WO2022024012A1

WO2022024012A1 - Composition of metominostrobin, tebuconazole and propineb

Info

Publication number: WO2022024012A1
Application number: PCT/IB2021/056888
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ashim Kumar Dutta; Vishwanath GADE
Original assignee: Pi Industries Ltd.
Priority date: 2020-07-30
Filing date: 2021-07-29
Publication date: 2022-02-03
Also published as: PE20231302A1; ECSP23006821A; BR112023001601A2; MX2023001173A; DOP2023000015A; CO2023000905A2

Abstract

The present invention discloses a synergistic combination of metominostrobin, tebuconazole and propineb with its composition and a method for controlling a wide variety of undesired phytopathogenic fungi and/or microorganisms, for plants, including the treatment of plant/plant parts and a region around the plant. The present invention also discloses an enhanced efficacy against phytopathogenic fungi and other diseases in comparison to the individual components of the said combination. The combination also widens the spectrum and said to have longer residual effect against undesired phytopathogenic fungi and/or microorganisms. The combination is also able to increase plant health.

Description

TITLE OF INVENTION: COMPOSITION OF METOMINOSTROBIN, TEBUCONAZOLE AND

PROPINEB

FIELD OF THE INVENTION:

The present invention relates to a combination of metominostrobin, tebuconazole and propineb and to the composition thereof. Particularly, the present invention relates to a composition comprising of metominostrobin, tebuconazole and propineb, methods of preparation of the said composition and use thereof for the control of a broad spectrum of fungal diseases or undesired pathogenic microorganism.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION:

Fungicides are compounds, of natural or synthetic origin, which act to protect and cure plants against damage caused by agriculturally-relevant fungi. The ecological and economic demands made on modern active ingredients, for example fungicides, are increasing constantly, for example with respect to activity spectrum, toxicity, selectivity, application rate, formation of residues and favourable manufacture. There are also problems, for example, that are associated with resistances. There is thus a constant need to develop novel fungicidal compositions with different modes of action which have advantages over the known compounds and compositions at least in some areas. Hence, a premix of the best possible formulation for a combination of fungicides would help growers to combat these important fungal diseases.

A typical challenge in the field of crop protection is to reduce the dose rates of an active ingredient in order to reduce or avoid unfavorable environmental or toxicological effects whilst still allowing effective control. Therefore, a combined application of an effective amount of fungicides in a uniform composition is a practical necessity. The present invention relates to a fungicidal product that contains a combination of active substances, a method for controlling undesired pathogenic microorganism using this product, its use and the plant propagation organs treated with this product, as well as the use of this combination for the preparation of the product.

Metominostrobin is a fungicidal compound, which belongs to methoxyiminoacetamides and strobilurin fungicides chemical class. It was developed by Shionogi and Co Ltd., as described in US 5185342. It is used as a fungicide for the control of Pyricularia oryzae on rice crops. It is classified under group 11 of the FRAC mode of action, which blocks the mitochondrial electron transport and thus inhibits the energy supply of the fungus which results in the death of the target fungus.

Chemically, it is (2E)-2-methoxyimino-N-methyl-2-(2-phenoxyphenyl)acetamide and has the following structure:

Formula I

Tebuconazole is a systemic broad spectrum fungicide, developed by Bayer AG, as described in US 4723984. It is classified under group 3 of the FRAC mode of action. Tebuconazole acts as demethylase inhibitors, which interferes in the process of building the structure of the fungal cell wall which finally inhibits the spore germination and further growth of the fungus. Currently, it is used to control various fungal diseases, including smut, bunt, stripe rust, yellow leaf spot, powdery mildew, scelerotinia rot, black spot and net blotch.

Chemically, it is l-(4-chlorophenyl)-4,4-dimethyl-3-(l,2,4-triazol-l-ylmethyl)pentan-3-ol and has the following structure:

Propineb is a broad spectrum fungicide, developed by Montedison SPA, as described in US 3178336. It is classified under group M3 of the FRAC mode of action. Propineb interferes at different locations in the metabolism of the fungi; on several points of the respiration chain, in the metabolism of carbohydrates and proteins, in the cell membranes. This multi-site mode of action of propineb prevents development of resistance in the fungi. Propineb is a protective fungicide that is well distributed and adheres on to the plant surface, but does not penetrate inside the plant tissues. Currently, it is used to control various fungal diseases, including downy mildew, black rots, grey molds, scab, leaf spots and blossom wilt.

Chemically, it is zinc;N-[l-(sulfidocarbothioylamino)propan-2-yl]carbamodithioate and has the following structure:

Formula III

Various patent applications disclose the mixtures of fungicides e.g. WO 2017203527, IN 1336/KOL/2013, WO 2020061706, WO 2014056780, JP 2007246496, and US 20110319435.

There is no such effective composition available that acts simultaneously on a wide variety of phytopathogenic fungi and/or microorganisms of plants and crops.

It has been found that, as a solution to the above mentioned problems, a combination comprising of metominostrobin, tebuconazole and propineb provides an effective composition in controlling a wide variety of undesired phytopathogenic fungi and/or microorganisms. The present invention provides a combination of metominostrobin, tebuconazole and propineb with enhanced efficacy and spectrum as compared to the use of metominostrobin, tebuconazole and propineb alone.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:

In one aspect, the present invention provides a synergistic combination of metominostrobin, tebuconazole and propineb, wherein optionally, an addition of one or more insecticidal or fungicidal or acaricidal or nematicidal or herbicidal compounds or any combination thereof is possible.

In one aspect, the present invention provides a synergistic combination of metominostrobin, tebuconazole and propineb to control a wide variety of undesired phytopathogenic fungi and/or microorganisms.

In another embodiment, the present invention provides a longer residual control of the undesired phytopathogenic fungi and/or treated with the combination of metominostrobin, tebuconazole and propineb.

In one aspect, the present invention provides a synergistic composition of metominostrobin, tebuconazole and propineb to control a wide variety of undesired phytopathogenic fungi and/or microorganisms.

In a further aspect, the present invention provides a synergistic composition comprising of metominostrobin, tebuconazole and propineb; wherein the composition possessing fungicidal activity.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a method for the preparation of the composition comprising metominostrobin, tebuconazole and propineb.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a synergistic composition of metominostrobin, tebuconazole and propineb, wherein the composition is used as a fungicidal composition. The composition is selected from suspension concentrate (SC), wettable granules (WG), wettable powder (WP), a water dispersible granule (WDG), a water ssible tablet (WT), an ultra-low volume (ULV) liquid (UL), an ultra-low volume (ULV) suspension (SU), a water soluble powder (SP), a suspo- emulsion (SE), granule (GR), an emulsifiable granule (EG), an oil-in-water emulsion (EW), an emulsifiable concentrate (EC), a micro-emulsion (ME), an oil dispersion (OD), a capsule suspension (CS), a dustable powder (DP) or an aerosol (AE).

In another aspect, the present invention provides a composition of metominostrobin, tebuconazole and propineb used for foliar application. In yet another aspect, the present invention provides a composition of metominostrobin, tebuconazole and propineb used to treat plant parts or plant propagation material.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a combination of metominostrobin, tebuconazole and propineb, wherein active ingredient tebuconazole is used in the crystalline form 1 and/or form 2. In yet another aspect, the present invention provides a composition of metominostrobin, tebuconazole and propineb, wherein the active ingredient tebuconazole is used in the crystalline form 1 and/or form 2.

In one embodiment, the combination of metominostrobin, tebuconazole and propineb comprises an effective amount of crystalline form 1 of tebuconazole. In another embodiment, the combination of metominostrobin, tebuconazole and propineb comprises an effective amount of crystalline form 2 of tebuconazole.

In one embodiment, the composition of metominostrobin, tebuconazole and propineb comprises an effective amount of crystalline form 1 of tebuconazole; and agrochemically acceptable additives. In another embodiment, the composition of metominostrobin, tebuconazole and propineb comprises an effective amount of crystalline form 2 of tebuconazole; and agrochemically acceptable additives.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a combination/ composition of metominostrobin, tebuconazole and propineb, wherein the active ingredients metominostrobin, tebuconazole and propineb have a particle size of 2 to 80 pm, more preferably 5 to 30 pm, most preferably 5 to 10 pm.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a combination/ composition of metominostrobin, tebuconazole and propineb, wherein the active ingredients have a particle size (d50, determined after dispersion in the water phase by laser diffraction) of 2 to 80 pm, more preferably 5 to 30 pm, most preferably 5 to 10 pm.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a method for improving crop health (phyto-tonic effect), comprising treating a plant with an effective amount of the composition of metominostrobin, tebuconazole and propineb.

The above aspects and other objectives will become more apparent in view of the description given below. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION:

ABBREVIATIONS

DEFINITIONS

The foregoing definitions provided herein for the terminologies used in the present disclosure are for illustrative purpose only and in no manner limit, the scope of the present invention disclosed in the present disclosure.

It will be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing embodiments only, and is not intended to be limiting. As used in this specification, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, the reference to "a surfactant" includes one or more of such surfactants.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one ordinary skilled in the art to which the invention pertains. Although other methods and materials similar, or equivalent, to those described herein can be used in the practice of the present invention, the preferred materials and methods are described herein.

