GB1308682A - Agricultural treatment methods utilizing ammonia solutions of azides - Google Patents

Abstract

1308682 Treatment of soil PPG INDUSTRIES Inc 8 April 1970 [9 April 1969 23 March 1970] 16546/70. Heading A5E [Also in Division Cl] In a method of soil treatment for weed control or defoliation purposes, an ammonia solution of an alkali metal azide (with the exception of sodium azide), an alkaline earth metal azide, ammonium azide or a mixture thereof is applied to the soil either before planting crop plants or after crop plants have emerged from the soil. The azide concentration of the solution may be at least 2 parts per million by weight and up to 500 pounds per acre of azide may be applied to the soil. The ammonia solution may be substantially anhydrous but aqueous solutions of ammonia containing at least 5 parts per million ammonia by weight and at least two pounds of ammonia per acre and up to 250 pounds per acre may be applied to the soil. The azides decompose into plant nutrients when exposed to the soil arid the ammonia also acts as a plant nutrient. Other fertilisers (e.g. phosphates, urea or ammonium nitrate), and also insecticides, nematodes and fungicides may be: added. Ammonia solutions of alkali metal azides also exhibit nematocidal, fungicidal, bacterial, miticidal and insecticidal properties and may be applied for any of these purposes. Also such solutions may be applied to harvested produce such as fruit or berries, vegetables or grain to protect them from moulds, rodents, bacteria, fungi and insects.