This application claims priority filed on 23 June 2021 in Europe with Nr 21305863.9, the whole content of this application being incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.

The present invention relates to a method for treating corn and soy wherein an agrochemical composition comprising particles of at least one inorganic phosphor in a liquid medium is applied onto at least one part of the plant.

[Field of the invention and technical problem to be solved]

With the increase of the worldwide population, there is a continuous need for providing improved compositions for agriculture needs. Such agrochemical compositions should be efficient in terms of promoting plant growth and increasing crop yields. There is therefore a general desire to obtain a high crop productivity.

To improve said productivity, organic conventional pesticides products (such as organophosphate derivatives, urea derivatives, dinitroaniline derivatives, carbamates derivatives, pyrethroids, triazine pesticides, chloracetanilide derivatives, phenoxyalkanoic acids, quaternary ammonium salts, neonicotinoids etc.) have been used quite heavily to increase crop productivity but concerns have been raised about the long-term effects of these products on mammals, especially on humans. There is a therefore also a need for improving the productivity of crops with the help of a product without any concerns about the long-term effects of said product.

The present invention aims at solving this technical problem. Indeed, the inventors of the present application have now discovered that an agrochemical composition comprising particles of an inorganic phosphor in a liquid medium exhibits excellent results in crop yield for two plants: corn ( aka maize or Zea mays) and soy.

[Brief description of the invention]

The invention relates to a method for treating a plant as defined in claims 1 and 3- 24. The invention also relates to a method for increasing the crop yield of a plant as defined in claims 2 and 3-24. The invention also relates to the use of an agrochemical composition as defined in claim 25. The invention also relates to granules as defined in claim 26. [Description of the invention]

More details about these inventions are provided below. The present method provides an agrochemical treatment of plants which is very effective in terms of increasing plant growth and development and which leads to improved yields. In one embodiment, the present method provides an agrochemical treatment of plants which improves the health of plants, more particularly of corn or soy. Healthy plants are more resilient to environmental stress and changes in climates (in particular, they can be more drought tolerant). Healthy plants are also more resilient to pest pressure and generally exhibit enhanced disease resistance. Improving plant health results thus in increased yields.

Furthermore, the agrochemical composition used in the present methods has excellent physicochemical properties and in particular an improved stability on storage. The particles of the inorganic phosphor have also less impact on the environment than organic conventional pesticides usually used in the agrochemical compositions commonly used ( e.g . reduced long-term effects on mammals, especially on humans).

As outlined in the example, the agrochemical composition may be applied several times (e.g. twice or even three times). This makes it possible to increase the yield. about the inorganic phosphor

The inorganic phosphor used in the process of the invention is a compound of formula (I): aM0.a’MO.bM”0.b’M”O.cSi0 ₂ (I) wherein:

- M and M” are selected in the group consisting of Sr, Ba, Ca, Zn, Mg and a combination thereof;

- M’ and M’” are selected in the group consisting of Eu, Mn, Pr, Gd and Y; - a, a', b, b' and c are real numbers within the following ranges:

0.50 < a < 3.00;

0 < a’ < 0.50;

0.50 < b < 3.00; 0 < b’ < 0.50;

1.00 < c < 2.00.

The inorganic phosphor may also more particularly be a silicate of barium and magnesium activated by divalent europium and divalent manganese (thus, M=Ba, M"=Mg, M'=Eu, M"'=Mn).

The inorganic phosphor may notably be a compound according to formula (II): aBa0.a'Eu0.bMg0.b'Mn0.cSi02 (II) The inorganic phosphor may notably be a compound according to formula (III):

Ba3-a _’ Eua'Mgi-b'Mnb'Si208 (III)

The real numbers are more particularly in one of the following ranges:

1.00 < a < 3.00; or 2.50 < a < 3.00; or

0.0001 < a’ < 0.40; or 0.01 < a’ < 0.35; or 0.09 < a’ < 0.35; or 0.70 < b < 3.00; or 0.70 < b < 1.00; or

0.0001 < b’ < 0.40; or 0.04 < b’ < 0.30.

