GB1590213A

GB1590213A - Fungicidal plant growth medium

Info

Publication number: GB1590213A
Application number: GB1061478A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Fisons Ltd
Current assignee: Fisons Ltd
Priority date: 1978-05-19
Filing date: 1978-05-19
Publication date: 1981-05-28

Description

(54) FUNGICIDAL PLANT GROWTH MEDIUM (71) We, FISONS LIMITED, a British Company, of Fison House, 9 Grosvenor Street, London WIX OAH, do hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: The present invention relates to a novel composition and its use.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a composition comprising peat and a systemic fungicide of the formula:

and salts thereof, wherein R1 is an alkyl group; each R2 group may be the same or different and each is selected from an alkyl group; and R3 is an alkylene chain.

The invention also provides a method for propagating plants which comprises growing seeds or seedlings in a composition of the invention.

The invention further provides a method for combatting fungi at a locus which comprises applying to the locus a composition of the invention.

The invention yet further provides a method for preparing a composition of the invention which comprises mixing a systemic fungicide of formula I with a composition comprising peat.

The invention also provides the composition of the invention when packaged for sale.

This will typically take the form of a closed or sealed container, e.g. a closed box, a sewn paper sack or a sealed plastic sack which contains the composition. Typically, the packages will contain from 0.5 to 100 kgs of the composition.

Surprisingly, the compounds of formula I retain their antifungal activity for periods in excess of 8 weeks, often up to 9 months or more, when used in a peat based growth medium.

In the fungicides for present use it is preferred that R1 and R2 be lower alkyl groups, notably ones containing from 1 to 3 carbon atoms; and that R3 is a chain - (CH2)n where n has a value of from 1 to 5. Particularly preferred compounds of formula I are those of the formula:

and salts thereof with an acid (where R7 is an alkyl group containing from 1 to 3 carbon atoms). The preferred compounds of formula II for present use are those where R7 is ethyl or propyl, that is ethyl N-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-carbamate and propyl N-(3 dimethylaminopropyl)-carbamate.

Suitable salts of the compounds of formula I for present use include those of mineral acids, e.g. hydrochloric or sulphuric acids, and of organic acids, e.g. benzoic, formic, propionic or oxalic acids. The use of the hydrochloride salt is especially preferred. The compounds of formula I and salts thereof may be used in their commercially available purity and form.

The composition containing peat into which the fungicide is incorporated may consist merely of peat, e.g. milled sphagnum or sedge peat. However, it is preferred that the composition be in the form of a plant growth medium and that it contains plant nutrients in addition to the peat. Suitable peat based compositions are those sold by the Applicants under the Registered Trade Mark Levington Compost. In addition to the fungicide, peat and plant nutrient, the compositions may contain other ingredients: e.g. sand, perlite or vermiculite, e.g. as carriers for one or more of the components; wetting agents, notably of the alkylene oxide condensate type, to aid wetting up of the compost during use; pesticides and the like.

When ready for use, the compositions of the invention will usually contain from 40 to 80% by total weight of water. However, the compositions of the invention may be prepared in a drier form, e.g. containing only 20% moisture, for storage and transport. The proportions of peat and fungicide given herein are therefore given in terms of the bulk volume of the dry peat or (where other ingredients are present) the bulk volume of the dry composition.

The compositions of the invention may be made by any suitable technique, e.g. merely by dry mixing the necessary ingredients, optionally using a carrier to assist incorporation of the fungicide. However, it is preferred to dissolve or emulsify the fungicide in water and to apply this liquid to a bed of tumbling peat particles, e.g. by sprayer or dribbler bar applicator to a bed of the peat or peat composition tumbling in a rotating pan or drum.

The composition of the invention preferably contains from 0.001 to 0.5%, notably from 0.001 to 0.05%, by weight of the fungicide based on the bulk volume of the composition. It is also preferred that the composition contain from 50 to 95% of peat on a dry weight basis.

