Methods for improving the ability of a population of biological agents to compete and survive in a field setting are provided. By improving the population of biological agents, the modified population of agents is able to grow, compete with other microbial strains and fungi, and provide protection for plants from pathogens. In particular, modified biological agents and modified populations of such agents that are herbicide tolerant or resistant are selected or engineered. In this manner, the protection from disease-causing agents is enhanced. Such modified populations of biological agents can be added to soils to prevent fungal pathogens and the diseases they cause promoting plant growth. Therefore, the present invention is useful for enhancing the competitiveness of modified biological agents particularly over other microbial agents which are not herbicide resistant. Compositions of the invention include selected or engineered herbicide resistant biological agents and modified populations of biocontrol agents. These modified biological agents can be used as an inoculant or as a seed coating for plants and seeds.

Methods for improving the ability of a population of biological agents to compete and survive in a field setting are provided. By improving the population of biological agents, the modified population of agents is able to grow, compete with other microbial strains and fungi, and provide protection for plants from pathogens. In particular, modified biological agents and modified populations of such agents that are herbicide tolerant or resistant are selected or engineered. In this manner, the protection from disease-causing agents is enhanced. Such modified populations of biological agents can be added to soils to prevent fungal pathogens and the diseases they cause promoting plant growth. Therefore, the present invention is useful for enhancing the competitiveness of modified biological agents particularly over other microbial agents which are not herbicide resistant. Compositions of the invention include selected or engineered herbicide resistant biological agents and modified populations of biocontrol agents. These modified biological agents can be used as an inoculant or as a seed coating for plants and seeds.

The present invention belongs to the technical field of synergistic pesticides, and particularly relates to a synergistic herbicidal composition comprising a 4-benzoylpyrazole compound. The synergistic herbicidal composition comprises an active ingredient A and an active ingredient B in an herbicidally effective amount, wherein, the active ingredient A is the compound of ##STR00001##
the active ingredient B is one or more compounds selected from: 1) a phenoxycarboxylic acid; 2) a pyridinecarboxylic acid; 3) a benzoic acid; 4) a hydroxybenzonitrile; 5) an urea; 6) a pyridine; 7) a triazolinone; 8) a diphenyl ether; 9) an acetamide; 10) an aryloxyphenoxypropionate; 11) a cyclohexanedione; 12) a sulfonylurea; 13) a triazine; 14) a sulfonamide; 15) a phenylpyrazoline; and 16) others: bentazon. The composition is effective for controlling a broad-leaved weed in wheat fields, has extended weed-controlling spectrum, significant synergistic effect and reduced application rate, and is safe for a crop.

The present invention belongs to the technical field of synergistic pesticides, and particularly relates to a synergistic herbicidal composition comprising a 4-benzoylpyrazole compound. The synergistic herbicidal composition comprises an active ingredient A and an active ingredient B in an herbicidally effective amount, wherein, the active ingredient A is the compound of ##STR00001##
the active ingredient B is one or more compounds selected from: 1) a phenoxycarboxylic acid; 2) a pyridinecarboxylic acid; 3) a benzoic acid; 4) a hydroxybenzonitrile; 5) an urea; 6) a pyridine; 7) a triazolinone; 8) a diphenyl ether; 9) an acetamide; 10) an aryloxyphenoxypropionate; 11) a cyclohexanedione; 12) a sulfonylurea; 13) a triazine; 14) a sulfonamide; 15) a phenylpyrazoline; and 16) others: bentazon. The composition is effective for controlling a broad-leaved weed in wheat fields, has extended weed-controlling spectrum, significant synergistic effect and reduced application rate, and is safe for a crop.

Copolymers comprising recurring units of a phenyl glycidyl ether and alkylene oxides are disclosed. Some of the copolymers comprise a di- or polyfunctional nucleophilic initiator and recurring units of the phenyl glycidyl ether and an alkylene oxide. The di- or polyfunctional nucleophilic initiator is an alcohol, phenol, amine, thiol, thiophenol, sulfinic acid, or deprotonated species thereof. Other copolymers comprise a monofunctional nucleophilic initiator selected from thiols, thiophenols, aralkylated phenols, sulfinic acids, secondary amines, C.sub.10-C.sub.20 terpene alcohols, and deprotonated species thereof. Pigments dispersions comprising the copolymers are also disclosed. The copolymers meet the growing needs of the industry with their ease of manufacture, diverse structures, and desirable performance attributes for dispersing a wide range of organic and inorganic pigments. Agricultural applications for the copolymers are also disclosed.

