GB2562083A

GB2562083A - Fungicidal composition and use thereof

Info

Publication number: GB2562083A
Application number: GB1707096.2A
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: CN110573016A; GB201707096D0; CN110573016B; AR111376A1; GB2562083B; WO2018201883A1

Abstract

A fungicidal composition comprising boscalid, dimethomorph and picoxystrobin. Each component may be added simultaneously or successively, and may be employed a plurality of times. 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, and the total amount of the fungicide components may be applied in a range of 20-5000 g/ha. The target plants may be selected from cereals, fruits, legumes, oil plants, lemons and vegetables.

Description

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

Abstract Title: Fungicidal composition comprising boscalid, dimethomorph and picoxystrobin (57) A fungicidal composition comprising boscalid, dimethomorph and picoxystrobin. Each component may be added simultaneously or successively, and may be employed a plurality of times. 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, and the total amount of the fungicide components may be applied in a range of 20-5000 g/ha. The target plants may be selected from cereals, fruits, legumes, oil plants, lemons and vegetables.

FUNGICIDAL COMPOSITION AND USE THEREOF

The present invention relates to a fungicidal composition comprising a 5 synergistic combination of three active components. The invention also relates to a method of preventing, controlling and treating fungal infections using the aforementioned combination of active components.

A fungicide is a natural or synthetic compound for protecting plants from fungal infestation. Current agricultural operations rely on the use of fungicides. In fact, a number of crops cannot grow effectively without the use of certain fungicides. With the use of fungicides, farmers may increase the yield of the crops, so as to enhance the crop value. In most cases, the increase in the value obtained for a crop is many times the cost of applying fungicides to the crop.

However, there is no fungicide which can be applied to all circumstances of fungal infestation. In addition, repeated use of the same type of fungicides will generate resistance in the target plants to this type or other relevant types of fungicides.

Therefore, efforts are devoted to the research and production of fungicides and fungicidal compositions having increased safety, improved performance, lower cost, lower dosage rates and greater convenience and ease of use. The ability to reduce the dosage rates of fungicides required to achieve desired level of control serves to reduce the development of resistance in the fungi being targeted.

Boscalid, dimethomorph and picoxystrobin are known fungicidally active compounds and are commercially available in fungicidal formulations. It has surprisingly been found that a combination of boscalid, dimethomorph and picoxystrobin exhibits a synergistic effect in the prevention and treatment of fungal infestations.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a fungicidal composition comprising boscalid, dimethomorph and picoxystrobin.

In a further aspect, the present invention also provides a method of preventing, treating and/or controlling fungal infestations in a target plant, which method comprises applying boscalid, dimethomorph and picoxystrobin to the plant, a plant part or its surroundings.

In a still further aspect, the present invention provides the use of a combination of boscalid, dimethomorph and picoxystrobin in the prevention, treatment or control of a fungal infestation of a target plant.

Boscalid is a nicotinamide fungicide developed successfully by BASF in

Germany. The chemical name of boscalid is 2-chloro-N-(4'-chlorobiphenyl-2-yl) nicotinamide. It has a broad fungicidal spectrum and exhibits a preventive effect. While showing activity to nearly all types of fungal diseases, it is particularly effective for controlling powdery mildew, gray mold, root rot, sclerotiose and various rot diseases, and is effective against fungal infestations that exhibit tolerance to other formulations. Boscalid is used mainly for controlling fungal diseases of rapes, grapes, fruit trees, vegetables and field crops and the like.

Boscalid is a succinate dehydrogenase inhibitor (SDHI), which belongs to the class of mitochondrial respiration inhibitors, and acts by inhibiting succinate coenzyme Q reductase in the mitochondrial electron transport chain (also referred to as compound II).

Dimethomorph is a morpholine fungicide and has the chemical name (E,Z)4-[3-(4-chlorophenyl)-3-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)acryloyl]morpholine. Dimethomorph is effective against oomycetes, especially Peronospoaceae and Phytophthora spp.

The compound can be applied to such crops as grapes, cucumbers, melons, bitter gourds, tomatoes, peppers, potatoes, cruciferous vegetables to prevent or treat infestations by fungal pathogens.

Dimethomorph acts by preventing formation of or destroying the cell wall of the fungus being targeted.

Picoxystrobin is a methoxyacrylate strobilurin fungicide and has the chemical name methyl(2E)-3-methoxy-2-{2-[6-(trifluoromethyl)-2pyridyloxymethyl]phenyl}acrylate. Picoxystrobin is a systemic, broad-spectrum fungicide of use in controlling foliar diseases of wheat, such as leaf blight, leaf rust, glume blight, brown leaf spot, powdery mildew, and the like.

The inventors have surprisingly found that the application of a combination of boscalid, dimethomorph and picoxystrobin, either jointly in one composition or separately produces a significantly better control of harmful fungi as compared with application of each of the aforementioned compounds alone. More specifically, the activity and/or other desirable properties achieved by the combination of boscalid, dimethomporph and picoxystrobin according to the invention are higher than expected from the performance of the individual components boscalid, dimethomorph or picoxystrobin, indicating a significant synergistic effect.

The combination of boscalid, dimethomorph and picoxystrobin according to the present invention allows the application dosage rates of the components to be significantly reduced, and the application cost is thus decreased, while still achieving the desired level of control. The combination of boscalid, dimethomorph and picoxystrobin broadens the fungicide controlling spectrum, retards the generation and development of the resistance of fungal pathogens, and exhibits a clear synergistic effect. The three active ingredients give rise to no crossresistance.

As noted above, in one aspect the invention provides a composition, comprising boscalid, dimethomorph and picoxystrobin.

Boscalid may be present in the composition in any suitable amount to provide the synergistic effect with dimethomorph and picoxystrobin. The amount of boscalid in the composition may range from 1 to 90% by weight of the composition, preferably from 1 to 80%, more preferably from 1 to 70%, still more preferably from 5 to 60%, more preferably still from 10 to 60% by weight. In some preferred embodiments, boscalid is present in an amount of from 5 to 55% by weight of the composition, more preferably from 10 to 55%, still more preferably from 10 to 50%, in particular from 10 to 45% by weight of the composition.

