Abstract: A composition comprising an ampholytic copolymer or terpolymer and a non ionic surfactant is shown useful in soil treatment, especially moisture and nutrient retention. The highly surface active compositions described herein self-assemble onto root zone plant surfaces and near-root soil, forming a moisture barrier that still permits root growth and oxygen flow. The inventive compositions increases the wettability of the soil allowing the soil to better absorb water at the beneficial root zone, and release it, along with essential nutrients, to the plant root structure. By targeting moisture retention in the root zone, the polymer decreases the migration potential to the root zone, producing higher irrigation efficiency for optimal plant growth with lower treatment levels. Different dilutions of the composition determine the final settling location of the composition, and the formation of the barrier. The compositions may be applied through known means, such as an irrigation system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an inhibitor for tobacco axillary bud growth, the inhibitor comprising, as an active ingredient, one or more kinds of very-long chain fatty acid synthesis inhibitors such as a chloroacetamide-based herbicide, fentrazamide, cafenstrole or indanofan; an inhibitor for tobacco axillary bud growth, the inhibitor comprising the aforesaid very-long chain fatty acid synthesis inhibitor together with clorthal-dimethyl or an aliphatic alcohol having 6 to 20 carbon atoms; and a method for inhibiting tobacco axillary bud growth which comprises applying the inhibitor for tobacco axillary bud growth. The inhibitor for tobacco axillary bud growth of the present invention shows sustained drug efficacy at a low concentration, induces neither chemical injury nor disease, and can contribute to the improvement in labor productivity.

Abstract: A process for producing a sulfonyl chloride compound comprising: (A) a step comprising reacting a pyridazine compound represented by the formula (1): wherein R1 represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, an alkyl group which may be substituted with a halogen atom or atoms, or the like, R2 and R3 are the same or different and each represents a hydrogen atom or the like, R4 represent a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, an alkyl group which may be substituted with a halogen atom or atoms, or the like, with a sulfonating agent; (B) a step comprising contacting the reaction mixture obtained in the step (A) with a chlorinating agent; and (C) a step comprising mixing the reaction mixture obtained in the step (B) with an aqueous inorganic base solution to separate an organic layer containing a sulfonyl chloride compound represented by the formula (2): wherein R1 to R4 are the same meanings as defined above.

Abstract: The subject invention concerns the use of fatty acids in combination with maleic hydrazide to achieve excellent control of tobacco suckers on topped plants. The control of suckers is achieved at low rates of maleic hydrazide, thereby reducing maleic hydrazide residues on harvested tobacco.

Abstract: The subject invention concerns the use of fatty acids in combination with maleic hydrazide to achieve excellent control of tobacco suckers on topped plants. The control of suckers is achieved at low rates of maleic hydrazide, thereby reducing maleic hydrazide residues on harvested tobacco.

Abstract: Oxalylhydroxamic acid derivatives of the formula IR.sup.1 --ON(R.sup.2)--CO--CO--X--R.sup.3 I,where the substituents have the following meanings:X is oxygen or sulfur;R.sup.1 issubstituted or unsubstituted alkyl, alkenyl or alkynyl;substituted or unsubstituted monocyclic or polycyclic cycloalkyl or cycloalkylmethyl;substituted or unsubstituted phenyl or phenyl-C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 -alkyl;R.sup.2 is hydrogen or alkyl;R.sup.3 issubstituted or unsubstituted alkyl, alkenyl or alkynyl;substituted or unsubstituted monocyclic or polycyclic cycloalkyl;substituted or unsubstituted phenyl-C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 -alkyl or phenoxy-C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 -alkyl;and their agriculturally useful salts; their manufacture; growth-regulating agents containing them; and methods of regulating plant growth.