System for protection of plants from pathogens using alkamides

Abstract

System, including methods compositions, and kits, for controlling the growth of fungi and other pathogens in plants using at least one alkamide, which may function by increasing or eliciting natural defense mechanisms of the plants against such pathogens.

1 . A method of plant protection, comprising:
 selecting a plant susceptible to infection by, and/or infected with, a pathogen; and   applying an effective amount of at least one alkamide to the plant, the effective amount being sufficient to inhibit growth of the pathogen by inducing a defense response in the plant.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one alkamide is applied in a composition, and wherein the concentration of the at least one alkamide in the composition is less than about 10 −6  M. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the concentration of the at least one alkamide in the composition is less than about 10 −9  M. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the alkamide has the formula 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         wherein R 1  is hydrogen or has 1 to 8 carbons, R 2  is hydrogen or has 1 to 8 carbons, and R 3  has 9 to 11 carbons. 
       
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein R 1  has 4 carbons and R 2  is hydrogen. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the at least one alkamide is N-isobutyl decenamide, N-isobutyl decanamide, or both. 
     
     
         7 . A method of plant protection, comprising:
 selecting a plant susceptible to infection by a fungus; and   applying an effective amount of N-isobutyl decanamide to the plant to inhibit growth of the fungus.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the fungus is member of the genus  Alternaria  or  Botrytis.    
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the N-isobutyl decanamide, or an oxidized precursor of the N-isobutyl decanamide, is extracted from a natural source. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the N-isobutyl decanamide or the oxidized precursor is extracted from the natural source by traditional solvent extraction or supercritical fluid extraction (SFE). 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the N-isobutyl decanamide is produced synthetically from the precursor. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the precursor is affinin. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the step of applying includes a step of applying the effective amount as an aerosol, as a liquid fertilizer composition, by dipping at least a portion of the plant into a composition containing the N-isobutyl decanamide, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the plant is a seed and/or seedling when application of N-isobutyl decanamide starts. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising a step of applying at least one other pathogen-controlling agent or defense elicitor to protect the plant against attack by a pathogenic microorganism, pest, and/or parasite. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising a step of obtaining a kit including a composition comprising the N-isobutyl decanamide and configured for application to plants. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the step of selecting selects a plant already infected with the fungus. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the step of applying includes a step of contacting (a) a composition including N-isobutyl decanamide and (b) one or more leaves, shoots, or roots of the plant, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the step of applying includes a step of applying the N-isobutyl decanamide in a liquid or solid formulation. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the step of applying includes a step of applying an amount of N-isobutyl decanamide sufficient to kill the fungus.