Abstract: The present invention relates to a defloration agent for apple trees. The present defloration agent comprises 3-(2-methyl-4-chlorophenoxy)butyric acid (MCPB) or an ester thereof and 2-chloroethylphosphonic acid (ethephon). The present invention provides an excellent defloration effect even when the temperature is low in the blossoming season.

Abstract: The present invention provides a hexahydropyridazine derivative of the formula (I): ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 represents an alkynyloxy group, a cycloalkoxy group or an alkoxycarbonylalkylthio group, R.sup.2 represents an alkyl group, a phenyl group or a benzyl group, and X represents a halogen atom. This compound exhibits an excellent herbicidal effect on various weeds in treatment of field soil, foliage treatment and flooding treatment of paddy field, and has an excellent selectivity toward the weeds but not the crop.

Abstract: Disclosed is a novel compound of the formula [I]: ##STR1## (wherein R.sup.1 is H or CH.sub.3, R.sup.2 is H or C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl), furylmethyl group, tetrahydrofuryl group 2-tetrahydropyranylmethyl group or tetrahydrofurfuryl group which may be substituted with methyl group. The compound has strong herbicidal effect against the weeds belonging to the Family Gramineae.

Abstract: Disclosed is a tetrahydrophthalimide derivative of the formula (I): ##STR1## wherein X.sup.1 and X.sup.2, the same or different, represent halogen, hydrogen or trifluoromethyl; R represents ##STR2## (wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2, the same or different, represent hydrogen or methyl, R.sup.3 represents 2-tetrahydrofurfuryl or 3-methyl-1,2,4-oxadiazol-5-yl), ##STR3## (wherein R.sup.4 is hydrogen or methyl, R.sup.5 is methyl or benzyl), ##STR4## (wherein R.sup.6 represents hydrogen or methyl, R.sup.7 is halogen or C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl), ##STR5## (wherein R.sup.8 is hydrogen, acyl or arylalkyl), cyano, or --CH.sub.2 OR.sup.9 (wherein R.sup.9 is hydrogen, acetyl, halophenyl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 tetrahydrophthalimide derivative of the present invention is useful as a herbicide.

Abstract: A herbicide exhibiting high herbicidal activity against a variety of weeds and being highly safe for useful crops can be obtained through the use of a heterocyclic compound represented by the following general formula (I): ##STR1## wherein R represents a group represented by the following formula: ##STR2## X represents an oxygen atom or a sulfur atom; R.sup.1 represents a halogen atom or a lower alkyl group; R.sup.2 represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group; R.sup.3 represents a halogen atom, a lower alkyl group, a lower haloalkyl group, a lower alkoxy group, a lower alkylthio group, a cyano group or --COOR.sup.4 (R.sup.4 is a lower alkyl group, a lower alkoxyalkyl group or a tetrahydrofurfuryl group); m is 0, 1 or 2 and n is 0, 1, 2 or 3.

Abstract: Disclosed is novel hexahydrophthalic anilide derivatives and herbicide compositions comprising the derivatives. The hexahydrophthalic anilide derivatives of this invention are represented by the formula [I], [II] or [III]. ##STR1## (wherein R.sup.1 represents non-substituted or substituted phenyl, R.sup.2 represents hydrogen or C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl, R.sup.3 represents C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl or C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkenyl) ##STR2## (wherein R.sup.4 and R.sup.5, the same or different, represent C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkenyl or C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkynyl, provided R.sup.4 and R.sup.5 are not C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl simultaneously) ##STR3## (wherein X.sup.1 and X.sup.2, the same or different, represent halogen, Y represents oxygen or sulfur, R.sup.6 represents C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 straight or cyclic alkyl which may be substituted with oxygen, R.sup.7 represents hydrogen or methyl, R.sup.8 represents cyano, C.sub.1 -C.sub.3 alkyl, C.sub.2 or C.sub.3 alkenyl, C.sub.2 -C.sub.4 alkynyl, C.sub.3 -C.sub.

Abstract: Disclosed is a novel compound of the formula [I]: ##STR1## wherein A represents ##STR2## (wherein X is H or Cl) ##STR3## Z represents ##STR4## (wherein R.sup.1 is H or CH.sub.3, R.sup.2 is H or C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl), furylmethyl group, tetrahydrofuryl group 2-tetrahydropyranylmethyl group or tetrahydrofurfuryl group which may be substituted with methyl group. The compound has strong herbicidal effect against the weeds belonging to the Family Gramineae.

Abstract: A propionic acid thiol ester derivative having the formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is a cyano group, a trifluoromethyl group, a halogen atom or a nitro group,R.sub.2 is a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom or a cyano group,R.sub.3 is a thiazolin-2-yl group or a benzothiazol-2-yl group, andA is a methine group or a nitrogen atom.

Abstract: 1,2,4-oxadiazole derivatives having selective herbicidal action in controlling broad leaf weeds and cyperaceous weeds without causing phytotoxicity to geraminous crop plants having the formula: ##STR1## wherein A is a methine group or a nitrogen atom; R.sub.1 is a chlorine atom or a methyl group; when A is a methine group, R.sub.2 is a hydrogen atom if R.sub.1 is a methyl group, and a hydrogen atom or a methyl group if R.sub.1 is a chlorine atom, and when A is a nitrogen atom, R.sub.2 is a hydrogen atom; R.sub.3 is a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group having from 1 to 11 carbon atoms, a benzyl group unsubstituted or substituted by chlorine or methoxy; a phenoxymethyl group unsubstituted or substituted by chlorine or methyl, or a lower alkoxyalkyl group.

Abstract: A hydroxyacetic acid amide derivative having the formula: ##STR1## wherein each of R and R.sub.1 which may be the same or different, is an alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl or alkoxyalkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, provided that R and R.sub.1 are not simultaneously alkyl groups.

Abstract: A propionic acid thiol ester derivative having the formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is a cyano group, a trifluoromethyl group, a halogen atom or a nitro group, R.sub.2 is a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom or a cyano group, R.sub.3 is a thiazolin-2-yl group or a benzothiazol-2-yl group, and A is a methine group or a nitrogen atom.