FIELD OF INVENTION:
The present invention in particular relates to a novel foliar formulation fortified with various ingredients powered by bioactive ortho silicic acid for drought mitigation.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART:
Drought is one of prevalent environmental stresses, affecting growth and development of plants. Drought has a pronounced impact on yield leading to yield reduction upto 100% depending upon the severity of stress. Drought usually retards the plant growth and developmental rate, abortion of flowers culminating into reduced yields. Drought experienced at reproductive stage has most adverse compared to that experience during the vegetative stage. '-Naturally, plant adopts various strategies to mitigate the experienced stress.
Silicon in the monomelic ortho silicic acid form participates into various metabolic and physiological processes involved in the stress management. Some physiological parameters such as transpiration, Stomatal conductance and photosynthesis have been documented to be benefited by silicon.
Foliar spray fertilizer is a good way to supplement the nutritional needs of plants. Foliar spray, although not a substitute for healthy soil, can be beneficial when a plant is suffering from certain nutrient deficiencies. Foliar plant spray involves applying fertilizer direct to a plant's leaves as opposed to putting it in the soil.
CN105819986 (A) provides a preparation method and application of a selenium-enriched cadmium-resistant foliar fertilizer special for rice .The preparation method of the selenium-enriched cadmium-resistant foliar fertilizer special for the rice comprises the following steps that sodium selenite, zinc sulfate, manganese sulfate and ferrous sulfate are dissolved in water and prepared into an original mother liquid, wherein the concentration of sodium selenite ranges from 30 g/1 to 60 g/1; the original mother liquid is mixed with an amino acid solution of which the mass concentration ranges from 15% to 20%, shaking chelating is conducted, and a chelating liquid is obtained; the chelating liquid and a single silicic acid aqueous solution are mixed to be uniform to be prepared into a mixed liquid; sodium alkyl benzene sulfonate is added, the mixture and filtrate obtained through

saccharose alcohol fermentation are stirred at 25 DEG C to 35 DEG C for secondary chelating, and the selenium-enriched cadmium-resistant foliar fertilizer special for the rice is obtained. The patent describes the use of foliar formulation aimed to mitigate stress induced by the heavy metal (Cd) toxicity. However, we are proposing to mitigate stress induced by reduced and untimely availability of water.
Reference may be made to the article entitled "Mitigation of drought stress by foliar application of salicylic acid and potassium in mungbean (Vignd radiata L.)" talks about the mitigation of drought stress by foliar application of salicylic acid and potassium in mung bean. Treatments comprised of three drought stress (control, drought stress at flowering stage and drought stress at flowering and pod formation stages) and foliar application salicylic acid (100 ppm) alone and in combination with potassium (1%). Irrigation missing at flowering stage, affected less the growth and yield as compared with irrigation missing at both flowering and pod formation stage. Exogenous application of salicylic acid and potassium could mitigate the adverse effects of drought stress significantly [Sadia Majeed, Muhammad Akram, Muhammad Latif, Muhammad Ijaz and Mubshar Hussain; Legume Research, 39 (2) 2016: 208-214]. This patent describes these of salicylic acid in combination with potassium to mitigate stress.
Urea is one of the most widely used foliar N-fertilizers, characterized by high leaf penetrat ion rate and low cost and most plants can absorb rapidly and hydrolyze in the cytosol (Witte CP, Tiller SA, Taylor MA and Davies HV. 2002. Leaf urea metabolism in potato; Urease activity profile and patterns of recovery and distribution of 15 N after foliar urea applications in wild-tipy and urease antisense transgenic; Plant Physiology 128: 1129-1136). Urea can also increase the level of storage N compounds, such as amino acids and proteins thus, foliar spray of urea could directly affect N metabolism under stressful conditions and therefore amino acids synthesis (Dong SF, Cheng LL, Scagel CF and Fuchigami LH. 2004. Nitrogen mobilization, nitrogen uptake and growth of cuttings obtained from poplar stock plants grown in different N regimes and sprayed with urea in autumn. Tree Physiology 24: 355-359).

