The present invention describes a method of killing or inactivating microorganisms, the method comprising the steps of contacting the microorganisms with a composition comprising an extract of Polygonum cuspidatum and an excipient; and irradiating the microorganisms with a source of light; wherein the radiant exposure of the light is between 1 and 300 J cm.sup.−2, and the surface power density of the light is between 0.001 and 0.25 W cm.sup.−2.

The present invention describes a method of killing or inactivating microorganisms, the method comprising the steps of contacting the microorganisms with a composition comprising an extract of Polygonum cuspidatum and an excipient; and irradiating the microorganisms with a source of light; wherein the radiant exposure of the light is between 1 and 300 J cm.sup.−2, and the surface power density of the light is between 0.001 and 0.25 W cm.sup.−2.

A composition for inhibiting the attachment of microbes to an animate or inanimate surface is disclosed. The composition includes a carrier and an effective amount of an anti-adherent agent. The anti-adherent agents include botanical agents such Soybean extract, Horse chestnut extract, Gypenoside, Resveratrol, Astragalus extract, Rhubarb rootextract, Allium cepaextract, Cassia seedextract, Ginkgo bilobaextract, and Silymarin, and combinations thereof. The efficacy of the botanical agents is microbe and surface dependent. Various delivery vehicles, including a wipe, may be used to deliver the composition to the surface.

A composition for inhibiting the attachment of microbes to an animate or inanimate surface is disclosed. The composition includes a carrier and an effective amount of an anti-adherent agent. The anti-adherent agents include botanical agents such Soybean extract, Horse chestnut extract, Gypenoside, Resveratrol, Astragalus extract, Rhubarb rootextract, Allium cepaextract, Cassia seedextract, Ginkgo bilobaextract, and Silymarin, and combinations thereof. The efficacy of the botanical agents is microbe and surface dependent. Various delivery vehicles, including a wipe, may be used to deliver the composition to the surface.

Cladosporium sphaerospermum produces at least one volatile organic compound (VOC). When a plant is exposed to the VOC produced by a strain of C. sphaerospermum, the plant has an increase in at least one growth characteristic compared to the growth characteristic of an untreated plant of the same age as the treated plant.

An environmentally responsive Paecilomyces lilacinus microbead and its preparation method and application are provided. The Paecilomyces lilacinus microbead includes a capsule core and a capsule wall; wherein, in the capsule core, Paecilomyces lilacinus spore powder, a vegetable oil, glucose, peptone, a cellulose nanofiber, sodium citrate, and a surfactant are combined to form an emulsifiable capsule core; and in the capsule wall, chitosan, gelatin, polyvinyl alcohol, glycerol, and water are combined to form a water-responsive shell. The environmentally responsive Paecilomyces lilacinus microbeads can stimulate the dissolution of polyvinyl alcohol in the shell according to the moisture content in the soil, so that the water in the soil flows into the microbeads. The cellulose nanofibers in the microbeads absorb water and expand, blocking the holes in the shell, resulting in the inability of spores to flow out.

An environmentally responsive Paecilomyces lilacinus microbead and its preparation method and application are provided. The Paecilomyces lilacinus microbead includes a capsule core and a capsule wall; wherein, in the capsule core, Paecilomyces lilacinus spore powder, a vegetable oil, glucose, peptone, a cellulose nanofiber, sodium citrate, and a surfactant are combined to form an emulsifiable capsule core; and in the capsule wall, chitosan, gelatin, polyvinyl alcohol, glycerol, and water are combined to form a water-responsive shell. The environmentally responsive Paecilomyces lilacinus microbeads can stimulate the dissolution of polyvinyl alcohol in the shell according to the moisture content in the soil, so that the water in the soil flows into the microbeads. The cellulose nanofibers in the microbeads absorb water and expand, blocking the holes in the shell, resulting in the inability of spores to flow out.

The invention describes a natural fungicide which comprises gallnut and myrobalan extracts which exhibit a synergistic effect against Alternaria brassicicola, and can be used to control crop fungal diseases.

The invention describes a natural fungicide which comprises gallnut and myrobalan extracts which exhibit a synergistic effect against Alternaria brassicicola, and can be used to control crop fungal diseases.

A systemic, broad-spectrum herbicide comprises a water-soluble extract of one or more plant parts of rhubarb and yew. The herbicide can also contain other plant material, including plant parts of Bryonia and Laburnum. The herbicide, which is based on natural products can translocate to the roots of a plant, when the herbicide is applied to an aerial part of the plant. The herbicide can eradicate grasses, mosses and weeds, including bindweed, nettles and dockweed.