As used herein, the terms "comprises", "comprising", "includes", "including", or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, subject to any limitation explicitly indicated. For example, a composition or a method that comprises a list of elements is not necessarily limited to only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such composition, or method.

As used herein, the term “composition” or "formulation" can be used interchangeably, unless stated otherwise, is meant to encompass, and are not limited to, compositions or formulations containing the combination of metominostrobin, tebuconazole and propineb. As used herein, the term “additive(s)” or "auxiliary agent(s)" or “agrochemically acceptable carrier(s)” can be used interchangeably and refers to inert substances which are commonly used as diluent, to provide stability or to increase the activity profile of the composition or formulation with or without having agrochemical activity or direct effect on the undesired phytopathogenic fungi and/or microorganisms.

As used herein, the term "agrochemically acceptable salts" are typically acid addition salts of inorganic or organic acids, preferably of hydrochloric acid, hydrobromic acid, sulfuric acid, nitric acid, perchloric acid, phosphoric acid, formic acid, acetic acid, trifluoroacetic acid, oxalic acid, malonic acid, toluenesulfonic acid or benzoic acid.

As used herein, the term “surfactant(s)” means a compound that, when dissolved in a liquid, reduces the surface tension of the liquid, which reduces the interfacial tension between two liquids or which reduces surface tension between a liquid and a solid.

As used herein, the term “stabilizer(s)” refers to a substance capable of imparting resistance against physical or chemical deterioration or deformulation.

As used herein, the term “defoaming agent(s)” refers to a chemical additive that reduces and hinders the formation of foam in the industrial process liquids, semi-solids, or solids. The terms defoaming agent and anti-foaming agent can be used interchangeably.

As used herein, the term “thickener(s)” refers to a polymeric material, which at a low concentration increases the viscosity of an aqueous solution and helps to stabilize the composition. Unless otherwise specified, % refers to % weight; and % weight refers to % of the weight of the respective component with respect to the total weight of the composition.

As used herein, the term “locus" means a plant, plant parts, plant propagation material (preferably seed), soil, area, material or environment in which a pathogen is growing or may grow.

As used herein, the term “plant parts” are understood to mean all above-ground and below-ground parts and organs of plants, such as shoot, leaf, flower and root, examples including leaves, needles, stems, stalks, flowers, fruit-bodies, fruits and seeds, and also roots, tubers and rhizomes. The plant parts also include harvested plants and vegetative and generative propagation material, for example seedlings, tubers, rhizomes, cuttings and seeds.

As used herein, the term “polymorph” encompasses the different crystal forms of compound. When a compound recrystallizes from a solution or slurry, it may crystallize with different spatial lattice arrangements, a property referred to as “polymorphism”. Different polymorphic forms of a given substance may differ from each other with respect to one or more physical properties, such as solubility and dissociation, true density, crystal shape, compaction behavior, flow properties, and/or solid state stability. As used herein, the term "effective amount" means the amount of the active substances in the compositions to achieve an observable effect on growth, including the effects of necrosis, death, retardation, prevention, and removal, destruction, or otherwise diminishing the occurrence and activity of the target organism. The effective amount can vary for the various compositions used in the present invention. An effective amount of the compositions will also vary according to the prevailing conditions such as desired pesticidal effect and duration, weather, target species, locus, mode of application, and the like.

As used herein, the term “metominostrobin” encompasses metominostrobin or its agrochemically acceptable salt(s), ester(s), derivative(s) or any other modified form of metominostrobin.

As used herein, the term “tebuconazole” encompasses tebuconazole or its agrochemically acceptable salt(s), ester(s), derivative(s) or any other modified form of tebuconazole.

As used herein, the term “propineb” encompasses propineb or its agrochemically acceptable salt(s), ester(s), derivative(s) or any other modified form of propineb.

In one embodiment, the present invention provides a synergistic combination of metominostrobin, tebuconazole and propineb, wherein optionally, the addition of one or more insecticidal or fungicidal or acaricidal or nematicidal or herbicidal compounds or any combination thereof is possible.

In one embodiment, the present invention provides a synergistic combination of metominostrobin, tebuconazole and propineb to control a wide variety of undesired phytopathogenic fungi.

In one embodiment, the present invention provides a synergistic fungicidal combination of metominostrobin, tebuconazole and propineb.

In another embodiment, the present invention provides a longer lasting control of the undesired phytopathogenic fungi and/or microorganisms treated with the combination of metominostrobin, tebuconazole and propineb.

In a specific embodiment, the combination ratio of metominostrobin, tebuconazole and propineb depends on various factors such as, the undesired phytopathogenic fungi and/or microorganisms to be controlled, the degree of infestation, the climatic conditions, the characteristics of the soil and the application method, wherein the ratio of metominostrobin, tebuconazole and propineb is from 1: 2: 3 to 1: 10: 20 more preferably 1: 2: 3 to 1: 5: 10 to most preferably 1: 1: 7.5 to 1: 1: 10.

In another embodiment, the present invention provides a combination of metominostrobin, tebuconazole and propineb, wherein metominostrobin, tebuconazole and propineb having a particle size of 2 to 80 pm, more preferably 5 to 30 pm, most preferably 5 to 10 pm.

In a specific embodiment, the present invention provides a combination of metominostrobin, tebuconazole and propineb, wherein metominostrobin, tebuconazole and propineb having a particle size (d50, determined after dispersion in the water phase by laser diffraction) of 2 to 80 pm, more preferably 5 to 30 pm, most preferably 5 to 10 pm.

In one embodiment, the present invention provides a synergistic composition of metominostrobin, tebuconazole and propineb for the control of a wide variety of undesired phytopathogenic fungi and/or microorganisms.

In one embodiment, the present invention provides a synergistic fungicidal composition of metominostrobin, tebuconazole and propineb.

In one embodiment, the combination or composition of metominostrobin, tebuconazole and propineb of the present invention may further comprise of insecticide(s), fungicide(s), nematicide(s), acaricide(s), safener(s), or herbicide(s) or any combination thereof.

In another embodiment, the present invention provides a synergistic composition of metominostrobin, tebuconazole and propineb, wherein the composition is used as fungicidal composition. The composition is selected from suspension concentrate (SC), wettable granules (WG), wettable powder (WP), a water dispersible granule (WDG), a water dispersible tablet (WT), an ultra-low volume (ULV) liquid (UL), an ultra-low volume (ULV) suspension (SU), a water soluble powder (SP), a suspo-emulsion (SE), granule (GR), an emulsifiable granule (EG), an oil-in-water or water in oil emulsion (EW), an emulsifiable concentrate (EC), a micro -emulsion (ME), an oil dispersion (OD), a capsule suspension (CS), a dustable powder (DP) or an aerosol (AE).

In a specific embodiment, the present invention provides a suspension concentrate (SC) composition of metominostrobin, tebuconazole and propineb.

In a specific embodiment, the present invention provides a suspo-emulsion (SE) composition of metominostrobin, tebuconazole and propineb.

In a specific embodiment, the present invention provides an emulsion concentrate (EC) composition of metominostrobin, tebuconazole and propineb.

In a specific embodiment, the present invention provides a wettable powder (WP) composition of metominostrobin, tebuconazole and propineb.

In a specific embodiment, the present invention provides water dispersible granule (WDG) composition of metominostrobin, tebuconazole and propineb.

In one embodiment, the present invention provides a synergistic fungicidal combination of metominostrobin, tebuconazole and propineb, wherein the tebuconazole referred to herein as “polymorph form 1”, and “polymorph form 2”.

In a specific embodiment, the tebuconazole form 1 and form 2 can be obtained by following the process disclosed in patents, e.g. DE 3733755 and WO 2019095891. In a specific embodiment, the present invention provides a composition of metominostrobin, tebuconazole and propineb, wherein the active ingredients metominostrobin, tebuconazole and propineb, have a particle size of 2 to 80 pm, more preferably 5 to 30 pm, most preferably 5 to 10 pm.

In a specific embodiment, the present invention provides a composition of metominostrobin, tebuconazole and propineb, wherein the active ingredients have a particle size (d50, determined after dispersion in the water phase by laser diffraction) of 2 to 80 pm, more preferably 5 to 30 pm, most preferably 5 to 10 pm.

In a specific embodiment, the present invention provides a process for the preparation of the composition of metominostrobin, tebuconazole and propineb, comprising the steps of a) addition of metominostrobin, tebuconazole and propineb, or its agrochemically acceptable salt(s) thereof, b) addition of agrochemically acceptable additives selected from surfactant(s), carrier(s) and other additive(s) uniformly in a mixer; c) optionally milling by a mill.

These compositions may be manufactured by any process known in the art, such as, “Pesticide Formulation Guide” (edited by Pesticide Science Society of Japan, The Agricultural Formulation and Application Committee, published by Japan Plant Protection Association, 1997).

