Formula based on essential oils and its use in the fight against aphids

Abstract

The invention relates to a mixture of essential oils comprising, relative to the total volume of the essential oil mixture, 2 to 35% by volume of citronellal; and 2 to 35% by volume of menthol. The invention also relates to the use of this mixture of essential oils in plant protection compositions for the pesticide treatment of plants, particularly for the control of aphids. No figure.

Description

Title of the invention: Formulation based on essential oils and its use in the fight against aphids Field of invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a combination of essential oils and formulations comprising such a combination useful for the insecticide treatment of plants, in particular in the fight against aphids. Technical background

[0002] Aphids are piercing-sucking insects that can cause real damage, particularly to agricultural crops. Aphids are harmful to many agricultural sectors, particularly fruit growing, market gardening and large-scale crops. Aphids colonize crops and can cause direct damage by biting plants, thus generating leaf curling and deformation, slowing down or even stopping plant growth. Colonization of plants by aphids therefore has a significant impact on yield (up to 85% yield loss in a plot) and the quality of harvests. Aphids can also cause indirect damage by transmitting viruses such as barley dwarf yellows, beet yellows, mosaic virus, etc. There is currently no cure for viruses transmitted by aphids, so the only way to control them is to control the aphid itself.

[0003] Today, aphid control is mainly carried out chemically (synthetic plant protection products), because there is no other effective means of control. But some of the synthetic products used have been withdrawn from the market (for example, neonicotinoids used on beetroot) or are in the process of being withdrawn from the market.

[0004] There are a few biocontrol solutions against aphids on the market. These products are of natural origin and have a phytosanitary function, they mainly have as active substance rapeseed oil, paraffin oil, maltodextrin or even pyrethrin with abamectin. However, for the moment the proposed solutions fall short of the promises they have generated and the purchase cost remains high.

[0005] There is a real need to provide a solution of natural origin to obtain effective biocontrol, particularly for agricultural use against aphids. Summary of the invention

[0006] The invention relates firstly to a mixture of essential oils comprising, relative to the total volume of the mixture of essential oils:

[0007]

[0008]

[0009]

[0010]

[0011]

[0012]

[0013]

[0014]

[0015] - from 2 to 35% by volume of citronellal; and - from 2 to 35% by volume of menthol. In one embodiment, the essential oil mixture further comprises: - from 2 to 35% by volume of eugenol; and / or - from 2 to 35% by volume of geraniol; and / or - from 2 to 35% by volume of citronellol. In one embodiment, the essential oil blend further comprises: - from 2 to 35% by volume of citronellal; - from 2 to 35% by volume of menthol; and - from 2 to 35% by volume of eugenol; the total of citronellal, menthol, eugenol, geraniol and citronellol represents 50 to 90% by volume relative to the total volume of the essential oil mixture. Preferably, the essential oils are selected from Java citronella essential oil (Cymbopogon winterianus), Ceylon citronella essential oil (Cymbopogon nardus), lemon eucalyptus essential oil (Corymbia ci-triodora), palmarosa essential oil (Cymbopogon martini), field mint essential oil (Mentha arvensis), peppermint essential oil (Mentha piperita), roast geranium essential oil (Pelargonium graveolens), Ceylon cinnamon leaf essential oil (Cinnamomum verum), clove essential oil (Eugenia caryophyllus), allspice essential oil (Pimenta dioica) or any mixture thereof. The present invention relates to a composition Cl comprising, relative to the total volume of the composition Cl: - from 60% to 95% by volume, preferably from 80 to 95% by volume, of at least one surfactant; - from 2.5 to 20% by volume, preferably from 2.5 to 10% by volume, of the mixture of essential oils according to the invention; and - from 2.5 to 20% by volume, preferably from 2.5 to 10% by volume, of at least one vegetable oil. The present invention also relates to a Cld composition comprising, relative to the total volume of the Cld composition: - from 0.03 to 0.3% by volume, preferably from 0.03 to 0.15% by volume, of the mixture of essential oils according to the invention; - from 0.03 to 0.3% by volume, preferably from 0.03 to 0.15% by volume, of vegetable oil; - from 0.5 to 2% by volume, preferably from 0.5 to 1.5% by volume, of surfactant; - from 98% to 99.44% by volume, preferably from 98% to 99% by volume, of water.

