Abstract: This disclosure describes compositions and methods for inhibiting pathogens on plants.

Abstract: Introducing chlorine dioxide solution into an agricultural soil in an amount effective to suspend weed and pathogen growth in the soil. The chlorine dioxide is allowed to decompose in the soil. Then, a crop is planted in the treated soil. The decomposed chlorine dioxide provides nutrients for the crops as they grow.

Abstract: Introducing chlorine dioxide solution into an agricultural soil in an amount effective to suspend weed and pathogen growth in the soil. The chlorine dioxide is allowed to decompose in the soil. Then, a crop is planted in the treated soil. The decomposed chlorine dioxide provides nutrients for the crops as they grow.

Abstract: Introducing chlorine dioxide solution into an agricultural soil in an amount effective to suspend weed and pathogen growth in the soil. The chlorine dioxide is allowed to decompose in the soil. Then, a crop is planted in the treated soil. The decomposed chlorine dioxide provides nutrients for the crops as they grow.

Abstract: Source water is treated by mixing a first component selected from the group comprising neutralized phosphonic acid compounds, neutralized phosphonate compounds, neutralized derivatives of phosphorus, neutralized anti-scalent polymers, and mixtures thereof, a second component from the group comprising chlorite salt and chlorate salt is admixed to the mixture of the water and the first component, and water. The water and the first and second components are present in amounts sufficient to form a stable liquid composition in which there is substantially no conversion of the second component to chlorine dioxide.

Abstract: Source water is treated by mixing a first component selected from the group comprising neutralized phosphonic acid compounds, neutralized phosphonate compounds, neutralized derivatives of phosphorus, neutralized anti-scalent polymers, and mixtures thereof, a second component from the group comprising chlorite salt and chlorate salt is admixed to the mixture of the water and the first component, and water. The water and the first and second components are present in amounts sufficient to form a stable liquid composition in which there is substantially no conversion of the second component to chlorine dioxide.

Abstract: Source water is treated by mixing a first component selected from the group comprising neutralized phosphonic acid compounds, neutralized phosphonate compounds, neutralized derivatives of phosphorus, neutralized anti-scalent polymers, and mixtures thereof, a second component from the group comprising chlorite salt and chlorate salt is admixed to the mixture of the water and the first component, and water. The water and the first and second components are present in amounts sufficient to form a stable liquid composition in which there is substantially no conversion of the second component to chlorine dioxide.

Abstract: Introducing chlorine dioxide solution into an agricultural soil in an amount effective to suspend weed and pathogen growth in the soil. The chlorine dioxide is allowed to decompose in the soil. Then, a crop is planted in the treated soil. The decomposed chlorine dioxide provides nutrients for the crops as they grow.

Abstract: A chitosan polymer is added to an acid and water solution in an amount sufficient to form an edible composition having a solids content greater than five percent (5%) and a liquid viscosity. The composition is applied to food products, such as fruits, vegetables and nuts, to provide an edible protective coating for the food products. An edible wax emulsion and/or a preservative such as sodium benzoate, and/or an adhesion additive such as zinc acetate, and/or a wetting agent, and/or one or more additives from the group consisting of virgin and/or modified carbohydrates, proteins, hydrocolloides, lipids, oils, gums and waxes, natural and/or synthetic, may be added to the composition before it is applied to the food product.

Abstract: Introducing chlorine dioxide solution into an agricultural soil in an amount effective to suspend weed and pathogen growth in the soil. The chlorine dioxide is allowed to decompose in the soil. Then, a crop is planted in the treated soil. The decomposed chlorine dioxide provides nutrients for the crops as they grow.

Abstract: A biofilm reducing agent (BRA) and a mineral deposit distorting agent (MDDA) are admixed to irrigation water in amounts sufficient to substantially eliminate biofilm formation in the emitters (14) of an irrigation system (10) and produce amorphous mineral deposits in the emitters that are easily washed away by the irrigation water as it flows through the emitters (14). The BRA may be an oxidizer selected from the group consisting of chlorine, ozone, chlorine dioxide, hydrogen peroxide, hydroxy peracitic acid, iodine, bromine, hydrogen dioxide, chlorate salts, chlorite salts and hypochlorite compounds and mixtures thereof. The MDDA is a phosphonate selected from the group comprising AMP, ATMP, HEDP, EDTMPA, HMDTMPA, DETPMPA, BHMPTMPA, PBTC, HPA, PCA, NTMP, and DTPMP.

Abstract: Source water is treated by mixing a first component selected from the group comprising neutralized phosphonic acid compounds, neutralized phosphonate compounds, neutralized derivatives of phosphorus, neutralized anti-scalent polymers, and mixtures thereof, a second component from the group comprising chlorite salt and chlorate salt is admixed to the mixture of the water and the first component, and water. The water and the first and second components are present in amounts sufficient to form a stable liquid composition in which there is substantially no conversion of the second component to chlorine dioxide.

