WO2008122782A1

WO2008122782A1 - Method of pest and/or disease control

Info

Publication number: WO2008122782A1
Application number: PCT/GB2008/001194
Authority: WO
Inventors: Steven Cosky; Thierry Manuel Claude Querol; Gaynor Simms; Mark Waltham
Original assignee: Syngenta Participation Ag
Priority date: 2007-04-04
Filing date: 2008-04-01
Publication date: 2008-10-16
Also published as: GB0706665D0; TW200906302A; WO2008122763A1; WO2008122782A8; TW200911114A

Abstract

This invention relates to a method of disease and/or pest control and more particularl to a method for controlling disease and/or pests of plants by adding pesticide granule to growing medium. It also relates to a growing medium containing pesticide granules per se.

Description

METHOD OF PEST AISTD/OR DISEASE CONTROL

This invention relates to a method of disease and/or pest control and more particularly to a method for controlling disease and/or pests in plants by adding pesticide granules to growing medium. It also relates to a growing medium containing pesticide granulesjcer.se.

Pests and diseases are a nuisance for plant growers, since they can damage and kill plants, reduce crop yields, and detract from the visual appearance of plants. Pesticides for the control of pests and diseases are often applied to plants by means of a foliar spray, a root drench or a liquid mixture or granules applied to the surface of the soil or growing media as a curative measure in response to the onset of infection by a particular disease or pest. However, none of these formulations are ideal because there is a risk of exposure of the pesticide to the person who mixes and applies the formulation.

Therefore, there exists a need for a safer pesticide formulation, or a delivery mechanism of the pesticide that results in less operator exposure to the pesticide. Further, there exists a need for a pesticide formulation that can be applied as a preventative measure to stop or delay the onset of disease and pests in plants, rather than a curative measure.

Granule formulations of pesticides are known. In the turf industry, for example, granular pesticide formulations are convenient for quick dispersal of a pesticide to turf (e.g. golf courses), with minimal exposure to the operator. After dispersal, the granules remain on the surface of the ground and until the pesticide is released into the ground, usually upon contact with water.

Growing media that contains fertiliser granules is also known. Typically, the fertiliser is released from the granules gradually over several weeks or months to provide a long term fertiliser effect. _

However, adding pesticides such as fungicides in the form of granules to plant growing media is not known. Surprisingly, it has been found that the addition of pesticides in the form of granules to the growing medium itself, can provide good pest and/or disease control to plants that are sowed or grown therein. Therefore, this is useful as a preventative treatment for delaying the onset of disease and pests in plants that are planted in the growing medium.

Thus, according to the present invention, there is provided a method for controlling disease and/or pests in plants, comprising adding granules that comprise at least one pesticide to growing medium, and growing the plants in said growing medium.

The present invention also provides a method for controlling disease and/or pests in plants, comprising growing the plants in a growing medium that contains granules that comprise at least one pesticide.

The present invention also provides a method for making growing medium that will impart disease and/or pest resistance to plants that are grown therein, comprising adding granules that comprise at least one pesticide to the growing medium.

The term "controlling" refers to both preventative and curative properties. For example, it includes preventing disease or pest infestation, protecting plants from disease or pest infestation, delaying the onset of disease or pest infestation, and combating or killing disease and/or pests.

A "growing medium" is the material used to grow a plant. In the present invention, it includes any suitable medium in which plants can be grown. The growing medium may comprise more than one ingredient, for example inorganic materials such as rockwool, perlite, vermiculite, sand, silts and clays and/or organic materials such as peat, bark, loam, coconut fibre. Growing media are often formulated from a blend of different raw materials in order to achieve the correct balance of air and water holding capacity for the plants to be grown. The term "granule" used herein includes granules of any shape or size, ranging for example from very small granules that resemble a powder or dust, to large granules that resemble tablets. Suitably, the diameter of the granules is in the range from 0.25mm to 2.0mm, more suitably from about 0.5mm to about 1.5mm. Suitably, the granules are approximately of a uniform shape and size to facilitate good dispersion in the growing medium.

The granules are present in the growing medium rather than simply spread on the surface. Suitably, the granules are dispersed throughout the growing medium. The granules may be dispersed in the growing medium by mixing by hand or machine. The number of granules to be added per litre of growing media is calculated based on the dose of active ingredient required, and the size of the granules. Typically, between 100 and 1000 granules are added per litre of growing medium. In one embodiment, the granules are added to the growing medium before planting, which facilitates thorough mixing, and so helps to ensure that the granules are dispersed throughout the growing medium.

In one embodiment of the invention, more than one pesticide is used in separate granules, for co-mixing into the growing medium in appropriate amounts to achieve the desired dose rates. Suitably, the granules are similar in size to ensure proper mixing and dispersal. In this way, the growing medium can be custom adapted with blends of pesticide granules to suit the particular plant species and growing environment for which it is to be used. In a further embodiment, each individual granule may contain more than one pesticide, for example a fungicide and an insecticide, or two different fungicides. The latter may be useful as an effective tool in resistance management, as well as improving the spectrum and efficacy of disease control.

