Embodiments of the present invention relate to solvents for agricultural applications and pesticide formulations. In one aspect, a solvent for agricultural applications comprises (a) a first component consisting of a polar solvent wherein the polar solvent is a sulfoxide, N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, γ-butyrolactone, or a combination thereof; (b) a second component consisting of a glycol ether, and (c) a third component consisting of an ether ester of Formula 1:

##STR00001##

wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are each independently one of an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms or an aryl group, wherein R.sup.3 is hydrogen, methyl, or ethyl, and wherein n is 1 to 6.

Multiple-function biological compositions for the biological control of phytopathogens, phytonematodes and agricultural pests are provided for use as an inoculant, for phosphorus solubilization, for soil conditioning, for use as a biostimulant, for hydric stress reduction in cultivated plants and for bioremediation in agricultural or non-agricultural areas. The compositions contain mixtures of additives and excipients having at least two genera and/or species of Actinomycetes or other bacterial species, so as to provide nematicidal effects, fungicidal effects. insecticidal action in the reduction of damage and control of insects, and other properties such as growth-promotion and soil conditioning. The compositions may also be used, for use as a biostimulant, for hydric stress mitigation in cultivated plants, and for bioremediation in agricultural or non-agricultural areas.

A method of disinfecting or preventing infection of a gaseous environment by, a liquid of, or a solid surface of one of an enveloped virus, a non-enveloped virus, or a mixture thereof, the method including the step of treating the gaseous environment, liquid, or solid surface with a composition including an effective amount of one or more cucurbituril isomers, derivatives thereof, and variants thereof or, for preventing infection of a solid surface, including the step of producing the solid surface from a composition including an effective amount of one or more cucurbituril isomers, derivatives thereof, and variants thereof.

A method of disinfecting or preventing infection of a gaseous environment by, a liquid of, or a solid surface of one of an enveloped virus, a non-enveloped virus, or a mixture thereof, the method including the step of treating the gaseous environment, liquid, or solid surface with a composition including an effective amount of one or more cucurbituril isomers, derivatives thereof, and variants thereof or, for preventing infection of a solid surface, including the step of producing the solid surface from a composition including an effective amount of one or more cucurbituril isomers, derivatives thereof, and variants thereof.

The present invention is directed to agricultural compositions containing clothianidin, at least one dispersant selected from the group consisting of sodium alkyl naphthalene sulfonate condensate, alkyl polyglycoside and a mixture thereof, an inorganic compound selected from the group consisting of attapulgite, magnesium aluminum silicate, silicon dioxide and aluminum oxide and glycerol. The present invention is further directed to compositions containing clothianidin, at least one dispersant selected from the group consisting of sodium alkyl naphthalene sulfonate condensate, alkyl polyglycoside and a mixture thereof, an inorganic compound selected from the group consisting of attapulgite, magnesium aluminum silicate, silicon dioxide and aluminum oxide, glycerol and at least one liquid fertilizer. The present invention is further directed to a method of protecting crop plants by mixing a composition containing clothianidin, at least one dispersant selected from the group consisting of sodium alkyl naphthalene sulfonate condensate, alkyl polyglycoside and a mixture thereof, an inorganic compound selected from the group consisting of attapulgite, magnesium aluminum silicate, silicon dioxide and aluminum oxide and glycerol with at least one liquid fertilizer and applying the mixture to the plant, an area where the plant is growing or an area where the plant is intended to grow.

The present invention is directed to agricultural compositions containing clothianidin, at least one dispersant selected from the group consisting of sodium alkyl naphthalene sulfonate condensate, alkyl polyglycoside and a mixture thereof, an inorganic compound selected from the group consisting of attapulgite, magnesium aluminum silicate, silicon dioxide and aluminum oxide and glycerol. The present invention is further directed to compositions containing clothianidin, at least one dispersant selected from the group consisting of sodium alkyl naphthalene sulfonate condensate, alkyl polyglycoside and a mixture thereof, an inorganic compound selected from the group consisting of attapulgite, magnesium aluminum silicate, silicon dioxide and aluminum oxide, glycerol and at least one liquid fertilizer. The present invention is further directed to a method of protecting crop plants by mixing a composition containing clothianidin, at least one dispersant selected from the group consisting of sodium alkyl naphthalene sulfonate condensate, alkyl polyglycoside and a mixture thereof, an inorganic compound selected from the group consisting of attapulgite, magnesium aluminum silicate, silicon dioxide and aluminum oxide and glycerol with at least one liquid fertilizer and applying the mixture to the plant, an area where the plant is growing or an area where the plant is intended to grow.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel inhibitor of blossom-end rot in a fruit. A nitrophenol compound or a salt thereof can inhibit blossom-end rot in a fruit. In particular, the present invention relates to an inhibitor of blossom-end rot in a fruit comprising a nitrophenol compound or a salt thereof, a method of inhibiting blossom-end rot in a fruit, comprising applying a nitrophenol compound or a salt thereof, a method of reducing the incidence of a blossom-end rot symptom in a fruit, improving a quality of the fruit, or increasing a yield of the fruit, the method comprising applying a nitrophenol compound or a salt thereof, and so on.

The present invention relates to a natural plant extract based ethylene absorber and a process for preparing the same for inhibiting the ripening process of fruits, vegetables and flowers in cold storages, warehouses and household refrigerators. The ethylene absorber comprises of emulsifier, herbal oil extract, water and anti-oxidant agent combined together in a synergistic ratio. The process for preparing ethylene absorber comprises the steps of preparing solution by mixing distilled herbal oil extract and emulsifier in a beaker; stirring the solution to form a homogenous mixture; preparing a solution by mixing D.I water and anti-oxidant agent; stirring and combining the mixture and solution to form a new solution; dipping molecular sieves in the solution; adding the mixture into solution; soaking the material in the solution for next 60 minutes; and pulling out the material from solution and drying it in air oven.

The present invention relates to the use of esters acetate, propionate and (Z)-3-hexenyl butyrate, or of a composition comprising these compounds, to protect plants, in particular agricultural crops, against pests, by stimulating the defense mechanisms of the plants themselves. The invention also relates to a method for protecting plants against pests by bringing said esters into contact with the plants.

The present invention relates to a method for growing plants, wherein said method comprises supplying plant defence inducers (PDI) in particular for the purpose of protecting plants against pests without negatively affecting their growth and development.