BR102017004519A2 - VAPORIZED ADMINISTRATION OF PESTICIDES - Google Patents

Description

“VAPORIZED ADMINISTRATION OF PESTICIDES” CROSS-RELATED APPLICATION REFERENCE

The present application claims benefit as provided in 35 USC § 119 (e) of provisional patent application no. 62 / 304,646 filed March 7, 2016, the full disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference title.

FIELD OF THIS REQUEST

The present application relates to methods for administering pyrimethanil as a vapor to inhibit crop crop pathogens in a contained environment.

BACKGROUND

Pyrimethanil is a synthetic compound of the chemical group Anilinopyrimidine. Pyrimethanil is known to act as a pesticide, particularly a fungicide, to provide preventive and curative control of plant, seed and crop diseases.

One mechanism of action by which pyrimethanil has been shown to act as a fungicide is the inhibition of methionine biosynthesis thus affecting protein formation and subsequent cell division. Pyrimethanil has also been shown to block the ability of fungi to degrade and digest plants, thereby inhibiting the penetration and development of pathogenic disease and infection. Pyrimethanil has also been reported to have a thermal decomposition temperature ranging from 189.54 ° C to about 344.74 (Agriphar Pyrimethanil (ISO) Safety Data Sheet, revised September 7, 2012, version 8.1).

Traditionally, post-harvest fungicides are applied to plants, seeds and crops as water-based solvent emulsions for use in sprinkling or soaking applications during sorting and packaging operations.

Some crops, such as berry fruits, including fruits or table grapes, are quite susceptible to fungal pathogens, but are not tolerant to the free moisture present in traditional fungicide applications. Therefore, treating berry fruits with traditional fungicides is problematic. Other crops, such as apples and oranges, can tolerate the moisture of traditional fungicides, but the soaking operation typically used to apply a fungicide is costly, time consuming, excessive in volume. of pesticide-treated water and spreads non-susceptible pathogen spores that contribute to fungicide-resistant pathogen populations.

Some post-harvest fungicide treatments are delivered by nebulization which is typically administered at a cold temperature (below room temperature). However, this technique has problems with uniform crop distribution. For example, the deposition rates of a fungicide may be very high and may exceed the maximum regulatory residue limits.

Alternatively, deposition rates of a fungicide may be very low and decrease below the minimum required for efficacy. Additionally, fungicide nebulization operations are not performed successfully when cooling circulation fans are operating in the room or chamber. These fans are essential for the important preservation process of fruit cooling, so having to turn them off during the fungicide misting operation is a negative feature of this type of application as it contributes to the unwanted heating of the stored crop. In a storage room, the effectiveness of fungicide application is closely linked to uniformity of distribution. Ultimately, more uniformity and regular distribution in the crop treatment with pesticide or fungicide improves the effectiveness of such treatments to inhibit and / or control plant pathogens.

[008] The present disclosure describes methods of administering traditional pesticides in non-traditional ways for use in antimicrobial crop protection to inhibit pathogens. More specifically, the present disclosure discloses methods of using vaporized pyrimethanil as an antimicrobial protection for plants, plant parts and post-harvest seeds that are advantageous over other antimicrobial treatments in plants described above. Ultimately, the methods described in the present invention provide beneficial delivery options for established pesticide application systems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure provides a method of treating plants or plant parts with an antimicrobial agent. The method comprises heating the antimicrobial compound to form a vapor. The method further comprises cooling the vapor to form a solid. Additionally, the method comprises administering the solid compound to one or more plants or plant parts in a chamber.

One or more plants or plant parts of the method described in the present invention may comprise a strawberry, a grape, an apple, an orange or a blueberry. The method may further comprise circulating the solid compound throughout the chamber with fans. Finally, the method further provides that the heating, cooling or administration steps can be performed using a heating device.

[011] The antimicrobial compound of the present method may be a solid. In addition, the solid compound may form microparticles having a size of 2 microns or less. Additionally, the antimicrobial compound of a present disclosure may have a room temperature vapor pressure that is less than the room temperature vapor pressure of benzoxaborol.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[012] A brief description of the drawings is as follows.

[013] Figure 1 shows images of growth of Penicillium digitatum after inoculation in oranges and treated with vaporized pyrimethanil.

[014] Figure 2 shows images of growth of Penicillium expansum after being inoculated into apples and treated with vaporized pyrimethanil.

Figure 3 shows images of growth of Botrytis cinerea after being inoculated in strawberries and treated with vaporized pyrimethanil.

[016] Figure 4 shows images of Botrytis cinerea growth after being inoculated into table grapes and treated with vaporized pyrimethanil.

[017] Figure 5 shows images of growth of Botrytis cinerea after being inoculated into blueberries and treated with vaporized pyrimethanil.

Figure 6 shows an image of the heating device comprising a heating element or a sublimation unit.

[019] Figure 7 shows an image of an external power supply.

[020] Figure 8 shows a fabric or cloth carrier image for the active ingredient.

Figure 9 shows an image of a glass tube carrier for the active ingredient.

Figure 10 shows an image of a heating device that penetrates a chamber (i.e. a mini-pallet) comprising strawberries.

[11] Figure 11 shows an image of a heating device for applying technical vaporization of apples to a chamber (ie a tunnel) that is 1m x 1m x 8m in size.

Figure 12 shows a DSC isothermal curve of the melting temperature of a pyrimethanil compound 1.

Figure 13 shows a DSC isothermal curve of the melting temperature of the pyrimethanil compound 2.

[026] Figure 14A shows an isothermal TGA run in air of the degradation temperature of pyrimethanil compound 1.

[027] Figure 14B shows an isothermal TGA execution on nitrogen of the degradation temperature of pyrimethanil compound 1.

[028] Figure 15A shows an isothermal TGA run in air of the degradation temperature of the pyrimethanil compound 2.

[029] Figure 15B shows an isothermal TGA execution on nitrogen of the degradation temperature of a pyrimethanil 2 compound.

Figure 16A shows an isothermal curve execution of TGA-MS in air of the degradation temperature of pyrimethanil compound 1.

Figure 16B shows a TGA-MS isothermal curve analysis of the degradation temperature of a pyrimethanil compound 1.

Figure 17A shows an isothermal curve execution of TGA-MS in air of the degradation temperature of pyrimethanil compound 2.

Figure 17B shows a TGA-MS isothermal curve analysis of the degradation temperature of a pyrimethanil compound 2.

Figure 18 shows a weight loss rate curve for pyrimethanil compound 2.

Figure 19 shows a weight loss rate curve for pyrimethanil compound 1.

Figure 20 shows a total ion thermogram comparison of the mass spectra of pyrimethanil compounds 1 and 2.

[037] Figure 21 shows a thermogram comparison of total ions of molecular ion profiles and total ions of pyrimethanil compounds 1 and 2.

[038] Figure 22 shows a bar graph comparing the darkening effect of pyrimethanil-treated apples applied using a soaking method versus a vaporized method.

[039] Figure 23 shows a bar graph comparing the effect on darkening of the upper and lower incisions of pyrimethanil-treated apples applied using a nebulization versus a vaporized method.

[040] Figure 24 shows a bar graph comparing the effect of treatment distance on the variation of pyrimethanil distribution in apples treated using a nebulization versus a vaporized method.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[041] The following numbered embodiments are contemplated and are not limiting: [042] 1. A method of treating plants or plant parts with an antimicrobial treatment comprising: [043] a) preparing an antimicrobial treatment comprising a [044] b) volatilize the antimicrobial compound to form a vapor, [045] c) cool the vapor to form a solid and [046] d) administer the solid antimicrobial compound to one or more plants or plant parts in a camera.

[047] 2. The method of clause 1, wherein one or more plants or plant parts is selected from the group consisting of a strawberry, a grape, an apple, an orange and a blueberry.

[048] 3. The method of clause 1 or clause 2, wherein the antimicrobial compound is a solid, gas, liquid, vapor or aerosol.

[049] 4. The method of any of clauses 1 to 3, wherein the compound antimicrobial is a solid.

[050] 5. The method of any of clauses 1 to 4, wherein the method further comprises circulating the antimicrobial compound throughout the chamber with an air source.

[051] 6. The method of any of clauses 1 to 5, wherein the antimicrobial compound forms microparticles having a size of 2 microns or less.

[052] 7. The method of clause 5 or clause 6, wherein the air source is a fan.

[053] 8. The method of any one of clauses 1 to 7, wherein volatilization occurs by sublimation.

[054] 9. The method of any of clauses 1 to 7, wherein the volatization occurs by heating.

[055] 10. The method of any of clauses 1 to 8, wherein the sublimation occurs by evaporation.

[056] 11. The method of any of clauses 1 to 10, wherein the antimicrobial compound is in the form of a powder.

[057] 12. The method of any of clauses 1 to 11, wherein the antimicrobial compound is directly sublimated into a vapor.

[058] 13. The method of any of clauses 1 to 12, wherein the antimicrobial compound is a pesticide.

[059] 14. The method of any of clauses 1 to 13, wherein the antimicrobial compound is a fungicide.

[060] 15. The method of any of clauses 1 to 14, wherein the antimicrobial compound is pyrimethanil or an analog or derivative thereof.

[061] 16. The method of clause 15, wherein the pyrimethanil or analog or derivative thereof comprises the following structure: [062] 17. The method of any of clauses 1 to 16, wherein 100% of the antimicrobial compound is vapor volatilized.

[063] 18. The method of any one of clauses 1 to 17, wherein no thermal degradation of the antimicrobial compound occurs at a temperature ranging from about 300 ° C to about 350 ° C.

19. The method of any of clauses 1 to 18, wherein the antimicrobial compound is administered at a rate of from about 0.001 mg / l to about 5 mg / l.

[065] 20. The method of any of clauses 1 to 19, wherein the antimicrobial treatment further comprises a component selected from the group consisting of a carrier, a preservative gas, a compound and a chemical.

[066] 21. The method of any of clauses 1 to 20, wherein the preservative gas is CO2.

[067] 22. The method of any of clauses 1 to 20, wherein the preservative gas is SO2.

