A synergistic microbicidal composition having two components. The first component is a nonionic surfactant with structure: R.sup.2O(CH.sub.2CH(CH.sub.3)O).sub.3(CH.sub.2CH.sub.2O).sub.5H, where R.sup.2 is a mixture of C.sub.8-C.sub.14 linear alkyl groups. The second component is 2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3-diol. The weight ratio of the nonionic surfactant to 2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3-diol is from 1:0.08 to 1:0.12 or 1:0.2 to 1:1.8286.

A synergistic microbicidal composition having two components. The first component is a nonionic surfactant with structure: R.sup.2O(CH.sub.2CH(CH.sub.3)O).sub.3(CH.sub.2CH.sub.2O).sub.5H, where R.sup.2 is a mixture of C.sub.8-C.sub.14 linear alkyl groups. The second component is 2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3-diol. The weight ratio of the nonionic surfactant to 2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3-diol is from 1:0.08 to 1:0.12 or 1:0.2 to 1:1.8286.

Fungicidal mixtures, comprising 1) a fungicidal strain (I) selected from a) the Bacillus substilis strain with NRRL Accession No. B-21661, and b) the Bacillus pumilus strain with NRRL Accession No. B-30087, or a mutant of these strains having all the identifying characteristics of the respective strain, or a metabolite produced by the respective strain that exhibits activity against plant pathogenic fungi, and 2) at least one chemical compound (II), selected from the active compound groups A) to F): A) azoles; B) strobilurins; C) carboxamides; D) heterocyclic compounds; E) carbamates; F) other fungicides; in a synergistically effective amount, methods for controlling harmful fungi using compositions of components 1) and 2), the use of a component 1) with a component 2) for preparing such compositions, and also fungicidal agents and seed comprising such compositions.

Fungicidal mixtures, comprising 1) a fungicidal strain (I) selected from a) the Bacillus substilis strain with NRRL Accession No. B-21661, and b) the Bacillus pumilus strain with NRRL Accession No. B-30087, or a mutant of these strains having all the identifying characteristics of the respective strain, or a metabolite produced by the respective strain that exhibits activity against plant pathogenic fungi, and 2) at least one chemical compound (II), selected from the active compound groups A) to F): A) azoles; B) strobilurins; C) carboxamides; D) heterocyclic compounds; E) carbamates; F) other fungicides; in a synergistically effective amount, methods for controlling harmful fungi using compositions of components 1) and 2), the use of a component 1) with a component 2) for preparing such compositions, and also fungicidal agents and seed comprising such compositions.

Many herbicidal compositions have been developed and are presently used. However, weeds to be controlled are various in types and their emergence extends over a long period. Accordingly, it is desired to develop a herbicidal composition which has a broad herbicidal spectrum, a high activity and a long-lasting effect. The present invention provides a herbicidal composition comprising (A) flazasulfuron or its salt and (B) at least one protoporphyrinogen oxidase inhibitor selected from the group consisting of a phenylpyrazole compound, a triazolinone compound, a N-phenylphthalimide compound, a pyrimidindione compound, an oxadiazole compound, an oxazolidinedione compound, a thiadiazole compound, pyraclonil, profluazol, flufenpyr-ethyl and their salts. According to the present invention, a herbicidal composition which has a broad herbicidal spectrum, a high activity and a long-lasting effect can be provided.

Many herbicidal compositions have been developed and are presently used. However, weeds to be controlled are various in types and their emergence extends over a long period. Accordingly, it is desired to develop a herbicidal composition which has a broad herbicidal spectrum, a high activity and a long-lasting effect. The present invention provides a herbicidal composition comprising (A) flazasulfuron or its salt and (B) at least one protoporphyrinogen oxidase inhibitor selected from the group consisting of a phenylpyrazole compound, a triazolinone compound, a N-phenylphthalimide compound, a pyrimidindione compound, an oxadiazole compound, an oxazolidinedione compound, a thiadiazole compound, pyraclonil, profluazol, flufenpyr-ethyl and their salts. According to the present invention, a herbicidal composition which has a broad herbicidal spectrum, a high activity and a long-lasting effect can be provided.

Many herbicidal compositions have been developed and are presently used. However, weeds to be controlled are various in types and their emergence extends over a long period. Accordingly, it is desired to develop a herbicidal composition which has a broad herbicidal spectrum, a high activity and a long-lasting effect. The present invention provides a herbicidal composition comprising (A) flazasulfuron or its salt and (B) at least one protoporphyrinogen oxidase inhibitor selected from the group consisting of a phenylpyrazole compound, a triazolinone compound, a N-phenylphthalimide compound, a pyrimidindione compound, an oxadiazole compound, an oxazolidinedione compound, a thiadiazole compound, pyraclonil, profluazol, flufenpyr-ethyl and their salts. According to the present invention, a herbicidal composition which has a broad herbicidal spectrum, a high activity and a long-lasting effect can be provided.

The present invention relates to benzimidazole ethers and related compounds which are of use in the field of agriculture as fungicides.

The present invention relates to benzimidazole ethers and related compounds which are of use in the field of agriculture as fungicides.

A method of screening for a plant defense activator, which enhances an immune response of a plant, from at least one candidate substance includes: contacting a plant cell in which a jasmonic acid-dependent defense pathway and a salicylic acid-dependent defense pathway of a plant defense system are capable of working independently from each other, with a candidate substance; contacting the plant cell with a trigger material that induces an immune response; and assaying the plant cell after contacting with the trigger material based on an index representing an immune response, to select a target substance that enhances an immune response of the plant. A method of enhancing an immune response of a plant includes use of a specific compound, and a plant immune response enhancer includes the specific compound.