The thesis entitled "Mitigation of drought for improving, productivity by foliar application of urea and salicylic acid in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) genotypes" aimed to find out the morpho-ph'ysiological markers contributing chickpea yield under drought conditions and the effect of urea and salicylic acid on seed quality, productivity and yield of chickpea genotypes [Pravin Suklal Bisne; Department of Plant Physiology, College of Agriculture, Jabalpur 482004, Jawaharlal Nehru Krishi Vishwa Vidyalaya, Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, India; 2015]. There are many chemicals known to mitigate drought. Urea are quite commonly used by farmers to protect crop from drought. These chemical triggers physio chemical processes to ensure protection of crop during stress.
The form or forms in which silicon is absorbable through foliar surfaces are not definitely known. However, it is believed without being bound by theory that only non-polymerized forms of silicic acid or silicate ion can enter the plant through leaf surfaces and translocate to a point of deposition. Furthermore, in providing a silicon-containing foliar fertilizer, whether as an aqueous concentrate for dilution in water or as a ready-to-use application solution, the silicon should be in water-soluble form, generally ruling out highly polymerized silicic acid or silicate. Only a limited selection of silicon sources are water-soluble and suitable for use in aqueous silicon foliar nutrition compositions.
JP2014009152 (A) provides a liquid silicic acid fertilizer for foliar application nearly free from gelation or suspension and promotes robust and sound growth of a plant by blending a reducing organic acid with a silica sol, or containing a divalent iron ion reduced from a trivalent iron ion, or further by containing calcium, magnesium, boron, manganese, zinc, copper and molybdenum in an ionic state. This patent deals with sodium metasilicate along with other nutrients like potassium, molybdenum in form of different salts. It has different ingredients in comparison to our proposed formualtions.
CN103819283 (A) relates to a humic-acid silicic-acid plant base fertilizer, a top dressing fertilizer and a foliar fertilizer as well as preparing methods thereof. The fertilizers use a macromolecular organic material, namely agricultural MHA, as a carrier and have the effects of natural plant growth regulators, and a reasonably

formula and a mature process are adopted, so the effect is significant. This patent deals with various organic molecules in the fertilizer.
JP2006298724 (A) provides a novel agricultural material capable of effectively supplying silicic acid to plants by being spread on fruit in addition to being given through roots and harmless and useful to plants. The agricultural material for plants contains a water-soluble silicate compound, an amino acid and if need, an organic acid and exhibits week acidic pH when a crystalline mixture of these compounds is dissolved in water. The crystalline mixture of 10-20 g is preferably completely dissolved in 100 L water. The patent describes the use of silicate compound in the formulation which is non-available form of silicon.
Indian application 4246/DELNP/2007 is directed to a method for improving the quality of seeds harvested from seed-producing plants. The method comprises treating the pre-planted seeds of the seed-producing plants with a seed treatment insecticide and treating the resulting plant with foliar applications of a foliar insecticide; or treating the pre-planted seeds of the seed-producing plants with a seed treatment insecticide; or treating seed-producing plants with foliar applications of a foliar insecticide. The foliar insecticide is a pyrethroid insecticide selected from the group consisting of alpha-cypermethrin, beta-cyfluthrin, beta-cypermethrin, bifenthrin, bioresmethrin, cycloprothrin, cyfluthrin, cypermethrin, deltamethrin, esfenvalerate, fenpropathrin, fenvalerate, flucythrinate, gamma cyhalothrin, lambda cyhalothrin, permethrin, phenothrin (and isomers thereof), resmethrin, tau-fluvalinate, tefluthrin, tralomethrin, zeta-cypermethrin, andZXI-8901.
US20140116103 discloses a foliar applicable plant nutrient composition comprising, in aqueous solution, (a) a first component comprising an agriculturally acceptable source of foliarly absorbable silicon; (b) a second component selected from agriculturally acceptable sources of thiosulfate ions, agents effective to inhibit polymerization of silicic acid or silicate ions, and mixtures thereof; and (c) as a third component, an agriculturally acceptable mixture of compounds selected from the group consisting of organic acids, organic compounds having functional groups capable of reversibly binding or