Dimethomorph may be present in the composition in any suitable amount to provide the synergistic effect with boscalid and picoxystrobin. The amount of dimethomorph in the composition may range from 1 to 90% by weight of the composition, preferably from 1 to 80%, more preferably from 1 to 70%, still more preferably from 1 to 60%, more preferably still from 5 to 60% by weight. In some preferred embodiments, dimethomorph is present in an amount of from 1 to 55% by weight of the composition, more preferably from 1 to 50%, still more preferably from 5 to 50%, in particular from 5 to 45% by weight of the composition.

Picoxystrobin may be present in the composition in any suitable amount to provide the synergistic effect with boscalid and dimethomorph. The amount of picoxystrobin in the composition may range from 1 to 90% by weight of the composition, preferably from 1 to 80%, more preferably from 1 to 70%, still more preferably from 1 to 60%, more preferably still from 5 to 60% by weight. In some preferred embodiments, picoxystrobin is present in an amount of from 5 to 55% by weight of the composition, more preferably from 5 to 50%, still more preferably from 5 to 45%, in particular from 5 to 40% by weight of the composition.

According to one preferred embodiment of the present invention, the composition comprises boscalid in an amount of from 10 to 60% by weight, dimethomorph in an amount of from 5 to 45% by weight, and picoxystrobin in an amount of from 5 to 40% by weight.

The compositions of the present invention may be produced in conventional manner and provided in any suitable formulation, for example by mixing boscalid, dimethomorph and picoxystrobin, together with one or more auxiliaries appropriate for the type of formulation.

The composition of the present invention may comprise one or more auxiliaries, as required by the particular formulation. Suitable auxiliaries which may be comprised in the composition of the invention are all customary formulation adjuvants or components, such as one or more extenders, carriers, solvents, surfactants, stabilizers, anti-foaming 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), wettable powders (WP), and water soluble granules (SG).

The fungicidal composition may comprise one or more inert fillers. Such inert fillers are known in the art and available commercially. Suitable fillers 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 5 nonionic type. Examples which may be used are salts of polyacrylic acids, salts of lignosulphonic acid, salts of phenylsulphonic or naphthalenesulphonic 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 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-foam agents include all substances which can normally be used for this purpose in agrochemical compositions. Suitable anti-foam agents are known in the art and are available commercially. Particularly preferred antifoam agents are mixtures of polydimethylsiloxanes and perfluroalkylphosphonic acids, such as the silicone anti-foam 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 5 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 10 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.

Boscalid, dimethomorph and picoxystrobin may be present in the composition or used in the present invention in any weight ratio that provides the aforementioned synergistic effect. Preferably, boscalid, dimethomorph and picoxystrobin are employed in a weight ratio of from 0.5 to 8.0 boscalid : from 0.5 to 3.0 dimethomorph: from 0.5 to 3.0 picoxystrobin, more preferably from 0.7 to 7.5 boscalid: from 0.7 to 2.5 dimethomorph: 0.7 to 2.5 picoxystrobin, still more preferably from 0.8 to 7.0 boscalid : from 0.8 to 2.2 dimethomorph : 0.8 to 2.0 picoxystrobin. Particularly preferred weight ratios of boscalid, dimethomorph and picoxystrobin are described in the specific examples set out below.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the weight ratio of boscalid to the combined amount of dimethomorph and picoxystrobin is about 1:100 to 100:1, preferably about 1:50 to 50:1, more preferably about 1:25 to 25:1, still more preferably about 1:10 to 10:1.

The rates of application (use) of boscalid, dimethomorph and picoxystrobin in the compositions, method and use of the present invention may vary, for example, according to such factors as type of use, soil type, season, climate, soil ecology, type of plants, but are such that boscalid, dimethomorph and picoxystrobin are applied in an effective amount to provide the desired action. The application rate of the composition for a given set of conditions can readily be determined by conducting trials.

The application rate of the total amount of boscalid, dimethomorph and picoxystrobin typically lies in the range of from about 10 to about 9000 gram per hectare (g/ha), preferably from 20 to 5000 g/ha. In general, beneficial results will be obtained when employing from about 5 to about 3000 g/ha, preferably about 10 to about 2000 g/ha, of boscalid; from about 5 to about 1500 g/ha, preferably from about 10 to about 800 g/ha, of dimethomorph; and from about 5 to 1500 g/ha, preferably about 10 to about 800 g/ha of picoxystrobin.

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 can be 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 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 in which the plants are growing, have been planted or will be planted.

The active components may be applied in any suitable form, as described above. Typically, the active components will be applied as formulations, that is compositions comprising one or more of the active components together with further carriers, surfactants or other application-promoting adjuvants customarily employed in formulation technology, as discussed above.

In the event the active components are applied simultaneously in the present invention, they may be applied as a composition containing the fungicially active components, in which case the components 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 the components 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, in particular as a composition of the present invention.

The composition, method and use of the present invention may be used to prevent and/or control fungal infestations in a range of plants.

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 pre-emergence application includes seed treatment. In one preferred embodiment, the fungicidal components are applied directly on the foliage (or leaves) of a plant.

The composition according to the invention is suitable for treating a wide range of plants. Crop plants that may be treated using the present invention include: cereals, for example wheat, barley, rye, oat, maize, rice, sorghum, triticale and related crops; beets, for example sugar beet or fodder beet; fruits, for example pome, stone fruit and soft fruit, for example, apple, pear, grape, plum, peach, almond, cherry, and berries, for example, strawberry, raspberry and blackberry; legumes, for examle kidney bean, lentil, pea, soybean; oil plants, for example rape, mustard, sunflower; melons, for example chieh-qua, cucumber, cantaloupe; fibrous plants, for example cotton, flax, hemp, and jute; citrus fruits, for example orange, lemon, grapefruit and mandarin orange; vegetables, for example spinach, lettuce, asparagus, cabbage, carrot, onion, tomato, potato, chili; coffee; and ornamental plants, for example flowers, shrubs, broad-leaved trees or evergreen plants, such as conifers.

The present invention is particularly suitable for the treatment and protection of cereals, fruits, legumes, oil plants, lemons and vegetables, particularly soybean, cotton, dry bean, sugar cane, tomato, potato and rice.

