Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention relates to a pesticide delivery system, containing a continuous film having a thickness from about 1 ?m to about 1,000 ?m and noncontinuous areas having sizes less than about 100 ?m, the continuous film containing a particulate material wherein at least 90% by weight of the particulate material has a particle size of about 10 microns or less, and a pest control agent at least partially coating the particulate material.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods of reducing weed growth or reducing pests involving applying to plant producing media particulate materials to a depth of at least about 1 cm, wherein the plant producing media to the depth comprises about 1% by weight or more and about 25% by weight or less of the applied particulate materials Also disclosed are methods of reducing weed growth involving applying to plant producing media or unwanted vegetation a film of particulate materials, wherein the film has a thickness of about 1 ?m or more and about 5 mm or less.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention relates to methods of reducing weed growth or reducing pests involving applying to plant producing media particulate materials to a depth of at least about 1 cm, wherein the plant producing media to the depth comprises about 1% by weight or more and about 25% by weight or less of particulate materials. In another embodiment, the present invention relates to methods of reducing weed growth involving applying to plant producing media or unwanted vegetation a film of particulate materials, wherein the film has a thickness of about 1 &mgr;m or more and about 5 mm or less.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention relates to a pesticide delivery system, containing a continuous film having a thickness from about 1 &mgr;m to about 1,000 &mgr;m and noncontinuous areas having sizes less than about 100 &mgr;m, the continuous film containing a particulate material wherein at least 90% by weight of the particulate material has a particle size of about 10 microns or less, and a pest control agent at least partially coating the particulate material.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention relates to a pesticide delivery system, containing a continuous film having a thickness from about 1 &mgr;m to about 1,000 &mgr;m and noncontinuous areas having sizes less than about 100 &mgr;m, the continuous film containing a particulate material wherein at least 90% by weight of the particulate material has a particle size of about 10 microns or less, and a pest control agent at least partially coating the particulate material.

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: In one embodiment, the present invention relates to a method for enhancing supercooling of a plant to temperatures below about −2° C., involving preventing the formation of ice crystals adjacent the plant by forming a substantially continuous hydrophobic membrane of particulate materials on portions of the plant capable of supporting droplets of water, the particulate material having a particle size distribution wherein up to about 90% by weight of the particles have a particle size of about 100 &mgr;m or less, and the substantially continuous hydrophobic membrane has a thickness from about 1 &mgr;m to about 1,000 &mgr;m.

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: Disclosed is a method for enhancing the photosynthesis of horticultural crops which involves treating the surface of said horticultural crop with an effective amount of one or more highly reflective particulate materials.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention relates to a method for preventing sunburn, and other physiological disorders such as watercore, corking and bitterpit, without diminishing photosynthesis, comprising applying to at least a portion of a surface of a plant an effective amount of a finely divided particulate material to prevent sunburn, and other physiological disorders such as watercore, corking and bitterpit, in the plant, wherein the particulate material comprises a heat treated particulate material and the particulate material as applied permits an exchange of gases on the surface of the plant and the particulate material has a thickness from about 1 .mu.m to about 1,000 .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: 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: 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 filled engineering plastic is provided with improved impact strength by pretreating the filler to provide separate coating deposits of a coupling agent and an impact modifier for the plastic matrix. For a nylon plastic composite, a kaolin filler coated with separate deposits of an amino functional silane coupling agent and a phenol or triethanolamine impact modifier has resulted in an improved impact strength without sacrificing tensile and elastic properties of the nylon.