WO2019159201A1

WO2019159201A1 - Plant nutrient compositions of transition metal phosphate and combinations thereof

Info

Publication number: WO2019159201A1
Application number: PCT/IN2019/050125
Authority: WO
Inventors: Rahul Raju KANUMURU
Original assignee: Kanumuru Rahul Raju
Priority date: 2018-02-17
Filing date: 2019-02-16
Publication date: 2019-08-22
Also published as: EP3994112A4; EP3994112A1

Abstract

The present invention provides a plant micronutrient composition and a process for preparing thereof. The plant nutrient comprises one or more transition meal phosphates and combination thereof, wherein metal to phosphorous ratio is from about 0.001 to about 99.09. The plant micronutrient composition is useful in the management of productivity and/or disease resistance.

Description

PLANT NUTRIENT COMPOSITIONS OF TRANSITION METAL PHOSPHATE AND COMBINATIONS THEREOF

FIELD OF THE INVENTION:

The invention disclosed herein generally relates to plant nutrient compositions. Particularly, the present invention relates to a plant micronutrient composition comprising transition metal phosphate and combination thereof

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION:

Plants need certain essential nutrients for normal functioning and growth. Nutrient levels outside the amount required for normal functioning and growth may cause overall crop growth and health to decline due to either a deficiency or a toxicity. Plant nutrients are divided into two categories: macronutrients and micronutrients. Micronutrients are essential for plant growth and play an important role in balanced crop nutrition. They are as important to plant nutrition as primary and secondary macronutrients, though plants don't require as much of them. Millions of hectares of arable land worldwide, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions, are deficient in plant available micronutrients and this can markedly affect human nutrition (Graham and Welch 2000). The major reason for the widespread occurrence of deficiency of micronutrients is the low availability of micronutrients to plant roots rather than their low concentration in soils. Low solubility of most micronutrient cations like copper (Cu), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn) zinc (Zn), silver (Ag) in soils means that after addition to alkaline soil as the soluble form, the metal is rapidly sorbed or precipitated (Tiller et al. 1972; Lindsay and Norvell 1978). It is known that chelates markedly increase the availability of micronutrient cations in soil and aid their diffusion to plant roots (Lindsay and Norvell 1978; Elgawhary et al. l970a; Elgawhary et al. l970b). However, the high mobility of these compounds raised concerns regarding their potential use in industrial and household chemicals due to their ability to transport heavy metals in the environment (Sillanpaa 1997). Though these chelates have an excellent ability to retain micronutrient cations in soluble forms, the form in which the micronutrient exists in solution is, however, not readily available for uptake by plant roots may increase their concentrations in soils.

Thus, there is still a need in the art to develop a plant micronutrient composition useful in the management of productivity.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:

Accordingly, in one aspect, the present invention provides a plant micronutrient composition comprising one or more transition metal phosphates and combination thereof, wherein metal to phosphorous ratio is from about 0.001 to about 99.09.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a plant micronutrient composition comprising one or more transition metal phosphates and or one or more transition metal silicate in the ratio in the range of 4: 1 to 1 :4.

In another aspect, the present invention relates to a plant micronutrient composition useful in the management of productivity.

In yet another aspect, the present invention relates to a plant micronutrient composition useful in the management of disease resistance.

In yet another aspect the present invention relates to a process for preparing the plant micronutrient composition.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION:

Before the methods of the present disclosure are described in greater detail, it is to be understood that the methods are not limited to particular embodiments described, as such may, of course, vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to be limiting, since the scope of the methods will be limited only by the appended claims. Where a range of values is provided, it is understood that each intervening value, to the tenth of the unit of the lower limit unless the context clearly dictates otherwise, between the upper and lower limit of that range and any other stated or intervening value in that stated range, is encompassed within the methods. The upper and lower limits of these smaller ranges may independently be included in the smaller ranges and are also encompassed within the methods, subject to any specifically excluded limit in the stated range. Where the stated range includes one or both of the limits, ranges excluding either or both of those included limits are also included in the methods.

Certain ranges are presented herein with numerical values being preceded by the term“about.” The term“about” is used herein to provide literal support for the exact number that it precedes, as well as a number that is near to or approximately the number that the term precedes. In determining whether a number is near to or approximately a specifically recited number, the near or approximating unrecited number may be a number which, in the context in which it is presented, provides the substantial equivalent of the specifically recited number.

The term“Dormulin” as used herein in the entire specification means and relate to Metal Silicates/Phosphates with other micro nutrients.

