Abstract: The invention relates to artificial snowmaking and specifically to the discovery that by introducing an effective amount of organo-modified polysiloxane material to the water being supplied to the snow guns, the quality of the snow thus made is significantly enhanced.

Abstract: Improved plant growth is realized especially with turf grasses by using an enhanced plant growth medium prepared by adding a bioefficacious amount of C1-C4 alkyl ether of methyl oxirane-oxirane copolymer that, serendipitously reduces the water repellency of the medium.

Abstract: The instant invention relates to the discovery of certain novel herbicidal esters of agriculturally active acids. These esters present agronomical advantages over traditional herbicidal products by presenting multiple herbicidal mechanisms that ensure activity over a broad weed spectrum while limiting the appearance of plant resistance.

Abstract: Methods for accelerated cheese ripening using a biological agent, in particular microorganisms, wherein the biological agent has been treated with a surface active agent, (e.g. a detergent or surfactant) and wherein the biological agent is not an attenuated bacterial starter culture.

Abstract: Water repellent soil is treated with low concentrations of a blend of alkyl polyglycoside and EO/PO block copolymer in a weight ratio range of from 6:1 to 0.5:1 of glycoside to block copolymer in order to rapidly increase the wetting rate of the water repellent soil.

Abstract: The use of dilute aqueous water-soluble fertilizer compositions are disclosed to enhance the rewetting of water, uniformity and nutrient retention characteristics of initially untreated plant culture media and soil.

Abstract: A radiation-curable release composition comprises: (a) from about 50 to about 100 parts by weight of an organopolysiloxane of the formula (I)  wherein R is CH2═CH—C(O)—O—CH2—CH(OH)—CH2—O—CH2—CH2—CH2—, n is 5 to 15, and p is 50 to 150; (b) from 0 to about 50 parts by weight of one or more organopolysiloxanes comprising organopolysiloxanes selected from the group consisting of those of formulae (II) and (III)  wherein R is CH2═CH—C(O)—O—CH2—CH(OH)—CH2—O—CH2—CH2—CH2—, m is 1 to 10, and q is 151 to 300; and  wherein R is CH2═CH—C(O)—O—CH2—CH(OH)—CH2—O—CH2—CH2—CH2—, and r is 20 to 500; (c) from 0 to about 10 parts by weight of an organopolysiloxane of formula (IV)  wherein R is CH2═CH—C(O)—O—CH2—CH(OH

Abstract: The invention relates to artificial snowmaking and specifically to the discovery that by introducing an effective amount of organo-modified polysiloxane material to the water being supplied to the snow guns, the quality of the snow thus made is significantly enhanced.

Abstract: This invention relates to certain natural diatomaceous earth granule compositions which can be broadcast, i.e., dry spread on the soil to deliver a pesticide or fertilizer. The granules retain their physical integrity when spread, and have the unique property to spontaneously disintegrate when irrigation water is applied or rainfall hits the particle. Upon wetting, the particle disintegrates (blooms) to cover the soil surface. This bloom can cover an area many times the original area covered by the granule. The granules have high loadings of the diatomaceous earth, i.e. from about 35 to about 95 weight percent and contain from about 5 to about 40 weight percent of a surfactant system which exhibits excellent disintegration; rewetting and binding properties. Bioactive compounds can be loaded at up to 60 weight percent of the granule. Bioactive compounds may be formulated products or technical grades and may be homogeneously distributed throughout the granule or spray impregnated onto the granule.

Abstract: Aqueous agricultural foam marker compositions for delineating treated from untreated areas comprise a foamable composition of an anionic surfactant which is an &agr;-olefin sulfonate and/or an alkyl ether sulfate, a linear C12-16 alkanol, a foam stabilizing polymer, and one or more solvents. The foams produced from the foamable compositions have increased foam life, enhanced wind resistance, and are producable over a wide range of soft/hard water conditions.

