| abstract |
Disclosed is a method of improving the growth of plants wherein at least one compound of formula (I), wherein A is 2-chloropyrid-5-yl, 2-methylpyrid-5-yl, 1-oxido-3-pyridinio, 2-chloro-1-oxido-5-pyridinio, 2,3-dichloro-1-oxido-5-pyridinio, tetrahydrofuran-3-yl, 5-methyl-tetrahydrofuran-3-yl or 2-chlorothiazol-5-yl group, Y is -N(R)(R2) or SR2; R is hydrogen, C1-C6alkyl, phenyl-C1-C4alkyl, C3-C6cycloalkyl, C2-C6alkenyl or C2-C6alkynyl; R1 and R2 are independently of each other C1-C4-alkyl, C1-C4-alkenyl, C1-C4-alkinyl, -C(=O)-CH3 or benzyl; or together form a group -CH2-CH2-, -CH2-CH2-CH2-, -CH2-O-CH2-, -CH2-S-CH2-, -CH2-NH-CH2- or -CH2-N(CH3)-CH2-; and X is N-NO2, N-CN or CH-NO2; or, where appropriate, a tautomer thereof, in each case in free form or in salt form, is applied to the plant or the locus thereof. |