complexing with inorganic anions, and mixtures thereof. The patent describes the use of foliar formulation comprising of potassium silicate, organic acid and sodium thiosulphate. The formulation has described the use of potassium silicate as silicon source which is non-available source of ortho silicic acid. Potassium silicate makes the pH of solution very alkaline and ortho silicic acid dissociates into silicate ions and doesnot remain in silicic acid form.
US20160088845 provides a composition comprising an acidified aqueous solution of (1) micro colloidal silicic acid, (2) boric acid, and (3) a water absorbing additive, having a pH value of equal to or less than 1, wherein the micro colloidal silicic acid has particle sizes in the range of 1-8 nm, especially in the range of 1.5-6 nm. The invention also provides a particulate product obtainable by the method according to claim 18, wherein the particles comprise (1) silicic acid, (2) boric acid, and (3) the water absorbing additive, and wherein at least 90% of the particles in the particulate product have particle sizes in the range of 0.3-5 .mu.m. The patent describes the formation of micro colloidal phase of silicic acid which is a precursor of bio available silicic acid. In addition to silicic acid, various other ingredients like boric acid, fulvic acid, amino acids and other micronutrients are added to attenuate the efficacy of product. The formulation is having very low pH achieved by using HC1 and HNO3.
The article entitled "Role of Orthosilicic Acid (OSA) Based Formulation in Improving Plant Growth and Development" aimed to understand the role of ortho silicic acid (OSA) in improving seedling development. Different concentrations (0.1 % or 0. 2 % v/v) of Silixol (a proprietary formulation with stabilized orthosilicic acid 0.8 %) were used. Seeds were treated with Silixol in two ways: wet coating and overnight soaking. Seeds wet coated with Silixol exhibited good seedling vigour coupled with increased seedling length and biomass. Seeds soaked overnight in a liquid Silixol (diluted at 0.1 % or 0.2 %) solution exhibited a similar response in terms of seedling vigour and biomass. The application of Silixol is attributed to better seedling vigour along with 25 % increase in seedling length and 64 % increase in the fresh weight over control seeds. A foliar spray of Silixol enhanced uptake of essential nutrient (viz. P, Ca and K), when applied in the nursery. Seedlings sprayed with Silixol had higher levels of chlorophyll

content over the control, accounting for a higher rate of photosynthesis [Neeru, J., Shaliesh, C, Vaishali, T. et al. Silicon (2016). doi:10.1007/sl2633-015- 9380-x]. This article talks about use of ortho silicic acid formulation for its impact on seedling growth and development. The paper describes that application of Silixol improves the overall nutrient composition of leaves thus ensuring better plant growth.
The article entitled "Effect of foliar spray of soluble silicic acid on growth and yield parameters of wetland rice in hilly and coastal zone soils of Karnataka, South India" evaluated the effect of foliar spray of soluble silicic acid on growth and yield parameters of wetland rice. The results revealed a significant effect on achieving higher grain and straw yield with foliar silicic acid over control. Foliar spray of silicic acid at 2 and 4 ml per liter increased the grain and straw yield and application of 8 ml per liter decreased the yield. Foliar spray of silicic acid at 4 ml per liter along with half dose of recommended pesticide effectively increased the yields over all other treatments. The content and uptake of silicon in grain and straw was recorded higher with the foliar spray of silicic acid over control. This investigation concludes that application of silicic acid at 4 ml per liter along with half dose of recommended pesticide as foliar spray increased the grain and straw yield, besides Si content and its uptake over control [N. B. Prakash, N. Chandrashekar, C. Mahendra, S. U. Patil, G. N. Thippeshappa & H. M. Laane (2011): Journal of Plant Nutrition, 34:12, 1883-1893]. This article describes use of stabilized silicic acid as a foliar spray for improving grain and straw yield of rice.
The article entitled "Leaf application of silicic acid to white oat and wheat" evaluated the effects of Si, applied in a newly developed stabilized silicic acid form to the leaf, on nutrition and yield of irrigated white oat and wheat. Treatments consisted of a control (without Si application) and Si leaf spraying, at a rate of 2.0 L ha-1 of the commercial product containing 0.8 % soluble Si. Silicon rate was divided in three parts, i.e. applications at tillering, floral differentiation and booting stages. Silicon leaf application increased N, P, K, and Si concentrations in white oat flag leaf, resulting in higher shoot dry matter, number of panicles per m2, number of grains per panicle and grain yield increase

of 34 %. In wheat, Si leaf application increased K and Si concentrations, shoot dry matter and number of spikes per m2, resulting in a grain yield increase of 26.9 % [Rogdrio Peres Soratto(2), Carlos Alexandre Costa Crusciol(3), Gustavo Spadotti Amaral Castro(4), Claudio Hideo Martins da Costa(4) & Jayme Ferrari Neto(4); R. Bras. Ci. Solo, 36:1538-1544]. This article describes use of stabilized silicic acid as a foliar spray for improving grain yield of oat and wheat when applied at three critical growth satges.
The present invention aims to provide a novel foliar formulation comprising bioactive silicic acid for drought mitigation.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION:
The principal object of the present invention is to provide a novel foliar formulation to trigger physiological and biochemical changes thus, optimizing the growth even under adverse conditions.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel foliar formulation that helps the plant to overcome abiotic stress factors like heat, drought and salinity.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a novel foliar formulation that is safe and can be used in a combination of formulas with other essential minerals or important nutrients.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:
The present invention provides a composition of formulation aimed for drought mitigation exploiting the synergistic relation between silicic acid, Gibberellic acid and potassium salts. Apart from maintaining water balance for plants, it also plays a key role in restoring the physiochemical processes in plants under such adverse conditions of water availability. The composition of foliar spray targeted for drought mitigation. The formulation exploits the synergism between the Ortho Silicic Acid (OSA) with other key ingredients like potassium salts, gibberellic acids and organic acids.

