OA20688A - Treatment for black Sigatoka. - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to methods of controlling fungal diseases in plants. More specifically, the present invention relates to treatment of fungal diseases in banana.

Description

TREATMENT FOR BLACK SIGATOKA

Technical fieid:

The présent invention relates to methods of controlling fungal diseases in plants. More 5 specifically, the présent invention relates to treatment of fungal diseases in banana.

Background and prior art:

Banana is of the most economically important crops grown in Asian, Africa and the Americas. Like ail plants, the banana plant is subject to many diseases. The most damaging 10 and possibly commercially important disease in banana is the black sigatoka disease also known as black leaf streak. The disease is characterized by dark leaf spots that eventually en large and coalesce, causing much of the leaf area to turn yellow then brown to finally black. The disease is caused by Ascomycètes fungi Mycosphaerella fijiensis (Morelet). Mycosphaerella fijiensis (Morelet) is a very spécifie filamentous fungi, extremely slow 15 growîng, its properties differ significantiy from the other plant pathogens such as powdery mildew and Botrytis cinerea.

Black Sigatoka attacks leaves during the entire growth period up to the time of harvestîng.

It initially causes spotting and blotching of the leaf surfaces that results in necrosis and 20 withering of the leaf tissue. The course of the disease is usually slow, but on account of the réduction of the active leaf surface leads to decrease in photosynthesis. This tn turn results in decrease in growth and maturîty of the fruit, which directly impacts the yield and qualîty of the fruit. Black Sigatoka has a wide host range and infects most specîes of banana including dessert bananas, cooking bananas, and plantains.

The ascospores, and to a certain extent conidia, are the propagules by which the fungus is dispersed by wînd. The conidia form readily in high humidity, especially if a film of free water is présent on leaves. These asexual spores disperse during rain-wash and splashing, causing local spread of the disease. The spread of the disease is rapid and Chemical control 30 is usually used to control and treat the disease. There are many Chemical fongicides known to treat and control the spread of Black Sigatoka disease. These fungicides include commonly known contact fungicides such as maneozeb, chlorothalonil, as well as Systemic fungicides such as morpholine, déméthylation inhibitors (DMI), or strobiliurin (Qol) fungicides, benzîmidazoles etc. Résistance to benzimidazole, DMI, and strobiliurin fungicides is widespread in many production areas,

Researchers are constantly in search of newer fungicides that can control the disease without résistance developing, since developing résistance results in decreased sensîtivity, which increases dosage as well as renewed efforts to find newer fungicides that can control and treat the disease.

Various plant health promoting agents are known in the art including fertilizers, biologicals as well as plant additives that can promote growth as well as improve yield of the plant. The element silica is the second most abundant element in the earth’s crust. There are various studies that hâve been conducted that prove the importance of silica in the growth of plants. Studies hâve also demonstrated that silica is taken up in the same amount as any other known micronutrient (Rôle of Orthosilicic Acid (OSA) Based Formulation in Improving Plant Growth and Development, Jain et.al, Silicon (2016)). There are many silica based fertilizers and plant growth promoters known in the art. However, none hâve been mîxed with combination of fungicides and insecticides.

There is therefore a need in the art for a fungicide that can be used to control/treat Black Sigatoka disease without the risk of résistance being developed. There is a need in the art for a fungicide that completely Controls the disease and prevents the spread of the disease further.

Embodiments of the présent invention can therefore provide for one or more advantages of the présent invention:

Objects of the invention:

One object of the présent invention is to provide a method of controlling black Sigatoka 30 disease in banana.

Another object of the invention is to provide a method of increasing yield in banana crop.

Another object of the présent invention is to provide a method of improving plant health in banana.

Yet another object of the présent invention is to provide a composition for the control of Black Sigatoka in banana.

Some or ail of these and other objects of the invention are can be achieved by way of the invention described hereînafter.

Summary of the invention:

In one aspect, the présent invention provides a method of preventing or partially preventing black sigatoka or a symptom or condition associated with black sigatoka in banana, said method comprising applying at least a silicic acid based active ingrédient to the locus of the disease.

In another aspect, the présent invention provides a method for partial or complété curative control of the disease, condition, symptom or adverse effect associated with the incidence of black sigatoka in banana, said method comprising applying at least a silicic acid based active ingrédient and at least one fungicide to the locus of the disease.

In yet another aspect, the présent invention provides a method of increasing yield of a banana tree, said method comprising applying at least a silicic acid based active ingrédient to the banana plant.

Another aspect of the présent invention provides a composition for preventing or partially preventing black sigatoka or a symptom or condition associated with black sigatoka in banana, said composition comprising at least one silicic acid based active ingrédient.

Brief description of the drawings:

Fig. 1 : It represents trial results of présent compositions.

Detailed description of the invention

For the purposes of the following detailed description, it is to be understood that the invention may assume various alternative variations except where expressly specified to the contrary. Moreover, other than in any operatîng examples, or where otherwise 5 indicated, al! numbers expressing, for example, quantifies of materials/ingredients used in the spécification are to be understood as being modified in ail instances by the term about. The term about used shall be înterpreted to mean approximately or reasonably close to and any statîstically insignificant variations therefrom.

As used herein, the ternis “comprising” “including,” “having,” “containîng,” “involving,” 10 and the like are to be understood to be open-ended, i.e., to mean including but not limited to. The tenus “preferred” and “preferably” refer to embodiments of the invention that may afford certain benefits, under certain circumstances.

In any aspect or embodiment described hereinbelow, the phrase comprising may be replaced by the phrases “consisting of’ or “consisting essentially of’ or “consisting 15 substantially of’. In these aspects or embodiment, the combination or composition described includes or comprises or consists of or consîsts essentially of or consists substantially of the spécifie components recited therein, to the exclusion of other fungicides or plant growth promoting agents or adjuvants or excipients not specifically recited therein. The term “fungicidally effective amount” refers to an amount of an active that kills the pest 20 or inhibits the plant disease for which control is desired, in an amount not significantly toxîc to the plant being treated.

Therefore, embodiments of the présent invention provide methods of preventing or partially preventing black sigatoka or a symptom or condition associated with black sigatoka in 25 banana, comprising applying an agriculturally acceptable amount of at least a silicîc acid based active ingrédient to the infected locî.

It has now been surprisingly found that a silicîc acid based active ingrédient has a préventive or prophylactic effect, as well as a curative effect, on black sigatoka in banana. 30 In this embodiment, the présent invention provides an effective method of controlling or treating or partially preventing black sigatoka or a symptom or condition associated with black sigatoka in banana using plant growth regulating agent.

In an embodiment, according to the présent invention is a silicic acid based compound having the general formula.

[SiO_x(OH)«x]n or salts thereof.

In an embodiment, n varies from 6 to 200.

In an embodiment, x is 1.5 and n is 20.

In an embodiment, x is 1.5 and n is 8, or 6, or 10, or greater than 16.

In an embodiment, x is 1.5 and n is greater than 20.

In an embodiment, x is 1.5 and n is 36.

