The invention provides materials and method for controlling pests, in particular, nematodes. The invention also provides compositions comprising biosurfactants as pesticides.

The invention provides materials and method for controlling pests, in particular, nematodes. The invention also provides compositions comprising biosurfactants as pesticides.

The present invention relates to novel mixtures, to processes for preparing these compounds, to compositions comprising these mixtures, and to the use thereof as biologically active compounds, especially for control of harmful microorganisms or pests in crop protection and in the protection of materials and as plant growth regulators.

The present invention relates to novel mixtures, to processes for preparing these compounds, to compositions comprising these mixtures, and to the use thereof as biologically active compounds, especially for control of harmful microorganisms or pests in crop protection and in the protection of materials and as plant growth regulators.

Strawberries are available year-around from production in the field or from controlled environments (e.g. high and low tunnel culture and greenhouse). Diversity of production conditions results in challenges in controlling diseases before, during, and after harvest. Fungicides, traditionally used to control diseases, have limitations. UV-C irradiation followed by a dark period was used to kill two major pathogens of strawberry, Botrytis cinerea and Colletotrichum acutatum. The UV-C irradiation and dark period was followed by repopulation with beneficial biocontrol microorganisms. The 4 hr dark period prevented activation of a light-dependent UV-C damage repair mechanism in the pathogens. This combination protocol makes it possible to use a lower dose of UV-C for reduction and/or elimination of pathogens. A mobile treatment apparatus was designed to provide the appropriately timed UV-C doses, dark period, and sprayable doses of biocontrol microorganisms. The UV-C dose and repeated exposure did not affect pollen germination or cause chlorophyll degradation in strawberry leaves.

Strawberries are available year-around from production in the field or from controlled environments (e.g. high and low tunnel culture and greenhouse). Diversity of production conditions results in challenges in controlling diseases before, during, and after harvest. Fungicides, traditionally used to control diseases, have limitations. UV-C irradiation followed by a dark period was used to kill two major pathogens of strawberry, Botrytis cinerea and Colletotrichum acutatum. The UV-C irradiation and dark period was followed by repopulation with beneficial biocontrol microorganisms. The 4 hr dark period prevented activation of a light-dependent UV-C damage repair mechanism in the pathogens. This combination protocol makes it possible to use a lower dose of UV-C for reduction and/or elimination of pathogens. A mobile treatment apparatus was designed to provide the appropriately timed UV-C doses, dark period, and sprayable doses of biocontrol microorganisms. The UV-C dose and repeated exposure did not affect pollen germination or cause chlorophyll degradation in strawberry leaves.

[Problem] To provide a new technology with which it is possible to further increase a supply amount of divalent iron. [Solution] Provided is a divalent iron supply agent that contains: a hydrothermal reaction treatment product of a mixture containing at least one of yeast, a yeast extract, and a yeast cell wall, at least one of phosphoric acid and a phosphoric acid compound, and at least one of potassium and a potassium compound; and an iron supply raw material.

[Problem] To provide a new technology with which it is possible to further increase a supply amount of divalent iron. [Solution] Provided is a divalent iron supply agent that contains: a hydrothermal reaction treatment product of a mixture containing at least one of yeast, a yeast extract, and a yeast cell wall, at least one of phosphoric acid and a phosphoric acid compound, and at least one of potassium and a potassium compound; and an iron supply raw material.

[Problem] To provide a new technology with which it is possible to further increase a supply amount of divalent iron. [Solution] Provided is a divalent iron supply agent that contains: a hydrothermal reaction treatment product of a mixture containing at least one of yeast, a yeast extract, and a yeast cell wall, at least one of phosphoric acid and a phosphoric acid compound, and at least one of potassium and a potassium compound; and an iron supply raw material.

The present disclosure relates to a composition including an extract from an Acidithiobacillus bacteria or a yeast extracted after exposure of the bacteria to UV radiation. The disclosure further relates to a method of preparing a UV-blocking composition by exposing a culture of Acidithiobacillus or yeast to UV radiation and extracting UV-blocking cellular material produced in response to the UV radiation from the Acidithiobacillus or yeast. The disclosure further relates to a method of protecting an item from UV radiation damage by extracting UV-blocking cellular material from Acidithiobacillus or yeast exposed to UV radiation and covering the item with the UV-blocking cellular material. The disclosure further relates to a UV-resistant yeast cell and a UV-resistant bacterial cell.