US005981441A

United States Patent [19]

Rodder
[54] USE OF METHANOL FOR IMPROVING PLANT GROWTH

[11]

Patent Number:

5,981,441
Nov. 9, 1999

[45]

Date of Patent:

OTHER PUBLICATIONS

Proceedings of the National Acadamy of Sciences of the

[76] Inventor: Jerome A. Rodder, 775 Sunshine Dr., Los Altos, Calif. 94022-3155
United States ofAmerica, Oct. 15, 1992, vol. 89, No. 20, pp. 97949798, The Path of Carbon in Photosynthesis: Improved Crop Yields With Methanol, A.M. Nonmura and
AA. Benson.

[21] App1.No.: 08/967,448

[22] Filed: Nov. 11, 1997
Related US. Application Data
[63] Continuation-in-part of application No. 08/886,058, Jun. 30,
1997, abandoned, which is a continuation of application No. 08/417,151, Apr. 3, 1995, Pat. No. 5,642,586, which is a

HortScience, vol. 31(7), Dec. 1996, pp. 10921096, The

Role of Methanol in Promoting Plant GroWth: A Current

Evalution, McGiffen, Jr. and Manthey.

Primary ExaminerS. Mark Clardy
Attorney, Agent, or FirmChristie, Parker & Hale, LLP

continuation-in-part of application No. 08/188,046, Jan. 26, 1994, abandoned.

[51]
[52]

[57]

ABSTRACT

Int. Cl.6 ............................ .. A01N 31/02; C05G 3/00

US. Cl. ............................................................ .. 504/353

A method for improving the groWth characteristics of plants of the C3 and CAM varieties comprises applying to the roots
of the plants an aqueous solution containing methanol together With a high nitrogen fertilizer. The fertilizer com prises an NPK fertilizer having a high nitrogen content, preferably a 24-6-6 value, in Which the nitrogen component

[58]

Field of Search ............................................. .. 504/353

[56]

References Cited
U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
P.P. 2,716 2/1967
3/1976

is provided principally by ammonium nitrate, potassium

nitrate and ammonium phosphate. Use of urea as a nitrogen source in the fertilizer formulation is essentially avoided.
.. Plt./87.3
. .. Plt./87.3

McDade ............................... .. Plt./87.3

Lecou?e ...... ..

P.P. 2,777
P.P. 3,836

11/1967 Fitzgerald
3/1986 Germaske .
10/1969 10/1975 Miller Miller .............. ..

Greatly improved groWth characteristics have been demon strated in comparative experimental tests With a large variety

P.P. 5,688
3,472,647 3,915,686

Plt./87.3
.... .. 71/122 504/353

of C3 and CAM family fruits, vegetables, ?owering plants

and trees.

5,597,400
5,642,586

1/1997 Nonomura et a1.

71/28

7/1997 Rodder ...................................... .. 47/58

25 Claims, N0 Drawings

5,981,441
1
USE OF METHANOL FOR IMPROVING PLANT GROWTH
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

2
to promote plant groWth. According to the present invention,
a methanol-enhanced aqueous solution of a high nitrogen

fertiliZer applied to the plant roots produces remarkable

This is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 08/886,058, ?led Jun. 30, 1997, noW abandoned, Which is a

improvements in many groWth characteristics of C3 plants. Moreover, such plant groWth improvement has been pro duced in a variety of C3 plant species including fruits, vegetables, trees and ?oWering plants. Improved groWth in
CAM variety plants also has been demonstrated.
10

continuation of application Ser. No. 08/417,151, ?led Apr. 3,

1995, noW U.S. Pat. No. 5,642,586, Which is a continuation

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

in-part of Ser. No. 08/188,046, ?led Jan. 26, 1994, aban

doned.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Brie?y, the present invention comprises a method of

improving the groWth characteristics of plants by applying

to the roots of the plants an aqueous solution of methanol
15

The present invention relates to a method of improving

the groWth characteristics of plants by applying an aqueous

solution of methanol and a high nitrogen fertilizer to the

plant roots.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
20

and a nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium (NPK)-based fertiliZer having a high nitrogen content. The invention is based on a recognition of the role of nitrogen When using methanol for groWth enhancement. The source of the nitro gen used in the methanol-enhanced fertiliZer component is
critical. There are a variety of available nitrogen-based chemicals used in fertiliZers. These include urea Which is broken doWn sloWly during use. Urea as a source of nitrogen