The above proportions are for when the composition is intended for use as a plant growth medium. Where the composition is to be used for treating fungal infection in a soil or compost, the composition may contain much higher amounts of the fungicide, e.g. from 1 to 60% by weight based on the bulk volume of the peat present.

The compositions of the invention find use as a plant growth medium or as a composition for the treatment of soil. When used as a plant growth medium, the compositions are used in the same manner as a conventional peat based compost and may be used for the propagation of a wide variety of plants from seeds, seedlings or cuttings. For example, the compounds of formula I and salts thereof are particularly useful in combatting Phycomycetous fungi, for example those of the genus Pythium, Bremia or Peronospora, and Phytopthora. Such compositions therefore find especial use in propagating plants susceptible to 'damping off' due to these fungi. These include a wide range of container grown hardy plants, bedding plants, pot plants and vegetable plants, e.g. erica and calluna species; rhododendrons; chamaecyparis species; strawberries; onions; peas; brassicas; e.g.: cabbages and lettuces; peppers; avocadoes; pineapples; tomatoes; celery; cucumbers; antirrhinums; stocks; nemesia; asters; begonias; tulips and chrysanthemums.

The compositions of the invention also find use as a means for treating soil or compost infected with fungi, e.g. with Pythium ultimum. In this use, the compositions of the invention are applied to the soil or compost as a surface dressing, preferably before plants are grown in the soil or compost. Preferably the surface dressing is worked into the top few, e.g. top 3, inches of the soil or compost. The rate of application of the composition will depend upon the content of active material therein and it is usually desirable to achieve an application rate of from 30 to 300 kgs of the fungicide per hectare of soil to be treated.

The invention will now be illustrated by the following Examples, in which all parts and percentages are given by weight unless specified otherwise: Example I A composition was prepared from a peat based seedling compost containing 30% peat, 10% plant nutrients and trace elements and 60% water on a dry weight basis. A solution of propyl N-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)carbamate hydrochloride (62.5 parts) in water (37.5 parts) was mixed in varying amounts with 200 further parts of water as a carrier. This solution was then sprayed on to a bed of the peat compost and worked in by hand to give overall rates of incorporation of the carbamate of 0.0078%, 0.0156% and 0.0313% by weight based on the total bulk volume of the compost.

Example 2 A blocking compost was made by mixing a sphagnum peat blocking compost (30 parts peat, 20 parts nutrient, 60 parts water) with the aqueous solutions of the carbamate as in Example 1 to give 0.0078%, 0.0156% and 0.0313% by weight of the carbamate in the peat (on an active ingredient/bulk volume basis). The resulting mixtures were blocked in the normal manner and were suitable for growing lettuces.

Example 3 Compositions were prepared as in Example 1 but containing 0.0126, 0.0168 and 0.0252% w/v of the active ingredient. These compositions were then innoculated with fresh Pythium ultimum culture. Antirrhinum seeds were then sown in seed beds of the compositions. The number of plants emerging from the surface of the seed bed was assessed after 5 days with the following results clearly indicating the activity of the carbamate.

Germination rate Active ingredient out of 25 plants in composition 0 0 22 0.0126% 24 0.0168% 23 0.0252% WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. A composition comprising peat and a systemic fungicide of the formula:

and salts thereof, wherein R; is an alkyl group; each R2 group may be the same or different and each is selected from an alkyl group; and R3 is an alkylene chain.

2. A method for propagating plants which comprises growing seeds or seedlings in a composition comprising peat and a systemic fungicide of the formula:

3. A method for combatting fungi at a locus which comprises applying to the locus a composition comprising peat and a systemic fungicide of the formula:

4. A method for preparing a composition comprising peat and a systemic fungicide which comprises mixing a systemic fungicide of the formula:

and salts thereof, [wherein R1 is an alkyl group; each R2 group may be the same or different and each is selected from an alkyl group; and R3 is an alkylene chain] with a composition comprising peat.

