Abstract: Processes for converting the coal-derived heavy-oil fraction of syncrude to polyols are described. The processes involve mixing a feed stream comprising the coal-derived heavy-oil fraction with an alcohol and aqueous sulfuric acid, heating the mixture, reacting the coal-derived heavy-oil fraction with ozone, and reacting the ozonated heavy-oil fraction with glycerin to form the polyol. In some cases, the ozonated heavy-oil fraction can be neutralized before reacting the ozonated heavy-oil fraction with the glycerin.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for growing a plant, including bringing a lignin decomposition product having an aldehyde yield by alkaline nitrobenzene oxidation of 10% by mass or more into contact with the plant.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions, systems and methods for controlling loss of nutrients and other substances from planting sites.

Abstract: A hydrophilic polymer derivative having a benzylidene acetal linker whose hydrolysis rate at the pH of a weakly acidic environment in the living body can be accurately controlled. A hydrophilic polymer derivative having a benzylidene acetal linker, which is represented by the following formula (1): wherein R1 is a hydrogen atom or a hydrocarbon group; R2, R3, R4, R5, and R6 are each independently a hydrogen atom or a substituent and at least one of R3, R4, and R5 is an electron-withdrawing substituent or at least one of R2 and R6 represents a substituent; X1 is a chemically reactive functional group; P is a hydrophilic polymer; w is an integer of 1 to 8; and Z1 and Z2 are an independently selected divalent spacer.

Abstract: The invention provides a soil improvement agent composition which contains (A) a fatty acid polyoxyalkylene alkyl ether represented by formula (1): R1CO (EO)m (PO)n OR2 (1) wherein R1 is a straight-chain or branched hydrocarbon group having 13 to 21 carbon atoms, EO represents ethylene oxide, m is a number of 2 to 10, PO represents propylene oxide, n is a number of 1 to 4, and R2 is a hydrocarbon group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms; and (B) a polyoxyalkylene alkyl ether represented by formula (2): R3O (EO)x (PO)y H (2) wherein R3 is a straight-chain or branched hydrocarbon group having 8 to 14 carbon atoms, EO represents ethylene oxide, x is a number of 7 to 12, PO represents propylene oxide, and y is a number of 0 to 3.

Abstract: Compounds of Formula (I), wherein the substituents are as defined in claim 1, are suitable for use as herbicides.

Abstract: An agrichemical is disclosed having increased bio-activity which is adapted for spray application in a form which offers reduced aerial drift and improved deposition on organisms, reduced agglomeration and gellation problems, is adapted for use with chemicals, pesticides and fertilizers and allows for lower agrichemical use rates. Various adjuvants and surfactants are combined with fertilizers or pesticides, such as herbicides fungicides and insecticides, to reduce application problems relating to droplet size, foaming, chemical stability, plant and area coverage, droplet drift, surface tension, suspension, incompatability, phytoxicity, solubility, volatilization and evaporation, while providing enhanced bio-efficacy and low aquatic toxicity. Purifying the agrichemical composition water source by any of various known processes such as oxidation, ultra-filtration, deionization, reverse osmosis or nanofiltration lowers or removes alkaline components, such as calcium, magnesium, iron, sodium, etc.

Abstract: A method is provided for phytoremediating a site polluted by at least one type of pollutant, comprising at least one step comprising growing, on this polluted soil, at least one phytoremediating plant capable of fixing at least a portion of this pollutant, and comprising a subsequent step comprising of harvesting or destroying this plant that has fixed at least a portion of said pollutant. The step of growing the plant is effected, at least in part, in the presence of at least one water-soluble exogenous carbohydrate that can be assimilated by the plant or in the presence of a substance containing a carbohydrate of this type.

Abstract: A bioperformance enhancing adjuvant of Formula (I) R1O[BO]n[AO]mR2 where BO is butylene oxide; and each AO is independently propylene oxide or ethylene oxide; n is from 1 to 12; m is from 0 to 20; R1 is optionally substituted C4-20 alkyl or optionally substituted C4-20 alkenyl; and R2 is hydrogen or optionally substituted C1-3 alkyl.

Abstract: A sheet for pest control, wherein said sheet is of polymeric material and comprises at least two layers; a top layer and a bottom layer, wherein the bottom layer contains a herbicide and one or more pesticides selected from among fungicides and insecticides, and the top layer optionally containing an insecticide and/or fungicide. Other aspects of the invention include a polymeric composition used in the preparation of the sheets and a method for pest control in agriculture, horticulture and gardens.

Abstract: The invention relates to continuous fiber layers comprising an active substance on the basis of bio-polymers, comprising a fibrous, bio-polymer active substance carrier, and at least one active substance associated with the carrier and releasable from the continuous fiber layer; to formulations comprising an active substance, said formulations comprising such continuous fiber layers; to the use of continuous fiber layers comprising an active substance for the production of formulations comprising an active substance; and to a method for the production of continuous fiber layers comprising an active substance. The invention further relates to corresponding continuous fiber layers comprising an active substance and to the use thereof for the production of wound treatment and hygiene products, and to the respectively produced wound treatment and hygiene products.

Abstract: A method to inhibit the ethylene response in plants with cyclopropene compounds by first generating stable cyclopropane precursor compounds and then converting these compounds to the gaseous cyclopropene antagonist compound by use of a reducing or nucleophilic agent.

Abstract: The invention provides an agricultural chemical enhancer and an agricultural chemical composition which are safely used for crops without any phytotoxicity, have a potency enhancing action on various agricultural chemicals and promote the growth of a plant body to be intended to be grown. The invention relates to an agricultural chemical enhancer comprising at least one type selected from a specific alcohol compound, an ether compound and an ester compound.