The composition, method and use of the present invention may be used to prevent, control or treat infestation by a range of fungal pathogens. Fungal infestations that may be treated using the present invention include, but are not limited to: Alternaria spp., Ascochyta spp., Aureobasidium spp., Bipolaris spp., Black spp., Blumeria spp., Botrytis spp., Bremla spp., Cercospora spp., Cercosporidium spp., Cladosporium spp., Cochilobolus spp., Colletotrichum spp., Corynespora spp., Diaporthe spp., Didymella spp., Erysiphe spp., Exserohikum spp., Helminthosporium spp., Kabatiella spp., Leptosphaeria spp., Leptosphaerulina spp., Marssonina spp., Mycosphaerella spp., Peronospora spp., Phaeosphaeria spp., Phakopsora spp., Phoma spp., Phyllosticta spp., Physoderma spp., Phytophthora spp., Plasmopara spp., Pseudoperonospora spp., Pseudopezizza spp., Puccinia spp., Pyrenophora spp., Rhizoctonia spp., Rhynchosporium spp., Sclerotinia spp., Septoria spp., Septosphaeria spp., Stagonospora spp., Uncinula spp., and Uromyces spp.

The present invention is particularly effective in the prevention or treatment of infestations by Alternaria spp., Ascochyta spp., Cercospora spp., Cochilobolus spp., Colletotrichum spp., Didymella spp., Erysiphe spp., Mycosphaerella spp., Peronospora spp., Phakopsora spp., Phytophthora spp., Rhizoctonia spp., Sclerotinia spp., and Septoria spp.

Fungal pathogens that may be controlled using the present invention are, for example, Alternaria cucumerina (blight), Alternaria dauci (leaf spot), Alternaria porri (purple leaf spot), Alternaria solani (early blight), Alternaria spp. (blight), Alternaria spp. (leaf spot), Alternaria spp. (ear disease), Alternaria spp. (blight, leaf spot), Alternaria spp. (leaf spot and pod spot), Ascochyta spp. (blight), Ascochyta spp. (blight, leaf spot), Aureobasidium zeae (eye spot), Bipolaris maydis (maize Southern leaf blight), black spot germ (Alternaria blight), Blumeria graminis, Botrytis cinerea (Botrytis cinerea gray mold), Botrytis cinerea (gray mold), Botrytis cinerea (gray rot), Botrytis spp. (gray rot), Bremia lactucae (downy mildew), Cercospora arachidicola (early leaf spot), Cercospora (blight and leaf spot), Cercospora kikuchii (Cercospora blight and leaf spot, purple leaf spot), Cercospora sojina (frogeye, leaf spot), Cercospora sorghi (gray leaf spot), Cercospora (Cercospora leaf spot), Cercospora zeae-maydis (gray leaf spot), Cercosporidium personatum (late leaf spot), Cladosporium (ear disease), Cochliobolus sativus (spot blight), Cochliobolus heterostrophus (maize Southern leaf blight), Colletotrichum graminicola (anthrax), Colletotrichum graminicola (anthrax, leaf blight and stalk rot), Colletotrichum spp. (anthrax), Colletotrichum truncatum (anthrax), Corynespora cassiicola (target spot), Diaporthe phaseolum (pod and stalk blight), Didymella bryoniae (stem blight), Erysiphe graminis (powdery mildew), Erysiphe spp. (powdery mildew), Exserohikum turcicum (maize leaf blight), Leptosphaerulina briosiani (leaf spot), Helminthosporium (black leaf spot), Kabatiella zeae (eye spot), Leptosphaeria nodorum (glume blight), Marssonina panattoniana (anthrax), Mycosphaerella graminicola, Mycosphaerella spp. (Mycosphaerella blight), Peronospora arborescens (downy mildew), Peronospora destructor (downy mildew), Peronospora manshurica (downy mildew), Phaeosphaeria nodorum, Phakopsora spp., Phakospora spp. (rust fungi), Phoma, Phoma arachidicola (net blotch), Phoma exigua (Ascochyta blight), Phoma exigua (basal stem rot), Phoma medicaginis (spring black stem and leaf spot), Phyllosticta maydis (yellow leaf blight), Physoderma maydis (brown leaf spot), Phytophthora infestans (late blight), Phytophthora nicotianae (downy mildew), Plasmopara viticola (downy mildew), Pseudoperonospora cubensis (downy mildew), Pseudopezizza medicaginis (common leaf spot), Puccinia coronata (crown rust),

Puccinia hordei (brown rust), Puccinia polyspora (rust), Puccinia sorghi (rust), Puccinia striiformis (yellow rust), Puccinia triticina (leaf rust), Pyrenophora teres (net blotch), Pyrenophora tritici-repenti (brown leaf spot), Rhizoctonia solani (aerial web blight), Rhizoctonia solani (Rhizoctonia aerial blight), Rhynchosporium,

Sclerotinia, Sclerotinia minor (lettuce blight), Sclerotinia minor (Sclerotinia blight), Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (Sclerotinia stalk rot), Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (white mold), Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (Sclerotinia white mold), Sclerotinia (Sclerotinia rot, white mold), Sclerotinia (Sclerotinia rot and blight), Septoria glycines (brown leaf spot), Septoria spp. (Septoria rot), Septoria spp. (Septoria leaf spot), Septoria spp. (leaf spot and glume spot), Septoria spp. (Septoria spot), Septoria tritici (leaf spot), Septosphaeria turcica (Northern maize leaf blight), Stagonospora spp. (leaf spot and glume spot), Uncinula necator (powdery mildew), Uromyces spp. (rust/

The present invention is particularly effective in the treatment and control of Alternaria spp., Ascochyta spp., Botrytis cinerea, Cercospora arachidicola,

Cercospora sojina, Cercospora zeae-maydis, Cochliobolus sativus, Colletotrichum spp., Erysiphe spp., Peronospora arborescens, Phakospora spp., Phytophthora infestans, Plasmopara viticola, Rhizoctonia solani, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, Septoria tritici, and Uncinula necator.

The present invention is advantageous when used to control plants suffering from a range of fungal diseases, in particular gray mold, downy mildew, late blight, early blight, powdery mildew, gray leaf spot, sclerotiose, rice blast, sheath blight, leaf blight, leaf rust, glume blight, brown leaf spot, net blotch, scald disease, root rot, stalk rot, leaf rot and other rot diseases.

The present invention will now be described, for illustration purposes only, by way of the following Examples.

Unless otherwise indicated, percentages are percent by weight.

