초록 ▼

This invention provides methods of enhancing plant growth or yield, comprising exposing soil to hydrogen gas (H2), and growing plants in the soil. The H2 gas employed can be generated by electrolysis of water, produced by H2 evolving microorganisms, and/or produced by legumes. In accordance with the

This invention provides methods of enhancing plant growth or yield, comprising exposing soil to hydrogen gas (H2), and growing plants in the soil. The H2 gas employed can be generated by electrolysis of water, produced by H2 evolving microorganisms, and/or produced by legumes. In accordance with the invention, soil can be exposed to H2 and plants then grown in it, or H2 can be applied directly to soil in which plants are already growing. In one embodiment, the invention comprises obtaining an aqueous extract from H2-treated soil, and applying the extract to soil, seeds, and or plant roots.

대표청구항 ▼

We claim: 1. A method for enhancing plant growth or yield, comprising: treating soil with H2 gas: (i) at a concentration at least 50 times greater than the concentration of H2 in air; and (ii) for a duration sufficient to increase H2 uptake of the soil; obtaining an extract of the soil treated wit

We claim: 1. A method for enhancing plant growth or yield, comprising: treating soil with H2 gas: (i) at a concentration at least 50 times greater than the concentration of H2 in air; and (ii) for a duration sufficient to increase H2 uptake of the soil; obtaining an extract of the soil treated with H2 gas; and applying the extract to seeds, plant roots, or soil; wherein growth or yield of a plant from said seeds or plant roots or in said soil is enhanced. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the extract is an aqueous extract. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the concentration of H2 gas is 500 to 4000 times greater than the concentration of H2 gas in air. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the concentration of H2 gas provided is increased as treatment of soil progresses. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the duration is at least 1 week. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the duration is between 1 week and 10 weeks. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein said treating soil with H2 gas enhances the ability of soil microorganisms to oxidize H2. 8. A soil extract for enhancing plant growth or yield, the extract prepared by a method comprising: treating soil with H2 gas: (i) at a concentration at least 50 times greater than the concentration of H2 in air; and (ii) for a duration sufficient to increase H2 uptake of the soil; and obtaining the extract from the soil treated with H2 gas; wherein, when the extract is applied to seeds, plant roots, or soil, growth or yield of a plant from said seeds or plant roots or in said soil is enhanced. 9. The soil extract of claim 8, wherein the soil extract is aqueous. 10. The soil extract of claim 8, wherein said treating soil with H2 gas enhances the ability of soil microorganisms to oxidize H2. 11. The soil extract of claim 10, wherein the extract comprises said soil microorganisms. 12. The soil extract of claim 8, wherein the concentration of H2 gas is 500 to 4000 times greater than the concentration of H2 gas in air. 13. The soil extract of claim 8, wherein the concentration of H2 gas provided is increased as treatment of soil progresses. 14. The soil extract of claim 8, wherein the duration is at least 1 week. 15. The soil extract of claim 8, wherein the duration is between 1 week and 10 weeks.