In an embodiment, the salts of silicic acid may be silicates, a combination of silica combined with métal oxides. Used as fertîlizers like calcium silicate, potassium silicate, sodium silicate and combinations of diatomaceous earth with minerais.

Such silicic acids may be selected from metasilicic acid (H^SiOs), orthosîlicic acid (H4S1O4), disîlicic acid (H2SÎ2O5), and pyrosilicîc acid (HéSisO?); preferably orthosîlicic acid, more specifically stabilised orthosîlicic acid.

In an embodiment, the active ingrédient is ortho-sîlicic acid.

These silicic acid dérivative compounds hâve been found to offer préventive and/or curative effects to the black sigatoka infection in banana. Therefore, they are referred to herein active ingrédients according to the présent invention. The compound has not been previously used on banana, either pre- or post-harvest. The présent inventors hâve therefore, surprisingly found that silicic acid dérivatives, partîcularly ortho-sîlicic acid, can be used to prevent and/or control black sigatoka dîsease in banana. The présent inventors hâve surprisingly found that use of silicic acid dérivatives, partîcularly ortho-sîlicic acid, in low volumes results in prévention and/or control of black sigatoka.

The présent invention therefore allows for a réduction in dosage of ortho-sîlicic acid whilst preventing the dîsease, thereby providing an improvement over the fongicides known to be used for control of black sigatoka.

According to the présent invention, it is possible to remarkably prevent and / or ehminate black sigatoka disease.

Accordingly, the présent invention provides in varions embodiments, methods and compositions for preventing or partially preventing black sigatoka or a symptom or condition associated with black sigatoka in banana by applying agriculturally acceptable amount of active, silicic acid dérivatives, particularly ortho-silicic acid, to the affected loci,

The présent inventors hâve surprîsingly found the following hitherto unknown benefïts of silicic acid dérivatives, particularly ortho-silicic acid:

prophylactîcally prevents or partially prevents black sigatoka or a symptom or condition associated with black sigatoka in banana; and

- partial or complété curative control of the disease, condition, symptom or adverse effect associated with the incidence of black sigatoka in banana when administered in combination with a fungicîde.

The term ‘disease control’ as used herein dénotés control and prévention of a disease. Controlling effects include ail déviation from natural development, for example: killing, retardation, decrease of the fugal disease. The term ‘plants’ refers to ali physical parts of a plant, including seeds, seedlings, saplings, roots, tubers, stems, stalks, foliage and fruits. The ‘locus’ is intended to the site of the established végétation and/or parts of the established végétation such as leaves or foliage, saplings etc. Banana plants may be of any variety of the species Musa x paradisiaca.

Therefore, in one aspect, the présent invention provides a method of preventing or partially preventing black sigatoka or a symptom or condition associated with black sigatoka in banana, said method comprising applying silicic acid dérivatives, particularly ortho-silicic acid, to the locus of the disease.

In one aspect the présent invention provides a method of preventing or partially preventing black sigatoka or a symptom or condition associated with biack sigatoka, saîd method comprising applying to the locus of the disease, at least a silicic acid based compound having general formula

[SiO_x(OH)4-2x]n or salts thereof wherein, n varies from 6 to 200.

x is 1.5 and n is 20.

x is 1.5 and n is 8, or 6, or 10, or greater than 16.

x îs 1.5 and n is greater than 20.

x is 1.5 and n is 36

According to the présent invention the silicic acid dérivatives exhîbits the outstanding control effect with respect to black Sigatoka disease in banana.

In y et another aspect, the présent invention may provide a method of increasîng yield of a banana tree, said method comprising applying silicic acid dérivatives, particularly orthosilîcic acid, to the banana plant.

Without wishing to be bound by theory, the présent Înventors believe that the silicic acid dérivatives, for example ortho-silicîc acid, reduces the number of ascospores, thereby arrestîng the growth and reducing spread of Mycosphaerella fijiensis (Morelet) as well as controlling the growth on the foliage. As will be demonstrated by the experiments described herein, the application of silicic acid dérivatives controlled Mycosphaerella fijiensis (Morelet) with almost 95 to 100% efficacy.

In an embodiment, silicic acid dérivatives, particularly ortho-sîlicic acid, may be used in an amount of about from 0.1 L to about 5L per hectare, preferably IL to 2L/ ha for preventîve and/or curative control of black sigatoka in banana.

In some embodiments, silicic acid based compound is applied at the rate of 0.5L to 5 L/ha.

In some embodiments, silicic acid based compound is applied at least once in an interval of 3 to 20 days.

Thus, in an embodiment, silicic acid dérivatives, particularly ortho-silicic acid, is applied 5 to the affected banana plants in the form of a composition.

In an aspect, the présent invention provides a composition for preventing or partialfy preventing black sigatoka or a symptom or condition associated with black sigatoka in banana, said composition comprising silicic acid dérivatives, particularly ortho-silicic acid.

in an aspect, the présent invention provides a composition for use in the treatment of black sigatoka or a symptom or condition associated with black sigatoka in banana, comprising silicic acid dérivatives, particularly ortho-silicic acid.

In another aspect, the présent invention provides use of a composition for the treatment of black sigatoka or a symptom or condition associated with black sigatoka in banana, said composition comprising silicic acid dérivatives, particularly ortho-silicic acid.

The silicic acid dérivatives, particularly ortho-silicic acid, may be sprayed alone or may 20 be mixed with adjuvants such as oîls, or surfactants etc. The oils used may include but are not limited to minerai oils, vegetable oils and fats, sunflower oil, high-oleic sunflower oil, soybean oil, corn oil, peanut oil, cottonseed oil, sesame oil, rapeseed oil, high-oleic rapeseed oil, olive oil, palm oil, palm kernel oil, coconut oil, safflower oil, high oleic safflower oil and the like.

Therefore, in an embodiment, the présent composition comprises at least one silicic acid dérivative compound and a minerai oil.

The minerai oil of the présent invention may be the ones commonly used in combination 30 with synthesised Chemical fungicides availabie in the state of the art. Said minerai oîls are characterised for being effective by themselves in treatments agaînst Sigatoka, since they produce the physical effect of coverîng the leaves. In addition, the physical and Chemical

properties of vegetable extracts, generally lipophilie oils, make them suitably compatible with minerai oils. For this reason, using minerai oil in the composition achieves a spécial synergy for the treatment against Sigatoka. Although the minerai oil selected can be any of the ones commonly used in the field, the preferred embodiment uses at least one minerai 5 oil based on distilled hydrocarbons and light paraffinic oils. The minerai oil may be added preferably in the concentration of 10 to 75% of the total weight of the composition, most preferably 30 to 50 % of the total weight of the composition.

In an embodiment, a minerai oil may be used to exert a curative control of black sigatoka.

In an aspect, the présent invention provides a method of preventing or partially preventing black sigatoka or a symptom or condition associated with black sigatoka in banana, saîd method comprising applying silicic acid dérivatives and a minerai oil, to the locus of the disease.

