WO2016055577A1

WO2016055577A1 - Water-dissolvable protection for seedling and plants

Info

Publication number: WO2016055577A1
Application number: PCT/EP2015/073280
Authority: WO
Inventors: Pim Matthijs VERHOEF; Marcel Bastiaan VAN TWIST
Original assignee: Anthura B.V.
Priority date: 2014-10-10
Filing date: 2015-10-08
Publication date: 2016-04-14
Also published as: NL2013606B1

Abstract

The invention concerns a water-dissolvable protection for seedlings and plants, wherein the protection is in the form of a wrapper, film, band, tie, length of string, or mesh, and wherein the protection is made from a water-dissolvable polymer or from composition comprising one or more water-dissolvable polymers. The invention also concerns a method for applying the water-dissolvable protection to plants and seedlings. Moreover, the invention concerns an automated process for introducing protected seedlings and plants into a growing medium wherein use is made of the water-dissolvable protection. Finally, the invention concerns plants and seedlings, the roots, stems, leaves, fruits and/or flowers of which are protected against damage by the water-dissolvable protection provided in this invention.

Description

Title: Water-dissolvable protection for seedling and plants Technical Field

The current invention concerns water-dissolvable protection for seedlings and plants. Background Art

Automation is of growing importance in the commercial breeding and propagation of plants. Unfortunately, life plants and seedlings are not of uniform shape. As a result, mechanical activity is still rather limited. Moreover, plants and in particular seedlings are relatively small.

In addition to their shape not being uniform, the plants and seedlings are often too small to grasp by robot hands and the like. In addition, life plants and seedlings (roots, stems, leaves, fruits and/or flowers) are delicate and may get damaged, e.g., when they are (re)introduced into a growing medium (repotting) and/or when they are transported. Finally, when transporting delicate plants and seedlings, said plants and seedlings are voluminous.

This is inefficient in terms of transport.

From EP1008629 protecting material for plants is known. Invention (IV) of said document relates to a protecting material for plants composed of net or a sheet which is moulded from a biodegradable material. For instance, a tree may be prevented from being eaten by winding the protective material around the trunk of a tree, which material may readily decompose without hindrance to the growth of the tree. The biodegradable material is obtained by moulding an aliphatic polyester resin (e.g., an aliphatic polyester resin not containing urethane bonds with an aliphatic polyester resin containing urethane bonds) with a lactone resin (e.g. polycaprolactone), which may comprise other biodegradable resins. According to this document, the degradation ratio as regulated by JIS K6950 exceeds 20% after cultivation in a municipal drainage sludge for 4 weeks. For applications where protection should be removed within minutes, the use of the biodegradable material is not suitable. Indeed, the growth of a seedling would be seriously hindered if the protection remains in place for more than a couple of days.

From WO2012138217 a holder is known for receiving plant material therein, a least for a period of the cultivation thereof, comprising an elongate hollow body for receiving the plant material in a cavity thereof, with at least one open outer end and with at least one access extending in longitudinal direction from the at least one open outer end for the purpose of manipulating the plant material radially relative to the longitudinal axis of the body from outside. Although the holder can be picked up and transported without damage of the plant material, the problem remains to introduce plant material into a holder, without damage to the plant material.

Accordingly, there is a need to improve the manageability of plants and seedlings, and to protect the same. Then again, the protection should be easy to apply and -most importantly- easy and fast to remove, e.g., within 1 hour, preferably within 5 minutes, more preferably in less than 1 minute, more preferably still in less than 15 seconds, obviously without damage to any part of the plants or seedlings. Indeed, the faster the protection dissolves, the shorter the plant or seedling is restricted in its growth and the sooner the plant or seedling can proceed to the next (automated) process step. Moreover, there is an increased risk of contamination by germs if seedlings are tightly folded together in humid conditions such as may be found in greenhouses. Thus, the shorter the period of being tightly folded, the better. Watching the protection dissolve, for plants purchased by consumers and broad home, might also raise the attractiveness of the purchase. It is the object of the present invention to provide a solution that addresses these 4 concerns.

Summary of Invention

Accordingly the invention concerns a water-dissolvable protection for seedlings and plants, wherein the protection is in the form of a wrapper, film, band, tie, length of string, or mesh, and wherein the protection is made from a water-dissolvable polymer or from composition comprising one or more water-dissolvable polymers. The invention also concerns a method for applying the water-dissolvable protection to plants and seedlings. By this method, it is manageable to pick up and handle fragile plant material. Moreover, the invention concerns an automated process for introducing protected seedlings and plants into a growing medium wherein use is made of the water-dissolvable protection. Finally, the invention concerns plants and seedlings, the roots, stems, leaves, fruits and/or flowers of which are protected against damage by the water-dissolvable protection provided in this invention.