[0016] The present invention also relates to a composition C2 comprising, relative to the total volume of composition C2: from 7.5 to 30% by volume, preferably from 7.5 to 15% by volume, of a mixture of essential oils according to the invention; from 7.5 to 30% by volume, preferably from 7.5 to 15% by volume, of at least one esterified vegetable oil; and from 40 to 85% by volume, preferably from 70 to 85% by volume, of water.

[0017] The present invention also relates to a composition C2d comprising, relative to the total volume of the composition C2d: from 0.05 to 0.30% by volume, preferably from 0.05 to 0.15% by volume, of the mixture of essential oils according to the invention; from 0.05 to 0.30% by volume, preferably from 0.05 to 0.15% by volume, of esterified vegetable oil; from 99.4 to 99.9% by volume, preferably from 99.4 to 99.7% by volume, of water.

[0018] The present invention also relates to the use of the mixture of essential oils according to the invention or of the compositions C1, C1d, C2, C2d, for the pesticide treatment of plants, in particular in the fight against aphids.

[0019] The present invention also relates to a method for pesticide treatment of plants, in particular in the fight against aphids, comprising the application to the plant, preferably by foliar application, of a composition comprising 0.5 to 2 l, preferably 1 to 1.5 l of a composition C1 or C2 per 100 l of phytosanitary treatment composition. Detailed description

[0020] The invention is now described in more detail and in a non-limiting manner in the following description.

[0021] Unless otherwise indicated, all percentages are by volume.

[0022] In this text, the quantities indicated for a given species may apply to this species according to all its definitions (as mentioned in this text), including the more restricted definitions. Essential Oil Blend

[0023] The invention relates firstly to a mixture of essential oils comprising, relative to the total volume of the mixture of essential oils: from 2 to 35% by volume of citronellal; and from 2 to 35% by volume of menthol.

[0024] The mixture of essential oils of the invention may further comprise, relative to the total volume of the mixture of essential oils: - from 2 to 35% by volume of geraniol; and / or - from 2 to 35% by volume of citronellol.

[0025] A particular mixture of essential oils according to the invention is a mixture of essential oils comprising, relative to the total volume of the mixture of essential oils: - from 2 to 35% by volume of citronellal; - from 2 to 35% by volume of menthol; and - from 2 to 35% by volume of eugenol.

[0026] Another mixture of essential oils particularly preferred according to the invention is a mixture of essential oils comprising, relative to the total volume of the mixture of essential oils:

[0027] - from 2 to 35% by volume of citronellal;

[0028] - from 2 to 35% by volume of menthol;

[0029] - from 2 to 35% by volume of eugenol; and

[0030] - from 2 to 35% by volume of geraniol.

[0031] Another mixture of essential oils particularly preferred according to the invention is a mixture of essential oils comprising, relative to the total volume of the mixture of essential oils:

[0032] - from 2 to 35% by volume of citronellal;

[0033] - from 2 to 35% by volume of menthol;

[0034] - from 2 to 35% by volume of eugenol; and

[0035] - from 2 to 35% by volume of citronellol.

[0036] Another mixture of essential oils particularly preferred according to the invention is a mixture of essential oils comprising, relative to the total volume of the mixture of essential oils:

[0037] - from 2 to 35% by volume of citronellal;

[0038] - from 2 to 35% by volume of menthol;

[0039] - from 2 to 35% by volume of eugenol;

[0040] - from 2 to 35% by volume of geraniol; and

[0041] - from 2 to 35% by volume of citronellol;

[0042] preferably the total of citronellal, menthol, eugenol, geraniol and citronellol represents from 50 to 90% by volume relative to the total volume of the mixture of essential oils.

[0043] The mixture of essential oils according to the invention may consist of 2 to 11 different essential oils. Among the essential oils that may be used, mention may be made of Java citronella essential oil (Cymbopogon winterianus), Ceylon citronella essential oil (Cymbopogon nardus), lemon eucalyptus essential oil (Corymbia cilriodoray), palmarosa essential oil (Cymbopogon martini), field mint essential oil (Mentha arvensisp), Peppermint essential oil (Mentha piperita), roast geranium essential oil (Pelargonium graveolens), Ceylon cinnamon leaf essential oil (Cinnamomum verum), clove essential oil (Eugenia caryophyllus), allspice essential oil (Pimenta dioica).

