Agricultural
disinfectants are used to control various pests mainly the
microbes (viruses,bacteria,fungi) which
affect crops and have a serious impact on the economic output of a farm. Agricultural
production must be increased considerably in the foreseeable future to meet the
food and feed demands of a rising human population and increasing livestock
production. There are several ways in which pest or disease populations can
affect different physiological processes in plants. They may, for example,
reduce crop stands by eliminating the plants, they may reduce inputs such as
light, CO2 or water, they may affect rates of metabolic and growth processes
directly or they may remove or consume previously produced material. Thus pathogen
control by farm disinfectant plays a key role in safeguarding crop
productivity against competition from weeds, animal pests, pathogens and
viruses.
Hypochlorites &
halogens,Quaternary ammonium compounds & phenols ,some oxidizing agents
& aldehydes and few alcohols and acids are the approved disinfectants used
in agriculture .These disinfectant
products finds application in
surface,aerial and water sanitizing. The 1,2,4-triazoles are one of the
most widely used fungicide in cereals, rice, beet, trees,
vegetables and flowers. Strobilurins is
another commonly used fungicide which interfere
with the production of adenosine-5'-triphosphate (ATP), the nucleotide that
transports energy within cells for metabolism, thus preventing germination and
growth. The strobilurins are mainly used on grasses (turf), vines, fruit and
particularly cereals. o-Phenylphenol is also commonly used in agriculture to control
bacterial and fungal growth on harvested crops, especially citrus fruits.
Hydrogen dioxide kills bacteria, fungus,
algae and their spores immediately on is labeled as a disinfectant for use on
greenhouse surfaces, equipment, benches, pots, trays and tools, and for use on
plants. Hydrogen Peroxide, Peroxyacetic Acid and Octanoic Acid is a strong oxidizing agent used as an
algecide on greenhouse structures and floor and is labeled for use in
chemigation. But all these above mentioned products have their adverse effects
on agriculture as well.
For eg, Q-salts are not
protectants. They may eradicate certain pathogens, but will have little
residual activity. Contact with any type of organic matter will inactivate
them. The products tend to foam a bit when they are active. Hydrogen dioxide and Peroxyacetic acid may cause phytotoxicity for some crops,
especially if applied above labeled rates or if plants are under stress.
Hydrogen dioxide can be applied through an irrigation system. As a concentrate
it is corrosive and causes eye and skin damage or irritation. Most of these disinfectants are non
biodegradable and can cause potential
environmental hazards.
SILVOX,a synergistic blend of hydrogen
peroxide with silver ions is highly effective against microbial activity and
can be used extensively as an agricultural disinfectant. Silver ions show oligo-dynamic
effect on bacterial cells in relatively lower concentrations compared to the
traditional disinfectants.Silver ions denature enzymes by reacting with the
thiol groups to form silver sulfides.Hydrogen peroxide when used alone as as a
disinfectant it decomposes to oxygen and water.Silver when added to hydrogen
peroxide prevents its slow decomposition. The silver performs as an activator, but
it activates the peroxide only when it is exposed to bio-foulants. On coming in
contact with microbials the silver loss its stabilizing function and activates
to release nascent oxygen to oxidize the exposed microbes. When all bacteria have
been oxidized by the generated active oxygen compounds, the silver once again
acts as a stabilizer for the remaining and non reacted oxygen.
SILVOX use as a disinfectant
minimizes the use of other commercial harmful disinfectants products because of
its unique features. ALSTASAN SILVOX dosed with water performs well in soil fumigation .It can be
applied uniformly over moistened soil beds without any additional requirement
of water rinsing and plant covering thus
preventing nutrient depletion. This product makes the soil ready for
plantation within 12 hours which effectively increases crop production.
Dosing of ALSTASAN SILVOX
in irrigation water can be fed to the plant zone through a drip line. Repeating
this once in every 15 days prevents re-growth of infectious pathogens. This
product helps in preventing clogging of
drip lines and venturimeters by removing biofilms and their re-growth. Agricultural
tools like cutting knives, scissors,etc can be sterilized with Alstasan Silvox
Solution. Seed treatment with Alstasan
Silvox for 8-12 hours before plantation protect the seeds from soil borne
diseases. It enhances the seed germination, reduces mortality, enhancing root
formation.
Alstasan Silvox dosed with water helps in seed bed
treatment by killing pathogens that affect the growth and development of
seedlings. Pesticide applications leave unwanted taste and toxic residue on the
produce prompting consumer rejection. Washing with ALSTASAN SILVOX ensures
fresh farm appearance, eliminates toxic surface residues. It increases shelf
life of the produce even after prolonged storage.This product has no phytotoxic
effect and causes no taste or smell alteration. It is biodegradable and eco
friendly having no carcinogenic and mutagenic effect to humans.
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| Alstasan Silvox as agriculture disinfectant |
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| Silvox used as disinfectant in farming |
