Abstract: Disclosed are horticultural substrates coated with a particulate membrane and a method for controlling pests and providing enhanced horticultural effect by applying a particulate membrane to the surface of the horticultural substrate.

Abstract: A method for preserving botanical specimens is disclosed. The method includes the steps of providing a botanical specimen to be preserved, embedding the specimen within oolitic sand, maintaining the specimen within the oolitic sand for a time sufficient to preserve it, removing the specimen from the oolitic sand, and depositing parylene upon the specimen. The resulting specimens offer a lifelike appearance, durability and a substantially permanent lifetime.

Abstract: Aqueous dispersion of a particulate solid containing a low boiling organic liquid in which the particulate solid has a hydrophobic outer surface which is suitable for applying to a substrate to form a continuous hydrophobic film thereon.

Abstract: A mycoherbicide is adapted to be sprayed in solution on to an agricultural property such as seeds, germinating seeds, seedlings or plants and comprises a moisturizer such as water which is microencapsulated for time release on to the surface of agricultural property. In a further embodiment of the invention, a microencapsulated phase change material is also added to the solution to control the temperature on the surface of the agricultural property. A sticker is employed to enhance retention of the microcapsules on the agricultural property. The solution operates to control the microclimate on the surface of the agricultural property in order to enhance the effectiveness of the mycoherbicide fungi or bacteria on the host or to provide frost/freeze protection at low temperatures.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for protecting surfaces from arthropod infestation which involves treating the surface with an effective amount of finely divided calcined kaolins, hydrophobic calcined kaolins, hydrous kaolins, hydrophobic hydrous kaolins, hydrophobic calcium carbonates, calcium carbonates or mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A pruning sealant composition comprising lanolin and a drying agent effective for forming a film upon an exposed surface of the pruning sealant composition. An optional high temperature viscosity modifier may be included in the sealer composition. Also disclosed is a method of making the pruning sealant composition and a method of sealing a pruning site with the pruning sealant composition.

Abstract: The germination of seeds is improved by treating the seeds with a solid-form super absorbent polymer that has absorbed water. Super absorbent polymer particles that contain an amount of water such as about 5 to 7 times their weight that is significantly less than the amount of water they are able to absorb such as about 80-120 times their weight and do not substantially adhere to each other are mixed with seeds to form a mixture that may contain a volume ratio of seeds to polymer particles of 0.2 to 5:1. The mixture is stirred while supplying air or gaseous oxygen into the mixture for a time and at a temperature sufficient to cause the seeds to imbibe sufficient water to enhance their vigor for sprouting, but insufficient to cause sprouting. The mixture is sieved to obtain seeds having essentially no adhering polymer residue of the particles, after which the seeds may be dried. The polymer particles may be spherical, and before absorbing water have a size of 50 to 300 .mu.m.

Abstract: Aqueous dispersion of a particulate solid containing a low boiling organic liquid in which the particulate solid has a hydrophobic outer surface which is suitable for applying to a substrate to form a continuous hydrophobic film thereon.

Abstract: A process for preserving dried flowers includes hanging flowers and floral greens by their stems, spraying them with a preservative solution in a relatively cool atmosphere, leaving them in the cool atmosphere for a selected length of time, and drying the sprayed flowers and greens in a relatively warm atmosphere. The preservative solution is a water solution of a common detergent at a concentration of about 0.25 to 1.0 per cent by weight and corn syrup at a concentration of about 20 to 33 per cent by weight.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing long-lasting decorative items from foliage and other natural plant materials by infusion with an aqueous ethylene glycol solution of tartrazine yellow dye, either singly or with co-dye colorants, about 0.1 to 1.6 g/L dissolved CO.sub.2 and optional low concentrations of a soluble potassium salt, followed by removal of excess solution and application of a topical water-based organic sealant.

Abstract: The present invention provides manufactured seeds and related compositions and methods. The manufactured seeds comprise a unit of a totipotent plant tissue, preferably in contact with a hydrated gel. Preferably, the shoot of the germinating embryo is enclosed in a shoot restraint that is resistant to penetration by the growing shoot. The manufactured seed may be at least partially surrounded by a protective manufactured seed coat. The gel or the seed coat can include various additives, such as nutrients, antibiotics, or plant growth regulators.

