WO2023079309A1

WO2023079309A1 - A method of controlling insects

Info

Publication number: WO2023079309A1
Application number: PCT/GB2022/052805
Authority: WO
Inventors: David ROLDAN; Angel Rodriguez TELLO
Original assignee: UPL Corporation Limited; Upl Europe Ltd
Priority date: 2021-11-08
Filing date: 2022-11-07
Publication date: 2023-05-11

Abstract

The present invention relates a method for the effective control of insects. The present invention relates to a method of controlling insects including treating seeds of crops infested by leaf mining insects with ryanodine receptor agonists.

Description

Title: A method of controlling insects

Technical field of the invention

The present invention relates to the field of plant protection, particularly, to a method for the effective control of insects. The present invention relates to a method of controlling insects including treating seeds of crops infested by leaf mining insects with ryanodine receptor agonists.

Background and prior art of the invention

Leaf-mining flies in the genus Liriomyza (Diptera: Agromyzidae) are among the most economically important pests of vegetable and floriculture crops worldwide. Of the more than 300 species in the genus, approximately 24 species are economically important. Among these, three species are of particular importance as crop pests. Liriomyza huidobrensis (Blanchard), Liriomyza sativae Blanchard, and Liriomyza trifolii (Burgess) are highly invasive species that have become established in agricultural areas throughout the world. These three highly polyphagous species cause extensive damage to a wide range of high value vegetable and floriculture crops.

The American serpentine leaf-miner or Liriomyza trifolii is a tiny fly whose larvae damages plants by tunnelling (mining) through leaf tissue. It poses a serious threat to horticulture, nursery production, and agriculture plant industries. It is known to feed on more than 400 plant species, including most vegetable and legume crops, as well as ornamental plants. L. trifolii have been found infesting soybean and bean crops. The larvae damage leaves of crops by making serpentine tunnels while feeding on leaf palisade tissues, which may cause reductions in crop yield up to 20%. Such symptoms were also found on mungbean, cowpea, yard long bean, lablab, adzuki bean, common bean, and other crops.

The general method of insect management is foliar applications after emergence of the plant against the target pests. However, the disadvantages associated with foliar application of pesticides is that they are more susceptible to volatilization and if directions are not precisely observed, damage can be done to the plants and beneficial plant flora in the vicinity.

It has been observed that seed treatment applications are useful in the early stages of plant development, however, the efficacy of such treatments typically drops off at about the time the above ground leaf feeding pests emerge and feed on the plant foliage.

Ryanodine receptors (RyRs) are calcium channels located on the endo(sarco)plasmic reticulum of muscle cells and neurons. Anthranilic diamide insecticides control lepidopteran pests by selectively binding and activating insect ryanodine receptors (RyRs).

However, there have been no successful attempts in the art to provide an efficient method for controlling leaf mining insects of the order Diptera using seed treatment. Therefore, there is a need to provide an important alternative method for pest management of leaf mining insects.

Object of the invention

It is an object of the invention to provide a method of controlling leaf mining insects.

It is another object of the invention to provide a method of controlling leaf mining insects such as Liriomyza spp., using seed treatment such that the efficacy of the method is reflected in the efficient control of the leaf feeding pests at every stage of plant development.

The objects and associated objects of the present invention would be apparent from the description of the invention as set out hereinafter.

Summary of the invention

The present invention provides a method for controlling insects of the order Diptera, the said method comprises treating the plant propagation material or seeds of the crop likely to be infested or susceptible to infestation by insects of the Order Diptera with a ryanodine receptor agonist before sowing and/or after pre-germination.

In an aspect, the present invention provides a method of improving the growth of a crop likely to be infested or susceptible to infestation by insects of the Order Diptera by applying a ryanodine receptor agonist, preferably Chlorantraniliprole, to said plant or plant propagation material or the locus thereof.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a method of improving the vigour of a crop likely to be infested or susceptible to infestation by insects of the Order Diptera by applying chlorantraniliprole to said plant or plant propagation material or the locus thereof.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a method of improving the germination of a seed or plant propagation material of a crop likely to be infested or susceptible to infestation by insects of the Order Diptera by applying chlorantraniliprole to said seed or plant or plant propagation material or the locus thereof.

In one aspect, the present invention provides the use of chlorantraniliprole to improve the growth of plant by applying chlorantraniliprole to a plant propagation material.

In one more aspect, the present invention provides the use of chlorantraniliprole to improve the vigour of plant by applying chlorantraniliprole to a plant propagation material.

In yet another aspect, the present invention provides the use of ryanodine receptor agonists, preferably Chlorantraniliprole, for seed treatment as an important alternative for integrated pest management against leaf mining insects. The absorption and redistribution capacity of the ryanodine receptor agonists throughout the plant confers a prolonged residual action with the satisfactory control of leaf miners.

Detailed description of the invention

For the purposes of the following detailed description, it is to be understood that the invention may assume various alternative variations and step sequences, except where expressly specified to the contrary. Moreover, other than in any operating examples, or where otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing, for example, quantities of materials/ingredients used in the specification are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term "about".

Thus, before describing the present disclosure in detail, it is to be understood that this invention is not limited to particularly exemplified systems or process parameters that 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 limit the scope of the invention in any manner. The use of examples anywhere in this specification including examples of any terms discussed herein is illustrative only, and in no way limits the scope and meaning of the invention or of any exemplified term.

Prior to setting forth the present subject matter in detail, it may be helpful to provide definitions of certain terms to be used herein. Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as is commonly understood by one of skill in the art to which this subject matter pertains. The following definitions are provided for clarity.

The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents (especially in the context of the claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms first, second etc. as used herein are not meant to denote any particular order, but simply for convenience to denote a plurality of, for example, layers. The terms “comprising”, “having”, “including”, and “containing” are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, but not limited to”) unless otherwise noted.

