Abstract: There is disclosed a protease having the following enzymatic properties in view of:(a) function and substrate specificity,(b) optimum pH,(f) activation, and(g) inhibition;(a) the protease can hydrolyze, in particular, a peptide bond on the C-terminal side of Y of a peptide X--Y--, in which X is Arg, Lys or Pro optionally having a peptide bond on the N-terminal side, Y is Arg and -- indicates a peptide bond;(b) the protease has an optimum pH of about 7.0 in Tris hydrochloride buffer;(f) the protease is activated with calcium chloride or a surfactant; and(g) the protease is inhibited with p-amidinophenylmethanesulfonyl fluoride, p-chloromercuribenzoic acid, a metal chelater, tetraacetic acid or a heavy metal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a multi-component pesticidal composition against anthropoda containing as active ingredient pyrethroides and phosphate esters and optionally piperonyl butoxide and excipients comprising as pyrethroid component 0.1 to 40 percent by weight of cypermethrin related to the total weight comprising out of the 8 possible isomers 40 to 100 percent by weight of 1RcisS and/or 1RtransS stereoisomer and as a second component at least one phosphoric acid, thiophosphoric acid or dithiophosphate being toxic on arthropoda at a ratio of 1:1-99 related to the amount of cypermethrin.

Abstract: Microorganisms are stored for long periods of time in storage mediums which preferably contain a sufficiently high concentration of nutrients and growth inhibiting substances to maintain microorganisms, such as bacteria, in the stationary or death phase of their growth cycle. Upon dilution of the growth medium, the concentration of the inhibiting substances is lowered below that inhibiting the growth of the microorganisms, while sufficient nutrients remain to allow for the number of microorganisms to rapidly increase. In a preferred embodiment, the growth medium contains between 10% and 30% solids which are the waste products of a food or fermentation process, and the microorganisms are lactobacillus plantarum or bacillus subtilis.

Abstract: The invention provides an enzyme preparation comprising at least one protease derived from an entomopathogenic fungus of one of the following genera:Metarhizium, Beauvaria, Verticillium, and Aschersonia, and characterized by the following properties:(a) substantially not activity against hide protein azure, locust cuticel and elastin;(b) specificity for Bz-Phe-Val-ARg-NA;(c) not inhibited by soybean trypsin inhibitor.

Abstract: A novel bilirubin oxidase is provided having a substrate specificity for bilirubin but not to, at least, biliverdin, catechol and hemin and which catalyzes the enzyme reaction between two moles of bilirubin and one mole of oxygen to yield two moles of biliverdin and two moles of water. A process is also provided for the production of said novel bilirubin oxidase, which comprises cultivating a bilirubin oxidase-producing fungus of the genus Penicillium in a culture medium and collecting the bilirubin oxidase from the culture mixture. A method of determining the content of bilirubin in a sample to be analyzed is further provided which comprises contacting the sample with the bilirubin oxidase to convert bilirubin in the sample into biliverdin and determining the amount of biliverdin formed or the amount of oxygen consumed therefor, as well as a method for removing bilirubin contained in a sample to be analyzed, which comprises contacting the sample with said novel bilirubin oxidase.

Abstract: A granular particulate herbicidal composition having characteristics that permit it to be effectively applied to the ground aerially.

Abstract: Commerically produced chitosan applied to cereal crop seeds at rates of 60 .mu.g to 1000 .mu.g per gram of seed enhances root development, crown diameter, mature straw strength and crop yield. Dry chitosan, when dissolved in dilute acid and neutralized, is applied directly to cereal crop seed with only minor modification to seed treating machinery and methods. In addition to a clear benefit in cereal crop yield, the chitosan treated seed can be planted early to reduce erosion and it can be planted in regions having soil infested with root rotting organisms and not suffer extensive lodging that would prevent seed recovery by commercial harvesters.

Abstract: A herbicidal composition which comprises as an active ingredient a herbicidally effective amount of the combination of (a) 2-[7-fluoro-3,4-dihydro-3-oxo-4-(2-propynyl)-2H-1,4-benzoxazin-6-yl]-4,5,6 ,7-tetrahydro-1H-isoindole-1,3(2H-dione and (b) a compound of the formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is any one of the formulas: ##STR2## wherein R.sub.2 is a C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl group, and an inert carrier or diluent. The composition shows a synergistic herbicidal potency.

Abstract: Herbicidal aqueous microemulsions containing a combination of a herbicidal phenoxyphenoxy- or hetercaryloxyphenoxy-carboxylic acid ester with a salt of the herbicide bentazone (3-isopropyl-1H-benzo-2,1,3-thiadiazin-4-one 2,2-dioxide) as active substances; one or more emulsifiers wetting agents from among calcium dodecylbenzenesulfonate, ethoxylated castor oil, the ethoxylated nonylphenols, the alkanol polyglycol ethers or the fatty acid polyglycol esters, and one or more organic solvents from among the aromatics or ketones, are storage-stable at low and higher temperatures and show no inhomogeneities.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the use of paratrifluoromethyl substituted aniline compounds, the optically active isomers of said compounds and compositions containing said compounds, in the selective kill and control of grassy weeds in the presence of corn plants.