Drought induces damage to plant cells by triggering the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) due to osmotic imbalance. The key ingredients of the formulations are crucial for scavenging ROS, thus reducing the damage caused by such singlet and triplet oxygen species. The nutrient elements like potassium are co-factors for biochemical processes. Therefore, their presence optimizes these processes which ensures the proper growth and development of plants even under such adverse conditions.
The present invention provides a method of preparing stabilized ortho silicic acid (stabilized OSA). There is further provided a method for preparation of bioactive silicon nutrition of a plant as foliar composition.
BREIF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS:
It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical
embodiments of this invention and are therefore not to be considered for
limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective
embodiments.
Figure 1 shows graph depicting the percentage increase in yield of wheat for
different agents, having a role in reducing impact of water loss, over control.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION:
The present invention provides a composition of formulation for drought mitigation exploiting the synergistic relation between silicic acid, Gibberellic acid and potassium salts.
Drought induces damage to plant cells by triggering the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) due to osmotic imbalance. The key ingredients of the formulations are crucial for scavenging ROS, thus reducing the damage caused by such singlet and triplet oxygen species. The nutrient elements like potassium are co-factors for biochemical processes. Therefore, their presence optimizes these processes which ensure the proper growth and development of plants even under such adverse conditions.

The present invention provides acidic formulation which uses natural stabilizers and other ingredients as in described below.
The invention is described in detail with reference to the examples given below. The examples are provided just to illustrate the invention and therefore, should not be construed to limit the scope of the invention.

Example 1:
Recipe of the formulation
Ortho silicic acid 1.7-2.1%
Potassium acetate 3-7%
Gibberellic acids 20-100 ppm
Organic acids 2-5%
Example 2:
Recipe of the formulation
Ortho silicic acid 2.0-2.7%
Potassium acetate 1-3%
Gibberellic acids 10-50 ppm
Organic acids 0.5-2%
Example 3:
Recipe of the formulation
Ortho silicic acid 1.7-2.1%
Potassium acetate 2-5%
Gibberellic acids 50-100 ppm
Organic acids 1-3%
There is further provided a method for preparation of bioactive silicon nutrition of a plant as foliar composition. The method of preparation of the formulation is multi-step, wherein initially two separate buffer solution of phosphoric acid of low pH is prepared. While in another reactor solution of potassium silicate 5-20% is prepared.

Two are mixed till the solution becomes yellow coloured by adding suitable stabilizers. Particle size was adjusted to 60-80 mm by adding a mixture of Boron, Zinc and Molybdenum. The other ingredients like Gibberellic acid, potassium acetate and organic acids are added thereafter. Once desired specifications are attained the solution is heated to 50°C followed by subsequent cooling. The finally prepared solution is a free flowing liquid with a minimum shelf life of 3 years at room temperature (25°C).
Example 4:
Analysis was conducted on seed germination of maize. Five replicates of twenty seeds were placed on a Petri dishes (9 cm) lined with two layers of blotting papers. Petri dishes were watered with 3ml of tap water or 7% and 15% of PEG (poly ethylene glycol, MW 6000). Petri dishes were sealed and kept randomly at ambient temperature. Seeds with radicle extended more than 2mm were considered as germinated. Other growth parameters (root length, shoot lehgth and water content) were recorded after 7 days of incubation. Total sugars, lipid peroxidation levels and proline (osmolyte) were also using standard analytical protocols, spectrophotometrically. All experiments were repeated thrice. For all experiments OSA formulations @ 4ml/l were also used to ascertain the impact on alleviation of stress induced by PEG.
Table 1: Impact of PEG induced stress on germination parameters of maize seedlings, after 7 days of incubation.

