Methods for enhancing plant growth using diacyl ureas

A composition of matter having the formula

• 6
• where R1, R2, R3 and R4, are the same or different and are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, substituted and unsubstituted alkyl, allyl, vinyl and alkoxyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, substituted and unsubstituted phenyl groups and the halides.

A reaction product formed by reacting formic acid with urea where the molar ratio of formic acid to urea is about 2:1.

A reaction product formed by reacting a carboxylic acid having from 1 to 7 carbon atoms with urea where the molar ratio of carboxylic acid to urea is about 2:1.

A method for preparing diformylurea having the formula

• 7
• comprising reacting formic acid with urea.

A method for preparing a substituted urea having the formula

• 8
• comprising reacting a carboxylic acid with a reactant selected from the group consisting of urea, N-mono-substituted ureas and N,N′-di-substituted ureas, where R1, R2, R3 and R4, are the same or different and are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, substituted and unsubstituted alkyl, allyl, vinyl and alkoxyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, substituted and unsubstituted phenyl groups and the halides.

A method for enhancing the growth of a plant, comprising applying to seeds for said plant prior to planting, to soil surrounding said plant, or to foliage of said plant, an N,N′-substituted urea having the formula

• 9
• where R1, R2, R3 and R4 are the same or different and are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, substituted and unsubstituted alkyl, allyl, vinyl and alkoxyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, substituted and unsubstituted phenyl groups and the halides.

A treated seed comprising a plant seed to which has been applied an N,N′-substituted urea having the formula

• 10
• where R1, R2, R3 and R4 are the same or different and are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, substituted and unsubstituted alkyl, allyl, vinyl and alkoxyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, substituted and unsubstituted phenyl groups and the halides.

An improved plant seed comprising a seed to which has been applied an N,N′-substituted urea having the formula

• 11
• where R1, R2, R3 and R4 are the same or different and are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, substituted and unsubstituted alkyl, allyl, vinyl and alkoxyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, substituted and unsubstituted phenyl groups and the halides.