[068] 23. The method of any of clauses 1 to 21, wherein the CO2 concentration of the antimicrobial treatment ranges from about 4% to about 20%.

[069] 24. The method of any of clauses 1 to 21 and 23, wherein the CO2 concentration of the antimicrobial treatment is about 12%. [070] 25. The method of any of clauses 1 to 20 and 22, wherein the SO2 concentration of antimicrobial treatment ranges from about 0.01% to about 5%.

[071] 26. The method of any of clauses 1 to 20, wherein the chemical compound is selected from the group consisting of 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP), oxaborol, imazalyl, fludioxonyl, thiabendazole and dioadjuvant (or dioadjuvants).

[072J27. The method of clause 26, wherein oxaborol is benzoxaborol.

[073] 28. The method of any of clauses 1 to 27, wherein the antimicrobial compound has a room temperature vapor pressure that is less than the benzoxaborol room temperature vapor pressure.

[074J29. The method of any of clauses 1 to 28, wherein the method is effective against plant pathogens.

[075] 30. The method of any of clauses 1 to 29, wherein the plant pathogens are fungal pathogens or bacterial pathogens.

[076] 31. The method of any of clauses 1 to 30, wherein the plant pathogens are selected from the group consisting of Acremonium spp., Albugo spp., Alternaria spp., Ascochyta spp., Aspergillus spp. Botryodiplodia spp., Botryospheria spp., Botrytis spp., Byssochlamys spp., Candida spp., Cephalosporium spp., Ceratocystis spp., Cercospora spp. CyHndrocarpon spp., Debaryomyces spp., Dia-porthe spp., Didymella spp., Diplodia spp., Dothiorella spp., Elsinoe spp., Fusarium spp., Gloeosporium spp. Khuskia spp., Lasiodiplodia spp., Macrophoma spp., Macrophomina spp., Microdo-chium spp., Monilinia spp., Monilochaethes spp., Mycocentrospora spp. Nigrospora spp., Penicillium spp., Peronophythora spp., Peronospora spp., Pestalotiopsis spp., Pezicula spp., Phacidiopycnis spp., Ph oma spp., Phomopsis spp., Phyllosticta spp., Phytophthora spp., Polyscytalum spp., Pseudocercospora spp., Pyricularia spp., Rhizoctonia spp. Sphaceloma spp., Sphaeropsis spp., Stemphyllium spp., Stilbella spp., Thielaviopsis spp., Thyronectria spp., Trachysphaera spp., Uromyces spp. Campylobacter spp., Clavibacter spp., Clostri-dium spp., Erwinia spp., Escherichia spp., Lactobacillus spp., Leuconostoc spp., Liseria spp. ., Salmonella spp., Shigella spp., Staphylococcus spp., Vibrio spp., Xanthomonas spp. and Yersinia spp.

[077] 32. The method of any one of clauses 1 to 31, wherein the plant pathogens are selected from the group consisting of Botrytis cinerea, Mucor pirifformis, Fusarium sambucinum, Aspergillus brasiliensis, and Peniciliium expan-sum.

33. The method of any of clauses 1 to 32, wherein the chamber is sealed.

[079] 34. The method of any of clauses 1 to 33, wherein the chamber is hermetically sealed.

[080] 35. The method of any one of clauses 1 to 34, wherein the chamber temperature ranges from about -2 ° C to about 25 ° C.

[081] 36. The method of any one of clauses 1 to 35, wherein the chamber temperature ranges from about 0 ° C to about 23 ° C.

[082] 37. The method of any of clauses 1 to 36, wherein the camera is semipermeable or impermeable.

[083] 38. The method of any one of clauses 1 to 37, wherein the chamber is produced from a material selected from the group consisting of plastic, glass, wood and metal.

[084J39. The method of any of clauses 1 to 38, wherein the chamber comprises a door, an outlet or both.

40. The method of any one of clauses 1 to 39, wherein one or more plants or plant parts are manually or robically placed in the chamber.

[086] 41. The method of any of clauses 1 to 40, wherein the chamber is selected from the group consisting of a cold storage room, a marine container, an aerial container, a train car, a local vehicle. , a haul truck, a trailer, a box, a pallet package, a greenhouse, a grain silo, a gym, a barn, and an industrial storage facility.

[087J42. The method of any one of clauses 1 to 41, wherein the time to administer antimicrobial treatment ranges from about 1 hour to about 5 days.

[088] 43. The method of any of clauses 1 to 42, wherein the method is performed using a heating device.

44. A heating device adapted to perform the method of any of clauses 1 to 43, wherein the heating device comprises: [090] a heating element, [091] a heating chamber, [092] a power supply, [093] the antimicrobial compound, [094] and one or more holes.

45. The heating device of clause 44, wherein the heating chamber comprises a copper pipe.

[096] 46. The heating device of clause 44, wherein the heating chamber comprises a glass tube.

47. The heating device of clause 44, wherein the heating chamber comprises an air source.

[098] 48. The heating device of clause 47, wherein the air source is a fan.

[099] 49. The heating device of any of clauses 44 to 48, wherein the power supply is internal or external to the heating device.

[0100] 50. The heating device of any of clauses 44 to 49, wherein the energy supplied by the power supply is selected from the group consisting of electric power, gas power and wind power.

[0101] 51. The heating device of any of clauses 44 to 50, wherein the temperature of the heating chamber ranges from about 90 ° C to about 300 ° C.

52. The heating device of any of clauses 44 to 50, wherein the temperature of the heating chamber does not decrease below 100 ° C.

53. The heating device of any one of clauses 44 to 50, wherein the temperature of the heating chamber does not decrease below about 96 ° C to about 98 ° C.

54. The heating device of any one of clauses 44 to 53, wherein the one or more holes are located at the proximal end of the heating device.

55. The heating device of any of clauses 44 to 54, wherein the stability of the antimicrobial compound is maintained at temperatures ranging from about 300 ° C to about 350 ° C.

56. A method of using the heating device of any of clauses 44 to 55, the method comprising: [0107] a) loading the antimicrobial treatment comprising the antimicrobial compound into the heating chamber, [0108] b ) turning on the power supply to heat the heating element and the heating chamber, [0109] c) volatilizing the antimicrobial compound into a vapor, and [0110] d) releasing steam from one or more heating device holes in the chamber.

[0111] 57., method of clause 56, wherein the antimicrobial compound is placed directly on the surface of the heating chamber.

[0112] 58. The method of clause 56, wherein the antimicrobial compound is placed directly into the heating chamber.

59. The method of clause 58, wherein the antimicrobial compound is placed in the glass tube comprised within the heating chamber.

60. The method of clause 56, wherein the antimicrobial compound is dissolved within a solvent.

61. The method of clause 60, wherein the solvent is a volatile solvent.

62. The method of clause 60 or clause 61, wherein the solvent comprising the dissolved antimicrobial compound is placed in a compound carrier.

63. The method of clause 62, wherein the compound carrier is solid.

64. The method of clause 62 or clause 63, wherein the compound carrier is an absorbent material.

65. The method of any one of clauses 62 to 64, wherein the compound carrier is cotton.

66. The method of any one of clauses 62 to 64, wherein the compound carrier is nonflammable.

67. The method of any of clauses 62 to 66, wherein the solvent is dried from the compound carrier to form a dry compound carrier.

[0122J68. The method of clause 67, wherein the solvent is evaporated from the compound carrier to form the dry compound carrier.

[0123] 69. The method of any of clauses 56 to 68, wherein the heating device enters the chamber.

70. The method of any of clauses 56 to 69, wherein the heating device is sealed within the chamber.

71. The method of any of clauses 56 to 70, wherein the chamber is hermetically sealed.

72. The method of any of clauses 56 to 71, wherein the vapor solidifies upon release of the heating device.

73. The method of any one of clauses 56 to 72, wherein the vapor forms microparticles.

74. The method of clause 73, wherein the microparticles are solid.

75. The method of clause 73 or clause 74, wherein the microparticles are dust.

76. The method of any of clauses 73 to 75, wherein the size of the microparticles is 2 microns or less.

[0131] 77. The method of any of clauses 73 to 76, wherein the size of the microparticles is less than 1 micron.

[0132J78. The method of any of clauses 73 to 77, wherein the microparticles are distributed throughout the chamber by an air flow source.

[0133] 79. The method of clause 78, wherein the air flow source is comprised in the heating device, the chamber or both.

[0134J80. The method of clause 78 or clause 79, wherein the air flow source is a fan.

81. The method of any of clauses 73 to 80, wherein the microparticles permit the even distribution of the antimicrobial compound without a decay.

[0136] The terms “plant (or plants)” and “plant parts” include, but are not limited to, whole plants, plant cells and plant tissues, such as leaves, corns, stems, pods, roots, fruits, flowers. or parts of flower, pollen, seeds, eggs, zygotes, cuttings, cell or tissue cultures or any other part or product of a plant. A class of plants that may be used in the present invention is generally as broad as the upper and lower class of plants including, but not limited to, dicotyledonous plants, monocotyledonous plants, agronomic crops, and horticultural crops that include, but are not limited to, crop crops. vegetables, fruit crops, edible nuts, flower and ornamental crops, nursery crops, aromatic crops and medicinal crops.

More specifically, the horticultural crops of the present disclosure include, but are not limited to, fruit selected from, but not limited to, almond, apple, avocado, banana, fruits (including strawberry, blueberry, raspberry, blackberry, currant and other types). fruit), star fruit, cherry, citrus (including orange, lemon, lime, mandarin, grapefruit and other citrus fruit), coconut, fig, grape, guava, kiwi, mango, nectarine, melons (including cantaloupe, oak, watermelon and other melons), olive, papaya, passion fruit, peach, pear, persimmon, pineapple, plum and pomegranate.

[0138] A vegetable is selected from the group including, but not limited to, asparagus, beets (including sugar and fodder beets), beans, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, cassava, cauliflower, celery, cucumber, eggplant, garlic, cucumber, green leaves (lettuce, kale, spinach and other green leaves), leek, lentil, mushroom, onion, peas, pepper (sweet pepper, sweet pepper or chilli pepper), potato, pumpkin, sweet potato, string bean, pumpkin , tomato and turnip. A plant or flower or part of a nursery plant is selected from the group which includes, but is not limited to, rose, carnation, geranium, gerbera, lily, orchid or other cut flowers or ornamental flowers, flower bulbs, shrub, coniferous tree. or deciduous.

