COPPER AND ZINC SUPPLEMENTATION WITH GROWTH HORMONES FOR PALAK LEAF FORTIFICATION

Abstract

The invention provides a copper, zinc, and growth hormone-based formulation to enhance the growth, nutrient density, and resilience of palak plants. This formulation, applied as a foliar spray or soil drench, supports leaf expansion, nutrient absorption, and disease resistance, yielding fortified palak with improved nutritional and market value. The formulation is suitable for sustainable, high-yield palak cultivation.

Specification

Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to agricultural biotechnology, specifically to a micronutrient and hormone-based formulation designed to enhance the growth, nutrient content, and resilience of palak (spinach) plants. By supplementing copper and zinc along with growth hormones, this invention provides a fortified, nutrient-rich leafy vegetable that addresses human dietary needs while improving crop quality and yield.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Palak, a widely consumed leafy vegetable, is a significant source of essential micronutrients like iron, vitamins, and antioxidants in human diets. However, the current agricultural practices often result in crops with suboptimal levels of certain micronutrients, especially copper and zinc, which are crucial for enzymatic functions, protein synthesis, and overall plant growth. Copper and zinc deficiencies in plants can reduce chlorophyll production, inhibit root development, and impact disease resistance. Consequently, these nutrient deficiencies in crops also translate into lower micronutrient intake for humans, leading to potential health risks such as weakened immunity and impaired metabolic functions.
Traditional fertilization methods largely focus on macronutrients, which may not meet the specific micronutrient requirements of crops like palak. Additionally, the depletion of soil quality and environmental changes have increased the need for agricultural interventions that go beyond standard fertilizers. Growth hormones like gibberellins, auxins, and cytokinins have proven beneficial in promoting plant growth, stimulating cell division, and improving resilience against abiotic stressors. Their integration with essential micronutrients like copper and zinc can significantly boost plant health and nutritional content, enabling palak plants to thrive in various environmental conditions.
Despite the known benefits of copper, zinc, and growth hormones individually, there is a lack of formulations combining these elements in a bioavailable form suitable for palak cultivation. This gap in research and product availability necessitates a solution that enhances palak's nutritional density and market value by increasing biomass, leaf quality, and stress tolerance. By combining copper, zinc, and growth hormones in an optimized formulation, this invention addresses the dual objective of improving plant health and contributing to human nutrition, thus offering a sustainable solution to micronutrient deficiencies and agricultural productivity.
This formulation also aims to address the broader socio-economic benefits for farmers, as fortified palak with higher nutritional quality can command a better market price, thereby improving farmer income. The invention provides an accessible, efficient method for cultivating nutrient-enriched leafy vegetables, meeting the increasing consumer demand for health-focused food options and aligning with sustainable agricultural practices.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts, in a simplified format, that are further described in the detailed description of the invention.
This summary is neither intended to identify key or essential inventive concepts of the invention and nor is it intended for determining the scope of the invention.
To further clarify advantages and features of the present invention, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof, which is illustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail with the accompanying drawings.
The invention introduces a novel formulation of copper and zinc micronutrients supplemented with growth hormones such as gibberellins, auxins, and cytokinins. This combination is designed for application as a foliar spray or soil drench, enhancing palak plant growth, nutrient density, and resistance to abiotic stress. Copper supports photosynthesis and disease resistance, zinc aids in protein synthesis and hormone production, and growth hormones promote cell division and root development. The formulation provides a sustainable approach to palak cultivation, yielding fortified leaves with improved biomass, color, and nutritional value.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The detailed description of various exemplary embodiments of the disclosure is described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the embodiments are described herein in such details as to clearly communicate the disclosure. However, the amount of details provided herein is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
It is also to be understood that various arrangements may be devised that, although not explicitly described or shown herein, embody the principles of the present disclosure. Moreover, all statements herein reciting principles, aspects, and embodiments of the present disclosure, as well as specific examples, are intended to encompass equivalents thereof.
