New Agrochemical Formulations

The present invention is directed to solid compositions comprising

A) at least one pesticide P in solid form,

B) at least one alkyl polyglycoside,

C) optionally a water soluble carrier,

D) optionally a water insoluble carrier, wherein at least one carrier selected from water soluble carriers C) and water insoluble carriers D) is present and wherein the composition comprises at least one water insoluble pesticide P or at least one water insoluble carrier or both.

The present invention is further directed to methods for producing such compositions and for methods of using such compositions.

The efficacy and the handling of agrochemical active ingredients are significantly influenced by the composition in which they are provided. There is a constant demand for improved compositions of pesticides that allow efficient use of pesticides and that are easy to handle and to apply by the farmer. One common way of applying concentrated pesticidal compositions involves the preparation of a spray liquid from such concentrated composition. The spray liquid is also referred to as spray solution or spray liquor. Normally, this is done by contacting (diluting) concentrated pesticidal compositions with water, typically under stirring. When solid and water insoluble components are present in such concentrated compositions, it is important that such water insoluble components do not agglomerate or separate but stay homogenously distributed in the spray liquid over a sufficiently long period of time. Otherwise, there is the risk that the spraying devices may be blocked or that the composition is applied to the field in an uneven manner. In recent years, this problem has become even more prominent with the increased use of drones. Drones typically have a small storage tank for the spray solution so that the spray solution often comprises a high loading of the pesticides. This poses difficult challenges for the preparation of stable compositions. In addition, the storage tanks in drones normally do not comprise a stirring device, making it more difficult to provide compositions that form stable spray solutions over the required time period.

It was therefore the objective of the present invention to provide solid compositions comprising water insoluble components, especially one or more water insoluble pesticides, that remain homogenous in the spray solution.

This objective has been achieved by an solid composition comprising

A) at least one pesticide P in solid form,

B) at least one alkyl polyglycoside, C) optionally a water soluble carrier,

D) optionally a water insoluble carrier, wherein at least one carrier selected from water soluble carriers C) and water insoluble carriers D) is present and wherein the composition comprises at least one water insoluble pesticide P or at least one water insoluble carrier or both.

In one embodiment, solid compositions of the invention comprise

A) at least one pesticide P in solid form, where pesticide P is water insoluble,

B) at least one alkyl polyglycoside,

C) a water soluble carrier,

D) optionally a water insoluble carrier.

In one embodiment, solid compositions of the invention comprise

A) at least one pesticide P in solid form, where pesticide P is water insoluble,

B) at least one alkyl polyglycoside,

C) a water soluble carrier.

In one embodiment, solid compositions of the invention comprise

A) at least one pesticide P in solid form, where pesticide P is water insoluble,

B) at least one alkyl polyglycoside,

C) a water soluble carrier, with the proviso that said solid composition does not comprise any water soluble pesticides.

In one embodiment, solid compositions of the invention comprise

A) at least one pesticide P in solid form,

B) at least one alkyl polyglycoside,

C) a water soluble carrier,

D) optionally a water insoluble carrier.

In one embodiment, solid compositions of the invention comprise

A) at least one water insoluble pesticide P in solid form,

B) at least one alkyl polyglycoside,

C) a water soluble carrier,

D) optionally a water insoluble carrier.

In one embodiment, solid compositions of the invention comprise

A) at least one water soluble pesticide P and in solid form,

B) at least one alkyl polyglycoside, C) optionally a water soluble carrier,

D) a water insoluble carrier.

In one embodiment, compositions of the invention comprise

A) at least one water soluble pesticide P and no water insoluble pesticide in solid form,

B) at least one alkyl polyglycoside,

C) optionally a water soluble carrier,

D) a water insoluble carrier.

In one embodiment, solid compositions of the invention comprise

A) at least one pesticide P in solid form, where pesticide P is water insoluble and where pesticide P does not comprise any sulfonyl urea herbicides,

B) at least one alkyl polyglycoside,

C) a water soluble carrier,

D) optionally a water insoluble carrier.

In one embodiment, solid compositions of the invention comprise

A) at least one pesticide P in solid form, where pesticide P is water insoluble and where pesticide P does not comprise any sulfonyl urea herbicides,

B) at least one alkyl polyglycoside,

C) a water soluble carrier.

In one embodiment, solid compositions of the invention comprise

A) at least one pesticide P in solid form, where pesticide P is water insoluble and where pesticide P does not comprise any sulfonyl urea herbicides,

B) at least one alkyl polyglycoside,

C) a water soluble carrier, with the proviso that said solid composition does not comprise any water soluble pesticides.

In one embodiment, solid compositions of the invention comprise

A) at least one pesticide P in solid form and where pesticide P does not comprise any sulfonyl urea herbicides,

B) at least one alkyl polyglycoside,

C) a water soluble carrier,

D) optionally a water insoluble carrier.

In one embodiment, solid compositions of the invention comprise A) at least one water insoluble pesticide P in solid form and where pesticide P does not comprise any sulfonyl urea herbicides,

B) at least one alkyl polyglycoside,

C) a water soluble carrier,

D) optionally a water insoluble carrier.

In one embodiment, solid compositions of the invention comprise

A) at least one water soluble pesticide P and in solid form and where pesticide P does not comprise any sulfonyl urea herbicides,

B) at least one alkyl polyglycoside,

C) optionally a water soluble carrier,

D) a water insoluble carrier.

In one embodiment, compositions of the invention comprise

A) at least one water soluble pesticide P and no water insoluble pesticide in solid form and where pesticide P does not comprise any sulfonyl urea herbicides,

B) at least one alkyl polyglycoside,

C) optionally a water soluble carrier,

D) a water insoluble carrier.

Herein, the terms “compositions” and “formulations” are used synonymously.

When reference is made herein to a state of aggregation (e.g. “solid state”) or to other physical parameters like solubilities, this shall be, unless stated otherwise, at a temperature of 20 °C. Preferably, compositions of the invention are granular compositions. Preferably, compositions of the invention comprise granules having an average size D50 from 0.05 to 10 mm, preferably from 0.1 to 5 mm, more preferably 1 to 5 mm. The granules typically have an average particle size D90 from 0.1 to 15 mm, preferably from 0.3 to 7 mm, more preferably 1 to 5 mm. The average size of granules can for example be determined by sieving screens.

When compositions of the inventions are granular compositions, such granules in one embodiment comprise solid particles of at least one pesticide P. Such particles of pesticide P typically have an average diameter d50 of 2 to 6 pm, preferably 2.5 to 4.5 pm. Particle size distributions of solid particles as recited herein are determined by statistic laser scattering using a Malvern Mastersizer 200 according to European norm ISO 13320 EN.

Preferably, solid compositions of the invention are agrochemical compositions. In one embodiment, compositions of the invention, in particular granular compositions of the inventions, are water dispersible. Upon mixing with water, compositions of the inventions typically yield dispersions of solid particles in water.

In one embodiment, compositions of the invention are WG formulations, also referred to as “water dispersible granules”.

In one embodiment, compositions of the invention are WP formulations, also referred to as “wettable powders”.

Compositions of the invention comprise at least one pesticide P.

The term pesticides refers to at least one active substance selected from the group of the fungicides, insecticides, nematicides, herbicides, safeners and/or growth regulators.

Pesticide P can in principle be any kind of pesticide, provided it is solid at 30 °C. Pesticide P is typically present in granular or particulate form or as a powder. Preferably, pesticide P is chemically stable in granular state, meaning it does not chemically decay under the conditions of standard granules, meaning it is stable with respect to oxidation and moisture content of up to 1wt% in the granules. “Stable” in this context means that less than 1 wt% of the pesticides decay in 1 week.

Preferred pesticides P are fungicides, insecticides, herbicides and growth regulators. In one embodiment, pesticides P are insecticides. In one embodiment, pesticides P are fungicides. In one embodiment, pesticides P are herbicides. Mixtures of pesticides from two or more of the abovementioned classes may also be used. The skilled worker is familiar with such pesticides, which can be found, for example, in Pesticide Manual, 15th Ed. (2009), The British Crop Protection Council, London.

Pesticide P may have a melting point of at least 30 °C, preferably at least 45 °C and in particular of at least 60 °C. In case the composition contains a mixture of pesticides usually all pesticides may have a melting point of at least 30 °C, preferably at least 45 °C and in particular of at least 60 °C.

Suitable insecticides include insecticides from the class of the carbamates, organophosphates, organochlorine insecticides, phenylpyrazoles, pyrethroids, neonicotinoids, spinosins, avermectins, milbemycins, juvenile hormone analogs, alkyl halides, organotin compounds nereistoxin analogs, benzoylureas, diacylhydrazines, METI acarizides, and insecticides such as chloropicrin, pymetrozin, flonicamid, clofentezin, hexythiazox, etoxazole, diafenthiuron, propargite, tetra- difon, chlorofenapyr, DNOC, buprofezine, cyromazine, amitraz, hydramethylnon, acequinocyl, fluacrypyrim, rotenone, or their derivatives. Suitable fungicides include fungicides from the classes of dinitroanilines, allylamines, anilinopyrimidines, antibiotics, aromatic hydrocarbons, benzenesulfonamides, benzimidazoles, benzisothiazoles, benzophenones, benzothiadiazoles, benzotriazines, benzyl carbamates, carbamates, carboxamides, carboxylic acid diamides, chloronitriles cyanoacetamide oximes, cyanoimidazoles, cyclopropanecarboxamides, dicarboximides, dihydrodioxazines, dinitrophenyl crotonates, dithiocarbamates, dithiolanes, ethylphosphonates, ethylaminothiazolecarboxamides, guanidines, hydroxy-(2-amino)pyrimidines, hydroxyanilides, imidazoles, imidazolinones, inorganic substances, isobenzofuranones, methoxyacrylates, methoxycarbamates, morpholines, N-phenylcarbamates, oxazolidinediones, oxi mi noacetates, oximinoacetamides, peptidylpyrimidine nucleosides, phenylacetamides, phenylamides, phenylpyrroles, phenylureas, phosphonates, phosphorothiolates, phthalamic acids, phthalimides, piperazines, piperidines, propionamides, pyridazinones, pyridines, pyridinylmethylbenzamides, pyrimidinamines, pyrimidines, pyrimidinonehydrazones, pyrroloquinolinones, quinazolinones, quinolines, quinones, sulfamides, sulfamoyltriazoles, thiazolecarboxamides, thiocarbamates, thiophanates, thiophenecarboxamides, toluamides, triphenyltin compounds, triazines, triazoles. Suitable herbicides include herbicides from the classes of the acetamides, amides, aryloxyphenoxypropionates, benzamides, benzofuran, benzoic acids, benzothiadiazinones, bipyridylium, carbamates, chloroacetamides, chlorocarboxylic acids, cyclohexanediones, dinitroanilines, dinitrophenol, diphenyl ether, glycines, imidazolinones, isoxazoles, isoxazolidinones, nitriles, N- phenylphthalimides, oxadiazoles, oxazolidinediones, oxyacetamides, phenoxycarboxylic acids, phenylcarbamates, phenylpyrazoles, phenylpyrazolines, phenylpyridazines, phosphinic acids, phosphoroamidates, phosphorodithioates, phthalamates, pyrazoles, pyridazinones, pyridines, pyridinecarboxylic acids, pyridinecarboxamides, pyrimidinediones, pyrimidinyl(thio)benzoates, quinolinecarboxylic acids, semicarbazones, sulfonylaminocarbonyltriazolinones, tetrazolinones, thiadiazoles, thiocarbamates, triazines, triazinones, triazoles, triazolinones, triazolocarbox- amides, triazolopyrimidines, triketones, uracils, ureas.

