The invention discloses a synergist for improving crop resistance and fertilizer absorption capacity. The synergist includes the following components by weight: 20-30 parts of an oyster shell powder, 20-30 parts of a water chestnut skin powder, 10-20 parts of a chinaberry bark powder, 10-20 parts of a magnetic material, 10-20 parts of an illite powder, 5-10 parts of a shiitake mushroom polysaccharide extract. The synergist can, on one hand, improve the resistance of crops, especially reducing the pests and diseases significantly, improving waterlogging and drought resistance; and, on the other hand, greatly reduce the use of fertilizers, especially nitrogen fertilizers, preventing soil compaction. It can also significantly increase the content of active polysaccharides, especially β-glucan in crops. In addition, the raw materials are readily available, the cost is low, and there are significant economic benefits.

The invention discloses a synergist for improving crop resistance and fertilizer absorption capacity. The synergist includes the following components by weight: 20-30 parts of an oyster shell powder, 20-30 parts of a water chestnut skin powder, 10-20 parts of a chinaberry bark powder, 10-20 parts of a magnetic material, 10-20 parts of an illite powder, 5-10 parts of a shiitake mushroom polysaccharide extract. The synergist can, on one hand, improve the resistance of crops, especially reducing the pests and diseases significantly, improving waterlogging and drought resistance; and, on the other hand, greatly reduce the use of fertilizers, especially nitrogen fertilizers, preventing soil compaction. It can also significantly increase the content of active polysaccharides, especially β-glucan in crops. In addition, the raw materials are readily available, the cost is low, and there are significant economic benefits.

A regulator for increasing plant β-glucan content includes the following components by weight: 30-50 parts of a magnetic material, 20-30 parts of an oyster shell powder, 20-30 parts of an illite powder, and 10-20 parts of a mushroom polysaccharide extract.

A regulator for increasing plant β-glucan content includes the following components by weight: 30-50 parts of a magnetic material, 20-30 parts of an oyster shell powder, 20-30 parts of an illite powder, and 10-20 parts of a mushroom polysaccharide extract.

A regulator for increasing plant β-glucan content includes the following components by weight: 30-50 parts of a magnetic material, 20-30 parts of an oyster shell powder, 20-30 parts of an illite powder, and 10-20 parts of a mushroom polysaccharide extract.

An improved dietary and/or therapeutic supplement composition comprising a quantity of a dietary and/or therapeutic supplement agent having a pH that upon ingestion with food or a beverage would limit the effectiveness of the agent and a sufficient amount of an alkaline electrolyte additive is provided in combination with the agent to raise the pH of the composition to a level of from about 8 to about 12.5 to increase the effectiveness and functional utilization of the agent while the composition is in the person's stomach.

The invention is method of combatting weeds, which comprises applying to a soil region an herbicidal combination comprising: at least one alkali metal compound selected from alkali hydroxide, alkali carbonate and alkali bicarbonate; and at least one calcium compound selected from calcium hydroxide and calcium bicarbonate; such that the predominant component of the combination is(are) the alkali metal compound(s). Herbicidal formulations are also provided by the invention.

The invention is method of combatting weeds, which comprises applying to a soil region an herbicidal combination comprising: at least one alkali metal compound selected from alkali hydroxide, alkali carbonate and alkali bicarbonate; and at least one calcium compound selected from calcium hydroxide and calcium bicarbonate; such that the predominant component of the combination is(are) the alkali metal compound(s). Herbicidal formulations are also provided by the invention.

The invention is method of combatting weeds, which comprises applying to a soil region an herbicidal combination comprising: at least one alkali metal compound selected from alkali hydroxide, alkali carbonate and alkali bicarbonate; and at least one calcium compound selected from calcium hydroxide and calcium bicarbonate; such that the predominant component of the combination is(are) the alkali metal compound(s). Herbicidal formulations are also provided by the invention.

Nanoplatelet forms of monolayer metal hydroxides are provided, as well as methods for preparing same. The nanoplatelets are suitable for use in antimicrobial compositions, for pressure treating lumber against wood rot, termites, and fungus, for water treatment for the removal of heavy metal contaminants, for the production of plasmonics devices, for the production of ore, or for the recovery of valuable metals in, e.g., fly ash ponds, mine tailings ponds, or other fluids containing the metal in ionic form. The nanoplatelet forms include copper hydroxide nanoplatelets.