Crops of the present disclosure may also include, but are not limited to, crops of cereals and grains (eg, maize, rice and wheat), pulses and legumes (e.g. beans and lentils), oilseed crops - ginosa (eg soybean, sunflower and canola), food for industrial use, pasture and hay crops, fiber crops (eg cotton, flax and hemp), sugar crops (eg saccharine beet and cane). sugar crops) and starchy root and tuber crops (for example, beets, carrots and sweet potatoes).

[0140] The terms "microorganism" or "plant pathogen" refer to organisms such as Botrytis cinerea, Mucor piriformis, Fusarium sambucinum, As-pergillus brasiliensis and Peniciliium expansum. Additional pathogens encompassed by the present invention include, but are not limited to, Acremonium spp., Albugo spp., Alternaria spp., Ascochyta spp., Aspergillus spp., Botryodiplodia spp., Botryospheria spp., Botrytis spp., Byssochlamys spp. Cephalosporium spp., Cerato-cystis spp., Cercospora spp., Chalara spp., Cladosporium spp., Colletotrichum spp., Cryptosporiopsis spp., Cylindrocarpon spp., Diaporthe spp., Diporthe spp. spp., Dothiorella spp., Elsinoe spp., Fusarium spp., Geo-trichum spp., Gloeosporium spp., Glomerella spp., Helminthosporium spp., Lashusiplodia spp., Macrophoma spp., Macrophomina spp. spp., Monilinia spp., Monilochaethes spp., Mucor spp., Mycocentrospora spp., Mycosphae-rella spp., Nectria spp., Neofabraea spp., Peniciliium spp., Perono-phythora spp., Peronospora , Pestalotiopsis spp., Pezicula spp., Phacidiopycnis spp., Phoma spp., Phomopsis spp., Phyllosticta spp., P hytophthora spp., Polyscyta-lum spp., Pseudocercospora spp., Pyricularia spp., Pythium spp., Rhizoctonia spp., Rhizopus spp., Sclerotinia spp., Septoria spp., Sphaceloma spp., Sphaeropsis spp. Stemphyllium spp., Stilbella spp., Thielaviopsis spp., Thyronectria spp., Trachysphaera spp., Uromyces spp., Ustilago spp., And Verticillium spp. And bacterial pathogens such as Bacillus spp., Campylobacter spp. , Clavibac-ter spp., Clostridium spp., Erwinia spp., Escherichia spp., Lactobacillus spp., Leuco-nostoc spp., Listeria spp., Pectobacterium spp., Pseudomonas spp., Ralstonia spp. spp., Shigella spp., Staphylococcus spp., Vibrio spp., Xanthomonas spp., and Yersinia spp.

[0141] The terms "vaporized", "volatilized" and "aerosolized" refer to the physical transformation of an element, object or compound that is exposed to intense heat. Often a vapor or gas will result when the element, object or compound in the liquid phase or solid phase is exposed to intense heat.

Vaporization may include the phase transition of an element or compound from the liquid phase to a vapor. Vaporization may occur by evaporation when the vapor partial pressure is less than the equilibrium vapor pressure, wherein the phase transition from liquid to vapor occurs below the boiling point of said compound at a given pressure. Vaporization of a liquid to gas may also occur at or above the boiling point. Boiling occurs when the equilibrium vapor pressure of the substance is greater than or equal to the ambient pressure.

Vaporization may also include the phase transition of a solid phase element or compound to a vapor. For example, the terms "sublimated" or "sublimation" refer to the phase transition of an element or compound from the solid phase to a vapor. Often, sublimation is the direct phase transition from the solid phase to the gas phase, skipping the intermediate liquid phase. Alternatively, "sublimation" may also include "evaporation" of a solid compound when the solid compound is first exposed to its melting temperature and induced to melt into a liquid or pseudoliquid form (e.g., softening, gel, paste, etc.) before their final transition into a vapor or gas phase.

COMPOUNDS AND COMPONENTS OF THESE METHODS

[0144] The methods of the present disclosure are directed to the use of pyrimethanil compounds as an antimicrobial to treat plants or plant parts. The methods of the present disclosure for treating plants or plant parts comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of pyrimethanyl compounds. An exemplary embodiment of a pyrimethanyl compound (4,6-Dimethyl-N-phenylpyrimidin-2-amine or 4 2,6-Dimethyl-N-phenyl-2-pyrimidinamine) of the present method is either an analog or derivative thereof.

[0145] Pyrimethanil is an active ingredient that can be used individually or as a mixture or combination with other compounds or a carrier. For example, the pyrimethanil compound may also be used in combination with preservative gases or chemicals to form a pyrimethanil co-treatment. The pyrimethanil compound may also be used in combination with a carrier to form a pyrimethanil treatment. Pyrimethanil treatment provides antimicrobial protection to plants or plant parts when administered, applied or exposed to plants or plant parts.

The melting temperature for pyrimethanil ranges from about 96 ° C to about 98 ° C. At or above about 120 ° C, pyrimethanil compounds experience steady-state mass loss that is gradual due to evaporation. Since the observed loss of pyrimethanil occurs above its melting temperature, the loss of the active ingredient is considered to include evaporation rather than direct sublimation, since the loss of the active ingredient occurs from the molten form. In addition, no molecular change to the active compound of pyrimethanil is observed during the sublimation process.

Pyrimethanil may be used in any form, including, but not limited to, a solid (e.g., a powder), a gas, a vapor or an aerosol composition. Particularly, pyrimethanil may be used in the form of a gas, and / or a vapor, ("vapor") when sufficient heat is applied to the solid pyrimethanil. In one embodiment, a pyrimethanil compound or a plurality of pyri-methanyl compounds may be vaporized using heat to convert a solid to a liquid pyrimethanil composition and then to a vapor. In another embodiment, a pyrimethanil compound or a plurality of pyrimethanil compounds may be vaporized using heat to convert a solid pyrimethanil composition to a sublimation vapor. In an illustrative embodiment, a pyrimethanil powder composition is heated to convert the solid composition directly to a sublimation vapor.

Typically, at room temperature and below, pyrimethanil exists as a solid. However, when the temperature rises, as in response to heat, solid pyrimethanil volatilizes or vaporizes to become a gas, vapor or aerosol ("vapor"). Heat can be applied to the pyrimethanil compound by any method that will cause pyrimethanil to vaporize. However, in one embodiment of the present method, heat may be applied to the pyrimethanil compound with the use of an apparatus or device. In an illustrative embodiment of the present method, a heating device or apparatus is used to vaporize technical pyrimethanil (see Example 7).

For example, a heating device of the present disclosure comprises a heating element surrounding a heating chamber or a container (e.g., a copper pipe). The heating element has the ability to produce the high temperatures required to reach the vaporization temperature of a technical solid active ingredient such as pyrimethanil.

[0150] The active ingredient is placed in the heating chamber in several possible ways. For example, the solid active ingredient (eg powder) may be placed directly on the surface of the heating chamber or heating element or placed in a glass tube that is inserted into the heating chamber of the device. Alternatively, the solid active ingredient may be dissolved with a volatile solvent, and the desired amount of the dissolved active ingredient may be placed in or on a solid carrier such as cotton or a non-flammable absorbent material. If a solvent is used, the solvent may be evaporated, and the dry carrier material containing the active ingredient is charged to the heating chamber. Any other ways for loading the desired amount of active technical ingredient into the heating chamber of the heating device are also encompassed by the present disclosure.

The heating device also comprises a power supply. The power supply may be internal or external to the heating device and provides power to the heating element by any means including electric, gas or wind power. When the power is turned on, heat is applied to the heating chamber containing the active ingredient that vaporizes in a gaseous state ("vapor").

Typically, the temperature of the heating chamber may range from about 90 ° C to about 300 ° C. For example, the heating chamber may range from about 100 ° C to about 300 ° C and from about 100 ° C to about 200 ° C, so that lower temperatures in the heating chamber induce vaporization. slower active ingredient, while higher temperatures induce faster vaporization of the active ingredient.

Although the total loss and / or degradation of the active ingredient of pyrime tanyl may occur at about 200 ° C to about 300 ° C, in some embodiments of the pyrimethanil composition of the present disclosure, no thermal degradation of pyrimethanil has been observed. observed at temperatures at or about 300 ° C to about 350 ° C. These results are unexpectedly surprising and contrary to the known thermal decomposition range of 189.54 to 344.74 ° C for pyrimethanil.

[0154] A low volume air flow source is also comprised of the heating device. For example, a fan or some mechanism for pushing air through the heating chamber of the device is required. The air flow source (e.g., a blower) will push air through the heating chamber comprising the vaporized active ingredient and through the proximal end portion of the heating device through one or more holes or openings located at the proximal end. of the heating device. The air flow through the heating device must be capable of being maintained and must be maintained at a scalar speed or vector velocity that is sufficient and / or slow enough to prevent air flowing through the device from cooling the heating chamber. heating (comprising the active ingredient) below the temperature at which the vaporized active ingredient is formed. For example, when vaporizing pyrimethanil, typically, the temperature of the heating chamber should not decrease below 100 ° C, and furthermore not below 96 ° C to 98 ° C, the melting temperature of pyrimethanil.

[0155] The source of air flow in the heating device may push air and the active ingredient out of the orifice (or holes) of the device and directly into an enclosed environment, container or chamber. The heating device may penetrate the chamber and may be sealed therein so that a significant amount of vaporized active ingredient is not lost in the environment. The chamber may comprise plants or plant parts, such as fruits, flowers or vegetables, to be treated with the vaporized active ingredient to control plant pathogens.

