GB2562082A

GB2562082A - A fungicidal composition and the use thereof

Info

Publication number: GB2562082A
Application number: GB1707088.9A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Timothy Bristow James
Original assignee: Rotam Agrochem International Co Ltd
Current assignee: Rotam Agrochem International Co Ltd
Priority date: 2017-05-04
Filing date: 2017-05-04
Publication date: 2018-11-07
Anticipated expiration: 2037-05-04
Also published as: CN110505806B; AR111378A1; CN110505806A; GB2562082B; GB201707088D0; WO2018201881A1

Abstract

A fungicidal composition comprising boscalid, metconazole, and one or more strobilurin-type fungicide selected from pyraclostrobin, picoxystrobin, azoxystrobin and dimoxystrobin. Also provided is a method and use of the fungicidal composition in the control of fungicidal infestation of plants or plant parts. The fungicide components may be applied to the plants during both the pre-emergence state and the post-emergence stage. The boscalid and metconazole may be present in a weight ratio of from 45:1 to 1:15, and the ratio of boscalid and metconazole to strobilurin may be from 40:1 to 1:1.

Description

(54) Title of the Invention: A fungicidal composition and the use thereof

Abstract Title: Fungicidal composition comprising a boscalid, metconazole and one or more strobilurin (57) A fungicidal composition comprising boscalid, metconazole, and one or more strobilurin-type fungicide selected from pyraclostrobin, picoxystrobin, azoxystrobin and dimoxystrobin. Also provided is a method and use of the fungicidal composition in the control of fungicidal infestation of plants or plant parts. The fungicide components may be applied to the plants during both the pre-emergence state and the post-emergence stage. The boscalid and metconazole may be present in a weight ratio of from 45:1 to 1:15, and the ratio of boscalid and metconazole to strobilurin may be from 40:1 to 1:1.

A FUNGICIDAL COMPOSITION AND THE USE THEREOF

The present invention relates to a synergistic fungicidal composition, in particular a composition comprising three active components which exhibit synergy when combined. The present invention further relates to the use of such a combination of active ingredients in preventing and/or treating fungal infestations in plants and plant parts, as well as a method of preventing and/or treating fungal infestations in plants and plant parts. The present invention also relates to the treatment of seeds, foliage and to soil applications.

Fungal diseases represent a major threat to economically important agricultural crops, such as cereals and leguminous plants. The yields of plants, for example, sugarcane and soybean are adversely impacted by fungal infestations. As a consequence, there is a continuing need to provide improved techniques for preventing, controlling and/or treating fungal infestations, thereby increasing the yields of plants and crops.

Researchers in the field of agrochemical chemistry have identified and synthesized many compounds and formulations to treat fungal infestations. Different types of fungicides are known and are available in the market. In some cases, fungicidal active ingredients have been shown to be more effective in combination than when applied individually. This effect is referred to as synergism. As defined in the Herbicide Handbook of the Weed Science Society of America, Seventh Edition, 1994, page 318, 'synergism' is an interaction of two or more factors such that the effect when combined is greater than the predicted effect based on the response to each factor applied separately. The present invention is based on the surprising discovery that certain fungicides display a synergistic effect when applied in combination.

The classes of fungicidal active ingredients employed in the present invention are independently known in the art for their use in plant protection. Specific compounds are disclosed in The Pesticides Manual, Twelfth Edition,

2000, published by The British Crop Protection Council. Many of the compounds are also commercially available.

Boscalid is a carboxamide fungicide having the chemical name of 2chloro-N-(4’chloro[1,1’biphenyl]-2-yl)-3-pyridinecarboxamide. Boscalid was first described in US 5,330,995.

Metconazole belongs to the triazole family of compounds, which is a class of systemic fungicides that enter the plant and spread from the site of application to untreated or newly grown area, killing existing fungi and/or protecting the plant from future attacks. The mechanism of action of these fungicides includes their io ability to interfere with the biosynthesis of biosteroids or to inhibit the biosynthesis of ergosterol. Ergosterol is needed for membrane structure and function within the fungal cells and is essential for the development of functional cell walls by fungi. Therefore, application of triazoles results in abnormal fungal growth and eventually death.

Pyraclostrobin, picoxystrobin, azoxystrobin and dimoxystrobin belong to the class of strobilurin-type fungicides, which is a well-known group of fungicides having a broad spectrum of disease control. The compounds are extracted from the fungus Strobilurus tenacellus and have a suppressive effect on other fungi, reducing competition for nutrients. The compounds inhibit electron transfer between cytochrome b and cytochrome Ci at the ubiquinol oxidising site in mitochondria, disrupting the metabolism and preventing growth of the target fungi.

WO 2007/134776 relates to combinations of fungicidal active agents. WO 2007/134776 is specifically concerned with combinations comprising the triazolopyrimidine derivative 5-chloro-7-(4-methylpiperidin-1-yl)-6-(2,4,6trifluorophenyl) [1,2,4] triazolo [1,5-a] pyrimidine, boscalid and at least one of fenpropimorph, metrafenone, metconazole and dimoxystrobin. Preference is indicated in WO 2007/134776 for combinations of 5-chloro-7-(4-methylpiperidin1-yl)-6-(2,4,6-trifluorophenyl) [1,2,4] triazolo [1,5-a] pyrimidine, boscalid and fenpropimorph; 5-chloro-7-(4-methylpiperidin-1 -yl)-6-(2,4,6-trifluorophenyl) [1,2,4] triazolo [1,5-a] pyrimidine, boscalid and metrafenone; 5-chloro-7-(4methylpiperidin-1-yl)-6-(2,4,6-trifluorophenyl) [1,2,4] triazolo [1,5-a] pyrimidine; boscalid and metconazole; and 5-chloro-7-(4-methylpiperidin-1-yl)-6-(2,4,65 trifluorophenyl) [1,2,4] triazolo [1,5-a] pyrimidine, boscalid and dimoxystrobin. Combinations of 5-chloro-7-(4-methylpiperidin-1 -yl)-6-(2,4,6-trifluorophenyl) [1,2,4] triazolo [1,5-a] pyrimidine, boscalid and metrafenone, and 5-chloro-7-(4methylpiperidin-1-yl)-6-(2,4,6-trifluorophenyl) [1,2,4] triazolo [1,5-a] pyrimidine, boscalid and fenpropimorph are specifically exemplified in WO 2007/134776.

io Surprisingly, it has now been found that a combination of boscalid, metconazole and one or more strobilurin-type fungicides selected from pyraclostrobin, picoxystrobin, azoxystrobin and dimoxystrobin exhibits a significant and unexpected synergistic effect.

The present invention provides a synergistic composition and a method to prevent, control and/or treat fungal infestations. The present invention provides the advantages of reducing the rates of application of the active ingredients, widening their spectrum of activity, increasing the speed of action of the fungicides and increasing their efficacy.

In a first aspect, the present invention provides a synergistic fungicidal composition comprising:

component (A): boscalid;

component (B): metconazole; and component (C): one or more strobilurin-type fungicides selected from pyraclostrobin, picoxystrobin, azoxystrobin and dimoxystrobin.

In a further aspect, the present invention provides a method for preventing, controlling and/or treating fungal infestations in plants, the method comprising applying to the plants, plant parts and/or their surroundings:

component (A): boscalid;

In a further aspect, the present invention provides the use of:

component (A): boscalid;

component (B): metconazole; and component (C): one or more strobilurin-type fungicides selected from pyraclostrobin, picoxystrobin, azoxystrobin and dimoxystrobin for preventing, controlling and/or treating fungal infestations in plants, plant parts and/or their surroundings.

It has now surprisingly been found that when employing a combination of component (A) boscalid, component (B) metconazole, and component (C) one or more of pyraclostrobin, picoxystrobin, azoxystrobin and dimoxystrobin on the target plants, plant parts and/or their surroundings, particularly on cereals, cucurbitaceae, fruits, leguminous plants, oil plants and vegetables, an excellent performance in preventing, controlling and/or treating fungal infestations may be observed.

