Title: Insecticide composition and method for insect control

Field of the invention

The present disclosure relates to insecticidal combinations. The present disclosure more particularly relates to insecticidal combinations and compositions including an insecticide and an agrochemical active for efficient control of insect pests. The present disclosure further relates to a process for preparing insecticidal combinations/compositions and to a method for controlling insect pests.

Background

Methods of controlling or eradicating insect pests are desirable in many instances, particularly in crops of commercial interest. Insects are very destructive to crop plants and can cause significant damage and loss of yield.

For example, insect pests can cause significant damage to standing crops and agricultural crops which are intended for use as human food and animal feeds. In addition to the direct losses caused by insects to plant systems, fruits, and seeds, insects cause indirect losses because they leave contaminants such as body parts or exoskeletons, insect eggs, and off-odors on produce. According to the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations (UN), pests, including insects, lead to considerable losses to food crops globally. The total loss of food grains, for example, is around 1.3 billion tonnes per year.

The key to achieving efficient insect pest management is to understand their biology and behaviour, the kinds of damage they produce, and/or application of proper integrated pest management. Understanding these factors allows one to achieve a crop production system that optimizes the use of natural resources, protects the environment, and maximizes output in a sustainable way.

Combinations of insecticides have been used to broaden the spectrum of insect control and reduce dosage, thereby reducing environmental impact, and decreasing chances of development of resistance. Combinations of insecticides at times demonstrate an additive or synergistic effect that results in an improved control of the pests. However, phytotoxic effects of the application of some insecticides have also been noted, which adversely affect crop health and yield.

One consideration in insect control is that generally, plants require proper nourishment for their growth and development. Soil nutrients such as macronutrients and micronutrients are usually used by plants. Deficiency of these soil nutrients makes plants prone to several diseases. Plant growth regulators (PGRs) can be used to help plants make efficient use of soil nutrients which can help make plants resistant to a variety of diseases including those caused by insects.

An urgent need remains in the art to predominantly control insect infestation at a locus of a crop and in agricultural produce while also increasing crop yield. There also exists a need for insect control agents that combine knock-down activity with prolonged control, that is, fast action with long lasting insect control efficacy.

An exemplary insect pest is Euschistus heros, also known as the neotropical brown stink bug of the Hemiptera order belonging to the Pentatomidae family, which is a significant economic pest for many agricultural crops and is frequently one of the most difficult pests to control in crops such as soybean (Glycine max), cotton (Gossypium hirsutum), tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), and many food crops. E. heros is known to inflict serious economic injury to agricultural commodities. Even though attempts have been made to control the growth of E. heros by employing combinations of insecticides, its adverse effect on standing crops and agricultural produce still persists.

The present disclosure adequately addresses the challenges countered with insect pest management by arriving at an effective insecticidal combination and a method to control insect infestation on crops and agricultural produce. Summary

Accordingly, the present invention provides agrochemically active compound combinations/compositions for reducing the damage of plants and plant parts caused by insects as well as losses in harvested crops.

In an aspect the present invention provides an agrochemical composition comprising:

(a) at least one agrochemical; and

(b) at least one another active ingredient selected from plant growth regulator or fertilizer or micronutrient.

Accordingly, the present disclosure provides agrochemical combinations/compositions for reducing the damage caused to plants and/or plant parts caused by insects and for reducing the losses in harvested crops.

In an aspect, the present disclosure provides an agrochemical combination or composition for insect control comprising:

(c) at least one insecticide; and

(d) at least one agrochemical active ingredient comprising a plant growth regulator, a fertilizer, a nutrient, or a combination thereof.

In an aspect, the present disclosure provides an agrochemical combination or composition for insect control comprising:

(a) an insecticide comprising a neonicotinoid insecticide, a pyrethroid insecticide, or a combination thereof,

(b) a nutrient,

(c) a fertilizer, and

(d) a growth regulator

In an aspect, the present disclosure provides an agrochemical combination or a composition for insect control comprising:

(a) a neonicotinoid insecticide comprising acetamiprid, a pyrethroid insecticide comprising bifenthrin, or a combination thereof, (b) a fertilizer comprising potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, nitrogen, a salt or oxide thereof, or a combination thereof,

(c) a nutrient comprising zinc, nickel, molybdenum, copper, boron, calcium, manganese, iron, or a salt or oxide thereof, or a combination thereof, and

(d) a growth regulator comprising an auxin, a gibberellin, a cytokinin, abscisic acid, an ethylene.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of controlling the undesired insect population, the method comprising applying an insecticidal composition of the present invention to the infested locus.

According to a further aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method of controlling an undesired insect population comprises applying the insecticidal combination/composition of the present disclosure to a crop or to an infested locus of a crop, or to plant propagation material or to the surface of agricultural produce.

In another aspect, the present disclosure provides the use of an insecticidal combination/composition as disclosed herein to control a wide range of insects

In another aspect, the present disclosure provides a kit. The kit comprises a plurality of components, each of which components may include at least one, or more, of the ingredients of the insecticidal combination/composition of the present disclosure.

Detailed description

The present disclosure provides insecticidal combinations and compositions including an insecticide(s) and an agrochemical active(s) which result in good inhibitory efficiency against pests.

It is an object of the present disclosure to provide insecticidal combinations and compositions having good inhibitory efficiency against insect pests, improve cope health and yield, efficiently control and/or inhibit insects in crop plants. It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a method for efficiently controlling and inhibiting insects, particularly stink bugs of the Pentatomidae family, in crop plants

It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a method for improving crop health and yield, which crops are susceptible to infestation by insect pests.

It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a method for improving crop health and yield, which crops are susceptible to infestation by stink bugs.

The following description is provided to assist in a comprehensive understanding of exemplary embodiments of the invention. It includes various specific details to assist in that understanding but these are to be regarded as merely exemplary.

Accordingly, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that various changes and modifications of the embodiments described herein can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, descriptions of well- known functions and constructions are omitted for clarity and conciseness.

The terms used in the following description and claims are not limited to the bibliographical meanings but are merely used by the inventor to enable a clear and consistent understanding of the invention. Accordingly, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the following description of exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are provided for illustration purpose only and not for limiting the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

For the purposes of the present disclosure, it is to be understood that the invention may assume various alternative variations and step sequences, except where expressly specified to the contrary. Moreover, other than in any operating examples, or where otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing, for example, quantities of materials/ingredients used in the specification are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term "about". Thus, before describing the present disclosure in detail, it is to be understood that this invention is not limited to particularly exemplified systems or process parameters that may of course, vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments of the invention only and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention in any manner. The use of examples anywhere in this specification including examples of any terms discussed herein is illustrative only, and in no way limits the scope and meaning of the invention or of any exemplified term.

Prior to setting forth the present subject matter in detail, it may be helpful to provide definitions of certain terms used herein. Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as is commonly understood by one of skill in the art to which this subject matter pertains. The following definitions are provided for clarity.

The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents (especially in the context of the claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms first, second etc. as used herein are not meant to denote any particular ordering, but simply for convenience to denote a plurality of, for example, layers.

The terms “comprising”, “having”, “including”, and “containing” are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, but not limited to”) unless otherwise noted.