My US. Pat. No. 5,642,586 describes a method of

improving the groWth characteristics of orchid plants Which

comprises applying to the roots of the plants an aqueous solution containing methanol and a fertilizer. The applica tion of methanol to the orchid plant roots produces earlier ?oWering and more shoots and increases high temperature
25

is substantially avoided in the present invention. The pre ferred nitrogen source is a fast-acting nitrogen component selected from the group Which includes nitrate ions and ammonium ions. Preferably, the nitrogen source is provided

tolerance, root vigor, bright light tolerance, and foliage

glossiness or shininess. The present invention is based on the recognition that an

principally by ammonium nitrate, ammonium phosphate and potassium nitrate. The ammonium phosphate and potassium nitrate components also provide the phosphorus and potas
30

aqueous solution containing methanol and a high nitrogen fertiliZer applied to the plant roots of a large number of

sium components of the NPK fertiliZer formulation. The preferred high nitrogen fertiliZer has an NPK ratio
in the range from about 3.5:1:1 to about 8:1:1, With the

different plant varieties beyond the orchid family produces

remarkable groWth enhancement of the plants treated With the methanol/high nitrogen fertiliZer solution. The use of methanol for promoting plant groWth has been reported throughout the scienti?c literature in recent years. Perhaps the leading article in the ?eld is authored by
Nonomura A. M. and A. A. Benson, 1992, The Path of
35

presently preferred fertiliZer formulation comprising a

24-6-6 (411:1) blend. The invention, as described in more

detail beloW, demonstrates remarkable enhanced groWth characteristics for a large number of C3 and CAM plant
varieties.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Carbon in Photosynthesis: Improved Crop Yields With

Methanol, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci., 89:97 9497 98, Who

40

My U.S. Pat. No. 5;642,586, Which is incorporated herein by this reference, describes development of a method for

reported remarkable groWth enhancement of C3 plants

treated With methanol. A methanol solution sprayed on the leaves of a variety of C3 plants such as tomatoes,

improving the ?oWering and shoot groWth and glossiness of

the foliage of orchid plants by applying to the roots of the
plants an aqueous solution containing methanol and a fer tiliZer. The patent describes hoW initially a very dilute
45 aqueous solution of 0.01% methanol Was added to a standard

straWberries, eggplant, cotton, cabbage, Wheat, rose, palm

and Watermelon produced enhanced groWth characteristics.
Other positive responses to plants treated With methanol also have been reported in the literature. HoWever, more publi cations relating to this subject have reported no evidence of groWth gain. These contradictory results have left the use
fulness of methanol treatment unresolved.

fertiliZer solution and applied to orchid plant roots by saturating the ?r bark groWing media. No damage or toxic effects to the plant Were observed by repeated application to
50

the same plant. Subsequently, a solution of 0.17% methanol With half strength standard fertiliZer knoWn as DynaGro

(10-5-5, 1A1 tsp/gal) Was applied to approximately 500 orchid

plants at Weekly intervals. The solution concentration Was

Arecent article by McGiffen, Jr., M. E. and J. A. Manthey, The Role of Methanol and Promoting Plant GroWth: A

Current Evaluation, Hort. Science, Dec. 19, 1996, 31(7):

10921096, evaluated a large number of studies and con
55

doubled (1/z tsp/gal) and subsequently plants Were treated With full strength fertiliZer With increasing percentages of
alcohol up to 5% methanol, Without any short term toxic effects. Results shoWed that the methanol treatment

cluded that the overWhelming evidence from the scienti?c

literature is that methanol is not a reliable stimulant to crop

productivity; and that although the methods have not been consistent across all of the studies, investigations that dupli cated Nonomura and Bensons procedures failed to ?nd consistent increases in crop yield. McGiffen et al. concluded that additional ?eld experiments that simply repeat Nono
mura and Bensons protocol are unlikely to provide neW

improved the ?oWering, shoot groWth and glossiness of the foliage and enhanced the blooming period Which took place
60

over 19 months time as opposed to a typical period of three to four years for orchid plants of the same siZe When no methanol treatment is applied. It has been concluded that up to 2% methanol added to the standard fertiliZer/Water for mulation (5 to 10 cc fertiliZer per four liters (approximately

insights, and that the foliar application of methanol is unlikely to become a practical yield enhancer. The present invention is based on the recognition that,
contrary to the McGiffen et al. study, methanol can be used

one gallon) of Water) produces signi?cantly improved orchid

65

groWth.
As mentioned, the NPK ratio of the DynaGro
fertiliZer that I had previously used on the orchid plants Was

