RU2773720C2 - Compositions containing fluopyram for control of nematodes - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: agriculture.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to new compositions, a method for producing these compositions and their use for combating nematodes. A composition of a suspension concentrate for combating nematodes contains a combination of a) a compound of the formula (I)

,

where the compound (I) has a particle size Dv90 of less than 5.0 mcm, and b) at least one polyalkyleneoxide block-copolymer of the formula (II)

,

where in the compound of the formula (II), x, z are from 2 to 140, and y is from 15 to 80. The method for producing the composition includes obtaining a gel-thickener at the first stage by mixing of a fraction from 100 to 250 g/l of water, a rheological property modifier (d), biocides (e), all but except a fraction from 5 to 40 g/l of copolymer (b) and a fraction from 0.5 to 3 g/l of an anti-foaming agent. At the second stage, a pre-ground suspension is obtained by mixing components c), d) and the specified fraction from 5 to 40 g/l of the component b) that was not used at the first stage, and e), which is one or more other formulants selected from a group including antifreeze, dye, pH-regulators, buffers, stabilizers, crystal growth inhibitors or nutritional microelements, and the specified fraction from 0.5-3 g/l of the anti-foaming agent that was not used at the first stage in the remaining water. At the third stage, a component a) is added to the pre-ground suspension and mixed using a rotor-stator mixer until reaching a particle size of the component a) of less than 50 mcm. At the fourth stage, the pre-ground suspension is milled in a ball mill containing abrasive material g) with a ball size from 0.3 to 0.75 mm. At the fifth stage, the gel-thickener obtained at the first stage is added during mixing to the milled pre-ground suspension obtained at the fourth stage. In this case, one or more non-ionic surfactants or dispersing auxiliary agents and/or at least one anionic surfactant or dispersing auxiliary agent is used as c).

EFFECT: invention allows for obtaining a suspension concentrate composition with improved efficiency in combating nematodes for the protection of agricultural crops.

12 cl, 13 tbl

Description

The present invention relates to new compositions of N-{[3-chloro-5-(trifluoromethyl)-2-pyridinyl]-ethyl}-2,6 dichlorobenzamide (fluopyram), a method for preparing these compositions and their use in nematode control.

Nematodes are active, flexible, elongated organisms that live on moist surfaces or in liquid environments, including water films in soil and moist tissues in other organisms. Many nematode species have evolved into highly successful plant and animal parasites and, as a result, are responsible for significant economic losses in agriculture and livestock production.

Parasitic plant nematodes, most of which are root beetles, are found in association with most plants. Some of them are endoparasitic, they live and feed in the tissues of roots, tubers, buds, seeds, etc. Others are ectoparasitic, feeding from outside through plant walls. A single endoparasitic nematode can kill a plant or reduce its productivity. Endoparasitic root beetles include such economically important pests as nodule nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.), kidney nematodes (Rotylenchulus spp.), cyst nematodes (Heterodera spp.) and root worms (Pratylenchus spp.). Direct feeding of nematodes can drastically reduce the plant's nutrient and water uptake. Nematodes have the greatest impact on yield when they attack the roots of seedlings immediately after seed germination. Nematode feeding also creates open wounds that allow entry of a wide range of phytopathogenic fungi and bacteria. These microbial infections are often more economically harmful than the direct consequences of nematode supply.

An effective formulation for delivering a crystalline nematode control active ingredient has several requirements that can be difficult to effectively combine into an effective formulation. First, it is necessary to grind the crystalline active ingredient to very fine particles in order to facilitate penetration deep into the soil into the root zone. Second, the compound must have good wetting to also facilitate penetration deep into the soil into the root zone. Good wetting can be achieved by adding surfactants that facilitate wetting and penetration of the diluted formulation into the soil. However, the inclusion of surfactants that facilitate the wetting and penetration of the formulation into the soil during application creates difficulties both in the fine grinding of the active ingredient particles and in the stability of the particle size during storage. In the case of grinding particles to a fine size, the addition of surfactants that facilitate wetting and penetration into the soil can significantly increase the viscosity of the composition, which can significantly reduce the grinding performance, as a result of which the grinding process becomes noticeably less efficient, and may no longer be able to achieve fine particle size. In the case of particle size, the inclusion of surfactants that facilitate wetting and soil penetration can lead to an increase in particle size during storage in the product package over time in a process known as Oswald maturation. This may result in a decrease in the biological effectiveness of the product and a reduction in the shelf life of the product. To avoid this undesirable particle size increase during storage of a product during its shelf life, which can be two or more years, it is important that surfactants have only a minimal increase in particle size in the formulation during storage.

There is an urgent need in the industry for effective, economical and environmentally friendly methods of nematode control. Moreover, improved plant properties are desired, e.g. better growth, increased yield, more developed root system, larger leaf area, greener leaves, stronger shoots, fewer seeds required, lower phytotoxicity, mobilization of the plant defense system, or good plant compatibility. desirable.

Fluopyram is defined as a compound of formula (I)

as well as the N-oxides of its compound.

Fluopyram is a broad spectrum fungicide with penetrating and translaminar properties for foliar application, drip application, wetting and seed treatment on a wide range of different crops against many economically important plant diseases. Fluopyram and its preparation from known and commercially available compounds are described in EP-A-1389614 and WO-A 2004/016088.

A general description of the nematicidal activity of pyridylethylbenzamide derivatives is given in WO-A 2008/126922.

Modern compositions of fluopyram have been developed for foliar application to control fungal diseases. However, they are not specifically designed to control nematodes and, furthermore, are not particularly effective in controlling nematodes.

Thus, the object of the present invention was to develop new compositions of fluopyram with improved efficacy for nematode control and for increasing yields. It is also important that the compositions have excellent physical stability and low crystal growth, especially in tropical climates where instability such as crystal growth during storage can result in loss of both physical stability and biological effectiveness.

This objective is addressed by fluopyram-based suspension concentrate compositions with a specific small particle size (Dv90 <5.0 µm) along with certain polyalkylene oxide block copolymers.

The compositions of the present invention exhibit both improved biological performance over current standards and physical stability, especially with regard to crystal growth.

The subject of the present invention are suspension concentrate compositions containing a combination of a) compounds of formula (I)

where the compound (I) has a particle size Dv90 of less than 5.0 μm, preferably less than 4.5 μm, more preferably less than 4.0 μm, and particularly preferably less than 3.5 μm, and

b) at least one polyalkylene oxide block copolymer of formula (II)

(II)

(II)

where in the compound of formula (II)

x, z is 2 to 140, more preferably 48 to 130 and particularly preferably 90 to 110, and

y is 15 to 80, more preferably 24 to 70 and particularly preferably 48 to 68.

Compound (I) has a preferred particle size of 1.0 µm to 5.0 µm, more preferably 1.5 µm to 4.5 µm, even more preferably 2.0 µm to 4.0 µm, and particularly preferably 2.0 µm to 3.5 µm.

In a preferred embodiment of the suspension concentrate compositions according to the present invention, the compound of formula (II) has a molecular weight of from 7,000 to 18,000 g/mol, preferably from 9,000 to 16,000 g/mol, more preferably from 10,000 to 14,600 g/mol and particularly preferably from 12,000 to 14,000 g/mol.

In another preferred embodiment of the suspension concentrate compositions according to the present invention, the compound of formula (II) has an ethylene oxide content of 50 to 85%, preferably 60 to 80% and more preferably 65 to 75% and particularly preferably 70%.

In a more preferred embodiment of the composition according to the present invention, the polyalkylene oxide block copolymer (b) has a molecular weight of 7,000 to 18,000 g/mol and an ethylene oxide content of 50 to 85%, preferably a molecular weight of 9,000 to 16,000 g/mol and an ethylene oxide content of 60 up to 80%, more preferably a molecular weight of 10,000 to 14,000 g/mol and an ethylene oxide content of 65 to 75%, and particularly preferably a molecular weight of 12,000 to 14,000 g/mol and an ethylene oxide content of 70%.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the composition contains at least 30 g/l, preferably at least 35 g/l, more preferably at least 40 g/l and particularly preferably at least 50 g/l of a polyalkylene oxide block copolymer of formula ( II) (compound b).

In another embodiment, the suspension concentrate composition according to the present invention additionally contain

c) one or more non-ionic surfactants or dispersing aids and/or at least one anionic surfactant or dispersing aid,

d) one or more rheology modifiers

e) one or more other formulations selected from the group consisting of an antifoam, biocide, antifreeze, colorant, pH adjuster, buffers, stabilizers, crystal growth inhibitors, or micronutrients.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the suspension concentrates according to the present invention contain from 1 to 800 g/l, preferably from 50 to 700 g/l, more preferably from 100 to 600 g/l and particularly preferably from 250 to 500 g/l of component a ).

In another embodiment of the present invention, the suspension concentrates according to the present invention contain from 30 to 500 g/l, preferably from 35 to 200 g/l, more preferably from 40 to 100 g/l and particularly preferably from 50 to 80 g/l component b ).