The real numbers a ¹ and b ¹ may also more particularly be in one of the following ranges:

0.0001 < a’ < 0.40 and 0.0001 < b’ < 0.40; or 0.01 < a’ < 0.35 and 0.04 < b’ < 0.30. The real numbers a' and b' may also more particularly be in one of the following ranges:

0.255 < a’ < 0.345 and 0.085 < b’ < 0.115; or 0.255 < a’ < 0.345 and 0.170 < b’ < 0.230; or 0.051 < a’ < 0.069 and 0.0425 < b’ < 0.0575; or

0.085 < a’ < 0.115 and 0.0425 < b’ < 0.0575; or 0.017 < a’ < 0.023 and 0.0425 < b’ < 0.0575.

The inorganic phosphor may more particularly be selected in the group consisting of:

Ba2.7Euo.3Mgo.9Mno.iSi2C>8,

Ba2.7Euo.3Mgo.8Mno.2Si2C>8,

Ba2.94Euo.o6Mgo.95Mno.o5Si2C>8,

Ba2.9Euo.i Mgo.95Mno.o5Si2C>8, - Bao.98Euo.o2Mgo.95Mno.o5Si2C>8,

- BaMg2Si207 :Eu, Mn.

The mechanism by which the process operates is not fully known. Without being bound by any theory, it is believed that a mechanism of conversion of light is responsible for the improvement of the yield. Indeed, the inorganic phosphor may be characterized by a light emission with a peak wavelength l1 in the range from 400 nm to 500 nm and a peak wavelength l2 in the range from 550 nm to 700 nm. The emission of the inorganic phosphor is linked to its composition. It is known to the skilled person that the emission may be changed by adapting the composition, in particular the Eu/Mn ratio. In particular, the relative intensity of peak at l1 over the peak at l1 may be changed in this way. l1 may be more particularly in the range from 420 nm to 455 nm. Likewise, l2 is more particularly in the range from 590 nm to 660 nm. l1 and l2 are determined with an excitation spectrum measured with a spectrofluorometer. It is convenient to use a spectrofluorometer equipped with two monochromators which allows to record both an excitation spectrum and an emission spectrum. An example of such a spectrofluorometer is the Fluoromax 4 commercialized by HORIBA, Ltd. Information about this appliance may be found at the a following address: htp://www.horiba.com/fr/scientific/products/fluorescence-spe ctroscopy/steadv- state/fluoromax/fluoromax-series-524/.

Moreover, the inorganic phosphor is preferably selected so as to absorb little or not at all in the visible spectrum (400-800 nm). The inorganic phosphor may be characterized by an absorption Abs inferior or equal to 20%, preferably inferior or equal to 15%, more preferably inferior or equal to 10%, possibly inferior or equal to 5%, at a wavelength greater than 440 nm. in the visible spectrum (400-800 nm). The absorption is determined according to methods well known in the field of phosphors. According to an embodiment, the following method is used. The absorption spectrum is measured using a spectrofluorometer including two monochromators working in a synchronous mode. The spectra of a white reference (BaSCM), of a black reference (carbon black) and of the inorganic phosphor are recorded between 250 nm and 410 nm. For each value of the wavelength l, the absorption Abs is calculated with the following formula:

AbS (l) ⁼ (Awhite-Asample)/(Awhite-Ablack) X 100 Then the curve Abs vs l is plotted.

The preparation of the inorganic phosphor is known to the skilled person and described inter alia in WO 2004/044090 and in WO 2016/001219.