Copolymers comprising recurring units of a phenyl glycidyl ether and alkylene oxides are disclosed. Some of the copolymers comprise a di- or polyfunctional nucleophilic initiator and recurring units of the phenyl glycidyl ether and an alkylene oxide. The di- or polyfunctional nucleophilic initiator is an alcohol, phenol, amine, thiol, thiophenol, sulfinic acid, or deprotonated species thereof. Other copolymers comprise a monofunctional nucleophilic initiator selected from thiols, thiophenols, aralkylated phenols, sulfinic acids, secondary amines, C.sub.10-C.sub.20 terpene alcohols, and deprotonated species thereof. Pigments dispersions comprising the copolymers are also disclosed. The copolymers meet the growing needs of the industry with their ease of manufacture, diverse structures, and desirable performance attributes for dispersing a wide range of organic and inorganic pigments. Agricultural applications for the copolymers are also disclosed.

Disclosed is a fungicidal composition comprising (a) at least one compound selected from the compounds of Formula 1, including all geometric and stereoisomers, tautomers, N-oxides, and salts thereof,

##STR00001##

wherein R.sup.1, L and J are as defined in the disclosure and (b) at least one additional fungicidal compound.

Also disclosed is a method for controlling plant diseases caused by fungal plant pathogens comprising applying to the plant or portion thereof, or to the plant seed, a fungicidally effective amount of a compound of Formula 1, an N-oxide, or salt thereof (e.g., as a component in the aforesaid composition). Also disclosed is a composition comprising: (a) at least one compound selected from the compounds of Formula 1 described above, N-oxides, and salts thereof; and at least one invertebrate pest control compound or agent.

Disclosed is a fungicidal composition comprising (a) at least one compound selected from the compounds of Formula 1, including all geometric and stereoisomers, tautomers, N-oxides, and salts thereof,

##STR00001##

wherein R.sup.1, L and J are as defined in the disclosure and (b) at least one additional fungicidal compound.

Also disclosed is a method for controlling plant diseases caused by fungal plant pathogens comprising applying to the plant or portion thereof, or to the plant seed, a fungicidally effective amount of a compound of Formula 1, an N-oxide, or salt thereof (e.g., as a component in the aforesaid composition). Also disclosed is a composition comprising: (a) at least one compound selected from the compounds of Formula 1 described above, N-oxides, and salts thereof; and at least one invertebrate pest control compound or agent.

An example of an apparatus and method of operating the apparatus to treat produced water. The apparatus includes a cavitation chamber. In addition, the apparatus includes an inlet to receive produced water with a microorganism. The apparatus further includes a pump to pump the produced water from the inlet into the cavitation chamber at a predetermined pressure. The apparatus also includes an injector to inject a biocide to the produced water to control a population of the microorganism. Furthermore, the apparatus includes a micro-bubble generator disposed within the cavitation chamber. The micro-bubble generator reduces a pressure of the produced water below a fluid vapor pressure to create micro-bubbles which collapse to generate a micro shockwave to enhance the efficacy of the biocide at reducing the population of the microorganism. The apparatus further includes an outlet to release the produced water after the population of the microorganism is lowered.

An example of an apparatus and method of operating the apparatus to treat produced water. The apparatus includes a cavitation chamber. In addition, the apparatus includes an inlet to receive produced water with a microorganism. The apparatus further includes a pump to pump the produced water from the inlet into the cavitation chamber at a predetermined pressure. The apparatus also includes an injector to inject a biocide to the produced water to control a population of the microorganism. Furthermore, the apparatus includes a micro-bubble generator disposed within the cavitation chamber. The micro-bubble generator reduces a pressure of the produced water below a fluid vapor pressure to create micro-bubbles which collapse to generate a micro shockwave to enhance the efficacy of the biocide at reducing the population of the microorganism. The apparatus further includes an outlet to release the produced water after the population of the microorganism is lowered.