Method of suspending weed growth in soil

Abstract

Introducing chlorine dioxide solution into an agricultural soil in an amount effective to suspend weed and pathogen growth in the soil. The chlorine dioxide is allowed to decompose in the soil. Then, a crop is planted in the treated soil. The decomposed chlorine dioxide provides nutrients for the crops as they grow.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD[0001]This invention relates to a method of suspending weed and pathogen growth in soil prior to growing a crop in the soil. More particularly, it relates a method of introducing chlorine dioxide into the soil in an amount sufficient to suspend weed and pathogen growth and then planting and growing a crop in the treated soil.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]It is known to treat plant growing soil with fumigants to prevent the harmful effects of invasive weeds and other unwanted vegetation and pathogens. If allowed to grow, these invasive plants would compete with the agricultural crops for water, minerals and sunlight. They would increase stresses from nematodes, insects and disease, and adversely effect product quality. Also, harvest effacy is diminished due to pickers inability to find and pick produce in weedy growth. Unwanted vegetation increases production costs by adding control costs up to several hundred dollars per acre.[0003]Methyl-bromide (M-b) has been the...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0007]The present invention provides a method of growing a crop in an agricultural soil. The method comprises introducing a chlorine dioxide solution into the soil in an amount effective to suspend weed and pathogen growth in the soil. The chlorine dioxide solution is allowed to decompose in the soil. A crop may be planted in the treated soil bed. This treatment suspends weed and pathogen growth in the soil without adverse effects to the planted crop or negative consequences to the environment. Chlorine dioxide decomposes into nutrients for the crops.

[0008]Preferably, the chlorine dioxide is prepared by forming a water and acid first solution and adding it to a water and sodium chlorite second solution. Sufficient contact time is allowed to convert the combined solutions into a chlorine solution. The chlorine dioxide is easily applied via the irrigation system to the planted crops in the soil beds, e.g. by adding it to water to pump through the line.

[0010]Preferably, the method includes providing a water component to the soil sufficient to cause the weed seeds to become more active and susceptible to the growth suspending defects of the chlorine dioxide when it is applied.

Problems solved by technology

They would increase stresses from nematodes, insects and disease, and adversely effect product quality.

Also, harvest effacy is diminished due to pickers inability to find and pick produce in weedy growth.

Unwanted vegetation increases production costs by adding control costs up to several hundred dollars per acre.

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