The particles of the inorganic phosphor are preferably such that the composition remains stable over a certain period of time. The particles of the inorganic phosphor typically exhibits a D50 between 100 nm and 20.0 pm. D50 may be more particularly between 500 nm and 15.0 pm, even more particularly between 500 nm and 10.0 pm or between 1.0 pm and 10.0 pm. D50 has the usual meaning used in statistics. D50 corresponds to the median value of the distribution. It represents the particle size such that 50% of the particles are less than or equal to the said size and 50% of the particles are higher than or equal to said size. D50 is determined from a distribution of size of the particles (in volume) obtained with a laser diffraction particle size analyzer. The appliance LA-920 of HORIBA, Ltd. may be used. about the agrochemical composition

The agrochemical composition used in the present invention comprises particles of the inorganic phosphor in a liquid medium. The particles of the inorganic phosphor are dispersed in the liquid medium. The liquid medium preferably comprises water. The liquid medium may be water or a mixture of water and at least one organic fluid.

The agrochemical composition typically comprises between 0.01 wt% and 75.0 wt% of particles of the inorganic phosphor. This proportion may be between 0.01 wt% and 50.0 wt%.

The agrochemical composition is applied typically at a concentration which is greater than 0.05 g/L. This concentration is preferably between 0.05 g/L and 20.0 g/L or even between 0.50 to 10.0 g/L. This proportion is expressed in g of inorganic phosphor per liter of composition.

The agrochemical composition to be applied may be prepared by dilution in a liquid medium, typically water, of a concentrate composition comprising the particles of the inorganic phosphor. The concentrate composition may be in the form of a suspension of the inorganic phosphor particles in a water-immiscible fluid (also referred as an oil dispersion (OD)), an emulsion in water concentrate (EW), a suspension concentrate in water (SC), a suspoemulsion (SE), a wettable powder (WP), water dispersible granules (WDG). Preferably, the concentrate composition is formulated as a SC, OD, WP or WDG.

The concentrate composition may conveniently be formulated in the form of water dispersible granules (WDG). The granules are designed to be easily dispersible in the liquid medium, such as water, if necessary in conjunction with at least one dispersing agent. The granules comprise the inorganic phosphor and at least one solid material other than the inorganic phosphor. The material acts as a solid support, filler or diluent and may also have the benefit of reducing granule dry clumping and the disintegration rate of the granule when dispersed in the liquid medium. Examples of materials include clays such as kaolin (China clay) and bentonite clays, which may be natural bentonites or modified e.g. activated bentonites; synthetic and diatomeceous silicas; calcium and magnesium silicates; titanium dioxide; aluminium, calcium or magnesium carbonates; sodium, potassium or barium sulphate; charcoal; starches, including modified starches such as alkyl and carboxyalkyl starches; cellulose such as microcrystalline cellulose; cellulose derivatives such as carboxyalkyl cellulose. The granules may comprise two or more of these materials. The concentrate typically comprises between 50.0 wt% and 90.0 wt%, more particulary between 50.0 wt and 75 wt%, of particles of the inorganic phosphor.

The organic fluid may be water-miscible or not. When the liquid medium contains water and at least one water-immiscible organic fluid, said liquid medium may conveniently be in the form of an emulsion. The organic fluid can be selected in the group consisting of natural or synthetic oils, in particular mineral oils, vegetable oils, fatty or non fatty alcohols, fatty acids, esters containing at least one fatty acid and/or at least one fatty alcohol. The fatty alcohols and fatty acids mentioned above are those which contain from 8 to 32, preferably from 10 to 26 and more preferentially from 12 to 22 carbon atoms.

The organic fluid (when present) is preferably water-miscible in any proportion. It can in particular be chosen from mono-alcohols containing from 2 to 5 carbon atoms, such as ethanol or isopropanol and from polyols such as glycol, glycerol, saccharides such as sorbitol. It is of course possible to use a combination of organic fluids and in particular any combination of any of the organic fluids described above. The agrochemical composition advantageously contains at least 25.0 wt%, more particularly at least 30.0 wt%, more particularly at least 40.0 wt%, and even more preferentially at least 50.0 wt%, of water, relative to the total weight of said composition.

According to one particularly preferred embodiment, the liquid medium of the present invention is water or the agrochemical composition comprises water in a proportion above 50.0 wt%, because it is safe and environmentally friendly. When one or more organic fluids are present in the composition, said composition preferably contains from 0.005 wt% to 0.2 wt%, more particularly from 0.01 wt% to 0.1 wt% of organic fluid(s), relative to the total weight of the composition.

