A method of inhibiting the rate of at least one biological process in a seed or plant is disclosed. The method comprises contacting a part of a seed, a plant, or the locus thereof with a composition of matter, the composition of matter comprising an agriculturally acceptable complex mixture of dissolved organic material substantially devoid of one or more metal ions essential for the at least one biological process in the seed or plant. A composition of matter is also disclosed comprising a mixture of compounds derived from natural organic matter (NOM) that is substantially devoid of metal ions.
