Lipo-Chitooligosaccharides combination compositions for enhanced plant growth and yield

Abstract

Compositions and methods for enhancing plant growth and crop yield in legumes and non-legumes are described. The compositions include lipo-chitooligosaccharides in combination with chitins/chitosans or in combination with flavonoid compounds or in combination with a herbicide. The method includes applying the compositions to seeds and/or plants either concomitantly or sequentially.

1 . A method comprising spraying corn plants with a composition comprising at least one flavonoid in an amount effective to increase the yield of said corn plants. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one flavonoid comprises genistein. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one flavonoid comprises daidzein. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one flavonoid comprises genistein and daidzein. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one flavonoid is present in said composition at a concentration of between about 20 μM to about 800 μM. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one flavonoid is present in said composition at a concentration of between about 100 μM to about 500 μM. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one flavonoid is present in said composition at a concentration of about 10 mM. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising applying at least one lipo-chitooligosaccharide to said corn plants. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said composition further comprises at least one lipo-chitooligosaccharide. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein said at least one lipo-chitooligosaccharide is present in said composition at a concentration of between about 10 −14  M to about 10 −5  M. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein said at least one lipo-chitooligosaccharide is present in said composition at a concentration of between about 10 −10  M to about 10 −6  M. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein said at least one lipo-chitooligosaccharide is present in said composition at a concentration of about 10 −8  M. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said composition is sprayed on said corn plants in an amount effective to increase the yield of said corn plants by at least 3 bushels per acre, as compared to untreated control plants. 
     
     
         14 . A method comprising spraying corn plants with a composition comprising genistein and daidzein in an amount effective to increase the yield of said corn plants. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said genistein and daidzein are present in said composition at a genistein:daidzein ratio of about 8:2. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said genistein and daidzein are present in said composition at a concentration of about 10 mM. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising applying at least one lipo-chitooligosaccharide to said corn plants. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein said composition further comprises at least one lipo-chitooligosaccharide. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein said at least one lipo-chitooligosaccharide is present in said composition at a concentration of about 10 −8  M. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein said composition is sprayed on said corn plants in an amount effective to increase the yield of said corn plants by at least 3 bushels per acre, as compared to untreated control plants.