[0156] The chamber is typically kept at a temperature suitable for storing fruits, flowers or vegetables. For example, the chamber temperature may range from about -2 ° C to about 25 ° C and often ranges from about 0 ° C to about 23 ° C which is significantly colder than the chamber temperature. device warming up. When the active vapor moves from the warmer temperature of the heating device to the coldest chamber temperature, the vaporized active ingredient immediately solidifies. The cooled vapor forms small solid active pyrimethanil microparticles in powder form that have individually resolidified into their submicron state. Solid active microparticles are distributed and dispersed throughout the chamber by the air flow source of the heating device in addition to other air flow sources and the grinding that may be present in the chamber (e.g. fans). For example, vaporized pyrimethanil immediately transits back to its solid form (e.g., powder) upon entry into the chamber.

The size of solid pyrimethanil microparticles after spraying may be about less than 1 micron (submicron size), about 1 micron or less, or less than 1 micron to about 5 microns. from about 0.5 microns to about 5 microns, from about 0.5 microns to about 2 microns, from about 1 micron to about 1.5 microns, about 1 micron to about 2 microns, about 0.5 microns to about 1.5 microns, about 1.5 microns to about 2 microns, about 1 micron to about 5 microns, and about 2 microns to about 5 microns. Other application techniques, such as fogging and soaking, use particle sizes ranging from about 2 microns to about 90 microns. The extremely small to submicron size of solid pyrimethanil microparticles formed after spraying in the present method allows for even and regular distribution and dispersion of the active ingredient for improved efficacy of fungicide or pesticide treatments of plants and plant parts in relation to to prior art methods.

Particularly, small solid microparticles are much more easily circulated and distributed in a fan chamber, whereas fans cannot be used in some prior art methods (eg nebulization). In addition, small solid particles allow even distribution of the active ingredient in plants or plant parts without wetting, such as with water or a solvent. Thus, the present method provides a unique way of treating plants and plant parts without moistening the fruit, but still allowing uniform application and effective disease control and inhibition of plant pathogens.

Active pyrimethanil compounds may be applied to plants or plant parts in any volume of a contained environment or chamber and may be used in greenhouse and post harvest plants or plant parts during field packing, palletizing, in boxes, during storage and throughout the distribution network. A contained environment or chamber of the present disclosure may be any contained volume of free space from which a gas, vapor or chemical cannot readily escape once it has been introduced. For example, a contained environment or chamber may be produced from plastic, glass, wood, metal or any other typical semipermeable or impermeable building materials used to store or transport plants or plant parts.

Any contained space that is used to hold plants or crops can be used as a chamber in the present method. The chamber of the present disclosure comprises a free space (i.e. capacity volume) which may be of any size that is large enough to hold the plants and plant parts to be treated. For example, a contained space or chamber includes, but is not limited to, a cold storage room, a marine container, an aerial container, a local train or vehicle, a truck or transport trailer, a box or package, and pallets, a greenhouse, a grain silo or the like. In addition, gyms, barns and other large industrial storage facilities are within the scope of this chamber disclosure. Additionally, minimally processed packaged products (e.g. packaged vegetables or fruits) may also be treated with the method described in the present invention.

[0161] The chamber may have a port (for example, a bulkhead septum port) for introducing or releasing chemical treatment as a vapor or aerosol. The enclosed room chamber may also have an outlet for venting or releasing the unused portion of the treatment carrier or for maintaining atmospheric pressure.

An advantage of the present disclosure method over the prior art is that a carrier is not required to activate or deliver the pyrimethanil compound to plants or plant parts. In other words, the method of the present invention may be used with about 100% active ingredient, such as pyrimethanil. Since the present method has the ability to use only the solid active ingredient to treat plants and plant parts.

Vaporized pyrimethanil treatments may be applied to plants or parts of plants at a rate that is reported as the amount (milligrams, mg) of active ingredient (ie, pyrimethanil compound) per volume (liter, I) of camera free space. For example, the rate at which pyrimethanil treatment can be effectively applied in a chamber and / or plant may range from 0.001 mg / l to 5 mg / l. For example, the rate of pyrimethanil treatment may be from about 0.01 mg / l to about 3 mg / l, from about 0.01 mg / l to about 4 mg / l, from about 0.01 mg / l about 0.2 mg / l, about 0.01 mg / l and about 1 mg / l, about 1 mg / l and about 5 mg / l about 0.5 mg / l 3 mg / l, from about 0.01 mg / l to about 0.05 mg / l, from about 0.01 mg / l to about 0.04 mg / l, from about 0.01 mg / l 1 to about 0.03 mg / l, from about 0.1 mg / l to about 0.5 mg / l, from about 0.1 mg / l to about 0.4 mg / l, from about 0 0.1 mg / l to about 0.1 mg / l to about 0.2 mg / l to about 0.001 mg / l to about 0.2 mg / l to about 0.2 mg / l from 0.001 mg / l to about 0.05 mg / l, from about 0.001 mg / l to about 0.04 mg / l, from about 0.001 mg / l to about 3 mg / l and about 0.01 mg / l 1, about 0.03 mg / l, about 0.04 mg / l, about 0.1 mg / l, about 0.2 mg / l, about 0.3 mg / l, and about 1 mg / l.

Additional preservative gases of the method described in the present invention may be included in the chamber treatment, but without limitation, carbon dioxide (CO2) and sulfur dioxide (SO2). While any concentration of preservative gas or chemical providing the antimicrobial effect described in the present invention may be used, a percentage of CO2 gas that may be used in the present method includes, but is not limited to, from about 4% to about 20%. , from about 5% to about 18%, from about 6% to about 17%, from about 7% to about 15%, from about 8% to about 14%, from about 8% about 13%, about 8% to about 12%, about 5% to about 14%, about 6% to about 13%, about 7% to about 13%, and about 8%, about 9%, about 10%, about 11%, about 12%, about 13% and about 14%. A percentage of SO2 gas that may be used in the present method includes, but is not limited to, from about 0.01% to about 5%, from about 0.02% to about 4%, about 0.03%. % to about 3%, from about 0.04% to about 2%, from about 0.05% to about 1%, and from about 0.01% to about 1%.

Additional chemicals that may be combined with the pyrimethanil compound in the present disclosure include, but are not limited to, 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP), oxaborols (e.g. benzoxaborol), imazalyl, fludio-xonyl, thiabendazole, dioadjuvant (or dioadjuvants) and other commercial pesticides. Additional chemicals that may be used in the present method include some that have been federally recognized. For example, the compounds of the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Law §§ 201 and 409 Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) and the chemical compounds of the Federal Insecticides, Fungicides and Rodenticides (FIFRA) § 25 (b), including eugenol, Clove, thyme or mint oils, natural compounds or compounds derived from natural sources may also be used in the present method.

[0166] It should be noted that the use of additional volatile compounds alone or in combination with pyrimethanil in the present method may require additional heat or less heat to vaporize the active ingredients. It has been determined that, generally, the higher the vapor pressure and / or the smaller the active ingredient molecules, the less heat will be required to vaporize this active ingredient. For example, solid benzoxaborol fungicide has a relatively high vapor pressure at room temperature (ie, about 4.8 Pa (0.036 Torr) at 25 ° C) and is inherently volatile, so benzoxaborol would require the addition of much less heat to vaporize in the present method compared to pyrimethanil. On the other hand, pyrimethanil has a relatively low vapor pressure at room temperature (ie, about 2.2 x 10 -3 Pa at 25 ° C). Pyrimethanil requires the addition of much more heat to sublimate or vaporize at room temperature than benzoxaborol. Thus, the heat should be adjusted accordingly to properly vaporize the active ingredient co-treatments used in the method of the present disclosure, such as, for example, pyrimethanil and 1-methylcyclopropene or pyrimethanil and benzoxaborol.

Thus, the present method encompasses an active antimicrobial compound which has a room temperature vapor pressure that is less than the room temperature vapor pressure of benzoxaborol. Furthermore, the present disclosure includes the use of such low vapor pressure compound, such as pyrimethanil, alone or in combination with other active compounds as described in the present invention.

Any plants or plant parts (e.g., flowers), plant cells or plant tissues may be treated using the present method. One class of plants that can be treated in the present invention is generally as broad as horticultural crops. Horticultural crops include, but are not limited to, vegetable crops, fruit crops, edible nuts, flowers and ornamental crops, nursery crops, aromatic crops, and medicinal crops. More specifically, fruits (e.g., grapes, apples, oranges, pears, persimmons and bananas) and fruits (e.g. strawberries, blackberries, blueberries and raspberries) are plants covered by the present disclosure. It should be appreciated that any kind of fruit or fruit may be used in the present invention (e.g. table grapes).

METHODS OF USE OF PYRIMETHANIL COMPOUNDS

[0169] The present disclosure is directed to methods for providing antimicrobial protection to plants and plant parts against plant pathogens. More specifically, plant fungal pathogens may be treated, prevented or eradicated by the method described in the present invention. Exemplary pathogens encompassed by the present disclosure include, but are not limited to, Botrytis cinerea, Mucor piriformis, Fusarium sambucinum, Aspergillus brasiliensis, and Peniciliium expan-sum. Additional pathogens encompassed by the present invention include, but are not limited to, Acremonium spp., Albugo spp., Alternaria spp., Ascochyta spp., Aspergillus spp., Botryodiplodia spp., Botryospheria spp., Botrytis spp., Byssochlamys spp. Cephalosporium spp., Ceratocystis spp., Cercospora spp., Chalara spp., Cladosporium spp., Colletotrichum spp., Cryptosporiopsis spp., Cylindrocarpon spp., Diaporthe spp., Didymella spp. Dothiorella spp., Elsinoe spp., Fusarium spp., Geotrichum spp., Gloeosporium spp., Glomerella spp., Helminthosporium spp., Lasiodiplodia spp., Macrophoma spp., Microphomina spp. , Monilochaethes spp., Mucor spp., Mycocentrospora spp., Mycosphaerella spp., Nectria spp., Neofabraea spp., Peniciliium spp., Peronophythora spp., Peronospora spp., Pestaloti spp. Ops ., Phacidiopycnis spp., Phoma spp., Phomopsis spp., Phyl-losticta spp., Phyt. ophthora spp., Polyscytalum spp., Pseudocercospora spp., Pyricullaria spp., Pythium spp., Rhizoctonia spp., Rhizopus spp., Sclerotinia spp., Septoria spp., Sphaceloma spp. ., Stemphyllium spp., Stil-bella spp., Thielaviopsis spp., Thyronectria spp., Trachysphaera spp., Uromyces spp., Ustilago spp., And Verticillium spp., And bacterial pathogens, such as Bacillus spp. , Campylobacter spp., Clavibacter spp., Clostridium spp., Erwinia spp., Escherichia spp., Lactobacillus spp., Leuconostoc spp., Pisterea spp., Pectobacterium spp., Pseudomonas spp., Ralstonia spp. spp., Shi-gella spp., Staphylococcus spp., Vibrio spp., Xanthomonas spp. and Yersinia spp.