In one embodiment, the present invention employs a combination of active ingredients consisting of the combination of component (A) boscalid, component (B) metconazole, and component (C) one or more of pyraclostrobin, picoxystrobin, azoxystrobin and dimoxystrobin.

The active ingredients may be employed together, for example as a composition comprising components (A), (B) and (C), separately, for example by way of two or more compositions containing one or two of (A), (B) and (C), or a combination of the aforementioned. The active ingredients may be applied to a locus to be treated simultaneously and/or successively. The active ingredients may be applied in any order.

The synergistic effect achieved by combining the components (A), (B) and 5 (C) by way of the present invention can provide advantages over the use of the individual components. In particular, the rates of application of the individual components can be markedly reduced, compared with using the components individually, while maintaining a high level of fungicidal efficacy. The combination can have a considerably broader spectrum of fungi against which it is effective than that of the components used alone. Further, the combination can have the potential to control fungal infestations at low application rates, at which the individual compounds alone are ineffective. The combination can have a speed of action which is faster than that which would have been predicted from the speed of the individual components.

The present invention employs an effective amount of components (A), (B) and (C).

The term effective amount means the quantity of such a compound or combination of such compounds that is capable of preventing, controlling and/or treating the target fungal infestations of the target plants.

Plant as used herein, refers to all plant and plant populations such as desired and undesired wild plants or crop plants.

Plant parts as used herein, refers to all parts and organs of plants, such as shoot, leaves, needles, stalks, stems, fruit bodies, fruits, seeds, roots, tubers and rhizomes. Harvested materials, and vegetative and generative propagation materials, for example, cutting, tubers, meristem tissue, rhizomes, offsets, seeds, single and multiple plant cells and any other plant tissues, are also included.

The word “surrounding” or “locus” refers to the place on which the plants are growing, the place on which the plant propagation materials of the plants are sown or the place on which the plant propagation materials of the plants will be sown.

Throughout the specification and the claims that follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the words “comprise” and “include” and variations such as “comprising” and “including” will be understood to indicate the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers, but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

The components (A) and (B), boscalid and metconazole, may be employed in the composition of the present invention in any suitable amount, and are generally present in a total amount of from about 5% to about 85% by weight of the composition, preferably from about 10% to about 70% by weight of the composition, more preferably from about 15% to about 60% be weight or from about 20% to about 55% by weight of the composition.

Component (A), boscalid may be present in the composition of the present invention in any suitable amount, and is generally present in an amount of from about 1% to about 80% by weight of the composition, preferably from about 5% to about 75% or from about 10% to about 65% by weight of the composition, more preferably from about 10% to about 50% by weight of the composition. In some preferred embodiments, boscalid is present in an amount of from about 15%, 20%, 25%, 30% or 50% by weight of the composition.

Metconazole may be present in the composition of the present invention in any suitable amount, and is generally present in an amount of from about 1% to about 70% by weight of the composition, preferably from about 1% to about 60% or from about 1% to about 50% by weight of the composition, more preferably from about 1% to about 40% by weight of the composition, still more preferably from about 1% to about 30% by weight of the composition, still more preferably from about 1% to about 20% by weight of the composition. In some preferred embodiments, metconazole is present in an amount of from about 4%, 5%, 8%, 10% or 12% by weight of the composition.

The component (C) one or more of pyraclostrobin, picoxystrobin, azoxystrobin and dimoxystrobin may be present in the composition of the present invention in any suitable amount, and is generally present in an amount of from about 1% to about 70% by weight of the composition, preferably from about 1% to about 60% or from about 1 % to about 50% by weight of the composition, more preferably from about 1% to about 40% by weight of the composition, still more preferably from about 1% to about 30% by weight of the composition, still more io preferably from about 5% to about 20% by weight of the composition.

In some preferred embodiments, the weight percentages of the components in the composition are independently: from about 15% to about 50% of boscalid; from about 4% to about 12% of metconazole; and from about 5% to about 20% of strobilurin by weight of the composition; the strobilurin being one or more of pyraclostrobin, picoxystrobin, azoxystrobin or dimoxystrobin.

The components (A), (B) and (C) together may be present in the composition in any suitable amount, and are generally present in an amount of from about 2% to about 95% by weight of the composition, preferably from about 20% to about 80% by weight of the composition more preferably from about 25% to about 70%, even more preferred from about 30% to about 65% by weight of the composition.

The components (A) and (B) may be present in the composition or otherwise applied in any amounts relative to each other, to provide the enhanced or synergistic effect of the mixture. In particular, the weight ratio of the components (A) and (B) as used may be in the range of from about 50:1 to about 1:50, preferably from about 45:1 to about 1:15, more preferably from about 40:1 to about 1:1, even more preferably from about 35:1 to about 1:1, still more preferably from about 15:1 to about 1:1. In some embodiments, the weight ratio of the components (A) and (B) as used is about 30:1, or 25:1 or 20:1 or 15:1 or 13:1 or 9:1 or 8:1 or7:1 or6:1 or5:1 or 4:1 or 3:1 or 2:1 or 1:1.

The components (A), (B) and (C) may be present in the composition or otherwise applied in any amounts relative to each other, to provide the enhanced or synergistic effect of the mixture. In particular, the weight ratio of the combined components (A) and (B) to the component (C) as used may be in the range of from about 50:1 to about 1:50, preferably from about 45:1 to about 1:15, more preferably from about 40:1 to about 1:1, even more preferably from about 35:1 to about 1:1, still more preferably from about 11:1 to about 1:1. In some io embodiments, the weight ratio of the combined components (A) and (B) to the component (C) as used is about 30:1, or 25:1 or 20:1 or 15:1 or 10:1 or 9:1 or

8:1 or7:1 or6:1 or5:1 or 4:1 or 3:1 or 2:1 or 1:1.

The compositions of the present invention may be produced in conventional manner and provided in any suitable formulation, for example by mixing component (A) boscalid, component (B) metconazole and component (C) the strobilurin, together with one or more auxiliaries appropriate for the type of formulation.

The auxiliaries employed in the composition will depend upon the type of formulation and/or the manner in which the formulation is to be applied by the end user. Formulations incorporating the composition of the present invention are described hereinafter. Suitable auxiliaries which may be comprised in the composition according to the invention are all customary formulation adjuvants or components, such as extenders, carriers, solvents, surfactants, stabilizers, antifoaming agents, anti-freezing agents, preservatives, antioxidants, colorants, thickeners, solid adherents and inert fillers. Such auxiliaries are known in the art and are commercially available. Their use in the formulation of the compositions of the present invention will be apparent to the person skilled in the art.

Formulation types suitable for the compositions of the present invention include water-soluble concentrates (SL), emulsifiable concentrates (EC), emulsions (EW), micro-emulsions (ME), suspension concentrates (SC), oil-based suspension concentrates (OD), flowable suspensions (FS), water-dispersible granules (WG), water-soluble granules (SG), water-dispersible powders (WP), water soluble powders (SP), granules (GR), encapsulated granules (CG), fine granules (FG), macrogranules (GG), aqueous suspo-emulsions (SE), capsule suspensions (CS) and microgranules (MG). The following paragraphs will describe the exemplary formulations of the fungicide composition including water-dispersible granules (WG), aqueous suspension concentrates (SC), emulsifiable concentrates (EC), and water-soluble concentrates (SL).

The fungicidal composition may comprise one or more inert fillers. Such inert fillers are known in the art and available commercially. Suitable fillers in the form of a solid include, for example, natural ground minerals, such as kaolins, aluminas, talc, chalk, quartz, attapulgite, montmorillonite, and diatomaceous earth, or synthetic ground minerals, such as highly dispersed silicic acid, aluminum oxide, silicates, and calcium phosphates and calcium hydrogen phosphates. Suitable inert fillers for granules include, for example, crushed and fractionated natural minerals, such as calcite, marble, pumice, sepiolite, and dolomite, or synthetic granules of inorganic and organic ground materials, as well as granules of organic material, such as sawdust, coconut husks, corn cobs, and tobacco stalks.

