Patent ID: 6167652
Filing Date: 2001-01-02
Classification: A01N

Abstract:
A method for preparing an aqueous liquid solution having an acidic pH suitable for the treatment of plants having leaves capable of photosynthesis to improve the health and yield of the treated plants comprising: (1) forming an aqueous liquid solution having an acidic pH comprising 0.5-6.0 wt. % of a water-soluble salt of chitosan prepared by reaction at an elevated temperature of a water-soluble chitosan, having a molecular weight no higher than about 600,000, with a water-soluble, monobasic organic acid, which may be substituted with other than halogen or amine groups, for a time and at a temperature sufficient to effect substantially complete reaction of the chitosan without degrading the chitosan to such an extent that it becomes water-soluble, in which solution the ratio of acid equivalents to amino groups derived from the chitosan is 1.01-1.20; and (2) raising the pH of the chitosan salt solution from step (1) to a level of 4.2-6.2 by diluting the solution with water having a pH of about 7.