Abstract: A sodium chlorite (NaClO2) solution is admixed with flowing water to form a flowing water and sodium chlorite (NaClO2) solution. A flowing water and acid solution is admixed into the flowing water and sodium chlorite (NaClO2) solution. The combined solutions are directed into and through a mixing chamber to form a homogenous, acidified sodium chlorite solution. The homogenous, acidified sodium chlorite solution is removed from the mixing chamber and is either utilized as a liquid or is frozen to form ice that is utilized. The acidified sodium chlorite solution provides a slow release of chlorine dioxide gas (ClO2) for use in water treatment, in food plant sanitation, in ice for icing food items, and as an antimicrobial solution for direct application to food items.

Abstract: A virgin chitosan polymer is added to an acid and water solution in an amount sufficient to form an edible composition having a solids content greater than five percent (5%) and a liquid viscosity. The composition is applied to food products, such as fruits, vegetables and nuts, to provide an edible protective coating for the food products. Alternatively, chitosan may be hydrolyzed to a lower molecular weight so that a gel will not be formed when the partially hydrolyzed chitosan is admixed to the acid water solution. An edible wax emulsion and/or a preservative such as sodium benzoate, and/or an adhesion additive such as zinc acetate, and/or a wetting agent, and/or one or more additives from the group consisting of virgin and/or modified carbohydrates, proteins, hydrocolloides, lipids, oils, gums and waxes, natural and/or synthetic, made be added to the composition before it is applied to the food product.

Abstract: Sodium ortho-phenylphenate is admixed with water to produce a process water for treating produce. Potassium carbonate is admixed with the process water in an amount necessary to necessary to raise the specific gravity of the process water to a level whereat it will float fruits and vegetables that would otherwise tend to sink in the process water. When a chlorine-based biocide is used in the process water potassium bicarbonate is used to provide the desired specific gravity of the process water. Over time, used process water is cleaned by settling, by use of a filter, or by use of some other mechanical separating equipment, and the cleaned process water is recycled.

Abstract: A sodium chlorite solution is admixed with a second solution containing an acid to make a reacted mixture. The reacted mixture is introduced into a water system, viz. a conduit in which water flows or a tank containing water. The reacted mixture is added to the water system to inhibit and/or eliminate bacterial fouling in the system, and/or inhibiting and/or removing mineral deposits from the system, and/or for reducing or eliminating microorganisms from the system. The second component is acidic enough to convert the sodium chlorite into chlorine dioxide while remaining unaffected in the reacted mixture and at the same time being a mineral antiscalant. Optimum conversion of the sodium chlorite component into active chlorine dioxide requires at least several minutes reaction time and, preferably, the use of a suitable catalyst, such as sodium molybdate.

Abstract: Sodium ortho-phenylphenate is admixed with water to produce a process water for treating produce. Potassium carbonate is admixed with the process water in an amount necessary to necessary to raise the specific gravity of the process water to a level whereat it will float fruits and vegetables that would otherwise tend to sink in the process water. When a chlorine-based biocide is used in the process water potassium bicarbonate is used to provide the desired specific gravity of the process water. Over time, used process water is cleaned by settling, by use of a filter, or by use of some other mechanical separating equipment, and the cleaned process water is recycled.

Abstract: A virgin chitosan polymer is added to an acid and water solution in an amount sufficient to form an edible composition having a solids content greater than five percent (5%) and a liquid viscosity. The composition is applied to food products, such as fruits, vegetables and nuts, to provide an edible protective coating for the food products. Alternatively, chitosan may be hydrolyzed to a lower molecular weight so that a gel will not be formed when the partially hydrolyzed chitosan is admixed to the acid water solution. An edible wax emulsion and/or a preservative such as sodium benzoate, and/or an adhesion additive such as zinc acetate, and/or a wetting agent, and/or one or more additives from the group consisting of virgin and/or modified carbohydrates, proteins, hydrocolloides, lipids, oils, gums and waxes, natural and/or synthetic, made be added to the composition before it is applied to the food product.

Abstract: A sodium chlorite (NaClO2) solution is admixed with flowing water to form a flowing water and sodium chlorite (NaClO2) solution. A flowing water and acid solution is admixed into the flowing water and sodium chlorite (NaClO2) solution. The combined solutions are directed into and through a mixing chamber to form a homogenous, acidified sodium chlorite solution. The homogenous, acidified sodium chlorite solution is removed from the mixing chamber and is either utilized as a liquid or is frozen to form ice that is utilized. The acidified sodium chlorite solution provides a slow release of chlorine dioxide gas (ClO2) for use in water treatment, in food plant sanitation, in ice for icing food items, and as an antimicrobial solution for direct application to food items.

Abstract: A biofilm reducing agent (BRA) and a mineral deposit distorting agent (MDDA) are admixed to irrigation water in amounts sufficient to substantially eliminate biofilm formation in the emitters (14) of an irrigation system (10) and produce amorphous mineral deposits in the emitters that are easily washed away by the irrigation water as it flows through the emitters (14). The BRA may be an oxidizer selected from the group consisting of chlorine, ozone, chlorine dioxide, hydrogen peroxide, hydroxy peracitic acid, iodine, bromine, hydrogen dioxide, chlorate salts, chlorite salts and hypochlorite compounds and mixtures thereof. The MDDA is a phosphonate selected from the group comprising AMP, ATMP, HEDP, EDTMPA, HMDTMPA, DETPMPA, BHMPTMPA, PBTC, HPA, PCA, NTMP, and DTPMP.