Abstract: A manufactured seed is disclosed which comprises a plant embryo preferably encapsulated, or at least in contact with, a hydrated oxygenated gel. The gel can be oxygenated by passing oxygen gas through a gel solution before curing the gel or by exposing the gel to oxygen gas after curing. The gel is preferably oxygenated by adding to an uncured gel solution a suitably stabilized emulsion of a perfluorocarbon compound or a silicone oil, which compounds are capable of absorbing large amounts of oxygen, and are non-toxic and inert. The seed analog can further comprise an outer shell at least partially surrounding the gel and embryo, thereby forming a capsule. The outer shell preferably is shaped to aid the radical of a germinating embryo in protrusively rupturing the capsule, thereby facilitating successful germination and minimizing incidence of seedling malformation. Other shell materials are selected to provide requisite rigidity to the capsule while imparting minimal restriction to successful germination.

Abstract: The present invention provides manufactured seeds comprising totipotent plant tissue and a hydrated gel, preferably surrounded by a protective seed coat. The cotyledons of the germinating totipotent plant tissue can be enclosed in a shoot restraint that is resistant to penetration by the growing cotyledons. The manufactured seeds can be prepared for long-term storage, e.g., by sparging the hydrated gel with a respiration-limiting gas before, during, or after assembly of the manufactured seed. The seed is then preferably stored in an atmosphere containing levels of a respiration-limiting gas sufficient to keep respiration of the totipotent plant tissue at reduced levels.

Abstract: A novel thiol protease inhibitor peptide is isolated from Diabrotica virgifera designated virgiferin. The DNA encoding virgiferin and modified virgiferin peptides are claimed. These sequences maybe cloned into vectors and used to transform plants conferring reduced susceptibility to damage by plant pests that have thiol proteases as digestive enzymes including insects and nematodes and particularly Coleopteran insects.

Abstract: The invention is drawn to a method of applying a hydrogel coating to embryonic plants to improve early plant growth by controlling the amount of cross-linking. A dry coating of a water-soluble hydrogel in powder form is built up around individual embryonic plants. The powder-coated plants are introduced into a water bath which is free of polyvalent metal ions to partially hydrate the coatings. Rapidly thereafter and before the coatings are fully hydrated, the bath is modified by dispersing cross-linking polyvalent metal ions therein. The contact time of the coated plants in the modified bath is limited so that the polyvalent metal ions diffuse into the coatings and form an inwardly decreasing concentration gradient therein. The plants are separated from the modified bath so that the polyvalent metal ions are redistributed and equilibrated within the coatings. The resulting coatings are in a uniform partially cross-linked condition which promotes leaf emergence and plant vigor.

Abstract: An analog of botanic seed is disclosed which comprises a plant embryo preferably encapsulated, or at least in contact with, a hydrated oxygenated gel. The gel can be oxygenated by passing oxygen gas through a gel solution before curing the gel or by exposing the gel to oxygen gas after curing. The gel is preferably oxygenated by adding to an uncured gel solution a suitably stabilized emulsion of a perfluorocarbon compound or a silicone oil, which compounds are capable of absorbing large amounts of oxygen, and are non-toxic and inert. The seed analog can further comprise an outer shell at least partially surrounding the gel and embryo, thereby forming a capsule. The outer shell preferably is shaped to aid the radicle of a germinating embryo in protrusively rupturing the capsule, thereby facilitating successful germination and minimizing incidence of seedling malformation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to coated seeds. The coated seed according to the invention is a seed coated with a coating mass composition comprising 70 to 95 parts by weight of a clay mineral of double-chain structure and 30 to 5 parts by weight of a hydrophobic compound. The coated seed provided by the invention has a coating layer of adequate hardness and yet insures good germination characteristics, thus being contributory to the rationalization and development of agricultural production.

Abstract: Undesired organisms, including insects, mites and fungi, may be combated by application of a liquid composition which comprises starch dextrin or an analogous derivative of amylopectin as an active ingredient. The aforementioned active ingredients may be used as the sole active ingredient or in combination with other active ingredients. Examples of undesired organisms which have been found to be affected are whiteflies, thrips, red spider mites, broadmites, cucumber powdery mildew and oat powdery mildew.

Abstract: A pesticidal material which comprises an inclusion compound or a molecular complex of a pesticide and a host molecule characterized in that the host molecule is a mono-, oligo- or polysaccharide ester. A pesticidal composition and a method for combatting insect pests involving the above pesticidal material are also described.