In one embodiment, the present invention provides a composition of metominostrobin, tebuconazole and propineb used to beat the plant parts or plant propagation material, wherein plant parts includes shoots, leaves, needles, stalks, stems, flowers, fruit bodies, fruits, seeds, roots, tubers, and rhizomes. The plant parts also include harvested material and vegetative and generative propagation material, for example cuttings, tubers, rhizomes, slips, and seeds.

In another embodiment, the present invention further provides a composition to control a wide variety of undesired phytopathogenic fungi, wherein the weight percentage of metominostrobin is 1% to 10%, the weight percentage of tebuconazole is 1% to 10% and the weight percentage of propineb is 50% to 70%. The total content of metominostrobin, tebuconazole and propineb, in the composition is selected in the weight range typically from 25% to 90%, preferably from 50% to 75%.

The composition comprising organic or inorganic carrier material, including agrochemically acceptable additive(s) are selected from the group comprising of solid carrier(s), liquid carrier(s), gaseous carrier(s), surfactant(s), binder(s), disintegrating agent(s), pH adjuster(s), thickener(s), preservative(s), anti-caking agent(s), anti-freezing agent(s), defoaming agent(s), extender(s), stabilizer(s) and/or coloring agent(s) or a combination thereof. The composition may also contain if desired, one or more auxiliaries customary for crop protection compositions. Solid carrier(s) is selected from the group comprising of, but not limited to, natural minerals such as quartz, talc, kaolin, pyrophyllite, montmorillonite, attapulgite, bentonite, chalk, zeolite, calcite, sericite, clay, acid clay, diatomaceous earth, Fuller’s earth, meerschaum, gibbsite, dolomite or pumice; synthetic minerals such as precipitated silica, fumed silica, sodium silicate, alumina, aluminum hydroxide; inorganic salts such as calcium carbonate, ammonium sulfate, sodium sulfate, potassium chloride, organic materials such as urea, solid polyoxyethylene, solid polyoxypropylene, polyethylene, polypropylene, lactose, starch, lignin, cellulose, cottonseeds hulls, wheat flour, soyabean flour, wood flour, walnut shell flour, plant powders, sawdust, coconut shellflower, corn cob, tobacco stem. These solid carriers may be used alone or in combination.

Liquid carrier(s) is selected from the group comprising of, but not limited to, water; alcohols such as ethanol, propanol, butanol, n-octanol, isopropanol ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, propylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, benzyl alcohol, glycerin; polyol ethers such as ethylene glycol monopropyl ether, diethylene glycol monomethyl ether, dipropylene glycol dimethyl ether; ketones such as acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone, cyclohexanone; ethers such as dipropyl ether, dioxane, tetrahydrofuran, aliphatic hydrocarbons such as normal paraffin, isoparaffin, kerosene, mineral oil; aromatic hydrocarbons such as xylene, toluene, naphthene, solvent naphtha, solvent C9, solvent CIO, solvent C12, solvesso 100, solvesso 150, solvesso 200; chlorinated aliphatic or aromatics hydrocarbons such as chlorobenzene, chloroethylene, methylene chloride; esters such as ethyl acetate, diisopropyl phthalate, dimethyl adipate, methyl oleate, methyl tallowate; lactones such as gammabutyrolactone, gamma-valerolactone, epsilon-caprolactone; amides such as dimethylformamide, N- methylpyrrolidone, N-octylpyrolidone, N,N-dimethyldecanamide; nitriles such as acetonitrile; organosulfur compound such as dimethyl sulfoxide; vegetable oils such as soybean oil, rapeseed oil, cotton seed oil. These liquid carriers may be used alone or in combination.

Gaseous carrier(s) is selected from the group comprising of, but not limited to, liquefied petroleum gas, air, nitrogen, carbon dioxide or dimethyl ether. These gaseous carriers may be used alone or in combination thereof.

Surfactant(s) (a dispersing agent, a wetting agent, a spreader, an adjuvant for penetration enhancement, rain fastness, soil leaching control etc.) are nonionic or anionic surfactants or a combination of these surfactants. It is preferred to use one or more than one kind of surfactant. Surfactant(s) is selected from the group comprising of, but not limited to, sugar esters such as sorbitan monolaurate, polyoxyethylene sorbitan monolaurate; C1-C30 alkylcarboxylate, C1-C20 hydroxy alkylcarboxylate, polymer containing carboxylate, arylcarboxylate, alkylx (e.g. aliphatic di- and tricarboxylates) having 2 to 32 carbon atoms, such as aconitic acid, adipic acid, aspartic acid, citric acid, fumaric acid, galactaric acid, glutamic acid, glutaric acid, oxoglutaric acid, maleic acid, malic acid, malonic acid, oxalate, sebacic acid, succinic acid, tartaric acid; alkyl polyglucoside such as decyl glucoside; polyoxyethylene alkyl ethers such as polyoxyethylene lauryl ether, or polyoxyethylene coconut fatty alcohol ether; polyoxyethylene alkynyl ether such as polyoxyethylene 2,4,7,9-tetramethyl-5-decyn-4,7-diol ether; polyoxyethylene aryl ethers such as polyoxyethylene nonylphenyl ether or polyoxyethylene tristyrylphenyl ether; polyoxyethylene vegetable oil ethers such as polyoxyethylene castor oil or polyoxyethylene hydrogenated castor oil; vegetable oil ethoxylate; C6-C20 linear and branched alcohol ethoxylates, C6-C20 alcohol propoxylates, C6-C20 propoxylated and ethoxylated alcohols; polyoxyethylene fatty acid esters such as polyoxyethylene monolaurate, polyoxyethylene distearate or polyoxyethylene resin acid ester; polyoxyethylene polyoxypropylene (EO-PO) block co-polymers such as Pluronic®; polyoxyethylene poly oxypropylene alkyl ether such as polyoxyethylene poly oxypropylene lauryl ether; polyoxyethylene poly oxypropylene aryl ether such as polyoxyethylene polyoxypropylene styrylphenyl ether; polyoxyethylene alkyl amines such as polyoxyethylene stearyl amine; polyoxyethylene fatty acid amide such as lauric acid diethanolamid; fluorinated surfactant; alkyl sulfates such as sodium lauryl sulfate; sodium alkylbenzene sulfonate, calcium alkylbenzene sulphonate; polyoxyethylene alkyl ether sulfates such as sodium polyoxyethylene lauryl ether sulfate; polyoxyethylene aryl ether sulfates such as sodium polyoxyethylene nonylphenyl ether sulfate or ammonium polyoxyethylene tristyrylphenyl ether sulfate; aryl sulfonate such as calcium benzene sulfonate calcium dodecyl benzene sulfonate, sodium naphthalene sulfonate, sodium salt of naphthalene sulfonate condensate (MORWET® D-425) or sodium naphthalene sulfonate formaldehyde condensate; poly aryl phenyl ether sulphate ammonium salt; ‘alpha’ -olefin sulfonate; lauryl sulfosuccinate, laureth sulfosuccinate, laureth-5 sulfosuccinate, ricinoleamide MEA sulfosuccinate, undecylenearnide MEA sulfosuccinate, diisobutyl sulfosuccinate, dioctyl sulfosuccinate, dihexyl sulfosuccinate, dicyclohexyl sulfosuccinate, diisodecyl sulfosuccinate, diisotridecyl sulfosuccinate, di-2-ethylhexyl sulfosuccinate, di-2-methylamyl sulfosuccinate, dimethylamyl sulfosuccinate, dibutylhexyl sulfosuccinate, diisooctyl sulfosuccinate or their alkali metal salts, sodium lignosulfonate; polycarboxylic acid sodium salt; N-methyl fatty acid sarcosinate; polyoxyethylene alkyl ether phosphate; polyoxyethylene aryl ether phosphates such as polyoxyethylene phenyl ether phosphate; polyoxyethylene alkyl phenyl ether phosphate; graft copolymers such as polymethyl methacrylate -polyethylene glycol graft copolymer; Polymeric surfactants such as Polymethyl Methacrylate - Polyetheylene Glycol Graft Copolymer or Methyl 2- methyl-2-propenoate graft polymer with 2-methyl-2-propenoic acid ester with a-methyl-co- hydroxypoly(oxy-l,2-ethanediyl) and Copolymer condensate of EG & PO or mixt. of polyoxyethylene C12-15-alkyl ether and polyoxyethylene/polyoxypropylene glycol 4-butoxybutyl ether). These surfactants may be used alone or in combination thereof.

Binder(s) or adhesive-imparting agent(s) is selected from the group comprising of, but not limited to, polyvinyl alcohol, dextrin, denatured dextrin, soluble starch, guar gum, xanthan gum, sucrose, polyvinylpyrrolidone, gum arabic, polyvinyl acetate, sodium polyacrylate, carboxymethyl cellulose or its salt, carboxymethylcellulose dextrin, bentonite, polyethylene glycol having an average molecular weight of 6,000 to 20,000, polyethylene oxide having average molecular weight of 100,000 to 5,000,000, natural phosphatide such as cephalinic acid or lecithin. These binders or adhesiveimparting agents may be used alone or in combination thereof.