“About” or “approximately” as used herein is inclusive of the stated value and means within an acceptable range of deviation for the particular value as determined by one of ordinary skill in the art, considering the measurement in question and the error associated with measurement of the particular quantity (i.e., the limitations of the measurement system). For example, “about” can mean within one or more standard deviations, or within ± 10% or ± 5% of the stated value. Recitation of ranges of values are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. The endpoints of all ranges are included within the range and independently combinable. It is understood that where a parameter range is provided, all integers within that range, and tenths thereof, are also provided. For example, “0.1-80%” includes 0.1 %, 0.2%, 0.3%, etc. up to 80%.

As used herein the term "plant" or “crop” refers to whole plants, plant organs (e.g., leaves, stems, twigs, roots, trunks, limbs, shoots, fruits etc.), plant cells, and plant seeds. This term also encompasses plant crops such as fruits.

The term “plant” may further include the propagation material thereof, which may include all the generative parts of the plant such as seeds and vegetative plant material such as cuttings and tubers, which can be used for the multiplication of the plant. This includes seeds, tubers, spores, corms, bulbs, rhizomes, sprouts basal shoots, stolons, and buds and other parts of plants, including seedlings and young plants, which are to be transplanted after germination or after emergence from soil.

The term "plant" is further to be understood as including plants which have been modified by either conventional breeding, or mutagenesis or genetic engineering, or by a combination thereof.

The term "plant propagation material" refers to all the generative parts of the plant such as seeds and vegetative plant material such as cuttings and tubers (e.g., potatoes), which can be used for the multiplication of the plant. This includes seeds, roots, grains, fruits, tubers, bulbs, rhizomes, shoots, sprouts and other parts of plants. Seedlings and young plants, which are to be transplanted after germination or after emergence from soil, may also be included. These plant propagation materials may be treated prophylactically with a plant protection compound either at or before planting or transplanting.

The term “locus” as used herein denotes the vicinity or area designated for growth of a desired crop susceptible to or likely to be susceptible to infestation by insects, and in which control of the insect is desired. The locus includes the vicinity of desired crop plants wherein insect infestation has either occurred or is most likely to occur or is yet to occur.

The term “insecticidally effective amount” means the amount of the composition needed to achieve an observable adverse effect on growth, including the effects of necrosis, death, retardation, prevention, and removal, destruction, insect pest mortality, insect pest weight loss, insect pest reduced plant defoliation, and other behavioural and physical changes of an insect pest after feeding and exposure for an appropriate length of time.

The term “adverse effect’” includes one or more of a deviation from natural development of the insect, killing of the insect, structural damage to the insect and/or growth retardation.

The term "invertebrate pest" includes arthropods, gastropods, nematodes and helminths of economic importance as pests.

As used herein, an "agriculturally acceptable salt" means a salt which is known and accepted for use in agricultural or horticultural use.

The term "agriculturally acceptable amount of active" refers to an amount of an active that kills or inhibits the pest on which control is desired, in an amount not significantly toxic to the plant being treated.

The term "insects" includes all organisms in the class "Insecta”. Insecticidal refers to the ability of a substance to increase mortality and/or inhibit the growth rate of insects.

As used herein, the term "contacting" includes both direct contact (applying the compositions directly on the animal pest or plant - typically to the foliage, stem or roots of the plant) and indirect contact (applying the active compounds/compositions to the locus, i.e., habitat, breeding ground, plant, seed, soil, area, material or environment in which a pest is growing or may grow, of the animal pest or plant).

The term "control" or "controlling" insects refers to inhibition of insects, through a toxic effect, the ability of insect pests to survive, grow, feed, and/or reproduce, or to limit insect-related damage or loss in crop plants. To "control" insects may or may not mean killing the insects, although it preferably means reducing insect population by killing the insects.

The common names of active ingredients as mentioned in this specification are known from the "handbook of insecticides" 13th edition, British crop protection commission (2003) and also available at www.alanwood.net/pesticides.

The present disclosure relates to an insecticidal combination/composition. The disclosure also relates to a method for preparing the combination/composition as well as a method for controlling insect pests with the said combination/composition.

The combinations/compositions are suitable for protecting plants and plant parts, for controlling insect infestation, for increasing harvest yields, and/or for improving the quality of the harvested material.

The present disclosure provides an agrochemical combination/composition comprising:

(a) at least one insecticide; and

(b) at least one agrochemical ingredient.

In an aspect, the present disclosure provides an agrochemical combination/composition comprising:

(a) at least one insecticide; and

(b) at least one agrochemical ingredient, wherein the agrochemical ingredient comprises a nutrient, a fertilizer, a growth regulator, or a combination thereof. In an embodiment the present combination/composition comprises:

(a) a combination of a neonicotinoid insecticide such as acetamiprid and a pyrethroid insecticide such as bifenthrin, and

(b) at least one plant growth regulator, a fertilizer, a micronutrient, or a combination thereof.

In an embodiment, the agrochemical composition/combination comprises,

(a) an insecticide comprising a neonicotinoid, a pyrethroid, or a combination thereof, and

(b) a fertilizer.

In an embodiment, the agrochemical composition/combination comprises,

(a) an insecticide comprising a neonicotinoid, a pyrethroid, or a combination thereof, and

(b) a nutrient.

In an embodiment, the agrochemical composition/combination comprises,

(a) an insecticide comprising a neonicotinoid, a pyrethroid, or a combination thereof,

(b) a nutrient or a fertilizer, and

(c) a plant growth regulator.

In an embodiment, the insecticide comprises a neonicotinoid insecticide, a pyrethroid insecticide, or a combination thereof.

In an embodiment, the neonicotinoid insecticide comprises acetamiprid, clothianidin, dinotefuran, imidacloprid, imidaclothiz, nitenpyram, nithiazine, thiacloprid, thiamethoxam, AKD-1022, nicotine, or a combination thereof, specifically acetamiprid, clothianidin, dinotefuran, or imidacloprid.

In an embodiment, the neonicotinoid insecticide is acetamiprid.

In an embodiment, the neonicotinoid insecticide is imidacloprid. Other insecticides comprise chlorfenapyr, cartap, dimehypo, thiocyclam, and combinations thereof.

In an embodiment, the pyrethroid insecticide comprises flupropathrin, allethrin (d-cis-trans, d-trans), beta-cyfluthrin, bifenthrin, bioallethrin-threo cyclopentyl isomer, flubenthrin (bioethanenomethrin), biothrin, bioresmethrin, dichlorometrythrin (chloreporthrin), cis-cypermethrin, cis-resmethrin, cis- permethrin, cyhalothrin (clocythrin), cycloprothrin, cyfluthrin, cyhalothrin, cypermethrin cyphenothrin, deltamethrin, prallethrin (1 R-isomer), S-fenvalerate, etofenprox, pentafluorothrin, fen propath rin, cypermethrin, fenvalerate, fluvalinate, cyhalothrin, trifluoroether, flumethrin, cyhalothrin, esfenvalerate (1 R-isomer), etofenvalerate, esfen, fenvalerate flumethrin, benzofenapyr (fubfenprox), gamma- cyfluthrin, sumicidin, kadethrin, lambda-cyfluthrin, metofluthrin, permethrin (cis, transfer), phenothrin (1 R-trans isomer), propargyl, proferfluthrin, protifenbute, pyresmethrin, bifenthrin, Rll 15525, silafluothrin, tau-fluvalinate, tefluthrin, cyclopentene allethrin, tetramethrin (-1 R-isomer), tetrabromthrin, transfluthrin, ZXI 8901 , pyrethrin, eflusilat, and combinations thereof. Specific pyrethroid insecticides include bifenthrin, allethrin, deltamethrin, cypermethrin, and cyfluthrin.