5,981,441
3
10-5-5. During the course of experimentation With fertilizers having different NPK values, I added some ammonium nitrate to the fertilizer formulation to increase its nitrogen content. Following months of experimentation With orchid plants, and after adjusting the ratio to 4:1:1 and using a less concentrated solution, optimum groWth characteristics Were

4
the range of about 3.5:1:1 to about 8:1:1. The preferred NPK content is 24-6-6 (4:1:1). The invention requires
use of a fast-acting nitrogen source and avoids use of a

sloW-acting nitrogen source such as urea. In one experiment, an 18% urea fertiliZer added to methanol produced no

enhanced groWth characteristics and Was dramatically dif

produced in the orchid plants. The preferred NPK value

Was determined to be a value of 24-6-6.

ferent from the greatly improved groWth characteristics of

the same plant When utiliZing the formulation of this inven tion. The preferred source of nitrogen is from ammonium
10

There are several possible sources of the nitrogen com

ponent in the NPK value for fertiliZers, generally. Such

nitrogen sources include ammonium nitrate, urea and potas sium nitrate. Both ammonium nitrate and potassium nitrate are immediately available to the plant. Although urea is

ions and nitrate ions, predominantly ammonium nitrate, potassium nitrate and ammonium phosphate. The preference
for using ammonium nitrate is to keep the salt content (from potassium and phosphorous) loW because too much salt can

soluble in Water, the nitrogen component is not immediately available to the plant. Urea is broken doWn sloWly, and it
therefore provides a sloW release nitrogen source used in many commercial fertiliZers as a fraction of the nitrogen source to lengthen the time release of nitrogen available to

15

burn the leaves of the plant. The preferred ratio of potassium to phosphorous in the formulation is about 1:1 although
variations in the range from about 2:1 to 1:2 are possible.

The presently preferred methanol/fertilizer formulation comprises one part by volume 24-6-6 fertiliZer, tWo parts by
20

the plant.
Carbon dioxide is the most common source of carbon and

volume Water, and one part by volume methanol. The methanol is a 100% solution (containing no Water). The

plants use this gas along With Water, fertiliZer and light to

synthesiZe the many organic components for plant life.

Methanol is another carbon source, but it appears that part of the action of methanol is to keep the statoma (Where gas

24-6-6 fertiliZer blend is initially prepared by mixing granu lar ammonium nitrate, ammonium phosphate and potassium
nitrate in the previously described 24-6-6 amount on a

percentage Weight basis. The total nitrogen (24%) comprises

25

exchange takes place in the leaves) open longer in order to

absorb more carbon dioxide. It is converted ?rst to formal

dehyde and then to various sugars. Supplementing standard fertiliZers With methanol increases plant groWth in some instances because there is usually some extra nitrogen available. HoWever, the form of the nitrogen may not be
optimal When methanol is used in combination With a fertiliZer. There are a variety of nitrogen-based chemicals used in fertiliZers. In the Nonomura et al. article described previously, methanol Was added to a urea-based nitrogen source. On the other hand, nitrate ions (not available from

11.5% nitrate nitrogen and 12.5% ammoniacal nitrogen. There is 6% available phosphorus (P205) and 6% potassium (K20). Minor elements (all chelated consist of iron (0.2%),

manganese (0.07%), boron (0.01%), copper (0.05%),

molybdenum (0.006%), magnesium (0.48%), sulfur (1.10%)

30

and cobalt (0.005%)). The granular mixture dissolves in the Water/methanol blend. The preferred ratio of methanol to fertiliZer is one part granular fertiliZer to one part methanol, by volume, to produce a basic groWth formulation. The ratio
of methanol to fertiliZer can be up to about tWo parts

35

methanol to one part fertiliZer, by volume, to provide larger

urea) are immediately available to plants, and ammonium ions are converted rapidly by bacteria to the nitrate form.
Standard fertiliZers typically include a substantial per
centage of urea. In addition, there are some ammonium and nitrate components. The reason for these mixtures is to
40

blooms during the September to February groWth cycles for orchids. Each plant variety has its oWn blooming period. Comparative studies evaluated the 24-6-6 methanol/high
nitrogen formulation of this invention compared to use of the methanol/fertilizer formulation described in my 586 patent, in Which the methanol Was blended With the Dyna Gro (10-5-5) fertiliZer formulation. Both formulations Were applied to the roots of similar orchid plants in the same
amounts and over the same time intervals. The results
45

supply the nitrate ions rapidly to the plant. Then the urea is

broken doWn sloWly to continuously supply the required

nitrogen. As described in my 586 patent, the fertiliZer is
applied only to the roots and not used as a foliar spray.