Therefore, in this embodiment, the présent invention provide a composition for preventing or partially preventing black sigatoka or a symptom or condition associated with black sigatoka in banana, said composition comprising silicic acid dérivatives, particularly orthosilicic acid and a minerai oil.

In some embodiment, silicic acid dérivatives, particularly ortho-sîlicic acid, may be mixed with mîcronutrient.

In an embodiment, the mîcronutrient is selected from but not limited to Nitrogen (N), 25 Potassium (K2O), zinc (Zn), manganèse (Mn), magnésium (Mg), calcium (Ca), iron (Fe) and copper (Cu), boron (B) and Molybdenum (Mo).

In an aspect, the présent înventors hâve further surprisîngly found that silicic acid dérivatives, particularly ortho-silicic acid, exerts a curative control of black sigatoka, in 30 terms of a partial or complété control of the disease, condition, symptom or adverse effect attrîbuted to the incidence of black sigatoka in banana, when applied to the effected loci, in combination with a fungicide.

Therefore, in this embodiment, the présent invention can provide a method of partial or complété curative control of the disease, condition, symptom or adverse effect associated with the incidence of black sigatoka in banana, said method comprising applying silicic 5 acid dérivatives, particularly ortho-silicic acid, in combination with a fungicide to the locus of the disease.

In an embodiment, the method for partial or complété curative control of the disease, condition, symptom or adverse effect associated with the incidence of black sigatoka, said 10 method comprising applying a composition of at least one silicic acid based compound having general formula [SiOx(OH)4-2x]n or salts thereof wherein, n varies from 6 to 200.

x is 1.5 and n is 20.

x is 1.5 and n is 8, or 6, or 10, or greater than 16.

x is 1.5 and n is greater than 20.

x îs 1.5 and n is 36 and at least one fungicide to the locus of the disease.

Preferably, the fungicide is selected from at least one contact fungicides group or systemîc fungicides group.

In an embodiment, the fungicide is selected from contact fungicides such as 25 dithiocarbamate fungicides or chlorothalonil; or systemîc fungicides such as DM inhîbitors, Qol inhibitors, amines, anilinopyrîmîdines, benzimidazoles, SDHI fungicides and Guanidines.

The dithiocarbamate fungicide may be selected from amobam, asomate, azithiram, 30 carbamorph, cufraneb, cuprobam, disulfiram, ferbam, metam, nabam, tecoram, thiram, urbacîde, ziram, dazomet, etem, milneb, mancopper, mancozeb, maneb, metiram, polycarbamate, propineb, zineb or combinations thereof.

The DM inhibitor fungicîdes may be selected from imazalil, oxpoconazole, pefurazoate, prochloraz, triflumizole, triforine, pyrîfenox, fenarimol, nuarimol, azaconazole, bitertanol, bromuconazole, cyproconazole, difenoconazole, dinîconazole, epoxiconazole, fenbuconazole, fluquinconazole, flusilazole, flutriafol, hexaconazole, imibenconazole, ipconazole, metconazole, myclobutanil, Penconazole, Propiconazole, prothioconazole, simeconazole, tebuconazole, tetraconazole, Triadimefon, triadimenol, triticonazole or combination thereof.

The Qol inhibitor fungicîdes may be selected from azoxystrobin, coumoxystrobin enoxastrobin, enestrobin, picoxystrobin, pyraclostrobîn, kresoxim-methyl, trifloxystrobîn, dimoxystrobin, metominostrobin, orysastrobin, famoxadone, fluoxastrobin, fenamîdone or combinations thereof.

The amine fungicîdes may be selected from aldimorph, dodemorph, fenpropîmorph, tridemorph, fenpropidin, piperalîn or combinations thereof.

The anilînopyrimidine fungicîdes may be selected from cyprodinil, mepanipyrîm, pyrimethanil or combinations thereof.

The benzimidazole fungicîdes may be selected from albendazole, benomyl, carbendazim, chlorfenazole, cypendazole, debacarb, fuberidazole, mecarbînzid, rabenzazole, thîabendazole or combinations thereof.

The SDH inhibitor fungicîdes may be selected from benodanil, boscalid, carboxîn, fenfuram, flutolanil, furametpyr, fluindapyr, fluoxapyroxad, mepronil, oxycarboxin, penthiopyrad, isofetamîd, fluopyram, benzovîndifîupyr, bîxafen, inpyrfluxam, isopyrazam, penflufen, sedaxane, isoflucypram, pydîflumetofen, pyraziflumid, thifluzamide or combinations thereof.

The guanidine fungicide may be selected from guazatine, iminoctadîne or combinations thereof.

In an embodiment, the présent invention provides a method of partial or complété curative control of the disease, condition, symptom or adverse effect associated with the incidence of black sigatoka in banana, said method comprising applying silicic acid dérivatives, partîcularly ortho-silicic acid, or a sait thereof, in combination with fungicidaily effective amount of a fungicide selected from the group consisting of dithiocarbamates, chlorothalonil, DM înhibitors, Qol inhibitors, SDH inhibitors, amines, anilinopyrimidines, benzimidazoles, guanidines and combinations thereof

In an embodiment, the présent invention provides a composition for partial or complété curative control of the disease, condition, symptom or adverse effect associated with the incidence of black sigatoka in banana, said composition comprising silicic acid dérivatives, partîcularly ortho-silicic acid, and a fungicide selected from the group consisting of dithiocarbamates, chlorothalonil, DM inhibitors, Qol inhibitors, SDH inhibitors, amines, anilinopyrimidines, benzimidazoles, guanidines and/or combinations thereof.

In an embodiment, the silicic acid dérivatives, partîcularly ortho-silicic acid, in combination with a fungicide, may be applied to the effected locus in the form of a composition.

In an embodiment, the composition for partial or complété curative control of the disease, condition, symptom or adverse effect associated with the incidence of black sigatoka in banana comprises a silicic acid dérivative compound and dithiocarbamate fungicîdes.

In a preferred embodiment, the composition comprises a silicic acid dérivative compound and dithiocarbamate fungicîdes selected from amobam, asomate, azithiram, carbamorph, cufraneb, cuprobam, disulfiram, ferbam, metam, nabam, tecoram, thiram, urbacide, ziram, dazomet, etem, milneb, mancopper, mancozeb, maneb, metiram, polycarbamate, propineb, zîneb or combinations thereof.

In a preferred embodiment, the composition comprises a silicic acid dérivative compound and mancozeb.

In an embodiment, the composition for partial or complété curative control of the disease, condition, symptom or adverse effect associated with the incidence of black sigatoka in banana comprises a silicîc acid dérivative compound and chlorothalonil.

In an embodiment, the composition for partial or complété curative control of the disease, condition, symptom or adverse effect associated with the incidence of black sigatoka in banana comprises a silicîc acid dérivative compound and quinone outside inhibitor (Qol) inhibitors.

