The PhytO3 Tech Crop Protection Technology for Microorganism and Insect Control using Ozone, UV, and Dipole-Electrical Air Jet Spray Technologies – Technical Basis and Possible Chemistries Involved

Abstract

Plants can't walk away when they are attacked by pathogenic microorganisms and insects, or if they are exposed to any form of stress. They do not have a central nervous system that allows them to defend themselves or to ask for help! In the early part of the 20th century, it was discovered that growing plants can be stimulated to respond to stresses by developing a Systemic Acquired Resistance (SAR) to microorganisms and insects. During the last 50 years, and especially during the past decade, significant advances in this agronomical technology have been made. SARs have been proven to result from the application of many types of chemical formulations. Plants respond by generating their own chemicals internally that subsequently prevent attacks by microorganisms and insects. Recently it has been shown that sequential treatment of growing plants with (1) an aqueous spray of high voltage, pulsed negatively charged water, followed immediately with (2) a spray of ozonated water containing 8 mg/L of ozone generated from oxygen, and that followed immediately by (3) high energy UV-C radiation, also causes plants to develop SARs to microorganisms and insects, but without the use of chemicals. The primary advantages of this new ozone-UV-based technology are: (a) there are no harmful effects on the plants, (b) no toxic chemical residues remain on the plants, (c) the technology can be used in rainy weather, when crop protection is most necessary, (d) the technology is environmentally friendly (no chemical residues), and (e) the technology is cheaper for crop growers compared to current chemical approaches.