WO2016014633A1

WO2016014633A1 - Coatings comprising an agricultral chemical for applying to plant propagation

Info

Publication number: WO2016014633A1
Application number: PCT/US2015/041483
Authority: WO
Inventors: James CUEVA
Original assignee: Syngenta Participations Ag; Syngenta Crop Protection, Llc
Priority date: 2014-07-23
Filing date: 2015-07-22
Publication date: 2016-01-28

Abstract

The present application relates generally to the field of plant propagation. In particular, the present invention relates to apparatuses and methods for the propagation of vegetatively reproducing plants comprising an agricultural chemical and plants and plant parts produced by such methods. The invention also provides for capsule comprising an agricultural chemical adapted for encapsulating mini-rhizome and mini stem sections and encapsulated propagules.

Description

COATINGS COMPRISING AN AGRICULTRAL CHEMICAL FOR APPLYING TO

PLANT PROPAGATION

The present application relates generally to the field of plant propagation. In particular, the present invention relates to coating comprising agricultural chemicals methods for applying to plant propagation material. The plant propagation material of the present technology generally refers to the plant propagation material described herein and that described in the International Application Published under the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) having the International Publication Number WO 2013/186558 A1, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference. Agricultural chemicals may include, for examples pesticides, herbicidal safeners, fertilizers, hormones and other chemical growth agents. Pesticides, for example, include insecticides, nematicides, fungicides, and herbicides. Chemical growth agents may include, for example plant growth regulators and plant growth activators.

Agricultural chemicals can be applied directly to plant propagation materials (such as seeds) prior to sowing and/or are used in foliar or furrow applications. A seed treatment is any material applied to a seed. Examples of seed treatments include, inter alia, pesticides, non- pesticide formularies, and mixtures thereof. Non-pesticide formularies generally include material such as surfactants, humectants, fillers, and polymers that influence the treated seed

characteristics. Seed treatments are generally used on a large variety of crops to control a large variety of pests. Seed treatments are commonly used to ensure uniform stand establishment by protecting against soilborne diseases and insects. Systemic seed treatments may provide an alternative to traditional broadcast sprays of foliar fungicides or insecticides for certain early season airborne diseases and insects. The term "seed" or "seed treatment" as used herein is synonymous with "plant propagation material" or "plant propagation material treatment." The term "pesticide" as used herein is intended to cover compounds active against pests which are intended to repel, kill, or control any species designated a pest including weeds, insects, rodents, fungi, bacteria, or other organisms. Agricultural chemicals are known in the art and include, for example and among others, insecticides, nematicides, fungicides, plant growth regulators, acaricides, microorganisms, bactericides and plant activators. Lists of such agricultural chemicals can be found at Alan Wood's website, <www.alanwood.net/pesticides>, and/or in Tomlin, CDS, ed. (2009), and/or The Pesticide Manual, 15^th Edition, British Crop Protection Counsel, (ISBN: 9781901396188).

Examples of pesticides include those selected from, for example and not for limitation, insecticides, acaricides, bactericides, fungicides, nematicides and molluscicides.

Suitable additions of fungicidally active ingredients are, for example and not for limitation, representatives of the following classes of active ingredients: strobilurins, triazoles, ortho-cyclopropyl-carboxanilide derivatives, phenylpyrroles, and other systemic fungicides. In one embodiment the crop protection chemical is a strobilurin fungicide such as azoxystrobin, trifloxystrobin, pyraclostrobin, picoxystrobin or fluoxastrobin. In another embodiment the crop protection chemical is a fungicide such as difenoconazole, fludioxonil, thiabendazole, tebuconazole, metalaxyl, mefenoxam, myclobutanil, sedaxane, boscalid, bixafen, or penflufen. Suitable additions of insecticidally, acaricidally, nematicidally, or molluscicidally active ingredients are, for example and not for limitation, representatives of the following classes of active ingredients: organophosphorus compounds, nitrophenols and derivatives, formamidines, triazine derivatives, nitroenamine derivatives, nitro- and cyanoguanidine derivatives, ureas, benzoylureas, carbamates, pyrethroids, chlorinated hydrocarbons and Bacillus thuringiensis products. In one embodiment the crop protection chemical is a neonicitinoid insecticide such as thiamethoxam, clothianidin, imidacloprid or thiacloprid. In another embodiment the crop protection chemical is an insecticide such as abamectin, acetamiprid, thiodicarb, nitenpyram, dinotefuran, fipronil, lufenuron, pyriproxyfen, fluxofenim, chlorantraniliprole, cyantraniliprole, beta-cyfluthrin, lambda-cyhalothrin, fenoxycarb, diafenthiuron, pymetrozine, diazinon, disulphate, profenofos, furathiocarb, cyromazine, cypermethrin, tau-fluvalinate, tefluthrin or Bacillus thuringiensis products.

Plant regulators are also suitable additions in the present technology. Plant growth regulators are any substances or mixtures of substances intended to alter the germination, growth, maturation, or development of plants or their produce. Plant growth regulators may be classified into subcategories including, but not limited to antiauxins (clofibric acid, 2,3,5-tri- iodobenzoic acid), auxins (4-CPA, 2,4-D, 2,4-DB, 2,4-DEP, dichlorprop, fenoprop, IAA, IBA, naphthaleneacetamide, a-naphthaleneacetic acid, 1-naphthol, naphthoxyacetic acid, potassium naphthenate, sodium naphthenate, 2,4,5-T), cytokinins (2iP, benzyladenine, kinetin, zeatin), defoliants (calcium cyanamide, dimethipin, endothal, ethephon, merphos, metoxuron, pentachlorophenol, thidiazuron, tribufos), ethylene inhibitors (aviglycine, 1- methylcyclopropene), ethylene releasers (ACC, etacelasil, ethephon, glyoxime), gibberellins (gibberellic acid, gibberellins, including non-cyclopropene compounds that show gibberellin-like activity, such as, for example, helminthosporic acid, phaseolic acid, kaurenoic acid, and steviol), growth inhibitors (abscisic acid, ancymidol, butralin, carbaryl, chlorphonium, chlorpropham, dikegulac, flumetralin, fluoridamid, fosamine, glyphosine, isopyrimol, jasmonic acid, maleic hydrazide, mepiquat, piproctanyl, prohydrojasmon, propham 2,3,5-tri-iodobenzoic acid), morphactins (chlorfluren, chlorflurenol, dichlorflurenol, flurenol), growth retardants/modifiers (chlormequat, daminozide, flurprimidol, mefluidide, paclobutrazol, cyproconazole, tetcyclacis, uniconazole, ancymidol, trinexapac-ethyl, and progexadione-CA), growth stimulators

