TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - AGRICULTURE - Preferred Method: The alkamide is applied in a composition, where the concentration of the alkamide in the composition is less than 10-6 (preferably less than 10-9) M. In the method (m2), the N-isobutyl decanamide, or an oxidized precursor of the N-isobutyl decanamide, is extracted from a natural source by traditional solvent extraction or supercritical fluid extraction (SFE); or the N-isobutyl decanamide is produced synthetically from the precursor (preferably affinin). In the method (m2), the step of applying involves applying the amount of the compound as an aerosol and/or as a liquid fertilizer composition, by dipping at least a portion of the plant into a composition containing the N-isobutyl decanamide; and applying the N-isobutyl decanamide in a liquid or solid formulation. The method (m2), further involves applying at least one other pathogen-controlling agent or defense elicitor to protect the plant against attack by a pathogenic microorganism, pest, and/or parasite; obtaining a kit including a composition comprising the N-isobutyl decanamide and configured for application to plants.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Components: The alkamide is a compound formula R1-N(R2)-C(O)-R3.R1=H or 1-8C alkyl (preferably 4C alkyl);R2=H or 1-8C alkyl (preferably H);R3=9-11C alkyl. ACTIVITY - Fungicide; Antimicrobial; Pesticide; Antiparasitic. The efficacy of N-isobutyl decanamide against necrotrophic pathogens Alternaha brassicicola and Botrytis cinerea was tested on leaves of 20 day-old Arabidopsis plants. The fully developed leaves of the plants were transferred to medium supplied with N-isobutyl decanamide or with the solvent as control. The leaves transferred to control medium and inoculated for 3 days, the two pathogens were found to induce necrotic lesions in over 90% of inoculated leaves. On the other hand, the leaves treated with N-isobutyl decanamide for 3 days, only 30% of leaves presented necrotic lesions caused by A. brassicicola and only 10% by B. cinerea attack. The lesions on untreated leaves were 6 mm in diameter, while lesions on leaves treated with N-isobutyl decanamide were of a much smaller diameter of 0.8-1.5 mm.    MECHANISM OF ACTION - None given.    ADMINISTRATION - The composition comprising N-isobutyl decanamide is applied to at least one of leaves, shoots, and/or roots of the plant (claimed). No dosage details are given.    SPECIFIC COMPOUNDS - 2 Compounds are specified as the alkamide, i.e. N-isobutyl decenamide and N-isobutyl decanamide (IA).