The composition may comprise one or more pesticides.

The following pesticides are suitable, by way of example (pesticides A) to K) are fungicides): A) Respiration inhibitors

- complex-lll-inhibitors at the Q ₀ -site (for example strobilurins): azoxystrobin, coumeth- oxystrobin, coumoxystrobin, dimoxystrobin, enestroburin, fenaminstrobin, fenoxy- strobin/flufenoxystrobin, fluoxastrobin, kresoxim-methyl, metominostrobin, orysastrobin, picoxystrobin, pyraclostrobin, pyrametostrobin, pyraoxystrobin, trifloxystrobin, methyl 2-[2- (2,5-dimethylphenyloxymethyl)phenyl]-3-methoxyacrylate, 2-(2-(3-(2,6-dichlorophenyl)-1- methylallylideneaminooxymethyl)phenyl)-2-methoxyimino-N-meth ylacetamide, pyribencarb, triclopyricarb/chlorodincarb, famoxadon, fenamidon;

- complex-lll-inhibitors at the Qj-site: cyazofamid, amisulbrom; - complex-l l-inhibitors (for example carboxamides): benodanil, bixafen, boscalid, carboxin, fenfuram, fluopyram, flutolanil, fluxapyroxad, furametpyr, mepronil, oxycarboxin, penflufen, penthiopyrad, sedaxane, tecloftalam, thifluzamide, N-(4'-trifluoromethylthiobiphenyl-2-yl)-3- difluoromethyl-1-methyl-1 H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide, N-(2-(1 ,3,3-trimethylbutyl)phenyl)-1 ,3- dimethyl-5-fluoro-1 H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide and N-[9-(dichloromethylene)-1 ,2,3,4- tetrahydro-1,4-methanonaphthalen-5-yl]-3-(difluoromethyl)-1- methyl-1 H-pyrazole-4- carboxamide;

- other respiration inhibitors (for example complex I, decouplers): diflumetorim; nitrophenyl derivatives: binapacryl, dinobuton, dinocap, fluazinam; ferimzone; organometal compounds: fentin salts such as fentin acetate, fentin chloride or fentine hydroxide; ametoctradin; and silthiofam;

B) Sterol biosynthesis inhibitors (SBI fungicides)

- C14-demethylase inhibitors (DMI fungicides): triazoles: azaconazole, bitertanol, bromucona- zole, cyproconazole, difenoconazole, diniconazole, diniconazole-M, epoxiconazole, fenbu- conazole, fluquinconazole, flusilazole, flutriafol, hexaconazole, imibenconazole, ipconazole, metconazole, myclobutanil, oxpoconazole, paclobutrazole, penconazole, propiconazole, prothioconazole, simeconazole, tebuconazole, tetraconazole, triadimefon, triadimenol, triti- conazole, uniconazole; imidazoles: imazalil, pefurazoate, prochloraz, triflumizole; pyrimidines, pyridines and piperazines: fenarimol, nuarimol, pyrifenox, triforine;

- delta 14-reductase inhibitors: aldimorph, dodemorph, dodemorph acetate, fenpropimorph, tridemorph, fenpropidin, piperalin, spiroxamine;

- 3-ketoreductase inhibitors: fenhexamid;

C) Nucleic acid synthesis inhibitors

- phenylamides or acylamino acid fungicides: benalaxyl, benalaxyl-m, kiralaxyl, metalaxyl, metalaxyl-M (mefenoxam), ofurace, oxadixyl;

- others: hymexazole, octhilinone, oxolinic acid, bupirimate;

D) Cell division and cytoskeleton inhibitors

- tubulin inhibitors such as benzimidazoles, thiophanates: benomyl, carbendazim, fuber- idazole, thiabendazole, thiophanate-methyl; triazolopyrimidines: 5-chloro-7-(4-methyl- piperidin-1-yl)-6-(2,4,6-trifluorophenyl)-[1 ,2,4]triazolo[1 ,5-a]pyrimidine;

- further cell division inhibitors: diethofencarb, ethaboxam, pencycuron, fluopicolid, zoxamid, metrafenon, pyriofenon;

E) Amino acid synthesis and protein synthesis inhibitors

- methionine synthesis inhibitors (anilinopyrimidines): cyprodinil, mepanipyrim, pyrimethanil;

- protein synthesis inhibitors: blasticidin-S, kasugamycin, kasugamycin hydrochloride hydrate, mildiomycin, streptomycin, oxytetracyclin, polyoxin, validamycin A;

F) Signal transduction inhibitors

- MAP/histidine kinase inhibitors: fluoroimide, iprodione, procymidone, vinclozolin, fenpiclonil, fludioxonil;

- G-protein inhibitors: quinoxyfen;

G) Lipid and membrane synthesis inhibitors

- phospholipid biosynthesis inhibitors: edifenphos, iprobenfos, pyrazophos, isoprothiolane;

- lipid peroxidation: dicloran, quintozene, tecnazene, tolclofos-methyl, biphenyl, chloroneb, etridiazole;

- phospholipid biosynthesis and cell wall attachment: dimethomorph, flumorph, mandipropa- mid, pyrimorph, benthiavalicarb, iprovalicarb, valifenalate and 4-fluorophenyl N-(1-(1-(4- cyanophenyl)ethanesulfonyl)but-2-yl)carbamate;

- compounds which affect cell membrane permeability and fatty acids: propamocarb, pro- pamocarb hydrochloride

H) “Multi-site” inhibitors

- inorganic active substances: Bordeaux mixture, copper acetate, copper hydroxide, copper oxychloride, basic copper sulfate, sulfur;

- thio- and dithiocarbamates: ferbam, mancozeb, maneb, metam, metiram, propineb, thiram, zineb, ziram;

- organochlorine compounds (for example phthalimides, sulfamides, chloronitriles): anilazine, chlorothalonil, captafol, captan, folpet, dichlofluanid, dichlorophen, flusulfamide, hexachlorobenzene, pentachlorophenol and its salts, phthalid, tolylfluanid, N-(4-chloro-2-nitrophenyl)-N-ethyl-4-methylbenzenesulfonamid e;

- guanidines and others: guanidine, dodine, dodine-free base, guazatin, guazatin acetate, iminoctadin, iminoctadin triacetate, iminoctadin tris(albesilate), dithianon;

I) Cell wall biosynthesis inhibitors

- glucan synthesis inhibitors: validamycin, polyoxin B; melanin synthesis inhibitors: pyroquilon, tricyclazole, carpropamid, dicyclomet, fenoxanil;

J) Resistance inductors

- acibenzolar-S-methyl, probenazol, isotianil, tiadinil, prohexadione-calcium; phosphonates: fosetyl, fosetyl-aluminum, phosphorous acid and its salts;

K) Unknown mode of action

- bronopol, quinomethionate, cyflufenamid, cymoxanil, dazomet, debacarb, diclomezin, difen- zoquat, difenzoquat-methyl sulfate, diphenylamine, fenpyrazamine, flumetover, flusulfamid, flutianil, methasulfocarb, nitrapyrin, nitrothal-isopropyl, oxine-copper, proquinazid, tebuflo- quin, tecloftalam, triazoxide, 2-butoxy-6-iodo-3-propylchromene-4-one, N- (cyclopropylmethoxyimino-(6-difluoromethoxy-2,3-difluorophen yl)methyl)-2-phenyl- acetamide, N'-(4-(4-chloro-3-trifluoromethylphenoxy)-2,5-dimethylphenyl )-N-ethyl-N- methylformamidine, N'-(4-(4-fluoro-3-trifluoromethylphenoxy)-2,5-dimethylphenyl )-N-ethyl-N- methylformamidine, N'-(2-methyl-5-trifluoromethyl-4-(3-trimethylsilanylpropoxy) phenyl)-N- ethyl-N-methylformamidine, N'-(5-difluoromethyl-2-methyl-4-(3-trimethylsilanylpropoxy)- phenyl)-N-ethyl-N-methylformamidine, N-methyl-(1 ,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalen-1-yl)-2-{1-[2- (5-methyl-3-trifluoromethylpyrazol-1-yl)acetyl]piperidin-4-y l}thiazole-4-carboxamide, N- methyl-(R)-1 ,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalen-1-yl 2-{1-[2-(5-methyl-3-trifluoromethylpyrazol-1-yl)- acetyl]piperidin-4-yl}thiazole-4-carboxamide, 1-[4-[4-[5-(2,6-difluorophenyl)-4,5-dihydro-3- isoxazolyl]-2-thiazolyl]-1-piperidinyl]-2-[5-methyl-3-(trifl uoromethyl)-1 H-pyrazol-1- yl]ethanone, 6-tert.-butyl-8-fluoro-2,3-dimethylquinolin-4-yl methoxyacetate, /V-methyl-2-{1- [(5-methyl-3-trifluoromethyl-1 H-pyrazol-1 -yl)acetyl]piperidin-4-yl}- /-[(1 R)-1 ,2,3,4- tetrahydronaphthalen-1-yl]-4-thiazolecarboxamide, 3-[5-(4-methylphenyl)-2,3- dimethylisoxazolidin-3-yl]-pyridine, 3-[5-(4-chlorophenyl)-2,3-dimethylisoxazolidin-3-yl]- pyridine (pyrisoxazol), N-(6-methoxypyridin-3-yl) cyclopropanecarboxamide, 5-chloro-1-(4,6- dimethoxypyrimidin-2-yl)-2-methyl-1 H-benzoimidazole, 2-(4-chlorophenyl)-N-[4-(3,4-di- methoxyphenyl)isoxazol-5-yl]-2-prop-2-ynyloxyacetamide;