The fungicidal compositions of the present invention optionally include one or more surfactants, which are preferably non-ionic, cationic and/or anionic in nature, and surfactant mixtures which have good emulsifying, dispersing and wetting properties, depending on the nature of the active compound to be formulated. Suitable surfactants are known in the art and are commercially available.

The surfactant can be an emulsifier, dispersant or wetting agent of ionic or nonionic type. Examples which may be used are salts of polyacrylic acids, salts of lignosulphonic acid, salts of phenylsulphonic or naphthalene sulphonic acids, polycondensates of ethylene oxide with fatty alcohols or with fatty acids or with fatty amines, substituted phenols, especially alkylphenols, sulphosuccinic ester salts, taurine derivatives, especially alkyltaurates, or phosphoric esters of polyethoxylated phenols or alcohols. The presence of at least one surfactant is generally required when the active compound and/or the inert carrier and/or auxiliary/adjuvant are insoluble in water and the vehicle for the final application of the composition is water.

Examples of suitable surfactants are polyoxyethylated (POE) sorbitan esters, such as POE (20), sorbitan trioleate and polyoxyethylated (POE) sorbitol esters, such as POE (40), sorbitol hexaoleate. POE (20) sorbitan trioleate is commercially available under the tradenames ATLAS G1086 and CIRRASOL G1086 marketed by UniqEMA. Combinations of a POE sorbitan ester with a POE sorbitol ester allow the HLB (hydrophilic-lipophilic balance) value of the surfactant to be optimized, so as to obtain the highest quality emulsion (smallest suspended droplets) when the composition is added to water. Higher quality of emulsions typically leads to optimal fungicidal performance.

Suitable anionic surfactants can be both so-called water-soluble soaps and water-soluble synthetic surface-active compounds. Soaps which may be used in the composition are the alkali metal, alkaline earth metal or substituted or unsubstituted ammonium salts of higher fatty acid (C10-C22), for example the sodium or potassium salt of oleic or stearic acid, or of natural fatty acid mixtures.

The amount of surfactant present in the composition will depend upon such factors as the type of formulation employed.

The fungicidal compositions of the present invention optionally further 25 comprise one or more polymeric stabilizers. The suitable polymeric stabilizers that may be used in the present invention include, but are not limited to, polypropylene, polyisobutylene, polyisoprene, copolymers of monoolefins and diolefins, polyacrylates, polystyrene, polyvinyl acetate, polyurethanes or polyamides. Suitable stabilizers are known in the art and commercially available.

The surfactants and polymeric stabilizers mentioned above are generally believed to impart stability to the composition, in turn allowing the composition to be formulated, stored, transported and applied.

Suitable anti-foaming agents include all substances which can normally be 5 used for this purpose in agrochemical compositions. Suitable anti-foaming agents are known in the art and are available commercially. Particularly preferred anti-foaming agents are mixtures of polydimethylsiloxanes and perfluroalkyl phosphonic acids, such as the silicone anti-foaming agents available from GE or Compton.

Suitable organic solvents that may be used in the compositions may be selected from all customary organic solvents, which thoroughly dissolve one or more of the active compounds employed. Again, suitable organic solvents for the active compounds in the compositions of the present invention are known in the art. The following may be mentioned as being preferred: N-methyl pyrrolidone, N-octyl pyrrolidone, cyclohexyl-1-pyrrolidone; or a mixture of paraffinic, isoparaffinic, cycloparaffinic and aromatic hydrocarbons, such as SOLVESSO™200. Suitable solvents are commercially available.

Suitable preservatives include all substances which can normally be used for this purpose in agrochemical compositions of this type and again are well known in the art. Suitable preservatives that may be mentioned include tolylfluanid, such as Preventol® (available commercially from Bayer AG), and benzisothiazolinone, such as Proxel® (available commercially from Bayer AG).

Suitable antioxidants are all substances which can normally be used for this purpose in agrochemical compositions, as is known in the art. Preference is given to butylated hydroxytoluene.

Suitable thickeners include all substances which can normally be used for this purpose in agrochemical compositions. Suitable thickeners include, for example xanthan gum, PVOH, cellulose and its derivatives, clay hydrated silicates, magnesium aluminum silicates or a mixture thereof. Again, such thickeners are known in the art and available commercially.

The fungicidal composition of the present invention may further comprise one or more solid adherents. Such adherents are known in the art and are available commercially. They include organic adhesives, including tackifiers, such as celluloses or substituted celluloses, natural and synthetic polymers in the form of powders, granules, or lattices, and inorganic adhesives, such as gypsum, silica, or cement.

In addition, depending upon the formulation, the composition according to the invention may also comprise water.

In some embodiments, the compositions, method and use according to the present invention employ the following combinations of components:

boscalid, metconazole and pyraclostrobin;

boscalid, metconazole and picoxystrobin;

boscalid, metconazole and azoxystrobin; or boscalid, metconazole and dimoxystrobin.

In one particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, the synergistic composition consists of: from about 15% to about 50% of boscalid; from about 4% to about 12% of metconazole; from about 5% to about 20% of strobilurin; from about 1% to 50% of surfactant; and from 1% to 80% water by weight of the composition; the strobilurin being one or more of pyraclostrobin, picoxystrobin, azoxystrobin or dimoxystrobin. This preferred synergistic composition can surprisingly achieve an unexpected effect in preventing, controlling and/or treating fungal infestations.

Further, other biocidally active ingredients or compositions may be combined with the synergistic components of this invention. For example, the compositions may contain, in addition to components (A), (B) and (C), one or more herbicides, insecticides, bactericides, acaracides or nematicides, in order to broaden the spectrum of activity.

The compositions according to the invention are distinguished by the fact that they are especially well tolerated by plants and are environmentally friendly.

The composition, method and use of the present invention can be used in the agricultural sector and related fields of use for controlling a wide range of fungi. Examples of fungal infestations that may be prevented and/or treated include:

Alternaria spp., Anisogramma spp., Ascochyta spp., Aureobasidium spp.,

Bipolaris spp., Black spp., Blumeria spp., Blumeriella spp., Botryosphaeria spp., Botrytis spp., Cercospora spp., Cercosporidium spp., Cladosporium spp., Cochilobolus spp., Colletotrichum spp., Corynespora spp., Cylindrosporium spp., Diaporthe spp., Didymella spp., Elsinoe spp., Erysiphe spp., Exserohikum spp., Fusarium spp., Guignardia spp., Gymnosporangium spp., Helminthosporium spp.,

Kabatiella spp., Leptosphaeria spp., Leptosphaerulina spp., Microsphaera spp., Monilinia spp., Mycosphaerella spp., Penicillium spp., Peronospora spp., Phaeosphaeria spp., Phakospora spp., Phoma spp., Phomopsis spp., Phyllosticta spp., Physoderma spp., Phytophthora spp., Plasmopara spp., Podosphaera spp., Pseudocercospora spp., Pseudoperonospora spp.,

Pseudopezizza spp., Puccinia spp., Pyrenophora spp., Rhizoctonia spp., Rhynchosporium spp., Sclerotinia spp., Sclerotium spp., Septoria spp., Septosphaeria spp., Spetoria spp., Sphaerotheca spp., Stagonospora spp., Stemphylium spp., Tranzschelia spp., Uncinula spp., Uromyces spp., Venturia spp., Wilsonomyces spp.,and Zygophiala spp.