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of example embodiments. As used herein, the singular forms "a"," "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms "comprises," "comprising," "includes" and/or "including," when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components and/or groups thereof.
It should also be noted that in some alternative implementations, the functions/acts noted may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two figures shown in succession may, in fact, be executed concurrently or may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality/acts involved.
In addition, the descriptions of "first", "second", "third", and the like in the present invention are used for the purpose of description only, and are not to be construed as indicating or implying their relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of technical features indicated. Thus, features defining "first" and "second" may include at least one of the features, either explicitly or implicitly.
Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which example embodiments belong. It will be further understood that terms, e.g., those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.
The invention is designed to improve the growth, resilience, and nutritional content of palak plants through a combined formulation of copper, zinc, and growth hormones. The formulation can be applied directly to palak plants as a foliar spray or soil drench, ensuring bioavailability and targeted delivery of micronutrients and growth-stimulating hormones.
1. Copper (Cu): Copper is essential for plant photosynthesis, respiration, and lignin formation. It functions as a cofactor in enzymatic reactions involved in carbohydrate and protein metabolism. The copper component in this formulation improves chlorophyll content, strengthens disease resistance, and supports overall growth efficiency. The source of copper, such as copper sulfate or copper EDTA, is selected based on bioavailability to ensure optimal plant absorption.
2. Zinc (Zn): Zinc plays a vital role in protein synthesis, hormone production, and gene regulation in plants. It is necessary for the synthesis of tryptophan, a precursor to the growth hormone auxin, which promotes root development and plant vigor. In this formulation, zinc enhances root growth, leaf size, and nutrient uptake. The formulation incorporates zinc sulfate or zinc EDTA to deliver bioavailable zinc directly to plant tissues, enhancing the plant's growth and development cycle.
3. Growth Hormones: The formulation includes a balanced mix of growth hormones, specifically gibberellins, auxins, and cytokinins, each of which regulates specific growth processes in palak plants:
o Gibberellins stimulate stem elongation, leaf expansion, and seed germination.
o Auxins promote root initiation and development while enhancing cell differentiation.
o Cytokinins encourage cell division, delay senescence, and enhance nutrient mobilization. These hormones work synergistically with copper and zinc to accelerate plant growth, improve nutrient uptake, and increase biomass accumulation.
4. Application Method: The formulation is versatile and can be applied as a foliar spray or soil drench:
o Foliar Spray: The formulation is diluted in water (1:10) and applied as a spray to the leaves. This method enables rapid absorption and utilization of nutrients and hormones.
o Soil Drench: The formulation can also be applied directly to the soil, providing nutrients to the roots over time. This approach supports sustained growth and nutrient availability.
This unique formulation leverages the synergistic effects of copper, zinc, and growth hormones, offering an effective solution for palak cultivation. By improving bioavailability and targeting key growth phases, the formulation enhances nutrient density, leaf quality, and plant resilience, benefiting both growers and consumers.
, Claims:1. A nutrient formulation for palak plants, comprising copper, zinc, and growth hormones to enhance plant growth, resilience, and nutrient density.
2. The nutrient formulation as claimed in Claim 1, wherein copper improves chlorophyll content, disease resistance, and metabolic functions in palak plants.
3. The nutrient formulation as claimed in Claim 1, wherein zinc promotes protein synthesis, hormone production, and root development, enhancing overall plant health.
4. The nutrient formulation as claimed in Claim 1, wherein growth hormones include gibberellins, auxins, and cytokinins, promoting cell division, elongation, and nutrient mobilization.
5. The nutrient formulation as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the formulation can be applied as a foliar spray or soil drench for optimal nutrient uptake and bioavailability.
6. The nutrient formulation as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the foliar spray method dilutes the formulation at a 1:10 ratio, allowing for efficient leaf absorption.
7. The nutrient formulation as claimed in Claim 1, designed to increase plant resilience to abiotic stressors such as drought, heat, and nutrient-poor soils.
8. The method as claimed in Claim 1, supporting increased palak leaf size, texture, color, and market value through consistent nutrient delivery.
9. The nutrient formulation as claimed in Claim 1, adaptable for use in hydroponic or soil-based cultivation systems, providing a versatile solution for palak growers.

10. A plant nutrient solution as claimed in Claim 1, enhancing the nutritional profile of palak for human health by increasing the concentrations of copper and zinc in harvested leaves.

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