In an embodiment, the composition for partial or complété curative control of the disease, condition, symptom or adverse effect associated with the incidence of black sigatoka in banana comprises a silicîc acid dérivative compound and quinone outside inhibitor is selected from the group consisting of fenamidone, famoxadone, and a strobilurin fongicide 15 selected from the group consisting of azoxystrobin, mandestrobin, coumoxystrobîn, enoxastrobin, flufenoxystrobin, pyraoxystrobin, dimoxystrobin, enestrobîn, fluoxastrobîn, kresoxim-methyl, metomînostrobin, orysastrobin, pîcoxystrobîn, pyrametostrobin, triclopyricarb, fenamînstrobin, pyraclostrobin, trifloxystrobin or combinations thereof.

In an embodiment, the composition for partial or complété curative control of the disease, condition, symptom or adverse effect associated with the incidence of black sigatoka in banana comprises a silicîc acid dérivative compound and azoxystrobin.

In an embodiment, the composition for partial or complété curative control of the disease, 25 condition, symptom or adverse effect associated wîth the incidence of black sigatoka in banana comprises a sîlicic acid dérivative compound, dithiocarbamate fongicide and quinone outside inhibitor fongicide.

In an embodiment, the composition for partial or complété curative control of the disease, 30 condition, symptom or adverse effect associated with the incidence of black sigatoka in banana comprises a silicîc acid dérivative compound and DM inhibitors.

In an embodiment, the composition for partial or complété curative control of the dîsease, condition, symptom or adverse effect associated with the incidence of black sigatoka in banana comprises a silicic acid dérivative compound and a conazole fungicide.

In an embodiment, the composition for partial or complété curative control of the dîsease, condition, symptom or adverse effect associated wîth the incidence of black sigatoka in banana comprises a silicic acid dérivative compound and amine fongicides.

In an embodiment, the composition for partial or complété curative control of the dîsease, 10 condition, symptom or adverse effect associated with the incidence of black sigatoka in banana comprises a silicic acid dérivative compound and anilinopyrimidine fongicides.

In an embodiment, the composition for partial or complété curative control of the dîsease, condition, symptom or adverse effect associated with the incidence of black sigatoka in 15 banana comprises a silicic acid dérivative compound and benzimidazole fongicides.

In an embodiment, the composition for partial or complété curative control of the dîsease, condition, symptom or adverse effect associated wîth the incidence of black sigatoka in banana comprises a silicic acid dérivative compound and SDH inhibitor fongicides.

In an embodiment, the composition for partial or complété curative control of the dîsease, condition, symptom or adverse effect associated with the incidence of black sigatoka in banana comprises a silicic acid dérivative compound and guanidine fongicide.

In an embodiment, silicic acid dérivatives, partîcularly ortho-sîlicic acid, may be mixed wîth other fongicides from unknown fongicide group or known to be used for prophylactîc or curative control of black sigatoka dîsease, such fongicides may be tank mixed or formulated into a spécifie formulation.

In an embodiment, the composition may comprise combination of any two or more of the fongicides described hereinabove.

As described above, the compositions of the présent invention may be used alone or m combination with one or more other agricultural agents, including pesticides, insecticides, acaracides, additional fungicides, bactéricides, herbicides, antibiotics, antimicrobiais, nemacides, rodentîcîdes, entomopathogens, phermones, attractants, plant growth regulators, plant hormones, insect growth regulators, chemosterilants, microbial pest control agents, repellents, viruses, phagostimulents, plant nutrients, plant fertilizers and biological control agents. When used in combination with other agricultural agents the administration of the two agents may be separate, simultaneous or sequential. Spécifie examples of these agricultural agents are known to those skilled in the art, and many are readily commercially available.

Examples of such plant nutrients include but are not limited to nitrogen, magnésium, calcium, boron, potassium, copper, iron, phosphorus, manganèse, molybdenum, cobalt, boron, copper, Silicon, sélénium, nickel, alumînum, chromium and zinc. Examples of antibiotics include but are not limited to oxytetracyline and streptomycin.

Examples of fungicides include but are not limited to the following classes of fungicides: carboxamides, benzimidazoles, triazoles, hydroxypyridines, dicarboxamides, phenylamides, thîadîazoles, carbamates, cyano-oxîmes, cinnamic acid dérivatives, morpholînes, imidazoles, beta-methoxy acrylates and pyridines/pyrimidines.

In another embodiment, a surfactant îs added to the présent composition comprising silicic acid dérivatives, particularly ortho-silicîc acid. In some embodiments, to the présent composition comprising silicic acid dérivatives, particularly ortho-silicîc acid, a fungicide and a surfactant selected from but are not limited to, nonionîc surfactants, amphoteric surfactants, cationic surfactant and anîonic surfactants. The addition of a surfactant can improve adhesion ofthe active to the surface ofthe leafas well as împrove bio-availability of the active.

Exemplary nonionic surfactants may include polyoxyethylene alkyl ethers, polyoxyethylene castor oil, polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid esters, polyoxyethylene alkyl phenyl ether and the like, polyoxyethylene alkyl ethers, polyoxyethylene castor oil, polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid esters; alcohol ethoxylates, alkylpyrrolidones, alkyl phénol ethoxylated alcohol such as nonylphenol ethoxylated alcohol. Exemplary amphoterîc surfactant such as poly-octyl amino ethyl glycine, coconut oil fatty acid amide propyl betaîne, such as imïdazoline dérivatives, and among others, poly-octyl amino ethyl glycine, coconut oil fatty acid amide propyl betaîne may be used. Exemplary cationic surfactant may be selected from polyoxyethylene cocoamine, lauryl dihydroxyethyl amine, cationized cellulose, chloride lauryl trimethyl ammonium, quatemary ammonium salts, such as stearyltrimethylammonium chloride, and among others, polyoxyethylene cocoamine, cationized cellulose, lauryl dihydroxyethyl amine is preferably used. Anionic surfactant may be selected from potassium soap, sodium lauryl sulfate, polyoxyethylene sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium polyoxyethylene alkyl ether sulfate, castor oil sodium sulfate, an alkyl ether phosphorîc acid esters.

As the surfactant, one kind may be used alone, or two or more kinds of surfactants may be used in combination.

In another embodiment, any biodégradable surfactant known to a person skilled in the art may be used in the compositions of the présent invention.

In an embodiment, the présent compositions comprise an adjuvant.

In one preferred embodiment the adjuvant is organosiloxane compound.

In another embodiment, the organosiloxane compound is selected from the group consisting of (i) a polyalkyleneoxide-modified heptamethyltrisiloxane selected from hydroxy(polyethyleneoxy)propyl-heptamethyltrisiioxane;

methoxy(polyethyleneoxy)propyl-heptamethyltrisiloxane; and acetoxy(polyethyleneoxy)propyl-heptamethyltrisiloxane; and (iî) poly(oxy-l,2ethanediyl), α-methyl· w -[3-[l,3,3,3-tetramethyl -l-[(trimethylsilyl)oxy]-ldisiloxanyllpropoxy] or ethoxylated trisiloxane.

In another embodiment, the organosi texane compound may be selected from polyoxyethylene trîsiloxane surfactant commercially available under the trade name Silwet® L-77, polyalkyleneoxide-modifïed polydimethylsîloxane available under the trade name SilEnergy and Polyethermodified trisitexane.