“About” or “approximately” as used herein is inclusive of the stated value and means within an acceptable range of deviation for the particular value as determined by one of ordinary skill in the art, considering the measurement in question and the error associated with measurement of the particular quantity (i.e., the limitations of the measurement system). For example, “about” can mean within one or more standard deviations, or within ± 10% or ± 5% of the stated value. Recitation of ranges of values are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. The endpoints of all ranges are included within the range and independently combinable. It is understood that where a parameter range is provided, all integers within that range, and tenths thereof, are also provided. For example, “0.1 -80%” includes 0.1 %, 0.2%, 0.3%, etc. up to 80%.

All methods described herein can be performed in a suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”), is intended merely to better illustrate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention as used herein.

As used herein the term "plant" or “crop” refers to whole plants, plant organs (e.g., leaves, stems, twigs, roots, trunks, limbs, shoots, fruits etc.), plant cells, or plant seeds. This term also encompasses plant crops such as fruits. The term “plant” may further include the propagation material thereof, which may include all the generative parts of the plant such as seeds and vegetative plant material such as cuttings and tubers, which can be used for the multiplication of the plant. This includes seeds, tubers, spores, corms, bulbs, rhizomes, sprouts basal shoots, stolons, and buds and other parts of plants, including seedlings and young plants, which are to be transplanted after germination or after emergence from soil. The term "plant" is further to be understood as including plants, which have been modified by either conventional breeding, or mutagenesis or genetic engineering, or by a combination thereof.

The term "plant propagation material" refers to all the generative parts of the plant such as seeds and vegetative plant material such as cuttings and tubers (e.g. potatoes), which can be used for the multiplication of the plant. This includes seeds, roots, grains, fruits, tubers, bulbs, rhizomes, shoots, sprouts and other parts of plants. Seedlings and young plants, which are to be transplanted after germination or after emergence from soil, may also be included. These plant propagation materials may be treated prophylactically with a plant protection compound either at or before planting or transplanting. The ‘pesticidally effective amount’ means the amount of the composition needed to achieve an observable adverse effect on growth, including the effects of necrosis, death, retardation, prevention, and removal, destruction, pest mortality, pest weight loss, pest reduced plant defoliation, and other behavioural and physical changes of a pest after feeding and exposure for an appropriate length of time.

As used herein, the term "treating" includes both direct contact (applying the compositions directly on the animal pest or plant - typically to the foliage, stem or roots of the plant) and indirect contact (applying the active compounds/compositions to the locus, i.e. habitat, breeding ground, plant, seed, soil, area, material or environment in which a pest is growing or may grow, of the animal pest or plant).

The term "crop" refers to both, growing and harvested crops.

The term ‘adverse effect’ includes one or more of a deviation from natural development of the insect and includes killing of the insect, structural damage to the insect and/or growth retardation.

The term "invertebrate pest" includes arthropods, gastropods, nematodes and helminths of economic importance as pests.

Each of the aspects described above may have one or more embodiments.

Each of the embodiments described hereinafter may apply to one or all of the aspects described hereinabove. These embodiments are intended to be read as being preferred features of one or all the aspects described hereinabove. Each of the embodiments described hereinafter applies to each of the aspects described hereinabove individually.

The present inventors have surprisingly found that the application of ryanodine receptor agonists, such as chlorantraniliprole in seed treatment results in the efficient absorption and redistribution of chlorantraniliprole throughout the plant and thus confers a prolonged residual action with excellent control of leaf miners at the trifoliate stage of the crop. The present inventors have noted that the seed treatment application of insecticides such as Imidacloprid does not result in efficient control of leaf mining insects. Thus, the application of chlorantraniliprole in seed treatment of crops is an important alternative for integrated pest management against leaf mining insects. The absorption and redistribution capacity of the ryanodine receptor agonist, such as chlorantraniliprole throughout the plant confers a prolonged residual action with the satisfactory control of leaf miners.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a method for controlling insects comprising treating the plant propagation material, i.e. the seeds of crops susceptible to infestation by insects of the order Diptera with a ryanodine receptor agonist before sowing and/or after pre-germination.

In an embodiment, the present invention provides a method for controlling insects of the order Diptera, the said method comprises treating the seeds of the crop likely to be infested or susceptible to infestation by insects of the Order Diptera with a ryanodine receptor agonist before sowing and/or after pre-germination.

The Order Diptera (true flies) includes many common insects such as mosquitoes, midges, sand flies, blowflies and the House Fly. A non-exhaustive list of particular genera includes, but is not limited to, Aedes spp., Agromyza spp., Anastrepha spp., Anopheles spp., Bactrocera spp., Ceratitis spp., Chrysops spp., Cochliomyia spp., Contarinia spp., Culex spp., Dasineura spp., Delia spp., Drosophila spp., Fannia spp., Hylemyia spp., Liriomyza spp., Musca spp., Phorbia spp., Tabanus spp., and Tipula spp. A non-exhaustive list of particular species includes, but is not limited to, Agromyza frontella, Anastrepha suspensa, Anastrepha ludens, Anastrepha obliqa, Bactrocera cucurbitae, Bactrocera dorsalis, Bactrocera invadens, Bactrocera zonata, Ceratitis capitata, Dasineura brassicae, Delia platura, Fannia canicularis, Fannia scalaris, Gasterophilus intestinalis, Gracillia perseae, Haematobia irritans, Hypoderma lineatum, Liriomyza brassicae, Melophagus ovinus, Musca autumnalis, Musca domestica, Oestrus ovis, Oscinella frit, Pegomya betae, Psila rosae, Rhagoletis cerasi, Rhagoletis pomonella, Rhagoletis mendax, Sitodiplosis mosellana, and Stomoxys calcitrans.

