Tannin formulations for agricultural use in plants

Abstract

The preparation, composition, and method of use of an antibacterial formulation utilizing tannins, acceptable for agriculture and for use against bacterial and fungicidal diseases in plants. The composition is based on an organic matrix and may be balanced with dispersants, flocculants and humectants, and may be used against a wide range of agricultural bacterial diseases.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of preventing or treating a disease in plants, comprising administering a composition to a plant in need thereof, wherein the disease is caused by a fungus, and wherein the composition comprises at least one tannin that is a proanthocyanidin, and at least one item selected from the group consisting of dispersants, surfactants and/or humectants, inert components, thickeners, bactericides, resistance inductors, biopesticides, fungicides, foliage fertilizers, and hormones. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the tannins comprise a tannin extracted from at least one Quebracho tree and wherein said composition contains from 5% to 30% by mass of the tannins on a dry weight basis. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the fungus is one selected from the group consisting of  Alternaria  sp.,  Phytophthora  sp.,  Colletotrichum  sp.,  Fusarium  sp., and  Aspergillus  sp. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising a step of mixing the composition with water prior to the administering. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the composition further comprises a carbohydrate and bentonite. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the composition further comprises diatomaceous earth. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the composition further comprises sodium lignosulfate, naphthalene sulfonate, and xanthan gum. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the composition is administered to at least one of the plant's foliage, stem, canopy, trunk, roots, shoots, twigs, or flowers. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the composition is administered to the plant's foliage. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the composition is administered to at least one of the plant's seeds or rhizomes. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the formulation is administered to the plant at least twice at an interval of from 1-21 days. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the formulation is administered during the plant's seedling stage, transplant stage, vegetative stage, pre-bloom stage, full-bloom stage, post-bloom stage, fruit set stage, or dormancy. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the plant is a vegetable plant, a cereal plant, a fruit plant, a nut plant, or sugar cane. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the plant is a fruit tree. 
     
     
         15 . The method  claim 1  which is a method of preventing a disease in a plant. 
     
     
         16 . The method  claim 1  which is a method of treating a disease in a plant. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the composition contains from 5% to 30% by mass of the tannins on a dry weight basis. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the composition contains from 5% to 20% by mass of the tannin on a dry weight basis. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the composition contains from 5% to 10% by mass of the tannin on a dry weight basis. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the composition contains from 5% to 20% by mass of the tannin on a dry weight basis;   the fungus is one selected from the group consisting of  Alternaria  sp.,  Phytophthora  sp.,  Colletotrichum  sp.,  Fusarium  sp., and  Aspergillus  sp.; and   the composition further comprises a carbohydrate and bentonite.   
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the composition contains from 5% to 20% by mass of the tannin on a dry weight basis;   the fungus is one selected from the group consisting of  Alternaria  sp.,  Phytophthora  sp.,  Colletotrichum  sp.,  Fusarium  sp., and  Aspergillus  sp.; and   the composition further comprises diatomaceous earth, sodium lignosulfate, naphthalene sulfonate, and xanthan gum.