The agrochemical composition may also further comprise at least one surfactant and/or at least one polymer. Surfactants are compounds that lower the surface tension (or interfacial tension) between two liquids, between a gas and a liquid, or between a liquid and a solid. Surfactants may act as detergents, wetting agents, emulsifiers, foaming agents, and dispersants. An example of surfactant is provided in ex. 1. The surfactant may be selected from the group consisting of alkoxylated fatty alcohols (such as for example Rhodasurf 860/P and Antarox FM33); sulfosuccinates (such as for example Geropon DOS/PG and Geropon SDS); alkylnaphthalene sulfonates (such as for example Supragil WP); ethoxylated or etho-propoxylated tristyrylphenol (such as for example Soprophor BSU, Soprophor TS10, Soprohor TS/29, Soprophor TS/54, Soprophor TSP/461 or Soprophor 796/P); ethoxylated tristyrylphenol phosphates (such as for example Soprophor FL, Soprophor FL/60, Soprophor FLK et Soprophor 3D33); ethoxylated tristyrylphenol sulfates (such as for example Soprophor 4D384); ethoxylated castor oil (such as for example Alkamuls R/81 , Alkamuls RC, Alkamuls 696, Alkamuls 14/R, Alkamuls B, Alkamuls BR, Alkamuls OR/36, Alkamuls OR/40); ethoxylated fatty acid (such as for example Alkamuls A and Alkamuls AP); ethoxylated sorbitan esters (such as for example Alkamuls T/20, Alkamuls T/80 and Alkamuls T/85-V); dodecylbenzene sulfonates (such as for example Rhodacal 70/B, Rhodacal 60/B et Rhodacal 60/BE); betaines, amine oxides, ethoxylated fatty amines, fatty amines, ether carboxylates, acid or non acid mono- and di-ester phosphates, optionally polyalkoxylated, alkylmonoglycosides, alkylpolyglycosides, and mixtures thereof. The polymer may be selected from the group of polycarboxylates such as Geropon SC/213, Geropon T/36, Geropon TA/72, polyacrylates such as Rhodoline 226/35, methyl oleyl taurates (such as for example Geropon T/77). The polycarboxylate polymers are advantageously sodium polycarboxylates. The betaine surfactants are in particular those described in WO 2006/069794. Preferably, the betaine surfactants are chosen from the betaines having formula RIR2R2N ⁺ -CH2C00 (VIII), the betaines having formula RI-CO-NH-R4R2R2N ⁺ - CH2COO- (IX), and mixtures thereof, wherein the Ri group is a linear or branched hydrocarbon group, preferably an alkyl group containing 2 to 30 carbon atoms, preferably 2 to 24 carbon atoms, preferably 3 to 20 carbon atoms; the R2 groups which are identical or different, are a C1-C3 alkyl group, preferably a methyl group, and the R4 group is a divalent linear or branched hydrocarbon group containing 1 to 6 carbon atoms, optionally substituted with a hydroxyl group, preferably a group of formula -CH2-CH2-CH2- or -CH2-CHOH-CH2-. Preferably, in formulae (VIII) and (IX) above, R2 is a methyl group. Ri is preferably an alkyl group. This group is usually a mixture of different groups having different numbers of carbon atoms, being linear or branched, and optionally having some insaturations. These mixtures come from the reagents used to prepare them, which are actually distillation cuts and/or have a natural origin. In the present specification the number of carbon atoms in the Ri group refers to the number of carbon atoms of the two most represented species. The preferred betaine surfactants are those wherein R2 is a methyl group, Ri is a lauryl alkyl group mixture, preferably having more than 50% by weight of C12 and R4 if present is -CH2-CH2-CH2-. Betaines of formula (VIII) are preferred. They are often referred to as alkyl betaines, and are preferably an alkyldimethyl betaine based surfactant, for example lauryl dimethyl betaine based surfactant (R2 is a methyl group and Ri is a lauryl C12 group). Betaines of formula (IX) are often referred to as alkyl amidoalkyl betaines.