In an embodiment, the present invention provides a plant micronutrient composition comprising one or more transition meal phosphates and combination thereof, wherein the ratio of metal to phosphorous is from about 0.001 to about 99.09.

In one preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a plant micronutrient composition comprising one or more transition metal phosphates and combination thereof , wherein the ratio of metal to phosphorous is preferably from about 0.01-10, most preferably from about 1-30. In another embodiment, the present invention discloses a plant micronutrient composition comprising one or more transition metal phosphate in combination with one or more transition metal silicate, wherein the ratio of transition metal silicates to transition metal phosphates is in the range of 4: 1 to 1 :4, more preferably 3 : 1 to 1 :3, still more preferably 2: 1 to 1 :2 most preferably 1 : 1.

In another preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a plant micronutrient composition comprising one or more transition metal silicates, wherein the ratio of metal to silica is from about 1 :0.00l to 0.001 : 1.

In an alternate embodiment, the invention provides a composition comprising combination of transition metal silicates and transition metal phosphates in a specific ratio optionally with other plant nutrients.

In yet another embodiment, the transition metal phosphate is selected form a group comprising copper phosphate, silver phosphate, gold phosphate, manganese phosphate, zinc phosphate, iron phosphate, titanium phosphate, cobalt phosphate, nickel phosphate, zirconium phosphate and a combination thereof.

In yet another embodiment, the present invention provides a plant nutrient composition comprising at least two transition metal phosphate(s); wherein the transition metal phosphate is selected from a group consisting of copper phosphate, silver phosphate, gold phosphate, manganese phosphate, zinc phosphate, iron phosphate, titanium phosphate, cobalt phosphate, nickel phosphate and zirconium phosphate. The ratio of the two transition metal phosphates is from about 0.3 to about 9. In certain embodiments, the ratio is from about 0.3 to about 7.

In another embodiment, the present invention provides a plant nutrient composition comprising copper phosphate and zinc phosphate. The ratio of copper phosphate to zinc phosphate in the composition may be varied. In certain embodiments, the ratio is from about 0.3 to about 9. In a further embodiment, the ratio is from about 0.3 to about 7 or from about 0.3 to about 5 or from about 0.3 to about 3 or from about 0.3 to about 1. In certain embodiments, the ratio is 1 : 1.

In an embodiment, the transition metal silicate is selected form a group comprising copper silicate, silver silicate, manganese silicate, zinc silicate, zirconium silicate and a combination thereof.

In yet another embodiment, the present invention provides a plant nutrient composition comprising at least two transition metal silicates; wherein the transition metal silicate is selected form a group comprising copper silicate, silver silicate, manganese silicate, zinc silicate, zirconium silicate and a combination thereof.

In one preferred embodiment, the transition metal silicates are the combination of copper and zinc silicates, wherein the ratio is from about 0.3 to about 9. In a further embodiment, the ratio is from about 0.3 to about 7 or from about 0.3 to about 5 or from about 0.3 to about 3 or from about 0.3 to about 1. In certain embodiments, the ratio is 1 : 1.

The particle size of the transition metal silicates/phosphates in the nutrient composition is in the range of from about 1 micron to 500 microns.

In another preferred embodiment, the present invention discloses plant micronutrient composition comprising one or more transition metal phosphates either alone or in combination with one or more transition metal silicates; wherein the particle size of said transition metal phosphate is in the range of 1 micron to 500 microns and wherein the ratio of metal to phosphorous is in the range of 0.001 to 99.09, preferably 0.01 to 10, most preferably 1 to 30. The plant micronutrient composition of the present invention may be combined with other nutrients. Non-limiting examples of other nutrients include carbon, oxygen, nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium, magnesium, calcium, sulfur, iron, manganese, chlorine, boron, molybdenum, sodium, silicon, cobalt, nickel and aluminum. In a further embodiment, the other nutrients are selected from a group comprising fulvic acid, humic acid, citric acid, acetic acid, lignin and gluconic acid.

In another embodiment, the plant nutrient composition of the present invention may further comprise one or more excipients. Non-limiting examples of excipients include, but not limited to, fillers, gelling agents, binding agents, lubricating agents, mold-releasing agents, disintegration rate control agents, surfactants, solubility control agents, anti-redeposition agents, coloring agents, fragrances, corrosion inhibitors, disinfectants, and pesticides. In certain embodiments, the excipient is selected from a group comprising bentonite, kaoline, gelatine, cellulose, natural or synthetic gums, such as carboxymethyl cellulose, methyl cellulose, alginate, dextran, acacia gum, karaya gum, locust bean gum, tragacanth, xanthum gum and the like, alkylated naphthalene sulfonic acid, alkylated naphthalene sulfonate, condensates of sulfonic acid and sodium salt blends.

