SOLID AGROCHEMICAL COMPO SITION AND METHODS OF PREPARING AND USING THE SAME

This application claims priority to EP No 1818653 1 .2 filed on July 3 1 , 2018, the whole content of this application being incorporated herein by reference for all purposes

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention is relative to a solid agrochemical composition comprising at least one nitrification inhibitor, urease inhibitor or mixture thereof, and at least one cationic polysaccharide derivative. The invention also concerns a process for the preparation of said agrochemical composition, methods for incorporating such compositions with agricultural fertilizer compositions, agricultural fertilizer compositions comprising the same, and the use of such compositions.

BACKGROUND

In the agrochemical industry, farmers use various fertilizers to impart macronutrients to plants either by application to the soil or application to plant leaves. Nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and sulfur are nutrients that must be supplied to the plants and soil manually by farmers. In many crops, the amount of nitrogen supplied is critical to the overall quality and growth of the crop. Nitrogen is typically supplied in the form of nitrogenous, i.e. , nitrogen precursor- containing, fertilizer compounds, such as urea, ammonium nitrate, or ammonium phosphate fertilizer compounds. Due to the high water solubility of these salts, however, applied nitrogen values may be lost due to run-off and leaching of the nitrogenous fertilizer compounds. Once applied, the nitrogenous fertilizer compounds are typically degraded, for example, by microorganisms present in the soil, to nitrogenous species such as NH ₄ +, N0 ₂ , N0 ₃ , and ammonia gas, that may be even more readily lost through evaporation, run-off, and leaching than the fertilizer compounds themselves. If degradation of the fertilizer compounds occurs at a rate that is faster than the nitrogenous degradation products can be used by the plants, then the nitrogen values in the degradation products are at increased risk of being lost.

It is thus well known now that nitrification and/or urease inhibitors are of potential use in delaying degradation of fertilizer compounds and thereby reducing losses of nitrogenous degradation products that would otherwise occurred in the absence of the inhibitors. The use of nitrification and/or urease inhibitors in combination with nitrogenous fertilizer compounds tends to increase the amount of time the nitrogen source remains in the soil and available for absorption by the plants, which tends to increase the effectiveness of the fertilizer and positively impact crop yield and quality.

Typical urease inhibitors are alkyl thiophosphoric triamides and more particularly, NBPT (N-(n-butyl)-thiophosphoric triamide), which is a heat and above all, water sensitive material.

On the other hand, economic demands, environmental concerns, and ecological considerations require that farmers continually improve their agricultural practices. These economic demands require that farmers utilize the most cost efficient practices in order to generate the highest crop yields, while using fewer chemicals with lower toxicity as environmental considerations. Finally, ecological considerations have led to integrated pest management systems which further challenge the farmer's ability to produce crop yields and quality within the economic constraints prevalent in today's market.

Plant, soil and seed treatments are used on almost every commercial crop on the market today. As far as seed treatments are concerned, to satisfy the need to improve the germination rate and the crop yield but also the enhancement of growth of the obtained plant, notably to develop and increase its biomass, polysaccharides have been used, as disclosed in

W02014/0055555. Those seed treatments increase the growth of a plant, notably by developing its biomass, increase the number of pods, the weight of grains and size, the length of roots and the general yield of produced plants, even in conditions wherein irrigation is insufficient.

And because water management is becoming a growing challenge, it has also been proposed several methods for improving water retention of soils using polysaccharide-based soil additives, like in WO2009/123699. Polysaccharides are also known to prevent soil erosion and water run-off from W02014/063300. Their ability to decrease water evaporation from soil is a mean to increase plant yield and germination rate also, as taught in WO2012/022164.

Polysaccharides as explained above are hygroscopic components, which have a tendency to retain water molecules and thus present a residual humidity level generally above 1 % and even up to 25% by weight based on the total weight of the polysaccharide.

For an obvious reason of prima facie incompatibility between the two kinds of molecules, it has never been considered up to now to combine NBPT (N-(n-butyl)-thiophosphoric triamide) and polysaccharides in a single agrochemical formulation. There is indeed a prejudice that the water content of polysaccharides would degrade the urease inhibitor, thus rendering the latest less active and thus efficient in its application. However it would be very useful for practical reasons to have a single product that is able to be combined to fertilizer formulations, bringing all the advantages of the water management and germination increase, either in soils or on seeds. Also, as storage and transportation of liquids are more expensive since a solvent has to be transported and stored, it is also advantageous to target solid agrochemical compositions, for example granules. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

After a long and extensive research, the Applicant has found out a stable formulation with a specific polysaccharide that surprisingly allows the combination of this polysaccharide with NBPT without observing significant degradation.

The present invention described herein will become apparent from the following detailed description and examples, which comprises in one aspect, a solid agrochemical composition comprising at least one nitrification inhibitor, urease inhibitor or mixture thereof and at least one cationic polysaccharide derivative. In one embodiment, the present invention relates to a solid agrochemical composition comprising at least one urease inhibitor, preferably N-(n- butyl)-thiophosphoric triamide (NBPT), and at least one cationic polysaccharide derivative, preferably one cationic guar.

The present invention also provides a process for the preparation of the solid agrochemical composition according to the invention, wherein the at least one cationic polysaccharide derivative (preferably one cationic guar) and the at least one nitrification inhibitor, urease inhibitor or mixture thereof (preferably N-(n-butyl)-thiophosphoric triamide (NBPT)) are mixed together.

In another aspect, described herein is a method of making a solid fertilizer composition comprising combining one or more nitrogenous fertilizer solid compounds with a composition comprising the solid agrochemical composition according to the invention.

In yet another aspect, described herein are solid fertilizer compositions comprising, based on 100 parts by weight of the composition: (i) up to about 99.99 parts by weight of one or more solid nitrogenous fertilizer compounds, and (ii) the solid agrochemical composition according to the invention. In another aspect, described herein is a method of making a coated seed comprising combining one or more seeds with a composition comprising the solid agrochemical composition according to the invention. In yet another aspect, described herein are seeds coated with a composition comprising the solid agrochemical composition according to the invention.

In another aspect, described herein is a method of making a liquid end use fertilizer composition comprising mixing : (i) an aqueous composition comprising one or more nitrogenous fertilizer compounds, and (ii) the solid agrochemical composition according to the invention.

In a further aspect, described herein is a liquid end use fertilizer composition comprising, based on 100 parts by weight of the composition: (i) up to about 99.99 parts by weight of an aqueous composition comprising one or more nitrogenous fertilizer compounds, and (ii) the solid agrochemical composition according to the invention. In another aspect, described herein is a method for fertilizing target plants, comprising applying the solid agrochemical composition according to the invention, to the target plants or to an environment for the target plants :

a) Simultaneously to applying a composition comprising one or more nitrogenous fertilizer compounds, and/or

b) Before applying a composition comprising one or more nitrogenous fertilizer compounds, and/or

c) After applying a composition comprising one or more nitrogenous fertilizer compounds.

In a further aspect, described herein is a method for increasing plant or crop yield and/or for improving the germination rate of a plant or crop the method comprising applying on or in a soil a composition comprising a solid agrochemical composition according to the invention. In another aspect, described herein is a method for preventing soil erosion or water runoff of a soil, the method comprising applying on or in a soil a composition comprising a solid agrochemical composition according to the invention.

In a further aspect, described herein a method for increasing the growth of a plant which comprises at least a step to coat a seed of said plant with a composition comprising a solid agrochemical composition according to the invention.

Last, it is still another aspect of the invention the use of the solid agrochemical composition according to the invention for fertilizing target plants and/or increasing plant or crop yield and/or improving the germination rate of a plant or crop and/or increasing the growth of a plant and/or for preventing soil erosion or water runoff of a soil.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Definitions

The term “solid” means solid particulate form, such as granule (or granulate), powder, flake, tablet or cast tape.

The term“agrochemical composition” means a chemical formulation to be used in agriculture. In most cases, agrochemical refers to pesticides including insecticides, herbicides, fungicides and nematicides, synthetic fertilizers, hormones and other chemical growth agents, and concentrated stores of raw animal manure. The term“liquid” means any fluid whatever its viscosity, to the extend solids are excluded. The term “combining” includes applying by blending, impregnating or coating, for example through horizontal, vertical and continuous blending apparatus, spraying or any other technique known in the field. “urease inhibitors” are molecules able to prevent the breakdown of urea by urease, the soil enzyme responsible for converting urea to usable ammonia in the soil. Usage of urease inhibitors increases the amount of time the nitrogen remains in the soil and is available to the plant for absorption.

“nitrification inhibitors” are chemicals that reduce the rate at which ammonium is converted to nitrate, thus helping to reduce losses of nitrate due to leaching, thus making ammonium available to plants in the soil for longer periods of time. Ammonium is one of the main forms of nitrogen that can be utilized by plants. Increasing the amount of time that the nitrogen is available to the plant increases the effectiveness of the fertilizer which positively impacts crop yield and quality.

“solvent” is understood in a broad sense, in particular covering the functions of co-solvent, crystallization inhibitor and stripping agent. The term solvent may especially denote a product that is liquid at the usage temperature, preferably having a melting point less than or equal to 20 degrees centigrade, preferably 5 degrees centigrade, preferably 0 degrees centigrade, which may contribute to rendering a solid substance liquid, or to preventing or retarding the solidification or the crystallization of material in a liquid medium.

“fertilizers” are any material of natural or synthetic origin that are applied to soils or to plant tissues to supply one or more plant nutrients essential to the growth of plants, typically they provide nutrients such as Phosphorus, Nitrogen, Potassium or Sulphur. “solid fertilizer composition” means that the fertilizer composition is in solid particulate form, such as granules, powder, flake, tablet or cast tape. “target plants or crop” means any plant or crop that is intended to be grown, they may be agricultural and horticultural plants, shrubs, trees and grasses.

