CN105764342B - Active compound combinations - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates mainly to active compound combinations comprising (a) propineb and component (B) comprising (B1) one or more salts containing boron (B), and (B2) one or more salts containing manganese (Mn). More specifically, the active compound combinations according to the invention can be used for improving plant quality. The invention also relates to corresponding methods and uses of the active compound combinations according to the invention.

Description

Active compound combinations

The present invention relates mainly to active compound combinations comprising (a) propineb and component (B) comprising (B1) one or more salts containing boron (B) and (B2) one or more salts containing manganese (Mn). More specifically, the active compound combinations according to the invention can be used for improving plant quality. The invention also relates to corresponding methods and uses of the active compound combinations according to the invention.

The molecular formula of propineb is (C)₅H₈N₂S₄Zn)_xWhich is polymeric zinc trimethylene bis (dithiocarbamate) (CAS registry number 12071-83-9) and can be represented by the following formula (I)The following steps are described:

propineb is known to have fungicidal properties and can be used to control various plant diseases (see, for example, GB 935981).

WO2011/107443 a1 teaches the use of propineb for physiological prophylactic and therapeutic treatment in zinc deficiency situations. It is also reported therein that propineb treatment leads to higher yields in addition to the physiological therapeutic effect. For experimental purposes in greenhouses, in WO2011/107443 a1, certain plants were sown and grown in rockwool, which was fertilzied with a hoagland solution. Then, after a certain time interval, propineb was applied to the individual plants by spray application.

WO 2012/089724 a1 relates to a method for improving plant quality, which method comprises treating crop plants, and/or treating the locus of growth or locus where growth is desired of the crop plants, and/or treating plant propagules with a plant quality improving amount of a micronutrient-containing active ingredient.

The title "was shown in 2011 at the third international zinc conference in Haedraba, India"

A poster of fungi Improving Zinc Nutrition in Plants "(http:// www.zinccrops2011.org/presentations/2011_ zincops 2011_ goertz _ abstrate. pdf). Therein, it can be concluded that, in addition to their broad-spectrum fungicidal activity, they are applied at commercial application rates

(active ingredient: propineb) has a significant positive effect on the growth, development and quality of crops grown in the absence of zinc. Administration of

Can avoid plantingThe zinc in the product is deficient. The results demonstrate that, in case of diseases, when farmers apply fungicides,

also provides improved zinc nutrition to the plant, reducing the need for zinc fertilizers.

DE 2558385 a1 relates to compositions which contain (1) certain dithiocarbamates (dithiocarbamates) and (2) manganese (Mn) salts of inorganic or organic acids, which compositions provide improved crop yield.

Furthermore, WO 2005/070204 reports the use of micronutrients in pesticide compositions for reducing phytotoxicity.

The environmental and economic requirements imposed on modern crop protection compositions are constantly increasing. This relates not only to, for example, the spectrum of action, toxicity, selectivity, application rate, etc., but also to improved plant quality, in particular increased yield, and/or to improved plant vigor.

It has now surprisingly been found that the active compound combinations according to the invention not only bring about an enhancement in the spectrum of action with respect to the plant pathogens to be controlled, but also achieve improved plant quality, in particular increased yield, and/or improved plant vigor. The active compound combinations according to the invention have synergistic properties, such as improved plant performance, for example better growth, increased harvest yields, a more developed root system, a greater leaf area, greener leaves, stronger shoots and in particular greener leaves.

Accordingly, the present invention relates to active compound combinations comprising:

(A) the production process of the propineb comprises the steps of propineb,

and component (B) comprising

(B1) One or more salts containing boron (B), and

(B2) one or more salts containing manganese (Mn),

in the active compound combinations according to the invention, one, several or all of the components of component (B1) are preferably selected from the group consisting of boron oxides and boric acids and their salts.

In the active compound combinations according to the invention, one, several or all components of component (B1) are preferably selected from boron trioxide (B)₂O₃)、H₃BO₃、H₂B₄O₇Sodium borate salt (preferably borax, also known as sodium borate, sodium tetraborate or disodium tetraborate), preferably anhydrous borax (Na)₂B₄O₇) Borax pentahydrate (Na)₂B₄O₇·5H₂O) or borax decahydrate (Na)₂B₄O₇·10H₂O)), potassium borate salt (preferably K)₂B₄O₇And hydrates thereof, preferably the tetrahydrate K₂B₄O₇·4H₂O), calcium borate salt (preferably CaB)₄O₇、Ca₃(BO₃)₂And hydrates thereof), magnesium borate salts (preferably MgB)₄O₇、Mg₃(BO₃)₂And hydrates thereof), potassium borohydride, sodium borohydride, potassium borotartrate, and nickel (II) borate.

In a preferred active compound combination according to the invention, one, several or all components of component (B2) are selected from manganese (II) salts, preferably from manganese (II) acetate, manganese (II) sulfate, manganese (II) chloride, manganese (II) nitrate and manganese (II) phosphate.

In a more preferred active compound combination according to the invention,

ingredient (B1) comprises or consists of disodium tetraborate and/or disodium tetraborate hydrate,

and/or

Component (B2) comprises or consists of manganese (II) sulfate and/or manganese (II) chloride.

The synergistic effect is particularly pronounced if the active ingredients in the active compound combinations according to the invention are present in a certain weight ratio.

Thus, in a preferred active compound combination according to the invention, the weight ratio of component (a) to the total weight of boron and manganese of component (B) is in the range from 1250:1 to 25:1, preferably in the range from 1000:1 to 50:1, more preferably in the range from 500:1 to 75:1, and particularly preferably in the range from 350:1 to 100:1, each based on the total weight of the active compound combination.

In a preferred active compound combination according to the invention, the weight ratio of the total amount of boron [ ingredient (B1) ] to the total amount of manganese [ ingredient (B2) ] therein is in the range of from 3:1 to 1:3, preferably in the range of from 2:1 to 1:2, more preferably in the range of from 3:2 to 2:3, even more preferably in the range of from 4:3 to 3:4, and most preferably in the range of from 5:4 to 4:5, each based on the total weight of the active compound combination.

In a preferred embodiment, the active compound combinations according to the invention further comprise:

-one, several or all micronutrients selected from the group consisting of zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), molybdenum (Mo), selenium (Se), aluminium (Al), cobalt (Co) and nickel (Ni),

and/or

-one, several or all macronutrients selected from nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K).

Preferably, the active compound combinations according to the invention further comprise:

nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K),

and

-at least one, preferably two or more, more preferably three or more micronutrients selected from the group consisting of zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), molybdenum (Mo), selenium (Se), aluminium (Al), cobalt (Co) and nickel (Ni).

Preferably, the active compound combinations according to the invention comprise one or more components selected from the group consisting of: zinc oxide, zinc acetate, zinc benzoate, zinc chloride, zinc citrate, zinc nitrate, zinc salicylate; copper acetate, copper butyrate, copper chlorate, copper chloride, copper citrate, copper gluconate, copper glycinate, copper nitrate, copper salicylate, cuprous acetate and cuprous chloride; ferric chloride, ferric citrate, ferric fructose, ferric glycerophosphate, ferric nitrate, ferric oxide containing sugar, ferrous chloride, ferrous citrate, ferrous fumarate, ferrous gluconate, and ferrous succinate; molybdic acid, calcium molybdate, potassium molybdate, sodium molybdate; sodium selenite, potassium selenite, sodium selenate, potassium selenate; aluminum phosphate, aluminum silicate; high cobalt acetate, cobalt chloride, cobalt oxalate, potassium cobalt sulfate and cobalt sulfate; nickel (II) chloride and nickel (II) sulfate.

According to the invention, the expression "combination" denotes various combinations of ingredients (a) and (B), for example in the form of a single "ready-to-use mixture", in the form of a combined spray mixture consisting of separate preparations of a single active compound (for example a "tank mix"), and also in the form of combined use when the single active ingredients are applied sequentially, i.e. one after the other in a short time, preferably in less than two hours.

The present invention relates to novel methods for improving the quality of plants by applying the active compound combinations according to the invention to the plants, to the plant parts and/or to their habitat.

The term "plant quality" (quality of the plant) is defined as the condition of the crop plant and/or its products, which is determined by several aspects, such as yield (e.g. increased biomass, increased content of valuable ingredients and/or improved content or composition of certain ingredients) and plant vigor (e.g. improved plant growth and/or greener leaves), alone or in combination with each other.

One index used to measure the quality of a plant, particularly the condition of the plant, is its yield. By "yield" is understood any plant part or product of economic value produced by a plant, such as grain, leaves, roots, fruits in the appropriate sense, vegetables, nuts, seeds, wood (for example in the case of forestry) or even flowers (for example in the case of horticulture and ornamental plants). The plant product may be further used and/or treated after harvest.

According to the present invention, "increased yield" of a crop plant means that the yield of the product of each crop plant is increased by a measurable amount relative to the yield of the same product of a plant produced under the same conditions but without the application of the micronutrient-containing active ingredient. Increased yield can be characterized inter alia by the following improved performance of the crop plants:

an increased weight of the plant, and,

an increased plant height of the plant,

an increased content of zinc, and an increased amount of zinc,

an increased iron content of the iron (II),

an increased content of calcium, which is,

increased biomass, e.g.higher Fresh Weight (FW) and/or Dry Weight (DW),

the higher the yield of the grains is,

the higher degree of acidity of the acid mixture,

a higher content of anthocyanins,

more tillers are produced with the aid of a single tiller,

the size of the larger blades of the blade,

increased growth of the shoots, and,

increased (e.g.soluble protein),

an increased content of oil, which is,

an increased content of starch, and an increased content of starch,

an increased content of pigment, and,

an increased content of nutrients, which is, in turn,

an increased protein content of the protein,

increased vitamin content (e.g. vitamin B)₁、B₂C, and E),

an increased content of fatty acids, and,

an increased content of the metabolite(s),

increased carotenoid content (e.g. vitamin a),

an increased amount of essential amino acids,

an improved composition of the nutrients and the nutrients,

an improved protein composition of the protein, which is,

an improved fatty acid composition of the fatty acid,

an improved composition of the metabolite(s),

an improved carotenoid composition, and,

an improved composition of the sugar, which is,

an improved amino acid composition of the amino acid,

improved or optimized fruit color,

an improved leaf color is obtained by adding a surfactant,

a higher storage capacity of the aqueous dispersion,

higher processability of the recovered product.

According to one embodiment of the invention, yield is increased by at least 5% or more, preferably 10% or more, more preferably 15% or more, even more preferably 20% or more, and even more preferably 25% or more, each compared to a corresponding untreated control plant, depending on the type of performance improved.

Another indicator used to measure the quality of plants, particularly the condition of crop plants, is "plant vigor". The plant vigor is manifested in several aspects, such as overall visual appearance and growth. The improved plant vigour can be characterized in particular by the following improved plant properties:

an improved viability of the plant is improved,

an improved growth of the plant, which is,

an improved development of the plant, which is,

an improved visual appearance of the image, and,

improved plant stand (less plant toppling/lodging),

an improved emergence of the seedlings is achieved,

enhanced root growth and/or a more developed root system,

enhanced nodulation, especially of rhizobia,

the size of the larger blades of the blade,

the larger size of the tube is that of the tube,

an increased weight of the plant, and,

increased Fresh Weight (FW)

Increased Dry Weight (DW),

an increased plant height of the plant,

the number of tillers increased in the culture medium,

increased growth of the shoots, and,

increased root growth (extended roots), increased yield when grown in poor soil or adverse climates,

an enhanced photosynthetic activity of the plant, a high photosynthetic activity,

enhanced pigment content (e.g. chlorophyll content),

the earlier flowering of the plants is carried out,

the result of the earlier of the sequence is,

an earlier and improved germination,

the earlier maturity of the kernel,

a better size distribution of the particles,

the hardness of the grains is higher, and the grain hardness is higher,

an improved self-defense mechanism, which is,

improved stress tolerance and plant resistance to biotic and abiotic stress factors (such as fungi, bacteria, viruses, insects, heat stress, cold stress, drought stress, ultraviolet stress and/or salt stress),

less non-productive tillers,

less dead basal leaves,

less input requirements (such as fertilizer or water),

the greener leaves of the plant are used,

complete maturation in a shortened growth period,

less of the need for fertiliser(s),

less seed needs to be present in the seed,

the harvesting is easier and the harvesting is easier,

a faster and more uniform ripening,

a longer shelf life of the beverage, the shelf life of the beverage,

the longer length of the panicle,

the aging of the film is delayed,

stronger and/or more productive tillers,

a better extractability of the components is obtained,

improved seed quality (for sowing in subsequent seasons for seed production),

reduced ethylene production and/or inhibition of ethylene reception by plants,

the brightness of the light emitted by the light source is higher,

the color of the color,

an improved texture is obtained by adding a gum base to the composition,

the higher the hardness of the steel sheet, the higher the hardness,

higher brix values.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the plant vigour is increased by at least 5% or more, preferably 10% or more, more preferably 15% or more, even more preferably 20% or more, and even more preferably 25% or more, each compared to a corresponding untreated control plant, depending on the type of performance improved.

Depending on the plant to be treated, it is more preferred to increase quality parameters different from those of other plants. Next, some quality parameters will be mentioned depending on the crop plants treated.

