METHODS FOR TREATING SEEDS WITH AN AQUEOUS COMPOSITION AND SEEDS TREATED THEREWITH

FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to methods for treating seeds with an aqueous composition that includes a polyurethane dispersion and seeds treated therewith.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

[0002] Vacuum planters are often used to plant any of a variety of seeds, including seeds with odd shapes, such as corn seeds, pumpkin seeds, soybean seeds, among others. These planters have vertical plates with holes that are smaller than the seeds being planted. The planter draws a vacuum on the side of the plate opposite the container in which the seeds are stored. When the plate rotates through the storage container, atmospheric pressure holds seeds against the holes and allows the rotating plate to pick up seeds. As the plate rotates around past the seed tube, the vacuum is broken, allowing the seeds to drop down a seed tube.

[0003] There are several important features associated with the use of, in particular, vacuum plants, in the planting of seeds. First, vacuum planters have a tendency to release a certain amount of seed dust during planting. This dust may include active ingredients, such as insecticides, nematicides, fungicides, and other pesticides that have been combined with the seed. The loss of such active ingredients during planting is undesirable. Second, is seed singulation. Seed singulation refers to the ability of a planter to take one seed at a time off the vertical plate and drop it down the seed tube. Maximizing seed singulation is also important. Skipped seed drops can create a loss within the planting row, while doubles increase population and cause the plants to struggle for nutrients and sunlight. Historically, small differences in seed type can affect singulation percentage. Third, it is important that the seed have a good ability to flow from the seed hopper to the seed meter reservoir. Good seed flow characteristics allow for longer operating time per hopper fill and reduces mechanical wear on planter parts, thus extending the operating life of the planter.

[0004] To address these issues, a polymer binder and/or lubricant is often included with the active ingredients in the treatment of seeds to bind the active ingredient to the seed. Seeds treated in such a manner can have reduced dust and increased percent singulation and flow during planting, particularly vacuum planting, relative to when a polymer binder is not used. Historically, this polymer binder has been a polyolefin, such as a carboxylated styrene/butadiene dispersion.

[0005] A drawback to the use such polyolefin binders, however, is that they are not biodegradable and, as a result, can accumulate in the soil. As a result, it would be desirable to provide an alternative to such seed treatments that perform in a comparable manner and which are at least partially disintegrable by moisture in the soil.

SUMMARY

[0006] In some respects, the present invention is directed to methods for treating a seed, comprising applying to the seed a seed treatment composition that comprises: (A) an aqueous polyester-polyurethane dispersion; and (B) an insecticide, a fungicide, a nematicide, and/or other pesticides. In these compositions, the aqueous polyurethane dispersion forms a film exhibiting: (a) a microhardness of 4 to 34 N/mm ² ; (b) a T _g of -79°C to -4°C, (c) a percent elongation of 44 to 300, and (d) a tensile strength of 2500 lb/in ² (17.2 megapascal (MPa)) to 5600 lb/in ² (38.6 MPa). Moreover, in these methods, the seed comprises corn seed, sorghum seed, oat seed, rye seed, barley seed, soybean seed, vegetable seed, wheat seed, sugarbeat seed, rice, sunflower seed, lettuce seed, and/or spinach seed.

[0007] The present invention is also directed to, among other things, seeds, such as, but not limited to, corn seeds, treated by such a method. [0008] It is understood that the invention disclosed and described in this specification is not limited to the embodiments summarized in this Summary. The reader will appreciate the foregoing details, as well as others, upon considering the following detailed description of various non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments according to this specification.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0009] Various embodiments are described and illustrated herein to provide an overall understanding of the structure, function, operation, manufacture, and use of the disclosed products and processes. The various embodiments described and illustrated herein are non-limiting and non- exhaustive. Thus, the invention is not limited by the description of the various non- limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments disclosed herein. Rather, the invention is defined solely by the claims. The features and characteristics illustrated and/or described in connection with various embodiments may be combined with the features and characteristics of other embodiments. Such modifications and variations are intended to be included within the scope of this specification. As such, the claims may be amended to recite any features or characteristics expressly or inherently described in, or otherwise expressly or inherently supported by, this specification. Further, Applicant reserves the right to amend the claims to affirmatively disclaim features or characteristics that may be present in the prior art. Therefore, any such amendments comply with the requirements of 35 U.S.C. § 112 and 35 U.S.C. § 132(a). The various embodiments disclosed and described in this specification can comprise, consist of, or consist essentially of the features and characteristics as variously described herein.

[0010] Any patent, publication, or other disclosure material identified herein is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety unless otherwise indicated, but only to the extent that the incorporated material does not conflict with existing definitions, statements, or other disclosure material expressly set forth in this specification. As such, and to the extent necessary, the express disclosure as set forth in this specification supersedes any conflicting material incorporated by reference herein. Any material, or portion thereof, that is said to be incorporated by reference into this specification, but which conflicts with existing definitions, statements, or other disclosure material set forth herein, is only incorporated to the extent that no conflict arises between that incorporated material and the existing disclosure material. Applicant reserves the right to amend this specification to expressly recite any subject matter, or portion thereof, incorporated by reference herein.

[0011] Reference herein to "certain embodiments", "some embodiments",

"various non-limiting embodiments," or the like, means that a particular feature or characteristic may be included in an embodiment. Thus, use of such phrases, and similar phrases, herein does not necessarily refer to a common embodiment, and may refer to different embodiments. Further, the particular features or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. Thus, the particular features or characteristics illustrated or described in connection with various embodiments may be combined, in whole or in part, with the features or characteristics of one or more other embodiments. Such modifications and variations are intended to be included within the scope of the present specification. In this manner, the various embodiments described in this specification are non-limiting and non-exhaustive.

[0012] In this specification, unless otherwise indicated, all numerical parameters are to be understood as being prefaced and modified in all instances by the term "about", in which the numerical parameters possess the inherent variability characteristic of the underlying measurement techniques used to determine the numerical value of the parameter. At the very least, and not as an attempt to limit the application of the doctrine of equivalents to the scope of the claims, each numerical parameter described herein should at least be construed in light of the number of reported significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques. [0013] Also, any numerical range recited herein includes all sub-ranges subsumed within the recited range. For example, a range of "1 to 10" includes all sub-ranges between (and including) the recited minimum value of 1 and the recited maximum value of 10, that is, having a minimum value equal to or greater than 1 and a maximum value equal to or less than 10. Any maximum numerical limitation recited in this specification is intended to include all lower numerical limitations subsumed therein and any minimum numerical limitation recited in this specification is intended to include all higher numerical limitations subsumed therein. Accordingly, Applicant reserves the right to amend this specification, including the claims, to expressly recite any sub-range subsumed within the ranges expressly recited. All such ranges are inherently described in this specification such that amending to expressly recite any such sub-ranges would comply with the requirements of 35 U.S.C. §112 and 35 U.S.C. § 132(a).

[0014] The grammatical articles "a", "an", and "the", as used herein, are intended to include "at least one" or "one or more", unless otherwise indicated, even if "at least one" or "one or more" is expressly used in certain instances. Thus, the articles are used herein to refer to one or more than one (i.e., to "at least one") of the grammatical objects of the article. Further, the use of a singular noun includes the plural, and the use of a plural noun includes the singular, unless the context of the usage requires otherwise.

[0015] As used herein, "polymer" encompasses prepolymers, oligomers and both homopolymers and copolymers; the prefix "poly" in this context referring to two or more. As used herein, "molecular weight", when used in reference to a polymer, refers to the number average molecular weight ("M _n "), unless otherwise specified. As used herein, the M _n of a polymer containing functional groups, such as a polyol, can be calculated from the functional group number, such as hydroxyl number, which is determined by end-group analysis. As used herein, the term "binder" refers to a polymer, such as carboxylated styrene/butadiene, which is dispersed in water. [0016] As used herein, the term "aliphatic" refers to organic compounds characterized by substituted or un-substituted straight, branched, and/or cyclic chain arrangements of constituent carbon atoms. Aliphatic compounds do not contain aromatic rings as part of the molecular structure thereof. As used herein, the term "cycloaliphatic" refers to organic compounds characterized by arrangement of carbon atoms in closed ring structures. Cycloaliphatic compounds do not contain aromatic rings as part of the molecular structure thereof.

Therefore, cycloaliphatic compounds are a subset of aliphatic compounds.

Therefore, the term "aliphatic" encompasses aliphatic compounds and/or cycloaliphatic compounds.

[0017] As used herein, "diisocyanate" refers to a compound containing two isocyanate groups. As used herein, "polyisocyanate" refers to a compound containing two or more isocyanate groups. Hence, diisocyanates are a subset of polyisocyanates.

[0018] As previously indicated, certain embodiments of the present invention are directed to methods of treating seeds with a seed treatment composition. As used herein, the term "seed treatment composition" refers to a mixture of chemical components that will provide insecticidal, fungicidal, nematicidal, and/or other pesticidal properties when applied to the surface of a seed.

[0019] As indicated, the seed treatment compositions described herein comprise an aqueous polyester-polyurethane dispersion. As used herein, the term "aqueous polyester-polyurethane dispersion" means a dispersion of polyester- polyurethane particles in a continuous phase comprising water. As used herein, the term "polyurethane" refers to any polymer or oligomer comprising urethane (i.e., carbamate) groups, urea groups, or both. Thus, the term "polyurethane" as used herein refers collectively to polyurethanes, polyureas, and polymers containing both urethane and urea groups, unless otherwise indicated. As used herein, "polyester" refers to any polymer or oligomer comprising ester groups. As used herein, "polyester-polyurethane" refers to any polymer or oligomer comprising polyester and polyurethane.

[0020] The aqueous polyester-polyurethane dispersion used in the compositions of the present invention is selected so as to form a film exhibiting: (a) a microhardness of 4 to 34 N/mm ² , such as 4 to 25 N/mm ² ; (b) a T _g of -79°C to -4°C, such as -50°C to -25°C, (c) a percent elongation of 44 to 300, such as 100 to 300, and (d) a tensile strength of 2500 lb/in ² (17.2 megapascal (MPa)) to 5600 lb/in ² (38.6 MPa), such as 2500 lb/in ² (17.2 MPa) to 5100 lb/in ² (35.2 MPa). Microhardness, T _g , percent elongation, and tensile strength of a film formed from an aqueous polyurethane dispersion, for purposes of the present invention, are determined according to the methods that are described in the Examples below. It will be understood that the foregoing film properties refer to the film properties of a film formed from the aqueous polyurethane dispersion itself, which is thereafter used as a component in a seed treatment composition of the present invention, rather than the properties of a seed treatment composition itself.

[0021] It has been surprisingly discovered that when an aqueous polyurethane dispersion (or mixture of two or more aqueous polyurethane dispersions) that forms a film exhibiting such properties is used in a method of the type described herein, the dust emissions, the percent singulation and flow characteristics may be comparable when an identical treatment composition is used in an identical method in which a polyolefin latex, such as a carboxylated styrene/butadiene polymer, is used as the polymeric component of the

composition rather than the aqueous polyurethane dispersion, determined when comparing the same type of seed. The added advantage of the present invention is that the aqueous polyurethane dispersions used in the seed treatment composition of the methods of present invention can be biodegradable because it contains a significant polyester component that is degradable through hydrolysis and by lipases present in soil. [0022] In certain embodiments, the aqueous polyurethane dispersion that is used in the seed treatment compositions disclosed herein comprises one or more polyurethanes that are the reaction product of reactants comprising, consisting essentially of, or, in some cases, consisting of: (i) a polyisocyanate; (ii) a polyester polyol having a number average molecular weight ("M _n ") of 400 to 8,000 g/mol; (iii) a compound comprising at least one isocyanate-reactive group and an anionic group or potentially anionic group; (iv) optionally a mono functional polyalkylene ether; (v) optionally a polyol having a molecular weight of less than <400 g/mol, and (vi) optionally a polyamine or amino alcohol having a molecular weight of from 32 to 400 g/mol; provided that the reactants and their respective amounts are selected so that a film formed from the polyurethane or mixture of polyurethanes exhibits: (a) a microhardness of 4 to 34 N/mm ² , such as 4 to 25 N/mm ² ; (b) a T _g of -79°C to -4°C, such as -50°C to -25 °C, (c) a % elongation of 44 to 300, such as 100 to 300, and (d) a tensile strength of 2500 lb/in ² (17.2 MPa) to 5600 lb/in ² (38.6 MPa), such as 2500 lb/in ² (17.2 MPa) to 5100 lb/in ² (35.2 MPa).

[0023] Suitable polyisocyanates (i) include aromatic, araliphatic, aliphatic and cycloaliphatic polyisocyanates, such as, for example, 1,4-butylene diisocyanate, 1,6-hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI), pentamethylene diisocyanate (PDI), isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI), 2,2,4- and/or 2,4,4-trimethyl- hexamethylene diisocyanate, the isomeric bis-(4,4'-isocyanato- cyclohexyl)methanes or mixtures thereof of any desired isomer content, 1,4- cyclohexylene diisocyanate, 1,4-phenylene diisocyanate, 2,4- and/or 2,6-toluene diisocyanate or hydrogenated 2,4- and/or 2,6-toluene diisocyanate, 1,5- naphthalene diisocyanate, 2,4'- and/or 4,4'-diphenylmethane diisocyanate, 1,3- and l,4-bis-(2-isocyanato-prop-2-yl)-benzene (TMXDI), l,3-bis(isocyanato- methyl)benzene (XDI), (S)-alkyl 2,6-diisocyanato-hexanoates or (L)-alkyl 2,6- diisocyanatohexanoates.

[0024] Polyisocyanates having a functionality >2 can also be used if desired. Such polyisocyanates include modified diisocyanates having a uretdione, isocyanurate, urethane, allophanate, biuret, iminooxadiazinedione and/or oxadiazinetrione structure, as well as unmodified polyisocyanates having more than 2 NCO groups per molecule, for example 4-isocyanatomethyl-l,8-octane diisocyanate (nonane triisocyanate) or triphenylmethane-4,4',4"-triisocyanate.

[0025] In some embodiments of the present invention, polyisocyanates or polyisocyanate mixtures containing only aliphatically and/or cycloaliphatically bonded isocyanate groups are used that have a mean functionality of from 2 to 4, such as 2 to 2.6 or 2 to 2.4.

[0026] In certain embodiments, component (i) is used in an amount of at least 5% by weight, such as at least 10 or at least 20% by weight and/or no more than 60% by weight, such as no more than 50 or, in some cases, no more than 45% by weight, based on the total weight of reactants used to make the polyurethane.

[0027] Polyester polyols (ii) have a molecular weight M _n of from 400 to

8000 g/mol, such as 400 to 6000 g/mol or, in some cases, 500 to 3000 g/mol, 1000 to 3000 g/mol or 1500 to 3000 g/mol. In certain embodiments, these polymeric polyols have a hydroxyl number of from 20 to 400 mg KOH/g of substance, such as 20 to 300 mg KOH/g of substance, 20 to 200 mg KOH/g of substance or 20 to 100 mg KOH/g of substance. In certain embodiments, these polymeric polyols have a hydroxyl functionality of 1.5 to 6, such as 1.8 to 3 or 1.9 to 2.1. As will be appreciated, the M _n of a polymer containing functional groups, such as a polyol, can, as discussed earlier, be calculated from the functional group number, such as hydroxyl number, which is determined by end-group analysis. "Hydroxyl number", as used herein, is determined according to DIN 53240.