Disintegrating agent(s) is selected from the group comprising of, but not limited to, sodium tripolyphosphate, stearic acid metal salt, cellulose powder, dextrin, methacrylate co-polymer, polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyaminocarboxylic acid chelate compound, styrene sulfonate/isobutylene/maleic anhydride co-polymer, starch/polyacrylonitrile graft co-polymer, sodium hexametaphosphate, carboxymethyl cellulose, sodium polycarbonate, bentonite. These disintegrating agents may be used alone or in combination thereof. pH adjuster(s) is selected from the group comprising of, but not limited to, sodium or potassium carbonate, sodium or potassium hydrogen carbonate, sodium or potassium dihydrogenphosphate, disodium or dipotassium hydrogenphosphate, citric acid, malic acid and triethanolamine. These pH adjusters may be used alone or in combination thereof.

Thickener(s) is selected from the group comprising of, but not limited to, polyvinyl alcohol, carboxymethylcellulose, polyvinylpyrrolidone, carboxyvinyl polymer, acrylic polymer, acrylic graft copolymer, starch derivative, synthetic macromolecules, such as modified cellulose-based polymers, polycarboxylates, montmorillonites, hectonites, attapulgites, polysaccharide gums such as gellan gum, jelutong gum, xanthan gum, guar gum, gum arabic, gum tragacanth, gum karya, tara gum, locust gum, agar agar, carrageenan, alginic acid, propylene glycol alginate, alginates (e.g. sodium, potassium, ammonium, or calcium), or an inorganic fine powder selected from high purity silica, bentonite, white carbon. These thickeners may be used alone or in combination thereof.

Preservative(s) is selected from the group comprising of, but not limited to, formaldehyde and paraformaldehyde, 2- hydroxybiphenyl ether and its salts, 2-zinc sulfidopyridine N-oxide, inorganic sulfites and bisulfites, sodium iodate, chlorobutanol, dehydroacetic acid, formic acid, 1, 6-bis (4- amidino-2- bromophenoxy)-n-hexane and its salts, 10-undecylenic acid and their salts, 5-amino-l,3- bis (2- ethylhexyl)-5-methyl-hexahydropyrimidine, 5-bromo-5-nitro-l,3-dioxane, 2-bromo-2-nitro-l,3 propanediol, 2,4-dichlorobenzylalcohol, potassium sorbate, 4-hydroxybenzoic acid esters, dichlorophene, isothiazolenes and isothiazolones such as l,2-benzisothiazol-3(2H)-one (Proxel® GXL), 2-methyl-2H-isothiazol-3-one-hydrochloride, 5-chloro-2-(4-chlorobenzyl)-3(2H)- isothiazolone, 5-chloro-2-methyl-2H-isothiazol-3-one, 5-chloro-2-methyl-2H-isothiazol-3-one, 5- chloro-2-methyl-2H-isothiazol-3-one-hydrochloride, 4,5-dichloro-2-cyclohexyl- 4-isothiazolin-3-one, 4,5-dichloro-2-octyl-2H-isothiazol-3-one, 2-methyl-2H-isothiazol-3-one, 2-methyl-2H-isothiazol-3- one-calcium chloride complex, 2-octyl-2H-isothiazol- 3-one. These preservatives may be used alone or in combination thereof. Anti-caking agent(s) is selected from the group comprising of, but not limited to, disodium benzene disulfonate, dipotassium benzene disulfonate, disodium toluene disulfonate, and dipotassium toluene disulfonate, glycol based aqueous solvents such as ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol and propylene glycol, precipitated silica, fumed silica, aluminium silicate, magnesium silicate, sodium silicate, calcium silicate, talc, diatomaceous earth, bentonite, calcium carbonate, sodium carbonate, aluminium oxide, and talcum, cellulose, attapulgite clay, kieselguhr, silica aerogel, silica xerogel, perlite, talc, vermiculite, sodium aluminosilicate, zirconium oxychloride, starch, sodium or potassium phthalate, calcium phosphate, calcium nitride, aluminum nitride, copper oxide, magnesium carbonate, magnesium nitride, magnesium phosphate, magnesium oxide, magnesium nitrate, magnesium sulfate, magnesium chloride, magnesium oxide, magnesium and aluminum salts of C10- C22 fatty acids such as palmitic acid, stearic acid and oleic acid, tricalcium phosphate, hydrophobic starch derivatives, powdered cellulose, polyacrylic acid and sodium salts thereof, and sodium polyalkyl naphthalene sulfonate. These anti-caking agents may be used alone or in combination thereof.

Anti-freezing agent(s) is selected from the group comprising of, but not limited to, urea, glycerine, ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, trimethylene glycol, 1,2- butanediol, 1,3-butanediol, 1 ,4-butanediol, 1 ,4-pentanediol, 3-methyl-l,5-pentanediol, 2,3-dimethyl- 2,3-butanediol, trimethylol propane, mannitol, sorbitol, glycerol, pentaerythritol, 1,4- cyclohexanedimethanol, xylenol, bisphenols such as bisphenol A or the like, propylene glycol, glycerol, diethylene glycol monomethyl ether, diethylene glycol monoethyl ether, triethylene glycol monomethyl ether, butoxyethanol, butylene glycol monobutyl ether, dipentaerythritol, tripentaerythritol, tetrapentaerythritol, diglycerol, triglycerol, tetraglycerol, pentaglycerol, hexaglycerol, heptaglycerol and octaglycerol. These anti-freezing agents may be used alone or in combination thereof.

Defoamer(s) is selected from the group comprising of, but not limited to, silicone compounds such as polysiloxane, polydimethyl siloxane, silicone oil, magnesium stearate, long chain alcohol, fatty acid, salts of fatty acid and organic fluorine compounds. These defoaming agents may be used alone or in combination thereof.

Extender(s) is selected from the group comprising of, but not limited to, silicon type surfactant, a cellulose powder, dextrin, processed starch, a polyaminocarboxylic acid chelate compound, crosslinked polyvinylpyrrolidone, maleic acid and styrene, methacrylic acid co-polymer, half ester of polymer of polyhydric alcohol with dicarboxylic anhydride, water-soluble salt of polystyrene sulfonic acid. These extenders may be used alone or in combination thereof.

Stabilizer(s) is selected from the group comprising of, but not limited to, drying agent such as zeolite, quick lime or magnesium oxide; antioxidant agent such as phenol type, amine type, sulfur type or phosphorus type; or ultraviolet absorber such as salicylic acid type or a benzophenone type. These stabilizers may be used alone or in combination thereof.

Coloring agent(s) is selected from the group comprising of, but not limited to, inorganic pigment such as iron oxide, titanium oxide or Prussian blue; organic dye such as alizarin dye, azo dye, metal phthalocyanine dye. These coloring agents may be used alone or in combination thereof.

When additive ingredients are incorporated into the composition of the present invention, the content of the carrier is selected typically in weight range from 5% to 95%, preferably from 20% to 90%; the content of the surfactant is selected from the range of typically from 0.1% to 30%, preferably from 0.5% to 10%, and the content of the other additives is selected from the range of typically from 0.1% to 50%.

In one embodiment, the composition of the present invention used to control a wide variety of undesired pathogenic microorganism, is advantageous, for several purposes, e.g.: a) useful for addressing a wider range of undesired pathogenic microorganisms e.g. fungicidal activity; b) offering a single application as a uniform composition in place of separate applications of fungicides; c) offering crop health improvement in comparison to separate applications of fungicides; d) offers longer residual control after application of the composition.

In one embodiment, the composition of the present invention can be applied by any one of the methods selected from atomization, spreading, dusting, spraying, diffusion, immersion, irrigation, injection, mixing, sprinkling (water immersion), foaming, dressing, coating, blasting, fumigation, smoking, smog and painting.

In one embodiment, the present invention provides a composition of metominostrobin, tebuconazole and propineb used for foliar application.

In an embodiment, the present invention provides a method of controlling a wide variety of undesired phytopathogenic fungi and/or microorganisms, with an effective amount of a composition of metominostrobin, tebuconazole and propineb.

