Abstract: The present invention describes a composition which includes a binder, a pigment, an insect toxicant, an insect feeding stimulant or a toxicant regeneration enhancer, and an ingredient which is both a filler and a thickener. The composition may be applied to a solid substrate to reproduce an article of manufacture which is both attractive and toxic to insect pests and therefore useful for insect control.

Abstract: Formulations containing spores of non-toxigenic strains of fungi are useful biocontrol agents for preventing toxin contamination in agricultural commodities, especially those for human and animal consumption such as peanuts, corn and cotton. These formulations include spores mixed with vegetable oil and applied to dry grain. Diatomaceous earth is added to the spore, oil and grain mixture to form a flowable formulation.

Abstract: A termite control system kit. A several step process starts with taking a tube with a removal cap at one end, such as a two to four inch PVC tube, and filling the inner chamber with a food source such as rolled cardboard. The tube is then placed with its open end adjacent to a termite population so that live termites can then enter the entrance/exit of the tube to reach the food source. Once termites are inside the tube, the cap is removed from the tube, and a non-edible foraging matrix, such as a disc of loose soil and or sand that is treated with a slow acting and non-repellant toxicant, is placed between the food source in the chamber and the termite entrance/exit of the chamber. Slow acting and non-repellent toxicants can be non-immediate lethal doses of fipronil, chlorfenapyr, imidacloprid, and chlorpyrifos.

Abstract: A method and composition has been discovered for repelling ants by treating objects or areas with effective amounts of compositions that includes at least one C3-C10 dicarboxylic acid diester and a carrier.

Abstract: A variable-rate, digitally controlled fluid metering device having an electronically controlled 3-way valve, a fluid reservoir, a float valve, a check valve and a pressure relief valve that accurately delivers low flow volumes. The flow rate of the device is the product of reservoir volume and pulse rate when the cycle is long enough to fill and empty the reservoir and is a linear combination of cycle time when the cycle is short enough that the reservoir does not fill or empty completely. This device allows the use of large orifice emitters for delivering low flow rates of fluids, which allows the use of lower quality fluids and/or reduces filtration steps and clogging of emitters.

Abstract: Compositions and methods employing the compositions for attracting arthropods. The compositions comprise at least one compound of formula I and at least one compound from group II.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to nucleic acid and amino acid sequences for transformation constructs containing piggyBac or tagalong transposable elements. These constructs allow for the precise excision and insertion of heterologous DNA into a host cell.

Abstract: A preparation from the scrapings of healthy animals is cultured and administered to animals. This preparation confers a strong measure of protection against the subsequent colonization by enteropathogenic bacteria, including Salmonella species, Campylobacter species and Escherichia coli 0157:H7, which currently cause an unacceptably high incidence of morbidity and mortality in humans and reduce productivity in livestock populations.

Abstract: The invention relates to fatty acids conjugated to amino acids and their derivatives that elicit the production and/or release of plant volatiles compounds which attract and/or retain beneficial insects and deter herbivorous insect feeding. These conjugates also induce plants to increase production of pharmacologically important compounds such as taxol, increase fragrance of flowers, and increase production of plant essential oil. The invention also relates to methods for isolating the compounds from herbivorous insect oral secretions and to chemically synthesizing the compounds and their active derivatives.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for preserving mycorrhizal fungi for long-term storage using lyophilization. This enables use of the fungi for growing and acclimatizing micropropagated plants. The invention is especially useful for preserving mycorrhizal ericoid fungi for long-term storage and use in a soilless medium for growing micropropagated ericaceous plants.

Abstract: A method for simultaneously and independently measuring moisture content and bulk density of particulate materials using radio-frequency measurements allowing for on-line, real-time monitoring and control. Moisture and density are determined by measurements of complex permittivities. This method is based on the use of the dielectric properties of the materials for density and water content determination.

Abstract: A dust reduction system for reducing airborne contaminants such as, for example, dust, smoke, microorganisms, etc., includes at least one ion generator made up of at least one ionizer bar and a ground plane which is parallel and proximate to at least one bar. The system can also include a dust collection device such as a tray containing an aqueous composition optionally containing a degreaser, and/or a metal sheet with a water rinse system, and/or the surfaces of a room-sized enclosed space. The system can be applied to any enclosed space where it is desired to obtain high efficiency reduction of airborne dust and microorganisms. The system is especially useful in poultry production and processing areas such as hatching cabinets, throwing rooms, and controlled environment poultry rearing rooms.

Abstract: Near-infrared spectroscopic calibration models are developed for the rapid, accurate and non-polluting prediction of the total dietary fiber content in a wide range of cereal products, including mixed grain products, products with high sugar content, products with high crystal sugar content, products with high fat content, and cereal products with high sugar and high fat content.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to nucleic acid and amino acid sequences which are responsible for moving the fungal toxin cercosporin across the plasma membrane of living cells. The DNA can be introduced into a plant using conventional methods of transformation in order to confer cercosporin resistance to plants.

Abstract: A method has been discovered for repelling ants by treating objects or areas with effective amounts of compositions that include (a) one or more C.sub.6 to C.sub.8 carboxylic acids; (b) one or more C.sub.6 to C.sub.14 alcohols; (c) one or more esters which are reaction products of (a) and (b) or an ester which is a reaction product of the repellents and other carboxylic acids or alcohols; (d) one or more C.sub.6 to C.sub.11 carboxylic acid esters; (e) one or more C.sub.6 to C.sub.14 ketones; or (f) mixtures thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to method for isolation of DNA sequences having a target DNA of known sequence which accelerates and simplifies obtaining DNA especially from small amounts of tissue. This method uses polymerase having strand displacement capability, one primer and a circular DNA template.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to nucleic acid markers for an apospory-specific genomic region from the genus Pennisetum. DNA for apomixis can be introduced into a plant using conventional methods of transfer or transformation in order to confer the apomictic trait to plants.

Abstract: Non-toxigenic strains of Aspergillus such as from the species Aspirgillus oryzae and Aspergillus sojae are useful fungal biocontrol agents for preventing toxin contamination in agricultural commodities, especially those for human consumption such as peanuts and corn. These strains do not produce aflatoxin, any bis-furan ring-containing intermediates of the aflatoxin biosynthetic pathway and cyclopiazonic acid. They are also useful for controlling toxin damage to crops such as cotton. The strains include Aspergillus strains NRRL 21368, NRRL 21369, NRRL 21882, NRRL 30038, NRRL 30039 and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A sampling apparatus for sampling agricultural commodities such as any legume, grain, vegetable, fruit, nut, etc., for grading and valuation purposes. The apparatus uses a programmable logic controller, sensors, and logic software to operates a sampling and collection system The sampling apparatus includes a sampling tube which obtains the required samples from a trailer-like vehicle to a sample bin and then to a collection chute. In this manner, the sampling apparatus automatically obtains a representative sample of the agricultural commodity contained within the trailer and allows for accurate grading and valuation.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to inhibiting browning of raw fruit juice and/or raw vegetable juice. The juice is treated with at least one sulfated polysaccharide in an amount sufficient to inhibit browning. A promoter may also be present, which promoter is selected from the group consisting of chelating agents, acidulents, or mixtures thereof.