GB2614755A - Pesticide suspension composition and the use thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

A pesticide suspension composition comprising: (1) a dispersed agrochemical active substance (e.g. one of more of chloronicotinyl, sulfonyl urea fungicide, pyrethroid and an avermectin); (2) a polymeric stabiliser of formula (I) or a salt thereof, wherein each R is selected from hydrogen or C1 to C6 alkyl and n ≥25 (e.g. one or more polyacrylic acid and polymethacrylic acid); (3) a cationic inorganic salt; and (4) a diluent (such as water). The salt may be selected from an inorganic salt of an alkali metal (e.g. sodium, potassium) or an ammonium salt. The cationic inorganic salt may comprise one or more of halides, nitrates, etc. A pesticide-fertiliser composition is also provided, the composition comprising:(1) a dispersed agrochemical active substance; (2) a polymeric stabiliser of formula (I) or a salt thereof; (3) a cationic inorganic salt; (4) a fertiliser; and (5) a diluent. Also claimed are a method of making the pesticide suspension composition, and a method of controlling pest infestation at a locus.

Description

Intellectual Property Office Application No GI322005797 RTM Date:29 June 2022 The following terms are registered trade marks and should be read as such wherever they occur in this document: Adox Intellectual Property Office is an operating name of the Patent Office www.gov.uk/ipo a

PESTICIDE SUSPENSION COMPOSITION AND THE USE THEREOF

The present invention relates to the field of agrochemical compositions and preparations. More specifically, the present invention relates to a pesticide suspension composition. The present invention further relates to a method for preparing the suspension composition and to its use in controlling pest infestations.

Pesticides and fertilisers are functional substances that are essential for agricultural crop science. Pesticides are used for controlling a range of pest infestations, such as unwanted plants or weeds, pathogenic microbes and insect pests harmful to crops. Fertilisers are often used for providing nutrients necessary for crop growth so as to promote healthier growth of the crops.

To effectively control or prevent undesired pest infestations and to provide nutrients for plants, for example to withstand unfavourable environmental conditions, such as heat, drought, and physical contact with animals, it is known to prepare a spray liquid formulation of a combination of an effective liquid preparation of one or more pesticides and a fertiliser product. The application of pesticidal agents in combination with fertilisers is desirable, often necessary, in agriculture and related endeavors due to the multiple benefits conferred by a single application of the spray liquid using a single set of equipment. An application of such a so-called 'tank-mix' composition or preparation provides nutrients for plant growth and controls or prevents undesired pest infestations that may also adversely affect the health and vitality of the desired plants.

Mixtures containing one or more pesticidal agents and liquid fertilisers are known in the art. However, such mixtures exhibit problems with their stability, which in turn give rise to problems with their application. The instability of the mixtures also reduces the efficacy thereof. For example, when conventional pesticide compositions are combined with a liquid fertiliser, such as an amino acid fertiliser, a humic acid fertiliser, a high-phosphorus starter fertiliser or the like, the combination of the components of the compositions, such as surfactants, viscosity modifiers, and wetting agents, can result in an accelerated physical degradation of the mixture, for example resulting in a phase separation. Such physical degradation may occur in the mixing tank prior to the application of the mixtures to the plants or locus being treated. More seriously, degradation of the mixture may directly lead to phase separation of the fertilisers and pesticidal agents in the mixing tank, thereby preventing effective spray application of the mixture. Generally, in many cases the problem is unnoticed by the end users and leads to inconsistent application of fertilisers and pesticidal agents, again reducing the efficacy of the treatment.

There is therefore a need for an improved technique for simultaneously applying a pesticidal composition and a fertilizer composition, in particular reducing instability of the compositions when combined and reducing physical degradation of the components. It would be especially advantageous if a formulation could be provided that allows a pesticide composition and a fertiliser composition to be combined without subsequent phase separate occurring.

It has now been found that the problem regarding incompatibility between pesticide compositions and fertiliser compositions can be addressed by employing a combination of certain acrylic acid polymers or salts thereof and one or more cationic salts. In particular, it has been found that this combination of components increases the stability of combinations of pesticide and fertiliser compositions, more particularly preventing the phenomena of physical phase separation of pesticide preparations and fertiliser products, such as urea, compound fertilisers, amino acid liquid fertilisers, and hum ic acid liquid fertilisers. The present invention provides a stable pesticide suspension composition, which can effectively improve the compatibility thereof with fertiliser products in a mixing tank. More particularly, when the pesticide suspension composition of the present invention is diluted in an aqueous spray liquid containing fertilisers, the pesticidal particles can be kept suspended and uniformly distributed in the aqueous spray liquid over a long period of time. Such a spray liquid containing a pesticide-fertiliser mixture has a significantly improved physical stability.

According to a first aspect, the present invention provides a pesticide suspension composition comprising: (1) a dispersed agrochemical active substance; (2) a polymeric stabiliser of formula (I) or a salt thereof: H2 COOK (I) wherein each R is selected from hydrogen or Ci to C6 alkyl and n 25; (3) a cationic inorganic salt and (4) a diluent.

The action of the polymer of the acrylic acid of formula (I) or a salt thereof and one or more cationic inorganic salts present in the pesticide suspension composition improves the compatibility of the pesticide composition with a fertiliser composition, more particularly improving the compatibility between the suspended pesticide particles and fertiliser ingredients following the tank mixing of the pesticide composition and the fertiliser composition, thereby improving the stability of the spray liquid.

It has surprisingly been found that the pesticide suspension composition of the present invention exhibits a high stability In particular, the composition remains stable when formulated in an aqueous spray liquid containing a large amount of fertiliser products. The pesticide particles remain suspended and uniformly dispersed in the aqueous spray liquid, without exhibiting the problems with known formulations, such as flocculation, agglomeration and sedimentation.

The composition comprises one or more agrochemically active components. The agrochemically active components are present as particles dispersed in suspension in the formulation. Suitable dispersed agrochemical active substances for use in the present invention may include one or more fungicides, herbicides, insecticides, acaracides, nematicides, and/or microbiocides. Preferably, the composition comprises one or more pesticidal agents selected from insecticides, acaricides, nematicides, and microbicides.