In one embodiment, the composition of the present invention comprising of metominostrobin, tebuconazole and propineb in a wider ratio, depending on various factors such as, crop type, the undesired phytopathogenic fungi and/or microorganisms to be controlled, the degree of infestation, the climatic conditions, the characteristics of the soil and the application method, can vary wherein the weight ratio of metominostrobin, tebuconazole and propineb is from 1: 2: 3 to 1: 10: 20 more preferably 1: 2: 3 to 1: 5: 10 to most preferably 1: 1: 7.5 to 1: 1: 10. The undesired pathogenic microorganism for the present invention is selected from the group comprising of Albugo spp. (white rust) on ornamentals, vegetables (e.g. A. Candida) and sunflowers (e.g. A. tragopogonis); Altemaria spp. (Alternaria leaf spot) on vegetables, citrus fruits (A. citri), rape (A. brassicola or A. brassicae), sugar beets (A. tenuis), fruits, rice, soybeans, potatoes (e.g. A. solani or A. alternata), tomatoes (e.g. A. solani or A. alternata) and wheat; Aphanomyces spp. on sugar beets and vegetables; Ascochyta spp. on cotton, cereals and vegetables, e.g. A. tritici (anthracnose) on wheat and A. hordei on barley; Bipolaris and Drechslera spp. (teleomorph: Cochliobolus spp. for e.g. Cochliobolus carbonum (northern corn leaf blight)), e.g. Southern leaf blight (D. maydis) or Northern leaf blight (B. zeicola) on corn, e.g. spot blotch (B. sorokiniana) on cereals, e.g. B. oryzae on rice and turfs and on oats; Blumeria (formerly Erysiphe) graminis (powdery mildew) on cereals (e.g. on wheat or barley); Botrytis cinerea (teleomorph: Botryotinia fuckeliana: grey mold) on fruits and berries (e.g. strawberries), vegetables (e.g. lettuce, carrots, celery and cabbages), rape, flowers, vines, forestry plants and wheat; Bremia lactucae (downy mildew) on lettuce; Ceratocystis (syn. Ophiostoma) spp. (rot or wilt) on broadleaved trees and evergreens, e.g. C. ulmi (Dutch elm disease) on elms; Cercospora spp. (Cercospora leaf spots) on corn and cotton, (Cercospora blight spots) on cotton, (e.g. Gray leaf spot: C. zeae-maydis), rice, sugar beets (e.g. C. beticola), sugar cane, vegetables, coffee, soybeans (e.g. C. sojina or C. kikuchii) and rice, sunflower (e.g. cercospora leaf spot: C. helianthi), peanut (e.g. early leaf spot: C. arachidicola); Cercosporidium spp. on peanut (e.g. C. personatum: late leaf spot); Cladosporium spp. on tomatoes (e.g. C. fulvum: leaf mold) and cereals, e.g. C. herbarum (black ear) on wheat, C. caryigenum (pecan scab) on pecan; Cylindrocladium spp. on peanut (C. crotalariae: cylindrocladium black rot); Claviceps purpurea (ergot) on cereals; Cochliobolus (anamorph: Helminthosporium of Bipolaris) spp. (leaf spots) on corn (C. carbonum), cereals (e.g. C. sativus (black point), anamorph: B. sorokiniana) and rice (e.g. C. miyabeanus, anamorph: H. oryzae)-, Colletotrichum (teleomorph: Glomerella) spp. (anthracnose) on cotton (e.g. C. gossypii), corn (e.g. C. graminicola: Anthracnose stalk rot), soft fruits, potatoes (e.g. C. coccodes: black dot), beans (e.g. C. lindemuthianum), citrus fruits (e.g. C. acutatum (post bloom fruit drop), C. gloeosporioides) and soybeans (e.g. C. truncatum or C. gloeosporioides)-, Corticium spp., e.g. C. sasakii (sheath blight) on rice; Corynespora cassiicola (leaf spots) on soybeans and ornamentals; Cycloconium spp., e.g. C. oleaginum on olive bees; Cylindrocarpon spp. (e.g. fruit tree canker or young vine decline, teleomorph: Nectria or Neonectria spp.) on fruit trees, vines (e.g. C. liriodendri, teleomorph: Neonectria liriodendri: Black Foot Disease) and ornamentals; Dematophora (teleomorph: Rosellinia) necatrix (root and stem rot) on soybeans; Diplodia spp. e.g. Diplodia boll rot on cotton, Diaporthe spp., e.g. D. phaseolorum (damping off) on soybeans, D. citri (melanose) on citrus fruits; Drechslera (syn. Helminthosporium, teleomorph: Pyrenophora) spp. on corn, cereals, such as barley (e.g. D. teres, net blotch), oats (e.g. D. avenae, leaf spot), and wheat (e.g. D. tritici-repentis: tan spot), rice and turf; Esca (dieback, apoplexy) on vines, caused by Formitiporia (syn. Phellinus) punctata, F. mediterranea, Phaeomoniella chlamydospora (earlier Phaeoacremonium chlamydosporum), Phaeoacremonium aleophilum and/or Botryosphaeria obtusa', Elsinoe spp. on pome fruits (E. pyri), on citrus fruits (E. fawcetti), soft fruits (E. veneta-. anthracnose) and vines (E. ampelm . anthracnose); Entyloma oryzae (leaf smut) on rice; Epicoccum spp. (black mold) on wheat; Erysiphe spp. (powdery mildew) on sugar beets (E. betae). (powdery mildew) on rye (E. graminis), vegetables (e.g. E. pisi), such as cucurbits (e.g. E. cichoracearum), cabbages, sunflower, rape (e.g. E. cruciferarum), peas and bean (e.g. E. polygonif, Eutypa lata (Eutypa canker or dieback, anamorph: Cytosporina lata, syn. Libertella blepharis) on fruit trees, vines and ornamental woods; Exserohilum (syn. Helminthosporium) spp. on corn (e.g. E. turcicum); Fusarium (teleomorph: Gibberella) spp. (wilt, root or stem rot) on various plants, such as hardlock, boll rot of cotton, F. graminearum or F. culmorum (root rot, scab or head blight) on cereals (e.g. wheat or barley), F. oxysporum on tomatoes,

F. solani on soybeans and F. verticillioides on corn; Gaeumannomyces graminis (take-all) on cereals (e.g. wheat or barley) and corn; Gibberella spp. on cereals (e.g. G. zeae) and rice (e.g. G. fujikuroi: Bakanae disease); Glomerella cingulata on vines, pome fruits and other plants and G. gossypii on cotton; Grain staining complex on rice; Guignardia bidwellii (black rot) on vines, Guignardia citricarpa (balck spot) on citrus fruits; Gymnosporangium spp. on rosaceous plants and junipers, e.g.

G. sabinae (rust) on pears; Helmintho sporium spp. (syn. Drechslera, teleomorph: Cochliobolus) on corn, cereals and rice; Hemileia spp., e.g. H. vastatrix (coffee leaf rust) on coffee; Isariopsis clavispora (syn. Cladosporium vitis) on vines; Kabatiella zeae (eyespot) on corn; Leptosphaeria maculans (blackleg) on oilseed crops; Leptosphaerulina spp. on peanut (e.g. L. crassiasca: pepperspot); Macrophomina phaseolina (syn. phaseoli) (root and stem rot) on soybeans and cotton; Microdochium (syn. Fusarium) nivale (pink snow mold) on cereals (e.g. wheat or barley); Microsphaera diffusa (powdery mildew) on soybeans; Myeosphaerella citri (greasy spot) on citrus fruit, Monilinia spp., e.g. M. laxa, M. fructicola and M. fructigena (bloom and twig blight, brown rot) on stone fruits and other rosaceous plants; Myeosphaerella spp. on peas and beans, cereals, bananas, soft fruits and ground nuts, such as e.g. M. graminicola (anamorph: Septoria tritici, Septoria blotch) on wheat or M. fijiensis (black Sigatoka disease) on bananas; Peronospora spp. (downy mildew) on cabbage (e.g. P. brassicae), rape (e.g. P. parasitica), onions (e.g. P. destructor), tobacco (P. tabacind) and soybeans (e.g. P. manshuricaf, Phyllosticta maydis (yellow leaf blight) on corn; Phakopsora pachyrhizi and P. meibomiae (soybean rust) on soybeans; Phialophora spp. e.g. on vines (e.g. P. tracheiphila and P. tetraspora) and soybeans (e.g. P. gregata: stem rot); Phoma lingam (root and stem rot) on rape and cabbage and P. betae (root rot, leaf spot and damping-off) on sugar beets, Phoma exigua (ascochyta blight) on peas and beans, phoma blight, boll rot on cotton, Phoma arachidicola (web blotch) on peanut; Phomopsis spp. on sunflowers, vines (e.g. P. viticola-. can and leaf spot) and soybeans (e.g. stem rot:, phaseoli, teleomorph: Diaporthe phaseolorumf, Phykopsora spp. e.g. rust on cotton, Physoderma maydis (physoderma brown spot) on corn; Phytophthora spp. (wilt, root, leaf, fruit and stem root) on various plants, such as paprika and cucurbits (e.g. P. capsici), soybeans (e.g. P. megasperma, syn. P. sojae), potatoes and tomatoes (e.g. P. infestans: late blight), broad-leaved trees (e.g. P. ramorum: sudden oak death) and peas and beans (e.g. P. nicotianae: downy mildew); Plasmodiophora brassicae (club root) on cabbage, rape, radish and other plants; Plasmopara spp., e.g. P. viticola (downy mildew) on vines and P. halstedii on sunflowers; Podosphaera spp. (powdery mildew) on rosaceous plants, hop, pome and soft fruits, e.g. P. leucotricha on apples; Polymyxa spp., e.g. on cereals, such as barley and wheat (P. graminis) and sugar beets (P. betae) and thereby transmitted viral diseases; Pseudocercosporella herpotrichoides (eyespot, teleomorph: Tapesia yallundae) on cereals, e.g. wheat or barley; Pseudoperonospora (downy mildew) on various plants, e.g. P. cubensis on cucurbits or P. humili on hop; Pseudopezicula tracheiphila (red fire disease or rotbrenner, anamorph: Phialophora) on vines; Puccinia spp. (rusts) on various plants, e.g. P. triticina (brown or leaf rust), P. striiformis (stripe or yellow rust), P. hordei (dwarf rust), P. graminis (stem or black rust) or P. recondita (brown or leaf rust) on cereals, such as e.g. wheat, barley or rye (P. recondita), P. kuehnii (orange rust) on sugar cane and P. asparagi on asparagus, P. coronata (crown rust) and P. graminis (stem rust) on oats, P. arachidis (rust) on peanut; Pyrenophora (anamorph: Drechslera) tritici-repentis (tan spot) on wheat, P. feres (net blotch) on barley, or P. avenae (leaf blotch) on oats; Pyricularia spp., e.g. P. oryzae (teleomorph: Magnaporthe grisea, rice blast) on rice and P. grisea on turf and cereals; Pythium spp. (damping-off) on turf, rice, corn, wheat, cotton, rape, sunflowers, soybeans, sugar beets, vegetables and various other plants (e.g. P. ultimum or P. aphanidermatum); Ramularia spp., e.g. R. collo-cygni (Ramularia leaf spots, physiological leaf spots) on barley and mint, and R. beticola on sugar beets; Rhizoctonia spp. on cotton, rice, potatoes, turf, corn, rape, potatoes, sugar beets, vegetables and various other plants, e.g.