In another embodiment of the present invention, the suspension concentrates according to the present invention contain from 1 to 800 g/l, preferably from 5 to 500 g/l, more preferably from 10 to 200 g/l and particularly preferably from 20 to 100 g/l of component c ).

In another embodiment of the present invention, the suspension concentrates according to the present invention contain from 0.1 to 100 g/l, preferably from 0.5 to 50 g/l, more preferably from 1 to 25 g/l and particularly preferably from 1.5 to 10 g/l component d ).

In another embodiment of the present invention, the suspension concentrates according to the present invention contain from 0.1 to 800 g/l, preferably from 0.5 to 500 g/l, more preferably from 1 to 300 g/l and particularly preferably from 1 to 200 g/l component e ).

Suitable PEO-PPO-PEO block copolymers b) are, for example, ^Synperonic® PE/F127, ^Synperonic® PE/F108, ^Synperonic® PE/F87, ^Synperonic® PE/F68 (Croda), Pluronic® ^F127 , Pluronic® ^F108 , Pluronic® F68, Pluronic® F88, ^{Pluronic® F87} , Pluronic® ^F98 , ^{Pluronic® F77} (BASF). ^Synperonic® PE/F127, ^Synperonic® PE/F108, Pluronic® ^F127 and Pluronic® F108 are more preferred, ^Synperonic® PE/ ^F127 and Pluronic® ^F127 are particularly preferred. Preferred compounds b) are shown in Table 1:

Table 1: Exemplary Trade Names and CAS Numbers of Preferred Compounds b)

Trade name Company general description Molecular weight g/mol (typical) EO% No. CAS ^Synperonic® PE/F127 Croda block copolymer of polyethylene oxide and polypropylene oxide 12000 70 9003-11-6 ^Synperonic® PE/F108 Croda block copolymer of polyethylene oxide and polypropylene oxide 14000 80 9003-11-6 ^Synperonic® PE/F68 Croda block copolymer of polyethylene oxide and polypropylene oxide 8350 80 9003-11-6 ^Synperonic® PE/F87 Croda block copolymer of polyethylene oxide and polypropylene oxide 7700 70 9003-11-6 Pluronic® ^F127 BASF block copolymer of polyethylene oxide and polypropylene oxide 12600 70 9003-11-6 Pluronic® ^F108 BASF block copolymer of polyethylene oxide and polypropylene oxide 14600 80 9003-11-6 Pluronic® ^F98 BASF block copolymer of polyethylene oxide and polypropylene oxide 13000 80 9003-11-6 Pluronic® ^F88 BASF block copolymer of polyethylene oxide and polypropylene oxide 11400 80 9003-11-6 Pluronic® ^F68 BASF block copolymer of polyethylene oxide and polypropylene oxide 8400 80 9003-11-6 Pluronic® ^F87 BASF block copolymer of polyethylene oxide and polypropylene oxide 7700 70 9003-11-6 Pluronic® ^F77 BASF block copolymer of polyethylene oxide and polypropylene oxide 6600 70 9003-11-6

Suitable surfactants or dispersing aids c) are all substances of this type which can normally be used in agrochemical agents, such as non-ionic or anionic surfactants. Preferred non-ionic surfactants are polyethylene glycol ethers with branched or linear alcohols, reaction products of fatty acids or fatty acid alcohols with ethylene oxide and/or propylene oxide, in addition, polyvinyl alcohol, polyoxyalkylenamine derivatives, polyvinylpyrrolidone, copolymers of polyvinyl alcohol and polyvinylpyrrolidone and copolymers ( meth)acrylic acid and (meth)acrylic acid esters, acetylenediol ethoxylates, furthermore branched or linear alkyl ethoxylates and alkylaryl ethoxylates, where by way of example polyethylene oxide-sorbitol fatty acid esters may be mentioned. From the examples mentioned above, selected classes may optionally be phosphate, sulfonated, or sulphated and neutralized bases.

Possible anionic surfactants c) are all substances of this type that can usually be used in agrochemical agents. Preferred are alkali metal, alkaline earth metal and ammonium salts of alkyl sulfonic acids or alkyl phosphoric acids, as well as alkyl aryl sulfonic acids or alkyl aryl phosphoric acids. Another preferred group of anionic surfactants or dispersing aids are alkali metal, alkaline earth metal and ammonium salts of polystyrene sulfonic acids, salts of polyvinyl sulfonic acids, salts of alkyl naphthalene sulfonic acids, salts of naphthalene sulfonic acid and formaldehyde condensates, naphthalenesulfonic acid condensate salts, phenol sulfonic acid and formaldehyde and salts of lignosulfonic acid.

Preferred non-ionic surfactants c) are, for example:

- tristyrylphenol ethoxylates containing an average of 5-60 EO units;

- castor oil ethoxylates containing an average of 5-40 EO oil (eg Berol ^® , Emulsogen ^® EL);

- fatty alcohol ethoxylates containing branched or linear alcohols with 8-18 carbon atoms and an average of 2-30 EO units;

- block copolymer of polyethylene oxide and polyhydroxystearic acid;

- ethoxylated polymethacrylate graft copolymers;

- polymers based on polyvinylpyrrolidone;

- polymers based on polyvinyl acetate;

- ethoxylated diacetylene diols (eg Surfynol ^® 4xx series);

alkyl ether citrate surfactants (eg ^Adsee® CE series, Akzo Nobel);

- alkylpolysaccharides/polyglycosides (eg Agnique® ^PG8107 , PG8105, ^Atplus® 438, AL-2559, AL-2575);

- ethoxylated complex mono - or diesters of glycerol containing fatty acids with 8 - 18 carbon atoms and an average of 10 - 40 EO units (for example, Crovol ^® series);

- block copolymer of polyethylene oxide and polybutylene oxide.

- organo-modified polysiloxanes, e.g. BreakThru ^® OE444, BreakThru ^® S240, Silwett ^® L77, Silwett ^® 408, Silwet ^® 806.

Preferred anionic surfactants c) and polymers are, for example:

- condensate of naphthalenesulfonate and formaldehyde, sodium salt;

-sodium diisopropylnaphthalenesulfonate;

-sodium salt of dioctylsulfosuccinate;

tristyrylphenol ammonium ethoxidate sulfate and its potassium salts;

tristyrylphenol ammonium ethoxidate phosphate and its potassium salts;

-lignosulfonic acid, sodium salt;

- styrene-acrylic polymers;

-polycarboxylic acids, sodium and potassium salts.

More preferably, components c) are ethoxylated polymethacrylate graft copolymers, polycarboxylic acids, sodium and potassium salts, tristyrylphenol ethoxylate sulfate and its ammonium and potassium salts, naphthalenesulfonate-formaldehyde condensate, sodium salt, and ethoxylated diacetylene diols. Table 2 shows the preferred components c) :

Table 2: Exemplary Trade Names and CAS Numbers of Preferred Compounds c)

Trade name Company general description CAS No. Soprophor® ^4D384 Solvay tristyrylphenol ethoxylate (16EO) sulfate ammonium salt 119432-41-6 ^Synergen® W10 Clariant dioctylsulfosuccinate sodium salt (65-70%) 577-11-7 ^Geropon® T36 Solvay sodium polycarboxylate 37199-81-8 ^Surfynol® 440 Air Products 2.4.7.9-tetramethyldec-5-yn-4.7-diol, ethoxylated 9014-85-1 ^Morwet® D425 Akzo Nobel Condensate of naphthalene sulfonate and formaldehyde Na salt 9008-63-3 Atlox® ⁴⁹¹³ Croda graft copolymer of methyl methacrylate with polyethylene glycol 119724-54-8 Kuraray Poval® ^3-85 Kuraray polyvinyl alcohol 25213-24-5 ^Berol® 827 Akzo Nobel castor oil ethoxylate (25EO) 26264-06-2 ^Berol® 829 Akzo Nobel castor oil ethoxylate (20EO) 26264-06-2 ^Emulsogen® EL-400 Clariant castor oil ethoxylate (40EO) 61791-12-6 ^Silwet® 408 Momentive Polyalkylene oxide modified heptamethyltrisiloxane 67674-67-3 ^Silwet® 806 Momentive Polyalkylene oxide modified heptamethyltrisiloxane 67674-67-3 ^Silwett® L77 Momentive Polyalkylene oxide modified heptamethyltrisiloxane 67674-67-3 ^BreakThru® OE 444 Evonik Industries siloxanes and silicones, cetyl Me, di-Me 191044-49-2 BreakThru® ^S240 Evonik Industries polyether modified trisiloxane 134180-76-0 Genapol® ^X080 Clariant alcohol ethoxylate (iso-C13-EO8) 9043-30-5 Agnique® ^PG8107 BASF oligomeric D-glucopyranoses decyl octyl glycosides 68515-73-1

Suitable rheology modifiers d) are, by way of example:

- Polysaccharides, including xanthan gum, guar gum and hydroxyethyl cellulose. Examples are Kelzan®, ^Rhodopol® G and 23, ^{Satiaxane® CX911} and ^Natrosol® 250 series.

- Clays, including montmorillonite, bentonite, sepiolite, attapulgite, laponite, hectorite. Examples are ^Veegum® R, Van ^Gel® B, ^Bentone® CT, HC, EW, ^Pangel® M series, S9, AD, HV, W, ^Attagel® 50, ^Laponite® RD,

- Colloidal and precipitated silica, examples are ^Aerosil® 200, R972, R974 and ^Siponat® 22.

More preferred are xanthan gum, montmorillonite clay and bentonite clay.

Preferred components d) are shown in Table 3:

Table 3: Exemplary Trade Names and CAS Numbers of Preferred Compounds (d)

Trade name or name Company general description CAS number xanthan polysaccharide 11138-66-2 ^Aerosil® 200 Evonik Hydrophilic Colloidal Silica 112945-52-5
7631-86-9 Aerosil® ^R972 Evonik Hydrophobic Colloidal Silica 112945-52-5
7631-86-9 Aerosil® ^R974 Evonik Hydrophobic Colloidal Silica 112945-52-5
7631-86-9 ^Attagel® 50 BASF attapulgite clay, Palygorskite ([Mg(Al 0.5-1 Fe 0-0.5 )] Si 4 (OH)O 10 x 4 H 2 O 12174-11-7 ^{Laponite®RDS} /RD Laporte laponite, silicic acid, lithium magnesium sodium salt 53320-86-8 ^Veegum® R Vanberbilt Montmorillonite, smectite clay 12199-37-0 Van ^Gel® B Vanberbilt Montmorillonite, smectite clay 12199-37-0 ^Bentone® CT Elementis hectorite ((Mg2.67Li0.33)Si4Na0.33[F0.5-1(OH)0-0.5]2O10) 12173-47-6 ^Bentone® HC Elementis hectorite (purified) ((Mg2.67Li0.33)Si4Na0.33[F0.5-1(OH)0-0.5]2O10) 12173-47-6 ^Bentone® EW Elementis hectorite (purified) ((Mg2.67Li0.33)Si4Na0.33[F0.5-1(OH)0-0.5]2O10) 12173-47-6 ^Pangel® S9 Tolsa Sepiolite clay (dimagnesium; dihydroxy(oxo)silane; hydrate) 12639-43-9 ^Pangel® AD Tolsa Sepiolite clay (dimagnesium; dihydroxy(oxo)silane; hydrate) 12639-43-9 ^Pangel® HV Tolsa Sepiolite clay (dimagnesium; dihydroxy(oxo)silane; hydrate) 12639-43-9 ^Pangel® M series Tolsa bentonite clay 1302-78-9 ^Pagel® W Tolsa Organically modified sepiolite clay 12639-43-9 ^Sipernat® 22 Evonik hydrophilic precipitated silica 112945-52-5
7631-86-9

Preferred other formulations e) containing an antifoam, biocide, antifreeze, colorant, pH adjusters, buffers, stabilizers, antioxidants, excipients, wetting agents, crystal growth inhibitors or micronutrients are, by way of example:

Suitable antifoam agents e) are all substances that can usually be used in agrochemical agents for this purpose. Silicone oils, silicone oil preparations are preferred. Examples are ^Silcolapse® 426 and 432 from Bluestar Silicones, ^Silfoam® SRE and SC132 from Wacker, SAG 1572 and SAG 30 from Momentive [dimethylsiloxanes and silicones, CAS no. 63148-62-9].

Possible preservatives e) are all substances that can usually be used in agrochemical agents for this purpose. Suitable examples of preservatives are formulations containing 5-chloro-2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one [CAS-No. 26172-55-4], 2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one [CAS-No. 2682-20-4] or 1,2-benzisothiazol-3(2H)-one [CAS-No. 2634-33-5]. Examples that may be mentioned are Preventol® D7 (Lanxess), ^Kathon® CG/ICP (Dow), ^Acticide® SPX (Thor GmbH) and ^{Proxel® GXL} (Arch Chemicals).

Suitable antifreeze e) are all substances that can usually be used in agrochemical agents for this purpose. Suitable examples are propylene glycol, ethylene glycol, urea and glycerin.

Suitable coloring agents e) are all substances that can usually be used in agrochemical agents for this purpose. By way of example, mention may be made of titanium dioxide, carbon black, zinc oxide, blue pigments, brilliant blue FCF, red pigments and permanent red FGR.

Possible pH adjusters and buffers e) are all substances that can usually be used in agrochemical agents for this purpose. Citric acid, sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid, sodium hydroxide, sodium hydrogen phosphate (Na ₂ HPO ₄ ), sodium dihydrogen phosphate (NaH ₂ PO ₄ ), potassium dihydrogen phosphate (KH ₂ PO ₄ ), potassium hydrogen phosphate (K ₂ HPO ₄ ), may be mentioned as an example.

Suitable stabilizers and antioxidants e) are all substances that can usually be used in agrochemical agents for this purpose. Butylhydroxytoluene [3.5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxytoluene, CAS-No. 128-37-0] is preferred.

Preferred components e) are listed in Table 4:

Table 4: Exemplary Trade Names and CAS Numbers of Preferred Compounds e)

Trade name Company general description CAS No. Proxel® ^GXL Arch Chemicals 1.2-benzisothiazol-3(2H)-one 2634-33-5 ^Kathon® CG/ICP Dow 5-chloro-2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one plus 2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one 26172-55-4 plus
2682-20-4 ^SAG® 1572 Momentive dimethylsiloxanes and silicones 63148-62-9 Glycerol propane-1,2,3-triol 56-81-5 Butylhydroxytoluene 3.5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxytoluene 128-37-0 ^Silcolapse® 411 Blue Star Silicones dimethylsiloxanes and silicones 63148-62-9 ^Acticide® SPX Thor 5-chloro-2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one plus 2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one 26172-55-4, 2682-20-4, 55965-84-9 propylene glycol 1,2-propylene glycol 57-55-6 Brilliant Blue FCF ethyl - [4 - [[4 - [ethyl - [(3 - sulfophenyl) methyl] amino] phenyl] - (2 - sulfophenyl) methylidene] - 1 - cyclohexa - 2, 5 - dienylidene] - [(3 - sulfophenyl) methyl]azanium 3844-45-9

Preferably, the suspension concentrate according to the present invention contains

a) from 1 to 800 g/l fluopyram,

b) from 30 to 500 g/l of a block copolymer of formula (II),

c) from 1 to 250 g/l of one or more non-ionic surfactants or dispersing aids and/or at least one anionic surfactants or dispersing aids,

d) 0.1 to 100 g/l rheology modifier,

e) from 0.01 to 250 g/l of other formulations selected from the group containing antifoam, biocide, antifreeze, dye, pH regulators, buffers, stabilizers, crystal growth inhibitors, micronutrients.

More preferably, the suspension concentrate according to the present invention contains

a) from 50 to 700 g/l of fluopyram,

b) 35 to 200 g/l of a block copolymer of formula (II),

c) 5 to 200 g/l of one or more non-ionic surfactants or dispersing aids and/or at least one anionic surfactants or dispersing aids,

d) 0.5 to 50 g/l rheology modifier,

e) from 0.01 to 300 g/l of other formulations selected from the group containing antifoam, biocide, antifreeze, dye, pH regulators, buffers, stabilizers, crystal growth inhibitors, micronutrients.

Even more preferably, the suspension concentrate according to the present invention contains

a) from 50 to 700 g/l of fluopyram,

b) 40 to 100 g/l of a block copolymer of formula (II),

c) 5 to 200 g/l of one or more non-ionic surfactants or dispersing aids and/or at least one anionic surfactants or dispersing aids,

d) 0.5 to 50 g/l rheology modifier,

e) from 0.01 to 300 g/l of other formulations selected from the group containing antifoam, biocide, antifreeze, dye, pH regulators, buffers, stabilizers, crystal growth inhibitors, micronutrients.

A particularly preferred suspension concentrate according to the present invention contains

a) from 250 to 500 g/l of fluopyram,

a) 50 to 80 g/l of a block copolymer of formula (II),

b) from 10 to 150 g/l of one or more non-ionic surfactants or dispersing aids and/or at least one anionic surfactants or dispersing aids,

c) 1 to 40 g/l rheology modifier,

d) from 0.01 to 250 g/l of other formulations selected from the group containing antifoam, biocide, antifreeze, dye, pH regulators, buffers, stabilizers, crystal growth inhibitors, micronutrients.

Optionally, the suspension concentrate according to the present invention also contains the following additional components:

b) 1 to 800 g/l, preferably 10 to 400 g/l, of one or more additional agrochemically active compounds.

Suitable additional agrochemical compounds f), for example, are:

Nematicides:

- Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors, eg carbamates, eg alanicarb, aldicarb, aldoxycarb, benomyl, benfuracarb, carbofuran, carbosulfan, cleotocarb, oxamyl, thiodicarb, cadusafos, etoprofos, fenamiphos, fostiazate, imicyafos, pyraclophos, terbufos, tripat.