M) Growth regulators

- abscisic acid, amidochlor, ancymidole, 6-benzylaminopurine, brassinolide, butralin, chlormequat (chlormequat chloride), choline chloride, cyclanilid, daminozide, dikegulac, dime- thipin, 2,6-dimethylpuridine, ethephon, flumetralin, flurprimidol, fluthiacet, forchlorfenuron, gibberellic acid, inabenfid, indole-3-acetic acid, maleic hydrazide, mefluidid, mepiquat (mepiquat chloride), metconazole, naphthaleneacetic acid, N-6-benzyladenine, paclobutrazole, prohexa- dione (prohexadione-calcium), prohydrojasmone, thidiazuron, triapenthenol, tribu- tylphosphorotrithioate, 2,3,5-triiodobenzoic acid, trinexapac-ethyl and uniconazole;

N) Herbicides

- acetamides: acetochlor, alachlor, butachlor, dimethachlor, dimethenamid, flufenacet, mefe- nacet, metolachlor, metazachlor, napropamid, naproanilid, pethoxamid, pretilachlor, propachlor, thenylchlor;

- amino acid analogs: bilanafos, glyphosate, glufosinate, sulfosate;

- aryloxyphenoxypropionates: clodinafop, cyhalofop-butyl, fenoxaprop, fluazifop, haloxyfop, metamifop, propaquizafop, quizalofop, quizalofop-P-tefuryl;

- bipyridyls: diquat, paraquat;

- carbamates and thiocarbamates: asulam, butylate, carbetamide, desmedipham, dimepiperat, eptam (EPTC), esprocarb, molinate, orbencarb, phenmedipham, prosulfocarb, pyributicarb, thiobencarb, triallate;

- cyclohexanediones: butroxydim, clethodim, cycloxydim, profoxydim, sethoxydim, tepralox- ydim, tralkoxydim;

- dinitroanilines: benfluralin, ethalfluralin, oryzalin, pendimethalin, prodiamine, trifluralin;

- diphenyl ethers: acifluorfen, aclonifen, bifenox, diclofop, ethoxyfen, fomesafen, lactofen, oxyfluorfen;

- hydroxybenzonitriles: bromoxynil, dichlobenil, ioxynil;

- imidazolinones: imazamethabenz, imazamox, imazapic, imazapyr, imazaquin, imazethapyr; - phenoxyacetic acids: clomeprop, 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), 2,4-DB, dichlorprop, MCPA, MCPA-thioethyl, MCPB, mecoprop;

- pyrazines: chloridazon, flufenpyr-ethyl, fluthiacet, norflurazon, pyridate;

- pyridines: aminopyralid, clopyralid, diflufenican, dithiopyr, fluridone, fluroxypyr, picloram, pico- linafen, thiazopyr;

- triazines: ametryne, atrazine, cyanazine, dimethametryne, ethiozine, hexazinone, metamitron, metribuzine, prometryne, simazine, terbuthylazine, terbutryne, triaziflam;

- ureas: chlortoluron, daimuron, diuron, fluometuron, isoproturon, linuron, methabenzthiazuron, tebuthiuron;

- other acetolactate synthase inhibitors: bispyribac-sodium, cloransulam-methyl, diclosulam, florasulam, flucarbazone, flumetsulam, metosulam, orthosulfamuron, penoxsulam, propoxycarbazone, pyribambenz-propyl, pyribenzoxim, pyriftalide, pyriminobac-methyl, pyrim- isulfan, pyrithiobac, pyroxasulfon, pyroxsulam;

- others: amicarbazone, aminotriazole, anilofos, beflubutamid, benazolin, bencarbazone, ben- fluresate, benzofenap, bentazone, benzobicyclon, bromacil, bromobutide, butafenacil, bu- tamifos, cafenstrole, carfentrazone, cinidon-ethyl, chlorthal, cinmethylin, clomazone, cumylu- ron, cyprosulfamid, dicamba, difenzoquat, diflufenzopyr, Drechslera monoceras, endothal, ethofumesate, etobenzanid, fentrazamide, flumiclorac-pentyl, flumioxazin, flupoxam, fluoro- chloridon, flurtamon, indanofan, isoxaben, isoxaflutol, lenacil, propanil, propyzamide, quin- clorac, quinmerac, mesotrione, methylarsenic acid, naptalam, oxadiargyl, oxadiazone, oxazi- clomefon, pentoxazone, pinoxaden, pyraclonil, pyraflufen-ethyl, pyrasulfotol, pyrazoxyfen, py- razolynate, quinoclamin, saflufenacil, sulcotrione, sulfentrazone, terbacil, tefuryltrione, tem- botrione, thiencarbazone, topramezone, 4-hydroxy-3-[2-(2-methoxyethoxymethyl)-6- trifluoromethylpyridin-3-carbonyl]bicyclo[3.2.1]oct-3-en-2-o ne, ethyl (3-[2-chloro-4-fluoro-5-(3- methyl-2,6-dioxo-4-trifluoromethyl-3,6-dihydro-2H-pyrimidin- 1-yl)phenoxy]pyridin-2- yloxy)acetate, methyl 6-amino-5-chloro-2-cyclopropylpyrimidine-4-carboxylate, 6-chloro-3-(2- cyclopropyl-6-methylphenoxy)pyridazin-4-ol, 4-amino-3-chloro-6-(4-chlorophenyl)-5- fluoropyridin-2-carboxylic acid, methyl 4-amino-3-chloro-6-(4-chloro-2-fluoro-3-methoxy- phenyl)pyridin-2-carboxylate and methyl 4-amino-3-chloro-6-(4-chloro-3-dimethylamino-2- fluorophenyl)pyridin-2-carboxylate;

O) Insecticides

- organo(thio)phosphates: acephate, azamethiphos, azinphos-methyl, chlorpyrifos, chlorpyri- fos-methyl, chlorfenvinphos, diazinon, dichlorvos, dicrotophos, dimethoate, disulfoton, ethi- on, fenitrothion, fenthion, isoxathion, malathion, methamidophos, methidathion, methyl- parathion, mevinphos, monocrotophos, oxydemeton-methyl, paraoxon, parathion, phentho- ate, phosalone, phosmet, phosphamidon, phorate, phoxim, pirimiphos-methyl, profenofos, prothiofos, sulprophos, tetrachlorvinphos, terbufos, triazophos, trichlorfon;

- carbamates: alanycarb, aldicarb, bendiocarb, benfuracarb, carbaryl, carbofuran, carbosul- fan, fenoxycarb, furathiocarb, methiocarb, methomyl, oxamyl, pirimicarb, propoxur, thiodicarb, triazamate;

- pyrethroids: allethrin, bifenthrin, cyfluthrin, cyhalothrin, cyphenothrin, cypermethrin, alpha- cypermethrin, beta-cypermethrin, zeta-cypermethrin, deltamethrin, esfenvalerate, etofenprox, fenpropathrin, fenvalerate, imiprothrin, lambda-cyhalothrin, permethrin, prallethrin, pyrethrin I and II, resmethrin, silafluofen, tau-fluvalinate, tefluthrin, tetramethrin, tralomethrin, transfluthrin, profluthrin, dimefluthrin,

- insect growth inhibitors: a) chitin synthesis inhibitors: benzoylureas: chlorfluazuron, cy- ramazin, diflubenzuron, flucycloxuron, flufenoxuron, hexaflumuron, lufenuron, novaluron, teflubenzuron, triflumuron; buprofezin, diofenolan, hexythiazox, etoxazole, clofentazin; b) ecdysone antagonists: halofenozide, methoxyfenozide, tebufenozide, azadirachtin; c) juve- noids: pyriproxyfen, methoprene, fenoxycarb; d) lipid biosynthesis inhibitors: spirodiclofen, spiromesifen, spirotetramate;

- nicotine receptor agonists/antagonists: clothianidin, dinotefuran, imidacloprid, thiamethoxam, nitenpyram, acetamiprid, thiacloprid, 1-(2-chlorothiazol-5-ylmethyl)-2-nitrimino-3,5-dimethyl- [1,3,5]triazinane;

- GABA antagonists: endosulfan, ethiprole, fipronil, vaniliprole, pyrafluprole, pyriprole, N-5-amino-1-(2,6-dichloro-4-methylphenyl)-4-sulfinamoyl-1H-p yrazole-3-thiocarboxamide;

- macrocyclic lactones: abamectin, emamectin, milbemectin, lepimectin, spinosad, spineto- ram;

- mitochondrial electron transport chain inhibitor (METI) I acaricides: fenazaquin, pyridaben, tebufenpyrad, tolfenpyrad, flufenerim;

- METI II and III substances: acequinocyl, fluacyprim, hydramethylnone;

- decouplers: chlorfenapyr;

- inhibitors of oxidative phosphorylation: cyhexatin, diafenthiuron, fenbutatin oxide, propargite;

- insect ecdysis inhibitors: cryomazine;

- ‘mixed function oxidase’ inhibitors: piperonyl butoxide;

- sodium channel blockers: indoxacarb, metaflumizone;

- others: benclothiaz, bifenazate, cartap, flonicamid, pyridalyl, pymetrozin, sulfur, thiocyclam, flubendiamide, chlorantraniliprole, cyazypyr (HGW86); cyenopyrafen, flupyrazofos, cyflumetofen, amidoflumet, imicyafos, bistrifluron and pyrifluquinazone.

In one embodiment, pesticide P does not comprise any sulfonyl urea herbicides.

In one embodiment, pesticide P does not comprise any Isopyrazam.

In one embodiment, pesticide P is water insoluble. The term “water insoluble” as used herein means that a component has a solubility in water at 20 °C and at neutral pH of 10 g/l or less, preferably 1 g/l or less or of 0.1 g/l or less or of 0.01 g/l or less.

In one embodiment, all pesticides P comprised in compositions of the invention are water soluble, meaning they have a solubility in water of more than 10 g/ 1 at 20 °C at neutral pH. Compositions of the invention comprising only water soluble pesticides P comprise other water insoluble components such as water insoluble carriers as described below.