In one preferred embodiment the adjuvant is trisilicone alkoxylate.

In some embodiments, the présent composition comprises silicic acid dérivatives, particularly ortho-sîlicic acid and an adjuvant. In some embodiments the présent composition comprises silicic acid dérivatives, particularly ortho-silicîc acid, an adjuvant and a fungicide.

In some embodiments, the présent composition for partial or complété curative control of the disease, condition, symptom or adverse effect associated with the incidence of black sigatoka in banana, comprising appiyîng silicic acid dérivatives, particularly ortho-sîlîcic acîd, a fungicide and an adjuvant to the locus of the disease.

In an embodiment, the présent invention provides the composition for partial or complété curative control of the disease, condition, symptom or adverse effect associated with the incidence of black sigatoka in banana, comprising

1 ) a silicic acid compound;

2) a fungicide selected from (a) dithiocarbamate molecular moiety selected from amobam, asomate, azithiram, carbamorph, cufraneb, cuprobam, disulfiram, ferbam, metam, nabam, tecoram, thîram, urbacide, zîram, dazomet, etem, milneb, mancopper, mancozeb, maneb, metiram, polycarbamate, propineb and zineb, (b) strobilurin fungicide is selected from the group consîsting of fluoxastrobîn, mandestrobin, pyribencarb; methoxyacrylate strobilurin fungicides selected from azoxystrobîn, bifujunzhi, coumoxystrobîn, enoxastrobîn, flufenoxystrobin, jîaxiangjunzhi, picoxystrobin, pyraoxystrobin; methoxycarbanilate strobilurin fungicides selected from pyraclostrobin, pyrametostrobin, triclopyrîcarb;

methoxyiminoacetamide strobilurin fungicides selected from dimoxystrobin, fenaminstrobin, metominostrobin, orysastrobin; methoxyiminoacetate strobilurin

fungicides selected from kresoxim-methyl, trifloxystrobin, or combinations thereof; and/or

3) an adjuvant to the locus of the disease.

In an embodiment, the présent invention provides the composition for partial or complété curative control of the disease, condition, symptom or adverse effect associated with the incidence of black sigatoka in banana, comprising a silicic acid dérivative, particularly ortho-silîcic acid, mancozeb and organosiloxane compound.

In an embodiment, the présent invention provides the composition for partial or complété curative control of the disease, condition, symptom or adverse effect associated with the incidence of black sigatoka in banana, comprising a silicic acid dérivative, particularly ortho-silîcic acid, azoxystrobin and organosiloxane compound.

In an embodiment, the présent invention provides a method of partial or complété curative control of the disease, condition, symptom or adverse effect associated wîth the incidence of black sigatoka in banana, said method comprising applying silicic acid dérivatives, particularly ortho-silîcic acid, a fungicide and an adjuvant to the locus of the disease.

In some embodiments, the présent invention provides a method of partial or complété curative control of the disease, condition, symptom or adverse effect associated with the incidence of black sigatoka in banana, said method comprising applying silicic acid dérivatives, particularly ortho-silicic acid, at least one minerai oil, and a second fungicide to the locus of the disease.

In an embodiment, the composition according to the présent invention may be formulated as commonly known formulations such as solid, or liquid formulations, including but not limîted to, wettable powders, granules, dusts, soluble (liquid) concentrâtes, suspension concentrâtes, oîl in water émulsion, water in oil émulsion, emulsifiable concentrâtes (EC), 30 capsule suspensions, ZC formulations, liquid creame (FC) formulation, oil dispersions or other known formulation types.

In an embodiment, the formulations can comprise agriculturally acceptable surfactants, dispersants, polymers, wetting agents, other adjuvants stabilizers, pH modifters, anti-freeze agents, suspending agents, emulsîfiers, antifoam agents, pH stabilisîng agents, preservatîves and the like.

In a preferred embodiment, the formulation is an liquid cream (FC) formulation. In another preferred embodiment, the liquid cream (FC) formulation of orthosilicîc acid may be applied to the affected locus in an amount from about 1.0 L/Ha to about 4.0 L/Ha, preferably from about 1.0 L/Ha to about 2.0 L/Ha, more preferably about 1.0 L/Ha.

In an embodiment, the présent invention may provide a method of preventing or partially preventing black sigatoka or a symptom or condition associated with black sigatoka in banana, said method comprising applying a liquid cream (FC) formulation comprising silicic acid dérivatives, particularly ortho-silicic acid.

In another embodiment, the présent invention may provide a method of preventing or partially preventing black sigatoka or a symptom or condition associated with black sigatoka in banana, said method comprising applying a liquid cream (FC) formulation comprising silicic acid dérivatives, particularly ortho-silicic acîd and at least one minerai 20 oil.

In another embodiment, the présent invention may provide a method of preventing or partially preventing black sigatoka or a symptom or condition associated with black sigatoka in banana, said method comprising applying a liquid cream (FC) formulation 25 comprising silicic acid dérivatives, particularly ortho-silicic acid and at least fongicide.

In an embodiment the composition contains from about 1 % to 80% by weight of the fongicide, preferably it is from about 10% to about 70% by weight of the composition.

Typîcally, the fongicide may be applied to the affected locus in an amount in the range 30 from about 1.0 L/Ha to about 5.0 L/Ha.

One of the advantages of the composition of the présent invention is that it is compatible wîth synthetic Chemical fungicides commonly used for control ling Sigatoka. Therefore, in the embodiments of the invention, the silicic acid dérivatives, particularly ortho-silicic acid and/or the composition comprising the same can be used in combination with synthetic agrochemicals as well organic actives known to be used in the control of Black Sigatoka, which créâtes a synergy that improves the effect achieved by using synthetic Chemical fungicides, or it can also be used to control the appearance of strands that are résistant to said synthetic fungicides. This way, in the embodiments of the invention, silicic acid dérivatives, particularly ortho-silicic acid and/or the composition thereof may be used in combination with at least one synthetic Chemical fungicide, or it may be used alternatively with other treatments, in which case a sériés of treatments based on the composition of the invention would be applied followed by a sériés of treatments based on at least one synthetic Chemical fungicide. Preferably, the synthetic Chemical fungicide will be selected from among the fungicides authorîsed for controllîng Black Sigatoka in banana crops such as those fungicides belonging to dithiocarbamates, carbamates, aromatîc fungicides, benzimidazoles, strobilurins, conazoles, amines, anîlinopyrimidines, succinate dehydrogenase inhîbitors and combinations thereof.

The composition of the present invention maybe applied simultaneously as a tank mix or a ready formulation or may be applied sequentially as foliar application particularly spraying.

The method according to present invention comprising spraying the present fungicide composition on a plant that causes the black sigatoka disease.

In an embodiment, the silicic acid based active fungicide alone or in combination with at least one another fungicide is sprayed on the plant before black sigatoka disease develops.

The spraying time may be before or after the black sigatoka disease, în order to efficiently control the target pathogen.