In yet another embodiment, the plant nutrient composition of the present invention may be in the form selected from a group consisting of powder, granules, suspension, mixture, pellets and compressed blocks.

In yet another embodiment, the present invention provides a plant micronutrient composition for use in seed coating, root dip solution or suspension, foliar application, paints, detergents, cleaning solutions, and zeolites.

In yet another embodiment, the present invention provides a plant micronutrient composition for use in increasing tolerance or resistance to stress. In another embodiment, the stress is biotic or abiotic stress. The biotic stress tolerance characteristic is selected from a group comprising a disease resistance, an insect resistance, tolerance to parasitic weeds, a nematode resistance, a pest resistance and any combination thereof. In another embodiment, the abiotic stress tolerance characteristic is selected from a group consisting of cold tolerance, high temperature tolerance, drought tolerance, flood tolerance, salt tolerance, ionic phytotoxicity tolerance, pH tolerance and any combination thereof.

In yet another embodiment, the present invention provides a method for producing a plant with increasing tolerance or resistance to stress by providing said plant micronutrient composition to the plant; optionally, along with other nutrients and excipients. In yet another embodiment the stress is biotic or abiotic stress. In yet another embodiment, the biotic stress tolerance characteristic is selected from a group comprising a disease resistance, an insect resistance, tolerance to parasitic weeds, a nematode resistance, a pest resistance and any combination thereof. In yet another embodiment, the abiotic stress tolerance characteristic is selected from a group consisting of cold tolerance, high temperature tolerance, drought tolerance, flood tolerance, salt tolerance, ionic phytotoxicity tolerance, pH tolerance and any combination thereof.

In yet another embodiment, the present invention provides a method for producing a plant with strong root system, enhanced stem height or high stem, plant vigor, vigorous growth, sturdiness, resistance or tolerance to disease agents such as bacteria, fungi and viruses, disease resistance or tolerance, resistance to pathogens, prevention of contaminants penetration to the scion, resistance to nutrient deficiencies, improved seed yield, enhanced germination, enhanced rooting potential, minimal sprout differentiation from callus, minimal side-shoots from the rootstock stem, enhanced rootstock stem thickness, maximal elongation of internodes, robustness, straight stem, thickness and any combination thereof. In yet another embodiment, the composition of the present invention may strengthen the plant's natural defenses against bacterial, fungal and viral pathogens. In an embodiment, bacterial pathogens include, but not limited to, Pseudomonas syringae pathovars; Ralstonia solanacearum; Agrobacterium tumefaciens; Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae; Xanthomonas campestris pathovars; Xanthomonas axonopodis pathovars; Erwinia amylovora; Xylella fastidiosa; Dickeya (dadantii and solani); and Pectobacterium carotovorum (and Pectobacterium atrosepticum).

In another embodiment, fungal pathogens include, without limitation, Ascomycetes, Fusarium spp. (causal agents of Fusarium wilt disease), Thielaviopsis spp. (causal agents of: canker rot, black root rot, Thielaviopsis root rot), Verticillium spp., Magnaporthe grisea (causal agent of rice blast), Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (causal agent of cottony rot), Basidiomycetes, Ustilago spp. (causal agents of smut), Rhizoctonia spp., Phakospora pachyrhizi (causal agent of soybean rust) and Puccinia spp. (causal agents of severe rusts of virtually all cereal grains and cultivated grasses).

In another embodiment, viral disease includes but not limited to Tobacco mosaic virus, Tomato spotted wilt virus, Tomato yellow leaf curl virus, Cucumber mosaic virus, Potato virus, Cauliflower mosaic virus, African cassava mosaic virus, Plum pox virus, Brome mosaic virus and Potato virus X.

The plant nutrient of the present invention may regulate plant antioxidant pathways, reduces reactive oxygen species involved in various crop stresses, enhance secondary metabolite synthesis, enhance heavy metal, abiotic, biotic, UV-B, water stress resistance and strengthens cell walls thereby resulting in higher crop yields, higher quality, lower pesticide usage and higher crop returns.

The plant nutrient composition of the present invention may have application on crops including but not limited to maize, rice, tomato, cotton and brinjal. The nutrient of the present invention may be absorbed by leaves about 10 times more than farmer practice. In yet another embodiment, the present invention provides a plant micronutrient composition for enhancing the yield of crops by about 10% to about 35%.