Preferably, the following plants and plant parts are treated with the active compound combinations according to the invention: cereals such as wheat, barley, rye, triticale, sorghum/millet and oats, maize, cotton, soybean, rice, potato, sunflower, beans, coffee, sweet vegetables (e.g. sugar and fodder beets), peanuts, oilseed rape, fruits (e.g. apples, pears and citrus fruits), vegetables (e.g. tomatoes, cucumbers, onions and lettuce), turf and ornamentals (see also below).

For the treatment of (seeds of) cereals, wheat, barley, rye, triticale and oats are preferred, corn and rice being particularly preferred. Furthermore, plants and plant parts belonging to the Solanaceae family (Solanaceae sp.) (e.g. tomato, potato, pepper, eggplant, tobacco) are preferably treated according to the invention.

According to one embodiment of the invention, for potatoes, the preferred quality parameters are:

increased protein content (e.g.soluble protein),

an increased content of starch, and an increased content of starch,

increased biomass, such as higher Fresh Weight (FW) and/or Dry Weight (DW),

an increased content of zinc, and an increased amount of zinc,

better size distribution.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the preferred quality parameters for rice are:

increased carotenoid content (e.g. vitamin a),

an increased content of zinc, and an increased amount of zinc,

an increased iron content of the iron (II),

increased protein content (e.g.soluble protein),

improved kernel hardness (lower breaking force).

According to one embodiment of the invention, the preferred quality parameters for wheat are:

increased carotenoid content (e.g. vitamin a),

an increased content of zinc, and an increased amount of zinc,

an increased iron content of the iron (II),

increased protein content (e.g.soluble protein),

improved kernel hardness (lower breaking force).

According to one embodiment of the invention, for corn/maize (maize), the preferred quality parameters are:

increased carotenoid content (e.g. vitamin a),

an increased content of zinc, and an increased amount of zinc,

an increased iron content of the iron (II),

increased protein content (e.g.soluble protein),

an increased content of oil, which is,

increased starch content.

According to one embodiment of the invention, for apples, the preferred quality parameters are:

an increased content of zinc, and an increased amount of zinc,

an increased content of calcium, which is,

a more intense colour and luster,

an improved texture is obtained by adding a gum base to the composition,

the higher the hardness of the steel sheet, the higher the hardness,

higher brix values.

According to one embodiment of the invention, for citrus plants, the preferred quality parameters are:

an increased content of zinc, and an increased amount of zinc,

an increased content of vitamin C, and,

a more intense colour and luster,

an improved texture is obtained by adding a gum base to the composition,

the higher the hardness of the steel sheet, the higher the hardness,

higher brix values.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the preferred quality parameters for tomatoes, cucumbers and peppers are:

a better uniformity of the size and,

a more intense colour and luster,

an improved texture is obtained by adding a gum base to the composition,

the higher the hardness of the steel sheet, the higher the hardness,

a higher brix value of the sugar content,

an enhanced growth of the root system is enhanced,

an increased content of zinc, and an increased amount of zinc,

increased calcium content.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the preferred quality parameters for the grape/vine plant are:

a higher content of anthocyanins,

the higher degree of acidity of the acid mixture,

a higher content of zinc, and a higher content of zinc,

a higher brix value of the sugar content,

the higher the hardness of the steel sheet, the higher the hardness,

a more intense colour and luster,

an improved texture is obtained by adding a gum base to the composition,

better mouthfeel.

The invention also relates to compositions comprising an effective and preferably non-phytotoxic amount of an active compound combination according to the invention. These compositions are also suitable for controlling unwanted microorganisms, in particular unwanted fungi and bacteria. The preferred fungicidal compositions include agriculturally suitable adjuvants, solvents, carriers, surfactants and/or fillers.

In the context of the present invention, "control of harmful microorganisms" means a reduction in the infestation of harmful microorganisms, as measured by fungicidal efficacy, in comparison with untreated plants, preferably by from 25 to 50% (compared with untreated plants), more preferably by from 40 to 79% (compared with untreated plants); even more preferably, infestation by harmful microorganisms is almost completely or completely suppressed (80-100%). The control of harmful microorganisms can be therapeutic, i.e. for treating already infected plants; or protective, i.e. for protecting plants which have not yet been infected.

By "effective but non-phytotoxic amount" is meant an amount sufficient to control the fungal disease of a plant in a satisfactory manner or to eradicate the fungal disease completely, without at the same time causing any significant symptoms of phytotoxicity. In general, the application rate can vary over a relatively wide range. This depends on several factors, for example on the fungi to be controlled, the plants, the climatic conditions and the constituents of the active compound combinations according to the invention.

In another aspect, the present invention relates to a composition comprising:

(i) the active compound combinations according to the invention, preferably as defined in one of the above-mentioned preferred embodiments,

(ii) water, and

(iii) one or more adjuvants (adjuvants), preferably one or more adjuvants selected from organic solvents, surfactants, inorganic carriers, organic carriers and other fillers.

Preferably, the composition of the invention comprises the following in total:

(i) the active compound combinations according to the invention, which are preferably as defined in one of the above-mentioned preferred embodiments, are in the range from 0.05 to 0.5% by weight, preferably in the range from 0.1 to 0.3% by weight,

and/or

(ii) Water in the range of 70-99.9 wt.%, preferably in the range of 85-99.8 wt.%,

each based on the total weight of the composition.

More preferably, the composition of the invention comprises the following in total:

(i) the active compound combinations according to the invention, which are preferably as defined in one of the above-mentioned preferred embodiments, are in the range from 0.1 to 0.3% by weight,

and/or

(ii) Water in the range of 70-99.9 wt.%, preferably in the range of 85-99.8 wt.%,

each based on the total weight of the composition.

The composition of the invention is preferably obtainable by a process characterized by comprising the steps of:

(i) providing (A) propineb, (B1) one or more compounds containing boron (B), and (B2) one or more compounds containing manganese (Mn),

or

There are provided active compound combinations according to the invention, preferably as defined in one of the preferred embodiments,

(ii) the water is provided to the patient in a water supply,

(iii) providing one or more adjuvants (adjuvants), preferably one or more adjuvants selected from organic solvents, surfactants, inorganic carriers, organic carriers and other fillers,

and mixing components (i) to (iii) to obtain the composition of the present invention.

Suitable organic solvents include all polar and non-polar organic solvents commonly used for formulation purposes. Preferably, the solvent is selected from ketones, such as methyl isobutyl ketone and cyclohexanone; amides, such as dimethylformamide and alkanecarboxylic acid amides, such as N, N-dimethyldecanamide and N, N-dimethyloctanamide; and cyclic solvents such as N-methylpyrrolidone, N-octylpyrrolidone, N-dodecylpyrrolidone, N-octylcaprolactam, N-dodecylcaprolactam and butyrolactone; also strongly polar solvents, such as dimethyl sulfoxide; and aromatic hydrocarbons such as xylene, SolvessoTM, mineral oils (e.g., white spirit, petroleum, alkylbenzenes, and spindle oil); and esters such as propylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate, dibutyl adipate, hexyl acetate, heptyl acetate, tri-n-butyl citrate, and di-n-butyl phthalate; and alcohols such as benzyl alcohol and 1-methoxy-2-propanol.

According to the invention, the carrier is a natural or synthetic, organic or inorganic substance, and the active ingredient is mixed or combined with the carrier in order to obtain better suitability, in particular for application to plants or parts of plants or seeds. The carrier, which may be solid or liquid, is generally inert and should be suitable for use in agriculture.

Useful solid or liquid carriers include: for example ammonium salts and natural rock flour, such as kaolin, clay, talc, chalk, quartz, attapulgite, montmorillonite or diatomaceous earth; and synthetic rock powders such as finely divided silica, alumina and natural or synthetic silicates; a resin; a wax; a solid fertilizer; water; alcohols (particularly butanol); an organic solvent; mineral and vegetable oils, and their derivatives. Mixtures of these carriers can likewise be used.

Suitable solid fillers and carriers include inorganic particles having an average particle diameter of between 0.005 and 20 μm, preferably between 0.02 and 10 μm, such as carbonates, silicates, sulfates and oxides, for example ammonium sulfate, ammonium phosphate, urea, calcium carbonate, calcium sulfate, magnesium oxide, alumina, silica, so-called fine-grained silica, silica gels, natural or synthetic silicates and aluminosilicates and vegetable products, such as cereal flour, wood flour/sawdust and cellulose flour.

Useful solid carriers for granules include: such as crushed and fractionated natural rocks (for example calcite, marble, pumice, sepiolite, dolomite) and synthetic granules of inorganic and organic powders, but also granules of organic material (for example wood chips, coconut shells, maize cobs and tobacco stalks).

Useful liquefied gaseous extenders or carriers are those liquids which are gaseous at standard temperature and standard pressure, for example aerosol propellants such as halogenated hydrocarbons, as well as butane, propane, nitrogen and carbon dioxide.

In the formulation, viscosity increasing agents such as carboxymethylcellulose, as well as natural and synthetic polymers in powder, granule or latex form (e.g. gum arabic, polyvinyl alcohol and polyvinyl acetate), or other natural phospholipids (such as cephalins and lecithins) and synthetic phospholipids may be used. Other additives may be mineral and vegetable oils.

Organic solvents may also be employed as cosolvents. Useful liquid solvents are essentially: aromatic hydrocarbons such as xylene, toluene or alkylnaphthalene; chlorinated aromatic and chlorinated aliphatic hydrocarbons, such as chlorobenzene, vinyl chloride or dichloromethane; aliphatic hydrocarbons such as cyclohexane or paraffins, for example mineral oil fractions, mineral oil and vegetable oil; alcohols, such as butanol or ethylene glycol and their ethers and esters; ketones such as acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone or cyclohexanone; and/or strongly polar solvents such as dimethylformamide and dimethylsulfoxide.

The active compound combinations according to the invention may also comprise further components, for example surfactants. Useful surfactants are emulsifiers and/or foam formers, dispersants or wetting agents of ionic or nonionic nature, or mixtures of these surfactants. Examples of such surfactants are salts of polyacrylic acids, salts of lignosulfonic acids, salts of phenolsulfonic acids or naphthalenesulfonic acids, polycondensates of ethylene oxide with fatty alcohols or fatty acids or fatty amines, substituted phenols (preferably alkylphenols or arylphenols), salts of sulfosuccinic esters, taurine derivatives (preferably alkyltaurates), phosphoric esters of polyethoxylated alcohols or phenols, fatty esters of polyhydric alcohols, and derivatives of compounds containing sulfate, sulfonate and phosphate groups (e.g. alkylaryl polyglycol ethers, alkylsulfonates, alkylsulfates, arylsulfonates), protein hydrolysates, lignosulfonate waste liquors and methylcellulose. The presence of a surfactant is necessary if one of the active ingredients and/or one of the inert carriers is water-insoluble and when the application is carried out in water. The proportion of surfactant is preferably in the range of 5 to 40% by weight of the composition of the invention.

Suitable surfactants (adjuvants, emulsifiers, dispersants, protective colloids, wetting agents and binders) include all customary ionic and nonionic substances, for example ethoxylated nonylphenols, polyalkylene glycol ethers of linear or branched alcohols, reaction products of alkylphenols with ethylene oxide and/or propylene oxide, reaction products of fatty acid amines with ethylene oxide and/or propylene oxide, also fatty acid esters, alkylsulfonates, alkyl sulfates, alkyl ether phosphates, aryl sulfates, ethoxylated arylalkylphenols (for example tristyrylphenol-ethoxylate), and also ethoxylated and propoxylated arylalkylphenols (like sulfated or phosphated arylalkylphenol-ethoxylates and-ethoxy-and propoxylates). Further examples are natural and synthetic water-soluble polymers, such as lignosulfonates, gelatins, gum arabic, phospholipids, starches, hydrophobically modified starches and cellulose derivatives, especially cellulose esters and cellulose ethers, and also polyvinyl alcohols, polyvinyl acetates, polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyacrylic acids, polymethacrylic acids and copolymerization products of (meth) acrylic acids with (meth) acrylic esters, and copolymerization products of methacrylic acids and methacrylic esters neutralized with alkali metal hydroxides, and also condensation products of optionally substituted naphthalenesulfonates with formaldehyde.

Colorants such as inorganic pigments, for example, iron oxide, titanium oxide and prussian blue, and organic dyes, for example, alizarin dyes, azo dyes and metal phthalocyanine dyes, can be used.

Defoamers that may be present in the formulation include, for example, silicone emulsions, long chain alcohols, fatty acids and their salts, and fluorinated organic materials and mixtures thereof.

Examples of thickeners are polysaccharides, such as xanthan gum or magnesium aluminum silicate; silicates such as attapulgite, bentonite and finely divided silica.

If appropriate, further additional components, such as protective colloids, binders, adhesives, thickeners, thixotropic substances, penetrants, stabilizers, chelating agents, complexing agents, may also be present. In general, the active ingredient may be combined with any solid or liquid additive commonly used for formulation purposes.