In an embodiment, the present invention provides a method for controlling infestation by Liriomyza species, the said method comprises treating the seeds of the crop likely to be infested or susceptible to infestation by Liriomyza species with a ryanodine receptor agonist before sowing and/or after pre-germination.

In an embodiment, the present invention provides a method for controlling infestation by Liriomyza trifoli, the said method comprises treating the seeds of the crop likely to be infested or susceptible to infestation by Liriomyza trifoli with a ryanodine receptor agonist before sowing and/or after pre-germination.

In an embodiment, the present invention provides a method for controlling infestation by Liriomyza sativae, the said method comprises treating the seeds of the crop likely to be infested or susceptible to infestation by Liriomyza sativae with a ryanodine receptor agonist before sowing and/or after pre-germination.

In an embodiment, the present invention provides a method for controlling infestation by Liriomyza bryoniae, the said method comprises treating the seeds of the crop likely to be infested or susceptible to infestation by Liriomyza bryoniae with a ryanodine receptor agonist before sowing and/or after pre-germination.

In an embodiment, the present invention provides a method for controlling infestation by L. huidobrensis, L. chinensis, L. strigata, L. cicerina, L. pictella, L. congesta, L. pusilia, L. helianthin, L. blechi, L. flaveola, L. chenopodii, L. graminivore, L. baptisiae, L. cannabis and other species belonging to Liriomyza species.

In an embodiment, the present invention provides a method for the protection of plant propagation material, preferably seeds, and the seedlings' roots and shoots, the said method comprises treating the plant propagation material as e.g. the seeds before sowing and/or after pre-germination with a ryanodine receptor agonist.

In an embodiment, the present invention provides a method for controlling insects of the order Diptera, the said method comprises treating the seeds of the crop likely to be infested or susceptible to infestation by insects of the Order Diptera with a ryanodine receptor agonist before sowing and/or after pre-germination. In an embodiment, the present invention provides a method for controlling insects of the order Diptera, the said method comprises treating the seeds of the crop likely to be infested or susceptible to infestation by insects of the Order Diptera with a diamide insecticide before sowing and/or after pre-germination.

The diamide insecticide comprises an anthranilic diamide or a phthalic diamide.

In an embodiment, the diamide insecticide is selected from the group consisting of chlorantraniliprole and cyantraniliprole.

In an embodiment, the present invention provides a method for controlling infestation by insects of the Diptera order, the said method comprises treating the seeds of the crop likely to be infested or susceptible to infestation by insects of the Diptera order, with chlorantraniliprole before sowing and/or after pre-germination.

In an embodiment, the present invention provides a method for controlling infestation by Liriomyza species, the said method comprises treating the seeds of the crop likely to be infested or susceptible to infestation by Liriomyza species with chlorantraniliprole before sowing and/or after pre-germination.

In an embodiment, the present invention provides a method for controlling infestation by Liriomyza trifoli, the said method comprises treating the seeds of the crop likely to be infested or susceptible to infestation by Liriomyza trifoli with chlorantraniliprole before sowing and/or after pre-germination.

In an embodiment, the present invention provides a method for the protection of plant propagation material, preferably seeds, and the seedlings' roots and shoots, the said method comprises treating the plant propagation material as e.g. the seeds before sowing and/or after pre-germination with chlorantraniliprole.

In an embodiment, the present invention provides a method for the protection of plant propagation material, wherein the plant propagation material is a transgenic seed, and the transgenic seedlings' roots and shoots, the said method comprises treating the plant propagation material as e.g. the seeds before sowing and/or after pre-germination with chlorantraniliprole.

In an embodiment, the present invention provides a method for controlling infestation by insects of the Diptera order, the said method comprises treating the seeds of the crop likely to be infested or susceptible to infestation by insects of the Diptera order, with cyantraniliprole before sowing and/or after pre-germination.

In an embodiment, the present invention provides a method for controlling infestation by Liriomyza species, the said method comprises treating the seeds of the crop likely to be infested or susceptible to infestation by Liriomyza species with cyantraniliprole before sowing and/or after pre-germination.

In an embodiment, the present invention provides a method for controlling infestation by Liriomyza trifoli, the said method comprises treating the seeds of the crop likely to be infested or susceptible to infestation by Liriomyza trifoli with cyantraniliprole before sowing and/or after pre-germination.

In an embodiment, the present invention provides a method for the protection of plant propagation material, preferably seeds, and the seedlings' roots and shoots, the said method comprises treating the plant propagation material as e.g. the seeds before sowing and/or after pre-germination with cyantraniliprole.

In an embodiment, the rate of application of the ryanodine receptor agonist is in the range of 1 to 100 g ai/100 kg seeds.

In an embodiment, the rate of application of the ryanodine receptor agonist is in the range of 20 to 100 g ai/100 kg seeds.

In another embodiment, the rate of application of the ryanodine receptor agonist is in the range of 40 to 80 g ai/100 kg seeds.

In another embodiment, the rate of application of the ryanodine receptor agonist is in the range of 50 to 70 g ai/100 kg seeds. In a preferred embodiment, the rate of application of the ryanodine receptor agonist is 60 g ai/100 kg seeds.

In an embodiment, the rate of application of chlorantraniliprole is in the range of 1 to 100 g ai/100 kg seeds.

In an embodiment, the rate of application of chlorantraniliprole is in the range of 20 to 100 g ai/100 kg seeds.

In another embodiment, the rate of application of chlorantraniliprole is in the range of 40 to 80 g ai/100 kg seeds.

In another embodiment, the rate of application of chlorantraniliprole is in the range of 50 to 70 g ai/100 kg seeds.

