Abstract: Provided herein are exemplary agricultural sunscreen formulations for use in the production of organic crops. One exemplary agricultural sunscreen formulation comprises on a weight to weight basis about 40% to 80% calcium carbonate, about 1% to 5% sodium bicarbonate, and about 15% to 59% water. Also provided herein are exemplary methods for making an exemplary agricultural sunscreen formulation for use in the production of organic crops. One exemplary method comprises combining a first amount of glycerin and an amount of water to form a first mixture, combining an amount of particles with the first mixture, combining an amount of a thickening agent and a second amount of glycerin to form a second mixture, and combining the first and second mixtures.

Abstract: The present application is directed to methods and compositions for improving growth or yield of plants by reducing stress from abiotic factors without adversely affecting photosynthesis. In one embodiment, the compositions include particulate material and one or more plant growth regulating compounds such as non-gaseous plant hormones, amino acids and amino acid derivatives, and terpenes, and mixtures thereof. The composition is applied to at least part of the surface of the plant, forming a film on the plant. The effects of abiotic factors such as heat, cold, light, and water stress may be reduced or eliminated after application of the composition, and growth or yield may be increased while photosynthesis is not adversely affected.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to crop protection compositions and methods for making and using the compositions. More specifically, the invention relates to crop protection compositions utilizing talc and one or more additives providing for improved aqueous suspension of the talc and methods for making such compositions. The present invention also discloses horticultural substrates coated with a crop protective composition utilizing talc and one or more additives providing for improved aqueous suspension of the talc.

Abstract: A water dispersible agricultural chemical granule having good productivity and dispersion stability in water and a method of producing the same are provided. A water dispersible agricultural chemical granule produced by spray drying after wet pulverization of a suspension containing an agricultural chemical active component having a melting point ranging from 55 to 100° C., a surfactant and water, with a drying loss of the water dispersible agricultural chemical granule ranging from 0.1 to 5.0% by mass. A method of producing a water dispersible agricultural chemical granule including spray drying after wet pulverization of a suspension containing an agricultural chemical active component having a melting point ranging from 55 to 100° C., a surfactant and water so as to obtain the water dispersible agricultural chemical granule having drying loss ranging from 0.1 to 5.0% by mass.

Abstract: A fragrant polymer configured to be associated with a growing medium includes a water absorbent polymer, and a fragrance agent encapsulated in the water absorbent polymer. Encapsulating a fragrance agent in an absorbent polymer allows for systematic release of the fragrance agent, thereby reducing the effect of foreign odors that often accompany potted plants.

Abstract: A non-respirable aerosol, particularly a non-respirable aerosol comprising a biologically-effective amount of a biologically-active agent dissolved, emulsified, or suspended in a highly-aqueous liquid carrier vehicle. The highly-aqueous liquid carrier vehicle comprises about 60 wt % to about 100 wt % water, about 0 wt % to about 40 wt % of a co-solvent, about 0.05 wt % to about 10 wt % of an acceptable surfactant, and about 0 wt % to about 10 wt % of an excipient. The non-respirable aerosol is substantially monodisperse when dispensed from a sprayhead assembly comprising a preferably linear array of a plurality of nozzles and at least one counter electrode adapted to substantially equalize the charge fields of the plurality of nozzles.

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: The present invention relates to aqueous-containing pesticide concentrates containing an ionic nitrate salt additive as a corrosion inhibitor as well as pesticide compositions prepared from these concentrates and to the use of said compositions for controlling pests.

Abstract: Provided herein are compositions of matter which contain an agriculturally-active material in combination with an agricultural adjuvant and at least one alkylene carbonate. The presence of an alkylene carbonate in such formulations increases the efficacy of herbicides and pesticides used in controlling unwanted foliage and insects in commercial agriculture.

Abstract: A herbicidal concentrate of a glyphosate di-salt and an enhancement agent is obtained by adjusting the pH of a concentrate containing a glyphosate salt until a single-phase concentrate is obtained. The amount of base added to the concentrate is generally the amount necessary to render a pH of about 7.0 to 8.5 to the concentrate.