- LSP:

- other organophosphate pesticides (OP): diamiaphos, thionazine, fenamiphos, fensulfothion, fostyethane, isazophos, ebuphos, phosphamidon.

chloride channel activators, eg avermectins/milbemycins, eg abamectin, emamectin benzoate, lepimectin and milbemectin.

- Various non-specific (multi-site) inhibitors, eg alkyl halides, eg methyl bromide and other alkyl halides; or chloropicrin or sulfuryl fluoride or Borax or Tartar emetic.

- Microbial membrane disruptors of insect midgut e.g. Cry3Bb, Cry34/35Ab1.

- Acetyl CoA carboxylase inhibitors, such as tetronic and tetramic acid derivatives, such as Spirobudyclofen, Spirodiclofen, Spiromesifen and Spirotetramat.

Benclothiaz, Fluazaindolizine, Fluensulfone, Fluopyram, Iprodione, Thioxazafen;

- in addition, products based onBacillus firmus (including but not limited to CNCM I-1582 strain such as, for example, VOTiVOTM, BioNem), Gougerotin,Purpureocillium lilacinum (BioAct), Metarhizium anisopliae F52, Isaria fumosorosea strain Apopka and other strains, Beauveria bassiana strains or one of the following known active compounds: thioxazafn.

Particularly preferred are clothiandin, flupyradifuron, Bacillus firmus , Bacillus subtilis, imidacloprid.

In order to achieve the particle size of the component a) according to the present invention, the suspension concentrate according to the present invention is obtained by specific cleavage addition of the block copolymer b), a proportion of 0 to 80%, preferably 0 to 60%, more preferably 0 to 40% and particularly preferably 20 to 40% is added to the slurry before grinding and the remaining 100 to 20%, preferably 100 to 40%, more preferably 100 to 60% and particularly preferably 80 to 60% is added after grinding. Furthermore, in order to achieve the small particle size according to the present invention with a particularly high grinding performance rate, it is necessary to use an abrasive material with a ball size of 0.75 to 0.5 mm, preferably 0.6 to 0.4 mm, more preferably 0.5 to 0.3 mm in diameter, and particularly preferably from 0.4 to 0.2 mm.

The present invention also relates to a process for preparing a composition according to the present invention, where in the first step a thick gel is obtained by mixing a proportion of 100 to 250 g/l, preferably 150 to 250 g/l of water, rheology modifier (d), biocides (e ), all except 5 to 40 g/l, preferably 10 to 30 g/l, more preferably 20 g/l of copolymer (b) and a proportion of 0.5 to 3 g/l of antifoam. In the second stage, the pre-ground suspension is obtained by mixing components d), e) and 0 to 40 g/l, preferably 10 to 30 g/l of component b) in the remaining water, in the third stage, component a) is added to the pre-ground suspension and mixed with a rotary starter mixer until the particle size of component a) is less than 50 μm, and in the fourth stage, the pre-ground suspension is ground in a ball mill containing abrasive material g), with a ball size of 0.3 to 0.75 mm, preferably from 0.3 to 0.6 mm, more preferably 0.4 to 0.6 mm, and in the fifth step the thick gel obtained in the first step is added during mixing.

In a preferred embodiment of the process according to the present invention, in the first step, the ingredients are mixed with a mixer rotating at <1000 rpm to form a thick gel for addition after milling. In the second stage, a pre-ground suspension is obtained by mixing the remaining components until complete dissolution or dispersion.

In the fourth stage, the preferably pre-ground suspensions are ground in a ball mill with suitable cooling until the required particle size is reached. The temperature in the mill during grinding is controlled between 10 and 40°C.

The thick gel obtained in the first step above is then added under low shear mixing until homogenization is achieved. Finally, all adjustments such as pH, the preferred range being pH 5 to pH 8, are made prior to filling into bags.

Suitable ball mills include, for example, the ^Eiger® 250 mini-motor mill and ^Dynomill® ECM mills. Suitable rotary starter mixers include, for example, Silverson® LR4, ULTRA- ^TURRAX® T 50 and ^{FrymaKoruma® MZ50} .

Suitable abrasive material g) is selected from the group of glass, Zr-doped glass, ceramic, Zr silicate, ZrO ₂ (Y ₂ O ₃ stabilized), ZrO ₂ (CeO ₂ stabilized), polymers, cross-linked polystyrene or steel. Glass and ZrO ₂ (Y ₂ O ₃ stabilized) are preferred.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that adjustments can be made to the proportion of wetting agent (b) and other components added before and after grinding while still remaining within the scope of the present invention.

Another object of the present invention is a method of controlling nematodes to protect crops.

The term "nematode control" means the destruction of nematodes or the prevention of their development or their growth. The effectiveness of compositions or combinations according to the present invention is determined by comparing nematode mortality, gall formation, cyst formation, nematode density per soil volume, cysts, nematode density per root, number of nematode eggs per soil volume, nematode motility between plant, plant part or soil treated composition or combination according to the present invention, and untreated plant, plant part or soil (100%). Preferably, the reduction achieved is 25-50% compared to the untreated plant, plant part or soil, particularly preferably 40-79% and most preferably 80-100% kill or prevent the development and growth of nematodes is achieved compared to the untreated plant, part plants or soil.

The control of nematodes according to the present invention should mean the control of nematode reproduction (eg development of cysts and/or eggs). The compositions of the present invention may also be used to maintain plant health, and they may be used medicinally, prophylactically, or systemically to control nematodes.

Methods for determining nematode mortality, gall formation, cyst formation, nematode density per soil volume, cysts, nematode density per root, number of nematode eggs per soil volume, nematode mobility between plant, plant part or soil are known to those skilled in the art. The treatment according to the present invention reduces the damage caused by nematodes in plants and leads to an increase in yield.

"Nematodes" as used herein encompasses all species of the phylum Nematoda, and in particular species that are parasitic or cause health problems to plants or fungi (e.g., species of the orders Aphelenchida , Meloidogyne, Tylenchida , and others) or to humans and animals (for example, species of the orders Trichinellida, Tylenchida, Rhabditina, and Spirurida), as well as other parasitic helminths.

Preferably, "nematodes" as used herein refers to plant nematodes, meaning plant parasitic nematodes that cause damage to plants. Plant nematodes encompass parasitic plant nematodes and soil-dwelling nematodes. Plant parasitic nematodes include, but are not limited to, ectoparasites such as Xiphinema spp ., Longidorus spp ., and Trichodorus spp .; semi-parasites such as Tylenchulus spp .; migratory endoparasites such as Pratylenchus spp ., Radopholus spp ., and Scutellonerna spp .; sessile endoparasites such as Heterodera spp ., Globoderal spp ., and Meloidogyne spp ., and stem and leaf endoparasites such as Ditylenchus spp ., Aphelenchoides spp ., and Hirshmaniella spp . such as cyst-forming nematodes of the genus Heterodera or Globodera and/or root-knot nematodes of the genus Meloidogyne . Harmful species of these genera are, for example, Meloidogyne incognata , Heterodera glycines (soybean cyst nematodes), Globodera pallida and Globodera rostochiensis (potato yellow cyst nematodes), which species are effectively controlled by the compounds described in the present invention. However, the use of the compounds described in this application is by no means limited to these genera or species, but also applies in the same way to other nematodes.

Plant nematodes include, but are not limited to, for example , Aglenchus agricola, Anguina tritici, Aphelenchoides arachidis , Aphelenchoides fragaria , and leaf and stem endoparasites of Aphelenchoides spp . Bursaphelenchus xylophilus and Bursaphelenchus spp., in general, Cacopaurus pestis, Criconemella curvata, Criconemella onoensis, Criconemella ornata, Criconemella rusium, Criconemella xenoplax (= Mesocriconema xenoplax) and Criconemella spp., in general , Criconemoides ferniae, Criconemoides onoense, Criconemoides ornatum and Criconemoides spp., in general, Ditylenchus destructor, Ditylenchus dipsaci, Ditylenchus myceliophagus and leaf and trunk endoparasites of Ditylenchus spp., in general , Dolichodorus heterocephalus, Globodera pallida (=Heterodera pallida), Globodera rostochiensis (yellow potato cyst nematode) , Globodera sorelanacearum, Globoderlanacearum tabacum, Globodera virginia и немигрирующие цистообразующие паразиты Globodera spp ., в общем , Helicotylenchus digonicus, Helicotylenchus dihystera, Helicotylenchus erythrine, Helicotylenchus multicinctus, Helicotylenchus nannus, Helicotylenchus pseudorobustus и Helicotylenchus spp., в общем , Hemicriconemoides, Hemicycliophora arenaria, Hemicycliophora nudata, Hemicycliophora parvana, Heterodera avenae, Heterodera cruciferae, Heterodera glycines (soybean cyst nematodes), Heterodera oryzae, Heterodera schachtii, Heterodera zeae and non -migratory cyst parasites, Heterodera spp . general, Hoplolaimus aegyptii, Hoplolaimus californicus, Hoplolaimus columbus, Hoplolaimus galeatus, Hoplolaimus indicus, Hoplolaimus magnistylus, Hoplolaimus pararobustus, Longidorus africanus, Longidorus breviannulatus, Longidorus elongatus, Longidorus laevicapitatus, Longi dorus vineacola и эктопаразиты Longidorus spp., в общем , Meloidogyne acronea, Meloidogyne africana, Meloidogyne arenaria, Meloidogyne arenaria thamesi, Meloidogyne artiella, Meloidogyne chitwoodi, Meloidogyne coffeicola, Meloidogyne ethiopica, Meloidogyne exigua, Meloidogyne fallax, Meloidogyne graminicola, Meloidogyne graminis, Meloidogyne hapla , Meloidogyne incognita, Meloidogyne incognita acrita, Meloidogyne javanica, Meloidogyne kikuyensis, Meloidogyne minor, Meloidogyne naasi, Meloidogyne paranaensis, Meloidogyne thamesi and attached parasites Meloidogyne spp., in general, Meloinema spp . , Paratrichodorus lobatus, Paratrichodorus minor, Paratrichodorus nanus, Paratrichodorus porosus, Paratrichodorus teres and Paratrichodorus spp., in general , Paratylenchus hamatus, Paratylenchus minutus, Paratylenchus projectus and Paratylenchus spp., in general , Pratylenchus agilis, Pratylenchus alleni, Praty lenchus andinus, Pratylenchus brachyurus, Pratylenchus cerealis, Pratylenchus coffeae, Pratylenchus crenatus, Pratylenchus delattrei, Pratylenchus giibbicaudatus, Pratylenchus goodeyi, Pratylenchus hamatus, Pratylenchus hexincisus, Pratylenchus loosi, Pratylenchus neglectus, Pratylenchus penetrans, Pratylenchus pratensis, Pratylenchus scribneri, Pratylenchus teres, Pratylenchus thornei , Pratylenchus vulnus, Pratylenchus zeae и мигрирующие эндопаразиты Pratylenchus spp., в общем , Pseudohalenchus minutus, Psilenchus magnidens, Psilenchus tumidus, Punctodera chalcoensis, Quinisulcius acutus, Radopholus citrophilus, Radopholus similis, мигрирующие эндопаразиты Radopholus spp ., в общем, Rotylenchulus borealis, Rotylenchulus parvus, Rotylenchulus reniformis and Rotylenchulus spp., in general , Rotylenchus laurentinus, Rotylenchus macrodoratus, Rotylenchus robustus, Rotylenchus uniformis and Rotylenchus spp., in general , Scutellonema brachyurum, Scutellonema bradys, Scutellonema clathricaudatum and mi Growth endoparasites of Scutellonema spp., in general , Subanguina radiciola, Tetylenchus nicotianae, Trichodorus cylindricus, Trichodorus minor, Trichodorus primitivus, Trichodorus proximus, Trichodorus similis, Trichodorus sparsus and ectoparasites of Trichodorus spp., in general , Tylenchorhynchus agricus, Tylenchorhynchus, brassus Tylenchorhynchus claytoni, Tylenchorhynchus digitatus, Tylenchorhynchus ebriensis, Tylenchorhynchus maximus, Tylenchorhynchus nudus, Tylenchorhynchus vulgaris и Tylenchorhynchus spp., в общем , Tylenchulus semipenetrans и полупаразиты Tylenchulus spp., в общем, Xiphinema americanum, Xiphinema brevicolle, Xiphinema dimorphicaudatum, Xiphinema index и эктопаразиты Xiphinema spp., in general.

Also an object of the present invention is the use of the composition according to the present invention as a nematicide.

Examples of nematodes for which the nematicide of the present invention is applicable include, but are not limited to, nematodes of the genus Meloidogyne such as southern root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne incognita), Javan root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne javanica), northern root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne hapla), and peanut gall nematode (Meloidogyne arenaria); nematodes of the genus Ditylenchus such as potato rot nematodes (Ditylenchus destructor) and tuber and stem nematodes (Ditylenchus dipsaci); nematodes of the genus Pratylenchus, such as cob root wound nematodes (Pratylenchus penetrans), chrysanthemum root wound nematodes (Pratylenchus fallax), coffee root wound nematodes (Pratylenchus coffeae), tea root wound nematodes (Pratylenchus loosi), and walnut root wound nematodes (Pratylenchus vulnus); nematodes of the genus Globodera such as potato nematode (Globodera rostochiensis) and potato cyst nematodes (Globodera pallida); nematodes of the genus Heterodera, such as soybean cyst nematodes (Heterodera glycines) and sugar beet cyst nematodes (Heterodera schachtii); nematodes of the genus Aphelenchoides such as rice nematode (Aphelenchoides besseyi), chrysanthemum leaf nematode (Aphelenchoides ritzemabosi), and strawberry nematode (Aphelenchoides fragariae); nematodes of the genus Aphelenchus, such as mycophagous nematodes (Aphelenchus avenae); nematodes of the genus Radopholus such as burrowing nematodes (Radopholus similis); nematodes of the genus Tylenchulus, such as citrus nematodes (Tylenchulus semipenetrans); nematodes of the genus Rotylenchulus, such as kidney nematodes (Rotylenchulus reniformis); nematodes that occur on trees, such as pine nematodes (Bursaphelenchus xylophilus) and the like.

Plants to which the nematicide of the present invention may be used include, but are not limited to, for example, plants such as cereals (eg, rice, barley, wheat, rye, oats, corn, kaoliang, and the like), beans (soybeans, adzuki, beans, broad beans, peas, peanuts, etc.), fruit trees/fruits (apples, citrus fruits, pear, grapes, peaches, Japanese apricot, cherries, walnuts, almonds, banana, strawberries, etc.) , vegetables (zucchini, tomatoes, spinach, broccoli, lettuce, onions, onions, peppers, etc.), root vegetables (carrots, potatoes, sweet potatoes, radishes, lotus, turnips, etc.), industrial varieties (cotton , hemp, paper mulberry, mitsumata, rapeseed, beetroot, hops, sugar cane, sugar beet, olive, rubber, coffee, tobacco, tea, etc.), gourd (pumpkin, cucumber, watermelon, melon, etc.), pasture plants (urchin team, sorghum, meadow timothy grass, clover, alfalfa and the like), lawn (zoysia n cloverleaf, bent grass, and the like), varieties for spices (lavender, rosemary, thyme, parsley, pepper, ginger, and the like), and flower plants (chrysanthemum, rose, orchids, and the like).

Preferred vegetables are tomatoes, pumpkin, potatoes, peppers, carrots, onions.

Tree crops - stone fruits are, for example, apricots, cherries, almonds and peaches.

Tree crops - pome fruits are, for example, apples, pears.

Nut tree crops are, for example, Beech, Brazil nut, Candlenut, Cashew, Chestnuts, including Chinese Chestnut, Sweet Chestnut, Colocynth, Cucurbita ficifolia, Filbert, Gevuina avellana, Hickory, including Pecan, Shagbark Hickory, Terminalia catappa, Hazelnut, Indian Beech, Kola nut, Macadamia, Malabar chestnut, Pistacia, Mamoncillo, Maya nut, Mongongo, Oak acorns, Ogbono nut, Paradise nut, Pili nut, Walnut, Black Walnut, Water Caltrop.

The compositions of the present invention are particularly suitable for controlling coffee nematodes belonging to at least one species selected from the group of phytoparasitic nematodes consisting of Pratylenchus brachyurus, Pratylenchus coffeae, Meloidogyne exigua, Meloidogyne incognita, Meloidogyne coffeicola, Helicotylenchus spp., as well as consisting of Meloidogyne paranaensis, Rotylenchus spp., Xiphinema spp., Tylenchorhynchus spp., Scutellonema spp.

The compositions of the present invention are particularly suitable for controlling potato nematodes belonging to at least one species selected from the group of phytoparasitic nematodes consisting of Pratylenchus brachyurus, Pratylenchus pratensis, Pratylenchus scribneri, Pratylenchus penetrans, Pratylenchus coffeae, Ditylenchus dipsaci, and из Pratylenchus alleni, Pratylenchus andinus, Pratylenchus cerealis, Pratylenchus crenatus, Pratylenchus hexincisus, Pratylenchus loosi, Pratylenchus neglectus, Pratylenchus teres, Pratylenchus thornei, Pratylenchus vulnus, Belonolaimus longicaudatus, Trichodorus cylindricus, Trichodorus primitivus, Trichodorus proximus, Trichodorus similis, Trichodorus sparsus, Paratrichodorus minor, Paratrichodorus allius, Paratrichodorus nanus, Paratrichodorus teres, Meloidogyne arenaria, Meloidogyne fallax, Meloidogyne hapla, Meloidogyne thamesi, Meloidogyne incognita, Meloidogyne chitwoodi, Meloidogyne javanica, Nacobbus aberrans, Globodera rostochiensis, Globodera pallida, Ditylenchus destructor, Radopholus similis, Rotylenchulus reniformis, Neotylenchus vigissi, Paraphelenchus pseudoparietinus, Aphelenchoides fragariae, Meloinema spp.

The compositions of the present invention are particularly suitable for controlling nematodes in tomatoes belonging to at least one species selected from the group of phytoparasitic nematodes consisting of Meloidogyne arenaria, Meloidogyne hapla, Meloidogyne javanica, Meloidogyne incognita, Pratylenchus penetrans , and also consisting of Pratylenchus brachyurus , Pratylenchus coffeae, Pratylenchus scribneri, Pratylenchus vulnus, Paratrichodorus minor, Meloidogyne exigua, Nacobbus aberrans, Globodera solanacearum, Dolichodorus heterocephalus, Rotylenchulus reniformis .

The compositions of the present invention are particularly suitable for controlling nematodes in cucurbits belonging to at least one species selected from the group of phytoparasitic nematodes consisting of Meloidogyne arenaria, Meloidogyne hapla, Meloidogyne javanica, Meloidogyne incognita, Rotylenchulus reniformis , and also consisting of Pratylenchus thornei .

The compositions of the present invention are particularly suitable for controlling cotton nematodes belonging to at least one species selected from the group of phytoparasitic nematodes consisting of Belonolaimus longicaudatus, Meloidogyne incognita, Hoplolaimus columbus, Hoplolaimus galeatus, Rotylenchulus reniformis .

The compositions according to the present invention are particularly suitable for controlling nematodes in corn belonging to at least one species selected from the group of phytoparasitic nematodes, especially consisting of Belonolaimus longicaudatus, Paratrichodorus minor , and also consisting of Pratylenchus brachyurus, Pratylenchus delattrei, Pratylenchus hexincisus, Pratylenchus penetrans, Pratylenchus zeae, (Belonolaimus gracilis), Belonolaimus nortoni, Longidorus breviannulatus, Meloidogyne arenaria, Meloidogyne arenaria thamesi, Meloidogyne graminis, Meloidogyne incognita, Meloidogyne incognita acrita, Meloidogyne javanica, Meloidogyne naasi, Heterodera avenae, Heterodera oryzae, Heterodera zeae, Punctodera chalcoensis , Ditylenchus dipsaci, Hoplolaimus aegyptii, Hoplolaimus magnistylus, Hoplolaimus galeatus, Hoplolaimus indicus, Helicotylenchus digonicus, Helicotylenchus dihystera, Helicotylenchus pseudorobustus, Xiphinema americanum, Dolichodorus heterocephalus, Criconemella ornata, Cricon emella onoensis, Radopholus similis, Rotylenchulus borealis, Rotylenchulus parvus, Tylenchorhynchus agri, Tylenchorhynchus clarus, Tylenchorhynchus claytoni, Tylenchorhynchus maximus, Tylenchorhynchus nudus, Tylenchorhynchus vulgaris, Quinisulcius acutus, Paratylenchus minutus, Hemicycliophora parvana, Aglenchus agricola, Anguina tritici, Aphelenchoides arachidis, Scutellonema brachyurum , Subanguina radiciola.

The compositions of the present invention are particularly suitable for controlling soybean nematodes belonging to at least one species selected from the group of phytoparasitic nematodes, especially consisting of Pratylenchus brachyurus, Pratylenchus pratensis, Pratylenchus penetrans, Pratylenchus scribneri, Belonolaimus longicaudatus, Heterodera glycines, Hoplolaimus columbus , and also consisting of Pratylenchus coffeae, Pratylenchus hexincisus, Pratylenchus neglectus, Pratylenchus crenatus, Pratylenchus alleni, Pratylenchus agilis, Pratylenchus zeae, Pratylenchus vulnus, (Belonolaimus gracilis), Meloidogyne arenaria, Meloidogyne inta, Meloidogyne javane, haplalimus cognogus galeatus, Rotylenchulus reniformis .

The compositions of the present invention are particularly suitable for controlling nematodes in tobacco belonging to at least one species selected from the group of phytoparasitic nematodes, especially consisting of Meloidogyne incognita, Meloidogyne javanica , and also consisting of Pratylenchus brachyurus, Pratylenchus pratensis, Pratylenchus hexincisus, Pratylenchus penetrans, Pratylenchus neglectus, Pratylenchus crenatus, Pratylenchus thornei, Pratylenchus vulnus, Pratylenchus zeae, Longidorus elongatu, Paratrichodorus lobatus, Trichodorus spp. spp., Xiphinema americanum, Criconemella spp., Rotylenchulus reniformis, Tylenchorhynchus claytoni, Paratylenchus spp., Tetylenchus nicotianae .

The compositions of the present invention are particularly suitable for controlling nematodes in citrus fruits belonging to at least one species selected from the group of phytoparasitic nematodes, especially consisting of Pratylenchus coffeae and also consisting of Pratylenchus brachyurus, Pratylenchus vulnus, Belonolaimus longicaudatus, Paratrichodorus minor, Paratrichodorus porosus, Trichodorus , Meloidogyne incognita, Meloidogyne incognita acrita, Meloidogyne javanica, Rotylenchus macrodoratus, Xiphinema americanum, Xiphinema brevicolle, Xiphinema index, Criconemella spp.

The compositions according to the present invention are particularly suitable for controlling banana nematodes belonging to at least one species selected from the group of phytoparasitic nematodes, especially consisting of Pratylenchus coffeae, Radopholus similis , and also consisting of Pratylenchus giibbicaudatus, Pratylenchus loosi, Meloidogyne spp., Helicotylenchus multicinctus, Helicotylenchus dihystera, Rotylenchulus spp .

The compositions of the present invention are particularly suitable for controlling pineapple nematodes belonging to at least one species selected from the group of phytoparasitic nematodes, especially consisting of Pratylenchus zeae, Pratylenchus pratensis, Pratylenchus brachyurus, Pratylenchus goodeyi., Meloidogyne spp., Rotylenchulus reniformis . а также состоящей из Longidorus elongatus, Longidorus laevicapitatus, Trichodorus primitivus, Trichodorus minor, Heterodera spp., Ditylenchus myceliophagus, Hoplolaimus californicus, Hoplolaimus pararobustus, Hoplolaimus indicus, Helicotylenchus dihystera, Helicotylenchus nannus, Helicotylenchus multicinctus, Helicotylenchus erythrine, Xiphinema dimorphicaudatum, Radopholus similis, Tylenchorhynchus digitatus, Tylenchorhynchus ebriensis, Paratylenchus minutus, Scutellonema clathricaudatum, Scutellonema bradys, Psilenchus tumidus, Psilenchus magnidens, Pseudohalenchus minutus, Criconemoides ferniae, Criconemoides onoense, Criconemoides ornatum.

The compositions of the present invention are particularly suitable for controlling nematodes in grapes belonging to at least one species selected from the group of phytoparasitic nematodes, especially consisting of Pratylenchus vulnus, Meloidogyne arenaria, Meloidogyne incognita, Meloidogyne javanica, Xiphinema americanum, Xiphinema index , as well as consisting of Pratylenchus pratensis, Pratylenchus scribneri, Pratylenchus neglectus, Pratylenchus brachyurus, Pratylenchus thornei, Tylenchulus semipenetrans .

The compositions according to the present invention are particularly suitable for controlling nematodes in woody pome fruits belonging to at least one species selected from the group of phytoparasitic nematodes, especially consisting of Pratylenchus penetrans, and also consisting of Pratylenchus vulnus, Longidorus elongatus, Meloidogyne incognita , Meloidogyne hapla.

The compositions of the present invention are particularly suitable for controlling nematodes on woody stone fruit plants belonging to at least one species selected from the group of phytoparasitic nematodes, especially consisting of Pratylenchus penetrans, Pratylenchus vulnus, Meloidogyne arenaria, Meloidogyne hapla, Meloidogyne javanica, Meloidogyne incognita, Criconemella xenoplax , а также состоящей из Pratylenchus brachyurus, Pratylenchus coffeae, Pratylenchus scribneri, Pratylenchus zeae, Belonolaimus longicaudatus, Helicotylenchus dihystera, Xiphinema americanum, Criconemella curvata, Tylenchorhynchus claytoni, Paratylenchus hamatus, Paratylenchus projectus, Scutellonema brachyurum, Hoplolaimus galeatus .

The compositions according to the present invention are particularly suitable for controlling nematodes in woody nut plants belonging to at least one species selected from the group of phytoparasitic nematodes, especially consisting of Trichodorus spp., Criconemella rusium , and also consisting of Pratylenchus vulnus, Paratrichodorus spp. , Meloidogyne incognita, Helicotylenchus spp., Tylenchorhynchus spp., Cacopaurus pestis .

