The present invention relates to compositions of natural origin for use in agricultural crops (vegetables and fruit trees), particularly for use in biostimulant formulations and/or with antimicrobial action, which allow crops to be protected from stress, improving the quality and yield of plants and/or their fruits.

The invention provides a biostimulant and/or antimicrobial composition comprising extracts made from plants that include berry leaves rich in polyphenols, flavonoids, and micronutrients. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the composition comprises extracts made from blueberry leaves. A process for making said composition is also provided.

The invention provides compounds for use in inhibiting a microbial alternative oxidase (AOX) and/or cytochrome bc.sub.1 complex. The invention extends to the use of such inhibitors in agrochemicals and in pharmaceuticals, for treating microbial infections, including fungal infections.

The invention provides compounds for use in inhibiting a microbial alternative oxidase (AOX) and/or cytochrome bc.sub.1 complex. The invention extends to the use of such inhibitors in agrochemicals and in pharmaceuticals, for treating microbial infections, including fungal infections.

A technique for inducing tolerance to environmental stress in a plant is provided. Tolerance to environmental stress in a plant is induced by applying to the plant an abscisic acid-like substance, such as abscisic acid and agonists thereof, in combination with a nitrogen-containing compound, such as amino acids and amino acid derivatives.

A technique for inducing tolerance to environmental stress in a plant is provided. Tolerance to environmental stress in a plant is induced by applying to the plant an abscisic acid-like substance, such as abscisic acid and agonists thereof, in combination with a nitrogen-containing compound, such as amino acids and amino acid derivatives.

The present invention relates to the use, in a cosmetic, dermatological or pharmaceutical composition, of at least one compound of formula (I): ##STR00001##
in which: R2 represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl or ethyl radical; R3 represents a linear C1-C12 alkyl radical, optionally substituted with a hydroxyl group; or a linear C2-C12 alkenyl radical, optionally substituted with a hydroxyl group;
as a preserving agent. The invention also relates to certain novel compounds and to the cosmetic, dermatological or pharmaceutical compositions comprising them.

Disclosed herein are compounds and methods for promoting plant growth. Formulations containing one or more disclosed compounds or salts thereof, and one or more excipients are disclosed. The formulation adjuvant can be a solid carrier, a liquid carrier, or a surface-active agent. Methods for promoting plant growth typically includes applying one or more formulations to a plant, a plant part, or a growing site of plant. The plant can be a cereal, grain, or vegetable plant. The plant part can be seed or seedling of a plant. The growing site of plant can be soil before, during, or after the plant is planted or a growing medium. In some embodiments, the one or more compounds or salts thereof in the one or more formulations are in an effective amount to decrease biosynthesis and release of strigolactone plant hormones from the plant.

Disclosed herein are compounds and methods for promoting plant growth. Formulations containing one or more disclosed compounds or salts thereof, and one or more excipients are disclosed. The formulation adjuvant can be a solid carrier, a liquid carrier, or a surface-active agent. Methods for promoting plant growth typically includes applying one or more formulations to a plant, a plant part, or a growing site of plant. The plant can be a cereal, grain, or vegetable plant. The plant part can be seed or seedling of a plant. The growing site of plant can be soil before, during, or after the plant is planted or a growing medium. In some embodiments, the one or more compounds or salts thereof in the one or more formulations are in an effective amount to decrease biosynthesis and release of strigolactone plant hormones from the plant.

The present invention relates to protopanaxatriol (PPT)-type compounds and compositions comprising thereof useful for controlling insect infestations on plants. The present invention also relates to methods for treating, controlling and/or preventing insect infestation on a plant comprising applying a protopanaxatriol-type compound or a composition comprising thereof onto the plant or a part of the plant.

The present invention relates to protopanaxatriol (PPT)-type compounds and compositions comprising thereof useful for controlling insect infestations on plants. The present invention also relates to methods for treating, controlling and/or preventing insect infestation on a plant comprising applying a protopanaxatriol-type compound or a composition comprising thereof onto the plant or a part of the plant.