Abstract: Provided is a method of applying at least one compound (A) selected from (1) a specific monovalent or bivalent alcohol, (2) a specific ether compound, (3) a specific aliphatic acid or an ester compound thereof, (4) a specific organic acid derivative, and (5) a glycerin derivative to various farm products, thereby increasing the yield of the farm products, improving the quality thereof, or improving the low-temperature tolerance thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to new delivery systems for cyclopropenes in which the cyclopropene, either free or encapsulated within a molecular encapsulation agent is incorporated into produce packaging materials.

Abstract: The invention provides a novel compound 4-(p-methoxy-phenyl)-2-aminobutane exhibiting growth inhibition and antifeedant activity and represented by the structural formula.

Abstract: Controlled release compositions of matter are disclosed comprising complexes for treating a population of one or more aquatic organisms in a column of water. The complexes comprise at least one system wherein the system comprises at least one bioactive agent as a component selected for treating a population of aquatic organisms, at least one carrier component, and at least one coating component for regulating the controlled release rate and release profile of the bioactive agent in water or at least one bioactive agent and one joint-function component that can serve as both a carrier and coating to regulate the controlled release rate and release profile of the bioactive agent in water, with or without optional binder components and/or additional formulation materials. The components are selected to sink or float so that the complexes will permeate and/or remain in any planar or volumetric segment of a water column for a period of time that is sufficient to effectively treat a population of aquatic organisms.

Abstract: Controlled release compositions of matter are disclosed comprising complexes for treating a population of one or more aquatic organisms in a column of water. The complexes comprise at least one system wherein the system comprises at least one bioactive agent as a component selected for treating a population of aquatic organisms, at least one carrier component, and at least one coating component for regulating the controlled release rate and release profile of the bioactive agent in water or at least one bioactive agent and one joint-function component that can serve as both a carrier and coating to regulate the controlled release rate and release profile of the bioactive agent in water, with or without optional binder components and/or additional formulation materials. The components are selected to sink or float so that the complexes will permeate and/or remain in any planar or volumetric segment of a water column for a period of time that is sufficient to effectively treat a population of aquatic organisms.

Abstract: A preferred technique for increasing potato crop yields and/or minimizing nitrate leaching of potato crop acreage involves the application of surfactant at planting to the soil adjacent a seed potato. In an alternative method of the present invention, surfactant is applied after planting to the top or shoulder of the hill in which a potato plant is growing. The improved potato crop yields of the present invention are believed to result of the maintenance of soil moisture levels near the potato plant root zone and/or the prevention of nitrogen and other nutrient-leaching from the potato plant root zone.

Abstract: Pesticidal 1,4-diaryl-2,3-difluoro-2-butene compounds having the structural formula I and compositions and methods comprising those compounds for the control of insect and acarid pests.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions of nonionic siloxane alkoxylates with aminopolyalkyleneoxide surfactants which are useful in treating plants, for instance as adjuvants for pesticides including in particular herbicides. These compositions overcome the antagonism associated with nonionic trisiloxane alkoxylates on pesticide uptake in plants.

Abstract: Dihalopropene compounds of the general formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 is substituted alkyl; R.sup.2, R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 are each independently halogen, alkyl, haloalkyl, alkoxy, haloalkoxy, nitro or cyano; A is O, S(O).sub.t or NR.sup.14 in which R.sup.14 is H or alkyl and t is 0 to 2; B is substituted alkylene, alkenylene or alkynylene; r is 0 to 2; X's are each independently halogen; Y is O, S or NH; Z is O, S or NR.sup.25 in which R.sup.25 is H, acetyl or alkyl, which are useful as active ingredients of insecticidal/acaricidal agents.

Abstract: A method of preventing and treating dry spots on the grass surface of a golf course comprising the sprinkling of a mixture of a nonionic surfactant and a water soluble polymer on the grass surface. The development of dry spots on the grass surface of a golf course can be prevented and also already developed dry spots can be treated and reduced by this method.

Abstract: Disclosed are herbicidal aryl substituted cycloalkyl and aryl substituted cycloalkenyl compounds, herbicidal compositions, and herbicidal use of the compounds and compositions. The aryl substituent is selected from substituted phenyl, unsubstituted or substituted five-membered heterocycle, and unsubstituted or substituted six-membered heterocycle.

Abstract: A method for improvement (treatment) and prevention of dry spots on the grass surface of a golf course comprising sprinkling of an acetylene alcohol derivative (s) or sprinkling of it along with a water soluble polymer water retentive agent on the grass surface. Also, a method for prevention of dry spots on the grass surface of a golf course comprising sprinkling of a water soluble polymer water retentive agent(s) on the grass surface.

Abstract: A method of controlling blooming in dormant perennial plants which method includes application to the dormant perennial plant of a composition including a growth regulating compound selected from the group consisting of fatty acid esters, fatty acid amides, fatty alcohols, fatty alcohol alkoxylates, phthalate esters, phthalic acid amides and imides and mixtures of two or more thereof.

Abstract: Treatment of cotton plants or flowering ornamental plants with a formulation comprising an agent effective to inhibit 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid synthase activity accelerates the flowering of cotton plants and accelerates and extends flower longevity of flowering ornamental plants, particularly when such flowering plants are subjected to the stresses of the conditions of shipping.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of enhancing the growth of plants. The method comprises applying a nonionic surfactant and, more particularly, an alkyoxypolyethyleneoxyethanol to the soil to protect the seeds and enhance their germination, and to enhance the growth of the plants. The nonionic surfactant is represented by the formula: ##STR1## wherein n is from 9-15 and m is from 3-40. The nonionic surfactant can be combined with a substantially reduced rate of conventionally used pesticides to provide compositions that more effectively enhance plant growth than the conventional pesticides used alone at their full rates.