The granules can be added to any growing medium that is suitable for growing plants. Typically, the growing medium will be a mixture of more than one component. For example, for ornamentals, the growing medium may comprise one or more of the following components: light peat, dark peat, perlite, vermiculite, bark, sand, silt, clay and coconut fibre. The precise composition of the growing medium depends on the _ _

plant species to be grown. For example for bedding plants, the growing medium may comprise 60% loam, 30% peat and 20% sand. The growing media may be a soil-less mix (not containing any sand, silt or clay), or a soil-containing mix. Preferably, the granules are mixed into, and thoroughly dispersed throughout the growing medium to ensure a good distribution of active ingredient as it is released.

Granular formulations for use in the present invention include both extrudates and relatively coarse particles. In addition to the pesticide, generally, the granules can include fillers (also referred to as a carrier), surface active agents (which term can include dispersants and wetting agents) and auxiliary agents such as binders, stabilizers and buffering agents. The filler can be inert, or can serve a biological function, such as acting as a fertilizer. The filler, as well as the other components, preferably should not degrade the pesticidally active material during the granule preparation or on long term storage or use in the field. Those of skill in the art can readily select appropriate granule components to satisfy these criteria.

Typical carriers for granular formulations include fertiliser, sand, limestone, fuller's earth, attapulgite clay, bentonite clays, montmorillonite clay, vermiculite, perlite, calcium carbonate, brick, pumice, pyrophyllite, kaolin, dolomite, plaster, wood flour, ground corn cobs, ground peanut hulls, sugars, sodium chloride, sodium sulphate, sodium silicate, sodium borate, magnesia, mica, iron oxide, zinc oxide, titanium oxide, antimony oxide, cryolite, gypsum, chalk, zeolite, calcite, diatomaceous earth, calcium sulphate and other organic or inorganic materials which absorb, or which can be coated with, a pesticide.

The granular substrate material can be one of the typical carriers mentioned above and/or can be a fertiliser material such as urea/formaldehyde fertilisers, urea, potassium compounds (such as potassium sulphate, nitrate, chloride, oxide, metaphosphate), ammonium compounds (such as ammonium nitrate, sulphate, phosphate), phosphorus compounds (such as phosphoric acid), sulphur, similar plant nutrients and micronutrients and mixtures or combinations thereof. The pesticide may be homogeneously distributed throughout the granule, spray impregnated or absorbed onto the granule substrate after the granules are formed, or coated onto the surface of the granule.

A binder may be used to agglomerate the components of the granules. When present, the binder can be typically used in amounts up to about 20 percent by weight (dry basis) of the granular composition, more typically between about 2 to about 20 percent by weight. The binder binds the ingredients into a granular substrate which resists attrition and will not rapidly degrade, and therefore substantially maintains particle size during handling. Examples of suitable binders include brewers condensed solubles, lignosulfonate, sodium carbonate lignin, cane molasses, beet syrup, beet molasses, desugared beet molasses, whey, starch, soy solubles with cane molasses or the like, hydrolyzed collagen, amino acid solutions, cellulose derivatives, or cellulose based polymer binders. Other water soluble binders having equivalent properties to, for example, brewer's condensed solubles, can also be used.

Additional auxiliary agents such as surfactants, dispersants, disintegrating agents, wetting agents and the like, can be added where desired to modify the properties of the granules.

Granular formulations of the present invention may contain from about 0.01% to about 99% pesticide. Suitably, the granule formulations contain from about 0.01% to about 10% pesticide. More suitably, the granule formulations contain from about 0.01% to about 1% pesticide. More suitably, the granule formulations contain from about 0.04% to about 0.5% pesticide. For example, when the pesticide in the granules is lambda cyhalothrin, about 0.045% pesticide may be used. When the pesticide is thiamethoxam, about 0.22%, about 0.33% or about 0.5% pesticide may be used. When the pesticide is azoxystrobin, about 0.31% pesticide may be used.

Additional active ingredients may also be present in the formulations, including surface-active agents such as heavy aromatic naphthas, kerosene and other petroleum fractions, or vegetable oils; and/or stickers such as dextrins, glue or synthetic resins. . _

Any suitable granule technology may be used in the present invention. For example, it may be desirable to have a gradual release of pesticide from the granules in the growing medium over a period of time. Alternatively, in some situations, it may be desirable to have rapid release of the pesticide from the granule into the growing medium.