Abstract: The invention relates to a soybean seed, lucerne seed or clover seed coated with an inoculant composition comprising a carrier medium, a beneficial microorganism and an adhesive polymeric material. A high average loading of viable organisms per seed is maintained in storage.

Abstract: An analog of botanic seed is disclosed which comprises a plant embryo preferably encapsulated, or at least in contact with, a hydrated oxygenated gel. The gel can be oxygenated by passing oxygen gas through a gel solution before curing the gel or by exposing the gel to oxygen gas after curing. The gel is preferably oxygenated by adding to an uncured gel solution a suitably stabilized emulsion of a perfluorocarbon compound or a silicon oil, which compounds are capable of absorbing large amounts of oxygen, and are non-toxic and inert. An analog of botanic see can further comprise an outer shell at least partially surrounding the gel and embryo, thereby forming a capsule. The outer shell preferably is shaped to aid the radicle of a germinating embryo in protrusively rupturing the capsule, thereby facilitating successful germination and minimizing incidence of seedling malformation.

Abstract: A method for preserving fresh cut flowers or plant cuttings, which entails:a) subjecting said fresh cut flowers or plant cuttings to a gas mixture containing about 80% to about 98% N.sub.2 O, about 2% to about 20% O.sub.2, with the remainder being N.sub.2 under refrigeration, andb) subjecting said fresh cut flowers or plant cuttings to a gas mixture containing about 50 to about 80% N.sub.2 O, and a minimum of about 20% O.sub.2, with the remainder being N.sub.2 ; or subjecting said fresh cut flowers or plant cuttings to air at a temperature in the range of about 0.degree. C. to temperature.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of preparing coated seeds, which comprises slurrying seeds with an inoculant composition containing a carrier medium, at least one species of microorganism having a beneficial effect on plants which grow from the seeds and an adhesive polymer, slurrying being effected in the presence of an aqueous suspension of an adhesive polymer; and air drying the resulting product at a temperature not greater than 30.degree. C.

Abstract: Non-toxic insecticide composition for killing aphids, leafhoppers and spider mites comprising an aqueous solution of sodium carboxymethylcellulose having a preferred viscosity of 100 to 500 centistokes. The solution is used to entrap the insects or the spiracles of the tracheal system.

Abstract: The invention describes a process for culturing proliferating aggregates of plant cells, which comprises (a) uniformly plating isolated protoplasts, or isolated cells regenerated from protoplasts, in or on an agarose-solidified culture medium, and/or (b) cutting this pretreated and solidified culture medium into segments, transferring said segments to a liquid nutrient solution and continuing culturing in both cases until the cell aggregates have attained the desired size.

Abstract: An evaporation inhibitor, having particular use with spray mixtures of agricultural chemicals applied by the low-volume method, in the form of a paraffin-containing aqueous dispersion or a self-emulsifying solution in an organic solvent, and having the following composition:______________________________________ from 15 to 40% by weight of paraffin waxes or a wax mixture containing paraffin waxes having a dropping point of from 35 to 80.degree. C., from 4 to 20% by weight of nonionic and/or anionic emulsifiers, from 35 to 81% by weight of water and/or an organic solvent which is one or more of a hydrocarbon, an ester and a ketone, which have boiling points of from 70 to 280.degree. C., and from 0 to 5.5% by weight of other auxiliaries.

Abstract: A method for treating plants to control plant pests by applying to the locus of the pests an alkyl glycoside or an alkyl glycoside and an additional plant pest-control agent.

Abstract: A fire-retardant composition for application to vegetation, to suppress the spread of wildfires of the type which includes a fire-suppressing salt in a liquid carrier, has a minor amount of xanthan gum incorporated therein to improve the stability, corrosivity or adhesion of the composition.

Abstract: An evaporation inhibitor composition which consists essentially of:A. from about 15 to about 50% by weight of a wax mixture containing at least about 5% by weight, based on the wax mixture, of a wax component having an acid number of from about 10 to about 95 mg KOH/g wax;B. from about 4 to about 20% by weight of at least one nonionic and/or anionic emulsifier;C. from about 19.5 to about 81% by weight of water and/or at least one organic solvent selected from the group consisting of hydrocarbons, esters, and ketones having a boiling point of from about 70.degree. to about 280.degree. C.