The active compound combinations or compositions according to the invention can be used as such or, depending on their specific physical and/or chemical properties, in their formulations or use forms prepared therefrom, for example aerosols, capsule suspensions, cold-atomizing concentrates, warm-atomizing concentrates, coated granules, fine granules, flowable concentrates for seed treatment, ready-to-use solutions, dusts, emulsifiable concentrates, water-in-oil emulsions, oil-in-water emulsions, large granules, microparticles, oil-dispersible powders, oil-miscible flowable concentrates, oil-miscible liquids, gases (under pressure), gas-generating products, foams, pastes, pesticide-coated seeds, suspension concentrates, suspoemulsion concentrates, soluble concentrates, suspensions, wettable powders, soluble powders, dusts and granules, water-soluble and water-dispersible granules or tablets, Water-soluble and water-dispersible powders for seed treatment, wettable powders, natural and synthetic substances impregnated with active ingredients, and also microcapsules for seeds in which the polymeric substance is in a coating material, and also ULV cold-and warm-fogging formulations.

The active compound combinations according to the invention include not only preparations which are ready for use and can be applied to plants or seeds by means of suitable devices, but also commercial concentrates which have to be diluted with water before use. Conventional applications are, for example, dilution in water and subsequent spraying of the resulting spray solution, application after dilution in oil, direct application without dilution, seed treatment of granules or soil application.

The formulations mentioned may be prepared in a manner known per se, for example by mixing the active ingredients with at least one conventional filler, solvent or diluent, adjuvant, emulsifier, dispersant, and/or binder or fixative, wetting agent, water-proofing agent, if appropriate drying agent and UV stabilizer, and if appropriate colorants and pigments, antifoams, preservatives, inorganic and organic thickeners, binders, gibberellins and other processing aids and water. Depending on the type of formulation to be prepared, further processing steps are necessary, for example wet grinding, dry grinding and granulation.

The active compound combinations according to the invention can be present as such or in the form of their (commercially available) formulations and in the use forms prepared from these formulations as a mixture with other (known) active ingredients, such as insecticides, attractants, sterilants, bactericides, acaricides, nematicides, fungicides, growth regulators, herbicides, fertilizers, safeners and/or semiochemicals.

The treatment of the plants and plant parts with the active ingredients or compositions according to the invention is carried out directly or by conventional treatment methods acting on their environment, habitat or storage space, for example by dipping, spraying, atomizing, pouring, evaporating, dusting, atomizing, spreading, foaming, coating, watering (dipping), drip irrigation, and also, in the case of propagation material, in particular in the case of seeds, by dry seed treatment, wet seed treatment, slurry treatment, encrustation, coating with one or more coatings, etc. The active ingredient may also be applied by ultra-low volume methods or injected into the soil itself or an active ingredient formulation.

The active compound combinations or compositions according to the invention exhibit effective microbicidal activity and can be used for controlling undesirable microorganisms, such as fungi and bacteria, in crop protection and in the protection of materials.

The invention also relates to a method for controlling undesired microorganisms, characterized in that the active ingredient combinations or compositions according to the invention are applied to phytopathogenic fungi, phytopathogenic bacteria and/or their habitat.

Fungicides can be used for controlling phytopathogenic fungi in crop protection. Fungicides are characterized by a marked efficacy against a broad spectrum of phytopathogenic Fungi, including soil-borne pathogens, in particular members of the classes Plasmodiophoromycetes, Oomycetes, Chytridiomycetes, Zygomyycetes, Ascomycetes, Basidiomycetes and Deuteromycetes (Deuteromycetes), synonyms. Some fungicides have systemic activity and can be used in plant protection as leaf, seed coating or soil fungicides. Furthermore, they are suitable for controlling fungi, in particular fungi which attack the wood or the roots of plants.

Bactericides can be used for controlling Pseudomonadaceae (pseudomonas adaceae), Rhizobiaceae (Rhizobiaceae), Enterobacteriaceae (Enterobacteriaceae), Corynebacteriaceae (Corynebacteriaceae) and Streptomycetaceae (Streptomycetaceae) in crop protection.

Non-limiting examples of pathogens of fungal diseases that can be treated according to the present invention include:

diseases caused by powdery mildew pathogens, e.g., powdery mildew species (Blumeia) such as Blumeia graminis (Blumeia graminis); sphaerotheca species (Podosphaera), such as, for example, apple powdery mildew (Podosphaera leucotricha); sphaerotheca species, such as, for example, cucumber powdery mildew (Sphaerotheca fuliginea); devil's claw (Uncinula) species, such as, for example, grape powdery mildew (Uncinula necator);

diseases caused by rust pathogens, such as, for example, the genus Gymnosporangium (Gymnosporangium) species, such as, for example, Puccinia pyrifolia (Gymnosporangium sabinae); camelina rust (Hemileia) species, such as coffee rust (Hemileia vastatrix); phakopsora species (Phakopsora), such as Phakopsora pachyrhizi (Phakopsora pachyrhizi) and Phakopsora meibomiae (Phakopsora meibomiae); puccinia (Puccinia) species,

such as Puccinia recondita (Puccinia recondite), Puccinia tritici (p.triticina), Puccinia graminis (p.graminis), or Puccinia striiformis (p.striiformis); species of the genus, Puccinia (Uromyces), such as, for example, Puccinia verrucosa (Uromyces apendiculus);

diseases caused by oomycete (oomyces) pathogens, such as white rust (Albugo) species, e.g. white rust (Albugo Candida); species of the genus Bremia (Bremia), such as Bremia lactucae (Bremia lactcae); conidiophora obliquus (Peronospora) species, such as Peronospora pisi (Peronospora pisi) or Peronospora brassicae (p.brassicae); phytophthora species (Phytophthora), such as late blight of potato (Phytophthora infestans); plasmopara species, such as Plasmopara viticola (Plasmopara viticola); pseudoperonospora species (Pseudoperonospora), such as Pseudoperonospora humuli (Pseudoperonospora humuli) or Pseudoperonospora cubensis; pythium species, such as Pythium ultimum;

leaf spot and leaf wilting caused by pathogens such as: alternaria species (Alternaria), such as Alternaria solani (Alternaria solani); cercospora species (Cercospora), such as the pathogenic bacterium Cercospora betanae (Cercospora betacola); cladosporium species, such as, for example, Cladosporium cucumerinum; species of the genus Sporotrichum (Cochliobolus), such as, for example, Cochliobolus graminis (Cochliobolus sativus) (conidia form: Deuteromyces (Drechslera), synonyms: Helminthosporium (Helminthosporium)), Cochliobolus oryzae (Cochliobolus miyabenus); colletotrichum species, such as Colletotrichum leguminosum (Colletotrichum lindelminthium); members of the genus cyclonigrospora (Cycloconium), such as the species alternaria oleae (Cycloconium oleginum); diaporthe species, such as citrus brown pedicellus (Diaporthe citri); elsinoe species, such as Elsinoe fawcettii, Elsinoe scabies; species of the genus Penicillium (Gloeosporium), such as the species of the peach tree rot (Gloeosporium laetiicolor); pleurotus species (Glomeella), such as anthrax (Glomeella cingulata); species of the species globisporus (Guignardia), such as globisporus viticola (Guignardia bidwelli); leptosphaeria species (Leptosphaeria), such as Leptosphaeria maculans (Leptosphaeria maculans), Leptosphaeria nodorum (Leptosphaeria nodorum); species of the genus Sphaerotheca (Magnaporthe), such as Magnaporthe grisea; microdochium species, such as, for example, Rhizoctonia cerealis (Microdochium nivale); mycosphaerella species (Mycosphaerella), such as Mycosphaerella graminicola (Mycosphaerella graminicola), Mycosphaerella arachidicola (m.arachidiocola), and Mycosphaerella fijiensis (m.fijiensis); mycosphaerella species (phaespharia), such as fusarium graminearum (phaespharia nodorum); pyrenophora species, such as Pyrenophora teres (Pyrenophora teres), Pyrenophora tritici-repentis (Pyrenophora tritici repentis); species of the genus Podospora (Ramularia), such as, for example, Podospora postrema (Ramularia collo-cygni), Podospora leucoderma (Ramularia areola); rhinochloropsis species (Rhynchosporium), such as barley leaf-streak bacteria (Rhynchosporium secalis); septoria species (Septoria), such as Septoria apiacea (Septoria apii), Septoria lycopersici (Septoria lycopersici); corallina species (Typhyla), such as Scleronaria carolina (Typhyla incarnata); venturia species (Venturia), such as Venturia inaequalis (Venturia inaqualis);

root and stem diseases caused by, for example, the following pathogens: species of the genus humicola (cornium), such as the species humicola (cornium graminearum); fusarium species, such as Fusarium oxysporum (Fusarium oxysporum); gaeumannomyces species, such as wheat take-all (Gaeumannomyces graminis); rhizoctonia species (Rhizoctonia), such as, for example, Rhizoctonia solani (Rhizoctonia solani); for example, a Scopulariopsis (Sarocladium) disease caused by Sarocladium oryzae (Sarocladium oryzae); sclerotium (Sclerotium) disease caused by Sclerotium microsporum (Sclerotium oryzae), for example; tapesia species, such as Tapesia acuformis; species of the genus Rhinocerotis (Thielavirosis), such as, for example, Rhizoctonia solani (Thielavirosis basicola);

panicle and panicle diseases (including corn cobs) caused by, for example, the following pathogens: alternaria species (Alternaria species), such as Alternaria species (Alternaria spp.); aspergillus species (Aspergillus) such as Aspergillus flavus; mycobacterium species (Cladosporium), such as Mycoplasma bronchisepticum (Cladosporium cladosporioides); species of the genus ergot (Claviceps), such as, for example, purple ergot (Claviceps purpurea); fusarium species, such as Fusarium culmorum (Fusarium culmorum); gibberella species (Gibberella), such as Gibberella zeae; small-picture line shells belong to the genus of monographeella, such as snow rot small-picture line shells (Monographella nivalis); septoria species (Septoria), such as Septoria nodorum (Septoria nodorum);

diseases caused by smut, such as species of smut (Sphacelotheca), e.g., head smut (Sphacelotheca reiliana); tilletia species (Tilletia), such as Tilletia tritici (Tilletia caries), Tilletia controversa (T.contrivarsa); ustilago species, such as Ustilago graminis (Urocystis occulta); smut species (Ustilago), such as, for example, Ustilago nuda (Ustilago nuda), Sphaerotheca paniculata (U.nuda tritici);

fruit decay caused by pathogens such as: aspergillus species (Aspergillus) such as Aspergillus flavus; botrytis species, such as Botrytis cinerea (Botrytis cinerea); penicillium species, such as Penicillium expansum (Penicillium expansum), Penicillium purpurogenum (p.purpurogenum); sclerotinia species (sclerotiotinia), such as Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (sclerotiotinia sclerotiorum); verticillium species, such as Verticillium alboatrum;

seed-and soil-borne spoilage, mildew, wilting, rot and cataplexy diseases caused by, for example, the following pathogens: alternaria species (Alternaria), such as that caused by Alternaria brassicae (Alternaria brassicolo); species of the genus Aphanomyces (Aphanomyces), such as that caused by rhizopus oryzae (Aphanomyces euteiches); species of the genus Ascochyta (Ascochyta), for example caused by Ascochyta lentis (Ascochyta lentis); aspergillus species (Aspergillus species), such as those caused by Aspergillus flavus; mycobacterium species (Cladosporium), such as those caused by Mycobacterium species (Cladosporium herbarum); species of Cochliobolus (Cochliobolus), for example, caused by Cochliobolus graminis (Cochliobolus sativus); (conidia form: Dermatopteria (Drechslera), Bipalea (Bipolaris), synonym: Helminthosporium (Helminthosporium)); colletotrichum species, such as caused by Colletotrichum gloeosporioides (Colletotrichum coccoides); fusarium (Fusarium) species, such as that caused by Fusarium (Fusarium culmorum); gibberella species (Gibberella), for example caused by Gibberella zeae; subsphaeomyces (macrophosina) species, such as those caused by ascochyta phaseoloides (macrophospora phaseolina); the small line shells belong to the species monographeella, for example, caused by the snow rot small line shells (Monographella nivalis); penicillium (Penicillium) species, such as caused by Penicillium expansum (Penicillium expansum); phoma species (Phoma), such as caused by the pathogen Phoma nigricans (Phoma linggam); species of the genus Phomopsis (Phomopsis), for example caused by Phomopsis sojae; phytophthora species (Phytophthora), such as caused by Phytophthora infestans (Phytophthora cactorum); pyrenophora species, for example caused by Pyrenophora graminea (Pyrenophora graminea); pyricularia species (Pyricularia species), such as those caused by Pyricularia oryzae (Pyricularia oryzae); pythium species, for example caused by Pythium ultimum; rhizoctonia species (Rhizoctonia), for example caused by Rhizoctonia solani (Rhizoctonia solani); rhizopus species (Rhizopus), for example, caused by Rhizopus oryzae (Rhizopus oryzae); sclerotinia species, such as caused by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (Sclerotinium rolfsii); septoria species (Septoria), for example caused by Septoria nodorum (Septoria nodorum) tritici; corallina species (Typhula), for example, caused by Corallina carnea (Typhula incarnata); verticillium species, for example caused by Verticillium dahliae (Verticillium dahliae);

cancers, galls and broom (brushes' broom) diseases caused by, for example, the following pathogens: species of the genus Nectria (Nectria), such as, for example, Nectria carinata (Nectria galligena);

wilting diseases caused by pathogens such as: species of the genus sclerotinia (Monilinia), such as, for example, sclerotinia sclerotiorum (Monilinia laxa);

leaf blister or leaf curl disease caused by, for example, pathogens of the genus Exobasidium (Exobasidium) species, such as, for example, Exobasidium destructor (Exobasidium vexans);

species of the genus exocystium (Taphrina), such as, for example, exocystis malformation (Taphrina deformans);

degenerative diseases of woody plants: esca diseases caused by, for example, Rhizopus clanydospora (Phaemoniaella clanydospora), Phaeoacremonium aleophilum, and Fomitripia media; grape blight disease (Eutypa dyseback) caused by, for example, Tolypocladium (Eutypa lata); diseases of the genus Ganoderma (Ganoderma) caused by, for example, Ganoderma islet boninense (Ganoderma lucidum); scleroderma (Rigidoporus) disease caused by, for example, scleroderma (Rigidoporus lignosus);

diseases of flowers and seeds caused by, for example, the following pathogens: botrytis species, such as Botrytis cinerea (Botrytis cinerea);

diseases of plant tubers caused by, for example, the following pathogens: rhizoctonia species (Rhizoctonia), such as Rhizoctonia solani (Rhizoctonia solani); helminthosporium species, such as Helminthosporium solani (Helminthosporium solani);

clubroot diseases caused by, for example, the following pathogens: plasmodiophora species, such as Plasmodiophora brassicae;

diseases caused by bacterial pathogens, such as species of Xanthomonas (Xanthomonas), e.g., Xanthomonas oryzae var alba (Xanthomonas campestris pv. oryzae); pseudomonas species, such as Pseudomonas syringae Cucumis sativus var (Pseudomonas syringae pv. lachrymans); erwinia species, such as Erwinia amylovora (Erwinia amylovora).

