WO2010046927A2

WO2010046927A2 - Use of synergistic composition

Info

Publication number: WO2010046927A2
Application number: PCT/IN2009/000583
Authority: WO
Inventors: Deepak Pranjivandas Shah
Original assignee: Deepak Pranjivandas Shah
Priority date: 2008-10-16
Filing date: 2009-10-15
Publication date: 2010-04-29
Also published as: WO2010046927A4; WO2010046927A3

Abstract

Use of synergistic composition comprising Sulphur and Tebuconazole as a fungicide and miticide on useful crops such as wheat, soybean, rapeseed and chillies (pepper), banana, plantain, hops, nectarine, apple, cashew, almond and walnut resulting in high enhancement in the fungicidal and acaricidal activities, better yields, higher oil content, increased protein content etc.

Description

Use Of Synergistic Composition

Technical field

Use of a synergistic granular composition comprising Sulphur and Tebuconazole as a fungicide and miticide on useful crops such as wheat, soybean, rapeseed, chillies (pepper), banana, plantain, hops, nectarine, apple, cashew, almond and walnut resulting in high enhancement in the fungicidal and acaricidal activities, better yields, higher oil content, increased protein content, etc. The invention, in particular, discloses the multiple utility of the agricultural composition i.e. as a fungicide, miticide and a nutrient.

Background of the invention

Sulphur, an inorganic element is a well-known fungicide, miticide and a major plant nutrient having contact and vapour action. Sulphur, apart from acting as a protective pesticide also is the fourth important plant nutrient in formation of amino-acids, thereby increasing the food value with increase of proteins, oil content, vitamins, etc.

Tebuconazole, an organic triazole is a highly effective fungicide with additional curative and eradicative action. Tebuconazole is a systemic fungicide used both as a seed dresser and a sprayable fungicide.

Stand alone tebuconazole formulations are good against diseases like rust, smuts, scab, blotch, blight, damping-off, etc and moderate to good against powdery mildew and leaf spot. Whereas, alone Sulphur formulations are good to moderate against powdery mildew, leaf spot and also effective against mites.

Continuous use of Tebuconazole, a triazole group of systemic fungicide for few years may lead to fungal resistance. The Tebuconazole fungal resistance issue is addressed, in this invention, by combining with sulphur, a contact fungicide that has a different site of action, that either breaks the resistance or delays the development of resistance for a long period. Over the years farmers have tried various methods wherein sulphur and Tebuconazole have been applied after random mixing as a tank mix.

There are various fungi and mites attacking crops, like wheat and chillies which are controlled by application of different groups of fungicides and/or miticides. For controlling the various fungi and mites of a pest complex, more number of spray applications of the different stand alone fungicides and/or miticides are required at a specific growth stage or at different periods in a crop life cycle.

Sulphur + Tebuconazole WP is used as a fungicide on crops such as grapes etc. As compared to the Sulphur + Tebuconazole wettable powder (WP), the advantage of using the present agricultural composition of water dispersible granules (WG) lies in the fact that

• Relatively lower dosage per hectare of the composition is needed, resulting in lesser loading of the toxicant into the environment , in lower inhalation toxicity and lower dermal toxicity thereby, a cost-effective product

• Smaller particle size of active substances in WG (2 — 6 microns) as compared to WP (8-25 microns), gives better and longer duration control of the pests. The smaller particle size of the WG composition provides larger surface area as compared to WP composition.

Thus, the inventor of the present invention have come up with a surprising finding that the agricultural composition comprising Sulphur and Tebuconazole WG (water dispersible granules)/ SC (suspension concentrates), in a specific ratio, when applied to some particular useful crops such as wheat, soy, oilseed (preferably rape), chillies (pepper), banana, plaintain, hops, nectarine, apple, cashew, almond and walnut etc. has shown to be having very high efficacy. They have found that the two compatible active substances at proper scientific proportions have synergistic properties resulting in high fungicidal and miticidal activity, increase in the yield, high oil content, more protein content and added nutritive value of these particular crops.

Summary of the invention:

The present invention relates to the use of an agricultural composition comprising Sulphur and Tebuconazole as a fungicide and/or miticide against diseases of wheat, soy, oilseed (rape), chillies (pepper), banana, plaintain, hops, nectarine, apple, cashew, almond and walnut. In another embodiment it relates to the use of the agricultural composition comprising Sulphur and Tebuconazole as a nutrient for wheat, soy and chillies (pepper) and for increasing oil content of soy and oilseed.

Detailed description

The present invention relates to the use of a highly effective agricultural composition comprising Sulphur and Tebuconazole. The two compatible active substances at proper scientific proportion have high synergistic properties against crop diseases of certain useful crops such as wheat, soy, oilseed rape, chillies, banana, plaintain, hops, nectarine, apple, cashew, almond, walnut, etc.

Both active substances are of different group and with different mode of action.