In a further embodiment, the present invention provides compositions comprising a transition metal silicate(s) in effective amount of 0.05 to 50% by weight, for controlling the blast disease in plants such as rice etc.

In another embodiment, the present invention provides a process for preparing the plant nutrient comprising transition metal phosphate. The process comprises: a. adding a solution of transition metal salt(s) to a soluble phosphorous containing solution to form a mixture;

b. optionally adjusting pH and /or temperature of the mixture;

c. forming a precipitate comprising transition metal phosphate; and

d. Washing and drying the precipitate to obtain the metal phosphate.

The transition metal salt is selected from a group comprising mixing transition metal chloride, transition metal nitrate, transition metal sulphate and transition metal acetate. The soluble phosphorous containing solution may be selected from phosphoric acid.

In another embodiment, the present invention provides a process for preparation of plant micronutrient composition of a complex of combination of one or more transition metal phosphate and one or more transition metal silicate comprising the steps of ;

a. adding a solution of transition metal salt(s) to a soluble phosphorous containing solution; b. preparing solution of transition metal salt followed by adding soluble alkali silicate solution to form a mixture followed by adding and mixing with the to the solution of step a); c. optionally adjusting pH and /or temperature of the mixture to precipitate a complex comprising transition metal phosphate and silicate and d. Washing and drying and pulverizing the precipitate to obtain the micronutrient composition of phosphate and silicate.

In a further embodiment, the invention provides method of improving the absorption of the nutrients in the plants as well as crop productivity, which method comprises giving the plants foliar spray with a nutrient composition comprising at least one transition metal phosphate in an amount of 0.05% to 50% by weight of the composition and/or in combination with transition metal silicates in effective amounts.

The effective amounts as used herein vary and depend on the different stages of the plant such as vegetative and flowering stage etc.

The particle size of the transition metal phosphates and silicates in the nutrient composition is in the range of from about 1 micron to 500 microns.

In a further embodiment, the present invention provides use of the composition comprising at least one transition metal phosphate in an effective amount of 0.05% to 50% and/or in combination with transition metal silicates for controlling the diseases such as blast in plants.

In another embodiment, the present invention provides use of the composition comprising at least one transition metal phosphate in an effective amount of 0.05% to 50% and/or in combination with transition metal silicates for controlling/treating the grape plant against powdery mildew and anthracnose disease and against the pathogen Colletotrichum gloeosporioides in grapes.

In a further embodiment, the present invention provides use of the composition comprising at least one transition metal phosphate in an effective amount of 0.05% to 50% and/or in combination with transition metal silicates in effective amounts for improving the absorption of the nutrients in the plants as well as crop productivity.

In yet another embodiment, the present invention provides use of the composition comprising one or more transition metal phosphates in an effective amount of 0.05% to 50% and/or in combination with transition metal silicates in effective amounts in association with other nutrients, for improving the absorption of the nutrients in the plants as well as crop productivity.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as is commonly understood by one of skilled in the art to which the subject matter herein belongs. As used in the specification, unless specified to the contrary, the following terms have the meaning indicated in order to facilitate the understanding of the present invention.

The singular forms "a", "an" and "the" encompass plural references unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

As used herein, the term "comprise" or“comprises” or "comprising" is generally used in the sense of include, that is to say permitting the presence of one or more features or components.

The invention is not to be limited in scope by the specific embodiments described herein. Indeed, various modifications of the invention in addition to those described herein will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing description. Such modifications are intended to fall within the scope of the appended invention.

The following example(s) illustrate the invention without limiting the scope thereof. It is understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiments set forth herein, but embraces all such forms thereof as come within the scope of the disclosure.

EXAMPLE 1

Copper acetate (130 g) and phosphoric acid (40 g) were mixed in water (500 g) and stirred well to dissolve completely. The resultant solution was mixed well in a reactor at 100 rpm for 2 h to form a complex of nutrient metal phosphate. The complex was dried at l00°C and pulverized through jet mill to get fine powder. The finished product sprayed directly as foliar with different nutrients (primary, secondary and micro nutrients) and spreading agent (surfactant) and stickers as nutrient spreading across the leaf of different crops like maize, rice, tomato, cotton and brinjal. The applied nutrient absorbed by leaves 10 times more than the farmer practice. Simultaneously final yields were improved by 15-20 % than farmer practice.