[0028] Exemplary polyester polyols are the polycondensation products of di- as well as optionally tri- and tetra-ols and di- as well as optionally tri- and tetra-carboxylic acids or hydroxycarboxylic acids or lactones. Instead of the free polycarboxylic acids it is also possible to use the corresponding polycarboxylic acid anhydrides or corresponding polycarboxylic acid esters of lower alcohols to prepare the polyesters. Examples of suitable diols are ethylene glycol, butylene glycol, diethylene glycol, Methylene glycol, polyalkylene glycols such as polyethylene glycol, further 1,2-propanediol, 1,3-propanediol, 1,3-butanediol, 1,4- butanediol, 1,6-hexanediol and isomers, 1,8-octanediol, neopentyl glycol, 1,4- bishydroxymethylcyclohexane, 2-methyl- 1 ,3-propanediol, 2,2,4-trimethyl- 1,3- pentanediol, dipropylene glycol, polypropylene glycols, dibutylene glycol, polybutylene glycols, bisphenol A, tetrabromobisphenol A, lactone-modified diols, or hydroxypivalic acid neopentyl glycol ester. In order to achieve a functionality >2, polyols having a functionality of 3 can optionally be used proportionately, for example trimethylolpropane, glycerol, erythritol,

pentaerythritol, trimethylolbenzene or trishydroxyethyl isocyanurate.

[0029] Suitable dicarboxylic acids are, for example, phthalic acid, isophthalic acid, terephthalic acid, tetrahydrophthalic acid, hexahydrophthalic acid, cyclohexane-dicarboxylic acid, adipic acid, azelaic acid, sebacic acid, glutaric acid, tetrachlorophthalic acid, maleic acid, fumaric acid, itaconic acid, malonic acid, suberic acid, 2-methylsuccinic acid, 3,3-diethylglutaric acid, and/or 2,2-dimethylsuccinic acid. Anhydrides of those acids can likewise be used, where they exist. Thus, for the purposes of the present invention, anhydrides are included in the expression "acid". Monocarboxylic acids, such as benzoic acid and hexanecarboxylic acid, can also be used, provided that the mean functionality of the polyol is >2. Saturated aliphatic or aromatic acids can be used, such as adipic acid or isophthalic acid. Trimellitic acid is a polycarboxylic acid which can also optionally be used.

[0030] Hydroxycarboxylic acids which can be used as reactants in the preparation of a polyester polyol having terminal hydroxyl groups are, for example, hydroxycaproic acid, hydroxybutyric acid, hydroxydecanoic acid, hydroxystearic acid and the like. Suitable lactones are, for example, ε- caprolactone, butyrolactone and their homologues.

[0031] In certain embodiments of the present invention, polymer polyol

(ii) comprises or, in some cases, consists essentially of or consists of a polyester diol that is a reaction product of butanediol and/or neopentyl glycol and/or hexanediol and/or ethylene glycol and/or diethylene glycol with adipic acid and/or phthalic acid and/or isophthalic acid, such as polyester polyols that are a reaction product of butanediol and/or neopentyl glycol and/or hexanediol with adipic acid and/or phthalic acid.

[0032] Suitable polyester polyols, such as the foregoing polyester diols, often have a hydroxyl functionality of 1.5 to 6.0, such as 1.8 to 3.0, a hydroxyl number of 20 to 700 mg KOH/g solid, such as 20 to 100, 20 to 80 or, in some cases 40 to 80 mg KOH/g solid, and/or a M _n of 500 to 3000 g/mol, such as 600 to 2500 g/mol.

[0033] Exemplary polymeric polyols that may also be used in combination with the polyester polyols described above, if desired, include, for example, polyacrylate polyols, polyurethane polyols, polycarbonate polyols, polyether polyols, polyester polyacrylate polyols, polyurethane polyacrylate polyols, polyurethane polyester polyols, polyurethane polyether polyols, polyurethane polycarbonate polyols, polyester polycarbonate polyols, phenol/formaldehyde resins, on their own or in mixtures.

[0034] Suitable polyether polyols include, for example, the polyaddition products of the styrene oxides, of ethylene oxide, propylene oxide,

tetrahydrofuran, butylene oxide, epichlorohydrin, as well as their mixed- addition and graft products, as well as the polyether polyols obtained by condensation of polyhydric alcohols or mixtures thereof and those obtained by alkoxylation of polyhydric alcohols, amines and amino alcohols.

[0035] Suitable polyether polyols often have a hydroxyl functionality of

1.5 to 6.0, such as 1.8 to 3.0, a hydroxyl number of 20 to 700 mg KOH/g solid, such as 20 to 100, 20 to 50 or, in some cases 20 to 40 mg KOH/g solid, and/or a Mn of 400 to 4000 g/mol, such as 100 to 4000 or 1000 to 3000 g/mol. [0036] Exemplary polycarbonate polyols are obtainable by reaction of carbonic acid derivatives, for example diphenyl carbonate, dimethyl carbonate or phosgene, with diols. Suitable diols include the diols mentioned earlier with respect to the preparation of polyester polyols. In some cases, the diol component contains from 40 to 100 wt. % 1,6-hexanediol and/or hexanediol derivatives, often containing ether or ester groups in addition to terminal OH groups, for example products which are obtained by reaction of one mole of hexanediol with at least one mole, preferably from one to two moles, of ε-caprolactone or by etherification of hexanediol with itself to form di- or tri-hexylene glycol. Polyether

polycarbonate polyols can also be used.

[0037] In certain embodiments, component (ii) is used in an amount of at least 20% by weight, such as at least 30 or at least 40% by weight and/or no more than 80% by weight, such as no more than 70% by weight, based on the total weight of reactants used to make the polyurethane.

[0038] Component (iii) is a compound comprising at least one isocyanate- reactive group and an anionic group or potentially anionic group. Exemplary such compounds are those which contain, for example, carboxylate, sulfonate, phosphonate groups or groups which can be converted into the above-mentioned groups by salt formation (potentially anionic groups), and which can be incorporated into the macromolecules by isocyanate-reactive groups, such as hydroxyl or amine groups, that are present.

[0039] Suitable anionic or potentially anionic compounds (iii) are, for example, mono- and di-hydroxycarboxylic acids, mono- and di-aminocarboxylic acids, mono- and di-hydroxy sulfonic acids, mono- and di-aminosulfonic acids as well as mono- and di-hydroxyphosphonic acids or mono- and di-aminophosphonic acids and their salts, such as dimethylolpropionic acid, dimethylolbutyric acid, hydroxypivalic acid, N-(2-aminoethyl)- -alanine, 2-(2-amino-ethylamino)- ethanesulfonic acid, ethylene-diamine-propyl- or -butyl- sulfonic acid, 1,2- or 1,3- propylenediamine-3-ethylsulfonic acid, malic acid, citric acid, glycolic acid, lactic acid. In certain embodiments, the anionic or potentially anionic compounds have carboxy or carboxylate and/or sulfonate groups and have a functionality of from 1.9 to 2.1, such as the salts of 2-(2-amino-ethylamino)ethanesulfonic acid.

[0040] In certain embodiments, component (iii) is used in an amount of at least 0.1% by weight, such as at least 1, or at least 3% by weight and/or no more than 10% by weight, such as no more than 7% by weight, based on the total weight of reactants used to make the polyurethane.

[0041] Optional component (iv) is a mono functional polyalkylene ether that contains at least one, in some cases one, hydroxy or amino group. In some embodiments, component (iv) comprises a compound of the formula:

H— Y'— X— Y— R in which R is a monovalent hydrocarbon radical having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, such as an unsubstituted alkyl radical having 1 to 4 carbon atoms; X is a polyalkylene oxide chain having 5 to 90, such as 20 to 70 chain members, which may comprise at least 40%, such as at least 65%, ethylene oxide units and which in addition to ethylene oxide units may comprise propylene oxide, butylene oxide and/or styrene oxide units; and Y and Y' are each independently oxygen or — NR'— in which R' is H or R, in which R is defined above.

[0042] Mono functional polyalkylene ethers suitable for use in component

(iv) may, in some cases, contain 7 to 55 ethylene oxide units per molecule, and can be obtained by alkoxylation of suitable starter molecules, such as, for example, saturated monoalcohols, such as methanol, ethanol, n-propanol, isopropanol, n-butanol, isobutanol, sec-butanol, the isomeric pentanols, hexanols, octanols and nonanols, n-decanol, n-dodecanol, n-tetradecanol, n-hexadecanol, n- octadecanol, cyclohexanol, the isomeric methyl-cyclohexanols or hydroxymethyl- cyclohexane, 3-ethyl-3-hydroxymethyloxetan or tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol; diethylene glycol monoalkyl ethers, such as, for example, diethylene glycol monobutyl ether; unsaturated alcohols, such as allyl alcohol, 1, 1-dimethylallyl alcohol or oleic alcohol; aromatic alcohols, such as phenol, the isomeric cresols or methoxyphenols; araliphatic alcohols, such as benzyl alcohol, anis alcohol or cinnamic alcohol; secondary monoamines, such as dimethylamine, diethylamine, dipropylamine, diisopropylamine, dibutylamine, bis-(2-ethylhexyl)-amine, N- methyl- and N-ethyl-cyclohexylamine or dicyclohexylamine; as well as heterocyclic secondary amines, such as morpholine, pyrrolidine, piperidine or 1H- pyrazole, including mixtures of two or more of any of the foregoing.

[0043] Alkylene oxides suitable for the alkoxylation reaction include, for example, ethylene oxide and propylene oxide, which can be used in the alkoxylation reaction in any desired sequence or alternatively in admixture. In some embodiments, component (iv) comprises a copolymer of ethylene oxide with propylene oxide that contains ethylene oxide in an amount of at least 40% by weight, such as at least 50% by weight, at least 60% by weight or at least 65% by weight and/or up to 90% by weight or up to 80% by weight, based on the total weight of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide. In certain embodiments, the M _n of such a copolymer is 300 g/mol to 6000 g/mol, such as 500 g/mol to 4000 g/mol, such as 1000 g/mol to 3000 g/mol.

[0044] In certain embodiments, component (iv) is used in an amount of at least 1% by weight, such as at least 5, or at least 10% by weight and/or no more than 30% by weight, such as no more than 20% by weight, based on the total weight of reactants used to make the polyurethane.

[0045] Optional component (v) comprises a polyol having a molecular weight of less than <400 grams/mole. Examples of such polyols include, without limitation, the diols mentioned earlier with respect to the preparation of polyester polyols. In some cases, the polyol having a molecular weight of less than <400 g/mol has up to 20 carbon atoms, such as is the case with, for example, ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, Methylene glycol, 1,2-propanediol, 1,3-propanediol, 1 ,4-butanediol, 1,3-butylene glycol, cyclohexanediol, 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol, 1 ,6-hexanediol, neopentyl glycol, hydroquinone dihydroxyethyl ether, bisphenol A (2,2-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)propane), hydrogenated bisphenol A, (2,2-bis(4- hydroxycyclohexyl)propane), trimethylolpropane, glycerol, pentaerythritol and also any desired mixtures of two or more thereof. Also suitable are ester diols of the specified molecular weight range such as a-hydroxybutyl-s-hydroxycaproic acid ester, co-hydroxyhexyl-y-hydroxybutyric acid ester, β-hydroxyethyl adipate or bis( -hydroxyethyl) terephthalate.

[0046] In certain embodiments, component (v) is used in an amount of at least 1% by weight, such as at least 2, or at least 3% by weight and/or no more than 20% by weight, such as no more than 10 or no more than 5% by weight, based on the total weight of reactants used to make the polyurethane.

[0047] Optional component (vi) is used for chain extension and includes di- or poly-amines as well as hydrazides, for example ethylenediamine, 1,2- and 1,3-diaminopropane, 1 ,4-diaminobutane, 1,6-diaminohexane, isophoronediamine, isomer mixture of 2,2,4- and 2,4,4-trimethyl-hexamethylenediamine, 2-methyl- pentamethylenediamine, diethylenetriamine, 1,3- and 1,4-xylylenediamine, a,a,a',a'-tetramethyl-l,3- and -1,4-xylylenediamine and 4,4-diaminodicyclo- hexylmethane, dimethylethylenediamine, hydrazine or adipic acid dihydrazide. Also suitable for use are compounds which contain active hydrogen of different reactivity towards NCO groups, such as compounds which contain, in addition to a primary amino group, also secondary amino groups or, in addition to an amino group (primary or secondary), also OH groups. Examples thereof are

primary/secondary amines, such as 3-amino-l-methyl-aminopropane, 3-amino- 1- ethylaminopropane, 3-amino- 1-cyclohexylaminopropane, 3-amino- 1-methyl- aminobutane, also alkanolamines such as N-aminoethylethanol-amine, ethanol- amine, 3-aminopropanol or neopentanolamine.

[0048] In certain embodiments, component (vi) is used in an amount of at least 1% by weight, such as at least 3 or at least 5% by weight and/or no more than 10% by weight, such as no more than 8 or, in some cases, no more than 7% by weight, based on the total weight of reactants used to make the polyurethane. [0049] In some embodiments, the sum of components (i)-(vi) is 100 percent by weight, based on the total weight of the reactants used to make the polyurethane.

[0050] Any of a variety of processes can be used to prepare the aqueous polyurethane dispersions used in embodiments of the present invention, such as the prepolymer mixing method, acetone method or melt dispersing method, each of which will be understood by a person skilled in the art of making aqueous polyurethane dispersions. For example, in some embodiments, one or more aqueous polyurethane dispersion included in the compositions of the present invention may be produced by the acetone method, such as is described, for example, in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2007/0167565 Al at [0057]- [0073], the cited portion of which being incorporated herein by reference.

[0051] In certain embodiments, the resin solids content of the aqueous polyurethane dispersions prepared by any of these methods is at least 20% by weight, such as at least 25 or at least 30% by weight and/or no more than 65% by weight, such as no more than 50 or no more than 45% by weight, based on the total weight of the dispersion.

[0052] As indicated above, in the seed treatment compositions used in the methods of the present invention comprise an aqueous polyurethane dispersion that forms a film that exhibits: exhibiting: (a) a microhardness of 4 to 34 N/mm ² , such as 4 to 25 N/mm ² ; (b) a T _g of -79°C to -4°C, such as -50°C to -25 °C, (c) a percent elongation of 44 to 300, such as 100 to 300, and (d) a tensile strength of 2500 lb/in ² (17.2 MPa) to 5600 lb/in ² (38.6 MPa), such as 2500 lb/in ² (17.2 MPa) to 5100 lb/in ² (35.2 MPa).

[0053] Aqueous polyurethane dispersions that are suitable for use herein are commercially available and include, for example, (A) IMPRANIL DL 2611 (Covestro LLC), which is an anionic aliphatic polyester-polyurethane dispersion and is a reaction product of components (i), (ii), (iii), (v), and (vi) described above and/or (B) BAYHYDROL UH XP 2719 (Covestro LLC) which is an aliphatic, polyester-based, anionic polyurethane dispersion and is different from

IMPRANIL DL 2611. In certain embodiments, such an aqueous polyurethane dispersion is used in combination with a different aqueous polyurethane dispersion, such as, for example, (C) BAYBOND PU 330 (Covestro LLC), which is an anionic/non-ionic polyester polyurethane dispersed in water and is a reaction product of components (i), (ii), (iii), and (iv) described above. In certain embodiments using a blend of dispersions such as those described above, the weight ratio of the aqueous polyurethane dispersions in the seed treatment compositions of the present invention is (A+B)/(C) is greater than 1: 1, such as greater than 2: 1, at least 3: 1, or at least 4: 1.