Preferably, pesticide P is selected from pyraclostrobin, metyltetraprol, fluxapyroxad, saflufenacil, fenmezoditiaz, mefentrifluconazole, broflanilide, dimpropyridaz, afidopyropen, alpha- cypermethrin, fipronil, cyflumetofen, boscalid, epoxiconazole, metconazole, metrafenone, prothioconazole, bentazone, dimethenamide, tembotrione, trifludimoxazin, or mixtures thereof.

In one embodiment, pesticide P is broflanilide, fenmezoditiaz, alpha-cypermethrin or a mixture thereof.

In one embodiment, pesticide P is broflanilide. In one embodiment, pesticide P is a mesoionic compound. In one embodiment, pesticide P is fenmezoditiaz. In one embodiment, pesticide P is alpha-cypermethrin.

Typically, solid compositions of the invention comprise 1 to 70, preferably 5 to 60 wt% of pesticide P. In one embodiment, solid compositions of the invention comprise 10 to 50 wt% of pesticide P.

Compositions of the invention further comprise alkyl polyglycoside as component B). Alkyl polyglycosides are also referred to as “APGs”.

APGs contain an polysaccharide backbone that is partly etherified with fatty alcohols.

APGs can be characterized by the structure of the glycoside units, the type of fatty alcohol, the degree of etherification with fatty alcohols and the degree of polymerization with respect to the glycoside units, i.e. the average number of glycoside units per molecule.

Preferred APGs are alkyl polyglucosides. Polyglucosides are polyglycosides based on glucose. Glucose is also called dextrose.

Typically, the fatty alcohols comprised in APGs in etherified form are C6 to C18 fatty alcohol, preferably C8 to C16 fatty alcohols. In one embodiment, such fatty alcohols are C8-C10 alco- hols. In one embodiment, such fatty alcohols are C9 to C11 alcohols. In one embodiment, such fatty alcohols are C12-C14 alcohols. In one embodiment, such fatty alcohols are C12-C16 alcohols.

In one embodiment, APGs comprise a number average of 0.5 to 1.5 etherified fatty alcohols per molecule. In one embodiment, APGs comprise a number average of 0.8 to 1 .2 etherified fatty alcohols per molecule. In one embodiment, APGs comprise a number average of 0.9 to 1.1 etherified fatty alcohols per molecule.

In one embodiment, APGs comprise a number average of 1 to 5 monoglycoside units, preferably 1.3 to 2 and more preferably 1 .4 to 1 .7.

Typically, suitable APGs have an HLB value of 11 to 15, preferably 11 .5 to 14.

In one embodiment, APGs have the following structure:

Alkyl Polyglucoside with n being a number average from 7 to 17, preferably 7 to 15 and m being a number from 1 to 5, preferably 1.3 to 2, more preferably 1.4 to 1.7. n and m are number averages.

For example, APGs with the following characteristics are suitable:

Alkyl glycosides are typically produced by combining a sugar such as glucose with a fatty alcohol in the presence of acid catalysts at elevated temperatures.

APGs are in one embodiment obtained from renewable resources. For example, the sugar component can be obtained from sugar beet or sugar cane or from starch, e.g. corn starch. Fatty alcohols can for example be obtained from natural oils or fats, e.g. coconut or palm oil.

APGs are in one embodiment obtained through hydrolysis of polysaccharides starch (e.g. corn starch) to obtain short polyglycoside fragments, and reacting such short polyglycoside fragments with fatty alcohols. In one embodiment, APGs are obtained from starch and fat as raw materials. In one embodiment, APGs are obtained from sugars, e.g. from sugar beet or sugar cane, and fatty alcohols, e.g. from palm oil, coconut.

Typically, APGs are comprised in compositions of the invention in an amount of 2 to 15 wt%, preferably 5 to 12 wt%, in each case based on the solid composition.

Suitable APGs are in one embodiment liquid at 20°C. It was a surprising finding of the present invention that liquid APGs are suitable for solid compositions of the invention.

Compositions of the invention may further comprise a water soluble carrier as component C). In one embodiment, water suitable carriers comprise inorganic salts (e.g. ammonium sulfate, ammonium phosphate, ammonium nitrate, sodium chloride), ureas (especially urea), sugars, e.g. mono- or di-saccharides, oligosaccharides.

When used herein in the context of carriers, “sugars” shall mean sugars that are solid and that are not etherified with fatty alcohols. “Sugars” or “mono- or di-saccharides”, “oligosaccharides” when used in this context shall not include APGs.

In one embodiment, the water soluble carrier comprises inorganic salts. Suitable water soluble inorganic salts include ammonium sulfate, ammonium phosphate and ammonium nitrate.

In one embodiment, the water soluble carrier comprises a urea. In one embodiment, the water soluble carrier comprises urea.

In one embodiment, the water soluble carrier comprises a sugar, such as mono- or disaccharides (e.g. lactose, fructose, saccharose, maltose, glucose), especially disaccharides, such as lactose. Mixtures of sugars are also possible. More preferred sugars are lactose, fructose, saccharose, maltose, glucose, or mixtures thereof.

In one less preferred embodiment, the water soluble carrier comprises a water soluble organic polymer like polyvinylpyrrolidone (“PVP”).

“Carriers” comprised in solid formulations are sometimes also referred to as “fillers”.

Typically, compositions of the invention comprise 1 to 80 wt%, preferably 10 to 60, more preferably 15 to 50 wt% of water soluble carrier, in each case based on the formulation.

When compositions of the invention comprise a water insoluble pesticide P, they comprise water soluble carriers but preferably only less than 5 wt%, more preferably less than 2 wt%, even more preferably less than 1 wt% of water insoluble carriers. In one preferred embodiment, com- positions of the invention comprising a water insoluble pesticide P comprise no water insoluble carrier.

In one embodiment, compositions of the invention further may comprise water insoluble carriers as component D).

For water soluble carriers, especially for ionic water soluble carriers like inorganic salts, it is known that these can, due to their high concentration in the composition, partially inhibit the dispersing properties of many surfactants. This may lead to incomplete dispersion of the solid composition upon dilution with water and to an inhomogenous spray solution. Granular compositions known from the art normally comprise water insoluble carriers. However, water insoluble solid carriers remain undissolved upon dilution of the solid composition with water and are present in the spray solution as dispersed solid. Since any dispersed solid is a potential source of clogging that may block the spray nozzles, it is desirable to reduce the amount of solids in the spray solution. It is one of the surprising results of the present invention that through the use of APGs it is possible to replace water insoluble carriers with water soluble carriers. This brings about several advantages. For example, the amount of dispersed solid in the spray solution is reduced and the dilution of the solid composition with water leads to a homogenous spray solution with less effort.

While it is possible that compositions of the invention comprise some water insoluble carrier, it is desirable to limit the amount of water insoluble carrier in compositions of the invention.

In one embodiment, composition of the invention comprise 0 to 10 wt% of water insoluble carrier.

Suitable water insoluble carriers comprise for example clays (e.g. kaolines, ASP-NC clay, Van Gel B, Van Gel ES, Veegum T, Veegum K, attagel 50, gelwhite, bentonite clay, diatomaceous earth), silicates (e.g. calcium silicates, synthetic calcium silicate), hydrophilic fumed silica (e.g., aerosil 200), hydrophobic fumed silica.

In case compositions of the invention comprise water soluble pesticides P and only small amounts or o water insoluble pesticide P, compositions of the invention comprise water insoluble carriers, typically in amounts of 1 to 80 wt%, preferably 10 to 60, more preferably 15 to 50 wt% of water insoluble carrier, in each case based on the formulation

Compositions of the invention may further comprise one or more further surfactants different from alkyl polyglycosides.

Typically, compositions of the invention comprise 0 to 20 wt % , preferable 0.1 to 10 wt% one or more surfactants different from alkyl polyglycosides In one embodiment, the composition comprises an anionic dispersant. The composition comprises preferably a solid water-soluble anionic dispersant. The dispersant is usually solid at 25 °C, or it may have a melting point of at least 30 °C, preferably at least 50 °C, and in particular at least 100 °C. The dispersant is soluble in water, e.g. at least 50 g/l, preferably at least 100 g/l, each at 20 °C, and e.g. at pH 7.

Suitable dispersants include alkali, alkaline earth or ammonium salts of sulfonates, sulfates, phosphates, polycarboxylate, and mixtures thereof.

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 sulfonates are sulfonated phenol-formaldehyde condensation products, sulfonated cresol-formaldehyde condensation products, alkylarylsulfonates, diphenylsulfonates, alphaolefin sulfonates, lignine sulfonates, sulfonates of fatty acids and oils, sulfonates of ethoxylated alkylphenols, sulfonates of alkoxylated arylphenols, sulfonates of condensed naphthalenes or alkylnaphthalenes, sulfonates of dodecyl- and tridecylbenzenes, sulfonates of naphthalenes and alkylnaphthalenes, sulfosuccinates or sulfosuccinamates. Typically, the sulfonates have a molecular weight from 200 to 2000 g/mol, preferably from 250 to 1000 g/mol.

Preferred sulfonates are alkali, alkaline earth or ammonium salts of sulfonates, more preferably sulfonated aryl-formaldehyde condensation products, such as alkali salts of sulfonated phenolformaldehyde condensation products (e.g. CAS 102980-04-1), sulfonated naphthaleneformaldehyde condensation products (e.g. CAS 9084-06-4, 68425-94-5, 83453-42-3, or 9008- 63-3), sulfonated alkylnaphthalene condensation products, and/or sulfonated cresolformaldehyde condensation products (e.g. CAS 115535-44-9).

Examples of polycarboxylates are polymers, which may comprise several carboxylic acid groups in free acid form and/or as salt. In particular, polycarboxylates are copolymers of ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid and/or anhydride. Preferred polycarboxylates are copolymers of at least one ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid and/or anhydride, and of at least one ethylenically unsaturated nonionic monomer. More preferred polycarboxylates are copolymers of an ethylenically unsaturated, linear or branched aliphatic, cycloaliphatic or aromatic monocarboxylic or polycarboxylic acid or anhydride and of alpha -monoolefins containing from 2 to 20 carbon atoms. Suitable acid or anhydride monomers are selected from acrylic, methacrylic, crotonic, maleic, fumaric, citraconic or itaconic acid or anhydride, wherein maleic acid and/or its anhydride are most preferred. Suitable ethylenically unsaturated nonionic monomers are alpha-monoolefin monomers, such as ethylene, propylene, 1 -butene, isobutylene, n-1 -pentene, 2-methyl-1 -butene, n-1-hexene, 2-methyl-1 -pentene, 4-methyl-1 -pentene, 2-ethyl-1 -butene, diisobutylene (or 2,4, 4-trimethyl-1 -pentene) and 2-methyl-3,3-dimethyl-1-pentene. Mixtures of such monomers are also suitable. The molar ratio between ethylenically unsaturated nonionic monomers and acid or anhydride monomers may be in the range from 20/80 to 80/20, preferably from 30/70 to 70/30, and in particular from 40/60 to 60/40. The molecular weight of the polycarboxylate may be 1 to 40 kDa, preferably 2 to 20 kDa, and in particular 3 to 14 kDa.