Methanol is metaboliZed rapidly and if not used it Will evaporate from the soil. An important aspect of the fertiliZer formulation of this
invention is the NPK value. There are many fertiliZer

formulas available such as 10-5-5, 30-10-10, 15-10-30,

shoWed that the methanol-enhanced high nitrogen fertiliZer of this invention produced faster root groWth, higher ?oWer production With larger ?oWer and richer colors, more than doubling of most plant groWth, prevention of unfavorable decomposition of the ?r bark groWth media, production of

20-5-19, 20-20-20, 20-30-20, 7-7-7, 26-14-16, plus numer

ous other custom blends. The nitrogen sources in various

50

shinny fat pseudobulbs and shinier leaves, and improved plant groWth in higher temperatures, increased light levels
and loWer humidity environments. The present invention has been expanded beyond orchids to a large variety of C3 and CAM plants, and in all instances

knoWn fertiliZer formulations usually contain considerable

amounts of urea. In the present invention, it is desirable to

keep the total amount of salt reasonably loW since plants are sensitive to salt concentration. Thus, to keep the salt con centration loW While having a high concentration of nitrogen, the P and K concentrations are kept relatively loW.
The NPK value of 24-6-6 has been tested on a large

55

in Which the fertiliZer Was applied to the plant roots,

improved groWth characteristics resulted. Basically there are

three different biochemical reactions Which plants use in the photosynthesis of the various chemicals. They are in sim pli?ed terms referred to as C3, C4 and CAM. For orchids the thin leaved variety are classi?ed as C3 plants. All thick
leaved orchids are in the CAM class. There is no evidence

variety of C3 and CAM plants and thus far none of the plants tested has suffered from a de?ciency of potassium or phos phorous. Contrary to the conclusions of the McGiffen et al. article described previously, I have discovered that methanol
added to a fertiliZer solution and applied to the roots of C3 and CAM plants, in addition to orchids, can produce a Wide

60

of C4 orchids. The present invention provided improved

65

variety of enhanced groWth characteristics. The develop

ment of this invention involves use of a high nitrogen

groWth characteristics of orchids of both the C3 and CAM families. C4 plants have photosynthetic rates up to three times higher than C3 plants and are located in high light

intensity, high temperature and dry areas. Examples of C4

plants are corn, sugar cane and sorghum. Depending upon

NPK fertiliZer in Which the nitrogen component is in

5,981,441
5
the temperature, different grasses can be either C3 or C4. For example, the cool growing grasses are C3 and the Warmer growing ones are C4. Most of the temperate plants are either

6
of this invention. The groWth characteristics Were compared using the fertiliZer of this invention compared to the use of

DynaGro (10-5-5).
EXAMPLE

C3 or CAM. The 24-6-6 high nitrogen fertiliZer/methanol

solution of this invention has been successfully tested on the

folloWing C3 and/or CAM plants and trees: citrus,

cantaloupe, raspberry, straWberry, Watermelon, beans, daylily, ferns, canna, lantana, Japanese maple, gardenia,
pepper, lettuce, rose, tomato, cyclamen, dahlia, petunia, African violet, vinca, pansy, quince, clematis, papyrus,
Chinese lantern, Iceland poppy, marigold, and stock.
Improved results for some of these plants are described beloW. One dramatic example of improved results Was an orange tree Which had almost all yelloW leaves for four years and simply did not groW. After one application of the fertiliZer of this invention, neW shoots appeared all over the branches
Within about one Week. The leaves are noW deep green, and an abundance of oranges on the tree Were produced by the
10

This example summariZes a study of the 24-6-6 high nitrogen/methanol fertiliZer of the present invention by an

independent expert.
TWenty four seedling Phalaenopsis plants Were divided by
random selection into four groups of six each. Each plant
Was Weighed on an Ohaus Harvard beam balance of labo

15

ratory grade. By random selection four plants Were potted in straight long-?ber sphagnum and tWo plants in O&F mix (50/50#3 charcoal and #3 sponge rock) to Which Vs by
volume MetroMix 200 Was added in each set of six. Plants