In an embodiment, the agrochemical active ingredient in the present combination/composition comprises a plant growth regulator, a fertilizer, a micronutrient, or a combination thereof.

In an embodiment, the plant growth regulator comprises an auxin, a gibberellin, a cytokinin, an abscisic acid, ethylene, or a combination thereof.

In an embodiment, the plant growth regulator comprises ortho-silicic acid, a super absorbent polymer (Zeba™ or gels), uniconazole, chloromequat chloride, dikegulac, ancymidol, abscisic acid, paclobutrazol, trinexapacethyl, prohexadione calcium, choline chloride, a natural extract such as weed extract products, plant extracts, maleic acid hydrazide or its salt, urea, urea derivatives, and combinations thereof. In an embodiment, the plant growth regulator is a gibberellin comprising gibberellic acid or other compounds having gibberellin activity.

In an embodiment, the fertilizer comprises a nitrogen source, ammonium sulfate, ammonium nitrate, ammonium chloride, urea, lime nitrogen, or a combination thereof.

In an embodiment, the fertilizer includes, a nitrogen source, a phosphorus source, a potassium source, a trace element, sulfur, or combinations thereof.

In a preferred embodiment, the fertilizer is selected from a nitrogen source, a phosphorus source, and/or a potassium source. Accordingly, commercially available products for example Raizal™, Foltron®, K-Fol™ are used as a part of the present agrochemical composition.

In a preferred embodiment, the fertilizer comprises a phosphorus source comprising oxides of phosphorus selected from phosphorus pentoxide, phosphorus trioxide, phosphorus monoxide or phosphate salts such as organophosphates, potassium or sodium phosphate and the like.

In a preferred embodiment, the fertilizer comprises a potassium source, comprising potassium phosphate, potassium chloride, potash, or potassium oxides.

In an embodiment, the nutrient source comprises a micronutrient, a macronutrient, or a combination thereof.

In an embodiment, the micronutrient comprises salts and oxides of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, nickel, molybdenum, copper, boron, calcium, manganese, iron, magnesium, and the like, and combinations thereof. In an embodiment, the macronutrient comprises nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, sulphur, magnesium, carbon, oxygen and hydrogen, its salts or oxides.

In an embodiment, the present disclosure provides an agrochemical combination/composition for insect control comprising:

(a) a neonicotinoid insecticide comprising acetamiprid, a pyrethroid insecticide comprising bifenthrin, or a combination thereof,

(b) a fertilizer comprising potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, nitrogen, a salt or oxide thereof, or a combination thereof,

(c) a nutrient comprising potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, nitrogen, zinc, nickel, molybdenum, copper, boron, calcium, manganese, iron, a salt or oxide thereof, or a combination thereof,

(d) a growth regulator comprising an auxin, a gibberellin, a cytokinin, abscisic acid, ethylene, or a combination thereof.

In an embodiment, the agrochemical composition for insect control comprises,

(a) a neonicotinoid insecticide comprising acetamiprid, a pyrethroid insecticide comprising bifenthrin, or a combination thereof,

(b) a fertilizer comprising potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, nitrogen, or a combination thereof, or

(c) a nutrient comprising potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, nitrogen, zinc, nickel, molybdenum, copper, boron, calcium, manganese, iron, magnesium, an oxide or salt thereof, or a combination thereof, and

(d) a growth regulator comprising an auxin, a gibberellin, a cytokinin, abscisic acid, ethylene, or a combination thereof.

In an embodiment, the agrochemical combination/composition comprises 1 wt% to 75% wt%, preferably 5 wt% to 50 wt%, more preferably 10 wt% to 25 wt% of the nutrient based on the total weight of the agrochemical combination/ composition. In an embodiment, the agrochemical combination/composition comprises 1 wt% to 75% wt%, preferably 5 wt% to 50 wt%, more preferably 10 wt% to 25 wt% of the fertilizer based on the total weight of the agrochemical combination/ composition.

In an embodiment, the agrochemical combination/composition comprises 1 wt% to 70 wt%, preferably 10 wt% to 40 wt%, more preferably 15 wt% to 30 wt% of the phosphorus compound based on the total weight of the agrochemical combination/composition.

In an embodiment, the agrochemical combination/composition comprises 1 wt% to 75% wt%, preferably 10 wt% to 60 wt%, more preferably 25 wt% to 50wt% of the potassium compound based on the total weight of the agrochemical combination/composition.

In an embodiment, the agrochemical combination/composition comprises 2wt% to 50wt%, preferably 4 wt% to 30 wt%, more preferably 5 wt% to 20 wt% of the bioavailable phosphorus, based on the total weight of the agrochemical combination/composition.

In an embodiment, the agrochemical combination/composition comprises 5wt% to 80wt%, preferably 20 wt% to 60 wt%, more preferably 25 wt% to 50 wt% of a water-soluble potassium salt, based on the total weight of the agrochemical combination/composition.

In an embodiment, the agrochemical combination/composition comprises 2 wt% to 50 wt%, preferably 5 wt% to 25 wt% of phosphorus; and 20wt% to 60 wt%, preferably 30 wt% to 50 wt% of potassium; or their salts or oxides, based on the total weight of the agrochemical composition.

Accordingly, the present disclosure provides an agrochemical combination/composition comprising:

(a) 1wt% to 75 wt% of the insecticide; and (b) a fertilizer or nutrient comprising 5 wt% to 40 wt% of phosphorus and 30 wt% to 60 wt% of a water-soluble potassium salt, each weight based on the total weight of the agrochemical composition.

Accordingly, the present disclosure provides an agrochemical combination/composition comprising:

(a) 40wt% to 70 wt% of the insecticide; and

(b) a fertilizer or nutrient comprising 10 wt% to 25wt% of phosphorus and 10 wt% to 50 wt% of a water-soluble potassium salt, each weight based on the total weight of the agrochemical composition.

Accordingly, the present disclosure provides an agrochemical combination/composition comprising:

(a) 40wt% to 70 wt% of the insecticide; and

(b) a fertilizer or nutrient comprising 10 wt% to 50wt% of phosphorus and 10 wt% to 25 wt% of a water-soluble potassium salt, each weight based on the total weight of the agrochemical composition.

In an embodiment, the combination/composition comprises 0.0001 wt% to 25 wt% of the plant growth regulator, based on the total weight of the agrochemical composition.

In an embodiment, the combination/composition comprises 0.0001wt% to 15 wt%, preferably 0.0001wt% to 10 wt%, and more preferably 0.0001wt% % to 5 wt% of a plant growth regulator, based on the total weight of the agrochemical combination/composition.

In an embodiment, the combination/composition comprises 0.0001wt% of a gibberellin.