EXAMPLE 2

Copper acetate 260 g dissolved in 500 ml of water and phosphoric acid 80 g were mixed in water 500 g and stirred well to mix completely. The resultant solution was mixed well in a reactor at 100 rpm for 1 h to form a complex of nutrient metal phosphate. The complex was dried at a high temperature in a furnace to get fine powder. The finished product sprayed directly as foliar with different nutrients (primary, secondary and micro nutrients) and spreading agent (surfactant) and stickers as nutrient spreading across the leaf of different crops like maize, rice, tomato, cotton and brinjal. The applied nutrient absorbed by leaves 10 times more than the farmer practice. Simultaneously final yields were improved by 15-20 % than farmer practice. EXAMPLE-3: EVALUATION OF THE PRESENT COMPOSITION ON BLAST DISEASE OF RICE

A field experiment was conducted on rice crop using composition of the present invention along with Primary nutrients like N,R,K and other micronutrients, optionally with fungicide. The field trial was laid in randomized block design with 8 treatments and four replications. Two doses (0.75 g/L and 1.5 g/L) were compared with fungicide (Trycyclazole @ 2 g/l). Foliar spray was done twice as curative application. The first spray was done at 42 days after planting and second spray was done at 15 days later. The fungal disease, blast symptom was recorded at 4^th, 8^th and 12^th days after the application of doses. The study showed that the composition of the present invention is effective in management of the blast severity in rice, which was comparable with that of recommended fungicide (Tricyclazole).

EXAMPLE 4

Compositions containing metal silicates and metal phosphate along with other nutrients as nutrient as well as disease suppressor for rice blast.

The following compositions I and II can be used at vegetative and flowering stage respectively.

EXAMPLE 5

Summary of Percentage of Killing of different microbes by 1%, 3% & 5% of various Dormulin

The Dormulin and/or Pronos used in the above table are explained herein below:

Dormulin and/or Pronos 2,5,8 and 9 is showing highest antimicrobial activity of 98-100% which is closer to the silver silicate and Silver nitrate (positive control)

Observation:

Bacillus:

Dormulin and/or Pronos 2, 4, 5, 6, and 7 with 1% concentration has antimicrobial activity of 99%. They have higher activity than silver silicate and Silver nitrate (positive control) which gave activity of 86 % and 95% respectively. All 12 Pronos shows antimicrobial activity of 99% with 5% concentration.

E.coli:

Dormulin and/or Pronos 5,8,9 and 10 with 1% concentration has antimicrobial activity (99%) and they are comparable with Silver nitrate and silver silicate (positive control). Pronos 3 has no activity. Excluding Dormulin number 3 remaining Pronos has antimicrobial activity of 99%with higher percentage (3% gave 92 -99% & 5% gave 99% concentration).

Yeast:

Dormulin and/ or Pronos 2 and 8 with 1% concentration has antimicrobial activity of 100% and and they are comparable with Silver nitrate and silver silicate (positive control)

Dormulin and/ or Pronos 2,4,6,8,9,11 & 12 has antimicrobial activity with 3% and 5% pronos

Dormulin 3 has no activity.

Paecilomyces:

Dormulin and/ or Pronos (1-12 numbers) with 1% concentration has no antimicrobial activity.

Dormulin and/ or Pronos 5 & 8 with 3% concentration has activity(92-95%) Dormulin and/ or Pronos 2, 5 & 9 with 5% concentration has 98% activity.

EXAMPLE 6: Composition of Dormulin vegetative, Dormulin flowering and Pronos:

EXAMPLE 7: In vitro study of Dormulin against powdery mildew and anthracnose disease in grapes.

The experiment was conducted at the plant pathology laboratory in Hyderabad. The spore germination of powdery mildew was checked on water agar slides incubated at 26°C while for anthracnose ' poison food tech.' was used.

EXAMPLE 7.1: Bio-efficacy of Dormulin against powdery mildew and anthracnose disease in grapes.

7.1.1: Powdery mildew

The experiment was conducted in vineyard of Tas-A-Ganesh variety (10 ft x 6 ft) grown on Bower system of training at Tasgaon, Sangli between October 2016 and March 2017. The experiment was laid out in RED with four replications. Two plants per replication per treatment were used for experiment. Standard check fungicides, Myclobutanil 10 % WP were purchased from local market. Sprays of these fungicides were given whenever the weather conditions were favorable for development of powdery mildew. Based on the favorable weather conditions five sprays were given for powdery mildew management, wherein, l^ST two sprays were taken as prophylactic sprays. Water volume used for spray was calculated based on requirement of 1000 L/ha at full canopy. Knapsack sprayer was used for spray.

