WO2016156136A1

WO2016156136A1 - Control of botrytis cinerea growth on ornamental and vegetable plants

Info

Publication number: WO2016156136A1
Application number: PCT/EP2016/056325
Authority: WO
Inventors: Edwin GRANADOS; Stephanie RIEGER
Original assignee: Syngenta Participations AG
Current assignee: Syngenta Participations AG
Priority date: 2015-03-31
Filing date: 2016-03-23
Publication date: 2016-10-06
Anticipated expiration: 2017-09-30

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for controlling filamentous ascomycete growth on plants without causing phytotoxicity to the plants, comprising applying a composition comprising fenpropidin and penconazole to the plants in a fungicidally effective amount. It also relates to a synergistic fungicidal composition comprising fenpropidin and penconazole.

Description

CONTROL OF BOTRYTIS CINEREA GROWTH ON ORNAMENTAL AND VEGETABLE PLANTS

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a method for controlling filamentous ascomycete growth on plants without causing phytotoxicity to the plants. It also relates to a synergistic fungicidal composition comprising fenpropidin and penconazole.

INTRODUCTION

Pezizomycotina is the largest subphylum of Ascomycota with more than 32,000 described species. It approximately equates to Ascomycetes sensu and Euascomycetes sensu, and it includes all filamentous, sporocarp-producing species, with the exception of Neolecta of Taphrinomycotina. Pezizomycotina is ecologically diverse with species functioning in ecological processes and symbioses including wood and litter decay, animal and plant pathogens, mycorrhizae, endophytes and lichens, and occurring in aquatic and terrestrial habitats.

Botryotinia is a genus of ascomycete fungi causing several plant diseases. The anamorphs of Botryotinia are mostly included in the imperfect fungi genus Botrytis. The genus contains 22 species and one hybrid. Plant diseases caused by Botryotinia species appear primarily as blossom blights and fruit rots but also as leaf spots and bulb rots in the field and in stored products. The fungi induce host cell death resulting in progressive decay of infected plant tissue, whence they take nutrients. Sexual reproduction takes place with ascospores produced in apothecia, conidia are the means of asexual reproduction. Sclerotia of plano-convexoid shape are typical. Some Botrytis species also cause damping off, killing seeds or seedlings during or before germination.

Botrytis cinerea is a serious pathogen of rose flowers and other cut flower crops. Infections first appear as water-soaked spots or flecks on the flower petals. As the lesions coalesce, the infected petals turn brown and wither. Eventually, the entire flower may rot off at the receptacle. B. cinerea infections often cannot be detected at harvest, but develop rapidly under the moist conditions encountered during storage and transit. Such infections cause major postharvest losses and are considered a limiting factor in the storage and shipment of cut flowers. It is therefore desirable to develop an effective formulation to control Botrytis cinerea and other diseases on roses and other flower crops. A number of chemical fungicides are commercially available for the control of diseases on ornamentals, such as penconazole (Topas™), myclobutanil (Systhane™), mancozeb (Dithane M-45™), dodemorph (Meltatox™), and sulphur dust (Cosan™).

Solvit 175 EW is an emulsion in water formulation containing 125 g/l fenpropidin and 50 g/l penconazole for use as a fungicide which is intended to be used as a foliar treatment for the control of Leotiomycetes such as powdery mildew (Sphaerotheca pannosa and Oidium citrulli) in protected rose and gerbera plants (patent W010/043389).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Surprisingly, it has been found that mixtures of fenpropidin and penconazole are effective at controlling Pezizomycotina (in particular Botrytis cinerea) on flowers. Several independent tests have found that such mixtures have a synergistic effect against Botrytis, providing quicker, better and longer-lasting activity than the person skilled in the art would expect given the activity of each fungicide when applied alone.

There are no documents in the prior art which disclose methods for controlling Pezizomycotina (in particular Botrytis cinerea) on ornamentals, particularly roses or gerbera, or on vegetables, using mixtures of fenpropidin and penconazole.