io Suitable insecticides, acaricides, and nematicides may be selected from: carbamates, such as alanycarb, aldicarb, aldoxycarb, allyxycarb, aminocarb, bendiocarb, benfuracarb, bufencarb, butacarb, butocarboxim, butoxycarboxim, carbaryl, carbofuran, carbosulfan, cloethocarb, dimetilan, ethiofencarb, fenobucarb, fenothiocarb, formetanate, furathiocarb, isoprocarb, metam-sodium, methiocarb, methomyl, metolcarb, oxamyl, pirimicarb, promecarb, propoxur, thiodicarb, thiofanox, trimethacarb, xylylcarb, and triazamate; organophosphates, such as acephate, azamethiphos, azinphos-methyl, azinphos-ethyl, bromophos-ethyl, bromfenvinfos(-methyl), butathiofos, cadusafos, carbophenothion, chlorethoxyfos, chlorfenvinphos, chlormephos, chlorpyrifos(- methyl/-ethyl), coumaphos, cyanofenphos, cyanophos, chlorfenvinphos, demeton-S-methyl, demeton-S-methylsulfone, dialifos, diazinon, dichlofenthion, dichlorvos/DDVP, dicrotophos, dimethoate, dimethylvinphos, dioxabenzofos, disulfoton, EPN, ethion, ethoprophos, etrimfos, famphur, fenamiphos, fenitrothion, fensulfothion, fenthion, flupyrazofos, fonofos, formothion, fosmethilan, fosthiazate, heptenophos, iodofenphos, iprobenfos, isazofos, isofenphos, isoxathion, malathion, mecarbam, methacrifos, methamidophos, methidathion, mevinphos, monocrotophos, naled, omethoate, oxydemeton-methyl, parathion-ethyl, parathion-ethyl, phenthoate, phorate, phosalone, phosmet, phosphamidon, phosphoearb, phoxim, pirimiphos-methyl, pirimiphos-ethyl, profenofos, propaphos, propetamphos, prothiofos, prothoate, pyraclofos, pyridaphenthion, pyridathion, quinalphos, sebufos, sulfotep, sulprofos, tebupirimfos, temephos, terbufos, tetrachlorvinphos, thiometon, triazophos, triclorfon, and vamidothion; pyrethroids, such as acrinathrin, allethrin (d-cis-trans, d-trans), beta-cyfluthrin, 5 bifenthrin, bioallethrin, bioallethrin-S-Cyclopentyl isomer, bioethananomethrin, biopermethrin, bioresmethrin, chlovaporthrin, cis-cypermethrin, cis-resmethrin, cispermethrin, clocythrin, cycloprothrin, cyfluthrin, cyhalothrin, cypermethrin (alpha-, beta-, theta-, zeta-), cyphenothrin, deltamethrin, empenthrin (1R isomer), esfenvalerate, etofenprox, fenfluthrin, fenpropathrin, fenpyrithrin, fenvalerate, 10 flubrocythrinate, flucythrinate, flufenprox, flumethrin, fluvalinate, fubfenprox, gam ma-cyhalothrin, imiprothrin, kadethrin, lambda-cyhalothrin, metofluthrin, permethrin (cis, trans), phenothrin (1R trans-isomer), prallethrin, profluthrin, protrifenbute, pyresmethrin, promethrin, thiomethrin (RU-15525), silafluofen, taufluvalinate, tefluthrin, terallethrin, tetramethrin (1R isomer), tralomethrin, transfluthrin, flubrocythrinate (ZXI 8901), and pyrethrins; chloronicotinyls, such as acetamiprid, clothianidin, dinotefuran, imidacloprid, imidaclothiz, nitenpyram, nithiazine, thiacloprid, thiamethoxam, and acetamiprid; benzoyl ureas, such as bistrifluron, chlofluazuron, diflubenzuron, fluazuron, flucycloxuron, flufenoxuron, hexaflumuron, lufenuron, novaluron, noviflumuron, penfluron, teflubenzuron, and triflumuron; and macrolides, such as abamectin, emamectin, emamectin benzoate, ivermectin, spinosad, spinetoram, lepimectin, milbemycin, doramectin, selamectin, and eprinomectin.

Suitable microbicides may be selected from: nucleic acid synthesis inhibitors, especially benalaxyl, benalaxyl-M, bupirimate, clozylacon, dimethirimol, ethirimol, furalaxyl, hymexazol, mefenoxam, metalaxyl, metalaxyl-M, ofurace, oxadixyl, and oxolinicacid; mitosis and cell division inhibitors, especially benomyl, carbendazim, diethofencarb, ethaboxam, fuberidazole, pencycuron, thiabendazole, thiophanatemethyl, and zoxamide; inhibitors of respiratory chain complex II, especially boscalid, carboxin, fenfuram, flutolanil, furametpyr, furmecyclox, mepronil, oxycarboxin, penthiopyrad, and thifluzam id; inhibitors of respiratory chain complex Ill, especially am isulbrom, azoxystrobin, cyazofamid, dimoxystrobin, enestrobin, famoxadon, fenamidone, fluoxastrobin, kresoxim-methyl, metominostrobin, orysastrobin, picoxystrobin, pyraclostrobin, and trifloxystrobin; ATP generation inhibitors, especially fentin acetate, fentin chloride, fentin hydroxide, and silthiofam; amino acid and protein biosynthesis inhibitors, especially andoprim, blasticidinS, cyprodinil, kasugamycin, kasugamycin-hydrochloride hydrate, mepanipyrim, and pyrimethanil; signal transduction inhibitors, especially fenpiclonil, fludioxonil, and quinoxyfen; fat and membrane synthesis inhibitors, especially biphenyl, chlozolinate, edifenphos, etridiazole, iodocarb, iprobenfos (IBP), iprodione, isoprothiolane, procymidone, propamocarb, propamocarb hydrochloride, pyrazophos, tolclofos-methyl, and vinclozolin; ergosterol biosynthesis inhibitors, especially 4-dodecy1-2,6-dimethylmorpholine (aldimorph), azaconazole, bitertanol, brom nconazole, cyproconazole, diclobutrazole, difenoconazole, diniconazole, diniconazole-M, dodemorph, dodemorph acetate, epoxiconazole, etaconazole, fenarimol, fenbuconazole, fenhexam id, fenpropidin, fenpropimorph, fluquinconazole, flurprimidol, flusilazole, flutriafol, furconazole, furconazole-cis, hexaconazole, imazalil, imazalil sulfate, imibenconazole, ipconazole, metconazole, myclobutanil, naftifin, nuarimol, oxpoconazole, paclobutrazole, pefurazoate, penconazole, prochloraz, propiconazole, prothioconazole, pyributicarb, pyrifenox, simeconazole, spiroxamin, tebuconazole, terbinafin, tetraconazole, triadimefon, triadimenol, tridemorph, triflumizole, triforine, triticonazole, uniconazole, viniconazole, and voriconazole; cell wall synthesis inhibitors, especially benthiavalicarb, dimethomorph, flumorph, iprovalicarb, mandipropamid, polyoxins, polyoxorim, and validamycin A; melanin biosynthesis inhibitors, especially capropamid, diclocymet, fenoxanil, phthalide, pyroquilon, and tricyclazole; resistance inducers, especially acibenzolar-S-methyl, probenazole, and tiadinil; and multi-site microbicides, especially Bordeaux mixture, captafol, captan, chlorothalonil, copper naphthenate, copper oxide, copper oxychloride, copper preparations such as copper hydroxide, copper sulphate, dichlofluanid, dithianon, dodine, dodine free base, ferbam, fluorofolpet, folpet, guazatine, guazatine acetate, iminoctadin, iminoctadin albesilate, iminoctadin triacetate, mancopper, mancozeb, maneb, metiram, metiramzinc, oxine-copper, propineb, sulphur and sulphur preparations including calcium polysulphide, thiram, tolylfluanid, zineb, and ziram.