[0054] In certain embodiments, the aqueous polyurethane dispersion is present in the seed treatment composition in an amount such that the total amount of polyurethane that is present in the seed treatment composition in some embodiments as an amount of 1% to 25%, in some embodiments from 2% to 20%, in some embodiments from 3% to 15%, in some embodiments from 4% to 10%, in some embodiments at least 3%, in some embodiments at least 5%, in some embodiments no more than 25%, in some embodiments no more than 20%, in some embodiments no more than 15% and in some embodiments no more than 10%..

[0055] The seed treatment compositions used in the methods of the present invention may further include any of a variety of coating additives such as defoamers, devolatilizers, thickeners, flow control additives, colorants (including pigments and dyes), surfactants, dispersants, neutralizers, biological materials (such as inoculants), nutrients, micronutrients, or surface additives.

[0056] As indicated earlier, the seed treatment compositions of the present invention comprise an insecticide, a fungicide, a nematicide, and/or other pesticides. In various embodiments, the seed treatment composition comprises an insecticide. The present invention is not limited to a particular insecticide.

Suitable insecticides include, but are not limited to: [0057] (1) Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors, such as, for example, carbamates, for example alanycarb, aldicarb, bendiocarb, benfuracarb, butocarboxim, butoxycarboxim, carbaryl, carbofuran, carbosulfan, ethiofencarb, fenobucarb, formetanate, furathiocarb, isoprocarb, methiocarb, methomyl, metolcarb, oxamyl, pirimicarb, propoxur, thiodicarb, thiofanox, triazamate, trimethacarb, XMC and xylylcarb; or organophosphates, for example acephate, azamethiphos, azinphos-ethyl, azinphos-methyl, cadusafos, chlorethoxyfos, chlorfenvinphos, chlormephos, chlorpyrifos-methyl, coumaphos, cyanophos, demeton-S-methyl, diazinon, dichlorvos/DDVP, dicrotophos, dimethoate, dimethylvinphos, disulfoton, EPN, ethion, ethoprophos, famphur, fenamiphos, fenitrothion, fenthion, fosthiazate, heptenophos, imicyafos, isofenphos, isopropyl O-(methoxyaminothiophosphoryl) salicylate, isoxathion, malathion, mecarbam, methamidophos, methidathion, mevinphos, monocrotophos, naled, omethoate, oxydemeton-methyl, parathion-methyl, phenthoate, phorate, phosalone, phosmet, phosphamidon, phoxim, pirimiphos-methyl, profenofos, propetamphos, prothiofos, pyraclofos, pyridaphenthion, quinalphos, sulfotep, tebupirimfos, temephos, terbufos, tetrachlorvinphos, thiometon, triazophos, triclorfon and vamidothion.

[0058] (2) GABA-gated chloride channel antagonists, such as, for example, cyclodiene-organochlorines, for example chlordane and endosulfan or phenylpyrazoles (fiproles), for example ethiprole and fipronil.

[0059] (3) Sodium channel modulators / voltage-gated sodium channel blockers such as, for example, pyrethroids, e.g. acrinathrin, allethrin, d-cis-trans allethrin, d-trans allethrin, bifenthrin, bioallethrin, bioallethrin s-cyclopentenyl isomer, bioresmethrin, cycloprothrin, cyfluthrin, beta-cyfluthrin, cyhalothrin, lambda-cyhalothrin, gamma-cyhalothrin, cypermethrin, alpha-cypermethrin, beta- cypermethrin, theta-cypermethrin, zeta-cypermethrin, cyphenothrin [(lR)-trans- isomer], deltamethrin, empenthrin [(EZ)-(lR)-isomer], esfenvalerate, etofenprox, fenpropathrin, fenvalerate, flucythrinate, flumethrin, tau-fluvalinate, halfenprox, imiprothrin, kadethrin, permethrin, phenothrin [(lR)-trans-isomer], prallethrin, pyrethrins (pyrethrum), resmethrin, silafluofen, tefluthrin, tetramethrin, tetramethrin [(1R)- isomer)], tralomethrin and transfluthrin or DDT or methoxychlor.

[0060] (4) Nicotinergic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) agonists, such as, for example, neonicotinoids, e.g. acetamiprid, clothianidin, dinotefuran, imidacloprid, nitenpyram, thiacloprid and thiamethoxam or nicotine or sulfoxaflor.

[0061] (5) Allosteric activators of the nicotinergic acetylcholine receptor

(nAChR) such as, for example, spinosyns, e.g. spinetoram and spinosad.

[0062] (6) Chloride channel activators, such as, for example,

avermectins/milbemycins, for example abamectin, emamectin benzoate, lepimectin and milbemectin.

[0063] (7) Juvenile hormone imitators such as, for example, juvenile hormone analogues, e.g. hydroprene, kinoprene and methoprene or fenoxycarb or pyriproxyfen.

[0064] (8) Active compounds with unknown or nonspecific mechanisms of action such as, for example, alkyl halides, e.g. methyl bromide and other alkyl halides; or chloropicrine or sulphuryl fluoride or borax or tartar emetic.

[0065] (9) Selective antifeedants, for example pymetrozine or flonicamid.

[0066] (10) Mite growth inhibitors, for example clofentezine, hexythiazox and diflovidazin or etoxazole.

[0067] (11) Microbial disruptors of the insect gut membrane, for example

Bacillus thuringiensis subspecies israelensis, Bacillus sphaericus, Bacillus thuringiensis subspecies aizawai, Bacillus thuringiensis subspecies kurstaki, Bacillus thuringiensis subspecies tenebrionis, and BT plant proteins: CrylAb, Cry 1 Ac, CrylFa, Cry2Ab, mCry3A, Cry3Ab, Cry3Bb, Cry34/35Abl. [0068] (12) Oxidative phosphorylation inhibitors, ATP disruptors such as, for example, diafenthiuron or organotin compounds, for example azocyclotin, cyhexatin and fenbutatin oxide or propargite or tetradifon;

[0069] (13) Oxidative phosphorylation decouplers acting by interrupting the H proton gradient such as, for example, chlorfenapyr, DNOC and sulfluramid.

[0070] (14) Nicotinergic acetylcholine receptor antagonists such as, for example, bensultap, cartap hydrochloride, thiocylam, and thiosultap-sodium.

[0071] (15) Chitin biosynthesis inhibitors, type 0, such as, for example, bistrifluron, chlorfluazuron, diflubenzuron, flucycloxuron, flufenoxuron, hexaflumuron, lufenuron, novaluron, noviflumuron, teflubenzuron and triflumuron.

[0072] (16) Chitin biosynthesis inhibitors, type 1, for example buprofezin.

[0073] (17) Moulting inhibitors (in particular for Diptera, i.e. dipterans) such as, for example, cyromazine.

[0074] (18) Ecdysone receptor agonists such as, for example,

chromafenozide, halofenozide, methoxyfenozide and tebufenozide.

[0075] (19) Octopaminergic agonists such as, for example, amitraz.

[0076] (20) Complex- III electron transport inhibitors such as, for example, hydramethylnone or acequinocyl or fluacrypyrim.

[0077] (21) Complex-I electron transport inhibitors, for example from the group of the METI acaricides, e.g. fenazaquin, fenpyroximate, pyrimidifen, pyridaben, tebufenpyrad and tolfenpyrad or rotenone (Derris).

[0078] (22) Voltage-gated sodium channel blockers, for example indoxacarb or metaflumizone. [0079] (23) Inhibitors of acetyl-CoA carboxylase such as, for example, tetronic and tetramic acid derivatives, e.g. spirodiclofen, spiromesifen and spirotetramat.

[0080] (24) Complex-IV electron transport inhibitors such as, for example, phosphines, e.g. aluminium phosphide, calcium phosphide, phosphine and zinc phosphide or cyanide.

[0081] (25) Complex II electron transport inhibitors, such as, for example, cyenopyrafen and cyflumetofen.

[0082] (26) Ryanodine receptor effectors, such as, for example, diamides, e.g. chlorantraniliprole, cyantraniliprole and flubendiamide.

[0083] (27) Other active compounds such as, for example, afidopyropen, azadirachtin, benclothiaz, benzoximate, bifenazate, bromopropylate,

chinomethionat, cryolite, dicofol, diflovidazin, fluensulfone, flometoquin, flufenerim, flufenoxystrobin, flufiprole, fluopyram, flupyradifurone, fufenozide, heptafluthrin, imidaclothiz, iprodione, meperfluthrin, paichongding, pyflubumide, pyrifluquinazon, pyriminostrobin, tetramethylfluthrin and iodomethane;

furthermore preparations based on Bacillus firmus (1-1582, BioNeem, Votivo), and also the following compounds: 3-bromo-N-{2-bromo-4-chloro-6-[(l- cyclopropylethyl)carbamoyl]phenyl}-l-(3-chloropyridin-2-yl)- lH-pyrazole-5- carboxamide (known from WO2005/077934) and l-{2-fluoro-4-methyl-5-[(2,2,2- trifluoroethyl)sulphinyl]phenyl } -3-(trifluoromethyl)- 1H- 1 ,2,4-triazole-5-amine (known from WO2006/043635), { l'-[(2E)-3-(4-chlorophenyl)prop-2-en-l-yl]-5- fluorospiro [indol-3 ,4'-piperidin] - 1 (2H)-yl } (2-chloropyridin-4-yl)methanone (known from WO2003/106457), 2-chloro-N-[2-{ l-[(2E)-3-(4-chlorophenyl)prop- 2-en-l-yl]piperidin-4-yl}-4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]isonicot inamide (known from WO2006/003494), 3-(2,5-dimethylphenyl)-4-hydroxy-8-methoxy-l,8- diazaspiro[4.5]dec-3-en-2-one (known from WO2009/049851), 3-(2,5- dimethylphenyl)-8-methoxy-2-oxo-l,8-diazaspiro[4.5]dec-3-en- 4-yl- ethylcarbonate (known from WO2009/049851), 4-(but-2-yn-l-yloxy)-6-(3,5- dimethylpiperidin-l-yl)-5-fluoropyrimidine (known from WO2004/099160), 4- (but-2-yn-l-yloxy)-6-(3-chlorophenyl)pyrimidine (known from

WO2003/076415), PF1364 (CAS Reg. No. 1204776-60-2), 4-[5-(3,5- dichlorophenyl)-5-(trifluoromethyl)-4,5-dihydro-l,2-oxazol-3 -yl]-2-metliyl-N-{2- oxo-2-[(2,2,2-trifluoroethyl)amino]ethyl}benzamide (known from

WO2005/085216), 4-{5-[3-chloro-5-(trifluoromettiyl)phenyl]-5-(trifluorometli yl)- 4,5-dihydro-l,2-oxazol-3-yl}-N-{2-oxo-2-[(2,2,2-trifluoroeth yl)amino]ethyl}-l- naphthamide (known from WO2009/002809), methyl 2-[2-({[3-bromo-l-(3- chloropyridin-2-yl)-lH-pyrazol-5-yl]carbonyl}amino)-5-chloro -3- methylbenzoyl]-2-methylhydrazinecarboxylate (known from WO2005/085216), methyl 2-[2-({[3-bromo-l-(3-chloropyridin-2-yl)-lH-pyrazol-5- yl]carbonyl}amino)-5-cyano-3-methylbenzoyl]-2-ethylhydrazine carboxylate (known from WO2005/085216), methyl 2-[2-({[3-bromo-l-(3-chloropyridin-2- yl)-lH-pyrazol-5-yl]carbonyl}amino)-5-cyano-3-methylbenzoyl] -2- methylhydrazinecarboxylate (known from WO2005/085216), methyl 2-[3,5- dibromo-2-({ [3-bromo-l-(3-chloropyridin-2-yl)-lH-pyrazol-5- yl]carbonyl}amino)benzoyl]-2-ethylhydrazinecarboxylate (known from

WO2005/085216), l-(3-chloropyridin-2-yl)-N-[4-cyano-2-methyl-6- (methylcarbamoyl)phenyl]-3-{[5-(trifluoromethyl)-2H-tetrazol -2-yl]methyl}-lH- pyrazole-5-carboxamide (known from WO2010/069502), N-[2-(5-amino-l,3,4- thiadiazol-2-yl)-4-chloro-6-methylphenyl]-3-bromo-l-(3-chlor opyridin-2-yl)-lH- pyrazole-5-carboxamide (known from CN102057925), 3-chloro-N-(2- cyanopropan-2-yl)-N-[4-(l, 1,1,2, 3,3, 3-heptafluoropropan-2-yl)-2- methylphenyljphthalamide (known from WO2012/034472), 8-chloro-N-[(2- chloro-5-methoxyphenyl)sulphonyl]-6-(trifluoromethyl)imidazo [l,2-a]pyridine-2- carboxamide (known from WO2010/129500), 4-[5-(3,5-dichlorophenyl)-5- (trifluoromethyl)-4,5-dihydro-l,2-oxazol-3-yl]-2-methyl-N-(l -oxidothietan-3- yl)benzamide (known from WO2009/080250), N-[(2E)-l-[(6-chloropyridin-3- yl)methyl]pyridin-2(lH)-ylidene]-2,2,2-trifluoroacetamide (known from

WO2012/029672) , 1 - [(2-chloro- 1 ,3 -thiazol-5-yl)methyl] -4-oxo-3 -phenyl-4H- pyrido[l,2-a]pyrimidin-l-ium-2-olate (known from WO2009/099929), l-[(6- chloropyridin-3-yl)methyl]-4-oxo-3-phenyl-4H-pyrido[l,2-a]py rimidin-l-ium-2- olate (known from WO2009/099929), (5S,8R)-l-[(6-chloropyridin-3-yl)methyl]- 9-nitro-2,3,5,6,7,8-hexahydro-lH-5,8-epoxyimidazo[l,2-a]azep ine (known from WO2010/069266), (2E)-l-[(6-chloropyridin-3-yl)methyl]-N'-nitro-2- pentylidenehydrazinecarboximidamide (known from WO2010/060231), 4-(3- {2,6-dichloro-4-[(3,3-dichloroprop-2-en-l-yl)oxy]phenoxy}pro poxy)-2-methoxy- 6-(trifluoromethyl)pyrimidine (known from CN101337940), N-[2-(tert- butylcarbamoyl)-4-chloro-6-methylphenyl]-l-(3-chloropyridin- 2-yl)-3- (fluoromethoxy)-lH-pyrazole-5-carboxamide (known from WO2008/134969).