The amine oxide surfactants which may be used in the present invention are in particular those described in WO 2006/069794. Such amine oxides surfactants can be chosen from the amine oxides having formula RI R2R2N 0 (X), the amine oxides having formula RI-C0-NH-R4R2R2N 0 (XI), and mixtures thereof, wherein Ri, R2 and R4 are as described in formulae (VIII) and (IX) above. In formulas (X) and (XI) above, the R2 group is preferably a methyl group. Ri is preferably an alkyl group. This group is usually a mixture of different groups having different numbers of carbon atoms, being linear or branched, and optionally having some insaturations. These mixtures come from the reagents used to prepare them, which are actually distillation cuts and/or have a natural origin. In the present specification the number of carbon atoms in the Ri group refers to the number of carbon atoms of the two most represented species. The preferred amine oxide surfactants are those wherein R2 is a methyl group, Ri is a lauryl alkyl group mixture, preferably having more than 50% by weight of C12 and R4 if present is - CH2-CH2-CH2-.

Amine oxides of formula (X) are preferred. They are often referred to as alkyl amine oxides, and are preferably an alkyldimethyl amine oxide based surfactant, for example lauryl dimethyl amine oxide based surfactant (R2 is a methyl group and Ri is a lauryl C12 group).

Amine oxides of formula (XI) are often referred to as alkyl amidoalkyl amine oxides.

The fatty amines or ethoxylated fatty amines useful as surfactants in the present invention may comprise at least one hydrocarbon group containing 2 to 24 carbon atoms, optionally polyalkoxylated. The fatty amines or ethoxylated fatty amines may more particularly be selected from amines comprising at least one linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated group containing 2 to 24 carbon atoms, preferably 8 to 18 carbon atoms, optionally comprising 2 to 30 oxyethylene groups, or a mixture of a plurality thereof. Examples include ethoxylated tallow amines. The fatty amines or ethoxylated fatty amines may be selected from ethoxylated fatty amines comprising at least one or several, linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated, group(s) containing 6 to 24 carbon atoms, preferably 8 to 20 carbon atoms, comprising 2 to 30 oxyethylene groups, or mixtures thereof.

Examples include the compounds having the following formula (XII): wherein R represents a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon group containing 6 to 24 carbon atoms, preferably 8 to 20 carbon atoms; OA represents an oxyalkylene group; and n, n', which may or may not be identical, represent a mean number in the range 1 to 30. Examples of such amines to be cited are amines derived from copra and containing 5 oxyethylene (OE) units, oleic amines containing 5 OE, amines derived from tallow containing 5 to 20 OE, for example 10 OE, compounds corresponding to the above formula in which R is an alkyl group containing 12 to 15 carbon atoms and the total number of OE units is in the range 20 to 30.

The ether carboxylates useful as surfactants in the present invention preferably have the following formula (XIII): R(OCH2CH2)nOCH2CC>2, wherein R is a linear or branched alkyl, alkenyl, alkylphenyl or polypropyleneoxy group having from 6 to 20, for example 8 to 14, aliphatic carbon atoms and n is a number ranging of from 1 to 30, preferably of from 2 to 20. The ether carboxylate has preferably a counter ion being ammonium or potassium, or obtained from an amine or alkanolamine having up to 6 carbon atoms.

Polyacrylates polymers act as dispersants. A dispersant is a substance added to a suspension, usually a colloid, to improve the separation of particles and to prevent settling or clumping. In the present invention, dispersants stabilize the dispersion and avoid any sedimentation of the particles of phosphor. The optionally polyalkoxylated acid or non acid mono- and di-ester phosphates useful as surfactants in the present invention are selected from acid or non acid phosphate mono- or di-esters, optionally polyalkoxylated, having the following formula (XIV): (A)3-mP(=0)(0M)m (XIV) wherein:

- A, identical or different, represents a group R’i-0(CH2-CHR’2-0)n wherein:

