Soil treatment

Abstract

The present invention relates to compositions and formulations for soil disinfection against a wide spectrum of plant pathogens and pests. More particularly, the formulation comprising (i) peracids, such as peracetic acid and an (ii) anionic surfactant, such as capryleth-9 carboxylic acid is synergistically effective in treatment of soil to control plant parasitic nematodes and soil-borne plant pathogens such as bacteria, spores and fungi.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An aqueous composition comprising a peracid and a polyoxyethylene alkylether carboxylic acid or a salt thereof. 
     
     
         2 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the peracid is peracetic acid. 
     
     
         3 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the peracetic acid is an aqueous equilibrium solution comprising a weight ratio of peracetic acid:hydrogen peroxide between 1:0.01 to 1:14 and a weight ratio of peracetic acid:acetic acid between 1:0.2 to 1:19. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the peracetic acid concentration is from about 3000 ppm to about 25,000 ppm. 
     
     
         5 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the polyoxyethylene alkylether carboxylic acid concentration is from about 250 ppm to about 25,000 ppm. 
     
     
         6 . A method of reducing the level of a pathogenic microorganism in an agricultural medium, the method comprising applying the aqueous composition of  claim 1  to the agricultural medium at a concentration and for a time sufficient to reduce the levels of the microorganism in the agricultural medium. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the pathogenic microorganism is selected from the group consisting of nematodes, bacteria and fungi. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the nematode is selected from the group consisting of root knot nematodes, cyst nematodes, root lesion nematodes, and burrowing nematodes. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the bacteria comprises a spore forming bacteria. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the agricultural medium comprises soil, sand, or a synthetic growth medium. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the contacting step comprises spraying, drenching, injecting, sprinkling or infusing the composition into the agricultural medium. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the aqueous solution is applied at about 1.5 mL/cm 2  of agricultural medium.