(brassinolide, forchlorfenuron, hymexazol, 2-amino-6-oxypurine derivatives, as described below, indolinone derivates, as described below, 3,4-disubstituted maleimide derivatives, as described below, and fused azepinone derivatives, as described below). The term additionally includes other active ingredients such as benzofluor, buminafos, carvone, ciobutide, clofencet, cloxyfonac, cyclanilide, cycloheximide, epocholeone, ethychlozate, ethylene, fenridazon, heptopargil, holosulf, inabenfide, karetazan, lead arsenate, methasulfocarb, prohexadione, pydanon, sintofen, triapenthenol, and trinexapac. Preferred plant growth regulators include growth retardants, the class of gibberellins, including gibberellic acid, growth inhibitors, and growth stimulators. Particularly preferred plant growth regulators include growth retardants, particularly paclobutrazol, cyproconazole, flurprimidol, trinexapac, and uniconazole and the class of gibberellins, including gibberellic acid, especially GA₃. Particularly preferred are paclobutrazol, cyproconazole, uniconazole, trinexapac and gibberellic acid.

Agricultural chemicals may also include herbicidal safeners. Suitable safeners can be benoxacor, cloquintocet-mexyl, cyometrinil, cyprosulfamide, dichlormid, dicyclonon, dietholate, fenchlorazole-ethyl, fenclorim, flurazole, fluxofenim, furilazole and the corresponding R isomer, isoxadifen-ethyl, jiecaowan, jiecaoxi, mefenpyr-diethyl, mephenate, naphthalic anhydride, oxabetrinil, TI-35, and 2-methoxy-N-[[4-[[(methylamino)carbonyl]amino]phenyl]sulfonyl]- benzamide.

The safeners of the compound of formula I may also be in the form of esters or salts, as mentioned e.g. in The e-Pesticide Manual, version 5.2 (BCPC), 2011. The reference to cloquintocet-mexyl also applies to cloquintocet, and the reference to fenchlorazole-ethyl also applies to fenchlorazole, etc.

Example of microorganisms include those, such as, mycorrhiza, rhizobia, bacillus spp., trichoderma spp., and pasteuria spp..

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The efficiency gains described in WO 2013/186658 give an improvement, depending on the plant in question, of between about 50-fold to about 200-fold compared to the prior art methods, which may show, for example, an improvement of about seven-fold compared to conventional techniques.

The terms "plantlet", "plug plant" and "bare root cutting" are used interchangeably herein and are taken to mean small plants produced following known micro-propagation and

multiplication techniques. The size of the plantlet will vary depending on the plant being propagated, and a skilled person will have at his or her disposal suitable means for generating plantlets from any given plant. In the case of Miscanthus, for example, the plantlets are typically in the range of at least 2-5cm in length.

The term "rhizome" as used herein is used in its conventional sense to refer to an underground stem of a plant, which typically produces roots and shoots. The term "rhizomatous" plant as used herein refers to any plant capable of producing a rhizome. The term "mini-rhizome" is a term known in the art and refers to a whole rhizome from any given plant species which is about 10% of the size of a typical whole rhizome for that plant species, preferably about 5% of the size of a typical whole rhizome for that plant species. For example, a typical whole rhizome from Miscanthus is about 50g in weight and between about 12 to 15 cm in length, whereas a mini-rhizome from the same plant species is typically about 5g in weight, preferably about 4g or 3g or 2g in weight and between about 2 to 5 cm in length, preferably between about 1 to 2 cm in length. The term "stem cutting" as used herein is used in its conventional sense where a piece of any given parent plant is removed and encouraged to grow as an independent plant by placing the removed plant piece on a suitable growth medium, such as one or more of the following: soil, compost, potting mix, rock wool, perlite, vermiculite, coir, expanded clay pellets, hydrogel and water, which facilitates the growth of new roots and/or stems, which enable the stem cutting to become a plant independent of the source plant. The term "mini stem cutting" as used herein refers to a stem cutting from any given plant species which is about 10% of the size of a typical stem cutting for that plant species, preferably about 5% of the size of a typical stem cutting for that plant species. For example, a typical stem cutting from Arundo donax is about 100g in weight and between about 40 to 60 cm in length, whereas a mini stem cutting from the same plant species is typically about lOg in weight, preferably about 4g or 3g or 2g in weight and between about 2 to 4cm in length. In the case of sugarcane, a conventional stem cutting is 30 to 40 cm in length, whereas a mini stem cutting from the same sugarcane species is typically between about 2 to 4 cm in length.

The present provides for a biodegradable polymer for the coating of a propagule or capsule and propagules or capsules coated in the same, wherein said coating has an agricultural chemical incorporated therewith.

The present invention provides for a coating which substantially coats an apparatus for encapsulating mini rhizomes and mini stem cuttings, which are collectively referred to herein as "capsules". The encapsulation material comprising such capsules may advantageously any plant growth medium, such as compost, potting mix, peat, hydrogel, soil, rock wool, perlite, vermiculite, foam, syrofoam, pumice, coir, expanded clay pellets etc. The resulting capsule for encapsulating such mini rhizomes or mini stem cuttings is a capsule of less than about 50 grams and is in a form ready for precision planting using minimally adapted conventional farming equipment or ready for storage until required. The encapsulation material may also comprise compounds, such as plant hormones (such as cytokinins or auxins), plant growth regulators, mycorrhiza, endophytic organisms, symbiotic organisms or other beneficial organisms, surfactants, gels, organic and inorganic nutrients, water, polymer and organic-based super absorbents and stabilization compounds etc. to aid the storage of the mini rhizomes and mini stem cuttings so as to prevent any loss of material due to deterioration and to enhance the survival and performance of the propagules once they are planted in the field.

The encapsulation material may also comprise pesticides include those selected from, for example and not for limitation, insecticides, acaricides, bactericides, fungicides, nematicides and molluscicides. The encapsulation material may also comprise chemical growth agents may include, for example plant growth regulators and plant growth activators.