[0084] In some cases, the seed treatment composition comprises one or more fungicides. Suitable fungicides include, but are not limited to:

[0085] (1) Inhibitors of ergosterol biosynthesis such as, for example, aldimorph, azaconazole, bitertanol, bromuconazole, cyproconazole,

diclobutrazole, difenoconazole, diniconazole, diniconazole-M, dodemorph, dodemorph acetate, epoxiconazole, etaconazole, fenarimol, fenbuconazole, fenhexamid, fenpropidin, fenpropimorph, fluquinconazole, flurprimidol, flusilazole, flutriafole, furconazole, furconazole-cis, hexaconazole, imazalil, imazalil sulphate, imibenconazole, ipconazole, metconazole, myclobutanil, naftifin, nuarimol, oxpoconazole, paclobutrazole, pefurazoate, penconazole, piperalin, prochloraz, propiconazole, prothioconazole, pyributicarb, pyrifenox, quinconazole, simeconazole, spiroxamine, tebuconazole, terbinafin, tetraconazole, triadimefon, triadimenol, tridemorph, triflumizole, triforine, triticonazole, uniconazole, uniconazole-P, viniconazole, voriconazole, l-(4-chlorophenyl)-2- (lH-l,2,4-triazol-l-yl)cycloheptanol, methyl l-(2,2-dimethyl-2,3-dihydro-lH- inden-l-yl)-lH-imidazole-5-carboxylate, N'-{5-(difluoromethyl)-2-methyl-4-[3- (trimethylsilyl)propoxy]phenyl } -N-ethyl-N-methylimidoformamide, N-ethyl-N- methyl-N'-{2-methyl-5-(trifluoromethyl)-4-[3-

(trimethylsilyl)propoxy]phenyl } imidoformamide, O- [ 1 -(4-methoxyphenoxy)-3,3- dimethylbutan-2-yl] - 1 H- imidazole- 1 -carbothioate, and pyrisoxazole. [0086] (2) Respiration inhibitors (respiratory chain inhibitors) such as, for example, bixafen, boscalid, carboxin, diflumetorim, fenfuram, fluopyram, flutolanil, fluxapyroxad, furametpyr, furmecyclox, isopyrazam mixture of the syn- epimeric racemate 1RS,4SR,9RS and the anti-empimeric racemate 1RS,4SR,9SR, isopyrazam (anti-epimeric racemate ), isopyrazam (anti-epimeric enantiomer 1R,4S,9S), isopyrazam (anti-epimeric enantiomer 1S,4R,9R), isopyrazam (syn- epimeric racemate 1RS,4SR,9RS), isopyrazam (syn-epimeric enantiomer 1R,4S,9R), isopyrazam (syn-epimeric enantiomer 1S,4R,9S), mepronil, oxycarboxin, penflufen, penthiopyrad, sedaxane, thifluzamide, l-methyl-N-[2- (1,1 ,2,2-tetrafluoroethoxy)phenyl]-3-(trifluoromethyl)- lH-pyrazole-4- carboxamide, 3-(difluoromethyl)-l-methyl-N-[2-(l,l,2,2-tetrafluoro- ethoxy)phenyl]-lH-pyrazole-4-carboxamide, 3-(difluoromethyl)-N-[4-fluoro-2- (1,1,2,3, 3, 3-hexafluoropropoxy)phenyl]-l-methyl-lH-pyrazole-4-carboxami de, N-[l-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-l-methoxypropan-2-yl]-3-(difluorom ethyl)-l-methyl- lH-pyrazole-4-carboxamide, 5,8-difluoro-N-[2-(2-fluoro-4-{ [4- ( fluoromethyl)pyridin-2-yl]oxy}phenyl)ethyl]quinazoline-4-ami ne, benzovindiflupyr, N-[(lS,4R)-9-(dichloromethylene)-l,2,3,4-tetrahydro-l,4- methanonaphthalen-5-yl]-3-(difluoromethyl)-l-methyl-lH-pyraz ole-4- carboxamide and N-[(lR,4S)-9-(dichloromethylene)-l,2,3,4-tetrahydro-l,4- methanonaphthalen-5-yl]-3-(difluoromethyl)-l-methyl-lH-pyraz ole-4- carboxamide, 3-(difluoromethyl)- l-methyl-N-(l , 1 ,3-trimethyl-2,3-dihydro- 1H- inden-4-yl)-lH-pyrazole-4-carboxamide, l,3,5-trimethyl-N-(l,l,3-trimethyl-2,3- dihydro-lH-inden-4-yl)-lH-pyrazole-4-carboxamide, l-methyl-3- (trifluoromethyl)-N-(l, l,3-trimethyl-2,3-dihydro-lH-inden-4-yl)-lH-pyrazole-4- carboxamide, l-methyl-3-(trifluoromethyl)-N-[(3R)-l, l,3-trimethyl-2,3-dihydro- lH-inden-4-yl]-lH-pyrazole-4-carboxamide, l-methyl-3-(trifluoromethyl)-N- [(3S)- 1, 1 ,3-trimethyl-2,3-dihydro- lH-inden-4-yl]- lH-pyrazole-4-carboxamide, 3- (difluoromethyl)-l-methyl-N-[(3S)-l,l,3-trimethyl-2,3-dihydr o-lH-inden-4-yl]- lH-pyrazole-4-carboxamide, 3-(difluoromethyl)- l-methyl-N-[(3R)- 1, 1,3- trimethyl-2,3 -dihydro- 1 H-inden-4-yl] - 1 H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide, 1,3,5- trimethyl-N-[(3R)-l,l,3-trimethyl-2,3-dihydro-lH-inden-4-yl] -lH-pyrazole-4- carboxamide, l,3,5-trimethyl-N-[(3S)-l, l,3-trimethyl-2,3-dihydro-lH-inden-4- yl]-lH-pyrazole-4-carboxamide, benodanil, 2-chloro-N-(l, l,3-trimethyl-2,3- dihydro- lH-inden-4-yl)pyridine-3 -carboxamide, isofetamid.

[0087] (3) Respiration inhibitors (respiratory chain inhibitors) acting on complex III of the respiratory chain such as, for example, ametoctradin, amisulbrom, azoxystrobin, cyazofamid, coumethoxystrobin, coumoxystrobin, dimoxystrobin, enestroburin, famoxadone, fenamidone, flufenoxystrobin, fluoxastrobin, kresoxim-methyl, metominostrobin, orysastrobin, picoxystrobin, pyraclostrobin, pyrametostrobin, pyraoxystrobin, pyribencarb, triclopyricarb, trifloxystrobin, (2E)-2-(2- { [6-(3-chloro-2-methylphenoxy)-5-fluoropyrimidin-4- yl]oxy}phenyl)-2-(methoxyimino)-N-methylethanamide, (2E)-2-(methoxyimino)- N-methyl-2-(2-{ [({(lE)-l-[3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]ethylidene}amino)- oxy]methyl}phenyl)ethanamide, (2E)-2-(methoxyimino)-N-methyl-2-{2-[(E)-({ l- [3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]ethoxy}imino)methyl]phenyl}ethana mide, (2E)-2-{2- [( { [( 1 E)- 1 -(3 - { [(E)- 1 -fluoro-2-phenylethenyl]oxy }phenyl)ethylidene] - amino }oxy)methyl]phenyl } -2-(methoxyimino)-N-methylethanamide, (2E)-2- { 2- [({ [(2E,3E)-4-(2,6-dichlorophenyl)but-3-en-2-ylidene]amino}oxy) methyl]- phenyl}-2-(methoxyimino)-N-methylethanamide, 2-chloro-N-(l,l,3-trimethyl- 2,3-dihydro-lH-inden-4-yl)pyridine-3-carboxamide, 5-methoxy-2-methyl-4-(2- { [({ ( IE)- 1 -[3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]ethylidene } amino)oxy] methyl }phenyl)-2,4- dihydro-3H-l,2,4-triazol-3-one, methyl (2E)-2-{2-[({cyclopropyl[(4- methoxyphenyl)imino]methyl } sulphanyl)methyl]phenyl } -3-methoxyprop-2- enoate, N-(3-ethyl-3,5,5-trimethylcyclohexyl)-3-(formylamino)-2- hydroxybenzamide, 2-{2-[(2,5-dimethylphenoxy)methyl]phenyl}-2-methoxy-N- methylacetamide.

[0088] (4) Inhibitors of mitosis and cell division such as, for example, benomyl, carbendazim, chlorfenazole, diethofencarb, ethaboxam, fluopicolid, fuberidazole, pencycuron, thiabendazole, thiophanate-methyl, thiophanate, zoxamide, 5-chloro-7-(4-methylpiperidin-l-yl)-6-(2,4,6-trifluorophenyl )- [l,2,4]triazolo[l,5-a]pyrimidine and 3-chloro-5-(6-chloropyridin-3-yl)-6-methyl- 4- (2 ,4 , 6- trifluorophenyl)pyridazine.

[0089] (5) Compounds having multisite activity such as, for example,

Bordeaux mixture, captafol, captan, chlorothalonil, copper preparations such as copper hydroxide, copper naphthenate, copper oxide, copper oxychloride, copper sulphate, dichlofluanid, dithianon, dodine, dodine free base, ferbam, fluorfolpet, folpet, guazatine, guazatine acetate, iminoctadine, iminoctadine albesilate, iminoctadine triacetate, mancopper, mancozeb, maneb, metiram, zinc metiram, copper-oxine, propamidine, propineb, sulphur and sulphur preparations such as, for example calcium polysulphide, thiram, tolylfluanid, zineb, ziram and anilazine.

[0090] (6) Resistance inducers such as, for example, acibenzolar-S- methyl, isotianil, probenazole, tiadinil and laminarin.

[0091] (7) Inhibitors of amino acid and protein biosynthesis such as, for example, blasticidin-S, cyprodinil, kasugamycin, kasugamycin hydrochloride hydrate, mepanipyrim, pyrimethanil, 3-(5-fluoro-3,3,4,4-tetramethyl-3,4- dihydroisoquinolin-l-yl)quinolone, oxytetracycline and streptomycin.

[0092] (8) ATP production inhibitors such as, for example, fentin acetate, fentin chloride, fentin hydroxide and silthiofam.

[0093] (9) Inhibitors of cell wall synthesis such as, for example, benthiavalicarb, dimethomorph, flumorph, iprovalicarb, mandipropamid, polyoxins, polyoxorim, validamycin A, valifenalate and polyoxin B.

[0094] (10) Inhibitors of lipid and membrane synthesis such as, for example, biphenyl, chlorneb, dicloran, edifenphos, etridiazole, iodocarb, iprobenfos, isoprothiolane, propamocarb, propamocarb hydrochloride, prothiocarb, pyrazophos, quintozene, tecnazene and tolclofos-methyl. [0095] (11) Melanin biosynthesis inhibitors, for example carpropamid, diclocymet, fenoxanil, fthalide, pyroquilon, tricyclazole and 2,2,2-trifluoroethyl { 3 -methyl- 1 - [(4-methylbenzoyl)amino]butan-2-yl } carbamate.

[0096] (12) Inhibitors of nucleic acid synthesis such as, for example, benalaxyl, benalaxyl-M (kiralaxyl), bupirimate, clozylacon, dimethirimol, ethirimol, furalaxyl, hymexazole, metalaxyl, metalaxyl-M (mefenoxam), ofurace, oxadixyl, oxolinic acid and octhilinone.

[0097] (13) Signal transduction inhibitors such as, for example, chlozolinate, fenpiclonil, fludioxonil, iprodione, procymidone, quinoxyfen, vinclozolin and proquinazid.

[0098] (14) Decouplers such as, for example, binapacryl, dinocap, ferimzone, fluazinam and meptyldinocap.

[0099] (15) Further compounds such as, for example, benthiazole, bethoxazine, capsimycin, carvone, chinomethionat, pyriofenone (chlazafenone), cufraneb, cyflufenamid, cymoxanil, cyprosulfamide, dazomet, debacarb, dichlorophen, diclomezine, difenzoquat, difenzoquat methylsulphate,

diphenylamine, EcoMate, fenpyrazamine, flumetover, fluorimid, flusulfamide, flutianil, fosetyl-aluminium, fosetyl-calcium, fosetyl- sodium, hexachlorobenzene, irumamycin, methasulfocarb, methyl isothiocyanate, metrafenone, mildiomycin, natamycin, nickel dimethyldithiocarbamate, nitrothal-isopropyl, octhilinone, oxamocarb, oxyfenthiin, pentachlorophenol and its salts, phenothrin, phosphoric acid and its salts, propamocarb-fosetylate, propanosine-sodium, pyrimorph, (2E)-

3- (4-tert-butylphenyl)-3-(2-chloropyridin-4-yl)-l-(morpholin-4 -yl)prop-2-en-l- one, (2Z)-3-(4-tert-butylphenyl)-3-(2-chloropyridin-4-yl)-l-(morp holin-4-yl)prop-

2- en-l-one, pyrrolnitrin, tebufloquin, tecloftalam, tolnifanide, triazoxide, trichlamide, zarilamid, (3S ,6S ,7R, 8R)- 8-benzyl-3 - [( { 3 - [(isobutyryloxy)methoxy] -

4- methoxypyridin-2-yl}carbonyl)amino]-6-methyl-4,9-dioxo-l,5-d ioxonan-7-yl 2- methylpropanoate, l-(4-{4-[(5R)-5-(2,6-difluorophenyl)-4,5-dihydro-l,2-oxazol-

3- yl]-l,3-thiazol-2-yl}piperidin-l-yl)-2-[5-methyl-3-(trifluor omethyl)-lH- pyrazol-l-yl]ethanone, l-(4-{4-[(5S)-5-(2,6-difluorophenyl)-4,5-dihydro-l,2- oxazol-3-yl]-l,3-thiazol-2-yl}piperidin-l-yl)-2-[5-methyl-3- (trifluoromethyl)-lH- pyrazol-l-yl]ethanone, l-(4-{4-[5-(2,6-difluorophenyl)-4,5-dihydro-l,2-oxazol-3- yl] - 1 ,3 -thiazol-2-yl } piperidin- 1 -yl)-2- [5 -methyl-3 -(trifluoromethyl)- lH-pyrazol- l-yl]ethanone, l-(4-methoxyphenoxy)-3,3-dimethylbutan-2-yl 1 H- imidazole- 1- carboxylate, 2,3,5,6-tetrachloro-4-(methylsulphonyl)pyridine, 2,3-dibutyl-6- chlorothieno[2,3-d]pyrimidin-4(3H)-one, 2,6-dimethyl-lH,5H-[l,4]dithiino[2,3- c:5,6-c']dipyrrole-l,3,5,7(2H,6H)-tetrone, 2-[5-methyl-3-(trifluoromethyl)-lH- pyrazol-l-yl]-l-(4-{4-[(5R)-5-phenyl-4,5-dihydro-l,2-oxazol- 3-yl]-l,3-thiazol-2- yl} piperidin- l-yl)ethanone, 2-[5-methyl-3-(trifluoromethyl)-lH-pyrazol-l-yl]-l- (4-{4-[(5S)-5-phenyl-4,5-dihydro-l,2-oxazol-3-yl]-l,3-thiazo l-2-yl}piperidin-l- yl)ethanone, 2-[5-methyl-3-(trifluoromethyl)-lH-pyrazol-l-yl]-l-{4-[4-(5- phenyl-

4.5- dihydro- 1 ,2-oxazol-3-yl)- 1 ,3-thiazol-2-yl]piperidin- 1 -yl } ethanone, 2-butoxy- 6-iodo-3-propyl-4H-chromen-4-one, 2-chloro-5-[2-chloro-l-(2,6-difluoro-4- methoxyphenyl)-4-methyl-lH-imidazol-5-yl]pyridine, 2-phenylphenol and salts, 3-(4,4,5-trifluoro-3,3-dimethyl-3,4-dihydroisoquinolin-l-yl) quinoline, 3,4,5- trichloropyridine-2,6-dicarbonitrile, 3-chloro-5-(4-chlorophenyl)-4-(2,6- difluorophenyl)-6-methylpyridazine, 4-(4-chlorophenyl)-5-(2,6-difluorophenyl)-