[0044] A person skilled in the art can easily determine the essential oils to be mixed and the quantity of these oils in order to obtain the mixture of essential oils according to the invention.

[0045] Since essential oils are corrosive and acidic products, they cannot be used pure at the risk of causing burns. The mixture of essential oils according to the invention, which is a concentrated mixture, must therefore be formulated in a composition suitable for phytosanitary use and in particular for use by spraying. Phytosanitary composition

[0046] Thus, in a particular embodiment, the present invention relates to a composition (Cl), preferably a phytosanitary composition (Cl), comprising, relative to the total volume of the composition (Cl): - from 60% to 95% by volume, preferably from 80 to 95% by volume, of at least one surfactant; - from 2.5 to 20% by volume, preferably from 2.5 to 10% by volume, of the mixture of essential oils according to the invention; and - from 2.5 to 20% by volume, preferably from 2.5 to 10% by volume, of at least one vegetable oil.

[0047] Preferably, in the composition (Cl) of the invention the volume ratio of the mixture of essential oils to the volume of at least one vegetable oil is between 0.5 and 2, preferably is approximately 1.

[0048] The molecules composing essential oils have low molecular weights and are, in fact, more volatile and more fragile to destructuring in solution. Thus, the combination of essential oils with at least one vegetable oil makes it possible to protect the molecules contained in the essential oils and consequently to preserve the biochemical properties of the essential oils. In a particularly advantageous manner, the mixture of essential oils according to the invention is initially mixed with at least one vegetable oil, thus forming an oily solute which is then mixed with at least one surfactant. The mixture with the surfactant generates a microencapsulation of the oily solute and the formation of micelles.

[0049] The composition (Cl) according to the invention is therefore preferably obtained according to the following process: a. mixture of at least one vegetable oil with the mixture of essential oils according to the invention; b. mixing the composition obtained in step a) with at least one surfactant.

[0050] The vegetable oil used in composition (Cl) is preferably a vegetable oil rich in unsaturated (preferably between 60 and 90% by weight) and saturated (between 40 and 10% by weight) fatty acids and having a high molecular weight (preferably between 14 and 26 carbon atoms). Among the vegetable oils which can be used in the context of the present invention, mention may in particular be made of coconut oil, olive oil, palm oil, rapeseed oil, sunflower oil or any of their mixtures.

[0051] In the context of the present invention, the surfactant may be a composition comprising a surfactant, for example a composition comprising water and a surfactant.

[0052] The surfactant is an amphiphilic compound having a lipophilic (apolar) part and a hydrophilic (polar) part. The surfactant used in the composition (Cl) according to the invention can be any type of surfactant typically used in phytosanitary compositions, preferably it is based on vegetable oil. The surfactant of the invention is preferably black soap (obtained from olive and / or linseed oil).

[0053] Preferably, the composition (Cl) of the invention comprises from 0.15 to 7% by volume, preferably from 0.15 to 2.5% by volume, of citronellal, from 0.15 to 7% by volume, preferably from 0.15 to 3.5% by volume, of menthol and optionally from 0.15 to 7% by volume, preferably from 0.15 to 1% by volume, of eugenol and / or from 0.15 to 7% by volume, preferably from 0.15 to 1.5% by volume, of geraniol and / or from 0.15 to 7% by volume, preferably from 0.15 to 1% by volume, of citronellol relative to the total volume of the composition (Cl).

[0054] Before use on plants, the composition (Cl) can be diluted in a phytosanitary treatment composition (also called slurry) (to form a composition (Cld) comprising, relative to the total volume of the composition (Cld): - from 0.03 to 0.3% by volume, preferably from 0.03 to 0.15% by volume, of the mixture of essential oils according to the invention; - from 0.03 to 0.3% by volume, preferably from 0.03 to 0.15% by volume, of vegetable oil; - from 0.5 to 2% by volume, preferably from 0.5 to 1.5% by volume, of surfactant; - from 98% to 99.44% by volume, preferably from 98% to 99% by volume, of water.