In an embodiment, the combination/composition comprises 0.0001wt% of gibberellic acid. Accordingly, the present disclosure provides an agrochemical combination/composition comprising:

(a) 1wt% to 75% wt% of the insecticide; and

(b) 0.0001wt% to 25 wt% of the plant growth regulator.

Accordingly, the present disclosure provides an agrochemical combination/composition comprising:

(a) 40wt% to 70% wt% of the insecticide; and

(b) 0.0001wt% to 10 wt% of the plant growth regulator.

Accordingly, the present disclosure provides an agrochemical combination/composition comprising:

(a) 40wt% to 70 wt% of the insecticide; and

(b) a fertilizer comprising 10 wt% to 20wt% of phosphorus and 10 wt% to 50 wt% of a water-soluble potassium salt,

(c) 0.0001wt% to 10 wt% of the plant growth regulator, each weight based on the total weight of the agrochemical composition.

Accordingly, the present disclosure provides an agrochemical combination/composition comprising:

(a) 40wt% to 70 wt% of the insecticide; and

(b) a fertilizer comprising 10 wt% to 50wt% of phosphorus and 10 wt% to 20 wt% of a water-soluble potassium salt,

(c) 0.0001wt% to 10 wt% of the plant growth regulator, each weight based on the total weight of the agrochemical composition,

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the compositions further comprise a non-ionic surfactant and/or an anionic surfactant.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, exemplary non-ionic surfactants include polyalkyleneoxide siloxanes, ethoxylated derivatives of fatty alcohols, alkyl glucosides, alkyl phenols, polyalkylene glycol ethers and condensation products of alkyl phenols, amines, fatty acids, fatty esters, mono-, di-, or triglycerides, various block copolymenc surfactants derived from alkylene oxides such as ethylene oxide/propylene oxide, aliphatic amines or fatty acids with ethylene oxides and/or propylene oxides such as the ethoxylated alkyl phenols or ethoxylated aryl or polyaryl phenols, carboxylic esters solubilized with a polyol or polyvinyl alcohol/polyvinyl acetate copolymers, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl pyrrolidinones and acrylic acid graft copolymers and mixtures, reaction products, and/or copolymers thereof, and combinations thereof.

In a preferred embodiment, the non-ionic surfactant comprises block copolymeric surfactants derived from alkylene oxides such as ethylene oxide/propylene oxide, aliphatic amines or fatty acids with ethylene oxides and/or propylene oxides such as the ethoxylated alkyl phenols or ethoxylated aryl or polyaryl phenols, their mixtures, reaction products, and/or copolymers thereof.

In an embodiment, the present composition comprises from about 0.1% to about 50% w/w and preferably from about 1% to about 40% w/w non-ionic surfactant of the total weight of the composition.

In an embodiment, the present composition comprises from about 10% to about 30% w/w non-ionic surfactant of the total weight of the composition.

In an embodiment, exemplary anionic surfactants include alkyl and aryl sulfates and sulfonates, including sodium alkyl sulfates, sodium mono- and di-alkyl naphthalene sulfonates, sodium diisopropylnaphthalene sulfonate, sodium alphaolefin sulfonate, lignin and its derivatives (such as lignosulfonate salts), sodium alkane sulfonates, polyoxyalkyene alkylether sulfate, polyoxyalkylene alkylaryl ether sulfates, polyoxy-alkylene styrylphenyl ether sulfate, mono- and dialkylbenzene sulfonates, alkylnaphthalene sulfonate, alkylnaphthalene sulfonate formaldehyde condensate, alkyl diphenylether sulfonates, olefme sulfonates, alkylphosphates, polyoxyalkylene alkyl phosphates, polyoxyalkylene phenylether phosphate, polyoxyalkylphenol phosphates, poly-carboxylates, fatty acids and salts thereof, alkyl glycinates, sulfonated methyl esters, sulfonated fatty acids, sulfosuccinates and their derivatives, acyl glutamates, acyl sarcosinates, alkyl sulfoacetates, acylated peptides, alkyl ether carboxylates, acyl lactylates, anionic fluorosurfactants, amid ether sulfates, N-methyl fatty acid taurides, mixtures thereof and the like, including sodium, potassium, ammonium and amine salts, and the leike, and mixtures thereof.

In an embodiment, the composition comprises from about 0.1% to about 50% w/w and preferably from about 1% to about 40% w/w anionic surfactant of the total weight of the composition.

In an embodiment, the present composition comprises from about 10% to about 30% w/w anionic surfactant of the total weight of the composition.

In an embodiment, the agrochemical composition may further comprise one or more stabilizers, emetic agents, disintegrating agents, antifoaming agents, wetting agents, dispersing agents, binding agents, dye(s), fillers, carriers, surfactants and optionally solid and/or liquid auxiliaries and/or adjuvants such as wetting agents, adhesives, dispersants or emulsifiers, carriers that may be solid or liquid, antifreeze agent, anticaking agents, pH-regulating agents, preservatives, biocides, and if required other formulation aids. The composition content of these components is not particularly limiting and may be determined by a skilled technician in the art according to the conventional protocols.

Exemplary antifreeze agents that can be added to the composition are liquid polyols, for example ethylene glycol, propylene glycol or glycerol.

Exemplary wetting agents that can be added to the composition of the present disclosure include but are not limited to: polyarylalkoxylated phosphate esters and their potassium salts. Other exemplary wetting agents include sodium dioctylsulfosuccinates, and ethoxylated alcohols.

Optionally, about 0.1 wt % to about 5.0 wt % of antifoaming or defoamers are employed to prevent any unwanted foam generated while manufacturing the compositions. Exemplary antifoaming agents include silicone-based compounds, alcohols, glycol ethers, mineral spirits, acetylene diols, polysiloxanes, organosiloxanes, siloxane glycols, reaction products of silicon dioxide and organosiloxane polymer, polydimethylsiloxanes or polyalkylene glycols alone or in combination. Exemplary defoamers include SAG-10; SAG-1000AP; SAG-1529; SAG-1538; SAG-1571 ; SAG-1572; SAG-1575; SAG-2001 ; SAG-220; SAG-290; SAG-30; SAG-30E; SAG-330; SAG-47; SAG-5440; SAG-7133 and SAG-770.

Examples of thickening agents based on anionic heteropolysaccharides from the xanthan gum group are inter alia the Rhodopol 23®, Rhodopol G®, Rhodopol 50 MD®, Rhodicare T®, Kelzan®, Kelzan S® and Satiaxane CX91®.

Preservatives used may be benzisothiazolinone or phonols, 2-bromo-2- nitropropane-1 ,3-diol, 5-chloro-2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one & 2 methyl-4- isothiazolin -3 one, glutaraldehyde, chloromethylisothiazolinone (CMIT)/ Methylisothiazolinone (MIT), 2.2-dibromo-3-nitrilopropioamide, natamycin & nisin, bronopol/CMIT/MIT.

Exemplary colorants (for example in red, blue and green) are, for example, pigments, which are sparingly soluble in water, and dyes, which are water-soluble. Examples are inorganic coloring agents (for example iron oxide, titanium oxide, and iron hexacyanoferrate) and organic coloring agents (for example alizarin, azo and phthalocyanin coloring agents).