R’i represents a linear or non-linear, saturated or unsaturated C6-C20 hydrocarbon group, preferably C8-C18; R’2 represents a hydrogen atom ora methyl or ethyl group, preferably a hydrogen atom; n is a mean number of motifs in the range 0 to 10, preferably in the range 2 to 10;

- M represents a hydrogen atom, an alkali or alkaline- earth metal, a N(R3)4 ⁺ type radical wherein the R3 groups, identical or different, represents a hydrogen atom or a linear or non-linear, saturated or unsaturated C1-C6 hydrocarbon group optionally substituted with a hydroxyl group;

- m is a whole or average number in the range 1 to 2.

The acid or non acid mono- and di-ester phosphate, optionally polyalkoxylated may be in the form of a monoester, a diester, or a mixture of these two esters.

The preferred surfactants are those that act as dispersants.

When the agrochemical composition comprises one or more surfactants and/or one or more polymers, the total amount of said surfactant(s) and polymer(s) preferably ranges from 0.05 wt% to 40.0 wt%, preferably from 0.1 wt% to 20.0 wt%, more preferably from 0.3 wt% to 5.0 wt%, based on the total weight of the composition.

According to a preferred embodiment, the agrochemical composition may further contains at least one thickening agent. Suitable thickening agent can be in particular chosen from polysaccharides such as for example xanthan gum, alginates, carboxylated or hydroxylated methylcelluloses, synthetic macromolecules of the polyacrylate, polymaleate, polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyethylene glycol or polyvinyl alcohol type. When the agrochemical composition comprises one or more thickening agents, the total amount of thickening agent(s) preferably ranges from 0.05 wt% to 5.0 wt%, preferably from 0.1 wt% to 2.0 wt% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition.

The agrochemical composition may further contain one or more fertilizers, preferably chosen from water-soluble fertilizers such as for example foliar fertilizers (fertilizers which are taken up by the leaves of the plants), such as urea or foliar macro- or microelement fertilizer, including chelates.

The agrochemical composition may further contain additional ingredients, which can be chosen from all additives and adjuvants useful in agrochemical compositions such as for example nutrients, anti-foaming agents, colorants such as pigments, etc.

According to a preferred embodiment, the agrochemical composition further contains at least one biocide. A biocide is a chemical substance capable of killing living organisms. Usually biocides are divided in two sub-groups:

- pesticides, which includes herbicides, insecticides and insect repellants, fungicides, rodenticides, algicides, moluscicides and miticides;

- antimicrobials, which includes germicides, antibiotics, antibacterials, antivirals, antifungals, antiprotozoals and antiparasites.

The biocide may more particularly be a pesticide, more particularly a fungicide.

Useful biocides may be chosen, in a non-limitative manner, among the following compounds: triazine herbicides, sulfonylurea herbicides, uracils, urea herbicides, acetanilide herbicides, organophosphonate herbicides, glyphosate salts, glyphosate esters, nitrilo oxime fungicides, imidazole fungicides, triazole fungicides, sulfenamide fungicides, dithio-carbamate fungicides, chlorinated aromatic, dichloro aniline fungicides, strobilurin fungicides, succinate dehydrogenase inhibitors, biofungicides, carbamate insecticides, organo thiophosphate insecticides; perchlorinated organic insecticides, phenylpyrazole insecticides such as fipronil, methoxychlor, miticides, propynyl sulfite, triazapentadiene miticides, chlorinated aromatic miticides, tetradifan, dinitrophenol miticides, binapacryl, thiophanate-methyl and mixtures thereof. The biocide preferably is a pesticide, and more preferably a pesticide selected from herbicides, insecticides and fungicides. According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the composition contains at least one fungicide, and most preferably at least one fungicide selected from strobilurin fungicides, triazole fungicides, dithio-carbamate fungicides, succinate dehydrogenase inhibitors, biofungicides, and mixtures thereof.