“applying to target plants” means contacting (notably through spray) on any part of the plant (including seed, roots and foliar).

“applying to an environment for the target plants” means contacting the soil or any additive that is applied to the soil, notably through irrigation. “seed” is of the crop or plant species including but not limited to corn (Zea mays), Brassica sp. (e.g. , B. napus, B. rapa, B. juncea), alfalfa (Medicago sativa), rice (Oryza sativa), rye (Secale cereale), sorghum (Sorghum bicolor, Sorghum vulgare), millet (e.g. , pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum), proso millet (Panicum miliaceum), foxtail millet (Setaria italica), finger millet (Eleusine coracana)), sunflower

(Helianthus annuus), safflower (Carthamus tinctorius), wheat (Triticum aestivum), soybean (Glycine max), tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum), potato (Solanum tuberosum), peanuts (Arachis hypogaea), cotton (Gossypium barbadense, Gossypium hirsutum), sweet potato (Ipomoea batatus), cassava (Manihot esculenta), coffee (Cofea spp.), coconut (Cocos nucifera), pineapple (Ananas comosus), citrus trees (Citrus spp.), cocoa (Theobroma cacao), tea (Camellia sinensis), banana (Musa spp.), avocado (Persea americana), fig (Ficus casica), guava (Psidium guajava), mango (Mangifera indica), olive (Olea europaea), papaya (Carica papaya), cashew (Anacardium occidentale), macadamia (Macadamia integrifolia), almond (Prunus amygdalus), sugar beets (Beta vulgaris), sugarcane (Saccharum spp.), oats, barley, vegetables, ornamentals, woody plants such as conifers and deciduous trees, squash, pumpkin, hemp, zucchini, apple, pear, quince, melon, plum, cherry, peach, nectarine, apricot, strawberry, grape, raspberry, blackberry, soybean, sorghum, sugarcane, rapeseed, clover, carrot, and Arabidopsis thaliana

Should the disclosure of any patents, patent applications, and publications which are incorporated herein by reference conflict with the description of the present application to the extent that it may render a term unclear, the present description shall take precedence.

Urease inhibitors, nitrification inhibitors and mixtures thereof

As mentioned above, the solid agrochemical composition according to the invention comprises at least one nitrification inhibitor, urease inhibitor or mixture thereof.

Urease inhibitors are generally useful for fertilizer compositions (i.e. , incorporated into a urea- containing fertilizer, e.g. , urea and urea ammonium nitrate (UAN)) to slow the conversion of ammonium to ammonia gas and thus slow the loss of ammonia to volatilization, thus making ammonium available to plants in the soil for longer periods of time. In many crops, the amount of nitrogen supplied is critical to the overall quality and growth of the crop. Nitrogen is supplied in either urea or ammonium phosphate forms. Due to the high water solubility of these salts, however, much of the nitrogen applied is lost to run-off and leaching. In ammonium-based products, if the nitrogen is not lost to leaching or run-off, it is being converted to ammonia gas by an enzyme called urease. Although ammonia can bind to soil particles, conversion occurring near the surface of the soil does not allow for binding and, thus, ammonia is lost to the atmosphere.

Similarly, nitrification inhibitors are generally used for fertilizer compositions (i.e. , incorporated into a urea-containing fertilizer, e.g. , urea and urea ammonium nitrate (UAN)) to slow the process of ammonium conversion to nitrate, and subsequently the loss of nitrate to leeching, thus making ammonium available to plants in the soil for longer periods of time. Ammonium is one of the main forms of nitrogen that can be utilized by plants. Increasing the amount of time that the nitrogen is available to the plant increases the effectiveness of the fertilizer which positively impacts crop yield and quality. In one embodiment, non-limiting examples of urease inhibitors comprise any one or more of N-butyl thiophosphoric triamide (NBPT), N-propyl thiophosphoric triamide (NPPT), N-(w-butyl)phosphoric triamide, miophosphoryl triamide, cyclohexyl phosphoric triamide, cyclohexyl thiophosphoric triamide, phosphoric triamide, hydroquinone, p- benzoquinone, hexamidocyclotriphosphazene, thiopyridines, thiopyrimidines, thiopyridine-N-oxides, N,A'-dihalo-2-imidazolidinone, N-halo-2- oxazolidinone, ammonium thiosulphate (ATS), N-cyclohexyl phosphoric triamide (CHPT), phenyl phosphorodiamidate (PPT) and 2- nitrophenyl phosphoric triamide (2- NPT).

In a preferred embodiment, the urease inhibitor used in the agrochemical composition of the invention is N-(n-butyl)-thiophosphoric triamide (NBPT).

NBPT can be produced from PCl ₃ and Sulfur, followed by amination with nBuNH ₂ and then ammonia and is commercially available.

NBPT is a heat and water sensitive material.

In one embodiment, non-limiting examples of nitrification inhibitors comprise any one or more of N-2,5-dichlorophenyl succinamic acid, dicyandiamide (DCD), zinc ethylene-bis-dithiocarbamate, 2,4,6- triehloroaniline, pentachlorophenol, thio-urea, ammonium thiosulphate (ATS) or 3 ,4-dimethypyrazole phosphate (DMPP).

In a preferred embodiment, the nitrification inhibitor used in the agrochemical composition of the invention is dicyandiamide(DCD).

Dicyandiamide is a known compound according to below formula:

Dicyandiamide, also known as "2-cyanoguanidine", is typically made by treating cyanamide with base and is commercially available.

Cationic polysaccharide derivative As mentioned above, the solid agrochemical composition according to the invention comprises at least one cationic polysaccharide derivative.

The polysaccharide derivative of the invention is a cationic polysaccharide derivative, that is to say a derivatized polysaccharide that is substituted at one or more sites of the polysaccharide with a substituent group that is a cationic substituent group.

The above statement does not prevent the cationic polysaccharide derivative of the invention to be also substituted at one or more sites of the polysaccharide with additional substituent groups, notably nonionic substituent groups, for instance hydroxyalkyl groups, such as hydroxypropyl groups. Suitable, non-limitative, examples of polysaccharide polymers that can be substituted by cationic groups include, for example, galactomannans, chitosan, pectin, alginate, hyaluronic acid, agar, xanthan, dextrin, starch, cellulose, amylose, amylopectin, alternan, gellan, levan, mutan, dextran, pullulan, fructan, gum arabic, carrageenan, glycogen, glycosaminoglycans, murein, xyloglucans and bacterial capsular polysaccharides.

In one embodiment, the polysaccharide derivatives of the invention include, for example, cationic derivatives of galactomannans.

Polysaccharide polymers that can be substituted by cationic groups comprise guars, xanthans, polyfructoses such as levan, starches, including starch derivatives, such as amylopectin, xyloglucans such as tamarind gum and tamarind gum derivatives such as hydroxypropyl tamarind gum, and cellulose, including cellulose derivatives, such as methylcellulose, ethylcellulose, carboxymethylcellulose, hydroxyethylcellulose, cellulose acetate, cellulose acetate butyrate, and cellulose acetate propionate. Galactomannans are polysaccharides consisting mainly of the monosaccharides mannose and galactose. The mannose-elements form a chain consisting of many hundreds of ( 1 ,4)-B-D-mannopyranosyl- residues, with 1 ,6 linked-D-galactopyranosyl-residues at varying distances, dependent on the plant of origin. Naturally occurring galactomannans are available from numerous sources, including guar gum, guar splits, locust bean gum and tara gum, flame tree gum and cassia gum.

Additionally, galactomannans may also be obtained by classical synthetic routes or may be obtained by chemical modification of naturally occurring galactomannans.

Guar gum refers to the mucilage found in the seed of the leguminous plant Cyamopsis tetragonolobus. The water soluble fraction (85%) is called “guaran,” which consists of linear chains of ( 1 ,4)-b-ϋ mannopyranosyl units-with a-D-galactopyranosyl units attached by ( 1 ,6) linkages. The ratio of D-galactose to D-mannose in guaran is about 1 :2.

According to anyone of the invention embodiments, the cationic polysaccharide derivative of the invention may further comprise non ionic substituent groups, for instance hydroxyalkyl groups, such as hydroxypropyl groups.

Those cationic guars usable according to the invention are advantageously chosen in the group consisting of: cationic hydroxyalkyl guars, such as cationic hydroxyethyl guar (HE guar), cationic hydroxypropyl guar (HP guar), cationic hydroxybutyl guar (HB guar), and cationic carboxylalkyl guars including cationic carboxymethyl guar (CM guar), cationic alkylcarboxy guars such as cationic carboxylpropyl guar (CP guar) and cationic carboxybutyl guar (CB guar), carboxymethylhydroxypropyl guar (CMHP guar).

Some of the above cationic guars thus may be obtained with the use of a cationic etherifying agent, notably of quaternary ammonium salts as cationic etherifying agent. The cationic group may be then a quaternary ammonium group bearing three radicals, which may be identical or different, chosen from hydrogen, an alkyl radical containing 1 to 22 carbon atoms, more particularly 1 to 14 and advantageously 1 to 3 carbon atoms. Various counter ions can be utilized, including but not limited to halides, such as chloride, fluoride, bromide, and iodide, sulfate, methylsulfate, and mixtures thereof. The counterion is generally a halogen, and in one embodiment is chlorine.

In one embodiment, quaternary ammonium salts are chosen in the group consisting of: 3-chloro-2-hydroxypropyl trimethyl ammonium chloride(CHPTMAC), 2,3-epoxypropyl trimethyl ammonium chloride(EPTAC), and diallyldimethyl ammonium chloride (DMDAAC).

A typical cationic functional group in these cationic guar derivatives is trimethylamino(2-hydroxyl)propyl, with a counter ion. It is particularly preferred to use hydroxypropyltrimonium chloride cationic guars.

