Abstract: A composition which has bacteriocidal or bacteriostatic properties which comprises humic acid or a salt or a derivative thereof as active ingredient in a suitable carrier. The active ingredient is preferably an alkali metal salt of humic acid and the carrier is preferably water.

Abstract: Crop yields in a plant bed are significantly enhanced by treating soil in the plant bed with a fungicidally effective amount of metham, the fungicidally effective amount being insufficient to retard growth of a plant. In the practice of the invention, the plant soil is treated with metham by dripping an aqueous solution of metham into a seed furrow, by injecting the aqueous solution into the soil or by drenching the soil with the aqueous solution, either at about the time of planting of the seed or vegetative material or by treatment of the soil surrounding established plant crops. Significantly reduced amounts of metham are employed to reduce damage to the planted seed or vegetative material.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for inhibiting viral and retroviral infections via the use of various compounds, including antioxidants, and compounds corresponding to the formula ##STR1## wherein R in each occurrence thereof independently represents lower alkyl of from one to four carbon atoms, inclusive, and wherein R.sub.1 represents methyl and R.sub.2 represents methyl or ethyl. This invention further discloses methods for inhibiting viral and retroviral infections using compounds including bis(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl) acetone mercaptole, bis(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl) butanone mercaptole, bis(3-tert-butyl-4-hydroxy-5-isopropylphenyl) acetone mercaptole, bis(3-tert-butyl-4-hydroxy-5-methylphenyl) acetone mercaptole, 4,4'-thiobis(6-tert-butyl-o-cresol), 1,3,5-trimethyl-2,4,6-tris(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzyl) benzene, 4,4'-methylenebis(2,6-di-tert-butylphenol), 2,6-di-tert-butyl-.alpha.-dimethylamino-p-cresol, and 4,4'-methylenebis(2,6-di-tert-butylphenol).