[0055] Preferably, the composition (Cld) of the invention comprises, relative to the total volume of the composition (Cld), from 0.002% to 0.1% by volume, preferably from 0.002 to 0.04% by volume, of citronellal, from 0.002% to 0.1% by volume, preferably from 0.002 to 0.05% by volume, of menthol and optionally from 0.002% to 0.1% by volume, preferably from 0.002 to 0.015% by volume, of eugenol and / or from 0.002% to 0.1% by volume, preferably from 0.002 to 0.02% by volume, of geraniol and / or from 0.002% to 0.1% by volume, preferably from 0.002 to 0.015% by volume, of citronellol.

[0056] In another embodiment, the present invention relates to a composition (C2), preferably a phytosanitary composition (C2), comprising, relative to the total volume of the composition (C2): - from 7.5 to 30% by volume, preferably from 7.5 to 15% by volume, of a mixture of essential oils according to the invention; - from 7.5 to 30% by volume, preferably from 7.5 to 15% by volume, of at least one esterified vegetable oil; and - from 40 to 85% by volume, preferably from 70 to 85% by volume, of water.

[0057] Preferably, in composition (C2) the ratio of the volume of the mixture of essential oils to the volume of esterified vegetable oil is between 0.5 and 2, preferably is approximately 1.

[0058] An esterified vegetable oil according to the invention can be obtained by reaction between a vegetable oil and a fatty alcohol.

[0059] Preferably, the vegetable oil according to the invention is chosen from olive oil, coconut oil, palm oil, sunflower oil, linseed oil, sweet almond oil, macadamia oil, argan oil, rapeseed oil, camelina oil, rice oil, wheat germ oil, or any of their mixtures.

[0060] Preferably, the fatty alcohol is glycerol.

[0061] The composition (C2) of the invention is preferably obtained according to the following process: a. Heating the esterified vegetable oil to make it more liquid; b. Mixing the esterified vegetable oil obtained in step a) with the mixture of essential oils; and c. Mixing the solution obtained in step b) with water.

[0062] The composition (C2) of the invention preferably comprises from 0.3 to 7% by volume, preferably from 0.3 to 4% by volume, of citronellal, from 0.3 to 7% by volume, preferably from 0.3 to 5% by volume, of menthol and optionally from 0.3 to 7% by volume, preferably from 0.3 to 1.5% by volume, of eugenol and / or from 0.3 to 7% by volume, preferably from 0.3 to 2% by volume, of geraniol and / or from 0.3 to 7% by volume, preferably from 0.3 to 1.5% by volume, of citronellol, relative to the total volume of the composition (C2).

[0063] Before use on plants, the composition (C2) according to the invention can be diluted in a phytosanitary treatment composition (also called slurry) to form a composition (C2d) comprising, relative to the total volume of the composition (C2d): - from 0.05 to 0.30% by volume, preferably from 0.05 to 0.15% by volume, of the mixture of essential oils according to the invention; - from 0.05 to 0.30% by volume, preferably from 0.05 to 0.15% by volume, of esterified vegetable oil; - from 99.4 to 99.9% by volume, preferably from 99.4 to 99.7% by volume, of water.

[0064] Preferably, the composition (C2d) of the invention comprises, relative to the total volume of the composition (C2d), from 0.002% to 0.1% by volume, preferably from 0.002 to 0.04% by volume, of citronellal, from 0.002% to 0.1% by volume, preferably from 0.002 to 0.05% by volume, of menthol and optionally from 0.002% to 0.1% by volume, preferably from 0.002 to 0.015% by volume, of eugenol and / or from 0.002% to 0.1% by volume, preferably from 0.002 to 0.02% by volume, of geraniol and / or from 0.002% to 0.1% by volume, preferably from 0.002 to 0.015% by volume volume, of citronellol.

[0065] The present invention also relates to the use of esterified vegetable oil, in particular as a stabilizer, for the emulsification of a mixture of essential oils in water.

[0066] In the context of the present invention, the term "water" means any type of water, such as, for example, demineralized water, ionized water, salt water, water in which plants or vegetables have been infused or macerated, etc. Use and processing method

[0067] The present invention also relates to the use of a mixture of essential oils according to the invention or of any one of the compositions (Cl), (Cld), (C2) or (C2d) according to the invention for the pesticide treatment, preferably insecticide treatment, of plants, in particular for the control of aphids.

