Method of suspending weed growth in soil

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.

1 - 10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . A method for treating soil, the method comprising introducing a solution comprising chlorine dioxide and phosphorous into the soil in an amount effective to suspend weed and pathogen growth in the soil, wherein the solution comprising chlorine dioxide has been prepared by admixing a first solution comprising a phosphorous-containing acid and water with a second solution comprising a chlorite salt and water. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the phosphorous-containing acid is phosphonobutanetricarboxylic acid (PBTC). 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the first solution further comprises hydrochloric acid. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the first solution comprises phosphonobutanetricarboxylic acid (PBTC) and hydrochloric acid. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the chlorite salt is sodium chlorite. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the first solution comprises phosphonobutanetricarboxylic acid (PBTC) and hydrochloric acid and the chlorite salt is sodium chlorite. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the chlorine dioxide is present in concentrations ranging from 150 ppm to 950 ppm. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising allowing the chlorine dioxide to decompose in the soil for a period of time and planting a crop in the soil. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising irrigating the soil prior to introducing the solution comprising chlorine dioxide into the soil. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising covering the soil for at least part of the time that the chlorine dioxide is decomposing in the soil. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising saturating the soil with the solution comprising chlorine dioxide. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the solution comprising chlorine dioxide is introduced into the soil through one or more drip irrigation conduits. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the one or more drip irrigation conduits comprise discrete emitters. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the one or more drip irrigation conduits comprise continuous, integral emitters. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the method suspends weed and pathogen growth in the soil. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the method provides nutrients to the soil.