Control OSA @4 ml/1
- Shoot height (cm) Root
length
(cm) Fresh
weight
(g/seedlin
g) Dry
weight
(mg/
seedling) Shoot height (cm) Root
length Fresh weight (g/seedl ing) Dry
weight (mg/se edling)
Control 3 10 1.8 10 4.1 12 2.5 12
7.0% PEG 2.1 6 1.1 6 2.9 10 2.1 9.5
15% PEG 1.2 4 0.6 3 2.4 8.5 1.6 7.1
Treatment of OSA formulation with/without PEG has improved the germination of maize seeding as recorded for various growth parameters.

Example 5
Pot analysis were conducted to ascertain the impact of liquid and granular form of OSA formulation on root development under water stress conditions. Experimental set up was made using pots of two size (30cm X 45 cm; 20jcm X 10 cm). Each pot was filled with 25kg of black soil. Six seeds of wheat were sowed in each pot which were thinned to three seeds/pot. Pots were irrigated with measured volume of water until two weeks. After that pots were divided) into two treatments after application of foliar spray @ 4ml/l after 30 DAS and 45 DAS. One set was irrigated as normally, while in another one irrigation was withholded until 65 days. After 65 days of sowing, experiment was terminated and plants were washed carefully to minimize the damage to roots. Root length was recorded immediately while root dry weight was recorded after completely drying roots at 65 °C.
Table 2: Impact of application of OSA formulation on vertical and lateral roots, after 65 DAS.

Treatment Biomass of lateral roots (g) Biomass of vertical roots (g) Total weight '■ of roots (g)
Well watered (WW) 2.11 5.46 7.56
WW + 4ml/I OSA-F 3.13 7.24 10.37
Well stressed (WS) 2.08 2.67 4.72
WS + 4ml/l OSA-F 3.23 3.91 7.13
Biomass of both lateral and vertical roots increased following application of both forms of OSA formulation under well watered as well as water i stressed conditions (Table 2).Enhancement in root length and root dry weight indicated physiological role of OSA in alleviating water stress conditions. Naturally, plant develops stronger and deeper root system under stressed condition to ensure availability of water and nutrients. Application of OSA has facilitated plants to achieve this.
Example 6:
Analysis were conducted to assess the impact of water stress on physio chemical parameters as well as yield of wheat. Seeds were sown and all reconimended package of practices were adopted to raise the crop. Water stressed conditions

were created by withholding water from boot leaf emergence till physiological maturity. While one set of crop was maintained as well watered where two additional irrigations were given after emergence of boot leaf (flowdring and grain filling stage). Foliar sprays of OSA formulations were given four times during the experiment, (i) crown root stage, (ii) flag leaf stage, (iii) flowering, (iv) grain filling. Water spray was done on the control water stressed crop at the same time. For field analysis two variants of formulation were compared. The major difference in them was presence/absence of OSA, with all remaining ingredients being same.
Physiological and biochemical analyses were done using flag leaf. Standard
indicators for stress tolerance such as relative water content in leaf, sugaii content,
proline content, antioxidant enzymes viz. superoxide dismutase (SOD), Ejiphenyl-
1-picyl hydrazyl (DPPH) assay, were carried out and standard yield and its
attributes were recorded. i
For various physio and biochemical parameters, numerical higher values were recorded following foliar sprays of OSA formulations under well watered and water stress conditions (Table 3). Higher levels of antioxidant enzymes following
i
application of OSA formulation indicates its potential role in scavenging; reactive oxygen species (ROS), which are generated predominately under i stressed conditions. High levels of osmolyte (proline) and sugars were recorded in plants sprayed with OSA formulations are indicative of potential role in minimizing the damage to plant machinery under stress conditions (Table 4). Table 3: Impact of foliar application of OSA formulation on j various physiochemical parameters of wheat under different regimes of water availability.

RWC (%) Proline (mg/g fw) Total Sugar (mg/g fw)
i
Control OSA
Formulation Control OSA
Formulation Control OSA Formulation
Well watered 80.86 85.12 11.85 11.98 18.85 19.30 [
Water
stressed 77.77 83.56 11.45 12.19 21.00 28.42 j
!

Table 4: Impact of foliar application of OSA formulation on various antioxidant activities in leaves of wheat under different regimes of water availability.