The term "insecticide" as used herein means a compound that controls or modifies the growth of insects. The term "insecticidally effective amount" means the quantity of such a compound or combination of such compounds that is capable of killing, controlling, or infecting insects, retarding the growth or reproduction of insects, reducing an insect population, and/or reducing damage to plants caused by insects.

Suitable insecticide of the following chemicals classes may include benzoylureas, carbamates, chloronicotinyls, diacylhydrazines, diamides, fiproles, macrolides, nitroimines, nitromethylenes, organochlorines, organophosphates, organosilicons, organotins,

phenylpyrazoles, phosphoric esters, pyrethroids, spinosyns, tetramic acid derivatives and tetronic acid derivatives.

Suitable, specific, insecticides may include, but are not limited to, for example: 4-[(5S)-5- (3,5-dichlorophenyl)-5-(trifluoromethyl)-4H-isoxazol-3-yl]-2-methyl-N-(thietan-3-yl)benzamide, 4-[(5R)-5-(3,5-dichlorophenyl)-5-(trifluoromethyl)-4H-isoxazol-3-yl]-2-methyl-N-(thietan-3- yl)benzamide, 4-[(5S)-5-(3,5-dichlorophenyl)-5-(trifluoromethyl)-4H-isoxazol-3-yl]-2-methyl- N-(cis- 1 -oxo-thietan-3 -yl)benzamide, 4-[(5R)-5-(3,5 -dichlorophenyl)-5 -(trifluoromethyl) -4H- isoxazol-3-yl]-2-methyl-N-(cis-l-oxo-thietan-3-yl)benzamide, 4-[(5S)-5-(3,5-dichlorophenyl)-5- (trifluoromethyl)-4H-isoxazol-3-yl]-2-methyl-N-(trans-l-oxo-thietan-3-yl)benzamide, 4-[(5R)-5- (3,5-dichlorophenyl)-5-(trifluoromethyl)-4H-isoxazol-3-yl]-2-methyl-N-(trans-l-oxo-thietan-3- yl)benzamide, 4-[(5S)-5-(3,5-dichlorophenyl)-5-(trifluoromethyl)-4H-isoxazol-3-yl]-N-(l,l- dioxothietan-3-yl)-2-methyl-benzamide, 4-[(5R)-5-(3,5-dichlorophenyl)-5-(trifluoromethyl)-4H- isoxazol-3-yl]-N-(l,l-dioxothietan-3-yl)-2-methyl-benzamide, 4-[(5S)-5-(3,5-dichlorophenyl)-5- (trifluoromethyl)-4H-isoxazol-3-yl]-2-methyl-N-[2-oxo-2-(2,2,2- trifluoroethylamino)ethyl]benzamide, 4-[(5R)-5-(3,5-dichlorophenyl)-5-(trifluoromethyl)-4H- isoxazol-3-yl]-2-methyl-N-[2-oxo-2-(2,2,2-trifluoroethylamino)ethyl]benzamide, 5-[(5S)-5-(3,5- dichlorophenyl)-5-(trifluoromethyl)-4H-isoxazol-3-yl]-2-(l,2,4-triazol-l-yl)benzonitrile, 5- [(5R)-5-(3,5-dichlorophenyl)-5-(trifluoromethyl)-4H-isoxazol-3-yl]-2-(l,2,4-triazol-l- yl)benzonitrile, abamectin, acephate, acequinocyl, acetamiprid, acetoprole, acrinathrin, alanycarb, aldicarb, aldoxycarb, aldrin, allethrin, allyxycarb, alphamethrin, aminocarb, amitraz, anisopliae, azadirachtin, azamethiphos, azinphos-ethyl, azinphos-methyl, azocyclotin, , Bacillus thuringiensis, bendiocarb, benfuracarb, bensultap, beta-cyfluthrin, bifenazate, bifenthrin, binapacryl, bioallethrin, bioallethrin (S)-cyclopentenyl isomer, bioethanomethrin, biopermethrin, bioresmethrin, bromfenvinfos, bromophos, bromophos-ethyl, bufencarb, buprofezin, bistrifluron, butacarb, butathiofos, butocarboxim, butoxycarboxim, byfenthrin, cadusafos, calcium

polysulphide, camphechlor, carbaryl, carbofuran, carbophenothion, carbosulfan, cartap, chlordane, chlorethoxyfos, chlorfenapyr, chlorfenvinphos, chlorfluazuron, chlormephos, chloropicrin, chlorpyrifos, chromafenozide, clothianidin, cis-cypermethrin, cis-resmethrin, cis- permethrin, clocythrin, cloethocarb, clofentezine, coumaphos, cryolite, cyanofenphos, cyanophos, cycloprothrin, cyenopyrafen, cyflumetofen, cyfluthrin, beta-cyfluthrin, cyhalothrin, cyhexatin, alpha- cyophenothrin, cypermethrin, cyphenothrin, cyromazine,dazomet, DDT, decamethrin, deltamethrin, demeton, demeton-S -methyl, demeton-S-methylsulphone, deoxabenzofos, diafenthiuron, dialifos, diazacarb, diazinon, dichlofenthion, dichlorvos, dicrotophos, diflubenzuron, dimethoate, dimethylvinphos, dimetilan, dinobuton, dinocap, dinoseb, dinotefuran, diofenolan, dioxabenzofos, disulfoton, eflusilanat, emamectin, emamectin benzoate, empenthrin, endosulfan, EPN, epofenonane, esfenvalerate, ethiofencarb, ethion, ethiprole, ethoate, ethoprophos, etofenprox, etoxazole, etrimfos, famphur, fenamiphos, fenazaquin, fenbutatin oxide, fenfluthrin, fenitrothion, fenobucarb, fenothiocarb, fenoxycarb, fenpropathrin, fenpyrithrin, fenpyroximate, fensulfothion, fenthion, fenvalerate, fipronil, flonicamid, fluacrypyrim, fluazuron, flubendiamide, flubrocythrinate, flucycloxuron, flucythrinate, flufenoxuron, flufenprox, flumethrin, flupyrazofos, fluvalinate, fonofos, formetanate, formothion, fosmethilan, fosthiazate, fubfenprox, fufenozide, furathiocarb, gamma- cyhalothrin, halofenozide, heptachlor, heptenophas, heptenophos, hexaflumuron, hexythiazox, hydramethylnon, hydrogen cyanide, hydroprene, imicyafos, imidacloprid, imidaclothiz, imiprothrin, indoxacarb, iodfenphos, iprobenfos, IPSP, isazofos, isofenphos, isoprocarb, isopropyl, isoprothiolane, isoxathion, ivermectin, kadethrin, kinoprene,lambda-cyhalothrin, lepimectin, lindane, lufenuron, malathion, mecarbam, mephosfolan, mercurous chloride, metaflumizone, metam, metam-sodium, metarthizium, methacrifos, methamidophos, methidathion, methiocarb, methomyl, methoprene, methoxychlor, methoxyfenozide, methyl bromide, methyl isothiocyanate, metholcarb, metofluthrin, mevinphos, milbemectin,

monocrotophos, naled, nicotine, nitenpyram, nithiazine, novaluron, novi- flumuron, omethoate, O-salicylate, oxamyl, oxydemeton-methyl, parathion, parathion-methyl, penfluron, permethrin, pentachlorophenol, petroleum oils, phenothrin, phenthoate, phorate, phosalone, phosmet, phosphamidon, phosphine, phosphocarb, phoxim, pirimicarb, pirimiphos, pirimiphos-ethyl, pirimiphos-methyl, poxim, prallethrin, profenofos, profluthrin, promecarb, propaphos, propargite, propetamphos, propoxur, prothiofos, prothoate, protrifenbute, pymetrozine, pyraclofos, pyrafluprole, pyrethrin, pyrethrum, pyridaben, pyridafenthion, pyridathion, pyrifluquinazon, pyrimidifen, pyriprole, pyriproxyfen, quinalphos, quinomethionate, resmethrin, rotenone,silafluofen, sebufos, sodium fluoride, sodium hexafluorosilicate, spinosad, spinetoram, spirodiclofen, spiromesifen, spirotetramat, sulfotep, sulfuryl fluoride, sulprofos, tar oils, tau- fluvalinate, tebufenozide, tebufenpyrad, tebupirimfos, teflubenzuron, tefluthrin, temephos, terallethrin, terbufos, tetrachlorvinphos, tetradifon, tetramethrin, thiacloprid, thiamethoxam, thiocylam, thiodicarb, thiofanox, thiometon, thiosultap-sodium, tralomethrin, transfluthrin, triazophos, trichlorphon, triflumuron, trimethacarb, triprene, tolfenpyrad, vamidothion,

Verticillium lacanii, vaniliprole, and xylylcarb.

The term "fungicide" as used herein means a compound that controls, modifies, or prevents the growth of fungi. The term "fungicidally effective amount" means the quantity of such a compound or combination of such compounds that is capable of producing an effect on the growth of fungi. Controlling or modifying effects include all deviation from natural development, such as killing, retardation and the like, and prevention includes barrier or other defensive formation in or on a plant to prevent fungal infection.

Suitable fungicides of the following chemicals classes may include acycloamino acid fungicides, aliphatic nitrogen fungicides, amide fungicides, anilide fungicides, antibiotic fungicides, aromatic fungicides, arsenical fungicides, aryl phenyl ketone fungicides, benzamide fungicides, benzanilide fungicides, benzimidazole fungicides, benzothiazole fungicides, botanical fungicides, bridged diphenyl fungicides, carbamate fungicides, carbanilate fungicides, conazole fungicides, copper fungicides, dicarboximide fungicides, , dinitrophenol fungicides, dithiocarbamate fungicides, dithiolane fungicides, furamide fungicides, furanilide fungicides, hydrazide fungicides, imidazole fungicides, mercury fungicides, morpholine fungicides, organophosphorous fungicides, organotin fungicides, oxathiin fungicides, oxazole fungicides, phenylsulfamide fungicides, polysulfide fungicides, pyrazole fungicides, pyridine fungicides, pyrimidine fungicides, pyrrole fungicides, quaternary ammonium fungicides, quinoline fungicides, quinone fungicides, quinoxaline fungicides, strobilurin fungicides, sulfonanilide fungicides, thiadiazole fungicides, thiazole fungicides, thiazolidine fungicides, thiocarbamate fungicides, thiophene fungicides, triazine fungicides, triazole fungicides, triazolopyrimidine fungicides, urea fungicides, valinamide fungicides, and zinc fungicides.

Suitable, specific, fungicides may include, but are not limited to, for example: (E)-N- methyl-2- [2- (2, 5-dimethylphenoxymethyl) phenyl] -2-methoxy-iminoacetamide, 4-bromo-2- cyano-N, N-dimethyl-6-trifluoromethylbenzimidazole-l-sulphonamide, a- [N-(3-chloro-2, 6- xylyl)-2-methoxyacetamido]-y-butyrolactone, 4-chloro-2-cyano-N, - dimethyl-5-p- tolylimidazole-1 -sulfonamide, N-allyl-4, 5,-dimethyl-2-trimethylsilylthiophene-3-carboxamide, N- (1-cyano-l, 2-dimethylpropyl)-2- (2, 4-dichlorophenoxy) propionamide, N- (2-methoxy-5- pyridyl)-cyclopropane carboxamide, (.+-.)-cis- 1 -(4-chlorophenyl)-2-( 1 H- 1 ,2,4-triazol- 1 -yl)- cycloheptanol, 2-( 1 -tert-butyl)- 1 -(2-chlorophenyl)-3-(l ,2,4-triazol- 1 -yl)-propan-2-ol, 2',6'- dibromo-2-methyl-4-trifluoromethoxy-4^l-trifluoromethyl-l,3-thiazole- 5-carboxanilide, 1- imidazolyl-l-(4'-chlorophenoxy)-3,3-dimethylbutan-2-one, methyl (E)-2-[2-[6-(2- cyanophenoxy)pyrimidin-4-yloxy]phenyl]3-methoxyacrylate, methyl (E)-2-[2-[6-(2- thioamidophenoxy)pyrimidin-4-yloxy]phenyl]-3-methoxyacrylat e, methyl (E)-2-[2-[6-(2- fluorophenoxy)pyrimidin-4-yloxy]phenyl]-3-methoxyacrylate, methyl (E)-2-[2-[6-(2,6- difluorophenoxy)pyrimidin-4-yloxy]phenyl]-3-methoxyacryla te, methyl (E)-2-[2-[3-(pyrimidin-

