Abstract: A method of improving germination of plant seeds, comprising a low temperature contact process of allowing plant seeds to contact plant growth regulating agents and water at a temperature lower than 10° C. wherein the treatment time in the low temperature contact process is shorter than 24 hours, and a method of improving germination of plant seeds, comprising (1) a low temperature contact process of allowing plant seeds to contact plant growth regulating agents and water at a temperature lower than 10° C., and (2) a low temperature preservation process of preserving, after the first process, the plant seeds at a temperature lower than 10° C., wherein the sum of the treatment time in the low temperature contact process and the treatment time in the low temperature preservation process is shorter than 24 hours; and the like.

Abstract: An antimicrobial agent includes silver-chloro complex salts and chloride, and further oxidizing agents such as sodium hypochlorite or sodium chlorite. As a result, it is possible to provide the antimicrobial agent having immediate and residual disinfecting and antimicrobial effects on bacteria and molds of a wide variety of species and capable of demonstrating instantaneous deodorizing effect. The antimicrobial agent includes the silver-chloro complex salts and chloride, and further a compound, for example, such as alcohols or surfactants, which has compatibility with a solvent such as water which dissolves the chloride. As a result, it is possible to provide the antimicrobial agent which can be used conveniently at the stored concentration, and which has immediate effect and cleansing ability without causing rust or deposition of salts in use.