Fenpropidin is mainly a cereal fungicide, and is not currently used on ornamentals. The chemical name for fenpropidin is (±)-l-[3-[4-(l,l-dimethylethyl)phenyl]-2-methylpropyl]piperidine, and its structure may be represented as:

(formula I)

The chemical name for penconazole is l-[2-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)pentyl]-IH-l,2,4-triazole, and its structure may be represented as:

(formula II)

Fenpropidin is phytotoxic to certain ornamental species, such as roses. However, it has been found that a surprisingly low rate of fenpropidin is effective for Botrytis cinerea control on ornamental plants when it is used in combination with penconazole, without causing phytotoxicity to the plants.

According to the present invention there is provided a method for controlling Botrytis cinerea on ornamental and/or vegetable plants without causing phytotoxicity to the plants, comprising applying a composition comprising fenpropidin and penconazole to the plants in a fungicidally effective amount.

Suitably, the plants are grown in conditions in which the average light intensity during "daylight" hours (including any period of artificial lighting) is at least 12,000 lux. More suitably, the plants are grown in conditions in which the average light intensity is at least 15,000 lux. More suitably still, the plants are grown in conditions in which the average light intensity is at least 18,000 lux. More suitably, the plants are grown in conditions in which the average light intensity is at least 20,000 lux.

The level of total light radiation and/or light intensity is important in the use of mixtures of fenpropidin and penconazole for effectively controlling disease on plants without causing phytotoxicity. Phytotoxicity is observed when the mixture is applied to plants grown in conventional glasshouses, where the light radiation and/or light intensity is low, even taking into account any artificial lighting. In contrast, no phytotoxicity is observed when the mixture is applied to plants grown in Colombia or in Europe in summer months, where the light radiation and/or light intensity is high.

The relevant growing conditions with respect to the total light radiation and/or light intensity, those at the time of treatment of the plants.

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

The term "without causing phototoxicity" means without significant crop safety issues that could result in deterioration in quality, or non-commercial viability of the crop.

The term "average" refers to the mathematical mean over a period of time.

According to the present invention, there is also provided a synergistic fungicidal composition comprising fenpropidin and penconazole.

The compositions useful in the methods of the present invention is particularly effective at controlling Botrytis cinerea on roses. It results in faster control of Botrytis cinerea, more effective control of Botrytis cinerea, and longer-lasting control of Botrytis cinerea than existing commercially available fungicides.

Suitably, the compositions useful in methods of the present invention comprises fenpropidin and penconazole present in a weight ratio of from about 1 :10 to about 10:1. More suitably, fenpropidin and penconazole are present in the composition in a weight ratio of from about 1 :2 to about 1 :6. More suitably still, fenpropidin and penconazole are present in the composition in a weight ratio of between about 1 :2 and 1 :3. Most suitably, fenpropidin and penconazole are present in the composition in a weight ratio of about 1 :2.6.

The compositions useful in the methods of the present invention may comprise fenpropidin and penconazole in different amounts, to suit particular plant species or scenarios for Botrytis cinerea control. For example, application of a reduced rate of fenpropidin may be required for Botrytis cinerea control on plant species that are more sensitive, and to which fenpropidin may be phytotoxic. To accommodate reduced application rates, fenpropidin is suitably present in the composition in an amount of between about 100mg/L and about 300mg/L. More suitably, fenpropidin is present in the composition in an amount of between about 100mg/L and about 150mg/L. More suitably still, fenpropidin is present in the composition in an amount of about 125 mg/L.

Suitably, penconazole is present in the compositions that are useful in the methods of the present invention in an amount of between about 20mg/L and about 100mg/L. More suitably, penconazole is present in such compositions in an amount of between about 40mg/L and about 60mg/L. More suitably still, penconazole is present in such compositions in an amount of about 50mg/L.

Most suitably, the compositions that are useful in the methods of the present invention comprises about 125mg/L fenpropidin and about 50mg/L penconazole.