Table 1(a): Details of treatments for in vitro study

Table 1(b) Date of pruning, harvesting and sprays for powdery mildew

Details of treatments for field trials

7.1.2: Anthracnose

separate experiment was conducted in vineyard of Thompson Seedless variety. The experiment was laid out in RED with four replications. Two plants per replication per treatment were used for experiment. Thiophenate methyl 70% WP were purchased from local market and used as standard checks. Sprays of these fungicides were given whenever the weather conditions were favorable for development of anthracnose disease. Based on the favorable weather conditions four sprays were given for anthracnose disease management, wherein, First spray was taken as prophylactic. Water volume used for spray was calculated based on requirement of 1000 L/ha at full canopy. Knapsack sprayer was used for spray.

Table 1(d): Details of treatments for field trial

Table 1(e):

Dates of pruning and fungicide sprays for anthracnose

7.1.3: Foliar infection a) For powdery mildew:

Powdery mildew incidence on leaves was recorded visually adopting the 0-4 scale, where 0 means no disease present and 4 means more than 75 per cent leaf area infected. The ratings on ten leaves were recorded on randomly selected canes. Ten such canes per vine were observed, thus 100 disease observations were recorded per replicate. Four replications for each treatment were considered. Only actively growing powdery mildew lesions were considered for recording ratings. b) For anthracnose:

Anthracnose incidence on leaves was recorded visually adopting the 0-4 scale, on described for powdery mildew. 7.1.4: Bunch infection

During the fruiting season, powdery mildew ratings are recorded separately on bunches. Powdery mildew incidence on bunches was recorded adopting 0-4 scale, where 0 means no disease present and 4 means more than 75 per cent bunch area infected. The ratings on twenty randomly selected bunches per replicate were recorded. During all the observations only active powdery mildew growth were considered for recording ratings.

7.2: Phytotoxicity

Phytotoxicity observations were recorded from the powdery mildew trial conducted at the research farm. Grapevines were sprayed with different doses of Dormulin.

Table 1(f): Treatment details for phytotoxicity observations

Sprayed vines were critically observed for presence of phytotoxic effects such as chlorosis, tip burning, necrosis on leaves and berries, epinasty and russeting on berries up to ten days after each spray. Observations were recorded at 0, 1, 3, 5, 7 & 10 days after each application in the form of visual ratings in 0-10 scale as detailed below.

7.3: Marketable yield

The yield data was recorded from the powdery mj Jdew trial. The marketable yield from the four replications of each of the treatments and the control was harvested and expressed in Kg grapes/vine.

7.4: Statistical analysis

The POI data was transformed by using arcsine transformation for leaves and bunches and analyzed statistically following Randomized Block Design (RBD) using Statistical Analysis System (SAS software 9.3). The yiel data was analysed without transformation. Means were compared using Least Significant Difference (LSD) Test.

7.5 Results:

7.5.1: In vitro study of Dormulin against spore germination of Erysiphe necator.

Table 2:

Table 3: In vitro study of Pronos against Colletotrichum gloeosporioides

7.6: Powdery mildew control on leaves and bunches by Dormulin:

First disease observation on leaves in experimental plot was recorded on 28^th

December 2016, when 76 days had passed after fruit pruning and two preventive sprays for powdery mildew were already given. Dormulin 1 flowering @ 5 g/L water treatment recorded a significantly lower per cent Disease Index (PDI) of powdery mildew on leaves (7.5, 7.63 and 8.18 respectively) than the untreated control (25.25) on leaves in last observation recorded on 27.01.2017.

Table 4: Bio-efficacy of Dormulin in control of powdery mildew on leaves of grapes after fruit pruning.

*= Figures in parenthesis indicate arcsine transformed averages 7.7: Effect on marketable yield

Harvestable yield of grapes in case of Dormulin @ 1.5 g/L, water was significantly higher yield(l3.10,12.65 kg/vine and 12.77 kg/vine respectively) than untreated control (5.25 kg/vine). However, it was on par with all Dormulin treatments including standard check fungicide myclobutanil 10 % WP (11.41 kg/vine).

Table 5: Marketable yield in vines treated with Dormulin against powdery mildew of grapes

7.8: Anthracnose control on leaves by Dormulin

First disease observation on leaves in experimental plot was recorded on l3th July 2017, when 60 days had passed after foundation pruning. One preventive spray for anthracnose was already given. Dormulin vegetative followed by 3 sprays of Dormulin flowering @ 5 g/L water recorded a significantly lower PDI (17.85 and 17.34 respectively) of anthracnose on leaves than the untreated control (32.24) and it was on par with standard check fungicide thiophenate methyl 70% WP (19.42) during the last observation (Table 13). Trend was similar during second observation also.