Suitable binders include lactose monohydrate, alkylated vinyl pyrrolidone copolymers cross-linked polyvinylpyrrolidones copolymers of vinyl acetate and vinylpyrrolidone lignosulfonates and sodium or calcium salts thereof, unsulfonated lignin; clays, microcrystalline celluloses; methyl cellulose ethers; ethyl cellulose polymers; starch (natural or modified); gluten; silicates and sodium or calcium salts thereof; magnesium aluminum silicates; natural or modified lecithin; sugar alcohols and polyethylene glycols, among others.

Fillers may include an organic or inorganic solid inert substance such as talc, clay, diatomaceous earth, magnesium aluminium silicate, white carbon black, pyrophyllite, light calcium carbonate, high clay, organic bentonite, and the like, and mixtures thereof.

The compositions that are prepared based on the present disclosure include both solid and liquid based compositions. The compositions of the present disclosure can be converted into customary types of agrochemical formulations. Thus, in an embodiment, the compositions of the present disclosure maybe formulated in a manner which suits the specific application.

The formulation may be solid or liquid formulations. Non-limiting examples of liquid formulations include emulsion concentrates (EC), suspension concentrates (SC), capsule suspensions (CS); exemplary solid formulations include water dispersible granules (WDG) and wettable powders (WP), dusts, and the like. In a preferred embodiment, the composition is an emulsion concentrate (EC). In another preferred embodiment, the composition is a water dispersible granule (WDG).

According to another embodiment, the agrochemical formulation of the present disclosure is found to be highly active against a wide variety of chewing, boring and sucking insects in crops.

In an embodiment, the crops can be selected from, but not limited to, cereals, such as wheat, oats, barley, spelt, triticale, rye, maize, millet, rice; crops such as sugarcane, soybean, sunflower, rape, canola, tobacco, sugar beet, fodder beet; tuber crops such as potatoes, sweet potatoes, etc.; crops such as asparagus, hops, etc.; fruit plants such as apples, pears; stone- fruits such as, for example, peaches, nectarines, cherries, plums, apricots; citrus fruits such as oranges, grapefruit, limes, lemons, kumquats, mandarins, satsumas; nuts such as pistachios, almonds, walnuts, pecan nuts; tropical fruits such as mango, papaya, pineapple, dates, bananas etc.; grapes; vegetables such as endives, lettuce, fennel, globe and loose-leaf salad, chard, spinach, chicory, cauliflower, broccoli, Chinese cabbage, kale (winter kale or curly kale), kohlrabi, Brussel sprouts, red cabbage, white cabbage and savoy; fruiting vegetables such as aubergines, cucumbers, paprika, marrow, tomatoes, courgettes, sweetcorn; root vegetables such as celeriac, turnip, carrots, swedes, radishes, horseradish, beetroot, salsify, celery; pulses such as peas, beans, etc.; bulb vegetables such as leeks, onions, etc.; oil crops such as mustard, poppy, olives, sunflowers, coconut, castor oil plants, cocoa beans, groundnuts; fibre crops such as cotton, jute, flex, hemp; crops such as tea, coffee, rubber; ornamentals including shrubs and flowering plants; vines; rangeland; and pastures.

In an embodiment, the target insect pest is a Lepidopteran, a Coleopteran, a Hemipteran, or a Homopteran.

In an embodiment, Lepidopteran pest species which negatively impact agriculture include, but are not limited to, Achoea janata, Adoxophyes spp., Adoxophyes orana, Agrotis spp. (cutworms), Agrotis ipsilon (black cutworm), Alabama argillacea (cotton leafworm), Amorbia cuneana, Amyelosis transitella (navel orangeworm), Anacamptodes defectaria, Anarsia lineatella (peach twig borer), Anomis sabulifera (jute looper), Anticarsia gemmatalis (velvetbean caterpillar), Archips argyrospila (fruittree leafroller), Archips rosana (rose leaf roller), Argyrotaenia spp. (tortricid moths), Argyrotaenia citrana (orange tortrix), Autographa gamma, Bonagota cranaodes, Borbo cinnara (rice leaf folder), Bucculatrix thurberiella (cotton leafperforator), Caloptilia spp. (leaf miners), Capua reticulana, Carposina niponensis (peach fruit moth), Chilo spp., Chlumetia transversa (mango shoot borer), Choristoneura rosaceana (obliquebanded leafroller), Chrysodeixis spp., Cnaphalocerus medinalis (grass leafroller), Colias spp., Conpomorpha cramerella, Cossus cossus (carpenter moth), Crambus spp. (Sod webworms), Cydia funebrana (plum fruit moth), Cydia molesta (oriental fruit moth), Cydia nignicana (pea moth), Cydia pomonella (codling moth), Darna diducta, Diaphania spp. (stem borers), Diatraea spp. (stalk borers), Diatraea saccharalis (sugarcane borer), Diatraea graniosella (southwester corn borer), Earias spp. (bollworms), Earias insulata (Egyptian bollworm), Earias vitella (rough northern bollworm), Ecdytopopha aurantianum, Elasmopalpus lignosellus (lesser cornstalk borer), Epiphysias postruttana (light brown apple moth), Ephestia spp. (flour moths), Ephestia cautella (almond moth), Ephestia elutella (tobbaco moth), Ephestia kuehniella (Mediterranean flour moth), Epimeces spp., Epinotia aporema, Erionota thrax (banana skipper), Eupoecilia ambiguella (grape berry moth), Euxoa auxiliaris (army cutworm), Feltia spp. (cutworms), Gortyna spp. (stemborers), Grapholita molesta (oriental fruit moth), Hedylepta indicata (bean leaf webber), Helicoverpa spp. (noctuid moths), Helicoverpa armigera (cotton bollworm), Helicoverpa zea (bollworm/corn earworm), Heliothis spp. (noctuid moths), Heliothis virescens (tobacco budworm), Hellula undalis (cabbage webworm), Indarbela spp. (root borers), Keiferia lycopersicella (tomato pinworm), Leucinodes orbonalis (eggplant fruit borer), Leucoptera malifoliella, Lithocollectis spp., Lobesia botrana (grape fruit moth), Loxagrotis spp. (noctuid moths), Loxagrotis albicosta (western bean cutworm), Lymantria dispar (gypsy moth), Lyonetia clerkella (apple leaf miner), Mahasena corbetti (oil palm bagworm), Malacosoma spp. (tent caterpillars), Mamestra brassicae (cabbage armyworm), Maruca testulalis (bean pod borer), Metisa plana (bagworm), Mythimna unipuncta (true armyworm), Neoleucinodes elegantalis (small tomato borer), Nymphula depunctalis (rice caseworm), Operophthera brumata (winter moth), Ostrinia nubilalis (European corn borer), Oxydia vesulia, Pandemis cerasana (common currant tortrix), Pandemis heparana (brown apple tortrix), Papilio demodocus, Pectinophora gossypiella (pink bollworm), Peridroma spp. (cutworms), Peridroma saucia (variegated cutworm), Perileucoptera coffeella (white coffee leafminer), Phthorimaea operculella (potato tuber moth), Phyllocnisitis citrella, Phyllonorycter spp. (leafminers), Pieris rapae (imported cabbageworm), Plathypena scabra, Plodia interpunctella (Indian meal moth), Plutella xylostella (diamondback moth), Polychrosis viteana (grape berry moth), Prays endocarpa, Prays oleae (olive moth), Pseudaletia spp. (noctuid moths), Pseudaletia unipunctata (armyworm), Pseudoplusia includens (soybean looper), Rachiplusia nu, Scirpophaga incertulas, Sesamia spp. (stemborers), Sesamia inferens (pink rice stem borer), Sesamia nonagrioides, Setora nitens, Sitotroga cerealella (Angoumois grain moth), Sparganothis pilleriana, Spodoptera cosmioides (lepidoptera), Spodoptera spp. (armyworms), Spodoptera exigua (beet armyworm), Spodoptera fugiperda (fall armyworm), Spodoptera oridania eridania (southern armyworm), Spodoptera littoralis e Diaphania nitidalis , Synanthedon spp. (root borers), Thecla basilides, Thermisia gemmatalis, Tineola bisselliella (webbing clothes moth), Trichoplusia ni (cabbage looper), Tuta absoluta, Yponomeuta spp., Zeuzera coffeae (red branch borer) and Zeuzera pyrina (leopard moth).

