Abstract: A polymer sheet for use in agricultural structures, like greenhouses, tunnels and the like, which prevents fog formation on its surface, resulting in an essentially continuous water film upon water vapor deposition. The polymeric sheet can be one of polymeric ethylene-vinyl alcohol or of a copolymer of ethylene vinyl alcohol coextruded with a polyolefin. Multilayer sheets are very effective, such as ethylene vinyl alcohol/ethylene vinyl acetate/polyethylene three-layer sheet. Copolymers which do not impair the specific fog-formation preventing property of ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH) can be used.The invention also relates to agricultural structures which comprise such plastic sheets.

Abstract: The invention relates to polymeric mulch sheets and mulch films for use in agriculture. These filter out a large part of the solar radiation which promotes photosynthesis and plant development, and transmits enough solar radiation so as to heat the soil beneath such films. The sheets or films have a green color and transmit about 15-30 percent of the energy in the green range, and a large percentage of the energy in the 730 to 1100 nm range. Such mulch films substantially reduce weed growth. The invention further relates to a method of plant cultivation where the plants are cultivated, using sheets or films according to the invention.

Abstract: The invention relates to polymer sheets or films for use in greenhouses. The polymer sheets or films contain components which absorb or reflect in the near I.R. (NIR) i.e. in the 0.7 to 2.0.mu. region, and which transmit at least 75 percent in the photosynthesis active radiation (PAR) region, which is essentially the 0.4.mu. to 0.7.mu. region of the solar spectrum. The compositions of the invention contain UV radiation stabilizers. The NIR absorbers and reflectors in the films of the invention are certain specific oxides or metals in a very fine particle size, in the submicron or micron range.

Abstract: The present invention relates to antifouling paints for marine use comprising a conventional paint base containing as active ingredient a compound of the formula ##STR1## wherein X is selected from chlorine and bromine,Y is selected from hydrogen and lower alkyl, andZ is selected from --COOR wherein R is lower alkyl, and --CN, possibly in combination with a conventional antifouling agent, and to the protection of marine structures and marine vessels which comprises applying such an antifouling paint to such structures and vessels.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel 2,5-dihalophenyl-.beta.-substituted sulfone compounds of the formula ##STR1## wherein Q is selected from ##STR2## and wherein: X designates chlorine or bromine,Y designates hydrogen, chlorine, or bromine,Z designates chlorine, bromine, phenyl, halophenyl or --COOR whereinR is a lower alkyl group of up to and including 4 carbon atoms,Z' designates chlorine, bromine or --COOR, wherein R is a lower alkyl of up to and including 4 carbon atoms, provided that whenY is hydrogen, Z' designates --COOR, as herein defined,and to pesticides and especially fungicides containing a compound as defined above as active ingredient. The above compounds are also effective antifungal agents when incorporated in polymeric compositions.

Abstract: According to the invention there is provided a polymeric composition of matter substantially transparent to solar radiation and constituting an effective barrier to infra-red radiation, especially in the region of about 7.mu. to 15.mu., comprising polyethylene or a copolymer of mainly polyethylene, containing an effective quantity of a phosphate, having a preferred range of content of phosphate of from 1 to 20 percent by weight. There is also provided a tunnel-shaped or similar structure for the cultivation of agricultural crops comprising a cover of sheeting made of such polymer.