Abstract: Ripening pineapple fruit in the field is treated with effective amounts of an aqueous solution of a nonionic surfactant to inhibit infection of the pineapple fruit by disease-causing microorganisms. Microbial spoilage is reduced, and thus the quality of pineapple fruit for the fresh market is improved. Additionally, disease blemishes in pineapple fruits for canning are reduced, resulting in increased pineapple solids recovery.

Abstract: A method in which a plant meristematic tissues which retain aqueous liquid on their surfaces are mixed with fine powder, thereby forming powder-coated bodies to which fine powder is adhered at the periphery thereof, so that meristematic tissues are separated from each other. A quantity of water or a liquid mainly consisting of water large enough to make fine powder adhere to the surfaces of the meristematic tissues which can grow into entire plant bodies directly or after they have passed through differentiation and organogenesis. The meristematic tissues are mixed with the fine powder which does not indicate adhesiveness at least during the mixing process. This mixing process is effected in such a manner that the powder is adhered to the tissues by gently shaking or agitating them without applying excessive shearing stress to the meristematic tissues.

Abstract: Legumes and other plants can be dried quickly by contacting them with an aqueous solution of a mixture of carbonates consisting essentially of at least about 20% by weight of sodium sesquicarbonate, at least about 20% by weight of sodium carbonate and at least about 5% by weight of potassium carbonate, all based upon the total dry carbonate weight. The solution desirably is free of undissolved materials.

Abstract: Phospholipid concentrates from natural or synthetic phospholipids and physiologically acceptable organic solvents and further additives of the following composition:20-60 wght. % phospholipids0-23 wght. % glycerin5-62.5 wght. % organic solvent0-30 wght. % co-emulsifier0-35 wght. % dissolving intermediary0-15 wght. % water0-15 wght. % vegetable oil or neutral oilThe phospholipids are a mixture of phosphatidyl choline, phosphatidyl ethanol amine, N-acetyl phosphatidyl ethanol amine, and other phosphatides, the concentrates perferably containing a mixture of 10-50 wght. % phosphatidyl choline, 10-30 wght. % phosphatidyl diethanol amine, 10-30 wght. % N-acylphosphatidyl ethanol amine, and 3-10 wght. % other phosphatides, in relation to the total quantity of phospholipids. The phospholipid concentrates are particularly suitable as auxiliary agents in the production and application of spray mixtures containing plant protectants.

Abstract: A heat shrinkable tube of polyvinyl chloride for covering the stem of cut flowers, said heat shrinkable tube having the following properties:(a) a shrinkage at 60.degree. C. of 8% or less in the lengthwise direction, and from 10% to 20% in the circumferential direction;(b) a shrinkage at 80.degree. C. of 20% or less in the lengthwise direction, and from 35% to 45% in the circumferential direction;(c) a shrinkage-initiating temperature in the circumferential direction of from 40.degree. C. to 55.degree. C;(d) a softening temperature of from 40.degree. C. to 55.degree. C; and(e) a thickness of from 50 .mu.m to 100 .mu.m.

Abstract: A biological method of controlling johnson grass and similar weeds in agricultural crops is provided in which Bipolaris sorghicola spores are suspended in a solution of water and a surfactant and sprayed onto a field in which the johnson grass or similar weed is growing in an amount sufficient to coat the leaves of the plants to be controlled. The Bipolaris sorghicola will kill the johnson grass and similar weeds without adversely affecting most agricultural crops.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for preventing fungus diseases in plants grown in, for example, a bed containing peat, by adding to the vegetation or the soil streptomyces griseaviridis stains ATCC 39271, 39272 and 39273. The aqueous suspension preferably contains at least 10.sup.5 spores/ml, and at least 10 ml of the aqueous suspension is spread per one m.sup.2, or the seeds are immersed in the aqueous suspension.

Abstract: A growing medium for plants is prepared by mixing a growing material with a highly water-absorbent polymer.The polymer may be an acrylamide polymer cross-linked with methylene bisacrylamide which absorbs water to form a sticky gel.The growing material may comprise rock wool.