Specific fungal infestations that may be prevented and/or treated using the composition and techniques of the present invention include:

Alteraria brassicae, Alternaria cucumerina, Alternaria dauci, Alternaria mali, Alternaria porri, Alternaria solani, Anisogramma anomala, Aureobasidium zeae, Bipolaris maydis, Black spot, Blumeria graminis, Blumeriella jaapii, Botryosphaeria dothidea, Botryosphaeria obtuse, Botrytis cinerea, Cercospora arachidicola, Cercospora blight and leaf spot, Cercospora citrulina, Cercospora kikuchii, Cercospora sojina, Cercospora sorghi, Cercospora zeae-maydis, Cercosporidium personatum, Cladosporium carpophilum, Cochilobolus sativus,

Cochliobolus heterostrophus, Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, Colletotrichum graminicola, Colletotrichum orbiculare, Colletotrichum truncatum, Corynespora cassiicola, Diaporthe phaseolum, Didymella bryoniae, Elsinoe ampelina, Erysiphe cichoracearum, Erysiphe graminis, Exserohikum turcicum, Fusarium roseum, Guignardia bidwellii, Gymnosporangium clavipes, Gymnosporangium juniperi- virginianae, Kabatiella zeae, Leptosphaeria nodorum, Leptosphaerulina briosiani, Monilinia fructicola, Monilinia laxa, Mycosphaerella angulate, Mycosphaerella fragariae, Mycosphaerella graminicola, Mycosphaerella pomi, Peronospora destructor, Peronospora manshurica, Phaeosphaeria nodorum, Phoma arachidicola, Phoma exigua, Phoma lingam, Phoma medicaginis,

Phomopsis viticola, Phyllosticta maydis, Physoderma maydis, Phytophthora nicotianae, Plasmopara viticola, Podosphaera leucotricha, Pseudocercospora vitis, Pseudoperonospora cubensis, Pseudopezizza medicaginis, Puccinia avenae, Puccinia coronate, Puccinia hordei, Puccinia polyspora, Puccinia recondite, Puccinia sorghi, Puccinia striiformis, Puccinia triticina, Pyrenophora teres, Pyrenophora triticirepentis, Rhizoctonia solani, Rhynchosporium secalis, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, Sclerotium rolfsii, Septoria glycines, Septoria tritici, Septosphaeria turcica, Septria nodorum, Sphaerotheca fuliginea, Sphaerotheca macularis, Stemphylium vesicarium, Tranzschelia discolor, Uncinula necator, Venturia inaequalis, Venturia pirina, Wilsonomyces carpophilus, and Zygophiala jamaicensis.

The present invention is particularly advantageous when used to prevent and/or treat infestations of Alternaria spp., Botrytis spp., Puccinia spp., Phoma spp., Mycosphaerella spp., Septoria spp., and Sclerotinia spp., in particular Botrytis, Puccinia recondite, Mycosphaerella graminicola, Septoria tritici,

Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, Alternaria cucumerina and Phoma exigua.

The composition, method and use of the present invention are suitable for the protection of a wide range of plants and crops, including: cereals (wheat, barley, rye, oats, corn, rice, sorghum, triticale and related crops); beet (such as sugar beet and fodder beet); fruit, such as pomes, stone fruit and soft fruit, such as apples, grapes, pears, plums, peaches, pistachio, almonds, cherries, and berries, for example strawberries, raspberries and blackberries; leguminous plants (drybeans, lentils, peas, soybeans, alfalfa, chickpea, peanut); oil plants (rape, mustard, sunflowers, oilseed rape); cucurbitaceae (marrows, cucumbers, melons); fibre plants (cotton, flax, hemp, jute); citrus, such as oranges, lemons, grapefruit and mandarins; vegetables (spinach, lettuce, asparagus, cabbages, carrots, onions, tomatoes, potatoes, paprika, brassica, celery); coffee; sugarcane; as well as ornamentals (flowers, such as rose, shrubs, broad-leaved trees and evergreens, such as conifers).

The present invention is particularly advantageous when applied to cereals, cucurbitaceae, fruits, leguminous plants, oil plants and vegetables.

In some preferred embodiments, the present invention is applied to barley, corn, oats, rye, sorghum, wheat, cucurbit, berries, grapes, pistachio, strawberries, tree nuts, alfalfa, beans, chickpea, peanut, peas, soybean, oilseed rape, brassica, carrot, celery and lettuce, particularly, grape, rye, wheat, soybean, cucurbit, oilseed rape, and lettuce.

The synergistic combination of component (A) boscalid, component (B) metconazole, and component (C) pyraclostrobin, picoxystrobin, azoxystrobin and dimoxystrobin, is particularly effective in preventing, controlling and/or treating fungal infestations of cereals, cucurbitaceae, fruits, leguminous plants, oil plants and vegetables, their plant parts and/or surroundings.

The rates of application of the components (A), (B) and (C) may vary, for example, according to the degree of control required, type of use, type of crop, the specific active compounds in the combination, type of plants, but is such that the active compounds in the combination in an effective amount to provide the desired action of fungal control. The application rate of the composition or individual components for a given set of conditions can readily be determined by trials.

In general the composition of the present invention can be applied at an application rate of between about 0.001 kilograms/hectare (kg/ha) and about 4 kg/ha, based on the total amount of components (A), (B) and (C) in the composition. An application rate of between about 0.1 kg of components (A), (B) and (C) per hectare and 2 kg/ha is preferred.

The application rate of components (A) and (B) combined is preferably from about 1 g/ha to about 1.5 kg/ha, more preferably from about 100 g/ha to about 800 g/ha, more particularly from about 150 g/ha to about 650 g/ha. The application rate of component (C) is preferably from 1 g/ha to about 1.5 kg/ha, more preferably from about 1 g/ha to about 1 kg/ha, more particularly from about

15 g/ha to about 250 g/ha.

The compositions of this invention are useful as fungicides, demonstrating synergistic activity for preventing, controlling and/or treating fungal infestations. The compositions can be formulated in the same manner in which fungicides are generally formulated, as discussed above.

In the method and use of the present invention, the components (A), (B) and (C) may be applied either separately or combined as part of a two-part or three-part system.

The components (A), (B) and (C) may be applied in any desired sequence, or in any combination, for example consecutively and/or simultaneously. In the event components (A), (B) and (C) are applied simultaneously in the present invention, they may be applied as a composition containing components (A), (B) and (C), in which case components (A), (B) and (C) can be obtained from a separate formulation source and mixed together (known as a tank-mix, ready-toapply, spray broth, or slurry), optionally with other pesticides, or components (A), (B) and (C) can be obtained as a single formulation mixture source (known as a pre-mix, concentrate, formulated compound (or product)), and optionally mixed together with other pesticides.

Using such formulations as described above, either straight (that is undiluted) or diluted with a suitable solvent, especially water, plants, plant parts and/or their locus can be treated and protected against fungal infestations by spraying, pouring or immersing. Generally, it is preferred that the formulations are diluted with water before application. The compositions and formulations can be applied using the methods known in the art. Methods include coating, spraying, dipping, soaking, injection, irrigation, and the like.

The active components can be applied to the plants, plant parts and/or their locus where control is desired simultaneously and/or in succession, preferably at short intervals, for example on the same day. The components (A), (B) and (C) may be applied in any order. The active components may be applied to the plant, one or more parts thereof (such as leaves or seeds), and/or their locus in any order. Each component may be applied just once or a plurality of times. Preferably, each of the components is applied a plurality of times, in particular from 2 to 5 times. The active fungicidal components may be applied in any order to the target plants, plant material or plant parts, or the locus.

The fungicidal components may be applied to the plants in any stage of growth, including the plant propagation material, such as seeds, to the plant locus pre-emergence (that is the period before the emergence of the plants from the soil), to the plant locus or plants post-emergence (that is after emergence of the plants from the soil) or two or more of these stages. In one embodiment, the fungicidal components are applied to plants during both the pre-emergence stage and the post-emergence stage, that is the stage between the emergence of a seedling and the maturity of the plant). In one embodiment, the preemergence application includes seed treatment. In one preferred embodiment, the fungicidal components are applied directly on the foliage (or leaves) of a plant.

The following examples are given by way of illustration and not by way of limitation of the invention.

In the following examples, percentages are weight percent unless otherwise indicated.

EXAMPLES

FORMULATION EXAMPLES

Suspension Concentrates (SC)

Aqueous suspension concentrates (SC) were prepared by mixing finely ground active ingredients with auxiliaries including 10% propylene glycol, 0.5% modified polydimethylsiloxane, 3% sodium alkylnaphthalenesulfonate, 1% formaldehyde condensate, polyalkylene glycol ether, 0.1% xanthan gum, 0.1%

1,2-benzisothiazol-3-one and water (balance to 1L).