Abstract: Methods are provided for facilitating the harvest of food crops by applying to the crop foliage an amount of an aqueous solution containing a combination of urea and sulfuric acid in which the urea/H.sub.2 SO.sub.4 molar ratio is within the range of about 1/4 to about 7/4 sufficient to desiccate the foliage prior to harvest.

Abstract: The invention is related to a plant growth regulating composition comprising chitosan and a non-phytotoxic acid in the form of an aqueous solution or a blend of dry powders. The composition may be applied to the soil in which the seeds are to be planted, the seeds themselves or the foliage of an emerging plant.

Abstract: The compound methyl 2-[[[[(4-methoxy-6-methyl-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl)amino]carbonyl]amino]sulfonyl ]benzoate has high herbicidal activity and is particularly useful for weed control in plantation crops.

Abstract: Agents for reducing transpiration in plants and/or avoiding impairment to plants caused by heat and dry stress, comprising a synergistic mixture containing at least one acetylene compound of the formula I ##STR1## where the substituents have the following meanings R.sup.1 CH.sub.2 OH, COOH, CH.sub.2 OR.sup.4, COOR.sup.4 or CHXY,OR.sup.2 andY OR.sup.3 or X and Y together are C.sub.2 -C.sub.5 -alkylenedioxy which is unsubstituted or mono-, di- or trisubstituted by C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 -alkyl, or are a doubly bonded oxygen atom,R.sup.2, R.sup.3 C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 -alkyl andR.sup.4 C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 -alkyl, C.sub.2 -C.sub.8 -alkoxyalkyl, C.sub.2 -C.sub.4 -haloalkyl, phenyl or C.sub.7 -C.sub.16 -phenylalkyl,and at least one phenylbenzylurea of the general formula II ##STR2## where the substituents have the following meanings R.sup.5 hydrogen, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 -alkyl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 -alkoxy, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 -haloalkyl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 -haloalkoxy, phenyl or C.sub.7 -C.sub.16 -phenylalkyl andR.sup.6 -R.sup.

Abstract: There is provided a method for the control of sicklepod (Cassia obtusifolia L.) in the presence of leguminous crops. More particularly, this invention provides a method for the selective control of sicklepod in the presence of bean plants by applying to the foliage of said sicklepod a herbicidally effective amount of 2-(4-isopropyl-4-methyl-5-oxo-2-imidazolin-2-yl)-5-methylnicotinic acid.

Abstract: Foliar application of a phosphonic acid plant growth regulator to rice crop plants, when the plants are at a growth stage of between about the start of tillering and initiation of panicle primordia, at about 50 to about 750 grams per hectare, results in rice yield significantly greater than untreated rice crops. The invention promotes manipulation of certain physiological processes at vegetative growth stages, thereby reducing decline in tiller number and increasing the number of seed producing tillers.

Abstract: There is disclosed a herbicide composition in which a postemergent herbicide is activated by the inclusion of a silicone glycol adjuvant consisting essentially of (i) a silicone glycol having an average structure ##STR1## wherein Me denotes a methyl radical, and (ii) a silicone glycol dispersant compound for component (i). When compared to similar prior art silicone glycol adjuvants not having an acetoxy terminated glycol chain, the compositions of the present invention provide enhanced rainfastness in the control of weeds, particularly velvetleaf plants.

Abstract: Aryl sulfonylureas as new compositions and included in a two-part herbicide system comprising at least one or more thiolcarbamate, thiolcarbamate sulfoxide or haloacetanilide herbicide, and as the second part a non-phytotoxic antidotally effective amount of aryl sulfonylurea as an antidote therefor of the formula ##STR1## in which X is oxygen or sulfur; n is an integer; R is lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, lower alkylthio, halogen, trifluoromethyl, cyano, nitro, lower alkyl sulfonyl;R.sup.4 is hydrogen, lower alkyl, lower alkoxyalkyl, phenyl and chlorophenyl;R.sup.2 is hydrogen, lower alkyl, alkoxyalkyl and phenyl;R.sup.1 is lower alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, haloalkyl, alkoxyalkyl, 1-phenylpropenyl, benzyl, chlorobenzyl, haloalkenyl, phenyl and alkyl substituted phenyl; andAR is phenyl, benzyl, naphthyl, pyridyl or styryl; and the inorganic base salts sodium, potassium, ammonium and other inorganic salts; and organic base salts thereof.

Abstract: This invention relates to a water soluble agent including a water soluble glass containing monovalent silver ions in its glass component. In water or an aqueous solution, the water soluble glass of the invention is capable of releasing the monovalent silver ions as required in an effective amount over a long period, the monovalent silver ions excelling, for example, in eliminating or preventing the occurrence of aquatic bacteria or other aquatic life forms, sterilizing them, preventing the occurrence of algae, and preventing water contamination.

Abstract: A selectively herbicidal composition of matter comprising a herbicidally effective amount of(A) 4-amino-6-tert.-butyl-3-methylthio-1,2,4-triazin-5(4H)-one, and(B) 4-amino-6-tert.-butyl-3-ethylthio-1,2,4-triazin-5-(4H)-one.The composition is especially suited for selectively killing monocotyledon and dicotyledon weeds in the cultivation of cereals and leguminous plants.