Abstract: Methods are disclosed to achieve an improvement in the characteristics and yield of cotton fibers. In one method, a cotton plant of the genus Gossypium in seed form or in growth stage is treated with a brassinosteroid. In another method, an ovule culture is prepared from a cotton plant of the genus Gossypium in a brassinosteroid-containing liquid medium. Cotton fibers with improved fiber characteristics are obtained from the cotton bolls of the treated plant or from the cultured ovules.

Abstract: The invention relates to a preparation of azadirachtin, in a dry solid powder form, having a purity upto 88%; an emulsion concentrate having upto 30% by weight of azadirachtin, and a process for preparing said azadirachtin dry powder from neem seeds/kernels, which comprising: (a) disintegrating the neem seeds/kernels into a powder; (b) subjecting the said powder to continuous extraction using methanol or aqueous methanol or ethanol (rectified spirit) or aqueous ethanol at ambient temperature; (c) concentrating the extract and stirring the concentrate with petroleumether or hexane and phase separating by conventional methods; (d) stirring the denser phase containing major quantity of azadirachtin with a water immiscible organic solvent and water as required depending on the solvent used for extraction and phase separating by conventional methods; (e) concentrating the organic phase and gradually adding the concentrate to petroleumether or hexane under stirring at ambient temperature (f), filtering under suctio

Abstract: Herbicidally active phenyldiketone compounds of the formula I ##STR1## in which the substituents have the following meanings: L and M are hydrogen, C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 -alkyl, C.sub.2 -C.sub.6 -alkenyl, C.sub.2 -C.sub.6 -alkynyl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 -alkoxy, it being possible for these groups to be unsubstituted or substituted by one to five halogen atoms or C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 -alkoxy, or halogen, cyano, nitro, a group --(Y).sub.n --S(O).sub.m R.sup.7 or a group --(Y).sub.n --CO--R.sup.8,Z is a 5- or 6-membered heterocyclic saturated or unsaturated radical which has one to three hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of oxygen, sulfur or nitrogen and which is unsubstituted or substituted by halogen, cyano, nitro, a group --CO--R.sup.8, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 -alkyl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 -haloalkyl, C.sub.3 -C.sub.8 -cycloalkyl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 -alkoxy, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 -haloalkoxy, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 -alkylthio, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 -haloalkylthio, di-C.sub.1 -C.sub.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a plant growth regulator comprising as an active ingredient an epoxycyclohexane derivative represented by general formula (1): ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 is a hydrogen atom, a C.sub.1 -C.sub.6, alkyl group or C.sub.3 -C.sub.6 cycloalkyl group, and R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are independently C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkyl groups or are combined to form a C.sub.2 -C.sub.3 polymethylene group which may be substituted with a C.sub.1 -C.sub.6, alkyl group, as well as to a plant growth regulator comprising the epoxycyclohexane derivative and a brassinosteroid as active ingredients. The epoxycyclohexane derivatives exhibit a potent plant growth regulating action which is equivalent to or higher than that of abscisic acid, and are useful as plant growth regulators such as a plant growth accelerator, a germination growth accelerator, a transpiration and wilting inhibitor, a cold resistance enhancer, an accelerator for growing, thickening or maturing fruits, roots, stems or bulbs, etc..

Abstract: Brassinosteroid derivatives expressed in formula (I) and formula (II) ##STR1## and a plant growth regulator containing one type or two types of these brassinosteroid derivatives as active ingredient.The invention thereby presents novel brassinosteroid analogous compounds expressed in formula (I) and formula (II) and a plant growth regulator containing these compounds showing a persisting plant growth regulating action.

Abstract: A novel organic compound, designated botcinol, has been isolated which possesses significant phytotoxic activity and which may be used as a biodegradable contact herbicide. The compound is a hydroxylated nonalactone that is esterified with 4-hydroxy-2-decenoic acid, and has the following structure: ##STR1## Botcinol is produced by culture of a novel strain of the fungus Botrytis cinerea, designated UK 185, and may be subsequently recovered from the culture medium and purified.

Abstract: The invention is directed to compounds having general formula (I) or general formula (II). Compounds of formulae (I) or (II) have interesting antifungal activities and may, accordingly, be used as active ingredients in fungicidal compositions.

Abstract: Mixtures of optically active cyclohexenone oxime ethers having R- and S-configuration in the oxime ether moiety of the formula I ##STR1## (R.sup.1 =C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 -alkyl; ##STR2## X=C.sub.1-C.sub.4 -alkyl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 -haloalkyl; m=0-3 or 1-4 where all X's are halogen;n=0-3 or 1-5 where all X's are halogen;R.sup.2 =C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 -alkoxy-C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 -alkyl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 -alkylthio-C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 -alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted C.sub.3 -C.sub.7 -cycloalkyl, substituted or unsubstituted C.sub.5 -C.sub.7 -cycloalkenyl, substituted or unsubstituted 5-membered saturated heterocyclic structure, substituted or unsubstituted 6- or 7-membered heterocyclic structure, substituted or unsubstituted 5-membered heteroaromatic structure, substituted or unsubstituted phenyl or pyridyl)and their agriculturally useful salts and esters with C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 -carboxylic acids and inorganic acids.