EXAMPLES

Formulation Examples

Wettable powder (WP)

Wettable powder (WP) formulations were prepared by mixing and grinding the 5 active ingredients and adjuvants (5% DISPERSOGEN®1494; 8%

SIPERNAT®622S, kaolin clay (make up to 100g)) in compressed air.

The composition of an exemplary wettable powder formulation is summarized as follows.

Picoxystrobin	20%
Boscalid	30%
Dimethomorph	20%
DISPERSOGEN®1494	5%
SIPERNAT®622S (silica)	8%
Kaolin clay	Balance to 100%

Water dispersible granules (WG)

Water dispersible granule (WG) formulations were prepared as follows:

The active ingredients and adjuvants (0.5% SUPRALATE® (sodium lauryl 15 sulfate, Witco Inc., Greenwich), 5% REAX®88B (sodium lignin sulfonate, Westvaco Corp), potassium carbonate (make up to 100%)) were mixed and ground in compressed air, and then wetted, extruded and dried to afford the water dispersible granules.

The composition of an exemplary water dispersible granule formulation is summarized as follows.

Picoxystrobin	10%
Boscalid	40%
Dimethomorph	10%
SUPRALATE® (sodium lauryl sulfate,Witco Inc., Greenwich)	0.5%
REAX®88B (sodium lignin sulfonate, Westvaco Corp)	5%
Potassium carbonate	Balance to 100%

Aqueous suspension concentrate (SC)

Aqueous suspension concentrate formulations (SC) were prepared as follows:

The finely ground active ingredients were mixed with the adjuvants (10% propylene glycol, 5% tristyrylphenol ethoxylate), 1% sodium lignin sulfonate, 1% carboxymethyl cellulose, 1% silicone oil (in the form of 75% emulsion/water), 0.1% xanthan gum, 0.1% NIPACIDE BIT 20 and water (make up to 1L).

The composition of an exemplary aqueous suspension concentrate formulation is summarized as follows.

Picoxystrobin	10%
Boscalid	30%
Dimethomorph	20%
Tristyrylphenol ethoxylate	5%
Sodium lignin sulfonate	1%
Carboxymethyl cellulose	1%
1 % silicone oil (in the form of 75% emulsion/water)	1%
Xanthan gum	0.1%
NIPACIDE BIT 20	0.1%
Water	Make up to 1L

Water soluble granules (SG)

Water soluble granule (SG) formulations were prepared as follows:

The active ingredients and adjuvants (0.5% SUPRALATE® (sodium lauryl sulfate,Witco Inc., Greenwich), 5% REAX®88B (sodium lignin sulfonate, Westvaco Corp), 2% sodium bicarbonate (NaHCOs), potassium sulfate (make up to 100%)) were mixed and ground in compressed air, and then wetted, extruded and dried to afford water soluble granules.

The composition of an exemplary water soluble granule formulation is summarized as follows.

Picoxystrobin	10%
Boscalid	15%
Dimethomorph	10%
SUPRALATE® (sodium lauryl sulfate,Witco Inc., Greenwich)	0.5%
REAX®88B (sodium lignin sulfonate, Westvaco Corp)	5%
Sodium bicarbonate (NaHCOs)	2%
Potassium sulfate	Make up to 100%

A range of formulations were prepared, with a range of different compositions, as described above. The formulation type and the active ingredient contents are summarized in the following table.

Example	Dosage form	Picoxystrobin (%)	Boscalid (%)	Dimethomorph (%)
1	SC	30	0	0
2	WG	0	50	0
3	SC	0	0	40
4	SC	15	10	0
5	SC	0	10	15
6	SC	15	0	15
7	sc	10	30	0
8	WG	0	30	20
9	SC	10	0	20
10	SC	10	15	0
11	SC	0	15	10
12	sc	10	0	10
13	WG	10	40	0
14	WG	0	40	10
15	WG	20	30	0
16	WG	0	30	20
17	SC	20	0	20
18	SC	8	30	0

19	SC	0	30	5
20	SC	8	0	5
21	WG	15	10	15
22	SC	10	30	20
23	SC	10	15	10
24	WG	10	40	10
25	WP	20	30	20
26	SC	8	30	5

The formulations of Examples 21 to 26 are embodiments of the present invention. The formulations of Examples 1 to 20 are provided for comparison purposes.

The weight ratio of boscalid : dimethomorph : picoxystrobin in Examples 21 to

26 was as follows:
Example 21:	1:1.5:1.5
Example 22:	3:2:1
Example 23:	1.5:1:1
Example 24:	4:1:1
Example 25:	1.5:1:1
Example 26:	6:1:1.6

Biological Examples

The expected activity of a given combination of two active compounds may be calculated according to the following “Colby equation” [S.R. Colby, Weeds, 15, 205 22,(1967)]:

E = A+B - (AxB/100) wherein:

A = the efficacy of Compound A used at a dose of m gram/hectare (g/ha) (%);

B = the efficacy of Compound B used at a dose of n gram/hectare (g/ha) (%);

E = the expected activity of the given combination when Compounds A and B are used jointly at dosages of m gram/hectare (g/ha) and n gram/hectare (g/ha) respectively (%).

The expected activity of a given combination of three active compounds may be calculated according to the following equation:

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

A = the efficacy of Compound A used at a dose of m gram/hectare (g/ha) (%);

B = the efficacy of Compound B used at a dose of n gram/hectare (g/ha) (%);

C = the efficacy of Compound C used at a dose of p gram/hectare (g/ha) (%);

E = the expected activity of the given combination when Compounds A, B and C are used jointly at dosages of m gram/hectare (g/ha), n gram/hectare (g/ha) and p gram/hectare (g/ha) respectively (%).

Field Test 1: Bariev - Cochliobolus sativus

Young barley plants were sprayed with a conidium suspension of Cochliobolus sativus and cultivated at 20°C and 100% relative atmospheric humidity for 48 hours.

The plants were divided into groups and formulations of Examples 1 to 6 and 21 used to treat the infected plants. One group of plants was kept untreated as a control group.

The treated plants were held at 15°C and 80% relative atmospheric humidity 15 in a greenhouse for 15 days. Thereafter, the fungicidal efficacy was evaluated.

The results of the evaluation are set out in Table A below. 100% indicates that no fungal infestation is observed and 0% is equivalent to the efficacy of the control group.

Table A

Example No.	Application rate of picoxystrobin (g/ha)	Application rate of boscalid (g/ha)	Application rate of dimethomorph (g/ha)	Efficacy (%)
Untreated	0	0	0	0

1	300	0	0	50
2	0	200	0	20
3	0	0	300	25
4	300	200	0	65
5	0	200	300	50
6	300	0	300	65
21	300	200	300	95

The results set out in Table A demonstrate that the combination of boscalid, dimethomorph and picoxystrobin exhibited a synergistic level of activity in the control of an infestation of barley by Cochliobolus sativus.

Field Test 2: Bean - Ascochyta spp.

Young bean plants were sprayed with a conidium suspension of Ascochyta spp. and cultivated at 20°C and 100% relative atmospheric humidity for 48 hours.

The plants were divided into groups and formulations of Examples 1 to 3, 7 to and 22 used to treat the infected plants. One group of plants was kept untreated as a control group.

The treated plants were held at 15°C and 80% relative atmospheric humidity in a greenhouse for 15 days. Thereafter, the fungicidal efficacy was evaluated.

The results of the evaluation are set out in Table B below. 100% indicates that no fungal infestation is observed and 0% is equivalent to the efficacy of the control group.

Table B

Example No.	Application rate of picoxystrobin (g/ha)	Application rate of boscalid (g/ha)	Application rate of dimethomorph (g/ha)	Efficacy (%)
Untreated	0	0	0	0
1	100	0	0	50
2	0	300	0	20
3	0	0	200	25
7	100	300	0	65
8	0	300	200	50
9	100	0	200	65
22	100	300	200	95

The results set out in Table B demonstrate that the combination of boscalid, dimethomorph and picoxystrobin exhibited a synergistic level of activity in the control of an infestation of bean by Ascochyta spp.

Field Test 3: Radish - Erysiphe spp.

Young radish plants were sprayed with a conidium suspension of Erysiphe spp. and cultivated at 20°C and 100% relative atmospheric humidity for 48 hours.

The plants were divided into groups and formulations of Examples 1 to 3, 12 5 to 14 and 24 used to treat the infected plants. One group of plants was kept untreated as a control group.

The results of the evaluation are set out in Table C below. 100% indicates 10 that no fungal infestation is observed and 0% is equivalent to the efficacy of the control group.

Table C

Example No.	Application rate of picoxystrobin (g/ha)	Application rate of boscalid (g/ha)	Application rate of dimethomorph (g/ha)	Efficacy (%)
Untreated	0	0	0	0
1	200	0	0	50
2	0	800	0	50
3	0	0	200	15
12	200	0	200	80
13	200	800	0	60
14	0	800	200	65

24

200

800

200

100

The results set out in Table C demonstrate that the combination of boscalid, dimethomorph and picoxystrobin exhibited a synergistic level of activity in the control of an infestation of bean by Erysiphe spp.

Field Test 4: Maize - Cercospora zeae-mavdis

Young maize plants were sprayed with a conidium suspension of Cercospora zeae-maydis and cultivated at 20°C and 100% relative atmospheric humidity for 48 hours.

The plants were divided into groups and formulations of Examples 1 to 3, 10 to 12 and 23 used to treat the infected plants. One group of plants was kept untreated as a control group.

The results of the evaluation are set out in Table D below. 100% indicates that no fungal infestation is observed and 0% is equivalent to the efficacy of the control group.

Table D

Example

No.

Application rate of picoxystrobin (g/ha)

Application rate of boscalid (g/ha)

Application rate of dimethomorph (g/ha)

Efficacy (%)

Untreated	0	0	0	0
1	100	0	0	55
2	0	150	0	15
3	0	0	100	15
10	100	150	0	65
11	0	150	100	70
12	100	0	100	60
23	100	150	100	95

The results set out in Table D demonstrate that the combination of boscalid, dimethomorph and picoxystrobin exhibited a synergistic level of activity in the control of an infestation of bean plants by Cercospora zeae-maydis spp.

Field Test 5: Melon- Alternaria spp. and Colletotrichum spp.

Young melon plants were sprayed with conidium suspensions of Alternaria spp. and Colletotrichum spp. separately, and cultivated at 20°C and 100% relative atmosphereic humidity for 48 hours.

The plants were divided into groups and formulations of Examples 1 to 3, 15 to 17 and 25 used to treat the infected plants. One group of plants was kept untreated as a control group.

The results of the evaluation are set out in Table E below. 100% indicates that no fungal infestation is observed and 0% is equivalent to the efficacy of the control group.

Table E

Example No.	Application rate of picoxystrobin (g/ha)	Application rate of boscalid (g/ha)	Application rate of dimethomorph (g/ha)	Efficacy against Alternaria spp. (%)	Efficacy against Colletotrichum spp. (%)
Untreated	0	0	0	0	0
1	200	0	0	50	45
2	0	300	0	45	10
3	0	0	200	15	45
15	200	300	0	75	55
16	0	300	200	55	50
17	200	0	200	65	70
25	200	300	200	100	95

The results set out in Table E demonstrate that the combination of boscalid, dimethomorph and picoxystrobin exhibited a synergistic level of activity in the control of an infestation of melon plants by both Alternaria spp. and Colletotrichum spp.

Field Test 6: Grape - Botrytis cinerea, Plasmopara viticola and Uncinula necator

Young grape plants were sprayed with conidium suspensions of Botrytis cinerea, Plasmopara viticola and Uncinula necator separately, and cultivated at

20°C and 100% relative atmospheric humidity for 48 hours.

The treated plants were held at 15°C and 80% relative atmospheric humidity 10 in a greenhouse for 15 days. Thereafter, the fungicidal efficacy was evaluated.

The results of the evaluation are set out in Table F below. 100% indicates that no fungal infestation is observed and 0% is equivalent to the efficacy of the control group.

Table F

ο ω + o 8 § ω + TO ο O O' i}z CD c Φ LU 03 ς	o	LO	55	o	09	09	25	06
Efficacy against Plasmopara viticola (%)	o	o	o	LO co	o	LO CO	LO CO	o CD
Efficacy against Botrytis cinerea (%)	o	o	o co	o	o E-	LO co	LO	LO CD
Application rate of dimethomorph (g/ha)	o	o	o	200	O	200	200	200
Application rate of boscalid (g/ha)	o	o	o o co	o	O O CO	o o co	o	o o co
Application rate of picoxystrobin (g/ha)	o	200	o	o	200	o	200	200
Example No.	Untreated	-	CM	co	LO	co	E-	LO CM

The results set out in Table F demonstrate that the combination of boscalid, dimethomorph and picoxystrobin exhibited a synergistic level of activity in the control of an infestation of melon plants by both Alternaria spp. and Colletotrichum spp.