3.6- dimethylpyridazine, 5-amino-l,3,4-thiadiazole-2-thiol, 5-chloro-N'-phenyl-N'- (prop-2-yn-l-yl)thiophene-2-sulphonohydrazide, 5-fluoro-2-[(4-fluoro- benzyl)oxy]pyrimidine-4-amine, 5-fluoro-2-[(4-methylbenzyl)oxy]pyrimidine-4- amine, 5-methyl-6-octyl[l,2,4]triazolo[l,5-a]pyrimidine-7-amine, ethyl (2Z)-3- amino-2-cyano-3-phenylacrylate, N'-(4-{[3-(4-chlorobenzyl)-l,2,4-thiadiazol-5- yl]oxy } -2,5-dimethylphenyl)-N-ethyl-N-methylimidoformamide, N-(4- chlorobenzyl)-3-[3-methoxy-4-(prop-2-yn-l-yloxy)phenyl]propa namide, N-[(4- chlorophenyl)(cyano)methyl] -3 - [3 -methoxy-4-(prop-2-yn- 1 -yloxy)phenyl] - propanamide, N-[(5-bromo-3-chloropyridin-2-yl)methyl]-2,4-dichloronicotin - amide, N- [ 1 -(5 -bromo-3 -chloropyridin-2-yl)ethyl] -2,4-dichloronicotinamide, N- [l-(5-bromo-3-chloropyridin-2-yl)ethyl]-2-fluoro-4-iodonicot inamide, N-{(E)- [(cyclopropylmethoxy)imino][6-(difluoromethoxy)-2,3-difluoro phenyl]methyl}-2- phenylacetamide, N- { (Z)- [(cyclopropyl-methoxy)imino] [6-(difluoromethoxy)- 2,3-difluorophenyl]methyl}-2-phenylacetamide, N'-{4-[(3-tert-butyl-4-cyano-l,2- thiazol-5-yl)oxy]-2-chloro-5-methylphenyl}-N-ethyl-N-methyli midoformamide, N-methyl-2-(l-{ [5-methyl-3-(trifluoromethyl)-lH-pyrazol-l-yl]acetyl}piperid in- 4-yl)-N-( 1 ,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalen- 1 -yl)- 1 ,3-thiazole-4-carboxamide, N- methyl-2-(l-{ [5-methyl-3-(trifluoromethyl)-lH-pyrazol-l-yl]acetyl}piperid in-4- yl)-N-[(lR)-l,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalen-l-yl]-l,3-thiazole- 4-carboxamide, N- methyl-2-(l-{ [5-methyl-3-(trifluoromethyl)-lH-pyrazol-l-yl]acetyl}piperid in-4- yl)-N-[(lS)-l,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalen-l-yl]-l,3-thiazole- 4-carboxamide, pentyl { 6- [( { [( 1 -methyl- 1 H-tetrazol-5 -yl)(phenyl)methylene]amino } oxy)- methyl]pyridin-2-yl} carbamate, phenazine-l-carboxylic acid, quinolin-8-ol, quinolin-8-ol sulphate (2:1), tert-butyl { 6- [({[(1 -methyl- 1 H-tetrazol-5 - yl)(phenyl)methylene] -amino }oxy)methyl]pyridin-2-yl} carbamate, l-methyl-3- (trifluoromethyl)-N-[2'-(trifluoromethyl)biphenyl-2-yl]-lH-p yrazole-4- carboxamide, N-(4'-chlorobiphenyl-2-yl)-3-(difluoromethyl)- 1-methyl- 1H- pyrazole-4-carboxamide, N-(2',4'-dichlorobiphenyl-2-yl)-3-(difluoromethyl)-l- methyl-lH-pyrazole-4-carboxamide, 3-(difluoromethyl)-l-methyl-N-[4'- (trifluoromethyl)biphenyl-2-yl]-lH-pyrazole-4-carboxamide, N-(2',5'- difluorobiphenyl-2-yl)-l-methyl-3-(trifluoromethyl)-lH-pyraz ole-4-carboxamide, 3-(difluoromethyl)- l-methyl-N-[4'-(prop- 1-yn- l-yl)biphenyl-2-yl]- lH-pyrazole-4- carboxamide, 5 -fluoro- 1 ,3-dimethyl-N- [4'-(prop- 1 -yn- 1 -yl)biphenyl-2-yl] - 1 H- pyrazole-4-carboxamide, 2-chloro-N- [4'-(prop- 1 -yn- 1 -yl)biphenyl-2- yl] nicotinamide, 3-(difluoromethyl)-N-[4'-(3,3-dimethylbut-l-yn-l-yl)biphenyl -2- yl] - 1 -methyl- lH-pyrazole-4-carboxamide, N- [4'-(3 ,3 -dimethylbut- 1-yn- 1 - yl)biphenyl-2-yl]-5-fluoro-l,3-dimethyl-lH-pyrazole-4-carbox amide, 3- (difluoromethyl)-N-(4'-ethynylbiphenyl-2-yl)- 1 -methyl- lH-pyrazole-4- carboxamide, N-(4'-ethynylbiphenyl-2-yl)-5-fluoro-l,3-dimethyl-lH-pyrazol e-4- carboxamide, 2-chloro-N-(4'-ethynylbiphenyl-2-yl)nicotinamide, 2-chloro-N- [4'- (3,3-dimethylbut-l-yn-l-yl)biphenyl-2-yl]nicotinamide, 4-(difluoromethyl)-2- methyl-N-[4'-(trifluoromethyl)biphenyl-2-yl]-l,3-thiazole-5- carboxamide, 5- fluoro-N-[4'-(3-hydroxy-3-methylbut-l-yn-l-yl)biphenyl-2-yl] -l,3-dimethyl-lH- pyrazole-4-carboxamide, 2-chloro-N-[4'-(3-hydroxy-3-methylbut-l-yn-l- yl)biphenyl-2-yl]nicotinamide, 3-(difluoromethyl)-N-[4'-(3-methoxy-3-methylbut- 1 -yn- 1 -yl)biphenyl-2-yl] - 1 -methyl- 1 H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide, 5-fluoro-N- [4'- (3 -methoxy-3 -methylbut- 1 -yn- 1 -yl)biphenyl-2-yl] - 1 ,3 -dimethyl- lH-pyrazole-4- carboxamide, 2-chloro-N-[4'-(3-methoxy-3-methylbut-l-yn-l-yl)biphenyl-2- yl] nicotinamide, (5-bromo-2-methoxy-4-methylpyridin-3-yl)(2,3,4-trimethoxy-6- methylphenyl)methanone, N-[2-(4-{[3-(4-chlorophenyl)prop-2-yn-l-yl]oxy}-3- methoxyphenyl)ethyl]-N2-(methyl-sulphonyl)valinamide, 4-oxo-4-[(2- phenylethyl)amino]butanoic acid, but-3-yn-l-yl {6-[({ [(Z)-(l-methyl-lH-tetrazol- 5-yl)(phenyl)methylene]amino }oxy)methyl]-pyridin-2-yl }carbamate, 4-amino-5- fluoropyrimidin-2-ol (tautomeric form: 4-amino-5-fluoropyrimidin-2(lH)-one), propyl 3,4,5-trihydroxybenzoate, l,3-dimethyl-N-(l,l,3-trimethyl-2,3-dihydro- lH-inden-4-yl)-lH-pyrazole-4-carboxamide, l,3-dimethyl-N-[(3R)-l,l,3- trimethyl-2,3-dihydro-lH-inden-4-yl]-lH-pyrazole-4-carboxami de, 1,3-dimethyl- N- [(3S)- 1 , 1 ,3 -trimethyl-2,3 -dihydro- 1 H-inden-4-yl] - 1 H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide, [3-(4-chloro-2-fluorophenyl)-5-(2,4-difluorophenyl)-l,2-oxaz ol-4-yl](pyridin-3- yl)methanol, (S)-[3-(4-chloro-2-fluorophenyl)-5-(2,4-difluorophenyl)-l,2- oxazol-

4- yl](pyridin-3-yl)methanol, (R)-[3-(4-chloro-2-fluorophenyl)-5-(2,4- difluorophenyl)-l,2-oxazol-4-yl](pyridin-3-yl)methanol, 2-{ [3-(2-chlorophenyl)- 2-(2,4-difluorophenyl)oxiran-2-yl]methyl}-2,4-dihydro-3H-l,2 ,4-triazole-3- thione, l-{ [3-(2-chlorophenyl)-2-(2,4-difluorophenyl)oxiran-2-yl]methyl }-lH- l,2,4-triazol-5-yl thiocyanate, 5-(allylsulfanyl)-l-{ [3-(2-chlorophenyl)-2-(2,4- difluorophenyl)oxiran-2-yl]methyl } - 1H- 1 ,2,4-triazole, 2-[ l-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-

5- hydroxy-2,6,6-trimethylheptan-4-yl]-2,4-dihydro-3H-l,2,4-tri azole-3-thione, 2- { [rel(2R,3S)-3-(2-chlorophenyl)-2-(2,4-difluorophenyl)oxiran- 2-yl]methyl}-2,4- dihydro-3H-l,2,4-triazole-3-thione, 2-{[rel(2R,3R)-3-(2-chlorophenyl)-2-(2,4- difluorophenyl)oxiran-2-yl]methyl}-2,4-dihydro-3H-l,2,4-tria zole-3-thione, 1- { [rel(2R,3S)-3-(2-chlorophenyl)-2-(2,4-difluorophenyl)oxiran- 2-yl]methyl}-lH- l,2,4-triazol-5-yl thiocyanate, l-{[rel(2R,3R)-3-(2-chlorophenyl)-2-(2,4- difluorophenyl)oxiran-2-yl]methyl } - 1H- 1 ,2,4-triazol-5-yl thiocyanate, 5- (allylsulphanyl)- 1- { [rel(2R,3S)-3-(2-chlorophenyl)-2-(2,4-difluorophenyl)oxiran- 2-yl]methyl}-lH-l,2,4-triazole, 5-(allylsulphanyl)-l-{ [rel(2R,3R)-3-(2- chlorophenyl)-2-(2,4-difluorophenyl)oxiran-2-yl]methyl}-lH-l ,2,4-triazole, 2- [(2S,4S,5S)-l-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-5-hydroxy-2,6,6-trimethyl lieptan-4-yl]-2,4- dihydro-3H-l,2,4-triazole-3-thione, 2-[(2R,4S,5S)-l-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-5- hydroxy-2,6,6-trimethylheptan-4-yl]-2,4-diliydro-3H-l,2,4-tr iazole-3-tliione, 2- [(2R,4R,5R)-l-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-5-hydroxy-2,6,6-trimethyl lieptan-4-yl]-2,4- dihydro-3H-l,2,4-triazole-3-thione, 2-[(2S,4R,5R)-l-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-5- hydroxy-2,6,6-trimethylheptan-4-yl]-2,4-diliydro-3H-l,2,4-tr iazole-3-tliione, 2- [(2S,4S,5R)-l-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-5-hydroxy-2,6,6-trimethyl lieptan-4-yl]-2,4- dihydro-3H-l,2,4-triazole-3-thione, 2-[(2R,4S,5R)-l-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-5- hydroxy-2,6,6-trimethylheptan-4-yl]-2,4-diliydro-3H-l,2,4-tr iazole-3-tliione, 2- [(2R,4R,5S)-l-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-5-hydroxy-2,6,6-trimethyl lieptan-4-yl]-2,4- dihydro-3H-l,2,4-triazole-3-thione, 2-[(2S,4R,5S)-l-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-5- hydroxy-2,6,6-trimethylheptan-4-yl]-2,4-diliydro-3H-l,2,4-tr iazole-3-tliione, 2- fluoro-6-(trifluoromethyl)-N-(l,l,3-trimethyl-2,3-dihydro-lH -inden-4- yl)benzamide, 2-(6-benzylpyridin-2-yl)quinazoline, 2-[6-(3-fluoro-4- methoxyphenyl)-5-methylpyridin-2-yl]quinazoline, 3-(4,4-difluoro-3,3-dimethyl- 3,4-dihydroisoquinolin-l-yl)quinoline, abscisic acid, 3-(difluoromethyl)-N- methoxy-l-methyl-N-[l-(2,4,6-trichloroplienyl)propan-2-yl]-l H-pyrazole-4- carboxamide, N'-[5-bromo-6-(2,3-dihydro-lH-inden-2-yloxy)-2-methylpyridin -3- yl]-N-ethyl-N-methylimidoformamide, N'-{5-bromo-6-[l-(3,5-difluorophenyl)- ethoxy]-2-methylpyridin-3-yl} -N-ethyl-N-methylimidoformamide, N'-{5-bromo- 6-[(lR)-l-(3,5-difluorophenyl)ethoxy]-2-methylpyridin-3-yl}- N-ethyl-N- methylimidoformamide, N'- { 5 -bromo-6- [(1S)-1 -(3 ,5-difluorophenyl)ethoxy] -2- methylpyridin-3-yl} -N-ethyl-N-methylimidoformamide, N'-{5-bromo-6-[(cis-4- isopropylcyclohexyl)oxy]-2-methylpyridin-3-yl} -N-ethyl-N-methylimidoformamide, N'-{5-bromo-6-[(trans-4-isopropylcyclohexyl)oxy]-2-methylpyr idin- 3-yl} -N-ethyl-N-methylimidoformamide, N-cyclopropyl-3-(difluoromethyl)-5- fluoro-N-(2-isopropylbenzyl)- 1 -methyl- lH-pyrazole-4-carboxamide, N- cyclopropyl-N-(2-cyclopropylbenzyl)-3-(difluoromethyl)-5-flu oro-l-methyl-lH- pyrazole-4-carboxamide, N-(2-tert-butylbenzyl)-N-cyclopropyl-3-(difluoro- methyl)-5-fluoro-l-methyl-lH-pyrazole-4-carboxamide, N-(5-chloro-2- ethylbenzyl)-N-cyclopropyl-3-(difluoromethyl)-5-fluoro-l-met hyl-lH-pyrazole-4- carboxamide, N- (5 -chloro-2-isopropylbenzyl) -N-cyclopropyl- 3 - (difluoromethyl) - 5-fluoro-l -methyl- lH-pyrazole-4-carboxamide, N-cyclopropyl-3- (difluoromethyl)-N-(2-ethyl-5-fluorobenzyl)-5-fluoro-l-methy l-lH-pyrazole-4- carboxamide, N-cyclopropyl-3-(difluoromethyl)-5-fluoro-N-(5-fluoro-2- isopropylbenzyl)- 1 -methyl- lH-pyrazole-4-carboxamide, N-cyclopropyl-N-(2- cyclopropyl-5 -fluorobenzyl)-3 -(difluoromethyl)-5 -fluoro- 1 -methyl- 1 H-pyrazole-

4- carboxamide, N-(2-cyclopentyl-5-fluorobenzyl)-N-cyclopropyl-3- (difluoromethyl)-5-fluoro-l-methyl-lH-pyrazole-4-carboxamide , N-cyclopropyl- 3-(difluoromethyl)-5-fluoro-N-(2-fluoro-6-isopropylbenzyl)-l -methyl-lH- pyrazole-4-carboxamide, N-cyclopropyl-3-(difluoromethyl)-N-(2-ethyl-5- methylbenzyl)-5-fluoro-l-methyl-lH-pyrazole-4-carboxamide, N-cyclopropyl-3- (difluoromethyl)-5-fluoro-N-(2-isopropyl-5-methylbenzyl)-l-m ethyl-lH- pyrazole-4-carboxamide, N-cyclopropyl-N-(2-cyclopropyl-5-methylbenzyl)-3- (difluoromethyl)-5-fluoro-l-methyl-lH-pyrazole-4-carboxamide , N-(2-tert-butyl-

