| abstract |
The present invention relates to an agricultural composition, containing as an active ingredient glycolic acid, for controlling crop growth and for the maintenance of irrigation systems. In its preferred embodiment the said composition is an aqueous solution containing up to about 72 % by weight glycolic acid comprising a mixture of glycolic acid and phosphoric acid and/or metal ion compounds, preferably bivalent metal ions. The agricultural composition of the present invention can be used as a fertilizer; it is useful in macro element nutrition and in micro element nutrition. This agricultural composition is also useful for controlling the pH level of the irrigation water and of a non soil bed and is useful as an antimicrobial or a bacteriostat. The agricultural composition of the present invention is further useful in maintenance of irrigation systems by chelating calcium deposits, or the like, in the irrigation lines and by acting as an antimicrobial or a bacteriostat keeping the irrigation lines clean of alga and the like and sanitizing the soil. The agricultural composition of the present invention is more effective in agricultural use, than the presently used compositions and it is easily biodegradable, thus it provides a cheap and 'environment friendly' composition for agricultural use. |