1. FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a pesticidal combination comprising of elemental sulphur and triflumezopyrim or its salts or derivatives thereof. The present invention also relates to a pesticidal composition comprising of an effective amount of elemental sulphur, an effective amount of triflumezopyrim or its salts or derivatives thereof and at least one agrochemically acceptable excipient. The invention particularly relates to a pesticidal composition comprising elemental sulphur in the range of 25%w/w to 95% w/w of the total composition, triflumezopyrim or its salts or derivatives thereof present in the range of 0.1%w/w to 50% w/w of the total composition and at least one agrochemically acceptable excipient wherein the composition has a particle size range of 0.1 micron to 50 microns.

The invention further relates to a process of preparing the pesticidal composition.

The invention furthermore relates to a method of controlling pests by treating a plant, plant propagation material, locus or parts thereof, a seed, seedling or surrounding soil with the pesticidal composition.

The invention furthermore also relates to a method of treating a plant, crop, plant propagation material, locus or parts thereof, a seed, seedling or surrounding soil with the pesticidal composition comprising of an effective amount of elemental sulphur, an effective amount of triflumezopyrim or its salts or derivatives thereof and at least one agrochemically acceptable excipient.

2. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In descnbing the embodiment of the invention, specific terminology is chosen for the sake of clarity. However, it is not intended that the invention be limited to the specific terms so selected and it is to be understood that each specific term include all technical equivalents that operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose.

Several pesticides are being used to control insects and diseases in crops. However, practical agricultural experience has shown that the repeated and exclusive application of individual pesticides or known chemistries eventually result in development of natural or adapted resistance among the pests against such known chemistries.

To reduce the risk of resistance, mixtures of different active components are nowadays conventionally employed for controlling harmful fungi or insects or other pests. By combining active compounds having different mechanisms of action, it is possible to ensure successful control over a relatively long period of time. There is however a need for improvement of these combinations. Active combination used over a long period of time also results in resistance. With the onset of resistance to certain pests, there is a need in the art for a combination of actives that decreases chances of resistance and improves the spectrum of pest control.

Further, the runoff or leaching associated with the application of pesticidal compositions which are mostly applied in higher dosages to overcome resistance issues, leads to their seepage into the groundwater which leads to soil toxicity and negatively impacts the environment. Thus, other typical problem arising in the field of pest control lies in the need to reduce the dosage rates of the active ingredient in order to reduce or avoid unfavourable environmental or toxicological effects whilst still allowing effective pest control.

Thus, there exist a need for newer pesticides with modem integrated pest management for an improved toxicological and environmental profile such as reduced phytotoxicity, resistance management, reduced dosage, substantial broadening of spectrum, improved synergy and increased safety to humans along with reduced toxicity to the environment to name a few.

It is an object of the present invention that while overcoming the abovementioned disadvantages it also provides an effective control over insects, phytopathogenic harmful fungi, or other pests at application rates which are as low as possible, compositions effective at a reduced total amount of active compounds, improved plant growth promoting activity (synergistic mixtures) and a broadened activity spectrum along with increased safety to end users and reduced toxicity to the environment.

Triflumezopyrim is a new mesoionic (zwitterionic) insecticide having a chemical name 2,4-dioxo-l-(pyrimidin-5-ylmethyl)-3-[3-(trifluoromethyl)phe nyl] -3,4- dihydro-2H-pyrido[l,2-a]pyrimidin-l-ium-3-ide. It acts via inhibition of the orthosteric binding site of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor and provides outstanding control of hoppers such as brown planthopper (BPH), green leafhopper (GLH), whitebacked planthopper (WBPH) which is displaying strong resistance to widely used neonicotinoids such as imidacloprid.

Further, the role of sulphur as a fertilizer and pesticide has been long known. Sulphur is considered as organic in nature and is largely available in its elemental form. The benefits of sulphur not only encompasses reduced dependency on use of chemicals as an effective mode of pest control but being organic in nature it is also environment friendly, increases crop yield, improves food safety, human, animal or plant health and quality of life. The use of sulphur as a fungicide, acaricide and miticide is of special importance and has been long used as an environment friendly mode of farming practice.

Certain combinations of these active ingredients for controlling pathogens and pests are described in the literature. For instance, WO2011/017351 and W02012/092115 discloses a mesoionic compounds including triflumezopyrim as one of the compound and their compositions and also discloses that these compounds provides synergistic effect when combined with further invertebrate pest control agents. Although, it states that it can be combined with additional actives including other pesticides and nutrients, there is no disclosure or suggestion on specific combination of elemental sulphur and triflumezopyrim in a synergistically pesticidal effective amount.

Thus, no specific pesticidal composition comprising a synergistic combination of elemental sulphur and triflumezopyrim is known or available which can be effectively used with broad spectrum pesticidal activity at lower dosage and address the drawback discussed above with the known compositions.

It was found by the present inventors that elemental sulphur when combined with triflumezopyrim in an effective amount, it demonstrates excellent field efficacy. The synergy is also manifested by the fact that the composition is effective even at very low dose of actives.

Sulphur is an essential active ingredient present in the composition and used at a concentration of about 25% w/w to 95% w/w of the total composition in combination with triflumezopyrim used in concentration of 0.1% to 50% w/w of the total composition which provides a more sustainable and ecological approach in agriculture for crop protection and nutrition.

Surprisingly, it was observed that higher loading of sulphur in combination with chemical pesticides like triflumezopyrim help reduce the dependency on such chemical pesticides, further reducing toxicity caused to environment and humans, lower chances of resistance in pests/ insects, avoid subsequent use of chemicals, and promote better plant health and yield. In addition to the synergistic effect of the composition of the present invention, the inventors surprisingly determined that the composition comprising elemental sulphur and triflumezopyrim or its salts or derivatives thereof in an effective amount provides excellent pest control and improves yield when the particles in the composition are in the size range of 0.1 micron to 50 microns.

The inventors found that the optimal product type to provide such organic, ecological combination of elemental sulphur and triflumezopyrim in an effective amount is a liquid suspension or granules which helps to minimize the loss of actives and provides a stable, user friendly formulation. The pesticidal combination in the form of liquid suspension and granule with a particle size in the range of 0.1 micron to 50 microns also enhances the physical nature of the formulation by providing improved suspensibility, dispersibility, viscosity, instant dispersion of actives on application via soil or foliar route which provides an effective control of target pests.

Thus, the inventors of the present invention have developed a stable pesticidal granular or liquid suspension composition comprising elemental sulphur in the range of 25% w/w to 95%w/w of the total composition, triflumezopyrim in the range of 0.1% w/w to 50 % w/w of the total composition, and at least one agrochemically acceptable excipient, wherein particles are present in the size range of 0.1 micron to 50 micron. The pesticidal composition is synergistic in nature and provides crop protection and a nutritional agent at reduced dosage. The composition has granule size in the range of from 0.05mm to 6mm and disperses to particles having size range of 0.1 micron to 50 micron. The pesticidal composition of the present invention not only eliminates the associated drawbacks as noted in the preceding paragraphs, but also provides a superior composition which is otherwise difficult to achieve in a cost-effective manner.

3. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a pesticidal composition comprising an effective amount of elemental sulphur; an effective amount of triflumezopyrim or its salts or derivatives thereof and at least one agrochemically acceptable excipient.

According to an embodiment, elemental sulphur can be present in the range of 25% w/w to 95% w/w of the total composition, triflumezopyrim or its salts or derivatives thereof can be present in the range of 0.1% w/w to 50% w/w of the total composition.

According to an embodiment, the pesticidal composition of elemental sulphur and triflumezopyrim is in the form of wettable powder, water dispersible granule, extruded granule, broadcast granule or water disintegrable granule or spheronised granule, liquid suspension or suspension concentrates, suspo-emulsion composition.

The invention further relates to a process of preparation of the pesticidal composition comprising elemental sulphur in the range of 25% w/w to 95% w/w of the total composition, triflumezopyrim or its salts or derivatives thereof in the range of 0.1% w/w to 50% w/w of the total composition and at least one agrochemically acceptable excipient.

According to another embodiment, the invention also relates to a method of protection of the crop or improving its health or yield, by treating at least one of a plant or parts thereof, a plant propagation material, seed, seedling or surrounding soil with a pesticidal composition comprising an effective amount of elemental sulphur, an effective amount of triflumezopyrim or its salts or derivatives thereof and at least one agrochemically acceptable excipient.

4. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In descnbing the embodiment of the invention, specific terminology is chosen for the sake of clarity. However, it is not intended that the invention be limited to the specific terms so selected and it is to be understood that such specific terms include all technical equivalents that operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose. It is understood that any numerical range recited herein is intended to include all subranges subsumed. Also, unless denoted otherwise, percentage of components in a composition are presented as weight percent.

The terms “a” or “an”, as used herein, are defined as one or more than one. The terms “including” and/or “having”, as used herein, are defined as comprising (i.e., open language).

The term “plant” or “crop” used in this application are interchangeable and wherever the term “plant” has been used shall also mean vegetations of similar nature namely crops, trees, shrub, herb etc.

The term “Sulphur” used in the composition refers to elemental sulphur obtained through natural sources or synthetic sources. The term includes allotropes of elemental sulfur such as plastic (amorphous) sulfur, monoclinic sulfur, rhombic sulfur composed of S8 molecules, and other ring molecules such as S7 and S12. The term also comprises sulphur produced through processing and refining of petrochemicals. The term also comprises ‘biosulfur’. The term also comprises elemental Sulphur produced through microbial processes.

The granules refer mainly to water dispersible granules, extruded granules or spheronised granules or water disintegrable granules.

As described herein, “GR” refer to broadcast granules or extruded granules or spheronised granules or water disintegrable granules. As described herein, “WG” or “WDG” refer to water dispersible granules. As described herein, water dispersible granule is defined as a formulation which disperses or dissolves rapidly when added to water to give a fine particle suspension. Water-dispersible granules are formulated as small, easily measured granules by blending and agglomerating ground active ingredients together with surfactants and other formulation excipients which disperses into finer/primary particles upon addition to water.

According to the invention, the term liquid suspension encompasses “aqueous suspension” or aqueous dispersion” or “suspension concentrates (SC)” or “suspoemulsion (SE)” or flowable concentrate (FC) for seed dressing or suspension concentrate for seed treatment (FS) composition. Eiquid suspension can be defined as a composition wherein solid particles are dispersed or suspended in a liquid. The liquid as a vehicle can be water and/or a water miscible solvent.

As defined herein, aqueous suspo-emulsion is essentially a mixture of waterinsoluble active constituents dispersed in a water-based solution where one (or more) of the active constituents is a solid, formulated as a suspension form (SC) and one (or more) of the actives is an oil, formulated as an emulsion in water (EW).

As defined herein, WP refers to a wettable powder, which can be a powder formulation to be applied as a suspension after dispersion in water.

As described herein, WS refers to water dispersible powders used for slurry seed treatment.

The present invention relates to a pesticidal composition comprising an effective amount of elemental sulphur; an effective amount of triflumezopyrim and at least one agrochemically acceptable excipient. The invention relates to a pesticidal composition, comprising: an elemental sulphur in the range of 25% w/w to 95% w/w of the total composition, triflumezopyrim or salts or derivatives thereof present in the range of 0.1%w/w to 50% w/w of the total composition and at least one agrochemically acceptable excipient.

The inventors of the present invention have surprisingly found that the composition comprising an elemental sulphur in the range of 25% w/w to 95% w/w of the total composition, triflumezopyrim or salts or derivatives thereof present in the range of 0.1%w/w to 50% w/w of the total composition demonstrated synergistic pesticidal activity compared to the activity of the individual active ingredient alone.

In addition to the synergistic effect of the composition of the present invention, the inventors surprisingly determined that the composition comprising an elemental sulphur in the range of 25% w/w to 95% w/w of the total composition, triflumezopyrim or salts or derivatives thereof present in the range of 0.1% w/w to 50% w/w of the total composition and at least one agrochemical excipient in the form of solid, liquid, gel or paste provides an excellent pest control and improves yield when the particles in the composition are present in the size range of 0.1 micron to 50 microns.

The inventors of the present invention surprisingly found that the presence of elemental sulphur in the composition of the present invention, not only demonstrates synergistic effect in terms of controlling pests, but also additionally provides nutrition to the plant, thus showing a significant enhancement in the yield as well as other crop characteristics such as plant height, root length and improved foliage, as compared to the individual applications of sulphur and triflumezopyrim.

Further, the composition of the present invention was found to not only provide an economical advantage to the farmers at large, but also provide an ecological advantage on account of higher loading of elemental sulphur, which being organic in nature, does not cause an adverse impact either to the environment or to the human population and further helps in reducing the active dose of chemical/ synthetic pesticides used in the composition.