Controlled-release or slow-release granules gradually release pesticide into the growing medium over time, thus ensuring a continuous supply of pesticide for the plants growing therein. The granules therefore eliminate the need for repeated applications of conventional spray pesticide formulations, and provide long-term disease and/or pest control. Typically the granules provide control for at least 1 week, suitably at least 1 month, more suitably at least 3 months, more suitably at least 6 months, most suitably more than 1 year. In one embodiment of the invention, the granules provide control for from about 3 to about 12 months. In another embodiment of the invention, the granules provide control for from about 3 to about 6 months. In a further embodiment of the invention, the granules provide control for from about 6 to about 12 months. In a further embodiment of the invention, the granules provide control for from about 12 to about 18 months.

The present invention is particularly useful for providing season long control. In one embodiment, the method of the present invention includes adding to growing medium granules that have different release rate profiles (such as controlled release, and rapid release granules), but that contain the same pesticide, to ensure continuous release of the pesticide over a prolonged period of time. For example, rapid release granules may be applied in combination with medium-term release (such 1 to 6 months) and a long-term release (such as 6 to 12 months) granules. Preferably, co-application of granules with different release rates provides a relatively uniform release of pesticide over time.

The release rate of the granules may be controlled by various means that are known to those skilled in the art, such as through the use of different formulation components, or application of polymer coatings. The amount of pesticide present in each granule type may be adjusted to ensure that the desired rate of pesticide is delivered, taking into account the release rate profile of other granules that are co-applied, and when and for how long the pesticide will be released. The ratio of granules of different types may be adjusted to achieve the desired duration and profile of pesticide release. The granules may be sold separately or pre-mixed in a single pack.

One type of controlled release granule technology is known as hot melt extrusion. For example, a controlled release granule may comprise 0.01-99% by weight of a pesticide or a combination of pesticides, 0-70% by weight an inert carrier, 0-50% by weight of one or more organic or inorganic additives, and 20-80% by weight of a thermoplastic polymer, to a total of 100% by weight. The mixture is extruded to form a melt, and the extrudate is granulated.

Rapid release granules disintegrate rapidly upon contact with water, such as irrigation water or rainfall. Suitably, the granule carrier itself is water soluble to facilitate rapid disintegration and fast pesticide release. The granule carrier may contain a cross- linked polymer that results in a rapid uptake of water, creating hydrostatic pressure that physically ruptures the granule. The granule carrier may also contain one or more effervescing agents or dispersants to facilitate rapid pesticide release. After release from the granule, the pesticide may be absorbed by plants growing in the growing medium, to provide disease and/or pest protection.

While not being limited to any particular sizes, the granules of the present invention typically have an average particle size in the range of from about 0.1 to about 10 mm, preferably from about 0.25 to about 5 mm, and more preferably from about 0.5 to about 3 mm, although sizes outside of this range can be used.

The granules can be in virtually any desired shape, for example, spheres, cylinders, ellipses, rods, cones, discs, needles and irregular shapes. Ideally, the granules are approximately spherical and have a smooth surface, which lends to desired flow characteristics of the granules in bulk form.

There are three basic methods for preparing granular formulations: extrusion; coating, and impregnation. The granules can be prepared via an extrusion process, for example, by extruding a premix of the pesticide and other ingredients under relatively high pressure, (typically in excess of 100 psi), and cutting the resulting extrudate into short lengths. The resulting granules can then be dried. Coated granules may be made by coating a pesticide powder or solution onto the outer surface of carrier granules using adhesives. Impregnated granules are prepared by spraying solvent-based solutions of pesticides onto a absorbent carrier. In each case,^' the resulting granules can be spray coated with resins or polymers to control the release rate of the pesticide after application.

The granules can also be prepared by forming a wettable powder by blending the ingredients, optionally including the pesticide, and milling them to provide the desired particle size, then subsequently forming the powder into granules by a range of techniques including agglomeration, spray drying, or other means such as pan granulation.

The granules may be prepared by mixing and pelletizing the individual components, and the mixing can be done at relatively low shear forces to avoid degrading the individual components. The pelletizing can be accomplished using conventional pelletizing equipment, such as pelletizing pans and drum granulators. The resulting granules, in pellet form, are then generally dried to remove excess moisture. Granules that are prepared in the absence of pesticide by an extrusion process can subsequently be sprayed with a pesticide solution that will adhere to the granules.

The granules used in the present invention may also contain one or more organic or inorganic additives. Such additives include customary auxiliaries used hi extrusion technology, for instance lubricants, normally waxes; additives which affect release of the active ingredient or ingredients, for instance, water soluble inorganic salts, such as sodium chloride, sodium sulphate and calcium sulphate; buffers to stabilise the active ingredient or ingredients, such as citric acid and polyaspartic acid; solvents; and surfactants and dispersants of the type commonly used in pesticide formulation technology, which may be non-ionic, cationic and/or anionic, having good emulsifying, dispersing or wetting properties. Any pesticide may be used in accordance with the present invention. Suitably the pesticide is selected from the group consisting of an insecticide, a fungicide, a herbicide, a mildewicide, a miticide, an algicide, a molluscicide and a plant growth regulator. A complete list of suitable active ingredients can be found in The Pesticide Manual (14^th edition, British Crop Protection Council, ed. C.D.S. Tomlin).