The following soybean diseases can be preferably controlled:

fungal diseases on leaves, stems, pods and seeds caused by, for example, Alternaria leaf spot (Alternaria spec), Alternaria spec. atans Tenuissima, anthracnose (Colletotrichum gloosporides var. truncata), brown spot (Septoria sojae), Cercospora leaf spot and leaf blight (Cercospora leaf spot and blight) (Cercospora kikuchi), Chondracea leaf spot (Chondracea), Microcystitis (Choristoneura infusorian) leaf spot (Syngna), Dactuliophora leaf spot (Czochragma trichoderma), Pseudocera somnoides (Pseudocera solani), Pseudocera soja (Pseudocera nigra), Pseudocera Cercospora leaf spot (Pseudocera solani), Pseudocera melanosporum (Pseudocera pex), Pseudocera melanosporum (Pseudocera melanosporum), Pseudocera Cercospora melanosporum (Pseudocera melanosporum), Pseudocera melanosporum (Pseudocera melanosporum), Microsporum melanosporum (Pseudocera melanosporum), Microsporum melanosporum (Pseudocera melanosporum) and Pseudocera melanosporum (Pseudocera melanosporum), Microsporum melanosporum (Pseudocera melanosporum), Microsporum melanosporum (Pseudocera melanosporum), Microsporum, Acanthosporium (Pyrenochaeta) leaf spot (Pyrenochaeta glycerin), Rhizoctonia overground, leaf blight and Rhizoctonia solani (Rhizoctonia solani)), rust disease (Phakopsora pachyrhizi), Phakopsora meibomiae (Phakopsora meibomiae)), scab (phacella sojae (Sphaceloma glycerin)), stemphylum (Stemphylium) leaf blight (Stemphylium botryosum), target spot (target spot) (corymbosum cassumulans (corymbosum cassiacus)).

Fungal diseases of roots and stem bases caused by, for example, pathogens such as black root rot (black rot), carbon rot (sphagnum phaseolina), Fusarium wilt or wilting, root rot and pod and root neck rot (Fusarium oxysporum), Fusarium trichothecum (Fusarium solani), Fusarium semitectum (Fusarium semitectum), Fusarium equiseti), mycolopsis root rot (mycolopsis terrestris), neospora (neopythium maceum), and Phytophthora infestans (Phytophthora blight), Phytophthora infestans (Phytophthora infestans), and Phytophthora infestans (trichoderma viride), Phytophthora infestans (Phytophthora infestans), and Phytophthora infestans (Phytophthora infestans), Phytophthora infestaphylum blight (Phytophthora blight), Phytophthora infestaphyla (Phytophthora infestaphyla), Phytophthora infestaphyla (Phytophthora infestaphylum blight (Phytophthora infestaphylum (Phytophthora), Phytophthora infestaphylum blight (Phytophthora infestaphylum blight) Pythium mass (Pythium moniotium), Pythium ultimum (Pythium ultimum)), Rhizoctonia root rot, stem rot and damping-off (Rhizoctonia solani), Sclerotinia stem rot (Sclerotinia sclerotiorum), Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (sclerotiorum rolfsii), Rhizoctonia root rot (Rhizoctonia basicola).

The active compound combinations or compositions according to the invention can be used for the therapeutic or protective/prophylactic control of phytopathogenic fungi. The present invention therefore also relates to a therapeutic and protective method for controlling phytopathogenic fungi by using the active compound combinations or compositions according to the invention, wherein the active compound combinations or compositions according to the invention are applied to seeds, plants or plant parts, fruits or the soil in which the plants grow.

The fact that the active ingredient has good plant tolerance at the concentrations required for controlling plant diseases makes it possible to treat the aerial parts of plants, the propagating rhizomes and seeds and the soil.

All plants and plant parts can be treated according to the invention. By plants is meant all plants and plant populations, such as desired and undesired wild plants, cultivars and plant varieties (whether protected by plant varieties or plant breeders' rights). Cultivars and plant varieties may be plants obtained by conventional propagation and breeding methods, which may be assisted or supplemented by one or more biotechnological methods, for example by using doubled haploids, protoplast fusion, random and directed mutagenesis, molecular or genetic markers, or by bioengineering and genetic engineering methods. Plant parts mean all parts and organs above and below the ground of a plant, such as shoots, leaves, flowers and roots, for example leaves, needles, stems, branches, flowers, fruit bodies, fruits and seeds and roots, bulbs and rhizomes, to name a few. Crops and vegetative and generative propagation material, for example cuttings, bulbs, rhizomes, stolons and seeds, also belong to the plant parts.

The active compound combinations or compositions according to the invention have advantageous warm blooded animal toxicity and are fully tolerated by the environment and are suitable for protecting plants and plant organs, for increasing the harvest yield and for improving the quality of the harvested material. They are preferably used as crop protection compositions. They are active against generally sensitive and resistant species and against all or some developmental stages.

The active compound combinations according to the invention are also suitable for the protection of seeds of any plant species used in agriculture, in greenhouses, in forests or in horticulture and in viticulture.

Plants which can be treated according to the invention include the following major crop plants: corn, soybean, alfalfa, cotton, sunflower, Brassica oilseed (Brassica), such as Brassica napus (Brassica napus), such as Brassica rapa, Brassica juncea (Brassica rapa), Brassica juncea (b.juncea), such as Brassica juncea (Brassica carinata), arecanaceae (arecae sp), such as oil palm, coconut, rice, wheat, sugar beet, sugar cane, oat, rye, barley, millet and sorghum, triticale, flax, nuts, grapes and vines, and various fruits and vegetables from various plant taxonomic units, such as Rosaceae (Rosaceae sp), such as pome fruits (such as apples and pears), and stone fruits (such as apricots, cherries, almonds, plums and peaches), and berry fruits (such as strawberries, raspberries, blackcurrants and blackcurrants), and riceparatus (ridae), ricambar seeds (ricambar seeds, ricius seeds, currants, and blackcurrants), etc.) Juglandaceae species (juglaceae sp.), betulinaceae species (Betulaceae sp.), Anacardiaceae species (Anacardiaceae sp.), Fagaceae species (Fagaceae sp.), Moraceae species (Moraceae sp.), meliaceae species (Oleaceae sp.), melittiaceae species (Oleaceae sp.), such as olive), actinidiaceae species (actinodaceae sp.), Lauraceae species (Lauraceae sp.), such as avocado, cinnamon, camphor, Musaceae species (Musaceae sp.), such as banana trees and banana plantain, Rubiaceae species (Rubiaceae sp.), such as coffee, Theaceae species (Theaceae sp.), such as tea, firmianaceae species (sterculaceae sp.), Rutaceae species (Rutaceae sp.), citrus (citrus sp.), citrus peel); solanaceae (Solanaceae sp.) (e.g., tomato, potato, pepper, eggplant, tobacco), Liliaceae (Liliaceae sp.), Compositae (Compositae sp.) (e.g., lettuce, artichoke and chicory-including root chicory, chicory or common chicory), Umbelliferae (Umbelliferae sp.) (e.g., carrot, parsley, celery and root celery), Cucurbitaceae (currbitaceae sp.) (e.g., cucumber-including pickled gherkin, zucchini, watermelon, cucurbita and papaya), Alliaceae (Alliaceae sp.) (e.g., leek, onion), Cruciferae (Cruciferae sp.) (e.g., white cabbage, red cabbage, green cauliflower, brussel sprouts, cabbage, corm sprouts, radish, wasabi, cress and carob), leguminous (leguminous sp.) (e.g., lentil., pea), and bean-including lentil, pea, bean, and bean Chenopodiaceae (Chenopodiaceae sp.) (e.g., swiss chard, fodder beet, spinach, beetroot), Linaceae (Linaceae sp.) (e.g., hemp), cannabinaceae (canabeaceae sp.) (e.g., indian hemp), Malvaceae (Malvaceae sp.) (e.g., okra, cacao), Papaveraceae (Papaveraceae) (e.g., poppy), liliaceae (Asparaceae) (e.g., asparagus); useful plants and ornamentals in horticulture and forests, including grasslands, lawns, pastures, and Stevia (Stevia rebaudiana); and the respective genetically modified forms of these plants.

The active compound combinations according to the invention also exhibit an effective strengthening effect in plants. Thus, they can be used to mobilize the defense system of plants against attack from undesirable microorganisms.

Plant-strengthening (resistance-inducing) substances are in this context understood to mean those substances which are capable of activating the plant defense system in such a way: when subsequently inoculated with undesirable microorganisms, the treated plants show a high resistance to these microorganisms.

The active compound combinations according to the invention are suitable for increasing the yield of crops.

Furthermore, in the context of the present invention, plant physiological effects include the following:

tolerance to abiotic stress, including temperature tolerance, drought tolerance and recovery after drought stress, water use efficiency (corresponding to reduced water consumption), flood tolerance, ozone stress and ultraviolet light tolerance, tolerance to chemicals like heavy metals, salts, pesticides (safeners), etc.

Tolerance to biotic stress, including increased fungal resistance and increased resistance against nematodes, viruses and bacteria. In the context of the present invention, biotic stress tolerance preferably comprises increased fungal resistance as well as increased resistance against nematodes.

Increased plant vigor (including plant health/plant quality and seed vigor), reduced stand failure, improved appearance, enhanced recovery, improved greening effect and increased photosynthetic efficiency.

Effects on plant hormones and/or functional enzymes.

Effects on growth regulators (promoters) including earlier germination, better emergence, more developed root system and/or improved root system growth, enhanced tillering capacity, more efficient tillering, earlier flowering, increased plant height and/or biomass, shortened stem, improvements in shoot growth, number of nuclei/ears, number of ears per square meter, number of stolons and/or number of flowers, increased harvest index, larger leaves, fewer dead basal leaves, improved phyllotaxy, earlier ripening/earlier fruit bearing, uniform ripening, increased duration of filling, better fruit finish, larger fruit/vegetable size, germination resistance and reduced lodging.

Increased yield, referring to total biomass per hectare, yield per hectare, kernel/fruit weight, seed size and/or hectoliter weight and improved product quality, including:

improved processability, relating to size distribution (kernel, fruit, etc.), uniform ripening, grain moisture, better milling, better brewing, increased juice yield, harvestability, digestibility, sedimentation value, drop value, pod stability, storage stability, improved fibre length/strength/uniformity, increased quality of milk and/or meat of silage-fed animals, suitability for cooking and frying;

also included are improved marketability, relating to improved fruit/grain quality, size distribution (kernels, fruits, etc.), increased shelf life/longevity, firmness/softness, taste (aroma, texture, etc.), grade (size, shape, berry number, etc.), berry/fruit number per cluster, crispness, freshness, coverage with wax, frequency of physiological conditions, color, etc.;

also included are increased desirable ingredients such as protein content, fatty acids, oil content, oil quality, amino acid composition, sugar content, acid content (pH), sugar/acid ratio (brix), polyphenols, starch content, nutrient status, gluten content/indicator, energy content, taste, etc.;

and also includes reduced undesirable components such as less mycotoxins, less aflatoxins, skatole levels, phenol aromas, laccases, polyphenol oxidases and peroxidases, nitrate content, and the like.

Sustainable agriculture, including nutrient utilization efficiency, especially nitrogen (N) -utilization efficiency, phosphorus (P) -utilization efficiency, water utilization efficiency, transpiration, respiration and/or CO increase₂Assimilation rate, better nodulation, improved calcium metabolism, etc.

Delayed senescence, including the improvement in plant physiology that appears, for example, in the longer kernel filling stage, results in higher yields, longer duration of green leaf coloring of the plant, and thus also color (greening), water content, dryness, etc. Thus, in the context of the present invention, it has been found that the application of specific active compound combinations of the invention makes it possible to prolong the green leaf area duration, which delays the maturation (ageing) of the plants. The main benefit to farmers is a longer kernel filling stage, which results in higher yield. Another benefit to farmers is greater flexibility in harvest time.