In a preferred form, the dispersant comprises a sulfate, a sulfonate, a polycarboxylate, or mixtures thereof.

In another preferred form, the dispersant comprises a polycarboxylate (such as a copolymer of at least one ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid and/or anhydride, and of at least one ethylenically unsaturated nonionic monomer) and sulfonate (e.g. sulfonated aryl-formaldehyde condensation products, and/or sulfonates of alkylnaphthalenes).

In a more preferred form the dispersant comprises a polycarboxylate (such as a copolymer of at least one ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid and/or anhydride, and of at least one ethylenically unsaturated nonionic monomer) and sulfonate (e.g. sulfonated aryl-formaldehyde condensation products and/or sulfonates of alkylnaphthalenes), and where the composition comprises less than 5 wt% of the sulfonate.

In another preferred form, the dispersant consists of at least one sulfonate (e.g. sulfonated aryl- formaldehyde condensation products and/or sulfonates of alkylnaphthalenes), and at least one polycarboxylate (such as a copolymer of at least one ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid and/or anhydride, and of at least one ethylenically unsaturated nonionic monomer). In case the dispersant consists of at least one sulfonate and at least one polycarboxylate it usually means that the composition is free of any other anionic dispersants beside the at least one sulfonate and the at least one polycarboxylate.

In a preferred form, the composition is free of an anionic dispersant selected from sulfates, such as sulfates of fatty acids, in particular lauryl sulfate.

In one embodiment, compositions of the invention comprise one or more nonionic surfactant as further surfactants. Suitable nonionic amphiphilic polyalkoxylate are usually free of ionic groups. The polyalkoxylate is amphiphilic, which usually means that is has surfactant properties and lowers the surface tension of water. Usually, the polyalkoxylate is obtainable by alkoxylation using alkyleneoxides, such as C2-Ce-alkylene oxide, preferably ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, or butylene oxide. Examples of polyalkoxylates are block polymers or compounds such as alcohols, alkylphenols, amines, amides, arylphenols, fatty acids or fatty acid esters which have been alkoxylated with 1 to 50 equivalents.

The polyalkoxylate typically has a melting point of at least 35 °C, preferably at least 43 °C, more preferably at least 48 °C and in particular at least 50 °C.

The polyalkoxylate is usually soluble in water at 20 °C, and e.g. at pH 7. Preferably, the solubility in water of the polyalkoxylate is at least 3 wt%, more preferably at least 7 wt%, and in particular at least 10 wt%.

The molecular weight of the polyalkoxylate is usually in the range of from 0.5 to 50 kDa, preferably from 2 to 35 kDa, and in particular from 5 to 20 kDa.

The polyalkoxylate is preferably a block polymer, which may contain a hydrophilic block and a hydrophobic block. Suitable block polymers are block polymers of the A-B or A-B-A type comprising blocks of polyethylene oxide and polypropylene oxide, or of the A-B-C type comprising alkanol, polyethylene oxide and polypropylene oxide.

Preferably, the polyalkoxylate is a block polymer comprising at least one polyethoxylate block and at least one poly-Cs-Cs-alkoxylate block (e.g. polypropoxylate or polybutoxylate).

In particular, the polyalkoxylate is a triblock polymer of A-B-A type comprising a polyethoxylate type A block and a poly-Cs-Cs-alkoxylate block (preferably polypropoxylate) type B block.

The composition may further comprise a fatty acid salt. Suitable fatty acid salts are alkali, alkaline earth or ammonium salts of fatty acids, wherein alkali salts are preferred. The term fatty acid usually refers to C10 to C22 alkyl carboxylic acid, preferably to C14 to C20 alkyl carboxylic acid. Fatty acids are typically mixtures of the alkyl carboxylic acid. The composition may comprise from 0.1 to 8 wt%, preferably from 0.3 to 5 wt%, and in particular from 0.5 to 3 wt% of the fatty acid salt.

The composition may also comprise further auxiliaries as they customarily used in agrochemical formulations , such as bactericides, anti-foaming agents or colorants. Typically, compositions of the invention comprise 0 to 10 wt% of further formulation auxiliaries, preferably 0 to 5, more preferably 0.1 to 2 wt%, based on the composition.

Suitable bactericides include bronopol and isothiazolinone derivatives such as alkylisothiazoli- nones and benzisothiazolinones. Suitable anti-foaming agents include silicones or long chain alcohols.

Suitable colorants (e.g. in red, blue, or green) are pigments of low water solubility and water- soluble dyes. Examples are inorganic colorants (e.g. iron oxide, titan oxide, iron hexacyanoferrate) and organic colorants (e.g. alizarin-, azo- and phthalocyanine colorants).

In a preferred form, compositions of the invention comprise less than 3 wt%, preferably less than 1 wt% of solvents or are entirely free of solvents.

In a preferred form, compositions of the invention comprise less than 3 wt%, preferably less than 1 wt% of water soluble solvents or are entirely free of a water-soluble solvent.

In a preferred form, compositions of the invention comprise less than 3 wt%, preferably less than 1 wt% of water insoluble solvents or are entirely free of a water-insoluble solvent. The term water-insoluble solvent usually refers to solvents which have a solubility in water of less than 10 g/l at 20 °C. Examples of water-insoluble solvents are

N-C4-Ci2-alkylpyrrolidone, preferably N-Ce-CIO-alkylpyrrolidone, e.g. N-octylpyrrolidone;

N,N-dimethyl C6-C14 alkanamides, preferably N,N-dimethyl C8-C12 alkanamides;

Cs-Ci2-alkyl lactates, preferably C6-Cw-alkyl lactates, e.g. 2-ethylhexyl lactate; aliphatic and/or aromatic hydrocarbons having a boiling point of at least 140 °C, preferably aromatic hydrocarbons having a boiling point of at least 180 °C;

C1-C12 alkylphenols, preferably C2-C10 alkylphenols, e.g. 2-(1-methylpropyl)phenol;

C4-C22 alkyl or C6-C22 aryl benzoate, preferably C6-C12 aryl benzoate, e.g. benzyl benzoate; and di-C ₄ -C ₂₂ alkyl phthalates, preferably di-Ce-Ci4 alkyl phthalates, e.g. diisononyl phthalate.

In one preferred embodiment, compositions of the invention comprise less than 10 wt%, preferably less than 5 wt%, and in particular less than 3 wt% or 1 wt% water or less.

In one embodiment, compositions of the invention comprise

A) 1 to 70 wt%, preferably 5 to 60 wt% of at least one pesticide in solid form,

B) 2 to 15 wt%, preferably 5 to 12 wt% of at least one alkyl polyglycoside,

C) 0 to 80 wt% of water soluble carrier,

D) 0 to 80wt% of water insoluble carrier,

E) 0 to 20 wt % , preferably 0.1 to 10 wt% of one or more surfactants different from alkyl polyglycosides,

F) 0 to 10 wt% of further formulation auxiliaries, wherein at least one carrier selected from water soluble carriers C) and water insoluble carriers

D) is present and wherein the composition comprises at least one water insoluble pesticide P or at least one water insoluble carrier or both

In one embodiment, compositions of the invention comprise

A) 5 to 60 wt% of at least one pesticide in solid form,

B) 5 to 12 wt% of at least one alkyl polyglycoside,

C) 0 to 80 wt% of water soluble carrier,

D) 0 to 80wt% of water insoluble carrier,

E) preferably 0.1 to 10 wt% of one or more surfactants different from alkyl polyglycosides,

F) 0 to 10 wt% of further formulation auxiliaries, wherein at least one carrier selected from water soluble carriers C) and water insoluble carriers

D) is present and wherein the composition comprises at least one water insoluble pesticide P or at least one water insoluble carrier or both

In one embodiment, compositions of the invention comprise

A) 1 to 70 wt%, preferably 5 to 60 wt% of at least one water insoluble pesticide in solid form,

B) 2 to 15 wt%, preferably 5 to 12 wt% of at least one alkyl polyglycoside,

C) 1 to 80 wt%, preferably 10 to 60 wt%, more preferably 15 to 50 wt% of water soluble carrier,

D) 0 to 10 wt% of water insoluble carrier,

E) 0 to 20 wt % , preferably 0.1 to 10 wt% of one or more surfactants different from alkyl polyglycosides,

F) 0 to 10 wt% of further formulation auxiliaries, wherein percentages are in each case given relative to the formulation.

In one embodiment, compositions of the invention comprise

A) 5 to 60 wt% of at least one water insoluble pesticide in solid form,

B) 5 to 12 wt% of at least one alkyl polyglycoside,

C) 10 to 60 wt%, more preferably 15 to 50 wt% of water soluble carrier,

D) 0 to 10wt% of water insoluble carrier,

E) 0 to 10 wt% of one or more surfactants different from alkyl polyglycosides,

F) 0 to 5 wt% of further formulation auxiliaries, wherein percentages are in each case given relative to the formulation.

In one embodiment, compositions of the invention comprise A) 5 to 60 wt% of at least one water soluble pesticide in solid form,

B) 5 to 12 wt% of at least one alkyl polyglycoside,

C) 0 to 30 wt% of water soluble carrier,

D) 1 to 80 wt%, preferably 10 to 60 wt%, more preferably 15 to 50 wt% of water insoluble carrier,

E) 0 to 10 wt% of one or more surfactants different from alkyl polyglycosides,

F) 0 to 5 wt% of further formulation auxiliaries, wherein percentages are in each case given relative to the formulation.

In one embodiment, compositions of the invention comprise

A) 5 to 60 wt% of at least one water soluble pesticide in solid form,

B) 5 to 12 wt% of at least one alkyl polyglycoside,

C) 0 to 20 wt% of water soluble carrier,

D) 10 to 60 wt%, preferably 15 to 50 wt % of water insoluble carrier,

E) 0 to 10 wt% of one or more surfactants different from alkyl polyglycosides,

F) 0 to 5 wt% of further formulation auxiliaries, wherein percentages are in each case given relative to the formulation.

