Growth regulation of plant and growth regulator

PURPOSE: To obtain a plant growth regulator, comprising an azolylmethyloxirane useful as an antimicrobial agent or a germicide as an active ingredient, and capable of variously acting on plants in all the growth stages. CONSTITUTION: This plant growth regulator comprises a compound of the formula [A and B are each a 1-4C alkyl, phenyl, naphthyl, diphenyl or phenoxy substituted with one to three substituent groups (a halogen, a 1-4C alkyl, a 1-4C alkoxy, a 1-4C halogenoalkyl, NO 2 or phenoxy)] or its metallic salt or acid addition salt, e.g. 2-(1,2,4-triazol-1-yl-methyl)-2-phenyl-3-(2-chlorophenyl)- oxirane as active ingredient. The regulator is used for suppressing the nutrition and/or growth of plants (growth suppression of plant height), a yield increase of a plant part and plant-containing substances, shortening or prolongation of the growth stage and/or promotion or retardation, etc., of maturation of the plant part before harvesting or harvested thereafter. COPYRIGHT: (C)1989,JPO