Pyrimethanil treatments may be applied to plants or plant parts within a container or chamber. Typically, the plants or plant parts are manually or robotically placed in the chamber, and the chamber is then sealed. Pyrimethanyl treatment can then be applied to the sealed chamber comprising the plants or plant parts by means of the door (e.g., a partition septum door) or by a device within the room or container.

Pyrimethanil treatment is applied to the sealed chamber for an initial period of time. For example, plants may be exposed to pyrimethanil treatment in the sealed container for the initial period of time ranging from about 1 hour to about 5 days (120 hours), from about 1 day to about 4 days, from about from 2 days to about 3.5 days, from about 2 days to about 3.5 days and for about 3 days. The chamber temperature may range from about -2 ° C to about 25 ° C and often from about 0 ° C to about 23 ° C.

After the initial time period in which the treatment is exposed to plants or plant parts in the sealed chamber, the chamber may be left sealed or unsealed. Plants or plant parts may then remain in the contained room chamber or stored in another controlled atmosphere or regular atmosphere storage facility until ready for shipping, sale or consumption. The temperature of the chamber or storage facility typically ranges from about -2 ° C to about 25 ° C and often from about 0 ° C to about 23 ° C.

Following expiration of the secondary time period, inhibition of plant pathogens may be evaluated. For example, in vitro samples may have pathogen growth on agar or in tested medium evaluated and compared to a control sample where no pyrimethanil treatment was administered or different treatment conditions were applied. Similarly, in vivo samples may have the severity and incidence of fungal, bacterial or pathogenic disease tested, evaluated and compared to a control sample where no pyrimethanil treatment was administered or different treatment conditions were applied.

EXAMPLES

Illustrative embodiments of the methods of the present disclosure are provided herein by way of examples. Although the concepts and technology of the present disclosure are susceptible to wide application, various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments will be described in detail herein. It is to be understood, however, that it is not intended to limit the concepts of the present disclosure to the particular disclosed forms, but, on the contrary, is intended to encompass all modifications, equivalents and alternatives consisting of the present disclosure and the appended claims. The following experiments were used to determine the effect of different concentrations of vaporized pyrimethanil compound on plants or plant parts or to provide antimicrobial protection to plants or plant parts against plant pathogens. EXAMPLE 1: PATHOGEN VAPORIZED PYRIMETHANIL TREATMENT (IN VITRO) [0175] An in vitro assay was used to assess the ability of pyrimethanil to vaporize to control the infection of various pathogenic microorganisms when applied to plants and plant parts. . For in vitro experiments, a 12-well, 6-well microtiter plate or a 10 cm Petri dish each containing volumes of 7.5 ml, 16.5 or 22 ml, respectively, of Potato Dextrose Agar ( PDA) with half resistance was prepared. Each well or plate was inoculated with 1 microliter (μΙ) of 1 x 105 spores / ml of the appropriate pathogenic spore suspension (eg Botrytis cinerea, Penicillium expansum, Glomerella cingulata, Aspergillus flavus, Colletotrichum acuta-tum, Fusarium sambucinum and Geotrichum candidum) forming a pathogen spot in the center of the cavity or agar plate. The inoculated microtiter plate or petri dish was then sealed with a breathable film. A set of triplicate plates for each pathogen was placed into the bottom of an air-tight 361 desiccator chamber and closed with safety clamps.

An adequate amount of pyrimethanil to achieve a final free space concentration of 1 mg / l, 0.3 mg / l and 0.1 mg / l was dissolved in acetone and 100 μΙ of the solution was pipetted into a glass tube. little. The tube was then placed inside a preheated vaporization device (1.27 cm (0.5 ") OD thermostatically heated copper tube by 15.24 cm (6") long mounted on a low flow rate (0.5 l / min) adjusted to 60 ° C for 1 minute to allow acetone to evaporate. Evaporation of acetone left solid crystals of pyrimethanil behind.

Pyrimethanil was then introduced into the cabins of the chamber containing the agar plates using the set spray device at 180 ° C. The device tube was fixed to a port on the side of the chamber which allowed the air flow of pyrimethanil vapor to the chamber. The chamber was at room temperature during administration of pyrimethanil. The chambers were then incubated for three (3) days at 23 ° C. After incubation, post-treatment growth inhibition of each pathogen in vitro was measured on inoculated plates and compared to control samples.

[0178] The result of this in vitro experiment is summarized in Table 1. The results demonstrate that the present method comprising vaporized pyrimethanil provides good in vitro inhibition of antimicrobial growth of multiple pathogens inoculated on agar plates. In particular, all three concentrations of pyrimethanil (ie 1 mg / l, 0.3 mg / l and 0.1 mg / l) were able to completely inhibit the growth of A. flavus and P. digitatum. Both concentrations of 1 mg / l and 0.3 mg / l pyrimethanil also had the ability to totally inhibit growth of P. expansum, while the concentration of 0.1 mg / l pyrimethanil inhibited 92.4% growth of P. P expansum. Pyrimethanil concentrations of 1 mg / l, 0.3 mg / l and 0.1 mg / l also had the ability to inhibit B. cinerea growth by 95.2%, 92.1% and 91.9%, respectively. Similarly, pyrimethanil concentrations of 1 mg / l, 0.3 mg / l and 0.1 mg / l also had the ability to inhibit C. acutatum growth by 89.7%, 90.0% and 100%, respectively. . However, all pyrimethanil concentrations were effective in controlling G candi-dum and G cingulata, both of which were inhibited by 75.2% and 77.3%, respectively, at the maximum concentration of 1 mg / l. Finally, Table 1 demonstrates that the present method using vaporized pyrimethanil can be used to inhibit growth of plant pathogens inoculated on agar plates. EXAMPLE 2: TREATMENT WITH P. DIGITATUM VAPORIZED PYRIMETHANIL (IN VIVO) [0179] An in vivo assay was used to evaluate the ability of vaporized pyrimethanil to control the pathogenic infection of oranges by Penicillium digitatum. Two oranges (per repeat in triplicate) were placed in a two-part container, and three recent incisions were made near the equatorial region of each fruit. Each incision was then inoculated with 30 μΙ of 1 x 106 spores / ml P digitatum suspension. The split containers were then placed at the bottom of a triplicate 36 I acrylic desiccator chamber.

An adequate amount of pyrimethanil to reach a final treatment concentration of 1 mg / l, 0.2 mg / l or 0.04 mg / l was dissolved in acetone and 100 μΙ of the solution was pipetted into a glass tube. little. This tube was then placed inside a preheated vaporization device (1.27 cm (0.5 ") OD thermostatically heated copper tube) by a 15.24 cm (6") length mounted on a low flow rate (0.5 l / min) adjusted to 60 ° C for 1 minute to allow acetone to evaporate leaving behind solid pyrimethanil crystals.

Pyrimethanil was then introduced into the free space contained through the partition door using the vaporization device as described in Example 1 adjusted to 180 ° C. The chambers were then incubated at 21 ° C for three (3) days. After incubation, the fruits were evaluated daily for a further 2 days at 21 ° C. Fruits were evaluated for growth of water-soaked lesions and fungal sporulation diameter (both measured in millimeters, mm).

The result of this in vivo experiment is summarized in Table 2 and Figure 1. The results demonstrate that the present method comprising vaporized pyrimethanil provides good in vivo inhibition of P. digitatum antimicrobial growth inoculated in oranges. More specifically, these data indicate that vaporized pyrimethanil provides growth inhibition of P. digitatum water-soaked lesions and fungal sporulation in oranges.

In particular, on Day 2, control oranges showed water-soaked lesions and fungal sporulation reaching 38.2 mm and 22.4 mm, respectively. However, all three concentrations of pyrimethanil (ie 1 mg / l, 0.2 mg / l and 0.04 mg / l) were able to completely inhibit water-soaked lesions in oranges on Day 2, except for 1 Mm of lesions observed in oranges treated with 0.2 mg / l pyrimethanil treatment (see Table 2). Similarly, concentrations of 1 mg / l, 0.2 mg / l and 0.04 mg / l of vaporized pyrimethanil were able to inhibit fungal sporulation in inoculated oranges that are only 2.1 mm, 2.4 mm and 2.1 mm fungal sporulation observed on Day 2, respectively. The sporulation results shown in Table 2 and Figure 1 also indicate a dose dependent response to vaporized pyrimethanil. Finally, these data demonstrate that the present method using vaporized pyrimethany can be used to inhibit the growth of plant pathogens such as P. digitatum inoculated into fruits such as oranges.

TABLE 2. VAPORIZED PYRIMETHANIL IN VIVO ASSAY TO INHIBIT PENICILLIUM DIGITATUM IN ORANGES EXAMPLE 3: P. VAPORIZED PYRIMETHANIL TREATMENT (IN VIVO) [0184] An in vivo assay was used to assess the ability to control pyrimethanyl infection. pathogen of apples by Penicillium expan-sum. Two apples (per repetition in triplicate) were placed in a split container, and three recent incisions were made near the equatorial region of each fruit. Each incision was then inoculated with 30 μΙ of 1 x 106 spores / ml of P. expansum suspension. The split containers were then placed at the bottom of a triplicate 36 I acrylic desiccator chamber.

An adequate amount of pyrimethanil to reach a final treatment concentration of 1 mg / l, 0.2 mg / l or 0.04 mg / l was dissolved in acetone and 100 μΙ of the solution was pipetted into a glass tube. little. This tube was then placed inside a preheated vaporization device (1.27 cm (0.5 ") OD thermostatically heated copper tube by 6") mounted on a 0.5 l / min low flow fan) set at 60 ° C for 1 minute to allow acetone to evaporate leaving the solid pyrimethanil crystals behind.