According to the invention embodiments, the cationic polysaccharide derivative has typically a weight average molecular weight ranging from about 2,000 to about 3 ,000,000 g/mol. In some embodiments, it can be interesting to target a low molecular weight cationic guar, having an average molecular weight of between 2,000 g/mol and 90,000 g/mol.

The average molecular weight of the cationic polysaccharide derivative of the invention may be measured for instance by SEC-MALS or by using gel permeation chromatography.

Processes for making polysaccharide derivatives are known. In particular, processes for making derivatives of guar gum splits are generally known. Typically, guar splits are reacted with one or more derivatizing agents under appropriate reaction conditions to produce a guar polysaccharide having the desired substituent groups. Suitable derivatizing reagents are commercially available and typically contain a reactive functional group, such as an epoxy group, a chlorohydrin group, or an ethylenically unsaturated group, and at least one other substituent group, such as a cationic or nonionic substituent group, or a precursor of such a substituent group per molecule, wherein substituent group may be linked to the reactive functional group of the derivatizing agent by bivalent linking group, such as an alkylene or oxyalkylene group. Suitable cationic substituent groups include primary, secondary, or tertiary amino groups or quaternary ammonium, sulfonium, or phosphinium groups. Suitable nonionic substituent groups include hydroxyalkyl groups, such as hydroxypropyl groups.

The cationic and optionally nonionic substituent groups may be introduced to the polysaccharide chains via a series of reactions or by simultaneous reactions with the respective appropriate derivatizing agents.

The polysaccharide derivative, for instance the guar derivative, may be treated with a crosslinking agent, such for example, borax (sodium tetra borate) is commonly used as a processing aid in the reaction step of the water-splits process to partially crosslink the surface of the guar splits and thereby reduces the amount of water absorbed by the guar splits during processing. Other crosslinkers, such as, for example, glyoxal or titanate compounds, are known.

The amount of derivatizing groups in a derivatized polysaccharide polymer may be characterized by the degree of substitution of the derivatized polysaccharide polymer or molar substitution of the derivatized polysaccharide polymer.

The Degree of Substitution (DS) of cationic guars, that is the average number of hydroxyl groups that have been substituted by a cationic group per monosaccharide unit, may be comprised between 0.001 and 3 , preferably 0.005 and 3 , more preferably between 0.01 and 2.

The degree of hydroxyalkylation (molar substitution or MS) of cationic guars, that is the number of alkylene oxide molecules consumed by the number of free hydroxyl functions present on the guar, may be comprised between 0.001 and 3 , preferably between 0.001 and 1 .7. As example, a MS of 1 may represent one ethylene oxide unit per monosaccharide unit.

In one embodiment, the polysaccharide derivative of the invention may further contain hydrophobic substituents.

The hydrophobic modification of a polysaccharide derivative of the invention may be obtained by the introduction of hydrophobic group. Typical derivatizing agents bringing a hydrophobic group include C2- C24 linear or branched alkyl and alkenyl halides, or C6-C24 linear or branched alkyl and alkenyl epoxides and alkyl and alkenyl glycidyl ethers containing a C4-C24 linear or branched hydrocarbon group.

A hydrophobically modified polysaccharide derivative of the invention may have hydrophobic degree of substitution ranging from 1 * 10 ⁵ to 5 * l 0 ^{_ 1} , preferably from l * l 0 ⁴ to 1 * 10 ^{_ 1} .

In one embodiment, a hydrophobically modified polysaccharide derivative of the invention contains as hydrophobic groups C4-C24 alkyl chains. The hydrophobizing agent is preferably a alkyl or alkenyl glycidylether containing a C4-C24 linear or branched hydrocarbon group.

After the preparation, the polysaccharide derivative of the invention can be treated with several known reagents, for example: caustic; acids; biochemical oxidants, such as galactose oxidase; chemical oxidants, such as hydrogen peroxide; and enzymatic reagents; or by physical methods using high speed agitation machines; thermal methods; and combinations of these reagents and methods. Reagents such as sodium metabisulfite or inorganic salts of bisulfite may also be optionally included.

The treatments described here above can be also performed on the polysaccharide derivative of the invention before the derivatization process.

In a preferred embodiment, the polysaccharide derivative is a depolymerized polysaccharide derivative, which has been depolymerized by using chemicals, such as hydrogen peroxide, or cellulase enzymes. Methods for the preparation of a polysaccharide derivative of the invention are disclosed for instance in U. S . Pat. Nos. 4,663 , 159; 5 ,473 ,059; 5 ,387,675 ; 3 ,472,840; 4,03 1 ,307; 4,959,464 and US

2010/0029929, all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

According to another one of the invention embodiments, the cationic polysaccharide derivative of the invention is a cationic galactomannan derivative, for instance a cationic guar derivative, having a cationic degree of substitution DScat comprised between about 0.01 and about 0.20, a hydroxyalkyl molar substitution comprised between about 0. 1 and about 1 and a weight average molecular weight comprised between about 500,000 g/mol and about 2,000,000 g/mol.

According to another one of the invention embodiments, the cationic polysaccharide derivative of the invention is a cationic galactomannan derivative, for instance a cationic guar derivative, having a cationic degree of substitution DScat comprised between about 0.01 and about 0.40, a hydroxyalkyl molar substitution comprised between about 0. 1 and about 1 and a weight average molecular weight comprised between about 2,000 g/mol and about 90,000 g/mol.

Ratio

In the solid agrochemical composition according to the invention, the ratio between the at least one nitrification inhibitor, urease inhibitor or mixture thereof and the cationic polysaccharide derivative ranges from 0.3 to 20, preferably 0.5 to 15 , more preferably 0.7 to 10.

Other components of the composition

The solid agrochemical composition according to the invention can be in the form of a powder, granule, flake, tablet or cast tape.

It is preferable to have a granule.

In order to form a granule from the composition according to the invention, it can be useful to add auxiliary compounds.

Granulation aids First of all, it is desirable to add a granulation aid to produce the granule by extrusion/granulation. The granulation aid can be any liquid, preferably a solvent of at least one of the cationic polysaccharide derivative or nitrification inhibitor, urease inhibitor or mixture thereof. The preferred liquid/solvent is water, that is then partially or totally removed by a drying step, as explained later in the text.

Water

The solid agrochemical composition preferably does not contain large amounts of water. Typically the water content is generally up to 5 wt percent, preferably up to 2 wt percent and more preferably up to 1 wt percent, by total weight of the composition. The water content is generally the residual amount of water contained in the solid composition after the drying step in the granulation process.

Other liquids/solvents

As explained above, in some embodiments we may use a solvent as granulation aid to form the granulate. In this case it is desirable to have a solvent system containing alkyl thiophosphoric triamide, and in particular, (N-(n-butyl)-thiophosphoric triamide), that has a favorable toxicological and/or ecological profile and desirable characteristics in terms of low volatility, biodegradability or ready biodegradability (i. e. , readily biodegradable), low toxicity or low hazard level. In other embodiments, it is desirable to have a solvent system containing dicyandiamide, that has a favorable toxicological and/or ecological profile and desirable characteristics in terms of low volatility, biodegradability or ready biodegradability (i.e. , readily biodegradable), low toxicity or low hazard level. It is also desirable to have a solvent system containing a combination of dicyandiamide and an alkyl thiophosphoric triamide, in particular, (N-(n-butyl)-thiophosphoric triamide), that has a favorable toxicological and/or ecological profile and desirable characteristics in terms of low volatility, biodegradability or ready biodegradability (i.e., readily biodegradable), low toxicity or low hazard level. Said solvent may be selected in the group consisting of dioxolanes, N,N- dialkylamides, esters, diesters, esteramides, alcohols, glycerine or glycerine derivatives, alkylene carbonates, dimethylsulfoxide and mixtures thereof.

In a preferred embodiment, the solvent is selected from:

a) at least one dioxolane compound of formula (I) :

wherein

Ri and R ₂ , independently from one another, are selected in the group consisting of: a hydrogen, an alkyl, a cycloalkyl, an alkenyl, or an aryl group;

R ₃ is H, a linear or branched alkyl, a cycloalkyl or a -C(=0)R ₄ group, with R ₄ being a linear or branched alkyl or cycloalkyl n is an integer of from 1 to 10;

b) at least one dibasic ester;

c) at least one esteramide of formula (II) :

R5OOC-A-CONR6R7 (II), wherein R ₅ comprises a C1 -C36 alkyl group; wherein R ₆ and R ₇ individually comprise a C1 -C36 alkyl group, wherein R ₆ and R ₇ can optionally together form a ring; and wherein A is a linear or a branched divalent C ₂ -C ₆ alkyl group;

d) at least one alkyldimethylamide;

e) at least one alkyl lactate;

f) ethyl levulinate;

g) at least one alkyloxyalcohol, amino alcohol or alcohol;

h) at least one glycerine or glycerine derivative;

i) at least one alkylene carbonate; or

j) dimethylsulfoxide; and

k) mixtures thereof. Dioxolane

In a first and preferred embodiment, the solvent is a dioxolane or a mixture of dioxolanes.

According to this first embodiment, the dioxolane is advantageously of formula I above, wherein Rl and R2, independently from one another, are selected in the group consisting of: a linear or branched C 1 -C 12 alkyl, a C4-C 12 cycloalkyl or an aryl; R3 is H, a linear or branched alkyl, a cycloalkyl or a -C(=0)R4 group, with R4 being a linear or branched alkyl or cycloalkyl; and n is 1 .

In a preferred embodiment, Ri and R ₂ , independently from one another, are selected in the group consisting of: methyl, ethyl, isopropyl, n- propyl, isobutyl, n-butyl, tert-butyl, n-pentyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl or phenyl.