Were potted in typical bloW mold sixpacks of nominal 3.5-inch pot siZe. The methanol/high nitrogen fertiliZer Was
mixed in one gallon batches of one, tWo and three teaspoons
20

continued periodic application of the fertiliZer to the roots of the tree. The results of the present invention With respect to
citrus trees contradicts the conclusions of the McGiffen et al.

per gallon strength With distilled Water used as makeup for one gallon volume. Plants Were labeled for application of
each strength and one tray Was tagged as control to receive normal treatment.

article, referred to previously, Which states that methanol does not improve the groWth characteristics of citrus trees. Anumber of flowers groWn With the 24-6-6 high nitrogen/ methanol solution of this invention Were compared With methanol-enhanced fertiliZers from Miracle Gro and Peters.
The result shoWed that the higher concentration of urea as a

The groWing area Was a 30x40 greenhouse, bench height

25

34 inches, light intensity Was 3742 fc at midday, and greenhouse temperature reached a maximum of 82 F, but
had an ambient loW temperature of 74 F. Normal care for

nitrogen source, the less the bene?t that methanol exhibits. In one experimental test, a high nitrogen fertiliZer

Phalaenopsis seedlings is 200 ppm NPK fertiliZer every ten days With a soft Water ?ush the fourth day after feeding.
30

Plants Were Watered one day and fed the next day on a

(approximately 24-6-6) Was applied to the plant roots of orchids in the absence of methanol. The high nitrogen content resulted in killing the plants.

Weekly schedule. The control plants Were on the greenhouse

schedule, not the Weekly application program. Testing began

35

One orchid plant (Encyclia tampensis alba Mendenhall)

treated With the 24-6-6 high nitrogen fertiliZer/methanol
solution of this invention produced 108 stems and 1,760 ?oWers.

Aug. 9, 1997, and terminated Oct. 13, 1997, at Which time all plants Were removed from pots, carefully cleaned and
Weighed. The results Were as folloWs:

Other orchid plants have been the subject of comparative tests utiliZing the high nitrogen fertiliZer/methanol solution of this invention compared With similar plants utiliZing
DynaGro (10-5-5) and the same amount of methanol.

POT ID - MEDIUM

START DATE 09 Aug 97

END DATE: 13 Oct 97

40 A: CONTROL GROUP

GroWth improvements provided by the fertiliZer/methanol

solution of this invention included higher groWth rate and

density of roots; larger root diameters; larger pseudobulbs;

larger leaves and taller plants; more and larger ?oWers; no

A-Sphagnum B-Sphagnum C-Sphagnum 45 D-Sphagnum

E-O&F F-O&F

8.7 8.5 8.4 8.4

g g g g

9.3 11.9 9.2 9.5

g g g g

observable decomposition of root bark groWth medium; greater light toleranceplants groW better in 50% more

5.7 g 7.6 g

10.1 g 12.2 g

Total Gain: 14.9 g

Total Weight:
47.3 g B: 1 TSP/GAL

Total Weight: 62.2 g

light than usually recommended; greater tolerance of high

temperatures; and better tolerance to loW relative humidity.
50 A-Sphagnum

The folloWing C3 plants groWn side-by-side in separate

pots shoWed remarkably better groWth With the 24-6-6 fertiliZer/methanol solution of this invention compared to

B-Sphagnum C-Sphagnum D-Sphagnum

E-O&F

6.7 7.5 9.2 9.3

g g g g

10.0 13.2 14.6 17.5

g g g g

use of a DynaGro (10-5-5) fertiliZer mixed With the same F-O&F amount of methanol: tomato (larger stems, more compact 55 Total Gain: 26.9 g

5.4 g 7.5 g

5.8 g 11.4 g

Total Weight:
45.6 g C: 2 TSP/GAL

Total Weight: 72.5 g

groWth), straWberry (larger stems, more compact leaves),

violet (much larger plant), petunia (more flowers, larger

more compact groWth), marigold (more flowers), vinca (more flowers, larger more compact groWth), cattleya orchid

(C. Keowee) (greater number of blooming cycles (three

times) over the same time period), and chrysanthemum palmdosum (greater more compact groWth, more stems, more compact groWth, many more buds). Cantaloupe