Pyrimethanil was then introduced into the chamber cabins through the partition door using the vaporization device as described in Example 1 adjusted to 180 ° C. The chambers were then incubated at 21 ° C for three (3) days. After incubation, the fruits were evaluated daily for a further 3 days at 21 ° C. Fruits were evaluated for disease incidence (ie, darkening) and fungal sporulation (both measured in millimeters, mm).

[0187] The result of this in vivo experiment is summarized in Table 3 and Figure 2. The results demonstrate that the present method comprising vaporized pyrimethanil provides good in vivo inhibition of antimicrobial growth of inoculated P expansum in apples. More specifically, these data indicate that vaporized pyrimethanil provides growth inhibition of P. expansum that causes browning and fungal sporulation in apples.

In particular, Day 3 control apples showed fungal browning and sporulation reaching 32.4 mm and 3.7 mm, respectively. However, concentrations of 1 mg / l, 0.2 mg / l and 0.04 mg / l pyrimethanil had the ability to inhibit browning in apples on Day 3 at 11.4 mm, 16.2 mm and 28.8 mm, respectively (see Table 2). Similarly, concentrations of 1 mg / l, 0.2 mg / l and 0.04 mg / l of vaporized pyrimethanil had the ability to inhibit fungal sporulation in inoculated apples that are only 1.6 mm, 2.6 mm and 3 µm. 1 mm fungal sporulation observed on Day 3. The sporulation results shown in Table 3 and Figure 2 also indicate a dose-dependent response of vaporized pyrimethanil. Finally, these data demonstrate that the present method using vaporized pyrimethanil can be used to inhibit the growth of plant pathogens such as P. expansum inoculated into fruits such as apples. EXAMPLE 4: TREATMENT WITH VAPORIZED PYRIMETHANIL IN B. CINEREA (IN VIVO) [0189] An in vivo assay was used to assess the ability of vaporized pyrimethanil to control a pathogenic infection of strawberries by Botrytis cinerea. B. cinerea is a fungal pathogen known to cause fruit gray mold infection such as grapes and strawberries.

Eight strawberries (per repeat in triplicate) were placed in an industry standard two-part container with the stem facing down. A recent incision in the upturned end of the fruit was then inoculated with 20 μΙ of 1 x 105 spores / ml of B. cinerea suspension. The split containers were then placed at the bottom of a triplicate 36 I acrylic desiccator chamber.

A suitable amount of pyrimethanil to achieve a final free space concentration of 1 mg / l, 0.3 mg / l, 0.1 mg / l or 0.03 mg / l was dissolved in acetone and 100 μΙ of the solution were pipetted into a small glass tube. This tube was then placed inside a preheated spray device (1.27 cm (0.5 ") OD by 15.24 cm (6") long thermostatically heated copper tube mounted on a low flow fan 0.5 l / min) adjusted to 60 ° C for 1 minute to allow acetone to evaporate leaving behind solid pyrimethanil crystals.

Pyrimethanil was then introduced into the chamber cabins through the partition door using the vaporization device as described in Example 1 adjusted to 180 ° C. The chambers were then incubated at 21 ° C for three (3) days. After incubation, the fruits were evaluated daily for a further 3 days at 21 ° C. The fruits were evaluated in order to observe the disease incidence percentage (%) and disease severity. Disease severity was rated on a scale ranging from 0 to 4, where “0” indicated no disease severity, Ί ”indicated minimal disease severity,“ 2 ”indicated average disease severity,“ 3 ”indicated severity of high disease and “4” indicated exceptionally high disease severity.

[0193] The result of this in vivo experiment is summarized in Table 4 and Figure 3. The results demonstrate that the present method comprising vaporized pyrimethanil provides in vivo inhibition of B. cinerea inoculated antimicrobial growth in strawberries. More specifically, these data indicate that vaporized pyrimethanil inhibits B. cinerea which causes the incidence and severity of gray mold disease in strawberries.

In particular, Day 3 control strawberries showed disease incidence and severity of 100% and 2.7, respectively. However, concentrations of 1 mg / l and 0.3 mg / l pyrimethanil had the ability to inhibit the incidence of gray mold in strawberries on Day 3 at 91.7% and 95.8%, respectively (see Table 4). Similarly, concentrations of 1 mg / l, 0.3 mg / l, 0.1 mg / l and 0.03 mg / l of vaporized pyrimethanil were able to inhibit the severity of gray mold on Day 3 in strawberries inoculated at 1, 0,1,1,1,7 and 2,1 respectively. The incidence and severity of gray mold shown in Table 4 and Figure 3 also indicate a dose dependent response to vaporized pyrimethanil. Finally, these data demonstrate that the present method using vaporized pyrimethanil can be used to inhibit the growth of plant pathogens such as B. cinerea inoculated into fruits such as strawberries.

TABLE 4. IN VIVO TEST OF VAPORIZED PYRIMETHANIL TO INHIBIT BOTRYTIS CINEREA IN STRAWBERRIES

Gray Mold Incidence (%) Gray Mold Severity (0 to 4) EXAMPLE 5: B. CINEREA VAPORIZED PRIMETANIL TREATMENT {IN VIVO] [0195] An in vivo assay was used to assess the ability of vaporized pyrimethanil to control a pathogenic infection of table grapes by Botrytis cinerea. Fifteen (15) table grapes (per repeat in triplicate) were placed in an industry standard 0.57 I (1 pint) split container with the stem end facing up. A recent incision was pinned into the grape, and the incision was then inoculated with 20 μ of 1 x 105 spores / ml of B. cinerea suspension. The split containers were then placed at the bottom of a triplicate 36 I acrylic desiccator chamber.

A suitable amount of pyrimethanil to achieve a final free space concentration of 0.3 mg / l, 0.1 mg / l, 0.03 mg / l or 0.01 mg / l was dissolved in acetone and 100 µl. μΙ of the solution were pipetted into a small glass tube. This tube was then placed into a preheated spray device (1.27 cm (0.5 ”) OD thermostatically heated copper tube by 6”) mounted on a 10 ”fan. low flow rate (0.5 l / min) adjusted to 60 ° C for 1 minute to allow acetone to evaporate leaving behind solid pyrimethanil crystals.

Pyrimethanil was then introduced into the chamber booths through the partition door using the vaporization device as described in Example 1, adjusted to 180 ° C. The chambers were then incubated at 21 ° C for three (3) days. After incubation, the fruits were evaluated daily for a further 3 days at 21 ° C. The fruits were evaluated in order to observe the percentage of disease incidence (%) and disease severity. Disease severity was rated on a scale ranging from 0 to 4, where “0” indicated no disease severity, “1” indicated minimum disease severity, “2” indicated average disease severity, “3” indicated severity of high disease and “4” indicated exceptionally high disease severity.

[0198] The result of this in vivo experiment is summarized in Table 5 and Figure 4. The results demonstrate that the present method comprising vaporized pyrimethanil provides in vivo inhibition of antimicrobial growth of B. cinerea inoculated into grapes. More specifically, these data indicate that vaporized pyrimethanil inhibits B. cinerea which causes incidence and severity of gray mold disease in grapes.

In particular, the Day 3 control grapes showed disease incidence and severity of 100% and 3.9, respectively. A concentration of 0.3 mg / l pyrimethanil was able to inhibit all minus 16.7% incidence of gray mold in grapes on day 0 (see Table 5). Additionally, concentrations of 0.3 mg / l, 0.1 mg / l, 0.03 mg / l or 0.01 mg / l vaporized pyrimethanil were able to inhibit the severity of gray mold on Day 3 in inoculated grapes. at 1.3, 1.8, 3.4 and 3.6, respectively. The incidence and severity of gray mold shown in Table 5 and Figure 4 also indicate a dose dependent response to vaporized pyrimethanil. Finally, these data demonstrate that the present method using vaporized pyrimethanil can be used to inhibit the growth of plant pathogens, such as B. cinerea, inoculated into fruits such as grapes. EXAMPLE 6: B-VAPORIZED PYRIMETHANIL TREATMENT CINEREA (IN VIVO) [0200] An in vivo assay was used to evaluate the ability of vaporized pyrimethanil to control a pathogenic Botrytis cinerea infection of blueberries. Twenty-seven (27) blueberries (per repeat in triplicate) were placed in an industry standard 0.57 I (1 pint) bipartite container with the stem end facing up. A recent incision was pinned to each blueberry, and the incision was then inoculated with 20 μ of 1 x 105 spores / ml of B. cinerea suspension. The split containers were then placed at the bottom of a triplicate 36 I acrylic desiccator chamber.

A suitable amount of pyrimethanil to achieve a final free space concentration of 0.3 mg / l, 0.1 mg / l, 0.03 mg / l or 0.01 mg / l was dissolved in acetone and 100 µl. μΙ of the solution were pipetted into a small glass tube. This tube was then placed inside a preheated spray device (1.27 cm (0.5 ") OD by 15.24 cm (6") long thermostatically heated copper tube mounted on a low flow fan 0.5 l / min) adjusted to 60 ° C for 1 minute to allow acetone to evaporate leaving behind solid pyrimethanil crystals.

Pyrimethanil was then introduced into the chamber cabinets through the partition door using the vaporization device as described in Example 1, adjusted to 180 ° C. The chambers were then incubated at 21 ° C for three (3) days. After incubation, the fruits were evaluated daily for a further 3 days at 21 ° C. The fruits were evaluated in order to observe the percentage of disease incidence (%) and disease severity. Disease severity was rated on a scale ranging from 0 to 4, where “0” indicated no disease severity, “1” indicated minimum disease severity, “2” indicated average disease severity, “3” indicated severity of high disease and “4” indicated exceptionally high disease severity.

The result of this in vivo experiment is summarized in Table 6 and Figure 5. The results demonstrate that the present method comprising vaporized pyrimethanil provides in vivo inhibition of antimicrobial growth of B. cinerea inoculated into blueberries. More specifically, these data indicate that vaporized pyrimethanil inhibits B. cinerea which causes incidence and severity of gray mold in blueberries.