Advantageously, in formula I above R ₃ is H or a -C(=0)R ₄ group, with R ₄ being methyl, ethyl, isopropyl, n-propyl, isobutyl, n-butyl or tert- butyl. More preferably, R ₃ is H.

One preferred embodiment is when Ri and R ₂ are methyl and R ₃ is H. In this case, the compound is commercially available, for example under the name Rhodiasolv® Li-Tec 2V. This compound can be synthesized by reaction between glycerol and acetone, under well-known classical conditions.

In another embodiment, Ri is methyl, R ₂ is isobutyl and R ₃ is H. In this case, the compound is commercially available. This compound can be synthesized by reaction between glycerol and methyl-isobutyl ketone, under well-known classical conditions.

In a third embodiment, Ri is methyl, R ₂ is phenyl and R ₃ is H. In this case, the compound is commercially available. This compound can be synthesized by reaction between glycerol and acetophenone, under well- known classical conditions.

Another possibility is to have Ri and R ₂ are methyl and R ₃ is a -C(=0)R ₄ group, with R ₄ being methyl. In this case, the compound is commercially available. This compound can be synthesized by transesterification of Solketal with an alkyl acetate under well-known classical conditions.

Glycerol can be obtained as a coproduct from biodiesel production during the transesterification of triglycerides.

Esteramide

In a second embodiment, the solvent is an esteramide.

According to this second embodiment, the esteramide can be of formula II :

R ₅ OOC-A-CONR ₆ R ₇ (II)

wherein:

R ₅ is a radical selected from saturated or unsaturated, linear or branched, optionally cyclic, optionally aromatic hydrocarbon-based radicals having an average number of carbon atoms ranging from 1 to 36;

R ₆ and R ₇ , which may be identical or different, are each radicals selected from saturated or unsaturated, linear or branched, optionally cyclic, optionally aromatic, optionally substituted hydrocarbon-based radicals having an average number of carbon atoms ranging from 1 to 36, with the proviso that R ₆ and R ₇ may optionally together form a ring member that is optionally substituted and/or that optionally contains a heteroatom; and

A is a linear or branched divalent alkyl radical having an average number of carbon atoms ranging from 2 to 12.

The R ₅ , R- ₆ and R ₇ groups, which are identical or different, may especially be groups chosen from Ci -Ci ₂ alkyl, aryl, alkaryl or arylalkyl groups or the phenyl group. The R ₆ and R ₇ groups may optionally be substituted, in particular by hydroxyl groups. The R ₅ group may especially be chosen from methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, isobutyl, n-pentyl, isopentyl, isoamyl, n-hexyl, cyclohexyl, 2-ethylbutyl, n-octyl, isooctyl, 2-ethylhexyl, tridecyl groups.

The R ₆ and R ₇ groups, which are identical or different, may especially be chosen from methyl, ethyl, propyl (n-propyl), isopropyl, n-butyl, isobutyl, n-pentyl, amyl, isoamyl, hexyl, cyclohexyl or hydroxyethyl groups. The R ₆ and R ₇ groups may also be such that they form, together with the nitrogen atom, a morpholine, piperazine or piperidine group. According to particular embodiments, R ₆ =R ₇ =methyl, or R ₆ =R ₇ =ethyl, or R ₆ =R ₇ =hydroxy ethyl.

According to one particular embodiment, if A comprises a linear group of formula -CH ₂ -CH ₂ - and/or of formula -CH ₂ -CH ₂ -CH ₂ -CH ₂ - and/or of formula -(CTh^- then it is a mixture of A groups. According to one particular embodiment, if A is linear, then it is a mixture of A groups, for example a mixture of two or three -CH ₂ -CH ₂ - (ethylene); -CH ₂ -CH ₂ - CH ₂ - (n-propylene); and -CH ₂ -CH ₂ -CH ₂ -CH ₂ - (n-butylene) groups.

According to a first particular embodiment of the invention, the A group is a divalent linear alkyl group chosen from the groups of the following formulae: -CH ₂ -CH ₂ - (ethylene); -CH ₂ -CH ₂ -CH ₂ - (n-propylene); -CH ₂ - CH ₂ -CH ₂ -CH ₂ - (n-butylene), and mixtures thereof.

According to one particular variant in this first embodiment, the compound of the invention is chosen from the following compounds :

MeOOC-CH ₂ -CH ₂ -CONMe ₂ ;

MeOOC-CH2-CH ₂ -CH2-CONMe ₂ ;

MeOOC-CH ₂ -CH ₂ -CH ₂ -CONMe ₂ , as a mixture with MeOOC-CH ₂ -CH ₂ - CH ₂ -CH ₂ -CONMe ₂ and/or with MeOOC-CH ₂ -CH ₂ -CONMe ₂ . According to a second particular embodiment of the invention, the A group is a divalent branched alkylene group having one of the following formulae (Ila), (lib), (He), (Ilia) and (Illb), or a mixture of at least two groups chosen from the groups of formulae (Ila), (lib) and (lie) or from the groups of formulae (Ilia) and (Illb), or a mixture of at least two groups, one chosen from the groups of formulae (Ila), (lib) and (lie) and the others chosen from the groups of formulae (Ilia) and (Illb) :

-(CHR ₉ ) _y -(CHR ₈ ) _x -(CHR ₉ ) _z -CH ₂ -CH ₂ - (Ila)

-CH ₂ -CH ₂ -(CHR ₉ ) _z -(CHR ₈ ) _x -(CHR ₉ ) _y - (lib)

-(CHR ₉ ) _z -CH ₂ -(CHR ₈ ) _x -CH ₂ -(CHR _9)y - (lie)

-(CHR ₉ ) _y -(CHR ₈ ) _x -(CHR ₉ ) _z -CH ₂ - (Ilia)

-CH ₂ -(CHR ₉ ) _z -(CHR ₈ ) _x -(CHR ₈ ) _y - (Illb)

where:

x is an integer greater than 0;

y is an average integer greater than or equal to 0;

z is an average integer greater than or equal to 0;

R ₈ , which is identical or different, is a Ci -C ₆ , preferably Ci -C ₄ , alkyl group; and

R ₉ , which is identical or different, is a hydrogen atom or a Ci -C ₆ , preferably Ci -C ₄ , alkyl group.

In this second particular embodiment, the A group is preferably a group such that y=z=0.

Preferably, in the formula (Ila) and/or in the formula (lib) :

x= l ; y=z=0; R ₈ =methyl.

Preferably, in the formula (Ilia) and/or in the formula (Illb) :

x= l ; y=z=0; R ₈ =ethyl.

According to one particular variant in the second particular embodiment, the compound of the invention is chosen from the following compounds, and mixtures thereof:

MeOOC-A _MG -CONMe ₂ ;

MeOOC-A _ES -CONMe ₂ ;

PeOOC-A _MG -CONMe ₂ ; PeOOC-A _E s-CONMe ₂ ;

CycloOOC-A _MG -CONMe ₂ ;

CycloOOC-A _{E S} -CONMe ₂ ;

EhOOC-A _MG -CONMe ₂ ;

EhOOC-A _ES -CONMe ₂ ;

PeOOC-A _MG -CONEt ₂ ;

PeOOC-A _{E S} -CONEt ₂ ;

CycloOOC-A _MG -CONEt ₂ ;

CycloOOC-A _{E S} -CONEt ₂ ;

BuOOC-A _MG -CONEt ₂ ;

BuOOC-A _{E S} -CONEt ₂ ;

BuOOC-A _MG -CONMe ₂ ;

BuOOC-A _{E S} -CONMe ₂ ;

EtBuOOC-A _MG -CONMe ₂ ;

EtBuOOC-A _{E S} -CONMe ₂ ;

n-HeOOC-A _MG -CONMe ₂ ;

n-HeOOC-A _{E S} -CONMe ₂ ; where

AMG represents an MGa group of formula -CH(CH ₃ )-CH ₂ -CH ₂ -, or MGb group of formula -CH ₂ -CH ₂ -CH(CH3)- or a mixture of MGa and MGb groups;

A _{E S} represents an ESa group of formula -CH(C ₂ H ₅ )-CH ₂ -, or ESb group of formula -CH2-CH(C ₂ H ₅ )- or a mixture of ESa and ESb groups;

Pe represents a pentyl group, preferably an isopentyl or isoamyl group; Cyclo represents a cyclohexyl group;

Eh represents a 2-ethylhexyl group;

Bu represents a butyl group, preferably an n-butyl or tert-butyl group; EtBu represents an ethylbutyl group; and

n-He represents an n-hexyl group.

In the preferred embodiment, the esteramide comprises a mixture of MeOOC-A _MG -CONMe ₂ and MeOOC-A _{E S} -CONMe ₂ , which is commercially available under the tradename Rhodiasolv® Polarclean. N.N- dialky lamides

In a third embodiment, the solvent is an N,N-dialkylamide of a carboxylic acid, preferably an N,N-dimethyl amide of a C2-C20 carboxylic acid.

According to this third embodiment, N,N-dialkylamide is especially an AlkylDiMethylAmides (ADMA) where the alkyl is, for example, C ₆ -Ci ₈ , more particularly N,N-dimethyldecanamide and N,N- dimethyloctanamide, or mixtures with different sizes of alkyls. Mention is made especially of the compounds sold by Solvay under the tradename Rhodiasolv® ADMA810 and Rhodiasolv® ADMA10.

Diesters (dibasic esters)

In a fourth embodiment, the solvent is a diester of a carboxylic acid. According to this fourth embodiment, the diester solvents of the compositions according to the invention correspond to the formula RaOOC-A-COORa where Ra represents a linear or branched alkyl group comprising of 1 to 6 carbon atoms, and preferably represents a methyl group, and A represents a linear or branched alkylene group comprising of 2 to 4 carbon atoms.