The composition of an exemplary suspension concentrate (SC) formulation is summarized as follows:

Boscalid

Metconazole

Dimoxystrobin

Propylene glycol

Modified polydimethylsiloxane

Sodium alkylnaphthalenesulfonate, formaldehyde condensate

Polyalkylene glycol ether

Xanthan gum

1,2-Benzisothiazol-3-one

Water

25%

5%

10%

0.5%

3%

1%

0.1%

Balance to 100%

Water-dispersible granules (WG)

Water-dispersible granules (WG) were prepared by mixing and milling the active ingredients and auxiliaries including 0.5% SUPRALATE® (sodium lauryl sulfate, Witco Inc., Greenwich), 5% REAX®88B (sodium lignosulfonate, Westvaco Corp), and potassium carbonate (balance to 100%)) under compressed air, then wetting, extruding and drying to obtain water-dispersible granules.

The composition of an exemplary water-dispersible granule (WG) io formulation is summarized as follows:

Boscalid

50%

Metconazole 4%

Picoxystrobin 20%

SUPRALATE® (sodium lauryl sulfate, Witco Inc., Greenwich) 0.5%

REAX®88B (sodium lignosulfonate, Westvaco Corp) 5%

Potassium carbonate Balance to 100%

Emulsifiable Concentrates (EC)

An emulsifiable concentrate (EC) formulation was prepared by mixing the 5 following components:

Boscalid 15%

Metconazole 10%

Pyraclostrobin 20%

Ethoxylated castor oil 10%

Solvent naphtha (petroleum), heavy aromatic Balance to 100%

Water-soluble Concentrate (SL)

A water-soluble concentrate (SL) formulation was prepared by mixing the following components:

Boscalid	20%
Metconazole	12%
Pyraclostrobin	5%
TWEEN®80 (Sorbitan monooleate ethoxylate)	10%
N-methyl pyrrolidone	Balance to 100%

Using the techniques summarised above, a range of example formulations, Examples 1 to 34, were prepared, the compositions of which are summarised in Table 1 below.

io Of Examples 1 to 34, Examples 7 to 10, 16, 22, 28 and 34 are examples of compositions according to the present invention. The remaining examples are presented for comparison purposes.

Table 1

Dimoxystrobin (%)	o	o	O	o	o	O	o	o
Azoxystrobin (%)	o	o	O	o	o	o	o	o
Picoxystrobin (%)	o	o	O	o	o	o	o	o
Pyraclostrobin (%)	o	o	O	o	o	o	o	o
Metconazole (%)	o	Lf)	O	o	o	o	Lf)	Lf)
Boscalid (%)	25	o	O	o	o	o	25	25
Formulation Type	SC	SC	SC	sc	SC	SC	SC	SC
Example No.		CM	co		Lf)	co	r-	co

ο	ο	ο	ο	Ο	ο	ο	Ο	Ο	ο	ο	Ο
ο	ο	ο	ο	Ο	ο	ο	Ο	Ο	ο	ο	Ο
ο	ο	ο	ο	Ο	ο	ο	Ο	Ο	ο	20	Ο
ο	ο	ο	ο	20	ο	20	20	Ο	ο	ο	Ο
ΙΌ	ΙΌ	ο	ο	ο	ο	ο	ο	Ο		ο
25	25	ιό	ο	ο	ΙΌ	ο	ΙΌ	50	ο	ο	50
Ο	Ο	ο	ο	ο	Ο	Ο	Ο
ω	CO	LU	LU	LU	LU	LU	LU
σ>	ο		<Ν	co		ΙΌ	CO	Ε-	co	CD	ο
											CN

ο	Ο	Ο	ο	ο	Ο	ο	Ο	Ο	Ο	ΙΌ	ο
ο	Ο	Ο	ο	ιό	Ο	ΙΌ	ΙΌ	Ο	Ο	Ο	ο
20	20	Ο	ο	ο	Ο	Ο	Ο	Ο	ο	ο	ο
ο	ο	Ο	ο	ο	Ο	Ο	Ο	Ο	ο	ο	ο
sf		Ο	<Ν	ο	<Ν	<Ν	<Ν	Ο	co	ο	co
Ο	50	20	Ο	ο	20	Ο	20	30	ο	ο	30
		_ι	_ι	_ι	_ι	_\|	_ι	ο	ο	ο	Ο
		W	ω	W	W	W	ω	W	W
	<Ν	co		ΙΌ	co	Ε-	co	CD	ο		<Ν
CN	<Ν	CM	CM	<Ν	CM	<Ν	CM	CM	co	co	CO

ΙΌ	ΙΌ

Ο	Ο
Ο	Ο
Ο	Ο
00	00
Ο	30
Ο	ο
ω	G0
00
00	00

BIOLOGICAL EXAMPLES

A combination of two or more active compounds has synergistic effect when the efficacy of the combination of two or more active compounds is greater than the sum of the efficacy of each active compound when applied individually.

The expected activity for a given combination of two active compounds can be calculated by the “Colby equation” (S.R. Colby, Weeds 15, 20-22, 1967), as follows:

E = A + B - (ΑχΒ/100) I io where:

A = the percent efficacy of compound A when compound A is employed at a dose of m (gram per hectare, i.e. g/ha);

B = the percent efficacy of compound B when compound B is employed at a dose of n (g/ha);

E = the percent estimated efficacy when compounds A and B are employed together at a dose of m (g/ha) and n (g/ha), respectively.

The expected activity for a given combination of three active compounds can be calculated by the “Colby equation” (S.R. Colby, Weeds 15, 20-22, 1967), as follows:

E = (A+B+C) - (AxB+A*C+BxC)/100 + AxBxC/10000 II where:

A = the percent efficacy of compound A when compound A is employed at a dose of m (g/ha);

B = the percent efficacy of compound B when compound B is employed at a dose of n (g/ha)

C = the percent efficacy of compound C when compound C is employed at a dose of p (g/ha)

E = the percent estimated efficacy when compounds A and B and C are 10 employed together at a dose of m (g/ha), n (g/ha) and p (g/ha), respectively.

FIELD TEST 1 - GRAPE- BOTRYTIS

Young grape plants were treated with the formulations of Examples 1 to 10 above and then sprayed with a conidial suspension of Botrytis. The treated plants were incubated at 20°C and 100% relative atmospheric humidity for 48 hours.

After remaining in a greenhouse at 15°C and 80% relative atmospheric humidity for 15 days, the effectiveness of the treatment in preventing the fungal infestation of the young grape plants was assessed. The results are summarized in Table 2 below.

Three further comparative example formulations, A, B and C, were prepared and tested in the manner described above. The composition of these comparative formulations and the results are also set out in Table 2.

Table 2

Effectiveness (%)	65	o	O	LO	o	o	06	06
Application rate (g/ha)	Dimoxystrobin	o	o	O	o	o	100	o	o
Azoxystrobin	o	o	O	o	100	o	o	o
Picoxystrobin	o	o	O	100	o	o	o	100
Pyraclostrobin	o	o	100	o	o	o	100	o
Metconazole	o	50	o	o	o	o	50	50
Boscalid	250	o	o	o	o	o	250	250
Example No.	-	CN	co		LO	co	E-	co

95	06	55	65
ο	100	ο	ο
100	ο	ο	ο
ο	ο	ο	100
ο	ο	100	ο
50	50	50	Metconazole 0 Ipconazole 50
250	250	Ρ c 03 £ Ο ο Ο 03 ΙΌ « X CM m ώ	Boscalid 250
σ>	ο	Comp. Example A	Comp. Example B

ο co

The results set out in Table 2 demonstrate that the combinations of component (A) boscalid, component (B) metconazole and component (C) one or more of the strobilurin fungicides selected from pyraclostrobin, picoxystrobin, azoxystrobin and dimoxystrobin exhibit a synergistic effect in the control of

Botrytis infestations in grape plants.

FIELD TEST 2 - RYE- PUCCINIA RECONDITA

Young rye plants were sprayed with a conidial suspension of Puccinia io recondita, and incubated at 20°C and 100% relative atmospheric humidity for 48 hours.