Where "sedimentation value" is a measure of the quality of the protein, according to Zeleny (Zeleny value), the sedimentation value describes the extent to which the flour suspended in the lactic acid solution settles during a standard time interval. This is considered a measure of the quality of the baking. The swelling of the gluten portion of the flour in the lactic acid solution affects the settling rate of the flour suspension. Both higher gluten content and better gluten quality resulted in slower sedimentation and higher Zeleny test values. The sedimentation value of flour depends on the wheat protein composition and is mainly related to the protein content, the wheat hardness and the volume of pans and cooktops. The stronger correlation between bread volume and Zeleny sediment volume compared to SDS sediment volume is likely due to protein content affecting both volume and Zeleny value (Czech j.food sci. volume 21, phase 3: 91-96, 2000).

Furthermore, as referred to herein, a "drop value" is a measure of the baking quality of a cereal, particularly wheat. Drop number testing indicated that bud damage may have occurred. This means that the physical properties of the starch fraction of the wheat kernel have changed. Wherein the drop number instrument analyzes the viscosity by measuring the resistance of the flour and water paste to the drop plunger. The time (in seconds) at which this occurs is called the drop value. The drop number results were recorded as an index of enzyme activity in the wheat or flour samples and the results are expressed in time-seconds. High drop values (e.g., above 300 seconds) indicate minimal enzyme activity and good quality wheat or flour. Low drop values (e.g., less than 250 seconds) indicate significant enzyme activity and impaired malt wheat or flour.

The term "more developed root system"/"improved root growth" refers to longer root systems, deeper root growth, faster root growth, higher dry/fresh root weight, higher root volume, larger root surface area, larger root diameter, higher root stability, more root branching, higher number of root hairs and/or more root tips and can be measured by analyzing root architecture using suitable methods and image analysis programs (e.g., WinRhiz).

The term "crop water use efficiency" technically refers to the amount of agriculture produced per unit of water consumed, economically to the value of product produced per unit volume of water consumed, and can be measured, for example, in terms of yield per hectare, biomass of plants, thousand kernel mass, and number of ears per square meter.

The term "nitrogen utilization efficiency" technically refers to the amount of agriculture produced per unit of nitrogen consumed and economically refers to the value of product produced per unit of nitrogen consumed, reflecting absorption and utilization efficiency.

Improved color of greening and improved photosynthetic efficiency and delay in senescence can be measured using well-known techniques such as the HandyPea system (Hansatech). Fv/Fm is a parameter widely used to indicate the maximum quantum efficiency of the photosynthetic system II (PSII). This parameter is widely recognized as a selective indicator of photosynthetic performance in plants, and a maximum Fv/Fm value of about 0.85 can typically be achieved with healthy samples. Values below this will be observed if the sample has been exposed to some type of biotic or abiotic stress factor, which has reduced the photochemical quenching capacity of the energy within the PSII. Fv/Fm denotes the ratio of variable fluorescence (Fv) to the maximum fluorescence (Fm). The performance index is essentially an indicator of sample viability (see, e.g., Advanced technologies in Soil Microbiology, 2007, 11, 319; Applied Soil Microbiology, 2000, 15, 169, 182.).

Improved color and improved photosynthetic efficiency of greening and delay in senescence can also be assessed by measuring net photosynthetic rate (Pn), measuring chlorophyll content (e.g. by pigment extraction methods of Ziegler and Ehle), measuring photochemical efficiency (Fv/Fm ratio), determining shoot growth and final root and/or crown biomass, determining tiller density and root mortality.

In the context of the present invention, it is preferred to improve a plant physiological effect selected from the group consisting of: enhanced root growth/more developed root system, improved greening, improved water use efficiency (associated with reduced water consumption), improved nutrient use efficiency (including in particular improved nitrogen (N) use efficiency), delayed senescence and enhanced yield.

In enhanced yield, preferably improved sedimentation and reduction values are meant as well as improved protein and sugar content, especially for plants selected from the group consisting of cereals (preferably wheat).

Preferably, the new use of the fungicidal compositions of the present invention relates to the use of a) preventively and/or curatively controlling pathogenic fungi and/or nematodes, with or without resistance management, in combination with b) at least one of enhanced root growth, improved greening, improved water use efficiency, delayed senescence and enhanced yield. From group b), enhanced root system, water use efficiency and nitrogen use efficiency are particularly preferred.

The active compound combinations or compositions according to the invention are also suitable for treating seeds. Most of the damage to crop plants caused by pests is caused by infection of the seeds during storage or after sowing and during and after germination of the plants. This stage is particularly critical since the roots and shoots of growing plants are particularly sensitive, and even minor damage can lead to plant death. Therefore, the protection of seeds and germinating plants by using suitable compositions has attracted considerable attention.

The control of phytopathogenic fungi by treatment of plant seeds has been known for a long time and is the subject of constant improvement. However, seed treatment entails a series of problems which are often not solved in a satisfactory manner. It is therefore desirable to develop methods for protecting seeds and germinating plants which omit or at least significantly reduce the additional application of crop protection compositions after sowing or after germination of the plants. It is also desirable to optimize the amount of active ingredient used to provide optimum protection of the seeds and germinating plants from attack by phytopathogenic fungi, without the active ingredient used causing damage to the plants themselves. In particular, the method of treating the seed should also take into account the inherent fungicidal properties of the transgenic plant in order to achieve optimum protection of the seed and of the germinating plant with a minimum amount of crop protection composition.

The present invention therefore also relates to a method for protecting seeds and germinating plants from attack by phytopathogenic fungi by treating the seeds with an active compound combination or composition according to the invention. The invention also relates to the use of the active compound combinations or compositions according to the invention for treating seeds in order to protect the seeds and germinating plants from attack by phytopathogenic fungi. The invention also relates to seeds treated with the active compound combinations or compositions according to the invention for protecting them from attack by phytopathogenic fungi.

The control of phytopathogenic fungi which damage the plants after emergence is effected primarily by treating the soil and the above-ground parts of the plants with crop protection compositions. In view of the concerns that crop protection compositions may have on the environment and on the human and animal health, efforts are made to reduce the amount of active ingredient used.

One of the advantages of the present invention is that the particular systemic properties of the active compound combinations or compositions according to the invention mean that the treatment of the seeds with the active ingredients and compositions described protects not only the seeds themselves, but also the plants obtained after germination from attack by phytopathogenic fungi. Thus, direct treatment of the crop at or shortly after sowing can be omitted.

It is likewise considered advantageous that the active compound combinations or compositions according to the invention can also be used in particular in transgenic plants and/or seeds, where the plants or the plants grown from the seeds are capable of expressing proteins which are resistant to pests. Certain pests can be controlled by treating the seed (expressing only a protein, for example a pesticidal protein) with the active compound combinations or compositions of the invention. Surprisingly, in this case a synergistic effect can also be observed which further increases the effectiveness of the protective action against pest attack.

As will also be described below, the treatment of transgenic plants or seeds with the active compound combinations or compositions according to the invention is of particular importance. This relates to seeds of plants comprising at least one heterologous gene. Definitions and examples of suitable heterologous genes are given below.

In the context of the present invention, the active compound combinations or compositions according to the invention are applied to the seed, either alone or in suitable formulations. Preferably, the seed is treated in a state where the seed is sufficiently stable to avoid damage during the treatment. In general, the treatment of the seeds may be performed at any time between harvest and sowing. Often, seeds are used that have been isolated from the plant and have had the cob, husk, stalk, cuticle, hair or pulp removed. For example, seeds that have been harvested, cleaned and dried to a moisture content of less than 15% by weight may be used. Alternatively, seeds which have been dried, for example, treated with water and then dried again may also be used.

When treating seeds, care must generally be taken that the amount of the active compound combination or composition according to the invention and/or the amount of the further additives applied to the seeds is chosen such that the germination of the seeds is not impaired, or such that no damage is caused to the resulting plants. In particular, attention must be paid to active ingredients which may have phytotoxic effects at certain application rates.

The active compound combinations according to the invention can be applied directly, i.e. without any further components being included and without dilution. It is generally preferred that the composition be applied to the seed in a suitable formulation. Suitable formulations and methods for seed treatment are known to the person skilled in the art and are described, for example, in the following documents: US 4,272,417, US 4,245,432, US 4,808,430, US 5,876,739, US 2003/0176428 a1, WO 2002/080675, WO 2002/028186.

The active ingredients which can be used according to the invention can be converted into customary seed dressing formulations, such as solutions, emulsions, suspensions, powders, foams, slurries or other seed coating compositions, and also ULV formulations.

These formulations are prepared in a known manner by mixing the active ingredients with the conventional additives, for example conventional fillers and also solvents or diluents, colorants, wetting agents, dispersants, emulsifiers, antifoams, preservatives, secondary thickeners, binders, gibberellins and water.

Useful colorants which may be present in the seed dressing formulations which can be used according to the invention are all colorants customary for this purpose. Pigments which are slightly soluble in water may be used, as may dyes which are soluble in water. Examples include known colorants named rhodamine b (rhodamine b), c.i. pigment Red 12(c.i. pigment Red 112), and c.i. solvent Red 1(c.i. solvent Red 1).

Useful wetting agents which may be present in the seed dressing formulations which can be used according to the invention are all substances which promote wetting and are customarily used in agrochemical active ingredient formulations. Preferably, alkyl naphthalene sulfonates such as diisopropyl naphthalene sulfonate or diisobutyl naphthalene sulfonate are used.

Useful dispersants and/or emulsifiers which may be present in the seed dressing formulations which can be used according to the invention are all nonionic, anionic or cationic dispersants conventionally used in agrochemical active ingredient formulations. Preferably, a nonionic or anionic dispersant, or a mixture of nonionic or anionic dispersants is used. Suitable nonionic dispersants include, in particular, ethylene oxide/propylene oxide block polymers, alkylphenol polyglycol ethers and tristyrylphenol polyglycol ethers, as well as the phosphorylated or sulfated derivatives thereof. Suitable anionic dispersants are in particular lignosulfonates, polyacrylates and aryl sulphonate/formaldehyde condensates.

The antifoams which may be present in the seed dressing formulations which can be used according to the invention are all foam-inhibiting substances which are customarily used in agrochemical active ingredient formulations. Preferably, silicone antifoam and magnesium stearate are used.

Preservatives which may be present in the seed dressing formulations which can be used according to the invention are all substances which are used for this purpose in agrochemical compositions. Examples include dichlorophen and benzyl alcohol hemiformal.

The secondary thickeners which may be present in the seed dressing formulations which can be used according to the invention are all substances which are used for this purpose in agrochemical compositions. Preferred examples include cellulose derivatives, acrylic acid derivatives, xanthan gum, modified clays, and finely divided silica.

The binders which may be present in the seed dressing formulations which can be used according to the invention are all conventional binders which can be used in seed dressing products. Preferred examples include polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyvinyl acetate, polyvinyl alcohol and methyl cellulose.

Gibberellins which may be present in the seed dressing formulations which can be used according to the present invention are preferably gibberellins a1, A3(═ gibberellic acid), a4 and a 7; gibberellic acids are particularly preferably used.

The seed dressing formulations which can be used according to the invention can be used directly or after prior dilution with water for the treatment of a wide variety of different seeds, including seeds of transgenic plants. In this case, an additional synergistic effect can also occur in interaction with the substances formed by expression.

For the treatment of seeds with the seed dressing formulations which can be used according to the invention or with formulations prepared from the seed dressing formulations by addition of water, all mixing units which can be conventionally used for seed dressing are available. Specifically, the following procedure was carried out in the seed dressing operation: the seeds are placed in a mixer, the specified desired amount of the seed dressing formulation (in its own form or pre-diluted with water) is added, and the whole is mixed until the formulation is evenly distributed on the seeds. If appropriate, a drying step follows.

The active compound combinations or compositions according to the invention can be used in material protection for protecting industrial materials against attack and destruction by unwanted microorganisms, such as fungi and insects.

Furthermore, the active compound combinations according to the invention can be used as antifouling compositions, alone or in combination with other active ingredients.

In the context of the present invention, industrial material is understood to mean non-living material which has been prepared for use in industry. For example, industrial materials intended to be protected against microbial change or damage by the active compound combinations or compositions according to the invention can be adhesives, sizes, paper, wallpaper and board/cardboard, textiles, carpets, leather, wood, fibers and tissue, coatings and plastics, cooling lubricants, and other materials which can be attacked or damaged by microorganisms. Parts of production plants and buildings which can be damaged by the propagation of microorganisms, such as cooling water circuits, cooling and heating systems and ventilation and air conditioning units, can also be mentioned within the scope of the materials to be protected. Industrial materials within the scope of the present invention preferably include adhesives, sizes, paper and board, leather, wood, coatings, cooling lubricants and heat transfer liquids, more preferably wood.

The active compound combinations or compositions according to the invention can be protected against adverse effects, such as decay, discoloration or mold formation.

In the case of wood treatment, the active compound combinations according to the invention can also be used to combat fungal diseases which tend to grow on or in wood. The term "wood (timber)" means all types of wood species, and all types of wood processed for construction, such as solid wood, high density wood, laminated wood, and plywood. The method of the invention for treating wood consists essentially in contacting with one or more compounds of the invention or the composition of the invention; this includes, for example, direct application, spraying, dipping, injection, or any other suitable method.