In particular, Day 3 control grapes showed disease incidence and severity of 98.8% and 2.1, respectively. However, the concentration of 0.3 mg / l pyrimethanil was able to inhibit the incidence of gray mold in 52.0% blueberries on Day 3 (see Table 6). Additionally, concentrations of 0.3 mg / l, 0.1 mg / l and 0.03 mg / l of vaporized pyrimethanil were able to inhibit the severity of gray mold on Day 3 in 0.3, 1.7 and 1.7 respectively. No inhibition of gray mold occurred at the concentration of 0.01 mg / l pyrimethanil.

The incidence and severity of gray mold shown in Table 6 and Figure 5 also indicate a dose dependent response to vaporized pyrimethanil. Finally, these data demonstrate that the present method using vaporized pyrimethanil can be used to inhibit the growth of plant-borne pathogens such as B. cinerea inoculated with fruits such as blueberries. EXAMPLE 7: A VAPORIZING HEATING DEVICE ANTIMICROBIAN TREATMENT

[0206] This example relates to the heating device of the present disclosure (see Figures 6 to 10). The heating device comprises a heating element surrounding a heating chamber or container, such as a copper pipe (see Figures 6 and 10). The heating device also comprises a power supply (see Figure 7).

The heating element has the ability to produce the high temperatures necessary to reach the vaporization temperature of a technical solid active ingredient, such as pyrimethanil. The active ingredient is placed in the heating chamber in several possible ways, such as placed in a glass tube (see Figure 9) that is inserted into the heating chamber of the device. The active ingredient solution may also be placed directly on the heated surface using a pipette, syringe or the like. Alternatively, the solid active ingredient may be dissolved with a volatile solvent, and the desired amount of dissolved active product may be placed in or on a solid carrier such as cotton or a non-flammable absorbent material (see Figure 8).

[0208] A low volume air flow source, such as a fan, is also comprised of the heating device (not shown). The source of air flow (e.g. a blower) will propel air through the heating chamber comprising the vaporized active ingredient and through the heating device and through one or more holes located at the distal end of the heating device. heating. The one or more holes in the distal end of the heating device may penetrate a chamber (see Figures 10 to 11) comprising fruits, flowers or vegetables to be treated as described in Example 1 to 6.

EXAMPLE 8: PYRIMETHANIL COMPOUND MELTING POINT

[0209] This example refers to experiments performed to determine the melting temperatures of pyrimethanil technical compounds and fungicide samples. In the present example, pyrimethanil compounds from China (compound 1) and Europe (compound 2) were analyzed by Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC). Pyrimethanil compounds were passed on a hermetically sealed TzeroTM aluminum tray on the DSC Q2000 instrument (TA Instruments) equipped with a liquid nitrogen cooling system and using standard DSC test methods as follows: balanced at 0 ° C, isothermal for 5 minutes, elevation at 10 ° C per minute to 140 ° C and final method.

The results of this example for Chinese (CH; compound 1) and European (EU; compound 2) pyrimethanil compounds are shown in Figures 12 and 13, respectively. As shown in Figure 12, the melting temperature of the pyrimethanil compound 1 ranged from about 96.8 ° C to about 97.6 ° C and had a melting heat of about 112.4 J / g. Figure 13 shows that the melting temperature of the pyrimethanil 2 compound ranged from about 96.5 ° C to about 97.7 ° C and had a melting heat of about 147.4 J / g. Thus, Figures 12 and 13 confirm that the pyrimethanil melting temperature ranges from about 96 ° C to about 98 ° C. However, since the fusion profile heats of the two pyrimethanil compounds are not similar (112.4 J / g for pyrimethanil compound 1 and 147.4 J / g for pyrimetanyl compound 2), it is not determined whether the compounds pyrimethanil 1 and 2 are identical.

EXAMPLE 9: DIMENSION TEMPERATURE OF PYRIMETHANIL COMPOUND

[0211] This example refers to experiments performed to determine the degradation temperatures of technical pyrimethanil compounds and fungicide samples. In the present example, pyrimethanil compounds from China (compound 1) and Europe (compound 2) were analyzed by Thermal Gravity Analysis (TGA). Pyrimethanil samples were passed in both air and nitrogen atmospheres on the TGA Q5000 (TA Instruments) instrument equipped with open platinum trays and using standard TGA test methods as follows: selection gas 1 and 2, data storage on, elevation at 10 ° C per minute to 300 ° C, data storage off and final method. An isothermal method was performed according to standard methods.

The results of this example for the Chinese pyrimethanil compound (CH; compound 1) in air and nitrogen are shown in Figures 14A and 14B, respectively. The results of this example for the European pyrimethanil compound (EU; compound 2) in air and nitrogen are shown in Figures 15A and 15B, respectively. As shown in Figures 14 to 15, degradation of both pyrimethanil compounds began at about 120.3 ° C in air and at about 120.6 ° C in nitrogen and was completed at about 200 ° C in both air as in nitrogen. Thus, Figures 14 to 17 demonstrate that the pyrimethanil degradation temperature ranges from about 120 ° C to about 200 ° C.

EXAMPLE 10: DEPDATION BY EVAPORATION OF PYRIMETHANIL COMPOUND

[0213] This example refers to experiments performed to determine if the degradation of pyrimethanil technical compounds observed at high temperatures was due to evaporation. In the present example, seven milligrams (7 mg) of pyrimethanil compounds 1 and 2 were analyzed in air by Thermal Gravity Analysis Coupled Mass Spectrometry (TGA-MS). Pyrimethanil samples were loaded onto a TGA Q5000 instrument TGA platinum tray (TA Instruments) and using standard TGA test methods as follows: selection gas 2 (air), data storage on, elevation at 5 ° C per minute to 100 ° C, isothermal for 180 min, data storage off, balanced at 60 ° C and final method. An isothermal method was performed according to standard methods.

The TGA furnace was closed and purged with helium, then heated from room temperature to about 300 ° C to 10 ° C per minute. TGA furnace effluent was transferred to a mass spectrometer through a heated interface and a transfer line, which had a maximum temperature of 300 ° C. An isothermal method was also performed according to standard methods. The results of this example for Chinese pyrimethanil compound 1 (CH) are shown in Figures 16A and 16B. The results of this example for the European pyrimethanil 2 compound (EU) are shown in Figures 17A and 17B.

Figures 18 and 19 show weight loss rate curves for pyrimethanil compounds 2 and 1, respectively. Figures 18 and 19 demonstrate that the two pyrimethanil compounds are very similar. In fact, the shape of the weight loss rate curves and the absence of mass spectral variation over the observed weight loss range show that the loss of active compound is occurring due to the evaporation process. Moreover, these data indicate that pyrimethanil material is too volatile to decompose at atmospheric pressure. Thus, the onset of thermal decomposition of the pyrimethanil compound of the present disclosure probably requires a closed or pressurized device.

Figure 20 shows a comparison of the total ion thermograms of the two pyrimethanil compounds tested. The total ion thermograms of active compounds 1 and 2 are very similar to their respective corresponding weight loss curves shown in Figures 18 and 19. Figure 21 shows the evolution profile of the total ion and molecular ion thermograms of the two compounds. pyrimethanil.

Figures 20 and 21 show that the pyrimethanil compounds overlap perfectly, indicating the absence of any significant molecular changes during the thermal event at 300 ° C. Spectra taken at various retention times confirm the absence of detectable chemical degradation of the pyrimethanil compounds. Thus, Figures 20 to 21 demonstrate the unexpected results that the pyrimethanil compounds tested do not undergo significant molecular or chemical degradation in response to thermal events having a temperature up to 300 ° C, which enables the ability of the present pyrimidine compounds. high temperature volatilizer for use in vaporized treatments of plants and plant parts. These data are surprising and unexpected in the light of the art, indicating that these pyrimethanil compounds begin to degrade at temperatures as low as 189.5 ° C.

EXAMPLE 11: FILLING METHODS VERSUS VAPORIZATION TO TREAT FRUITS

[0218] An in vivo assay was used to evaluate the ability of vaporized pyrimethanil to control a pathogenic Penicillium expan-sum apple infection compared to soaking methods of apple treatment. The vaporized apple treatments were performed as described previously in Examples 1 to 6, except for the use of a 1 m wide x 1 m high x 8 m deep tunnel (see Figure 11). A suitable amount of pyrimethanil to achieve a final spray concentration / treatment rate of 0.125 mg / l, 0.5 mg / l or 2 mg / l was prepared. Additionally, soaking treatments comprising a final concentration of 125 mg / l, 500 mg / l and 2,000 mg / l of pyrimethanil active ingredient were also prepared. Fruits were stored for nine weeks at 1 ° C and evaluated to observe and / or determine the fruit's browning area (see Figure 22) and the percentage of browning inhibition (see Table 7).

[0219] The results demonstrate that the present method comprising vaporized pyrimethanil provides better in vivo inhibition of inoculated P. expansum antimicrobial growth in apples compared to apples that were drenched with even higher concentrations of liquid pyrimethanil compound. Figure 22 demonstrates that preventively treated apples with vaporized pyrimethanil had the same darkening area (mm) as those soaked pyrimethanil treated apples. In addition, Table 7 indicates that lower concentrations of vaporized pyrimethanil had a higher percentage inhibition in apples than higher concentrations of soaked pyrimethanil concentrations.

[0220] These data indicate that vaporized pyrimethanil provides higher percent inhibition of P. expansum growth that causes darkening in apples than soaked apples. Finally, these data demonstrate that the present method using vaporized pyrimethanil may be a better and less costly method to inhibit the growth of plant pathogens, such as P. expansum, inoculated with fruits (eg apples) compared to more traditional methods of treatment, such as soaking .__________ EXAMPLE 12: NEBULIZATION METHODS VERSUS VAPORIZATION TO TREAT FRUITS

[0221] An in vivo assay was used to evaluate the ability of vaporized pyrimethanil to control a pathogenic apple infection by Penicillium expansum compared to apple treatment nebulization methods. Vaporized apple treatments were performed as described previously in Examples 1 to 6, except for the use of a 1 m wide x 1 m high x 8 m deep tunnel (Figure 11). An amount of 2.66 g of pyrimethanil was nebulized or vaporized in the tunnel. The fruits were exposed to treatment for 72 hours at 21 ° C and then removed from the tunnel and evaluated 4 days after removal to observe and / or determine the darkening incision area at the top and bottom of the fruit. (see Figure 23).