Field Test 7: Rape - Peronospora arborescens

Young rape plants were sprayed with a conidium suspension of Peronospora arborescens and cultivated at 20°C and 100% relative atmospheric humidity for 48 hours.

The plants were divided into groups and formulations of Examples 1 to 3, 10 to 12 and 26 used to treat the infected plants. One group of plants was kept untreated as a control group.

The results of the evaluation are set out in Table G below. 100% indicates that no fungal infestation is observed and 0% is equivalent to the efficacy of the control group.

Table G

Example No.	Application rate of picoxystrobin (g/ha)	Application rate of boscalid (g/ha)	Application rate of dimethomorph (g/ha)	Efficacy (%)
Untreated	0	0	0	0
1	80	0	0	5

2	0	300	0	10
3	0	0	50	65
10	80	300	0	10
11	0	300	50	65
12	80	0	50	60
26	80	300	50	90

The results set out in Table G demonstrate that the combination of boscalid, dimethomorph and picoxystrobin exhibited a synergistic level of activity in the control of an infestation of rape plants by Peronospora arborescens.

Field Test 8: Peanut - Cercospora arachidicola

Young peanut plants were sprayed with a conidium suspension of Cercospora arachidicola and cultivated at 20°C and 100% relative atmospheric humidity for 48 hours.

The results of the evaluation are set out in Table H below. 100% indicates that no fungal infestation is observed and 0% is equivalent to the efficacy of the control group.

Table Η

Example No.	Application rate of picoxystrobin (g/ha)	Application rate of boscalid (g/ha)	Application rate of dimethomorph (g/ha)	Efficacy (%)
Untreated	0	0	0	0
1	100	0	0	5
2	0	300	0	60
3	0	0	200	10
7	100	300	0	60
8	0	300	200	60
9	100	0	200	10
22	100	300	200	90

The results set out in Table H demonstrate that the combination of boscalid, dimethomorph and picoxystrobin exhibited a synergistic level of activity in the control of an infestation of rape plants by Cercospora arachidicola.

Field Test 9: Pea - Sclerotinia sclerotiorum

Young pea plants were sprayed with conidium suspension of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum and cultivated at 20°C and 100% relative atmospheric humidity for 48 10 hours.

The treated plants were held at 15°C and 80% relative atmospheric humidity 5 in a greenhouse for 15 days. Thereafter, the fungicidal efficacy was evaluated.

The results of the evaluation are set out in Table I below. 100% indicates that no fungal infestation is observed and 0% is equivalent to the efficacy of the control group.

Table I

Example No.	Application rate of picoxystrobin (g/ha)	Application rate of boscalid (g/ha)	Application rate of dimethomorph (g/ha)	Efficacy (%)
Untreated	0	0	0	0
1	100	0	0	50
2	0	150	0	50
3	0	0	100	10
10	100	150	0	75
11	0	150	100	50
12	100	0	100	55
23	100	150	100	100

The results set out in Table I demonstrate that the combination of boscalid, dimethomorph and picoxystrobin exhibited a synergistic level of activity in the control of an infestation of pea plants by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum.

Field Test 10: Potato - Phytophthora infestans

Young potato plants were sprayed with conidium suspension of Phytophthora infestans and cultivated at 20°C and 100% relative atmospheric humidity for 48 hours.

The plants were divided into groups and formulations of Examples 1 to 3, 18 10 to 20 and 26 used to treat the infected plants. One group of plants was kept untreated as a control group.

The results of the evaluation are set out in Table J below. 100% indicates 15 that no fungal infestation is observed and 0% is equivalent to the efficacy of the control group.

Table J

Example No.	Application rate of picoxystrobin (g/ha)	Application rate of boscalid (g/ha)	Application rate of dimethomorph (g/ha)	Efficacy (%)
Untreated	0	0	0	0
1	80	0	0	10
2	0	300	0	15

3	0	0	50	55
18	80	300	0	25
19	0	300	50	70
20	80	0	50	60
26	80	300	50	95

The results set out in Table J demonstrate that the combination of boscalid, dimethomorph and picoxystrobin exhibited a synergistic level of activity in the control of an infestation of potato plants by Phytophthora infestans.

Field Test 11: Soybean - Cercospora sojina, Phakospora spp. and

Rhizoctonia solani

Young soybean plants were sprayed with conidium suspensions of Cercospora sojina, Phakospora spp. and Rhizoctonia solani separately, and cultivated at 20°C and 100% relative atmospheric humidity for 48 hours.

The results of the evaluation are set out in Table K below. 100% indicates that no fungal infestation is observed and 0% is equivalent to the efficacy of the control group.

Table K

Efficacy against Rhizoctonia solani (%)	o	50	50	LO	75	50	55	95
Efficacy against Phakospora spp. (%)	o	o LO	o	O	o co	o	o co	o o
Efficacy against Cercospora sojina (%)	o	LO	LO	LO	o E-	o LO	LO LO	LO CD
Application rate of dimethomorph (g/ha)	o	o	o	O O CO	o	o o co	o o co	O O CO
Application rate of boscalid (g/ha)	o	o	200	o	200	200	o	200
Application rate of picoxystrobin (g/ha)	o	o o co	o	o	o o co	o	o o co	o o co
Example No.	Untreated	-	CM	co		LO	co	CN

The results set out in Table K demonstrate that the combination of boscalid, dimethomorph and picoxystrobin exhibited a synergistic level of activity in the control of an infestation of soybean plants by Cercospora sojina, Phakospora spp. and Rhizoctonia solani.

Field Test 12: Wheat - Septoria tritici

Young wheat plants were sprayed with a conidium suspension of Septoria tritici and cultivated at 20°C and 100% relative atmospheric humidity for 48 hours.

The results of the evaluation are set out in Table L below. 100% indicates 15 that no fungal infestation is observed and 0% is equivalent to the efficacy of the control group.