[0068] The composition according to the invention can be used on any type of aphid, for example on green aphid species, in particular green plum aphid (Bar-chycaudus helichrysi), green beet and peach aphid (Myzus persicae), green pea aphid (Acyrthosiphon pisum); ash aphid species, in particular ash apple aphid (Dysaphis plantaginea) and ash cabbage aphid (Brevicoryne brassicae); purple aphids, in particular purple pear aphid (Dysaphis pyri); and black aphids, in particular black bean aphid (Aphis fabae).

[0069] The present invention also relates to the use of a mixture of essential oils according to the invention in a phytosanitary composition for its pesticidal effect and in particular for its insecticidal effect, preferably on aphids. Preferably, the compositions according to the invention act as a contact insecticide.

[0070] The present invention also relates to a pesticide treatment method, preferably insecticide treatment, in particular for combating aphids, comprising the application, to plants, of a composition (Cld) or (C2d) according to the invention.

[0071] The present invention also relates to a pesticide treatment method, preferably an insecticide treatment, in particular for combating aphids, comprising the application to plants of 0.5L to 2L of a composition (Cl) or (C2) per 100L of phytosanitary treatment composition (also called spray). In one embodiment, the phytosanitary treatment composition is water or water comprising at least one active phytosanitary compound.

[0072] Preferably, the mixture of essential oils or the compositions (Cl), (Cld), (C2) or (C2d) according to the invention are used by spraying on plants, in particular on the leaves of the plants.

[0073] The use of the compositions according to the invention relates to all types of plants and in particular all types of crops. In a particularly preferred manner, the use according to the invention is particularly suitable for outdoor treatment, in particular for open-field crops but also for greenhouse crops, preferably for open-field crops. Preferably, the invention relates to fruit crops (pome fruits, stone fruits), market garden crops (vegetables), industrial crops (beetroot for example), and ornamental crops (flowers and ornamental plants).

[0074] The invention will be explained in more detail in the following examples. Examples

[0075] Unless otherwise stated, the percentages are expressed by volume relative to the total volume of the composition. Compositions according to the invention

[0076] A composition (Cl) is prepared in accordance with the invention and comprising: - 90.90% by volume of black soap; - 4.55% by volume of olive oil; and - 0.5 to 1.1% by volume of citronellal, 0.1 to 0.4% by volume of citronellol, 0.3 to 0.5% by volume of eugenol, 0.2 to 0.6% by volume of geraniol and 1.2 to 1.5% by volume of menthol.

[0077] A composition (C2) is prepared in accordance with the invention and comprising: - 83.34% by volume of water; - 8.33% by volume of olive oil esterified with glycerol; - 1 to 2% by volume of citronellal, 0.3 to 0.8% by volume of citronellol, 0.6 to 0.8% by volume eugenol, 0.4 to 1.1% by volume geraniol and 2 to 3% by volume menthol.

[0078] In the following treatments all the compositions are sprayed on the plants to be treated. Plant treatment

[0079] Composition Cl was tested on the green plum aphid (Brachycaudus he-lichrysi). After 2 treatments (15 ml of composition Cl for 1 l of water) of composition (Cl) at an interval of 7 days on a plum tree suffering from a heavy infestation of aphids, aphid mortality was observed (3 days after the last treatment): absence of living aphids, and a strong presence of small black residues assimilated to aphid corpses. The auxiliary community was not impacted by this treatment (presence of ladybugs).

[0080] Composition Cl was tested on burdock plants. A burdock plant heavily infested with aphids was treated (15 ml of composition Cl for 1 1 of water), and it was observed 3 days after treatment that the aphid infestation was controlled, with a large reduction in the number of aphids. The control burdock plant (without treatment) was still heavily infested.

[0081] Composition Cia was also tested on borage plants heavily infested with black aphids. Two days after treatment (15 ml of composition Cl for 11 of water), the absence of living aphids was observed, and the presence of aphid corpses, the plant still showed signs of an invasion by its rolled and yellowed foliage. 20 days after treatment, the borage plant was in flower and growing without aphids and without visible damage caused by aphids (no rolled and yellowed foliage).

[0082] Composition (C2) was also tested on Brussels sprouts, which were heavily infested with ash aphids (Brevicoryne brassicae) at a rate of 80 aphids per plant. 1 treatment with 60 ml of composition C2 for 6 L of water. 3 days after treatment, there was a reduction of more than 50% in the number of living aphids compared to the control (without treatment).