Among the strobilurin fungicides useful in the present invention, azoxystrobin and pyraclostrobin are especially preferred. Among the triazole fungicides, prothioconazole and epoxiconazole are preferred. Among the dithio-carbamate fungicides, mention can be made in particular of mancozeb. The succinate dehydrogenase inhibitors useful in the present invention are especially chosen from pyrazole-carboxamide fungicides. Among the latter ones, fluxapyroxad, benzovindiflupyr and bixafen are preferred. The biofungicides are bacteria having antifungal properties. Among them, mention shall be made in particular of Bacillus subtilis.

According to a preferred embodiment, said one or more fungicide(s) is chosen from the group consisting of strobilurin fungicides, triazole fungicides, succinate dehydrogenase inhibitors, and mixtures thereof, more preferably from pyrazole- carboxamide fungicides, even more preferably from fluxapyroxad, benzovindiflupyr, bixafen and mixtures thereof, and most preferably fluxapyroxad.

The fungicide may also be a combination of two or more of the fungicides selected in the previous list. For instance, the fungicide may correspond to the combination of pyraclostrobin, epoxiconazole and fluxapyroxad. The agrochemical composition is prepared by a simple mixing of its components. An example of mixing equipment that can be used for the preparation is disclosed in the example. Should the disclosure of any patents, patent applications, and publications which are incorporated herein by reference conflict with the description of the present application to the extent that it may render a term unclear, the present description shall take precedence [Examples]

Example 1 : preparation of an aqueous suspension of particles of BMS

An aqueous dispersion of BMS particles of formula (Bao.98;Euo.o2)(Mgo.95;Mno.o5)Si2C>8 (a= 0.98; a - 0.02; b= 0.95; b'= 0.05; c= 2) was prepared with the quantities given in Table I, using the following protocol:

- Rhodoline 226/35 was added in water and mixed until a homogeneous solution is obtained;

- then, the BMS particles were added and mixed until the dispersion is homogeneous;

- finally, Rhodopol 23 was added and mixed until the dispersion is homogeneous.

The mechanical agitator used was IKA RW20 model with naval propeller stirrer. The BMS used exhibits the following properties: - an internal quantum efficiency (IQE) which is 90.0%;

- an absorption Abs which is 95.0% at 365 nm;

- a maximum in the emission spectrum at 619 nm.

Table I A suspensibility of 91 % was measured according to ABNT standard n°NBR 13313 and a viscosity of 1185 cP was measured (CIPAC MT 192). Particle size distribution (PSD) and zeta potential were also evaluated in order to check quality and stability of this preparation:

- PSD: D50= 6.52 pm;

- Zeta potential: -75 mV (suspensions above +30 mV and below -30 mV are considered stable).

The BMS suspension contains 220 g/L of the inorganic phosphor. Example 2: process according to the invention for treating soybean

Agronomical field trials were conducted in Rolancia, Parana state, Brazil during the soybean season 2019/2020. The treatments and results are described in Table II. The parameters evaluated in this trial aimed to check crop health and productivity. The suspension was sprayed alongside the fungicide in the same spray tank mix, 1 time (with the second fungicide spray) or 3 times during the season.

Soybean Seeds: NS 6909 IPRO; Sowing date: Nov 18 ^th 2019;

Fungicide: Ativum from BASF. This fungicide composition contains 81 g/L of pyraclostrobin (CAS N°175013-18-0), 50 g/L of epoxiconazole (CAS N°133855- 98-8) and 50 g/L of fluxapyroxad (CAS N°907204-31-3);

Mineral Oil adjuvant: Assist from BASF;

First fungicide spray: Jan 15 ^th 2020 / Second Fungicide spray: Jan 30 ^th 2020 / Third Fungicide spray: Feb 14 ^th 2020;

Spray Volume: 100 L/ha; Nozzle: ADI 110.015 flat jet (6 tips, pressure of 2 bar).

The dispersion was diluted in water and the concentration of the obtained dispersion was 2.2 g BMS/L. It was applied 1 L/ ha (1 time or 3 times) as described in the Table II.

Table II

As can be seen, the use of BMS is followed by the increase of the yield.