Fumigation methods and compositions

A soil fumigation method comprising introducing a soil fumigation effective amount solution of a thiocarbonate compound of ammonium, lithium, sodium, potassium, cesium, magnesium, calcium, strontium, or barium ions, or mixtures of two of more of such compounds, into said soil, wherein said soil contains, or is moistened during application of said thiocarbonate compound to contain, sufficient water to obtain a moisture content in excess of 50 percent of the soil saturation level and sufficient to substantially retard the decomposition rate of said thiocarbonate compound relative to its decomposition rate at a moisture content of 50 percent of soil saturation.

A method for controlling fungi in soil comprising introducing into said soil a soil fumigation effective amount solution of a thiocarbonate compound of ammonium, lithium, sodium, potassium, cesium, magnesium, calcium, strontium, or barium ions, or mixtures of two or more such compounds, wherein said soil contains, or is treated with water during introduction of said thiocarbonate compound to contain, sufficient water to obtain a moisture content greater than 50 percent saturation of said soil and to substantially retard the decomposition rate of said thiocarbonate compound relative to its decomposition rate at 50 percent soil saturation.

A method for controlling insects in soil comprising introducing into said soil a soil fumigation effective amount solution of a thiocarbonate compound of ammonium, lithium, sodium, potassium, cesium, magnesium, calcium, strontium, or barium ions, or mixtures of two or more such compounds, wherein said soil contains, or is treated with water during introduction of said thiocarbonate compound to contain, sufficient water to obtain a moisture content greater than 50 percent saturation of said soil and to substantially retard the decomposition rate of said thiocarbonate compound relative to its decomposition rate at 50 percent soil saturation.

A method for controlling nematodes in soil comprising introducing into said soil a soil fumigation effective amount solution of a thiocarbonate compound of ammonium, lithium, cesium, magnesium, calcium, strontium, or barium ions, or mixtures of two or more such compounds, wherein said soil contains, or is treated with water during introduction of said thiocarbonate compound to contain, sufficient water to obtain a moisture content greater than 50 percent saturation of said soil and to substantially retard the decomposition rate of said thiocarbonate compound relative to its decomposition rate at 50 percent soil saturation.

A soil fumigation method comprising introducing into said soil a soil fumigation effective amount solution of a compound selected from the group consisting of ammonium, alkali metal and alkaline earth metal thiocarbonate compounds and combinations thereof, wherein said soil contains, or is moistened during application of said compound to contain, a moisture level corresponding to about 100 percent soil saturation.