Pesticide for agricultural and horticultural applications and process for controlling microorganisms on turf surfaces

Abstract

A process for controlling a wide variety of simple celled pests by applications of various formulations using sodium peroxyhydrate as a principal active ingredient. Some forms of the pesticide further include at least one other less reactive material which may be selected from the group consisting of lime (calcium oxide), gypsum, clay calcium nitrate, urea, calcium nitrate tetrahydrate, ammonium nitrate, monocalcium phosphate, dicalcium phosphate, ammonium phosphate, a fertilizer, a form phosphate, and epsom salt. In some embodiments of the invention the pesticide includes a material selected to control the pH at the area of application and thereby constrain the development of microorganisms. The invention also includes the process for controlling microorganisms on turf which comprises applying sodium percarbonate and irrigating the turf. The sodium percarbonate may be utilized in either a solid form or may be in solution. The invention also includes the process for controlling microorganisms in an aquaculture environment which comprises depositing at least 9 pounds of sodium percarbonate per million gallons of water in the aquaculture environment.

Having thus described my invention I claim:  
     
         1 . A pesticide for controlling simple cell microorganisms which comprises 
 sodium percarbonate.    
     
     
         2 . The pesticide accordance with  claim 1  further including: 
 at least one other less reactive material.  
 
     
     
         3 . The pesticide accordance with  claim 2  wherein: 
 said at least one other less reactive material is selected from the group consisting of lime (calcium oxide), gypsum, clay, calcium nitrate, urea, calcium nitrate tetrahydrate, ammonium nitrate, monocalcium phosphate, dicalcium phosphate, ammonium phosphate, a fertilizer, a form phosphate, and epsom salt.  
 
     
     
         4 . The pesticide in accordance with  claim 3  wherein: 
 the proportions of said sodium percarbonate and said at least one other less reactive material are approximately equal by weight.  
 
     
     
         5 . The pesticide in accordance with  claim 3  wherein: 
 The proportions all of said sodium percarbonate and said at least one other less reactive material are approximately equal by volume.  
 
     
     
         6 . The pesticide accordance with  claim 1  wherein: 
 pesticide includes a material selected to control the pH at the area of application and thereby constrain the development of microorganisms.  
 
     
     
         7 . The pesticide in accordance with  claim 6  wherein said material selected to control the pH is lime.  
     
     
         8 . A process for controlling microorganisms on turf which comprises: 
 applying sodium percarbonate, and    irrigating the turf.    
     
     
         9 . A process for controlling microorganisms on turf further in accordance with  claim 8  further including applying a substance to control the pH of the turf and thereby constrain development of additional microorganisms.  
     
     
         10 . A process for controlling microorganisms in accordance with  claim 9  wherein said sodium percarbonate is a solid material.  
     
     
         11 . A process for controlling microorganisms in accordance with  claim 9  wherein said sodium percarbonate is in solution.  
     
     
         12 . A process for controlling microorganisms in accordance with  claim 8  wherein said sodium percarbonate is applied at a rate of at least 1 pound per 1000 square feet.  
     
     
         13 . A process for controlling microorganisms in accordance with  claim 9  wherein said sodium percarbonate is applied at a rate of at least 1 pound per 1000 square feet.  
     
     
         14 . A process for controlling microorganisms in accordance with  claim 8  wherein said sodium percarbonate is applied as a rate of less than 8 pounds per 1000 square feet.  
     
     
         15 . A process for controlling microorganisms in accordance with  claim 9  wherein said sodium percarbonate is applied at a rate of less than 8 pounds per 1000 square feet.  
     
     
         16 . A process for controlling microorganisms in an aquaculture environment which comprises depositing at least 9 pounds of sodium percarbonate per million gallons of water in the aquaculture environment.  
     
     
         17 . A process for controlling microorganisms in an aquaculture environment which comprises depositing less than 52 pounds of sodium percarbonate per million gallons of water.