# US 10,869,480 B2 · Methods of treating citrus greening disease

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- Number: US 10,869,480 B2
- Document ID: US10869480B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 15/676,798
- Filed: 2017-08-14
- Published: 2018-02-15
- Granted: 2020-12-22
- Earliest claimed: 2016-08-15
- Assignees: Tessenderlo Kerley, Inc.
- Applicants: Tessenderlo Kerley, Inc.
- Inventors: Thomas David Fairweather; Bert Richard Bock
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10869480B2

## CPC

- A01N 59/02: Sulfur; Selenium; Tellurium; Compounds thereof
- A01N: PRESERVATION OF BODIES OF HUMANS OR ANIMALS OR PLANTS OR PARTS THEREOF (preservation of food or foodstuff A23); BIOCIDES, e.g. AS DISINFECTANTS, AS PESTICIDES OR AS HERBICIDES (preparations for medical, dental or toiletry purposes which kill or prevent the growth or proliferation of unwanted organisms A61K); PEST REPELLANTS OR ATTRACTANTS; PLANT GROWTH REGULATORS

## Abstract

Described herein is a method for slowing the progression of citrus greening disease. The method may substantially stop the progression of citrus greening disease, preventing the loss of all or part of a citrus harvest. The method comprises the application of one or more thiosulfates in irrigation water to the root zone of a citrus tree.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method for increasing yield of fruit of a citrus tree by improving the tree's ability to withstand effects of Citrus Greening Disease, wherein said method comprises causing the tree's substantially entire root zone to achieve a root zone pH in the range of about 4.5 to about 7.5, without over acidifying the soil's surface, by incrementally applying thiosulfate to or near the tree's roots.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the thiosulfate is applied via fertigation.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The method of claim 2, wherein the fertigation utilizes microsprinklers.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the thiosulfate is one or more selected from the group consisting of ammonium thiosulfate, calcium thiosulfate, magnesium thiosulfate and potassium thiosulfate.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The method of claim 4, wherein the thiosulfate is applied incrementally via fertigation.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the thiosulfate is applied from bloom until harvest of fruit from the tree.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, further comprising applying an agriculturally beneficial substance prior to, substantially simultaneously with, or after application of the thiosulfate.

### Claim 8 (depends on 4)

The method of claim 4, wherein the thiosulfate is applied at rates at or below rates required to satisfy the tree's requirement for thiosulfate-associated nutrients other than sulfur.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The method of claim 8, wherein the thiosulfate is applied at rates at or below rates required to satisfy the tree's requirement for one or more thiosulfate-associated nutrients selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, potassium, calcium, and magnesium.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The method of claim 9, wherein the thiosulfate is applied from bloom until harvest of fruit from the tree.

### Claim 11 (depends on 4)

The method of claim 4, comprising applying thiosulfate to achieve a root zone soil pH in the range of about 4.5 to about 7.5 throughout the tree's substantially entire root zone.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, comprising applying thiosulfate to achieve a root zone soil pH in the range of about 5.0 to about 7.0 throughout the tree's substantially entire root zone.

### Claim 13 (depends on 4)

The method of claim 4, comprising applying thiosulfate to achieve a root zone soil pH in the range of about 5.0 to about 7.0 throughout the tree's substantially entire root zone.

### Claim 14 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, comprising applying thiosulfate to achieve a root zone soil pH in the range of about 5.5 to about 6.5 throughout the tree's substantially entire root zone.

### Claim 15 (depends on 4)

The method of claim 4, comprising applying thiosulfate to achieve a root zone soil pH in the range of about 5.5 to about 6.5 throughout the tree's substantially entire root zone.

### Claim 16 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, comprising applying thiosulfate to achieve a root zone soil pH in the range of about 5.5 to about 6.0 throughout the tree's substantially entire root zone.

### Claim 17 (depends on 4)

The method of claim 4, comprising applying thiosulfate to achieve a root zone soil pH in the range of about 5.5 to about 6.0 throughout the tree's substantially entire root zone.

### Claim 18 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, comprising applying thiosulfate to soil on or near the tree's roots.

### Claim 19 (depends on 4)

The method of claim 4, comprising applying thiosulfate to soil on or near the tree's roots.

### Claim 20 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, comprising applying thiosulfate to soil on or near the tree's roots on at least a monthly basis during the tree's growing season.

### Claim 21 (depends on 4)

The method of claim 4, comprising applying thiosulfate to soil on or near the tree's roots on at least a monthly basis during the tree's growing season.

### Claim 22 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, comprising applying thiosulfate to achieve a root zone soil pH in the range of about 5.0 to about 7.5 throughout the tree's substantially entire root zone.