5- methylbenzyl)-N-cyclopropyl-3-(difluoromethyl)-5-fluoro-l-me thyl-lH- pyrazole-4-carboxamide, N-[5-chloro-2-(trifluoromethyl)benzyl]-N-cyclopropyl- 3-(difluoromethyl)-5-fluoro-l -methyl- lH-pyrazole-4-carboxamide, N- cyclopropyl-3-(difluoromethyl)-5-fluoro-l-methyl-N-[5-methyl -2-(trifluoro- methyl)benzyl]-lH-pyrazole-4-carboxamide, N-[2-chloro-6-(trifluoro- methyl)benzyl]-N-cyclopropyl-3-(difluoromethyl)-5-fluoro-l-m ethyl-lH- pyrazole-4-carboxamide, N-[3-chloro-2-fluoro-6-(trifluoromethyl)benzyl]-N- cyclopropyl-3-(difluoromethyl)-5-fluoro-l-methyl-lH-pyrazole -4-carboxamide, N-cyclopropyl-3-(difluoromethyl)-N-(2-ethyl-4,5-dimethylbenz yl)-5-fluoro-l- methyl- 1 H-pyrazole-4-c arboxamide, N-cyclopropyl- 3 - (difluoromethyl) -5 -fluoro- N-(2-isopropylbenzyl)-l -methyl- lH-pyrazol-4-carbothioamide, 3-(difluoro- methyl)-N-(7-fluoro-l,l,3-trimethyl-2,3-dihydro-lH-inden-4-y l)-l-methyl-lH- pyrazole-4-carboxamide, 3-(difluoromethyl)-N-[(3R)-7-fluoro-l,l,3-trimethyl- 2,3-dihydro-lH-inden-4-yl]-l-methyl-lH-pyrazole-4-carboxamid e, 3-(difluoro- methyl)-N-[(3S)-7-fluoro-l,l,3-trimethyl-2,3-dihydro-lH-inde n-4-yl]-l-methyl- lH-pyrazole-4-carboxamide, N'-(2,5-dimethyl-4-phenoxyphenyl)-N-ethyl-N- methylimidoformamide, Ν'- { 4- [(4,5 -dichloro- 1 ,3 -thiazol-2-yl)oxy] -2,5 - dimethylphenyl}-N-ethyl-N-methylimidoforrnamide, N-(4-chloro-2,6- difluorophenyl)-4-(2-chloro-4-fluorophenyl)-l,3-dimethyl-lH- pyrazole-5-amine.

[00100] Particularly suitable seed treatment active ingredients that may be utilized in the treatment composition include acetamiprid, clothianidin

imidacloprid, thiacloprid, thiamethoxam, abamectin, emamectin, emamectin- benzoate, rynaxypyr (chloroantraniliprole), cyazypyr (cyntraniliprole), spinetoram, spinosad, sulfoxaflor, lambda-cyhalothrin, beta-cyfluthrin, tefluthrin, flupyradifurone, tetraniliprole, Bacillus firmus CNCM 1 1582, Bacillus subtilis QST 713, Bacillus subtilis AQ30002, prothioconazole, metalaxyl, mefenoxam, benalaxyl, kiralaxyl, trifloxystrobin, azoxystrobin, picoxystrobin, pyraclostrobin, fluopyram, thiram, tebuconazole, fludioxonil, and ipconazole.

[00101] In some embodiments, the insecticide, fungicide, nematicide, and/or other pesticides is present in the treatment compositions of the present invention in an amount of at least 15%, such as at least 20%, such as at least 25%, such as at least 30% and/or no more than 80%, such as no more than 75%, such as no more than 60%, such as no more than 50%.

[00102] In some embodiments, the seed treatment compositions used in the methods of the present invention may further include any of a variety of additives such as defoamers, devolatilizers, thickeners, flow control additives, colorants (including pigments and dyes), surfactants, dispersants, neutralizers, biological materials (such as inoculants), nutrients, micronutrients, or surface additives. Inert materials may also be included such as, for example, to improve handling or packaging and may include, for example, silica, starches, clays and other minerals.

[00103] For example, in some embodiments, the seed treatment compositions include an inorganic lubricant, such as, for example, talc, mica, graphite, a carbide, a carbonate, an oxide of carbon, a cyanide, an allotrope of carbon, or a mixture of two or more thereof. [00104] When used, such inorganic lubricant(s) are often present in the seed treatment composition in an amount of at least 0.5%, such as at least 1%, such as at least 1.5% and/or no more than 10%, such as no more than 8%, such as no more than 5%.

[00105] In some embodiments, in addition to or in lieu of an inorganic lubricant, the seed treatment composition used in the methods of the present invention may comprise an organic lubricant. Examples of such organic lubricants include, but are not limited to a wax, such as, polyethylene, powdered polyethylene, carnuba, paraffin, polypropylene, an oxidized polyethylene wax, montan waxes, microcrystalline waxes, Fischer- Tropsch waxes, amide waxes, Ethylene -Acrylic- Acid (EAA) waxes, polyolefin waxes, Ethylene bis stearamide (EBS) waxes, animal waxes (bees wax and lanolin), vegetable waxes (carnauba and candelilla), or slac and scale waxes, polytetrafluoroethylene, including mixtures of two or more thereof. In some embodiments, the wax comprises polyethylene wax, such as MICHEM Wax 437 from Michelman, Inc. As a result, embodiments of the present invention are also directed to seed treatment compositions comprising, consisting essentially of, or, in some cases, consisting of:: (A) an aqueous polyurethane dispersion; (B) an insecticide, a fungicide, a nematicide, and/or other pesticides; and (C) a polyethylene wax.

[00106] In some embodiments of the methods of the present invention, the seed treatment composition is applied to a seed and then the seed is subsequently coated with a lubricant compound.

[00107] As indicated, in the methods of the present invention the seed treatment composition is applied to a seed. In certain embodiments, a seed treatment composition as described herein is applied to a seed at the same time or before the planter fills the planter hopper with seed. In other embodiments, a seed treatment composition as described herein is applied to a seed as a farmer fills the planter hopper with seed. In some embodiments, the hopper forms a component part of a planter, such as an air or vacuum planter, with a planter mechanism, examples of which are commercially available from, for example, John Deere, Case IH, Kinze, AGCO White, Great Plains, or Precision Planting.

[00108] In certain embodiments, a seed treatment composition as described herein is applied to a seed at a rate of 0.1 - 5.0 oz/cwt (ounces/hundredweight), 0.5 - 4.0 oz/cwt, 1.0 - 3.5 oz/cwt, 1.5 - 3.0 oz/cwt, 2.0 - 3.0 oz/cwt, 2.0 - 2.5 oz/cwt, or 0.2 oz/cwt, 0.5 oz/cwt, 0.75 oz/cwt, 1.0 oz/cwt, 1.5 oz/cwt, 2.0 oz/cwt, 2.5 oz/cwt, 3.0 oz/cwt, 3.5 oz/cwt, 4.0 oz/cwt, 4.5 oz/cwt, 5.0 oz/cwt, or 0.2 oz/cwt or more, 0.5 oz/cwt or more, 0.75 oz/cwt or more, 1.0 oz/cwt or more, 1.5 oz/cwt or more, 2.0 oz/cwt or more, 2.5 oz/cwt or more, 3.0 oz/cwt or more, 3.5 oz/cwt or more, 4.0 oz/cwt or more, 4.5 oz/cwt or more, or 5.0 oz/cwt or more.

[00109] In some embodiments of the present invention, a seed treatment composition described herein is applied to a seed in a single application step. In other respects, a seed treatment composition described herein is applied in multiple application steps. In yet another embodiment, a seed treatment composition described herein is applied in one, two, three or more application steps to a seed.

[00110] Seeds which can be treated with the seed treatment composition described herein include, for example, any agricultural or vegetable seeds that are planted through, for example, a vacuum planter. Examples of such seeds include, but are not limited to, corn seed, sorghum seed, oat seed, rye seed, barley seed, soybean seed, vegetable seed, wheat seed, sugarbeat seed, rice, sunflower seed, lettuce seed, and spinach seed. Specific examples of corn seeds capable of being treated with the treatment compositions described herein include, for example, sweet corn (for example, zea mays convar. saccharata var. Rugosa), silver queen corn, golden bantam, early sunglow, Indian corn, sugar corn, pole corn, field corn, dent corn, flint corn, flour corn, blue corn (for example, Zea mays amylacea), pop corn, and waxy corn. In some embodiments, the seed is not cotton seed, such as fuzzy cotton seed. In some embodiments the seed is acid delinted cotton seed but not mechanically delinted cotton seed. [00111] Seeds may be treated with the described compositions by applying the disclosed compositions directly to the seed. In another embodiment, the seed may be treated indirectly, for example by treating the environment or habitat to which the seed is exposed.

[00112] Conventional treatment methods may be used to treat the environment or habitat including dipping, spraying, rolling, fumigating, chemigating, fogging, scattering, brushing on, shanking or injecting.

[00113] Some embodiments of the present invention are directed to a kit comprising, consisting essentially of, or consisting of any of the seed treatment compositions disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the kit provides instructions or guidance regarding the use of the seed treatment compositions or methods described herein. In some embodiments, the instructions are included with the kit, separate from the kit, in the kit, or are included on the kit packaging. In yet another aspect, the instructions provide for application of a seed treatment composition at planting.

[00114] As will be appreciated by the foregoing description, embodiments of the present invention are directed to methods for treating a seed, comprising applying to the seed a seed treatment composition comprising, consisting essentially of, or, in some cases, consisting of: (A) an aqueous polyester- polyurethane dispersion; and (B) an insecticide, a fungicide, a nematicide, and/or other pesticides, wherein (1) the aqueous polyurethane dispersion forms a film exhibiting: (a) a microhardness of 4 to 34 N/mm ² ; (b) a T _g of -79°C to -4°C, (c) a percent elongation of 44 to 300, and (d) a tensile strength of 2500 lb/in ² (17.2 MPa) to 5600 lb/in ² (38.6 MPa), and (2) the seed comprises corn seed, sorghum seed, oat seed, rye seed, barley seed, soybean seed, vegetable seed, wheat seed, sugarbeat seed, rice, sunflower seed, lettuce seed, and/or spinach seed.

[00115] Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a method of the previous paragraph, wherein(a) the microhardness is up to 15 N/mm ² , such as 0.4 to 15 N/mm ² , (b) the T _g is -48°C to -30°C, and/or (c) the percent elongation is 10 to 300.

[00116] Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a method of either of the previous two paragraphs, wherein the aqueous polyurethane dispersion of the seed treatment composition comprises one or more

polyurethanes that are the reaction product of reactants comprising, consisting essentially of, or, in some cases, consisting of: (i) a polyisocyanate; (ii) a polyester polyol having a M _n of 400 to 8,000 g/mol; (iii) a compound comprising at least one isocyanate-reactive group and an anionic group or potentially anionic group; (iv) optionally a mono functional polyalkylene ether; (v) optionally a polyol having a molecular weight of less than <400 g/mol, and (vi) optionally a poly amine or amino alcohol having a molecular weight of from 32 to 400 g/mol.

[00117] Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a method of the previous paragraph, wherein the polyisocyanate (i) of the seed treatment composition comprises an aromatic, araliphatic, aliphatic and/or cycloaliphatic polyisocyanate, such as 1,6-hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI), pentamethylene diisocyanate (PDI), isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI), the isomeric bis-(4,4'- isocyanatocyclohexyl)methanes or a mixture thereof.

[00118] Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a method of either of the previous two paragraphs, wherein component (i) of the seed treatment composition is included in an amount of at least 5% by weight, such as at least 10 or at least 20% by weight and/or no more than 60% by weight, such as no more than 50 or, in some cases, no more than 45% by weight, based on the total weight of reactants used to make the polyurethane.

[00119] Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a method of any of the previous three paragraphs, wherein the polyester polyol of the seed treatment composition has a M _n of from 400 to 6000 g/mol, 500 to 3000 g/mol, 1000 to 3000 g/mol or 1500 to 3000 g/mol. [00120] Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a method of any of the previous four paragraphs, wherein the polyester polyol of the seed treatment composition has a hydroxyl number of from 20 to 400 mg KOH/g of substance, such as 20 to 300 mg KOH/g of substance, 20 to 200 mg KOH/gram of substance or 20 to 100 mg KOH/g of substance.

[00121] Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a method of any of the previous five paragraphs, wherein the polyester polyol of the seed treatment composition has a hydroxyl functionality of 1.5 to 6, such as 1.8 to 3 or 1.9 to 2.1.

[00122] Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a method of any of the previous six paragraphs, wherein the polyester polyol of the seed treatment composition comprises, consists essentially of, or, in some cases, consists of a reaction product of butanediol and/or neopentyl glycol and/or hexanediol and/or ethylene glycol and/or diethylene glycol with adipic acid and/or phthalic acid and/or isophthalic acid, such as polyester polyols that are a reaction product of butanediol and/or neopentyl glycol and/or hexanediol with adipic acid and/or phthalic acid.

[00123] Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a method of either of the previous paragraphs, wherein the polyester polyol of the seed treatment composition has a hydroxyl functionality of 1.5 to 6.0, such as 1.8 to 3.0, a hydroxyl number of 20 to 700 mg KOH/g solid, such as 20 to 100, 20 to 80 or, in some cases 40 to 80 mg KOH/g solid, and/or a M _n of 500 to 3000 g/mol, such as 600 to 2500 g/mol.

[00124] Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a method of any of the previous eight paragraphs, wherein component (ii) of the seed treatment composition is included in an amount of at least 20% by weight, such as at least 30 or at least 40% by weight and/or no more than 80% by weight, such as no more than 70% by weight, based on the total weight of reactants used to make the polyurethane. [00125] Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a method of any of the previous nine paragraphs, wherein component (iii) of the seed treatment composition is a compound comprising carboxylate, sulfonate, and/or

phosphonate groups or groups which can be converted into the above-mentioned groups by salt formation.

[00126] Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a method of the previous paragraph wherein the compound (iii) of the seed treatment composition comprises, consists essentially of, or, in some cases, consists of, a mono- and di-hydroxycarboxylic acid, a mono- and di-aminocarboxylic acid, a mono- and di-hydroxysulfonic acid, a mono- and di-aminosulfonic acid, a mono- and di-hydroxyphosphonic acid and/or a mono- and di-aminophosphonic acids or a salt thereof, such as dimethylolpropionic acid, dimethylolbutyric acid, hydroxypivalic acid, N-(2-aminoethyl)- -alanine, 2-(2-amino-ethylamino)- ethanesulfonic acid, ethylene-diamine-propyl- or -butyl- sulfonic acid, 1,2- or 1,3- propylenediamine-3-ethylsulfonic acid, malic acid, citric acid, glycolic acid, lactic acid.

[00127] Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a method of any of the previous eleven paragraphs, wherein component (iii) of the seed treatment composition is included in an amount of at least 0.1 % by weight, such as at least 1, or at least 3% by weight and/or no more than 10% by weight, such as no more than 7% by weight, based on the total weight of reactants used to make the polyurethane.

[00128] Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a method of any of the previous twelve paragraphs, wherein component (iv) of the seed treatment composition is included and comprises a compound of the formula: H— Y'— X— Y— R, in which R is a monovalent hydrocarbon radical having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, such as an unsubstituted alkyl radical having 1 to 4 carbon atoms; X is a polyalkylene oxide chain having 5 to 90, such as 20 to 70 chain members, which may comprise at least 40%, such as at least 65%, ethylene oxide units and which in addition to ethylene oxide units may comprise propylene oxide, butylene oxide and/or styrene oxide units; and Y and Y' are each independently oxygen or— NR'— in which R' is H or R, in which R is defined above.