R. solani (root and stem rot) on soybeans, R. solani (sheath blight) on rice and peanut, or R. cerealis (Rhizoctonia spring blight) on wheat or barley; Rhizopus stolonifer (black mold, soft rot) on strawberries, carrots, cabbage, vines and tomatoes; Rhynchosporium secalis (scald) on barley, rye and triticale; Sarocladium oryzae and S. attenuatum (sheath rot) on rice; Sclerotinia spp. (stem rot or white mold) on vegetables and field crops, such as rape, sunflowers (e.g. S. sclerotiorum) and soybeans (e.g. S. rolfsii or S. sclerotiorum), S. minor (sclerotinia blight) on peanut, S. sclerotiorum (white mold) on potato; Sclerotium spp. on peanut (e.g. S. rolfsii)', Septoria spp. on various plants, e.g.

S. glycines (brown spot) on soybeans, S. tritici (Septoria blotch) on wheat and S. nodorum (syn. Stagonospora) (Stagonospora blotch) on cereals, S. avenae (Septoria blotch) on oats, S. linicola (pasmo) on flax seed; Uncinula (syn. Erysiphe) necator (powdery mildew, anamorph: Oidium tuckeri) on vines; Setospaeria spp. (leaf blight) on corn (e.g. S. turcicum, syn. Helminthosporium turcicum) and turf; Sphacelotheca spp. (smut) on corn, (e.g. S. reiliana: head smut), sorghum und sugarcane; Sphaerotheca fuliginea (powdery mildew) on cucurbits; Spongospora subterranea (powdery scab) on potatoes and thereby transmitted viral diseases; Stagonospora spp. on cereals, e.g. S. nodorum (Stagonospora blotch, teleomorph: Leptosphaeria (syn. Phaeosphaeria) nodorum) on wheat, septrotia leaf and glume blotch on rye; Stemphyllium spp. e.g. stemphyllium leaf spot on cotton, Synchytrium endobioticum on potatoes (potato wart disease); Taphrina spp., e.g. T. deformans (leaf curl disease) on peaches and T. pruni (plum pocket) on plums; Thielaviopsis spp. (black root rot) on tobacco, pome fruits, vegetables, soybeans and cotton, e.g. T. basicola (syn. Chalara elegans)', Tilletia spp. (common bunt or stinking smut) on cereals, such as e.g. T. tritici (syn. T. caries, wheat bunt) and T. controversa (dwarf bunt) on wheat; Typhula incamata (grey snow mold) on barley or wheat; Urocystis spp., e.g. U. occulta (stem smut) on rye; Uromyces spp. (rust) on vegetables, such as beans (e.g. U. appendiculatus, syn. U. phaseoil) and sugar beets (e.g. U. betae); Ustilago spp. (loose smut) on cereals (e.g. U. nuda and U. avaenae), corn (e.g. U. maydis'. corn smut) and sugar cane; Venturia spp. (scab) on apples (e.g. V. inaequalis) and pears; and Verticillium spp. (wilt) on various plants, such as fruits and ornamentals, vines, soft fruits, vegetables and field crops, e.g. V. dahliae on strawberries, rape, potatoes and tomatoes.

In another embodiment, the fungicidal composition or combination according to the present invention is distinguished by an outstanding effectiveness against a broad spectrum of phytopathogenic fungi, including soil-borne fungi, which derive especially from the classes of the Plasmodiophoromycetes, Peronosporomycetes (syn. Oomycetes), Chytridiomycetes, Zygomycetes, Ascomycetes, Basidiomycetes and Deuteromycetes (syn. Fungi imperfecti). Some are systemically effective and they can be used in crop protection as foliar fungicides, fungicides for seed dressing and soil fungicides. Moreover, they are suitable for controlling harmful fungi, which inter alia occur in wood or roots of plants.

In another embodiment, the combination or composition of the present invention provides a non- agronomic (other than field crops) application such as application on horticultural crops (e.g., greenhouse, nursery or ornamental plants not grown in a field), residential, commercial and industrial structures, turf (e.g., sod farm, pasture, golf course, lawn, sports field, etc.).

In yet another preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a fungicidal combination or composition comprising of metominostrobin, tebuconazole and propineb to control the pathogenic microorganism on economically important crops such as rice, chilli, apple, peppers, soybean, cotton, chick pea, pigeon pea, tea, potato, and tomato.

In another embodiment, the present invention provides a combination/composition that shows enhanced action against undesired pathogenic microorganisms, in comparison to the control rates that are possible with the individual compounds and/or suitable for improving the health of plants when applied to plants, parts of plants, plant propagation materials, or at their locus of their growth.

In yet another embodiment, the combination or the composition of the present invention is particularly important for controlling a multitude of undesired pathogenic microorganisms, on various cultivated plants or plant parts, such as cereals, e.g. wheat, rye, barley, triticale, oats or rice; beet, e.g. sugar beet or fodder beet; fruits, such as pomes, stone fruits or soft fruits, e.g. apples, pears, plums, peaches, almonds, cherries, strawberries, raspberries, blackberries or gooseberries; leguminous plants, such as lentils, peas, alfalfa or soybeans; oil plants, such as rape, mustard, olives, sunflowers, coconut, cocoa beans, castor oil plants, oil palms, ground nuts or soybeans; cucurbits, such as squashes, cucumber or melons; fiber plants, such as cotton, flax, hemp or jute; citrus fruit, such as oranges, lemons, grapefruits or mandarins; vegetables, such as spinach, lettuce, asparagus, cabbages, carrots, onions, tomatoes, potatoes, cucurbits or paprika; lauraceous plants, such as avocados, cinnamon or camphor; energy and raw material plants, such as corn, soybean, rape, sugar cane or oil palm; corn; tobacco; nuts; coffee; tea; bananas; vines (table grapes and grape juice grape vines); hop; turf; sweet leaf (also called Stevia); natural rubber plants or ornamental and forestry plants, such as flowers, shrubs, broadleaved trees or evergreens, e.g. conifers; and on the plant propagation material, such as seeds, and the crop material of these plants.

The rate of application amount varies depending on, for example, the blending ratio of an active ingredients, a metrological condition, a dosage form, an application time, an application method, an application place, a pest to be controlled, and a target crop, in ordinary cases.

In the method of combating pathogenic microorganism depending on the type of compound and the desired effect, the application rates of the active ingredients in the mixture according to the invention are preferably from 500 to 5000 g/l/ha, more preferably from 900 to 3000 g/l/ha, most preferably from 1000 to 2500g/l/ha and 1250 to 2000 g/l/ha.

In an embodiment, the present invention provides a method for improving crop health (phyto-tonic effect), comprising treating a plant with an effective amount of composition of metominostrobin, tebuconazole and propineb.

The present invention is further illustrated by the following examples. These examples describe possible preferred embodiments for illustrative purposes only, but they do not limit the scope of the invention. These laboratory experiments can be scaled up to an industrial/ commercial scale.

Example 1: Preparation of Water dispersible granules (WDG) Composition

Example 2: Preparation of Wettable powder (WP) Composition

Example 3: Preparation of Suspension Concentrate (SC) Composition

Example 4: Preparation of Suspension Concentrate (SC) Composition

Biological Examples:

Experiments were carried out in the laboratory, greenhouse and field to study synergies, if any, in terms of disease control, crop vigour, and yield with the combinations of the present invention. Bioefficacy assessments were done with the combination of the present invention for example for the control of leaf spots in vegetables and fruits, blast disease in rice, late blight in tomato and its indirect influence on vigour and yield.