2- yloxy)phenoxy]phenyl]-3-methoxyacrylate, methyl (E)-2-[2-[3-(5-methylpyrimidin-2-yloxy)- phenoxy] phenyl] -3 -methoxyacrylate, methyl (E)-2-[2-[3-(phenyl-sulphonyloxy)phenoxy]phenyl- 3 -methoxyacrylate, methyl (E) -2- [2- [3 -(4-nitrophenoxy)phenoxy]phenyl] -3 -methoxyacrylate, methyl (E)-2-[2-phenoxyphenyl]-3-methoxyacrylate, methyl (E)-2-[2-(3,5-dimethyl- benzoyl)pyrrol- 1 -yl] -3 -methoxyacrylate, methyl (E)-2-[2-(3-methoxyphenoxy)phenyl]-3- methoxyacrylate, methyl (E)-2[2-(2-phenylethen-l-yl)-phenyl]-3-methoxyacrylate, methyl (E)-2- [2-(3,5-dichlorophenoxy)pyridin-3-yl]-3-methoxyacrylate, methyl (E)-2-(2-(3-(l , 1 ,2,2- tetrafluoroethoxy)phenoxy)phenyl)-3-methoxyacrylate, methyl (E)-2-(2-[3-(alpha- hydroxybenzyl)phenoxy]phenyl)-3-methoxyacrylate, methyl (E)-2-(2-(4-phenoxypyridin-2- yloxy)phenyl)-3 -methoxyacrylate, methyl (E) -2- [2-(3 -n-propyloxy-phenoxy)phenyl] 3 - methoxyacrylate, methyl (E)-2-[2-(3-isopropyloxyphenoxy)phenyl]-3-methoxyacrylate, methyl (E)-2-[2-[3-(2-fluorophenoxy)phenoxy]phenyl]-3-methoxyacrylate, methyl (E)-2-[2-(3- ethoxyphenoxy)phenyl]-3-methoxyacrylate, methyl (E)-2-[2-(4-tert-butyl-pyridin-2- yloxy)phenyl] -3 -methoxyacrylate, methyl (E) -2- [2- [3 -(3 -cyanophenoxy)phenoxy]phenyl] -3 - methoxyacrylate, methyl (E)-2-[2-[(3-methyl-pyridin-2-yloxymethyl)phenyl]-3-methoxyacrylate, methyl (E)-2-[2-[6-(2-methyl-phenoxy)pyrimidin-4-yloxy]phenyl]-3-methoxyacrylate, methyl (E)-2-[2-(5-bromo-pyridin-2-yloxymethyl)phenyl]-3-methoxyacrylate, methyl (E)-2-[2-(3-(3- iodopyridin-2-yloxy)phenoxy)phenyl]-3-methoxyacrylate, methyl (E)-2-[2-[6-(2-chloropyridin-

3- yloxy)pyrimidin-4-yloxy]phenyl]-3-methoxyac rylate, methyl (E),(E)-2-[2-(5,6- dimethylpyrazin-2-ylmethyloximinomethyl)phenyl]-3-methox yacrylate, methyl (E)-2-{2-[6-(6- methylpyridin-2-yloxy)pyrimidin-4-yloxy]phenyl}-3-methoxy-a crylate, methyl (E),(E)-2-{ 2- (3 -methoxyphenyl)methyloximinomethyl] -phenyl} -3 -methoxyacrylate, methyl (E)-2- {2-(6-(2- azidophenoxy)-pyrimidin-4-yloxy]phenyl} -3 -methoxyacrylate, methyl (E),(E)-2-{2-[6- phenylpyrimidin-4-yl)-methyloximinomethyl]phenyl}-3-methox yacrylate, methyl (E),(E)-2-{2- [(4-chlorophenyl)-methyloximinomethyl]-phenyl}-3-methoxyacryl ate, methyl (E)-2-{2-[6-(2-n- propylphenoxy)-l,3,5-triazin-4-yloxy]phenyl}-3-methoxyacr ylate, methyl (E),(E)-2-{2-[(3- nitrophenyl)methyloximinomethyl]phenyl}-3-methoxyacrylate, 3-chloro-7-(2-aza-2,7,7- trimethyl-oct-3-en-5-ine), 2,6-dichloro-N-(4-trifluoromethylbenzyl)-benzamide, 3-iodo-2- propinyl alcohol, 4-chlorophenyl-3-iodopropargyl formal, 3-bromo-2,3-diiodo-2-propenyl ethylcarbamate, 2,3,3-triiodoallyl alcohol, 3-bromo-2,3-diiodo-2-propenyl alcohol, 3-iodo-2- propinyl n-butylcarbamate, 3-iodo-2-propinyl n-hexylcarbamate, 3-iodo-2-propinyl cyclohexyl- carbamate, 3 -iodo-2 -propinyl phenylcarbamate; phenol derivatives, such as tribromophenol, tetrachlorophenol, 3-methyl-4-chlorophenol, 3,5-dimethyl-4-chlorophenol, phenoxyethanol, dichlorophene, o-phenylphenol, m-phenylphenol, p-phenylphenol, 2-benzyl-4-chlorophenol, 5- hydroxy-2(5H)-furanone; 4,5-dichlorodithiazolinone, 4,5-benzodithiazolinone, 4,5- trimethylenedithiazolinone, 4,5-dichloro-(3H)-l,2-dithiol-3-one, 3,5-dimethyl-tetrahydro-l,3,5- thiadiazine-2-thione, N-(2-p-chloroberizoylethyl)-hexammium chloride, acibenzolar, acypetacs, alanycarb, albendazole, aldimorph, allicin, allyl alcohol, ametoctradin, amisulbrom, amobam, ampropylfos, anilazine, asomate, aureofungin, azaconazole, azafendin, azithiram, azoxystrobin, barium polysulfide, benalaxyl, benalaxyl-M, benodanil, benomyl, benquinox, bentaluron, benthiavalicarb, benthiazole, benzalkonium chloride, benzamacril, benzamorf, benzohydroxamic acid, berberine, bethoxazin, biloxazol, binapacryl, biphenyl, bitertanol, bithionol, bixafen, blasticidin-S, boscalid, bromothalonil, bromuconazole, bupirimate, buthiobate, butylamine, calcium polysulfide, captafol, captan, carbamorph, carbendazim, carbendazim chlorhydrate, carboxin, carpropamid, carvone, CGA41396, CGA41397, chinomethionate, chitosan, chlobenthiazone, chloraniformethan, chloranil, chlorfenazole, chloroneb, chloropicrin, chlorothalonil, chlorozolinate, chlozolinate, climbazole, clotrimazole, clozylacon, copper containing compounds such as copper acetate, copper carbonate, copper hydroxide, copper naphthenate, copper oleate, copper oxychloride, copper oxyquinolate, copper silicate, copper sulphate, copper tallate, copper zinc chromate and Bordeaux mixture, cresol, cufraneb, cuprobam, cuprous oxide, cyazofamid, cyclafuramid, cycloheximide, cyflufenamid, cymoxanil, cypendazole, cyproconazole, cyprodinil, dazomet, debacarb, decafentin, dehydroacetic acid, di- 2-pyridyl disulphide 1, Γ-dioxide, dichlofluanid, diclomezine, dichlone, dicloran, dichlorophen, dichlozoline, diclobutrazol, diclocymet, diethofencarb, difenoconazole, difenzoquat,

diflumetorim, O, O-di-iso-propyl-S-benzyl thiophosphate, dimefluazole, dimetachlone, dimetconazole, dimethomorph, dimethirimol, diniconazole, diniconazole-M, dinobuton, dinocap, dinocton, dinopenton, dinosulfon, dinoterbon, diphenylamine, dipyrithione, disulfiram, ditalimfos, dithianon, dithioether, dodecyl dimethyl ammonium chloride, dodemorph, dodicin, dodine, doguadine, drazoxolon, edifenphos, enestroburin, epoxiconazole, etaconazole, etem, ethaboxam, ethirimol, ethoxyquin, ethilicin, ethyl (Z)-N-benzyl-N ([methyl (methyl- thioethylideneamino- oxycarbonyl) amino] thio)-β-alaninate, etridiazole, famoxadone, fenamidone, fenaminosulf, fenapanil, fenarimol, fenbuconazole, fenfuram, fenhexamid, fenitropan, fenoxanil, fenpiclonil, fenpropidin, fenpropimorph, fenpyrazamine, fentin acetate, fentin hydroxide, ferbam, ferimzone, fluazinam, fludioxonil, flumetover, flumorph, flupicolide, fluopyram, fluoroimide, fluotriniazole, fluoxastrobin, fluquinconazole, flusilazole, flusulfamide, flutanil, flutolanil, flutriafol, folpet, formaldehyde, fosetyl, fuberidazole, furalaxyl, furametpyr, furcarbanil, furconazole, furfural, furmecyclox, furophanate, glyodin, griseofulvin, guazatine, halacrinate, hexa chlorobenzene, hexachlorobutadiene, hexachlorophene, hexaconazole, hexylthiofos, hydrargaphen, hydroxyisoxazole, hymexazole, imazalil, imazalil sulphate, imibenconazole, iminoctadine, iminoctadine triacetate, inezin, iodocarb, ipconazole, iprobenfos, iprodione, iprovalicarb, isopropanyl butyl carbamate, isoprothiolane, isopyrazam, isotianil, isovaledione, izopamfos, kasugamycin, kresoxim-methyl, LY186054, LY211795, LY248908, mancozeb, mandipropamid, maneb, mebenil, mecarbinzid, mefenoxam, mepanipyrim, mepronil, mercuric chloride, mercurous chloride, meptyldinocap, metalaxyl, metalaxyl-M, metam, metazoxolon, metconazole, methasulfocarb, methfuroxam, methyl bromide, methyl iodide, methyl isothiocyanate, metiram, metiram-zinc, metominostrobin, metrafenone, metsulfovax, milneb, moroxydine, myclobutanil, myclozolin, nabam, natamycin, neoasozin, nickel dimethyldithiocarbamate, nitrostyrene, nitrothal-iso- propyl, nuarimol, octhilinone, ofurace, organomercury compounds, orysastrobin, osthol, oxadixyl, oxasulfuron, oxine-copper, oxolinic acid, oxpoconazole, oxycarboxin, parinol, pefurazoate, penconazole, pencycuron, penflufen, pentachlorophenol, penthiopyrad, phenamacril, phenazin oxide, phosdiphen, phosetyl-Al, phosphorus acids, phthalide, picoxystrobin, piperalin, polycarbamate, polyoxin D, polyoxrim, polyram, probenazole, prochloraz, procymidone, propamidine, propamocarb, propiconazole, propineb, propionic acid, proquinazid, prothiocarb, prothioconazole, pyracarbolid,

pyraclostrobin, pyrametrostrobin, pyraoxystrobin, pyrazophos, pyribencarb, pyridinitril, pyrifenox, pyrimethanil, pyriofenone, pyroquilon, pyroxychlor, pyroxyfur, pyrrolnitrin, quaternary ammonium compounds, quinacetol, quinazamid, quinconazole, quinomethionate, quinoxyfen, quintozene, rabenzazole, santonin, sedaxane, silthiofam, simeconazole, sipconazole, sodium pentachlorophenate, spiroxamine, streptomycin, sulphur, sultropen, tebuconazole, tebfloquin, tecloftalam, tecnazene, tecoram, tetraconazole, thiabendazole, thiadifluor, thicyofen, thifluzamide, 2- (thiocyanomethylthio) benzothiazole, thiophanate-methyl, thioquinox, thiram, tiadinil, timibenconazole, tioxymid, tolclofos-methyl, tolylfluanid, triadimefon, triadimenol, triamiphos, triarimol, triazbutil, triazoxide, tricyclazole, tridemorph, trifloxystrobin, triflumazole, triforine, triflumizole, triticonazole, uniconazole, urbacide, validamycin, valifenalate, vapam, vinclozolin, zarilamid, zineb, ziram, and zoxamide

According to a preferred feature of the present invention, the encapsulated material is is substantially coated in a biodegradable polymer comprising an agricultural chemical, which preferably has a melting point of between 30 to 65°C.

Preferably the polymer is selected from one or more of wax, polyester, petroleum-based paraffin or plastic, polysaccharide or any plant-based plastic.

Preferably, the coating also comprises a fiber component comprising at least up to 20%, at least up to 30%, at least up to 40%, at least up to 50%, at least up to 60%, at least up to 70%, at least up to 80% or at least up to 90% of the coating.

