The present invention relates to thidiazuron mixtures. The present invention further relates to methods of promoting or synchronizing bud break in woody perennial plants by applying thidiazuron mixtures of the present invention. The present invention further relates to methods of promoting plant growth in woody perennial plants by applying thidiazuron mixtures of the present invention.

Compositions including a core particle including at least one fertilizer nutrient and a shell substantially covering the core particle, wherein the shell includes at least one polymer layer or wax layer and one or more species of microbes (such as a population of cells from at least one species of microbes) are provided. In some embodiments, at least one of the polymer layer and/or the wax layer includes the one or more species of microbes. In other examples, the one or more species of microbes are included between layers, for example, between two polymer layers, between two wax layers, or between a polymer layer and a wax layer. Methods of preparing the compositions are also provided. Methods of using the disclosed compositions that include contacting soil, plants, plant parts, or seeds with the composition are provided.

The present invention provides a method for reducing plant water stress which comprises contacting plants with dry milled fibre, particularly wheat fibre and pea fibre. Said contacting is carried out in a manner selected from the group consisting of coating seeds with a mixture comprising dry milled fibre, pelletizing seeds with a mixture comprising dry milled fibre, applying a mixture comprising dry milled fibre in the form of granules, and applying a mixture comprising dry milled fibre in the form of tablets. Prior to said contacting, dry milled fibre is admixed with soil for plants, and the resulting mixture may optional comprise further additives such as fillers, binders, inert powders, colouring agents, fertilizers, fungicides, growth hormones, or microorganisms for inoculation.

A coating is applied in one or more layers on a granular material, such as a granular fertilizer material or the like. The coating may include a diisocyanate in either pure form or partially polymerized form, a polyol or polyol mix, and optionally a wax. The polyol or polyol mix may be, for example, a polyester polyol, a polyether polyol, or combinations thereof. In some examples, the polyol or polyol mix may be an aliphatic glycerine initiated polyether polyol, an aliphatic amine initiated trifunctional polyol, castor oil or castor oil derivative, or ethylene diamine that has been propoxylated or ethoxylated, and combinations thereof. The coating is reacted on the granular material.

Disclosed herein are methods of increasing nitrogen fixation in a non-leguminous plant. The methods can comprise exposing the plant to a plurality of bacteria. Each member of the plurality comprises one or more genetic variations introduced into one or more genes or non-coding polynucleotides of the bacteria's nitrogen fixation or assimilation genetic regulatory network, such that the bacteria are capable of fixing atmospheric nitrogen in the presence of exogenous nitrogen. The bacteria are not intergeneric microorganisms. Additionally, the bacteria, in planta, produce 1% or more of the fixed nitrogen in the plant.

Disclosed herein are methods of increasing nitrogen fixation in a non-leguminous plant. The methods can comprise exposing the plant to a plurality of bacteria. Each member of the plurality comprises one or more genetic variations introduced into one or more genes or non-coding polynucleotides of the bacteria's nitrogen fixation or assimilation genetic regulatory network, such that the bacteria are capable of fixing atmospheric nitrogen in the presence of exogenous nitrogen. The bacteria are not intergeneric microorganisms. Additionally, the bacteria, in planta, produce 1% or more of the fixed nitrogen in the plant.

A controlled release fertilizer has been prepared comprising a nutrient core coated with one or more moisture barrier coatings, at least one of said moisture barrier coatings comprising: at least one polyethylene wax; and a thermoset polyurethane from the reaction of a polyol and a polyisocyanate. The weight ratio of thermoset polyurethane to polyethylene wax is from about 50:50 to about 98:2. The polyethylene wax is heated above the melt point of the polyethylene wax and mixed and dispersed into the polyol component of the thermoset polyurethane in a ratio of 90-70% polyol to 10-30% polyethylene wax before the thermoset polyurethane-forming mixture is applied to the surface of the nutrient core and cured. A coating of a high temperature microcrystalline wax can be applied prior to final curing of the thermoset polyurethane to the coated nutrient core particles.

A controlled release fertilizer has been prepared comprising a nutrient core coated with one or more moisture barrier coatings, at least one of said moisture barrier coatings comprising: at least one polyethylene wax; and a thermoset polyurethane from the reaction of a polyol and a polyisocyanate. The weight ratio of thermoset polyurethane to polyethylene wax is from about 50:50 to about 98:2. The polyethylene wax is heated above the melt point of the polyethylene wax and mixed and dispersed into the polyol component of the thermoset polyurethane in a ratio of 90-70% polyol to 10-30% polyethylene wax before the thermoset polyurethane-forming mixture is applied to the surface of the nutrient core and cured. A coating of a high temperature microcrystalline wax can be applied prior to final curing of the thermoset polyurethane to the coated nutrient core particles.

A coating is applied in one or more layers on a granular material, such as a granular fertilizer material or the like. The coating may include a diisocyanate in either pure form or partially polymerized form, a polyol or polyol mix, and optionally a wax. The polyol or polyol mix may be, for example, a polyester polyol, a polyether polyol, or combinations thereof. In some examples, the polyol or polyol mix may be an aliphatic glycerine initiated polyether polyol, an aliphatic amine initiated trifunctional polyol, castor oil or castor oil derivative, or ethylene diamine that has been propoxylated or ethoxylated, and combinations thereof. The coating is reacted on the granular material.

A hopper including a buffer compartment defined by side walls, a top end including an opening for receiving solid particles, and a bottom end including an opening for dispensing the solid particles from the buffer compartment. The buffer compartment includes a plurality of essentially vertically positioned cooling plate-like elements for cooling the solid particles in the buffer compartment. A system including hopper, methods of operating the hopper or system, and production of solid particles.