According to an embodiment, elemental sulphur is present in the range of 25% w/w to 95% w/w of the total composition. According to an embodiment, elemental sulphur can be present in the range of 25% w/w to 90% w/w of the total composition. According to an embodiment, elemental sulphur can be present in the range of 25% w/w to 80% w/w of the total composition. According to an embodiment, elemental sulphur can be present in the range of 25% w/w to 70% w/w of the total composition. According to an embodiment, elemental sulphur can be present in the range of 25% w/w to 60% w/w of the total composition. According to an embodiment, elemental sulphur can be present in the range of 25% w/w to 50% w/w of the total composition. According to an embodiment, elemental sulphur can be present in the range of 25% w/w to 40% w/w of the total composition. According to preferred embodiment, elemental sulphur can be present in the range of 30% w/w to 95% w/w of the total composition. According to an embodiment, elemental sulphur can be present in the range of 30% w/w to 90% w/w of the total composition. According to an embodiment, elemental sulphur can be present in the range of 30% w/w to 80% w/w of the total composition. According to an embodiment, elemental sulphur can be present in the range of 30% w/w to 70% w/w of the total composition. According to an embodiment, elemental sulphur can be present in the range of 40% w/w to 95% w/w of the total composition. According to an embodiment, elemental sulphur can be present in the range of 40% w/w to 90% w/w of the total composition. According to an embodiment, elemental sulphur can be present in the range of 40% w/w to 80% w/w of the total composition. According to an embodiment, elemental sulphur can be present in the range of 50% w/w to 90% w/w of the total composition.

According to an embodiment, triflumezopyrim or salts or derivatives thereof is present in the range of 0.1% to 50%w/w of the total composition. According to an embodiment, triflumezopyrim or salts or derivatives thereof is present in the range of 0.1% to 40%w/w of the total composition. According to an embodiment, triflumezopyrim or salts or derivatives thereof is present in the range of 0.1% to 35%w/w of the total composition. According to an embodiment, triflumezopyrim or salts or derivatives thereof is present in the range of 0.1% to 30%w/w of the total composition. According to an embodiment, triflumezopyrim or salts or derivatives thereof is present in the range of 0.1% to 25%w/w of the total composition. According to an embodiment, triflumezopyrim or salts or derivatives thereof is present in the range of 0.1% to 20% w/w of the total composition. According to an embodiment, triflumezopyrim or salts or derivatives thereof is present in the range of 0.1% to 15%w/w of the total composition. According to an embodiment, triflumezopyrim or salts or derivatives thereof is present in the range of 0.1% to 10%w/w of the total composition. According to an embodiment, triflumezopyrim or salts or derivatives thereof is present in the range of 0.1% to 5% w/w of the total composition.

According to an embodiment, the pesticidal composition is in the form of a solid, a liquid or a gel or a paste.

According to an embodiment, the liquid pesticidal composition can be in the form of suspension concentrate (SC) or aqueous suspension or a liquid suspension, suspo-emulsion (SE), flowable concentrate (FC), suspension concentrate for seed treatment (FS).

According to an embodiment, the liquid pesticidal composition is preferably in the form of a liquid suspension or a suspension concentrate. According to an embodiment, the liquid suspension or a suspension concentrate comprises sulphur in a range of 25% w/w to 70% w/w of the total composition and triflumezopyrim or its salts or derivatives thereof in the range of 0.1% w/w to 40% w/w of the total composition. According to further embodiment, the particle size of the liquid suspension composition is in the range of 0.1 micron to 50 microns. According to further embodiment, the particle size of the liquid suspension composition is in the range of 0.1 micron to 30 microns. According to further embodiment, the particle size of the liquid suspension composition is in the range of 0.1 micron to 25 microns. According to further embodiment, the particle size of the liquid suspension composition is in the range of 0.1 micron to 20 microns. According to further embodiment, the particle size of the liquid suspension composition is in the range of 0.1 micron to 10 microns.

According to an embodiment, the liquid pesticidal composition is preferably in the form of a suspo-emulsion. According to an embodiment, the suspo-emulsion composition comprises sulphur in a range of 25% w/w to 55% w/w of the total composition and triflumezopyrim or its salts or derivatives thereof in the range of 0.1% w/w to 30% w/w of the total composition.

According to an embodiment, the solid pesticidal composition is in the form of powders, granules or dust.

According to an embodiment, the pesticidal composition can be in the form of powders including wettable powders (WP), Dustable powder (DP), Powders for dry seed treatment (DS), Water Dispersible powders for slurry seed treatment (WS).

According to an embodiment, the pesticidal composition can be in the form of granules including water dispersible granules (WG), water disintegrable granules, spheronised granules, broadcast granules, extruded granules, pellets.

According to an embodiment, the granules are in the size range of 0.05 to 6 mm. The granules disperse into particles in the size range of 0.1 micron to 50 microns. According to an embodiment, the pesticidal composition is in the form of wettable powders.

According to an embodiment, the wettable powder composition comprises sulphur in a range of 25% w/w to 95% w/w of the total composition and triflumezopyrim or its salts or derivatives thereof in the range of 0.1% w/w to 50% w/w of the total composition.

According to an embodiment, the wettable powder composition comprises particles in the size range of 0.01 micron to 50 microns.

According to an embodiment, the pesticidal composition is preferably in the form of water dispersible granules.

According to an embodiment, the water dispersible granular composition comprises sulphur in a range of 25% w/w to 90% w/w of the total composition and triflumezopyrim or its salts or derivatives thereof in the range of 0.1% w/w to 50% w/w of the total composition.

According to an embodiment, the water dispersible granules are in the size range of 0.05 to 3 mm, preferably in the size range of 0.05 to 2.5 mm, preferably in the size range of 0.05 to 2 mm, preferably in the size range of 0.05 to 1.5 mm, preferably in the size range of 0.05 to 1 mm. The granules disperse into particles in the size range of 0.1 micron to 50 microns, preferably in the size range of 0.1 micron to 20 microns.

According to an embodiment, the pesticidal composition is preferably in the form of a water disintegrable granules or spheronised granules.

According to an embodiment, the water disintegrable granular or spheronised granular composition comprises sulphur in a range of 25% w/w to 90% w/w of the total composition and tnflumezopyrim or its salts or derivatives thereof in the range of 0.1% w/w to 50% w/w of the total composition.

According to an embodiment, the water disintegrable or spheronised granules are in the size range of 0.1 to 6 mm, preferably in the size range of 0.1 to 5 mm, preferably in the size range of 0.1 to 4 mm, preferably in the size range of 0.1 to 3 mm, preferably in the size range of 0.1 to 2.5 mm. The granules disperse into particles in the size range of 0.1 micron to 50 microns.

According to an embodiment, the pesticidal composition comprises at least one agrochemically acceptable excipient. According to further embodiment, the agrochemically acceptable excipient comprises at least one of surfactants, binders or binding agents, disintegrating agents, fillers or carriers or diluents, coating agents, buffers or pH adjusters or neutralizing agents, antifoaming agents or defoamers, penetrants, ultraviolet absorbents, UV ray scattering agents, stabilizers, pigments, colorants, structuring agents, chelating or complexing or Sequestering agents, thickeners, suspending agents or suspension aid agents or anticaking agents or anti-settling agents, viscosity modifiers or rheology modifiers, tackifiers, humectants, sticking agents, anti-freezing agent or freeze point depressants, solvents, cross-linking agents, permeability enhancing agents, protective colloids and mixtures thereof. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that it is possible to utilize additional agrochemically acceptable excipients without departing from the scope of the present invention.

According to an embodiment, the agrochemically acceptable excipient is present in the range of from 1% w/w to 75% w/w of the total composition. According to an embodiment, the agrochemically acceptable excipient is present in the range of from 1% w/w to 70% w/w of the total composition. According to an embodiment, the agrochemically acceptable excipient is present in the range of from 1 % w/w to 60% w/w of the total composition. According to an embodiment, the agrochemically acceptable excipient is present in the range of from 1% w/w to 50% w/w of the total composition. According to an embodiment, the agrochemically acceptable excipient is present in the range of from 1% w/w to 40% w/w of the total composition. According to an embodiment, the agrochemically acceptable excipient is present in the range of from 1% w/w to 30% w/w of the total composition

According to an embodiment, the surfactants include one or more of emulsifiers, wetting agents and dispersing agents. According to an embodiment, the surfactants which are used in the pesticidal composition include one or more of anionic, cationic, non-ionic, amphoteric and polymeric surfactants.

The anionic surfactants include one or more of, but not limited to a salt of fatty acid, a benzoate, a polycarboxylate, a salt of alkylsulfuric acid ester, alkyl ether sulfates, an alkyl sulfate, an alkylaryl sulfate, an alkyl diglycol ether sulfate, a salt of alcohol sulfuric acid ester, an alkyl sulfonate, an alkylaryl sulfonate, a lignin sulfonate, an alkyldiphenyletherdisulfonate, a polystyrene sulfonate, a salt of alkylphosphoric acid ester, an alkylaryl phosphate, styrylaryl hydroxyl phosphate or their derivatives, a styrylaryl phosphate, docusates, a salt of polyoxyethylene alkyl ether sulfuric acid ester, a polyoxyethylenealkylaryl ether sulfate, alkyl sarcosinates, alpha olefin sulfonate sodium salt, alkyl benzene sulfonate or its salts, sodium lauroylsarcosinate, sulfosuccinates, polyacrylates, salts of polyacrylates, salt of polyoxyethylenealkylaryl ether sulfuric acid ester, a polyoxyethylene alkyl ether phosphate, a salt of polyoxyethylenealkylaryl phosphoric acid ester, sulfosuccinates -mono and other diesters, phosphate esters, alkyl naphthalene sulfonates such as isopropyl and butyl derivatives, alkyl ether sulfates -sodium and ammonium salts; alkyl aryl ether phosphates, a salt of polyoxyethylene aryl ether phosphoric acid ester, mono-alkyl sulphosuccinates, aromatic hydrocarbon sulphonates, 2- acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid, ammonium lauryl sulfate, ammonium perfluorononanoate, Disodium cocoamphodiacetate, Magnesium laureth sulfate, Perfluorobutanesulfonic acid, Perfluorononanoic acid, carboxylates, Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid, Perfluorooctanoic acid, Phospholipid, Potassium lauryl sulfate, Soap, Soap substitute, Sodium alkyl sulfate, Sodium dodecyl sulfate, Sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate, Sodium laurate, Sodium laureth sulfate, Sodium lauroylsarcosinate, Sodium myreth sulfate, Sodium nonanoyloxybenzenesulfonate, Sodium pareth sulfate, alkyl carboxylates, Sodium stearate, alpha olefin sulphonates, naphthalene sulfonate salts, alkyl naphthalene sulfonate fatty acid salts, naphthalene sulfonate condensates-sodium salt, fluoro carboxylate, fatty alcohol sulphates, alkyl naphthalene sulfonate condensates-sodium salt, a naphthalene sulfonic acid condensed with formaldehyde or a salt of alkylnaphthalene sulfonic acid condensed with formaldehyde; or salts, derivatives thereof.

Other anionic surfactants which have been found to be useful include taurate surfactants like sodium N-cyclohexyl-N-palmitoyl taurate, sodium N-methyl-N- oleoyl taurate, respectively, sold under the tradenames, Igepon CN-42, Igepon T- 33, T-43, T-51, T-73, T-77, and T-74 by GAF Corporation, Chemical Products, New York, N.Y., 10020. Sodium N-methyl-N-oleoyl taurate is also available under the tradename "Adinol" from Croda Chemicals, Ltd., England.

The non-ionic surfactants include one or more of but not limited to polyol esters, polyol fatty acid esters, polyethoxylated esters, polyethoxylated alcohols, ethoxylated and propoxylated fatty alcohols, ethoxylated and propoxylated alcohols, EO/PO copolymers; EO and PO block copolymers, di, tri-block copolymers; block copolymers of polyethylene glycol and polypropylene glycol, poloxamers, polysorbates, alkyl polysaccharides such as alkyl polyglycosides and blends thereof, amine ethoxylates, sorbitan fatty acid ester, glycol and glycerol esters, glucosidyl alkyl ethers, polyoxyethylene glycol, sorbitan alkyl esters, sorbitan derivatives, fatty acid esters of sorbitan (Spans) and their ethoxylated derivatives (Tweens), and sucrose esters of fatty acids, Cetostearyl alcohol, Cetyl alcohol, ethylene oxide - propylene oxide copolymer surfactants sold under the trade names Atlas G5000 and TERMUL 5429, Decyl glucoside, Decylpolyglucose, Glycerol monostearate, Lauryl glucoside, Maltosides, Monolaurin, Narrow-range ethoxylate, Nomdet P-40, Nonoxynol-9, Nonoxynols, Octaethylene glycol monododecyl ether, N-Octyl beta-D-thioglucopyranoside, Octyl glucoside, Oleyl alcohol, PEG- 10 sunflower glycerides, Pentaethylene glycol monododecyl ether, Polidocanol, Poloxamer, Poloxamer 407, Poly ethoxylated tallow amine, Polyglycerol polyricinoleate, Polysorbate, Polysorbate 20, Polysorbate 80, Sorbitan derivatives, Sorbitan monolaurate, Sorbitan monostearate, Sorbitan tristearate, Stearyl alcohol, glyceryl laureate, lauryl glucoside, nonylphenolpolyethoxyethanols, nonyl phenol polyglycol ether, castor oil ethoxylate, polyglycol ethers, polyadducts of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide, block copolymer of polyalkylene glycol ether and hydroxystearic acid, tributylphenoxypolyethoxy ethanol, octylphenoxypolyethoxy ethanol, etho- propoxylated tristyrlphenols, etho-propoxylated block copolymers, ethoxylated alcohols, ethoxylated tristyrlphenols, polyoxy ethylene sorbitan, fatty acid polyglyceride, a fatty acid alcohol polyglycol ether, an oxyalkylene block polymer, a polyoxyethylene alkyl ether, a polyoxyethylenealkylaryl ether, a polyoxyethylenestyrylaryl ether, a polyoxyethylene glycol alkyl ether, polyethylene glycol, a polyoxyethylene fatty acid ester, a polyoxyethylenesorbitan fatty acid ester, a polyoxyethylene glycerin fatty acid ester, Alcohol ethoxylates - C6 to C16/18 alcohols, linear and branched, Alcohol alkoxylates - various hydrophobes and EO/PO contents and ratios, Fatty acid esters - mono and diesters; lauric, stearic and oleic; Glycerol esters - with and without EO; lauric, stearic, cocoa and tall oil derived, Ethoxylated glycerine, Sorbitan esters - with and without EO; lauric, stearic and oleic based; mono and triesters, Castor oil ethoxylates - 5 to 200 moles EO; non-hydrogenated and hydrogenated, Block polymers, Amine oxides- ethoxylated and non-ethoxylated; alkyl dimethyl, Fatty amine ethoxylates- coco, tallow, stearyl, oleyl amines, a polyoxyethylene hydrogenated castor oil or a polyoxypropylene fatty acid ester; salts or derivatives thereof.

Amphoteric or Zwitterionic surfactants include one or more of, but not limited to one or more of betaine, coco and lauryl amidopropyl betaines, Coco Alkyl Dimethyl Amine Oxides, alkyl dimethyl betaines; C8 to C18, Alkyl dipropionates -sodium launminodipropionate, Cocoamidopropylhydroxysulfobetaine, imidazolines, phospholipids phosphatidylserine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylcholine, and sphingomyelins, Lauryl Dimethylamine Oxide, alkyl amphoacetates and proprionates, alkyl Ampho(di)acetates, and diproprionates, lecithin and ethanolamine fatty amides or salts, derivatives thereof.

Amphoteric or Zwitterionic surfactants include one or more of, but not limited to one or more of betaine, coco and lauryl amidopropyl betaines, Coco Alkyl Dimethyl Amine Oxides, alkyl dimethyl betaines; C8 to C18, Alkyl dipropionates -sodium lauriminodipropionate, Cocoamidopropylhydroxysulfobetaine, imidazolines, phospholipids phosphatidylserine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylcholine, and sphingomyelins, Lauryl Dimethylamine Oxide, alkyl amphoacetates and proprionates, alkyl Ampho(di)acetates, and diproprionates, lecithin and ethanolamine fatty amides or salts, derivatives thereof.

However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that it is possible to utilize other conventionally known surfactants without departing from the scope of the present invention. The surfactants are commercially manufactured and available commercially through various companies.

According to an embodiment, the surfactant is present in an amount of 0.1% to 60% w/w of the total composition. According to an embodiment, the surfactant is present in an amount of 0.1% to 40% w/w of the total composition. According to an embodiment; the surfactant is present in an amount of 0.1% to 30% w/w of the total composition. According to a further embodiment, the surfactant is present in an amount of 0.1% to 20% w/w of the total composition. According to an embodiment, the surfactant is present in an amount of 0.1% to 10% w/w of the total composition.

According to an embodiment, the dispersing agents which are used in the pesticidal composition includes, but not limited to one or more of polyvinyl alcohol, phenol naphthalene sulphonates, lignin sulphonates, lignin derivatives, dibutylnaphthalene- sulfonic acid, alkylarylsulfonates, alkyl sulfates, alkylsulfonates, fatty alcohol sulfates, fatty acids and sulfated fatty alcohol glycol ethers, polyoxyethylene alkyl ethers, dioctyl sulfosuccinate, lauryl sulfate, polyoxyethylenestyryl phenyl ether sulfate ester salts and the like, alkali metal salts thereof, ammonium salts or amine salts, polyoxyethylenestyryl phenyl ether, polyoxyethylenesorbitan alkyl esters, and the like, mixture of sodium salt of naphthalene sulphonic acid urea formaldehyde condensate and sodium salt of phenol sulphonic formaldehyde condensate ethoxylated alkyl phenols, ethoxylated fatty acids, alkoxylated linear alcohols, polyaromatic sulfonates, sodium alkyl aryl sulfonates, glyceryl esters, ammonium salts of maleic anhydride copolymers, phosphate esters, salts of addition products of ethylene oxide and fatty acid esters, polycarboxylates, sodium salts of condensed phenolsulfonic acid as well as the napthalene sulfonate-formaldehyde condensates, sodium naphthalene sulfonate formaldehyde condensates, ammonium salts of sulfonated naphthalene, salts of polyacrylic acids, tristyrylphenolethoxylate phosphate esters, aliphatic alcohol ethoxylates, alkyl ethoxylates, EO-PO block copolymers, graft copolymers, ammonium salts of sulfonated naphthalene, salts of polyacrylic acids, salts, derivatives thereof, Poly methyl methacrylate / Acrylic Graft co-polymer and its derivatives, Nonyl-phenol ethoxylates and its derivatives, Castor oil based ethoxylates, sorbitan ester ethoxylates, Lanolin alcohol ethoxylates, Polyol ethoxylates, Phosphate esters and its derivatives, stearic fatty acids and its derivatives, oleic fatty acids, vegetable fatty acids, tallow fatty acids ethoxylates,

Commercially available dispersing agents include "Morwet D425" (sodium naphthalene formaldehyde condensate ex Nouryon Corporation, USA) "Morwet EFW" Sulfated Alkyl Carboxylate and Alkyl Naphthalene Sulfonate— Sodium Salt "Tamol PP" (sodium salt of a phenolsulphonic acid condensate) "Reax 80N" (sodium ligno sulphonate) "Wettol DI" sodium alkylnaphthalene sulphonate (ex BASF) “Tensiofix LX” (ligninsulfonate) “Geropon T77” (Sodium N-methyl-N- oleoyltaurine). However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that it is possible to utilize other conventionally known dispersants without departing from the scope of the present invention. The dispersing agents are commercially manufactured and available through various companies.

According to an embodiment, the dispersing agent is present in an amount of 0.1- 60% w/w of the total composition. According to an embodiment, the dispersing agent is present in an amount of 0.1-30% w/w of the total composition. According to an embodiment, the dispersing agent is present in an amount of 3-20% w/w of the total composition.

According to an embodiment the wetting agents used in the pesticidal composition include, but not limited to one or more of phenol naphthalene sulphonates, alkyl naphthalene sulfonate and their salts, sodium alkyl naphthalene sulfonate, sodium salt of sulfonated alkylcarboxylate, polyoxyalkylated ethyl phenols, polyoxyethoxylated fatty alcohols, polyoxyethoxylated fatty amines, lignin derivatives, alkane sulfonates or their salts, alkylbenzene sulfonates, salts of polycarboxylic acids, salts of esters of sulfosuccinic acid, alkylpolyglycol ether sulfonates, alkyl ether phosphates, alkyl ether sulphates and alkyl sulfosuccinic monoesters, Alkyl polyglucoside, Alkyl polysaccharide, or their salts or derivatives thereof. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that it is possible to utilize other conventionally known wetting agents without departing from the scope of the present invention. The wetting agents are commercially manufactured and available through various companies.

According to an embodiment, the wetting agent is present in an amount of 0.1%- 20% w/w of the total composition. According to an embodiment, the wetting agent is present in an amount of 0.1%-10% w/w of the total composition. According to an embodiment, the wetting agent is present in an amount of 0.1%-5% w/w of the total composition.

According to an embodiment the emulsifiers used in the pesticidal composition include, but not limited to one or more of, alkylated benzene sulphonates, ethoxylated or alkoxylated tnstyrylphenols, alkoxylated coplymers, fatty alcohol ethoxylates, fatty acid derivatives, sorbitol derivatives, castor oil ethoxylates and derivatives, ethoxylated phenols, ethoxylated alkylphenols, nonylphenol alkoxylates, alcohol alkoxylates, sulphosuccinates, alkyletherphosphates, alkoxylated fatty alcohol phosphates (e.g. PEG 10 PPG 5 Cetyl phosphate), polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, lignin sulfonate, poly acrylates, polysorbates, polycarboxylates, alcohol ethoxylates, salt of alkyl aryl sulphonates derivative thereof. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that it is possible to utilize other conventionally known wetting agents without departing from the scope of the present invention. The emulsifiers are commercially manufactured and available through various companies.

Emulsifiers which are used in the pesticidal composition include but are not limited one or more of Atlas G5000, TERMUL 5429, TERMUL 2510, ECOTERIC®, EMULSOGEN® 118, Genapol®X, Genapol®OX -080, Genapol® C 100, Emulsogen ® EL 200, Arlacel P135, Hypermer 8261, Hypermer B239, Hypermer B261, Hypermer B246sf, Solutol HS 15, Promulgen™ D, Soprophor 796 IP, Soprophor TSP/461, Soprophor TSP/724, Croduret 40, Etocas 200, Etocas 29, Rokacet R26, CHEMONIC OE-20, Triton™ N-101, Tween 20, 40, 60, 65, 80, Span20, 40, 60, 80, 83, 85, 120, Brij®, Triton™ Atlox 4912, Atlas G5000, TERMUL 3512, TERMUL 3015, TERMUL 5429, TERMUL 2510, ECOTERIC®, ECOTERIC® T85, ECOTERIC® T20, TERIC 12A4, EULSOGEN® 118, Genapol®X, Genapol®OX -080, Genapol® C 100, Emulsogen ® EL 200, Arlacel P135, Hypermer 8261, Hypermer B239, Hypermer B261, Hypermer B246sf, Solutol HS 15, Promulgen™ D, Soprophor 796 IP, Soprophor TSP/461, Soprophor TSP/724, Croduret 40, Etocas 200, Etocas 29, Rokacet R26, CHEMONIC OE-20, Triton™ N-101, Tween 20, 40, 60, 65, 80 and Span 20, 40, 60, 80, 83, 85, 120 can also be used. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that it is possible to utilize other conventionally known emulsifiers without departing from the scope of the present invention. The emulsifiers are commercially manufactured and available through various companies. According to an embodiment, the emulsifier is present in an amount of 0.1%-60% w/w of the total composition. According to an embodiment, the emulsifier is present in an amount of 0.1%-50% w/w of the total composition. According to an embodiment, the emulsifier is present in an amount of 0.1%-30% w/w of the total composition.

According to an embodiment, the solvents used in the pesticidal composition include water miscible solvents or water immiscible solvents.

The water miscible solvents include, but are not limited to Ethylene glycol, Glycerol, N-Methyl-2-pyrrolidone, 1,3-Propanediol, 1,5-Pentanediol, Propylene glycol, Triethylene glycol, 1,2-Butanediol, 1,3-Butanediol, 1,4-Butanediol, Dimethylformamide, Decainamide, Dimethoxyethane, Dimethyloctanamide, Dimethyldecanamide, Water, Propylene glycol, monoethylene glycol, poly ethylene glycol ether and its derivatives, glycerol, Sorbitol, Dimethyloctanamide, Dimethyldecanamide, Dimethyloctadecanamide, Monobutyl ether, in general glycols and glycol ethers, alkylene carbonates, n-methyl pyrrolidone, Dimethylformamide, Acetophenone, Cyclohexanone, dimethyl sulfoxide. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that it is possible to utilize other water miscible solvents without departing from the scope of the present invention.

According to an embodiment, the solvent is present in an amount of 0.1-75% w/w of the total composition. According to an embodiment, the solvent is present in an amount of 0.1-60% w/w of the total composition. According to an embodiment, the solvent is present in an amount of 0.1-40% w/w of the total composition. According to an embodiment, the solvent is present in an amount of 0.1-30% w/w of the total composition.

According to an embodiment, the disintegrating agents which are used in the pesticidal composition include, but not limited to one or more of inorganic water soluble salts of sodium, potassium, magnesium, ammonium, nitrate, acetate e.g. sodium chloride, potassium chloride, potassium nitrate; water insoluble organic compounds such as microcrystalline cellulose, cross-linked sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, carboxymethyl calcium, cellulose powder; sodium tripolyphosphate, sodium hexametaphosphate, metal stearates, dextrin, methacrylate copolymer, Polyplasdone® XL- 10 (crosslinked polyvinylpyrrolidone), polyaminocarboxylic acid, sulfonated styrene-isobutylene-maleic anhydride copolymer, salts of polyacrylates or methacrylates, starch-polyacrylo nitrile graft copolymer, sodium or potassium bicarbonates/ carbonates or their mixtures or salts with acids such as citric and fumaric acid, or salts, phenol naphthalene sulphonates, alkyl naphthalene sulfonate, sodium alkyl naphthalene sulfonate, sodium salt of sulfonated alkylcarboxylate, polyoxyalkylated ethyl phenols, polyoxyethoxylated fatty alcohols, polyoxyethoxylated fatty amines, lignin derivatives, alkane sulfonates, alkylbenzene sulfonates, salts of polycarboxylic acids, salts of esters of sulfosuccinic acid, alkylpolyglycol ether sulfonates, alkyl ether phosphates, alkyl ether sulphates and alkyl sulfosuccinic monoesters, ligno sulphonates, salts derivatives thereof. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that it is possible to utilize different disintegrating agents without departing from the scope of the present invention. The disintegrating agents are commercially manufactured and available through various companies.

According to an embodiment, the disintegrating agent is present in an amount of 0.1% to 50% w/w of the composition. According to an embodiment, the disintegrating agent is present in an amount of 0.1% to 30% w/w of the composition. According to an embodiment, the disintegrating agent is present in an amount of 0.1% to 20% w/w of the composition. According to an embodiment, the disintegrating agent is present in an amount of 0.1 % to 10% w/w of the composition.

According to an embodiment, the binding agents or binders which are used in the pesticidal composition , but not limited to one or more of polyvinylalcohol, lactose, polyvinylyrrolidone, water soluble cellulose derivatives such as carboxymethyl cellulose, methyl cellulose, Starch, dextrins, lignin sulphonates and bentonite, carbohydrates such as monosaccharides, disaccharides, oligosaccharides and polysaccharides, clays, kaolins, attapulgite, xanthan gum, guar gum, Carrageenan, poly acrylates, poly carboxylates, carbomers, derivatives and combinations thereof. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that it is possible to utilize different binding agents without departing from the scope of the present invention. The binding agents are commercially manufactured and available through various companies.

According to an embodiment, the binding agent is present in an amount of 0.1% to 50% w/w of the composition. According to further embodiment, the binding agent is present in an amount of 0.1% to 30% w/w of the composition. According to further embodiment, the binding agent is present in an amount of 0.1% to 20% w/w of the composition. According to further embodiment, the binding agent is present in an amount of 0.1% to 10% w/w of the composition.

According to an embodiment, the carriers which are used in the pesticidal composition include, but are not limited to one or more of solid carriers or fillers or diluents. According to another embodiment, the carriers include mineral carriers, plant carriers, synthetic carriers, water-soluble carriers. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that it is possible to utilize different carriers without departing from the scope of the present invention. The carriers are commercially manufactured and available through various companies.

The solid carriers include natural minerals like clay such as bentonite, china clay, acid clay, dolomite, kaolin such as kaolinite, dickite, nacrite, and halloysite, synthetic and diatomaceous silicas, montmorillonite minerals such as sodium montmorillonite, smectites, such as saponite, hectorite, sauconite, and hyderite, micas, such as pyrophyllite, talc, agalmatolite, muscovite, phengite, sericite, and illite, silicas such as cristobalite, attapulgite, sepiolite; vermiculite, laponite, pumice, perlite, volclay, vermiculites, limestone, natural and synthetic silicates, charcoal, silica, powdered silica, fused silica, hydrophobic silica, wet process silicas, dry process silicas, calcined products of wet process silicas, surface- modified silicas, mica, zeolite, diatomaceous earth, derivatives thereof;, fly ash, chalks (Omya ®), fuller's earth, loess, mirabilite, white carbon, slaked lime, synthetic silicic acid, starch, modified starch (Pineflow, available from Matsutani Chemical industry co, Ltd.), sucrose, potassium pyrophosphate, sodium tripolyphosphate, kaolin 1777, Lactose, maltodextrin, dextrin, sorbitol; salts of lignin sulphonates such as ammonium, sodium, calcium, zinc. Water insoluble carriers include, but not limited to clays, microcrystalline cellulose, perlite, volcanic ash, mica, calcium or magnesium carbonates, diatomaceous earth, soap stone, starch, hydrophobic ally or hydrophilic ally modified starch, calcium phosphates. Water soluble salts such as, citrate, nitrate, sulphate, hexametaphosphate, phosphate, Ammonium salts such as sulphate, phosphate, magnesium sulphate. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that it is possible to utilize different solid carriers without departing from the scope of the present invention. The solid carriers are commercially manufactured and available through various companies.

According to an embodiment, the carrier is present in an amount of 0.1% to 75% w/w of the composition. According to further embodiment, the carrier is present in an amount of 0.1% to 70% w/w of the composition. According to further embodiment, the carrier is present in an amount of 0.1% to 60% w/w of the composition. According to further embodiment, the carrier is present in an amount of 0.1% to 40% w/w of the composition. According to further embodiment, the carrier is present in an amount of 0.1% to 20% w/w of the composition.

According to an embodiment, the anticaking agents which are used in the pesticidal composition include, but are not limited to one or more of precipitated Silica, fumed silica, hydrophobically modified silica, Perlite, Mica, Talc, soapstone, Magnesium Aluminum silicate, clays, Calcium silicate, sodium bicarbonate, Magnesium trisilicate, fumed silica (white carbon), ester gum, a petroleum resin, Foammaster® Soap L sodium stearate, sodium metasilicate, sodium carbonate, Sodium alumino silicates, calcium carbonate and magnesium carbonate, Magnesium stearate, calcium phosphate salts or derivatives thereof. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that it is possible to utilize different anti caking agents without departing from the scope of the present invention. The anti-caking agents are commercially manufactured and available through various companies.

According to an embodiment, the antifoaming agents or defoamers which are used in the pesticidal composition include, but not limited to one or more of silica, siloxane, silicone dioxide, polydimethyl siloxane and its derivatives, vegetable oils, petroleum oils, paraffin oil, polyethylene glycol, Silicone oils and magnesium stearate or derivatives thereof. Preferred antifoaming agents include silicone emulsions (such as, e.g., Silikon® SRE, Wacker or Rhodorsil® from Rhodia), long- chain alcohols, fatty acids. Non silicone defoamers can also be used. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that it is possible to utilize other conventionally known antifoaming agents without departing from the scope of the present invention. The antifoaming agents are commercially manufactured and available through various companies.

According to an embodiment, the anti-foaming agent is present in an amount of 0.01% to 5% w/w of the total composition. According to an embodiment, the antifoaming agent is present in an amount of 0.01% to 2% w/w of the total composition. According to an embodiment, the anti-foaming agent is present in an amount of 0.01% to 1% w/w of the total composition.

According to an embodiment, the pH-adjusters or buffers or neutralizing agents which are used in the pesticidal composition include both acids and bases of the organic or inorganic type and mixtures thereof. According to further embodiment, pH-adjusters or buffers or neutralizing agents include, but not limited to one or more of organic acids, inorganic acids and alkali metal compounds or salts, derivatives thereof. According to an embodiment, the organic acids include, but not limited to one or more of acetic, propionic, citric, oxalic, malic, adipic, fumaric, maleic, succinic, tartaric acid, hydrochloric acid, nitric acid, sulphuric acid, phosphoric acid, boric acid, phytic acid or salts, derivatives thereof; and the mono-, di-, or tribasic salts of these acids or derivatives thereof. Alkali metal compounds include, but not limited to one or more of hydroxides of alkali metals such as sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide, carbonates of alkali metals such as sodium carbonate, hydrogencarbonates of alkali metals such as sodium hydrogencarbonate and alkali metal phosphates such as sodium phosphate, sodium dihydrogen phosphate; sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, ammonium hydroxide, Borax, sodium borate; calcium carbonate, calcium hydroxide, ferrous hydroxide, Magnesia, Lime, potassium acetate, potassium bicarbonate, potassium carbonate, sodium acetate, sodium benzoate, sodium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, sodium metasilicate, trisodium phosphate, ammonia, primary amines, secondary amines and tertiary amines and mixtures thereof. According to an embodiment, the salts of organic acids include, but not limited to one or more of alkali metal salts such as sodium citrate and the like. Mixtures can also be used to create a pH-adjusters or buffers or neutralizing agents. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that it is possible to utilize other conventionally known pH-adjusters or buffers or neutralizing agents without departing from the scope of the present invention. The pH-adjusters or buffers or neutralizing agents are commercially manufactured and available through various companies.

According to an embodiment, the pH-adjusters or buffers are present in an amount of 0.01% to 20% w/w of the total composition. According to an embodiment, the pH-adjusters or buffers are present in an amount of 0.01% to 10% w/w of the total composition. According to an embodiment, the pH-adjusters or buffers are present in an amount of 0.01% to 5% w/w of the total composition. According to an embodiment, the pH-adjusters or buffers are present in an amount of 0.01% to 1% w/w of the total composition.

According to an embodiment, the spreading agents which are used in the pesticidal composition include, but not limited to one or more of silicone surfactants, 1 copolymer of maleic acid with a styrene compound, a (meth)acrylic acid copolymer, a half ester of a polymer consisting of polyhydric alcohol with dicarboxylic anhydride, a water-soluble salt of polystyrenesulfonic acid, fatty acids, aliphatic alcohols, vegetable oils such as cottonseed, or inorganic oils, petroleum distillates, modified trisiloxanes, polyglycol, polyethers, polyoxyalkylated ethyl phenols, polyoxy ethoxylated fatty alcohols, polyoxyethoxylated fatty amines, alkylpolyglycol ether sulfonates, alkyl ether phosphates, Alkyl polyglucoside, Alkyl polysaccharide, vegetable oil, mineral oils, petroleum oils, silicone oils, siloxanes, polyoxyalkylene alkyl ethers, polyoxyalkylene alkylphenyl ethers, polyoxyalkylene polyhydric alcohol fatty acid esters, polyhydric alcohol fatty acid esters, polyoxyalkylene alkylamines, alkyl polyglycosides and glycidyl ethers are preferable. Examples of polyhydric alcohols constituting a nonionic surfactant include divalent alcohols such as ethyleneglycol, 1,2-propyleneglycol, 1,3- propyleneglycol, 1,4-butanediol, 2,3-butanediol, 1,5-pentanediol, 1,6-hexanediol, 1,8-octanediol, neopentyl glycol or 2 -methyl- 1,3 -propanediol, trivalent alcohols such as glycerol, clathrates or salts or derivatives thereof. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that it is possible to utilize other conventionally known spreading agents without departing from the scope of the present invention. The spreading agents are commercially manufactured and available through various companies.

According to an embodiment, the spreading agent is present in an amount of 0.1% to 20% w/w of the total composition. According to an embodiment, the spreading agent is present in an amount of 0.1% to 10% w/w of the total composition. According to an embodiment, the spreading agent is present in an amount of 0.1% to 5% w/w of the total composition. According to an embodiment, the spreading agent is present in an amount of 0.1% to 1% w/w of the total composition.

According to an embodiment, the sticking agents which are used in the pesticidal composition include, but not limited to one or more of, silicone -based surfactants, mineral oils, vegetable oils, petroleum oil, silicone oils, emulsifiers, fish oil or fatty acid soaps or emulsified vegetable oil. Carboxymethylcellulose and natural and synthetic polymers such as gum arabic, xanthan gum, guar gum, carrageenan, carbomer, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl pyrrolidone and polyvinyl acetate, lecithins, carboxymethyl cellulose, natural and synthetic polymers, paraffin, a polyamide resin, polyacrylate, polyoxyethylene, wax, polyvinyl alkyl ether, an alkylphenol-formalin condensate, fatty acids, aliphatic alcohols, vegetable oils such as cottonseed, or inorganic oils, petroleum distillates, modified trisiloxanes, polyglycol, poly ethers, clathrates, a synthetic resin emulsion or salts or derivatives thereof. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that it is possible to utilize other conventionally known sticking agents without departing from the scope of the present invention. The sticking agents are commercially manufactured and available through various companies.

According to an embodiment, the sticking agent can be present in an amount of 0.1% to 30% w/w of the total composition. According to an embodiment, the sticking agent is present in an amount of 0.1% to 20% w/w of the total composition. According to an embodiment, the sticking agent is present in an amount of 0.1% to 10% w/w of the total composition.

According to an embodiment, the stabilizers which are used in the pesticidal composition include, but not limited to alkyl glyoxylates such as ethyl glyoxylate, zeolite, EDTA and chelating agents, sequestering agents, antioxidants such as sodium bisulphite, sodium metabisulphite, ascorbic acid, citric acid, malic acid and their salts; phenol compounds, and the like; ultraviolet absorbers such as benzophenone compounds or derivatives thereof. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that it is possible to utilize other conventionally known stabilizers without departing from the scope of the present invention. The stabilizers are commercially manufactured and available through various companies.

According to an embodiment, the stabilizer is present in an amount of 0.1% to 30% w/w of the total composition. According to an embodiment, the stabilizer is present in an amount of 0.1% to 20% w/w of the total composition. According to an embodiment, the stabilizer is present in an amount of 0.1% to 10% w/w of the total composition.

According to an embodiment, the preservatives which are used in the pesticidal composition include but not limited to, one or more of bactericides, anti-fungal agents, biocides, anti-microbial agents, and antioxidant. Non limiting examples of preservatives include one or more of paraben, its esters and salts, propionic acid and its salts, 2,4-hexadienoic acid (sorbic acid) and its salt, formaldehyde and paraformaldehyde, 2 -hydroxybiphenyl ether and its salts, inorganic sulfites and bisulfites, sodium iodate, chlorobutanol, l,6-bis(4-amidino-2-bromophenoxy)-n- hexane and its salts, 5-amino-l,3-bis(2-ethylhexyl)-5-methylhexahydropyrimidine, 5-bromo-5-nitro-l,3-dioxane, 2-bromo-2-nitropropane-l,3-diol, 2,4- dichlorobenzyl alcohol, 5-chloro-2-(2,4-dichlorobenzylalcohol), N-(4- chlorophenyl)-N'-(3,4-dichlorophenyl) urea, 4-chloro-m-cresol, 2,4,4'-trichloro-2'- hydroxy diphenyl ether, 4-chloro-3,5-dimethyl phenol, l,l'-methylene-bis(3-(l- hydroxy methyl-2 ,4-dioximidazolidin-5-yl)urea) , 2-phenoxyethanol, hexamethylenetetramine, 1 -(3-chloroallyl)-3 ,5,7 -triaza- 1 -azonia- adamantane chloride, l(4-chlorophenoxy)-l-(lH-imidazol-l-yl)-3,3-dimethyl-2-butan one, 1,3- bis(hydroxymethyl)-5,5-dimethyl-2,4-imidazolidinedione, benzyl alcohol, octopirox, l,2-dibromo-2,4-dicyanobutane, 2,2'-methylenebis(6-bromo-4- chlorophenol), bromochlorophene, dichlorophene, 2-benzyl-4-chlorophenol, 2- chloroacetamide, chlorhexidine, chlorhexidine acetate, chlorhexidine gluconate, chlorhexidine hydrochloride, l-phenoxypropan-2-ol, N-alkyl(C12- C22)trimethylammonium bromide and chloride, 4,4-dimethyl-l,3-oxazolidine, N- hydroxymethyl-N-(l,3-di(hydroxymethyl)-2,5-dioxoimidazolidin -4-yl)-N'- hydroxymethylurea, l,6-bis(4-amidinophenoxy)-n-hexane and its salts, glutaraldehyde, 5 -ethyl- 1 -aza-3 ,7 -dioxabicyclo(3.3.0)octane, 3 -(4- chlorophenoxy)propane- 1 ,2-diol, Hyamine, alkyl(C8-C 18)dimethylbenzyl ammonium chloride, alkyl(C8-C18)dimethylbenzylammonium bromide, alkyl(C8- C18)dimethylbenzylammonium saccharinate, benzyl hemiformal, 3-iodo-2- propynyl butylcarbamate, sodium hydroxymethylaminoacetate, cetyltrimethylammonium bromide, acetic acid, cetylpyridinium chloride, and derivatives of 2H isothiazol-3-one (so-called isothiazolone derivatives) such as alkylisothiazolones (for example 2-methyl-2H-isothiazol-3-one, MIT; chloro-2- methyl-2H-isothiazol-3-one, CIT), benzoisothiazolones (for example 1,2- benzoisothiazol-3(2H)-one, BIT, commercially available as Proxel® types from ICI) or 2-methyl-4,5-trimethylene-2H-isothiazol-3-one (MTIT), Cl-C4-alkyl parahydroxybenzoate, an dichlorophene, Proxel® from ICI or Acticide® RS from Thor Chemie and Kathon® MK from Rohm & Haas, Bacto-100, Sodium Propinoate, Sodium Benzoate, Propyl Paraben, Propyl Paraben Sodum, Potassium Sorbate, Potassium Benzoate, Phenyl Etehyl Alcohol, Sodium, Ethylparaben, Methylparaben, Butylparaben, Bezyla Alcohol, Benzothonium Chloride, Cetylpyridinium Chloride, Benzalkonium Chloride, l,2-benzothiazol-3-one, Preventol® (Lanxess®), Butylhydroxytoluene, potassium sorbate, iodine - containing organic compounds such as 3-bromo-2,3-diiodo-2-propenyl ethyl carbonate, 3-iodo-2-propynyl butyl carbamate, 2,3,3-triiodo allyl alcohol, and parachlorophenyl-3-iodopropargylformal; benzimidazole compounds and benzthiazole compounds such as 2-(4-thiazolyl)benzimidazole and 2- thiocyanomethylthiobenzo-thiazole; triazole compounds such as l-(2-(2',4'- dichlorophenyl)-l,3-dioxolane-2-ylmethyl)-lH-l,2,4-triazole, l-(2-(2',4'-dichloro phenyl)-4-propyl-l,3-dioxolane-2-ylmethyl)-lH-l,2,4-triazole , and a-(2-(4- chlorophenyl) ethyl)-a-(l,l-dimethyl ethyl)-lH-l,2,4-triazole-l-ethanol; and naturally occurring compounds such as 4-isopropyl tropolone (hinokitiol) and borax or salts or derivatives thereof. Antioxidants includes but not limited to one or more of sodium or potassium bisulphites, sulphites, ascorbic acid, isoascorbic acid, imidazole and imidazole derivatives (e.g. urocanic acid), 4,4'-thiobis-6-t-butyl-3- methylphenol, 2,6-di-t-butyl-p-cresol (BHT), and pentaerythrityltetrakis[3-(3,5,-di- t-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)]propionate; amine antioxidants such as N,N'-di-2- naphthyl-p -phenylenediamine; hydroquinoline antioxidants such as 2,5-di(t- amyl)hydroquinoline; phosphorus-containing antioxidants such as triphenyl phosphatepropylthiouracil , hydroquinone and derivatives thereof (e.g. arbutin), ubiquinone and ubiquinol, and denvatives thereof, ascorbyl palmitate, stearate, di- palmitate, acetate, Mg ascorbyl phosphates, diso- diumascorbyl phosphate and sulfate, potassium ascorbyltocopheryl phosphate, isoascorbic acid and derivatives thereof, disodium rutinyldisulfate, dibutylhydroxytoluene, 4,4-thiobis-6-tert-butyl- 3 -methylphenol, butylhydroxy anisole, p-octylphenol, mono-(di- or tri-) methyl benzylphenol, 2,6-tert-butyl-4-methylphenol, pentaerythritol-tetrakis 3-(3,5-di- tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)propionate, butyl hydroxyl anisol, trihydroxy butyrophenone, thereof. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that it is possible to utilize other conventionally known preservatives without departing from the scope of the present invention. The preservatives are commercially manufactured and available through various companies.

According to an embodiment, the preservative or bactericides or anti-fungal agents or biocides or anti-microbial agents or antioxidant is present in an amount of 0.1% to 5% w/w of the total composition. According to further embodiment, the preservative or bactericides or anti-fungal agents or biocides or anti-microbial agents or antioxidant is present in an amount of 0.1% to 2% w/w of the total composition. According to further embodiment, the preservative or bactericides or anti-fungal agents or biocides or anti-microbial agents or antioxidant is present in an amount of 0.1% to 1% w/w of the total composition.

According to an embodiment, the structuring agents which are used in the pesticidal composition include, but not limited to one or more of thickeners, viscosity modifiers, tackifiers, suspension aids, rheological modifiers or anti-settling agents. A structuring agent prevents sedimentation of the active ingredient particles after prolonged storage.

According to an embodiment, the structuring agents which are used in the composition include, but not limited to one or more polymers such as polyacrylics, polyacrylamides, polysaccharides, modified cellulose derivatives, co-polymers of cellulose derivatives, carboxyvinyl or polyvinyl pyrrolidones, polyethylenes, polyethylene oxide, polyvinyl alcohol and derivatives; clays such as bentonite clays, kaolin, smectite, attapulgites, attaclays, veegum, vangel with high surface area, silica and natural gums such as guar gum, xanthan gum, gum Arabic, gum tragacanth, rhamsan gum, locust bean gum, carrageenan, welan gum, dextrin, polyacrylic acids and their sodium salts; fumed silica, mixture of fumed silica and fumed aluminium oxide, swellable polymers, swelling clay, polyamides or its derivatives; polyols such as poly(vinyl acetate), sodium polyacrylate, poly(ethylene glycol), phospholipid (for example, cephalin, and the like); stachyose, fructooligosaccharides, amylose, pectins, alginates, hydrocolloids and mixtures thereof. Also, celluloses such as, carboxymethylcellulose, ethylcellulose, hydroxyethylcellulose, hydroxy-methyl ethyl cellulose, hydroxyl ethyl propyl cellulose, methylhydroxyethylcellulose, methylcellulose; starches, starch acetates, starch hydroxyethyl ethers, ionic starches, long-chain alkyl starches, dextrins, maltodextrin, com starch, amine starches, phosphates starches, and dialdehyde starches; plant starches such as corn starch and potato starch; other carbohydrates such as pectin, amylopectin, xylan, glycogen, agar, gluten, alginic acid, phycocolloids, chitosan or derivatives thereof. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that it is possible to utilize other conventionally known structuring agents without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Preferred structuring agents include one or more of xanthan gum, aluminum silicate, methylcellulose, polysaccharide, alkaline earth metal silicate, veegum, bentonite, attapulgite, kaolin and polyvinyl alcohol. The structuring agents are commercially manufactured and available through various companies.

According to an embodiment, the structuring agent is present in an amount of 0.01% to 5% w/w of the composition. According to an embodiment, the structuring agent is present in an amount of 0.01% to 4% w/w of the composition. According to an embodiment, the structuring agent is present in an amount of 0.01% to 3% w/w of the composition. According to an embodiment, the structuring agent is present in an amount of 0.01% to 2% w/w of the composition. According to an embodiment, the structuring agent is present in an amount of 0.01% to 1% w/w of the composition. According to an embodiment, the structuring agent is present in an amount of 0.01% to 0.1% w/w of the composition.

According to an embodiment, the antifreezing agents or freezing point depressants used in the liquid supension composition include, but are not limited to one or more of polyhydric alcohols such as ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, propylene glycol, glycerol, monohydric or polyhydric alcohols, glycol ethers, glycol ethers, glycol monoethers such as the methyl, ethyl, propyl and butyl ether of ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, propylene glycol and dipropylene glycol, glycol diethers such as methyl and ethyl diethers of ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol and dipropyleneglycol.or urea, glycerol, isopropanol, propylene glycol monomethyl ether, di- or tripropylene glycol monomethyl ether or carbohydrates such as glucose, mannose, fructose, galactose, sucrose, lactose, maltose, xylose, arabinose, sorbitol, mannitol, trehalose, raffinose or derivatives thereof. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that it is possible to utilize different antifreezing agents without departing from the scope of the present invention. The antifreezing agents are commercially manufactured and available through various companies.

According to an embodiment, the chelating or complexing or sequestering agents which are used in the pesticidal composition include, but not limited to one or more of lignosulphonates, polycarboxylic acids such as polyacrylic acid and the various hydrolyzed poly (methyl vinyl ether/maleic anhydride); N- hydroxyethyliminodiacetic acid, nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA), N,N,N',N'- ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, N-hydroxyethyl-N, N',N'- ethylenediaminetriacetic acid and N,N,N',N",N" -diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid; a-hydroxy acids, such as citric acid, tartaric acid and gluconic acid; orthophosphates, such as trisodium phosphate, disodium phosphate, monosodium phosphate; condensed phosphates, such as sodium tripolyphosphate, tetrasodium pyrophosphate, sodium hexametaphosphate and sodium tetrapolyphosphate; 5- sulfo-8-hydroxyqumohne; and 3,5-disulfopyrocatechol, polycarboxylates, ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA), diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTP A), N- hydroxyethyl-ethylenediamine-triacetic acid (HEDTA), ethylenediaminediacetate (EDDA), ethylenediaminedi(o-hydroxyphenylacetic) acid (EDDHA), cyclohexane diamine tetraacetic acid (CDTA), polyethyleneaminepolyacetic acids, ligno sulfonate, Ca-, K-, Na-, and ammonium lignosulfonates, fulvic acid, ulmic acid, citric acids, cyclodextrin, phytic acid, humic acid, pyrophosphate. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that it is possible to utilize other chelating or complexing or sequestering agents without departing from the scope of the present invention. The chelating or complexing or sequestering agents are commercially manufactured and available through various companies.

According to an embodiment, the penetrant which is used in the pesticidal composition include, but not limited to one or more of alcohol, glycol, glycol ether, ester, amine, alkanolamine, amine oxide, quaternary ammonium compound, triglyceride, polyoxyethylenetrimethylolpropane hexaoleate, sorbitan monooleate, polyoxyethylene sorbitan monolaurate, polyoxyethylene trimethylolpropane trioleate, ethoxylated triglycerides, ethoxylated polyol esters, alkoxylated alkanols and also alkoxylated triglycerides fatty acid ester, fatty acid ether, N-methyl pyrrolidone, dimethylformamide, dimethylacetamide, or dimethyl sulfoxide, polyoxyethylene trimethylol propane monooleate, polyoxyethylene trimethylol propanedioleate, polyoxyethylene trimethylol propanetrioleate, polyoxyethylene sorbitan monooleate, polyoxyethylene sorbitol hexaoleate. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that it is possible to utilize different penetrants without departing from the scope of the present invention. The penetrants are commercially manufactured and available through various companies.

According to an embodiment, the ultraviolet absorbent is selected from, but not limited to one or more of zinc oxide, titanium oxide, lignosulphonates, 2-(2'- hydroxy-5'-methylphenyl) benzotriazole, 2-ethoxy-2'-ethyloxazalic acid bisanilide, succinic acid dimethyl- l-(2-hydroxyethyl)-4-hydroxy-2, 2,6,6- tetramethylpiperidine polycondensate, benzotriazole compounds such as 2-(2'- hydroxy-5'-methylphenyl)benzotriazole and 2-(2 '-hydroxy-4 '-n- octoxyphenyl)benzo triazole; benzophenone compounds such as 2-hydroxy-4- methoxybenzophenone and 2-hydroxy-4-n-octoxybenzophenone; salicylic acid compounds such as phenyl salicylate and p-t-butylphenyl salicylate; 2-ethylhexyl 2-cyano-3,3-diphenyl acrylate, 2-ethoxy-2 '-ethyl oxalic bisanilide, and dimethyl succinate- l-(2-hydroxyethyl)-4-hydroxy-2, 2, 6, 6-tetramethylpiperidine polycondensate or derivatives or the like. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that it is possible to utilize different ultraviolet absorbents, without departing from the scope of the present invention. Such ultraviolet absorbents are commercially manufactured and available through various companies.

According to an embodiment, the UV ray scattering agents include, but not limited to zinc oxide, titanium dioxide or the like may be used. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that it is possible to utilize different UV ray scattering agents or mixtures thereof without departing from the scope of the present invention. Such UV ray scattering agents are commercially manufactured and available through various companies.

According to an embodiment, the humectant is selected from, but not limited to one or more of polyoxyethylene/polyoxypropylene copolymers, particularly block copolymers, such as the Synperonic PE series of copolymers available from Uniqema or salts, derivatives thereof. Other humectants are propylene glycol, monoethylene glycol, hexylene glycol, butylene glycol, ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, poly (ethylene glycol), poly (propylene glycol), glycerol and the like; polyhydric alcohol or derivatives thereof. Also other humectants include aloe vera gel, alpha hydroxyl acids such as lactic acid, albumin, glyceryl triacetate, honey, calcium chloride, etc. The non-ionic surfactants mentioned above also act as humectants. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that it is possible to utilize other conventionally known humectants without departing from the scope of the present invention. The humectants are commercially manufactured and available through various companies.

According to an embodiment, the humectant is present in the range of 0.1 % to 30% w/w of the total composition. According to an embodiment, the humectant is present in the range of 0.1% to 20% w/w of the total composition. According to an embodiment, the humectant is present in the range of 0.1% to 10% w/w of the total composition.

According to an embodiment, the pesticidal composition includes at least one further active ingredient. According to an embodiment, the active ingredient includes at least one pesticidal active; nutrients selected from macronutrients, micro nutrients; bio stimulants; fertilizers; plant growth regulators; algae and mixtures thereof. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that it is possible to utilize other active ingredient without departing from the scope of the present invention.

According to an embodiment, the pesticidal actives include one or more of an antifoulant, an insecticide, a fungicide, a herbicide, a nematicide, a pheromone, a defoliant, an acaricide, a plant growth regulator, an algicide, an antifeedant, an avicide, a bactericide, a bird repellent, a biopesticide, a biocide, a chemo sterilant, a safener, an insect attractant, an insect repellent, an insect growth regulator, a mammal repellent, a mating disrupter, a disinfectant, a molluscicide, an antimicrobial, a miticide, an ovicide, a fumigant, a plant activator, a rodenticide, a synergist, a virucide, a microbial pesticide, a plant incorporated protectant, other miscellaneous pesticidal actives or salts or derivatives and mixtures thereof. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that it is possible to utilize other pesticidal actives without departing from the scope of the present invention.

According to further embodiment, the further active ingredient is present in the concentration range of 0.1% w/w to 70% w/w of the total composition. According to further embodiment, the active ingredient can be present in the concentration range of 0.1% w/w to 60% w/w of the total composition. According to further embodiment, the active ingredient can be present in the concentration range of 0.1 % w/w to 40% w/w of the total composition. According to further embodiment, the active ingredient can be present in the concentration range of 0.1% w/w to 30% w/w of the total composition. According to further embodiment, the active ingredient can be present in the concentration range of 0.1% w/w to 10% w/w of the total composition.

It has been surprisingly found that the pesticidal composition of the present invention has enhanced and improved physical properties of dispersibility, suspensibility, wettability, viscosity, pourability, attrition resistance and hardness, which provides ease of handling and also reduces the loss of material while handling the product at the time of packaging as well as during field application.

According to an embodiment, the pesticidal composition in the form of liquid suspension does not sediment or settle on storage and is easily pourable. This property can be measured in terms of viscosity of the fluid which is a measure of its resistance to gradual deformation by shear stress or tensile stress.

According to an embodiment, viscosity of the liquid composition is determined as per CIPAC MT-192. According to an embodiment, the pesticidal composition has a viscosity at 25° C. of about 10 cps to about 3000 cps. According to an embodiment, the pesticidal composition has a viscosity at 25° C. of about 10 cps to about 2500 cps. According to an embodiment, the pesticidal composition has a viscosity at 25° C. of about 10 cps to about 2000 cps. According to an embodiment, the pesticidal composition has a viscosity at 25° C. of about 10 cps to about 1500 cps. According to an embodiment, the pesticidal composition has a viscosity at 25° C. of about 10 cps to about 1200 cps. According to an embodiment, the pesticidal composition has a viscosity at 25° C. of about 10 cps to about 1000 cps. According to an embodiment, the pesticidal composition has a viscosity at 25° C. of about 10 cps to about 800 cps. According to an embodiment, the pesticidal composition has a viscosity at 25 C. of about 10 cps to about 500 cps. According to an embodiment, the pesticidal composition has a viscosity at 25° C. of about 10 cps to about 400 cps. According to an embodiment, the pesticidal composition has a viscosity at 25° C. of about 10 cps to about 300 cps.

According to an embodiment, the liquid suspension composition of the present invention is easily pourable. The pourability is the measure of percent of residue. According to an embodiment, the pourability of the pesticidal composition is determined as per CIPAC MT- 148.1. According to a further embodiment, the pourability of the pesticidal composition is less than 5% residue. According to further embodiment, the pourability of the pesticidal composition is preferably less than 2.5% residue. According to further embodiment, the pourability of the pesticidal composition is more preferably less than 2.0% residue.

Suspensibility is defined as the amount of active ingredient suspended after a given time in a column of liquid, of stated height, expressed as a percentage of the amount of active ingredient in the original suspension. The test for suspensibility is done as per the CIPAC Handbook, "MT 184 Test for Suspensibility”.

According to an embodiment, the pesticidal composition has a suspensibility of at least 50%. According to an embodiment, the pesticidal composition has a suspensibility of at least 60%. According to an embodiment, the pesticidal composition has a suspensibility of at least 70%. According to an embodiment, the pesticidal composition has a suspensibility of at least 80%. According to an embodiment, the pesticidal composition has a suspensibility of at least 90%. According to an embodiment, the pesticidal composition has a suspensibility of at least 99%. According to an embodiment, the pesticidal composition has a suspensibility of 100%.

According to an embodiment, the pesticidal composition demonstrates superior suspensibility under accelerated storage condition (ATS). According to an embodiment, the pesticidal composition demonstrates suspensibility of at least 90% under ATS. According to an embodiment, the pesticidal composition demonstrates suspensibility of at least 80% under ATS. According to an embodiment, the pesticidal composition demonstrates suspensibility of at least 70% under ATS. According to an embodiment, the pesticidal composition demonstrates suspensibility of at least 60% under ATS. According to an embodiment, the pesticidal composition demonstrates suspensibility of at least 50% under ATS. According to an embodiment, the pesticidal composition demonstrates suspensibility of at least 40% under ATS.

According to an embodiment, the pesticidal composition in the form of water dispersible granule exhibits almost instantaneous dispersion.

Dispersibility of the composition of the present application, can determined as per the standard CIPAC test, MT 174. According to an embodiment, the pesticidal composition has a dispersibility of at least 50%. According to an embodiment, the pesticidal composition has a dispersibility of at least 60%. According to an embodiment, the pesticidal composition has a dispersibility of at least 70%. According to an embodiment, the pesticidal composition has a dispersibility of at least 80%. According to an embodiment, the pesticidal composition has a dispersibility of at least 90%. According to an embodiment, the pesticidal composition has a dispersibility of at least 99%. According to an embodiment, the pesticidal composition has a dispersibility of 100%.

According to an embodiment, the pesticidal composition demonstrates dispersibility of at least 90% under ATS. According to an embodiment, the pesticidal composition demonstrates a dispersibility of at least 80% under ATS. According to an embodiment, the pesticidal composition demonstrates dispersibility of at least 70% under ATS. According to an embodiment, the pesticidal composition demonstrates dispersibility of at least 60% under ATS. According to an embodiment, the pesticidal composition demonstrates dispersibility of at least 50% under ATS. According to an embodiment, the pesticidal composition demonstrates dispersibility of at least 40% under ATS.

Wettability is the condition or the state of being wettable and can be defined as the degree to which a solid is wetted by a liquid, measured by the force of adhesion between the solid and liquid phases. The wettability of the granular composition or wettable powder compositions is measured using the Standard CIPAC Test MT-53 which describes a procedure for the determination of the time of complete wetting of wettable formulations. A weighed amount of the granular composition is dropped on water in a beaker from a specified height and the time for complete wetting was determined. According to another embodiment, the pesticidal composition in the form of water dispersible granules, wettable powders, spheronised granule or broadcast granules has wettability of less than 2 minutes. According to another embodiment, the wettability of less than 1 minute. According to another embodiment, the pesticidal composition has wettability of less than 30 seconds.

The spheronised granular composition is formulated in a manner such that it is imparted with sufficient hardness which prevents the granules from crumbling during storage and transportation. The hardness exhibited by the granules can be estimated by hardness testers such as the ones provided by Erweka, Shimadzu, Brinell Hardness (AKB-3000 Model), Mecmesin, Agilent, Vinsyst, Ametek, Dr. Shleuniger, Electrolab and Rockwell. According to an embodiment, the hardness exhibited by the granules is less than 100 Newton (N). According to an embodiment, the hardness exhibited by the granules is less than 90 Newton (N). According to an embodiment, the hardness exhibited by the granules is less than 80 Newton. According to an embodiment, the hardness exhibited by the granules is less than 70 Newton. According to an embodiment, the hardness exhibited by the granules is less than 60 Newton. According to an embodiment, the hardness exhibited by the granules is less than 50 Newton. According to an embodiment, the pesticidal composition in the form of spheromsed granule makes the actives available instantaneously and also over a longer period which may extend throughout the crop cycle, providing an immediate and sustained release of actives eventually strengthening and protecting the crop at each and every stage of the crop cycle.

According to an embodiment, the water dispersible granular composition of the present invention has almost no hardness.

According to an embodiment, the pesticidal composition in the form of water dispersible granule or liquid suspension passes the wet sieve retention test. The test is used to determine the amount of non-dispersible material in formulations that are applied as dispersions in water. The wet sieve retention value of the agrochemical composition in the form of liquid suspension and granules is measured by using the Standard CIPAC Test MT-185 which describes a procedure for the measuring the amount of material retained on the sieve. A sample of the formulation is dispersed in water and the suspension formed is transferred to a sieve and washed. The amount of the material retained on the sieve is determined by drying and weighing

According to an embodiment, the pesticidal composition in the form of water dispersible granule or liquid suspension has a wet sieve retention value on a 75- micron sieve of less than 0.5%. According to an embodiment, the pesticidal composition has a wet sieve retention value on a 75-micron sieve of less than 0.2%. According to an embodiment, the pesticidal composition has a wet sieve retention value on a 75-micron sieve of less than 0.1%. The wet sieve retention value of less than 0.5% indicate that the pesticidal composition helps in easy application of the formulation preventing clogging of the nozzles or filter equipment.

According to an embodiment, the pesticidal composition demonstrates superior stability towards heat, light, temperature and caking. According to an embodiment, the stability exhibited by the pesticidal composition is at least 3 years. According to further embodiment, the stability exhibited by the pesticidal composition is at least 2 years. According to further embodiment, the stability exhibited by the pesticidal composition is at least 1 year. According to further embodiment, the stability exhibited by the pesticidal composition is at least 6 months.

According to an embodiment, the present invention relates to process of preparing composition of the present invention comprising elemental sulphur present in the range of 25% w/w to 95 % w/w of the total composition, triflumezopyrim or its salts or derivatives thereof present in the range of 0.1% w/w to 50% w/w of the total composition and at least one agrochemically acceptable excipient.

According to a further embodiment the present invention relates to a process for preparing pesticidal composition in the form of water dispersible granules, spheronised granules, liquid suspension, wettable powder, suspo-emulsion, water dispersible powder for seed coating (WS), and suspension concentrate for seed coating (FS).

According to further embodiment, the pesticidal composition in the form of water dispersible granules or spheronised granules, is made by various techniques such as spray drying, fluidized bed granulation, disc pelletization, pan granulation, pin agglomerator, spheronizer, freeze drying or combinations. The granules can also be extruded through the extruded to obtain extruded granules.

The invention also relates to a process for preparing the pesticidal composition in the form of water dispersible granules, the process comprising: a) milling blend of elemental sulphur and triflumezopyrim with at least one agrochemical excipient to obtain a slurry or wet mix, wherein the particles are in the size range of 0.1 to 50 microns and b) drying the wet mix, sieving the dried mix remove the undersized and oversized granules to obtain water dispersible granules; wherein the granules of the composition comprise of granules in size range of 0.05mm to 3mm. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that it is possible to modify or alter or change the process or process parameters to obtain water dispersible granular composition without departing from the scope of the present invention.

The invention also relates to a process for preparing an extruded granular pesticidal composition, the process comprising: milling blend of elemental sulphur and triflumezopyrim or its salts or derivatives thereof with at least one agrochemical excipient to obtain a slurry or wet mix, wherein the particles are in the size range of 0.1 to 50 microns; drying the wet mix to obtain dried mix; and water is added to the dried mix and blended to obtain a dough or paste, which is then extruded through an extruder and dried to obtain the extruded granules in a size range of 0.05 mm to 6 mm. However those skilled in the art will appreciate that it is possible to modify or alter or change the process or process parameters without departing from the scope of the present invention.

According to another embodiment, the invention further relates to the process for preparing the broadcast granules or water disintegrable granules or spheronised granules which involves milling a blend of elemental sulphur and triflumezopyrim or its salts or derivatives thereof; with at least one agrochemical excipient to obtain slurry or a wet mix having desired particle size. The process particularly involves milling a blend of elemental Sulphur, triflumezopyrim and at least one agrochemically acceptable excipient to obtain a milled powder mix. This milled powder mix is then granulated with water in which a suitable binder may be added. On reaching the desired consistency, the wet mass is extruded using a suitable extruder and then spheronized to obtain spherical granules. The spherical granules are then dried in a tray dryer or in a fluid bed dryer to obtain water disintegrable granules. The dried granules are then sieved to remove the undersized and oversized granules to obtain granules of unifom granule size. The powder or the fine granules are further subjected to agglomeration in an agglomerator to obtain granules of size of about 0.1 mm to 6 mm. According to an embodiment the composition comprises at least one filler or carrier during the process of preparation of making the composition. The agglomerator can include various equipment's such as a disc pelletizer or pan granulator, pin agglomerator, extruder, spheronizer, or combinations thereof. However those skilled in the art will appreciate that it is possible to modify or alter or change the process or process parameters without departing from the scope of the present invention.

According to another embodiment, the invention relates to a process for preparing a wettable powder composition. The process involves mixing effective amount of triflumezopyrim or its salts or derivatives thereof with required diluents and inert ingredients to obtain a first mixture. Elemental sulphur is then mixed with the surfactants to obtain a second mixture. Both the mixtures are then added to a mass mixer for 30 minutes and passed through an air jet mill to obtain a wettable powder composition with the desired particle size range of 0.1 micron to 50 microns. However those skilled in the art will appreciate that it is possible to modify or alter or change the process or process parameters without departing from the scope of the present invention.

According to an embodiment, the invention relates to a process of preparation of the liquid suspension pesticidal composition, the process comprising: homogenizing mixture of elemental sulphur, triflumezopyrim or its salts or derivatives thereof, and at least one agrochemically acceptable excipient to obtain a suspension; and wet milling the obtained suspension to provide composition with a desired particle size range of 0.1 micron to 50 microns. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that it is possible to modify or alter or change the process or process parameters without departing from the scope of the present invention.

The invention relates to a process for preparing the liquid suspension or suspension concentrate for seed treatment (FS) composition, the process comprising: homogenizing mixture of elemental sulphur in the range of 25% w/w to 60% w/w of the total composition; triflumezopyrim in the range of 0.1% w/w to 40% w/w of the total composition; and at least one agrochemically acceptable excipient to obtain a suspension; and wet milling the obtained suspension to provide composition with a particle size range of 0.1 micron to 50 microns.

The process of preparing the liquid suspension, involves homogenization of one or more of excipients by feeding them into a vessel provided with stirring facilities, b) addition of elemental Sulphur and triflumezopyrim or its salts or derivatives thereof are added to the homogenized blend and stirred continuously for about 5 to 10 minutes until the total mixture becomes homogeneous. Subsequently, the suspension obtained is passed through the wet mill to obtain a desired particle size in the range of 0.1 to 50 microns. Then, requisite quantity of the structuring agent is added to the obtained suspension, under continuous homogenization. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that it is possible to modify or alter or change the process or process parameters without departing from the scope of the present invention.

The invention relates to a process for preparation of a suspoemulsion pesticidal composition, the process comprising dissolving wetting agent and dispersing agents in water to obtain a mixture followed by addition of humectant, antifoam agent, if required, elemental sulphur to obtain a homogenized suspension, which is further milled to obtain desired particle size (First fraction). Dissolve and triflumezopyrim in an oil or a solvent, followed by addition of surfactant to prepare a concentrated emulsion with required agrochemical excipients to obtain a second fraction. The two fractions obtained are then mixed using a homogenizer for 30 minutes. Structuring agent and preservatives are then added to the blend under stirring, if required to obtain the suspoemulsion composition with the desired particle size of 0.1 to 50 microns.

According to an embodiment, the invention further relates to a method of application of the composition. The composition is applied through a variety of methods, which ensure that the composition penetrates the soil. The composition is applied through nursery tray application, in furrow application, soil drenching, soil injection, drip irrigation, sprinkler irrigation, seed treatment, seed painting and such other methods. The composition is also applied in the form of a foliar spray.

According to an embodiment, the invention also relates to a method of protecting the crop, controlling plant pathogen, controlling pest, improving the crop health and growth, enhancing the crop yield, strengthening the plant, increasing crop defense, the method comprising treating at least one of a plant, locus or parts thereof, plant propagation material, a seed, seedling or surrounding soil with the pesticidal composition which includes elemental sulphur present in the range of 25% w/w to 90% w/w of the total composition, triflumezopyrim or salts or derivatives thereof in the range of 0.1% w/w to 50% w/w of the total composition. The composition may be sprayed directly to the plant, such as its foliage or applied to the plant propagation material before it is sown or planted or to the locus thereof.

The rates of application or the dosage of the composition depends on the type of crops or the specific active ingredients in the composition but is such that the pesticidal active ingredient, is in an effective amount to provide the desired action such as crop protection, crop yield.

It was observed that the composition of the present invention provides good control on insect pest as compared to application of individual actives. Further such composition helps in improving the crop yield as well as in enhancing the crop physiological characteristics etc. Thus, it has been observed that the compositions of the present invention demonstrate enhanced, efficacious and superior behavior in the fields at reduced dosage.

A. PREPARATION EXAMPLES:

The following examples illustrate the basic methodology and versatility of the composition of the invention. It should be noted that this invention is not limited to these exemplifications. The form of the composition, excipients and the concentrations of actives and excipients can be replaced by any other forms, excipients and concentrations as covered in the present invention.

I. Granular composition of Elemental sulphur and Triflumezopyrim.

Example 1: Water dispersible granular composition of 88% Elemental sulphur and 2% Triflumezopyrim:

Water dispersible granular composition was prepared by blending 88 parts of elemental sulphur, 2 parts of triflumezopyrim, 1 parts of naphthalene sulphonate condensate, 5 parts of Tensiofix LX and 4 parts of Morwet D 425 to obtain a homogenous blend. The blend obtained was mixed with water in a suitable mixing equipment and milled to form a slurry or wet mix.

The wet milled slurry obtained was spray dried at an inlet temperature less than 175°C and outlet temperature less than 90°C to get a granular powder. The composition had the particle size of about 12 microns (D90) and granule size of 0.5- 1.5 mm. The composition had a dispersibility of 91%, suspensibility of 82%, wet sieve retention value of 0.1%, wettability of less than 60 sec. The composition further demonstrated dispersibility of 88% and suspensibility of about 80% under accelerated storage condition.

Example 2: Water dispersible granular composition of 30% Elemental sulphur and 50% Triflumezopyrim.

The granules were prepared as per process described in example 1 by blending 30 parts of elemental sulphur, 50 parts of triflumezopyrim, 5 parts of Teresperse 2105, 3 parts of Morwet EFW, 7 parts of Lignin sulphonate and 5 parts of kaolin. The composition had the particle size of about 10 microns (D90) and granule size of 1.0- 1.5 mm. The composition has a dispersibility of 87%, suspensibility of 80%, wet sieve retention value of 0.1%, wettability of less than 50 sec. The composition further demonstrated dispersibility of 83% and suspensibility of about 75% under accelerated storage condition. Example 3: Water dispersible granular composition of 50% Elemental sulphur and 35% Triflumezopyrim.

The granules were prepared as per process described in example 1 by blending 50 parts of elemental sulphur, 35 parts of triflumezopyrim, 2 parts of polycarboxylate, 1 parts of Geropon T77, 10 parts of Ufoxane 3A and 2 parts of China clay. The composition had the particle size of about 15 microns (D90) and granule size of 1.0 to 2.0 mm. The composition had a dispersibility of 85%, suspensibility of 79%, wet sieve retention value of 0.15%, wettability of less than 60 sec. The composition further demonstrated dispersibility of 80% and suspensibility of about 74% under accelerated storage condition.

Example 4: Extruded granular composition of 85% Elemental sulphur and 1% Triflumezopyrim.

The extruded granules were prepared by blending 85 part of elemental sulphur, 1 part of triflumezopyrim, 7 part of ligninsulphonate sodium salt, 1 part of Silica (precipitated), 2 part of Tamol Fbpl and 4 part of Kaolin. The blend obtained was dry milled to obtain mixture of desired particle size. Water was added to the blend to form dough which was then extruded to obtain extruded granules. The composition had the particle size of about 25 microns (D90) and granule size of 2.5 to 5.3 mm. The composition had a dispersibility of 80%, suspensibility of 75%, wet sieve retention value of 0.2%, wettability of less than 60 sec. The composition further demonstrated dispersibility of 74% and suspensibility of about 70% under accelerated storage condition.

Example 5: Water disintegrable granular composition of 80% Elemental sulphur and 10% Triflumezopyrim.

The composition was prepared by blending 80 part of elemental sulphur and 10 part of triflumezopyrim, 5 parts of ligninsulphonate sodium and 5 part of bentonite to obtain a blend. The blend obtained was milled to get a powder of less than 50- micron particle size. The powder was mixed with water in a suitable mixing equipment to form a wet mass. The wet mass was extruded through an extruder fitted with a suitable sieve and spheronized using a spheronizer to obtain spherical shaped granules. The wet granules thus obtained were dried in a fluidized bed dryer or in a tray dryer.

The sample had a granule size of 2.5 to 4.0 mm, particle size of 25 micron (D90). The granular composition had hardness of 145N, dispersibility of 44% and suspensibility of 42%. The composition further demonstrated dispersibility of 40% and suspensibility of about 37% under accelerated storage condition.

Example 6: Water disintegrable granular composition of 95% Elemental sulphur and 0.5% Triflumezopyrim.

The granules were prepared as per process described in example 6 which comprises 95 part of elemental sulphur and 0.5 part of triflumezopyrim, 3.5 parts of polycarboxylate sodium and 1 part of sodium lauryl sulphate. The sample had a granule size of 2.0 to 3.5 mm, particle size of 20 micron (D90). The granular composition had hardness of 240 N, dispersibility of 56% and suspensibility of 55%. The composition further demonstrated dispersibility of 52% and suspensibility of about 54% under accelerated storage condition.

II. Liquid suspension composition of Elemental sulphur and Triflumezopyrim:

Example 1: Liquid Suspension composition of 45% Elemental sulphur and 10% of Triflumezopyrim.

Liquid suspension composition was prepared by mixing 45 part of Elemental sulphur, 10 parts of triflumezopyrim, 5 part of Monoethylene glycol, 2.5 parts of Morwet D425, 0.5 parts of Resicare Msw, 0.5 parts of Potassium sorbate, 0.2 parts of Silicone antifoam and water (quantity sufficient), homogenised by feeding them into a vessel provided with stirring facilities until the total mixture was homogeneous. Subsequently, the suspension obtained was passed through the wet mill to obtain a suspension with 10 microns (D90) particle size. Then, 0.15 part of xanthan gum was added under continuous homogenization to obtain the suspension concentrate. The composition had suspensibility of about 92%, dispersibility of 95%, viscosity of about 530cps, pourability of less than 1.2% and wet sieve retention value of less than 0.1%. The composition had suspensibility of about 85%, dispersibility of 90% and viscosity of about 590cps under accelerated storage condition.

Example 2: Liquid Suspension composition of 25% Elemental sulphur and 30 % of Triflumezopyrim.

The liquid suspension composition was prepared as per Example 1 using 25 part of sulphur, 30 part of Triflumezopyrim, 5 part of propylene glycol, 4 part of Reax 88A, 1.5 part of Geropon T 36, 0.1 part of Benzisothiazolinone, 0.2 part of silicon antifoam, 0.2 part of xanthan gum and water (quantity sufficient). The composition had particle size of 8 micron (D90), suspensibility of about 85%, dispersibility of 90%, viscosity of about 750cps, pourability of less than 1.5% and wet sieve retention value of less than 0.1%. The composition had suspensibility of about 79%, dispersibility of 84% and viscosity of about 830cps under accelerated storage condition.

Example 3: Liquid Suspension composition of 30% Elemental sulphur and 15% of Triflumezopyrim.

The liquid suspension composition was prepared as per Example 1 using 30 part of sulphur, 15 part of triflumezopyrim, 5 part of monoethylene glycol, 1.5 part of Soprophor 3D33 and 2.5 part of Power BloxSN, 0.1 part of Benzisothiazolinone , 0.2 part of xanthan gum, 0.2 part of silicone antifoam and water (quantity sufficient). The composition had particle size of 15 micron (D90), suspensibility of about 70%, dispersibility of 75%, viscosity of about 1250cps, pourability of less than 2.0% and wet sieve retention value of less than 0.5%. The composition had suspensibility of about 65%, dispersibility of 65% and viscosity of about 1300cps under accelerated storage condition.

Example 4: Suspo-emulsion composition of 35% Elemental sulphur and 3% of Triflumezopyrim.

