FOS) comprising from 2 to 10 monosaccharide units, which fructooligosaccharide is optionally sulfated. 
     
     
         2 . The composition as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that the fructooligosaccharide (FOS) corresponds to the formula Glucose-(Fructose) n  or Mannose-(Fructose) n , also denoted GF n , in which n ranges from 1 to 9, or to the formula (Fructose) m , also denoted F m , in which m ranges from 2 to 10. 
     
     
         3 . The composition as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that the fructooligosaccharide (FOS) represents from 0.1 to 10% by weight of the weight of the composition. 
     
     
         4 . The composition as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that the fructooligosaccharide (FOS) is derived from the enzymatic hydrolysis of inulin. 
     
     
         5 . The composition as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that the fructooligosaccharide (FOS) is chosen from the group consisting of the compounds nystose (GF 2 ), kestose (GF 3 ), fructosylnystose (GF 4 ), bifurcose (GF 3 ), inulobiose (F 2 ), inulotriose (F 3 ) and inulotetraose (F 4 ). 
     
     
         6 . The composition as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that it contains one or more fertilizing materials chosen from urea, ammonium sulfate, ammonium nitrate, natural phosphate, potassium chloride, ammonium sulfate, magnesium nitrate, manganese nitrate, zinc nitrate, copper nitrate, phosphoric acid and boric acid. 
     
     
         7 . A method for fertilizing plants to improve their absorption of inorganic nutrients, characterized in that it comprises the application, to said plants or to the soils in which they are growing, of an effective amount of a fructooligosaccharide (FOS) comprising from 2 to 10 monosaccharide units or of a composition as claimed in  claim 1 . 
     
     
         8 . A method for the biostimulation of plants which comprises the application, to said plants or to the soils in which they are growing, of an effective amount of a fructooligosaccharide (FOS) comprising from 2 to 10 monosaccharide units or of a composition as claimed in  claim 1 . 
     
     
         9 . The method as claimed in  claim 7  or  8 , characterized in that the FOS or the composition is applied to the plants via the leaves or via the roots. 
     
     
         10 . The method as claimed in  claim 9 , characterized in that the FOS is used in an amount:
 from 0.1 to 100 g per litre, and preferably of the order of 1 g per litre, when supplied in liquid form via the leaves or in nutritive solutions for the roots,   from 10 to 1000 g and preferably of the order of 200 g per hectare, when supplied in solid form, for example in pulverulent or granulated fertilizers.   
     
     
         11 . The use of at least one fructooligosaccharide (FOS) comprising from 2 to 10 monosaccharide units to elicit mechanisms for absorption of inorganic nutrients in plants and as agent for stimulating natural plant defenses.