*Combinations are tank mix

Laboratory:

Example 1: Pyricularia oryzae (Rice blast):

Compounds were dissolved in 0.3% dimethyl sulfoxide and then added to potato dextrose agar medium just prior to dispensing it into petri dishes. 5 ml medium with the compound in the desired test concentration was dispensed into 60 mm sterile petri-plates. After solidification, each plate was seeded with a 5 mm size mycelial disc taken from the periphery of an actively growing virulent culture plate. Plates were incubated in growth chambers at 25 °C temperature and 60% relative humidity for seven days and the radial growth was measured and compared to the one of the untreated control. Example 2: Rhizoctonia solani (Rice sheath blight/Potato black scurf):

Compounds were dissolved in 0.3% dimethyl sulfoxide and then added to potato dextrose agar medium just prior to dispensing it into petri dishes. 5 ml medium with the compound in the desired test concentration was dispensed into 60 mm sterile petri-plates. After solidification, each plate was seeded with a 5 mm size mycelial disc taken from the periphery of an actively growing virulent culture plate. Plates were incubated in growth chambers at 25 °C temperature and 60% relative humidity for seven days and the radial growth was measured and compared to the one of the untreated control.

Example 3: Alternaria solani (Early blight of tomato/potato):

Compounds were dissolved in 0.3% dimethyl sulfoxide and then added to potato dextrose agar medium just prior to dispensing it into petri dishes. 5 ml medium with the compound in the desired concentration was dispensed into 60 mm sterile petri-plates. After solidification, each plate was seeded with a 5 mm size mycelial disc taken from the periphery of an actively growing virulent culture plate. Plates were incubated in growth chambers at 25 °C temperature and 60% relative humidity for seven days and the radial growth was measured and compared to the one of the untreated control.

Example 4: Colletotrichum capsici (Anthracnose):

Example 5: Corynespora cassiicola (Leaf spot of tomato):

Compounds were dissolved in 0.3% dimethyl sulfoxide and then added to potato dextrose agar medium just prior to dispensing it into petri dishes. 5 ml medium with the compound in the desired concentration was dispensed into 60 mm sterile petri-plates. After solidification, each plate was seeded with a 5 mm size mycelial disc taken from the periphery of an actively growing virulent culture plate. Plates were incubated in growth chambers at 25 °C temperature and 70% relative humidity for seven days and the radial growth was measured and compared to the one of the untreated control.

Example 6: Phytophthora inf estans (Late blight of potato & tomato): Compounds were dissolved in 0.3% dimethyl sulfoxide and then added to Rye Agar medium just prior to dispensing it into petri dishes. 5 ml medium with compound in the desired concentration was dispensed into 60 mm sterile petri-plates. After solidification each plate was seeded with a 5 mm size mycelial disc taken from the periphery of actively growing virulent culture plate. Plates were incubated in growth chambers at 18 °C temperature and 90% relative humidity for seven days and the radial growth was measured and compared to the one of the untreated control.

Example 7: Venturia inequalis (VENTIN)

Potato dextrose (PDB) liquid medium containing a VENTIN (10⁵ spores/ml) spore suspension was prepared. For the inhibition assay, each test compound was solved in dimethyl sulfoxide. 100 pl of test media-solution was added to a 96-well microtiter plate, consequently, the same volume (100 pl) of spore suspension was added to the well making the final test concentrations and the treated plate was incubated at 18°C for 15-18 days. The growth inhibition was evaluated by measuring the OD600.

Percent inhibition was calculated with the below formula:

I = (C-B)-(T-B)/(C-B)*100 where, T = treatment, C = control and B = blank

Greenhouse:

Example 1: Pyricularia oryzae test in Rice

Compounds were dissolved in 2% dimethyl sulfoxide/acetone and then mixed with water containing an emulsifier to the calibrated spray volume of 50 ml. Each spray solution was poured into a spray bottle for further application.

To test the preventive activity of a compound, healthy young rice seedlings/ plants, raised in the greenhouse, were sprayed with the active compound preparation at the stated application rate inside the spray cabinets using hollow cone nozzles. One day after the treatment, the plants were inoculated with a spore suspension containing 1.4xl0⁶ Pyricularia oryzae inoculum. The inoculated plants were then kept in a greenhouse chamber at 24 °C temperature and 95% relative humidity for disease expression.

A visual assessment of the compound’s performance was carried out by rating the disease severity (0- 100% scale) on treated plants 3, 7, 10 and 15 days after application. Efficacy (% control) of the compound was calculated by comparing the disease rating in the treatment with the one of the untreated control. The treated plants were also assessed for plant damage by recording symptoms like necrosis, chlorosis and stunting.

Example 2: Alternaria solani, Corynespora cassiicola & Phytopthora infestans test in Tomato Compounds were dissolved in 2 % dimethyl sulfoxide/acetone and then mixed with water containing an emulsifier to the calibrated spray volume of 50 ml. Each spray solution was poured into a spray bottle for further application.

To test the preventive activity of the compound, healthy young tomato plants, raised in the greenhouse, were sprayed with the active compound preparation at the stated application rate inside the spray cabinets using hollow cone nozzles. One day after treatment, the plants were inoculated with a spore suspension containing 0.24xl0⁶ Altemaria solani inoculum. The inoculated plants were then kept in a greenhouse chamber at 22-24 °C temperature and 90-95 % relative humidity for disease expression.

A visual assessment of the compound’s performance was carried out by rating the disease severity (0- 100% scale) on treated plants 3, 7, 10 and 15 days after application. Efficacy (% control) of the compound was calculated by comparing the disease rating in the treatment with the one of the untreated control. The sprayed plants were also assessed for plant damage by recording symptoms like necrosis, chlorosis and stunting.

Example 3: Rhizoctonia solani test in Rice

To test the preventive activity of the compound, healthy young rice seedling/ plants, raised in the greenhouse, were sprayed with the active compound preparation at the stated application rate inside the spray cabinets using hollow cone nozzles. One day after treatment, the plants were inoculated with an equal quantity of infected rice bran containing Rhizoctonia solani. The inoculated plants were then kept in a greenhouse chamber at 24-25 °C temperature and 90-95 % relative humidity for disease expression.

Example 4: Corynespora cassiicola test in Tomato

Compounds were dissolved in 2 % dimethyl sulfoxide/acetone and then mixed with water containing an emulsifier to the calibrated spray volume of 50 ml. Each spray solution was poured into a spray bottle for further application.

To test the preventive activity of the compound, healthy young tomato plants, raised in the greenhouse, were sprayed with the active compound preparation at the stated application rate inside the spray cabinets using hollow cone nozzles. One day after treatment, the plants were inoculated with a spore suspension containing 2.6xl0⁶ Septoria lycopersici inoculum. The inoculated plants were then kept in a greenhouse chamber at 22-24 °C temperature and 90-95 % relative humidity for disease expression.

Example 5: Phytophthora inf estans test in Tomato

To test the preventive activity of the compound, healthy young tomato plants, raised in the greenhouse, were sprayed with the active compound preparation at the stated application rate inside the spray cabinets using hollow cone nozzles. One day after treatment, the plants were inoculated with a sporangial suspension containing 0.24xl0⁶ Phytophthora infestans inoculum. After inoculation, the plants were kept in darkness at 15 °C during 24 h, and then transferred to a greenhouse chamber at 18 °C temperature and 95-100 % relative humidity for disease expression.

Example 6: Colletotrichum capsici test in Pepper

To test the preventive activity of the compound, healthy young pepper plants, raised in the greenhouse, were sprayed with the active compound preparation at the stated application rate inside the spray cabinets using hollow cone nozzles. One day after treatment, the plants were inoculated with a conidial suspension containing 3xl0⁶ Colletotrichum capsica inoculum. The inoculated plants were then kept in a greenhouse chamber at 24-26 °C temperature and 80-90 % relative humidity for disease expression.

Example 7: Erysiphe cichoracearum test in Cucumber

To test the preventive activity of the compound, healthy young cucumber plants, raised in the greenhouse, were sprayed with the active compound preparation at the stated application rate inside the spray cabinets using hollow cone nozzles. One day after treatment, the plants were inoculated with a conidial suspension containing 2xl0⁵ Erysiphe cichoracearum inoculum. The inoculated plants were then kept in a greenhouse chamber at 22-24 °C temperature and 50-60 % relative humidity for disease expression.

The novel agrochemical composition of the invention also exhibits vigorous growth in crop. Vigour, here refers to early leaf area development and growth rate of the crop, has often been associated with improved competitive ability. Rapid canopy closure allows crops to quickly shade the ground and competing plants. Vigorous early growth may also promote greater root growth and improve WUE (Siddique et al., 1990; Richards et al., 2007; Richards, 2008), which may contribute to higher yields in water and nutrient-limited environments overall a potent strengthening effect in plants is observed. Accordingly, they can be used for mobilizing the defense of the plant against attack by undesirable microorganisms. Increased plant vigour, comprising plant health / plant quality and seed vigour, reduced stand failure, improved appearance, increased recovery after periods of stress, improved pigmentation (e.g. chlorophyll content, stay-green effects, etc.) and improved photosynthetic efficiency.

