The present disclosure provides a process. In an embodiment, the process includes providing a stable aqueous suspension composed of from 30% (w/w) to 60% (w/w) suspended particles of potassium pentaborate, and spraying the suspension on a plant at a rate from 0.20 lbs/acre to 0.70 lbs/acre.

Disclosed is a use of a higher fatty alcohol in preparing a preparation for improving transcription levels of genes associated with synthesis pathways of jasmonic acid, cutin, and wax of corn plants. By using a water emulsion containing the higher fatty alcohol, the synthesis pathways of the cutin, the wax, and the jasmonic acid in metabolic pathways of the corn plants are affected, rust disease resistance, pest resistance, and drought resistance of the corn plants can be effectively improved, and a yield of the corn plants is increased.

Disclosed is a use of a higher fatty alcohol in preparing a preparation for improving transcription levels of genes associated with synthesis pathways of jasmonic acid, cutin, and wax of corn plants. By using a water emulsion containing the higher fatty alcohol, the synthesis pathways of the cutin, the wax, and the jasmonic acid in metabolic pathways of the corn plants are affected, rust disease resistance, pest resistance, and drought resistance of the corn plants can be effectively improved, and a yield of the corn plants is increased.

Apparatuses and methods for delivering pollen for the directed pollination of plants are provided herein. One example embodiment comprises a rigid tube having a first end, a second end, and a channel defined therebetween, wherein the rigid tube is configured to receive the tassel of the maize plant proximate the first end and to interact with the ear shoot of the maize plant proximate the second end, and wherein the channel defines a path between the tassel and the ear shoot so as to enable transfer of pollen from the tassel to the ear shoot. In another example embodiment, the rigid tube may be telescoping such that the overall length of the rigid tube may be adjustable. In another example embodiment, the apparatus may include a fan configured to propel air onto the tassel to aid in the transfer of pollen through the channel to the ear shoot. The apparatuses and methods are applicable for directed cross-pollination between different plants of the same species and plants of different species.

A method for plant treatment, including: receiving a first measurement for a plant from a sensor as the sensor moves within a geographic area comprising a plurality of plants; in response to receipt of the first measurement and prior to receipt of a second measurement for a second plant of the plurality, determining a set of treatment mechanism operation parameters for the plant to optimize a geographic area output parameter based on the first measurement and historical measurements for the geographic area; determining an initial treatment parameter for the plant; and operating a treatment mechanism in a treatment mode based on the set of operating parameters in response to satisfaction of the initial treatment parameter.

A method for plant treatment, including: receiving a first measurement for a plant from a sensor as the sensor moves within a geographic area comprising a plurality of plants; in response to receipt of the first measurement and prior to receipt of a second measurement for a second plant of the plurality, determining a set of treatment mechanism operation parameters for the plant to optimize a geographic area output parameter based on the first measurement and historical measurements for the geographic area; determining an initial treatment parameter for the plant; and operating a treatment mechanism in a treatment mode based on the set of operating parameters in response to satisfaction of the initial treatment parameter.

The present invention provides a use of a higher aliphatic alcohol in preparing a preparation for increasing a content of lysophosphatidylcholine in legumes, and the higher aliphatic alcohol increases a quantity of nodules by increasing the content of lysophosphatidylcholine in the legumes, thereby improving a nitrogen fixing capacity of the legumes. The present invention also provides a use of a higher aliphatic alcohol in preparing a preparation for improving a drought resistance of legumes, and the preparation containing the higher aliphatic alcohol improves the drought resistance of the legumes by increasing a transcriptional level of genes related to the phenylpropanoid metabolic pathway, increasing a transcriptional level of genes related to the isoflavone biosynthetic pathway and increasing a content of an isoflavone compound in the legumes.

A method for reducing damage by harmful organisms in corn cultivation. Damage by harmful organisms in corn cultivation can be reduced by carrying out the steps of: A) making a furrow in a cultivated land; B) seeding the furrow formed in the foregoing step with corn; C) applying to the furrow one or more selected from Compound Group (II), or C) applying to the furrow one or more selected from Compound Group (I) and one or more selected from Compound Group (II); and D) closing the furrow. Compound Group (I): clothianidin, thiamethoxam, imidacloprid and thiacloprid; Compound Group (II): bifenthrin, bioresmethrin, deltamethrin, bioallethrin, ethofenprox, fenpropathrin, cypermethrin, alpha-cypermethrin, zeta-cypermethrin, fenvalerate, esfenvalerate, cyfluthrin, beta-cyfluthrin, alpha-cypermethrin, tralomethrin, fluvalinate, permethrin, lambda-cyhalothrin, flucythrinate and tefluthrin.

The invention relates to novel nitrification inhibitors of formula I, which are substituted thiazolidine compounds. Moreover, the invention relates to the use of compounds of formula (I) as nitrification inhibitors, i.e. for reducing nitrification, as well as agrochemical mixtures and compositions comprising the nitrification inhibitors of formula (I).

A method for reducing damage by harmful organisms in corn cultivation. Damage by harmful organisms in corn cultivation can be reduced by carrying out the steps of: A) making a furrow in a cultivated land; B) seeding the furrow formed in the foregoing step with corn; C) applying to the furrow one or more selected from Compound Group (II), or C) applying to the furrow one or more selected from Compound Group (I) and one or more selected from Compound Group (II); and D) closing the furrow. Compound Group (I): clothianidin, thiamethoxam, imidacloprid and thiacloprid; Compound Group (II): bifenthrin, bioresmethrin, deltamethrin, bioallethrin, ethofenprox, fenpropathrin, cypermethrin, alpha-cypermethrin, zeta-cypermethrin, fenvalerate, esfenvalerate, cyfluthrin, beta-cyfluthrin, alpha-cypermethrin, tralomethrin, fluvalinate, permethrin, lambda-cyhalothrin, flucythrinate and tefluthrin.