The compositions used in accordance with the methods of the present invention may be used to control Botrytis cinerea on any ornamental crops, including flowers, shrubs, broad-leaved trees and evergreens. For example the invention may be used on any of the following ornamental species: Ageratum spp., Alonsoa spp., Anemone spp., Anisodontea capsenisis, Anthemis spp., Antirrhinum spp., Aster spp., Begonia spp. (e.g. B. elatior, B. semperflorens, B. tubereux), Bougainvillea spp., Brachycome spp., Brassica spp. (ornamental), Calceolaria spp., Capsicum annuum, Catharanthus roseus, Canna spp., Centaurea spp., Chrysanthemum spp., Cineraria spp. (C maritime), Coreopsis spp., Crassula coccinea, Cuphea ignea, Dahlia spp., Delphinium spp., Dicentra spectabilis, Dorotheantus spp., Eustoma grandiflorum, Forsythia spp., Fuchsia spp., Geranium gnaphalium, Gerbera spp., Gomphrena globosa, Heliotropium spp., Helianthus spp., Hibiscus spp., Hortensia spp., Hydrangea spp., Hypoestes phyllostachya, Impatiens spp. (/. Walleriana), Iresines spp., Kalanchoe spp., Lantana camara, Lavatera trimeslris, Leonotis leunurus, Lilium spp., Mesembryanthemum spp., Mimulus spp., Monarda spp., Nemesia spp., Tagetes spp., Dianthus spp. (carnation), Canna spp., Oxalis spp., Pelargonium spp. (T. peltatum, P. Zonale), Viola spp. (pansy), Petunia spp., Plecthranthus spp., Poinsettia spp., Parthenocissus spp. (P. quinquefolia, P. tricuspidata), Primula spp., Ranunculus spp., Rhododendron spp., Rosa spp. (rose), Rudbeckia spp., Saintpaulia spp., Salvia spp., Scaevola aemola, Schizanthus wisetonensis, Sedum spp., Solanum spp., Surfinia spp., Tagetes spp., Nicotinia spp., Verbena spp., Zinnia spp. and other bedding plants.

In one embodiment, the invention may be used on cut roses. In one embodiment, the invention may be used on Gerbera spp. The method of the invention may be used on any of the following vegetable crops: 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 pelo, C. maxima), Cyanara spp. (C. scolymus, C. cardunculus), Daucus carota, Foeniculum vulgare, Hypericum spp., Lactuca sativa, Lycopersicon spp. (L. esculentum, L. lycopersicum), Mentha spp., Ocimum basilicum, Petroselinum crispum, Phaseolus spp. (P. vulgaris, P. coccineus), Pisum sativum, Raphanus sativus, Rheum rhaponticum, Rosemarinus spp., Salvia spp., Scorzonera hispanica, Solarium melongena, Spinacea oleracea, Valerianella spp. (V. locusta, V. eriocarpa) and Vicia faba.

Suitably, the method of the present invention is used to control Botrytis cinerea on one or more crops selected from the group consisting of African violet, Begonia, Dahlia, Gerbera, Hydrangea, Verbena, Rosa, Kalanchoe, Poinsettia, Aster, Centaurea, Coreopsis, Delphinium, Monarda, Phlox, Rudbeckia, Sedum, Petunia, Viola, Impatiens, Geranium, Chrysanthemum, Ranunculus, Fuchsia, Salvia, Hortensia, rose, rosemary, sage, St. Johnswort, mint, sweet pepper, tomato and cucumber. Most suitably, it is used to control Botrytis cinerea on roses.

In one embodiment, the active ingredients in the compositions that are useful in the methods of the present invention consist essentially of fenpropidin and penconazole. In a further embodiment, the active ingredients in the compositions that are useful in the methods of the present invention consist of fenpropidin and penconazole.