The fiber may be one or more of the following: (i) fiber from agricultural biomass residue (for example, cereal straw, cotton, peanut hulls, soy straw, corn fodder); (ii) dedicated fiber (for example, Miscanthus, Arundo, sugarcane, bagasse, hemp, Kenaf); (iii) processed fibers (for example, paper, recycled cardboard, wood flour, wood saw dust); and (iv) artificial or processed fibers (for example, nylon, polyester, cotton).

The coating may also comprise fungicides, insecticides, saferners, nematicides, chemcial growth agents, endophytic organisms, plant nutrients, hormones, dyes or other means for identification, such as barcodes or transponders or the like, to aid sorting.

The coating is applied to the encapsulated propagule by dipping (at least once) or by co- extrusion or by thermally forming the coating around the propagule. The coating covering the propagule is less than 1 mm (millimeter) thick, preferably less than 0.5mm thick.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, there is therefore provided a method for the propagation of a vegetatively reproducing plant, comprising the steps of:

(i) contacting the plantlets produced from micro-propagation of plant material from a vegetatively reproducing plant followed by multiplication or a part thereof with at least one plant hormone and growing the plantlets and harvesting mini-rhizomes or mini stem cuttings therefrom;

(ii) substantially encapsulating the mini-rhizomes or mini stem cuttings produced from step (i) in a plant growth medium; (iii) optionally treating the plant growth medium with an agricultural chemical prior to, during, or after, the encapsulation of step (ii).

(iv) substantially coating the encapsulated mini rhizome or mini stem cutting of step (iii) in a biodegradable polymer, wherein said biodegradable polymer comprising an agricultural chemical.

Advantageously, the methods of the invention may be applied to any plant capable of vegetative reproduction. In particular, the methods of the invention are particularly suited to rhizomatous and stem propagated plants. For example, the methods of the invention are particularly suited to energy grasses, such as sugar cane, Miscanthus (elephant grass),

Pennisetum purpureum (napier grass), Panicum virgatum (switch grass), energy cane (the Saccharum complex), Arundo donax (Giant Reed), Bambusa (bamboo), Curcuma, Humulus (hop), asparagus, Zingiber (ginger), iris, genus Erianthus , Faiiopia sac aiinensis (Igniscum) , Ipomoea batatas (sweet potato) and wasabi. In addition there are applications for other food and medicinal crops propagated using rhizomes or stems, such as strawberry (genus Fragaria), the medicinal herb nettle (genus Urtica) and turmeric.

Arundo donax (giant reed), Pennisetum purpureum (napier grass), energy cane,

Saccharum officinarum (sugar cane), Hevea (rubber) and Manihot (cassava), for example, are more suited to multiplication using stem cuttings. When multiplying using stem cuttings, the plantlets, derived from micro-propagation are planted and grown to a suitable height and any aboveground growth is cut back to a point just above a node. This procedure encourages more bud formation which may be further stimulated by the application of cytokinins and auxins. The shoots emerging from the new buds are removed and cut up by machine into short lengths to form mini stem cuttings which are then ready to be encapsulated. Although not all of the stem cuttings that are produced will contain buds, the multiplication rate that is achieved is many times greater than would be achieved by conventional procedures.

According to one aspect of the invention, a capsule is substantially coated in a biodegradable polymer comprising an agricultural chemical incorporated within the

biodegradable polymer and prior to the application to the capsule. The capsule may contain an agricultural chemical. Methods of applying to or treating the capsule, or encapsulated propagule, include dressing, spraying, coating, pelleting and soaking application methods. Conventional treating techniques and machines can be used, such as fluidized beds, roller mills, rotostatic seed treaters, drum coaters, and spouted beds. Also, using commercially available equipment (Van der Ende PHYTO-DRIP BV, NL) it is possible to perform a precise seed soaking application at the time of planting.

Even distribution of ingredients and good adherence are particularly desirable within the coating. The capsules or encapsulated propagule to be coated by the present technology generally weigh less than about 100g, less that about 50g, less than about 25g, or less than about 20g, or less than about 15g or less than about 10g, or less than about 5g, or less than about 2g, comprising a plant growth medium and an agricultural chemical and optionally coated in a biodegradable polymer. Such capsule volume is advantageously less than 27 cubic inches, less than 8 cubic inches, and less than 2 cubic inches. Preferably the volume is between 0.5 to 27 cubic inches, between 1 to 27 cubic inches, between 1 to 8 cubic inches, between 1to 4 cubic inches, and between 1 to 2 cubic inches.

Advantageously, plants produced from the mini stem cuttings or mini rhizomes produced by the methods according to the present invention will have increased vigour and/or yield over their untreated counterparts.

According to the present technology, there is provided a coating for a propagule comprising a biodegradable polymer having an agricultural chemical incorporated therewith. The biodegradable polymer preferably has a melting point of between 30 to 65°C. The invention also provides propagules coated with the biodegradable polymer comprising an agricultural chemical.

Preferably the mini rhizomes or mini stem cutting are encapsulated prior to being coated in the biodegradable polymer. The propagule may advantageously be encapsulated in any plant growth medium, such as compost, potting mix, peat, hydrogel, soil, rock wool, perlite, vermiculite, foam, syrofoam, pumice, coir, expanded clay pellets etc. The encapsulation material may also comprise compounds, such as plant hormones (such as cytokinins or auxins), plant growth regulators, mycorrhiza, endophytic organisms, symbiotic organisms or other beneficial organisms, surfactants, gels, fungicides, nematicides, insecticides, organic and inorganic nutrients, water, polymer and organic based super absorbents and stabilization compounds etc. to aid the storage of the propagule so as to prevent any loss of material due to deterioration and to enhance the survival and performance of the propagules once they are planted in the field.

Preferably the polymer is one or more of wax, polyester, petroleum-based paraffin or plastic, polysaccharide or any plant-based plastic. The coating may comprise preferably, the coating also comprises a fibre, which may comprise at least up to 20%, at least up to 30%, at least up to 40%, at least up to 50%», at least up to 60%, at least up to 70%, at least up to 80% or at least up to 90% of the coating.

The fibre may be one or more of the following (i) fibre from agricultural biomass residue (for example, cereal straw, cotton, peanut hulls, soy straw, corn fodder); (ii) dedicated fibres (for example, Miscanthus, Arundo, sugarcane, bagasse, hemp, Kenaf); (iii) processed fibres (for example, paper, recycled cardboard, wood flour, wood saw dust); and (iv) artificial or processed fibres (for example, nylon, polyester, cotton).

