Composition for destroying terminal meristematic bud-like swellings in plants, contng. 2,000 to ca 100,000 ppm of a cpd. (where R = C1-18 alkyl, alkenyl, cycloalkyl or alkoxyalkyl, optionally halo-substd; R' = C3-9 alkynyl, alkenyl, halo-alkynyl or halo-alkenyl) and an inert carrier material or diluent and/or a surface-active agent. - When applied in appropriate amounts, (I) are phytotoxic to ripe stem-tissue and ripe leaves. In lower concns, they are also active as chemical pruning agents. (I) are particularly useful for destroying meristematic bud-like swellings on broad-leaf semi-woody or woody ornamental or crop-plants, e.g. cotton plants, tobacco plants, apple trees and plants of the chrystanthemum and azalea families. Pref. used that terminal shoots are selectively destroyed. - (I) may be applied to plants in any desired way, e.g. as dusts, solutions, or wettable powders. The pref. concn. is 0.5-6.0 wt. %, and the rate of application can vary from 0.5-50 lbs. of (I)/acre.