[0083] Composition (C2), 1 ml of composition C2 for 1 1 / 2 of water, was also tested in a petrit dish on filter paper infested with 10 green pea aphids (Acyrthosiphon pisum), per dish. 24 hours after treatment, 100% of the aphids were dead, compared to the control dish, where they were still alive.

[0084] Composition (C2) was also tested on broad beans, very heavily infested with black aphids (Aphis fabae) at a rate of 250 aphids per plant. 1 treatment at 1 L of composition C2 per 100 L of water. 5 days after treatment, a 50% reduction in the number of living aphids was noted.

[0085] On all the plants tested, no symptoms of phytotoxicity of the treatment on leaves or fruit were observed.

Claims

Claims

1. A mixture of essential oils comprising, relative to the total volume of the mixture of essential oils: - from 2 to 35% by volume of citronellal; and - from 2 to 35% by volume of menthol.

2. A mixture of essential oils according to claim 1 further comprising: - from 2 to 35% by volume of eugenol; and / or - from 2 to 35% by volume of geraniol; and / or - from 2 to 35% by volume of citronellol.

3. The essential oil blend of claim 1 further comprising: - from 2 to 35% by volume of citronellal; - from 2 to 35% by volume of menthol; and - from 2 to 35% by volume of eugenol; the total of citronellal, menthol, eugenol, geraniol and citronellol represents from 50 to 90% by volume relative to the total volume of the essential oil blend.

4. A blend of essential oils according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the essential oils are selected from Java citronella (Cymbopogon winterianus) essential oil, Ceylon citronella (Cymbopogon nardus) essential oil, lemon eucalyptus (Corymbia citriodora) essential oil, palmarosa (Cymbopogon martini) essential oil, field mint (Mentha arvensis) essential oil, peppermint (Mentha piperita) essential oil, roast geranium (Pelargonium graveolens) essential oil, Ceylon cinnamon leaf (Cinnamomum verum) essential oil, clove (Eugenia caryophyllus) essential oil, allspice (Pimenta dioica) essential oil, or any mixture thereof.

5. Composition Cl comprising, relative to the total volume of composition Cl: - from 60% to 95% by volume, preferably from 80 to 95% by volume, of at least one surfactant; - from 2.5 to 20% by volume, preferably from 2.5 to 10% by volume, of the mixture of essential oils according to any one of claims 1 to 4; and - from 2.5 to 20% by volume, preferably from 2.5 to 10% by volume, of at least one vegetable oil.

6. Composition Cld comprising, relative to the total volume of the composition Cld: - from 0.03 to 0.3% by volume, preferably from 0.03 to 0.15% by volume, of the mixture of essential oils according to any one of claims 1 to 4; - from 0.03 to 0.3% by volume, preferably from 0.03 to 0.15% by volume, of vegetable oil; - from 0.5 to 2% by volume, preferably from 0.5 to 1.5% by volume, of surfactant; - from 98% to 99.44% by volume, preferably from 98% to 99% by volume, of water.

7. Composition C2 comprising, relative to the total volume of composition C2: - from 7.5 to 30% by volume, preferably from 7.5 to 15% by volume, of a mixture of essential oils according to any one of claims 1 to 4; - from 7.5 to 30% by volume, preferably from 7.5 to 15% by volume, of at least one esterified vegetable oil; and - from 40 to 85% by volume, preferably from 70 to 85% by volume, of water.

8. Composition C2d comprising, relative to the total volume of composition C2d: - from 0.05 to 0.30% by volume, preferably from 0.05 to 0.15% by volume, of the mixture of essential oils according to any one of claims 1 to 4; - from 0.05 to 0.30% by volume, preferably from 0.05 to 0.15% by volume, of esterified vegetable oil; - from 99.4 to 99.9% by volume, preferably from 99.4 to 99.7% by volume volume of water.

9. Use of the mixture of essential oils according to any one of claims 1 to 4 or of a composition according to any one of claims 5 to 8, for the pesticide treatment of plants, in particular in the fight against aphids.

10. Method for pesticide treatment of plants, in particular in the fight against aphids, comprising the application to the plant, preferably by foliar application, of a composition comprising 0.5 to 2 l, preferably 1 to 1.5 l of composition Cl or C2 according to claims 5 or 7 per 100 l of phytosanitary treatment composition.