Abstract: PCT No. PCT/JP78/00058 Sec. 371 Date June 15, 1979 Sec. 102(e) Date June 15, 1979 PCT Field Dec. 18, 1978 PCT Pub. No. WO79/00405 PCT Pub. Date July 12, 1979This invention relates to a novel process for preparing D,L-2-amino-4-methylphosphinobutyric acid having herbicidal and antifungicidal activities which comprises subjecting acrolein to reaction with a dialkyl phosphonite to synthesize an acetal of an ester of 3-oxopropylmethylphosphinic acid; treating the thus obtained compound with an acid for deacetalization to obtain an ester of 3-oxopropylmethylphosphinic acid and then applying the Strecker's process used for amino synthesis to the thus obtained ester.

Abstract: Novel 2,3-dicyanopyrazine derivatives of the formula ##STR1## wherein A represents a hydrogen atom, a lower alkyl group, an unsubstituted or substituted phenyl group, a benzyl group, or a group of the formula -ZR.sub.1 in which Z represents an oxygen or sulfur atom and R.sub.1 represents an unsubstituted or substituted lower alkyl group, a lower alkenyl group, a lower alkynyl group, an unsubstituted or substituted phenyl group, or an unsubstituted or substituted benzyl group; and B represents a halogen atom, an alkyl group containing at least 3 carbon atoms, a phenyl group having a substituent at the ortho- and/or meta-position of the benzene ring, a group of the formula ZR.sub.1 in which Z and R.sub.1 are as defined, or a group of the formula ##STR2## in which R.sub.2 and R.sub.

Abstract: A compound of the general formula ##STR1## wherein R.sub.0 represents an alkyl group optionally having a substituent selected from the class consisting of a cyano group, lower alkoxy groups and di-(lower alkyl)amino groups, a lower alkenyl group, or a lower alkynyl group; R.sub.1, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3, independently from each other, represent a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a lower alkyl group, or a lower alkoxy group; R.sub.4, R.sub.5, R.sub.6, R.sub.7 and R.sub.8, independently from each other, represent a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a lower alkyl group, or a lower alkoxy group; Y represents a group of the formula ##STR2## or a group of the formula ##STR3## in which one of R.sub.9 and R.sub.10 is a lower alkyl group and the other is a hydrogen atom or a lower alkyl group; with the proviso that when Y is the group ##STR4## and R.sub.0 represents an unsubstituted alkyl group, R.sub.4, R.sub.5, R.sub.6, R.sub.7 and R.sub.8 do not represent hydrogen atoms at the same time.

Abstract: Crops are protected from suffering various damages by applying polyamine compounds such as long-chain alkylenediamines. By the use of said polyamine compounds, various effects can be obtained, for example, reduction of cold-weather damage or frost damage to crops, retardation of fading of green color of green crops, reduction of damage from photochemical oxidants to crops, retardation of wilting of leaves of crop plants, etc.

Abstract: Novel compounds represented by formula (I) or (II) are provided: ##STR1## They can control annual and perennial weeds, shrubs and aquatic plants more effectively than their mother compounds, or (2-amino-4-methylphosphinobutyryl)alanylalanine and 2-amino-4-methylphosphinobutanoic acid, respectively.

Abstract: A compound of the general formula ##STR1## wherein R.sub.0 represents an alkyl group optionally having a substituent selected from the class consisting of a cyano group, lower alkoxy groups and di-(lower alkyl)amino groups, a lower alkenyl group, or a lower alkynyl group; R.sub.1, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3, independently from each other, represent a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a lower alkyl group, or a lower alkoxy group; R.sub.4, R.sub.5, R.sub.6, R.sub.7 and R.sub.8, independently from each other, represent a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a lower alkyl group, or a lower alkoxy group; Y represents a group of the formula ##STR2## or a group of the formula ##STR3## in which one of R.sub.9 and R.sub.10 is a lower alkyl group and the other is a hydrogen atom or a lower alkyl group; with the proviso that when Y is the group ##STR4## and R.sub.0 represents an unsubstituted alkyl group, R.sub.4, R.sub.5, R.sub.6, R.sub.7 and R.sub.8 do not represent hydrogen atoms at the same time.

Abstract: An agricultural chemical composition which has improved efficiency, long range effectiveness and decreased phytotoxicity to useful plants is prepared by mixing an agricultural chemical with a filmforming polymer having a soil fixity of at least 40% and a water vapor permeability of 400 - 1,500 g/m.sup.2 /24 hrs.

Abstract: A compound of the general formula ##STR1## wherein Z is a hydrogen atom or a lower alkyl group; R.sub.1 is a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group; and R.sub.2 is a lower alkyl group or a phenyl group, which may have one or more lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, nitro, phenyl or trifluoromethyl groups or one or more halogen atoms as benzene substituent is found to be useful as a herbicide selectively combating weeds belonging to barnyardgrass of Gramineae and to Cyperacceae, without causing any phytotoxicity to rice plants.

Abstract: A plant growth regulator comprising as an active ingredient a compound having a novel 2-sulfonyloxyethylphosphonic or -thionophosphonic acid skeleton of the formula ##STR1## and a process for the production of the above compound. A method for regulating the growth of plants which comprises applying the above regulator to plants or to the locus in which the plants are growing or will be grown.

Abstract: A plant growth regulator comprising as an active ingredient a compound having a novel 2-sulfonyloxyethyl-phosphonic or -thionophosphonic acid skeleton of the formula ##STR1## and a process for the production of the above compound. A method for regulating the growth of plants which comprises applying the above regulator to plants or to the locus in which the plants are growing or will be grown.

Abstract: A herbicidal composition for use in a paddy field comprises 3,4-dichloropropionanilide, S-ethyl-hexahydro-1H-azepine-1-carbothioate and .beta.-naphthyl-N-methyl carbamate.

Abstract: A compound of the formula ##STR1## wherein R is a lower alkyl group, useful as a herbicide, and a method of its preparation. A method of killing weeds using said compound is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of weeding annual weeds in a flooded paddy field comprising applying more than 15 g of 3,4-dichloropropionanilide and 0.2 -2.5 g .beta.-naphthyl-N-methyl carbamate per 1 are (100 m.sup.2) without a foliage treatment.

Abstract: A compound of the formula ##SPC1##Wherein R is a lower alkyl group, useful as a herbicide, and a method of its preparation. A method of killing weeds using said compound is also disclosed.