Abstract: A method for systemically mitigating environmental stress from heat or radiation on a fruit plant and the pre-harvested fruit thereof that comprises the steps of: preparing an agricultural composition wherein the composition comprises an ethylene oxide-propylene oxide block copolymer, a C1-C4 alkyl ether of ethylene oxide-propylene oxide block copolymer, and an alkyl polyglycoside; and intimately contacting root zone soil of soil containing a fruit plant with a bioefficaciously effective amount of the agricultural composition to systemically mitigate environmental stress on the plant and the pre-harvested fruit thereof from heat or radiation impacting the surface of the plant or fruit above the surface of the soil, whereby the agricultural composition is not substantially absorbed into the plant.

Abstract: A seed composition, system, and method of improving seed germination, emergence, and seedling development are provided. The seed composition includes a seed, a binder, and a surfactant forming a first layer. The seed composition can have a second layer composed of a diatomaceous earth, lime, or clay and a binder and a third coating that includes a surfactant.

Abstract: An osmotic regulator coated seed having enhanced seed germination and plant development is provided. The coated seed has a coating that includes an osmotic regulator that promotes seed germination, seedling emergence, seedling vigor, percent ground coverage, and/or stand density, even when the seed is subjected to abiotic stress conditions, or to reduced availability of water because of deficit irrigation techniques or soils that do not readily absorb or retain water. A method for making and planting such a coated seed are also provided.

Abstract: Systemic mitigation of the heat stress damage to plants and pre-harvest fruit caused by environmental stress on the plant and fruit is realized by applying to the root zone of the plant a bioefficaciously effective amount of a composition selected from the group consisting of ethylene oxide-propylene oxide block copolymer, alkyl ethers of ethylene oxide-propylene oxide block copolymer, alkyl polyglycoside, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: A rhizo signaling gel matrix that alters a plant's water flow dynamics and increases plant drought tolerance is provided. The rhizo signaling gel matrix has mucigel, soil particles, and a rhizoligand. The rhizoligand is present at between about 1 ?g/kg to about 1 g/kg. The rhizo signaling gel matrix forms an interconnected network of linkage between a plant's root and soil particles in the plant's rhizosphere.

Abstract: A method for systemically mitigating environmental stress from heat or radiation on a fruit plant and the pre-harvested fruit thereof that comprises the steps of: preparing an agricultural composition wherein the composition comprises an ethylene oxide-propylene oxide block copolymer, a C1-C4 alkyl ether of ethylene oxide-propylene oxide block copolymer, and an alkyl polyglycoside; and intimately contacting root zone soil of soil containing a fruit plant with a bioefficaciously effective amount of the agricultural composition to systemically mitigate environmental stress on the plant and the pre-harvested fruit thereof from heat or radiation impacting the surface of the plant or fruit above the surface of the soil, whereby the agricultural composition is not substantially absorbed into the plant.

Abstract: Soil/seed hydrophilization polymers comprising: monomer Ab comprising at least one betaine group or at least one cationic group; and optionally, monomer Ba comprising at least one non-ionic group or at least one anionic group, wherein the polymer is water-soluble or water-dispersible; and provided that if the monomer Ab comprises a cationic group, the monomer Ba must be present and comprise an anionic group. Also disclosed are methods for treating soil comprising contacting the hydrophilization polymer with the soil, with improvements including increase in hydrophilicity of the soil, increase in root characteristics, increase in germination rates, as compared to soil without the hydrophilization polymer.

Abstract: Systemic mitigation of the heat stress damage to plants and pre-harvest fruit caused by environmental stress on the plant and fruit is realized by applying to the root zone of the plant a bioefficaciously effective amount of a composition selected from the group consisting of ethylene oxide-propylene oxide block copolymer, alkyl ethers of ethylene oxide-propylene oxide block copolymer, alkyl polyglycoside, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to artificial snowmaking and specifically to the discovery that by introducing an effective amount of organo-modified polysiloxane material to the water being supplied to the snow guns, the quality of the snow thus made is significantly enhanced.

Abstract: Water repellent soil is treated with low concentrations of EO/PO block copolymer having an HLB value of less than or equal to 2; an average molecular weight of greater than 3,000; and a percent hydrophile of 10 in order to rapidly increase the wetting rate of the water repellent soil.

Abstract: Improved plant growth is realized especially with turf grasses by using an enhanced plant growth medium prepared by adding a bioefficacious amount of C1-C4 alkyl ether of methyl oxirane-oxirane copolymer that, serendipitously reduces the water repellency of the medium.

Abstract: Water repellent soil is treated with low concentrations of a blend of alkyl polyglycoside and EO/PO block copolymer in a weight ratio range of from 6:1 to 0.5:1 of glycoside to block copolymer in order to rapidly increase the wetting rate of the water repellent soil.

Abstract: The use of dilute aqueous water-soluble fertilizer compositions are disclosed to enhance the rewetting of water, uniformity and nutrient retention characteristics of initially untreated plant culture media and soil.

Abstract: The use of dilute aqueous water-soluble fertilizer compositions are disclosed to enhance the rewetting of water, uniformity and nutrient retention characteristics of initially untreated plant culture media and soil.

Abstract: Water repellent soil is treated with low concentrations of a blend of alkyl polyglycoside and EO/PO block copolymer in a weight ratio range of from 6:1 to 0.5:1 of glycoside to block copolymer in order to rapidly increase the wetting rate of the water repellent soil.

Abstract: Water repellent soil is treated with low concentrations of EO/PO block copolymer having an HLB value of less than or equal to 2; an average molecular weight of greater than 3,000; and a percent hydrophile of 10 in order to rapidly increase the wetting rate of the water repellent soil.

Abstract: The invention relates to artificial snowmaking and specifically to the discovery that by introducing an effective amount of organo-modified polysiloxane material to the water being supplied to the snow guns, the quality of the snow thus made is significantly enhanced.

Abstract: The invention relates to artificial snowmaking and specifically to the discovery that by introducing an effective amount of organo-modified polysiloxane material to the water being supplied to the snow guns, the quality of the snow thus made is significantly enhanced.

Abstract: Solid surfactant-impregnated, water-soluble fertilizer compositions are disclosed together with aqueous concentrates made therefrom. The use of dilute aqueous compositions made from said concentrates to enhance the rewetting of water uniformity and nutrient retention characteristics of initially untreated plant culture media is also disclosed. The fertilizer composition solids are friable and are composed of from 65 to 99 weight percent water-soluble fertilizer; and from 1 to 35 weight percent of a surfactant system comprising water-soluble nonionic surfactant and alkyl polyglycoside in a weight ratio of from less than 2:1 to 1:5. When these solid compositions are dissolved in water to form concentrates having from 20 to 50 weight percent fertilizer, the concentrates are both single phased and extremely stable.

Abstract: This invention relates to certain natural diatomaceous earth granule compositions which can be broadcast, i.e., dry spread on the soil to deliver a pesticide or fertilizer. The granules retain their physical integrity when spread, and have the unique property to spontaneously disintegrate when irrigation water is applied or rainfall hits the particle. Upon wetting, the particle disintegrates (blooms) to cover the soil surface. This bloom can cover an area many times the original area covered by the granule. The granules have high loadings of the diatomaceous earth, i.e. from about 35 to about 95 weight percent and contain from about 5 to about 40 weight percent of a surfactant system which exhibits excellent disintegration; rewetting and binding properties. Bioactive compounds can be loaded at up to 60 weight percent of the granule. Bioactive compounds may be formulated products or technical grades and may be homogeneously distributed throughout the granule or spray impregnated onto the granule.