Patent US4813997A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4813997A
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Method for regulating plant growth
Assignee: Ricoh Co Ltd
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Filing: 1987-05-22
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Granted: 1989-03-21
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Expires: 2007-05-22
Abstract
Abstract A process for increasing the rate of plant growth. Plants are treated with one or more acids, which are condensation products of glycolic and/or L-lactic acid. These acids also increase the concentration of chlorophyll, increase the rate of new plant formation when plants are propagated by tissue culture, decrease the amount of added nutrients required for plant growth, and protect plants against the toxic effects of salts. Certain of the acids are useful for increasing the rate of root formation in the plant.
Inventors
- 👤 Alan M. Kinnersley
- 👤 Taylor C. Scott, III
- 👤 John H. Yopp
- 👤 George H. Whitten
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 16:41
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01N; A01N37/00; A01N37/12; A01N37/36; A01H; A01H3/00; A01H3/04; A01H4/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
81 words
A process for increasing the rate of growth of a plant which comprises supplying to the roots, stems and foliage of the plant an effective amount of one or more acids having the structural formula: ##STR3## where n is a whole number from 1 to 10; the Rs are the same or different and denote H or CH 3 ; and if at least one R is CH 3 , at least some of the asymmetric centers are in the L-configuration.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
81 words
A process for increasing the rate of growth of a plant which comprises supplying to the roots, stems and foliage of the plant an effective amount of one or more acids having the structural formula: ##STR3## where n is a whole number from 1 to 10; the Rs are the same or different and denote H or CH 3 ; and if at least one R is CH 3 , at least some of the asymmetric centers are in the L-configuration.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the acid is supplied to the plant in an aqueous solution at a concentration of between about 1 and about 1000 parts per million on a weight/volume basis.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
12 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the plant is Lemna minor L.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The process of claim 1 wherein th plant is selected from the group: lettuce, spinach, and corn.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
The process of claim 4 wherein the plant is grown in hydroponic culture.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
81 words
A process for increasing the concentration of chlorophyll in a plant which comprises supplying to the roots, stems and foliage of the plant an effective amount of one or more acids having the structural formula: ##STR4## where n is a whole number from 1 to 10; the Rs are the same or different and denote H or CH 3 ; and if at least one R is CH 3 , at least some of the asymmetric centers are in the L-configuration.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
81 words
A process for increasing the concentration of chlorophyll in a plant which comprises supplying to the roots, stems and foliage of the plant an effective amount of one or more acids having the structural formula: ##STR4## where n is a whole number from 1 to 10; the Rs are the same or different and denote H or CH 3 ; and if at least one R is CH 3 , at least some of the asymmetric centers are in the L-configuration.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
The process of claim 6 wherein the acid is supplied to the plant in an aqueous solution at a concentration of between about 100 and about 1000 parts per million on a weight/volume basis.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
The process of claim 6 wherein the plant is selected from the group: Lemna minor L. and Chlorella vulgaris.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
59 words
A process for increasing the rate of root formation in a plant which comprises supplying to the roots, stems and foliage of the plant an effective amount of one or more acids having the structural formula: ##STR5## where n is a whole number from 1 to 10, and at least some of the asymmetric centers are in the L-configuration.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
59 words
A process for increasing the rate of root formation in a plant which comprises supplying to the roots, stems and foliage of the plant an effective amount of one or more acids having the structural formula: ##STR5## where n is a whole number from 1 to 10, and at least some of the asymmetric centers are in the L-configuration.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
34 words
The process of claim 9 wherein the acid is supplied to the plant in an aqueous solution at a concentration of between about 1 and about 1000 parts per million on a weight/volume basis.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
The process of claim 9 wherein the plant is selected from the group: Lemna minor L., lettuce, and corn.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
87 words
A process for decreasing the concentration of the basic nutrient medium required for growth of a plant which comprises supplying to the roots, stems or foliage of the plant an effective amount of one or more acids having the structural formula: ##STR6## where n is a whole number from 1 to 10; the Rs are the same or different and denote H or CH 3 ; and if at least one R is CH 3 , at least some of the asymmetric centers are in the L-configuration.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
87 words
A process for decreasing the concentration of the basic nutrient medium required for growth of a plant which comprises supplying to the roots, stems or foliage of the plant an effective amount of one or more acids having the structural formula: ##STR6## where n is a whole number from 1 to 10; the Rs are the same or different and denote H or CH 3 ; and if at least one R is CH 3 , at least some of the asymmetric centers are in the L-configuration.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
34 words
The process of claim 12 wherein the acid is supplied to the plant in an aqueous solution at a concentration of between about 1 and about 1,000 parts per million on a weight/volume basis.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
12 words
The process of claim 12 wherein the plant is Lemna minor L.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
82 words
A process for protecting a plant against the toxic effects of salts which comprises supplying to the roots, stems and foliage of the plant an effective amount of one or more acids having the structural formula: ##STR7## where n is a whole number from 1 to 10; the Rs are the same or different and denote H or CH 3 ; and if at least one R is CH 3 , at least some of the asymmetric centers are in the L-configuration.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
82 words
A process for protecting a plant against the toxic effects of salts which comprises supplying to the roots, stems and foliage of the plant an effective amount of one or more acids having the structural formula: ##STR7## where n is a whole number from 1 to 10; the Rs are the same or different and denote H or CH 3 ; and if at least one R is CH 3 , at least some of the asymmetric centers are in the L-configuration.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
34 words
The process of claim 15 wherein the acid is supplied to the plant in an aqueous solution at a concentration of between about 1 and about 1000 parts per million on a weight/volume basis.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
19 words
The process of claim 15 wherein the plant is selected from the group: Lemna minor L. and Chlorella vulgaris.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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Cited
US3148049A
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US3351653A
Cited
DE1916054A1
Cited
US3679392A
Cited
US4471077A
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1992-03-20 | 1992-09-19 | 1993-03-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-03-20 | 1996-09-19 | 1997-03-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-03-20 | 2000-09-19 | 2001-03-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |