AU2012244300A1

AU2012244300A1 - Composition and methods for the control of soil-borne invertebrate pests and diseases

Info

Publication number: AU2012244300A1
Application number: AU2012244300A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Richard Lovegrove
Original assignee: LOVEGROVE TURF SERVICES
Current assignee: LOVEGROVE TURF SERVICES
Priority date: 2012-10-31
Filing date: 2012-10-31
Publication date: 2014-05-15

Abstract

The present invention relates to a composition and method for the control of soil-borne invertebrate pests such as nematodes. In particular, the present invention relates to a method 5 of controlling soil-borne invertebrate pests comprising the step of depositing a composition comprising at least 30% v/v compost and at least 1% v/v soil amendment agent into one or more trenches.

Description

AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION Standard Patent Applicant(s): Lovegrove Turf Services Invention Title: COMPOSITION AND METHODS FOR THE CONTROL OF SOIL-BORNE INVERTEBRATE PESTS AND DISEASES The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method for performing it known to me/us: -2 COMPOSITION AND METHODS FOR THE CONTROL OF SOIL-BORNE INVERTEBRATE PESTS AND DISEASES FIELD 5 The present invention relates to a composition and method for the control of soil borne invertebrate pests such as nematodes as well as other soil-borne diseases. In particular, the present invention relates to using compositions comprising a mixture of compost, soil amendment agents as well as other compounds. The invention also relates to methods for treatment of the soil which increases the wetted soil volume available for water utilization by 10 plant roots using the disclosed compositions and methods. BACKGROUND Soil-borne invertebrate pests like nematodes are among the most destructive plant parasitic soil-borne organisms on a wide range of plants. For example, sting nematodes 15 (Beloizolainus longigicaudatus) are ectoparasites of plant roots, where they remain in the soil and feed by inserting a long stylet or mouth spear into root tips. The nematodes then inject enzymes into root tissues and suck plant juices out through the stylet. Root tips typically cease growing in response to feeding by sting nematodes. Sting nematodes cause particular damage to young plants with a developing root system. Sting nematodes cause yield losses in 20 many crops, but especially cause damage to turf-grasses such as Bahia grass (eg Paspalum notatum; P. Vaginatum), Bent grass (eg Agrostis stolonfera), Bermuda grass (eg Cynodon dactylon), Blue grama grass (eg Bouteloua gracilis), Buffalo grass (eg Buchloe dactyloides), Centipede grass's (eg Eremochloa ophiuroides), Fescue (eg Festuca rubra commutate; F. Rubra; F. Longifolia; F. arundinacea), Kentucky bluegrass (eg Poa pratensis), Kikuyu 25 (Pennisetum clandestinum), Ryegrass (eg Lolium multiflorum; Lolium perenne), Seashore paspalum (Paspalum vaginatum), St. Augustine grass (eg Stenotaphrum secundatum), and Zoysia grass (eg Zoysiajaponica; Z. Matrella; Z Tenuifolia). Traditionally, the control of soil-borne invertebrate pests such as nematodes is through the use of chemical agent such as nematicides i.e. agents that may be used to kill or 30 control nematodes. One common chemical nematicide is NemacurTM (fenamiphos), while neem, the residue obtained after cold-pressing the fruit and kernels of the neem tree, has been used as a more environmentally friendly nematicide. Nematophagous fungi such as Paecilomyces, a type of carnivorous fungi, can also be used in controlling nematodes. In spite of attempts to control soil-borne invertebrate pests like nematodes and other 35 soil borne diseases, there remains a significant unmet need for effective agents in controlling and preventing unwanted pests such as nematodes and other soil borne diseases.

-3 SUMMARY In a first aspect the present invention provides a method of controlling soil-borne invertebrate pests comprising the steps of: (i) providing an invertebrate pest control composition comprising at least 30% 5 v/v compost and at least I% v/v soil amendment agent; and (ii) depositing said composition in one or more trenches in an area of soil in need of treatment. In some embodiments the composition comprises between 30% and 99% v/v compost inclusive of all percentages between these values. For example, 30%, 31%, 32%, 33%, 34%, 10 35%, 36%, 37%, 38%, 39%, 40%, 41%, 42%, 43%, 44%, 45%, 46%, 47%, 48%, 49%, 50%, 51%, 52%, 53%, 54%, 55%, 56%, 57%, 58%, 59%, 60%, 61%, 62%, 63%, 64%, 65%, 66%, 67%, 68%, 69%, 70%, 71%, 72%, 73%, 74%, 75%, 76%, 77%, 78%, 79%, 80%, 81%, 82%, 83%, 84%, 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98 and 99% compost. 15 In some embodiments, the composition comprises between 1% and 70% v/v soil amendment agent inclusive of all percentages between these values. For example, 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, 5%, 6%, 7%, 8%, 9%, 10%, 11%, 12%, 13%, 14%, 15%, 16%, 17%, 18%, 19%, 20%, 21%, 22%, 23%, 24%, 25%, 26%, 27%, 28%, 29%, 30%, 31%, 32%, 33%, 34%, 35%, 36%, 37%, 38%, 39%, 40%, 41%, 42%, 43%, 44%, 45%, 46%, 47%, 48%, 49%, 50%, 51%, 20 52%, 53%, 54%, 55%, 56%, 57%, 58%, 59%, 60%, 61%, 62%, 63%, 64%, 65%, 66%, 67%, 68%, 69% and 70% soil amendment agent. The compost may include a number of feed stocks including plant trimmings, biosolids (sewage sludge), wood by-products, animals manures, crop residues, biodegradable packing, and food scraps. Preferably, the compost comprises partially refined animal manure. 25 In some embodiments, the method further comprises the step of drying the compost such that it has less than 30% moisture w/w. In one embodiment the step of drying is carried out by a method selected from the group consisting of, but not limited to, kiln drying and air drying. In some embodiments, the compost is screened in order to attain a product with a 30 maximum particle size, and to separate off any contaminates still present. The screening residue can be fed back into the composting process. The screening can use any equipment or process known in the field. Preferably, the screening uses mobile and/or stationary drum screens, star screens or wind-sifters. Preferably, the screening process produces particles with a maximum size of between 35 0.0 1cm and 2cm, even more preferably between 0.05 to 1cm. Preferably greater than about 70% of the compost comprises particles of this size. The soil amendment agents include spongolite, zeolite, and bentonite clay or mixtures thereof.

-4 In some embodiments, the composition further comprises soil taken from the soil site in need of treatment. It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that in certain embodiments, the composition may further comprise other agents such as micro-nutrients, secondary nutrients, 5 wetting agents, additional invertebrate pest control agents including insecticides, miticides, nematicides, herbicides, fungicides, nutrients, plant growth regulators and/or fertilizers. In some embodiments, the method of the invention further comprises the step of forming trenches. Preferably the trenches are formed using groundbreaking equipment such as the Blec GroundbreakerTM, which comprises a rotary de-compactor which penetrates the 10 ground to a depth of between 10 and 26cm. The soil is fractured laterally by the side forces created by the sequential positioning of the blades. Mounted in between the blades are wide flat skids, which hold the turf down preventing any heave occurring. In some embodiments, the groundbreaking equipment further comprises tines that open up the trenches (or slits) for backfilling with the composition of the invention. 15 In a second aspect the present invention provides an invertebrate pest control composition comprising partially refined animal manure compost and at least one soil amendment agent selected from the group consisting of spongolite, zeolite, and bentonite clay or mixtures thereof; wherein the ratio of the compost to soil amendment agent is selected from the group 20 consisting of 1:1, 1:2, 1:3, 1:4, 1:5, 1:6, 1:7, 1:8, 1:9, 1:10, 2:1, 3:1, 4:1, 5:1, 6:1, 7:1, 8:1, 9:1 and 10:1. Preferably, the invertebrate pest control composition has less than 30% moisture w/w. Preferably, the invertebrate pest control composition has a particle size of between 0.0 1cm and 2cm, even more preferably between 0.05 to 1cm. 25 In some embodiments, the composition further comprises soil taken from the soil site in need of treatment. It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that in certain embodiments, the composition may further comprise agents such as micro-nutrients, secondary nutrients, wetting agents, additional invertebrate pest control agents, insecticides, fungicides, miticides, 30 herbicides, nutrients, plant growth regulators and/or fertilizers In a third aspect, the present invention provides a method of manufacturing an invertebrate pest control composition comprising the step of mixing at least 30% v/v compost and at least 1% v/v soil amendment agent. In a fourth aspect of the present invention provides a method of increasing wetted soil 35 volume in a tract of soil comprising the step of: (i) providing a composition comprising at least 30% v/v compost and at least 1% v/v soil amendment agent; and -5 (ii) depositing said composition in one or more trenches in an area of soil in need of treatment, wherein there is an increased amount of water available for uptake by plant roots growing in the soil. 5 In certain embodiments, the method comprises selecting soil in need of treatment and applying an effective amount of the composition to the soil in need of treatment to thereby increase wetted soil volume such that there is an increased amount of water available for water uptake by plant roots growing in the soil compared to untreated soil. In certain embodiments, the treatment increases the amount of water available to a 10 plant growing in said soil by increasing the amount of water in the root zone of the plant compared to soil that has not been subjected to the treatment. In certain embodiments, the treated soil has at least about 5%, or at least about 10% or at least about 15% or at least about 20% or at least about 25% or at least about 30% or at least about 33% more wetted soil volume available for water uptake by the plant roots compared to 15 untreated soil. In certain embodiments, the composition further comprises micro-nutrients. In certain embodiments, the composition further comprises sodium laureth sulfate. In certain embodiments, the composition is a concentrate comprising from about 3% by weight to about 10% by weight sodium laureth sulfate. In certain embodiments, the concentrate 20 comprises from about 4% to about 9% by weight sodium laureth sulfate. In certain embodiments, the concentrate comprises about 5% to about 7% sodium laureth sulfate. In certain preferred embodiments, the concentrate comprises about 6% sodium laureth sulfate. In certain embodiments, the composition further comprises secondary alcohol ethoxylate. In certain embodiments, the composition is a concentrate comprising from about 25 10% by weight to about 30% by weight secondary alcohol ethoxylate. In certain embodiments, the concentrate comprises from about 15% to about 25% by weight secondary alcohol ethoxylate. In certain embodiments, the concentrate comprises about 18% to about 22% secondary alcohol ethoxylate. In certain preferred embodiments, the concentrate comprises about 20% secondary alcohol ethoxylate. In certain preferred embodiments, the 30 secondary alcohol ethoxylate is Tergitol 15-S-9. In certain embodiments, the composition further comprises urea. In certain embodiments, the composition is a concentrate comprising from about 0.1% by weight to about 2.0% by weight urea. In certain embodiments, the concentrate comprises from about 0.5% to about 1.5% by weight urea. In certain embodiments, the concentrate comprises about 35 0.8% to about 1.2% urea. In certain preferred embodiments, the concentrate comprises about 1.0% urea. In certain embodiments, the composition further comprises tetrasodium ethylenediaminetetra-acetic acid (EDTA). In certain embodiments, the composition is a -6 concentrate comprising from about 0.1% by weight to about 2.0% by weight EDTA. In certain embodiments, the concentrate comprises from about 0.2% to about 1.5% by weight EDTA. In certain embodiments, the concentrate comprises about 0.3% to about 1.0% EDTA. In certain preferred embodiments, the concentrate comprises about 0.5% EDTA. In certain 5 preferred embodiments, the EDTA is Versene 220. In certain embodiments, the composition further comprises methyl paraben. In certain embodiments, the composition is a concentrate comprising from about 0.01% by weight to about 2.0% by weight methyl paraben. In certain embodiments, the concentrate comprises from about 0.02% to about 1.5% by weight methyl paraben. In certain embodiments, the 10 concentrate comprises about 0.03% to about 1.0% methyl paraben. In certain preferred embodiments, the concentrate comprises about 0.1% methyl paraben. In certain preferred embodiments, the methyl paraben is a methyl ester of benzoic acid. In certain embodiments, the composition further comprises propyl paraben. In certain embodiments, the composition is a concentrate comprising from about 0.0 1% by weight to 15 about 2.0% by weight propyl paraben. In certain embodiments, the concentrate comprises from about 0.02% to about 1.5% by weight propyl paraben. In certain embodiments, the concentrate comprises about 0.03% to about 1.0% propyl paraben. In certain preferred embodiments, the concentrate comprises about 0.1% propyl paraben. In certain preferred embodiments, the propyl paraben is a propyl ester of benzoic acid. 20 In certain embodiments, the composition further comprises citric acid. In certain embodiments, the composition is a concentrate comprising from about 0.0 1% by weight to about 2.0% by weight citric acid. In certain embodiments, the concentrate comprises from about 0.02% to about 1.5% by weight citric acid. In certain embodiments, the concentrate comprises about 0.03% to about 1.0% citric acid. In certain preferred embodiments, the 25 concentrate comprises about 0.1% citric acid. In certain embodiments, the composition further comprises additional invertebrate pest control agents such as an insecticide, a nematicide or an acaricide. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 30 It is to be understood that this disclosure is not limited to particularly exemplified methods and may, of course, vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to be limiting which will be limited only by the appended claims. All publications, patents and patent applications cited herein, whether supra or infra, 35 are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. However, publications mentioned herein are cited for the purpose of describing and disclosing the protocols and reagents which are reported in the publications and which might be used in connection with the disclosed -7 methods. Nothing herein is to be construed as an admission that what is disclosed herein is not entitled to antedate such disclosure by virtue of prior invention. In this specification and in the claims that follow, reference will be made to a number of terms that shall be defined to have the following meanings: s The term "comprising" is meant including, but not limited to, whatever follows the word "comprising". Thus, use of the term "comprising" indicates that the listed elements are required or mandatory, but that other elements are optional and may or may not be present. By "consisting of' is meant including, and limited to, whatever follows the phrase "consisting of'. Thus, the phrase "consisting of' indicates that the listed elements are 10 required or mandatory, and that no other elements may be present. By "consisting essentially of' is meant including any elements listed after the phrase, and limited to other elements that do not interfere with or contribute to the activity or action specified in the disclosure for the listed elements. Thus, the phrase "consisting essentially of' indicates that the listed elements are required or mandatory, but that other elements are optional and may or may not be 15 present depending upon whether or not they affect the activity or action of the listed elements. It must be noted that, as used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an" and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to "a soil amendment agent" includes mixtures of 20 two or more such agents, and the like. Ranges may be expressed herein as from "about" one particular value, and/or to "about" another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another aspect includes from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent "about," it will be understood that the 25 particular value forms another aspect. It will be further understood that the endpoints of each of the ranges are significant both in relation to the other endpoint, and independently of the other endpoint. In the broadest aspect, the present invention provides a method of controlling soil borne invertebrate pests. 30 "Soil-borne invertebrate pests" means any invertebrate known to associate with plants and which, as a result of that association, causes a detrimental effect on the plant's health and vigour. Particular, soil-borne invertebrate pests that are of interest are plant parasitic nematodes which cause severe crop losses and adversely affect turf. The most common genera are Aphelencoides (foliar nematodes), Ditylenchus, Globodera (potato cyst 35 nematodes), Heterodera (soybean cyst nematodes), Longidorus, Meloidogyne (root-knot nematodes), Nacobbus, Pratylenehus (lesion nematodes), Trichodorus and Xiphinema (dagger nematodes). Several phytoparasitic nematode species cause histological damage to roots, including the formation of visible galls (e.g. by root-knot nematodes), which are useful -8 characteristics for their diagnosis in the field. Some nematode species transmit plant viruses through their feeding activity on roots. The most important nematode pests include Aphelenehoides spp (Foliar Nematodes); Belonolaimus spp (The Sting Nematode); Belonotaimus longicaudatus (Ring Nematode); 5 Bursaphelenchus xylophilus (Pine Wilt Nematode); Criconemoides spp (Ring Nematode); Ditylenchus destructor (Potato Rot Nematode); Ditylenchus dipsaci (Stem and Bulb Nematode); Globodera pallida (Pale Potato Cyst Nematode); Globodera rostochiensis (Golden Nematode); Helicotylenchu (Spiral Nematodes); Heterodera glycines (Soybean Cyst Nematode (SCN)); Heterodera schachtti (Sugar Beet Cyst Nematode); Heterodera zeae (The 10 Corn Cyst Nematode); Hoplolaimus galeatus (The Lance Nematode); Longidorus (The Needle Nematode); Macroposthonia xenoplax (Ring Nematode); Meloidogyne chitwoodi (Columbia Root-knot Nematode); Meloidogyne hapla (Northern Root Knot Nematode); Nacobbus aberrans (False Root-Knot Nematode); Paratrichodorus (Stubby-Root Nematodes); Pratylenchus spp (The Lesion Nematode); Radopholus similis (Burrowing 15 Nematode); Rotylenchulus spp. (Reniform Nematode); Tylenchorhynchus spp. (Stunt Nematodes); Tylenchulus semipenetrans (The Citrus Nematode) and; Xiphinema americanum (The Dagger Nematode). The method of controlling the soil-borne invertebrate pests comprises the step of producing an invertebrate pest control composition comprising compost and at least one soil 20 amendment agent. The term "compost" includes any decayed organic material including plant trimmings, biosolids (sewage sludge), wood by-products, animals manures, crop residues, biodegradable packing, and food scraps. Preferably, the compost comprises partially refined animal manure. 25 For the most part compost typically comprises more than 30% moisture w/w; however, in some embodiments of the present invention there is a need to have compost of less than 30% moisture w/w. Thus, the methods of the present invention preferably comprises a drying step in which the compost is dried such that the compost comprises 30% moisture of less. In one embodiment the step of drying is carried out by a method selected from the group 30 consisting of, but not limited to, kiln drying and air drying. The compost is then preferably screened in order to attain a product with a maximum average particle size, and to separate off any contaminates still present. The screening residue can be fed back into the composting process. The screening can use any equipment or process known in the field. Preferably, the screening uses mobile and/or stationary drum screens, star 35 screens or wind-sifters. As used herein, the term "particle" generally refers to a piece of solid matter, such as a particle of sand, clay, compost etc.

-9 Preferably, the screening process produces compost particles with a maximum average size of between 0.01cm and 2cm, even more preferably between 0.05 to lcm. Preferably, greater than about 70% of the particles are this size. The soil amendment agents include spongolite, zeolite, and bentonite clay or mixtures 5 thereof. Preferably, the soil amendment agent is bentonite clay. As used herein, "clay" in reference to a particle refers to a phyllosilicate particle smaller than 0.002 millimetres (2 microns) in diameter, wherein a clay particle may be classified as very fine ranging from 0.05-0.1 mm, fine ranging from 0.1-0.25 mm, medium ranging from 0.25-0.5 mm, coarse ranging from 0.5-1 mm, and very coarse ranging from 1-2 tO mm. In some embodiments, the composition further comprises soil taken from the soil site in need of treatment. As used herein, the term "soil" refers to the earth's thin upper layer capable of supporting plant growth, including topsoil, subsoil, et cetera. Soil is characterized by such 15 things as texture, structure, colour, and fertility, such as supporting plant and microbial life, which distinguish soil from material like gravel, sand or bedrock that also cover a portion of the earth's surface. There are many types of "soil" including "sandy soil". As used herein, the term "sand" or "sand particle" or "sand grain" or "sand granule" refers to an inorganic mineral 20 particle whose diameter ranges between 0.053 mm or 53 microns in the United States, 63 microns in the United Kingdom to 2 (mm) (2000 microns) and in size, that may have a shape ranging from round to angular. The size of sand particles in a composition directly affects the amount of water retention, such that the coarser the particles the less water is retained. Conversely, sand composed mostly of fine particles retains more water. 25 The compost and the soil amendment agent are mixed by standard techniques including compost mixers. In certain embodiments, the composition of the invention may further comprise one or more "additional invertebrate pest control agents." These agents can be any known agent that is capable of control invertebrate organisms such as nematodes including, but not limited to, 30 fenvalerate, bifenthrin, permethrin, cypermethrin, chlorfenapyr, fipronil, fenamiphos, chlorpyrifos, deltamethrin, cyfluthrin, lambda cyhalothrin, gamma cyhalothrin, tefluthrin, and their isomers, which includes optical enantiomorphs, diastereomers, and polymorphs, and mixtures thereof. The term "additional invertebrate pest control agents" also includes members of the 35 pyrethroid class of chemical compounds. Such pyrethroid compounds include, without limitation, acrinathrin, allethrin, bioallethrin, barthrin, bioethanomethrin, cyclethrin, cycloprothrin, cyhalothrin, cyphenotrin, deltamethrin, dimethrin, empenthrin, fenfluthrin, fenpirithrin, fenpropathrin, fenvalerate, flucythrinate, fluvalinate, furethrin, imiprothrin, -10 phenothrin, prallethrin, pyresmethrin, resmethrin, terallethrin, tetramethrin, tralomethrin, transfluthrin, transfluthrin, etofenprox, flufenprox, halfenprox, protrifenbute, silafluofen, and their isomers, which includes optical enantiomorphs, diastereomers, and polymorphs. In the context of methods of killing, controlling or repelling plant pests, as used 5 herein, "soil in need of treatment" means soil that either contains a causative agent such as a soil-borne invertebrate pest including nematodes or is capable of being infected by the soil borne invertebrate pest. In other words, the methods of the present invention can both treat and protect (or prevent) infection with soil-borne invertebrate pests. As used herein, in the context of plant pests, "control" or "controlling" means to 10 regulate or reduce the severity of the plants pests. As used herein, in the context of plant pests, "repel" means to drive away or ward off plant pests. As used herein, the terms "pesticidal effect" and "pesticidal activity" mean any direct or indirect action on the target pest that results in reduced feeding damage on any part of the 15 plant, including but not limited to the seeds, roots, shoots and foliage of plants as compared with untreated plants. The term "insecticidal activity" has the same meaning as pesticidal activity, except it is limited to those instances where the pest is an insect. As used herein, with respect to methods of killing, controlling or repelling plant pests 20 in soil, "selecting soil in need of treatment" means identifying soil that either contains plant pests in amounts sufficient to harm or reduce the growth of plants grown in the soil or identifying soil that is likely to be infected with soil-borne invertebrate pests. As used herein, with respect to methods for increasing wetted soil volume, "selecting soil in need of treatment" means identifying soil which upon treatment would have an 25 increased wetted soil volume for better water uptake compared to untreated soil. As used herein, "root development" means the extent to which roots develop in the soil, both in volume of soil in which the roots occur as well as in the branching of roots to form an extensive finely developed feeder root system. This term includes the process whose specific outcome is the progression of the roots over time, from its formation to the mature 30 structure. In certain embodiments, the composition of the invention may further comprise one or more agents selected from the group consisting of insecticides, fungicides, miticides, herbicides, nutrients, plant growth regulators and/or fertilizers. In these embodiments, the composition of the invention may comprise about 0.01% v/v to about 69% v/v insecticides, 35 fungicides, miticides, herbicides, nutrients, plant growth regulators and/or fertilizers. In certain preferred embodiments, the composition of the invention may comprise about 0.1% to about 10% insecticides, fungicides, miticides, herbicides, nutrients, plant growth regulators and/or fertilizers by volume.

- 11 The terms "insecticide", "miticide" and "fungicide", include any agent used primarily for the control of insects and/or mites or fungi by preventing, destroying, repelling or mitigating any insects and/or mites or fungi which may be present in any environment whatsoever. These terms include the concepts of "acaricide" (agent used primarily in the 5 control of plant-feeding mites, especially spider mites) and "nematicide" (agent used primarily for the control of root-infesting nematodes on plants). In some embodiments of the present invention, the composition comprises macronutrient. Macronutrients required by plants can be divided into two groups, primary and secondary nutrients. The primary nutrients are nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. 10 Plants use large amounts of these nutrients for their growth and survival. The secondary nutrients are calcium, magnesium and sulfur. There are at least eight micro-nutrients essential to plant growth and health that are only needed in very small quantities. These are manganese, boron, copper, iron, chlorine, cobalt, molybdenum, and zinc. Some also consider sulfur a micronutrient. Though these are 15 present in only small quantities, they are all necessary. In other embodiments, the composition of the present invention comprises "plant growth regulators", also known as "plant hormones" and "phytohormones", which are chemicals that regulate plant growth. The term "plant" as used herein encompasses whole plants and parts of plants such as 20 roots, shoots, stems, leaves, buds, seedlings, germinated seeds and seed, as well as cells and tissues within the plants or plant parts. As used herein, the "root zone" of a plant means the entire area where roots are growing below a plant. In particularly preferred embodiments of the present invention, the plant is turf grass. 25 As used herein, the term "turf grass" in reference to a plant refers to a desirable species or cultivar of grass plant that is maintained at a desired height through regular mowing. These turf grass plants include warm season grasses and cool season grass plants. These examples are not meant to limit the type of grass plant that would benefit from the formulations of the present inventions. Exemplary species and cultivars of turf grass plants include but are not 30 limited to examples include, Bahia grass (eg Paspalum notatum; P. Vaginatum), Bent grass (eg Agrostis stolonfera), Bermuda grass (eg Cynodon dactylon), Blue grama grass (eg Bouteloua gracilis), Buffalo grass (eg Buchloe dactyloides), Centipede grass's (eg Eremochloa ophiuroides), Fescue (eg Festuca rubra commutate; F. Rubra; F. Longifolia; F. arundinacea), Kentucky bluegrass (eg Poa pratensis), Kikuyu (Pennisetum clandestinum), 35 Ryegrass (eg Lolium multiflorum; Lolium perenne), Seashore paspalum (Paspalum vaginatum), St. Augustine grass (eg Stenotaphrum secundatum), and Zoysia grass (eg Zoysia japonica; Z. Matrella; Z Tenuifolia).

- 12 Once the invertebrate pest control composition has been produced then it is deposited in one or more trenches in an area of soil in need of treatment. The preferred method of deposition comprises the step of forming trenches in an area of soil in need of treatment. Preferably the trenches are formed using groundbreaking equipment such as the Blec 5 GroundbreakerTM, which comprises a rotary de-compactor which penetrates the ground to a depth of between 10 and 26cm. The soil is fractured laterally by the side forces created by the sequential positioning of the blades. Mounted in between the blades are wide flat skids, which hold the turf down preventing any heave occurring. In some embodiments, the groundbreaking equipment further comprises tines that open up the trenches (or slits) for 10 backfilling with the composition. The groundbreaking equipment may be enhanced by the provision of a trailing roller to assist in compaction of the composition and smoothing of the ground surface. By forming the composition in accordance with embodiments of the invention it has been found that in practice issue of blocking of and bridging across the tines is avoided. This enables a further 15 enhancement of the groundbreaking equipment by removal of standard vibrators which are ordinarily used to prevent such blocking and bridging. This assists in extending the life of the groundbreaking equipment and reduces fuel consumption. In an additional enhancement a screening system may be installed and placed over the composition hopper to provide either primary or secondary screening of the composition prior to passage through the tines into the 20 ground. The screening system may be in the form of a concavely curved perforated screen with a reciprocating wiper or brush used to run the composition over the screen. Those particles of appropriate size pass through the screen into the underlying hopper for deposition into the ground. Oversized particles are either retained on the screen and later dumped or can be passed to either an onboard holding bin or transferred on the fly to a support vehicle. The 25 support vehicle may travel with the groundbreaking equipment and used as a continuous supply of the composition.

Claims

1. A method of controlling soil-borne invertebrate pests comprising the steps of: (i) providing an invertebrate pest control composition comprising at least 30% 5 v/v compost and at least 1% v/v soil amendment agent; and (ii) depositing said composition in one or more trenches in an area of soil in need of treatment.

2. A method of manufacturing an invertebrate pest control composition comprising the 10 step of mixing at least 30% v/v compost with at least 1% v/v soil amendment agent.

3. A method according to claim I or 2, wherein the composition comprises between 30% v/v and 99% v/v compost. 15

4. A method according to any one of claims I to 3, wherein the composition comprises between I% v/v and 70% v/v soil amendment agent.

5. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the compost comprises one or more of plant trimmings, biosolids (sewage sludge), wood by-products, animals manures, 20 crop residues, biodegradable packing or food scraps.

6. A method according to any one of claims I to 5, wherein the compost comprises partially refined animal manure. 25

7. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the compost is dried so that it contains less than 30% moisture w/w.

8. A method according to claim 7, wherein the compost is kiln dried or air dried. 30

9. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the compost is screened in order to attain a product with a maximum average particle size.

10. A method according to claim 9, wherein the particle size is between 0.01cm and 2cm. 35

11. A method according to claim 9, wherein the particle size is between 0.05 to 1cm.

12. A method according to any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein greater than about 70% of the product after screening comprises the maximum average particle size. - 14

13. A method according to any one of claims I to 12, wherein the soil amendment agent is selected from the group consisting of spongolite, zeolite, and bentonite clay or mixtures thereof. 5

14. A method according to any one of claims I to 13, wherein the composition is further combined with soil taken from the soil site in need of treatment.

15. A method according to any one of claims I to 14, wherein the composition further 10 comprises one or more agents selected from the group consisting of micro-nutrients, secondary nutrients, wetting agents, additional invertebrate pest control agents, herbicides, fungicides, nutrients, plant growth regulators and/or fertilizers.

16. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the ratio of the compost to 15 soil amendment agent is selected from the group consisting of 1:1, 1:2, 1:3, 1:4, 1:5, 1:6, 1:7, 1:8, 1:9, 1:10, 2:1, 3:1, 4:1, 5:1, 6:1, 7:1, 8:1, 9:1 and 10:1.

17. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 16, further comprising the step of forming said trenches. 20

18. A method according to claim 17, wherein the trenches are between 10cm and 26cm deep.

19. A method according to any one of claims I to 18, wherein the soil in need of 25 treatment contains turf grass selected from the group consisting of Bahia grass, Bent grass, Bermuda grass, Blue grama grass, Buffalo grass, Centipede grass's, Fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, Kikuyu, Ryegrass, Seashore paspalum, St. Augustine grass and Zoysia grass.

20. A method according to any one of claims I to 19, wherein the soil-borne invertebrate 30 pest is a nematode selected from the group consisting of Aphelenehoides spp (Foliar Nematodes); Belonolaimus spp (The Sting Nematode); Belonotaimus longicaudatus (Ring Nematode); Bursaphelenchus xylophilus (Pine Wilt Nematode); Criconemoides spp (Ring Nematode); Ditylenchus destructor (Potato Rot Nematode); Ditylenchus dipsaci (Stem and Bulb Nematode); Globoderapallida (Pale Potato Cyst Nematode); Globodera rostochiensis 35 (Golden Nematode); Helicotylenchu (Spiral Nematodes); Heterodera glycines (Soybean Cyst Nematode (SCN)); Heterodera schachiti (Sugar Beet Cyst Nematode); Heterodera zeae (The Corn Cyst Nematode); Hoplolaimus galeatus (The Lance Nematode); Longidorus (The Needle Nematode); Macroposthonia xenoplax (Ring Nematode); Meloidogyne chitwoodi - 15 (Columbia Root-knot Nematode); Meloidogyne hapla (Northern Root Knot Nematode); Nacobbus aberrans (False Root-Knot Nematode); Paratrichodorus (Stubby-Root Nematodes); Pratylenchus spp (The Lesion Nematode); Radopholus similis (Burrowing Nematode); Rotylenchulus spp. (Reniform Nematode); Tylenchorhynchus spp. (Stunt 5 Nematodes); Tylenchulus semipenetrans (The Citrus Nematode) and Xiphinema americanum (The Dagger Nematode).