In yet another embodiment, the insect pests are of the order Orthoptera, such as Anabrus simplex (Mormon cricket), Gryllotalpidae (mole crickets), Locusta migratoria, Melanoplus spp. (grasshoppers), Microcentrum reti nerve (angularwinged katydid), Pterophylla spp. (kaydids), Chistocerca gregaria, Scudderia furcata (forktailed bush katydid) and Valanga nigricorni.

In yet another embodiment, the insect pests are of the order Thysanoptera, such as Frankliniella fusca (tobacco thrips), Frankliniella occidentalis (western flower thrips), Frankliniella shultzei Frankliniella williamsi (corn thrips), Heliothrips haemorrhaidalis (greenhouse thrips), Riphiphorothrips cruentatus, Scirtothrips spp., Scirtothrips citri (citrus thrips), Scirtothrips dorsalis (yellow tea thrips), Taeniothrips rhopalantennalis and Thrips spp. Diloboderus abderus (coleoptera) and Diabrotica speciosa (coleoptera).

In an embodiment, Coleopteran insect pests may be selected from but not limited to Acanthoscelides spp. (weevils), Acanthoscelides obtectus (common bean weevil), Agrilus planipennis (emerald ash borer), Agriotes spp. (wireworms), Anoplophora glabripennis (Asian longhorned beetle), Anthonomus spp. (weevils), Anthonomus grandis (boll weevil), Aphidius spp., Apion spp. (weevils), Apogonia spp. (grubs), Ataenius spretulus (Black Turgrass Ataenius), Atomaria linearis (pygmy mangold beetle), Aulacophore spp., Bothynoderes punctiventris (beet root weevil), Bruchus spp. (weevils), Bruchus pisorum (pea weevil), Cacoesia spp., Callosobruchus maculatus (southern cow pea weevil), Carpophilus hemipteras (dried fruit beetle), Cassida vittata, Cerosterna spp, Cerotoma spp. (chrysomeids), Cerotoma trifurcata (bean leaf beetle), Ceutorhynchus spp. (weevils), Ceutorhynchus assimilis (cabbage seedpod weevil), Ceutorhynchus napi (cabbage curculio), Chaetocnema spp. (chrysomelids), Colaspis spp. (soil beetles), Conoderus scalaris, Conoderus stigmosus, Conotrachelus nenuphar (plum curculio), Cotinus nitidis (Green June beetle), Crioceris asparagi (asparagus beetle), Cryptolestes ferruginous (rusty grain beetle), Cryptolestes pusillus (flat grain beetle), Cryptolestes turcicus (Turkish grain beetle), Ctenicera spp. (wireworms), Curculio spp. (weevils), Cyclocephala spp. (grubs), Cylindrocpturus adspersus (sunflower stem weevil), Deporaus marginatus (mango leaf-cutting weevil), Dermestes lardarius (la rder beetle), Dermestes maculates (hide beetle), Diloboderus abderus (coleoptera), Diabrotica speciosa (coleoptera), Diabrotica spp. (chrysolemids), Epilachna varivestis (Mexican bean beetle), Faustinus cubae, Hylobius pales (pales weevil), Hypera spp. (weevils), Hypera postica (alfalfa weevil), Hyperdoes spp. (Hyperodes weevil), Hypothenemus hampei (coffee berry beetle), Ips spp. (engravers), Lasioderma serricorne (cigarette beetle), Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Colorado potato beetle), Liogenys futscus, Liogenys suturalis, Lissorhoptrus oryzophilus (rice water weevil), Lyctus spp. (wood beetles/powder post beetles), Maecolaspis joliveti, Megascelis spp., Melanotus communis, Meligethes spp., Meligethes aeneus (blossom beetle), Melolontha melolontha (common European cockchafer), Oberea brevis, Oberea linearis, Oryctes rhinoceros (date palm beetle), Oryzaephilus mercator (merchant grain beetle), Oryzaephilus surinamensis (sawtoothed grain beetle), Otiorhynchus spp. (weevils), Oulema melanopus (cereal leaf beetle), Oulema oryzae, Pantomorus spp. (weevils), Phyllophaga spp. (May/June beetle), Phyllophaga cuyabana, Phyllotreta spp. (chrysomelids), Phynchites spp., Popillia japonica (Japanese beetle), Prostephanus truncates (larger grain borer), Rhizopertha dominica (lesser grain borer), Rhizotrogus spp. (Eurpoean chafer), Rhynchophorus spp. (weevils), Scolytus spp. (wood beetles), Shenophorus spp. (Billbug), Sitona lineatus (pea leaf weevil), Sitophilus spp. (grain weevils), Sitophilus granaries (granary weevil), Sitophilus oryzae (rice weevil), Stegobium paniceum (drugstore beetle), Tribolium spp. (flour beetles), Tribolium castaneum (red flour beetle), Tribolium confusum (confused flour beetle), Trogoderma variabile (warehouse beetle) and Zabrus tenebioides.

In an embodiment, the insect pests are of the order Hemiptera, such as Acrosternum hilare (green stink bug), Blissus leucopterus (chinch bug), Calocoris norvegicus (potato mind), Cimex hemipterus (tropical bed bug), Cimex lectularius (bed bug), Diaphorina citri e Tibraca limbativentris (hemiptera), Dagbertus fasciatus, Dichelops furcatus, Dichelops melacanthus, Dysdercus suturellus (coton stainer), Edessa meditabunda, Eurygaster maura (cereal bug), Euschistus heros, Euschistus servus (brown stink bug), Helopeltis antonii, Helopeltis theivora (tea blight plantbug), Lagynotomus spp. (stink bugs), Leptocorisa oratorius, Leptocorisa varicornis, Lygus spp. (plant bugs), Lygus hesperus (western tarnished plant bug), Maconellicoccus hirsutus, Neurocolpus longirostris, Nezara viridula (southern green stink bug), Paratrioza cockerelli, Phytocoris spp. (plant bugs), Phytocoris californicus, Phytocoris relativus, Piezodorus guildinii, Poecilocapsus lineatus (fourlined plant bug), Psallus vaccinicola, Pseudacysta perseae, Scaptocoris castanea and Triatoma spp. (bloodsucking conenose bugs/kissing bugs).