In a preferred embodiment, the rate of application of chlorantraniliprole is 60 g ai/100 kg seeds.

In the practice of the present invention, the ryanodine receptor agonist may be employed in the form of technical material or in the form of any standard agriculturally acceptable formulation thereof.

In an embodiment chlorantraniliprole is coated on seed or plant or plant propagation material in the form of a suspension concentrate, emulsifiable concentrate or any other suitable liquid formulation that can coat the seed or plant or plant propagation material.

Example of such agrochemical formulations include suspension concentrate (SC), emulsifiable concentrate (EC), flowable concentrate (FS), Microemulsion (ME), Oil Dispersion (OD), Suspoemulsion (SE) and the like.

In a preferred embodiment, a suspension concentrate (SC) formulation of chlorantraniliprole may be used. In a preferred embodiment, flowable suspension (FS) formulation of chlorantraniliprole may be used.

In an embodiment the formulation includes non-ionic surfactant and an anionic surfactant.

In an embodiment of the present invention, non-ionic surfactant is selected from the group comprising of non-ionic surfactants such as polyalkyleneoxide siloxanes, ethoxylated derivatives of fatty alcohols, alkyl glucosides, alkyl phenols, polyalkylene glycol ethers and condensation products of alkyl phenols, amines, fatty acids, fatty esters, mono-, di-, or triglycerides, various block copolymeric surfactants derived from alkylene oxides such as ethylene oxide/propylene oxide, aliphatic amines or fatty acids with ethylene oxides and/or propylene oxides such as the ethoxylated alkyl phenols or ethoxylated aryl or polyaryl phenols, carboxylic esters solubilized with a polyol or polyvinyl alcohol/polyvinyl acetate copolymers, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl pyrrolidinones and acrylic acid graft copolymers and mixtures, reaction products, and/or copolymers thereof.

In a preferred embodiment, non-ionic surfactant of surfactant mix is selected from the group comprising of non-ionic surfactants such as various block copolymeric surfactants derived from alkylene oxides such as ethylene oxide/propylene oxide, aliphatic amines or fatty acids with ethylene oxides and/or propylene oxides such as the ethoxylated alkyl phenols or ethoxylated aryl or polyaryl phenols, their mixtures, reaction products, and/or copolymers thereof.

In an embodiment, the composition comprises from about 0.1 % to about 50% w/w and preferably from about 1 % to about 40% w/w non-ionic surfactant of the total weight of the agrochemical composition.

In an embodiment, anionic surfactant is selected from the group comprising of alkyl and aryl sulfates and sulfonates, including sodium alkyl sulfates, sodium mono- and di-alkyl naphthalene sulfonates, sodium alpha-olefin sulfonate, lignin and its derivatives (such as lignosulfonate salts), sodium alkane sulfonates, polyoxyalkyene alkylether sulfate, polyoxyalkylene alkylaiyl ether sulfates, polyoxy-alkylene styrylphenyl ether sulfate, mono- and di- alkylbenzene sulfonates, alkylnaphthalene sulfonate, alkylnaphthalene sulfonate formaldehyde condensate, alkyl diphenylether sulfonates, olefme sulfonates, alkylphosphates, polyoxyalkylene alkyl phosphates, polyoxyalkylene phenylether phosphate, polyoxyalkylphenol phosphates, polycarboxylates, fatty acids and salts thereof, alkyl glycinates, sulfonated methyl esters, sulfonated fatty acids, sulfosuccinates and their derivatives, acyl glutamates, acyl sarcosinates, alkyl sulfoacetates, acylated peptides, alkyl ether carboxylates, acyl lactylates, anionic fluorosurfactants, amid ether sulfates, N-methyl fatty acid taurides, mixtures thereof and the like, including sodium, potassium, ammonium and amine salts, etc. or mixtures thereof.

In a preferred embodiment, anionic surfactant is selected from the group comprising of alkyl and aryl sulfates and sulfonates, including sodium alkyl sulfates, sodium mono- and di-alkyl naphthalene sulfonates, lignin and its derivatives (such as lignosulfonate salts), polyoxyalkyene alkylether sulfate, alkylnaphthalene sulfonate, alkylnaphthalene sulfonate formaldehyde condensate.

In an embodiment, the composition comprising from about 0.1 % to about 50% w/w and preferably from about 1 % to about 40% w/w anionic surfactant of the total weight of composition.

In an embodiment the composition may further comprise one or more antifreeze agent, wetting agents, fillers, surfactants, anticaking agents, pH-regulating agents, preservatives, biocides, antifoaming agents, colorants and other formulation aids.

Suitable antifreeze agents that can be added to the agrochemical composition are liquid polyols, for example ethylene glycol, propylene glycol or glycerol.

Wetting agents that can be added to the agrochemical composition of the present invention include, but are not limited to: polyarylalkoxylated phosphate esters and their potassium salts (e.g., Soprophor® FLK, Stepfac TSP PE- K. Other suitable wetting agents include sodium dioctylsulfosuccinates (e.g., Geropon® SDS, Aerosol® OT) and ethoxylated alcohols (e.g., T rideth-6; Rhodasurf® BC 610; Tersperse® 4894). Optionally, about 0.1 wt % to about 5.0 wt % of antifoaming or defoamers are employed to stop any unwanted foam generated while manufacturing highly concentrated liquid biocide dispersion composition. The preferred antifoaming agent is selected from the group of silicone-based compounds, alcohols, glycol ethers, mineral spirits, acetylene diols, polysiloxanes, organosiloxanes, siloxane glycols, reaction products of silicon dioxide and organosiloxane polymer, polydimethylsiloxanes or polyalkylene glycols alone or in combination. Defoamers that are suitable include SAG-10; SAG-1000AP; SAG-1529; SAG-1538; SAG-1571 ; SAG- 1572; SAG-1575; SAG-2001 ; SAG-220; SAG-290; SAG-30; SAG-30E; SAG-330; SAG-47; SAG-5440; SAG-7133 and SAG-770.

Examples of thickening agents based on anionic heteropolysaccharides from the xanthan gum group are inter alia the Rhodopol 23®, Rhodopol G®, Rhodopol 50 MD®, Rhodicare T®, Kelzan®, Kelzan S® and Satiaxane CX91®.

Preservatives used may be benzisothiazolinone (Proxel GXL) or phonols, 2- bromo-2-nitropropane-1 ,3-diol (Bioban BP 30), 5-chloro-2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one & 2 methyl-4-isothiazolin -3 one (Kathon CG/ICP), Glutaraldehyde (Ucarcide 50), Chloromethylisothiazolinone (CMIT)/Methylisothiazolinone (MIT) (Isocil Ultra 1 .5), 2.2- dibromo-3-nitrilopropioamide (Reputain 20), Natamycin & Nisin, Bronopol/CMIT/MIT (Mergal 721 K3).

Suitable colorants (for example in red, blue and green) are, preferably, pigments, which are sparingly soluble in water, and dyes, which are water-soluble. Examples are inorganic coloring agents (for example iron oxide, titanium oxide, and iron hexacyanoferrate) and organic coloring agents (for example alizarin, azo and phthalocyanin coloring agents).

Fillers may include an organic or inorganic solid inert substance such as talc, clay, diatomaceous earth, magnesium aluminum silicate, white carbon black, pyrophyllite, light calcium carbonate, high clay, organic bentonite, etc. or mixtures thereof. In an embodiment, the method comprises use of the compositions of the invention include those prepared by premixing prior to application, e.g. as a ready-mix or tank-mix, or by simultaneous application or sequential application to the plant.

The compositions of present invention may be applied to the locus of the plant on one or more occasions during the growth of the plant. It can be applied to the planting site before the seed is sown, during the sowing of the seed, pre-emergence and/or postemergence. The compositions can also be used while the plant is being grown in a green house and the use can be continued after transplantation. The soil may, for example, be treated directly, prior to transplanting, at transplanting or after transplanting. The use of the compositions can be via any suitable method, which ensures that the agents penetrate the soil, for example, nursery tray application, in furrow application, soil drenching, soil injection, drip irrigation, application through sprinklers or central pivot, incorporation into soil (broad cast or in band) are such methods.

The treatment according to the invention of the plants and plant parts with the active compound or its compositions is carried out directly or by action on their surroundings, habitat or storage space using customary treatment methods, for example by dipping, spraying, atomizing, irrigating, evaporating, dusting, fogging, broadcasting, foaming, painting, spreading-on, watering (drenching), drip irrigating and, in the case of propagation material, in particular in the case of seeds, furthermore as a powder for dry seed treatment, a solution for seed treatment, a water-soluble powder for slurry treatment, by incrusting, by coating with one or more layers, etc. It is furthermore possible to apply the active compound in combination with other active(s) by the ultralow volume method, or to inject the active compound combination into the soil.

The rate and frequency of use of the compositions on the plant may vary within wide limits and depends on the type of use, the specific active agents, the nature of the soil, the method of application (pre- or post-emergence, etc.), the plant, the prevailing climatic conditions, and other factors governed by the method of application, the time of application and the target plant.

The compositions of this invention may contain compounds having biological activity, for example micronutrients or compounds having fungicidal activity or which possess plant growth regulating, herbicidal, insecticidal, nematicidal or acaricidal activity.

The RyRs active ingredients of the composition may be admixed with one or more additional active ingredients such as an insecticide, acaricide, fungicide, synergist, herbicide or plant growth regulator where appropriate.

The application can be carried out both before and after the infestation of the crops, plants, plant propagation materials, such as seeds, soil, or the area, material or environment by insects of the order Diptera, such as Liriomyza sp.

Suitable application methods include inter alia soil treatment, in furrow application, and foliar application. Soil treatment methods include drenching the soil, drip irrigation (drip application onto the soil), dipping roots, tubers or bulbs, or soil injection. Seed treatment techniques include seed dressing, seed coating, seed dusting, seed soaking, and seed pelleting.

The active substance concentrations in ready-to-use formulations, which may be obtained after two-to-tenfold dilution, are preferably from 0.01 to 60% by weight, more preferably from 0.1 to 40 % by weight.

The term crop includes cereals, e.g. durum and other wheat, rye, barley, triticale, oats, rice, or maize (fodder maize and sugar maize I sweet and field corn); beet, e.g. sugar beet or fodder beet; fruits, such as pomes, stone fruits or soft fruits, e.g. apples, pears, plums, peaches, nectarines, almonds, cherries, papayas, strawberries, raspberries, blackberries or gooseberries; leguminous plants, such as beans, lentils, peas, alfalfa or soybeans; oil plants, such as rapeseed (oilseed rape), turnip rape, mustard, olives, sunflowers, coconut, cocoa beans, castor oil plants, oil palms, ground nuts or soybeans; cucurbits, such as squashes, pumpkins, cucumber or melons; fiber plants, such as cotton, flax, hemp or jute; citrus fruit, such as oranges, lemons, grapefruits or mandarins; vegetables, such as eggplant, spinach, lettuce (e.g. iceberg lettuce), chicory, cabbage, asparagus, cabbages, carrots, onions, garlic, leeks, tomatoes, potatoes, cucurbits or sweet peppers; lauraceous plants, such as avocados, cinnamon or camphor; energy and raw material plants, such as corn, soybean, rapeseed, sugar cane or oil palm; tobacco; nuts, e.g. walnuts; pistachios; coffee; tea; bananas; vines (table grapes and grape juice grape vines); hop; sweet leaf; natural rubber plants or ornamental and forestry plants, such as flowers (e.g. carnation, petunias, geranium/pelargoniums, pansies and impatiens), shrubs, broadleaved trees (e.g. poplar) or evergreens, e.g. conifers; eucalyptus; turf; lawn; grass such as grass for animal feed or ornamental uses. Preferred plants include potatoes sugar beets, tobacco, wheat, rye, barley, oats, rice, corn, cotton, soybeans, rapeseed, legumes, sunflowers, coffee or sugar cane; fruits; vines; ornamentals; or vegetables, such as cucumbers, tomatoes, beans or squashes.