Abstract: Improved cation exchange zeolite crystalline and zeolite-like plant bed structures are disclosed, preferably saturated with water-based extracts of particular plant/herb materials exhibiting plant growth acceleration properties and synergistically providing also nutrient, and sometimes anti-microbial and insect and fungus repellent properties, as well, and with the adaptability to present the structures in solid, gel and liquid form.

Abstract: Pesticidal concentrate and spray compositions are described which exhibit enhanced efficacy due to the addition thereto of a compound which increases cell membrane permeability, suppresses oxidative burst, or increases expression of hydroxyproline-rich glycoproteins.

Abstract: Provided is a method of formulating hydrophobic pesticides comprising emulsifying an aqueous phase and a water-immiscible phase to form a formulation; wherein the aqueous phase is comprised of water and optionally a freeze/thaw agent, one or more emulsifiers, or combinations thereof, and the water-immiscible phase comprises the hydrophobic pesticide and one or more emulsifiers.

Abstract: There is provided an agrochemical formulation aid composition for preparing bioactive and sprayable agrochemicals, wherein various components for the composition were selected from mineral oil paraffinic distillate and/or aromatic hydrocarbon distillate; 2N-octanol; oleyl-cetyl; alcohol polyoxyethylene (2) oleylether; polyoxyethylene (8) nonylphenolethin and/or ethoxylated tallow amine blend; lauryl sulphate; fatty alcohol alkoxylate; terpenes, diammonium phosphate; tetrasodium ethylene diamine tetracetate; cab-o-sil; fatty acid methyl ester; (C18) free fatty acid blend; N-butanol; and methyl alcohol. Also provided are methods of preparing the formulation aid composition on site by mixing various components and methods of preparing sprayable and bioactive agrochemical systems using the formulation aid and non-formulated or formulated agrochemicals. Also provided are uses of the formulation aid in preparing sprayable and bioactive agrochemical systems for controlling pests.

Abstract: Disclosed is both a method and composition for controlling deleterious organisms, such as insects, nematodes and weeds by applying a compound comprised of a liquid medium comprising azide and amine. The azide can be selected from the group consisting of sodium azide and potassium azide or a combination of the two. The composition provides an effective pesticide, without causing significant harm to the environment. The composition may be applied to soil to control a population of a deleterious organism.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of a solvent-free suspension of a low-melting point water-insoluble solid agrochemical active ingredient, which comprises suspending 1-40% by weight of a silica-based carrier in 40 to 97% by weight of water in the presence of 1-40% by weight of anionic dispersant, heating the suspension thus obtained to a temperature above that of the active ingredient, and adding, with stirring, 1-25% by weight of a molten active ingredient with a melting point of <80° C. or a mixture of at least two active ingredients each having a melting point of <80° C. The present invention furthermore relates to the preparation of suspension concentrates, water-dispersible powders and water-dispersible granules based on the suspensions prepared via the abovementioned process.

Abstract: Disclosed is both a method and composition for controlling deleterious organisms, such as insects, nematodes and weeds while maintaining beneficial soil organisms, by applying a compound comprised of a liquid medium and comprising an azide and an amino acid polymer. The azide can be selected from the group consisting of sodium azide and potassium azide or a combination of the two. The composition provides an effective pesticide, without causing significant harm to the environment. The composition may be applied to soil to control a population of a deleterious organism.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for increasing irrigation efficiency by applying a non-surfactant, non-crosslinked water-soluble polymer to established turf to increase irrigation efficiency. The polymer is preferably a linear anionic high molecular weight polyacrylamide.

