Chitooligosaccharides and methods for use in enhancing corn growth

Abstract

Disclosed are methods of enhancing growth of corn plants, comprising treating corn seed or the corn plant that germinates from the seed with an effective amount of at least one chitooligosaccharide, wherein upon harvesting the corn plant exhibits at least one of increased plant yield measured in terms of bushels/acre, increased root number, increased root length, increased root mass, increased root volume and increased leaf area, compared to untreated corn plants or corn plants harvested from untreated corn seed.

1 . A composition comprising at least one chitooligosaccharide (CO) in an agriculturally acceptable carrier,
 wherein said at least one CO comprises at least one CO represented by the formula:   
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       wherein R 1  represents hydrogen or methyl; R 2  represents hydrogen or methyl; R 3  represents hydrogen, acetyl or carbamoyl; R 4  represents hydrogen, acetyl or carbamoyl; R 5  represents hydrogen, acetyl or carbamoyl; R 6  represents hydrogen, arabinosyl, fucosyl, acetyl, sulfate ester, 3-0-S-2-0-MeFuc, 2-0-MeFuc, or 4-0-AcFuc; R 7  represents hydrogen, mannosyl or glycerol; R 8  represents hydrogen, methyl, or —CH 2 OH; R 9  represents hydrogen, arabinosyl, or fucosyl; R 10  represents hydrogen, acetyl or fucosyl; and n represents 0, 1, 2 or 3; and
 wherein said at least one CO is present at a concentration suitable for enhancing plant growth when corn seed treated with said composition is planted and grown in a soil. 
 
     
     
         2 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one CO comprises a CO represented by the formula: 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
     
     
         3 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one CO comprises a CO represented by the structure: 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
     
     
         4 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one CO comprises a CO represented by the formula: 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       wherein n=1 or 2; R 1  represents hydrogen or methyl; and R 2  represents hydrogen or SO 3 H. 
     
     
         5 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one CO comprises a CO represented by the structure: 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
     
     
         6 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one CO comprises a CO represented by the structure: 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
     
     
         7 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one CO is present at concentration ranging from 10 −5  to 10 −14  Molar. 
     
     
         8 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one CO is present at concentration ranging from about 10 −5  to about 10 −11  Molar. 
     
     
         9 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one CO is present at concentration ranging from about 10 −5  to about 10 −7  Molar. 
     
     
         10 . The composition of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one lipo-chitooligosaccharide (LCO). 
     
     
         11 . The composition of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one chitin. 
     
     
         12 . The composition of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one chitosan. 
     
     
         13 . The composition of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one flavonoid. 
     
     
         14 . The composition of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one fungicide, herbicide and/or insecticide. 
     
     
         15 . The composition of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one phosphate solubilizing microorganism. 
     
     
         16 . The composition of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one diazotroph. 
     
     
         17 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one CO is present at a concentration suitable for enhancing plant yield measured in terms of bushels per acre when corn seed treated with said composition is planted and grown in a soil. 
     
     
         18 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one CO is present at a concentration suitable for enhancing plant growth when said corn seed is treated with said composition at least one month prior to planting. 
     
     
         19 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one CO is present at a concentration suitable for enhancing plant growth when said corn seed is treated with said composition at least three months prior to planting. 
     
     
         20 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one CO is present at a concentration suitable for enhancing plant growth when said corn seed is treated with said composition at least six months prior to planting.