21. An invertebrate pest control composition comprising at least 30% v/v compost and at least 1% v/v soil amendment agent. 10

22. A composition according to claim 21, wherein the compost comprises one or more of plant trimmings, biosolids (sewage sludge), wood by-products, animals manures, crop residues, biodegradable packing or food scraps. 15

23. A composition according to claim 21 or 22, wherein the compost comprises partially refined animal manure.

24. A composition according to any one of claims 21 to 23, wherein the compost is dried so that it contains less than 30% moisture w/w. 20

25. A composition according to any one of claims 21 to 24, wherein the compost has particle size between 0.0 1cm and 2cm.

26. A composition according to any one of claims 21 to 25, wherein the compost has 25 particle size between 0.05 and 1cm.

27. A composition according to any one of claims 21 to 26, wherein the soil amendment agent is selected from the group consisting of spongolite, zeolite, and bentonite clay or mixtures thereof. 30

28. A composition according to any one of claims 21 to 27, wherein the composition further comprises one or more agents selected from the group consisting of micro-nutrients, secondary nutrients, wetting agents, additional invertebrate pest control agents, herbicides, fungicides, nutrients, plant growth regulators and/or fertilizers. 35

29. A composition according to any one of claims 21 to 28, wherein the ratio of the compost to soil amendment agent is selected from the group consisting of 1:1, 1:2, 1:3, 1:4, 1:5, 1:6, 1:7, 1:8, 1:9, 1:10, 2:1, 3:1, 4:1, 5:1, 6:1, 7:1, 8:1, 9:1 and 10:1. -16

30. A method of increasing wetted soil volume comprising the step of: (i) providing a composition comprising at least 30% v/v compost and at least 1% v/v soil amendment agent; and (ii) depositing said composition in one or more trenches in an area of soil in need 5 of treatment, wherein there is an increased amount of water available for uptake by plant roots growing in the soil.

31. A method of treating or preventing nematode infection of soil associated with turf 10 grass comprising the steps of: (i) providing an invertebrate pest control composition comprising at least 30% v/v compost and at least 1% v/v soil amendment agent selected from the group consisting of spongolite, zeolite, and bentonite clay or mixtures thereof; and (ii) depositing said composition in one or more trenches in an area of soil in need 15 of treatment.

32. A method according to claim 31, wherein the soil in need of treatment contains turf grass selected from the group consisting of Bahia grass, Bent grass, Bermuda grass, Blue grama grass, Buffalo grass, Centipede grass's, Fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, Kikuyu, 20 Ryegrass, Seashore paspalum, St. Augustine grass and Zoysia grass.

33. A method according to claim 31 or 32, wherein the nematode is selected from the group consisting of Aphelenehoides spp (Foliar Nematodes); Belonolaimus spp (The Sting Nematode); Belonotaimus longicaudatus (Ring Nematode); Bursaphelenchus xylophilus 25 (Pine Wilt Nematode); Criconemoides spp (Ring Nematode); Ditylenchus destructor (Potato Rot Nematode); Ditylenchus dipsaci (Stem and Bulb Nematode); Globodera pallida (Pale Potato Cyst Nematode); Globodera rostochiensis (Golden Nematode); Helicotylenchu (Spiral Nematodes); Heterodera glycines (Soybean Cyst Nematode (SCN)); Heterodera schachtti (Sugar Beet Cyst Nematode); Heterodera zeae (The Corn Cyst Nematode); Hoplolaimus 30 galeatus (The Lance Nematode); Longidorus (The Needle Nematode); Macroposthonia xenoplax (Ring Nematode); Meloidogyne chitwoodi (Columbia Root-knot Nematode); Meloidogyne hapla (Northern Root Knot Nematode); Nacobbus aberrans (False Root-Knot Nematode); Paratrichodorus (Stubby-Root Nematodes); Pratylenchus spp (The Lesion Nematode); Radopholus similis (Burrowing Nematode); Rotylenchulus spp. (Reniform 35 Nematode); Tylenchorhynchus spp. (Stunt Nematodes); Tylenchulus semipenetrans (The Citrus Nematode) and Xiphinema americanum (The Dagger Nematode).