In an embodiment, the present invention provides a method for controlling infestation by insects of the Diptera order, the said method comprises treating the seeds of bean with an amount of chlorantraniliprole in the range of 1 to 100 g ai/100 kg seeds before sowing and/or after pre-germination, more preferably from 10 to 100 g ai/100 kg seeds and most preferably from 20 to 80 g ai/100 kg seeds.

In an embodiment, the present invention provides a method for controlling infestation by insects of the Diptera order, the said method comprises treating the seeds of bean with an amount of chlorantraniliprole in the range of 40 to 80 g ai/100 kg seeds before sowing and/or after pre-germination.

In an embodiment, the present invention provides a method for controlling infestation by insects of the Diptera order, the said method comprises treating the seeds of bean with an amount of chlorantraniliprole of 60 g ai/100 kg seeds before sowing and/or after pre-germination.

In an embodiment, the present invention provides a method for controlling infestation by Liriomyza species, the said method comprises treating the seeds of bean with an amount of chlorantraniliprole in the range of 1 to 100 g ai/100 kg seeds before sowing and/or after pre-germination, more preferably from 10 to 100 g ai/100 kg seeds and most preferably from 20 to 80 g ai/100 kg seeds.

In an embodiment, the present invention provides a method for controlling infestation by Liriomyza species, the said method comprises treating the seeds of bean with an amount of chlorantraniliprole in the range of 40 to 80 g ai/100 kg seeds before sowing and/or after pre-germination.

In an embodiment, the present invention provides a method for controlling infestation by Liriomyza species, the said method comprises treating the seeds of bean with an amount of chlorantraniliprole of 60 g ai/100 kg seeds before sowing and/or after pre-germination.

In an embodiment, the present invention provides a method for controlling infestation by Liriomyza trifoli, the said method comprises treating the seeds of bean with an amount of chlorantraniliprole in the range of 1 to 100 g ai/100 kg seeds before sowing and/or after pre-germination, more preferably from 10 to 100 g ai/100 kg seeds and most preferably from 20 to 80 g ai/100 kg seeds.

In an embodiment, the present invention provides a method for controlling infestation by Liriomyza trifoli, the said method comprises treating the seeds of bean with an amount of chlorantraniliprole in the range of 40 to 80 g ai/100 kg seeds before sowing and/or after pre-germination.

In an embodiment, the present invention provides a method for controlling infestation by Liriomyza trifoli, the said method comprises treating the seeds of bean with an amount of chlorantraniliprole of 60 g ai/100 kg seeds before sowing and/or after pre-germination.

In an embodiment, the present invention provides a method for controlling infestation by Liriomyza trifoli, the said method comprises treating the seeds of Phaseolus species with an amount of chlorantraniliprole in the range of 1 to 100 g ai/100 kg seeds before sowing and/or after pre-germination, more preferably from 10 to 100 g ai/100 kg seeds and most preferably from 20 to 80 g ai/100 kg seeds.

In an embodiment, the present invention provides a method for controlling infestation by Liriomyza trifoli, the said method comprises treating the seeds of Phaseolus vulgaris (French bean) with an amount of chlorantraniliprole in the range of 1 to 100 g ai/100 kg seeds before sowing and/or after pre-germination, more preferably from 10 to 100 g ai/100 kg seeds and most preferably from 20 to 80 g ai/100 kg seeds.

In an embodiment, the present invention provides a method for controlling infestation by Liriomyza trifoli, the said method comprises treating the seeds of Phaseolus vulgaris (French bean) with an amount of chlorantraniliprole in the range of 40 to 80 g ai/100 kg seeds before sowing and/or after pre-germination.

In an embodiment, the present invention provides a method for controlling infestation by Liriomyza trifoli, the said method comprises treating the seeds of Phaseolus vulgaris with an amount of chlorantraniliprole of 60 g ai/100 kg seeds before sowing and/or after pre-germination.

In an embodiment, the present invention provides a method for controlling infestation by Liriomyza trifoli, the said method comprises treating the seeds of soyabean with an amount of chlorantraniliprole in the range of 1 to 100 g ai/100 kg seeds before sowing and/or after pre-germination, more preferably from 10 to 100 g ai/100 kg seeds and most preferably from 20 to 80 g ai/100 kg seeds.

In an embodiment, the present invention provides a method for controlling infestation by Liriomyza trifoli, the said method comprises treating the seeds of soyabean with an amount of chlorantraniliprole in the range of 40 to 80 g ai/100 kg seeds before sowing and/or after pre-germination.

In an embodiment, the present invention provides a method for controlling infestation by Liriomyza trifoli, the said method comprises treating the seeds of soyabean with an amount of chlorantraniliprole of 60 g ai/100 kg seeds before sowing and/or after pre-germination.