Formulations of Examples 11 to 16 were diluted and then sprayed onto the plants. After remaining in a greenhouse at 15°C and 80% relative atmospheric humidity for 15 days, the effectiveness of the treatment in preventing the fungal infestation of the young rye plants was assessed. The results are summarized in Table 3 below.

Effectiveness (%)	LO	09	50	65	o co	95
Application rate (g/ha)	Dimoxystrobin	o	o	o	o	o	o
Azoxystrobin	o	o	o	o	o	o
Picoxystrobin	o	o	o	o	o	o
Pyraclostrobin	o	o	200	o	200	200
Metconazole	o	100	o	100	100	100
Boscalid	150	o	o	150	o	150
Example No.	-	CN	co	xr	LO	co

The results set out in Table 3 demonstrate that the combination of component (A) boscalid, component (B) metconazole and component (C) pyraclostrobin exhibits a synergistic effect in the control of the fungal infestations in rye plants.

FIELD TEST 3 - WHEAT- MYCOSPHAERELLA GRAMINICOLA

Young wheat plants were sprayed with a conidial suspension of Mycosphaerella graminicola, and incubated at 20°C and 100% relative atmospheric humidity for 48 hours.

io Formulations of Examples 17 to 22 were diluted and then sprayed on the plants. After remaining in a greenhouse at 15°C and 80% relative atmospheric humidity for 15 days, the effectiveness of the treatment in preventing the fungal infestation of the young wheat plants was assessed. The results are summarized in Table 4 below.

Table 4

Effectiveness (%)	o	LO	70	O	75	95
Application rate (g/ha)	Dimoxystrobin	o	o	o	O	o	o
Azoxystrobin	o	o	o	O	o	o
Picoxystrobin	o	o	200	o	200	200
Pyraclostrobin	o	o	o	o	o	o
Metconazole	o	40	o	40	40	40
Boscalid	500	o	o	500	o	500
Example No.	r-	co	CD	20	CM	22

The results set out in Table 4 demonstrate that the combination of component (A) boscalid, component (B) metconazole and component (C) picoxystrobin exhibits a synergistic effect in the control of the fungal infestations in wheat plants.

FIELD TEST 4 - WHEAT- SEPTORIA TRITICI

Young wheat plants were treated with formulations of Examples 23 to 28 summarised above, sprayed with a conidial suspension of Septoria Tritici), and incubated at 20°C and 100% relative atmospheric humidity for 48 hours.

io After remaining in a greenhouse at 15°C and 80% relative atmospheric humidity for 15 days, the effectiveness of the treatment in preventing the fungal infestation of the young wheat plants was assessed. The results are summarized in Table 5 below.

Effectiveness (%)	Lf)	65	50	70	85	100
	Dimoxystrobin	O	o	o	o	o	o
	c
	AzoxystroL	o	o	50	o	50	50
ion rate (g/ha)	Picoxystrobin	o	o	o	o	o	o
Applicat	Pyraclostrobin	o	o	o	o	o	o
	Metconazole	o	120	o	120	120	120
	Boscalid	200	o	o	200	o	200
Example No.	23	24	25	26	27	co CN

The results set out in Table 5 demonstrate that the combination of component (A) boscalid, component (B) metconazole and component (C) azoxystrobin exhibits a synergistic effect in the control of the fungal infestations in rye plants.

FIELD TEST 5 - SOYBEAN- SCLEROTINIA SCLEROTIORUM

Young soybean plants were sprayed with a conidial suspension of io Sclerotinia sclerotiorum and incubated at 20°C and 100% relative atmospheric humidity for 48 hours. Formulations of Examples 29 to 34 were diluted and then sprayed on the plants.

After remaining in a greenhouse at 15°C and 80% relative atmospheric humidity for 15 days, the effectiveness of the treatment in preventing the fungal infestation of the young soybean plants was assessed. The results are summarized in Table 6 below.

Effectiveness (%)	30	25	20	55	45	100
Application rate (g/ha)	Dimoxystrobin	o	o	150	o	150	150
Azoxystrobin	o	o	o	o	o	o
Picoxystrobin	o	o	o	o	o	o
Pyraclostrobin	o	o	o	o	o	o
Metconazole	o	o co	o	o co	o co	o co
Boscalid	o o co	o	o	o o co	o	o o co
Example No.	29	30	co	32	33	34

The results set out in Table 6 demonstrate that the combination of component (A) boscalid, component (B) metconazole and component (C) dimoxystrobin exhibits a synergistic effect in the control of the fungal infestations in soybean plants.

FIELD TEST 6 - CUCURBIT- ALTERNARIA CUCUMERINA

Young cucurbit plants were sprayed with a conidial suspension of Alternaria cucumerina and incubated at 20°C and 100% relative atmospheric humidity for 48 hours. Formulation of Examples 29 to 34 were diluted and then io sprayed on the plants.

After remaining in a greenhouse at 15°C and 80% relative atmospheric humidity for 15 days, the effectiveness of the treatment in preventing the fungal infestation of the young cucurbit plants was assessed. The results are summarized in Table 7 below.

Effectiveness (%)	40	io	LO	40	LO	06
Application rate (g/ha)	Dimoxystrobin	o	o	150	o	150	150
Azoxystrobin	o	o	o	o	o	o
Picoxystrobin	o	o	o	o	o	o
Pyraclostrobin	o	o	o	o	o	o
Metconazole	o	o co	o	o co	o co	o co
Boscalid	o o co	o	o	o o co	o	o o co
Example No.	29	30	co	32	33	34

The results set out in Table 7 demonstrate that the combination of component (A) boscalid, component (B) metconazole and component (C) dimoxystrobin exhibits a synergistic effect in the control of the fungal infestations in cucurbit plants.

FIELD TEST 7 - OILSEED RAPE - SCLEROTINIA SCLEROTIORUM

Young oilseed rape plants were treated with formulations of Examples 29 to 34 summarised above and then sprayed with a conidial suspension of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum and incubated at 20°C and 100% relative atmospheric io humidity for 48 hours.

After remaining in a greenhouse at 15°C and 80% relative atmospheric humidity for 15 days, the effectiveness of the treatment in preventing the fungal infestation of the young oilseed rape plants was assessed. The results are summarized in Table 8 below.

Effectiveness (%)	30	20	20	55	45	95
Application rate (g/ha)	Dimoxystrobin	o	o	150	o	150	150
Azoxystrobin	o	o	o	o	o	o
Picoxystrobin	o	o	o	o	o	o
Pyraclostrobin	o	o	o	o	o	o
Metconazole	o	o co	o	o co	o co	o co
Boscalid	o o co	o	o	o o co	o	o o co
Example No.	29	30	co	CN co	33	34

The results set out in Table 8 demonstrate that the combination of component (A) boscalid, component (B) metconazole and component (C) dimoxystrobin exhibits a synergistic effect in the control of the fungal infestations in oilseed rape plants.

FIELD TEST 8 - LETTUCE- PHOMA EXIGUA

Young lettuce plants were sprayed with a conidial suspension of Phoma exigua and incubated at 20°C and 100% relative atmospheric humidity for 48 hours. Formulations of Examples 17 to 22 were diluted and then sprayed on the io plants.

After remaining in a greenhouse at 15°C and 80% relative atmospheric humidity for 15 days, the effectiveness of the treatment in preventing the fungal infestation of the young oilseed rape plants was assessed. The results are summarized in Table 9 below.

Effectiveness (%)	55	o	Lf)	55	Lf)	06
Application rate (g/ha)	Dimoxystrobin	o	o	o	o	O	o
Azoxystrobin	o	o	o	o	o	o
Picoxystrobin	o	o	200	o	200	200
Pyraclostrobin	o	o	o	o	o	o
Metconazole	o	40	o	40	40	40
Boscalid	500	o	o	500	o	500
Example No.	r-	00	CD	20	CM	22

The results set out in Table 8 demonstrate that the combination of component (A) boscalid, component (B) metconazole and component (C) picoxystrobin exhibits a synergistic effect in the control of the fungal infestations in lettuce plants.

