The invention relates to novel compounds of the formula (I)

##STR00001##

in which Ar represents phenyl or a 5- or 6-membered heteroaromatic ring and A, R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 have the meanings given above, and their use for controlling animal pests, especially arthropods and in particular insects, arachnids and nematodes.

The present invention relates to compounds of Formula (I), (I) wherein R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 are as defined herein. The invention further relates to herbicidal compositions which comprise a compound of Formula (I), to their use for controlling weeds, in particular in crops of useful plants.

##STR00001##

The present invention relates to compounds of Formula (I), (I) wherein R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 are as defined herein. The invention further relates to herbicidal compositions which comprise a compound of Formula (I), to their use for controlling weeds, in particular in crops of useful plants.

##STR00001##

A species of Burkholderia sp with no known pathogenicity to vertebrates but with pesticidal activity (e.g., plants, insects, fungi, weeds and nematodes) is provided. Also provided are natural products derived from a culture of said species and methods of controlling pests using said natural products.

A species of Burkholderia sp with no known pathogenicity to vertebrates but with pesticidal activity (e.g., plants, insects, fungi, weeds and nematodes) is provided. Also provided are natural products derived from a culture of said species and methods of controlling pests using said natural products.

Described herein is a blend of a folcysteine-based biostimulant and at least one agrotoxic substance, such as an herbicide or an insecticide. The blend is characterized by the formula B=(X)+(Y), wherein B represents the blend, X represents the folcysteine biostimulant in a concentration ranging from 0.50 to 2,000 g ai/ha, and Y represents the agrotoxic substance.

Provided herein are methods and compositions useful for inhibiting microbe growth. The methods can comprise contacting the microbe with an antimicrobial agent and bicarbonate. In some embodiments, provided herein are methods for treating or preventing a microbial infection, comprising administering to a subject in need an effective amount of (i) bicarbonate and (ii) an antimicrobial agent.

Provided herein are methods and compositions useful for inhibiting microbe growth. The methods can comprise contacting the microbe with an antimicrobial agent and bicarbonate. In some embodiments, provided herein are methods for treating or preventing a microbial infection, comprising administering to a subject in need an effective amount of (i) bicarbonate and (ii) an antimicrobial agent.

The present invention relates to a herbicidal composition which comprises: a) at least one herbicide A selected from glyphosate, glufosinate and their salts, and b) a herbicide B which is 3-[5-(difluoromethoxy)-1-methyl-3-(trifluoromethyl)pyrazol-4-ylmethylsulfonyl]-4,5-dihydro-5,5-dimethyl-1,2-oxazole [common name: pyroxasulfone].

The present invention relates in particular to a herbicidal composition comprising: a) at least one herbicide A selected from glyphosate, glufosinate and their salts, b) a herbicide B which is 3-[5-(difluoromethoxy)-1-methyl-3-(trifluoromethyl)pyrazol-4-ylmethylsulfonyl]-4,5-dihydro-5,5-dimethyl-1,2-oxazole [common name: pyroxasulfone], and c) at least one further herbicide C, which is selected from the herbicide groups C.1 to C.8: C.1 herbicides of the group of acetolactate synthase inhibitors (ALS inhibitors), C.2 herbicides of the group of protoporphyrinogen oxidase inhibitors (PPO inhibitors), C.3 herbicides of the group of auxines, C.4 herbicides of the group of 4-hydroxyphenyl-pyruvate-dioxygenase inhibitors (HPPD inhibitors), C.5 herbicides of the group of phytoene desaturase inhibitors (PDS inhibitors), C.6 herbicides of the group of photosystem II inhibitors (PSII inhibitors), C.7 herbicides of the group of microtubulin inhibitors, and C.8 herbicides of the group of inhibitors of the synthesis of very long chain fatty acids (VLCFA inhibitors).

The present invention relates to a herbicidal composition which comprises: a) at least one herbicide A selected from glyphosate, glufosinate and their salts, and b) a herbicide B which is 3-[5-(difluoromethoxy)-1-methyl-3-(trifluoromethyl)pyrazol-4-ylmethylsulfonyl]-4,5-dihydro-5,5-dimethyl-1,2-oxazole [common name: pyroxasulfone].

The present invention relates in particular to a herbicidal composition comprising: a) at least one herbicide A selected from glyphosate, glufosinate and their salts, b) a herbicide B which is 3-[5-(difluoromethoxy)-1-methyl-3-(trifluoromethyl)pyrazol-4-ylmethylsulfonyl]-4,5-dihydro-5,5-dimethyl-1,2-oxazole [common name: pyroxasulfone], and c) at least one further herbicide C, which is selected from the herbicide groups C.1 to C.8: C.1 herbicides of the group of acetolactate synthase inhibitors (ALS inhibitors), C.2 herbicides of the group of protoporphyrinogen oxidase inhibitors (PPO inhibitors), C.3 herbicides of the group of auxines, C.4 herbicides of the group of 4-hydroxyphenyl-pyruvate-dioxygenase inhibitors (HPPD inhibitors), C.5 herbicides of the group of phytoene desaturase inhibitors (PDS inhibitors), C.6 herbicides of the group of photosystem II inhibitors (PSII inhibitors), C.7 herbicides of the group of microtubulin inhibitors, and C.8 herbicides of the group of inhibitors of the synthesis of very long chain fatty acids (VLCFA inhibitors).