Preferred pesticides are insecticides, particularly preferably chloronicotinyls, 20 such as acetamiprid, clothianidin, dinotefuran, imidacloprid, imidaclothiz, nitenpyram, nithiazine, thiacloprid, thiamethoxam, and acetamiprid; and more preferably imidacloprid. Preferred insecticides also include pyrethroids, in particular bifenthrin, and avermectins, in particular abamectin. Fungicides are also preferred pesticides, in particular sulfonyl ureas, especially tebuconazole.

Chloronicotinyl insecticides, in particular imidacloprid, are ultra-highly efficient insecticides, exhibiting a range of advantageous characteristics, for example broad spectrum, high efficiency, low toxicity, low residue, difficult development of resistance in pests, and little to no threat to the safety of human, animals, plants,

S

and natural enemies. The chloronicotinyl insecticides act by killing insects by means of contact, stomach poison and inhalation. However, these insecticides are particularly sensitive to fertilisers and even small amounts of fertilisers, if present, result in phenomena such as agglomeration, flocculation, and sedimentation. Generally, farmers would not apply chloronicotinyl insecticides, such as imidacloprid products, in the tank mixing together with fertiliser products. The pesticide suspension composition of the present invention effectively solves the problem of the sensitivity of such compounds upon mixing with fertilisers in the tank-mix application and greatly reduces the time and costs for applying the pesticide and fertiliser formulations to the locus or plants being treated.

The agrochemical active substance may be present in any suitable amount to provide the required efficacy. The weight percentage of agrochemical active substance in the pesticide suspension composition is preferably at least 1%, more preferably at least 2%, still more preferably at least 3%, more preferably still at least 5%, especially at least 7%, more especially at least 8%, still more especially at least 9%, more especially still at least 10%. The weight percentage of agrochemical active substance in the pesticide suspension composition is preferably up to 75%, more preferably up to 70%, still more preferably up to 65%, more preferably still up to 60%, especially up to 55%, more especially up to 50%, still more especially up to 45%, more especially still up to 40%. The weight percentage of agrochemical active substance in the pesticide suspension composition is preferably from 1 to 75%, preferably from 3 to 60%, more preferably from 5 to 50%, still more preferably from 10 to 40%.

The composition of the present invention further comprises a polymeric stabiliser of formula (I) or a salt thereof: H2 00H The composition may comprise a single compound of formula (I) or a combination of two or more different compounds of formula (I).

In the stabiliser of formula (I) each R is selected from hydrogen or Ci to C6 alkyl. The alkyl groups may be straight chain or branched.

Preferably, each R is selected from hydrogen or Ci to C4 alkyl, that is methyl, ethyl, propyl and butyl groups. In particularly preferred embodiments, each R is selected from hydrogen, methyl and ethyl, more preferably from hydrogen and methyl.

It is preferred that all groups represented by R in formula (I) are the same.

Particularly preferred compounds of formula (I) are polyacrylic acids (R is hydrogen) and polymethacrylic acids (R is methyl).

In the compounds of formula (I), n is equal to or greater than 25.

The compounds of formula (I) may have an average mole molecular weight of from 1,000, more preferably from 1,500, still more preferably from 2,000. The compounds of formula (I) may have an average mole molecular weight of up to 600,000, more preferably up to 500,000, still more preferably up to 300,000, more preferably still up to 200,000, especially up to 150,000, more especially up to 100,000, still more especially up to 75,000, in particular up to 50,000. The compounds of formula (I) may have an average mole molecular weight of from 1,000 to 500,000, more preferably from 2,000 to 100,000, still more preferably from 2,000 to 50,000.

The composition of the present invention may employ a salt of the compounds of formula (I). Suitable salts include alkali metal salts, alkaline earth metal salts and ammonium salts. Alkali metal salts are preferred, especially potassium and sodium salts.

Preferred polymers of formula (I) and the salts thereof are those in which R is hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl or a mixture thereof, and that have an average mole molecular weight of from 1,000 to 500,000.

In one specific embodiment, the polymer of formula (I) and the salts thereof are selected from those in which R is hydrogen, methyl, and ethyl, and that have an average mole molecular weight of from 2000, to 100,000.

In one preferred embodiment, the polymers of formula (I) and the salts thereof are those in which R is hydrogen and methyl, and that have an average molecular weight of from 2,000 to 50,000.

In another preferred embodiment, the polymer of formula (I) and the salts thereof are the sodium salt of polyacrylic acids and/or polymethacrylic acids that have an average molecular weight of from 2,000 to 50,000.

The composition may comprise the polymer of formula (I) in any amount suitable to provide the required stabilising effect on the components when combined with a fertiliser The polymer of (I) or salt thereof may be present in the composition in an amount of from 0.5% by weight, preferably from 1%, more preferably from 1.5%, still more preferably from 2% by weight. The polymer of (I) or salt thereof may be present in the composition in an amount of up to 25% by weight, preferably up to 20%, still more preferably up to 15% by weight. The polymer of (I) or salt thereof may be present in the composition in an amount of from 1 to 15% by weight, more preferably from 2 to 10% by weight.

The composition further comprises a cationic salt. The cationic salt is an inorganic cationic salt. The cationic inorganic salt is preferably a monovalent cationic inorganic salt, more preferably one selected from an inorganic salt of an alkali metal, in particular lithium, sodium or potassium, or an ammonium salt. The composition may comprise a single cationic salt or a mixture of two or more thereof.

Suitable cationic salts include halides, for example chlorides, nitrates, sulphates, bisulphates, hydrogen sulphates, sulphites, bisulphites, carbonates, bicarbonates, phosphates, chlorites, hypochlorites and hydrated aluminates.

Examples of lithium salts are lithium chloride, lithium nitrate, lithium sulphate, and lithium carbonate. Examples of sodium salts are sodium chloride, sodium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, sodium sulphate, sodium bisulphate, sodium nitrate, sodium phosphate, sodium hydrogen phosphate, sodium dihydrogen phosphate, sodium sulphite, sodium bisulphite, sodium nitrite, sodium bromide, and sodium hypochlorite. Examples of potassium salts are potassium chloride, potassium carbonate, potassium bicarbonate, potassium sulphate, potassium hydrogen sulphate, potassium nitrate, potassium phosphate, potassium hydrogen phosphate, potassium dihydrogen phosphate, potassium sulphite, potassium bisulphite, potassium nitrite, potassium bromide, and potassium metaaluminate. Examples of ammonium salts are ammonium chloride, ammonium sulphate, ammonium nitrate, ammonium bisulphate, ammonium carbonate, and ammonium bicarbonate.