5. A composition comprising peat and a systemic fungicide of the formula:

and salts thereof, [wherein R1 is an alkyl group; each R2 group may be the same or different and each is selected from an alkyl group; and R3 is an alkylene chain] when packaged for sale.

6. A composition or method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein R1 and R2 are lower alkyl groups each containing from 1 to 3 carbon atoms.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **.

Example 3 Compositions were prepared as in Example 1 but containing 0.0126, 0.0168 and 0.0252% w/v of the active ingredient. These compositions were then innoculated with fresh Pythium ultimum culture. Antirrhinum seeds were then sown in seed beds of the compositions. The number of plants emerging from the surface of the seed bed was assessed after 5 days with the following results clearly indicating the activity of the carbamate.

Germination rate Active ingredient out of 25 plants in composition 0 0

22 0.0126%

24 0.0168%

23 0.0252% WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. A composition comprising peat and a systemic fungicide of the formula:

and salts thereof, wherein R; is an alkyl group; each R2 group may be the same or different and each is selected from an alkyl group; and R3 is an alkylene chain.
2. A method for propagating plants which comprises growing seeds or seedlings in a composition comprising peat and a systemic fungicide of the formula:

and salts thereof, wherein R1 is an alkyl group; each R2 group may be the same or different and each is selected from an alkyl group; and R3 is an alkylene chain.
3. A method for combatting fungi at a locus which comprises applying to the locus a composition comprising peat and a systemic fungicide of the formula:

and salts thereof, wherein R1 is an alkyl group; each R2 group may be the same or different and each is selected from an alkyl group; and R3 is an alkylene chain.
4. A method for preparing a composition comprising peat and a systemic fungicide which comprises mixing a systemic fungicide of the formula:

and salts thereof, [wherein R1 is an alkyl group; each R2 group may be the same or different and each is selected from an alkyl group; and R3 is an alkylene chain] with a composition comprising peat.
5. A composition comprising peat and a systemic fungicide of the formula:

and salts thereof, [wherein R1 is an alkyl group; each R2 group may be the same or different and each is selected from an alkyl group; and R3 is an alkylene chain] when packaged for sale.
6. A composition or method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein R1 and R2 are lower alkyl groups each containing from 1 to 3 carbon atoms.
7. A composition or method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein R3 is

a chain -(CH2)n- where n has a value of from 1 to 5.
8. A composition or method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the fungicide is used in the form of a mineral acid salt.
9. A composition or method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein the systemic fungicide has the general formula:

wherein R7 is an alkyl group containing from 1 to 3 carbon atoms and acid addition salts thereof.
10. A composition or method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein the systemic fungicide is selected from ethyl N-(3-dimethyl-aminopropyl)-carbamate and propyl N-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)carbamate and the hydrochloric acid salts thereof.
11. A composition or method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the systemic fungicide is used in its commercially available form and purity.
12. A composition as claimed in either of claims 1 or 5 comprising from 0.001 to 60% by weight of the systemic fungicide based on the bulk volume of the peat.
13. A composition as claimed in either of claims 1 or 5 comprising from 0.001 to 0.5% by weight of the systemic fungicide based on the bulk volume of the peat.
14. A method as claimed in claim 4 wherein an emulsion or solution of the systemic fungicide is applied to a bed of tumbling peat particles.
15. A method as claimed in claim 3 wherein from 30 to 300 kgs of systemic fungicide are applied per hectare of locus.
16. A method as claimed in either of claims 3 or 5 wherein the composition comprising the systemic fungicide is applied as a surface dressing to the locus before plants are grown in the locus.
17. A composition as claimed in claim 5 wherein the package contains from 0.5 to 100 kgs of the composition.
18. A method or composition as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5 substantially as hereinbefore described.
19. A method or composition as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 substantially as hereinbefore described in the Examples.