In a still further embodiment, the compositions that are useful in the methods of the present invention may comprise one or more further fungicides, in addition to fenpropidin and penconazole. This may be useful to expand the spectrum of diseases that will be controlled through application of the composition, or as a resistance management tool. Any suitable fungicides may be used in the composition - a complete list of suitable fungicides can be found in The Pesticide Manual (14th edition, ed. C. D. S. Tomlin). For example, additional fungicides may include one or more of azoxystrobin, bitertanol, bixafen, boscalid, carboxin, Cu₂0, cymoxanil, cyproconazole, cyprodinil, dichlofluamid, difenoconazole, diniconazole, epoxiconazole, fenpiclonil, fenpropimorph, fludioxonil, fiuopyram, fluoxastrobin, fluquiconazole, flusilazole, flutriafol, furalaxyl, guazatin, hexaconazole, hymexazol, imazalil, imibenconazole, ipconazole, isopyrazam, kresoxim-methyl, mancozeb, metalaxyl, mefenoxam, metconazole, myclobutanil, oxadixyl, pefurazoate, pencycuron, penflufen, penthiopyrad, prochloraz, propiconazole, pyroquilone, (±)-cis-\-(4-chlorophenyl)-2-(IH-l ,2,4-triazol-l-yl)cycloheptanol, spiroxamin, tebuconazole, thiabendazole, tolifluamide, triazoxide, triadimefon, triadimenol, trifloxystrobin, triflumizole, triticonazole, uniconazole, isoprothiolone, cacpropamid, thifluzamide, tiadinil, probenazole, diclocymet, furametpyr and orysastrobin. Particularly suitable additional fungicides include azoxystrobin, difenoconazole, fludioxonil, thiabendazole, tebuconazole, metal axyl, mefenoxam, fenpropimorph, fluoxastrobin, tritaxonazole and trifloxystrobin.

In a still further embodiment, the compositions that are useful in the methods of the present invention are applied at a rate of between 750ml/Ha to 1500ml/Ha, more preferably at a rate of between 900ml/Ha to 1400ml/Ha, more preferably at a rate of between 1000ml/Ha to 1300ml/Ha, most preferably at a rate of about 1250ml/Ha.

In accordance with the inventive method, the fungicidal compounds of the present invention also are applied either simultaneously or sequentially. If administered sequentially, the compounds may be administered in any order in a suitable timescale, for example, with no longer than 24 hours between the time of administering the first compound and the time of administering the last compound. Suitably, both fenpropidin and penconazole are administered within a timescale of a few hours, such as one hour. If the components are administered simultaneously, they may be administered separately or as a tank mix or as a pre- formulated mixture of all the components or as a pre- formulated mixture of some of the components tank mixed with the remaining components.

The compositions that are useful in the methods of the invention are applied as a formulation containing various adjuvants and carriers known to or used in the industry. The compositions of the invention may be formulated, for example, as granules wettable powders, emulsifiable concentrates, powders or dusts, flowables, solutions, suspensions or emulsions, or as controlled release forms such as microcapsules. These formulations may contain as little as about 0.5% to as much as about 95% or more by weight of active ingredient. The optimum amount for any given compound will depend on formulation, application equipment and nature of the plants to be controlled. Suitably, the composition of the present invention is an aqueous formulation such as a solution of emulsion, or is a solid formulation that can be readily dissolved in water to form a liquid formulation for spray application. Alternatively, the composition may be applied using any conventional application technique, including mist, drench, fog and smoke application.

Wettable powders are in the form of finely divided particles which disperse readily in water or other liquid carriers. The particles contain the active ingredient retained in a solid matrix. Typical solid matrices include fuller's earth, kaolin clays, silicas and other readily wet organic or inorganic solids. Wettable powders normally contain about 5% to about 95% of the active ingredient plus a small amount of wetting, dispersing or emulsifying agent. Emulsifiable concentrates are homogeneous liquid compositions dispersible in water or other liquid and may consist entirely of the active compound with a liquid or solid emulsifying agent, or may also contain a liquid carrier, such as xylene, heavy aromatic naphthas, isophorone and other non-volatile organic solvents. In use, these concentrates are dispersed in water or other liquid and normally applied as a spray to the area to be treated. The amount of active ingredient may range from about 0.5% to about 95% of the concentrate.