A-Sphagnum B-Sphagnum 60 C-Sphagnum D-Sphagnum

E-O&F F-O&F

6.9 g 12.1 g 8.2 g 7.2 g

8.2 g 7.3 g

17.3 15.5 16.2 13.0

g g g g

15.9 g 17.4 g

Total Gain: 45.4 g

65

Total Weight:
49.9 g D: 3 TSP/GAL

Total Weight: 95.3 g

(almost double the plant siZe, many more blooms) and tomato (much larger plants, many more blooms) groWn side by side in a ?eld shoWed much improved groWth charac teristics With the high nitrogen fertiliZer/methanol solution

A-Sphagnum

9.1 g

10.2 g

5,981,441
8
-continued
B-Sphagnum C-Sphagnum D-Sphagnum
E-O&F F-O&F

9.4 g 10.0 g 7.4 g

7.3 g 7.3 g

12.4 g 16.1 g 9.9 g

15.6 g 14.3 g

methanol together With a fertilizer and repeating the appli cation at intervals during the groWth cycle of the plant, in Which the fertilizer comprises an NPK fertilizer having a high nitrogen content in Which the nitrogen component comprises from about 3.5 to about 8 times the potassium

Total Gain: 29.6 g

Total Weight:
50.5 g
RECAP OF RESULTS

Total Weight: 78.1 g

component and the phosphorous component, by Weight, and in Which the nitrogen component is provided by ammonium
ions and nitrate ions substantially in the absence of urea. 7. The method according to claim 6 in Which the
10

GROUP
A-CONTROL GROUP B-ONE TSP/GAL C-TWO TSP/GAL D-THREE TSP/GAL

Start Wt.
47.3 45.6 45.4 50.5 g g g g

End Wt.
62.2 72.5 49.9 78.1 g g g g

Gain (g)
14.9 26.9 95.3 27.6 g g g g

Gain (%)
31.5 59.0 91.0 54.7

NPK content of nitrogen to phosphorous to potassium comprises about 24-6-6.

8. The method according to claim 7 in Which the ratio of methanol to fertilizer is about 1:1 to about 2:1, by volume. 9. The method according to claim 6, in Which the ratio of methanol to fertilizer is about 1:1 to 2:1 by volume.

15

10. The method according to claim 6 comprising applying

The control results approximated a normal commercial

nursery pot plant operation.

In addition to the above tests an amount of the 24-6-6

the methanol fertilizer solution to the roots of C3 and/or CAM plants and trees selected from the group consisting of
20

methanol/high nitrogen fertilizer Was retained from each application and put on miscellaneous plants in a laboratory
growing area. Some of the plants Were inside but most Were

citrus, cantaloupe, raspberry, straWberry, Watermelon, beans, daylily, fern, canna, lantana, Japanese maple, gardenia,
pepper, lettuce, rose, tomato, cyclamen, dahlia, African

violet, vinca, pansy, quince, clematis, papyrus, petunia,

Chinese lantern, Iceland poppy, marigold and stock.
25

outside in the summer groWing area. Improvement in plant

appearance Was remarkable in these areas. Leaf sheen and

color improved neW root groWth Was encouraged, and the

11. The method according to claim 6 in Which the components of the fertilizer principally comprise ammo

general thrift of the plants improved. Pigmentation intensity

suggests that more and/or larger chlorophyll clusters Were being produced. Beginning a day or tWo after application of the formulation effluent and lasting three to four days, Wasps visited the outside plants in unusual numbers. This indicates

nium nitrate, potassium nitrate and ammonium phosphate.

12. The method according to claim 6 in Which the nitrogen component comprises from about 4 to about 8 times the

potassium component and the phosphorous component, by

30

Weight.
13. A method of improving the groWth characteristics of plants of the C3 and CAM varieties comprising applying to
the roots of the plants an aqueous solution consisting essen

that the plants Were expressing sugar-rich sap through the

leaves. The supposition is that the plants Were in a very high state of metabolism and producing more food than they
could consume. Such a condition Would encourage a very

high rate of groWth. It Would also offer some insight into the demonstrated trait of greater heat tolerance as the plants
Would be venting gaseous Water and heat as a by-product of rapid starch sugar energy conversion cycles. The summer groWing months Were hot and dry, and it appears that the