In one embodiment, compositions of the invention comprise

A) 1 to 70 wt%, preferably 5 to 60 wt% of at least one pesticide P in solid form where pesticide P does not comprise any sulfonyl urea herbicides,

B) 2 to 15 wt%, preferably 5 to 12 wt% of at least one alkyl polyglycoside,

C) 0 to 80 wt% of water soluble carrier,

D) 0 to 80wt% of water insoluble carrier,

E) 0 to 20 wt % , preferably 0.1 to 10 wt% of one or more surfactants different from alkyl polyglycosides,

F) 0 to 10 wt% of further formulation auxiliaries, wherein at least one carrier selected from water soluble carriers C) and water insoluble carriers D) is present and wherein the composition comprises at least one water insoluble pesticide P or at least one water insoluble carrier or both

In one embodiment, compositions of the invention comprise

A) 5 to 60 wt% of at least one pesticide P in solid form where pesticide P does not comprise any sulfonyl urea herbicides,

B) 5 to 12 wt% of at least one alkyl polyglycoside,

C) 0 to 80 wt% of water soluble carrier,

D) 0 to 80wt% of water insoluble carrier, E) preferably 0.1 to 10 wt% of one or more surfactants different from alkyl polyglycosides,

F) 0 to 10 wt% of further formulation auxiliaries, wherein at least one carrier selected from water soluble carriers C) and water insoluble carriers

D) is present and wherein the composition comprises at least one water insoluble pesticide P or at least one water insoluble carrier or both

In one embodiment, compositions of the invention comprise

A) 1 to 70 wt%, preferably 5 to 60 wt% of at least one water insoluble pesticide P in solid form where pesticide P does not comprise any sulfonyl urea herbicides,

B) 2 to 15 wt%, preferably 5 to 12 wt% of at least one alkyl polyglycoside,

C) 1 to 80 wt%, preferably 10 to 60 wt%, more preferably 15 to 50 wt% of water soluble carrier,

D) 0 to 10 wt% of water insoluble carrier,

E) 0 to 20 wt % , preferably 0.1 to 10 wt% of one or more surfactants different from alkyl polyglycosides,

F) 0 to 10 wt% of further formulation auxiliaries, wherein percentages are in each case given relative to the formulation.

In one embodiment, compositions of the invention comprise

A) 5 to 60 wt% of at least one water insoluble pesticide P in solid form where pesticide P does not comprise any sulfonyl urea herbicides,

B) 5 to 12 wt% of at least one alkyl polyglycoside,

C) 10 to 60 wt%, more preferably 15 to 50 wt% of water soluble carrier,

D) 0 to 10wt% of water insoluble carrier,

E) 0 to 10 wt% of one or more surfactants different from alkyl polyglycosides,

F) 0 to 5 wt% of further formulation auxiliaries, wherein percentages are in each case given relative to the formulation.

In one embodiment, compositions of the invention comprise

A) 5 to 60 wt% of at least one water soluble pesticide P in solid form where pesticide P does not comprise any sulfonyl urea herbicides,

B) 5 to 12 wt% of at least one alkyl polyglycoside,

C) 0 to 30 wt% of water soluble carrier,

D) 1 to 80 wt%, preferably 10 to 60 wt%, more preferably 15 to 50 wt% of water insoluble carrier,

E) 0 to 10 wt% of one or more surfactants different from alkyl polyglycosides,

F) 0 to 5 wt% of further formulation auxiliaries, wherein percentages are in each case given relative to the formulation.

In one embodiment, compositions of the invention comprise

A) 5 to 60 wt% of at least one water soluble pesticide P in solid form where pesticide P does not comprise any sulfonyl urea herbicides,

B) 5 to 12 wt% of at least one alkyl polyglycoside,

C) 0 to 20 wt% of water soluble carrier,

D) 10 to 60 wt%, preferably 15 to 50 wt % of water insoluble carrier,

E) 0 to 10 wt% of one or more surfactants different from alkyl polyglycosides,

F) 0 to 5 wt% of further formulation auxiliaries, wherein percentages are in each case given relative to the formulation.

According to the invention, the composition comprises at least one water insoluble pesticide or at least one water insoluble carrier or both.

Another aspect of the present invention are processes for making compositions of the invention comprising the following steps: i) Mixing and homogenizing all solid components of the composition ii) Milling the so obtained mixture so that the one or more pesticide has an average particle size of 1 to 10 pm, iii) Adding the alkyl polyglycosides and a solvent, preferably water, to obtain an extrudable paste, iv) Granulating to so obtained mixture to obtain granules, v) Drying the so obtained granules.

Step ii) comprises milling of all components to obtain particles of a homogenous particle size distribution with an average particle size d50 of 1 to 10 pm, preferably 2 to 6, more preferably 2.5 to 4.5 pm. In one embodiment, the milling step is carried out by air milling. Typically the average particle size of the pesticides in granular compositions is higher than in suspension concentrate compositions.

The method for the preparation usually comprises a granulation step. The granulation may be done by any known granulation technology, such as pan or drum granulation, mixing agglomeration, extrusion granulation, fluid bed granulation, tableting, or spray drying granulation. Preferably this is done by extruding. Typically, the method for the preparation of the composition comprises the contacting of the pesticide, APG, the water soluble carrier, and the further components, extrusion granulation, and optionally drying and sieving of the granules.

Another aspect of the present invention are aqueous compositions obtained by contacting the solid compositions of the invention, especially the water dispersible granules of the invention, and water.

Another aspect of the present invention are spray liquids obtained by contacting the solid compositions of the invention, especially the water dispersible granules of the invention, and water

Another aspect of the present invention are spray liquids comprising

A) at least one pesticide P,

B) at least one alkyl polyglycoside,

C) optionally a water soluble carrier,

D) optionally a water insoluble carrier,

E) an aqueous liquid phase wherein at least one carrier selected from water soluble carriers C) and water insoluble carriers D) is present and wherein the composition comprises at least one water insoluble pesticide P or at least one water insoluble carrier or both with the proviso that said spray liquid comprises 0.01 to 10 wt%, preferably 0.1 to 5 wt%, more preferably 0.2 to 2 wt% of solid particles suspended in the aqueous liquid phase.

The solid particles suspended in the aqueous liquid phase are in particular water insoluble pesticides and water insoluble carriers. In one embodiment, the solid particles suspended in the aqueous liquid phase consist of water insoluble pesticides.

In the spray liquid, the water soluble carrier is present in dissolved form in the aqueous liquid phase.

In one embodiment, spray liquids comprise

A) at least one water insoluble pesticide P,

B) at least one alkyl polyglycoside,

C) a water soluble carrier,

D) optionally a water insoluble carrier,

E) an aqueous liquid phase with the proviso that said spray liquid comprises 0.01 to 10 wt%, preferably 0.1 to 5 wt%, more preferably 0.2 to 2 wt% of solid particles suspended in the aqueous liquid phase. In one embodiment, spray liquids comprise

A) at least one water insoluble pesticide P,

B) 0.01 to 5 wt of at least one alkyl polyglycoside,

C) a water soluble carrier,

D) optionally a water insoluble carrier,

E) an aqueous liquid phase with the proviso that said spray liquid comprises 0.01 to 10 wt%, preferably 0.1 to 5 wt%, more preferably 0.2 to 2 wt% of solid particles suspended in the aqueous liquid phase.

In one embodiment, spray liquids comprise

A) at least one water insoluble pesticide P,

B) 0.1 to 1 wt% of at least one alkyl polyglycoside,

C) a water soluble carrier,

D) optionally a water insoluble carrier,

E) an aqueous liquid phase with the proviso that said spray liquid comprises 0.01 to 10 wt%, preferably 0.1 to 5 wt%, more preferably 0.2 to 2 wt% of solid particles suspended in the aqueous liquid phase.

In one embodiment, spray liquids comprise

A) 0.01 to 10 wt%, preferably 0.1 to 5 wt%, more preferably 0.2 to 2 wt of at least one water insoluble pesticide P,

B) at least one alkyl polyglycoside,

C) a water soluble carrier,

D) optionally a water insoluble carrier,

E) an aqueous liquid phase.

In one embodiment, spray liquids comprise

A) 0.01 to 10 wt%, preferably 0.1 to 5 wt%, more preferably 0.2 to 2 wt% of at least one water insoluble pesticide P,

B) 0.01 to 5 wt% of at least one alkyl polyglycoside,

C) a water soluble carrier,

D) optionally a water insoluble carrier,

E) an aqueous liquid phase.

In one embodiment, spray liquids comprise

A) 0.01 to 10 wt%, preferably 0.1 to 5 wt%, more preferably 0.2 to 2 wt% of at least one water insoluble pesticide P, B) 0.1 to 1 wt% of at least one alkyl polyglycoside,

C) a water soluble carrier,

D) optionally a water insoluble carrier,

E) an aqueous liquid phase.

In one embodiment, spray liquids comprise

A) at least one water insoluble pesticide P, where pesticide P does not comprise any sulfonyl urea herbicides,

B) 0.01 to 5 wt of at least one alkyl polyglycoside,

C) a water soluble carrier,

D) optionally a water insoluble carrier,

E) an aqueous liquid phase with the proviso that said spray liquid comprises 0.01 to 10 wt%, preferably 0.1 to 5 wt%, more preferably 0.2 to 2 wt% of solid particles suspended in the aqueous liquid phase.

In one embodiment, spray liquids comprise

A) at least one water insoluble pesticide P, where pesticide P does not comprise any sulfonyl urea herbicides,

B) 0.1 to 1 wt% of at least one alkyl polyglycoside,

C) a water soluble carrier,

D) optionally a water insoluble carrier,

E) an aqueous liquid phase with the proviso that said spray liquid comprises 0.01 to 10 wt%, preferably 0.1 to 5 wt%, more preferably 0.2 to 2 wt% of solid particles suspended in the aqueous liquid phase.

In one embodiment, spray liquids comprise

A) 0.01 to 10 wt%, preferably 0.1 to 5 wt%, more preferably 0.2 to 2 wt of at least one water insoluble pesticide P, where pesticide P does not comprise any sulfonyl urea herbicides,

B) at least one alkyl polyglycoside,

C) a water soluble carrier,

D) optionally a water insoluble carrier,

E) an aqueous liquid phase.