Table L

Example No.	Application rate of picoxystrobin (g/ha)	Application rate of boscalid (g/ha)	Application rate of dimethomorph (g/ha)	Efficacy (%)
Untreated	0	0	0	0
1	80	0	0	55
2	0	300	0	20
3	0	0	50	5
18	80	300	0	65
19	0	300	50	20
20	80	0	50	55
26	80	300	50	95

The results set out in Table L demonstrate that the combination of boscalid, 5 dimethomorph and picoxystrobin exhibited a synergistic level of activity in the control of an infestation of wheat plants by Septoria tritici.

As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the foregoing description is just exemplification and depiction of some specific examples without limitation to the scope of the invention, particularly to the scope of the claims. The scope of the invention is determined by the accompanying claims.

Claims

1. A fungicidal composition comprising boscalid, dimethomorph and picoxystrobin.

2. The fungicidal composition according to claim 1, wherein boscalid is present 5 in the composition in an amount of from 1 to 90% by weight.

3. The fungicidal composition according to claim 2, wherein boscalid is present in an amount of from 10 to 60% by weight.

4. The fungicidal composition according to claim 3, wherein boscalid is present in an amount of from 10 to 45% by weight.

10 5. The fungicidal composition according to any preceding claim, wherein dimethomorph is present in an amount of from 1 to 90% by weight.

6. The fungicidal composition according to claim 5, wherein dimethomorph is present in an amount of from 5 to 60% by weight.

7. The fungicidal composition according to claim 6, wherein dimethomorph is 15 present in an amount of from 5 to 45% by weight.

8. The fungicidal composition according to any preceding claim, wherein picoxystrobin is present in an amount of from 1 to 90% by weight.

9. The fungicidal composition according to claim 8, wherein picoxystrobin is present in an amount of from 5 to 60% by weight.

20 10. The fungicidal composition according to claim 9, wherein picoxystrobin is present in an amount of from 5 to 45% by weight.

11. The fungicidal composition according to any preceding claim, comprising boscalid in an amount of from 10 to 60% by weight, dimethomorph in an amount of from 5 to 45% by weight, and picoxystrobin in an amount of from 5 to 40% by

25 weight.

12. The fungicidal composition according to any preceding claim, wherein boscalid, dimethomorph and picoxystrobin are present in a weight ratio of from 0.5 to 8.0 boscalid : from 0.5 to 3.0 dimethomorph : from 0.5 to 3.0 picoxystrobin.

13. The fungicidal composition according to claim 12, wherein boscalid,

5 dimethomorph and picoxystrobin are present in a weight ratio of from 0.8 to 7.0 boscalid : from 0.8 to 2.2 dimethomorph : from 0.8 to 2.0 picoxystrobin.

14. The fungicidal composition according to any preceding claim, wherein the weight ratio of boscalid to the combined amount of dimethomorph and picoxystrobin is from 1:100 to 100:1.

10 15. The fungicidal composition according to claim 14, wherein the weight ratio of boscalid to the combined amount of dimethomorph and picoxystrobin is from 1:25 to 25:1.

16. The fungicidal composition according to claim 15, wherein the weight ratio of boscalid to the combined amount of dimethomorph and picoxystrobin is from 1:10

15 to 10:1.

17. The fungicidal composition according to any preceding claim, further comprising one or more auxiliaries selected from one or more extenders, carriers, solvents, surfactants, stabilizers, anti-foaming agents, anti-freezing agents, preservatives, antioxidants, colorants, thickeners, solid adherents and inert fillers.

20 18. The fungicidal composition according to any preceding claim, wherein the composition is a water-soluble concentrate (SL), emulsifiable concentrate (EC), emulsion (EW), micro-emulsion (ME), suspension concentrate (SC), oil-based suspension concentrate (OD), flowable suspension (FS), water-dispersible granules (WG), water-soluble granules (SG), water-dispersible powder (WP), water

25 soluble powder (SP), granules (GR), encapsulated granules (CG), fine granules (FG), macrogranules (GG), aqueous suspo-emulsion (SE), capsule suspension (CS) or microgranules (MG).

19. The fungicidal composition according to claim 18, wherein the composition is water-dispersible granules (WG), an aqueous suspension concentrate (SC), a wettable powder (WP) or water soluble granules (SG).

17. A method of preventing, treating and/or controlling fungal infestations in a 5 target plant, which method comprises applying boscalid, dimethomorph and picoxystrobin to the plant, a plant part or its surroundings.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein the application rate of the total amount of boscalid, dimethomorph and picoxystrobin is in the range of from 10 to 9000 gram per hectare (g/ha).

10 19. The method according to claim 18, wherein the application rate of the total amount of boscalid, dimethomorph and picoxystrobin is from 20 to 5000 g/ha.

20. The method according to any of claims 17 to 19, wherein the application rate of boscalid is from 10 to 2000 g/ha.

21. The method according to any of claims 17 to 20, wherein the application rate 15 of dimethomorph is from 10 to 800 g/ha.

22. The method according to any of claims 17 to 21, wherein the application rate of picoxystrobin is from 10 to 800 g/ha.

23. The method according to any of claims 17 to 22, wherein boscalid, dimethomorph and picoxystrobin are applied simultaneously.

20 24. The method according to claim 23, wherein a composition according to any of claims 1 to 16 is employed.

25. The method according to any of claims 17 to 22, wherein boscalid, dimethomorph and picoxystrobin are applied successively.

26. The method according to any of claims 17 to 25, wherein boscalid,

25 dimethomorph and picoxystrobin are each applied a plurality of times.

27. The method according to any of claims 17 to 26, wherein boscalid, dimethomorph and picoxystrobin are applied to the foliage of the target plants.

28. The method according to any of claims 17 to 27, wherein the plants being treated include cereals; beets; fruits; oil plants; melons; fibrous plants; citrus fruits;

5 vegetables; coffee; and ornamental plants.

29. The method according to claim 28, wherein the target plants are selected from cereals, fruits, legumes, oil plants, lemons and vegetables.