Spraying may be performed on the entire plant or directly on the leaves. The number of spraying to the plant may be only once or sprayed twice or more. Preferably twice.

ln some embodiments, the silicîc acid compound can be sprayed on the plant at a dosage within the range of 0.1 L/ha to 4 L /ha, preferably in the range of 1 L/ha to 2L/ba.

When the plants are sprayed twîce or more, the spraying interval is not particularly limited, but preferably 3 days to 25 days, even more preferably at an interval of 5 days to 15 days, and particularly preferably about 10-14 days interval. Moreover, since the pathogen of Black Sigatoka is always scattered, infection can always occur. Therefore, above method of spraying can be continued regularly at the above întervals throughout the year.

In some embodiments, the banana plants to which the sîlicic acid compound or formulations comprising silicîc acid compound are applied may show a reduced disease severîty of about 10% to about 20%, about 20% to about 30%, about 30% to about 40%, about 40% to about 50%, about 50% to about 60%, about 60% to about 70%, about 70% to about 80%, about 80% to about 90%, or about 90% to about 100% when compared to infected, untreated control plants.

The silicîc acid compound in the présent composition may be used in combination with other black Sigatoka control agents or may be used in combination with rotation. Typically, génération of résistance to pathogenic bacteria can be efficiently prevented by using a rotation in combination with other black Sigatoka control agents.

Advantages of the invention:

1. The présent provides a new and environmental!y safe solution which is especîally efficient for controlling Black Sigatoka in banana crops, showing acceptable effectiveness levels, no phytotoxicity and high biodegradability.

2. The présent invention may eliminate or at least reduce in large quantifies the massive use of fongicides, which incur a large financial cost, and above ail hâve a significant environmental impact. Said environmental impact îs worsened by the fact that the areas affected by Black Sigatoka are mostly tropical areas with very precious yet also fragile ecosystems. This policy to reduce the use of synthefic chemical fongicides is being promoted with the aim of protecting the environment in countries that grow bananas, since these compositions are especîally pollutîng. The présent invention gives the possibilîty of

using it alternatively wîth said Chemical treatments, replacing them or at least reducing their usage. In addition, the new use of silicic acid dérivatives, partîcularly ortho-sîlicic acid and the composition comprising the same can be used alongside said conventional Chemical treatments, preferably in lower doses.

3. Finaily, the composition of the invention is a stable formulation that is compatible wîth the use of minerai oils commonly used in treatments for controlling banana diseases, which is free from antioxidants.

In y et another object of the présent invention is to provide the following advantages 10 a)A fongicide that was hitherto not known to be used to control black sigatoka for banana.

b)A method of controlling black sigatoka and improving the health of the plant, c)A method of controlling black sigatoka and improving yield of the plant.

d)A method of controlling black sigatoka that can rapidly prevent spread of the dîsease 15 of the plant.

Using silicic acid dérivatives, or the composition thereof, of the présent invention, for the treatment and/or prévention of Black Sigatoka, either by itself or in combination wîth at least one fongicide suitable for treatîng said dîsease, is therefore an additional object of the 20 invention. In the case when said fongicide is used in the usual dose (as detaîled in the technical data sheet of the product or on its label), using the composition that is the object ofthe invention will reinforce its effectiveness for the treatment of Sigatoka. If, by contrast, a lower dose than usual of the Chemical fongicide was used, the main advantage of the invention in this case would be reducing the amount of said fongicide used, achieving 25 synergy with the composition ofthe invention.

In an aspect the présent invention provides use of silicic acid based compounds for controlling or treatment of black sigatoka or a symptom or condition associated with black sigatoka in banana.

In an embodiment, the présent invention provides use of silicic acid-based compounds for controlling or treatment of black sigatoka preferably to reduce the MycosphaereUafijiensis

expression.

In an aspect the présent invention provides use of silicic acid-based compounds in combination with at least one fungicide for controlling or treatment of black sigatoka or a 5 symptom or condition associated with black sigatoka in banana.

In particular embodiment the présent invention provides use of silicic acid-based compounds for the treatment and/or prévention of Black Sigatoka fungal disease.

In some embodiment, présent invention provides use of silicic acid-based compounds in combination with a fungicide for the treatment and/or prévention of Black Sigatoka fungal disease wherein said fungicide is selected from a multi-site contact fungicide, a systemîc fungicide selected from at least one Qo inhibitor (quinone outside inhibitors), at least one Qî (quinone inside inhibitor), at least one DM inhibitor (déméthylation inhibitor) or at least

IS one SDH Inhibitor (succinate dehydrogenase inhibitors). In some embodiments the compositions and methods ot the présent invention for controlling or treating Black Sigatoka fungal disease comprise following fungicides for synergîstic effect.

In this aspect, the multi-site contact fungicide may be selected from copper fungicides, 20 sulfur fungicides, dithiocarbamate fungicides, phthalimide fungicides, chloronitrile fungicides, sulfamide fungicides for example dichlofluanid, tolylfluanid, guanidine fungicides for example dodine, triazines fungicides for example anilazine and quinone fungicides.

In an embodiment, the multi-site contact fungicide is a dithiocarbamate fungicide selected from amobam, asomate, azithiram, carbamoiph, cnfraneb, cuprobam, dîsulfiram, ferbam, metain, nabam, tecoram, thiram, urbacide, zi ram, dazomet, etem, milneb, mancopper, mancozeb, maneb, metiram, polycarbamate, propineb, zineb, fluazinam or combination thereof or chlorothalonil.

In an embodiment, the multi-site contact fungicide is a benzimidazoles fungicide or thîophanates fungicide.

In an embodiment, the contact fungicide is selected from benthiavalicarb, furophanate, iodocarb, iprovalicarb, picarbutrazox, propamocarb and îts dérivatives, pyribencarb, thiophanate, thiophanate-methyl, tolprocarb, albendazole, benomyl, carbendazîm, cypendazole, debacarb, mecarbinzid, diethnfencarb, triclopyricarb or its salts or combinations thereof.

in an embodiment the quinone outside inhibitor is selected from the group consisting of

a) strobilurin fungicide selected from the group consisting of azoxystrobin, mandestrobin, coumoxystrobin, enoxastrobin, flufenoxystrobin, pyraoxystrobin, dimoxystrobin, enestrobin, fluoxastrobin, kresoxîm-methyl, metominostrobin, orysastrobin, pîcoxystrobin, pyrametostrobin, triclopyricarb, fenaminstrobin, pyraclostrobin and trifloxystrobîn;

b) déméthylation inhibitor is selected from the group consisting of triflumizole, triforine, pyrîdinitrile, pyrifenox, fenarîmol, nuarimol, triarimol and a conazole fungicide selected from the group consisting of climbazole, clotrîmazole, imazalil, oxpoconazole, prochloraz, prochloraz-manganese, triflumizole, azaconazole, bitertanol, bromuconazole, cyproconazole, diclobutrazol, difenoconazole, diniconazole, dinîconazole-M, epoxi conazole, etaconazole, fenbuconazole, fluotrimazole, fluquinconazole, flusilazole, flutriafol, furconazole, furconazole-cis, hexaconazole, imibenconazole, îpconazole, metconazole, myclobutanil, pencoconazole, propîconazole, prothioconazole, quinconazole, simeconazole, tebuconazole, tetraconazole, triadimefon, triadimenol, triticonazole, unîconazole, perfurazoate and uniconazole-P.