Abstract: This invention relates to new oil-based suspension concentrates containing

Abstract: Agrochemical suspension concentrates, particularly in aqueous or liquid oil based medium, comprise solid particles including one or more agrochemical active components; and a dispersing agent including a water soluble or dispersible styrene (meth)acrylic acid copolymer. In particular the styrene (meth)acrylic acid copolymer has a molar ratio of residues of (meth)acrylic acid monomer(s) to styrene monomer(s) from 20:1 to 1:5, particularly from 3:1 to 1:1. The formulation will usually also contain wetting agents; and/or adjuvants. The agochemical active can be plant growth regulators, herbicides, and/or pesticides, for example insecticides, fungicides, acaricides, nematocides, miticides, rodenticides, bactericides, molluscicides and bird repellants. The suspension formulations will typically be used diluted in water and sprayed onto plants or the soil surrounding the plants.

Abstract: Provided herein are compositions of matter which contain an agriculturally-active material in combination with an agricultural adjuvant and at least one alkylene carbonate. The presence of an alkylene carbonate in such formulations increases the efficacy of herbicides and pesticides used in controlling unwanted foliage and insects in commercial agriculture.

Abstract: The present invention relates to oil suspension concentrates based on 2-{1-[2-(4-chlorophenoxy)propoxyimino]butyl}-3-hydroxy-5-(tetrahydrothiopyran-3-yl)cyclohex-2-enone lithium salt and certain formulation auxiliaries and to the use of the oil suspension concentrates as crop protection compositions and in particular as rice herbicides. Preferred formulation auxiliaries are mono- and/or dicarboxylic esters, for example fluid fatty acid esters, anionic surfactants of the sulfonate type, for example alkyl- and alkylarylsulfonates and also sulfosuccinates, and nonionic surfactants of the type of the nonethoxylated or ethoxylated carboxylic acids and esters of mono- or polyfunctional alcohols, for example ethoxylated fatty acids and polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid esters.

Abstract: A phytosanitary treatment method by foliar absorption that uses a composition with at least a water soluble phytosanitary active principle and at least a modified oil, the composition having at least a phytosanitary active principle, at least a vegetable oil and/or an ethoxylated vegetable oil ester.

Abstract: The invention concerns the use, in an aqueous spray mixture comprising a phytosanitary formulation, of an anti-leaching agent comprising: at least a polyhydroxyl and/or polycarboxyl polymer or copolymer; at least a crosslinking agent comprising a metal selected among columns IVA, IB and IIIB of the periodic table; said anti-leaching agent being, in the aqueous spray mixture, in the form of an aqueous solution or dispersion having a polymer or copolymer concentration such that the viscosity of the anti-leaching agent is not more than 10 times the viscosity of the aqueous solution in polymer or copolymer without crosslinking agent, having the same concentration.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for inhibiting or eliminating the growth of microorganisms in pesticide suspensions. More particularly, the process of the present invention includes the addition of a combination of peracetic acid, hydrogen peroxide, and water to the pesticide suspension. Further, the process of the present invention includes the application of the peracetic acid, hydrogen peroxide, and water combination to the interior surface of the vessel in which the pesticide suspension is contained. Still further, the process of the present invention includes the application of the peracetic acid, hydrogen peroxide, and water combination to a surface in which the pesticide suspension is in contact.

Abstract: An enhancer composition for agricultural chemicals which can enhance the effectiveness of an agricultural chemical without causing any phytotoxicity to various crops, which comprises at least one nitrogen-containing compound selected from the group consisting of a tertiary amine, a tertiary amine salt and a quaternary ammonium salt and a chelating agent, wherein the content of the chelating agent ranges from 0.01 to 30 mol per mol of the nitrogen-containing compound.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a homogenous adjuvant blend for use in spray carriers containing herbicides. The homogenous adjuvant blend includes an oil, a pH adjuster, and nonionic surfactants.

Abstract: A stable, solid product of selected starches, active agricultural agents and optionally surfactants and or adjuvants which is readily dispersible in aqueous medium and compatible when dispersed.

Abstract: A novel liquid pesticide composition comprising a pesticidally active ingredient and a polyoxyethylene alkyl ether which has the following features (a) and (b): (a) an HLB value of 6 to 13.5; and (b) a content of 10 to 50 wt % based on the liquid pesticide composition.

