# US 12,004,513 B2 · Method for prophylaxis of infections in crops and ornamentals, preferably in viticulture, and in woody plants > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,004,513 B2 - Document ID: US12004513B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/567,335 - Filed: 2019-09-11 - Published: 2020-01-02 - Granted: 2024-06-11 - Earliest claimed: 2014-07-03 - Assignees: Biopract GmbH - Applicants: Biopract GmbH - Inventors: Matthias Gerhardt; Joachim Pheiffer; Hanns-Heinz Kassemeyer; Rene Fuchs; Sophie Jacobs - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12004513B2 ## CPC - A01N 63/22: Bacillus - A01N 25/02: containing liquids as carriers, diluents or solvents - A01N 63/20: Bacteria; Substances produced thereby or obtained therefrom - A01N 63/50: Isolated enzymes; Isolated proteins (peptides A01N37/46) - C12Y 304/21: Serine endopeptidases (3.4.21) - A01N: PRESERVATION OF BODIES OF HUMANS OR ANIMALS OR PLANTS OR PARTS THEREOF (preservation of food or foodstuff A23); BIOCIDES, e.g. AS DISINFECTANTS, AS PESTICIDES OR AS HERBICIDES (preparations for medical, dental or toiletry purposes which kill or prevent the growth or proliferation of unwanted organisms A61K); PEST REPELLANTS OR ATTRACTANTS; PLANT GROWTH REGULATORS - C12Y: ENZYMES ## Abstract The invention concerns a method for prophylaxis of infections by fungi, particularly by oomycetes, and of bacterial infections in crop and ornamental plants. Areas of application are vine, fruit, vegetable and ornamental plant growing. The method of the invention is characterized in that an aqueous solution of a protease, alone or in combination with β-glucanases and/or chitinases, is prepared, stabilizers, stickers and wetters are added, and the additized solution is applied by conventional techniques to the plants a number of times within the vegetation period, preferably ahead of weather-related phases of high infection threat. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method comprising spraying a living plant with an aqueous solution of a bacterial serine protease, characterized in that said bacterial serine protease is derived from Nocardiopsis sp. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, characterized in that said aqueous solution of a bacterial serine protease is applied at a dosage of 0.001% to 1%. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the spraying is performed by spraying aerial parts of the plant at timed intervals. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, characterized in that said aqueous solution of a bacterial serine protease is applied at a pH of 4.0 to 8.0. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, characterized in that said aqueous solution of a bacterial serine protease is applied at temperatures of 4° C. to 34° C. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, characterized in that said aqueous solution of a bacterial serine protease is formulated with adhesive and wetting agents as well as stabilizers. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, characterized in that said aqueous solution consists essentially of said bacterial serine protease. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, characterized in that said aqueous solution further comprises one or more additional bacterial serine proteases. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, characterized in that said bacterial serine protease is the only active ingredient in said aqueous solution. ### Claim 10 A method comprising spraying a plant with an aqueous solution of a bacterial serine protease, characterized in that said bacterial serine protease is derived from Nocardiopsis sp., wherein the plant is infected by a phytopathogen selected from the group consisting of fungi, oomycetes and bacteria. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The method according to claim 10, characterized in that said phytopathogen is a fungus. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The method according to claim 10, characterized in that said phytopathogen is an oomycete. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) The method according to claim 10, characterized in that said phytopathogen is a bacterium. ### Claim 14 (depends on 10) The method according to claim 10, characterized in that said phytopathogen belongs to the genus Phytophthora. ### Claim 15 (depends on 10) The method according to claim 10, characterized in that said phytopathogen belongs to the genus Plasmopara. ### Claim 16 (depends on 10) The method according to claim 10, characterized in that said phytopathogen belongs to the genus Pseudoperonospora. ### Claim 17 (depends on 10) The method according to claim 10, characterized in that said phytopathogen belongs to the genus Clavibacter. ### Claim 18 (depends on 10) The method according to claim 10, characterized in that said phytopathogen belongs to the genus Pseudomonas. ### Claim 19 A method comprising spraying a living plant with an aqueous solution of a bacterial serine protease, characterized in that said bacterial serine protease is derived from Nocardiopsis sp., wherein the living plant is infected by a phytopathogen selected from the group consisting of fungi, oomycetes and bacteria. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The method of claim 19, characterized in that said phytopathogen belongs to the genus Phytophthora, the genus Plasmopara, the genus Pseudoperonospora, the genus Clavibacter, or the genus Pseudomonas.