c) the succinate dehydrogenase inhibitor is selected from (i) benzanilide fungicîdes selected from benodanil, flutolanil, mebenil, mepronil, salicylanilîde, tecloftalam (ii) benzamide fungicîdes selected from benzohydroxamic acid, fluopicolide, fluopîmomide, fluopyram, tîoxymid, trichlamide, zarilamid, zoxamide oxathiîn fungicîdes selected from carboxîn and oxycarboxin (iii) thiazole fungicîdes selected from dichlobentiazox, ethaboxam, fluoxapiprolin, isotianil, metsulfovax, octhilinone, oxathiapiprolin, thiabendazole, thifluzamide (iv) pyrazolecarboxamïde fungicides selected from the group consisting of benzovindiflupyr, bixafen, fluindapyr, fluxapyroxad, furametpyr, isopyrazam, penflufen, penthiopyrad, pydiflumetofen, pyrapropoyne, sedaxane, fluxapyroxad isopyrazam and boscalid.

(v) anilide fungicides selected from benalaxyl, benalaxyl-M, bixafen, boscalid, carboxin, fenhexamid, fluxapyroxad, isotianil, metalaxyl, metalaxyl-M, metsulfovax, ofurace, oxadîxyl, oxycarboxin, penflufen, pyracarbolid, pyraziflumid, sedaxane, thifluzamide, tiadinil, vanguard (vi) pyrazolecarboxamïde fungicides selected from benzovindiflupyr, bixafen, fluindapyr, fluxapyroxad, furametpyr, isopyrazam, penflufen, penthiopyrad, pydiflumetofen, pyrapropoyne and sedaxane.

In an embodiment the présent fungîcidal composition comprises a silicic acid-based compounds and a quinone outsîde inhibitor selected from the group consisting of Pyribencarb, fluoxastrobin, fenamidone, mandestrobin, azoxystrobin, coumoxystrobin, enoxastrobin, flufenoxystrobin, picoxystrobîn, pyraoxystrobin, pyraclostrobin, pyrametostrobin, triclopyricarb, famoxadone, dîmoxystrobin, fenaminstrobin, metominostrobin, orysastrobin, kresoxim-methyl, trifloxystrobin, metyltetraprole, cyazofamid, amîsulbrom, fenpicoxamid or combinations thereof.

In an embodiment the quinone inside inhibitor includes cyanoimidazole fungicides and sulfamoyltriazole fungicides, selected from cyazofamid and amîsulbrom.

In an embodiment the présent fungîcidal composition comprises a silicic acid-based compounds and a succinate dehydrogenase inhibitor selected from the group consisting of pydiflumetofen, fenfuram, carboxin, oxycarboxin, benodanil, flutolanil, mepronil, isofetamid, benzovindiflupyr, bixafen, fluindapyr, fluxapyroxad, furametpyr, inpyrfluxam, isopyrazam, penflufen, penthiopyrad, sedaxane, isoflucypram, boscalid, fluopyram, thifluzamide, pyraziflumid or combinations thereof.

In an embodiment the présent fungîcidal composition comprises a silicic acid-based compounds and a déméthylation inhibitor selected from the group consisting of îmazalil,

oxpoconazole, pefurazoate, prochloraz, trîflumizole, triforine, pyrifenox, pyrisoxazole, fenarimol, nuarimol, azaconazole, bîtertanol, bromuconazole, cyproconazole, difenoconazole, diniconazole, epoxiconazole, etaconazole, fenbuconazole, fluquinconazole, flusîîazole, flutriafol, hexaconazole, imibenconazole, ipconazole, 5 mefentrifluconazole, metconazole, myclobutanîl, penconazole, propîconazole, sîmeconazole, tebuconazole, tetraconazole, triadimefon, trîadimenol, triticonazole, prothîoconazole or combinations thereof.

Accordtngly, present invention provides use of aforesaid composition for 10 control lîng/treating and/or preventing fungal disease in target crop.

The method of control disease according to the present invention may be carried ont by spraying the suggested tank mixes, or the individual fungicides and/or adjuvants may be formulated as a kit-of-parts containing various components that may be mixed as instructed 15 priorto spraying.

In an embodiment, the components of the present invention may be packaged such that the silicic acid dérivatives, particularly ortho-silicic acid and/or a fungicide and/or adjuvant may be packaged separately and then tank mixed before the spraying.

In another embodiment the components ofthe present invention may be packaged such that silicic acid dérivatives, particularly ortho-silicic acid may be packaged separately, whereas, the fungicide and other additives are packaged separately, such that the two maybe tank mixed at the time of spraying.

In an embodiment the present invention provides a kit-of-parts for controlling or partially preventing black sigatoka comprising a plurality of components, wherein saîd plurality of components comprising:

at least one component comprising at least a silicic acid based compound optionally at least 30 a second component comprising a fungicide

The fungicidal method and composition of the présent invention can offer some particular advantages over the compositions and methods known in the prior art. The method of the can be used to control and prevent black sigatoka in banana. The présent invention demonstrates a better control capacity at reduced volumes thereby making it more 5 environna entai ly friendly.

The invention shall now be described with reference to the following spécifie examples. It should be noted that the example(s) appended below illustrate rather than limit the invention, and that those skîlled in the art will be able to design many alternative 10 embodiments without departîng from the scope of the présent invention.

EXAMPLES:

Example 1:

Sr. No.	Ingrédients	Amount
1.	Orthosilîcic acid (measured as Silicon (as Si))	0.6%
2.	micronutrient	2.45%
3.	poIyethylene glycol	40%
4.	water	Q.S.

Example 2:

Sr. No.	Ingrédients	Amount
1.	Orthosilîcic acid (measured as Silicon (as Si))	0.8%
2.	micronutrient	1.95
3.	Polyvinyl alcohol	40%
4.	water	Q.S.

Example 3:

Field trial were conducted to déterminé the effîcacy of orthosilie acid formulation on Black sigatoka plant in Banana.

The trial was conducted in Costa Rica. Full Randomized Blocks with three replicates were used to assess the efficacy of different treatrnents that include use of orthosilicic acid formulation in M. fijîensis disease control. The treatrnents tested are in table 1. The experimental unit consisted of rows with 10 banana plants, planted at 2.15 m between plants. Border of the rows were planted with Musa textillîs, to avoid the drift contamination between treatrnents.

Sr. No	Description
1	Orthosilicic acid 1,0 L/ha one biweekly application
2	Orthosilicic acid 1,0 L/ha one monthly application
3	Tank mix of Orthosilicic acid 1,0 L/ha and Mancozeb 62 SC 1,0 L/ha one biweekly application
4	Tank Mix of mixture of Orthosilicic acid 1,0 L/ha and Mancozeb 62 SC 1,0 L/ha one monthly application
5	Solo mancozeb 60 SC 2.0 L/ha
6	Untreated

CONCLUSION:

Use of OSA FC formulation at 1 l/ha showed good control of mycosphaerella fijîensis as represented in figure 1. Further there was also good control of mycosphaerella fijîensis 15 during the application of tank mix of OSA 1.0 l/ha and mancozeb 62 SC1.0 l/ha one monthly application as compared to solo application of mancozeb SC formulation.

