Methods, systems, and kits are provided for in situ seed treatment with liquid crop benefit compositions at planting in furrow.

Methods for inoculating a grain suitable for use in testing methods of reducing bacterial load are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods of reducing bacterial load on a grain by using elevated temperature and an organic acid. Also disclosed are methods of tempering a grain at an elevated temperature and reduced time as compared to standard tempering methods.

Methods for inoculating a grain suitable for use in testing methods of reducing bacterial load are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods of reducing bacterial load on a grain by using elevated temperature and an organic acid. Also disclosed are methods of tempering a grain at an elevated temperature and reduced time as compared to standard tempering methods.

A metal-semiconductor-metal (MSM) plasmonic device includes a substrate; a metal layer deposited on the substrate, the metal layer being substantially reflective in at least the visible wavelength range; an oxide layer deposited on the metal layer; and gold or gold alloy nanoparticles deposited on the oxide layer.

A metal-semiconductor-metal (MSM) plasmonic device includes a substrate; a metal layer deposited on the substrate, the metal layer being substantially reflective in at least the visible wavelength range; an oxide layer deposited on the metal layer; and gold or gold alloy nanoparticles deposited on the oxide layer.

The present invention is a plant growth promoter, containing: a lignocellulosic biomass (A); and at least one base (B) selected from the following (B1) to (B3), wherein the plant growth promoter has a contact angle with water of 80° or less, <Base (B)> (B1) a resin acid, (B2) a compound represented by formula (1),
R.sup.1—Z.sup.1—Z.sup.2  (1) wherein R.sup.1 represents a hydrocarbon group with 9 or more carbons, Z.sup.1 represents a single bond or (OR.sup.2).sub.p, R.sup.2 represents an alkanediyl group with 2 or more and 3 or less carbons, p represents a number that is on average more than 0 and 30 or less, Z.sup.2 represents a group selected from a carboxy group, a hydroxyl group, a sulfate group, and NR.sup.3R.sup.4, R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 each independently represent a hydrogen atom, a methyl group, an ethyl group, or (R.sup.5O).sub.qH, R.sup.5 represents an alkanediyl group with 2 or more and 3 or less carbons, and q represents a number that is on average more than 0 and 15 or less, and (B3) a polyhydric alcohol or a polycarboxylic acid having a molecular weight of 30,000 or less.

The present invention is a plant growth promoter, containing: a lignocellulosic biomass (A); and at least one base (B) selected from the following (B1) to (B3), wherein the plant growth promoter has a contact angle with water of 80° or less, <Base (B)> (B1) a resin acid, (B2) a compound represented by formula (1),
R.sup.1—Z.sup.1—Z.sup.2  (1) wherein R.sup.1 represents a hydrocarbon group with 9 or more carbons, Z.sup.1 represents a single bond or (OR.sup.2).sub.p, R.sup.2 represents an alkanediyl group with 2 or more and 3 or less carbons, p represents a number that is on average more than 0 and 30 or less, Z.sup.2 represents a group selected from a carboxy group, a hydroxyl group, a sulfate group, and NR.sup.3R.sup.4, R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 each independently represent a hydrogen atom, a methyl group, an ethyl group, or (R.sup.5O).sub.qH, R.sup.5 represents an alkanediyl group with 2 or more and 3 or less carbons, and q represents a number that is on average more than 0 and 15 or less, and (B3) a polyhydric alcohol or a polycarboxylic acid having a molecular weight of 30,000 or less.

Methods of the present invention comprise photoinactivation of catalase in combination with low-concentration peroxide solutions and/or ROS generating agents to provide antibacterial effects.

Methods of the present invention comprise photoinactivation of catalase in combination with low-concentration peroxide solutions and/or ROS generating agents to provide antibacterial effects.

Methods for improving the ability of a population of biological agents to compete and survive in a field setting are provided. By improving the population of biological agents, the modified population of agents is able to grow, compete with other microbial strains and fungi, and provide protection for plants from pathogens. In particular, modified biological agents and modified populations of such agents that are herbicide tolerant or resistant are selected or engineered. In this manner, the protection from disease-causing agents is enhanced. Such modified populations of biological agents can be added to soils to prevent fungal pathogens and the diseases they cause promoting plant growth. Therefore, the present invention is useful for enhancing the competitiveness of modified biological agents particularly over other microbial agents which are not herbicide resistant. Compositions of the invention include selected or engineered herbicide resistant biological agents and modified populations of biocontrol agents. These modified biological agents can be used as an inoculant or as a seed coating for plants and seeds.