Abstract: Drying agents for cut plants provide a basic pH in a solution between approximately 12.4 and 13.2 when the drying is to be provided primarily on the stems of the cut plants. The drying agents include a first material which provides a pH of at least 12.4 in the solution. The first drying agent may constitute an alkaline metasilicate such as sodium metasilicate. The drying agents may also include a second material such as an alkaline carbonate. Sodium or potassium carbonate are preferable. The second drying agent constitutes a buffer to limit the pH in the solution to a value of approximately 13.2.The metasilicate is in the form of a colloid of silicon dioxide and this colloid tends to act primarily on the waxes on the stems to saponify the waxes on the surfaces of the stems. The drying agents form a chemical complex which serves as a protective coating to prevent water from entering into the stems of the plants.

Abstract: A drying agent for cut plants provides a basic pH of at least 11 in a solution and has properties of becoming at least partially insoluble at a pH no greater than approximately 13.4 in the solution. A mold-inhibiting agent is mixed with the drying agent and is provided with properties of remaining inactive until the occurrence of conditions inducing molding of the plant. The mold-inhibiting agent has properties of reacting with moisture under such conditions inducing molding to inhibit such molding.A waterproofing agent is mixed with the drying and mold-inhibiting agents and is provided with properties, at the pH of the drying agent in the solution, for providing for a passage of moisture from the plants while preventing drops or droplets of water from being reabsorbed on the plants. The waterproofing agent may be sodium methyl siliconate.A surface active agent may also be included.

Abstract: Crops are treated with a composition which prevents the premature opening of seed pods.

Abstract: A composition comprising an admixture of pulped fibers and a slag characterized by an open pore structure.

Abstract: A relatively inexpensive solution for the single step preservation of fresh naturally colored blooms, comprising (in amounts per liter)600-700 ml tert-butyl alcohol200-250 ml 2-propanol3-30 g thiourea3-30 g citric acid3-30 g sodium citrate50-150 ml propionic acid0-250 ml phenol.

Abstract: A stable, liquid seed coating composition is provided, including a binding agent, an active ingredient and a coloring agent in a liquid medium including water and a polyol.

Abstract: A method of preventing frost damage to plants comprising applying oleaginous materials to the tissues thereof, which materials are absorbed by the tissues in amounts sufficient to prevent swelling thereof by ice crystal formation.

Abstract: The admixing of highly absorbent starch-containing polymeric compositions with higher fatty alcohols containing 12 carbon atoms per molecule to 24 carbon atoms per molecule, thereby reducing and/or inhibiting the evaporation of fluid from the highly absorbent starch-containing polymeric compositions.

Abstract: A method for repelling animals and birds consists of applying to an area being protected a composition consisting essentially of an aqueous solution or dispersion of a carboxylated hydrophilic acrylic copolymer, a cross-linking agent for the carboxylated hydrophilic copolymer, a stabilizingly effective amount of an ultraviolet-absorbing agent and an animal or bird repelling compound.

Abstract: Barley starch granules are prepared which have been found to have native amylase bound sufficiently tenaciously onto the starch granule, such that it is not extracted during ordinary separation of the starch from the grain, and hence has the property of being self-liquefying when the granules are heated to a temperature of from 67.degree. to 75.degree. C. These granules are obtained by separation from a novel variety of barley formed by cross-breeding a first barley variety characterized by a hulless gene n n on chromosome 1 and a second barley variety which is characterized by a waxy endosperm gene wx wx on chromosome 1. In one embodiment of this variety, the first variety cross-bred is characterized by both a short awn gene lk2 lk2 and a hulless gene n n on chromosome 1. In the most preferred embodiment, a variety now called Washonupana has been discovered which will yield the novel granules of this invention.

Abstract: A plant viral disease inhibitor containing as an active ingredient thereof at least one material selected from the group consisting of theaflavin and its derivatives represented by the general formula: ##STR1## wherein R is hydrogen or ##STR2## and their analogues.

Abstract: A method for reducing loss of water from the leaves and stems of plants by transpiration and for protecting plants from damage by wind and cold consists of applying to the leaves and stems a transpiration-decreasing composition consisting essentially of an aqueous solution or dispersion of a carboxylated hydrophilic acrylic polymer, a cross-linking agent for the carboxylated hydrophilic polymer and an effective amount of an ultravioletabsorbing agent.

Abstract: This invention relates to the use of sulfur-containing compounds for the control of plant parasitic nematodes by application of the compounds directly to seeds, seed pieces or root systems.