In one embodiment, spray liquids comprise A) 0.01 to 10 wt%, preferably 0.1 to 5 wt%, more preferably 0.2 to 2 wt% of at least one water insoluble pesticide P, where pesticide P does not comprise any sulfonyl urea herbicides,

B) 0.01 to 5 wt% of at least one alkyl polyglycoside,

C) a water soluble carrier,

D) optionally a water insoluble carrier,

E) an aqueous liquid phase.

In one embodiment, spray liquids comprise

A) 0.01 to 10 wt%, preferably 0.1 to 5 wt%, more preferably 0.2 to 2 wt% of at least one water insoluble pesticide P, where pesticide P does not comprise any sulfonyl urea herbicides,

B) 0.1 to 1 wt% of at least one alkyl polyglycoside,

C) a water soluble carrier,

D) optionally a water insoluble carrier,

E) an aqueous liquid phase.

All amounts com components in solid formulations or spay liquid given herein are, unless stated otherwise, based on the solid formulation or the spray liquid respectively.

In one embodiment spray liquids of the invention are obtained in a process comprising the following steps: a. Providing a solid composition according to the invention as described above, b. contacting the solid composition obtained in step a. with water and optionally adding further additives to obtain a spray liquid comprising 0.01 to 10 wt%, preferably 0.1 to 5 wt%, more preferably 0.2 to 2 wt% of solid components.

In one embodiment spray liquids of the invention are obtained in a process comprising the following steps: a. Providing a water dispersible granule composition according to the invention as described above, b. contacting the solid composition obtained in step a. with water and optionally adding further additives to obtain a spray liquid comprising 0.01 to 10 wt%, preferably 0.1 to 5 wt%, more preferably 0.2 to 2 wt% of solid components.

In one embodiment spray liquids of the invention are obtained in a process comprising the following steps: a. Providing a water dispersible granule composition according to the invention as described above, b. contacting the solid composition obtained in step a. with water and optionally adding further additives to obtain a spray liquid comprising 0.01 to 10 wt%, preferably 0.1 to 5 wt%, more preferably 0.2 to 2 wt% of water insoluble pesticides P.

Spray liquids of the invention are typically prepared from solid formulations of the invention. Herein, “spray liquids" are also referred to as “tank mixes”, “spray liquors” or “spray solutions”.

Another aspect of the present invention is the use of compositions of the invention or of spray liquids of the invention for controlling pests.

Another aspect of the present invention is a method of controlling phytopathogenic fungi and/or undesired plant growth and/or undesired insect or mite attack and/or for regulating the growth of plants, wherein the compositions of the invention or the spray liquids of the invention are allowed to act on the respective pests, their environment or the crop plants to be protected from the respective pest, on the soil and/or on undesired plants and/or on the crop plants and/or on their environment.

The method for controlling phytopathogenic fungi and/or undesired plant growth and/or undesired attack by insects or mites and/or for regulating the growth of plants typically excludes a therapeutic use.

When employed in plant protection, the amounts of pesticide applied are, depending on the kind of effect desired, from 0.001 to 2 kg per ha, preferably from 0.005 to 2 kg per ha, more preferably from 0.02 to 0.5 kg per ha, in particular from 0.2 to 0.2 kg per ha.

Various types of oils, wetters, adjuvants, fertilizer, or micronutrients, and other pesticides (e.g. herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, growth regulators, safeners) may be added to the active substances or the compositions comprising them as premix or, if appropriate not until immediately prior to use (tank mix). These agents can for example be admixed with the compositions according to the invention in a weight ratio of 1 :100 to 100:1 , preferably 1:10 to 10:1.

The user applies the composition according to the invention usually from a predosage device, a knapsack sprayer, a spray tank, a spray plane, a drone or an irrigation system. Usually, the agrochemical composition is made up with water, buffer, and/or further auxiliaries to the desired application concentration and the ready-to-use spray liquor or the agrochemical composition according to the invention is thus obtained. Usually, 20 to 2000 liters, preferably 50 to 400 liters, of the ready-to-use spray liquor are applied per hectare of agricultural useful area.

In one preferred embodiment, compositions of the invention are used for applications from a flying device. In one embodiment, compositions of the invention are applied by a manned aircraft such as a plane or helicopter. In one embodiment, compositions of the invention are applied by an airplane. In one embodiment, compositions of the invention are applied by a drone. Drones are also referred to as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV).

In one embodiment the method of controlling phytopathogenic fungi and/or undesired plant growth and/or undesired insect or mite attack and/or for regulating the growth of plants comprises the following steps: a. Providing a solid composition according to the invention as described above, b. Contacting the solid composition obtained in step a. with water and optionally adding further additives to obtain a spray liquid comprising 0.01 to 10 wt%, preferably 0.1 to 5 wt%, more preferably 0.2 to 2 wt% wt% of solid components, c. Applying the spray liquid obtained in step b. on the respective pests, their environment or the crop plants to be protected from the respective pest, on the soil and/or on undesired plants and/or on the crop plants and/or on their environment by a manned or unmanned aerial vehicle, such as a plane or drone, preferably using an unmanned aerial vehicle.

In one embodiment the method of controlling phytopathogenic fungi and/or undesired plant growth and/or undesired insect or mite attack and/or for regulating the growth of plants comprises the following steps: a. Providing a solid composition comprising

A. at least one pesticide P in solid form, where pesticide P is water insoluble and where pesticide P does not comprise any sulfonyl urea herbicides,

B. at least one alkyl polyglycoside,

C. a water soluble carrier, b. contacting the solid composition obtained in step a. with water and optionally adding further additives to obtain a spray liquid comprising 0.01 to 10 wt%, preferably 0.1 to 5 wt%, more preferably 0.2 to 2 wt% of solid components, c. Applying the spray liquid obtained in step b. on the respective pests, their environment or the crop plants to be protected from the respective pest, on the soil and/or on undesired plants and/or on the crop plants and/or on their environment by a manned or unmanned aerial vehicle, such as a plane or drone, preferably using an unmanned aerial vehicle. In one embodiment the method of controlling phytopathogenic fungi and/or undesired plant growth and/or undesired insect or mite attack and/or for regulating the growth of plants comprises the following steps: a. Providing a water dispersible granule composition according to the invention as described above, b. contacting the solid composition obtained in step a. with water and optionally adding further additives to obtain a spray liquid comprising 0.01 to 10 wt%, preferably 0.1 to 5 wt%, more preferably 0.2 to 2 wt% of solid components, c. Applying the spray liquid obtained in step b. by a manned or unmanned aerial vehicle, such as a plane or drone, preferably using an unmanned aerial vehicle.

In one embodiment the method of controlling phytopathogenic fungi and/or undesired plant growth and/or undesired insect or mite attack and/or for regulating the growth of plants comprises the following steps: a. Providing a solid composition according to the invention as described above, b. contacting the solid composition obtained in step a. with water and optionally adding further additives to obtain a spray liquid comprising 0.01 to 10 wt%, preferably 0.1 to 5 wt%, more preferably 0.2 to 2 wt% of pesticides, c. Applying the spray liquid obtained in step b. by a manned or unmanned aerial vehicle, such as a plane or drone, preferably using an unmanned aerial vehicle, so that the compositions are allowed to act on the respective pests, their environment or the crop plants to be protected from the respective pest, on the soil and/or on undesired plants and/or on the crop plants and/or on their environment.

In one embodiment the method of controlling phytopathogenic fungi and/or undesired plant growth and/or undesired insect or mite attack and/or for regulating the growth of plants comprises the following steps: a. Providing a water dispersible granule according to the invention as described above, b. contacting the solid composition obtained in step a. with water and optionally adding further additives to obtain a spray liquid comprising 0.01 to 10 wt%, preferably 0.1 to 5 wt%, more preferably 0.2 to 2 wt% of pesticides, c. Applying the spray liquid obtained in step b. by a manned or unmanned aerial vehicle, such as a plane or drone, preferably using an unmanned aerial vehicle, so that the compositions are allowed to act on the respective pests, their environment or the crop plants to be protected from the respective pest, on the soil and/or on undesired plants and/or on the crop plants and/or on their environment. In one embodiment the method of controlling phytopathogenic fungi and/or undesired plant growth and/or undesired insect or mite attack and/or for regulating the growth of plants comprises the following steps: a. Providing a water dispersible granule composition comprising

A. 5 to 60 wt% of at least one water insoluble pesticide P in solid form where pesticide P does not comprise any sulfonyl urea herbicides,

B. 5 to 12 wt% of at least one alkyl polyglycoside,

C. 10 to 60 wt%, more preferably 15 to 50 wt% of water soluble carrier,

D. 0 to 10wt% of water insoluble carrier,

E. 0 to 10 wt% of one or more surfactants different from alkyl polyglycosides,

F. 0 to 5 wt% of further formulation auxiliaries, b. contacting the solid composition obtained in step a. with water and optionally adding further additives to obtain a spray liquid comprising 0.01 to 10 wt%, preferably 0.1 to 5 wt%, more preferably 0.2 to 2 wt% of solid components, c. applying the spray liquid obtained in step b. by a manned or unmanned aerial vehicle, such as a plane or drone, preferably using an unmanned aerial vehicle, so that the compositions are allowed to act on the respective pests, their environment or the crop plants to be protected from the respective pest, on the soil and/or on undesired plants and/or on the crop plants and/or on their environment.

In one embodiment the method of controlling phytopathogenic fungi and/or undesired plant growth and/or undesired insect or mite attack and/or for regulating the growth of plants comprises the following steps: a. Providing a water dispersible granule composition comprising

A. 5 to 60 wt% of at least one water insoluble pesticide P in solid form, where pesticide P does not comprise any sulfonyl urea herbicides,

B. 5 to 12 wt% of at least one alkyl polyglycoside,

C. 10 to 60 wt%, more preferably 15 to 50 wt% of water soluble carrier,

D. 0 to 10wt% of water insoluble carrier,

E. 0 to 10 wt% of one or more surfactants different from alkyl polyglycosides,

F. 0 to 5 wt% of further formulation auxiliaries, b. contacting the solid composition obtained in step a. with water and optionally adding further additives to obtain a spray liquid comprising 0.01 to 10 wt%, preferably 0.1 to 5 wt%, more preferably 0.2 to 2 wt% of pesticides, c. applying the spray liquid obtained in step b. by a manned or unmanned aerial vehicle, such as a plane or drone, preferably using an unmanned aerial vehicle, so that the compositions are allowed to act on the respective pests, their environment or the crop plants to be protected from the respective pest, on the soil and/or on undesired plants and/or on the crop plants and/or on their environment.