35

tially of methanol and a fertilizer, and repeating the appli cation at intervals during the groWth cycle of the plant, in Which the fertilizer comprises an NPK fertilizer having
a high nitrogen content in the range from about 3.5:1:1 to

about 8: 1:1, by Weight, and in Which the nitrogen component is provided predominantly by ammonium ions and nitrate
40

plants became more heat tolerant through the application of the 24-6-6 high nitrogen/methanol formulation.
I claim:

ions and substantially in the absence of urea. 14. The method according to claim 13 in Which the

1. A high nitrogen/methanol fertilizer for improving the groWth characteristics of plants of the C3 and CAM varieties
When applied to the roots of the plant, comprising an aqueous solution containing methanol and a high nitrogen NPK fertilizer in Which the nitrogen content comprises
from about 3.5 to about 8 times the amount of available
45

NPK content of nitrogen to phosphorous to potassium comprises about 24-6-6.

15. The method according to claim 14 in Which the ratio of methanol to fertilizer is about 1:1 to about 2:1 by volume. 16. The method according to claim 13 in Which the ratio of methanol to fertilizer is about 1:1 to about 2:1 by volume.

phosphorus and of available potassium, by Weight, substan

tially in the absence of urea.
50

17. The method according to claim 13 comprising apply ing the methanol fertilizer solution to the roots of C3 and/or CAM plants and trees selected from the group consisting of

2. The high nitrogen/methanol fertilizer according to

claim 1 in Which the nitrogen content comprises from about 4 to about 8 times the potassium component and the phos

citrus, cantaloupe, raspberry, straWberry, Watermelon, beans, daylily, ferns, canna, lantana, Japanese maple, gardenia,
55

phorous component, by Weight.

3. The high nitrogen/methanol fertilizer according to
claim 2 in Which the NPK content of the nitrogen to

pepper, lettuce, rose, tomato, cyclamen, dahlia, African violets, vinca, pansy, quince, clematis, papyrus, Chinese lantern, Iceland poppy, marigold and stock.
18. The method according to claim 13 in Which the components of the fertilizer principally comprise ammo

phosphorous to potassium comprises about 24-6-6. 4. The high nitrogen/methanol fertilizer according to
claim 2 in Which the ratio of methanol to fertilizer is about 1:1 to 2:1 by volume.
60

nium nitrate, potassium nitrate and ammonium phosphate.

19. The method according to claim 13 in Which the nitrogen component comprises from about 4 to about 8 times

5. The high nitrogen/methanol fertilizer according to

claim 2 in Which the components of the fertilizer principally comprise ammonium nitrate, potassium nitrate and ammo

the potassium component and the phosphorous component,

by Weight.
20. A method of improving the groWth characteristics of plants of the C3 and CAM varieties comprising applying to
65

nium phosphate.
6. A method of improving the groWth characteristics of plants of the C3 and CAM varieties comprising applying to
the roots of the plants an aqueous solution containing

the roots of the plant an aqueous solution containing metha

nol together With a fertilizer, and repeating the application at intervals during the groWth cycle of the plant, in Which the

5,981,441
9
fertilizer comprises an NPK fertilizer having a high nitrogen content in the range from about 3.5 to about 8 times

10
23. The method according to claim 20 in Which the ratio of methanol to fertilizer is about 1:1 to 2:1 by volume.

the potassium component and the phosphorus component, in

Which the nitrogen content of the fertilizer formulation is

provided substantially in its entirety from ammonium nitrate, nitrate ions from potassium nitrate, and ammonium ions from ammonium phosphate, substantially in the
absence of urea, in Which the phosphorous component

24. The method according to claim 20 comprising apply ing the methanol/high nitrogen fertilizer solution to the roots of C3 and/or CAM plants and trees selected from the group

principally comprises the ammonium phosphate, and in Which the potassium component principally comprises the potassium nitrate.
21. The method according to claim 20 in Which the NPK content of nitrogen to phosphorous to potassium comprises about 24-6-6. 22. The method according to claim 21 in Which the ratio
of methanol to fertilizer is about 1:1 to about 2:1 by volume.

consisting of citrus, cantaloupe, raspberry, straWberry, Watermelon, beans, daylily, ferns, canna, lantana, Japanese maple, gardenia, pepper, lettuce, rose, tomato, cyclamen, dahlia, African violets, vinca, pansy, quince, clematis,
10

papyrus, Chinese lantern, Iceland poppy and, marigold

stock. 25. The method according to claim 20 in Which the

nitrogen component comprises from about 4 to about 8 times

the potassium component and the phosphorous component,

15

by Weight.