[00129] Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a method of the previous paragraph, wherein component (iv) of the seed treatment composition contains 7 to 55 ethylene oxide units per molecule.

[00130] Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a method of either of the previous two paragraphs, wherein component (iv) of the seed treatment composition comprises, consists essentially of, or, in some cases, consists of, a copolymer of ethylene oxide with propylene oxide that contains ethylene oxide in an amount of at least 40% by weight, such as at least 50% by weight, at least 60% by weight or at least 65% by weight and/or up to 90% by weight or up to 80% by weight, based on the total weight of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide.

[00131] Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a method of any of the previous three paragraphs, wherein the M _n of such a copolymer is 300 g/mol to 6000 g/mol, such as 500 g/mol to 4000 g/mol, such as 1000 g/mol to 3000 g/mol.

[00132] Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a method of any of the previous four paragraphs, wherein component (iv) of the seed treatment composition is included in an amount of at least 1% by weight, such as at least 5, or at least 10% by weight and/or no more than 30% by weight, such as no more than 20% by weight, based on the total weight of reactants used to make the polyurethane.

[00133] Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a method of any of the previous sixteen paragraphs, wherein component (v) of the seed treatment composition is included and, in some embodiments, is included in an amount of at least 1% by weight, such as at least 2, or at least 3% by weight and/or no more than 20% by weight, such as no more than 10 or no more than 5% by weight, based on the total weight of reactants used to make the polyurethane.

[00134] Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a method of any of the previous seventeen paragraphs, wherein component (vi) of the seed treatment composition is included and comprises, consists essentially of, or, in some cases, consists of, a di- or poly-amine, a hydrazide, an aminoalcohol, or a mixture thereof and, in some embodiments, component (6) of the seed treatment composition is included in an amount of at least 1 % by weight, such as at least 3 or at least 5% by weight and/or no more than 10% by weight, such as no more than 8 or, in some cases, no more than 7% by weight, based on the total weight of reactants used to make the polyurethane.

[00135] Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a method of any of the previous eighteen paragraphs, wherein the sum of components (i)-(vi) of the seed treatment composition is 100 percent by weight, based on the total weight of the reactants used to make the polyurethane.

[00136] Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a method of any of the previous nineteen paragraphs, wherein the seed treatment composition comprises a blend of: (A) an anionic aliphatic polyester-polyurethane dispersion that is a reaction product of components (i), (ii), (iii), (v), and (vi) described above and/or (B) which is different from (A) is an aliphatic, polyester-based, anionic polyurethane dispersion and is a reaction product of components (i), (ii), (iii), (v), and (vi) described above and/or (C) an anionic/non-ionic polyester polyurethane dispersed in water and is a reaction product of components (i), (ii), (iii), (iv), and (vi) described above. In certain embodiments, the weight ratio of the aqueous polyurethane dispersions in the blend in the seed treatment compositions of the present invention is (A+B)/(C) is greater than 1: 1, such as greater than 2: 1, at least 3: 1, or at least 4: 1.

[00137] Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a method of any of the previous twenty-five paragraphs, wherein the aqueous polyurethane dispersion is present in the seed treatment composition in an amount such that the total amount of polyurethane that is present in the treatment composition is at least 1%, such as at least 2%, or in some cases at least 4% and/or no more than 20%, such as no more than 15% and in some cases, no more than 10%.

[00138] Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a method of any of the previous twenty-six paragraphs, wherein the insecticide, fungicide, nematicide, and/or other pesticide comprises acetamiprid, clothianidin

imidacloprid, thiacloprid, thiamethoxam, abamectin, emamectin, emamectin- benzoate, rynaxypyr (chloroantraniliprole), cyazypyr (cyntraniliprole), spinetoram, spinosad, sulfoxaflor, lambda-cyhalothrin, beta-cyfluthrin, tefluthrin, flupyradifurone, tetraniliprole, Bacillus firmus CNCM 1 1582, Bacillus subtilis QST 713, Bacillus subtilis AQ30002, prothioconazole, metalaxyl, mefenoxam, benalaxyl, kiralaxyl, trifloxystrobin, azoxystrobin, picoxystrobin, pyraclostrobin, fluopyram, thiram, tebuconazole, fludioxonil, and ipconazole.

[00139] Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a seed treatment composition of any of the previous twenty-eight paragraphs, wherein the insecticide, fungicide, nematicide, and/or pesticide is present in the seed treatment compositions of the present invention in an amount of at least 15%, such as at least 20%, such as at least 25%, such as at least 30% and/or no more than 80%, such as no more than 75%, such as no more than 60%, such as no more than 50%.

[00140] Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a method of any of the previous twenty-eight paragraphs, wherein the seed treatment composition comprises an inorganic lubricant and/or an organic lubricant, such as a wax, such as a polyethylene wax.

[00141] Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a method of any of the previous twenty nine paragraphs, comprising applying the seed treatment composition to a seed at the same time or before the planter fills the planter hopper with seed or as a farmer fills the planter hopper with seed. [00142] Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a method of the previous paragraphs, wherein the hopper forms a component part of a planter, such as an air or vacuum planter, with a planter mechanism.

[00143] Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a method of either of the previous two paragraphs, wherein the seed treatment composition is applied to a seed at a rate of 0.1 - 5.0 oz/cwt (ounces/hundredweight), 0.5 - 4.0 oz/cwt, 1.0 - 3.5 oz/cwt, 1.5 - 3.0 oz/cwt, 2.0 - 3.0 oz/cwt, 2.0 - 2.5 oz/cwt, or 0.2 oz/cwt, 0.5 oz/cwt, 0.75 oz/cwt, 1.0 oz/cwt, 1.5 oz/cwt, 2.0 oz/cwt, 2.5 oz/cwt, 3.0 oz/cwt, 3.5 oz/cwt, 4.0 oz/cwt, 4.5 oz/cwt, 5.0 oz/cwt, or 0.2 oz/cwt or more, 0.5 oz/cwt or more, 0.75 oz/cwt or more, 1.0 oz/cwt or more, 1.5 oz/cwt or more, 2.0 oz/cwt or more, 2.5 oz/cwt or more, 3.0 oz/cwt or more, 3.5 oz/cwt or more, 4.0 oz/cwt or more, 4.5 oz/cwt or more, or 5.0 oz/cwt or more.

[00144] Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a method of any of the previous three paragraphs wherein the seed treatment composition is applied to a seed in a single application step or in multiple application steps, such as one, two, three or more application steps.

[00145] Embodiments of the present invention are directed to seeds treated by a method of any of the previous four paragraphs, wherein the seed comprises corn seed comprising sweet corn (for example, zea mays convar. saccharata var. Rugosa), silver queen corn, golden bantam, early sunglow, Indian corn, sugar corn, pole corn, field corn, dent corn, flint corn, flour corn, blue corn (for example, Zea mays amylacea), popcorn, and waxy corn. Embodiments of the present invention are also directed to a seed treated by any of the previous four paragraphs, wherein the seed is not a cotton seed, such as a fuzzy cotton seed.

[00146] Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a kit comprising instructions or guidance regarding the use of any of the methods described herein. EXAMPLES

Example 1

[00147] Seed treatment compositions were prepared using the ingredients and amounts (in milliliters) listed in Table 1. In each case, the listed ingredients were added to a suitable container and then mixed using a glass rod stirrer until a homogeneous mixture was obtained.

Table 1

Table 1 (continued)

Example

Ingredient 1G 1H 11 U IK 1L

Active ingredient mixture ¹ 27.91 27.92 27.92 27.92 27.92 27.91

Water 21.41 21.68 17.24 21.94 20.01 20.01

Seed coating blank ³ 17.17 17.17 17.17 17.17 17.17 17.17

IMPRANIL DL 2611 ⁶ - - - - 5.90 5.90

DISPERCOLL U XP 2699 ⁸ 4.48 - - - - -

DISPERCOLL C 84 ⁹ - 4.21 - - - -

BAYBOND PU 330 ¹⁰ - - 8.65 - - -

IMPRANIL XP 1537 ¹¹ - - - 3.95 - - ¹ A liquid mixture of VORTEX fungicide, TRILEX fungicide,

PONCHO/VOTIVO insecticide, and red dye, Bayer CropScience LLP.

² PERIDIAM PRECISE SEED FINISHER 1006, Bayer CropScience LLP, which is a multifunctional seed coating that is a chemical mixture composed of a dispersion of a binder comprising carboxylated styrene-butadiene polymer in water, along with other ingredients, such as suspending agents, surfactants, emulsifiers, dispersants, pigments, antimicrobial preservatives, and wax powder.

³ Same composition as Commercial polymeric seed coating but without the presence of the carboxylated styrene-butadiene polymer binder.

⁴ An anionic aliphatic polyether/polycarbonate polyurethane dispersion in water, 60% by weight non- volatile content, Covestro LLC.

⁵ An anionic aliphatic polyester-polyurethane dispersion in water, 40% by weight non- volatile content, Covestro LLC, which was used as a comparative example - See U.S. Published Patent Application No. 2014/0274685 Al.

⁶ An anionic aliphatic polyester-polyurethane dispersion in water, 40% by weight non- volatile content, Covestro LLC.

⁷ A non- ionic polyurethane polymer dispersed in water, 34.5% by weight nonvolatile content, Covestro LLC.

⁸ An aqueous polyurethane dispersion, 55% by weight polymer content, Covestro LLC.

⁹ An aqueous dispersion of poly-2-chlorobutadiene-l,3, 55% by weight polymer content, Covestro LLC.

¹⁰ An anionic/non-ionic polyester polyurethane resin dispersed in water, 30% by weight non- volatile content, Covestro LLC.

¹¹ An anionic polyester polyurethane resin dispersed in water, 60% by weight nonvolatile content, Covestro LLC.

Treatment of Corn Seeds

[00148] For each of the compositions of Examples 1A-1J, 3.31 pounds (1.5 kg) of corn was placed into a laboratory seed treater bowl equipped with a foot pedal to spin the bowl. While the bowl was spinning, 15.7 mL of the seed treatment composition was added to the treater using a 25 mL plastic syringe. Once the seed treatment composition was added and thoroughly mixed with the corn for about 30 to 60 seconds, the corn was discharged from the treater. Seed treatments for each composition were done twice for each type of corn (Seed A and Seed B) to obtain 6.62 pounds (3.0 kg) of treated corn seeds. "Seed A" refers to hybrid dent corn seed of 1564 seeds per pound with a size of 25Y20 F (flat). "Seed B" refers to hybrid dent corn seed of 1729 seeds per pound with a size of 20\16 R (round).

[00149] Each of the Examples IE, IK, and 1L had the same composition, but the seed treatment process differed. The seed treatment process for Example IE was as described above.

[00150] In the case of Example IK, 3.31 pounds (1.5 kg) of corn was placed into a laboratory seed treater bowl equipped with a foot pedal to spin the treater bowl. A mixture of the water and IMPRANIL DL 2611 dispersion was pre-made, while the other seed treatment components (the active ingredient mixture and seed coating blank) were combined separately. While the bowl was spinning, 9.9 mL of active ingredient mixture and seed coating blank combination was first added to the treater containing the spinning corn seed. Then, 5.7 mL of the water and IMPRANIL DL 2611 dispersion combination was added to the corn seed under spinning using a 25 mL plastic syringe. The treated corn seed was thoroughly mixed for about 30 to 60 seconds, and the corn was discharged from the treater. Seed treatments were done twice for each type of corn (Seed A and Seed B) to obtain 6.62 pounds (3.0 kg) of treated corn seeds.

[00151] In the case of Example 1L, 3.31 pounds (1.5 kg) of corn was placed into a laboratory seed treater bowl equipped with a foot pedal to spin the treater bowl. A mixture of the seed coating blank and IMPRANIL DL 2611 dispersion was pre-made, while the other seed treatment components (the active ingredient mixture and water) were combined separately. While the bowl was spinning, 10.6 mL of active ingredient/water mixture was first added to the treater containing the spinning corn seed. Then, 5.1 mL of the seed coating blank/IMPRANIL DL 2611 dispersion combination was added to the corn seed under spinning using a 25 mL plastic syringe. The treated corn seed was thoroughly mixed for about 30 to 60 seconds, and the corn was discharged from the treater. Seed treatments were done twice for each type of corn (Seed A and Seed B) to obtain 6.62 pounds (3.0 kg) of treated corn seeds.

[00152] The treated corn seed was tested for wet and dry flowability, dust, and plantability. Wet flowability was determined by passing 6.62 pounds (3.0 kg) of freshly treated corn seed through a test funnel having a 1 5/8 inch diameter orifice. Flowability was determined as the time (in seconds) that it took for all of the corn to pass through the funnel. Recorded results are the average of three measurements. Dry flowability was determined in the same manner as wet flowability except that the test was conducted 24 hours after the seed treatment was completed. Dust (reported as grams of dust per 100 grams of corn seed) was measured using a Heubach Dustmeter (Type I) according to German Industry Standard DIN 55 992, Part I. Percent singulation was determined with a

METERMAX Ultra Test Stand from Precision Planting LLC having a John Deere MAXEMERGE Vacuum Meter attached. Three runs of 1000 seeds each were conducted and the recorded results reflect the average of the three runs. The test stand parameters were set to simulate the planting of 35,000 seeds per acre (4046 m ² ) at a speed of 5 miles (8.05 km) per hour with 30 inch (76.2 cm) rows. Results are set forth in Table 2.

Table 2

Example 2

[00153] Seed treatment compositions were prepared using the ingredients and amounts (in milliliters) listed in Table 3. In each case, the listed ingredients were added to a suitable container and then mixed using a glass rod stirrer until a homogeneous mixture was obtained.

Table 3

¹² An aliphatic, polyester-based, anionic polyurethane dispersion in water, 40% by weight non- volatile content, Covestro LLC.

Treatment of Corn Seeds

[00154] For each of the compositions of Examples 2A-2C, corn seeds were treated in the manner described above for Examples 1A-1J.

[00155] In the case of Example 2D, 3.31 pounds (1.5 kg) of corn was placed into a laboratory seed trater bowl equipped with a foot pedal to spin the treater bowl. A mixture of the water and BAYHYDROL UH XP 2719 dispersion was pre-made, while the other seed treatment components (the active ingredient mixture and seed coating blank) were combined separately. While the bowl was spinning, 9.9 mL of the active ingredient/seed coating blank mixture was first added to the treater containing the spinning corn seed. Then, 5.7 mL of the water/ BAYHYDROL UH XP 2719 dispersion combination was added to the corn seed under spinning using a 25 mL plastic syringe. The treated corn seed was mixed thoroughly for about 30 to 60 seconds, and the corn was discharged from the treater. Seed treatments were done twice for each type of corn (Seed A and Seed B) to obtain 6.62 pounds (3.0 kg) of treated corn seeds.