In a preferred embodiment, the cationic inorganic salt is selected from potassium salts and sodium salts.

In a preferred embodiment, the cationic inorganic salt is selected from a chloride, sulphate and nitrate salt.

Preferably, the cationic salt is selected from a chloride, sulphate and nitrate salt of potassium, sodium, and ammonium, such as potassium chloride, sodium chloride, ammonium chloride, potassium sulphate, sodium sulphate, ammonium sulphate, potassium nitrate, sodium nitrate, and ammonium nitrate.

The cationic salt is present in the composition in an amount to provide the required stabilising effect. The weight percentage of the cationic inorganic salt in the pesticide suspension composition may be from 0.25%, preferably from 0.5%, still more preferably from 0.7%, more preferably still from 0.8%. The weight percentage of the cationic inorganic salt in the pesticide suspension composition may be up to 10%, preferably up to 8%, more preferably up to 7%, still more preferably up to 6%, more preferably up to 5%. The weight percentage of the cationic inorganic salt in the pesticide suspension composition may be from 0.5 to 7%, preferably from 0.8 to 5%.

The weight ratio of the polymers of formula (I) or salts thereof to the cationic inorganic salt may be from 25:1 to 1:25, more preferably from 20:1 to 1:20, still more preferably from 15:1 to 1:15. Preferably, the polymers of formula (I) or salts thereof are present in a weight excess compared with the cationic inorganic salts. The weight ratio of the polymers of formula (I) or salts thereof to the cationic inorganic salt may be from 1.1:1 to 25:1, preferably from 1.2:1 to 20:1, more preferably from 1.3:1 to 15:1.

The weight ratio of the polymers of formula (I) or salts thereof to the cation of the cationic inorganic salt may be from 50:1 to 1:50, more preferably from 45:1 to 1:45, still more preferably from 40:1 to 1:40. Preferably, the polymers of formula (I) or salts thereof are present in a weight excess compared with the cation of the cationic inorganic salts. The weight ratio of the polymers of formula (I) or salts thereof to the cation of the cationic inorganic salt may be from 2:1 to 50:1, preferably from 2.5:1 to 45:1, more preferably from 3:1 to 40:1.

The combination of the cationic inorganic salts and molecules of the polymers of formula (I) or salts thereof stabilises the pesticide composition, in particular when combined with other products, such as a fertiliser composition. The combination of the cationic inorganic salts and molecules of the polymers of formula (I) or salts thereof improves the compatibility of the pesticide suspension composition with other products when used in a tank mix, as employed for applying the compositions by spraying. In particular the combination of the cationic inorganic salts and molecules of the polymers of formula (I) or salts thereof improves the compatibility of the pesticide composition in the tank mix when combined with fertiliser products and reduces or avoids detrimental factors such as flocculation, sedimentation and fractionation typically caused by the tank mixing of the pesticide and fertiliser corn positions The composition of the present invention further comprises a diluent. The diluent is a liquid, in which particles of the pesticidally active component are suspended. Suitable diluents are known in the art and include water and organic diluents. If organic diluents are employed, they are preferably miscible with water, to allow the composition to be dispersed in a tank mix, for example prior to treatment, such as spraying. Water is a particularly preferred diluent.

The composition preferably further comprises at least one agrochemically io acceptable surfactant. The surfactant acts to maintain the pesticide component in suspension in the formulation. Suitable surfactants and their uses are known in the art. The at least one agrochemically acceptable surfactant employed in the present invention may be any suitable functional surfactant that is frequently used for this purpose in pesticide formulations, such as emulsifiers, dispersants and wetting agents. In many embodiments, a combination of two or more surfactants is preferably employed.

Suitable emulsifiers are any substances that are used for this purpose in agrochemical formulations. Preferred emulsifiers are any one of or a combination of at least two of the reactants of alkylphenol with ethylene oxide and/or propylene oxide, ethoxylated nonylphenols, castor oil ethoxylates, mixtures of polyalkoxylated alcohols, such as the commercial product Atlox 4894, alkyl calcium salts, calcium alkylbenzene sulphonate salts, sorbitan derivatives or polyethylene oxide-sorbitan fatty acid esters. Preferred embodiments employ one or more of a combination of ethoxylated nonylphenols and castor oil ethoxylates, a combination of ethoxylated nonylphenols and alkyl calcium salts, a combination of ethoxylated nonylphenols and calcium alkylbenzene sulphonate salts, a combination of castor oil ethoxylates and alkyl calcium salts, a combination of calcium alkylbenzene sulphonate salts and sorbitan derivatives, alkyl calcium salts and sorbitan derivatives.

Suitable dispersants are any substances that are used for this purpose in agrochemical formulations, such as nonionic, amphoteric, cationic and anionic (polymer) surfactants. Preferred dispersants are one or more of naphthalene sulphonates, naphthalene sulphonate-formaldehyde polycondensates, alkyl sulphonates, lignosulphonates, polycarboxylates, fatty alcohol ethoxylates, fatty alcohol ethoxylates, fatty alcohol alkoxylates, EO/PO block copolymers, sulphonic acids of ethoxylated alcohols, sulphosuccinates, fatty acid methyl taurates, tristyryl phenol ethoxylates and alkoxylates, tri-sec-butyl phenol ethoxylates, sulphated cresol-formaldehyde condensates, sulphated condensates of naphthalene and alkyl naphthalenes, phosphoric esters of ethoxylated fatty alcohols, tristyrylphenols and tri-sec-butylphenols, copolymers of ethoxylated fatty alcohols, polyacrylic acids, polymethacrylic acids and acrylates, ether sulphates of tristyrylphenol and tri-secbutylphenol, and polymeric dispersants.

Suitable wetting agents are any substances that are used for this purpose in agrochemical formulations. Preferred wetting agents are anionic wetting agents, such as alkali metal salts, alkaline earth metal salts or ammonium salts of the anionic wetting agents. Suitable wetting agents include naphthalene sulphonates, for example disodium salts of methylene dinaphthalene suphonates, sodium naphthalene sulphonate-formaldehyde condensates, and ammonium naphthalene sulphonate-formaldehyde condensates; alkyl naphthalene sulphonates, for example sodium alkyl naphtalene sulphonates; benzenesulphonates and alkylbenzenesulphonates, for example sodium cumene sulphonates, potassium cumene sulphonates, sodium xylene sulphonates, and sodium toluene sulphonates; alkanesulphonates, for example sodium tetradecene sulphonates; alpha-olefin sulphonates, for example sodium alpha olefin sulphonates; sulphosuccinates, for examle sodium dioctyl sulphosuccinates; alkyl phosphates, for example lauryl myristyl phosphates; and alkyl sulphates, for example sodium lauryl sulphates, sodium cetyl stearyl sulphates, sodium cetyl sulphates, sodium myristyl sulphates, and sodium cetyl stearyl sulphates.