SOD DPPH
Control OSA Formulation Control OSA Formulation
Well watered 4.14 4.52 0.076 0.145
Water stressed 6.12 7.28 0.089 0.131
Efficacy of OSA formulation in minimizing losses due to water stress was evident in yield and its attributes in addition to various physio chemical parameters. Under both water conditions (well watered and water stressed), plant height and biomass exhibited higher numerical values, when both formulations were applied (Table 5). Yield attributes viz. number of spikes/hill, grains per spike and test grain weight exhibited a dose dependent response with OSA formulation. Foliar spray of OSA formulation had greater impact on grain yield compared to the one without OSA and it varied from 8% and 15% under well water and water stressed conditions, respectively (Table 6). The average increment of 15% in total grain yield and test seed weight was recorded under water stressed conditions.
Table 5: Impact of foliar application formulations @ 4ml/l on yield and its attributes following application of OSA formulations under varied levels of water.

Plant height (cm) Total Biomass (kg) Number of tillers J (plants/m2) j

Well watered Water stressed Well watered Water stressed Well watered Water j stressed :
Control 94.8 91.7 18.9 14.5 86.2 79.7 |
Foliar product w/o OSA 94.6 93.2 19.8 15.6 90.6 83.6
Foliar product with OSA 97.0 95.3 20.3 17.4 96.1 87.4
Table 6: Impact of foliar application formulations @ 4ml/l on yield and its attributes following application of OSA formulations under varied levels of water.

Well watered
Number of grains/ spike
Water
stressed
Well watered

Water stressed
Test weight of grains (g)
Well watered

Grain yield (q[/ha)
Water stressed

Control
Foliar product w/o OSA
Foliar product with OSA

48.3
51.4
58.2

45.4
47.3
52.8

39.4
40.1
41.8

36.1
38.0
39.9

37.0
40.7
44.2

28.2
31.8
36.5

Thus OSA had accentuating impact on combination of other ingredients in the formulation on wheat. OSA formulations had a profound impact on minimizing yield losses under water stress conditions, when imposed at terminal stage. The use of OSA formulation can reduce the water requirement of crop by 33%. Interestingly, yields under water stressed conditions, following OSA application were comparable to that obtained under well water conditions without application.
Example 7
Impact of different compounds, known to a proven role in alleviating water drought on yield of wheat were ascertained using line source sprinkler system. Line sprinkler system ensures the differential levels of irrigation (35.7 cm, 24.9 cm, 19.3cm, 14.3 cm, 8.9 cm and 3.6 cm) of crop simultaneously. Various agents (potassium, nitrate, gibberellic acid, salicylic acid and OSA) were applied at critical stages ((i) crown root stage, (ii) flag leaf stage, (iii) flowering, (iv) grain filling. Yields were recorded at each level of irrigation independently and compared (Figure 1) at 8.9 cm level of irrigation.
Thus OSA has a differential role of each agent in alleviating the water stress when used independently. While in the formulation a combination of these is used, therefore, they have a significantly better impact in minimizing yield losses even under stress conditions. Furthermore, addition of OSA to the formulatipn has a additive impact in alleviation of water stress to plants.
Numerous modifications and adaptations of the system of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and thus it is intended

by the appended claims to cover all such modifications and adaptations which fall within the true spirit and scope of this invention.

WE CLAIM:
1. A foliar formulation for drought mitigation comprising of ortho
Gibberellic acid, potassium salts, and organic acid wherein the
comprises ortho silicic acid 1.7-2.1%, Gibberellic acid 20-100 ppm, potassium
salts 3-7%, and organic acid 2-5% or ortho silicic acid 2.0-2.7%, Gibberellic acid
10-50 ppm, potassium salts 1-3%, and organic acid 0.5-2% or ortho silicic acid
organic acid
21.7-2.1%, Gibberellic acid 50-100 ppm, potassium salts2-5%, and
1-3%.
2. The formulation for drought mitigation is acidic in nature having pjH lower than 2.5
3. The foliar formulation for drought mitigation as claimed in claim 1 wherein potassium salts is potassium acetate

wherein the ow coloured by adding a
Dated .?^?..day of .htP.Y.., 2018
4. The foliar formulation for drought mitigation as claimed in claim 1 two buffer solutions prepared are mixed till the solution becomes yell by adding suitable stabilizers; particle size is adjusted to 60-80 mm mixture of Boron, Zinc and Molybdenum; other ingredients like Gibberellic acid, potassium acetate and organic acids are added thereafter; otice desired specifications are attained the solution is heated to 50°C followed by subsequent cooling to obtain a free flowing liquid with a minimum shelf life (ff 3 years at room temperature (25°C).