In an embodiment, the present disclosure pertains to a method of inhibiting seed germination or modifying seedling growth. Generally, the method includes encapsulating or solubilizing sterols in an encapsulating agent and exposing a plant to the encapsulated or solubilized sterol in either a liquid or powdered-water-soluble form. In an additional embodiment, the present disclosure pertains to a composition that includes a sterol in an encapsulating agent in either a liquid or powdered-water-soluble form.

There is provided a nitrogen fertilizer granule in which the nitrogen release can be timed and the nitrogen release rate can be controlled according to the needs of the plants to be fertilized. The smart release nitrogen-containing fertilizer granule comprises a nitrogen-containing fertilizer core; an organic functional layer covering the core, wherein the organic functional layer comprises at least one functional organic compound that is an enzyme inhibitor, a microbial suppressor, a phosphorus solubilizer, and/or a plant hormone; a controlled release layer covering the organic functional layer, wherein the controlled release layer comprises water-swellable copolymeric nanoparticles; and an anticaking layer covering the controlled release layer, wherein the anticaking layer comprises water-insoluble copolymeric nanoparticles.

There is provided a nitrogen fertilizer granule in which the nitrogen release can be timed and the nitrogen release rate can be controlled according to the needs of the plants to be fertilized. The smart release nitrogen-containing fertilizer granule comprises a nitrogen-containing fertilizer core; an organic functional layer covering the core, wherein the organic functional layer comprises at least one functional organic compound that is an enzyme inhibitor, a microbial suppressor, a phosphorus solubilizer, and/or a plant hormone; a controlled release layer covering the organic functional layer, wherein the controlled release layer comprises water-swellable copolymeric nanoparticles; and an anticaking layer covering the controlled release layer, wherein the anticaking layer comprises water-insoluble copolymeric nanoparticles.

Plant growth composition and methods of using plant growth compositions including a solvent composition including propylene glycol and 2-butoxy ethanol and an active component combination formulated to increase growth of a plant. The composition solvent composition may include about 50% or more propylene glycol and about 50% or less 2-butoxy ethanol such as about 50% to about 90% propylene glycol and about 10% to about 50% 2-butoxy ethanol. The plant growth composition may be applied to plant seeds prior to growing the plant seeds into mature plants.

Plant growth composition and methods of using plant growth compositions including a solvent composition including propylene glycol and 2-butoxy ethanol and an active component combination formulated to increase growth of a plant. The composition solvent composition may include about 50% or more propylene glycol and about 50% or less 2-butoxy ethanol such as about 50% to about 90% propylene glycol and about 10% to about 50% 2-butoxy ethanol. The plant growth composition may be applied to plant seeds prior to growing the plant seeds into mature plants.

Plant growth composition and methods of using plant growth compositions including a solvent composition including propylene glycol and 2-butoxy ethanol and an active component combination formulated to increase growth of a plant. The composition solvent composition may include about 50% or more propylene glycol and about 50% or less 2-butoxy ethanol such as about 50% to about 90% propylene glycol and about 10% to about 50% 2-butoxy ethanol. The plant growth composition may be applied to plant seeds prior to growing the plant seeds into mature plants.

The present invention generally relates to non-aqueous solutions of plant growth regulator(s) and polar and/or semi-polar organic solvent(s), methods for making said non-aqueous solution, and methods for improving the growth and crop productivity of plants using said non-aqueous solution.

The present invention generally relates to non-aqueous solutions of plant growth regulator(s) and polar and/or semi-polar organic solvent(s), methods for making said non-aqueous solution, and methods for improving the growth and crop productivity of plants using said non-aqueous solution.

A composition for inhibiting the attachment of microbes to an animate or inanimate surface is disclosed. The composition includes a carrier and an effective amount of an anti-adherent agent. The anti-adherent agents include botanical agents such Soybean extract, Horse chestnut extract, Gypenoside, Resveratrol, Astragalus extract, Rhubarb rootextract, Allium cepaextract, Cassia seedextract, Ginkgo bilobaextract, and Silymarin, and combinations thereof. The efficacy of the botanical agents is microbe and surface dependent. Various delivery vehicles, including a wipe, may be used to deliver the composition to the surface.

A composition for inhibiting the attachment of microbes to an animate or inanimate surface is disclosed. The composition includes a carrier and an effective amount of an anti-adherent agent. The anti-adherent agents include botanical agents such Soybean extract, Horse chestnut extract, Gypenoside, Resveratrol, Astragalus extract, Rhubarb rootextract, Allium cepaextract, Cassia seedextract, Ginkgo bilobaextract, and Silymarin, and combinations thereof. The efficacy of the botanical agents is microbe and surface dependent. Various delivery vehicles, including a wipe, may be used to deliver the composition to the surface.