Abstract: An adjuvant composition for pesticide formulations which exhibits reduced eye irritancy is comprised of a polyoxyalkylene aliphatic amine containing at least about 2 moles of an alkylene oxide group and an eye irritation reducing compound which simultaneously reduces the eye irritation caused by the polyoxyalkylene aliphatic amine and which complexes with metal ions such as calcium and iron which may be present in an aqueous solution of the adjuvant and a pesticide or a plant growth regulator. The eye irritation reducing compound is a carboxylic acid that is capable of complexing with or forming chelates with metal ions in aqueous solution while simultaneously reducing the eye irritation caused by the polyoxyalkylene aliphatic amine. The adjuvant also contains a mixture of polyhydric alcohols and, optionally, a defoamer. The adjuvant is particularly in N-phosphonomethylglycine (glyphosate) herbicidal formulations.

Abstract: Amido alkyl amine oxides, optionally blended with ether carboxylates, amphoteric surfactants, chelants, solvents, hydrotropes and/or wetting agents are used to prepare glyphosate solution concentrates.

Abstract: The invention relates to an aqueous suspension of particles, said particles comprising an organic active ingredient. A controlled release of the ingredient occurs. The invention is especially suitable for the controlled release of organic agrochemical active ingredients useful in crop sciences, such as pesticides.

Abstract: Co-product streams derived from the manufacture of vegetable oil were further processed producing materials that possess strong absorbance of visible and ultraviolet light. The compounds contributing to the light absorbance were increased and standardized to produce a fat-soluble composition with consistent and strong absorbance of ultraviolet and visible light. The fat-soluble composition is a useful photoprotective agent for various applications including protection of herbicides and pesticides. In a preferred embodiment acidulated vegetable oil is blended to a constant absorbance of light between 190 and 400 nm and used in a formula to protect a field-applied herbicide.

Abstract: The subject of the invention is a method of plant-protection treatment by leaf absorption, characterized in that it uses a composition comprising at least one plant-protection active ingredient and at least one modified oil, a composition comprising at least one plant-protection active ingredient, at least one modified vegetable oil and at least one unmodified vegetable oil as well as an alkoxylated vegetable oil containing x% of glycerol.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the arylation of olefins by reaction of haloaromatics or arylsulfonates with olefins in the presence of a palladium catalyst, a bulky nitrogen base and a dipolar aprotic solvent.

Abstract: A method for destroying mistletoe by the application of barrier coatings, such as natural oils, to cover the surfaces of a mistletoe plant to block stomatal openings during a dormant period of a host tree affected by the mistletoe so that the mistletoe is effectively deprived of all nutrients.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the arylation of olefins by reaction of haloaromatics or arylsulfonates with olefins in the presence of a palladium catalyst, a bulky nitrogen base and a salt.

Abstract: A concentrate package-mix composition comprising a water-soluble pesticide or plant growth regulator, for example a salt of the herbicide glyphosate, and a solid water-insoluble pesticide or plant growth regulator, for example the herbicide flumioxazin, is provided. The water-soluble pesticide or plant growth regulator is dissolved in a continuous aqueous phase of the composition and solid particles of the water-insoluble pesticide or plant growth regulator are suspended in the aqueous phase. These solid particles, individually or plurally, are intimately surrounded by a barrier layer, which comprises either one or both of a water-immiscible organic solvent or an emulsifying agent that has a hydrophile-lipophile balance (HLB) not greater than about 15. Optionally the composition further comprises a viscosity modifying agent, such as colloidal hydrophilic silica, dispersed in the aqueous phase.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a herbicidal composition comprising A) one or more sulfonylureas of the formula (I) and/or their salts  in which R1 is C2-C4-alkoxy or CO—Ra, where Ra equals OH, C1-C4-alkoxy or NRbRc, in which Rb and Rc independently of one another are identical or different and are H or C1-C4-alkyl, R2 is halogen or (A)n—NRdRe, in which n equals zero or 1, A is a group CR′R″, in which R′ and R″ independently of one another are identical or different and are H or C1-C4-alkyl, Rd equals H or C1-C4-alkyl and Re is an acyl radical and, in the event that R1 equals C2-C4-alkoxy, Re may also be H, R3 is H or C1-C4-alkyl, m equals zero or 1, X and Y independently of one another are identical or different and are C1-C6-alkyl, C1-C6-alkoxy or C1-C6-alkylthio, each of the three radicals mentioned being unsubstituted or substituted by one or more radicals selected from the group consisting of halogen, C1-C4-alkoxy and C1-C4-alkylthio, or a

