Donald B Cartwright

US Patent:

60572663, May 2, 2000

Filed:

Aug 4, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/129503

Inventors:

David P. Colvin - Cary NC
Donald K. Cartwright - Harrison AR

Assignee:

Delta Thermal Systems, Inc. - Wake County NC

International Classification:

A01N 2528
A01N 2524
A01N 6300

US Classification:

504100

Abstract:

A mycoherbicide is adapted to be sprayed in solution on to an agricultural property such as seeds, germinating seeds, seedlings or plants and comprises a moisturizer such as water which is microencapsulated for time release on to the surface of agricultural property. In a further embodiment of the invention, a microencapsulated phase change material is also added to the solution to control the temperature on the surface of the agricultural property. A sticker is employed to enhance retention of the microcapsules on the agricultural property. The solution operates to control the microclimate on the surface of the agricultural property in order to enhance the effectiveness of the mycoherbicide fungi or bacteria on the host or to provide frost/freeze protection at low temperatures. In another aspect of the invention, microencapsulated phase change materials such as water and/or paraffinic hydrocarbons are applied to the surface of the agricultural property in order to regulate the microclimate to enhance germination and to limit the ability of soilborne pathogens to infect the agricultural property.