The surfactant may be present in any suitable amount to provide the required properties to the suspension. The weight percentage of the surfactant in the pesticide suspension composition may be from 0.1%, preferably from 0.2%, more preferably from 0.4%, still more preferably from 0.5%, more preferably still from 0.7%, especially from 0.8%, more especially from 0.9%, in particular from 1%. The weight percentage of the surfactant in the pesticide suspension composition may be up to 30%, preferably up to 25%, more preferably up to 20%, still more preferably up to 15%, especially up to 10%. The weight percentage of the surfactant in the pesticide suspension composition may be from 0.1 to 20%, preferably from 1 to 10%.

The composition may comprise one or more further auxiliaries known for formulating pesticidal suspension concentrate compositions. Such auxiliaries and their uses are known in the art. Further auxiliaries that may be included are, for example, one or more of antifoaming agents, pH regulators, thickening agents, and preservatives.

Suitable antifoaming agents are any substances that are used for this purpose in agrochemical formulations. Preferred antifoaming agents are salts of silicones, long-chain alcohols and fatty acids.

Suitable pH regulators are any substances that are used for this purpose in agrochemical formulations. Preferred pH regulators are phosphoric acids, acetic acids, citric acids, sodium carbonates, sodium bicarbonates, potassium phosphates, potassium hydrogen phosphates, potassium dihydrogen phosphates and other substances that provide proton acids or proton bases.

Suitable thickening agents are any substances that are used for this purpose in agrochemical formulations. Preferred thickening agents include magnesium aluminum silicates, white carbon black, diatomites, polyvinyl alcohols, and polyvinylpyrrolidones.

Suitable preservatives are any substances that are used for this purpose in agrochemical formulations. Examples of suitable preservatives include alkyl isothiazolinones and benzoisothiazolinones.

As noted above, the composition of the present invention is a suspension concentrate, that is the pesticidally active component is present as solid particles dispersed in suspension in the diluent. The particles may have any suitable size. Preferably, the particles of the pesticidally active component have a particle size (D90) of less than 30 pm, more preferably less than 25 pm, still more preferably less than 20 pm, more preferably still less than 15 pm, especially no greater than 10 pm.

Preferably, the particles of the pesticidally active component have a particle size (D90) of from 0.1 pm, more preferably from 0.2 pm, still more preferably from 0.3 pm, more preferably still from 0.4 pm, especially from 0.5 pm. Preferably, the particles have a size (Da)) of less than 30 pm, such as 0.5 pm, 0.8 pm, 1 pm, 2 pm, 3 pm, 4 pm, 5 pm, 6 pm, 7 pm, 8 pm, 9 pm, or 10 pm. More preferably, the particles have a size (D90) of no greater than 10 pm, still more preferably no greater than 8 pm, more preferably still no greater than 6 pm.

In one embodiment, the present invention provides a pesticide suspension composition, which consists essentially of: (1) from 5 to 50 wt% of a dispersed agrochemical active substance; (2) from 1 to 10 wt% of a polymeric stabiliser of formula (I) or a salt thereof H2 00H wherein R is hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl or a mixture thereof, and n a. 25; (3) from 0.5 to 5 wt% of a cationic inorganic salt; (4) from 0.1 to 20 wt% of at least one agrochemically acceptable surfactant; 5 and (5) water making up to 100 wt%.

In a further aspect, the present invention provides a method for preparing a pesticide suspension composition as hereinbefore described, the method to comprising combining: (1) a dispersed agrochemical active substance; (2) a polymeric stabiliser of formula (I) or a salt thereof:

COOH H2 0)

wherein each R is selected from hydrogen or Ci to C6 alkyl and n 25; (3) a cationic inorganic salt; and (4) a diluent.

Any suitable technique may be used to combine the components of the composition. Such techniques are known in the art and include one or a combination of mixing, stirring and grinding.

In one embodiment, components (1), (2) and (3), optionally with component (4) and/or one or more auxiliaries to be included in the composition are mixed and subjected to grinding. Suitable grinding techniques and grinding equipment are known in the art and are commercially available.

Preferably, the grinding is carried out at a temperature of from 10°C. The grinding may be carried out at a temperature of up to 50°C. Preferably, the components are combined and ground at a temperature of from 10 to 50°C, such as 10°C, 15°C, 20°C, 25°C, 30°C, 35°C, 40°C, 45°C or 50°C, preferably from 15 to 40°C.

io It has surprisingly been found that the pesticide suspension composition according to the present invention can be diluted with water and tank mixed together with water-soluble inorganic fertilisers, liquid organic fertilisers and urea to provide a stable formulation ready for application, for example by spraying, dipping or the like. In particular, the pesticide composition of the present invention may be readily diluted with water and combined with one or more fertilisers without exhibiting any instability arising from the incompatibility of the pesticide composition and the fertiliser, such as pesticide-fertiliser separation, flocculation, fractionation and crystallization. As a result, the present invention overcomes the problem of known pesticide preparation compositions being incompatible with fertilisers, preventing the pesticide compositions from being tank mixed with fertilisers. This in turn, greatly saves the time of end users, such as farmers, in terms of the application of pesticides and fertilizers, reducing the work required to apply both pesticides and fertilisers and unnecessary labour costs.

In a further aspect, the present invention provides a method for preparing a pesticide-fertiliser composition, the method comprising combining the composition as hereinbefore described with a fertiliser.

Preferably, the composition is combined with the fertiliser with the addition of a diluent, in particular water, to prepare a diluted composition.

In a further aspect, the present invention further provides a pesticide-fertiliser composition comprising: (1) a dispersed agrochemical active substance; (2) a polymeric stabiliser of formula (I) or a salt thereof:

COOH H2

wherein each R is selected from hydrogen or Ci to C6 alkyl and n a. 25; (3) a cationic inorganic salt, (4) a fertiliser; and (5) a diluent.

Details of the agrochemical active substances, the polymeric stabiliser, the cationic inorganic salt and the diluent are as described hereinbefore.

The composition may comprise one or more surfactants and/or one or auxiliaries, as described hereinbefore.

The pesticide composition of the present invention may be combined with any suitable fertiliser composition. References herein to 'fertiliser' include the known nutrient substances commonly used to promote plant production, such as potash fertilisers, nitrogen fertilisers, phosphate fertilisers, compound fertilisers, amino acid liquid fertilisers, humic acid liquid fertilisers, alginic acid liquid fertilisers, medium and trace elements, for example calcium, magnesium, sulphur, iron, boron, manganese, copper, zinc, molybdenum, and organic fertilisers necessary for plants.

The fertilisers are preferably those that dissolve in water or can be uniformly dispersed in water to form a stable spray liquid and are preferably water-soluble solid fertilisers and liquid fertilisers.