(a) Sulphur- Inorganic group having non-systemic, effective through contact & vapour action and predominantly preventive in action.

(b) Tebuconazole- Triazole group having systemic action with protective, curative & eradicative action.

Both the active substances have different site of action.

(i) Sulphur has a multi-site action with solubility in fatty acids which helps it in entering the fungal cells through lipids in the plasma membrane and thereby getting reduced o hydrogen sulphide and killing the cell or spore.

(ii) Tebuconazole is a 14-α Demethylation (DMI) ergosterol biosynthesis inhibitor

^'EBI). It blocks cytochrome oxidase P-450, the enzyme that hydroxylates.

The candidate agricultural composition is an environmentally safer formulation, used in the form of water dispersible granules. The use of water dispersible granules avoids the chances of occupational inhalation toxicity due to absence of dust and acute dermal toxicity, in absence of organic solvents, while handling the concentrated product. The number of applications to control wide range of pests can be minimized, thereby reducing exposure to spray drift by the spray applicator and other non-target biological agents. The correct and ready homogenized premix of the two active substances minimizes the improper tank mixing that leads to fungal resistance problem due to sub-lethal doses of active substances, crop toxicity at higher doses and undue environmental toxicity, if used otherwise.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the candidate agricultural composition is in the form of suspension concentrate.

According to yet another embodiment of the invention, the tebuconazole active is in a percentage range of about 2% to 10% w/w of the composition, preferably 4.5% w/w. The amount of Sulphur present in the composition is 70% w/w of the composition.

The agricultural composition is useful for controlling a wide spectrum of plant diseases and mites. The present agricultural composition promises more effective control against powdery mildew, rust and leaf spot diseases, as compared to stand alone components (i.e., Sulphur and Tebuconazole). The present composition controls many fungal diseases belonging to following fungal genera: Puccinia; Erysiphe; Uncinula; Phoma; Ustilago; Urocystis; Septoria; Alternaria; Cylindrosporium; Pseudocercosporella; Sclerotina; Sclerotium; Mycosphaerella; Sphaerotheca; Rhizoctonia, Colletotrichum; Fusarium; Tilletia; Sphacelotheca; Rhynchosporium; Pyrenophora; Monilinia; Exobasidum; Cochilobolus; Mycosphaerella, Leptosphaeria; Cercospora; Oidiopsis; Pyrenopeziza; Phakospora; Pyricularia; Mycena; Podosphaera; Venturia; Blumeria & Hemileia. The table 1 given below shows the crop diseases and mites controlled by Tebuconazole 4.5% + Sulphur 70% WG.

Table 1: Crop diseases and mites controlled by Tebuconazole 4.5% + Sulphur 70% WG

It also controls various types of mites of different genera, such as Aceria, Raoiella, Tetranychus, Brevipalpus, Oligonychus, Eriophyes, Typhlodromus,, Acaphylla, Polyphagotarsonemus Cheletogenes, Hemitarsonemus, etc in various crops. It effectively manages the mite population by keeping it below the economic injury level.

The results of various studies on different crops, clearly showed that the present agricultural composition comprising Sulphur (70%) and Tebuconazole (4.5%) showed a marked increase of about 5-20% in bio-effectiveness against the disease, 10-18% increase in the crop yield, 2-3% increase in protein content of crop and 1-1.5% increase in oil content in useful crops such as wheat, soy, oilseed rape, chillies and pepper. It is also shown that on using the composition comprising sulphur and tebuconazole, less amount of active is required than required when using tebuconazole or sulphur alone.

The present agricultural composition also increases the nutritional values i.e. increases protein content, oil content and vitamins in the plants as compared to the earlier random or alternate applications, thus in turn increasing the food value and quality. The present composition also shows a very high increase in the overall yield of the crops and increases the aesthetic value of the product.

The following examples are provided as explanatory, but are not intended to limit the invention.

EXAMPLES

The agricultural composition comprising Sulphur and Tebuconazole as either water dispersible granules or as suspension concentrates was taken up for studies on efficacy, food value (nutritive value), disease resistance, aesthetic value and overall pest management against various other standard products available in the market. The present agricultural composition i.e. Sulphur and Tebuconazole as either water dispersible granules (WG) or suspension concentrates (SC) was evaluated against rust, leaf-spot and powdery mildew disease on pepper; against rust and powdery mildew disease on wheat; against rust and leaf-spot.

Table 2: Efficacy of Tebuconazole + Sulphur on crop rust disease and effects on its food value

Crop: Soybean - Glycine max;

Disease: Rust - Phakopsora pachyrhizi

NP = Non- Phytotoxic

* : . Some Phytotoxicity

Table 2 clearly demonstrates that effectiveness of the composition comprising tebuconazole (2-10%) + Sulphur (70%). It can be noted from the above table that the crops treated with sulphur and tebuconazole WG and SC exhibited increased disease control. The yield in terms of kg/Ha was also higher. The protein content and the oil content of the crops treated with sulphur and tebuconazole was also higher.