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: A process for preparing a crystal suspension of an organic compound which has a &Dgr;H/RT value (where &Dgr;H is the heat of fusion of the compound, R is the molar gas constant and T is the melting point of the compound) in the range of 1 to 10, the process comprising dispersing a melt of the organic compound in a liquid dispersion medium, typically water, to form an emulsion, typically an oil-in-water emulsion, cooling the emulsion below the melting point of the organic compound and subjecting the emulsion to ultrasonic vibration.

Abstract: Leaching of a chemical substance as an agriculturally active ingredient can be effectively inhibited by applying the chemical substance together with a tannin.

Abstract: A plant treatment composition for application of an anionic exogenous chemical substance such as glyphosate to foliage of a plant is provided.

Abstract: Viscoelastic surfactant based aqueous fluid systems useful as thickening agents in various applications, e.g. to suspend particles produced during the excavation of geologic formations. The surfactants are zwitterionic/amphoteric surfactants such as dihydroxyl alkyl glycinate, alkyl ampho acetate or propionate, alkyl betaine, alkyl amidopropyl betaine and alkylimino mono- or di-propionates derived from certain waxes, fats and oils. The thickening agent is used in conjunction with an inorganic water-soluble salt or organic additive such as phthalic acid, salicylic acid or their salts.

Abstract: The invention pertains to new composition and a method for increasing the solubility of various agricultural compounds in water at a low pH. The compounds included in this patent are typically not soluble at pH ranges less than 7 to produce commercially viable liquid concentrates. This method requires the use of amine-containing surfactants and organic acids to lower the pH of various compounds and also keep them soluble in water.

Abstract: Disclosed are horticultural substrates coated with a particulate membrane and a method for controlling pests and providing enhanced horticultural effect by applying a particulate membrane to the surface of the horticultural substrate.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a composition comprising a seed treatment formulation and an organosilicone additive of the formula: 1

Abstract: An anti-microbial composition comprising (i) an anti-microbial agent, (ii) a polar solvent and (iii) a surface orienting species, which orients anti-microbial agent at a surface of the composition, whereby substantially to prevent the formation of microbial colonies on or at the said surface.

Abstract: The present invention provides a continuous process for the preparation of a stable aqueous suspension concentrate composition of pendimethalin, alone or in combination with another pesticide, which comprises mixing a molten stream of pendimethalin with a cold aqueous stream containing coformulants plus seed crystals of orange pendimethalin.

Abstract: An adjuvant composition for pesticide formulations which exhibits reduced eye irritancy is comprised of a polyoxyalkylene aliphatic amine containing at least about 2 moles of an alkylene oxide group and an eye irritation reducing compound which simultaneously reduces the eye irritation caused by the polyoxyalkylene aliphatic amine and which complexes with metal ions such as calcium and iron which may be present in an aqueous solution of the adjuvant and a pesticide or a plant growth regulator. The eye irritation reducing compound is a carboxylic add that is capable of complexing with or forming chelates with metal ions in aqueous solution while simultaneously reducing the eye irritation caused by the polyoxyalkylene aliphatic amine. The adjuvant also contains a mixture of polyhydric alcohols and, optionally, a defoamer. The adjuvant is particularly in N-phosphonomethylglycine (glyphosate) herbicidal formulations.