All publications, patents and patent applications cited in this specification are herein incorporated by reference as if each individual publication or patent application were specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference. Although the foregoing invention has been described in some detail by way of illustration and example for purposes of clarity of understanding, it will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art in light of the teachings of this invention that certain changes and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit or scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A synergistic fungicidal composition comprising:

component (A): boscalid;

component (B): metconazole; and

5 component (C): one or more strobilurin-type fungicides selected from pyraclostrobin, picoxystrobin, azoxystrobin and dimoxystrobin.

2. The composition according to claim 1, wherein component (A) and component (B) are present in the composition in a total amount of from 5 to 85% io by weight.

3. The composition according to claim 2, wherein component (A) and component (B) are present in the composition in a total amount of from 20 to 55% by weight.

4. The composition according to any preceding claim, wherein component (A) is present in the composition in an amount of from 5 to 75% by weight.

5. The composition according to claim 4, wherein component (A) is present 20 in the composition in an amount of from 10 to 50% by weight.

6. The composition according to any preceding claim, wherein component (B) is present in the composition in an amount of from 1 to 40% by weight.

25

7. The composition according to claim 6, wherein component (B) is present in the composition in an amount of from 1 to 20% by weight.

8. The composition according to any preceding claim, wherein component (C) is present in the composition in an amount of from 1 to 40% by weight.

9. The composition according to claim 8, wherein component (C) is present

5 in the composition in an amount of from 5 to 20% by weight.

10. The composition according to any preceding claim, comprising from 15 to 50% by weight of component (A); 4 to 12% by weight of component (B); and from 5 to 20% by weight of component (C).

io

11. The composition according to any preceding claim, wherein components (A) and (B) are present in a weight ratio of from 45:1 to 1:15.

12. The composition according to any preceding claim, wherein components

15 (A) and (B) and component (C) are present in a weight ratio of from 40:1 to 1:1.

13. The composition according to any preceding claim, further comprising one or more auxiliaries selected from extenders, carriers, solvents, surfactants, stabilizers, anti-foaming agents, anti-freezing agents, preservatives, antioxidants,

20 colorants, thickeners, solid adherents and inert fillers.

14. The composition according to any preceding claim, wherein the composition is a water-soluble concentrate (SL), an emulsifiable concentrate (EC), an emulsion (EW), a micro-emulsion (ME), a suspension concentrate (SC),

25 an oil-based suspension concentrate (OD), a flowable suspension (FS), waterdispersible granules (WG), water-soluble granules (SG), a water-dispersible powder (WP), a water soluble powder (SP), granules (GR), encapsulated granules (CG), fine granules (FG), macrogranules (GG), an aqueous suspoemulsion (SE), a capsule suspension (CS) or microgranules (MG).

15. The composition according to claim 14, wherein the composition is a formulation selected from water-dispersible granules (WG), an aqueous suspension concentrate (SC), an emulsifiable concentrate (EC), and a watersoluble concentrate (SL).

16. The composition according to any preceding claim, comprising a combination of components selected from:

boscalid, metconazole, and pyraclostrobin;

boscalid, metconazole, and picoxystrobin;

io boscalid, metconazole, and azoxystrobin; and boscalid, metconazole, and dimoxystrobin.

17. The composition according to any preceding claim, consisting essentially of from 15% to 50% of boscalid; from 4% to 12% of metconazole; from 5% to

15 20% of strobilurin; from 1% to 50% of surfactant; and from 1% to 80% water by weight of the composition.

18. A method for preventing, controlling and/or treating fungal infestations in plants, the method comprising applying to the plants, plant parts and/or their surroundings:

20 component (A): boscalid;

25

19. The method according to claim 18, wherein components (A) and (B) are employed in a weight ratio of from 45:1 to 1:15.

20. The method according to either of claims 18 or 19, wherein components (A) and (B) and component (C) are employed in a weight ratio of from 40:1 to 1:1

5

21. The method according to any of claims 18 to 20, comprising a combination of components selected from:

boscalid, metconazole, and pyraclostrobin;

boscalid, metconazole, and picoxystrobin;

boscalid, metconazole, and azoxystrobin; and io boscalid, metconazole, and dimoxystrobin.

22. The method according to any of claims 18 to 21, wherein the fungal infestation being controlled and/or treated comprises one or more of: Alternaria spp., Anisogramma spp., Ascochyta spp., Aureobasidium spp., Bipolaris spp.,

15 Black spp., Blumeria spp., Blumeriella spp., Botryosphaeria spp., Botrytis spp., Cercospora spp., Cercosporidium spp., Cladosporium spp., Cochilobolus spp., Colletotrichum spp., Corynespora spp., Cylindrosporium spp., Diaporthe spp., Didymella spp., Elsinoe spp., Erysiphe spp., Exserohikum spp., Fusarium spp., Guignardia spp., Gymnosporangium spp., Helminthosporium spp., Kabatiella

20 spp., Leptosphaeria spp., Leptosphaerulina spp., Microsphaera spp., Monilinia spp., Mycosphaerella spp., Penicillium spp., Peronospora spp., Phaeosphaeria spp., Phakospora spp., Phoma spp., Phomopsis spp., Phyllosticta spp., Physoderma spp., Phytophthora spp., Plasmopara spp., Podosphaera spp., Pseudocercospora spp., Pseudoperonospora spp., Pseudopezizza spp.,

25 Puccinia spp., Pyrenophora spp., Rhizoctonia spp., Rhynchosporium spp., Sclerotinia spp., Sclerotium spp., Septoria spp., Septosphaeria spp., Spetoria spp., Sphaerotheca spp., Stagonospora spp., Stemphylium spp., Tranzschelia spp., Uncinula spp., Uromyces spp., Venturia spp., Wilsonomyces spp.,and Zygophiala spp.

23. The method according to claim 22, wherein the fungal infestation being controlled and/or treated comprises one or more of: Alteraria brassicae, Alternaria cucumerina, Alternaria dauci, Alternaria mali, Alternaria porri,

5 Alternaria solani, Anisogramma anomala, Aureobasidium zeae, Bipolaris maydis, Black spot, Blumeria graminis, Blumeriella jaapii, Botryosphaeria dothidea, Botryosphaeria obtuse, Botrytis cinerea, Cercospora arachidicola, Cercospora blight and leaf spot, Cercospora citrulina, Cercospora kikuchii, Cercospora sojina, Cercospora sorghi, Cercospora zeae-maydis, Cercosporidium personatum, io Cladosporium carpophilum, Cochilobolus sativus, Cochliobolus heterostrophus, Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, Colletotrichum graminicola, Colletotrichum orbiculare, Colletotrichum truncatum, Corynespora cassiicola, Diaporthe phaseolum, Didymella bryoniae, Elsinoe ampelina, Erysiphe cichoracearum, Erysiphe graminis, Exserohikum turcicum, Fusarium roseum, Guignardia bidwellii,

15 Gymnosporangium clavipes, Gymnosporangium j uni peri- virginianae, Kabatiella zeae, Leptosphaeria nodorum, Leptosphaerulina briosiani, Monilinia fructicola, Monilinia laxa, Mycosphaerella angulate, Mycosphaerella fragariae, Mycosphaerella graminicola, Mycosphaerella pomi, Peronospora destructor, Peronospora manshurica, Phaeosphaeria nodorum, Phoma arachidicola, Phoma

20 exigua, Phoma lingam, Phoma medicaginis, Phomopsis viticola, Phyllosticta maydis, Physoderma maydis, Phytophthora nicotianae, Plasmopara viticola, Podosphaera leucotricha, Pseudocercospora vitis, Pseudoperonospora cubensis, Pseudopezizza medicaginis, Puccinia avenae, Puccinia coronate, Puccinia hordei, Puccinia polyspora, Puccinia recondite, Puccinia sorghi, Puccinia

25 striiformis, Puccinia triticina, Pyrenophora teres, Pyrenophora triticirepentis, Rhizoctonia solani, Rhynchosporium secalis, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, Sclerotium rolfsii, Septoria glycines, Septoria tritici, Septosphaeria turcica, Septria nodorum, Sphaerotheca fuliginea, Sphaerotheca macularis, Stemphylium vesicarium, Tranzschelia discolor, Uncinula necator, Venturia inaequalis, Venturia pirina,

30 Wilsonomyces carpophilus, and Zygophiala jamaicensis.

24. The method according to any of claims 18 to 23, wherein the fungal infestation being controlled and/or treated comprises one or more of: Alternaria spp., Botrytis spp., Puccinia spp., Phoma spp., Mycosphaerella spp., Septoria spp., and Sclerotinia spp.