Furthermore, the active compound combinations according to the invention can be used for protecting objects which come into contact with salt water or brackish water, in particular ship hulls, screens, nets, buildings, moorings and signalling systems, against fouling.

The method of the invention for controlling unwanted fungi can also be used for protecting stored goods. Storage articles are understood to mean natural substances of plant or animal origin or processed products of natural origin thereof, which require long-term protection. Storage goods of plant origin, for example plants or plant parts, such as stems, leaves, tubers, seeds, fruits, grains, can be protected immediately after harvesting or after processing, the processing being (pre) drying, moistening, crushing, grinding, pressing or baking. Storage articles also include wood, including raw, such as construction lumber, utility poles, and fences, or in the form of fabricated products, such as furniture. Storage articles of animal origin are, for example, skins, leathers, furs and hair. The active compound combinations or compositions according to the invention can prevent adverse effects such as decay, discoloration or mold formation.

Microorganisms capable of degrading or altering industrial materials include, for example, bacteria, fungi, yeasts, algae, and slime organisms (slime organisms). The active compound combinations or compositions according to the invention are preferably used against fungi, in particular moulds, wood-discoloring and wood-destroying fungi (Ascomycetes, Basidiomycetes, Deuteromycetes and Zygomycetes), and against slime organisms and algae. Examples include microorganisms of the following genera: alternaria (Alternaria), such as Alternaria tenuis (Alternaria tenuis); aspergillus (Aspergillus), such as Aspergillus niger (Aspergillus niger); chaetomium, such as Chaetomium globosum (Chaetomium globosum); phanerochaete (Coniophora), such as Phanerochaete simplex (Coniophora puetana); lentinus (Lentinus), such as Lentinus tigrinus (Lentinus tigrinus); penicillium (Penicillium), such as Penicillium glaucum; polyporus (Polyporus), such as Polyporus versicolor; aureobasidium (Aureobasidium), for example Aureobasidium pullulans (Aureobasidium pullulans); the genus Sclerophoma (Sclerophoma), such as Sclerophoma pitypophila; trichoderma (Trichoderma), such as Trichoderma viride (Trichoderma viride); the species Pectinophora pecorula (Ophiotoma spp.), the species Pectinophora pecorula (Ceratocystis spp.), the species Humicola spp (Humicola spp.), the species Pectinophora petaloides (Petrellum spp.), the species Phyllospora chaetosa (Trichoderma spp.), the species Coriolus (Coriolus spp.), the species Pleurotus spp (Gloeophyllum spp.), the species Pleurotus spp (Pleurotus spp.), the species Poria (Poria spp.), the species Dinophora spp (Serpulula spp.), and the species Tyromyces spp (Tyromyces spp.), the species Mycobacterium spp (Cladosporium spp.), the species Paecilomyces spp.); escherichia (Escherichia), such as Escherichia coli (Escherichia coli); pseudomonads (Pseudomonas), such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Pseudomonas aeruginosa); staphylococci (Staphylococcus), such as Staphylococcus aureus (Staphylococcus aureus); candida spp and Saccharomyces spp, such as Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Furthermore, the active compound combinations or compositions according to the invention have very good antimycotic activity. They have a very broad spectrum of antimycotic activity, in particular against dermatophytes and yeasts, molds and bipolar fungi (for example against Candida species, such as Candida albicans, Candida glabrata and Epidermophyton floccosum, Aspergillus species (e.g. Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus fumigatus), Trichophyton species (e.g. trichophytons mentagrophytes), microsporum species (e.g. Microsporon canis (m.is) and microsporum ozoloides (m.audouini)). The enumeration of these fungi does not limit the spectrum of mold that can be covered, but is for illustration only.

Thus, the active compound combinations or compositions of the present invention may be used in both medical and non-medical applications.

As already mentioned above, all plants and plant parts can be treated according to the invention. In a preferred embodiment, wild plant varieties and plant cultivars, or those plants and parts thereof obtained by conventional biological breeding methods (e.g.cross-breeding or protoplast fusion) are treated. In a further preferred embodiment, transgenic plants and plant cultivars (genetically modified organisms) and plant parts thereof which have been obtained by genetic engineering methods, if appropriate in combination with conventional methods, are treated. The term "part" or "part of a plant" or "plant part" has been explained above. More preferably, plants of commercially available or in-use plant cultivars are treated according to the invention. Plant cultivars are to be understood as meaning plants having novel properties ("traits"), which can be obtained by conventional breeding, mutagenesis or recombinant DNA techniques. They may be cultivars, varieties, biotypes or genotypes.

The treatment method of the invention may be used to treat Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs), such as plants or seeds. Genetically modified plants (or transgenic plants) are plants in which a heterologous gene is stably integrated into the genome. The expression "heterologous gene" mainly refers to genes that are provided or assembled in vitro in plants and, when they are introduced into the nuclear, chloroplast or mitochondrial genome, confer new or improved agronomic or other characteristics to these transgenic plants by expressing a protein or polypeptide of interest, or by down-regulating or silencing other genes present in the plant body (using, for example, antisense, co-suppression, RNA interference-RNAi or microrna-miRNA techniques). Heterologous genes located in the genome are also referred to as transgenes. A transgene defined by its specific location in the plant genome is referred to as a transformation or transgenic line (event).

Depending on the plant species or plant cultivars, their location and growth conditions (soil, climate, growth period, nutrition), the treatment according to the invention can also lead to superadditive ("synergistic") effects. For example, effects exceeding the actually expected effects can be obtained: reducing the application rate and/or widening the activity spectrum and/or increasing the activity of the active compounds and compositions which can be used according to the invention, improving the plant growth, increasing the tolerance to high or low temperatures, increasing the tolerance to drought or to water or soil salt content, increasing the flowering performance, making harvesting easier, accelerating maturation, higher harvest yields, larger fruits, higher plants, greener leaf color, earlier flowering, higher quality and/or the nutritional value of the harvested products, higher sugar concentration in the fruits, better storage stability and/or processability of the harvested products.

The active compound combinations according to the invention also have a potentiating effect in plants. They are therefore also suitable for mobilizing the defence system of plants against unwanted microorganisms. This may, if appropriate, be one of the reasons why the active compound combinations according to the invention have an enhanced activity. In this context, plant-strengthening (resistance-inducing) substances are understood as meaning substances or combinations of substances which are capable of stimulating the defence system of plants in such a way that, when subsequently inoculated with unwanted microorganisms, the treated plants exhibit a large degree of resistance to these microorganisms. In this case, unwanted microorganisms are understood to mean phytopathogenic fungi, bacteria and viruses. The substances according to the invention can therefore be used to protect plants from the abovementioned pathogens for a certain period of time after the treatment. The period of time for which protection is achieved after treatment of the plants with the active compounds generally lasts from 1 to 10 days, preferably from 1 to 7 days.

Plants and plant cultivars which are preferably treated according to the invention include all plants which have genetic material which imparts particularly advantageous, useful properties to these plants (whether obtained by breeding and/or by biotechnological methods).

It is also preferred that the plants and plant cultivars treated according to the invention are resistant to one or more biotic stress factors, i.e.that the plants are more resistant to animal and microbial pests (e.g.against nematodes, insects, mites, phytopathogenic fungi, bacteria, viruses and/or viroids).

Examples of nematode or insect resistant plants are, for example, those mentioned in WO 2012/045798 a1 and WO 2012/089757 a 1.

Plants and plant cultivars that may also be treated according to the invention are plants that are resistant to one or more abiotic stress factors. Abiotic stress conditions can include, for example, drought, low temperature exposure, heat exposure, osmotic stress, water logging, increased soil salinity, enhanced mineral exposure, ozone exposure, intense light exposure, limited nitrogen nutrient availability, limited phosphorus nutrient availability, shade avoidance.

Plants and plant cultivars that may also be treated according to the invention are those plants characterized by enhanced yield properties. The increased yield of the plant may be caused by: for example, improved plant physiology, growth and development, such as water use efficiency, water retention efficiency, improved nitrogen utilization, enhanced carbon assimilation, improved photosynthesis, increased germination rate and accelerated maturation. Yield can also be influenced by improved plant architecture (under stress and non-stress conditions), including but not limited to: early flowering, flowering control for hybrid seed production, seedling vigor, plant size, internode number and internode spacing, root growth, seed size, fruit size, pod number or ear number, seed number per pod or ear, seed quality, increased seed plumpness, reduced seed spread, reduced pod dehiscence, and lodging resistance. Other yield characteristics include seed composition, such as carbohydrate content, protein content, oil content and composition, nutritional value, reduction in anti-nutritional compounds, improved processability and better storage stability.

Plants which can be treated according to the invention are hybrid plants which already express heterosis or hybrid vigor characteristics which generally lead to higher yields, higher vigour, healthier plants and better resistance to biotic and abiotic stress. Such plants are typically made by crossing one selfing male sterile parent line (female parent) with another selfing male fertile parent line (male parent). Hybrid seed is typically harvested from male sterile plants and sold to growers. Male sterile plants can sometimes (e.g. in maize) be produced by detasseling (i.e. mechanically removing the male reproductive organs or male flowers), but more commonly male sterility is caused by genetic determinants in the plant genome. In such cases, it is often useful to ensure complete restoration of male fertility in the hybrid plant, particularly when the seed is the desired product to be harvested from the hybrid plant. This can be done by ensuring that the male parent has a suitable fertility restorer gene which is capable of restoring male fertility to a hybrid plant containing the genetic determinant responsible for male sterility. Genetic determinants responsible for male sterility may be located in the cytoplasm. Examples of Cytoplasmic Male Sterility (CMS) are described, for example, in Brassica (Brassica) species (WO 92/05251, WO 95/09910, WO 98/27806, WO 2005/002324, WO 2006/021972 and US 6,229,072). However, genetic determinants responsible for male sterility may also be located in the nuclear genome. Male sterile plants can also be obtained by plant biotechnology methods such as genetic engineering. A particularly useful method for obtaining male sterile plants is described in WO 89/10396, in which, for example, ribonucleases such as barnase are selectively expressed in tapetum cells in the stamen. Subsequently, fertility can be restored by expressing a ribonuclease inhibitor such as a barnase inhibitor in tapetum cells (e.g., WO 91/02069).

The plants or plant cultivars (obtained by plant biotechnology methods such as genetic engineering) which can be treated according to the invention are herbicide-tolerant plants, i.e. plants which are tolerant to one or more given herbicides. These plants can be obtained by genetic transformation or by selecting plants containing mutations conferring tolerance to said herbicides.

Herbicide resistant plants are, for example, glyphosate (glyphosate) tolerant plants, i.e. plants which are tolerant to the herbicide glyphosate or salts thereof. Plants can be made glyphosate tolerant by different methods, such as those mentioned in WO 2012/045798 a1 and WO 2012/089757 a 1.

Other plants which are resistant to herbicides such as bialaphos, phosphinothricin or glufosinate (glufosinate) are, for example, plants which are tolerant to herbicides which inhibit glutamine synthetase. These plants can be obtained by the methods mentioned in WO 2012/045798A 1 and WO 2012/089757A 1.

Other herbicide tolerant plants are also plants which are tolerant to herbicides which inhibit hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase (HPPD). HPPD is an enzyme that catalyzes the reaction of p-Hydroxyphenylpyruvate (HPP) to homogentisate. Plants resistant to HPPD inhibitors may be obtained by transformation with a gene encoding a naturally occurring HPPD-resistant enzyme or with a gene encoding a mutated or chimeric HPPD enzyme, as mentioned for example in WO 2012/045798 a1 and WO 2012/089757 a 1.

Other herbicide tolerant plants are plants tolerant to acetolactate synthase (ALS) inhibitors. Known ALS inhibitors include, for example, sulfonylurea, imidazolinone, triazolopyrimidine, pyrimidinyloxy (thio) benzoate, and/or sulfonylaminocarbonyltriazolinone herbicides. It is known that different mutations in the ALS enzyme (also known as acetohydroxyacid synthase, AHAS) confer tolerance to different herbicides and groups of herbicides (see the corresponding references mentioned in WO 2012/045798 a1 and WO 2012/089757 a 1).

Plants or plant cultivars (obtained by plant biotechnology methods such as genetic engineering) which may also be treated according to the invention are transgenic plants which are resistant to insects, i.e. plants which are resistant to attack by certain target insects. Such plants may be obtained by genetic transformation or by selection of plants containing mutations conferring resistance to said insects.

"insect-resistant transgenic plants" as used herein relates in particular to the insect-resistant transgenic plants mentioned in WO 2012/045798A 1 and WO 2012/089757A 1.

Plants or plant cultivars (obtained by plant biotechnology methods such as genetic engineering) which may also be treated according to the invention are tolerant to abiotic stress. Such plants may be obtained by genetic transformation or by selecting plants containing mutations conferring said stress resistance. Particularly useful stress tolerant plants are those mentioned in WO 2012/045798 a1 and WO 2012/089757 a 1.

Plants or plant cultivars (obtained by plant biotechnology methods such as genetic engineering) which may also be treated according to the invention, for example transgenic plants such as those mentioned in WO 2012/045798 a1 and WO 2012/089757 a1, show a change in the quantity, quality and/or storage stability of the harvested product and/or a change in the specific compositional characteristics of the harvested product.

