Abstract: Substituted 2,3-dihydro-1,4-oxathiins of the formula ##STR1## display useful plant growth regulant effects including herbicidal effects. Examples are 2,3-dihydro-5,6-diphenyl-1,4-oxathiin, and 2,3-dihydro-5-(4-methylphenyl)-6-phenyl-1,4-oxathiin 4-oxide. The compounds are useful for the selective control of grasses and as dwarfing agents, as well as for inhibition of vegetative and reproductive axillary growth, and for increasing the sugar content of sugar producing species. A number of these are new compounds.

Abstract: Fungi, bacteria and viruses are controlled, especially on plants, by application of chemicals of the formula: ##STR1## such as 2,3-dihydro-5-phenyl-1,4-dithiin 1,1,4,4-tetroxide, 2-ethyl-5,6-dihydro-3-methyl-1,4-dithiin 1,1,4,4-tetroxide and 2,3-dihydro-5-methyl-2-phenyl-1,4-dithiin 1,1,4,4-tetroxide.

Abstract: Regulation of the growth of plant life, including herbicidal, defoliant or desiccant effects, may be accomplished with certain 2,3-dihydro-1,4-dithiin 1,1,4,4-tetroxides of the formula ##STR1## wherein the R's have various values such as hydrogen, alkyl, etc. Certain of the compounds, such as 2,3-dihydro-5,6-dimethyl-1,4-dithiin 1,1,4,4-tetroxide, are new chemicals, and are useful as pre-and post-emergent herbicides, and in harvest aid procedures, such as defoliation/desiccation of various crops, including cotton and potatoes.

Abstract: Clear, elastic, water gels and gel-forming compositions are based on potassium-sensitive carrageenan in the form of an alkali metal or an ammonium salt and a water-soluble potassium salt. Addition to the composition of calcium-sensitive carrageenan, also in the form of an alkali metal or an ammonium salt, imparts freedom from syneresis. The water gels and the gel-forming compositions are characterized by essentially complete freedom from polyvalent metal cations.

Abstract: New chemicals containing two diphenylaminomethane groups, linked together by a moiety other than oxygen, e.g., 1,2-bis[4-(3-methyl-alpha-aminobenzyl)phenoxy]ethane, are effective antimicrobial agents useful as agricultural or industrial fungicides and bactericides.

Abstract: An improved process for the production of alkylene glycol alginates from seaweeds of the Class Phaeophyceae by treating with a dilute aqueous solution of a strong acid, washing the solid residue, optionally but preferably neutralizing only part of the free alginic acid in the washed residue with an alkaline agent, esterifying the unisolated alginic acid in situ in the solid seaweed residue with an alkylene oxide, and recovering the alkylene glycol alginate so formed from the resulting reaction mixture.

Abstract: Plant growth regulant effects, such as dwarfing, cessation of terminal growth, increased flower set, increased fruit and pod set, fruiting body abortion, twisting and epinastic responses, etc., may be accomplished on crops such as soybeans, cotton, etc., by application of certain 2-(1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-yl) or 2-(2-oxazolyl) or 2-(1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl)benzoic acids, salts and esters, having the formula ##SPC1##Where X is nitrogen or C--R" (R" being hydrogen or methyl), Z is oxygen or sulfur when X is nitrogen, Z is oxygen when X is C--R", R is phenyl or various substituents, and R' is hydrogen or various substituents. An example is 2-(5-phenyl-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-yl)benzoic acid. The compounds where X is nitrogen and Z is sulfur are new compounds, e.g., 2-(5-phenyl-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl)benzoic acid.

Abstract: Substituted 2,3-dihydro-1,4-oxathiins of the formula ##SPC1##Display useful plant growth regulant effects including herbicidal effects. Examples are 2,3-dihydro-5,6-diphenyl-1,4-oxathiin, and 2,3-dihydro-5-(4-methyl-phenyl)-6-phenyl-1,4-oxathiin 4-oxide. The compounds are useful for the selective control of grasses and as dwarfing agents, as well as for inhibition of vegetative and reproductive axillary growth, and for increasing the sugar content of sugar producing species. A number of these are new compounds.This invention relates to a method of regulating the growth of plants and to plant growth regulant compositions useful in such method, as well as to chemical compounds useful in such compositions.Regulation of the growth of plants is frequently desirable for a number of reasons. For example, the control of weeds is of great economic importance. Weed competition inhibits the production of foliage, fruit or seed of agricultural crops.