In an embodiment, the insect pests are of the order Homoptera, such as Acrythosiphon pisum (pea aphid), Adelges spp. (adelgids), Aleurodes proletella (cabbage whitefly), Aleurodicus disperses, Aleurothrixus floccosus (woolly whitefly), Aluacaspis spp., Amrasca bigutella bigutella, Aphrophora spp. (leafhoppers), Aonidiella aurantii (California red scale), Aphis spp. (aphids), Aphis gossypii (cotton aphid), Aphis pomi (apple aphid), Aulacorthum solani (foxglove aphid), Bemisia spp. (whiteflies), Bemisia argentifolii, Bemisia tabaci (sweet potato whitefly), Brachycolus noxius (Russian aphid), Brachycorynella asparagi (asparagus aphid), Brevennia rehi, Brevicoryne brassicae (cabbage aphid), Ceroplastes spp. (scales), Ceroplastes rubens (red bawax scale), Chionaspis spp. (scales), Chrysomphalus spp. (scales), Coccus spp. (scales), Dalbulius maidis (homoptera), substituir Mahanarva fimbriolata, por Mahanarva sp., Dysaphis plantaginea (rosy apple aphid), Empoasca spp. (leafhoppers), Eriosoma lanigerum (woolly apple aphid), Icerya purchasi (cottony cushion scale), Idioscopus nitidulus (mango leafhopper), Laodelphax striatellus (smaller brown planthopper), Lepidosaphes spp., Macrosiphum spp., Macrosiphum euphorbiae (potato aphid), Macrosiphum granarium (English grain aphid), Macrosiphum rosae (rose aphid), Macrosteles quadrilineatus (aster leafhopper), Mahanarva frimbiolata, Metopolophium dirhodum (rose grain aphid), Mictis longicornis, Myzus persicae (green peach aphid), Nephotetix spp. (leafhoppers), Nephotettix cinctipes (green leafhopper), Nilaparvata lugens (brown planthopper), Parlatoria pergandii (chaff scale), Parlatoria ziziphi (ebony scale), Peregrinus maidis (corn delphacid), Philaenus spp. (spittlebugs), Phylloxera vitifohae (grape phylloxera), Physokermes piceae (spruce bud scale), Pianococcus spp. (mealybugs), Pseudococcus spp. (mealybugs), Pseudococcus brevipes (pine apple mealybug), Quadraspidiotus perniciosus (San Jose scale), Rhapalosiphum spp. (aphids), Rhapalosiphum maida (corn leaf aphid), Rhapalosiphum padi (oat bird-cherry aphid), Saissetia spp. (scales), Saissetia oleae (black scale), Schizaphis graminum (greenbug), Sitobion avenae (English grain aphid), Sogatella furcifera (white-backed planthopper), Therioaphis spp. (aphids), Toumeyella spp. (scales), Toxoptera spp. (aphids), Trialeurodes spp. (whiteflies), Trialeurodes vaporariorum (greenhouse whitefly), Trialeurodes abutiloneus (bandedwing whitefly), Unaspis spp. (scales), Unaspis yanonensis (arrowhead scale) and Zulia entreriana.

In an embodiment, the preferred insect pest controlled is from the family of Pentatonidae.

In an embodiment, the preferred insect pest controlled is a stink bug.

In an embodiment, compositions according to the disclosure are applied to any and all developmental stages, such as egg, larva, pupa, and adult, preferred insect pest controlled is adults and pre-adults of stink bug.

The pests may be controlled by contacting the target pest, its food supply, habitat, breeding ground or its locus with an insecticidally effective amount of the compositions described herein.

According to another embodiment, the present disclosure provides a method of controlling or preventing unwanted pests on plants or propagation material thereof, said method comprising applying an agrochemically effective amount of the present combinations/compositions to the pests or to the plants or to their locus. In an embodiment, the present disclosure provides a method of predominantly controlling insect infestation at a locus, said method comprising administering to the locus the present combinations/compositions.

In an embodiment the present combinations/compositions are useful for controlling stink bug in soybean plants.

In an embodiment the present combinations/compositions are useful for controlling adult and stink bug insects at the nymph stage in soybean plants.

Stink bugs feed on numerous plants, which include native and ornamental trees, shrubs, vines, weeds, and other cultivated crops such as corn and cotton, as well as numerous uncultivated plants, and their preferred hosts are nearly all wild plants.

Stink bugs (order of Hemiptera, family of Pentatomidae) are animal pests and true bugs found as green stink bugs or brown stink bugs. These bugs are one of the most common pest problems in soybean plants. Among brown stink bugs, Euschistus heros is currently considered to be the most abundant species in Brazil, and it is a significant problem in soybean. Therefore, control of stinkbugs in soybean is often vital to prevent significant economic damage. However, insecticides commonly used to control stinkbugs include pyrethroids, neonicotinoids and organophosphates, though pyrethroid insecticides are usually the method of choice for controlling stink bugs in soybean. However, there are increasing problems with insecticide resistance.

Thus, in this embodiment, the present disclosure can provide a method of controlling insect infestation at a locus, said method comprising contacting the target insect with the present combinations/compositions comprising combination of neonicotinoids, pyrethroid and at least one plant growth regulator, fertilizer, micronutrient, or combination thereof. In an embodiment, the method of the present disclosure may be carried out by applying the present combinations/compositions at the locus of the infestation.

Preferably, a method of treating the plants or their locus with the combination of the present invention comprises administering to the soil, applying to the plant or parts of the plant or seed with an insecticidally effective amount of present combinations/compositions. The administration is preferably by application either when first signs of infestation are seen, or when insect pests begin to reappear.

In an embodiment, the method of the present disclosure comprises applying the present combinations/compositions comprising acetamiprid, bifenthrin and a fertilizer composition or a plant growth regulator at the locus of the infestation or on the surface of plant propagation material.

In an embodiment, the method of the present disclosure may be carried out by application of a combination of acetamiprid, bifenthrin and a micronutrient composition, simultaneously or separately or sequentially, at the plants or parts thereof or at the locus or on the surface of plant propagation material.

In an embodiment, the method of the present disclosure may be carried out by an application of a combination of acetamiprid, bifenthrin and a fertilizer composition, sequentially at the plants or parts thereof or at the locus or on the surface of plant propagation material, wherein a subsequent application of the combinations is carried out, at a time interval of at least 7 days.

In an embodiment, the method of the present disclosure may be carried out by an application of a combination of acetamiprid, bifenthrin and a fertilizer composition, sequentially at the plants or parts thereof or at the locus or on the surface of plant propagation material, wherein a subsequent application of the combination is carried out, at a time interval of at least 10 days after the preceding (or first) application. In an embodiment, the method of the present disclosure may be carried out by an application of a combination of acetamiprid, bifenthrin and a subsequent application of a fertilizer, wherein the subsequent application of the combinations is carried out, at a time interval of at least 10 days after the preceding application.

In an embodiment, the method of the present disclosure may be carried out by an application of a combination of acetamiprid, bifenthrin and a subsequent application of a fertilizer or a nutrient or a plant growth regulator or combinations thereof, wherein the subsequent application of the combinations is carried out, at a time interval of at least 10 days after the preceding application.