All plants and plant parts can be treated according to the present invention. Plants are understood to mean all plants and plant populations, such as desired and undesired wild plants, cultivars and plant varieties (regardless of whether plant varieties or plant breeder rights are protected or not). Cultivars and plant varieties can be plants obtained by conventional propagation methods and breeding methods that can be assisted or supplemented by one or more biotechnological methods, for example, through the use of doubled haploids, protoplast fusion, non-specific and site-directed mutagenesis, molecular or genetic markers, or through bioengineering. and methods of genetic engineering. Plant parts are understood to mean all the above and below ground parts and organs of plants, such as shoots, leaves, flowers and roots, whereby, for example, leaves, needles, stems, branches, flowers, fruiting bodies, fruits and seeds are listed, as well as roots, corms and rhizomes. Cereal and vegetative and propagating planting material, such as cuttings, corms, rhizomes, shoots and seeds, also belong to plant parts.

As noted above, it is possible to treat all plants and parts thereof in accordance with the present invention. In one embodiment, wild plant species and plant varieties, or those obtained by conventional breeding methods such as crossing or protoplasmic fusion, and parts thereof are treated. In another preferred embodiment, transgenic plants and plant varieties obtained by genetic engineering methods are treated, if possible, in combination with conventional methods (genetically modified organisms), and parts thereof. The terms "plants", "plant parts" and "plant parts" are explained above.

Transgenic plant, seed treatment and integration events

Preferred transgenic plants and plant varieties (genetically engineered) to be treated in accordance with the present invention include all plants which, due to genetic modification, provide genetic material that gives these plants particularly preferred, beneficial properties ("traits"). Examples of such properties are better plant growth, increased resistance to high or low temperatures, increased tolerance to drought or water or soil salt content, improved flowering characteristics, faster maturation, higher yields, better quality and/or higher nutritional value. value of harvested products, higher storage stability and/or processability of harvested products. other and particularly important examples of such properties are the better defense of plants against animal and microbiological pests such as insects, arachnids, nematodes, larvae and snails, thanks to toxins produced in plants, in particular plant-generated genetic material from Bacillus thuringiensis (e.g. CryIA(a), CryIA(b), CryIA(c), CryIIA, CryIIIA, CryIIIB2, Cry9c Cry2Ab, Cry3Bb and CryIF genes, as well as their combinations), in addition, improved plant resistance to phytopathogenic fungi, bacteria and/or viruses due to, for example, acquired systemic resistance (SAR), systemin, phytoalexins, elicitors and resistance genes and respectively expressed proteins and toxins, as well as increased plant tolerance to certain herbicidally active compounds, for example, imidazolinones, sulfonylureas, glyphosate or phosphinothricin (for example, the PAT gene). Genes that confer the desired characteristics may also be present in transgenic plants in combination with each other. Examples of transgenic plants that can be mentioned are important crop plants such as cereals (wheat, rice, triticale, barley, rye, oats), corn, soybeans, potatoes, sugar beets, sugar cane, tomatoes, peas and other types of vegetables. , cotton, tobacco, oilseed rape, as well as fruit plants (apples, pears with fruits, citrus fruits and grapes), especially preferred are corn, soybeans, wheat, rice, potatoes, cotton, sugar cane, tobacco and oilseed rape. Features that stand out in particular. are increased plant resistance to insects, arachnids, nematodes, larvae and snails.

Protection of cultivated plants - types of treatment

The treatment of plants and plant parts with the composition according to the present invention is carried out directly or by acting on their environment, habitat or storage space through the use of conventional methods of treatment, for example, by dipping, spraying, atomizing, spraying, evaporation, dusting, aerosol spray, scattering , foaming, coloring, spreading, injection, watering (soaking), drip irrigation and, in the case of propagating material, in particular in the case of seed, also in the form of powder for dry seed treatment, solution for liquid seed treatment, water-soluble powder for slurry treatment, by skinning, by coating with one or more coats, etc. In addition, it is possible to apply the composition according to the present invention by a microvolume method, or to inject the composition according to the present invention into the soil itself.

The preferred direct treatment of the plants is tillage, then the plants are treated by exposing the habitat of the plant to the compounds of formula (I). This can be done, for example, by spraying, pouring, drip irrigation, or mixing into the soil or nutrient solution, i.e. the plant locus (eg soil or hydroponic systems) is impregnated with the liquid form of the compounds of formula (I) or by application to the soil.

The compounds of formula (I) according to the present invention can also be adsorbed onto solid carrier materials to form granules, which can then be introduced in solid form (eg, in the form of granules) into the plant locus. Suspension concentrates according to the present invention can also be adsorbed onto solid carrier materials to form granules, which can then be introduced in solid form (eg, in the form of granules) into the plant locus. Suitable carrier materials are, by way of example, sand, diatomaceous earth, corncob, perlite, shredded newspaper, dust, cedar, small spruce, small wood, limestone, zeolite, peat moss, peanut husk, calcium carbonate, wood chips, attapulgite clay , bentonite, vermiculite and cotton lint.

Also an object of the present invention is a method comprising applying the composition of the present invention either to soil or to a plant to control nematodes and/or increase crop yields.

Examples

General techniques:

Storage stability testing is performed by storing samples of the composition in temperature controlled cabinets at 54°C, 45°C for accelerated storage testing or at room temperature (approximately 22°C) for the required period of time and then visually examining appearance and measurement of particle sizes. Particle size measurements are made using laser diffraction and are reported as 90% diameter by volume (Dv90) where 90% of particles by volume are below this value according to the Fraunhofer diffraction model. Suitable instruments are, for example, the Malvern Mastersizer range (Malvern Instruments) and the Horiba LA-300 particle size analyzer (Horiba). Accelerated storage tests at elevated temperatures are used to illustrate the differences between the stability of different formulations and to identify formulations with good and poor storage stability.

The following products and formulations were used for the examples:

Luna ^® Privilege, which is a commercial suspension concentrate containing 500 g/l of Fluopyram.

Table 5: Compositions

Composition (g/l) Composition 1 (according to the present invention) Composition 2 (comparative) Composition 3 (comparative) Compound Example without high wetting agent content (b) Large particle example Fluopyram (a) 400 400 400 condensate of naphthalenesulfonate and formaldehyde, sodium salt (c) 5 5 5 ethoxylated polymethacrylate (c) thirty thirty thirty PEO-PPO-PEO block copolymer ^Synperonic® PE/F127 (Mw 12000, 70% EO) (b) fifty twenty fifty 1,2-propylene glycol (e) 90 90 90 ^SAG® 1572(e) 3 3 3 ^Surfynol® 440(c) 5 5 5 ^Geropon® T 36 (c) ten ten ten Biocides (e) 2.4 2.4 2.4 Xanthan (e) 2.6 2.6 2.6 Water Up to volume (561.1) Up to volume (591.1) Up to volume (561.1)

The compositions were obtained according to method 1. Mw = molecular weight.

results

Table 6: Composition Properties

^Luna® Privilege Composition 1 Composition 2 Composition 3 Particle size (Dv90) 5.9 µm 2.5 µm 2.5 µm 9 µm ^Synperonic® PE/F127 - 50g/l 20g/l 50g/l

In the example, formulations 1-3 and ^Luna® Privilege were applied to the soil by soaking at a rate of 250 g ai/ha in 750 l/ha of water, and tomato plants were harvested at regular intervals and evaluated for effectiveness against root damage caused by Meloidogyne incognita. The results are shown in Table 7 and clearly show that Formulation 1 has the highest performance and demonstrates the importance of both a small particle size (Formulation 1 > Formulation 3) and a high level of ^Synperonic® PE/F127 (Formulation 1 > Formulation 2) for excellent performance. The formulation of the present result (Formulation 1) was also shown to be more effective than the commercial foliar preparation ^Luna® Privilege. In addition, good crop safety was observed for all formulations.

Table 7: Effectiveness of formulations 1 - 3 and Luna ^® Privilege in field trials

Efficiency % ^Luna® Privilege Composition 1 according to the present invention Composition 2 Composition 3 31 DAA 81 94 68 84 61 DAA 61 82 49 54 108 DAA 63 77 59 74

DAA = days after application.

In other examples, Formulation 1 and ^Luna® Privilege were applied to soil via drip irrigation at 250 g ai/ha in 2500 to 15000 l/ha water; vegetable plants were transplanted (tomato), respectively seeded (cucumber) shortly after application, and then evaluated for effectiveness against root damage by Meloidogyne incognita. The results of these 4 tests are shown in Table 8 and clearly show that composition 1 according to the present effect has consistently higher efficiency than Luna ^® Privilege.

Table 8: Efficacy of formulation 1 and Luna Privilege in field trials.

Efficiency % Luna Privilege Composition 1 according to the present invention 82 DAA tomato 0 64 58 DAA tomato 83 87 63-71 DAA tomato 65 71 54 DAA cucumber 55 68

DAA = days after application.