In an embodiment, the present invention provides 100% to 95% control of Liriomyza trifoli, wherein seeds of the crop are treated with chlorantraniliprole in an amount of 1 to 100 g ai/100 kg seeds before sowing and/or after pre-germination according to the method of the present invention. In an embodiment, the present invention provides 100% to 90% control of Liriomyza trifoli at least 28 days following sowing treated seeds, wherein seeds of the crop are treated with chlorantraniliprole in an amount of 1 to 100 g ai/100 kg seeds before sowing and/or after pre-germination according to the method of the present invention.

In an embodiment, the present invention provides 100% to 70% control of Liriomyza trifoli at least 35 days following sowing treated seeds, wherein seeds of the crop are treated with chlorantraniliprole in an amount of 1 to 100 g ai/100 kg seeds before sowing and/or after pre-germination according to the method of the present invention.

In an embodiment, the present invention provides 100% to 70% control of Liriomyza trifoli at least 42 days following sowing treated seeds, wherein seeds of the crop are treated with chlorantraniliprole in an amount of 1 to 100 g ai/100 kg seeds before sowing and/or after pre-germination according to the method of the present invention.

In an embodiment, the present invention provides at least 50% control of Liriomyza trifoli at least 28 days following sowing treated seeds, wherein seeds of the crop are treated with chlorantraniliprole in an amount of 1 to 100 g ai/100 kg seeds before sowing and/or after pre-germination according to the method of the present invention.

In an embodiment, the present invention provides 95% to 90% control of Liriomyza trifoli, wherein seeds of the crop are treated with chlorantraniliprole in an amount of 60 g ai/100 kg seeds before sowing and/or after pre-germination according to the method of the present invention.

In an embodiment, the present invention provides a reduction in larval eating damage caused by Liriomyza trifoli, wherein seeds of the crop are treated with chlorantraniliprole in an amount of 60 g ai/100 kg seeds before sowing and/or after pre-germination according to the method of the present invention. In an embodiment, the composition of the present invention can be combined with at least one additional agrochemical component. Examples of such pesticides include but are not limited to herbicides, fungicides, miticides, larvicides, avicides, insecticides, nematicides and rodenticides.

In another embodiment, the method of the present invention further comprises applying a fungicidal compound or, an insecticide compound or an herbicidal compound either concurrently or subsequently or sequentially to the locus of crops.

In an embodiment, the present invention further provides one or more insecticides selected from the group of carbamates, organophosphates, cyclodiene organochlorines, phenylyrazoles, pyrethroids, pyrethrins, neonicotinoids, sulfoximines, butenolides, mesoionics, pyridylidenes, spinosyns, avermectins, milbemycins, alkylhalides, fluorides, borates, oxadiazines, semicarbazones, benzoylureas, diacylhydrazines, pyridine azomethine derivatives, pyropenes, phosphides, cyanides, diamides, meta-diamides and isoxazolines.

In an embodiment, the present method of controlling infestation by insects of the Order Diptera to increase crop yield.

In an embodiment, the present method of controlling infestation by insects of Order Diptera in crops to improve crop health.

In an embodiment, the present invention provides the use of a diamide insecticide for seed coating comprising controlling infestation of Liriomyza species by applying seeds with chlorantraniliprole before sowing and/or after pre-germination with an application rate ranging from 1 to 100 g ai/100 kg seeds.

In an embodiment, the present invention provides the use of chlorantraniliprole for seed coating comprising controlling infestation of Liriomyza trifoli by applying seeds with chlorantraniliprole before sowing and/or after pre-germination with an application rate ranging from 1 to 100 g ai/100 kg seeds, wherein at least 10% of said Liriomyza species is controlled or inhibited for at least 28 days following sowing seeds. In an embodiment, the present invention provides the use of chlorantraniliprole for seed coating comprising controlling infestation of Liriomyza trifoli by applying seeds with chlorantraniliprole before sowing and/or after pre-germination with an application rate ranging from 1 to 100 g ai/100 kg seeds, wherein at least 50% of said Liriomyza species is controlled or inhibited for at least 28 days following sowing seeds.

In an embodiment, the present invention provides the use of chlorantraniliprole for seed coating comprising controlling infestation of Liriomyza trifoli by applying seeds with chlorantraniliprole before sowing and/or after pre-germination with an application rate ranging from 20 to 80 g ai/100 kg seeds, wherein 100% of said Liriomyza species is controlled or inhibited for at least 28 days following sowing seeds.

In an embodiment, the present invention provides the use of chlorantraniliprole for seed coating comprising controlling infestation of Liriomyza trifoli by applying seeds with chlorantraniliprole before sowing and/or after pre-germination with an application rate of 60 g ai/100 kg seeds, wherein 100% of said Liriomyza species is controlled or inhibited for at least 28 days following sowing seeds.

In an embodiment, the present invention provides the use of chlorantraniliprole for seed coating comprising controlling infestation of Liriomyza trifoli by applying seeds with chlorantraniliprole before sowing and/or after pre-germination with an application rate ranging from 1 to 100 g ai/100 kg seeds, wherein at least 50% of said Liriomyza species is controlled or inhibited for at least 42 days following sowing seeds.

In an embodiment, the present invention provides the use of chlorantraniliprole comprising controlling infestation of Liriomyza trifoli by applying seeds with chlorantraniliprole before sowing and/or after pre-germination with an application rate ranging from 20 to 80 g ai/100 kg seeds, wherein at least 50% of said Liriomyza species is controlled or inhibited for at least 42 days following sowing seeds.

In an embodiment, the present invention provides the use of chlorantraniliprole comprising controlling infestation of Liriomyza trifoli by applying seeds with chlorantraniliprole before sowing and/or after pre-germination with an application rate of 60 g ai/100 kg seeds, wherein at least 50% of said Liriomyza species is controlled or inhibited for at least 42 days following sowing seeds.

