Ripening pineapple fruit in the field is treated with effective amounts of an aqueous solution of a nonionic surfactant to inhibit infection of the pineapple fruit by disease-causing microorganisms. Microbial spoilage is reduced, and thus the quality of pineapple fruit for the fresh market is improved. Additionally, disease blemishes in pineapple fruits for canning are reduced, resulting in increased pineapple solids recovery.

The present invention relates to coated seeds. The coated seed according to the invention is a seed coated with a coating mass composition comprising 70 to 95 parts by weight of a clay mineral of double-chain structure and 30 to 5 parts by weight of a hydrophobic compound. The coated seed provided by the invention has a coating layer of adequate hardness and yet insures good germination characteristics, thus being contributory to the rationalization and development of agricultural production.

The present invention relates to the use of crosslinkable silicone materials to coat botanic seeds, seedlings, meristematic tissue and plant embryos for their protection and to promote germination. The crosslinkable silicone materials are coated onto the seeds, seedlings, meristematic tissues or plant embryos and crosslinked to cure them. The silicone coatings of the present invention on the surface of the seeds, seedlings, meristematic tissues or plant embryos provide antifungal protection and ...

Crops are treated with a composition which prevents the premature opening of seed pods.

In one aspect, the present invention provides methods for suppressing cracking, stem browning, and water loss in fruit or vegetables, such as cherries. The methods comprise applying to fruit or vegetables an amount of a wax emulsion effective to suppress cherry cracking, stem browning, and water loss. The wax emulsion used in the methods of the invention typically comprises a matrix of complex hydrocarbons, one or more emulsifying agents, and water. In some embodiments, the wax emulsion comprise...

The invention relates to a method for the protection of germinating seed from pesticide, wherein seed-containing pellets and pesticide-containing pellets are sown separately but simultaneously. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the pesticide-containing pellets have substantially the same shape and diameter as the seed-containg pellets, and the pesticide-containing pellets comprise the exact dosis of pesticide that is sufficient for one seed germ. Generally, the pellets with p...

Sunburn and insect damage to fruit and vegetable crops is significantly reduced by treatment of both fruit and foliage with a preventative amount of thixotropic smectic clay material, chemically altered to render its surface lipophilic, which is combined with a wax emulsion comprising a matrix of complex hydrocarbons, an emulsifying agent and water. In the practice of this invention the sunburn and insect protective composition is further diluted in an aqueous solution that is sprayable by comme...

A method for destroying mistletoe by the application of barrier coatings, such as natural oils, to cover the surfaces of a mistletoe plant to block stomatal openings during a dormant period of a host tree affected by the mistletoe so that the mistletoe is effectively deprived of all nutrients.

Grower experience, with poor disease control of grape vines has suggested that, despite overspraying, actual spray coverage was poor, failing to penetrate the dense outer foliage, so that parts of the tree, particularly the top, were inadequately sprayed. Consequently, there was a requirement to ensure that spraying materials were deposited more efficiently and effectively upon targeted foliage, thereby reducing the volume of liquid carrier and therefore the amount of chemical required for a par...

The present invention provides a composition and method of using plant non-specific lipid acyl hydrolases to protect plants otherwise susceptible to insect infestation by one or more of corn rootworms, potato beetles, armyworms, borers, cutworms, wireworms, earworms and aphids.