Table 3: Efficacy of Tebuconazole 4.5% + Sulphur 70% WG on the crop leaf spot disease and effects on its food value.

Crop: Soybean - Glycine max; Disease: Leaf spot - Cercospora sojina

NP = Non- Phytotoxic

The effectiveness of the composition comprising Tebuconazole 4.5% + Sulphur 70% WG was tested on Soybean for resistance against crop leaf spot disease and also its effect on food value (Protein and Oil content) was evaluated. The results (as shown in Table 3) clearly demonstrate the effectiveness of the composition comprising Tebuconazole 4.5% + Sulphur 70% WG in disease control as well as increase in oil and protein content. It is also evident from the above tests that comparatively low dosage of tebuconazole active is required when taken in this particular inventive combination. Table 4: Efficacy of Tebuconazole 4.5%+Sulphur 70% WG on crop Alternaria blight disease and effects on its food value

Crop: Mustard (Rapeseed) - Brassica junctia;

Disease: Blight - Alternaria brassicae

For rapeseed, the above table clearly demonstrates the effectiveness of the composition comprising sulphur and tebuconazole, in reducing the dosage of the active as well as in increasing the yield.

Table 5: Efficacy of Tebuconazole + Sulphur on crop powdery mildew disease and effects on its food value

Crop: Chilli - Capsicum annuum;

Disease: Powdery mildew- Leveillula taurica

*=Manually tested

NP = Non- Phytotoxic

* : Some Phytotoxicity

It can be observed from the above table that the chillies treated with sulphur and tebuconazole WG and SC exhibited increased disease control. The yield in terms of kg/Ha was also higher. The chillies treated with the composition comprising sulphur and tebuconazole were found to be more pungent than normal.

Table 6: Efficacy of Tebuconazole 4.5% + Sulphur 70% WG on crop leaf spot disease and effects on its food value in Chilli. Crop: Chilli - Capsicum annuum; Disease: Leaf spot - Cercospora capsici *=Manually tested (by human)

The high efficacy of Tebuconazole 4.5%+Sulphur 70% WG against crop powdery mildew disease, crop rust disease and its effects on food value in chillis is as shown in Table 5 & 6. The chillies treated with the composition comprising sulphur and tebuconazole were found to be more pungent than normal.

Table 7: Efficacy of Tebuconazole 4.5% + Sulphur 70% on crop disease and effects on its food value

Crop: Cashew, almond and walnut.

Dosage: ~2 kg/hectare

NP = Non- Phytotoxic

* : Untreated check Table 8: Efficacy of Tebuconazole 4.5% + Sulphur 70% Crop: Banana, Plantain, Apple and Nectarine Dosage: 2 kg/hectare Phytotoxicity not observed

Comparison was made with untreated check (not treated with any composition). As evident from table numbers 7 and 8, a high percentage of disease control was observed in fruits and nuts which were treated with tebuconazole 4.5% + sulphur 70%. The yield in terms of kg/Ha was also higher. The protein content and the oil content of the nuts treated with sulphur and tebuconazole was also higher.

The composition comprising sulphur and tebuconazole was also tested on hops. It was found that the composition was highly effective in disease control. The yield also increased considerably.

Claims

I claim:

1. Use of an agricultural composition comprising Sulphur and Tebuconazole as a fungicide and/or miticide against diseases in wheat, soy, oilseed, chillies (pepper), banana, plantain, hops, nectarine, apple, cashew, almond and walnut.

2. Use of an agricultural composition comprising Sulphur and Tebuconazole as a nutrient in wheat, soy and chillies (pepper), banana, plantain, hops, nectarine, apple, cashew, almond and walnut.

3. Use of the agricultural composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein sulphur is in a weight range of 70% w/w and tebuconazole is in a weight range of about 2% to 10% w/w of the composition.

4. Use of the agricultural composition as claimed in claim 3, wherein sulphur is in a weight range of 70% w/w and tebuconazole is in a weight range of 4.5% w/w of the composition.

5. Use of the agricultural composition as claimed in claim 2, wherein sulphur is in a weight range of 70% w/w and tebuconazole is in a weight range of about 2% to 10% w/w of the composition.

6. Use of the agricultural composition as claimed in claim 5, wherein sulphur is in a weight range of 70% w/w and tebuconazole is in a weight range of 4.5% w/w of the composition.

7. Use of the agricultural composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein the composition is in the form of water dispersible granules.

8. Use of the agricultural composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein the composition is in the form of suspension concentrate.

9. Use of the agricultural composition as claimed in claim 2, wherein the composition is the form of water dispersible granules.

10. Use of the agricultural composition as claimed in claim 2, wherein the composition is in the form of suspension concentrate.