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  Compositions and methods for the prevention and treatment of diseases in plantsUSPTO Application #: 20080021114Title: Compositions and methods for the prevention and treatment of diseases in plants Abstract: Non-toxic, environmentally friendly, naturally-derived and economical compositions and methods for treating and preventing bacterial or fungal disease in plants, especially disease caused by Xanthomonas species, such as citrus canker, wherein such compositions include d-limonene alone or in combination with wax and/or wax extract, monohydric alcohol, an emulsifier and/or other ingredients are provided. Methods of making such compositions are also provided. (end of abstract)
Agent: Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP Intellectual Property Department - New York, NY, US Inventors: Paul Winniczuk, Emery Ellinger USPTO Applicaton #: 20080021114 - Class: 514763000 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Drug, Bio-affecting And Body Treating Compositions, Designated Organic Active Ingredient Containing (doai), Hydrocarbon Doai, Carbocyclic The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20080021114. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS REFERENCE APPLICATION [0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/093,501 filed on Mar. 30, 2005, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates to compositions and methods for the treatment and prevention of bacterial and fungal disease in plants. Among the important diseases which can be treated and prevented by such compositions and methods is citrus canker. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] As reported by the University of Florida Plant Pathology Department, fungal and bacterial pathogens can lower yields, reduce quality, negatively affect the aesthetic and economic value and even ultimately destroy plants, crops, pre-harvest fruits, trees, vegetables and grasses. In particular, bacterial and fungal diseases in citrus plants create huge economic burdens on the citrus industry worldwide. Citrus canker alone causes severe economic consequences in the world's citrus growing regions. The bacteria which causes citrus canker, Xanthomonas campestris pv. citri, has been found in southern Asia, Japan, the Middle East, Africa, South America and now North America. Historically, citrus canker outbreaks have occurred in North America in the early 1900s and again in 1986. Fortunately, through the use of aggressive eradication techniques, the disease was eliminated in both instances. Citrus canker, however, can be reintroduced when people inadvertantly transport infected citrus fruits and seedlings into citrus growing areas in the U.S. and elsewhere. In the U.S., Florida is by far the state most at risk from citrus canker given its combination of high humidity throughout the year, seasonal hurricanes and frequent thunderstorms accompanied by high wind gusts. (See The University of Florida Plant Pathology Department Report at vvvvw.biotech.ufl.edu/PlantContainment/canker.htm.) [0004] The University of Florida Extension Service reports that in 1995 citrus canker was again detected in the U.S. in citrus trees in the Miami-Dade County, Fla. area. Citrus canker then spread to the commercial groves in southwest Florida. Since 1998 more than 870,000 trees have been destroyed in conjunction with eradication programs. (See http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/FE286) [0005] Costs in managing the threat of citrus canker include capital investment for spray equipment, the lost value of affected fruit, costs associated with inspection and eradication, and costs associated with the creation of natural windbreaks and other defensive tactics. Current spraying programs include relatively expensive copper based sprays. The University of Florida Extension Service has estimated that if citrus canker became endemic in Florida, the total cost for countering endemic citrus canker, including the use of copper based sprays, could be more than $300 per acre. [0006] Many types of organic molecules possess antimicrobial properties and can he used to effectively control fungal and bacterial disease in plants. For example, previous attempts to control such disease in plants includes, for example, copper-containing fungicide and streptomycin sprays. Other fungicides, herbicides and pesticides have been used as well. [0007] However, many of the currently used products are toxic to humans, animals and the exposed environment which limits large scale application of such products in, for example, citrus orchards, The Environmental Protection Act was established in 1972, in part, to address concerns over the use of potentially toxic materials to control or treat diseases in crops. In 1996 Congress passed the Food Quality Protection Act requiring the Environmental Protection Agency to reassess the safety and efficacy of every existing pesticide by 2006. Concerns about pesticide residues on plants and the exposure of field workers to such residues severely limits the amounts of pesticide that can be applied and the timing of such application. These limitations decrease the potential effectiveness of commonly used pesticides to prevent and treat bacterial and fungal disease in plants in general and citrus canker in particular. [0008] Accordingly, there exists a tremendous need for effective, economical and non-toxic compositions and methods for preventing and treating bacterial and fungal disease in plants. In particular there is a tremendous need for non-toxic, environmentally friendly, effective and economical compositions and methods for preventing and treating citrus canker. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0009] The present invention provides non-toxic, environmentally friendly, effective and economical compositions and methods which prevent and treat bacterial and fungal disease in plants. More particularly, the present invention is effective in preventing and treating disease caused by the various species of the bacteria Xanthomonas, including diseases such as citrus canker. Compositions according to the present invention include d-limonene as the primary active ingredient alone or in combination with wax and/or wax extract, monohydric alcohol and other ingredients. Applicants have unexpectedly found that such compositions are capable of preventing and treating bacterial and fungal disease in plants, including citrus canker. [0010] Moreover, compositions and methods according to the present invention are environmentally friendly since they do not include or involve the use of toxic chemicals or chemicals at toxic levels. Accordingly, there are minimal regulatory limitations for the use of such compositions. [0011] The present invention also provides methods of making and using such compositions. [0012] Accordingly, one object of the present invention is to provide compositions for preventing and treating bacterial and fungal disease in plants, especially diseases caused by Xanthomonas species such as citrus canker, comprising d-limonene alone or in combination with wax and/or wax extract, monohydric alcohol and/or other ingredients. [0013] Another object of the present invention is to provide methods of making compositions for preventing and treating bacterial and fungal disease in plants, especially diseases caused by Xanthomonas species such as citrus canker. [0014] A further object of the present invention is to provide methods of preventing and treating disease in plants, including diseases caused by Xanthomonas species such as citrus canker, which include applying compositions described herein to plants. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [0015] The present invention provides non-toxic, naturally-derived, environmentally friendly compositions and methods for treating and preventing bacterial and fungal diseases, especially disease caused by species of the bacteria Xanthomonas such as citrus canker. [0016] The compositions of the present invention may comprise d-limonene alone or in combination with wax and/or wax extract, monohydric alcohol and other ingredients. Applicants have unexpectedly found that such compositions are capable of treating and preventing bacterial and fungal disease in plants, especially disease caused by Xanthomonas such as citrus canker. Moreover, such treatments do not create any perceivable concommitant negative consequences such as, for example, fruit production decreases, leaf drop or leaf wilt. [0017] As used herein, unless otherwise stated, percentage amounts of an ingredient are by total weight of the composition in which that ingredient is included prior to any dilution of the composition with water or other diluent and/or prior to any freeze-drying process. [0018] Compositions of the present invention include d-limonene. D-limonene is the major component of the oil extracted from citrus rind and has been used extensively as an ingredient in cleaning products. D-limonene in compositions according to the present invention may comprise up to about 100% of the non-diluted product. In certain embodiments prior to dilution, d-limonene may comprise by weight from about 0.5% to about 20.0%, in other embodiments from about 5.0% to about 15.0%, and in other embodiments from about 9.0% to about 11.0%. [0019] After dilution the weight percentage of d-limonene preferably drops to less than about 50% of the composition, more preferably less than about 20%, and most preferably less than about 10%. D-limonene may be present in diluted compositions in amounts as low as 0.01% by weight. D-limonene is commercially available from many sources. Continue reading... Full patent description for Compositions and methods for the prevention and treatment of diseases in plants Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Compositions and methods for the prevention and treatment of diseases in plants patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. 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