Claims (16)

1. Claims:

   1. A method of preventing or partially preventing black sigatoka or a symptom or condition associated with black sigatoka, said method comprising applying to the locus of the disease, at least a silicic acid based compound having general formula

   5 [SÎOx(OH)4-2x]n or salts thereof wherein, n varies from 6 to 200. x is 1.5 and n is 20.

   x is 1.5 and n is 8, or 6, or 10, or greater than 16.

   10 x is 1.5 and n is greater than 20.

   x is 1.5 and n is 36
2. 2. The method as claimed in claimed in claim 1 wherein said silicic acid based compound is selected from metasilicic acid, ortho silicic acid, disilîcic acid, and pyrosilicic acid.

   15
3. 3. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said silicic acid based compound is ortho silicic acid.
4. 4. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said silicic acid based compound is applied at the rate of 0.5L to 5 L/ha.
5. 5. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said silicic acid based compound is 20 applied at least once in an interval of 3 to 20 days.
6. 6. A method for partial or complété curative control of the disease, condition, symptom or adverse effect associated with the incidence of black sigatoka, said method comprising applying a composition of at least one silicic acid based compound having general formula

   25 [SiOx(OH)4-2x]n or salts thereof wherein, n varies from 6 to 200.

   x is 1.5 and n is 20.

   x is 1.5 and n is 8, or 6, or 10, or greater than 16.

   30 x is 1.5 and n is greater than 20.

   x is 1.5 and n is 36 and at least one fungicide to the locus of the disease.
7. 7. The method as claimed in claim 6 wherein said fungicide is selected from at least one contact fungicîdes group or systemic fungicîdes group.
8. 8. The method as claimed in claim 7 wherein said fungicide is:

   (î) a dithiocarbamate fungicide selected from asamobam, asomate, azithîram, carbamorph, cufraneb, cuprobam, dîsulfîram, ferbam, metam, nabam, tecoram, thiram, urbacide, ziram, dazomet, etem, milneb, mancopper, mancozeb, maneb, metiram, polycarbamate, propineb and zineb; or (ii) a phthalimide fungicide selected from captan, captafol and folpet; or (in) chlorothalonîl; or (iv) a quinone outside inhibitor îs selected from the group consisting of

   a) strobilurin fungicide selected from the group consisting of azoxystrobin, mandestrobîn, coumoxystrobîn, enoxastrobin, flufenoxystrobin, pyraoxystrobin, dimoxystrobin, enestrobin, fluoxastrobin, kresoxim-methyl, metominostrobin, orysastrobin, pîcoxystrobîn, pyrametostrobin, triclopyricarb, fenamînstrobin, pyraclostrobîn and trifloxystrobîn;

   b) déméthylation inhibitor is selected from the group consisting of triflumizole, triforine, pyridinitrile, pyrîfenox, fenarîmol, nuarimol, triarimol and a conazole fungicide selected from the group consisting of climbazole, clotrimazole, imazalil, oxpoconazole, prochloraz, prochloraz-manganese, triflumizole, azaconazole, bitertanol, bromuconazole, cyproconazole, diclobutrazol, difenoconazole, diniconazole, diniconazole-M, epoxiconazole, etaconazole, fenbuconazole, fluotrîmazole, fluquinconazole, flusilazole, flutriafol, furconazole, furconazole-cîs, hexaconazole, imibenconazole, ipconazole, metconazole, myclobutanil, pencoconazole, propiconazole, prothioconazole, quînconazole, simeconazole, tebuconazole, tetraconazole, triadimefon, triadimenol, triticonazole, uniconazole, perfurazoate and uniconazole-P;

   c) the succinate dehydrogenase inhibitor is selected from (î) benzanilide fungicîdes selected from benodanil, flutolanil, me béni I, mepronil, salicylanilide, tecloftalam;

   (ii) benzamîde fungicîdes selected from benzohydroxamic acid, fluopîcolîde, fluopimomide, fluopyram, tioxymid, trichlamide, zarilamid, zoxamide oxathiin fungicîdes selected from carboxîn and oxycarboxîn;

   (iii) thîazole fongicides selected from dichlobentîazox, ethaboxam, fluoxapiprolin, isotianil, metsulfovax, octhilînone, oxathiapiprolin, thiabendazole, thifluzamide;

   (iv) pyrazolecarboxamide fongicides selected from the group consisting of benzovindîflupyr, bixafen, fluindapyr, fluxapyroxad, forametpyr, isopyrazam, penflufen, penthiopyrad, pydîflumetofen, pyrapropoyne, sedaxane, fluxapyroxad isopyrazam and boscalid;

   (v) anilide fongicides selected from benalaxyl, benalaxyl-M, bixafen, boscalid, carboxin, fenhexamid, fluxapyroxad, isotianil, metalaxyl, metalaxyl-M, metsulfovax, ofurace, oxadîxyl, oxycarboxîn, penflufen, pyracarbolid, pyraziflumid, sedaxane, thifluzamide, tiadinîl, vanguard;

   (vi) pyrazolecarboxamide fongicides selected from benzovindîflupyr, bixafen, fluindapyr, fluxapyroxad, forametpyr, isopyrazam, penflufen, penthiopyrad, pydiflumetofen, pyrapropoyne and sedaxane or (v) quinone inside înhibîtor includes cyanoimidazole fongicides and sulfamoyltrîazole fongicides, selected from cyazofamid and amisulbrom.
9. 9. The method as claimed in claim 8 wherein said fongicide is dithîocarbamate fongicide.
10. 10. The method as claimed in claim 9 wherein said fongicide îs Succinate dehydrogenase inhibîtors fongicide.
11. 11. A composition for preventing or partially preventing black sigatoka or a symptom or condition associated with black sigatoka in banana, said composition comprising at least a silicic acid based compound of formula [SÎOx(OH)4-2x]n. or salts thereof.
12. 12. A composition for preventing or partially preventing black sigatoka or a symptom or condition associated with black sigatoka in banana, said composition comprising a combination of at least a silicic acid based compound of formula [SiO_x(OH)4-2x]n or salts thereof and a fongicide.
13. 13. The composition comprising the fungicidal combination as claimed in claim 9 with at least one agrochemically acceptable excipient.
14. 14. The composition as claimed in claim 11 or 12 further comprising an adjuvant.
15. 15. The composition as claimed in claim 14 wherein said adjuvant is organosiloxane compound.
16. 16. A kit-of-parts for controlling or partîaily preventing black sigatoka comprising a

    10 plurality of components, wherein said plurality of components comprising:

    at least one component comprising at least a silicic acid based compound optionally at least a second component comprising a fungicide.