Table 7: Bio-efficacy of Dormulin in control of anthracnose on leaves of grapes after foundation pruning.

*= Figures in parenthesis indicate arcsine transformed average

7.9: Ph totoxicity:

A separate trial was conducted for phytotoxicity on grapes plants. Two sprays were given as per the details given below. The observations were recorded on phytotoxicity on leaves and bunches of grapes such as leaf chlorosis, tip burning; necrosis, epinasty and russeting after each spray. No phytotoxicity symptoms were developed on leaves and bunches up to 10 days of spray in any treatment, indicating that Dormulin is not phytotoxic to grapes up to the dose of l.5g/L as shown in Table 8:

Table 8: Evaluation of the phytotoxicity of Dormulin on grape leaves and bunches

Table 9:

Table 10:

Conclusion:

• Dornulin Vi-Vegetative grade, Dormulin V2-Vegetative grade, Dormulin VI Flowering grade and Dormulin V2-Flowering grade @ 10 g/L water treatments recorded highest percentage inhibition of Erysiphe necator conodial gennination and Colletotrichum gloeosporioides radial growth, in vitro condition. • Dormulin I flowering (curative) @ 5 g/L water as foliar spray showed effective control of powdery mildew on leaves and recorded more marketable yield than untreated control after fruit pruning.

• One spray of Dormulin vegetative @ 5 g/L followed by 3 sprays of Dormulin flowering @ 5 g/L water showed effective control of anthracnose on leaves than untreated control.

• Dormulin @ 5 g/L water did not show any phytotoxicity symptoms on leaves and bunches.

It is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative and not restrictive. Many embodiments will be apparent to those in the art. The scope of the invention should therefore be determined not with reference to the above description, but should instead be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.

Claims

We Claim;

1. Plant micronutrient composition for management of productivity and disease resistance comprising one or more transition metal phosphates of particle size 1 micron to 100 microns in an amount of 0.05 to 50%, wherein metal to phosphorous ratio is from 0.001 to 99.09 either alone or in combination with one or more transition metal silicates along with other plant nutrients and one or more acceptable excipients.

2. The plant micronutrient composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein the transition metal phosphate is selected form a group comprising copper phosphate, silver phosphate, gold phosphate, manganese phosphate, zinc phosphate, iron phosphate, titanium phosphate, cobalt phosphate, nickel phosphate, zirconium phosphate and a combination thereof.

3. The plant micronutrient composition as claimed in claim 2, wherein the composition comprises two transition metal phosphate(s) selected from a group consisting of copper phosphate, silver phosphate, gold phosphate, manganese phosphate, zinc phosphate, iron phosphate, titanium phosphate, cobalt phosphate, nickel phosphate and zirconium phosphate, wherein the ratio of the two transition metal phosphates is from about 0.3 to about 9.

4. The plant micronutrient composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein the transition metal silicate is selected from a group comprising copper silicate, silver silicate, manganese silicate, zinc silicate, zirconium silicate and combination thereof.

5. The plant micronutrient composition as claimed in claim 4, wherein the composition comprises two transition metal silicates selected form a group comprising copper silicate, silver silicate, manganese silicate, zinc silicate or zirconium silicate in the ratio of 0.3 to 9.0.

6. Plant micronutrient composition for management of productivity and disease resistance comprising;

i. one or more transition metal silicates;

ii. one or more transition metal phosphates; in combination with other plant nutrients and one or more acceptable excipients, wherein the ratio of transition metal silicates to transition metal phosphates is 4: 1 to 1 :4 .

7. The plant micronutrient composition as claimed in claim 6, wherein the transition metal phosphate is selected form a group comprising copper phosphate, silver phosphate, gold phosphate, manganese phosphate, zinc phosphate, iron phosphate, titanium phosphate, cobalt phosphate, nickel phosphate, zirconium phosphate and combination thereof.

8. The plant micronutrient composition as claimed in claim 7, wherein the ratio of metal to phosphorous is 0.001 to 99.09; preferably 0.01 to 10; more preferably 1 :30.

9. The plant micronutrient composition as claimed in claim 6, wherein the composition comprises two transition metal phosphates selected from a group consisting of copper phosphate, silver phosphate, gold phosphate, manganese phosphate, zinc phosphate, iron phosphate, titanium phosphate, cobalt phosphate, nickel phosphate and zirconium phosphate in the ratio 0.3 to 9.0.

10. The plant micronutrient composition as claimed in claim 6, wherein the transition metal silicate is selected from a group comprising copper silicate, silver silicate, manganese silicate, zinc silicate, zirconium silicate and combination thereof.