For example the invention includes the use of one or more of the following insecticides or nematicides: abamectin, acetamiprid, Bacillus thuringiensis products, benfuracarb, bensultap, beta cyfluthrin, carbosulfan, chloranthraniliprole, clothianidin, cyanoimine, cypermethrin, cyromazin, diafenthiuron, diazinon, dinotefuran, disulphoton, etofenprox, fenoxycarb, fipronil, fluxofenime, furathiocarb, imidacloprid, lambda cyhalothrin, lufenuron, nitenpyram, nitromethylene, permethrin, profenofos, propaphos, pymetrozine, pyripfoxyfen, spinosad, tau-fluvalinate, tefluthrin, thiacloprid, thiamethoxam and thiodicarb. Particularly preferred insecticidal or nematicidal active ingredients include abamectin, acetamiprid, beta cyfluthrin, chloranthraniliprole, clothianidin, cyanoimine, dinotefuran, fipronil, imidacloprid, lambda cyhalothrin, nitenpyram, nitromethylene, tefluthrin, thiacloprid, thiamethoxam and thiodicarb. Particularly suitable are abamectin, fipronil, lambda cyhalothrin, imidacloprid and thiamethoxam.

For example the invention includes the use of one or more of the following fungicides: azoxystrobin, bitertanol, carboxin, carpropamid, Cu₂O, cymoxanil, cyproconazole, cyprodinil, dichlofluamid, diclocymet, difenoconazole, diniconazole, epoxiconazole, fenpiclonil, fludioxonil, fluoxastrobin, fluquiconazole, fiusilazole, flutriafol, furalaxyl, furametpyr, guazatin, hexaconazole, hymexazol, imazalil, imibenconazole, ipconazole, isoprothiolone, lcresoxim-methyl, mancozeb, mefenoxam, metalaxyl, metconazole, myclobutanil, orysastrobin, oxadixyl, pefurazoate, penconazole, pencycuron, probenazole, prochloraz, propiconazole, pyroquilone, (±)-cw-l-(4-chlorophenyl)-2- (lH-l,2,4-triazol-l-yl)cycloheptanol, spiroxamin, tebuconazole, thiabendazole, thifluzamide, tiadinil, tolifiuamide, triazoxide, triadimefon, triadimenol, trifloxystrobin, trifiumizole, triticonazole, uniconazole, a compound of formula I

and a compound of formula II

(II).

Particularly preferred fungicidally active agents include azoxystrobin, cyprodinil, difenoconazole, fludioxonil, fluoxastrobin, mefenoxam, metalaxyl, myclobutanil, tebuconazole, thiabendazole, trifloxystrobin, tritaconazole, a compound of formula I and a compound of formula II. Particularly suitable are azoxystrobin, difenoconazole, fludioxonil and mefenoxam.

Further, the invention includes the use of other active ingredients such as plant growth regulators and plant activators. Suitable plant growth regulators include paclobutrazol and trinexapac-ethyl. Suitable plant activators include acibenzolar-S-methyl. These active ingredients may improve the health of a plant, thus making is less susceptible to disease and/or pests. Accordingly, these active ingredients are also considered to be pesticides within the scope of the present invention.

In one embodiment, the pesticide used in the present invention is selected from the list consisting of thiamethoxam, mefenoxam, fludioxonil, azoxystrobin, paclobutrazol and acibenzolar-S-methyl. Suitably, the active ingredient is thiamethoxam. Suitably, the active ingredient is mefenoxam. Suitably, the active ingredient is fludioxonil. Suitably, the active ingredient is azoxystrobin. Suitably the active ingredient is paclobutrazol. Suitably, the active ingredient is acibenzolar-S-methyl. _ _

In one embodiment of the present invention, the pesticide is a fungicide. Suitably, the fungicide is selected from the list consisting of azoxystrobin, cyprodinil, difenoconazole, fludioxonil, fluoxastrobin, mefenoxam, metalaxyl, myclobutanil, tebuconazole, thiabendazole, trifloxystrobin, tritaconazole, a compound of formula I and a compound of formula II. Suitably, the fungicide is selected from the list consisting of azoxystrobin, difenoconazole, fludioxonil and mefenoxam. Suitably, the fungicide is azoxystrobin.

In a further embodiment, the pesticide granules may comprise more than one active ingredient. Alternatively, a mixture of granules comprising different pesticides may be employed. Suitably, the pesticide granules comprise a fungicide and at least one further active ingredient. More suitably, the fungicide is azoxystrobin.

In a further embodiment, the pesticide is water-soluble, or essentially water-soluble. Water-soluble pesticides have a solubility in water of more than 0.5g/l at ambient temperature and a partition coefficient between n-octanol and water, K_0W Io gP, of 2 or more. Suitable water soluble pesticides include thiamethoxam and mefenoxam. The present invention includes active ingredients that are systemic or non-systemic. Systemic active ingredients may be taken up through the roots and transported throughout the plant, while non-systemic active ingredients are useful for example for the control of soil-borne pests and diseases. Preferably, the pesticide is systemic.

The present invention is particularly useful when the pesticide is systemic. Pesticide granules are dispersed into the growing media in which seeds or young plants are grown. After the pesticide has been released from the granule, it is taken up by the plant roots. The plants may then be transplanted into fresh growing media that does not contain pesticide granules, but depending on the choice of plant type and pesticide, the plants will retain the disease and/or pest protection conferred by the pesticide granules that were present in the original growing media. Growers of pot and bedding plants may employ the present invention to grow healthy plants or plant plugs in the presence of pesticide, and transplant them into pesticide-free growing media for subsequent sale to consumers. In one embodiment of the present invention there is included a method for growing plants that are disease free, comprising planting seeds or seedlings in growing media containing one or more pesticide granules, and growing the plants. Optionally, the method further comprises transplanting the resulting seedlings or plants into growing media that does not contain pesticide granules to prevent or minimise pesticide exposure to the consumer. The step of transplanting may take place at any suitable time, but will typically take place after several days or weeks, to allow sufficient time for germination of the seed, and/or uptake of the pesticide by the seedling or plant.

According to the present invention, there is provided a plant growing medium comprising granules that contain at least one pesticide. In one embodiment, the granules are dispersed throughout the growing medium, hi a further embodiment, the granules are added to the medium before planting.

The composition of the plant growing medium may be adjusted to enhance the release of the pesticide and/or its delivery to the plant. For example, peat binds some active ingredients, and therefore the amount of peat in the composition may be increased to enhance controlled release of the pesticide.

Optionally, the pesticide granules may be provided in the form of a component of the plant growing medium itself. For example the pesticide may be sprayed onto or impregnated into corn cobs, perlite, kaolin, fertiliser or a similar carrier material that is commonly included in plant growing media as described above.

Suitably, the pesticide in the plant growing medium is selected from the group consisting of an insecticide, a fungicide, a herbicide, a mildewicide, a miticide, an algicide, a niolluseicide and a plant growth regulator. More suitably, the pesticide is water soluble. More suitably, the pesticide is systemic so that it can be transported throughout the plant to provide good disease and pest control at all plant parts. In one embodiment, the pesticide is selected from the group consisting of thiamethoxam, mefenoxam, fludioxonil, azoxystrobin, paclobutrazol and acibenzolar-S-methyl. Suitably, the pesticide is azoxystrobin. Depending on the pesticide chosen, the invention can be used to control a wide range of pests and diseases of plants. For example, it can be used to combat insect pests such as scale insects, mites, thrips, lacebugs, mealybugs, aphids, whitefly, fungus gnats, shore flies, caterpillars, grasshoppers, beetles, leaf miners, weevil and borers. Examples of common insect pests of plants (such as ornamentals) include Aphis spp. (A. rosae, A gossypii, A.fabae), Bemisia spp. (B. tabaci), Bradysia spp., Ceroplastes spp., Choreutis spp. (C. pariand), Coccus spp. (C hesperidum), Corythucha spp. (C. ciliata, C. Cydoniae, C. arcuata, C. pergandei, C. pallipes, C. pruni, C. celtadis), Diaspis spp., Fiorinia spp. (F. theae), Frankliniella spp. (F. occidentalism, Gargaphia spp. (G. tiliae), Myzus spp. (M. persicae), Naupactus spp., Otiorhynchus spp. (O. sulcatus), Parthenolecanium spp., Phytonemus spp. (P. pallidus), Planococcus spp. (P. citri), Polyhagotarsonemus spp. (P. latus), Popillia spp. (P. japonica), Pseudococcus spp. (P. longispinus), Pulvinaria spp., Scatella spp., Sciarra spp., Stephanitis spp. (S. pyriodes, S. rhododendri, S. takeyax), Tetranychus spp. (T. urticae, T. cinnabarinus), Trialeurodes spp. and Unaspis spp.. Preferably, the present invention is used to control aphids, whitefly, black vine weevil, leaf miner, scales, and/or fungus gnats.

Further, the invention can be used to combat fungal diseases such as, but not limited to, anthracnose (Colletotrichum coccodes), corky or brown root rot (Pyrencochaeta lycopersici), downy mildew and late blight (Phytopthora infestans), early blight (Alternaria solani), fusarium crown rot (Fusarium oxysporum), fusarium wilt (Fusarium oxyporum), grey leaf spot (Stemphylium solani), grey mold (Botrytis cinera), gummy stem blight (Didymella bryoniae), leaf mold (Fulviafilva), phoma rot (Phoma destructiva) , powdery mildew (Leveillula taurica), Puccinia spp. (P. recondita, P. striiformis, P. hordei), Pyricularia spp., scab or gummosis

(Cladosporium cucumerinum), sclerotinia stem rot (Sclerotinia scleotiorum), septoria leaf spot (Septoria lycopersica), sheath blight (Rhizoctonia solani), sooty blotch (Gloeodes pomigena) and several fruits rots, among other fungal diseases. Preferably, the present invention is used to control Colletotricum, Fusarium, Phytophthora, Pythium, Rhizoctonia and/or Sclerotinia. Most preferably the invention is used to control Phytophthora or Pythium. The methods and/or growing media according to the present invention may be used in conjunction with any suitable plants, for example ornamental plants, nursery plants, bedding plants, pot plants, vegetable plants, flowering plants, shrubs, broad-leaved trees, evergreens and the like. For example the invention may be used on any of the following ornamental species: Ageratum spp,, Alonsoa spp., Anemone spp.,

Anisodontea spp. (A. capsenisis), Anthemis spp., Antirrhinum spp., Begonia spp. (B. elatior, B. semperflorens, B. tubereux), BeIHs spp., Bougainvillea spp., Brachycome spp., Calceolaria spp., Canna spp., Canna spp., Capsicum spp. (C annuum), Catharanthus spp. (C. roseus), Chrysanthemum spp., Cineraria spp. (C maritime), Crassula spp. (C coccinea), Cuphea spp. (C ignea), Dianthus spp. (carnation), Dicentra spp. (D. spectabilis), Dorotheantus spp., Eustoma spp. (Z⁷. grandiflorwή), Forsythia spp., Fuchsia spp., Geranium spp. (G. gnaphalium), Gomphrena spp. (G. globosa), Helianthus spp., Heliotropium spp., Hibiscus spp., Hortensia spp., Hypoestes spp. (H. phyllostachya), Impatiens spp. (Z walleriana), Iresines spp., Kalanchoe spp., Lantana spp. (Z. camara), Lavatera spp. (Z. trimestris), Leonotis spp. (Z. leonurus), Lilium spp., Mesembryanthemum spp,, Mimulus spp., Nemesia spp., Nicotinia spp., Ornamental Brassica, Oxalis spp., Parthenocissus spp. (P. quinquefolia, P. tricuspidata), Pelargonium spp. (P. peltatum, P. zonale), Petunia spp., Plecthranthus spp., Poinsettia spp., Primula spp., Ranunculus spp., Rhododendron spp., iϊosα spp. (rose), »S<3/vzα spp., Scaevola spp. (S. aemola),

Schizanthus spp. (S. wisetonensis), Solanum spp., Surfinia spp., Tagetes spp., Tagetes spp., Verbena spp., Fzo/α spp. (pansy), Zinnia spp. and other bedding plants. Preferred within this class of ornamental crops are Begonia, Chrysanthemum (including from cuttings), Fuchsia, Geranium (including from seeds and cuttings), Hortensia, Impatiens, Petunia, Poinsettia, Ranunculus, Rosa (including pot plants and from cuttings), Salvia, and Fzo/α.

Further, the invention may be used on any of the following shrubs and trees: v4όze.y α/δα, v4e(?r spp., Aesculus hippocastanum, Alder, Alnus glutinosa, Apple, Ash, Beech, Betula spp., Birch., Black Spruce, Blackthorn, Box, Hornbeam, Broom, Buckthorn, Buddleia spp., Buxus sempervirens, Carpinus betulus, Castanea sativa, Cherry spp., Clematis spp., Cornus sanguinea, Corγlus, Crab Gorse, Crataegus spp., Cytisus scoparius, Daphne laureola, Dogwood, Elder, Elm, Euonymus europaeus, Fagus _

sylvatica, Fir, Frangula alnus, Furze, Hawthorn, Hedera, Hippophae rhamnoides, Holly, Honeysuckle, Horse-chestnut, Ilex aquifolium, Juniper, Laburnum spp., Larix decidua, Laurel, Ligustrum vulgare, Lilac, Lime, Lonicera spp., Malus sylvestris, Maple, Norway Spruce, Old-man's-beard, Osier, Pear, Picea spp., Pinus spp., Platanus x hispanica, Plum, Populus spp., Privet, Prunus spp., Pyrus communis,

Quercus spp., Rhamnus cathartica, Rhododendron, Robinia pseudoacacia, Rosa spp., Rowan, Salix spp., Sambucus nigra, Sea-buckthorn, Sitka, Sorbus spp., Snowberry, Sweet Chestnut, Sycamore, Syringa vulgaris, Taxus baccata, Tilia spp., Traveller's- joy , Ulmus glabra, Viburnum spp., Walnut, Whitebeam, Wild Ulex, Willow and Yew.