The diester solvent is advantageously the compound Rhodiasolv ® IRIS which is a mixture comprising of 70 percent to 95 percent by weight of dimethyl 2-methyl glutarate, 5 percent to 30 percent by weight of dimethyl ethylsuccinate and 0 percent to 10 percent by weight of dimethyl adipate. Alternatively, the diester solvent is advantageously the compound Rhodiasolv ® RPDE which is a mixture comprising of 40 percent to 95 percent by weight of dimethylglutarate, 5 percent to 60 percent by weight of dimethylsuccinate and 0 percent to 30 percent by weight of dimethyladipate. Esters

In one embodiment, the solvent of the composition of the present invention comprises an ester, in particular at least one alkyl lactate or ethyl levulinate. In one embodiment, the alkyl lactate is a straight or branched alkyl lactate. In one embodiment, the alkyl lactate is a C 1 -C8 alkyl lactate. In another embodiment, the alkyl lactate is a C 1 -C5 alkyl lactate. Alcohols

In one embodiment, the solvent of the composition of the present invention comprises alkyloxyalcohols, amino alcohols or alcohols;

Preferrable alkyloxyalcohol is 2-butoxyethanol.Polyalkoxylated alcohols are also usable.

In one embodiment, the alcohol is a C l - C4 alcohol chosen from t-butyl alcohol, butyl alcohol, iso-propyl alcohol, or propyl alcohol. In one typical embodiment, the C 1 -C4 alcohol is iso-propyl alcohol. Polyols, like glycols can also be used, like propylene glycol and triethylene glycol.

Glycols and glycol derivatives include but are not limited to aliphatic dihydroxy (dihydric) alcohols. In one embodiment, glycol derivatives include but are not limited to polypropylene glycol, triethylene glycol, glycol alkyl ethers such as dipropylene glycol methyl ether, diethylene glycol. In another embodiment, glycol derivatives include but are not limited to polyglycols such as polyethylene glycols (PEG) and polypropylene glycols. Glycols are represented by the general formula CnH2n(OH)2, where n is at least 2. Non-limiting examples of glycols include ethylene glycol (glycol), propylene glycol ( 1 ,2-propanediol), 1 ,4-butanediol, 1 ,5-pentanediol, 1 ,6-hexanediol, 1 ,7-heptanediol, 1 ,9- nonanediol, l , l 0-decanedio l, 1 ,8-octanediol, 1 ,3-propanediol, 1 ,3- butanediol, 1 ,4-butanediol, 2,3-butanediol, 2,4-pentanediol, 2,5- hexanediol, 4,5-octanediol and 3 ,4-hexanediol, neopenty glycol, pinacol, 2, 2-diethyl- l , 3-propanediol, 2-ethyl- 1 ,3-hexanediol, 2-ethyl-2-butyl- 1 ,3- propanediol, isobutylene glycol, 2,3-dimethyl- 1 ,3-propanediol, 1 ,3- diphenyl- 1 ,3 -propanediol, 3 -methyl- 1 ,3-butanedio l. In another embodiment, glycol derivatives include but are not limited to glycol stearate, ethylene glycol monostearate, ethylene glycol distearate, ethylene glycol amido stearate, dilaurate glycol, propylene glycol monostearate, propylene glycol dicaprylate, propylene glycol dicaprate diacetate glycol, dipalmite glycol, diformate glycol, dibutyrate glycol, dibenzorate glycol, dipalmate glycol, dipropionate glycol, monoacetate glycol, monopalmitate glycol and monoformate glycol. In another embodiment, glycol derivatives also include polypropylene glycol, triethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol methyl ether, or diethylene glycol. Polyglycol derivatives include but are not limited to polyethylene glycol (PEG) 200-6000 mono and dilaurates, such as, PEG 600 dilaurate, PEG 600 monolaurate, PEG 1000 dilaurate, PEG 1000 monolaurate, PEG 1540 dilaurate and PEG 1540 monolaurate, polyethylene glycol 200-6000 mono and dioleates, such as, PEG 400 monoleate, PEG 600 dioleate, PEG 600 monooleate, PEG 1000 monoleate, PEG 1540 dioleate, PEG 1540 monooleate and polyethylene glycol 200-6000 mono and distearates, such as, PEG 400 distearate, PEG 400 monostearate, PEG 600 distearate, PEG 600 monostearate, PEG 1000 distearate, PEG 1000 monostearate, PEG 1540 distearate, PEG 1540 monostearate and PEG 3000 monostearate.

In one embodiment, the solvent of the composition of the present invention comprises an amino alcohol. Compounds suitable as the amino alcohol solvent component of the compositions and methods of the present invention are those compounds that comprise at least one primary, secondary, or tertiary amino moiety per molecule and at least one hydroxyalkyl moiety per molecule, more typically In one embodiment, the amino alcohol is a linear, branched, or cyclic, saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon that is substituted on at least one carbon atom with an amino group and on at least one other carbon atom with hydroxyalkyl or hydroxyl group, such as monoethanolamine, ethylaminoethanol, dimethylaminoethanol, isopropylaminoethanol, diethanolamine, triethanolamine, methylaminoethanol, aminopropanol, methylaminopropanol, dimethylaminopropanol, aminobutanol, dimethyl amino butanol, amino butanediol, trihydroxymethyl amino ethane, diethylaminopropanediol, 1 -amino-cyclopentane methanol, and aminobenzyl alcohol. glycerine or glycerine derivative

As glycerine derivatives exemples, we can cite alkoxylated glycerin, or alkylated glycerin.

Examples of glycerol derivatives include but are not limited to glycerol monolaurate, glycerol monostearate, glycerol distearate, glycerol trioleate, glycerol monooleate, glycerol dilaurate, glycerol dipalmitate, glycerol triacetate, glycerol tribenzoate, glycerol tributyrate, glycerol monopalmitate, glycerol trimyristate, glycerol trilaurate, glycerol tripalmitate and glycerol tristearate. alkylene carbonate

Preferrable alkylene carbonate is propylene carbonate.

In another embodiment, the solvent can include other solvents, including but not limited to aliphatic or acyclic hydrocarbons solvents, halogenated solvents, aromatic hydrocarbon solvents, cyclic terpenes, unsaturated hydrocarbon solvents, halocarbon solvents, polyols, alcohols including short chain alcohols, ketones or mixtures thereof.

Suitable other components of the solid agrochemical composition of the invention are wetting agents, disintegrant agents, solid carriers or fillers, binders, active ingredients, stabilizers, surfactants, dispersants, emulsifiers, adjuvants, solubilizers, penetration enhancers, protective colloids, adhesion agents, humectants, repellents, attractants, feeding stimulants, compatibilizers, anti-dusting, bactericides, anti-foaming agents, retention agents, supporting substances, polymers for improving the structure of the granule, coating agents, polymeric flow improvers, pH buffers, lubricants, drift retardants, anti-caking additives, sequestrants, safeners, colorants, tackifiers, emetic agents, anti-rebound agents, organophosphates, anti-leaching agents, odor masking agents, pigments, dyes, and effervescent agents. Such auxiliary components may be selected by a person skilled in the art.

Preferably, the solid agrochemical composition if the invention further comprises a wetting agent and/or a disintegrant agent and/or a carrier/filler agent and/or a binder.

Wetting agents

Wetting agents may also be used in the composition, and they can advantageously be used also as granulation aids. They may comprise anionic, cationic, amphoteric, or nonionic surfactants. It is also appreciated that the granule may include a combination of different wetting agents.

Suitable anionic surfactants for use as the wetting agent include, but are not limited to alkali, alkaline earth or ammonium salts of sulfonates, sulfates, phosphates, carboxylates, and mixtures thereof. Examples of sulfonates are sulfonated phenol-formaldehyde condensation products, sulfonated cresol-formaldehyde condensation products, alkylaryl- sulfonates, diphenylsulfonates, alpha-olefin sulfonates, lignine sulfonates, sulfonates of fatty acids and oils, sulfonates of ethoxylated alkylphenols, sulfonates of alkoxylated arylphenols, sulfonates of condensed naphthalenes, sulfonates of dodecyl- and tridecylbenzenes, sulfonates of naphthalenes and alkylnaphthalenes, sulfosuccinates or sulfosuccinamates. Examples of sulfates are sulfates of fatty acids and oils, of ethoxylated alkylphenols, of alcohols, of ethoxylated alcohols, or of fatty acid esters. Examples of phosphates are phosphate esters.

Examples of carboxylates are alkyl carboxylates, polycarboxylates and carboxylated alcohol or alkylphenol ethoxylates. Preferred water-soluble anionic surfactants are alkali, alkaline earth or ammonium salts of sulfonates or sulfates, such as alkali salts of sulfonated and/or sulfated phenol-formaldehyde condensation products, sulfonated and/or sulfated cresol-formaldehyde condensation products (e.g. CAS 1 15535-44-9). Typically the sulfates or sulfonates have a molecular weight from 200 to 2000 g/mol, preferably from 250 to 1000 g/mol. Suitable nonionic surfactants for use as the wetting agent include, but are not limited to, alkoxylates, N-subsituted fatty acid amides, amine oxides, esters, sugar-based surfactants, polymeric surfactants, and mixtures thereof. Examples of alkoxylates are compounds such as alcohols, alkylphenols, amines, amides, arylphenols, fatty acids or fatty acid esters which have been alkoxylated with 1 to 50 equivalents. Ethylene oxide and/or propylene oxide may be employed for the alkoxylation, preferably ethylene oxide. Examples of N-subsititued fatty acid amides are fatty acid glucamides or fatty acid alkanolamides. Examples of esters are fatty acid esters, glycerol esters or monoglycerides. Examples of sugar- based surfactants are sorbitans, ethoxylated sorbitans, sucrose and glucose esters or al- kylpolyglucosides. Examples of polymeric surfactants are vinylalcohols or vinylacetate.