Description of the figure

Figure 1 concerns a schematic representation of a seedling. Figures 2 illustrates the same seedling, whereas now the leaves are tied together protectively along the stem by way of a water-dissolvable band. Figure 3 is similar to figure 2, wherein the seedling is protected by way of a water-dissolvable mesh. Finally, Figure 4 is a schematic representation of an automated process to repot the seedling, which is protected by way of a water-dissolvable mesh, into a substrate. Once the mesh dissolves, the leaves re-appear, as is shown on the right side in Figure 4. The leaves are therefore folded only for a very short period of time, without adversely affecting the growth of the seedling. Description of embodiments

A water-dissolvable mesh made from a polyvinyl alcohol is known. For instance, a commercially available mesh is used for forming bait while fishing. The water-dissolvable mesh is typically made from a polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) or similar water-soluble polymer. The mesh disintegrates and dissolves in a matter of minutes or even faster.

In this case, however, the inventors realised that a water-dissolvable mesh, and indeed also wrappers, films, bands, ties, lengths of string and the like, can be applied easily and even automated without damage; that it would protect the delicate roots, stems, leaves fruits and/or flowers of life plants and seedlings, and that it would be easy to remove, simply by contacting the same with water.

The commercially available mesh is made from a polyvinyl alcohol. However also other water-dissolvable polymers or compositions comprising the same may be used, provided they dissolve within a day, preferably within an hour, more preferably within minutes, more preferably still within seconds when contacted with water. Full dissolution is preferred, but dissolution to the extent that the water-soluble protection disintegrates to allow the leaves of the plant or seedling to unfold may suffice. Thus, mixtures of water-soluble polymers may be used, furthermore with various hydrophilic agents.

The commercially available mesh disintegrates and dissolves rapidly in contact with water. Water-soluble polymers are known. A large number of natural and synthetic polymers are available. For instance, suitable polymers are known and used for pharmaceutical applications, like films or capsules containing medicinal agents. In addition to PVA, suitable water soluble polymers are described in Polymers 2011 , 3, 1972-2009;

doi:10.3390/polym3041972, a review by Veeran Gowda kadajji and Guru V. Betageri, "Water Soluble Polymers for Pharmaceutical Applications", herein included by references.

Synthetic water-soluble polymers suitable for use in the current invention include poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG), polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP), polyacrylic acid (PAA),

polyvinylalcohol (PVA); polyacrylamides, N-(2-hydroxypropyl) methacrylamide (HMPA); divinyl ether-maleic anhydride (DIVEMA); polyoxazolines; polyphosphoesters (PPE) like polyphosphates and polyphosphonates; poly[di(carboxylatophenoxy)phosphazene] (PCPP), poly[di(methoxyethoxyethoxy) phosphazene] (MEEP), and similar water-soluble

polyphosphazenes, and mixtures thereof Natural water soluble polymers suitable for use in the current invention include xanthan gum; pectins; chitosan derivatives; dextran; carragenenan; guar gum; cellulose ethers; hyaluronic acid (HA); albumin and starch or starch-based derivatives, and mixtures thereof. Also mixtures of synthetic polymers and natural water-soluble polymers may be used.

The use of the biodegradable compositions based on an aliphatic polyester and a lactone resin as disclosed in EP1008629 is not within the scope of the present invention. Said compositions normally do not dissolve in water, or only very slowly. Indeed, the solubility in water of most polyesters is limited, although specific polyesters exist that do dissolve in water (e.g., poly(malic acid)s, not mentioned in EP1008629). The use of water-soluble, biodegradable polymers may be an advantage, provided the polymers or the biodegraded components thereof are not phytotoxic. Preferably the water-soluble protection is made from a polyvinyl alcohol or a composition comprising the same. Most preferably, the commercially available mesh materials are used, based on a polyvinyl alcohol, which disintegrate and dissolve quickly.

By way of example, the invention is described for the protection of seedlings. Seedlings are typically repotted once they have outgrown their initial growing medium where they have started as seeds. They may also start as cuttings. In either instance, the seedlings are delicate and therefore repotting the same is typically done manually.

In the current process, it is now possible to cover the seedling in a wrapper, film band, tie, length of string or preferably mesh. Delicate parts are then gently folded along the stem or aligned with the stem. The covered and thereby protected seedling can be handled by machines. In figure 1 this process is schematically represented.