In one preferred embodiment, there is provided a pesticide-fertiliser composition comprising: (1) one or more chloronicotinyl compounds; (2) one or more polyacrylic acids and/or polymethacrylic acids or salts thereof that have a mole molecular weight of from 2,000 to 50,000; (3) one or more salts of potassium and/or sodium; (4) a fertiliser; (5) optionally, an agrochemically acceptable surfactant; and (6) water as a diluent.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the pesticide-fertiliser composition comprises: (1) imidacloprid; (2) one or more sodium salts of a polyacrylic acid and/or a polymethacrylic acid having a mole molecular weight of from 2,000 to 50,000; (3) one or more salts of potassium or sodium; (4) a fertiliser; (5) optionally, an agrochemically acceptable surfactant; and (6) water as a diluent.

In a further aspect, the present invention provides a method of controlling pest infestations at a locus, the method comprising applying to the locus a pesticide suspension composition or a pesticide-fertiliser composition as hereinbefore described.

In a still further aspect, the present invention provides the use of a pesticide suspension composition or a pesticide-fertiliser composition as hereinbefore described in the control of a pest infestation at a locus.

In still another aspect, the present invention provides a method for applying the pesticide suspension composition of the present invention, the method comprising io the steps of: (1) mixing the pesticide suspension composition as hereinbefore described with a fertiliser product and diluting with water; and (2) applying the resulting mixture to the plants or locus being treated.

The pesticide suspension composition, fertiliser and water may be combined is and mixed in any order. Suitable techniques and apparatus for mixing the components and applying the resulting formulation to the plants or locus are known in the art.

The specific application rates of the pesticides and the fertilisers will vary according to the particular components being employed and depend on such factors as the types of plants, plant growth stage, the prevailing environmental conditions, the pests, such as weeds, insects or fungal pathogens, to be controlled and application conditions.

The mixture may be applied by spraying to any exposed portion of a plant, such as leaves or stems, or the locus of the plant or plant parts being protected.

In a still further aspect, the present invention provides a method of increasing the compatibility of a pesticide with a fertiliser, the method comprising combining: (1) the pesticide; (2) the fertiliser; (3) a polymeric stabiliser of formula (I) or a salt thereof: COOH H2 wherein each R is selected from hydrogen or Ci to C6 alkyl and n 25; and (4) a cationic inorganic salt.

Still further, the present invention provides the use of: (1) a polymeric stabiliser of formula (I) or a salt thereof: H2 COOK Cl') wherein each R is selected from hydrogen or Ci to C6 alkyl and n a. 25; and (2) a cationic inorganic salt to stabilise a mixture of a pesticide and a fertiliser.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, for illustration purposes only, by way of the following working examples.

Percentages are percent by weight, unless otherwise indicated.

EXAMPLES

Example 1 Imidacloprid (35%) SC A suspension concentrate (SC) composition was prepared from the components listed below.

Imidacloprid 35% Sodium polyacrylate (mole molecular weight of 5,000) 6% Sodium chloride 2% Naphthalene sulphonate surfactant 3% Silicone oil 0.5% Propylene glycol 5% Xanthan gum 0.2% Preservative 0.3% Deionized water making up to 100% The components listed above were combined with the deionized water and the mixture stirred. The resulting mixture was milled using a Dyno-mill at a temperature of 40°C to obtain a suspension concentrate, with the suspended particles have a size (Duo) of 5pm.

Example 2 Imidacloprid (48%) SC A suspension concentrate (SC) composition was prepared from the components listed below using the method described in Example 1.

Imidacloprid 48% Polyacrylic acid (mole molecular weight of 10,000) 15% Potassium chloride 5% Lignosulphonate 2% Carboxylate surfactant 3% Silicone oil 0.5% Propylene glycol 5% Xanthan gum 0.18% Preservative 0.3% Deionized water making up to 100% Example 3 Imidacloprid (24%) SC A suspension concentrate (SC) composition was prepared from the components listed below using the method described in Example 1.

Imidacloprid 24% Sodium polymethacrylate (mole molecular weight of 20,000) 3% Sodium sulphate 1% Lignosulphonate 2% Carboxylate surfactant 3% Silicone oil 0.5% Propylene glycol 5% Xanthan gum 0.18% Preservative 0.3% Deionized water making up to 100% Example 4 Thiamethoxam (35%) SC A suspension concentrate (SC) composition was prepared from the components listed below using the method described in Example 1.

Thiamethoxam 35% Mixture of polymethacrylic acids and sodium polymethacrylates (mole molecular weight of 35,000) 8% Ammonium nitrate 3% Fatty alcohol ethoxylate 2.5% EO-P0 block copolymer 2% Silicone oil 0.5% Propylene glycol 5% Xanthan gum 0.15% Preservative 0.2% Deionized water making up to 100% Example 5 Abamectin (6%) SC A suspension concentrate (SC) composition was prepared from the components listed below using the method described in Example 1.

Abamectin 6% Sodium polyacrylate (mole molecular weight of 40,000) 10% Potassium nitrate 2% Alkylbenzene sulphonate 1.5% Phosphate surface active substance 3% Silicone oil 6% Propylene glycol 5% Xanthan gum 0.1% Preservative 0.2% Deionized water making up to 100% Example 6 Tebuconazole (43%) SC A suspension concentrate (SC) composition was prepared from the components listed below using the method described in Example 1.

Tebuconazole 43% Sodium polymethacrylate (mole molecular weight of 8,000) 12% Sodium chloride 0.8% Fatty alcohol ethoxylate 2.5% Ethoxylated fatty alcohol 1% Silicone oil 0.5% Propylene glycol 5% Xanthan gum 0.15% Preservative 0.2% Deionized water making up to 100% Example 7 Imidacloprid + clothianidin (24%+36%) SC A suspension concentrate (SC) composition was prepared from the components listed below using the method described in Example 1.

Imidacloprid 24% Clothianidin 36% Polyacrylic acid (mole molecular weight of 12,000) 7% Sodium carbonate 5% Lignosulphonate 2.5% Sulphate surface active substance 2% Silicone oil 0.6% Propylene glycol 5% Xanthan gum 0.2% Preservative 0.2% Deionized water making up to 100% Example 8 Thiamethoxam+bifenthrin (15%+17%) SC A suspension concentrate (SC) composition was prepared from the components listed below using the method described in Example 1.

Thiamethoxam 15% Bifenthrin 17% Sodium polyacrylate (mole molecular weight of 7,000) 10% Potassium phosphate 3.5% Naphthalene sulphonate formaldehyde polycondensate 2.5% Sulphate surface active substance Silicone oil Propylene glycol Xanthan gum Preservative io Deionized water 2% 0.6% 5% 0.2% 0.2% making up to 100% Comparative Example 1 Imidacloprid (35%) SC A suspension concentrate (SC) composition was prepared from the components listed below using the method described in Example 1. The composition was prepared for comparative purposes and is not an embodiment of the present invention.

