A functional water containing a polyfunctional amine and/or a salt thereof as a functional component, wherein the total content of water, the polyfunctional amine, and the salt of the polyfunctional amine is 95% by weight or more. The polyfunctional amine is at least a specific polyamine, a polymer having a structural unit derived from a specific cyclic amine, or a polymer having a structural unit derived from a specific unsaturated amine. The total content of the polyfunctional amine and/or salt thereof is preferably 0.0001 to 10000 ppm by weight. The functional water has functions including freshness-keeping for foods, aging of foods, antisepsis, deodorization, adjustment of plant growth, life extension for cut flowers, flowering control for cut flowers, pest control, pest repellence, improvement of bowel movement, reduction of fecal odor, reduction of blood pressure, increase of body temperature, improvement of the intraoral environment, prevention of halitosis, and prevention of body odor.

Provided is a compound of formula (I) or an N-oxide thereof, wherein Het.sup.1 represents Het.sup.1-1, Het.sup.1-2, Het.sup.1-3, Het.sup.1-4 or Het.sup.1-5, and the remaining variable groups are as defined in the specification. The compound of formula (I) or N-oxide compound thereof has an excellent control effect against arthropod pests. ##STR00001##

Provided is a compound of formula (I) or an N-oxide thereof, wherein Het.sup.1 represents Het.sup.1-1, Het.sup.1-2, Het.sup.1-3, Het.sup.1-4 or Het.sup.1-5, and the remaining variable groups are as defined in the specification. The compound of formula (I) or N-oxide compound thereof has an excellent control effect against arthropod pests. ##STR00001##

The proposed solution relates to agricultural microbiology and biotechnology. A strain of the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana 17HA has been deposited with the Russian National Collection of Industrial Microorganisms under number VKPM F-1526. The VKPM F-1526 strain of the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana can be used to create a broad-spectrum microbiological insecticide suitable for treating different agricultural crops. The use of the strain makes it possible to increase crops yield.

The proposed solution relates to agricultural microbiology and biotechnology. A strain of the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana 17HA has been deposited with the Russian National Collection of Industrial Microorganisms under number VKPM F-1526. The VKPM F-1526 strain of the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana can be used to create a broad-spectrum microbiological insecticide suitable for treating different agricultural crops. The use of the strain makes it possible to increase crops yield.

The present invention belongs to the field of acaricides, and relates to a liquid formulation of a biphenyl-containing compound and an application thereof. A liquid formulation of a biphenyl-containing compound takes compound A as an active component and comprises at least one carrier and at least one auxiliary. The weight percentage of the active component in the liquid formulation is 0.1%-99%. The liquid formulation of the present invention can control the particle size of the liquid formulation through a good auxiliary system, and has the characteristics of good dispersibility, high suspension rate, good biological activity, low dosage, low cost, resistance to rain washing, low residue and low toxicity to people and animals.

The present disclosure provides a method for controlling a pest or protecting a plant from a pest, said method comprising contacting soil, a pest, a plant or a plant part with (a) at least one insecticide, acaricide and/or nematicide and (b) glycine betaine. The present disclosure further provides a method for enhancing the efficacy of at least one insecticide, acaricide and/or nematicide, said method comprising contacting soil, a pest, a plant or a plant part with (a) at least one insecticide, acaricide and/or nematicide and (b) glycine betaine.

The present disclosure provides a method for controlling a pest or protecting a plant from a pest, said method comprising contacting soil, a pest, a plant or a plant part with (a) at least one insecticide, acaricide and/or nematicide and (b) glycine betaine. The present disclosure further provides a method for enhancing the efficacy of at least one insecticide, acaricide and/or nematicide, said method comprising contacting soil, a pest, a plant or a plant part with (a) at least one insecticide, acaricide and/or nematicide and (b) glycine betaine.

The present invention provides a compound that have excellent harmful arthropod controlling effects, the compounds being represented by formula (I) [wherein Q represents a group represented by formula Q1 or the like, Z represents an oxygen atom or a sulfur atom, A.sup.1 represents a nitrogen atom or CR.sup.6a, A.sup.2 represents a nitrogen atom or CR.sup.6b, A.sup.3 represents a nitrogen atom or CR.sup.6c, A.sup.4 represents CR.sup.1a or the like, A.sup.5 represents a nitrogen atom or CR.sup.6e or the like, A.sup.6 represents a nitrogen atom or CR.sup.6f, R.sup.6a represents a hydrogen atom or the like, R.sup.6b represents a C1-C6 chain hydrocarbon group or the like, R.sup.6c, R.sup.6e, R.sup.6f are identical to or different from each other, and each represents a C1-C6 chain hydrocarbon group or the like, R.sup.1a represents a C1-C6 chain hydrocarbon group or the like, R.sup.2 represents a C1-C6 chain hydrocarbon group or the like, R.sup.3 represents a C1-C6 chain hydrocarbon group or the like, and n is 0, 1 or 2] or its N oxide compound.

##STR00001##

Described are compositions and methods relating to a coated granule comprising a core coated with cross-linkable polymer, where the cross-linkable polymer is applied using a feed suspension that includes an acid-neutralized volatile base and a calcium salt insoluble at the pH of the neutralized feed suspension. Volatilization of the base decreases the pH of the feed suspension, thereby solubilizing the calcium salt, and inducing in situ ion-mediated cross-linking of the cross-linkable polymer.