Plants or plant cultivars (obtained by plant biotechnology methods such as genetic engineering) which may also be treated according to the invention are plants with altered oil distribution characteristics, for example oilseed rape and related brassica plants. Such plants may be obtained by genetic transformation or by selection of plants containing mutations conferring said altered oil distribution properties, including those oilseed rape plants mentioned in WO 2012/045798 a1 and WO 2012/089757 a 1.

Particularly useful transgenic plants that can be treated according to the invention are plants containing a transformation line or a combination of transformation lines that are the subject of an application in the United states to the animal and plant health inspection Agency (APHIS) of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) as being in an unregulated state, whether the application has been approved or is still pending.

Particularly useful transgenic plants which can be treated according to the invention are plants which contain the transformation line or a combination of transformation lines, such as those mentioned in WO 2012/045798A 1 and WO 2012/089757A 1.

In a preferred embodiment, the invention relates to a method for achieving one, several or all of the following effects:

controlling phytopathogenic fungi in or on plants,

control of phytopathogenic fungi in crop protection,

increasing the vigor of the plant and/or improving the development of the plant (in particular improving the growth of the plant, preferably increasing the growth rate of the plant),

increasing the pigment content and/or enhancing the photosynthetic activity (preferably increasing the chlorophyll content, preferably resulting in greener leaves ("greening") and/or larger leaves (especially larger leaves)),

increasing biomass, e.g. higher Fresh Weight (FW) and/or Dry Weight (DW), preferably increasing plant weight (especially higher fruit weight (per fruit) or higher grain weight (per grain) and/or higher total fruit or higher total grain yield) and/or increasing plant height,

-increasing the nutrient content, in particular increasing the micronutrient content, in particular increasing the macronutrient content (especially N, P and/or K row brightness), increasing the protein content (especially increasing the water-soluble protein), increasing the vitamin content (especially vitamin A, B)₁、B₂C and/or E) and/or increasing the amount of essential amino acids,

said method is characterized in that the active compound combinations or compositions according to the invention are applied to the seed, the plant part (preferably the fruit and/or the foliage), or the soil in which the plant is growing or in which the plant is desired to grow.

In the context of the present invention, in particular, the effects observed are observed in the foliar treatment of plants or parts thereof with active compound combinations according to the invention (as defined above, preferably as defined in one of the preferred embodiments) or compositions according to the invention (as defined above, preferably as defined in one of the preferred embodiments).

When using the active compound combinations or compositions according to the invention, the application rates can be varied within a relatively wide range depending on the type of application.

In a preferred method of the invention, the active compound combinations according to the invention or the compositions according to the invention are applied to the seed or the foliage, wherein in this application the amount of active compound combinations on the foliage is in the range from 400 to 3000g/ha (preferably from 500 to 2500g/ha, more preferably from 600 to 2000g/ha, and even more preferably from 700 to 1700g/ha), and in the treatment of the seed is in the range from 2 to 200g per 100kg of seed, preferably from 5 to 150g per 100kg of seed, more preferably from 10 to 100g per 100kg of seed.

The active compound combinations according to the invention or the compositions according to the invention can be used to protect plants from attack by the pathogens mentioned for a period of time after the treatment. The period of time for providing protection after treatment of the plants with the active ingredient generally extends for 1 to 28 days, preferably 1 to 14 days, more preferably 1 to 10 days, most preferably 1 to 7 days; or up to 200 days after seed treatment.

The plants listed can be treated according to the invention particularly advantageously with the active compound combinations according to the invention or the compositions according to the invention. The active compound combinations according to the invention have an activity which exceeds the simple addition of the activities of the individual components. The improved activity of the active compound combinations according to the invention is apparent from the following examples.

A synergistic effect exists when the activity of the active compound combination exceeds the sum of the activities of the active compounds when administered alone.

The expected activity for a given combination of two active compounds can be calculated as follows (cf. Colby, s.r., "marketing Synergistic and antibacterial Responses of biological compositions", wells 1967,15,20-22):

if it is not

X is the efficacy of active compound A when applied at an application rate of m ppm (or g/ha),

y is the efficacy of active compound B when applied at an application rate of n ppm (or g/ha),

e is the efficacy of the active compounds A and B when applied at application rates of m and n ppm (or g/ha), respectively,

then

The degree of efficacy is expressed in%. 0% means efficacy equivalent to the control group.

If the observed activity exceeds the calculated value, the activity of the binding is superadditive, i.e. there is a synergistic effect. In this case, the actually observed efficacy must be greater than the expected efficacy (E) calculated from the above formula.

In a further aspect, the present invention relates to the use of an active compound combination according to the invention or a composition according to the invention for:

controlling phytopathogenic fungi in or on plants,

control of phytopathogenic fungi in crop protection,

increasing the vigor of the plant and/or improving the development of the plant (in particular improving the growth of the plant, preferably increasing the growth rate of the plant),

increasing the pigment content and/or enhancing the photosynthetic activity (preferably increasing the chlorophyll content, preferably resulting in greener leaves ("greening") and/or larger leaves (especially larger leaves)),

increasing biomass, e.g. higher Fresh Weight (FW) and/or Dry Weight (DW), preferably increasing plant weight (especially higher fruit weight (per fruit) or higher grain weight (per grain) and/or higher total fruit or higher total grain yield) and/or increasing plant height,

increasing the nutrient content, especially increasing the micronutrient content, especially increasing the macronutrientsIncreased vitamin content (especially N, P and/or K content), increased protein content (especially increased water-soluble protein content), increased vitamin content (especially vitamin A, B)₁、B₂C and/or E) and/or increasing the amount of essential amino acids.

In another aspect, the invention relates to the use of propineb to increase or improve the uptake in or by plants of micronutrients (preferably one, two, three or more micronutrients selected from the group consisting of Mn, B, Zn, Cu, Fe, Mo, Se, Al, Co and Ni) and/or macronutrients (preferably one, two or all macronutrients selected from the group consisting of N, P and K).

In a further aspect, the present invention relates to the use of the active compound combinations according to the invention or the compositions according to the invention for the foliar treatment of plants or parts thereof, wherein the plants can be transgenic plants.

In a further aspect, the invention relates to the use of the active compound combinations according to the invention or the compositions according to the invention for the treatment of seed, seed of transgenic plants and transgenic plants.

In a further aspect, the present invention relates to seeds treated with an active compound combination according to the invention or a composition according to the invention.

In another aspect, the invention relates to a kit comprising:

(A) the production process of the propineb comprises the steps of propineb,

and component (B) comprising

(B1) One or more salts containing boron (B), and

(B2) one or more salts containing manganese (Mn),

optionally also instructions for applying ingredients (a) and (B) in a certain way to obtain an active compound combination of the invention or a composition of the invention.

Example (b):

the effect of propineb binding to Mn and B on growth characteristics was evaluated, and physiological changes were evaluated. In addition, the nutritional-physiological changes resulting from the treatments were evaluated as well as the impact on disease prevention, yield and crop product quality.

In the following experiments propineb was used in the form of a wettable powder containing propineb in a content of 70% by weight, called Antrocol 70 WP. Antrocol 70WP is commercially available from Bayer crop science.

The experiments were carried out in the field of Tamil Nadu, area goldberg, india.

Crop: tomato

Area of the sample area: 50m²

Repeating: 3

Spacing: 45 x 30cm

And (3) treatment: 8 groups of

The number of sprays: spraying for 2 times: 35DAP (days after planting) and 45DAP

The details of the treatment are as follows:

the following treatments were used in the experiments:

t1: control group

T2：Antracol 70WP(1250g/ha)

T3: manganese (0.2%)

T4: antrocol 70WP (1250g/ha) + manganese (0.2%)

T5: boron (0.2%)

T6: antrocol 70WP (1250g/ha) + boron (0.2%)

T7: manganese (0.2%) + boron (0.2%)

T8: antrocol 70WP (1250g/ha) + manganese (0.2%) + boron (0.2%)

Spraying onto leaf surface with high quality water (pH: 7.3)

On day 20 after the second spray, morphological observations were made in terms of plant height, root length, leaf number and leaf area and the chlorophyll index of the leaves was measured using a SPAD meter. In addition, the yield and its composition were also recorded at harvest. In addition, disease scores (early and late blight of tomato) and phytonutrient status were also recorded. The results for various parameters of the different treatments are given in the tables.

The collected data were analyzed in a randomized complete block design using ANOVA package (AGRES version 7.01).

The field layout used

Line I

T3

T6

T4

T7

T2

T8

T1

T5

Line II

T6

T8

T5

T3

T1

T4

T2

T7

Line III

T7

T2

T8

T4

T5

T3

T1

T6

Table 1: initial soil parameters used in the experiment (before treatment)

Table 2: effect of propineb, manganese and boron on tomato growth

Growth parameters

With respect to growth parameters, the plant heights did not reach statistical significance (table 2). Foliar spray of Antrocol 70WP with Mn and B showed taller plants (81.20cm), followed by Antrocol 70WP + Mn (T4: 79.40cm) and Antrocol 70WP (T2: 79.00 cm). In contrast, smaller plants were observed in foliar spray with manganese alone (T3). As regards the root length, a significantly superior root length of 27.90cm was recorded in T4 subjected to the Antracol 70WP + Mn treatment, which treatment T4 is comparable to treatment T8(Antracol 70WP + Mn + B). The lowest value of 24.55cm was recorded in the control treatment without spraying.

Table 3: effect of propineb, manganese and boron on tomato leaves

Characteristics of blade

Statistical significance was achieved for all leaf characteristics (table 3). With respect to leaf number, Antrocol 70WP + Mn + B foliar spray showed a higher leaf number (36), which is significantly superior to other treatments. With respect to leaf area and Leaf Area Index (LAI), plants treated with Antrocol 70WP + Mn + B recorded 673.50cm per plant corresponding to LAI (T8:0.50)²Higher leaf area of, followed by Antrocol 70WP (624.60 cm each)²And 0.46). 530.39cm per strain were found in foliar spray treatment with boron alone (T5)²Smaller area sum LAI (0.39).

Table 4: effect of propineb, manganese and boron on tomato biochemical parameters

Biochemical parameters

With respect to biochemical parameters, statistical significance was achieved for all parameters (table 4). Significantly higher chlorophyll index values (47.7) were recorded in the treatment of Antrocol 70WP + Mn + B, followed by Antrocol 70WP + manganese (45.7), Antrocol 70WP + boron (45.6) and Antrocol 70WP (45.5). As for soluble protein, the Antrocol 70WP + Mn + B sprayed plant showed 11.3mg g^-1Higher soluble protein content, followed by Antrocol 70WP + B (10.5mg g^-1) And Antrocol 70WP + Mn (10.2mg g)^-1). For IAA oxidase activity expressed as the content of unoxidized auxin, 15.85. mu. g g was recorded for the control group^-1h^-1Higher unoxidized auxin content, which is close to T2 (15.73. mu. g g) treated with Antrocol 70WP alone^-1h^-1). Treatment with Mn showed higher IAA oxidase activity (low unoxidized auxin content), with Mn alone showing higher activity (12.32), followed by Mn + B (T7) and Antracol + Mn + B (T8).

Table 5: effect of propineb, manganese and boron on tomato plant nutrient content

With respect to the nutrient profile, statistical significance was achieved for all nutrients (table 5). With respect to nitrogen content, T8 (Antrocol 70WP + Mn + B) recorded a higher N percentage (1.55%), followed by T6 (Antrocol + B: 1.42%) and T7 (manganese + boron: 1.40%). A higher P content percentage of 0.44 was recorded in treatment T8 (Antrocol 70WP + Mn + B), next to T6 (Antrocol 70WP + B: 0.41), T6 being comparable to T7(Mn + B: 0.40). With respect to K, again higher K percentages were recorded in the treatment T8 (Antrocol 70WP + Mn + B: 1.28), followed by the treatment T4 (Antrocol 70WP + Mn: 1.18), T4 being comparable to T6 (Antrocol 70WP + B: 1.17) and T2 (Antrocol 70 WP: 1.14).

With respect to the manganese content, T8 (Antrocol 70WP + Mn + B) recorded a higher Mn percentage (0.033%), followed by T7(Mn + B: 0.028%) and T4 (Antrocol 70WP + Mn: 0.025%). With respect to the boron (B) content, T8 (Antrocol 70WP + Mn + B) records a higher B percentage, followed by T7(Mn + B: 0.044%) and T6 (Antrocol 70WP + B: 0.040%). In terms of overall performance, significantly higher N (1.55%), P (0.44%), K (1.28%), Mn (0.033%) and B (0.058%) contents were recorded in the treatment of Antracol 70WP + Mn + B. Lower N (1.20%), P (0.32%), K (0.93%), Mn (0.018%) and B (0.028%) contents were recorded in the control treatment without spraying (T1).

Table 6: propineb, manganese and boron on tomato Crop Growth Rate (CGR) (g m)^-2d^-1) Influence of (2)

Crop Growth Rate (CGR) (g m)^-2d^-1)

The crop growth rate was calculated in two stages: at 60-90 days and 90-120 days post-planting (DAP), the crop growth rate reached statistical significance at both stages of crop growth (table 6). Plants treated with foliar spray of Antrocol 70WP + Mn + B (T8) recorded 27.35 and 14.84g m during 60-90 and 90-120DAP, respectively^-2d^-1Higher growth rate. T8 with treatment Antrocol 70WP + B (T6: 26.69g m)^-2d^-1) And Antracol 70WP + manganese (T4: 26.69g m^-2d^-1) The crop growth rates during 60-90DAP were comparable. Untreated control plants are described in60-90DAP recorded 24.29g m^-2d^-1Lower growth rate.