Imidacloprid 35% Sodium chloride 2% Naphthalene sulphonate surfactant 3% Silicone oil 0.5% Propylene glycol Xanthan gum Preservative Deionized water 5% 0.2% 0.3% making up to 100% Comparative Example 2 Imidacloprid 35% SC A suspension concentrate (SC) composition was prepared from the components listed below using the method described in Example 1. The composition was prepared for comparative purposes and is not an embodiment of the present invention.

Imidacloprid 35% Sodium polyacrylate (mole molecular weight of 5,000) 6% Naphthalene sulphonate surfactant 3% Silicone oil 0.5% Propylene glycol 5% Xanthan gum 0.2% Preservative 0.3% Deionized water making up to 100% Comparative Example 3 Imidacloprid (35%) SC A suspension concentrate (SC) composition was prepared from the components listed below using the method described in Example 1. The composition was prepared for comparative purposes and is not an embodiment of the present invention.

Imidacloprid Naphthalene sulphonate surfactant Silicone oil Propylene glycol Xanthan gum Preservative Deionized water 35% 3% 0.5% 0.2% 0.3% making up to 100% Comparative Example 4 Imidacloprid (48%) SC A suspension concentrate (SC) composition was prepared from the components listed below using the method described in Example 1. The composition was prepared for comparative purposes and is not an embodiment of the present invention.

Imidacloprid 48% Lignosulphonate 2% Carboxylate surfactant 3% Silicone oil 0.5% Propylene glycol 5% Xanthan gum 0.18% Preservative 0.3% Deionized water making up to 100% Comparative Example 5 Imidacloprid (24%) SC A suspension concentrate (SC) composition was prepared from the components listed below using the method described in Example 1. The composition was prepared for comparative purposes and is not an embodiment of the present invention.

Imidacloprid 24% Lignosulphonate 2% Carboxylate surfactant 3% Silicone oil 0.5% Propylene glycol 5% Xanthan gum 0.18% Preservative 0.3% Deionized water making up to 100% Comparative Example 6 Thiamethoxam (35%) SC A suspension concentrate (SC) composition was prepared from the components listed below using the method described in Example 1. The composition was prepared for comparative purposes and is not an embodiment of the present invention.

Thiamethoxam 35% Fatty alcohol ethoxylate 2.5% EO-PO block copolymer 2% Silicone oil 0.5% Propylene glycol 5% Xanthan gum 0.15% Preservative 0.2% Deionized water making up to 100% Comparative Example 7 Abamectin (6%) SC A suspension concentrate (SC) composition was prepared from the components listed below using the method described in Example 1. The composition was prepared for comparative purposes and is not an embodiment of the present invention.

Abamectin 6% Alkylbenzene sulphonate Phosphate surface active substance Silicone oil Propylene glycol Xanthan gum Preservative Deionized water 1.5% 3% 6% 5% 0.1% 0.2% making up to 100% Comparative Example 8 Tebuconazole (43%) SC A suspension concentrate (SC) composition was prepared from the components listed below using the method described in Example 1. The composition was prepared for comparative purposes and is not an embodiment of the present invention.

Tebuconazole 43% Fatty alcohol ethoxylate 2.5% Ethoxylated fatty alcohol 1% Silicone oil 0.5% Propylene glycol 5% Xanthan gum 0.15% Preservative 0.2% Deionized water making up to 100% Comparative Example 9 Imidacloprid + clothianidin (24%+36%) SC A suspension concentrate (SC) composition was prepared from the components listed below using the method described in Example 1. The composition was prepared for comparative purposes and is not an embodiment of the present invention.

Imidacloprid Clothianidin Lignosulphonate Sulphate surface active substance Silicone oil Propylene glycol Xanthan gum Preservative Deionized water 24% 36% 2.5% 2% 0.6% 5% 0.2% 0.2% making up to 100% Comparative Example 10 Thiamethoxam+bifenthrin (15%+17%) SC A suspension concentrate (SC) composition was prepared from the components listed below using the method described in Example 1. The composition was prepared for comparative purposes and is not an embodiment of the present invention.

Thiamethoxam 15% Bifenthrin 17% Naphthalene sulphonate formaldehyde polycondensate 2.5% Sulphate surface active substance Silicone oil Propylene glycol Xanthan gum Preservative Deionized water 2% 0.6% 5% 0.2% 0.2% making up to 100% Compatibility of Pesticide Compositions with Fertiliser The compatibility of the pesticide compositions with fertiliser components was examined. In particular, the compatibility of the pesticide compositions when combined with a fertiliser and diluted with water to form a tank mix was examined as follows: Samples of the compositions prepared in each of Examples 1 to 8 and Comparative Examples 1 to 10 were added to aqueous solutions containing 10% compound fertiliser, 10% urea and 10% "Youduo" fertiliser Each composition was added to each aqueous solution in an amount of 1% by weight of the aqueous solution, shaken to uniformity and allowed to stand for 1 hour.

After this time, each formulation was shaken to produce a uniform mixture and allowed to stand for 1 minute, after which the state of the formulation was observed.

The results are shown in Table 1 below.

NOTES: 1: Compound fertilisers used in the experiments were commercially available granular fertilisers with an effective content of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium nutrients 25%; and 2: "Youduo" fertilisers employed were commercially available liquid fertilisers containing 100 g/L of amino acids and 20 g/L of zinc-boron elements in total.

Table 1

10% aqueous compound fertiliser solution 10% aqueous urea solution 10% "Youduo" aqueous solution Example 1 uniform suspension uniform suspension uniform suspension Example 2 uniform suspension uniform suspension uniform suspension Example 3 uniform suspension uniform suspension uniform suspension Example 4 uniform suspension uniform suspension uniform suspension Example 5 uniform suspension uniform suspension uniform suspension Example 6 uniform suspension uniform suspension uniform suspension Example 7 uniform suspension uniform suspension uniform suspension Example 8 uniform suspension uniform suspension uniform suspension Comparative Example 1 flocculation, rapid sedimentation and fractionation flocculation, rapid sedimentation and fractionation flocculation, rapid sedimentation and fractionation Comparative Example 2 flocculation, rapid sedimentation and fractionation flocculation, rapid sedimentation and fractionation flocculation, rapid sedimentation and fractionation Comparative Example 3 flocculation, rapid sedimentation and fractionation flocculation, rapid sedimentation and fractionation flocculation, rapid sedimentation and fractionation Comparative Example 4 flocculation, rapid sedimentation and fractionation flocculation, rapid sedimentation and fractionation flocculation, rapid sedimentation and fractionation Comparative Example 5 flocculation, rapid sedimentation and fractionation flocculation, rapid sedimentation and fractionation flocculation, rapid sedimentation and fractionation Comparative Example 6 flocculation, rapid sedimentation and fractionation flocculation, rapid sedimentation and fractionation flocculation, rapid sedimentation and fractionation Comparative Example 7 flocculation, rapid sedimentation and fractionation flocculation, rapid sedimentation and fractionation flocculation, rapid sedimentation and fractionation Comparative Example 8 flocculation, rapid sedimentation and fractionation flocculation, rapid sedimentation and fractionation flocculation, rapid sedimentation and fractionation Comparative Example 9 flocculation, rapid sedimentation and fractionation flocculation, rapid sedimentation and fractionation flocculation, rapid sedimentation and fractionation Comparative flocculation, rapid sedimentation and fractionation flocculation, rapid sedimentation and fractionation flocculation, rapid sedimentation and fractionation