Table 1: Vigour index

Field Trials:

Materials and methods:

The trial was conducted at PI Industries Limited, Agricultural Research Station, Hyderabad during the Kharif season of 2020. Nursery of rice (Oryza sativa L.) was raised and seedlings from the nursery were transplanted after 30 days of sowing at a spacing of 20cm x 15cm. All the recommended practices for rice cultivation were followed in this experiment. Five treatments were evaluated in a randomized complete block design with three replications (Plot size: 5m x 10m = 50 m²). Technical product of the fungicides metominostrobin, tebuconazole and propineb were procured and used for solo and combination with 1:1:10 ratio applications as shown in Table 2. The applications of all the treatments were done 30 days after transplanting (DAT). Care was taken to avoid drift of spray solution to adjacent experimental plots. The applications were done with the help of a knapsack sprayer with 500 1/hectare water volume using a hollow cone nozzle.

Table 2: Treatment details to assess the synergistic effect of the combination of metominostrobin, tebuconazole and propineb.

1 Assessments of all the treatments were done for vigour, phytotoxicity and diseases control. Vigour descriptive scale was totally based on visual reflection. For vigour comparison among treatments, untreated plots were considered as 100 percent and based on that visual rating was given to other treatments. Phytotoxicity was recorded at 15 days after application on 0-10 scale as shown in Table 3. All plots were carefully observed for below mentioned phytotoxicity descriptive scale.

Table 3: Phytotoxicity descriptive scale (0-10)

For diseases control; observations were taken from 15 tagged (randomly selected) hills from each plot. The observations on occurrence of Sheath blight and leaf blast were recorded at 0 and 15 day after of application by using 0-9 scale. Further, the scored data was converted into percent disease index (PDI) / disease severity percent using formula given below.

Total sum of numerical ratings

PDI = - X 100

Maximum disease rating X Number of observations taken

Finally, at the time of rice harvesting, grain yield was recorded from net plot area; calculated into tons/hectare and compared among the treatments.

Establishment of synergistic action:

Calculation of three-way combination for expected activity with the Colby’s formula: The expected action for the combination of three active ingredients can be calculated according to S. R. Colby (“Calculating Synergistic and Antagonistic Responses of Herbicide Combinations”, Weeds 1967, 15, 20-22), as follows:

(AB+AC+BC) ABC

Expected % control (E) = A+ B+ C - - 1 -

100 10000 wherein,

A = observed efficacy of active ingredient A at the same concentration as used in the mixture;

B = observed efficacy of active ingredient B at the same concentration as used in the mixture;

C = observed efficacy of active ingredient C at the same concentration as used in the mixture.

Synergism of the mixture is determined by comparing observed response (O) of the mixture to the expected or predicted response (E) as calculated from the observed response of each individual component alone. If the observed response of the mixture is greater than the expected or predicted response (E) then the mixture is said to be synergistic. If E > O then the result is antagonistic effect, If E = O then its additional effect.

Results:

Vigour and Phytotoxicity:

Visual observation of the combination clearly indicated that all three active ingredients were physically compatible and safe to the rice crop. Metominostrobin, tebuconazole and propineb solo and in combination showed good plant vigour when compared to the control. Vigorous growth was observed in the combination mixtures of metominostrobin, tebuconazole and propineb as shown in Table 4. No Phytotoxicity symptoms were observed in any of the treatments.

Table 4: Vigour rating

Efficacy of metominostrobin, tebuconazole and propineb against sheath blight and leaf blast

Solo treatments were effective in controlling both the diseases. Surprising synergies were seen with combination mixture of metominostrobin, tebuconazole and propineb against both diseases i.e. sheath blight and Leaf Blast as shown in Table 5 and Table 6.

Table 5: Efficacy of metominostrobin, tebuconazole and propineb against sheath blight

Difference between observed and expected values are shown in the parenthesis by a plus (+) sign to indicate synergism.

Table 6: Efficacy of metominostrobin, tebuconazole and propineb against Leaf blast

Difference between observed and expected values are shown in the parenthesis by a plus (+) sign to indicate synergism

Efficacy of metominostrobin, tebuconazole and propineb on grain yield

Data on grain yield revealed that application of combination of metominostrobin, tebuconazole and propineb in ratio 1:1:10 recorded highest grain yield of 7.969 ton/ha indicating synergism as shown in

Table 7.

Table 7: Grain yield

Conclusion

Severe crop damage and yield reduction is seen under field conditions when there is severe attack of fungus that cause sheath blight and leaf blast in rice. This is seen many times as the window of disease attack overlaps in many rice growing geographies across the globe. Surprisingly, a synergistic effect was seen in the combination comprising of metominostrobin, tebuconazole and propineb in the ratio of 1:1:10, effective sheath blight, and leaf blast control was recorded with increased grain yield. Thus, from the foregoing description, it will be apparent to a person skilled in the art that many changes and modifications can be made thereto without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as set forth in the description. Accordingly, it is not intended that the scope of the foregoing description is limited to the description set forth above, but rather that such description be construed as encompassing such features that reside in the present invention, including all the features and embodiments that would be treated as equivalents thereof by those skilled in the relevant art.

Claims

Claim:

1. A synergistic combination comprising: a) metominostrobin or its agrochemically acceptable salt(s) thereof, b) tebuconazole or its agrochemically acceptable salt(s) thereof, and c) propineb, or its agrochemically acceptable salt(s) thereof; optionally, an addition of one or more insecticide(s), fungicide(s), acaricide(s), nematicide(s), safener(s), herbicide(s) or any combination thereof.

2. The synergistic combination as claimed in claim 1, wherein the ratio of metominostrobin, tebuconazole and propineb is from 1: 2: 3 to 1: 10: 20 more preferably 1: 2: 3 to 1: 5: 10 to most preferably 1: 1: 7.5 to 1: 1: 10.

3. A synergistic composition comprising: a) metominostrobin or its agrochemically acceptable salt(s) thereof, b) tebuconazole or its agrochemically acceptable salt(s) thereof, c) propineb, or its agrochemically acceptable salt(s) thereof and d) agrochemically acceptable additives, optionally, an addition of one or more insecticide(s), fungicide(s), acaricide(s), nematicide(s), safener(s), herbicide(s) or any combination thereof.

4. The synergistic composition as claimed in claim 3, wherein the ratio of metominostrobin, tebuconazole and propineb is from 1: 2: 3 to 1: 10: 20 more preferably 1: 2: 3 to 1: 5: 10 to most preferably 1: 1: 7.5 to 1: 1: 10.

5. The synergistic combination as claimed in claim 1 or the synergistic composition as claimed in claim 3, wherein the active ingredient tebuconazole is present in tebuconazole form 1 and tebuconazole form 2.

6. The synergistic combination as claimed in claim 1 or the synergistic composition as claimed in claim 3, wherein the active ingredients metominostrobin, tebuconazole and propineb have a particle size of 2 to 80 pm, more preferably 5 to 30 pm, most preferably 5 to 10 pm.

7. The synergistic combination as claimed in claim 1 or the synergistic composition as claimed in claim 3, wherein the active ingredients metominostrobin, tebuconazole and propineb have a particle size (d50, determined after dispersion in the water phase by laser diffraction) of 2 to 80 pm, more preferably 5 to 30 pm, most preferably 5 to 10 pm.

33 The synergistic composition as claimed in claim 3, wherein agrochemically acceptable additives are selected from the group comprising of solid carrier(s), liquid carrier(s), gaseous carrier(s), surfactant(s), binder(s), disintegrating agent(s), pH adjuster(s), thickener(s), preservative(s), anti-caking agent(s), anti-freezing agent(s), defoaming agent(s), extender(s), stabilizer(s) and/or coloring agent(s) or a combination thereof. The synergistic composition as claimed in claim 3, wherein said synergistic composition are selected from a suspension concentrate (SC), a wettable powder (WP), a water dispersible granule (WDG), a water dispersible tablet (WT), an ultra-low volume (ULV) liquid (UL), an ultra-low volume (ULV) suspension (SU), a water soluble powder (SP), a soluble concentrate (SL), a water soluble granule (SG), a suspo-emulsion (SE), a granule (GR), an emulsifiable granule (EG), an oil-in-water or water-in-oil emulsion (EW), an emulsifiable concentrate (EC), a micro-emulsion (ME), an oil dispersion (OD), a capsule suspension (CS), an aerosol (AE) or a mixed formulation of CS and SC (ZC). The synergistic composition as claimed in claim 9, wherein the preferably composition is a suspension concentrate (SC), a water dispersible granule (WDG), a suspo-emulsion (SE), emulsion concentrate (EC), a wettable powder (WP) or an oil dispersion (OD). A method for preparation of said composition as claimed in claims 9-10 comprising the steps of: a) addition of metominostrobin or its agrochemically acceptable salt(s) thereof, tebuconazole or its agrochemically acceptable salt(s) thereof and propineb or its agrochemically acceptable salt(s) thereof, b) addition of agrochemically acceptable additives selected from surfactant(s), carrier(s) and other additive(s) uniformly in a mixer, c) optionally milling by a mill. A method for the management of the undesired phytopathogenic fungi and/or microorganisms, said method comprising applying to the phytopathogenic fungi and/or microorganisms the combination as claimed in claim 1 or the composition as claimed in claim 3.

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