Suspo-emulsion composition was prepared by taking water (quantity sufficient) in a beaker and adding 5 parts of Propylene glycol, 2 parts of Powerblox SN, 2 parts of Stepack TSPK under stirring. 35 parts of Sulphur technical were added to this mixture and stirred to get a homogeneous suspension. The mixture is passed through a wet mill to get the desired particle size. Few drops of antifoam added to this, if required to obtain SC. Subsequently, 3 parts of Triflumezopyrim was dissolved in 7 parts of Cyclohexanone followed by addition 4.5 parts of alcohol ethoxylate to obtain oil phase. Oil phase was added into the Sulphur SC while stirring vigorously using a homogenizer. Finally, 0.08 part of xanthan gum and 0.1 part of benzisothiazolinone biocide was added under stirring to obtained suspoemulsion composition of sulphur and triflumezopyrim.

The formulation had a particle size of 3.4 microns and a viscosity of 670cps. After ATS the particle size was 3.7 microns and the viscosity was 710cps.

Example 5: Seed coating composition (FS) of Elemental Sulphur 32% and Triflumezopyrim 3.8%

FLowable suspension composition was prepared by mixing 5 parts of Glycerol, 2.5 parts of alkylnaphthalenesulphonate sodium, 0.5 parts of polyalkylene silicone surfactant in water (quantity sufficient). 32 parts Elemental sulphur, 3.8 parts Triflumezopyrim and 2.5 parts Irgalite Red C2B Red Pigment were added and mixed well to form a uniform slurry. This slurry was milled using a suitable wet mill to get a particle size of 4 microns (D90). Antifoam agent was added to control the foam. To this milled slurry, 0.15 parts xanthan gum and 0.5 parts potassium sorbate were added and mixed well. The resultant seed coating suspension had a viscosity of 470 cps, pourability of 1.7% and a viscosity of 450cps and pourability of 1.4% after storage at accelerated temperature. B. FIELD STUDY:

Field trial 1: To study effect of composition comprising elemental sulphur and triflumezopyrim for controlling Brown planthopper Nilaparvata lugens) in Paddy.

The field trials were carried out to study the effect of combination of elemental sulphur and triflumezopyrim on insect pests in paddy crop. The trial was laid out during kharif season i.e. June to September in Randomized Block Design (RBD) with eight treatments including untreated control, replicated four times. The test product sample, sulphur and triflumezopyrim, alone and in combination with prescribed dose were applied as foliar application at ETL (10-15 hoppers/hill). The paddy crop in trial field was raised following good agricultural practice.

Details of experiment The observation on number of Brown Planthopper (BPH) were recorded at ETL from each plot and the mean data on number of BPH (28DAA) along with the grain yield was recorded at harvest and is presented in the Tables 1.

The percentage control was calculated using following formula: Control (%) = [(Average No. of hoppers/hill in control plot - Average No. of hoppers/hill in treated plot) / Average No. of hoppers/hill in control plot] X 100

“Synergy” is as defined by Colby S. R. in an article entitled “Calculation of the synergistic and antagonistic responses of herbicide combinations” published in

Weeds, 1967, 15, p. 20-22. The action expected for a given combination of two active components can be calculated as follows:

E =X + Y-(XY/100)

Where, E= Expected % effect by mixture of two products X and Y in a defined dose.

X= Observed % effect by product A

Y= Observed % effect by product B

Table 1 : Effect of combination of elemental sulphur and triflumezopyrim on Brown Planthopper (BPH) in paddy.

DAA-Days After Application; *Expected percentage

It can be seen from Table 1 that the application of Treatment 1 (Tl) with Sulphur 60% + Triflumezopyrim 1% WG @2500 g/ha as per the embodiment of present invention; Treatment 2 (T2) with Sulphur 45% + Triflumezopyrim 0.75% SC @3334 g/ha as per the embodiment of present invention; Treatment 3 (T3) with Sulphur 88% + Triflumezopyrim 1.45% WG @ 1705 g/ha as per the embodiment of present invention and Treatment 4 (T4) with Sulphur 25% + Triflumezopyrim 0.42% SC @6000 g/ha were highly effective in controlling the BPH in paddy after application as compared to the individual treatments of sulphur (T5), Triflumezopyrim (T6) and market standard (T7). It can be seen that treatments Tl, T2, T3 and T4 showed 93.3%, 93.6%, 93.7% and 93.4% reduction of BPH over the untreated control respectively and showed better reduction of the pests as compared to individual treatments with sulphur and triflumezopyrim as well as market standard.

It can be observed from the data presented in Table 1 that composition comprising elemental sulphur and triflumezopyrim in the form of water dispersible granule (WG) and suspension concentrate (SC) prepared as per embodiment of the present invention is synergistic in nature and effective in controlling Brown Planthopper (BPH) in paddy. The synergistic composition prepared as per embodiment of the present invention has also improved the yield of crops, crop physiological characteristics like root length, plant height, fruit size and improved foliage etc. as compared to individual application of sulphur, triflumezopyrim and untreated plot. Thus, it has been observed that the compositions of the present invention demonstrate enhanced, efficacious and superior behavior in the fields.

The surprising synergistic result of treatments Tl, T2, T3 and T4 is attributed to the composition of sulphur and triflumezopyrim as per the embodiments of the invention, where these actives are present in a single composition at a specific concentration. The enhanced efficacy is further attributed to the form of the composition, i.e. water dispersible granule and suspension concentrate which includes particles in the size range of 0.1 micron to 50 microns.

Field trial 2: To study effect of composition comprising elemental sulphur and triflumezopyrim for controlling j ssids in cotton

The field trials were carried out to study the effect of combination of elemental sulphur and triflumezopyrim on insect pests in cotton crop. The trial was laid out during kharif season i.e. June to September in Randomized Block Design (RBD) with eight treatments including untreated control, replicated four times. The test product sample, sulphur and triflumezopyrim alone and in combination with prescribed dose were applied as foliar application at ETL (2-3 jassids/leaf). The cotton crop in trial field was raised following good agricultural practice.

Details of experiment

The observations on number of jassids per 10 leaf of a cotton crop were recorded at 1 ^st , 3 ^rd , 5 ^th , 7 ^th and 14 ^th days after application and mean data on number of jassids per 10 leaves and the yield data at harvest was recorded and is presented in Table 2.

Table 2: Effect of combination of elemental sulphur and triflumezopyrim on Jassids in Cotton.

Expected percentage reduction of jassids is calculated using Colby’s method as mentioned earlier based on the number of jassids observed for treatment with sulphur and triflumezopyrim alone and calculated percentage reduction of jassids is represented in Table 3 below along with the actual percentage reduction of jassids calculated for treatments T1 to T7 based on the number of jassids observed and presented in table 2.

Table 3: Comparison of Observed and Expected % reduction of Jassids in Cotton

DAA- Days after application

It can be observed from the results presented in Table 3 that the Treatments Tl, T2, T3, T4 and T5 with the composition comprising of elemental sulphur and triflumezopyrim in the form of a water dispersible granule (WG), suspension concentrate (SC) and suspo-emulsion (SE) as per embodiment of the present invention at different concentrations demonstrates synergistic control of jassids in cotton crop. For instance, it can be seen from Table 3 that observed percentage reduction for Treatment Tl i.e. 69.57%, 80.00%, 85.71%, 88.29%, and 89.08% on 1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th and 14th days after application respectively are higher as compared to expected percentage reduction of jassids calculated using Colby’s method i.e. 46.71%, 71.76%, 81.05%, 83.35% and 83.75% respectively. Similarly, treatments T2, T3, T4 and T5 with the composition as per embodiment of the present invention at different concentrations shows synergistic effect in controlling jassids in cotton.

Thus, it can be noted that the composition comprising of elemental sulphur and triflumezopyrim in various formulation types with specific particle size and concentration as per embodiment of the present invention is synergistic in nature and provides better control on insect pest as compared to application of individual actives.

Field trial 3: To study effect of composition comprising elemental sulphur and triflumezopyrim for controlling Brown planthopper (Nilaparvata lugens) in Paddy at reduced dosage.

The field trials were carried out to study the effect of combination of elemental sulphur and triflumezopyrim at reduced dosage on insect pests in paddy crop. The trial was laid out during kharif season i.e. June to September in Randomized Block Design (RBD) with ten treatments including untreated control, replicated four times. The test product sample, sulphur and triflumezopyrim alone and in combination at prescribed dose were applied as foliar application at ETL (10-15 hoppers/hill). The paddy crop in trial field was raised following good agricultural practice.

Details of experiment

The observation on number of Brown Planthopper (BPH) were recorded at ETL from each plot and the mean data on number of BPH (28DAA) along with the grain yield was recorded at harvest and is presented in the Table 4. The percentage control was calculated using following formula and also presented in Table 4:

Control (%) = [Average No. of hoppers/hill in control plot - Average No. of hoppers/hill in treated plot) / Average No. of hoppers/hill in control plot] X 100

Table 4: Effect of combination of elemental sulphur and triflumezopyrim on Brown Planthopper (BPH) in paddy.

DAA-Days After Application; *Expected percentage

It can be seen from Table 4 that the application of Treatment 1 (Tl) with Sulphur 90% + Triflumezopyrim 1.5% WP @ 1667 g/ha, Treatment 2 (T2) with Sulphur 75% + Triflumezopyrim 1.25% WG @ 2000 g/ha and Treatment 3 (T3) with Sulphur 30% + Triflumezopyrim 0.5% SC @ 5000 g/ha, as per the embodiment of present invention, were highly effective with synergistic control of BPH in paddy as compared to the individual treatments of sulphur (T7), triflumezopyrim (T8) and market standard (T9). It can be seen that Treatments Tl, T2 and T3 showed 95.22%, 94.48% and 94.59% reduction of BPH over the untreated control respectively as compared individual treatments with sulphur and triflumezopyrim as well as market standard which showed 14.54%, 86.31% and 87.90% reduction of BPH over the untreated control respectively.

Furthermore, it was surprisingly observed that Treatment 4 (T4) with Sulphur 90% + Triflumezopyrim 1.5% WP @ 1200 g/ha, Treatment 5 (T5) with Sulphur 75% + Triflumezopyrim 1.25% WG @ 1360 g/ha and Treatment 6 (T6) with Sulphur 30% + Tnflumezopyrim 0.5% SC @ 4000 g/ha as per the embodiment of the present invention applied at reduced dosage (g.a.i/ha) demonstrated 90.66%, 91.93% and 95.75% reduction of BPH over the untreated control respectively as compared to individual treatments with sulphur and triflumezopyrim as well as market standard which showed 14.54%, 86.31% and 87.90% reduction of BPH over the untreated control respectively. Similarly, it can be observed from the data presented in Table 4 that composition comprising elemental sulphur and triflumezopyrim as per embodiment of the present invention also resulted in improved yield of crops even at reduced dosage of actives as compared to individual application of sulphur, triflumezopyrim.

The surprising result of treatments T1 to T6 is attributed to the composition of sulphur and triflumezopyrim as per the embodiments of the invention, where these actives are present in a single composition at a specific concentration and particles size.

Field trial 4: To study effect of composition comprising elemental sulphur and triflumezopyrim in GR and DP form for controlling jassids in cotton.

The field trials were carried out to study the effect of combination of elemental sulphur and triflumezopyrim on insect pests in cotton crop. The trial was laid out during kharif season i.e. June to September in Randomized Block Design (RBD) with five treatments including untreated control, replicated four times. The test product sample, sulphur and triflumezopyrim alone and in combination with prescribed dose were applied as foliar application at ETL (2-3 jassids/leaf). The cotton crop in trial field was raised following good agricultural practice.

Details of experiment

Table 5: Effect of combination of elemental sulphur and triflumezopyrim on Jassid in Cotton.

DAA-Days After Application; *Expected percentage; GR- Extruded Granule; DP- Dustable powder

It can be observed from Table 5 that, Treatments T1 and T2 with the composition comprising sulphur and triflumezopyrim as per the embodiment of present invention in the form of extruded granule (GR) and dustable powder (DP), were highly effective with synergistic control of jassids in cotton as compared to the individual treatments with sulphur (T3) and triflumezopyrim (T4). The synergistic composition prepared as per embodiment of the present invention has also improved the yield of crops as compared to individual application of sulphur, triflumezopyrim and untreated plot.

The inventors of the present invention evaluated the composition of elemental sulphur and triflumezopyrim or salts or derivatives thereof on crops such as paddy, cotton etc. It was observed that the composition of the present invention even when applied at reduced dosage provides enhanced control of various pests such as brown plant hopper, jassids, etc. as compared to application of individual actives. Further the composition of the invention not only helps in improving the crop yield, but also exhibits improved crop physiological characteristics like root length, plant height, fruit size and improved foliage. Thus, it has been observed that the compositions of the present invention, demonstrate enhanced, efficacious and superior behavior in the fields.

The inventors determined that the compositions as per the embodiment of the present invention in the form of granules with the combination of characteristics like specific granule size and particle size or wettable powders with specific size range exhibits good wettability, suspensibility and dispersibility; and liquid composition exhibits good viscosity and suspensibility which in turn results in a composition, which provides immediate availability of actives to the crops or the plants facilitating nutrition and protection to the crops during its growing stages. Furthermore, the compositions in the form of water disintegrable granules or spheronised granules, also provides for continuous and sustained release of the actives during the entire crop life cycle, thus, providing an effective crop protection and nutritive solution to the crops. Also, because of ease of application, the composition of the invention is highly economical to the end user.

From the foregoing, it will be observed that numerous modifications and variations can be effectuated without departing from the true spirit and scope of the novel concepts of the present invention. It is to be understood that no limitation with respect to the specific embodiments illustrated is intended or should be inferred.