In another example, ^Synperonic® PE/F127 PEO-PPO-PEO copolymer (b) in formulation 1 was replaced with 50g/L (at 100% equivalent) ^Genapol® X080, alcohol ethoxylate, ^Agnique® PG8107, alkyl polyglycoside, ^Crovol® CR70G, ethoxylate rapeseed oil, Synergen ^® W10, sodium dioctyl sulfosuccinate and Silwet ^® 408, organosilicon super additive (details are given in Table 2). This was subjected to an accelerated storage test and particle size measurement. The results are shown in Table 9 and show that ^Synperonic® PE/F127 PEO-PPO-PEO block copolymer results in significantly lower crystal growth than all other wetting agents, which is important for both good biological performance and good physical performance. stability over the life of the product. In the case of ^Synergen® W10, the suspension was clearly not stable after 4W45 and formed a thick paste, resulting in an unusable formulation, while ^Synperonic® PE/F127 remained a stable liquid suspension. This demonstrates the particular performance obtained with ^Synperonic® PE/F127 PEO-PPO-PEO block copolymer (b) according to the present invention.

Table 9: Particle size and physical properties after room temperature and accelerated storage with various components (b).

Component (b) Initial Dv90 (µm) 2W54 Dv90 (µm) 2W45 Dv90 (µm) 4WRT Dv90 (µm) 4W45 physical properties ^Synperonic® PE/F127 (according to the present invention) 2.5 4.6 3.0 2.5 liquid suspension ^Genapol® X 080 2.5 13.4 8.3 3.7 liquid suspension ^Agnique® PG8107 (70%) 2.5 11.2 7.37 2.7 liquid suspension Crovol® ^CR70G 2.5 7.3 3.2 2.8 liquid suspension ^Synergen® W10 (65%) 2.5 23.5 14.4 3.0 Very thick paste ^Silwet® 408 2.5 13.2 7.0 3.3 liquid suspension

RT = room temperature (23±2°C).

Description of the SC grinding process

Grinding process tests were carried out on an Eiger 250 (Eiger Torrance) mini-motor mill with 1.0-1.25 mm glass beads at 80% bead loading. Pre-milled suspensions were prepared by mixing all components, with the exception of the active ingredient, until completely dissolved or dispersed. Active ingredient a) was then added to the pre-ground slurries during mixing with an ULTRA- ^TURRAX® high shear rotor-stator mixer to reduce the particle size of the slurries to less than 50 microns. The pre-milled slurries were then milled in an Eiger 250 mini-motor mill in recirculation mode at 3200 rpm until the desired particle size was obtained. The remaining components in Table 10 were mixed until dissolved or dispersed with low shear to form a thick xanthan gel and added to the slurry with low shear stirring until uniform.

Method 1 is a standard process in which all surfactants are added before grinding, after grinding, 150 g/l of water is added to add xanthan as an aqueous thick gel.

Method 2 includes 20 g/L of ^Synperonic® PE/F127 removed from the pre-ground suspension and added after milling to the xanthan thick gel, while Method 3 includes 30 g/L of ^Synperonic® PE/F127 removed and added after milling to xanthan thick gel along with 200 g/l of water. The tests were carried out on a small scale (~0.2 l).

Table 10: Various Grinding Methods for Formulation 1 - Pre-grinded Suspension

Composition for grinding (g/l of the final product) Method 1 Method 2 Method 3 Reference, without any component (b) removed before grinding Composition and method according to the present invention Composition and method according to the present invention Fluopyram (a) 400 400 400 condensate of naphthalenesulfonate and formaldehyde, sodium salt (c) 5 5 5 Ethoxylated polymethacrylate copolymer (c) thirty thirty thirty PEO-PPO-PEO block copolymer ^Synperonic® PE/F127 (Mw 12000, 70% EO) (b) fifty thirty twenty 1,2-propylene glycol (e) 90 90 90 SAG 1572(e) one one one ^Surfynol® 440(c) 5 5 5 ^Geropon® T 36 (c) ten ten ten Water 411.1 411.1 361.1

Table 11: Different Grinding Methods for Formulation 1 - Post Grinding Additions

Components added after grinding (g/l final product) Method 1 Method 2 according to the present invention Method 3 according to the present invention PEO-PPO-PEO block copolymer ^Synperonic® PE/F127 (Mw 12000, 70% EO) (b) 0 twenty thirty Biocide (e) 2.6 2.6 2.6 Xanthan (d) 2.6 2.6 2.6 SAG 1572(e) 2 2 2 water 150 150 200

Table 12: Grinding efficiency according to the methods in Table X

Grinding efficiency Grinding time to reduce the particle size Dv90 to 3.0 µm (minutes) Method 1 31 Method 2 (according to the present invention) eighteen Method 3 (according to the present invention) 6

The results show that in order to achieve efficient particle size reduction it is important to remove 20 g/l and then 30 g/l component (b) of ^Synperonic® PE/F127 before grinding and add it after grinding with xanthan rheology modifier thick gel.

Using Method 3, the effect of abrasive bead size was determined with a larger sample (~0.8 l).

Table 13: Grinding efficiency for method 3 with different abrasive sizes.

Ball size Grinding time to reduce the particle size Dv90 to 3.0 µm (minutes) from 1 to 1.25 mm 26 0.5 to 0.75 mm (according to the present invention) 12 0.4 to 0.6 mm (according to the present invention) 6

The results show that in order to achieve the small size according to the present invention at an acceptable effective grinding speed, balls with a diameter of less than 0.75 mm, preferably 0.6 mm, are required.

Extrapolation to semi-industrial scale

In another example, on a pre-production scale, 50 liters were obtained by method 3 and milling in a ^Dyno® KD5 mill with a ball load of 85% and a circumferential speed of 10 m/s. Two passes with 1.25 - 2 mm ZrO ₂ (Y ₂ O ₃ stabilized) beads followed by two passes with 0.8 - 1.25 mm ZrO ₂ (Y ₂ O ₃ stabilized) beads resulted in a Dv90 of 6.3 µm. A second example with one pass using 1.25 - 2 mm ZrO ₂ (Y ₂ O ₃ stabilized) beads followed by three passes with 0.4 - 0.6 mm glass beads resulted in a Dv90 of 3.3 µm. This demonstrates the value of not only reducing the PEO-PPO-PEO content of the ^Synperonic® PE/F127 block copolymer (Mw 12000, 70% EO) during grinding, but also using a small size abrasive.

Claims (25)

1. A nematode control suspension concentrate composition comprising a combination of a) a compound of formula (I)

where the compound (I) has a particle size Dv90 less than 5.0 μm, and b) at least one polyalkylene oxide block copolymer of formula (II)

where in the compound of formula (II) x, z are from 2 to 140 and y is from 15 to 80. 2. Suspension concentrate composition according to claim 1, characterized in that the compound (I) has a particle size (Dv90) of 1.0 to 5.0 µm. 3. Suspension concentrate composition according to claim 1, characterized in that the compound of formula (II) has a molecular weight of 7,000 to 18,000 g/mol. 4. Suspension concentrate composition according to claim 1, characterized in that the compound of formula (II) has an ethylene oxide content of 50 to 85%. 5. The suspension concentrate composition according to claim 1, characterized in that it contains c) one or more non-ionic surfactants or dispersing aids and/or at least one anionic surfactant or dispersing aid, d) one or more rheology modifiers, and e) one or more other formulations selected from the group consisting of an antifoam, biocide, antifreeze, colorant, pH adjusters, buffers, stabilizers, crystal growth inhibitors, or micronutrients. 6. Suspension concentrate composition according to claim 1, containing from 1 to 800 g/l of component a). 7. Suspension concentrate composition according to claim 1, containing from 30 to 500 g/l, preferably from 35 to 200 g/l of component b). 8. Suspension concentrate composition according to claim 5, containing from 1 to 800 g/l, preferably from 5 to 500 g/l of component c). 9. A method for obtaining a composition according to claim 5, where - in the first stage, the gel thickener is obtained by mixing a proportion of 100 to 250 g/l of water, a rheology modifier (d), biocides (e), all except a proportion of 5 to 40 g/l of copolymer (b) and a proportion of 0.5 to 3 g/l antifoam; - in the second stage, a pre-ground suspension is obtained by mixing components c), d), and the indicated proportion of 5 to 40 g/l of component b), which was not used in the first stage, and e), which is one or more other formularies selected from the group consisting of antifreeze, dye, pH adjusters, buffers, stabilizers, crystal growth inhibitors or micronutrients, and a specified proportion of 0.5 to 3 g/l of antifoam, which was not used in the first stage, in the remaining water ; - in the third stage, component a) is added to the pre-ground suspension and mixed with a rotary-stator mixer until the particle size of component a) is less than 50 µm; and - in the fourth stage, the pre-ground suspension is crushed in a ball mill containing abrasive material g), with a ball size of 0.3 to 0.75 mm; and - in the fifth stage, the gel thickener obtained in the first stage is added during mixing to the crushed pre-ground suspension obtained in the fourth stage. 10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that the abrasive material g) is selected from the group of glass, Zr-doped glass, ceramic, Zr silicate, ZrO ₂ (Y ₂ O ₃ stabilized), ZrO ₂ (CeO ₂ stabilized), polymers, cross-linked polystyrene or steel. 11. A method of controlling nematodes to protect crops, comprising applying the suspension concentrate composition of claim 1 to either soil or a plant. 12. Use of the suspension concentrate composition according to claim 1 as a nematicide.