30. The method according to any of claims 17 to 29, wherein the fungal infestation being prevented, treated and/or controlled is selected from infestations

10 of Alternaria spp., Ascochyta spp., Aureobasidium spp., Bipolaris spp., Black spp., Blumeria spp., Botrytis spp., Bremia spp., Cercospora spp., Cercosporidium spp., Cladosporium spp., Cochilobolus spp., Colletotrichum spp., Corynespora spp., Diaporthe spp., Didymella spp., Erysiphe spp., Exserohikum spp., Helminthosporium spp., Kabatiella spp., Leptosphaeria spp., Leptosphaerulina spp.,

15 Marssonina spp., Mycosphaerella spp., Peronospora spp., Phaeosphaeria spp., Phakopsora spp., Phoma spp., Phyllosticta spp., Physoderma spp., Phytophthora spp., Plasmopara spp., Pseudoperonospora spp., Pseudopezizza spp., Puccinia spp., Pyrenophora spp., Rhizoctonia spp., Rhynchosporium spp., Sclerotinia spp., Septoria spp., Septosphaeria spp., Stagonospora spp., Uncinula spp., and

20 Uromyces spp.

31. The method according to claim 30, wherein the fungal infestation being prevented, treated and/or controlled is selected from an infestation of Alternaria spp., Ascochyta spp., Cercospora spp., Cochilobolus spp., Colletotrichum spp., Didymella spp., Erysiphe spp., Mycosphaerella spp., Peronospora spp.,

25 Phakopsora spp., Phytophthora spp., Rhizoctonia spp., Sclerotinia spp., and Septoria spp.

32. The method according to either of claims 30 or 31, wherein the fungal infestation being prevented, treated and/or controlled is selected from an infestation of Alternaria spp., Ascochyta spp., Botrytis cinerea, Cercospora arachidicola, Cercospora sojina, Cercospora zeae-maydis, Cochliobolus sativus, Colletotrichum spp., Erysiphe spp., Peronospora arborescens, Phakospora spp., Phytophthora infestans, Plasmopara viticola, Rhizoctonia solani, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, Septoria tritici, and Uncinula necator.

5 33. The method according to any of claims 30 to 32, wherein the fungal infestation being prevented, treated and/or controlled is selected from gray mold, downy mildew, late blight, early blight, powdery mildew, gray leafspot, sclerotiose, rice blast, sheath blight, leaf blight, leaf rust, glume blight, brown leaf spot, net blotch, scald disease, root rot, stalk rot, leaf rot and other rot diseases.

10 34. The use of boscalid, dimethomorph and picoxystrobin in preventing, treating and/or controlling fungal infestations in a target plant.

35. The use according to claim 34, wherein boscalid, dimethomorph and picoxystrobin are employed in a total amount in the range of from 10 to 9000 gram per hectare (g/ha).

15 36. The use according to claim 35, wherein boscalid, dimethomorph and picoxystrobin are employed in a total amount of from 20 to 5000 g/ha.

37. The use according to any of claims 34 to 36, wherein boscalid is employed in an amount of from 10 to 2000 g/ha.

38. The use according to any of claims 34 to 37, wherein dimethomorph is 20 employed in an amount of from 10 to 800 g/ha.

39. The use according to any of claims 34 to 38, wherein picoxystrobin is employed in an amount of from 10 to 800 g/ha.

40. The use according to any of claims 34 to 38, wherein boscalid, dimethomorph and picoxystrobin are employed simultaneously.

25 41. The use according to claim 40, wherein a composition according to any of claims 1 to 16 is employed.

42. The use according to any of claims 34 to 39, wherein boscalid, dimethomorph and picoxystrobin are employed successively.

43. The use according to any of claims 34 to 42, wherein boscalid, dimethomorph and picoxystrobin are each employed a plurality of times.

5 44. The use according to any of claims 34 to 43, wherein boscalid, dimethomorph and picoxystrobin are applied to the foliage of the target plants.

45. The use according to any of claims 34 to 44, wherein the plants being treated include cereals; beets; fruits; oil plants; melons; fibrous plants; citrus fruits; vegetables; coffee; and ornamental plants.

10 46. The use according to claim 45, wherein the target plants are selected from cereals, fruits, legumes, oil plants, lemons and vegetables.

47. The use according to any of claims 34 to 46, wherein the fungal infestation being prevented, treated and/or controlled is selected from infestations of Alternaria spp., Ascochyta spp., Aureobasidium spp., Bipolaris spp., Black spp., Blumeria

15 spp., Botrytis spp., Bremia spp., Cercospora spp., Cercosporidium spp., Cladosporium spp., Cochilobolus spp., Colletotrichum spp., Corynespora spp., Diaporthe spp., Didymella spp., Erysiphe spp., Exserohikum spp.,

Helminthosporium spp., Kabatiella spp., Leptosphaeria spp., Leptosphaerulina spp., Marssonina spp., Mycosphaerella spp., Peronospora spp., Phaeosphaeria spp.,

20 Phakopsora spp., Phoma spp., Phyllosticta spp., Physoderma spp., Phytophthora spp., Plasmopara spp., Pseudoperonospora spp., Pseudopezizza spp., Puccinia spp., Pyrenophora spp., Rhizoctonia spp., Rhynchosporium spp., Sclerotinia spp., Septoria spp., Septosphaeria spp., Stagonospora spp., Uncinula spp., and Uromyces spp.

25 48. The use according to claim 47, wherein the fungal infestation being prevented, treated and/or controlled is selected from an infestation of Alternaria spp., Ascochyta spp., Cercospora spp., Cochilobolus spp., Colletotrichum spp., Didymella spp., Erysiphe spp., Mycosphaerella spp., Peronospora spp.,

Phakopsora spp., Phytophthora spp., Rhizoctonia spp., Sclerotinia spp., and Septoria spp.

49. The use according to either of claims 47 or 48, wherein the fungal infestation being prevented, treated and/or controlled is selected from an infestation of

5 Alternaria spp., Ascochyta spp., Botrytis cinerea, Cercospora arachidicola,

Cercospora sojina, Cercospora zeae-maydis, Cochliobolus sativus, Colletotrichum spp., Erysiphe spp., Peronospora arborescens, Phakospora spp., Phytophthora infestans, Plasmopara viticola, Rhizoctonia solani, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum,

Septoria tritici, and Uncinula necator.

10 50. The use according to any of claims 47 to 49, wherein the fungal infestation being prevented, treated and/or controlled is selected from gray mold, downy mildew, late blight, early blight, powdery mildew, gray leaf spot, sclerotiose, rice blast, sheath blight, leaf blight, leaf rust, glume blight, brown leaf spot, net blotch, scald disease, root rot, stalk rot, leaf rot and other rot diseases.

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Application No: Claims searched:

GB 1707096.2 1-50