Compositions and Methods for the Prevention and Treatment of Diseases in Plants

Abstract

Non-toxic, environmentally friendly, naturally-derived and economical compositions and methods for treating and preventing bacterial or fungal disease in plants, especially disease caused by Xanthomonas species, such as citrus canker, wherein such compositions include d-limonene alone or in combination with wax and/or wax extract, monohydric alcohol, an emulsifier and/or other ingredients are provided. Methods of making such compositions are also provided.

1 . A composition for treating and preventing disease in plants comprising d-limonene.  
   
   
       2 . The composition of  claim 1 , further comprising wax and/or wax extract.  
   
   
       3 . The composition of  claim 2 , further comprising monohydric alcohol.  
   
   
       4 . The composition of  claim 3 , further comprising potassium hydroxide.  
   
   
       5 . The composition of  claim 4 , further comprising an emulsifier.  
   
   
       6 . The composition of  claim 5 , wherein the emulsifier is soy lecithin.  
   
   
       7 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein d-limonene is present in an amount up to about 50% by weight and wherein said composition further comprises water.  
   
   
       8 . The composition of  claim 7 , further comprising wax and/or wax extract.  
   
   
       9 . The composition of  claim 8 , further comprising monohydric alcohol.  
   
   
       10 . The composition of  claim 9 , further comprising potassium hydroxide.  
   
   
       11 . The composition of  claim 10 , further comprising an emulsifier.  
   
   
       12 . The composition of  claim 11 , wherein the emulsifier is soy lecithin.  
   
   
       13 . The composition of  claim 7 , comprising from about 0.5% to about 20% d-limonene, from about 0.005% to about 5.0% wax and/or wax extract, from about 0.5% to about 15% monohydric alcohol, from about 0.01% to about 5.0% potassium hydroxide, and from about 0.05% to about 15% emulsifier, all by weight.  
   
   
       14 . The composition of  claim 13 , wherein the monohydric alcohol is selected from the group consisting of ethanol, methanol and butanol, alone or in combination.  
   
   
       15 . The composition of  claim 13 , wherein the wax and/or wax extract comprises beeswax and/or beeswax extract.  
   
   
       16 . The composition of  claim 13 , wherein the emulsifier comprises soy lecithin.  
   
   
       17 . The composition of  claim 13 , wherein the plant is a member of the citrus species.  
   
   
       18 . The composition of  claim 17 , wherein the disease is citrus canker.  
   
   
       19 . The composition of  claim 13 , wherein the disease is caused by any species of  Xanthomonas.    
   
   
       20 . A method for treating or preventing disease in a plant species comprising applying to said plant species a composition which comprises d-limonene.  
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein said composition further comprises wax and/or wax extract.  
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein said composition further comprises monohydric alcohol.  
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein said composition further comprises potassium hydroxide.  
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein said composition further comprises an emulsifier.  
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the emulsifier is soy lecithin.  
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein d-limonene is present in an amount up to about 50% by weight and wherein said composition further comprises water.  
   
   
       27 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein said composition further comprises wax and/or wax extract.  
   
   
       28 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein said composition further comprises monohydric alcohol.  
   
   
       29 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein said composition further comprises potassium hydroxide.  
   
   
       30 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein said composition further comprises an emulsifier.  
   
   
       31 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the emulsifier is soy lecithin.  
   
   
       32 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein said composition comprises from about 0.5% to about 20% d-limonene, from about 0.005% to about 5.0% wax and/or wax extract, from about 0.5% to about 15% monohydric alcohol, from about 0.01% to about 5.0% potassium hydroxide, and from about 0.05% to about 15% emulsifier, all by weight.  
   
   
       33 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the monohydric alcohol is selected from the group consisting of ethanol, methanol and butanol, alone or in combination.  
   
   
       34 . The composition of  claim 32 , wherein the wax and/or wax extract comprises beeswax and/or beeswax extract.  
   
   
       35 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the emulsifier comprises soy lecithin.  
   
   
       36 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the plant is a member of the citrus species.  
   
   
       37 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein the disease is citrus canker.  
   
   
       38 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the disease is caused by any species of  Xanthomonas.