Abstract: 13-Substituted milbemycin derivatives having the formula (I): ##STR1## wherein: R.sup.1 is methyl, ethyl, isopropyl or sec-butyl;R.sup.2 is hydrogen or alkyl;X is (.alpha.-hydroxyimino- or .alpha.-alkoxyimino-substituted)-arylmethyl or (.alpha.-hydroxyimino- or .alpha.-alkoxyimino-substituted)-heterocyclylmethyl, N-substituted-aminophenyl or N-substituted-aminophenoxy;m is 0 or 1; and n is 0 or 1;are valuable as agricultural and horticultural anthelmintic, acaricidal and insecticidal agents.

Abstract: Compounds of formula (I): ##STR1## and salts and esters thereof have valuable anthelmintic, acaricidal and insecticidal activities. Methods of preparing the compounds are also provided.

Abstract: Compounds of formula ##STR1## wherein R, R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3, R.sub.4, R.sub.5, R.sub.6, R.sub.7 and X have the meanings reported in the description, can be used in compositions for agricultural use in particular as herbicides in the defense of useful crops from weeds.

Abstract: .beta.-Substituted cinnamic acid derivatives of the formula 1, ##STR1## where R.sup.1 is substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl or cycloalkenyl, and R.sup.1 can also be chlorine or bromine,--X-- is --O--, --S--, ##STR2## m is 0 or 1, --Y is --OR.sup.4, --O--N.dbd.CR.sup.5 R.sup.6, --NR.sup.7 R.sup.8, --NR.sup.7 R.sup.8, --N(OR.sup.9)R.sup.10 or SR.sup.11, where the abovementioned substitutes R.sup.2 to R.sup.11 are substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl or cycloalkenyl, and R.sup.2, R.sup.3 and R.sup.5 to R.sup.11 can be hydrogen and Z, U, V, W are defined in the specification.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition for enhancing synchrony of germination and emergence in plants and comprises an effective amount of a compound having the following general formula (I); ##STR1##

Abstract: A method of combating undesired plant growth at a locus is disclosed, the method comprising applying to the locus a compound of general formula: ##STR1## where R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 independently represent a hydrogen atom or an optionally substituted alkyl or alkenyl group or R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 together represent an optionally substituted alkyl or alkenyl chain;R.sup.3 represents an optionally substituted saturated or unsaturated homocyclic or heterocyclic group; and Z represents a group --COOR.sup.4 where R.sup.4 represents a hydrogen atom, a cation or an optionally substituted alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl or aryl group, or Z represents a group --CHO.The use of a compound of general formula I as a herbicide and a herbicidal composition are also disclosed.

Abstract: A novel organic compound, designated botcinolide, has been isolated which possesses significant phytotoxic activity and which may be used as a biodegradable contact herbicide. The compound is a hydroxylated nonalactone that is esterified with 4-hydroxy-2-octenoic acid, and has the following structure: ##STR1## Botcinolide is produced by culture of a novel strain of the fungus Botrytis cinerea, designated UK 185, and may be subsequently recovered from the culture medium and purified.

Abstract: A novel process is described for controlling sprouting in tubers and improving their processing qualities using naturally occurring compounds. Tuber sprouting and/or melanization which occurs during processing, such as cooking or frying, may be controlled by exposure of the tubers to an effective amount of a jasmonate. Further, by varying the amount of jasmonate applied to the tubers, either sprout inhibition or improvement of processed color quality or both, may be preferentially selected.

Abstract: A new process has been developed for preparing high purity neem seed extract by adsorbing aqueous solutions of neem seed extract containing azadirachtin onto a macroporous polymeric adsorbent followed by desorption using a solvent. The resulting extract, optionally formulated, is a useful insecticide for the control of foliar pests.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel acetanilides of the formula (I) ##STR1## wherein Ar represents phenyl, furyl or thienyl,R.sup.1 represents hydrogen, C.sub.1-5 -alkyl, C.sub.3-6 -cycloalkyl, C.sub.3-6 -cycloalkyl-methyl, C.sub.3-5 alkenyl, C.sub.3-5 -alkynyl, C.sub.1-3 -haloalkyl, C.sub.3-5 -epoxyalkyl, C.sub.1-3 -alkoxy-C.sub.1-4 -alkyl, C.sub.1-3 -alkylthio-C.sub.1-4 -alkyl, C.sub.1-3 -alkoxycarbonyl-C.sub.1-2 -alkyl, cyano-C.sub.1-3 -alkyl, or aralkylR.sup.2 represents hydrogen or C.sub.1-3 -alkyl,R.sup.3 represents hydrogen or C.sub.1-3 -alkyl,X represents halogen, andY represents iso-propyl, tert-butyl, C.sub.1-2 -haloalkyl, C.sub.1-2 -haloalkoxy, C.sub.1-2 -haloalkylthio or C.sub.1-2 -alkylsulfonyl,to processes for their preparation and to their use as herbicides. The invention also relates to novel intermediates and to processes for their preparation.

Abstract: The subject invention pertains to novel methods and compositions utilizing novel fatty acid esters which exhibit excellent herbicidal activity in controlling unwanted vegetation. The novel compositions and methods described here facilitate effective weed control using a wide range of fatty acids.

Abstract: A controlled release and delivery system for a hydrophobic, water sensitive herbicide is produced by:(a) dissolving the herbicide in a volatile water-immiscible solvent;(b) introducing the solvent containing the herbicide dissolved therein to a latex dispersion comprising an aqueous continuous phase and polymeric discrete phase;(c) agitating the resultant mixture until the polymeric particles of the discrete phase absorb the herbicide; and(d) removing the solvent from the resultant mixture at reduced pressure.

Abstract: Composition for enhancing germination and growth of plants which comprises an effective amount of at least one abscisic acid-related compound having the following formula (I): ##STR1##