Antimicrobial compositions and methods for treating plant diseases

Abstract

An antimicrobial composition for treating plant diseases includes a solvent into which an antibiotic is substantially dissolved to achieve a concentration of the antibiotic sufficient to treat a bacterial infection in a plant. An acid is added to the solvent at a concentration sufficient to generate a pH in a range of 1.5 to less than 4.0. The antimicrobial can be delivered systemically to a plant, thereby allowing the antibiotic to treat a bacterial disease inflicting the plant.

I claim: 
     
         1 . An antimicrobial composition for treating plant diseases comprising:
 a solvent;   an antibiotic substantially dissolved in the solvent at a concentration sufficient to treat a bacterial infection in a plant, the antibiotic comprising oxytetracycline;   an acid present in the solvent at a concentration sufficient to generate a pH in a range of 1.8 to 2.5; and   the antimicrobial composition being configured for injection into a plant, wherein the antibiotic is configured for treating a bacterial disease inflicting the plant.   
     
     
         2 . The antimicrobial composition of  claim 1 , wherein the solvent comprises water. 
     
     
         3 . The antimicrobial composition of  claim 1 , wherein the antibiotic has a concentration of 500 to 50,000 parts per million. 
     
     
         4 . The antimicrobial composition of  claim 1 , wherein the antibiotic has a concentration of 500 to 25,000 parts per million. 
     
     
         5 . The antimicrobial composition of  claim 1 , wherein the antibiotic has a concentration of 500-12,000 parts per million. 
     
     
         6 . The antimicrobial composition of  claim 3 , wherein the acid comprises an inorganic acid. 
     
     
         7 . The antimicrobial composition of  claim 6 , wherein the acid comprises hydrochloric acid. 
     
     
         8 . The antimicrobial composition of  claim 3 , wherein the antimicrobial composition is configured for injection into the vascular network of a tree or vine. 
     
     
         9 . The antimicrobial composition of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the solvent comprises water;   the antibiotic has a concentration of 500-12,000 parts per million;   the acid comprises hydrochloric acid; and   the antimicrobial composition is configured for injection into the vascular network of a tree or vine.   
     
     
         10 . The antimicrobial of  claim 9 , wherein the antimicrobial composition has a pH of 2. 
     
     
         11 . The antimicrobial of  claim 1 , wherein the antimicrobial composition has a pH of 2.