The results demonstrate that the present method comprising vaporized pyrimethanil provides better in vivo inhibition of inoculated P. expansum antimicrobial growth in apples compared to apples that were nebulized with pyrimethanil compound. Although vaporized pyrimethanil-treated apples have comparable darkening at the top of the fruit, like apples that have been nebulized, Figure 23 shows that vaporized pyrimethanil-treated apples had much less area (mm) of darkening at the bottom of the fruit than those treated with nebulized pyrimethanil.

[0223] These data indicate that vaporized pyrimethanil provides a better method of treating P. expansum growth that causes darkening in apples than nebulized apples. In particular, the data provided herein demonstrate that the claimed spray treatment technique is better for treating the whole fruit, including the underside of the fruits. Therefore, this method becomes particularly valuable for fruit treatment where the undersides of the fruit may not be easily exposed, such as, for example, fruits in environments and / or storage chambers. Finally, these data demonstrate that the present method using vaporized pyrimethanil may be better and less expensive to inhibit the growth of plant pathogens, such as P. expansum, inoculated with fruits (eg apples) compared to more traditional methods. treatment such as nebulization.

EXAMPLE 13: PYRIMETHANIL APPLICATION DISTANCE

[0224] An in vitro assay was used to evaluate the uniform distribution over the distance of pyrimethanil spray treatment compared to apple treatment nebulization methods. The vaporized apple treatments were performed as described previously in Examples 1 to 6, except for the use of a 1 m wide x 1 m high x 8 m deep tunnel (see Figure 11). An amount of 2.66 g of pyrimethanil was nebulized or vaporized in the tunnel. Steam or mist was delivered, and the distribution was monitored at variable distance (meters) from the source to test the effect of treatment distance on the distribution.

Prior to pyrimethanil application, known surface area Petri dishes were placed inside the tunnel and were carefully removed after 72 hours to determine the variation of pyrimethanil distribution in the treatment area as a function of treatment distance. with pyrimethanil in relation to the source of application (see Figure 24). After removal, pyrimethanil was extracted from the plates and quantified by HPLC.

The results demonstrate that the present method comprising vaporized pyrimethanil provides better in vitro consistency of pyrimethanil distribution compared to pyrimethanil which has been nebulized. Vaporized pyrimethanil showed no more than a 40% variation from the average distribution of pyrimethanil until the treatment distance was increased to 8 meters, while nebulizing pyrimethanyl showed a variation of almost 50% to 110% from the average distance. 1 to 2 meters and had a range of about 20% to 50% over distances of 5 to 8 meters (see Figure 24).

The bars shown in Figure 24 indicate the amount of variation of a 100% uniform application of pyrimethanil compound. Thus, Figure 24 demonstrates that vaporized pyrimethanil had much more uniform distribution of active ingredient over much higher treatment distances compared to nebulized pyrimethanil.

[0228] These data indicate that vaporized pyrimethanil provides a better fruit handling method than fruit spraying. In particular, the data provided herein demonstrate that the claimed spray treatment technique is better for uniformly treating fruit from increased distances of from less than 1 meter to about 8 meters, from about 1 meter to about 7 meters, from about 1 meter to about 6 meters, about 1 meter to about 5 meters, about 1 meter to about 4 meters, about 1 meter to about 3 meters, and about 1 meter to about of 2 meters.

Therefore, this method is particularly valuable for the uniform treatment of fruits where the undersides of the fruit cannot be easily exposed, such as, for example, fruits in environments and / or storage chambers. Finally, these data demonstrate that the present method that uses vaporized pyrimethanil to treat fruit provides better distribution compared to more traditional fruit treatment methods such as nebulization.

EXAMPLE 14: PYRIMETHANIL COMPOSITION PARTICLE SIZE

[0230] An in vitro assay was performed to estimate pyrimethanil particle sizes when delivered by nebulization or spraying. An amount of 2.66 g of pyrimethanil was nebulized or sprayed into a treatment tunnel measuring 1 m high x 1 m wide x 8 m deep (see Figure 11). Prior to application of pyrimethanil, known surface area Petri dishes were placed into the tunnel and were carefully removed after 7.5, 15, 30, 60 or 360 minutes. After removal, pyrimethanil was extracted from the plates and quantified by HPLC.

[0231] The results from Table 8 demonstrate that the present method comprising vaporized pyrimethanil provides smaller particle sizes compared to a nebulizer application. For example, after 30 minutes, 100% of the mist particles settled, which could correspond to a particle size of approximately 2.8 microns. By comparison, after 30 minutes, there was still no detectable amount of vaporized pyrimethanil sitting on the plates. However, after 60 and 360 minutes, 26% and 91% of the total vaporized pyrimethanil was settled, respectively. These velocities / nesting rates correspond to an estimated pyrimethanil particle size of 1.9 microns and 0.75 microns, respectively (Table 8). The above description enables others skilled in the art to utilize the technology in various embodiments and with various modifications as are appropriate for the particular use contemplated. In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes, the principles and modes of operation of this disclosure have been explained and illustrated in exemplary embodiments. Correspondingly, the present invention is not limited to the particular embodiments described and / or exemplified herein.

The scope of the disclosure of the present technology is intended to be defined, not only with reference to the above description, but also by the following claims and their equivalents thereof. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that various alternatives to the embodiments described in the present invention may be employed in the practice of the claims without departing from the spirit and scope as defined in the following claims. In summary, it is to be understood that the disclosure is modifiable and variable and is limited only by the following claims.

Claims (20)

Method of treating plants or parts of plants with an antimicrobial treatment Characterized by the fact that it comprises: a) preparing the antimicrobial treatment comprising an antimicrobial compound, b) volatilizing the antimicrobial compound to form a vapor, c) cooling the steam to form a solid, and d) administering the solid antimicrobial compound to one or more plants or plant parts in a chamber. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that one or more plants or plant parts are selected from the group consisting of a strawberry, a grape, an apple, an orange, and a blueberry. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the antimicrobial compound is a solid, a gas, a liquid, a vapor or an aerosol. Method according to claim 3, characterized in that the antimicrobial compound is a solid. A method according to claim 4, characterized in that the solid antimicrobial compound forms one or more microparticles having a size of 2 microns or less. Method according to claim 4, characterized in that the solid antimicrobial compound is in the form of a powder. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the antimicrobial compound is pyrimethanil or an analog or derivative thereof. A method according to claim 7, characterized in that the pyrimethanil or analog or derivative thereof comprises the following structure: A method according to claim 1, characterized in that 100% of the antimicrobial compound is volatilized to produce steam. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that no thermal degradation of the antimicrobial compound occurs at a temperature in the range from about 300 ° C to about 350 ° C. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the antimicrobial compound is administered at a rate of from about 0.001 mg / l to about 5 mg / l. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the antimicrobial treatment further comprises a component selected from the group consisting of a carrier, a preservative gas, a compound and a chemical. Method according to claim 12, characterized in that the preservative gas is CO2 SO2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the method is characterized by the fact that it is effective for inhibiting plant pathogens selected from the group consisting of Acremonium spp., Albugo spp., Alternaria spp., Ascochyta spp. , Aspergillus spp., Botryodiplodia spp., Botryospheria spp., Bo-trytis spp., Byssochlamys spp., Candida spp., Cephalosporium spp., Ceratocystis spp., Cercospora spp., Cladosporium spp. , Cryptosporiopsis spp., Cylindrocarpon spp., Debaryomyces spp., Diaporthe spp., Didymella spp., Diplodia spp., Dothiorella spp., Fusarium spp., Geo-trichum spp., Gloeosporium spp. Helminthosporium spp. Khuskia spp. Lasiodiplodia spp. Macrophoma spp. Macrophomina spp. Microdochium spp. Monilinia spp. Monilochaethes spp. / Wi / corspp. Mycocentrospora spp. Mycosphae-rellaia spp. spp., Neofabraea spp., Nigrospora spp., Penicillium spp., Perono-phythora spp., Peronospora spp., Pestalot Iopsis spp., Pezicula spp., Phacidiopycnis spp., Phoma spp., Phomopsis spp., Phyllosticta spp., Phytophthora spp., Pysudocercospora spp., Pyricularia spp., Pythium spp. Rhizopus spp., Sclerotium spp., Sclerotinia spp., Septoria spp., Sphaceloma spp., Sphaeropsis spp., Stemphyllium spp., Stilbella spp., Thielaviopsis spp., Thyronectria spp., Trachysphaera spp., Uromyces spp. ., Venturia spp., Verticillium spp., Bacillus spp., Campylobacter spp., Clavibacter spp., Clostridium spp., Erwinia spp., Lactobacillus spp., Leuconostoc spp., Listeria spp. Pectobacterium spp., Pseudomonas spp., Ralstonia spp., Salmonella spp., S / w-gella spp., Staphylococcus spp., Vibrio spp., Xanthomonas spp. and Yersinia spp. A method according to claim 1, wherein the method is characterized by the fact that it is effective for inhibiting plant pathogens selected from the group consisting of Botrytis cinerea, Mucor piriformis, Fusarium sambucinum, Aspergillus brasiliensis and Peniciliium expansum. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the chamber is sealed. Heating device for carrying out the method as defined in claim 1, wherein the heating device is characterized by the fact that it comprises: a heating element, a heating chamber, a power supply; the antimicrobial compound, and one or more holes. The method of using the heating device as defined in claim 17, wherein the method is characterized by the fact that it comprises: a) loading the antimicrobial treatment comprising the antimicrobial compound into the heating chamber, b) turning on the power supply for heating the heating element and the heating chamber, c) volatilizing the antimicrobial compound into a vapor, d) releasing steam from one or more heating device holes in the chamber, where the vapor solidifies upon release from the heating device to form microparticles. A method according to claim 18, characterized in that the microparticles are solid. A method according to claim 19, characterized in that the solid microparticles are 2 microns or smaller in size.