Example 10

The results in Table 1 show that the pesticide suspension composition of the present invention has good properties of being compatible with fertilisers, in particular when combined with the fertiliser in an aqueous dilution, such as a tank mix prepared for applying the compositions by spraying or the like. In particular, the composition of the present invention exhibited no flocculation, fractionation or precipitation of the pesticide and fertiliser components in the diluted formulation. The pesticide suspension composition remained stable over a long period of time.

to This in turn facilitates application of the products in the field by the end users, such as farmers. In addition, the pesticide suspension composition of the present invention can be mixed with commercially available fertilisers, which also greatly facilitates the end user wishing to combine and apply a combination of pesticides and fertilisers.

In contrast, the results relating to the compositions of the comparative examples shows that without employing the polymeric stabiliser of formula (I) and the cationic salt, the composition was not compatible with being mixed with fertilisers. In particular, the mixture of the pesticide composition and the fertiliser exhibited significant flocculation of the active components, precipitation of the solid particles and fractionation of the mixture into a plurality of phases.

Claims (24)

1. CLAIMSA pesticide suspension composition comprising: (1) a dispersed agrochemical active substance; (2) a polymeric stabiliser of formula (I) or a salt thereof:COOH H2 (1)wherein each R is selected from hydrogen or Ci to C6 alkyl and n 25; (3) a cationic inorganic salt; and (4) a diluent.
2. 2. The pesticide composition according to claim 1, wherein the dispersed agrochemical active substance is selected from one or more fungicides, herbicides, insecticides, acaracides, nematicides, and/or microbiocides.
3. 3. The pesticide composition according to claim 2, wherein the dispersed agrochemical active substance is one or more of an insecticide selected from a chloronicotinyl, a pyrethroid and an avermectin; and a sulfonyl urea fungicide.
4. 4. The pesticide composition according to any preceding claim, wherein each R is selected from hydrogen or Ci to C4 alkyl.
5. 5. The pesticide composition according to claim 4, wherein each R is selected from hydrogen, methyl and ethyl.
6. 6. The pesticide composition according to claim 5, wherein the compounds of formula (I) is selected from polyacrylic acids and polymethacrylic acids.
7. 7. The pesticide composition according to any preceding claim, wherein the compounds of formula (I) may have an average mole molecular weight of from to 1,000 to 500,000.
8. 8. The pesticide composition according to any preceding claim, wherein the cationic inorganic salt is a monovalent cationic inorganic salt.
9. 9. The pesticide composition according to claim 8, wherein the cationic inorganic salt is selected from an inorganic salt of an alkali metal or an ammonium salt.
10. 10. The pesticide composition according to any preceding claim, wherein the cationic inorganic salt comprises one or more halides, nitrates, sulphates, bisulphates, hydrogen sulphates, sulphites, bisulphites, carbonates, bicarbonates, phosphates, chlorites, hypochlorites or hydrated aluminates.
11. 11. The pesticide composition according to any preceding claim, wherein the weight ratio of the polymers of formula (I) or salts thereof to the cation of the cationic inorganic salt is from 50:1 to 1:50.
12. 12. The pesticide composition according to any preceding claim, wherein the diluent is water.
13. 13. The pesticide composition according to any preceding claim, further comprising one or more surfactants.
14. 14. The pesticide composition according to any preceding claim, further comprising one or more auxiliaries selected from antifoaming agents, pH regulators, thickening agents, and preservatives.
15. 15. The pesticide composition according to any preceding claim, wherein the dispersed agrochemical active substance comprises particles having a size (D9o) of less than 30 pm.
16. 16. The pesticide composition according to any preceding claim, which consists essentially of: (1) from 5 to 50 wt% of a dispersed agrochemical active substance; (2) from 1 to 10 wt% of a polymeric stabiliser of formula (I) or a salt thereof H2 COOK wherein R is hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl or a mixture thereof, and n 25; (3) from 0.5 to 5 wt% of a cationic inorganic salt; (4) from 0.1 to 20 wt% of at least one agrochemically acceptable surfactant; and (5) water making up to 100 wt%.
17. 17. A method for preparing a pesticide suspension composition as claimed in any preceding claim, the method comprising combining: (1) a dispersed agrochemical active substance; (2) a polymeric stabiliser of formula (I) or a salt thereof:COOK H2wherein each R is selected from hydrogen or Ci to C6 alkyl and n 25; (3) a cationic inorganic salt; and (4) a diluent.
18. 18. The method according to claim 17, wherein the components are mixed and subjected to grinding.
19. 19 A pesticide-fertiliser composition comprising: (1) a dispersed agrochemical active substance; (2) a polymeric stabiliser of formula (I) or a salt thereof: C001-1 H2 wherein each R is selected from hydrogen or Ci to C6 alkyl and n 25, (3) a cationic inorganic salt; (4) a fertiliser; and (5) a diluent.
20. 20. The pesticide-fertiliser composition according to claim 19, wherein the fertiliser comprises one or more potash fertilisers, nitrogen fertilisers, phosphate fertilisers, compound fertilisers, amino acid liquid fertilisers, humic acid liquid fertilisers, alginic acid liquid fertilisers, medium and trace elements, for example calcium, magnesium, sulphur, iron, boron, manganese, copper, zinc, molybdenum, and organic fertilisers necessary for plants.
21. 21. A method of controlling pest infestations at a locus, the method comprising applying to the locus a pesticide suspension composition as claimed in claims 1 to 16 or a pesticide-fertiliser composition as claimed in either of claims 19 or 20.
22. 22. Use of a pesticide suspension composition as claimed in claims 1 to 16 or a pesticide-fertiliser composition as claimed in either of claims 19 or 20 in the control of a pest infestation at a locus.
23. 23. A method of increasing the compatibility of a pesticide with a fertiliser, the method comprising combining: (1) the pesticide; (2) the fertiliser; (3) a polymeric stabiliser of formula (I) or a salt thereof:COOK H2wherein each R is selected from hydrogen or Ci to C6 alkyl and n 25; and (4) a cationic inorganic salt.
24. 24. Use of: (1) a polymeric stabiliser of formula (I) or a salt thereof: H2 COON C nRwherein each R is selected from hydrogen or Ci to C6 alkyl and n a. 25 and (2) a cationic inorganic salt to stabilise a mixture of a pesticide and a fertiliser.