Application of agrochemical compositions by a drone or plane or other flying devices poses particular challenges. The challenges described below for drones may also apply to other flying vehicles like planes. Typically, the tanks of drones that contain the spray solution are not stirred. At the same time, the capacity of the spray tanks of drones is limited so that spray solutions prepared drone application comprise high concentration of pesticides. However, in many cases the spray solution is stored in the spray tank of a drone for several hours, for example for longer than 1 hour, longer that 2 hours, longer than 3 hours, longer than 4 hours, longer than 5 hours or longer than 8 hours. It is important that that spray solution remains homogenous over the entire period the spray solution is stored in the spray tank. If no stirring of the spray solution is carried out, it is important that any solid comprised in the spray solution, in particular any solid pesticide, does not separate at the bottom of the spray tank.

For these reasons, it is especially desirable to reduce the amount of solids dispersed in the spray solution as much as possible. It was a surprising result of the present invention that water insoluble carriers like clays that are customarily comprised in water dispersible granule compositions can be at least partly if not completely replaced by water soluble carriers.

Solid Compositions and spray liquids of the invention offer various advantages: They are easy and economical to make.

They are environmentally friendly.

They can be easily diluted with water to form a spray solution.

They form stable spray solutions with high concentration of pesticides.

They form stable spray solutions in which the solids contained do not separate.

They are suitable for application by manned or unmanned aerial vehicles, such as planes or drones.

They show high biological activities for controlling pests. In many cases compositions of the invention have a higher efficacy for controlling pests that suspension concentrate compositions of WG formulations known from the art with similar pesticide contents.

Compositions of the invention result in only a small amount of dispersed solid in the spray solution.

Compositions of the invention can be diluted easily to obtain a spray solution.

Dilution of the solid compositions of the invention with water leads to a homogenous spray solution.

The examples which follow illustrate the invention without imposing any limitation. Examples

Materials used:

Dispersing agent A: lignosulfonate

Wetting agent A: sodium alkyl naphthalene sulfonate blend

Disintegrant A: sodium salt of a highly sulfonated kraft lignin

Antifoam A: Sodium Tallowate

Stabilizer Surfactant A: lignosulfonate

Stabilizer Surfactant B: sodium salt of a highly sulfonated kraft lignin

Stabilizer Surfactant C: polyacylic acid

ASP-NC Kaolin Clay: delaminated pulverized kaolin clay

Stabilizer Surfactant D: C9-11 Alkyl Poly Glucoside, degree of polymerization 1.6, HLB 13.1 , liquid at 20°C

Example 1 : Effect of Surfactants on Sediment after Dilution

Formulations with the following recipe were prepared to demonstrate the suspensibility of Fenmezoditiaz granules:

The formulations were prepared by mixing the dry ingredients together and hammermilling it to deagglomerate the powders and homogenize the mixture. Next the hammer- milled mixture was air-milled until the active ingredient reached d(0.5) mean particle size between 2.5 - 4.5 pm. If the formulation contains Stabilizer Surfactant D, the air-milled mixture was blended with a 70% Stabilizer Surfactant D aqueous solution until homogenous. Then additional water was added to make the mixture bind together to go through the extruder to form granules. The granules were dried in fluidized air bed dryer until the moisture was approximately 1%. The average size of the granules d90 was 1 to 5 mm. The samples were evaluated for sedimentation after standing static for 5 hours. The method was carried out in a 250 mL graduated cylinder. In a 250 mL beaker, 3.13 grams of the WG formulation plus the back added surfactant was added to 150 mL of 342 ppm standard water and allowed to mix for 2 minutes. After the 2 minutes had expired, the sample was transferred to a 250 mL graduated cylinder and the beaker was rinsed out with 342 ppm standard water until the graduated cylinder was brought up to volume. The graduated cylinder was then inverted through 15 cycles and left to sit undisturbed for the prescribed test time. At the end of the test time, the sediment was measured in millimeters.

The results clearly showed that Stabilizer Surfactant D was the only stabilizer surfactant that was able to significantly decrease the sediment after standing static for 5 hours after dilution.

Example 2: Effect of Stabilizer Surfactant with Various Active Ingredients

Formulations with the following recipe were prepared to demonstrate the effect of Stabilizer Surfactant D on the suspensibility and sedimentation of granules made with various active ingredients:

The formulations were prepared by mixing the dry ingredients together and hammermilling it to deagglomerate the powders and homogenize the mixture. Next the hammer-milled mixture was air-milled until the active ingredient reached d(0.5) mean particle size between 2.5 - 4.5 pm. Then if the formulation contains Stabilizer Surfactant D, the air-milled mixture was blended with a 70% Stabilizer Surfactant D solution until homogenous. Lastly, additional water was added to make the mixture bind together to go through the extruder to form granules. If the formulation did not contain Stabilizer Surfactant D, then only water was added to make the mixture bind together to go through the extruder to form granules. Finally, the granules were dried in fluidized air bed dryer until the moisture was approximately 1%. The average size of the granules d90 was 1 to 5 mm.

The samples were evaluated for sediment and gravimetrical suspensibility properties after 5 hours. The method was carried out in a 250 mL graduated cylinder. In a 250 mL beaker, 3.13 grams of the WG formulation was added to 150 mL of 342 ppm standard water and allowed to mix for 2 minutes. After the 2 minutes had expired, the sample was transferred to a 250 mL graduated cylinder and the beaker was rinsed out with 342 ppm standard water until the graduated cylinder was up to volume. The graduated cylinder was then inverted for 15 cycles and left to sit undisturbed for 5 hours. At the end of the test time, the sediment was measured and the top 90% of the solution was suctioned off using a peristaltic pump. The bottom 10% was transferred to a pre-weighed evaporating dish and allowed to dry in oven overnight. The remaining residue was determined and the % suspensibility was calculated.

The results showed that the addition of Stabilizer Surfactant D together increases the suspensibility and decreases the sediment. Example 3: Effect of Stabilizer Surfactant D concentration on Fenmezoditiaz WG

Formulations with the following recipe were prepared to demonstrate the optimal concentration of Stabilizer Surfactant D for gravimetrical suspensibility of the Fenmezoditiaz granules:

The formulations were prepared by mixing the dry ingredients together and hammermilling it to deagglomerate the powders and homogenize the mixture. Next the hammer- milled mixture was air-milled until the active ingredient reached d(0.5) mean particle size between 2.5 - 4.5 pm. Then the air-milled mixture was blended with a 70% Stabilizer Surfactant D aqueous solution until homogenous and just enough water to make the mixture bind together to go through the extruder to form granules. Finally, the granules were dried in fluidized air bed dryer until the moisture was approximately 1%.

The samples were evaluated for gravimetrical suspensibility and sedimentation after standing static for 5 hours. The method was carried out in a 250 mL graduated cylinder. In a 250 mL beaker, 3.13 grams of the WG formulation plus Stabilizer Surfactant D was added to 150 mL of 342 ppm standard water and allowed to mix for 2 minutes. After the 2 minutes had expired, the sample was transferred to a 250 mL graduated cylinder and the beaker was rinsed out with 342 ppm standard water until the graduated cylinder was brought up to volume. The graduated cylinder was then inverted through 15 cycles and left to sit undisturbed for the prescribed test time. At the end of the test time, the sediment was measured in millimeters.

The results showed that the optimal concentration of Stabilizer Surfactant D is between 5%-10% to optimize the suspensibility properties.

Example 4: Effect of Stabilizer Surfactant D with Various Carriers

Formulations with the following recipe were prepared to demonstrate the suspensibility and sedimentation of Fenmezoditiaz granules with ASP-NC Kaolin Clay, a water insoluble carrier, and Ammonium Sulfate as the carrier:

The formulations were prepared by mixing the dry ingredients together and hammermilling it to deagglomerate the powders and homogenize the mixture. Next the hammer-milled mixture was air-milled until the active ingredient reached d(0.5) mean particle size between 2.5 - 4.5 pm. Then the air-milled mixture was blended with a 70% solution of Stabilizer Surfactant D in the amount given below until homogenous. Lastly, additional water was added to make the mixture bind together to go through the extruder to form granules. If the formulation did not contain Stabilizer Surfactant D, then only water was added to make the mixture bind together to go through the extruder to form granules. Finally, the granules were dried in fluidized air bed dryer until the moisture was approximately 1%.

The samples were evaluated for gravimetrical suspensibility properties at various test times. The method was carried out in a 250 mL graduated cylinder. In a 250 mL beaker, 3.13 grams of the WG formulation was added to 150 mL of 342 ppm standard water and allowed to mix for 2 minutes. After the 2 minutes had expired, the sample was transferred to a 250 mL graduated cylinder and the beaker was rinsed out with 342 ppm standard water until the graduated cylinder was up to volume. The graduated cylinder was then in- verted for 15 cycles and left to sit undisturbed for the prescribed test time. At the end of the test time, the sediment was measured and the top 90% of the solution was suctioned off using a peristaltic pump. The bottom 10% was transferred to a pre-weighed evaporating dish and allowed to dry in oven overnight. The remaining residue was determined and the % suspensibility was calculated. The results clearly showed that a combination of Stabilizer Surfactant D together with water soluble salt carrier(s) provides best formulation suspensibility.

Example 5: Stable Fenmezoditiaz WG formulations based on current invention

Formulations were prepared with Stabilizer Surfactant D and various water-soluble salts to demonstrate their suspensibility properties

The formulations were prepared by mixing the dry ingredients together and hammermilling it to deagglomerate the powders and homogenize the mixture. Next the hammer- milled mixture was air-milled until the active ingredient reached d(0.5) mean particle size between 2.5 - 4.5 pm. Then the air-milled mixture was blended with a 70% Stabilizer Surfactant D solution until homogenous. Lastly, additional water was added to make the mixture bind together to go through the extruder to form granules. Finally, the granules were dried in fluidized air bed dryer until the moisture was approximately 1%.

The samples were evaluated for sediment and gravimetrical suspensibility properties after a test time of 5 hours utilizing the method described above for Example 4.

The results showed that both water-soluble salts had good compatibility with Stabilizer Surfactant D and kept the 40% Fenmezoditiaz WG formulations well suspended for 5 hours. The WG formulation with Ammonium Sulfate was also tested in a drone applica- tion simulation and easily passed without clogging filters and was easy to clean afterwards.