Method of increasing crop yield and controlling the growth of weeds using a polymer composite film

Abstract

Methods of protecting a crop from weed infestation, controlling weed growth, reducing fumigant dosage in crop protection, and reducing the growth of weeds by applying a polymer composite material with or without a biocide to soil, a crop, a vegetable, a weed, or combinations thereof are provided. In an aspect, the disclosure provides for a polymer composite material including a base polymer coated with: (1) a first barrier layer; (2) a second layer with our without a biocide; and (3) a third protective layer.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of protecting a crop from weed infestation comprising applying a polymer composite material to soil, a crop, a weed, or combinations thereof, wherein said polymer composite material comprises a base polymer compound coated with
 (1) a first barrier layer;   (2) a second layer comprising a biocide; and   (3) a third protective layer.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the weed is nutsedge. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said first layer comprises a polyacrylate, said second layer comprises gelatin, and said third layer comprises gelatin and a hardener. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said biocide comprises halosulfuronmethyl or ethoxysulfuron. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein crop safety is increased relative to a conventional plastic mulch film or virtually impenetrable film (VIF) with a biocide. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the increased crop safety is more effective as compared to a conventional plastic mulch film or VIF applied over an equal area to which the same biocide active ingredient has been spray applied pre-emergence in the same amount as that present in the polymer composite material. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein crop yield is increased. 
     
     
         8 . A method of controlling weed growth comprising applying a polymer composite material to soil, a crop, or a weed, wherein said polymer composite material comprises a base polymer compound coated with
 (1) a first barrier layer;   (2) a second layer; and   (3) a third protective layer;   
       and wherein said polymer composite material does not include a biocide. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the weed is nutsedge. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the polymer composite material without a biocide reduces the growth of nutsedge at least 20% as compared to a conventional plastic mulch film or VIF without a biocide. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein said polymer composite material does not include a fumigant. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein said first layer comprises a polyacrylate, said second layer comprises gelatin, and said third layer comprises gelatin and a hardener. 
     
     
         13 . A method of reducing fumigant dosage in crop protection or weed control by applying a polymer composite material to soil, a weed, a crop, or vegetation, wherein said polymer composite material comprises a base polymer compound coated with
 (1) a first barrier layer;   (2) a second layer;   (3) a third protective layer; and   
       wherein the application of said polymer composite film reduces the amount of fumigant dosage necessary to control weed growth. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the weed is nutsedge. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said first layer comprises a polyacrylate, said second layer comprises gelatin, and said third layer comprises gelatin and a hardener. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said polymer composite material comprises a biocide. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said polymer composite material does not include a biocide. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein said biocide comprises halosulfuronmethyl or ethoxysulfuron. 
     
     
         19 . A method of reducing the growth of a weed comprising applying a polymer composite material comprising a base polymer compound and a biocide active ingredient to soil, a crop, a plant, or a weed. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein said polymer composite material comprises a base material with one or more coating layers and the biocide active ingredient comprises halosulfuronmethyl and/or ethoxysulfuron.