Microcapsules are typically droplets or granules of the active material enclosed in an inert porous shell which allows escape of the enclosed material to the surroundings at controlled rates. Encapsulated droplets are typically about 1 to 50 microns in diameter. The enclosed liquid typically constitutes about 50 to 95% of the weight of the capsule and may include solvent in addition to the active compound. Shell or membrane materials include natural and synthetic rubbers, cellulosic materials, styrene-butadiene copolymers, polyacrylonitriles, polyacrylates, polyesters, polyamides, polyureas, polyurethanes and starch xanthates.

Other useful formulations for fungicidal applications include simple solutions of the active ingredients in a solvent in which it is completely soluble at the desired concentration, such as acetone, alkylated naphthalenes, xylene and other organic solvents. Pressurised sprayers, wherein the active ingredients are dispersed in finely-divided form as a result of vaporisation of a low boiling dispersant solvent carrier, may also be used.

Many of the formulations described above include wetting, dispersing or emulsifying agents. Examples are alkyl and alkylaryl sulphonates and sulphates and their salts, polyhydric alcohols; polyethoxylated alcohols, esters, silicons and fatty amines. These agents, when used, normally comprise from 0.1 % to 15% by weight of the formulation.

Suitable agricultural adjuvants and carriers that are useful in formulating the compositions for use in the invention in the formulation types described above are well known to those skilled in the art. Suitable examples of liquid carriers that can be employed include water, toluene, xylene, petroleum naphtha, crop oil, acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, cyclohexanone, acetic anhydride, acetonitrile, acetophenone, amyl acetate, 2-butanone, chlorobenzene, cyclohexane, cyclohexanol, alkyl acetates, diacetonalcohol, 1 ,2-dichloropropane, diethanolamine, p- diethylbenzene, diethylene glycol, diethylene glycol abietate, diethylene glycol butyl ether, diethylene glycol ethyl ether, diethylene glycol methyl ether, Ν,Ν-dimethyl formamide, dimethyl sulfoxide, 1 ,4-dioxane, dipropylene glycol, dipropylene glycol methyl ether, dipropylene glycol dibenzoate, diproxitol, alkyl pyrrolidinone, ethyl acetate, 2-ethyl hexanol, ethylene carbonate, 1 , 1 ,1-trichloroethane, 2-heptanone, alpha pinene, d-linionene, ethylene glycol, ethylene glycol butyl ether, ethylene glycol methyl ether, gamma-butyrolactone, glycerol, glycerol diacetate, glycerol monoacetate, glycerol triacetate, hexadecane, hexylene glycol, isoamyl acetate, isobornyl acetate, isooctane, isophorone, isopropyl benzene, isopropyl myristate, lactic acid, laurylamine, mesityl oxide, methoxy-propanol, methyl isoamyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone, methyl laurate, methyl octanoate, methyl oleate, methylene chloride, m-xylene, n-hexane, n- octylamine, octadecanoic acid, octyl amine acetate, oleic acid, oleylamine, o-xylene, phenol, polyethylene glycol (PEG400), propionic acid, propylene glycol, propylene glycol monomethyl ether, p-xylene, toluene, triethyl phosphate, triethylene glycol, xylene sulfonic acid, paraffin, mineral oil, trichloroethylene, perchloroethylene, ethyl acetate, amyl acetate, butyl acetate, methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, and higher molecular weight alcohols such as amyl alcohol, tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol, hexanol, octanol, etc. ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, glycerine, N- methyl-2-pyrrolidinone, and the like. Water is generally the carrier of choice for the dilution of concentrates.

A broad range of surface-active agents are advantageously employed in both said liquid and solid compositions, especially those designed to be diluted with carrier before application. The surface-active agents can be anionic, cationic, non-ionic or polymeric in character and can be employed as emulsifying agents, wetting agents, suspending agents or for other purposes. Typical surface active agents include salts of alkyl sulfates, such as diethanolammonium lauryl sulphate; alkylarylsulfonate salts, such as calcium dodecylbenzenesulfonate; alkylphenol- alkylene oxide addition products, such as nonylphenol-C.sub. 18 ethoxylate; alcohol-alkylene oxide addition products, such as tridecyl alcohol-C.sub. 16 ethoxylate; soaps, such as sodium stearate; alkylnaphthalenesulfonate salts, such as sodium dibutylnaphthalenesulfonate; dialkyl esters of sulfosuccinate salts, such as sodium di(2-ethylhexyl) sulfosuccinate; sorbitol esters, such as sorbitol oleate; quaternary amines, such as lauryl trimethylammonium chloride; polyethylene glycol esters of fatty acids, such as polyethylene glycol stearate; block copolymers of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide; and salts of mono and dialkyl phosphate esters.

Other adjuvants commonly utilized in agricultural compositions include crystallisation inhibitors, viscosity modifiers, suspending agents, spray droplet modifiers, pigments, antioxidants, foaming agents, light-blocking agents, compatibilizing agents, antifoam agents, sequestering agents, neutralising agents and buffers, corrosion inhibitors, dyes, odorants, spreading agents, penetration aids, micronutrients, emollients, lubricants, sticking agents, and the like. The compositions can also be formulated with liquid fertilizers or solid, particulate fertiliser carriers such as ammonium nitrate, urea and the like.

According to the present invention, there is provided the use of the fungicidal composition described above, for the control of Botrytis cinerea on ornamental, particularly roses or Gerbera, or on vegetable plants. EXAMPLES

The following examples serve to illustrate various aspects of the invention but should in no way be construed as limiting the scope of the invention.

Example 1

Trials in Colombia

A study was conducted to asses the effect of Solvit 175 at varying concentrations on the incidence of Botrytis on cut roses in a humid chamber in Colombia.

Solvit 175 was applied at 4 different concentrations to variety Cool Water alongside a check comparison and the % affected flowers were measured at 7DD2A, 10DD2A and 12DD2A (where DD2A corresponds to number of days after 2^nd application).

The results of the study showed that increasing the concentration of Solvit 175 served to control Botrytis cinerea in cut roses (Figure 1 ).

The rate response effect was also measured. Results showed that Solvit 175 applied at 1250cc/Ha and 1000cc/Ha provided the best efficacy, compared to rates which were higher and lower. Figure 2 shows the rate response effect of Solvit at A) 1500cc/Ha; B) 1250cc/Ha; C) 1000cc/Ha; D) 750cc/Ha, alongside the check E).

No phytotoxic effects of Solvit were detected.

The efficacy of Solvit can also be displayed in leaf disc assays in which the check shows complete contamination (Figure 3), compared to Solvit at 1250 ml. / Ha Preventative and 1250 ml. / Ha Curative (Figures 4 to 7).

Topas was applied at 600ml_ / Ha Preventative and 600ml_ / Ha Curative (Figure 8) and Switch was applied at 600g / Ha Preventative and 600g / Ha Curative (Figure 9).

No phytotoxic effects of Solvit were detected.

Example 2

Trials in Switzerland

A study was conducted in Stein, Switzerland in March 2013 to determine the efficacy of Solvit at different concentrations for the control of Botrytis cinerea on white rose.

The objective of these preventative tests was to confirm the findings of the Colombian study in a glasshouse test with cut roses. Roses, deriving either from a Swiss grower (Allemann) or bought at the Blumenborse, were dipped with their flower head into the spray solution and inoculated before or after with a Botrytis spore suspension.

Roses were kept in 1 % Chrysal Clear Professional 2 solution in the glasshouse at 80% rH and 18-20°C.

Solvit formulation EW175 was applied at a concentration of between 12.5 to 200 mg a.i. / I solution (7 to 1 14 g pr / 1001). Efficacy was measured at 3 dai and 7 dai. Higher efficacies were measured at 3 dai, apart from at concentration 200 mg ai / 1 solution, where 92% efficacy was measured at both 3 dai and 7dai (Table 1 below).

Table 1

Example 3

Efficacy Trial 1 in Colombia

An efficacy trial was conducted at Madrid and Tocancipa in Colombia. Solvit 175 EC was applied to plants according to the following protocol:

Rates: 500, 750, 1000 and 1250 mlpr / Ha;

Number of applications: 2 each 7 days

Volume: 1000 I/Ha

Humid chamber: 0DA2A to 10DA2A The % incidence of Botrytis in roses at 4DD2A are shown in Table 2 below and Figure Treatment of Solvit at 1250 ml/Ha resulted in only 34.7% incidence at 10DD2A.

Table 2

The efficacy (Abbott) on Botrytis in Roses is shown in Figure 1 1.

The types of lesion on the flowers were also studied. The % attacked flowers which had sporulating lesions are labelled in the bar chart as (a) in Figure 12. Flowers also had aqueous lesion over 2mm (labelled b), dot lesion (labelled c) or sporulating lesion (labelled d).

The results show that Solvit 175 EC applied at 1250 ml / Ha has a particularly high level of efficacy.

Example 4

Efficacy trial 2 in Colombia

Cut roses were treated with 500, 750, 1000 and 1250 ml / Ha Solvit 175 EC. The % incidence of Botrytis was measured. The results are shown in Table 3 below and Figure 13.

Table 3

Application of Solvit at 1250 ml/Ha resulted in 24.6% incidence at 4DD2A. Application of Solvit at all concentrations resulted in 100% or near 100% incidence at 10DD2A.

The types of lesion on the flowers were also studied at stage 8DD2A. The % attacked flowers which had sporulating lesions are labelled in the bar chart as (a) in Figure 14. Flowers also had aqueous lesion over 2mm (labelled b), dot lesion (labelled c) or sporulating lesion (labelled d).

The results again show that Solvit 175 EC applied at 1250 ml / Ha has a particularly high level of efficacy.

Claims

1. A method for controlling Botrytis cinerea on ornamental or vegetable plants, without causing phytotoxicity to the plants, comprising applying a fungicidally effective amount of a composition comprising fenpropidin and penconazole to the plants or to the locus thereof.

2. A method according to claim 1 , wherein fenpropidin and penconazole are present in the composition in a ratio of from about 1 :10 to about 10:1.

3. A method according to claim 2, wherein fenpropidin and penconazole are present in the composition in a ratio of from about 1 :2 to about 1 :6.

4. A method according to claim 3, wherein fenpropidin and penconazole are present in the composition in a ratio of about 1 :2.6.

5. A method according to claim 1 , wherein fenpropidin is present in the composition in an amount of between about 100mg/L and about 300mg/L.

6. A method according to claim 5, wherein fenpropidin is present in the composition in an amount of about 125mg/L.

7. A method according to claim 1 , wherein penconazole is present in the composition in an amount of about 50mg/L.

8. A method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the ornamental plants are roses.

9. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the composition comprises a further fungicide.

10. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein the composition is applied at a rate of about 1250ml / Ha.

1 1. A synergistic fungicidal composition comprising fenpropidin and penconazole, wherein fenpropidin and penconazole are present in a ratio of about 1 :2.6.

12. A synergistic fungicidal composition according to claim 1 1 , wherein fenpropidin is present in the composition in an amount of about 125mg/L.

13. A synergistic fungicidal composition according to claim 1 1 , wherein penconazole is present in the composition in an amount of about 50mg/L.

14. A synergistic fungicidal composition according to claim 1 1 , wherein the composition comprises a further fungicide.

15. Use of a synergistic fungicidal composition according to any one of claims 1 1 to 14 for the control of Botrytis cinerea on roses.