Mesh in particular is a suitable and preferred form of protection. The seedling can be introduced in a slightly enlarged tube of mesh. The mesh will very gently shrink with little or no force on the delicate parts of the seedling. The protected seedling may be picked up around the protected stem or if this is still too fragile, by parts of the mesh extending below or above the seedling. A mesh moreover has the advantage over a film or wrapping that the elastic force is very slight. Also the seedling remains in contact with the air. On the other hand, if some microclimate control is needed, then a film or wrapper may be used, allowing the coverage of the seedling whilst surrounded with an adapted atmosphere. The dimensions of the protection, whether in the form of a wrapper, film, band, tie, length of string or mesh, or the like, may vary widely, provided it disintegrates and dissolves quickly and provided that it does not damage or harm the plant or seedling that it should protect. Generally, the thickness will be (significantly) less than 3 mm; the thickness of a typical film being in the order of 5 to 25 micrometres, whereas thick wire mesh may have a thickness of 2.5 mm, but generally is significantly less. The water-dissolvable protection may be part of a larger form of protection, wherein only the water-dissolvable part disintegrates and dissolves upon contact with water. Plants, even fully grown plants, may also require protection. This can be protection of the roots, stems, leaves, fruits and/or flowers. Protection is useful, e.g., when transporting trays of plants or singular plants from the farmer to the auction house, from the auction house to the wholesaler or mall, and from there to the consumer. For instance, leaves, flowers or fruits may brush against each other. Protection in the form of a wrapper, film, band, tie, length of string or mesh, or the like may be used. Water-dissolvable bands, lengths of string or ties have the advantage that the delicate parts can be strung together. In fact, they may be part of the decoration and thus have a dual functionality.

The selection of the material from which the water-dissolvable protection is made is not crucial. As indicated, polyvinyl alcohol or similar polymer may be used. Compositions may be used comprising one or more water-dissolvable polymers. These compositions may comprise further components. Such components may on the one hand improve or control the rate of the solubility in water. On the other hand, components may be included for decorative purposed. Also plant nutrients may be included. As indicated before, this invention is of particular interest in an automated process for introducing protected seedlings and plants into a growing medium, and in particular for growing plants from seedlings, comprising the steps of:

• growing a seedling, and

• repotting a seedling,

wherein the seedling prior to repotting is covered by the protection provided by the current invention, preferably in the form of a mesh, and wherein the repotting is done mechanically.

This process is particularly advantageous if the plants or seedlings are too small, too diverse in shape and/or too delicate to be repotted without protection. The automated process may be a full mechanical process, but is not limited to such. Thus, it may employ some manual labour. The latter can be used, for instance, to pick very young seedlings from their growing media before the protection is applied. In such a case the process involves a manual step, but then the repotting may be carried out by computer-controlled machines.

In other words, by the process of the present invention plants and seedlings are protected such that they may be easier to grasp than unprotected plants or seedlings, That the diversity of form is no longer a problem, and that the fragile parts of the plants and seedlings are better protected.

The invention is also of use and interest during transport of the plants and seedlings. By way of the protection, the plants and seedlings will be more compact. As they require less volume, transport will be much more efficient. This is of importance to the customer, provided the protection can be easily removed. In the current invention, this is the case.

Finally, also plants and seedlings, the roots, stems, leaves, fruits and/or flowers of which are protected against damage by the herein described form of water-dissolvable protection are herewith provided.

The invention is further illustrated in the Figures 1 -4. In figure 1 a seeding is schematically illustrated. The seedling in this schematic representation comprises leaves, a stem and a root. Leaves, stem and root are all delicate. One form of protection is by way of a water- dissolvable band. This has been illustrated in Figure 2. Figures 2 illustrates the same seedling, whereas now the leaves are tied together protectively along the stem by way of a water-dissolvable band. Obviously, also a water-dissolvable tie or a string may be used. Preferably the seedling is protected by way of a water-dissolvable mesh. A mesh is easy to slide over the seedling. It then protects the seedling. This is illustrated in Figure 3. The seedling so protected is less damage-prone. This means that seedlings previously repotted by hand, can now be transferred mechanically. Figure 4 therefore is a schematic representation of an automated process to repot the seedling, protected by way of a water- dissolvable mesh, into a substrate. Once the mesh dissolves, the leaves re-appear, as is shown on the right side in Figure 4.

As mentioned before, the protection is also suitable for plants, e.g., plants on their way to consumers. In this case the protection may also be decorative. Decorative protection (modified by shape, and colour, and the like) is therefore within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A water-dissolvable protection for seedlings and plants, wherein the protection is in the form of a wrapper, film, band, tie, length of string, or mesh, and wherein the protection is made from a water-dissolvable polymer or from composition comprising one or more water-dissolvable polymers.

2. The protection according to claim 1 , in the form of a mesh.

3. The protection according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the protection is made from a polyvinyl alcohol or a composition comprising a polyvinyl alcohol.

4. The protection according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the protection dissolves within 1 hour, preferably within 5 minutes, more preferably in less than 1 minute, more preferably still in less than 15 seconds.

5. A method for the protection to life plants and seedlings by applying the water- dissolvable protection of any one of the preceding claims.

6. An automated process for introducing protected seedlings and plants into a growing medium, wherein the roots, stems, leaves, fruits and/or flowers of the plants or seedlings are protected against damage by the water-dissolvable protection provided in any one of claims 1 -4.

7. Life plants and seedlings, the roots, stems, leaves, fruits and/or flowers of which are protected against damage by the water-dissolvable protection provided in any one of claims 1 -4.