Further, the invention may be used on any of the following vegetables: Allium spp. (A. sativum, A., cepa, A. oschaninii, A. Porrum, A. ascalonicum, A. fistulosum), Anthriscus cerefolium, Apium graveolus, Asparagus officinalis, Beta vulgarus, Brassica spp. (B. Oleracea, B. Pekinensis, B. rapa), Capsicum annuum, Cicer arietinum, Cichorium endivia, Cichorum spp. (C. intybus, C. endivia), Citrillus lanatus, Cucumis spp. (C. sativus, C. melo), Cucurbita spp. (C pepo, C. maxima), Cyanara spp. (C. scolymus, C. cardunculus), Daucus carota, Foeniculum vulgare, Lactuca sativa, Lycopersicon spp. (L. esculentum, L. lycopersicum), Ocimum basilicum, Petroselinum crispum, Phaseolus spp. (P. vulgaris, P. coccineus), Pisum sativum, Raphanus sativus, Rheum rhaponticum, Scorzonera hispanica,

Solanum melongena, Spinacea oleracea, Valerianella spp. (V. locusta, V. eriocarpά) and Viciafaba,

The invention is of particular interest for the control of fungal diseases on ornamental plants using azoxystrobin. Suitably, the invention is used for the control of powdery mildew, for example on petunia. The use of azoxystrobin granules in growing media in which petunia plants are grown can provide long term protection against fungal diseases such as powdery mildew.

According to the present invention there is provided an improved method of planting and growing seeds, comprising planting the seeds adjacent to at least one pesticide granule to ensure that it germinates in an environment that is free of disease and/or pests. This method ensures protection of the seed from the outset, and is useful to - -

minimise loss of seedlings resulting from disease and/or pest infestation. Optionally, the pesticide granule also contains a fertiliser, which would provide nutrients to improve germination of the seed and growth of the resulting seedling. When seeds are planted in trays with one or more seeds per well, one or more pesticide granules may be placed in the well alongside the seeds. The number of pesticide granules depends on the desired rate of active ingredient, and will vary depending on the choice of pesticide. Suitably, from 1 to 10 pesticide granules will be placed in each well. More suitably, from 1 to 5 pesticide granules will be placed in each well.

EXAMPLES

Example 1 - Azoxystrobin granules

Azoxystrobin granules (formulation A) were made as follows: 0.31% Azoxystrobin

0.5% Tristyrylphenole with 16 moles EO (Soprophor™ BSU) 0.5% Tristyrylphenol polyethoxyester phosphate (Soprophor™ 3D33) 3.69% Propylene carbonate (Jeffsol™ AG-1555) 95% DG Lite™ 150

The granules have a mean diameter of 1.5mm. The granules were manually mixed in a potting mix containing 65% peat, 20% perlite and 15% vermiculite. Table 1 shows that treatments that were used to assess disease control in ornamentals in examples 2, 3 and 5.

Table 1: Treatments

* Surface drench 25ml/plant

Example 2 - Rhizoctonia on Snapdragon

Six replicates of six-week old snapdragon, cv. "Montego Sunset" plugs were transplanted into 3x3" pots containing Fafard potting mix # 2 amended with three rates of azoxystrobin granules (formulation A). Plugs were transplanted into potting mix not containing pesticide granules for both inoculated and non-inoculated controls, and the standard treatment (Heritage® WG applied as a drench). A surface drench was applied to the standard treatment (treatment 6) two days later. Plants were inoculated with Rhizoctonia three days after transplanting, and the incidence of Rhizoctonia assessed at regular time intervals. The results are shown in Table 2.

Table 2: Rhizoctonia Incidence on Snapdragon (% infected)

¹ days after transplanting - -

⁴ days after inoculation a, b In all tables of data, results sharing a common letter are statistically significant

One week after inoculation with Rhizoctonia, the six inoculated snapdragon controls (treatment 2) were infected and wilting. AU of the azoxystrobin-treated plants (treatments 3 to 6) were healthy. Three weeks after transplanting, the plants (4-5" tall) were re-inoculated, using the previously non-inoculated controls as inoculated controls. One week later (one month after transplanting into amended potting mix,) four of the six inoculated controls were infected. All treated plants remained healthy.

Example 3 - Pythium on Geranium

Six replicates of three- week old geranium, cv. "Ringo 2000 violet" plugs were transplanted into 3x3" pots containing Fafard potting mix # 2 amended with three rates of azoxystrobin granules (formulation A). Plugs were transplanted into potting mix not containing pesticide granules for both inoculated and non-inoculated controls, and the standard treatment (Heritage® WG applied as a drench). A surface drench was applied to the standard treatment (treatment 6) two days later. Three days after transplanting, plants were inoculated with Pythium-infected rye grain. The plant height and leaf width of the plants were assessed at regular intervals, and the results are shown in Table 3.

Table 3: Geranium Plant Height and Leaf Width

days after transplanting One month after transplanting, Pythium-mfectQά plants were stunted and had smaller leaves than non-infected plants. Treatments 4 to 6 (azoxystrobin granules (formulation A) at the middle and high rates, and Heritage® WG as a drench), resulted in plants equal to the non-inoculated controls in height and leaf width.

