Abstract: The present invention relates to novel agents for increasing the basipetal translocation of agricultural chemicals such as plant growth promoters, inhibitors, fungicides, insecticides or herbicides hereinafter referred to as "bioactants". The present agent comprises a mixture of N-heterocyclic amide and a haloethyl phosphonic acid in a mole ratio of between about 5:1 and about 1:10, employed in an inert carrier at a concentration between about 25 ppm to about 10,000 ppm which mixture can be applied to a plant prior to, or simultaneously with, the bioactant.The translocating agent may be a mixture of the N-heterocyclic amide, e.g. N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, and the haloethylphosphonic acid, e.g. 2-chloroethylphosphonic acid, it may comprise a mixture of said components with the complexed compound derived from the addition of said components or it may be the complexed compound per se.

Abstract: A composition comprising a mixture of a N-heterocyclic monoamide such as e.g. N-methyl pyrrolidone or a polymer thereof, and a 2-halo-ethylphosphonic acid useful for the treatment of plants including trees, shrubs, field crops, grasses and ornamentals to achieve enhanced plant growth regulatory effects. Of particular interest are the treatments of apple trees to promote fruit redening; treatment of cherry, hazel and walnut trees to advance fruit loosening; treatment of cucumbers to induce stunting and to promote female sex expression; treatment of tobacco to hasten maturation and to inhibit tillering and treatment of cotton plants prior to harvesting to provide defoliation synchronized with increased, boll opening in preparation for harvest of quality cotton in high yields.

Abstract: In one aspect the invention relates to the complexed product of the reaction between a haloalkylphosphonic acid and an amide of the structure R.sup.3 --CO--N(R.sup.1) (R.sup.2) where R.sup.1, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are as defined below. In another aspect the invention relates to the phosphoranyl derivatives indicated to have the structure: ##STR1## wherein R is lower alkyl; X is a halogen atom such as fluorine, chlorine, bromine, or iodine; R.sup.1, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are each independently hydrogen, phenyl, naphthyl, methyl or ethyl substituted phenyl, alkyl or 1 to 24 carbon atoms optionally substituted with hydroxy or halogen and R.sup.1 can additionally be alkylene of 2 to 4 carbon atoms; or R.sup.2 and R.sup.3, together with nitrogen, can form a N-heterocyclic ring having from 3 to 5 carbon atoms, which ring may be saturated or unsaturated; and the polymer of the above compound when R.sup.1 is vinyl and R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 form said N-heterocyclic ring; or a mixture containing said phosphoranyl derivative.

Abstract: Monaza amines and/or amides having a 5 membered ring containing 4 carbon atoms or a 6 membered ring containing 5 carbon atoms, in which the nitrogen atom is bonded to hydrogen, alkyl of from 1 to 3 carbon atoms or hydroxyalkyl of from 1 to 3 carbon atoms; which compounds function as agents for inhibiting in vivo formation of ethylene in plant biochemical processes.