In an embodiment, the method of the present disclosure may be carried out by an application of a composition of acetamiprid, bifenthrin and agrochemical ingredient comprising a plant growth regulator, a fertilizer or a nutrient, wherein the said composition is sequentially applied at a time interval of at least 10 days after the preceding application.

In an embodiment, the present disclosure may be carried out by application of acetamiprid and bifenthrin in a ratio by weight of between about 1 to 1000 and about 1000 to 1 , between about 1 to 500 and about 500 to 1 , between about 1 to 300 and about 300 to 1 , between about 1 to 100 and about 100 to 1 , between about 1 to 50 and 50 to 1 or about 1 to 25 and 25 to 1 , between about 1 to 10 and 10 to 1 , between about 1 to 5 and 5 to 1 , between about 1 to 3 and about 3 to 1 , about 1 to 2.5 and 2.5 to 1 , or preferably about 1 to 1 .

In an embodiment, the present disclosure may be carried out by an application of fertilizer composition in an amount of 0.01 % to 50% by weight of the composition.

The combinations of the invention or the pesticidal compositions comprising them may be used to protect growing plants and crops from attack or infestation by animal pests, especially from stink bugs, in particular from Euschistus, more particularly from E. heros, by contacting the plant/crop with an insecticidally effective amount of compounds of the invention. Described herein are pesticidal compositions for the control of Pentatomidae pests, particularly stink bugs, comprising an agrochemical pesticide in combination with at least one another active components selected from PGR, fertilizer, micronutrients or combinations thereof.

Thus, in an embodiment, the method of the present disclosure may be carried out by applying the composition to the locus of the infestation.

The method of the present disclosure can be carried out by application of the compositions to the soil or foliar applications at a preferred rate of application from about 50 to about 200 L/Ha, and most preferably from about 100 to about 150 L/Ha.

The method of the present disclosure can be carried out by application of the compositions to the soil at a preferred rate of application from about 0.10 to about 10 L/Ha, and most preferably from about 0.2 to about 4 L/Ha.

The method of the present disclosure can be carried out by application of the compositions to the soil at a preferred rate of application from about 0.10 to about 10 L/Ha, and most preferably from about 0.2 to about 4 L/Ha.

Typically, the composition according to the disclosure are applied from a pre-dosage device, a knapsack sprayer, a spray tank, a spray plane, or an irrigation system. Typically, the agrochemical composition is made up with water, buffer, and/or further auxiliaries to the desired application concentration and the ready-to- use spray liquor or the agrochemical composition according to the disclosure is thus obtained.

In an embodiment, the method of the present disclosure may be carried out by applying the combination either sequentially or together, either in the form of a tank mix or a pre- formulated (pre-mix) composition. The method of application comprises contacting the pests, their food supply, habitat or breeding grounds with a pesticidal composition comprising an agrochemical active ingredient and at least one plant growth regulator or fertilizer or a micronutrient.

The administration is preferably by application either when first signs of infestation are seen or when insect pests begin to reappear.

In an aspect, the present disclosure provides a method of improving yield of a plant, said method comprising application of compositions of present disclosure at the locus of the plant, such that the combination controls harmful insects.

In an aspect, the present disclosure provides a kit-of-parts comprising a component of an insecticide comprising a neonicotinoid, a pyrethroid, or a combination thereof; a second component comprising an agrochemical ingredient comprising a nutrient or a fertilizer or a plant growth regulator, or combinations thereof.

In another aspect, the present disclosure can provide a multi-pack insecticidal product for controlling insects at a locus, said product comprising:

(a) a first container comprising one or more insecticides,

(b) a second container comprising a composition of plant health regulator, fertilizer, micronutrient, or combination thereof; and

(c) an instruction manual instructing a user to mix the contents of said first and second containers and administer the compositions to the locus.

The method of the present disclosure can offer some particular advantages over the prior art. The novel method of the present disclosure helps improves yields and promotes plant health and has no measurable phytotoxicity.

The invention shall now be described with reference to the following specific examples. It should be noted that the examples appended below illustrate rather than limit the invention and that those skilled in the art will be able to design many alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention.

EXAMPLES:

Example 1 :

The composition representative of the present invention is below:

Example 2:

Field trial: % Control of adult insect pests of Euschistus heros on soybean

Trials were conducted to evaluate the efficacy of control for Euschistus heros in soybean. The components of the agrochemical combinations were applied at a dose rate of (spray volume) 150 L/ha. Spraying was performed at an interval of 10 days, starting when the infestation by stink bug in soybean crop was 1.0 (nymph/adult)/linear meter. The application code employed was ABC. ‘A’ is designated as the first day of spraying, when the infestation by stink bug in soybean crop was 1.0 (nymph/adult)/linear meter. Application ‘B’ is sprayed 10 days after application ‘A’, and application ‘C’, is sprayed 10 after application B. The observations were made 3 days after application B (i.e. 3 DA-B) and 3 days after application ‘C’ (i.e. 3 DA-C).

Table 2: % Control on adult pests of E. heros

It was concluded that the present combination of acetamiprid and bifenthrin with an organophosphorous compound insecticide (acephate) and the fertilizer nutrients (K2O and P2O5) effectively controlled the targeted insect.

Example 3:

Field trial: % Control of adult insect pests of Euschistus heros on soybean

Trials were conducted to evaluate the efficacy of control for Euschistus heros in soybean. The components of the agrochemical combinations were applied at a dose rate of (spray volume) 150 L/ha. Spraying was performed at an interval of 10 days, starting when the infestation by stink bug in soybean crop was 1.0 (nymph/adult)/linear meter. The application code employed was ABC. ‘A’ is designated as the first day of spraying, when the infestation by stink bug in soybean crop was 1.0 (nymph/adult)/linear meter. Application ‘B’ is sprayed 10 days after application ‘A’, and application ‘C’, is sprayed 10 after application B. The observations were made 10 days after application B (i.e. 10 DA-B) and 3 days after application ‘C’ (i.e. 3 DA-C). Table 3: % Control on pests of E. heros

*Total insect control refers to control of adult and nymph stink bugs. Example 4:

Field trial: % Control of nymph insect pests of Euschistus heros on soybean

Trials were conducted to evaluate the efficacy of control for Euschistus heros in soybean. The components of the agrochemical combinations were applied at a dose rate of (spray volume) 150 L/ha. Spraying was performed at an interval of 10 days, starting when the infestation by stink bug in soybean crop was 1.0 (nymph/adult)/linear meter. The application code employed was ABC. ‘A’ is designated as the first day of spraying, when the infestation by stink bug in soybean crop was 1.0 (nymph/adult)/linear meter. Application ‘B’ is sprayed 10 days after application ‘A’, and application ‘C’, is sprayed 10 after application B. The observations were made 3 days after application ‘B’ (i.e. 3 DA-B) and 3 days after application ‘C’ (i.e. 3 DA-C). A good total insect control was observed 10 days after application ‘C’ (10 DAC).

Table 4: % Control on pests of E. heros

*Total insect control refers to control of adult and nymph stink bugs.

It was concluded that the present combination of acetamiprid and bifenthrin with an organophosphorous compound insecticide (acephate) and the fertilizer nutrients (K2O and P2O5) effectively controlled stink bugs at the nymph stage.