Table 7: effect of propineb, manganese and boron on tomato yield parameters and fruit yield

Yield parameter

With respect to yield parameters, statistical significance was achieved for all yield parameters except fruit diameter (table 7). Regarding the average fruit weight, the Antrocol 70WP + Mn + B (T8) treated fruits reached a higher average weight of 27.85g, which is comparable to the treatments Antrocol 70WP + B (T6: 27.46), Antrocol 70WP + Mn (T4: 27.32) and Antrocol 70WP (T2: 27.15). However, fruit weight was increased by 6.6% (T8) relative to the non-sprayed control group (T1: 26.13 g). Regarding fruit volume, the fruit sprayed with Antrocol 70WP + Mn + B had a larger volume (28.96cc), which was increased by 8.9% relative to the control (26.59 cc). Similar trends are the case for fruit weights. Fruit diameters did not reach statistical significance. Higher fruit diameters were recorded in treatment T8 and lower fruit diameters were obtained in the control group (5.36).

With respect to fruit number, a higher number of 29 fruits per plant was recorded in the Antrocol 70WP + Mn + B treatment, which is comparable to the treatment with Antrocol 70WP + B (T6: 28). The lower fruit number was recorded in the control group without spraying (T1: 23). T8 recorded an increased fruit number of 26.1% compared to T3 and T1. Regarding fruit yield, the plots sprayed with Antrocol 70WP + Mn + B (T8) yielded a higher fruit yield of 251kg per plot, which is comparable to the fruit yield of 245kg per plot obtained with treatment T6 (Antrocol 70WP + B). The control plant not sprayed (T1) recorded a lower fruit yield (224 kg per plot). The percent yield increase was calculated and the treatments were compared. A higher percentage increase of 12.1% was recorded for Antracol 70WP + Mn + B compared to the non-sprayed control group, followed by Antracol 70WP + B (8.0) and Antracol 70WP + Mn (9.4). Comparing again the Antrocol treatment, an 8.2% increase in fruit yield was recorded for Antrocol 70WP + Mn + B compared to the non-sprayed control, followed by Antrocol 70WP + B (5.6) and Antrocol 70WP + Mn (4.3).

Table 8: effect of propineb, manganese and boron on percentage index of tomato diseases

With respect to the disease index values (table 8), a lower disease percentage index was observed in the Antrocol spray treatment with foliar spraying of Antrocol 70WP + Mn + B (T8: 13.22), Antrocol 70WP + B (T6: 15.33), Antrocol 70WP + Mn (T4: 13.42) and Antrocol 70WP (T2: 15.66). In the control field, which was not sprayed, a higher value of the disease percentage index (87.64) was observed. A higher percentage reduction of 84.92% was recorded for Antracol 70WP + Mn + B relative to the non-sprayed control group, followed by Antracol 70WP + Mn (84.69), Antracol 70WP + B (82.51) and Antracol 70WP (82.13).

Table 9: effect of propineb, manganese and boron on tomato quality parameters

Quality parameter

With respect to the quality parameters, the Total Soluble Solids (TSS) content reached statistical significance (table 9). Regarding lycopene content, 4.75mg 100g was recorded in the treatment Mn + B^-1Higher content of fruit, followed by treatment with B alone (4.68). The lowest value was recorded in the control group not sprayed (T1: 4.51). In view of the TSS values, the Antrocol 70WP + Mn + B (T8) sprayed plants recorded a higher Brix value of 4.3, which is comparable to T7 (manganese + boron: 4.2), followed by T6 (4.1). The percentage weight loss of the fruit from the first day of harvest to the fifth day of storage at room temperature after harvest was calculated.Higher percentages were recorded in the control group as well as in T4(Antracol 70WP + Mn). A lower percentage of 27.2% was recorded in treatments T5 (boron alone), T7 (manganese + boron) and T8(Antracol 70WP + Mn + B).

Conclusion

Foliar spray on tomato plants using Antrocol 70WP in combination with Mn and B performed well in terms of growth and development and a reduced incidence trend towards final fruit yield.

In tomato, foliar spray with Antrocol 70WP with Mn and B showed a 13.4% increase in root length over the control group without spray;

an increase of 23.6% of chlorophyll index (SPAD value) and an increase of soluble protein (24.2%) was observed by foliar spraying of Antracol 70WP with Mn and B;

improvement in the nutrient status of tomato plants was recorded by treatment with Antrocol 70WP with Mn and B compared to the non-sprayed control, N (1.55%), P (0.44%), K (1.28%), Mn (0.033%) and B content (0.058%);

by treatment with Antrocol with Mn and B, the crop growth rate increased by 12.6%, which resulted in a 26.1% increase in fruit number;

foliar spray of Antrocol 70WP with Mn and B recorded a 12.1% fruit yield increase compared to the non-sprayed control.

Claims (63)

1. An active compound combination comprising:

(A) the production process of the propineb comprises the steps of propineb,

and a component (B) comprising:

(B1) one or more salts containing boron (B), and

(B2) one or more salts containing manganese (Mn),

wherein the weight ratio of component (A) to the total weight of boron and manganese of component (B) is in the range of 350:1 to 100:1, each based on the total weight of the active compound combination, and

wherein the weight ratio of the total amount of boron [ constituent (B1) ] to the total amount of manganese [ constituent (B2) ] is in the range of 5:4 to 4:5, each based on the total weight of the active compound combination.

2. Active compound combination according to claim 1, wherein one, several or all components of ingredient (B1) are selected from salts of boron oxides and salts of boric acids.

3. Active compound combination according to claim 1 or 2, wherein one, several or all components of ingredient (B1) are selected from the group consisting of sodium borate, potassium borate, calcium borate, magnesium borate, potassium borohydride, sodium borohydride, potassium borotartrate and nickel (II) borate.

4. Active compound combination according to claim 3, wherein the sodium borate salt is borax.

5. Active compound combination according to claim 4, wherein borax is anhydrous, pentahydrate or decahydrate.

6. Active compound combination according to claim 3, wherein the potassium borate salt is K₂B₄O₇And hydrates thereof.

7. Active compound combination according to claim 6, wherein the hydrate is tetrahydrate K₂B₄O₇·4H₂O。

8. Active compound combination according to claim 3, wherein the calcium borate salt is CaB₄O₇、Ca₃(BO₃)₂And hydrates thereof.

9. Active compound combination according to claim 3, wherein the magnesium borate salt is MgB₄O₇、Mg₃(BO₃)₂And hydrates thereof.

10. Active compound combination according to claim 1 or 2, wherein one, several or all components of ingredient (B2) are selected from manganese (II) salts.

11. Active compound combination according to claim 10, wherein the manganese (II) salt is selected from the group consisting of manganese (II) acetate, manganese (II) sulfate, manganese (II) chloride, manganese (II) nitrate and manganese (II) phosphate.

12. Active compound combination according to claim 1 or 2, wherein

Ingredient (B1) comprises or consists of disodium tetraborate and/or disodium tetraborate hydrate,

and/or

Component (B2) comprises or consists of manganese (II) sulfate and/or manganese (II) chloride.

13. Active compound combination according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the combination further comprises:

-one, several or all micronutrients selected from the group consisting of zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), molybdenum (Mo), selenium (Se), aluminium (Al), cobalt (Co) and nickel (Ni),

and/or

-one, several or all macronutrients selected from nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K).

14. A composition, comprising:

(i) active compound combination according to any one of claims 1 to 13,

(ii) water, and

(iii) one or more adjuvants.

15. The composition of claim 14, wherein the adjuvant is one or more adjuvants selected from the group consisting of organic solvents, surfactants, inorganic carriers, organic carriers, and other fillers.

16. A composition according to claim 14, wherein the total amount is:

(i) active compound combination according to any one of claims 1 to 13, in the range of 0.05 to 0.5% by weight,

and/or

(ii) Water in the range of 70-99.9 wt%,

each based on the total weight of the composition.

17. A composition according to claim 16, wherein the amount of the active compound combination is in the range of 0.1-0.3% by weight.

18. A composition according to claim 16, wherein the amount of water is in the range of 85 to 99.8% by weight.

19. A method for achieving one, several or all of the following effects:

controlling phytopathogenic fungi in or on plants,

control of phytopathogenic fungi in crop protection,

increasing the vigor of the plant and/or improving the development of the plant,

increasing the pigment content and/or enhancing the photosynthetic activity,

-increasing the biomass of the biomass,

-increasing the content of the nutrients,

the method is characterized in that: the active compound combinations according to any of claims 1 to 13 or the compositions according to any of claims 14 to 18 are applied to seeds, plants, plant parts or to the soil in which plants grow or in which plant growth is desired.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the effect is improving plant growth.

21. The method of claim 19, wherein the effect is an increase in the growth rate of the plant.

22. The method of claim 19, wherein the effect is an increase in chlorophyll content.

23. The method of claim 19, wherein the effect is to obtain greener leaves, i.e. "greening".

24. The method of claim 19, wherein the effect is to obtain larger leaves.

25. The method of claim 19, wherein the effect is to obtain larger leaves.

26. The method of claim 19, wherein the effect is a higher Fresh Weight (FW) and/or Dry Weight (DW).

27. The method according to claim 19, wherein the effect is an increase in plant weight and/or an increase in plant height.

28. The method according to claim 19, wherein the effect is a higher fruit weight per fruit or a higher grain weight per grain and/or a higher total fruit or a higher total food yield.

29. The method of claim 19 wherein the effect is an increase in micronutrient content.

30. The method of claim 19, wherein the effect is an increase in macronutrient content.

31. The method of claim 19, wherein the effect is an increase in N, P and/or K content.

32. The method of claim 19, wherein the effect is an increase in protein content.

33. The method of claim 19, wherein the effect is an increase in water soluble protein.

34. The method of claim 19 wherein the effect is increased vitamin content.

35. The method of claim 19 wherein the effect is an increase in vitamin A, B₁、B₂C and/or E.

36. The method of claim 19, wherein the effect is an increase in the amount of essential amino acids.

37. The method according to claim 19, wherein the plant part is a fruit and/or a leaf.

38. The method of claim 19, wherein: applying the active compound combination or the composition to the seed or the foliage, wherein in the application the amount of the active compound combination on the foliage is in the range of 400 to 3000g/ha and in the treatment of the seed is in the range of 2-200g per 100kg of seed.

39. A method according to claim 38, wherein the amount of active compound combination on the leaves is in the range of 500 to 2500 g/ha.

40. A method according to claim 38, wherein the amount of active compound combination on the leaves is in the range of 600 to 2000 g/ha.

41. A method according to claim 38, wherein the amount of active compound combination on the leaves is in the range of 700 to 1700 g/ha.

42. The method according to claim 38, wherein the amount of active compound combination in the treatment of the seed is in the range of 5-150g per 100kg of seed.

43. The method according to claim 38, wherein the amount of active compound combination in the treatment of the seed is in the range of 10-100g per 100kg of seed.

44. Use of an active compound combination according to any one of claims 1 to 13 or a composition according to any one of claims 14 to 18 for:

controlling phytopathogenic fungi in or on plants,

control of phytopathogenic fungi in crop protection,

increasing the vigor of the plant and/or improving the development of the plant,

increasing the pigment content and/or enhancing the photosynthetic activity,

-increasing the biomass of the biomass,

-increasing the nutrient content.

45. The use according to claim 44 for improving plant growth.

46. The use according to claim 44 for increasing the growth rate of plants.

47. The use according to claim 44, for increasing chlorophyll content.

48. The use according to claim 44 for obtaining greener leaves, i.e. "greening".

49. The use according to claim 44 for obtaining larger leaves.

50. Use according to claim 44 for obtaining larger blades.

51. Use according to claim 44 for obtaining a higher Fresh Weight (FW) and/or Dry Weight (DW).

52. The use according to claim 44 for increasing plant weight and/or increasing plant height.

53. Use according to claim 44 for obtaining a higher fruit weight per fruit or a higher grain weight per grain and/or a higher total fruit or a higher total food yield.

54. The use according to claim 44 for increasing the micronutrient content.

55. The use according to claim 44 for increasing the macronutrient content.

56. Use according to claim 44 for increasing the N, P and/or K content.

57. The use of claim 44 for increasing the protein content.

58. The use of claim 44 for the increase of water-soluble proteins.

59. The use of claim 44 for increasing vitamin content.

60. The use of claim 44 for increasing vitamin A, B₁、B₂C and/or E.

61. The use of claim 44 for increasing the amount of essential amino acids.

62. Use of active compound combinations according to any of claims 1 to 13 or of compositions according to any of claims 14 to 18 for the treatment of seed.

63. Kit of parts comprising

(A) The production process of the propineb comprises the steps of propineb,

and component (B) comprising

(B1) One or more salts containing boron (B), and

(B2) one or more salts containing manganese (Mn),

optionally further comprising instructions to apply ingredients (a) and (B) in such a way as to obtain an active compound combination according to any one of claims 1 to 13 or a composition according to any one of claims 14 to 18.