SePRO Corp. announced that a patent covering plant growth regulator (PGR) combination synergies has been formally issued by the United States Patent and Trademark office. This U.S. Patent No. 7,135,435 covers the combining of any Type II A and Type II B plant growth regulators in either pre-mixes or tank-mixes.
Both Type II A and Type II B plant growth regulators inhibit the synthesis of gibberellic acid (GA) within the plant, but each acts at a different point in the GA biosynthesis pathway. The patent claims that by combining any Type II A and Type II B PGRs at application rates below recommended use rates of each as a stand alone PGR, regulation synergy results that will provide plant growth benefits that neither PGR can provide alone at their full labeled rates.
“The patent is the result of many years of research focusing on the synergy derived from combining various rates of Cutless* 50W (flurprimidol – Type II B) and Primo MAXX (trinexapac ethyl – Type II A)," says Roger Storey, vice president, Turf & Ornamental Business. “In addition to the normal PGR benefits turf managers expect, the synergy derived from this technology results in enhanced turf color, density and quality, less initial bronzing, longer length of PGR activity, less turf rebound effect and discourages the encroachment of Poa annua."
SePRO plans to introduce a new pre-packaged PGR product based upon this synergy patent in early 2008.