Suitable cationic surfactants are quaternary surfactants, for example quaternary ammonium compounds with one or two hydrophobic groups, or salts of long-chain primary amines. Suitable amphoteric surfactants for use as the wetting agent include, but are not limited to, alkylbetaines, sulfobetaines, imidazolines carboxybetaines, and alkyldimethylamine oxides, e.g. tetradecyldimethylamine oxide. Mixtures of such wetting agents can also be used. Although some wetting agents are liquid, the amounts used are generally not so large as to give rise to problems with granule stickiness. However, if desired, the wetting agents can be used in a form in which they are adsorbed on solid support such as silica or diatomaceous earth.

Of course for solid wetting agents granule stickiness does not generally limit the amount that can be used even without using a support.

The solid agrochemical composition may include the wetting agent in the amount ranging from 0. 1 to 20 wt. % by weight of the solid agrochemical composition. Alternatively, the solid agrochemical composition may include the wetting agent in the amount ranging from 0. 1 to 10 wt. %, or from 2 to 5 wt. % by weight of the solid agrochemical composition. Alternatively, it is also contemplated that the solid agrochemical composition may include other amounts of wetting agent.

Disintegrant agents

In one or more additional embodiments, the solid agrochemical composition optionally comprises a disintegrant agent. Without being limited by theory, it is believed that the disintegrant agent lowers the disintegration time of the granule. Suitable materials include readily soluble materials such as inorganic water soluble salts e. g. sodium chloride, nitrate salts etc. , and water soluble organic compounds such as urea (water soluble matrix materials may thus serve also as disintegrating agents), or polyvinylpyrrilodone which dissolve thus opening up the granule structure. More active disintegration effects can be achieved using materials which swell or are effervescent on contact with water. Such active disintegrants may be particularly useful where the granules are made by tabletting as tabletting tends to produce a more compacted solid form than other methods.

If the disintegrant agent is present, the granule typically includes the disintegrant agent in the amount ranging from 0. 1 to 5 wt. % by weight of the solid agrochemical composition.

Carrier/Fillers

The solid agrochemical composition may optionally include various mineral and water-soluble powders, which may act as carriers/fillers. Examples of mineral powders that may be used in the present invention include talc, clay such as kaolin (china clay) and bentonite clays, which may be natural bentonites or modified e. g. activated bentonites, synthetic and diatomaceous silicas, calcium and magnesium silicates, titanium dioxide, aluminium, calcium or magnesium carbonate, ammonium, sodium, potassium, calcium or barium sulphate, charcoal, starch, including modified starches such as alkyl and carboxyalkyl starches, cellulose, such as microcrystalline cellulose, and cellulose derivatives such as carboxyalkyl cellulose, and mixtures of two or more. Examples of water-soluble powders that may be used in the present invention include saccharides, urea and various types of salts.

Saccharides include lactose, fructose, and glucose. Salts include alkali metal salts and sodium salts of sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid, hydrochloric acid, nitric acid or carbonic acid. These powders may be used singularly or in combination in the solid agrochemical composition.

Binders

Notably for further use in seed coating, the composition of the invention may also comprises a binder. The binder (or any of the layers) can be molasses, granulated sugar, alginates, karaya gum, jaguar gum, tragacanth gum, polysaccharide gum, mucilage, gelatin, polyvinyl acetates, polyvinyl acetate copolymers, polyvinyl alcohols, polyvinyl alcohol copolymers, styrene acrylate polymers, styrene butadiene polymers, celluloses (including ethylcelluloses and methylcelluloses, hydroxypropylcelluloses, hydroxymethyl celluloses, hydroxymethylpropyl-celluloses), polyvinylpyrolidones, dextrins, malto- dextrins, polysaccharides, fats, oils, proteins, gum arables, shellacs, vinylidene chloride, vinylidene chloride copolymers, calcium lignosulfonates, acrylic copolymers, starches, derivatized starches, polyvinylacrylates, zeins, carboxymethylcellulose, chitosan, polyethylene oxide, acrylimide polymers and copolymers, polyhydroxyethyl acrylate, methylacrylimide monomers, alginate, ethylcellulose, polychloroprene, syrups or any combination thereof.

Active ingredients

The composition according to the invention, notably for seed coating application, may also comprise at least one active ingredient. The active ingredient can be one or more herbicides, plant growth regulators, crop dessicants, fungicides, bacteriocides, bacteriostats, insecticides, insect repellants, triazine herbicides, sulfonylurea herbicides, uracils, urea herbicides, acetanilide herbicides, organophosphonate herbicides, glyphosate salts, glyphosate esters, nitrilo oxime fungicides, imidazole fungicides, triazole fungicides, sulfenamide fungicides, dithio-carbamate fungicides, chloronated aromatic, dichloro aniline fungicides, carbamate insecticides, organo thiophosphate insecticides; perchlorinated organic insecticides, methoxychlor, miticides, propynyl sulfite, triazapentadiene miticides, chlorinated aromatic miticides, tetradifan, dinitropheno l miticides, binapacryl, or any mixture thereof.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the composition comprises at least one plant biostimulant. Plant biostimulants are usually components other than fertilizers that affect plant growth and/or metabolism upon foliar application or when added to soil. Plant biostimulants generally fall within one of three categories : hormone- containing products, amino acid- containing products and humic acid- containing products. Plant biostimulants are used to treat crops in a commercial setting in view of their ability to, for example, increase growth rates, decrease pest plant growth, increase stress tolerance, increase photosynthetic rate, and increase disease tolerance. Plant biostimulants are generally believed to operate by up-regulating or down-regulating plant hormones.

Stabilizers

The stabilizer can be any suitable amine compound. Compounds suitable as the at least one amine stabilizer include alkanolamines and alkoxylated alkanolamines. In one embodiment, the amine stabilizer is 2-amino-2-methyl- 1 -propanol (sometimes referred to as“AMP”). In one embodiment, the amine stabilizer is Amino-2-propanol. In one embodiment, the amine stabilizer is 2-Amino- 1 -butanol. In one embodiment, the amine stabilizer is a monoalkanolamine. In another embodiment, the amine stabilizer is a dialkanolamine. In another embodiment, the amine stabilizer is a trialkanolamine. In yet another embodiment, the amine stabilizer is a monoethanolamine. In a further embodiment, the amine stabilizer is a diethanolamine. In yet a further embodiment, the amine stabilizer is a triethanolamine. In another embodiment, the alkanol group is chosen from methanol, ethanol, propanol, butanol. In one embodiment, the alkoxylate alkanolamine is an aminoalkoxy alcohol.

In one embodiment, the amine stabilizer is 1 ,2-diaminocyclohexane (DCH) or Bis(hexamethylene)triamine (BHT). In another embodiment the amine stabilizer is selected from monoethanolamine, ethylaminoethanol, dimethylaminoethanol, isopropylaminoethanol, diethanolamine, triethanolamine, methylaminoethanol, aminopropanol, methylaminopropanol, dimethylaminopropanol, aminobutanol, dimethylaminobutanol, aminobutanediol, trihydroxymethylaminoethane, diethylaminopropanediol, 1 -amino-cyclopentane methanol, and aminobenzyl alcohol, or a heterocyclic ring that comprises at least one nitrogen atom as a ring member and/or is substituted on at least one carbon atom with an amino group and that is substituted on at least one other carbon atom with a hydroxyalkyl or hydroxyl group, such as met hylamino methyl- 1 ,3-dioxolane.

In one embodiment, the stabilizer or amine stabilizer is present in the composition in an amount between about 0.5% by weight of the composition to about 15% by weight of the composition. (It is understood that the term“%” can be used interchangeably with“wt%”)

Organophosphate

In one embodiment, the solid agrochemical composition contains an organophosphate.

Said organophosphate compound may have the formula below

wherein R _a , R _b and R _c , are each independently chosen from H, a Ci -Ci ₆ alkyl group, a Ci -Ci ₆ alkenyl, group, a Ci -Ci ₆ alkoxyalkyl group, a C ₇ - C ₃₀ alkylarylalkyl group, a C ₇ -C ₃₀ arylalkyl group, or an aryl group; provided that at least one of R _a , R _b or R _c is not H. In another embodiment, R _a , R _b and R _c , are each independently chosen from H, a Ci - Ci ₂ alkyl group, a C ₁ -C ₁₂ alkenyl, group, a C ₁ -C ₁₂ alkoxyalkyl group, a C ₇ -C ₃₀ alkylarylalkyl group, a C ₇ -C ₃₀ arylalkyl group, or an aryl group; provided that at least one of R _a , R _b or R _c is not H. In one embodiment, R _a , R _b and R _c , are each independently chosen from H, a C ₁ -C ₄ alkyl group, a C ₄ -Cs alkyl group, a C ₁ -C ₁₂ alkenyl, group, a C ₁ -C ₄ alkoxyalkyl group, a C ₇ -C ₃₀ alkylarylalkyl group, a C ₇ -C ₃₀ arylalkyl group, or an aryl group; provided that at least one of R _a , R _b or R _c is not H.

In yet another embodiment, R _a , R _b and R _c , are each independently chosen from a C ₁ -C ₁₂ alkyl group, a C ₁ -C ₁₂ alkenyl, group, a C ₁ -C ₁₂ alkoxyalkyl group, a C ₇ -C ₃₀ alkylarylalkyl group, a C ₇ -C ₃₀ arylalkyl group, or an aryl group . In one embodiment, R _a , R _b and R _c , are each independently chosen from a C ₁ -C ₁₂ alkyl group, more typically, a C ₂ -C ₈ alkyl group. Odor masking agents

Suitable Odor Masking Agents include but are not limited to methyl acetate, ethyl acetate, cyclohexyl acetate, benzyl acetate, isoamyl acetate, geranyl acetate, hexyl acetate, octyl acetate, phenylethyl acetate, methyl butyrate, ethyl butyrate, 2-methylbutyl butyrate, isoamyl butyrate, methyl formate, methyl propionate, pentyl butyrate, 2- methylbutyl 2-methylbutyrate, ethyl methylphenylglycidate, dimethyl phthalate, or diethyl malonate.