The coating is applied to the capsule or encapsulated propagule by, for example, dipping (at least once) or by co-extrusion or by thermally forming the coating around the propagule. The coating may also be applied by spraying the capsule with the coating, pouring the coating onto the capsule, or passing the capsule under a fluid curtain (e.g. enrobing machine) of the biodegradable polymer or coating composition. The coating covering the capsule or encapsulated propagule is less than 1 mm (millimetre) thick, preferably less than 0.5mm thick. According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided use of a biodegradable polymer, which preferably has a melting point of between 30 °C to 65°C, for the coating of a propagule.

The amount of agricultural chemical that is included within the biodegradable polymer will vary depending upon the coating material selected, the type of active ingredients and pest to be controlled, but the coating will contain an amount of the combination of pesticides that is pesticidally effective. In general, the amount of an agricultural chemical present will range from about 0.005 to about 50 percent of the weight of the coating material. A more preferred range for the agricultural chemical is from about 0.01 to about 40 percent; more preferred is from about 0.05 to about 20 percent.

A "propagule" as defined herein is any plant part which is capable of being grown or regenerated into a whole plant. A propagule may therefore comprise, rhizomes, mini rhizomes, stem cuttings, mini stem cuttings, tubers, seeds etc.

In the case where the propagule is a seed, any commercial or other seed variety may optionally first be encapsulated as described above and then coated in a biodegradable polymer as described. The seed may be a transgenic or non-transgenic seed. Preferred seeds include melon and tomato seeds.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A coating for applying to a capsule adapted to encapsulate mini rhizomes or mini stem cuttings, the coating comprising: a biodegradable polymer comprising an agricultural chemical. 2. The coating according to claim 1, wherein said biodegradable polymer has a melting point of between 30 to 65°C.

3. The coating according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said biodegradable polymer comprises one or more of wax, polyester, petroleum-based paraffin or plastic, polysaccharide or any plant -based plastic. 4. The coating according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein said coating comprises a fibre component of at least 20%, at least 30%, at least 40%, at least 50%, at least 60%, at least 70%, at least 80% or at least 90% of the coating.

6. The coating according to claim 5, wherein said fibre comprises one or more of the following: (i) fibre from agricultural biomass residue; (ii) dedicated fibres; (iii) artificial or processed fibres. 7. The method according to any of claims 1 to 6, wherein said agricultural chemical is a fungicide, insecticide, nematicide, or growth agent.

8. The method according to any of claims lto 7 wherein said agricultural chemical is an insecticides chosen from thiamethoxam, clothianidin, imidacloprid, fipronil, abamectin, chlorantraniliprole, cyantraniliprole, flubendiamide, and combinations thereof. 9. The method according to any of claims 1 to 8 wherein said agricultural chemical is a fungicide chosen from tebuconazole, difenoconazole, fludioxonil, metalaxyl, azoxystrobin, thiabendazole, benodanil, fiutolanil, fluopyram, mepronil, isofetamid, fluopyram, fenfuram, oxycarboxin, thifluzamide, bixafen, fluxapyroxad, furametpyr, isopyrazam, penflufen, penthiopyrad, sedaxane, boscalid, benzovindiflupyr, and combinations thereof.

10. The method according any of claims 1 to 9, wherein said agricultural chemical is a biological pesticide.

11. The method according to claim 1 , wherein said agricultural chemical is thiamethoxam.

12. A capsule for encapsulating a mini rhizome or mini stem cutting, the capsule comprising: (i) encapsulation material suitable for encapsulating a mini rhizome or mini stem cutting and which is formed into a capsule adapted for encapsulation of the mini rhizome or mini stem cutting;

(ii) a biodegradable polymer coating comprising an agricultural chemical; and

(iii) wherein the capsule weight is less than 50 grams and the capsule volume is less than 27 cubic inches.

13. The capsule of claim 12 wherein said capsule weight is less than 25 grams and the capsule volume is less than 8 cubic inches.

14. The capsule of any of claims 12 to 13 wherein the agricultural chemical is a fungicide, insecticide, or nematicide. 15. The capsule of any of claims 12 to 14, wherein the capsule is substantially coated in a biodegradable polymer.

16. The capsule of claim 12, wherein the biodegradable polymer has a melting point of between about 30 to about 65°C.

17. The capsule of any of claims 12 to 15, wherein said biodegradable polymer is selected from one or more of wax, polyester, petroleum-based paraffin or plastic, polysaccharide or any plant- based plastic.

18. The capsule according to any of claims 12 to 16 , wherein said coating comprises a fibre component of up to 20%, up to 30%, up to 40%, up to 50%, up to 60%, up to 70%, up to 80% or up to 90% of the coating.

19. The capsule of claim 16, wherein said fibre comprises one or more of the following: (i) fibre from agricultural biomass residue; (ii) dedicated fibres (for example, Miscanthus, Arundo, sugarcane, bagasse, hemp, Kenaf); (iii) artificial or processed fibres.

20. The capsule according to any of claims 12 to 19 wherein said agricultural chemical is an insecticides chosen from thiamethoxam, clothianidin, imidacloprid, fipronil, abamectin, chlorantraniliprole, cyantraniliprole, flubendiamide, and combinations thereof.

21. The capsule according to any of claims 12 to 20 wherein said agricultural chemical is a fungicide chosen from tebuconazole, difenoconazole, fludioxonil, metalaxyl, azoxystrobin, thiabendazole, benodanil, flutolanil, fluopyram, mepronil, isofetamid, fluopyram, fenfuram, oxycarboxin, thifluzamide, bixafen, fiuxapyroxad, furametpyr, isopyrazam, penflufen, penthiopyrad, sedaxane, boscalid, benzovindifiupyr, and combinations thereof.

22. The capsule according any of claims 12 to 13, wherein said agricultural chemical is a biological pesticide.

23. The capsule according to claim 20, wherein said agricultural chemical is thiamethoxam. 24. The capsule according to claims 12 to 13, wherein said agricultural chemical is a biological or chemical nematicide.

25. The capsule according to claims 24, where said chemical or biological nematicide is selected from abamectin, Pasteuria spp., Baccillus spp., thiodicarb, aldicarb, nemataphagous fungi and combination thereof.