In conclusion, azoxystrobin granules can be successfully incorporated into Fafard potting mix # 2 for control of Rhizoctonia in snapdragon and Pythium in geranium.

Example 4: Rhizoctonia on Zinnia rate finding study

Two-week old Zinnia cv. "Envy" were transplanted into Fafard # 2 potting mix with and without azoxystrobin granules (formulation A). Plants were inoculated three days later. Infected plants were counted nine and twenty days after transplanting (DAT). The results are shown in Table 4.

Table 4: Rhizoctonia Incidence on Zinnia (% infected)

In conclusion, the rate of azoxystrobin needed to protect two-week old Zinnia seedlings against Rhizoctonia, applied as granule formulation A, is between 554 and 1108 g azoxystrobin per cubic meter. Example 5 - Powdery Mildew on Petunia

Twenty-six day old Petunia plugs cv. "Celebrity Blue" were transplanted into potting media with and without azoxystrobin granules (formulation A). Rates of azoxystrobin granules used in this trial were 1108, 2770, and 5540 g product per cubic meter of potting mix, As a standard, Heritage® WG was applied as a drench to treatment 6 two days after transplanting. Two weeks later, the trial was exposed to powdery mildew. Plants were transplanted into 6" round pots when they became pot-bound. The incidence and severity of powdery mildew infection was assessed at regular time intervals. The results are shown in Table 5.

Table 5: Incidence and Severity of Powdery Mildew in Petunia

% leaf area covered (mean of 5 leaves)

Powdery mildew was first observed on untreated controls eighteen days after exposure, but none of the treated plants (treatments 3 to 6) showed any sign of infection. AU azoxystrobin-treated plants remained disease- free eleven weeks (60 days) after treatment.

Example 6 - Thiamethoxam granules

Three different controlled release thiamethoxam granule formulations were made via hot melt extrusion, as shown in Table 6 below: Table 6: Thiamethoxam granule formulations (% w/w)

These granule formulations may be added to plant growing media in accordance with the present invention.

Claims

1. A method for controlling disease in plants, comprising adding granules that comprise at least one fungicide to growing medium, and growing the plants in said growing medium.

2. A method for controlling disease in plants, comprising growing the plants in a growing medium that contains granules that comprise at least one fungicide.

3. A method for making growing medium that will impart disease resistance to plants that are grown therein, comprising adding granules that comprise at least one fungicide to the growing medium.

4. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the granules are dispersed throughout the growing medium.

5. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the granules are added to the growing medium before planting.

6. A method according to claim 4, wherein the fungicide is selected from the group consisting of azoxystrobin, cyprodinil, difenoconazole, fludioxonil, fluoxastrobin, mefenoxam, metalaxyl, myclobutanil, tebuconazole, thiabendazole, trifloxystrobin and tritaconazole.

7. A method according to claim 6, wherein the fungicide is selected from the list consisting of azoxystrobin, difenoconazole, fludioxonil and mefenoxam.

8. A method according to claim 7, wherein the fungicide is azoxystrobin.

9. A method according to claim 4, wherein the fungicide is water soluble.

10. A method according to claim 4, wherein the fungicide is systemic.

11. A method according to claim 10, wherein disease is powdery mildew.

12. A method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the granules further comprise a pesticide selected from the group consisting of an insecticide, a fungicide, a herbicide, a mildewicide, a miticide, an algicide, a molluscicide and a plant growth regulator.

13. A plant growing medium comprising granules that contain at least one fungicide.

14. A plant growing medium according to claim 13, wherein the granules are dispersed throughout the growing medium.

15. A plant growing medium according to claim 14, wherein the granules are added to the medium before planting.

16. A plant growing medium according to claim 14, wherein the fungicide is selected from the group consisting of azoxystrobin, cyprodinil, difenoconazole, fmdioxonil, fluoxastrobin, mefenoxam, metalaxyl, myclobutanil, tebuconazole, thiabendazole, trifloxystrobin and tritaconazole.

17. A plant growing medium according to claim 16, wherein the fungicide is selected from the list consisting of azoxystrobin, difenoconazole, fiudioxonil and mefenoxam.

18. A plant growing medium according to claim 17, wherein the pesticide is azoxystrobin.

19. A plant growing medium according to claim 14, wherein the fungicide is water soluble.

20. A plant growing medium according to claim 14, wherein the fungicide is systemic.

21. A plant growing medium according to any one of claims 13 to 20, wherein the granules further comprise a pesticide selected from the group consisting of an insecticide, a fungicide, a herbicide, a mildewicide, a miticide, an algicide, a molluscicide and a plant growth regulator.

22. A method for growing plants that are disease free, comprising planting seeds or seedlings in growing media containing one or more pesticide granules, and growing the plants.

23. A method according to claim 22 further comprising transplanting the resulting seedlings or plants into growing media that does not contain pesticide granules.