[00156] In the case of Example 2E, 3.31 pounds (1.5 kilogram) of corn was placed into a laboratory seed treater bowl equipped with a foot pedal to spin the treater bowl. A mixture of the seed coating blank and BAYHYDROL UH XP 2719 dispersion was pre-made, while the other seed treatment components (the water and the active ingredient mixture) were combined separately. While the bowl was spinning, 10.6 mL of the active ingredient mixture/water combination was first added to the treater containing the spinning corn seed. Then, 5.1 mL of the seed coating blank/BAYHYDROL UH XP 2719 dispersion combination was added to the corn seed under spinning using a 25 mL plastic syringe. The treated corn seed was mixed thoroughly for about 30 to 60 seconds, and the corn was

discharged from the treater. Seed treatments were done twice for each type of

corn (Seed A and Seed B) to obtain 6.62 pounds (3.0 kg) of treated corn seeds.

"Seed A" and "Seed B" were as described in Example 1.

[00157] The treated corn seed was tested for wet flowability, dry

flowability, dust, and plantability as described above in Example 1. Results are set forth in Table 4.

Table 4

Wet Flow Dry Flow Dust Percent Singulation

Example Seed A Seed B Seed A Seed B Seed A Seed B Seed A Seed B

2A 15.25 15.42 12.66 12.44 0.0004 0.0002 98.9 99.7

2B 16.07 16.15 13.69 13.41 0.0024 0.0018 97.2 99.2

2C 15.64 15.28 12.91 12.40 0.0009 0.0008 98.8 99.9

2D 15.19 15.26 12.66 12.72 0.0011 0.0010 98.7 99.7

2E 14.44 14.31 12.43 12.28 0.0009 0.0006 99.3 99.7

Example 3

[00158] Seed treatment compositions were prepared using the ingredients and amounts (in milliliters) listed in Table 5 using the procedure described above in Example 1.

Table 5

Example

Ingredient 3A 3B 3C 3D 3E 3F 3G

Active ingredient mixture ¹ 27.91 27.92 27.92 27.92 27.92 27.92 27.92

Water 21.77 25.89 21.01 21.19 21.19 20.66 21.45

Commercial polymeric seed coating ² 22.18 - - - - - -

Seed coating blank ³ - 17.17 17.17 17.17 17.17 17.17 17.17

STYROFAN NX 6690 X ¹³ - - 4.88 - - - -

IMPRANIL LP DSB 1069 ¹⁴ - - - 4.70 - - -

DISPERCOLL U 54 ¹⁵ - - - - 4.70 - -

DISPERCOLL U 8755 ¹⁶ - - - - - 5.23 -

IMPRANIL DL 2611 ⁶ - - - - - - 4.44

Lxample

Ingredient 3H 31 3J 3K 3L 3M 3N

Active ingredient mixture ¹ 27.93 27.92 27.92 27.92 27.92 27.92 27.92

Water 19.10 17.55 18.04 19.41 21.45 18.53 18.53

Seed coating blank ³ 17.17 17.17 17.17 17.17 17.17 17.17 17.17

BAYBOND PU 330 ¹⁰ 2.88 3.02 6.21 6.48 - - -

BAYHYDROL UH XP 2719 ¹² 1.95 5.32 - - 4.44 7.36 2.13

IMPRANIL DL 2611 ⁶ 1.95 - 1.64 - - - 5.23

Table 5 (continued)

¹³ Carboxylated styrene/butadiene dispersion in water, 52-53% by weight solids content, BASF Corporation.

¹⁴ An anionic, aliphatic, polyether-polyurethane dispersion in water, 50% by weight non- volatile content, Covestro LLC.

¹⁵ An aqueous anionic dispersion of a polyurethane, 50% by weight non-volatile content, Covestro LLC.

¹⁶ An aqueous anionic dispersion of a polyurethane, 45% by weight non-volatile content, Covestro LLC.

Treatment of Corn Seeds

[00159] For each of the compositions of Examples 3A-3BB, corn seeds were treated in the manner described above for Examples 1A-1J. "Seed A" and "Seed B" were as described in Example 1. The treated corn seed was tested for wet flowability, dry flowability, dust, and plantability as described above in Example 1. Results are set forth in Table 6.

Table 6

Wet Flow Dry Flow Dust Percent Singulation

Example Seed A Seed B Seed A Seed B Seed A Seed B Seed A Seed B

3A 15.56 15.46 13.36 12.80 0.0004 0.0002 98.7 99.7

3B 16.55 15.76 14.15 13.25 0.0024 0.0014 97.9 99.2

3C 15.52 15.36 12.72 12.77 0.0003 0.0002 99.4 99.7

3D 16.70 16.02 14.22 13.44 0.0003 0.0002 95.6 99.1

3E 17.01 16.10 14.14 13.14 0.0011 0.0005 96.8 99.7

3F 17.27 15.35 14.37 13.08 0.0007 0.0006 97.5 99.4

3G 16.31 14.81 13.57 12.54 0.0005 0.0005 98.8 99.7

3H 17.04 15.54 14.20 13.07 0.0004 0.0003 98.5 99.6

31 16.38 15.67 13.85 13.02 0.0009 0.0006 98.1 99.7

3J 17.40 16.01 14.31 12.97 0.0001 0.0002 97.0 99.4

3K 17.39 16.01 14.42 13.35 0.0003 0.0001 95.1 99.4

3L 16.73 15.37 14.05 13.37 0.0030 0.0019 97.4 99.3

3M 17.00 15.83 14.26 13.61 0.0038 0.0023 98.1 99.2

3N 16.48 15.45 13.77 12.80 0.0004 0.0006 98.7 99.8

30 16.54 15.01 13.32 12.53 0.0005 0.0004 98.8 99.7

3P 16.95 15.73 14.06 13.38 0.0015 0.0016 98.0 99.7

3Q 17.69 15.27 14.45 12.93 0.0003 0.0001 88.5 98.3

3R 16.46 15.57 13.63 12.72 0.0002 0.0002 98.5 99.7

3S 16.35 15.14 13.56 12.78 0.0006 0.0006 98.6 99.6

3T 17.17 15.53 14.05 13.16 0.0014 0.0011 97.5 99.3

3U 16.95 15.10 13.30 12.57 0.0001 0.0006 98.7 99.8

3V 17.05 15.59 14.12 13.12 0.0016 0.0008 97.5 99.8

3W 16.84 15.64 13.37 12.99 0.0004 0.0004 98.4 99.9

3X 17.15 16.03 13.91 13.19 0.0004 0.0003 97.7 99.8

3Y 18.78 16.36 14.44 13.45 0.0001 0.0001 71.7 94.2

3Z 17.18 16.33 14.05 13.12 0.0005 0.0001 94.3 99.4

3AA 16.27 16.05 13.45 13.28 0.0006 0.0002 98.2 99.6

3BB 16.78 16.40 13.76 13.26 0.0002 0.0002 90.9 98.5 Example 4

[00160] Seed treatment compositions were prepared using the ingredients and amounts (in milliliters) listed in Table 7 using the procedure described above in Example 1.

Table 7

MICHEM Wax 437, Michelman, Inc.

Treatment of Corn Seeds

[00161] For each of the compositions of Examples 4A-4N, corn seeds were treated in the manner described above for Examples 1A-1J. "Seed A" and "Seed B" were as described in Example 1. "Seed C" refers to hybrid dent corn seed of 2034 seeds per pound with a size of 20\16 F (flat). The treated corn seed was tested for wet flowability, dry flowability, dust, and plantability as described above in Example 1. Results are set forth in Table 8.

Table 8

Wet Flow Dry Flow

Example Seed A Seed B Seed C Seed A Seed B Seed C

4A 16.09 16.13 15.74 13.44 13.18 13.17

4B 16.52 17.02 16.63 13.86 14.10 14.46

4C 16.13 16.20 15.60 13.26 13.27 13.28

4D 16.79 16.66 16.39 13.74 13.62 13.70

4E 16.66 16.78 16.51 13.97 14.09 14.06

4F 16.45 16.52 16.56 13.69 13.58 13.54

4G 16.94 16.55 17.02 13.92 13.59 13.99

4H 16.73 16.65 16.85 14.06 13.84 14.37

41 16.93 17.07 17.01 13.73 13.73 13.74

4J 16.91 16.87 16.75 14.01 13.81 14.03

4K 16.93 16.95 17.25 14.04 13.75 14.28

4L 17.67 17.07 17.70 14.10 13.72 14.13

4M 17.29 17.11 16.87 14.12 13.82 14.08

4N 17.09 16.67 17.22 14.33 13.84 14.12

Table 8 (continued)

Example 5

[00162] Films were produced from various polymeric dispersions using the ingredients and amounts (percent by weight based on resin solids) listed in Table 9. For evaluation of microhardness and glass transition temperature, a test sample was prepared by applying 8 mils (203 μιη) wet film thickness of the formulation onto a 3" x 6" glass panel. The formulation was left to dry for 24 hours after application. Microhardness (Marten' s hardness) measurements were done using Fischerscope H100C instrument with the method described in DIN 14577.

Microhardness readings were taken under a 30 mN test load run to a maximum of 5 μιη indentation depth over a 20 second application time. Results reported are an average of three readings for each formulation. Glass transition temperature (T _g ) was evaluated using Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) conducted with Perkin Elmer DSC7 using a liquid nitrogen bath. The samples were evaluated from -100°C to 100°C, cooled, and reheated using a 20°C/minute ramp rate. For evaluation of tensile strength and percent elongation, samples were prepared by

applying 10 mils (254 μιη) wet film thickness of the formulation onto a 6" x 12" glass panel. The formulation was left to dry for 24 hours after application. The

panel was then soaked in warm water to peel it from the glass substrate. Once

peeled, the film was dried with a paper towel. Using a die cutter, dog-bone

samples were cut and tensile strength and percent elongation were measured using an INSTRON 4444 apparatus at a grip distance of 2.5" at a crosshead speed of 20 inch/minute. Results reported for percent elongation and tensile strength are an

average of three readings for each formulation. Results are set forth in Table 9.

Table 9

Example

Ingredient 5A 5B 5C 5D 5E 5F 5G

STYROFAN NX 6690 X ¹³ 100 - - - - - -

IMPRANIL DLU ⁴ - 100 - - - - -

IMPRANIL DLN ⁵ - - 100 - - - -

IMPRANIL DL 2611 ⁶ - - - 100 - - -

BAYBOND PU 406 ⁷ - - - - 100 - -

DISPERCOLL U XP 2699 ⁸ - - - - - 100 -

DISPERCOLL C 84 ⁹ - - - - - - 100

Test Results

Fischer Microhardness (N/mm ² ) 2.3 1.1 0.6 12.3 2.2 1.4 2.2

Glass Transition Temperature (°C) 11 -65 -47 -31 -64 -58 -45

Percent Elongation 301 700 700 225 275 800 800

1082 3600 2900 5048 1200 1500 2900

Tensile Strength (lb/in ² (kg/cm ² ))

(76) (253) (204) (355) (84) (105) (204) Table 9 (continued)

Table 9 (continued)

Example

Ingredient 50 5P 5Q 5R 5S 5T 5U

IMPRANIL DL 2611 ⁶ - 28 72 27 - 74 -

BAYBOND PU 330 ¹⁰ 28 72 - - 75 - 30

BAYHYDROL UH XP 2719 ¹² 72 - 28 73 25 26 70

Test Results

Fischer Microhardness (N/mm ² ) 20.1 0.7 19.9 34.8 2.0 19.5 19.2

Glass Transition Temperature (°C) -46 -47 -35 -46 -47 -38 -46

Percent Elongation 300 255 155 236 NA* 230 323

2452 377 3547 4175 4575 2959

Tensile Strength (lb/in ² (kg/cm ² )) NA*

(172) (27) (249) (294) (322) (208) Table 9 (continued)

Table 9 (continued)

* A film sufficient for percent elongation and tensile strength evaluation was not produced. Example 6

[00163] The data from Examples 1-4 was analyzed using multivariable regression analysis using JMP 11.1 software (SAS Institute, Cary, NC). Each model was built with the resin loading and the treatment (PUD or blend of PUD's) as main effects, with blocking on Example number and seed type (only type A and type B were used). Because of the nature of the data, the following

transformations of the responses were used: (i) log of the dust and (ii) logit of singulation. No transformation was used for the flow data. Using the estimated parameters from the model, a predicted response was generated for each treatment at a loading of 17 g resin per 100 pounds of corn. Results are set forth in Table

10.

Table 10

Example

Ingredient 6A 6B 6C 6D 6E 6F 6G

STYROFAN NX 6690 X ¹³ 100 - - - - - -

Blank - - - - - - -

IMPRANIL DLU ⁴ - - 100 - - - -

IMPRANIL DLN ⁵ - - - 100 - - -

IMPRANIL DL 2611 ⁶ - - - - 100 - -

BAYBOND PU 406 ⁷ - - - - - 100 -

DISPERCOLL U XP 2699 ⁸ - - - - - - 100

Test Results

Wet Flow (seconds) 15.55 16.48 17.31 16.64 15.6 16.82 16.96

Dry Flow (seconds) 12.75 13.34 13.92 13.22 12.7 13.39 14.05

Dust .00029 .001 .00035 .00029 .00045 .00064 .00067

Percent singulation 99.43 98.18 97.90 97.76 99.45 99.18 95.16 Table 10 (continued)

Table 10 (continued)

Example

Ingredient 60 6P 6Q 6R 6S 6T 6U

IMPRANIL DL 2611 ⁶ 33 - 28 72 27 - 74

BAYBOND PU 330 ¹⁰ 33 28 72 - - 75 -

BAYHYDROL UH XP

33 72 - 28 73 25 26

2719 ¹²

Test Results

Wet Flow (seconds) 16.05 15.88 16.60 15.82 16.20 16.33 15.67

Dry Flow (seconds) 13.06 13.16 13.31 13.02 13.45 13.42 12.78

Dust .00028 .00088 .00012 .00058 .00177 .00025 .00048

Percent singulation 99.29 99.33 98.76 99.54 99.38 96.19 99.17 Table 10 (continued)

Table 10 (continued)

[00164] As a result of the foregoing, it is currently believed that seed treatment compositions comprising: (A) an aqueous polyurethane dispersion; and (B) an insecticide, a fungicide, a nematicide, and/or other pesticides, wherein the aqueous polyurethane dispersion forms a film exhibiting: (a) a microhardness of 4 to 34 N/mm ² ; (b) a T _g of -79°C to -4°C, (c) a percent elongation of 44 to 300, and (d) a tensile strength of 2500 lb/in ² (17.2 MPa) to 5600 lb/in ² (38.6 MPa), when applying to a seed comprising corn seed, sorghum seed, oat seed, rye seed, barley seed, soybean seed, vegetable seed, wheat seed, sugarbeat seed, rice, sunflower seed, lettuce seed, and/or spinach seed issues, can exhibit dust emission, percent singulation and flow properties during planting, particularly vacuum planting, that are comparable the results obtained when using a seed treatment composition in which a polyolefin binder is used at the same loading. An advantage of the seed treatment compositions described herein, however, is that they disintegrable by moisture in the soil due to the significant presence of a polyester.

[00165] This specification has been written with reference to various non- limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments. However, it will be recognized by persons having ordinary skill in the art that various substitutions, modifications, or combinations of any of the disclosed embodiments (or portions thereof) may be made within the scope of this specification. Thus, it is contemplated and understood that this specification supports additional embodiments not expressly set forth herein. Such embodiments may be obtained, for example, by combining, modifying, or reorganizing any of the disclosed steps, components, elements, features, aspects, characteristics, limitations, and the like, of the various non- limiting embodiments described in this specification. In this manner, Applicant(s) reserve the right to amend the claims during prosecution to add features as variously described in this specification, and such amendments comply with the requirements of 35 U.S.C. § 112, first paragraph, and 35 U.S.C. § 132(a).