Soil Disinfection with Silver Hydrogen Peroxide

 

ALSTASAN SILVOX finds use as a soil fumigant, stable over a wide pH and temperature range. This eco-friendly silver H2O2 combination increases soil life and crop yield without any known phytotoxic effect. It does not leave back any toxic residues and does not require flushing. Silver Hydrogen Peroxide has efficient bactericidal, fungicidal, virucidal abilities. Even functions as an eco-friendly nematicide. Silver also has an anti-senescence property which increases the shelf life of fruits and flowers.

 

Need for Soil Disinfection

 

Soil-borne pests and pathogens present major challenges to the production of vegetables, legumes, ornamental plants and other crops grown in open fields as well as under greenhouses. Soil Disinfection is necessary as it is the single solution to diseases like Verticillium, and pests like Root-knot nematodes, which easily reproduce in monocultures and intensive cultivation systems in a plot. Root rots can affect plant beyond the seedling stage when the fungus invades internal root tissue, interfering with the water supply and nutrients. Damping off where sprouts decay above the soil line and results in poor plant growth, premature leaf drop, and sudden death. Soil Disinfection is done to control soil-borne infections, pests, nematodes and unwanted weeds. Conventional soil disinfection is done with the usage of steam, or toxic chemicals like formalin, dazomet, etc. But, most of them have a back log like steam volatizes the toxic manganese, eliminates beneficial bacteria, releases excess ammonia, etc. Formalin and other soil fumigants are mostly unstable with a noted carcinogenic and phytotoxic effect. Soil Disinfection can be both preventive and curative treatment for pests and pathogens.

 

Methods of Soil Disinfection

 
  • Soil fumigation: Soil Fumigation is a pre-plantation treatment providing good control over soil borne pathogens, and stubborn nematodes. The soil beds need to be moistened to field capacity with irrigation water. A solution of Alstasan Silvox is made and applied uniformly over the moist beds using spout. Requires no rinsing with water or plastic covering. After 12 hours, the soil is ready for plantation. This method kills most disease causing organisms. Alstasan Silvox is ecologically safe and does not produce any phytotoxic effect.
  • Drip method: A dilution of Alstasan Silvox is fed to the plant root zones through a drip line. With drip irrigation, water is applied close to the plants so that only the part of the soil in which the roots grow is wetted. This process must be repeated once every 15 days or as advised by CSL Agronomist. This shall prevent re-growth of various infectious pathogens. Prolonged use of drip lines lead to formation of biofilms, which lead to clogging of drip nozzles and venturi meters. With Alstasan Silvox, the same problem can be averted, as it functions as an excellent surface sanitizer as well.
  • Drenching method: Soil drenching provides targeted, deep penetration. It is best to drench the soil early in the growing season giving it time to disperse within the plant before the pathogens flourish. It is also best to drench within a day after watering or rain which disperses the chemical more effectively. The soil can be drenched with a solution of Alstasan Silvox, every 15-30 days or as advised by your CSL representative. This method is most effective against fungicidal complex mostly formed due to combined infection of Cylindrocarpon destructants, Fusarium solani, Fusarium oxyporum, etc. Frequency of drenching varies according to the weather and age of the crop.
  • Spray method (Foliar): Foliar spray should be applied in the early morning before the sun becomes hot. The plants must be sprayed until the liquid mixture starts dripping from the leaves. Alstasan Silvox solution is sprayed on the plants once in every 7-15 days to control white powdery growth on leaves. This helps as profile active control measure in disease-pest and pathogen infection. The spraying schedules must be fixed consulting CSL Agronomist. Foliar spraying, although not a substitute for healthy soil can be beneficial as plants absorb faster through the leaves than it does through the root and stem.
  • Seed treatment: On an average, 80% of the seed sown is untreated. Seed treatment not only protects the seeds from seed and soil borne diseases, but also offers protection to the emerged seedlings from sucking insect pests affecting crop emergence and its initial development. The seeds must be soaked in a solution of Alstasan Silvox for 8 - 12 hours before plantation. It increases the seed germination by 50% (potato, corn, squash, cucumber, radish, etc), also reducing plant mortality, and enhancing root formation of the difficult-to-propagate plant species. Seed treatment acts as an anti-microbial dressing prior to planting.
  • Seedbed treatment: A seedbed is a plot of garden, set aside to grow vegetables seeds, which can later be transplanted. Adoption of plant protection measures, well in advance and in a planned manner is necessary for the efficient development of nursery plants. The major disease of nursery stage plant is “damping off”. For its control good sanitation conditions are necessary. Soil contains harmful fungi, bacteria, nematodes which affect the growth and further development of the seedlings. A solution of Alstasan Silvox to be drenched in the seed beds after 7 - 15 days of germination.

 

For knowing the exact dosage and method of application for your given requirement, please refer to our Chemtex representative or email us your requirement at silvox@silverhydrogenperoxide.com or call us at +91-896-111-1111

Conventional Soil Disinfectants

 

Formalin is an aqueous solution of formaldehyde, which releases a pungent gas that has high toxic effects.  37% by mass and 40% by volume form of formaldehyde along with additional stabilizers like methyl alcohol (10-12%). 

 

Disadvantages

 
  • Noted carcinogenic properties
  • Requires flushing as the soil beds flourish with toxic residues
  • Stable only over a narrow pH range
  • Pungent odour forming, causing severe lung problems
  • Causes phytotoxicity

Advantages of ALSTASAN SILVOX

 
  • This silver H2O2 combination is ecofriendly and nontoxic in nature
  • Takes 12 hours between soil fumigation and plantation, unlike formalin which takes 3 weeks minimum
  • Very effective on nematodes
  • No flushing required
  • Silver has an anti-senescence property, and prevents the ageing of fruits

Comparison Chart

Characteristics Formalin ALSTASAN SILVOX
Ecofriendly No Yes, disintegrates into water and oxygen
Carcinogenicity Yes, proven No, does not cause cancer
Odour Pungent toxic odour, may cause severe lung problems Odourless
Toxicity Highly toxic and hazardous Nontoxic, FDA approved
Effective over Nematodes Not effective Very effective
Dosage High Low, about 1/3rd of formalin
Water required for soil flushing after treatment Yes, requires 100L water per square meter for draining traces Nil. Does not require flushing
Time between soil fumigation and plantation 3 weeks minimum 12 hours
Requires covering of soil with plastic Yes No
Can be used for regular treatment No Yes, disintegrates into water and oxygen
Phytotoxic effect on plant Yes. Causes phytotoxicity No. Does not produce any phytotoxic effect
Ethylene inhibition No Yes. Prevents ageing of flowers
Stability in wide pH Not stable Stable over a wide pH and temperature range