The present invention is aimed at providing: an agrochemical composition for soil treatment which, in a soil treatment of farmland with pyroxasulfone, not only can inhibit or reduce crop injury caused by absorption into cultivated crops, without being influenced by heavy rainfall, soil type, seeding depth and the like, but also is highly safe and has a broad herbicidal spectrum; and a pest control method using the agrochemical composition. The agrochemical composition for soil treatment contains pyroxasulfone and a masking substance that masks the pyroxasulfone, in which the pyroxasulfone is microencapsulated in or coated with the masking substance.

The present invention is aimed at providing: an agrochemical composition for soil treatment which, in a soil treatment of farmland with pyroxasulfone, not only can inhibit or reduce crop injury caused by absorption into cultivated crops, without being influenced by heavy rainfall, soil type, seeding depth and the like, but also is highly safe and has a broad herbicidal spectrum; and a pest control method using the agrochemical composition. The agrochemical composition for soil treatment contains pyroxasulfone and a masking substance that masks the pyroxasulfone, in which the pyroxasulfone is microencapsulated in or coated with the masking substance.

Provided according to embodiments of the invention are methods of disrupting, removing, and/or preventing biofilm formation on a surface. Such methods use compositions that include nanoparticles and/or microparticles that include an inert liquid and/or gas core surrounded by an enclosing substance. Further provided according to embodiments of the invention are methods for disrupting a biofilm to extract an analyte from a sample, methods of disrupting superficial dermal layers, and methods of disrupting, removing, and/or preventing biofilms in hydroponic systems, microbial fuel cells, and on agricultural products.

Provided according to embodiments of the invention are methods of disrupting, removing, and/or preventing biofilm formation on a surface. Such methods use compositions that include nanoparticles and/or microparticles that include an inert liquid and/or gas core surrounded by an enclosing substance. Further provided according to embodiments of the invention are methods for disrupting a biofilm to extract an analyte from a sample, methods of disrupting superficial dermal layers, and methods of disrupting, removing, and/or preventing biofilms in hydroponic systems, microbial fuel cells, and on agricultural products.

Provided according to embodiments of the invention are methods of disrupting, removing, and/or preventing biofilm formation on a surface. Such methods use compositions that include nanoparticles and/or microparticles that include an inert liquid and/or gas core surrounded by an enclosing substance. Further provided according to embodiments of the invention are methods for disrupting a biofilm to extract an analyte from a sample, methods of disrupting superficial dermal layers, and methods of disrupting, removing, and/or preventing biofilms in hydroponic systems, microbial fuel cells, and on agricultural products.

A first aspect of the invention is an agricultural composition comprising nanoparticles, an agrochemical active ingredient in the nanoparticles, and optionally (but in some embodiments preferably) a carrier for the nanoparticles. In some embodiments, the nanoparticles are viral particles or capsids, particularly plant viral particles or capsids. In some embodiments, the carrier comprises an inert or biodegradable carrier (e.g., a solid carrier) to which the nanoparticles are bound or in which the nanoparticles are suspended. In some embodiments, the carrier comprises inert or biodegradable polymer fibers.

A first aspect of the invention is an agricultural composition comprising nanoparticles, an agrochemical active ingredient in the nanoparticles, and optionally (but in some embodiments preferably) a carrier for the nanoparticles. In some embodiments, the nanoparticles are viral particles or capsids, particularly plant viral particles or capsids. In some embodiments, the carrier comprises an inert or biodegradable carrier (e.g., a solid carrier) to which the nanoparticles are bound or in which the nanoparticles are suspended. In some embodiments, the carrier comprises inert or biodegradable polymer fibers.

A first aspect of the invention is an agricultural composition comprising nanoparticles, an agrochemical active ingredient in the nanoparticles, and optionally (but in some embodiments preferably) a carrier for the nanoparticles. In some embodiments, the nanoparticles are viral particles or capsids, particularly plant viral particles or capsids. In some embodiments, the carrier comprises an inert or biodegradable carrier (e.g., a solid carrier) to which the nanoparticles are bound or in which the nanoparticles are suspended. In some embodiments, the carrier comprises inert or biodegradable polymer fibers.

Stabilized liquid agrochemical compositions are provided that comprise flowable, aqueous dispersion concentrates comprising a) a continuous aqueous liquid phase; b) at least one dispersed, solid phase comprising a dispersion of polymer particles having a mean particle size of at least one micron, wherein the outside surfaces of the particles comprise a colloidal solid material and wherein the particles have at least one agrochemically active ingredient distributed therein, optionally a non-porous particulate mineral that acts as a diffusion barrier to slow the release of the active ingredient, and optionally at least one non-cross-linkable mobile chemical such that the extraction of this chemical from the disperse phase renders it porous in a manner that allows the active ingredient to diffuse out. The colloidal solid is used to stabilize the polymerizable resin in an emulsion state during preparation. In one embodiment, the agrochemically active ingredient is a solid and is distributed within the dispersed solid phase or is a liquid and is distributed within the dispersed solid phase. The compositions of the invention can be used directly or with dilution to combat pests or as plant growth regulators.

Stabilized liquid agrochemical compositions are provided that comprise flowable, aqueous dispersion concentrates comprising a) a continuous aqueous liquid phase; b) at least one dispersed, solid phase comprising a dispersion of polymer particles having a mean particle size of at least one micron, wherein the outside surfaces of the particles comprise a colloidal solid material and wherein the particles have at least one agrochemically active ingredient distributed therein, optionally a non-porous particulate mineral that acts as a diffusion barrier to slow the release of the active ingredient, and optionally at least one non-cross-linkable mobile chemical such that the extraction of this chemical from the disperse phase renders it porous in a manner that allows the active ingredient to diffuse out. The colloidal solid is used to stabilize the polymerizable resin in an emulsion state during preparation. In one embodiment, the agrochemically active ingredient is a solid and is distributed within the dispersed solid phase or is a liquid and is distributed within the dispersed solid phase. The compositions of the invention can be used directly or with dilution to combat pests or as plant growth regulators.