Suitable Odor Masking Agents include but are not limited to : citral, citronellol, camphor, cedrene, carvone, dipentene, eucalyptol, geraniol, a-ionone, linalool, limonene, menthol, myrcene, neral, nerolidol, a- pinene, b-pinene, a-phellandrene, b-phellandrene, terpineol, a-terpinene, b-terpinene, or thujone. Suitable Odor Masking Agents include but are not limited to: acetaldehyde, anisic aldehyde, benzaldehyde, butyraldehyde, cinnamaldehyde, capraldehyde, cuminaldehyde, decanal, hexanal, hexyl cinnamaldehyde, isomenthone, isovaleraldehyde, menthone, propionaldehyde or valeraldehyde.

Suitable Odor Masking Agents include but are not limited to: benzyl alcohol, cis-3-hexen- 1 -ol, furaneol, l-hexanol, phenylethyl alcohol; 4- allylanisole, anisole, anethole, eugenol, g-decalactone, g-nonalactone, thymol dihydrojasmone, vanillin, mint, oil Japanese cherry or lactones

Pigments/dves

Examples of suitable dyes include but are not limited to any one or more of: Carbon Black, Pigment Blue 15, Pigment Blue 15:1, Pigment Blue 15:2, Pigment Blue 15:3, Pigment Blue 15:4, Pigment Blue 15:6, Pigment Blue 1, Pigment Blue 10, Pigment Blue 14, Pigment Blue 60, Pigment Blue 61, Pigment Yellow 1, Pigment Yellow 3, Pigment Yellow 12, Pigment Yellow 13, Pigment Yellow 14, Pigment Yellow 17, Pigment Yellow 24, Pigment Yellow 55, Pigment Yellow 62, Pigment Yellow 63, Pigment Yellow 65, Pigment Yellow 73, Pigment Yellow 74, Pigment Yellow 81, Pigment Yellow 83, Pigment Yellow 93, Pigment Yellow 95, Pigment Yellow 97, Pigment Yellow 110, Pigment Yellow 111, Pigment Yellow 123, Pigment Yellow 126, Pigment Yellow 127, Pigment Yellow 139, Pigment Yellow 147, Pigment Yellow 150, Pigment Yellow 151, Pigment Yellow 154, Pigment Yellow 155, Pigment Yellow 168, Pigment Yellow 170, Pigment Yellow 174, Pigment Yellow 175, Pigment Yellow 176, Pigment Yellow 179, Pigment Yellow 180, Pigment Yellow 183, Pigment Yellow 185, Pigment Yellow 188, Pigment Yellow 191, Pigment Yellow 194, Pigment Yellow 214, Pigment Red 2, Pigment Red 3, Pigment Red 4, Pigment Red 5, Pigment Red 8, Pigment Red 9, Pigment Red 12, Pigment Red 13, Pigment Red 21, Pigment Red 22, Pigment Red 23, Pigment Red 31, Pigment Red 32, Pigment Red 48:1, Pigment Red 48:2, Pigment Red 48:3, Pigment Red 48:4, Pigment Red 49:1, Pigment Red 49:2, Pigment Red 52:1, Pigment Red 52:2, Pigment Red 53:1, Pigment Red 53:3, Pigment Red 57:1, Pigment Red 63:1, Pigment Red 81 , Pigment Red 1 12, Pigment Red 122, Pigment Red 123 , Pigment Red 144, Pigment Red 146, Pigment Red 149, Pigment Red 166, Pigment Red 169, Pigment Red 170, Pigment Red 171 , Pigment Red 175 , Pigment Red 176, Pigment Red 177, Pigment Red 178, Pigment Red 179, Pigment Red 1 84, Pigment Red 185 , Pigment Red 188, Pigment Red 1 89, Pigment Red

202, Pigment Red 208, Pigment Red 210, Pigment Red 224. Pigment Red 242, Pigment Red 245 , Pigment Red 254, Pigment Red 266, Pigment Red 268, Pigment Red 269, Pigment Orange 5 , Pigment Orange 13 , Pigment Orange 16, Pigment Orange 34, Pigment Orange 36, Pigment Orange 63 , Pigment Violet 1 , Pigment Violet 2, Pigment Violet 3 , Pigment Violet 19, Pigment Violet 23 , Pigment Violet 27, Pigment Green 7, Pigment Green 36, and the like. Suitable dyes include but are not limited to Yellow #5 Aluminum dye lake (SunCROMA), LITHOL Fast Yellow 0991 K (BASF); PALIOTOL Yellow 1 840 (BASF); NOVOPERM Yellow FGL (Clariant); FD&C Yellow 5 Al Lake (SunCROMA), PALIOGEN Violet 5 100 (BASF); PALIOGEN Violet 5890 (BASF); HELIOGEN Green L8730 (BASF); LITHOL Scarlet D3700 (BASF); SUNFAST Blue 15 :4 (Sun Chemical); Permanent Red P-F7RK; Hostaperm Violet BL (Clariant); LITHOL Scarlet 4440 (BASF); Bon Red C (Dominion Color Company); ORACET Pink RF (BASF); PALIOGEN Red 3871 K (BASF); NEOPEN Blue FF4012 (BASF); PV Fast Blue B2G01 (Clariant); IRGALITE Blue BCA (BASF); SUNFAST Blue 15 :3 (Sun Chemical); PALIOGEN Red 3340 (BASF); SUNFAST Carbazole Violet 23 (Sun Chemical); LITHOL Fast Scarlet L4300 (BASF); SUNBRITE Yellow 17 (Sun Chemical); HELIOGEN Blue L6900, L7020 (BASF); SUNBRITE Yellow 74 (Sun Chemical); SPECTRA PAC C Orange 16 (Sun Chemical); Hostaperm Blue B2G-D (Clariant); HELIOGEN Blue K6902, K6910 (BASF); SUNFAST Magenta 122 (Sun Chemical); HELIOGEN Blue D6840, D7080 (BASF); Sudan Blue OS (BASF); PALIOGEN Blue 6470 (BASF); Tartrazine yellow dye (ORCO), Sudan Orange G

(Aldrich), Sudan Orange 220 (BASF); Milliken Liquitint Agro Green ZA 6040, Milliken Green #6 - Experimental Green MM04201703A, Milliken Green #7- Experimental Green MM01201724A, ORCO Blue SI- MC/ORCO Yellow, PALIOGEN Orange 3040 (BASF); PALIOGEN Yellow 152, 1560 (BASF); Lumogen Yellow D0790 (BASF); Suco- Yellow L 1250 (BASF); Suco-Yellow D 1355 (BASF); Suco Fast Yellow DI 355 , DI 35 1 (BASF); HOSTAPERM Pink E 02 (Clariant); Hansa Brilliant Yellow 5GX03 (Clariant); Permanent Yellow GRL 02 (Clariant); Permanent Rubine L6B 05 (Clariant); FANAL Pink D4830 (BASF); CINQUASIA Magenta (DU PONT); PALIOGEN Black L0084 (BASF); Pigment Black K801 (BASF); and carbon blacks such as REGAF 330™ (Cabot), Carbon Black 5250, Carbon Black 5750 (Columbia Chemical), as well as mixtures thereof and the like.

Others

Bactericides are for example bronopol and isothiazolinone derivatives such as alkylisothiazolinones and benzisothiazolinones. Anti-foaming agents can be silicones, long chain alcohols, and salts of fatty acids.

Buffering materials e. g. are so that the pH of the redispersed material is from 4 to 9, more usually from 5 to 8 and particularly about 7.

Humectants are like polyoxyethylene/polyoxypropylene copolymers, particularly block copolymers, such as the Synperonic PE series of copolymers available from Uniqema. The non-ionic surfactants mentioned above as adjuvants may also act as humectants.

Fubricants can be stearates e. g. magnesium stearate, or boric acid.

Emulsifier can be useful in particular if the solid agrochemical composition contains a component that is not water-soluble, like an oil.

Process

Known conventional methods for preparing phytosanitary formulations in solid form may be implemented. It is possible to undertake this by simply mixing the constituents in solid form. That’s why the present invention aims at a process for the preparation of the solid agrochemical composition according to the invention and described above, wherein the at least one nitrification inhibitor, urease inhibitor or mixture thereof, and the at least one cationic polysaccharide derivative are mixed together.

When the solid agrochemical composition of the invention is in the form of granules, they are made by mixing the formulation components including sufficient granulation aid to form a paste having suitable rheology for granulation, forming granules from the mixture and then drying the granules. Desirably the formulation includes a filler and when used the composition of the formulation will usually be adjusted so that the composition can readily be formed into granules. A wide variety of granulation methods can be used, including extrusion, fluidized bed granulation, pan-granulation, spray drying and tableting. Powder granular formulations can be converted into granules of larger particle size by such processing methods or by adding moderate amount of water to the powder and mixing to agglomerate the powder into larger granules. In extrusion granulation the formulation will usually be made up as a pasty material that can readily extruded typically to give spaghetti like strands which are usually subsequently broken up into granules e. g. during drying. In fluidized bed granulation a mixture of the powdered components is fluidized in a fluidized bed and the mixture is sprayed with an aqueous mixture or solution of the liquid components. The particles agglomerate in the bed to form granules which are dried in the bed. In pan granulation, the solids are tumbled in a rotating inclined vessel and the liquid components sprayed on the particles which agglomerate to form granules which are dried either in the vessel or subsequently e. g. in a fluidized bed drier. In spray drying a flowable slurry or solution of all the components of the formulation is made and passed to a spray drier where the slurry or solution is atomized and dried. If necessary, a desired size range of particles is selected from the spray dried product and/or the product can be agglomerated e. g. in a fluidized bed, to form a granulate of the desired particle size range.