11. The plant micronutrient composition as claimed in claim 10, wherein the ratio of metal to silica is 1 :0.001 to 0.001 : 1.

12. The plant micronutrient composition as claimed in any one of the preceding claims 1 to 11, wherein the particle size of the transition metal silicate and/or transition metal phosphate is in the range of 1 micron to 500 microns.

13. The plant micronutrient composition as claimed in any one of the preceding claims 1 to 12, wherein the composition comprises other nutrients such as carbon, oxygen, nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium, magnesium, calcium, sulfur, iron, manganese, chlorine, boron, molybdenum, sodium, silicon, cobalt, nickel and aluminium and selected from a group comprising fulvic acid, humic acid, citric acid, acetic acid, lignin and gluconic acid.

14. The process for preparing the plant nutrient composition as claimed in claim 1 comprising;

a) adding a solution of transition metal salt(s) to a soluble phosphorous containing solution to form a mixture;

b) optionally adjusting pH and /or temperature of the mixture;

c) forming a precipitate comprising transition metal phosphate; and d) Washing and drying the precipitate to obtain the metal phosphate.

15. The process for preparing the plant nutrient composition as claimed in claim 1 or 6 comprising;

a) adding a solution of transition metal salt(s) to a soluble phosphorous containing solution; b) preparing solution of transition metal salt followed by adding soluble alkali silicate solution to form a mixture followed by adding and mixing with the to the solution of step a); c) optionally adjusting pH and /or temperature of the mixture to precipitate a complex comprising transition metal phosphate and silicate and d) Washing and drying and pulverizing the precipitate to obtain the micronutrient composition of phosphate and silicate.

16. The process as claimed in claim 14 and 15, wherein the transition metal salt is selected from a group comprising mixing transition metal chloride, transition metal nitrate, transition metal sulphate and transition metal acetate.

17. The process as claimed in claim 14 and 15, wherein the soluble phosphorous containing solution may be selected from phosphoric acid.

18. The process as claimed in claiml4 and 15, wherein other nutrients and/or excipients are added to the mixture or are added after drying of the nutrient metal complex.

19. The process as claimed in claim 18, wherein the nutrients include but is not limited to carbon, oxygen, nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium, magnesium, calcium, sulfur, iron, manganese, chlorine, boron, molybdenum, sodium, silicon, cobalt, nickel and aluminum, fulvic acid, humic acid, citric acid, acetic acid, lignin and gluconic acid.

20. The process as claimed in claim 6, wherein the particle size of the transition metal phosphate and/or silicate is in the range of 1 micron to 500 microns.

21. Plant micronutrient composition for management of productivity and/or disease resistance comprising combination of silicates of copper and zinc and of phosphates of copper and zinc in the ratio 4: 1 tol :4 of particle size of 1 micron to 500 microns in combination with other plant nutrients and one or more acceptable excipients.

22. The plant micronutrient composition as claimed in any one of the preceding claims 1 to 21 wherein the composition is in the form selected from a group consisting of powder, granules, suspension, mixture, pellets and compressed blocks.

23. The method for producing a plant with increasing tolerance to disease agents or resistance to biotic and abiotic stress comprises providing the plant micronutrient composition in effective amount of 0.05 to 50% by weight of the composition as claimed in anyone of the preceding claims 1 to 22.

24. The method for producing a plant as claimed in claim 23, wherein the biotic stress tolerance is selected from a group comprising a disease resistance, an insect resistance, tolerance to parasitic weeds, a nematode resistance, a pest resistance and any combination thereof.

25. The method for producing a plant as claimed in claim 24, wherein the abiotic stress tolerance is selected from a group consisting of cold tolerance, high temperature tolerance, drought tolerance, flood tolerance, salt tolerance, ionic phytotoxicity tolerance, pH tolerance and any combination thereof.

26. The method of improving the absorption of the nutrients in the plant as well as increasing the yield of crops comprising providing the plant micronutrient composition in effective amount of 0.05 to 50% by weight of the composition as claimed in anyone of the preceding claims 1 to 22.

27. The plant micronutrient composition as claimed in anyone of the preceding claims 1 to 22 for use in seed coating, root dip solution or suspension, foliar application, paints, detergents, cleaning solutions, and zeolites.

28. The plant micronutrient composition as claimed in anyone of the preceding claims 1 to 22 for use in increasing the tolerance to disease agents or resistance to biotic and abiotic stress, improving the absorption of the nutrients in plants as well as for improving crop productivity.