US4155737A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Microbiological process for controlling the productivity of cultivated plants
Assignee: Bpifrance Financement SA
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Filing: 1978-03-30
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Granted: 1979-05-22
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Expires: 1998-03-30
Abstract
Abstract According to the invention, the productivity of cultivated plants is controlled by a microbiological process. At least one telluric microorganism having a favorable rhizospheric effect on a plant is embedded in a polymer gel. Fragments of the gel are then inoculated into the rhizosphere of the plant. The invention also relates to a process for preparing the required fragments of polymer gel. Polymerization of the gel is carried out in the presence of a culture of the desired microorganism, and the polymer block is thereafter broken up prior to use.
Inventors
- 👤 Yvon R. Dommergues
- 👤 Gia D. Hoang
- 👤 Charles Divies
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 23:46
CPC Classifications
C; C12; C12N; C12N1/00; C12N1/04; A; A01; A01G; A01G7/00; A01N; A01N63/00; A01N63/20; C05; C05F; C05F11/00; C05F11/08; Y; Y02; Y02W; Y02W30/00; Y02W30/40; Y10; Y10S; Y10S47/00; Y10S47/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
46 words
A microbiological process for controlling the productivity of cultivated plants, which comprises inoculating into the rhizosphere of a plant fragments of a polymer gel in which are embedded a least one telluric microorganism having a favourable rhizospheric effect and capable of being embedded in said gel.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
46 words
A microbiological process for controlling the productivity of cultivated plants, which comprises inoculating into the rhizosphere of a plant fragments of a polymer gel in which are embedded a least one telluric microorganism having a favourable rhizospheric effect and capable of being embedded in said gel.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
50 words
A microbiological process according to claim 1, wherein the finely divided polymer gel is diluted with a predetermined quantity of the soil to be inoculated so as to obtain an inoculum, and this inoculum is applied in the vicinity of seeds of said plant by mixing it with the soil.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
41 words
A microbiological process according to claim 2, wherein the finely divided polymer gel is obtained by cutting into fragments at least one block of polymer gel stored in a medium selected from the group consisting of buffer solutions and salt water.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
A process according to claim 1, wherein the embedded microorganism is capable of multiplying from the polymer gel when the polymer gel is placed in a culture medium for said microorganism.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
A process according to claim 1, wherein the polymer gel is selected from the group consisting of polyacrylamide gels and silica gels.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
A process according to claim 5, wherein the polymer gel is a polyacrylamide gel.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
44 words
A process according to claim 1, wherein the microorganism having a favourable rhizospheric affect is selected from the group consisting of diazotrophic bacteria, microorganisms solubilising insoluble phosphates, microorganisms solubilising potassium from potassium-containing silicates, microorganisms producing growth-regulating substances and microorganisms providing resistance to phytopathogenic agents.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
A process according to claim 7, wherein the diazotrophic bacteria are selected from the Rhizobium species.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
A process according to claim 7, wherein the diazotrophic bacteria used are selected from the group consisting of the Spirillum species and the Enterobacter species.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
A process according to claim 7, wherein the microorganisms solubilising insoluble phosphates are selected from the group consisting of Bacillus, Pseudomonas, Enterobacter and Micromycete species.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
A process according to claim 1, wherein the polymer gel is inoculated into the rhizosphere of the plants at a depth of between about 5 and 15 cm.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
A process according to claim 1, wherein fragments of polymer gel containing a mixture of different species of microorganisms are inoculated.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
A process according to claim 12, wherein the microorganisms used differ in their favourable rhizospheric effects.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
29 words
A process according to claim 13, wherein the microorganisms used differ in their sensitivity to oxygen and are selected from the group consisting of aerobic, microaerophilic and anaerobic strains.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
A process according to claim 1, wherein the polymer gel used is coated with a phosphate-containing product.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
11 words
A process according to claim 1, wherein the plant is soya.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
119 words
A process for preparing fragments of a polymer gel required for carrying out the process according to claim 1, comprising the following steps: (a) selecting a strain which can be embedded in the gel used from among the strains having the desired favourable rhizospheric effect; (b) polymerizing the gel in a buffer medium containing the said strain in suspension; (c) washing the block obtained in a medium selected from a buffer medium and a culture medium of the said strain; (d) breaking up the polymer block obtained; (e) storing the fragments obtained in a buffer medium at low temperature; and (f) reactivating the fragments of gel prior to use by incubation in a culture medium of the said strain.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
95 words
A process for preparing fragments of a polymer gel required for carrying out the process according to claim 1, comprising the following steps: (a) selecting a strain which can be embedded in the gel used from among strains having the desired favourable rhizospheric effect; (b) polymerising the gel in a culture of the microorganisms; (c) washing the block obtained in water; (d) storing the washed block in medium selected from a buffer medium and salt water at a temperature of between 4° and 10° C.; and (e) cutting the block into fragments prior to use.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
15 words
Fragments of reactivated gel obtained by the process in either of claims 17 or 18.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1982-05-21 | 1982-11-20 | 1983-05-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1986-05-21 | 1986-11-20 | 1987-05-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1990-05-21 | 1990-11-20 | 1991-05-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |