AU2022266070A1

AU2022266070A1 - Methods of controlling causal agents of black and yellow sigatoka and compositions for the same

Info

Publication number: AU2022266070A1
Application number: AU2022266070A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Jairo E. MELGAREJO
Original assignee: Gowan Crop Protection Ltd
Current assignee: Gowan Crop Protection Ltd
Priority date: 2021-04-29
Filing date: 2022-04-28
Publication date: 2023-11-02
Also published as: CO2023014615A2; WO2022229344A1; ECSP23088150A; CR20230541A

Abstract

Methods of prevention, control and/or suppression of fungal pathogens in plants, such as those pathogens that cause Black or Yellow Sigatoka, and compositions useful in such methods are provided. The methods generally involve applying a composition comprising a complex 1 reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) oxido-reductase or a mitochondrial electron transport inhibitor (METI) that prevents binding of NADH-ubiquinone reductase to a banana plant or field of banana plants that comprise, or are susceptible to, a causal agent of Black or Yellow sigatoka, such as

Description

METHODS OF CONTROLLING CAUSAL AGENTS OF BLACK AND YELLOW SIGATOKAAND COMPOSITIONS FOR THE SAME

FIELD OF INVENTION

[0001] Methods of prevention, control and/or suppression of fungal pathogens in plants, such as those pathogens that cause Black Sigatoka and/or Yellow Sigatoka, and compositions useful in such methods are provided.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

[0002] Black Sigatoka, also known as black leaf streak disease, is a leaf spot disease that affects banana plants, causing necrotic spots and, as disease progresses, large necrotic patches of the banana leaves. These necrotic spots and/ or patches impair the ability of affected banana leaves to undergo photosynthesis, which reduce the amount of banana fruit available at harvest time by about 35 to 50%. Further, Black Sigatoka can reduce the “green life” (the amount of time between harvest and ripening) of the banana fruit, which may lead to fruit that ripens prematurely and/or unevenly. This may make the fruit unsuitable for export. Severe cases of Black Sigatoka can also increase a banana plant’s susceptibility to developing crown rot disease. The causal agent of Black Sigatoka is the fungus Vseudocercospora fijiensis (formerly classified as Mycosphaerella fijiensis).

[0003] Yellow Sigatoka, also known as Sigatoka leaf spot or Sigatoka Disease, is a leaf spot disease that affects banana plants, causing necrotic spots and, disease progresses, large necrotic patches of the banana leaves. The effects of these necrotic spots and / or patched is similar to the effects described above with respect to Black Sigatoka. The causal agent of Yellow Sigatoka is Vseudocercospora musicola (formerly classified as Mycosphaerella musicold).

[0004] Symptoms of Black Sigatoka and Yellow Sigatoka may be similar and sometimes may be difficult to differentiate. In general, the first symptom is the appearance on the upper leaf surface of pale yellow streaks (Yellow Sigatoka) or dark brown streaks on the lower leaf surface (Black Sigatoka). The black or yellow streaks may be 1-2 mm long and may enlarge to form necrotic lesions with yellow haloes and light grey centers. Lesions may coalesce and destroy large areas of leaf tissue, which results in reduced yields and premature ripening of fruit. Black Sigatoka is typically more serious than Yellow Sigatoka because symptoms appear on younger leaves, which is generally due to a greater amount of inoculum, and hence more damage is caused to photosynthetic tissue. Black Sigatoka also affects many banana cultivars that have resistance to Yellow Sigatoka, such as those in the plantain subgroup (AAB).

SUMMARY OF VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS

[0005] Methods for preventing, treating and/ or controlling a causal agent of Black Sigatoka and/or Yellow Sigatoka. These methods generally comprise applying an effective amount of a treatment composition to a portion of a banana plant or a field of banana plants susceptible to the causal agent of black sigatoka or yellow sigatoka. The treatment composition comprises a complex 1 reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) oxido-reductase or a mitochondrial electron transport inhibitor (METI) that prevents binding of NADH-ubiquinone reductase. In some embodiments, the treatment composition comprises diflumetorim, tolfenpyrad, fenazaquin, or combinations thereof. In other embodiments, the treatment composition comprises pyridaben, fenpyroximate, tebufenpyrad, pyrimidifen, tolfenpyrad, fenazaquin, or combinations thereof. The causal agent is Vseudocercospora fijiensis or Vseudocercospora musicola.

[0006] In some embodiments, the methods comprise selecting a banana plant suspected of having Black or Yellow Sigatoka, and then applying the treatment composition(s) described herein. In other embodiments, the methods comprise selecting a banana plant including at least one leaf having white, yellow, or reddish brown on the underside of the at least one leaf or elongate specks or reddish brown streaks substantially parallel to the veins of the at least one leaf, and applying the treatment composition(s) described herein. In other embodiments, the methods comprising applying treatment compositions to banana plants during Stage 1 or Stage 2 of a Black and/or Yellow Sigatoka infection.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] FIGS. 1A - IF illustrate representative images of banana leaves at different stages of

Black Sigatoka infection: Fig. 1A (stage El), Fig. IB (stage E2), Fig. 1C (stage E3), Fig. ID (stage E4), Fig. IE (stage E5), and Fig. IF (stage E6).

[0008] FIG. 2 illustrates a plot of growth of M. fijiensis ( Vseudocercospora fji iensis) treated with treatment compositions comprising fenazaquin.

[0009] FIG. 3 illustrates a plot of percentage growth inhibition of M. fjiiensis (P seudocercospora fjiiensis) treated with treatment compositions comprising fenazaquin.

[0010] FIG. 4 illustrates the Stover scale for Black Sigatoka.

[0011] FIG. 5 illustrates a plot of foliar affected area in banana leaves infected with M. fjiiensis ( Vseudocercospora fjiiensis ), and treated with treatment compositions comprising fenazaquin. [0012] FIG. 6 illustrates a plot of Black Sigatoka infection index in banana leaves infected with M. fjiiensis ( seudocercospora fjiiensis ), and treated with treatment compositions comprising fenazaquin.

[0013] FIG. 7 illustrates a plot of foliar affected area in banana leaves infected with M. fjiiensis ( seudocercospora fjiiensis ), and treated with treatment compositions described in Example 5. [0014] FIG. 8 illustrates a plot of Black Sigatoka infection index in banana leaves infected with M. fjiiensis ( seudocercospora fjiiensis ), and treated with treatment compositions described in Example 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS

[0015] Methods of prevention, control and/or suppression of fungal pathogens in banana plants, such as those pathogens that cause Black sigatoka or Yellow sigatoka, and compositions useful in such methods are provided. The methods generally involve applying a composition that includes at least one treatment composition that comprises at least a complex 1 reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) oxido-reductase or a mitochondrial electron transport inhibitor (METI) that prevents binding of NADH-ubiquinone reductase and release of the electrons and protons (H⁺) into membrane to a banana plant or a field of banana plants that are include, or are susceptible to, a causal agent of black or yellow sigatoka, such as P.fijiensis (Black Sigatoka) or P. musicola (Yellow Sigatoka). The methods of prevention, control, and/or suppression of fungal pathogens described herein relative to banana plants may also apply to similar plants, such as plantain plants.

[0016] In several aspects, the methods involve applying the treatment composition either alone, or in combination with at least one additional ingredient as described herein (e.g., mineral oil), to a banana plant or a field of banana plants that include, or are susceptible to, a causal agent of Black or Yellow Sigatoka.

[0017] The compositions described herein can be used for preventing, treating and/or controlling Black or Yellow Sigatoka in banana plants. In some embodiments, the treatment composition may be applied (e.g., sprayed) onto banana plants or a field of banana plants (e.g., on the leaves) aerially (e.g., by airplane or helicopter). In some embodiments, the treatment composition may be applied from the ground with mist blowers attached to tractors or trucks, or by motorized knapsack mist blowers for small areas. In some embodiments, the treatment composition may be applied to the banana plant or the field of banana plants manually (e.g., ground application, spray application). Banana plants are typically treated with anti-fungal compositions on a weekly basis. This protects new banana leaves, which typically emerge every seven days.

[0018] The banana plant may be treated with anti-fungal compositions at any stage of development after emergence of the leaves. Banana leaves typically emerge every 7 days, so anti- fungal compositions are typically applied on a weekly basis. Anti-fungal compositions with different modes of action are typically applied to the banana plants in a rotation to reduce a likelihood of the causal agent of Black or Yellow sigatoka from developing resistance against a particular anti-fungal composition. As is described in greater detail below, different types anti-fungal compositions are typically applied to the banana plants based on the symptoms of the banana plants.

[0019] Compositions including anti-fungal treatment agents may be applied to prevent, control, or suppress infection with the causal agents of Black or Yellow Sigatoka at any growth stage of the banana plants. The type of treatment agent included in the composition is based on the different stages of the Black or Yellow sigatoka infection. For example, protectant fungicides like mancozeb are typically applied before the pathogen penetrates the banana leaves. Preventative fungicides like fenazaquin and other complex 1 NADH oxido-reductase fungicides, as described herein, are applied at the beginning of black or yellow sigatoka infestation (Stage 1 to 2). The systemic and curative fungicides like triazoles, carboxamides, and strobilurines can be applied at Stages El to E4 of Black or Yellow sigatoka infestation.

[0020] Protectant anti-fungal compositions are typically applied to banana plants that do not have symptoms of fungal infection. The protectant anti-fungal compositions actively inhibit fungal spores from germinating and mycelium from penetrating into the leaves of the banana plants. In some aspects, the treatment agent, including a complex 1 NADH oxido-reductase or the METI that prevents binding of NADH-ubiquinone reductase may be applied to the banana plant or the field of banana plants before symptoms of Black or Yellow Sigatoka are present and/or at the earlier development stages of the disease (Stage 1 and Stage 2).

[0021] FIG. 1 illustrates representative images of example banana leaves at different stages of Black Sigatoka infection. FIG. 1A illustrates an example banana leaf during Stage 1 (initial speck stage) of a Black Sigatoka infection. In some aspects, Stage 1 symptoms may include yellowish spots that are smaller than 1 mm on the abaxial surface (underside) of the banana leaf. In some aspects, Stage 1 symptoms may include tiny specks of less than 0.25 mm that appear on the underside of the leaf surface. These specks may form on the third, fourth, or older leaves of the banana plant and may be more abundant near the margins of the leaves, particularly towards the tip. These specks may be white to yellowish in color and quickly turn a reddish brown.

[0022] FIG. IB illustrates an example banana leaf during Stage 2 (first streak stage) of a

Black Sigatoka infection. During Stage 2, the specks elongate, becoming slightly wider, and form narrow, reddish brown streaks. The long axis of each of the streaks is typically parallel or substantially parallel to the leaf venation. The streaks may be up to 20 x 2 mm. The streaks are more clearly visible on the lower surface of the leaf than the upper surface. The streak distribution on the leaves may be variable. Streaks can be numerous and coalesce to form larger streaks. Stage 2 symptoms may include red or brown streaks that appear on the abaxial surface of the banana leaf. Tater in Stage 2, the red or brown streaks may also appear on the adaxial surface (top side) of the banana leaf. The color of the streak may change progressive to black on the adaxial surface of the banana leaf. The red or brown streaks typically occur between the veins of the banana leaf and extend generally parallel to the veins of the banana leaf. In some aspects, the streaks may be 2mm by less than 1 mm.

[0023] FIG. 1C illustrates an example banana leaf during Stage 3 (second streak phase) of a

Black Sigatoka infection. Stage 3 is similar to stage 2, but the red or brown streaks are longer and larger. The streaks change color from reddish brown to dark brown or almost black, sometimes with a purplish tinge, becoming clearly visible on the upper surface of the leaf. When the streaks are numerous and substantially evenly distributed, the entire leaf blackens.

[0024] FIG. ID illustrates an example banana leaf during Stage 4 (first spot stage) of a Black

Sigatoka infection. During Stage 4, the streaks broaden and become somewhat fusiform or elliptical in shape. Stage 4 symptoms may include brown elliptical or circular brown necrotic spots on the abaxial surface of the leaf. The elliptical or circular spots appear to be black on the abaxial surface of the banana leaf. A light brown, water-soaked border develops around the spots or streaks.

[0025] FIG. IE illustrates an example banana leaf during Stage 5 (second spot stage) of a

Black Sigatoka infection. Stage 5 symptoms include elliptical or circular necrotic spots that are black on both the abaxial surface and the adaxial surface of the banana leaf. The necrotic spots may be surrounded by a yellow halo. The dark brown or black central area of the necrotic spots becomes slightly depressed and the water-soaked border becomes more pronounced due to darkening. At this stage, a slight yellowing of the leaf tissue immediately surrounding the water-soaked border may occur.

[0026] FIG. IF illustrates an example banana leaf during Stage 6 (third or mature spot stage) of a Black Sigatoka infection. Stage 6 symptoms may include elliptical or circular necrotic spots in which the center of the necrotic spot has dried out. The dried center portion of the necrotic spots may be light gray or buff-colored, and may become further depressed. The necrotic spots may be surrounded by a narrow, well-defined, dark brown or black border or ring. Between this dark brown and black border and the normal green color of the leaf, there is often a bright yellow transitional zone or halo. After the leaf has collapsed and withered, spots remain clearly visible with the light- colored centers and dark borders.

[0027] Without treatment, the Black Sigatoka symptoms typically spread across large areas of the banana leaves, greatly reducing the photosynthetic capabilities of the infected leaves and the banana plant as a whole, reducing the yield of the banana plant. Without treatment, Black Sigatoka infection may reduce a banana plant’s yield by up to 50%, may reduce a weight of bunches of banana fruit by up to 50%, and may reduce the quality of the banana fruit to an extent that up to 100% of the harvested banana fruit is unsuitable for export. [0028] The symptoms of Yellow Sigatoka may be similar to, and sometimes the same as, the symptoms of Black Sigatoka shown in FIGS. 1A — IF. In general, the first symptom of Yellow Sigatoka is the appearance on the upper leaf surface of pale yellow streaks. The yellow streaks may be 1-2 mm long and may enlarge to form necrotic lesions with yellow haloes and light grey centers. Early leaf spots of Black Sigatoka are reddish to rusty-brown, and longer and broader than the early leaf spots of Yellow Sigatoka. The Black Sigatoka leaf spots are typically noticeable on the lower leaf surface. Although both Black and Yellow Sigatoka form leaf streaks, Black Sigatoka’s early streaks and spots streaks are black and lack the distinct yellow halo that is present in young streaks of Yellow Sigatoka. In contrast, the early leaf spots of Yellow Sigatoka are yellow-green leaf streaks that are narrower and shorter, and more prominent on the upper leaf surface than in Black Sigatoka. Both diseases can be present on the same plant. Tesions may coalesce and destroy large areas of leaf tissue, which results in reduced yields and premature ripening of fruit. All of the fungicides and treatment compositions described herein with respect to Black Sigatoka are also effective at treating Yellow Sigatoka.

[0029] In some aspects, the treatment agent including the complex 1 NADH oxido- reductase or the METI that prevents binding of NADH-ubiquinone reductase may be applied to the banana plant or the field of banana plants during Stage 1 and/or Stage 2 of the Black or Yellow Sigatoka infection. In some aspects, the methods include a step of selecting a banana plant suspected of having Black Sigatoka or Yellow Sigatoka before applying the treatment agent. In other aspects, the selecting may include selecting a banana plant including at least one leaf having at least one of discoloration between the leafs secondary veins and pale yellow streaks parallel to the leafs secondary veins. In yet other aspects, the method may include applying the treatment agent after observing reddish flecks on the an abaxial surface of one or more leaves of the banana plant or regular or irregular reddish circular spots on the abaxial surface of the one or more leaves of the banana plant.

[0030] As discussed herein, the treatment agent may be a complex 1 NADH oxido- reductase or a METI that prevents binding of NADH-ubiquinone reductase. Exemplary complex 1 NADE1 oxido-reductases include diflumetorim (5-chloro-N-{l-[4(difluoromethoxy) phenyl] propyl} - 6-methylpyrimidin4-ylamine), tolfenpyrad (lH-Pyrazole-5-carboxamide,4-chloro-3-ethyl-l-methyl- N-[[4-(4-methylphenoxy)phenyl]methyl]), fenazaquin (4-[2-(4-tert-butylphenyl)ethoxy]quinazoline), desbutylfenazaquin, diazirinofenazaquin, or combinations thereof. The complex 1 NADE1 oxido- reductase treatments affect cellular respiration, and the mode of action (MOA) is inhibition of the complex 1 NADEi oxido-reductase enzymes in the mitochondria. Exemplary METIs include pyridaben ([2-tert-butyl-5-(4-tert-butylbenzylthio)-4-chloropyridazin-3(2Ei)-one]), fenpyroximate (benzoic acid, 4-[[[(E)-[l,3-dimethyl-5-phenoxy-lH-pyrazol-4-yl)methylene]amino]oxy]methyl]-l,l- dimethyl ethyl ester), tebufenpyrad (4-chloro-N - [[4-(l , 1 -dimethylethyl)phenyl] methyl] -3-ethyl- 1 - methyl-lEi-pyrazole-5-carboxamide), pyrimidifen (5-Chloro-N-{2-[4-(2-ethoxyethyl)-2,3- dimethylphenoxy] ethyl} -6-ethylpyrimidin -4-amine), tolfenpyrad (lH-Pyrazole-5-carboxamide,4- chloro-3-ethyl-l-methyl-N-[[4-(4-methylphenoxy)phenyl]methyl]), fenazaquin (4-[2-(4-tert- butylphenyl) ethoxy] quinazoline), SAN 548, Azido-SAN 548 or combinations thereof. The METIs affect cellular respiration and the MOA is inhibition of mitochondrial electron transport complex 1 and prevents binding of NADH-ubiquinone reductase. In some aspects, the treatment agent is fenazaquin.

[0031] In other aspects, the treatment agent consists of a complex 1 NADH oxido- reductase and/ or a METI that prevents binding of NADH-ubiquinone reductase. In other aspects, the treatment agent is not a treatment agent that binds to the Qo site (cyt b gene) of complex III (cytochrome be 1) within the mitochondria (ubquinol oxidase) such as the group of Qol fungicides (Quinone outside inhibitors) including strobilurines (e.g., azoxystrobin, pyraclostrobin, etc).

[0032] In aspects in which the treatment composition comprises fenazaquin, the treatment agent may be applied at a rate of 100-200 grams of the active ingredient fenazaquin per hectare (g/Ha) or 0.5-1.25 liters per hectare (L/Ha) of formulated product containing 191.72 grams/liter or 1.6 Lb/gallon of fenazaquin (e.g., 0.7 L/Ha). In aspects in which tolfenpyrad comprises the treatment agent, the treatment agent may be applied at a rate of 80-320 g (active ingredient tolfenpyrad) /Ha or 0.5- 2L/Ha of formulated product comprising 160.56 g/L (1.34 Lb/gallon) of tolfenpyrad. In aspects in which the treatment agent comprises fenpyroximate, the treatment agent may be applied at a rate of 20-100 g (active ingredient fenpyroximate) /Ha or 0.4-2.00 L/Ha of formulated product comprising (0.42 Lb/gallon ~ 50.327 grams/liter) of fenpyroximate. In aspects in which the treatment agent comprises pyridaben, the treatment agent may be applied at a rate of 135-540 g (active ingredient pyridaben)/Ha or 0.2-1.2 L/Ha formulated product comprising 449.35 g/L (3.8 Lb/gallon) pyridaben. In aspects in which the treatment composition comprises tebufenpyrad, the treatment agent may be applied at a rate of 100-200 g (active ingredient tebufenpyrad)/Ha. It is understood that equivalent rates will be used when applying the treatment agents to areas measured by acres (g of active ingredient/acre).

[0033] In aspects in which the treatment agent comprises fenazaquin, the formulated product containing 200 g/L of fenazaquin may be applied at a rate of 0.5 to 1.0 L/Ha, including any number or any range therein, such as 0.50, 0.55, 0.60, 0.65, 0.70, 0.75, 0.80, 0.85, 0.90, 0.95, and 1.0 L/Ha formulated product.

[0034] In aspects in which the treatment agent comprises tolfenpyrad, the formulated product containing 160 g/L (1.34 Lb /gallon) of tolfenpyrad may be applied at a rate of 0.25 to 2.0 L/Ha, including any number or range therein, such as 0.25, 0.30, 0.35, 0.40, 0.45, 0.50, 0.55, 0.60, 0.65, 0.70, 0.75, 0.80, 0.85, 0.90, 0.95, 1.0, 1.05, 1.10, 1.15, 1.20. 1.25, 1.30, 1.35, 1.40, 1.45, 1.50,

1.55, 1.60, 1.65, 1.70, 1.75, 1.80, 1.85, 1.90, 1.95, and 2.0 L/Ha formulated product [0035] In aspects in which the treatment agent comprises fenpyroximate, the formulated product containing 50 g/L (0.4 Lb/gal.) fenpyroximate may be applied at a rate of 0.5 - 2.0 L/Ha, including any number or range therein, such as 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1.0, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, 1.9 and 2.0 L/Ha formulated product.

[0036] In aspects in which the treatment agent comprises pyridaben, the formulated product containing 449 g/L (3.75 Lb/gal.) pyridaben may be applied at a rate of 0.20 to 1.2 L/Ha, including any number or range therein, such as 0.20, 0.25, 0.30, 0.35, 0.40, 0.45, 0.50, 0.55, 0.60, 0.65, 0.70, 0.75, 0.80, 0.85, 0.90, 0.95, 1.0, 1.05, 1.10, 1.15, and 1.20 L/Ha formulated product.

[0037] In some aspects, the complex 1 reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) oxido-reductase and/or mitochondrial electron transport inhibitor (METI) compounds described herein can be applied up to three times per year (e.g., every 3 months).

[0038] As discussed herein, the compositions may comprise the treatment agent and at least one additional ingredient, such as mineral oil, an additional fungicide, one or more emulsifiers, and/ or one or more adjuvants.

[0039] For example, the compositions may comprise the treatment agent and a mineral oil.

In some aspects, the mineral oil may be applied at rates of 1 to 2 gallons per hectare. The mineral oil may improve the coverage and distribution of the treatment agent on the banana leaves. The mineral oil also provides fungistatic activity against the causal agents of Black and Yellow sigatoka. Exemplary mineral oils may include TOTAL’S Banole^® (18 to 20 carbon atom paraffin mineral oil), Lub-Line^®’s HarvestOl^® (agricultural oil of non-ionic mineral origin), and Dicam mineral oil.

[0040] As discussed herein, the composition may comprise an additional fungicide. The additional fungicide may have a different mechanism of activity than the treatment agent. In some aspects, the additional fungicide may be a multi-site fungicide. Multi-site fungicides are considered protectant fungicides because they are applied before the fungi penetrates into the leaves by the stomata. They are also “contact” fungicides that stay on the surface of the plant, act as a shield against fungal spores, and attack multiple proteins and enzymes. By attacking multiple proteins and enzymes, multi-site fungicides prevent pathogenic organisms from adapting and mutating, meaning that even after decades of use, fungal strains have not developed resistance to multi-site fungicides. Exemplary multi-site fungicides may include mancozeb, chlorotalonyl, copper, sulfur, or combinations thereof. The additional fungicide could also be a systemic-curative fungicide or another preventative fungicide with a different mechanism of activity than the treatment agent. In other aspects, the additional fungicide is applied to banana plants or a field of banana plants as part of a treatment regimen and at a different time then the complex 1 NADH oxido-reductase and/ or a METI that prevents binding of NADH-ubiquinone reductase are applied, as described herein.

[0041] As discussed herein, the composition may comprise one or more emulsifiers. The one or more emulsifiers include active ingredients such as oleic acid polyglycol ethers, polyoxyethylene ethers, octlylphenoxy-polyethoxythanol, ethoxylated fatty alcohols, or combinations thereof. The emulsifiers are able to mix water with oil in addition to the fungicides to obtain a uniform emulsion. Emulsifiers are usually used at 1% of the amount of oil but may be increased up to 2% in some cases. Exemplary emulsifiers may include Sigma Alrich’s Triton™ X-45 (non-ionic surfactant), Evonik’s Break-Thru^® (non-ionic surfactant), Quimiser S.A.’s Bronco Plus^® (polyglycol fatty alcohol ether 20%), Emulad, Bayer’s Agridex^® (non-ionic surfactant), Rizobacter’s Eco RizoSpray^® (greasy monoramified ethoxylated alcohol), Oxiteno’s Imbirex^® (non-ionic emulsifier), Microquimica^®’s Agrex’Oil (soybean oil adjuvant), Groupo Empresarial’s Hipotensor SYS (linear, non-aromatic surfactant), SprayFix (alkylaryl polyglycol) or combinations thereof. [0042] As discussed herein, the composition may comprise one or more adjuvants.

Exemplary adjuvants may include spreader stickers, antifoaming agents, buffers, water softeners, or combinations thereof

[0043] As discussed herein, the compositions may comprise the treatment agent and at least one additional ingredient, such as mineral oil, the additional fungicide, and/or the one or more emulsifiers. These active ingredients can be applied separately or simultaneously. For example, a tank mix comprising the composition comprising the treatment agent can sprayed onto a banana plant or field of banana plants.

[0044] Methods of prevention, control and/or suppression of pathogens that cause Black

Sigatoka or Yellow Sigatoka, generally involve applying a composition including a fungicide to a banana plant or field of banana plants. Typically, the methods involve applying compositions having different modes of action in successive weeks to reduce a likelihood of the pathogens that cause Black or Yellow Sigatoka from developing resistance to the composition.

[0045] The methods described herein may include applying the composition including the treatment agent comprising the complex 1 NADH oxido-reductase and/ or the METI to the banana plant or field of banana plants and one or more additional treatment agents to the banana plant or field of banana plants, as part of a treatment regimen. In some aspects, the additional treatment agent may include a protectant, such as mancozeb, chlorothalonyl, thiram, copper, or combinations thereof. Such treatments are multi-site fungicides (and have multiple MOAs). In some aspects, the additional treatment agent may include an amine, such as fenpropimorph, spiroxamine, tridemorph, or combinations thereof. The MOA of amines is inhibition of ergosterol biosynthesis (Class II). In some aspects, the additional treatment agent may include zoxamide toluamide/benzamide fungicide (Zoxium). The MOA of zoxamide is preventing the nuclear division by binding to the B-subunit of tubulin, which disrupts micro-tubulin polymerization. In some aspects, the additional treatment agent may include picolinamides, such as fenpicoxamid. The MOA of picolinamides is inhibition of quinone inside inhibitors. In some embodiments, the additional treatment agent may include triazoles, such as difenoconazole, propiconazole, tebuconazole, epoxiconazole, tridimenol, fenbuconazole, flutriafol, or combinations thereof The MOA of triazoles is inhibition of demethylation inhibitors and inhibition of ergosterol biosynthesis. In some aspects, the additional treatment agent may include carboxamides, such as boscalid, isopyrazam, fluopyram, or combinations thereof. The MOA of carboxamindes is inhibition of succinate dehydrogenase. In some aspects, the additional treatment agent may include strobilurines such as trifloxystrobin, pyraclostribin, azoxystrobin, or combinations thereof. The MOA of strobilurines is inhibition of quinone (Complex III -ubiquinol oxidase at cytochrome b gene). In some aspects, the additional treatment agent may include benzimidazoles and N-phenylcarbamates, such as thiabenzaole, carbendazim, diethofencarb or combinations thereof. The MOA of benzimidazole and N- phenylcarbamate fungicides is to kill fungal cells during mitosis by distorting the mitotic spindle, b- tubulin, a protein important in forming the cytoskeleton.

[0046] In some aspects, the treatment regimen comprises application of one or more of the treatment agents in the preceding paragraph. For example, in some aspects, suitable additional treatment agents may comprises a benzimidazole, a strobilurine, a triazole, or combinations thereof. In some aspects, the additional treatment agent comprises izopyrazam, fluopyram, boscalid, pyraclostrobin, trifloxystrobin, fenpicoxamid, or combinations thereof.

[0047] The disclosure provides compositions comprising the treatment agents (e.g., fenazaquin) described herein. For example, such compositions may comprise 5%, 6%, 7%, 8%, 9%, 10%, 11%, 12%, 13%, 14%, 15%, 16%, 17%, 18%, 19%, 20%, 20.5% or more of the treatment agent by weight of the composition. In some aspects, the compositions comprise 5% - 20% of the treatment agent by weight of the composition, 10% - 20% of the treatment agent by weight, 10-15% of the treatment agent by weight, 5% - 10% of the treatment agent by weight, or 15% - 20% of the treatment agent by weight. It should be understood that the rates disclosed herein include any subranges of integers within the disclosed ranges. In other aspects, compositions described herein are applied at rate of 1-1,000 grams of treatment agent/ acre (a) or 1-500 grams of treatment agent/ acre. In other aspects, compositions comprising the treatment agent described herein are applied at a rate of 1-100 fl. oz/acre. In specific aspects, compositions described herein comprise 18.79 wt% of fenazaquin and are applied at a rate of 30-40 fl. oz/acre. Alternatively, the formulated treatment composition is applied at a rate of 16 to 34 fl. oz. (active ingredient) /Ha, or 6 to 14 fl. oz./acre of formulated treatment composition.

[0048] In other aspects, the composition is MAGISTER SC^®, which has 18.79% fenazaquin by weight of the composition, and 81.21% of other ingredients by weight of the composition. In other aspects, the composition is Nexter SC^® which has 42.47% pyridaben by weight of the composition, and 57.53% of other ingredients by weight of the composition. In other aspects, the composition is Fujimite SC^®, which has 5.0% fenpyroximate by weight of the composition, and 95.0% of other ingredients by weight of the composition. In other aspects, the composition is Apta^®, which has 15.0% tolfenpyrad by weight of the composition, and 85.0% of other ingredients by weight of the composition. In other aspects, the composition is Pyranica^®, which has 20% of tebufenpyrad by weight of the composition, and 80% of other ingredients by weight of the composition. In other aspects, the composition is Masai^®, which has 20% of tebufenpyrad by weight of the composition, and 80% of other ingredients by weight of the composition. EXAMPLES

Example 1 - Microplate Study - Fenazaquin

[0049] Table 1 and FIGS. 2-3 illustrate aspects of in vitro testing of a treatment composition comprising fenazaquin as a treatment agent against M. fijensis , which is the causal agent of Black Sigatoka. The positive control comprises the growth media (2X Potato Dextrose Broth) and the pathogen M. Fjiiensis. Table 1 summarizes the test conditions of this example.

Table 1: Treatments

[0050] Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA) was prepared by mixing 39 grams of dehydrated media in 1 T of deionized water. The mixture was brought to a boil for 1 minute using a stirring hot plate. The PDA was then sterilized in an autoclave at 121 °C for 15 minutes and 15 ml of the sterilized agar was poured into 100 mm pet i dishes and solidify under sterilized conditions. A 5 mm plug of a previously grown M. fjiiensis petri dish was used to inoculate a freshly prepared PDA petri dish; the plate was incubated at 25°C for 14 days.

[0051] Potato Dextrose Broth (PDB) was prepared by mixing 24 grams of dehydrated media in 1 T of deionized water. The mixture was mixed thoroughly using a stirring plate with a magnetic stir bar for 5 minutes. The PDB was then sterilized in an autoclave at 121°C for 15 minutes; the media was cooled down at room temperature and 50 ml was poured into sterilized 150 ml flasks.

[0052] Potato Dextrose Broth Double Strength (2XPDB) was prepared by mixing 48 grams of dehydrated media in 1 T of deionized water. The mixture was mixed thoroughly using the same procedure as described for PDB. [0053] M. fijiensis was inoculated into flasks containing PDB media. The flasks were incubated for 10 days in a rotary shaker at 25°C and 120 rpm. A portion of 0.35g of fresh mycelium mass of the M. fijiensis was transferred to 10 mL of 2X (PDB) liquid medium and the homogenizer Politron® apparatus was used to grind the mycelial mass (set a speed 4 for 1 min) and to obtain a uniform suspension of hyphal fragments. 100 microliters of the mycelium suspension was transferred to 96-wells of sterile microtiter plates and mixed with 100 microliters of PDB amended with the treatment composition at the concentrations shown in Table 1.

[0054] The plates were sealed using PVC film to prevent evaporation and contamination, and incubated for 7 days at 25°C and 12 h photoperiod. After incubation, fungal growth was estimated based on mycelium density measured indirectly using a microtiter plate reader at 450 nanometers (nm) (Thermo Scientific). Optical density (OD) readings were taken to assess fungal mass at day 0 and after a 7-day incubation period. The first reading was subtracted from the second to estimate only the mycelial growth.

[0055] Based optical density data, the values for percentage of inhibition of fungal growth are calculated for each product and rates using Abbott’s formula: where C=mycelial growth in the positive control (2X PDB + Fungus), and T=Mycelial growth in the wells amended with the treatment composition.

[0056] As illustrated in FIGS. 2-3 and Table 2, the treatment composition is effective at reducing the amount of growth of the M. fjiiensis at all of the concentrations tested. As illustrated in FIG. 2, all of the samples including the treatment composition comprising fenazaquin as a treatment agent (Treatments 4-9 in Table 1) showed less growth of M. fjiiensis relative to the positive control, which included M. fjiiensis , but no treatment composition. FIG. 3 and Table 2 illustrate the percentage of growth reduction of M. Fjiiensis in all of the samples including the treatment composition comprising fenazaquin as a treatment agent (Treatments 4-9 in Table 1) The percentage growth reduction was calculated using Abbott’s formula.

Table 2: Growth Inhibition of M. fjiiensis Treated with Treatment Composition

Example 2 - Field Study - Fenazaquin

[0057] A field study was carried out in a banana field in Colombia including plot of banana plants subjected to the test conditions described in Table 3. Each plot had an area of 180 square meters and included five banana plants.

Table 3: Treatments

[0058] The treatment compositions described in Table 3 were applied to the corresponding treatment plots of banana plants at 8 day application intervals for 8 weeks in an application system configured to mimic the results of an aerial application method. The control treatment agent was fenpropimorph. Each of the plots was evaluated after every second week for the following variables: a) younger leaf with spots, b) total number of leaves, functional leaves (Stover Grade 2, Leaves with maximum 5% foliar affected area), c) Severity Index based on the Stover severity scale modified by Gauhl, and d) foliar affected area (AFA). Additionally, periodic phytotoxicity evaluations were made.

[0059] The Stover Scale is described in the article “Stover, R.H., 1971. A proposed international scale for estimating banana leaf spot. Tropical Agriculture (Trinidad) 48, 185-196,” which is incorporated herein by reference in relevant part. The Stover severity scale as modified by Gauhl is described in PCT Publication No. W02010/109290 and “Gauhl. F., Pasberg-Gauhl, F., Vuylsteke, D., Oritz, R. 1993. Multilocational evaluation of black sigatoka resistance in banana and plantain. IITA Research Guide No. 47. IITA, Ibadan, Nigeria”, both of which are incorporated herein by reference in relevant part. FIG. 4 illustrates exemplary banana leaves for each grade of the Stover Scale. In FIG. 4, an exemplary amount of affected area is colored black.

[0060] The plots treated with the compositions including the fenazaquin treatment composition showed significant statistical differences in the parameters described above relative to the untreated control plot. The plants in the untreated control plot developed a fairly severe Black Sigatoka infection. The plots treated with the compositions including the fenazaquin treatment agent showed similar data relative to the plot treated with the control composition.

[0061] FIG. 5 illustrates a plot of foliar affected area (FAA) for the banana plants in the treatment plots described in Table 3. The FAA is indicative of a cumulative total amount of leaf area affected by Black Sigatoka infection during a testing period. Throughout the testing period, a percentage of affected area is determined for each of the leaves of each of the banana plants in the treatment plots at predefined intervals during the testing period. The area under the curve shows the cumulative FAA during the total testing period. As shown in FIG. 5, the amount of affected area was much smaller for the treatment plot treated with the control treatment agent and for the treatment plots treated with the fenazaquin treatment agent than for the treatment plot that was not treated with any treatment agents.

[0062] FIG. 6 illustrates a plot of Black Sigatoka Severity Index (IND) for the banana plants in the treatment plots described in Table 3. The IND is a percentage expression indicative of the severity of the Black Sigatoka disease over the test time period. Throughout the testing period, a grade according to the modified Stover scale is determined for each of the leaves of each of the banana plants in the treatment plots at predefined intervals during the testing period. The IND is determined using the formula: n is the total number of leaves in each grade of the modified Stover scale, b is the grade of infection according to the modified Stover scale, N is the number of grades used on the same scale (7 grades, from Grade 0 to Grade 6), and T is the total number of leaves evaluated.

[0063] The area under the curve is indicative of a cumulative severity of the Black Sigatoka disease according to the modified Stover scale throughout the testing period. These values show which treatments accumulated more or less infection during the trial and therefore more or less efficacy. As illustrated in FIG. 6, the severity of the disease was less in the treatment plot treated with the control treatment agent and for the treatment plots treated with the fenazaquin treatment agent than for the treatment plot that was not treated with any treatment agents.

Example 3 - Microplate Study - Additional Treatment Agents

[0064] Microplate studies were completed for treatment compositions comprising pyridaben, fenpyroximate, tolfenpyrad, or fenazaquin as a treatment agent. Each of the treatment compositions was analyzed at a low water volume per dilution (20 T water/Ha), which is an exemplary application volume for aerial applications of the treatment composition, and a high water volume per dilution (200 L water/Ha), which is an exemplary application volume for ground applications of the treatment compositions. The growth medias PDA, PDB, 2X PDB, the pathogen M. fijiensis , and the 96-well microplates were prepared following the same methodology was as described above with respect to Example 1. The percent of growth inhibition (or percent efficiency) was also determined as described in Example 1.

[0065] Tables 4 - 7 summarize the results of this experiment. As shown below, the treatment compositions comprising pyridaben, fenpyroximate, tolfenpyrad, or fenazaquin are effective reducing or preventing growth of M. fijiensis over various application rates. Table 4 - Pyridaben Treatment Agent

Table 5 - Fenpyroximate Treatment Agent

Table 6 - Tolfenpyrad Treatment Agent

Table 7 - Fenazaquin Treatment Agent

Example 4 - Microplate Study - Additional Application Rates

[0066] Microplate studies were completed for treatment compositions comprising pyridaben, fenpyroximate, tolfenpyrad, or fenazaquin at different application rates than Example 3. Each of the treatment compositions was analyzed at a low water volume per dilution (20 T water /Ha), which is an exemplary application volume for aerial applications of the treatment composition, and a high water volume per dilution (200 T water/Ha), which is an exemplary application volume for ground applications of the treatment compositions. The growth medias PDA, PDB, 2X PDB, the pathogen M.fijiensis , and the 96-well microplates were prepared following the same methodology was as described above with respect to Example 1. The percent of growth inhibition (or percent efficiency) was also determined as described in Example 1.

[0067] Tables 8 - 11 summarize the results of this experiment. As shown below, the treatment compositions comprising pyridaben, fenpyroximate, tolfenpyrad, or fenazaquin are effective reducing or preventing growth of M.fijiensis over various application rates.

Table 11 - Fenazaquin Treatment Agent

[0068] The treatment agents showed a high inhibition in the growth of the pathogen M. fijiensis, presenting a dose-response curve. Half maximal effective concentration (EC₅₀) values were calculated for each treatment agent using the program Prism 9.1.2. Fenazaquin presented the highest inhibition of M. fijiensis with an EC₅₀ value of 108.5 ppm, followed by fenpyroximate with 451.7, tolfenpyrad with 463.3, and pyridaben with 1572 ppm.

Example 5 - Field Study - Additional Treatment Agents

[0069] A field study similar to Example 2 was carried out using additional treatment agents.

The trial was carried out in Colombia under conditions of good pressure of black sigatoka disease during the rainy season. Each plot had an area of 180 square meters and included six banana plants.

The evaluated treatments are described in Table 12. Table 12: Treatments

[0070] The treatment compositions described in Table 12 were applied to the corresponding treatment plots of banana plants at 8 day application intervals for 8 weeks in an application system configured to mimic the results of an aerial application method. The control treatment agent was zoxamide. Each of the plots was evaluated after every second week for a number of parameters including foliar affected area and severity index (as discussed above).

[0071] FIG. 7 illustrates a plot of foliar affected area (FAA) for the banana plants in the treatment plots described in Table 12. The FAA is indicative of a cumulative total amount of leaf area affected by Black Sigatoka infection during a testing period. Throughout the testing period, a percentage of affected area is determined for each of the leaves of each of the banana plants in the treatment plots at predefined intervals during the testing period. The area under the curve shows the cumulative FAA during the total testing period. As shown in FIG. 7, the amount of affected area was much smaller for the treatment plot treated with the treatment compositions than for the treatment plot not treated with any treatment agents.

[0072] FIG. 8 illustrates a plot of Black Sigatoka Severity Index (IND) for the banana plants in the treatment plots described in Table 12. The IND is a percentage expression indicative of the severity of the Black Sigatoka disease over the test time period. Throughout the testing period, a grade according to the modified Stover scale is determined for each of the leaves of each of the banana plants in the treatment plots at predefined intervals during the testing period. The IND is determined as discussed in Example 2.

[0073] The area under the curve is indicative of a cumulative severity of the Black Sigatoka disease according to the modified Stover scale throughout the testing period. These values show which treatments accumulated more or less infection during the trial and therefore more or less efficacy. As illustrated in FIG. 8, the severity of the disease was less in the treatment plot treated with the treatment compositions than for the treatment plot not treated with any treatment agents. The fenazaquin composition (dose of 0.7 T/ha) obtained the best control.

[0074] During the development of the test, the infection levels were quite high and showed a good scenario to test the efficacy of treatment agents. The treatment agents all showed efficacy to control Black Sigatoka and a good capacity to reduce the infection caused by Vseudocercospora fijiensis. Under the experimental conditions presented in the trial, the best treatment agents were pyridaben at a dose of 0.4 liters/hectare and fenazaquin at a dose of 0.7 liters/hectare.

Claims

1. A method for preventing, treating and/or controlling a causal agent of Black or Yellow sigatoka comprising applying an effective amount of a treatment agent comprising a complex 1 reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) oxido-reductase or a mitochondrial electron transport inhibitor (METI) that prevents binding of NADH-ubiquinone reductase to a portion of a banana plant or a field of banana plants susceptible to the causal agent of Black or Yellow sigatoka.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising selecting a banana plant suspected of having Black or Yellow Sigatoka before applying the treatment agent.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the selecting comprises selecting a banana plant including at least one leaf having a faint reddish-brown speck less than 0.25 mm diameter visible on the underside of the at least one leaf or reddish brown streaks extending substantially parallel to veins of the at least one leaf, the reddish brown streaks visible on at least one of the upper and lower sides of the at least one leaf.

4. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein the treatment agent comprises diflumetorim, tolfenpyrad, fenazaquin, or combinations thereof.

5. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein the treatment agent comprises pyridaben, fenpyroximate, tebufenpyrad, pyrimidifen, tolfenpyrad, fenazaquin, or combinations thereof.

6. The method of any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the treatment agent comprises fenazaquin, and wherein the effective amount is 100-250 g fenazaquin per hectare of banana plants.

7. The method of any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the treatment agent comprises tolfenpyrad, and wherein the effective amount is 80-320 g tolfenpyrad per hectare of banana plants.

8. The method of any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the treatment agent comprises fenpyroximate, and wherein the effective amount is 20-100 g fenpyroximate per hectare of banana plants.

9. The method of any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the treatment agent comprises pyridaben, and wherein the effective amount is 135-540 g pyridaben per hectare of banana plants.

10. The method of any of claims 1 to 9, wherein the effective amount of the treatment agent is applied for a first time period, wherein the treatment agent is a first treatment agent; and further comprising applying an effective amount of a second treatment agent with a different mode of action than the treatment agent for a second time period.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the second treatment agent comprises a benzimidazole, a strobilurine, a triazole, or combinations thereof.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the second treatment agent comprises izopyrazam, fluopyram, boscalid, pyraclostrobin, trifloxystrobin, fenpicoxamid, or combinations thereof.

13. The method of any of claims 1 to 12, comprising applying the effective amount of the treatment agent and one or more ingredients to a portion of a banana plant or a field of banana plants susceptible to the causal agent of black sigatoka.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the one or more ingredients comprises a mineral oil, one or more emulsifiers, one or more adjuvants, or combinations thereof.

15. The method of any of claims 1 to 14, wherein the causal agent comprises Vseudocercospora fijiensis or Vseudocercospora musicola.

16. The method of any of claims 1 to 15, comprising applying the treatment agent at stage 1 and/ or stage 2 of a black or yellow sigatoka infestation.