This invention provides combinations of at least one biological control agent and at least one nematicide to enhance plant protection against pests and pathogens.

Particles are sorted into paths based on a measurable parameter by forming them into a stream in at least one duct carried on a body rotating around an axis where the duct is shaped so that the particles are accelerated to cause the particles separated into the duct to be aligned one after another in a row in the duct. The parameter of the particles are measured in the aligned stream one after the other and the particles are directed into one of a plurality of paths as determined by the measurement. In one arrangement the body comprises a disk member having a front face facing a supply conduit and the duct lies in a radial plane of the disk member. In one arrangement the measurement of the parameter is carried out by one or more measurement devices either carried on the disk or outside the edge of the disk.

Particles are sorted into paths based on a measurable parameter by forming them into a stream in at least one duct carried on a body rotating around an axis where the duct is shaped so that the particles are accelerated to cause the particles separated into the duct to be aligned one after another in a row in the duct. The parameter of the particles are measured in the aligned stream one after the other and the particles are directed into one of a plurality of paths as determined by the measurement. In one arrangement the body comprises a disk member having a front face facing a supply conduit and the duct lies in a radial plane of the disk member. In one arrangement the measurement of the parameter is carried out by one or more measurement devices either carried on the disk or outside the edge of the disk.

To provide an aqueous suspension agrochemical composition containing dichlobentiazox, an oil which is a vegetable oil or a vegetable oil derivative, and water, a disease control method in which the aqueous suspension agrochemical composition is applied to surfaces of seeds of a useful plant, and a seed of a useful plant treated with the aqueous suspension agrochemical composition.

A liquid delivery system for a treatment device includes first and second reservoirs (104) containing first and second liquids (106) and first and second positive displacement pumps (112) operably coupled to the first and second reservoirs (104), respectively. The first positive displacement pump (112) is configured to pump (200) the first liquid (106) therethrough at a first flow rate and the second positive displacement pump (114) is configured to pump (200) the second liquid (110) therethrough at a second flow rate. A motor (116) is operably coupled to the first and second positive displacement pumps (112) to drive simultaneous operation thereof.

A device and method for delivering biological material and/or synthetic chemistries to a liquid medium comprising securing a capsule to an opening of a container, the capsule comprising a cap portion for securing the capsule to the container and an elongate portion comprising a cavity defined by a frangible bottom, wherein the cavity comprises live biological material therein and a plunger comprising a disrupting mechanism, suspending the elongate portion of the capsule into an interior cavity of the container, depressing the plunger, cutting or disrupting the frangible bottom of the capsule, and releasing the material into the liquid medium.

A device and method for delivering biological material and/or synthetic chemistries to a liquid medium comprising securing a capsule to an opening of a container, the capsule comprising a cap portion for securing the capsule to the container and an elongate portion comprising a cavity defined by a frangible bottom, wherein the cavity comprises live biological material therein and a plunger comprising a disrupting mechanism, suspending the elongate portion of the capsule into an interior cavity of the container, depressing the plunger, cutting or disrupting the frangible bottom of the capsule, and releasing the material into the liquid medium.

A stream of seed may be maintained at a metered flow rate through multiple stages of a treatment process. These multiple stages include dispensing, first application of fluid, second application of fluid, and seed transport. Seed transport may be accomplished through a conveyor configured to maintain the metered flow rate while providing static mixing, drying, and conditioning of the treated seed. The metered stream of seed may be treated within a first treatment applicator where a first wet treatment is applied, transferred through the incline conveyor, and treated again within a second treatment applicator where a second wet treatment is applied. Overtreating in multiple stages may layer consecutive seed treatments around the treated seed. A predetermined amount of seed treatment may be applied to the coated seed based on the metered flow rate established. Maintaining the metered flow rate through multiple stages eliminates the need for multiple metering steps.

An agricultural incline conveyor having belt guards extending longitudinally through a curvilinear portion from a tail inlet to a head outlet. The belt guards protect linear edges of a belt within the curvilinear portion during mixing operations. A plurality of mixing baffles positioned within the curvilinear portion induce turbulent backflow of a metered stream of seed being transported through the curvilinear portion. The longitudinal guards prevent the loss of transported seed from entering between the belt and a trough of the curvilinear portion.

A package 10 comprises a main body 12 for containing a seed lubricant; and a chamber 24 for retaining microorganisms in a viable state, wherein the main body 12 and the chamber 24 are separated by a disruptable dividing member 32, and further comprising a mechanism for disrupting the dividing member 32 such that the seed lubricant and the microorganisms may be blended just prior to deployment on a seed planter and wherein the main body 12, the chamber 24 and the disrupting member form an integral package suitable for providing the blend of seed lubricant and viable microorganisms to seeds in a seed planter.