The invention will now be described in more details with reference to the following examples. While the foregoing written description of the invention enables one of ordinary skill to make and use what is considered presently to be the best mode thereof, those of ordinary skill will understand and appreciate the existence of variations, combinations, and equivalents of the specific embodiment, method, and examples herein. The invention should therefore not be limited by the above described embodiment, method, and following examples, but by all embodiments and methods within the scope and spirit of the invention.

EXAMPLES

Example 1 : Suspension concentrate formulation of Chlorantraniliprole

Table 1

Example 2: Seed treatment

Field trials were performed to test the efficacy of seed treatment with chlorantraniliprole. The trial was performed in a plot size of 2m², wherein 70 seeds were sowed a single row. Seeds of bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) were coated with chlorantraniliprole at an application rate of 60 gm a.i/100 kg of seeds. This application was performed only once. The water volume of the slurry was maintained at 6ml/kg. A natural and homogenous infestation of the bean crop by Liriomyza trifoli was observed 1 week after emergence of the crop. To establish the efficacy of the seed treatment application of Chlorantraniliprole against Liriomyza trifoli, test trials were also performed for Imidacloprid seed treatment applications. Table 2 below describes each treatment and the application rate employed for each agrochemical.

Table 2: Treatment conditions to evaluate insecticidal activity

Example 3: Efficacy of Chlorantraniliprole against Liriomyza trifoli in Phaseolus vulgaris

Treatments were designed to compare the performance of Chlorantraniliprole, vis-a-vis the commercially marketed product of Imidacloprid as discussed in Table 2. The present inventors have compared the efficacy of the seed treatment application of Chlorantraniliprole for bean versus Imidacloprid seed treatment applications as disclosed in Tables 3 and 4 hereinbelow.

Table 3:

*21 DAA refers to 21 days after seed treatment

The % control of Liriomyza trifoli larvae at 21 DAA using Imidacloprid was 0% and using Chlorantraniliprole was 90%. This indicates the prolonged residual action of Chlorantraniliprole after seed treatment with satisfactory control of leaf miners compared to Imidacloprid. The reduction in % eating damage caused by Liriomyza larvae was significant in beans plants whose seeds were treated with Chlorantraniliprole compared to those treated with Imidacloprid.

Table 4:

*28 DAA refers to 28 days after seed treatment

Further, observations of % control at 28 DAA were performed, wherein 93% insect control of Liriomyza trifoli was observed. However, no major control of L. trifoli was observed using Imidacloprid.

Example 4: Efficacy of Chlorantraniliprole against Liriomyza trifoli in Phaseolus vulgaris

Field trials were performed to test the efficacy of seed treatment with chlorantraniliprole. The trial was performed in a single plot where 1 single bean row with 1 m width x 4 m length had 100 seeds per plot. Seeds of bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) were coated with chlorantraniliprole at an application rate of 60 gm a.i/100 kg of seeds and were sowed. This application was performed only once.

The % control of Liriomyza trifoli larvae was observed at the development of each leaf stage of the bean crop, i.e. at 28 DAS - first true leaf development, at 35 DAS - second true leave development and at 42 DAS, i.e. the second true leave development stage. Table 5:

*DAS: Days after sowing

Claims

We claim,

1 . A method for controlling infestation by Liriomyza species in a crop or seeds from which said crop may be or is intended to be grown, said method comprising treating seeds of the crop likely to be infested or susceptible to infestation by Liriomyza species with a diamide insecticide before sowing and/or after pre-germination.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the diamide insecticide is selected from the group consisting of chlorantraniliprole and cyantraniliprole.

3. The method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the diamide insecticide is chlorantraniliprole.

4. The method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the insect is Liriomyza trifoli.

5. The method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the crop is a legume selected from the group comprising soybean, french bean, bean, mungbean, cowpea, yard long bean, lablab, adzuki bean and common bean.

6. The method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the rate of application of the diamide insecticide is in the range of 1 to 100 g ai/100 kg seeds.

7. The method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the rate of application of the diamide insecticide is in the range of 20 to 80 g ai/100 kg seeds.

8. The method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the rate of application of the diamide insecticide is 60 g ai/100 kg seeds.

9. The method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein chlorantraniliprole is applied as a suspension concentrate (SC), emulsifiable concentrate (EC), flowable concentrate, flowable suspension (FS) Microemulsion (ME), Oil Dispersion (OD), Suspoemulsion (SE) and the like.

26

0. The method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein at least 50% of said Liriomyza species is controlled or inhibited for at least 42 days following sowing seeds. 1. The method as claimed in claim 1 , comprising treating seeds of french bean with chlorantraniliprole before sowing and/or after pre-germination with an application rate ranging from 1 to 100 g ai/100 kg seeds, wherein at least 50% of said Liriomyza species is controlled or inhibited for at least 42 days following sowing seeds. 2. Use of a diamide insecticide for seed coating comprising controlling infestation of Liriomyza species by applying seeds with chlorantraniliprole before sowing and/or after pre-germination with an application rate ranging from 1 to 100 g ai/100 kg seeds. 3. Use as claimed in claim 12, comprising controlling infestation of Liriomyza trifoli by applying seeds with a diamide insecticide before sowing and/or after pre- germination with an application rate ranging from 1 to 100 g ai/100 kg seeds, wherein at least 90% of said Liriomyza species is controlled or inhibited for at least 28 days following sowing seeds. 4. Use as claimed in claim 12, comprising controlling infestation of Liriomyza trifoli by applying seeds with chlorantraniliprole before sowing and/or after pre- germination with an application rate ranging from 1 to 100 g ai/100 kg seeds, wherein at least 50% of said Liriomyza species is controlled or inhibited for at least 42 days following sowing seeds.