| abstract |
The present invention is directed to a novel method for controlling the growth of microorganisms on, in or near plants. more particularly, in one embodiment, growth of microorganisms is controlled on a surface that is in such proximity to a higher order plant that contacting such surface with a stream of water may cause liquid water from the stream to be deflected and contact the higher order plant or the growth medium in which it is rooted. In this embodiment, an N-halohydantoin is incorporated in water to produce treated water havng an N-halohydantoin concentration sufficient to inhibit the growth of microorganisms in the water or on a substrate to which the treated water is applied. Then the surface is contacted with the treated water, thereby inhibiting the growth of microorganisms on the surface, without harming the higher order plant by contact with the N-halohydantoin contained in any of the treated water that may contact the plant or the growth medium in which said plant is rooted. In other embodiments, plants fruit, vegetables, seeds, plant bulbs, or the medium in which plants, seeds or bulbs are implanted may be treated with N-halohydantoin to control plant disease or unwanted microorganisms without harming the plants, fruit, seeds or plant bulbs. |