25. The method according to claim 24, wherein the fungal infestation being controlled and/or treated comprises one or more of: Botrytis, Puccinia recondite, Mycosphaerella graminicola, Septoria tritici, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, Alternaria cucumerina and Phoma exigua.

io

26. The method according to any of claims 18 to 25, wherein the plants being treated are selected from: barley, corn, oats, rye, sorghum, wheat, cucurbit, berries, grapes, pistachio, strawberries, tree nuts, alfalfa, beans, chickpea, peanut, peas, soybean, oilseed rape, brassica, carrot, celery and lettuce,

15 particularly, grape, rye, wheat, soybean, cucurbit, oilseed rape, and lettuce.

27. The method according to any of claims 18 to 26, wherein components (A) and (B) are applied at a rate of from 1 to 1500 g/ha.

20

28. The method according to any of claims 18 to 26, wherein component (C) is applied at a rate of from 1 to 1500 g/ha.

29. The method according to any of claims 18 to 28, wherein a composition according to any of claims 1 to 17 is employed.

30. The method according to any of claims 18 to 29, wherein the components are applied to the plants during both the pre-emergence state and the postemergence stage.

31. Use of:

component (A): boscalid;

component (B): metconazole; and component (C): one or more strobilurin-type fungicides selected from 5 pyraclostrobin, picoxystrobin, azoxystrobin and dimoxystrobin for preventing, controlling and/or treating fungal infestations in plants, plant parts and/or their surroundings.

32. The use according to claim 31, wherein components (A) and (B) are io employed in a weight ratio of from 45:1 to 1:15.

33. The use according to either of claims 31 or 32, wherein components (A) and (B) and component (C) are employed in a weight ratio of from 40:1 to 1:1.

15

34. The use according to any of claims 31 to 33, comprising a combination of components selected from:

boscalid, metconazole, and pyraclostrobin;

boscalid, metconazole, and picoxystrobin;

boscalid, metconazole, and azoxystrobin; and

20 boscalid, metconazole, and dimoxystrobin.

35. The use according to any of claims 31 to 34, wherein the fungal infestation being controlled and/or treated comprises one or more of: Alternaria spp., Anisogramma spp., Ascochyta spp., Aureobasidium spp., Bipolaris spp.,

25 Black spp., Blumeria spp., Blumeriella spp., Botryosphaeria spp., Botrytis spp., Cercospora spp., Cercosporidium spp., Cladosporium spp., Cochilobolus spp.,

Colletotrichum spp., Corynespora spp., Cylindrosporium spp., Diaporthe spp., Didymella spp., Elsinoe spp., Erysiphe spp., Exserohikum spp., Fusarium spp., Guignardia spp., Gymnosporangium spp., Helminthosporium spp., Kabatiella spp., Leptosphaeria spp., Leptosphaerulina spp., Microsphaera spp., Monilinia

5 spp., Mycosphaerella spp., Penicillium spp., Peronospora spp., Phaeosphaeria spp., Phakospora spp., Phoma spp., Phomopsis spp., Phyllosticta spp., Physoderma spp., Phytophthora spp., Plasmopara spp., Podosphaera spp., Pseudocercospora spp., Pseudoperonospora spp., Pseudopezizza spp., Puccinia spp., Pyrenophora spp., Rhizoctonia spp., Rhynchosporium spp.,

10 Sclerotinia spp., Sclerotium spp., Septoria spp., Septosphaeria spp., Spetoria spp., Sphaerotheca spp., Stagonospora spp., Stemphylium spp., Tranzschelia spp., Uncinula spp., Uromyces spp., Venturia spp., Wilsonomyces spp.,and Zygophiala spp.

15

36. The use according to claim 35, wherein the fungal infestation being controlled and/or treated comprises one or more of: Alteraria brassicae, Alternaria cucumerina, Alternaria dauci, Alternaria mali, Alternaria porri, Alternaria solani, Anisogramma anomala, Aureobasidium zeae, Bipolaris maydis, Black spot, Blumeria gram inis, Blumeriella jaapii, Botryosphaeria dothidea,

20 Botryosphaeria obtuse, Botrytis cinerea, Cercospora arachidicola, Cercospora blight and leaf spot, Cercospora citrulina, Cercospora kikuchii, Cercospora sojina, Cercospora sorghi, Cercospora zeae-maydis, Cercosporidium personatum, Cladosporium carpophilum, Cochilobolus sativus, Cochliobolus heterostrophus, Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, Colletotrichum graminicola, Colletotrichum

25 orbiculare, Colletotrichum truncatum, Corynespora cassiicola, Diaporthe phaseolum, Didymella bryoniae, Elsinoe ampelina, Erysiphe cichoracearum, Erysiphe graminis, Exserohikum turcicum, Fusarium roseum, Guignardia bidwellii, Gymnosporangium clavipes, Gymnosporangium j uni peri- virginianae, Kabatiella zeae, Leptosphaeria nodorum, Leptosphaerulina briosiani, Monilinia fructicola,

30 Monilinia laxa, Mycosphaerella angulate, Mycosphaerella fragariae, Mycosphaerella graminicola, Mycosphaerella pomi, Peronospora destructor,

Peronospora manshurica, Phaeosphaeria nodorum, Phoma arachidicola, Phoma exigua, Phoma lingam, Phoma medicaginis, Phomopsis viticola, Phyllosticta maydis, Physoderma maydis, Phytophthora nicotianae, Plasmopara viticola, Podosphaera leucotricha, Pseudocercospora vitis, Pseudoperonospora cubensis,

5 Pseudopezizza medicaginis, Puccinia avenae, Puccinia coronate, Puccinia hordei, Puccinia polyspora, Puccinia recondite, Puccinia sorghi, Puccinia striiformis, Puccinia triticina, Pyrenophora teres, Pyrenophora triticirepentis, Rhizoctonia solani, Rhynchosporium secalis, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, Sclerotium rolfsii, Septoria glycines, Septoria tritici, Septosphaeria turcica, Septria nodorum,

10 Sphaerotheca fuliginea, Sphaerotheca macularis, Stemphylium vesicarium, Tranzschelia discolor, Uncinula necator, Venturia inaequalis, Venturia pirina, Wilsonomyces carpophilus, and Zygophiala jamaicensis.

37. The use according to any of claims 31 to 36, wherein the fungal

15 infestation being controlled and/or treated comprises one or more of: Alternaria spp., Botrytis spp., Puccinia spp., Phoma spp., Mycosphaerella spp., Septoria spp., and Sclerotinia spp.

38. The use according to claim 37, wherein the fungal infestation being

20 controlled and/or treated comprises one or more of: Botrytis, Puccinia recondite,

Mycosphaerella graminicola, Septoria tritici, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, Alternaria cucumerina and Phoma exigua.

39. The use according to any of claims 31 to 38, wherein the plants being

25 treated are selected from: barley, corn, oats, rye, sorghum, wheat, cucurbit, berries, grapes, pistachio, strawberries, tree nuts, alfalfa, beans, chickpea, peanut, peas, soybean, oilseed rape, brassica, carrot, celery and lettuce, particularly, grape, rye, wheat, soybean, cucurbit, oilseed rape, and lettuce.

30

40. The use according to any of claims 31 to 39, wherein components (A) and (B) are applied at a rate of from 1 to 1500 g/ha.

41. The use according to any of claims 31 to 40, wherein component (C) is applied at a rate of from 1 to 1500 g/ha.

5

42. The use according to any of claims 31 to 41, wherein a composition according to any of claims 1 to 17 is employed.

43. The use according to any of claims 31 to 42, wherein the components are applied to the plants during both the pre-emergence state and the post10 emergence stage.

Intellectual

Property

Office

Application No: Claims searched:

GB1707088.9

1-43