The solid agrochemical composition of the present invention is prepared on an as needed basis and is sufficiently stable, that is, a quiescent sample of the composition shows no evidence, by visual inspection, of stickiness leading to caking, crumbling leading to dust, within the anticipated time period. Ideally, granules are easily disintegrated upon dilution in water. Uses

Fertilizers, in one embodiment, are common water soluble inorganic fertilizers that provide nutrients such as phosphorus-based, nitrogen- based, potassium-based or sulphur-based fertilizers. Examples of such fertilizers include: for nitrogen as the nutrient: nitrates and or ammonium salts such as ammonium nitrate, including in combination with urea e.g. as Uram type materials, calcium ammonium nitrate, ammonium suphate nitrate, ammonium phosphates, particularly mono ammonium phosphate, di-ammonium phosphate and ammonium polyphosphate, ammonium sulphate, and the less commonly used calcium nitrate, sodium nitrate, potassium nitrate and ammonium chloride. It is understood that a fertilizer composition can comprise one or a combination of the fertilizers described herein. Suitable nitrogenous fertilizers are those containing a nitrogenous compound such as urea, nitrate salts, ammonium salt, or a mixture thereof, such as ammonium nitrate, ammonium sulfate, ammonium thiosulfate, ammonium polysulfide, ammonium phosphates, ammonium chloride, ammonium bicarbonate, anhydrous ammonia, calcium nitrate, nitrate soda, calcium cyanamide. In one embodiment, the nitrogenous fertilizer comprises ammonium nitrate. Suitable ammonium nitrate-containing fertilizers include, for example, UAN 18, UAN 28, UAN 30, and UAN 32.

In one aspect, described herein is a method of making a solid fertilizer composition comprising combining one or more solid nitrogenous fertilizer compounds with a composition comprising the solid agrochemical composition according to the invention.

In one embodiment, the contacting of the solid nitrogenous fertilizer composition with the solid agrochemical composition is conducted by, first dissolving/dispersing the solid agrochemical composition of the present invention, into at least one liquid/solvent in order to obtain a concentrated liquid composition and then spraying/coating said concentrated liquid composition on the particles of solid fertilizer composition. Optionally the resulting particles of solid fertilizer composition impregnated/coated with the concentrated liquid composition are dried.

The at least one liquid/solvent may be water or any other suitable solvent.

It is thus an object of the present invention solid fertilizer compositions comprising, based on 100 parts by weight of the composition: (i) up to about 99.99 parts by weight of one or more nitrogenous fertilizer solid compounds, and (ii) the solid agrochemical composition according to the invention.

Those solid fertilizer compositions may optionally contain (iii) a liquid/solvent, preferably water.

Said above described concentrated liquid composition obtained by dissolving/dispersing the solid agrochemical composition of the present invention, into at least one liquid/solvent may also be used to coat seeds. Thus in another aspect, described herein is a method of making a coated seed comprising combining one or more seeds with a composition comprising the solid agrochemical composition according to the invention.

In yet another aspect, described herein are seeds coated with a composition comprising the solid agrochemical composition according to the invention.

In another aspect, described herein is a method of making a liquid end use fertilizer composition comprising mixing : (i) an aqueous composition comprising one or more nitrogenous fertilizer compounds, and (ii) the solid agrochemical composition according to the invention.

In one embodiment, the fertilizer compound is in liquid form (aqueous composition) and the contacting of the fertilizer composition with the solid agrochemical composition according to the invention is conducted by dissolving or dispersing the agrochemical composition of the invention in the liquid fertilizer composition.

In one embodiment, the liquid end use fertilizer composition of the present invention is made by combining the solid agrochemical composition of the present invention with a concentrated liquid nitrogenous fertilizer to form a concentrated liquid nitrification- inhibited fertilizer composition and subsequently diluting the concentrated liquid nitrification- inhibited fertilizer composition with an aqueous medium, typically water in a ratio of up to about 500 pbw, more typically from about 10 to about 500 pbw and even more typically from about 100 to about 300 pbw, of the aqueous medium per 1 pbw concentrated liquid nitrogenous fertilizer composition.

In a further aspect, described herein is a liquid end use fertilizer composition comprising, based on 100 parts by weight of the composition: (i) up to about 99.99 parts by weight of an aqueous composition comprising one or more nitrogenous fertilizer compounds and (ii) the solid agrochemical composition according to the invention. In another aspect, described herein is a method for fertilizing target plants, comprising applying the solid agrochemical composition according to the invention, to the target plants or to an environment for the target plants:

a) Simultaneously to applying a composition comprising one or more nitrogenous fertilizer compounds, and/or

b) Before applying a composition comprising one or more nitrogenous fertilizer compounds, and/or

c) After applying a composition comprising one or more nitrogenous fertilizer compounds.

By“simultaneously”, it should be understood that the solid agrochemical composition according to the invention can be added independently or as a component of a composition comprising one or more nitrogenous fertilizer compounds, i.e. either in a dissolved or dispersed form in an aqueous composition comprising one or more nitrogenous fertilizer compounds, or in a blended form with a composition comprising one or more solid nitrogenous fertilizer compounds. In one embodiment, the method for fertilizing target plants, comprises applying a liquid end use fertilizer composition that comprises: (i) an aqueous composition comprising one or more nitrogenous fertilizer compounds and (ii) the solid agrochemical composition according to the invention, to the target plants or to an environment for the target plants. In one embodiment, the end use fertilizer composition is applied to target plants or to an environment for the target plants, i.e. , to ground on or within which the target plants are growing or to be grown, at a rate of from about 0.01 pounds to about 5 pounds of the fertilizer composition, more typically from about 0.05 pounds to about 2 pounds of the fertilizer composition, per 100 square feet of ground.

In one embodiment, the end use fertilizer composition is applied to target plants or to an environment for the target plants at a rate effective to provide a dosage of nitrogenous fertilizer compound of from about 0.01 pounds to about 5 pounds of fertilizer compound, more typically from about 0.05 pounds to 2 pounds of fertilizer compound, per 100 square feet of ground.

In another embodiment, the method for fertilizing target plants, comprises applying a solid fertilizer composition that comprises : (i) one or more solid nitrogenous fertilizer compounds, and (ii) the solid agrochemical composition according to the invention, to an environment for the target plants. In still another embodiment, the method for fertilizing target plants, comprises applying the solid agrochemical composition according to the invention to an environment for the target plants before or after applying one or more solid nitrogenous fertilizer compounds or an aqueous composition comprising one or more nitrogenous fertilizer compounds to the same an environment for the target plants.

In a further aspect, described herein is a method for increasing plant or crop yield and/or for improving the germination rate of a plant or crop the method comprising applying on or in a soil a composition comprising a solid agrochemical composition according to the invention.

In another aspect, described herein is a method for preventing soil erosion or water runoff of a soil, the method comprising applying on or in a soil a composition comprising a solid agrochemical composition according to the invention.

In a further aspect, described herein a method for increasing the growth of a plant which comprises at least a step to coat a seed of said plant with a composition comprising a solid agrochemical composition according to the invention.

Suitable coating techniques may be utilized to coat the seeds or agglomeration o f seed of compositions described herein. Equipment that may be utilized for coating can include but are not limited to drum coaters, rotary coaters, tumbling drums, fluidized beds and spouted beds, but any suitable equipment or technique may be employed. The seeds may be coated via a batch or continuous coating process. Last, it is still another aspect of the invention the use of the agrochemical composition according to the invention for fertilizing target plants and/or increasing plant or crop yield and/or improving the germination rate of a plant or crop and/or increasing the growth of a plant and/or for preventing soil erosion or water runoff of a soil.

The examples of implementation of the invention below are given purely by way of illustration, and could not in any way be limiting in nature.

EXAMPLES

In the below experimental part, the following compounds have been used:

1 . GRANULES

We prepare by extrusion 100 g of granules containing the cationic HP guar and NBPT and/or DCD as detailed in the below table.

5 We mix together NBPT and/or DCD and the guar (and optionally other powders such as NaHC0 ₃ , CaC0 ₃ , Kaolin, Geropon T/77 as detailed in the below table) using a mechanical powder mixer.

Then, we add drop by drop tap water (and/or other liquid such as a surfactant Rhodasurf TB 970 FLK or Soprophor TS/10 as detailed in the 10 below table) to form an agglomerated powder that we transfer to the extruder (Fujipodal granulator) to form small granules having a size of less than 3 mm.

We dry-extrude granules using an Aeromatic fluid bed dryer equipment until the dry content is between 96.0 and 99.5%.

15

* We heat Rhodasurf TB 970 FLK (flakes) up to about 60°C (to be melted) before adding on the mixture powder.

5 We obtain granules with satisfying aspect and dissolution rate in water.

2. POWDERS

A mixture of 100 g of NBPT and guar powders is homogenized for 30 min with a 3D agitator Turbula. These mixtures are stored in closed 10 samples and in opened cups exposed to humidity.

NBPT is monitored over time by HPLC . To do the HPLC analysis, the mixture of NBPT and Cationic guar is diluted in Rhodiasolv Li-Tec 2v right before analysis. In order to have the same NBPT content in Rhodiasolv Li-Tec 2v, dilution is performed at 0.075 wt% of A2, 0.083 15 wt% of B2, 0. 100 wt% of C2, 0. 150 wt% of D2, 0.300 wt% of E2 and 0.750 wt% of F2. The dilutions are stirred for 1 hour.

No significant degradation is observed at tO considering an uncertainty 20 of 10%.