Abstract: This invention relates to certain natural diatomaceous earth granule compositions which can be broadcast, i. e., dry spread on the soil to deliver a pesticide or fertilizer. The granules retain their physical integrity when spread, and have the unique property to spontaneously disintegrate when irrigation water is applied or rainfall hits the particle. Upon wetting, the particle disintegrates (blooms) to cover the soil surface. This bloom can cover an area many times the original area covered by the granule. The granules have high loadings of the diatomaceous earth, i.e. from about 35 to about 95 weight percent and contain from about 5 to about 40 weight percent of a surfactant system which exhibits excellent disintegration; rewetting and binding properties. Bioactive compounds can be loaded at up to 60 weight percent of the granule. Bioactive compounds may be formulated products or technical grades and may be homogeneously distributed throughout the granule or spray impregnated onto the granule.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a water-redispersible pulverulent composition obtained by a mixing and then drying an emulsion of at least one water-insoluble film-forming polymer, at least one main surfactant and at least one water-soluble compound, comprising a) an emulsion of at least one water-insoluble film-forming polymer prepared from ethylenically unsaturated monomers, b)at least one main surfactant whose water/surfactant binary phase diagram contains an isotropic phase which is fluid at 25° C. up to a concentration of at least 50% by weight of surfactant, followed by a hexagonal or cubic type rigid liquid crystal phase at higher concentrations which is stable at least up to the drying temperature, and c) at least one water-soluble compound. The invention relates, in addition, to a process for preparing such a composition and to its use.

Abstract: Aqueous agricultural foam marker compositions for delineating treated from untreated areas comprise foamable compositions of an anionic surfactant which is an &bgr;-olefin sulfonate, an alkyl or alkyl-ether sulfate, a long chain alkylbenzene sulfonate or a sulfosuccinate; a linear C14 or C16 alkanol or mixtures thereof; one or more solvents; and optionally a foam stabilizing polymer. The foam produced from the compositions have increased foam life, a pour point of 10° C. or lower, and are producable over a wide range of soft/hard water conditions.

Abstract: A composition is disclosed for reducing nitrogen oxide emissions from gases which comprises a support based on a cerium oxide, a zirconium oxide and an oxide of scandium or a rare earth other than cerium, and a supported phase based on manganese and at least one other element which is an alkali metal, alkaline-earth metal or a rare earth.

Abstract: Aqueous bioactive compositions having increased stability and enhanced bioefficacy comprising a bioactive compound, an effective amount of phosphate or phosphonate amphoteric surfactant having multiple ionic charges, and water. The preferred bioactive is a small ionic herbicide such as N-phosphonomethyl glycine or a salt thereof.

Abstract: A composition of matter which demonstrates efficacy against both gram positive and gram negative bacteria containing: (a) a gram negative bacteria inhibiting effective amount of propionibacteria metabolites with the proviso that such metabolites not solely comprise propionic acid; (b) a gram positive bacteria inhibiting effective amount of a lantibiotic; and (c) a chelating effective amount of one or more phosphate salts which function as a chelating agent to bind the propionibacteria metabolites and lantibiotics to the surface of the substrate being treated and its method of use is provided.

Abstract: A low volatile organic compound co-solvent system is disclosed for preparing emulsion concentrates of low melting organophosphorous insecticides wherein the bioefficacy of the insecticide active is significantly enhanced. The co-solvent system comprises a water-soluble ethoxylated fatty acid/rosin acid-nonionic surfactant composition.

Abstract: A hydrocolloid product having improved dispersibility and wettability characteristics in aqueous medium is provided by dry blending in a heated state the hydrocolloid powder particles with molten, normally solid nonionic surfactant. The heated mixing state is at a temperature greater than the melting temperature of the solid nonionic surfactant. After suitable mixing, the resulting mixture of surfactant-coated powder particles is extruded to produce granules of the hydrocolloid-nonionic surfactant mixture, which granules are cooled to below the melting temperature of the nonionic surfactant to provide a readily water dispersible, readily wettable hydrocolloid product.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for producing a unique phosphation reagent and to a simple, single-stage process utilizing is reagent to produce alkyl phosphate esters having high monoalkyl phosphate content in combination with low dialkyl phosphate, trialkyl phosphate, phosphoric acid and residual alcohol.

Abstract: A process for forming a hydrophobically modified water soluble or water dispersible polymer by utilizing a micellar polymerization technique comprising the steps of: (1) providing a reaction medium including one or more water soluble or water dispersible monomers and one or more surface active agents or protective colloids; (2) incrementally adding one or more ethylenically unsaturated monomers having hydrophobic properties to said reaction medium; (3) initiating polymerization of said one or more water soluble or water dispersible monomers with said one or more ethylenically unsaturated monomers having hydrophobic properties; and (4) continuing polymerization of said one or more water soluble or water dispersible monomers with said one or more ethylenically unsaturated monomers having hydrophobic properties while incrementally adding said one or more ethylenically unsaturated monomers having hydrophobic properties to said reaction medium is provided.