Methods for improving rice yield and treating rice blast, sheath blight, or a combination thereof in rice - Patents.com

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for increasing rice yield compared to the rice yield of untreated rice, comprising applying choline pelargonate or a composition comprising choline pelargonate to rice, a part thereof, or a growing site of rice.The present invention also relates to a method for preventing or controlling rice blast, sheath blight, or a combination thereof in rice or a part thereof, comprising applying choline pelargonate or a composition comprising choline pelargonate to rice, a part thereof, or a growing site of rice.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001] FIELD OF THEINVENTION The present invention is generally in the field of agriculture, more precisely in the field of rice crop protection. In particular, the present invention relates to a method for preventing or controlling rice blast, sheath blight, or a combination thereof in rice or parts thereof. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method for increasing the rice yield of rice compared to the rice yield of untreated rice.

[0002] 2. Background of the Invention Rice is currently the primary food crop for a large proportion of the human population worldwide. Rice blast disease, caused by the fungus Pyricularia oryzae, which affects rice crops, is one of the biggest factors disrupting rice production in regions around the world where rice is produced. Rice blast disease attacking rice crops can result in rice yield losses of up to 61%, or equal to 3.65 tons per hectare (Suganda et al., Jurnal Agrikultura, 2016, 27(3):154-159). Rice blast disease can attack rice in all parts of the plant, including the leaves, midrib, neck, panicles, and rice grains, which can cause crop failure.

[0003] Symptoms of rice blast vary and depend on the crop's resistance level. In more vulnerable plants, damp greenish-grey spots appear with dark green edges. In more resistant varieties, the spots are small, about 1-2 mm, and brown or dark brown in color.

[0004] One of the other serious diseases in rice is sheath blight caused by Rhizoctonia solani. Sheath blight has been reported to reduce yields by 20-35% in some rice producing countries of the world (Inagaki, Scl. Rep. Fac. Agric. Meljo Univ., 2001, 37:57-66). Rhizoctonia solani fungal infection can affect the amount of filled grains in every panicle, the length of the panicle, and the percentage of grain filling. The first symptom is greenish-grey spots that develop on the midrib of the leaves near the water surface. The spots are elliptical or ovoid, 1 cm long, 2-3 cm across, and clustered. The borders and color variations of the spots give obvious patterns to the infected parts of the plant. Under high humidity conditions, the fungal mycelium may appear white and the fungus forms irregular sclerotia. At optimal humidity, leaf blades in contact with nearby infected stems may also become infected. These symptoms are usually seen during the maturity stage and can be found on rice leaves.

[0005] Suggestions for controlling blast and sheath blight include the use of resistant varieties, balanced fertilization, fungicides, and cultural practices. The most predominant control method is the use of resistant plant varieties. However, fungi such as rice blast have proven to be able to adapt in a rapid manner, which may disrupt the resistance established by resistant varieties. Therefore, control through the use of fungicides remains the most reliable method. However, persistent use of fungicides may induce the emergence of resistant strains.

[0006] In view of the above, there remains a need in the art for further and / or improved methods for controlling blast and sheath blight in rice.

[0007] WO2020 / 104645 relates to the use of a composition comprising a choline salt of a C8-C10 fatty acid as a fungicide for plants or plant parts. C8-C10 fatty acids such as caprylic acid, pelargonic acid, or capric acid, when formulated as a choline salt of the fatty acid, are described as having satisfactory fungicidal activity against plants with strongly reduced or even no phytotoxic effects, despite the commonly known use of such fatty acids as contact herbicides. WO2020 / 104645 does not relate to the prevention or control of rice blast or sheath blight in rice.

[0008] Summary of the Invention The present inventors have found that choline pelargonate can be used as an effective fungicide against rice blast and / or sheath blight in rice or parts thereof. The present inventors have found that the results obtained with choline pelargonate against rice blast were unexpectedly superior to those obtained against rice blast in other crops, such as barley.

[0009] Thus, a first aspect of the present invention relates to a method for preventing or controlling rice blast, sheath blight, or a combination thereof in rice or a part thereof, comprising applying choline pelargonate or a composition comprising choline pelargonate to the rice, part thereof, or growing site of the rice.

[0010] Through extensive experimental testing, the inventors have found that the effectiveness level of the use of choline pelargonate is similar to, or even superior to, that of the use of commercial reference products (e.g., Nordox 56 WP for preventive treatment of blast, Allied Botanical Corporation, Philippines, Antracol 70 WP for preventive treatment of sheath blight, Bayer CropScience, or Amistar Top 325 SC for curative treatment of blast or sheath blight, Syngenta, Bangladesh).Advantageously, the present use of choline pelargonate against blast, sheath blight, or combinations thereof in rice or parts thereof results in a reduction in rice loss and an increase in rice yield that is greater than that obtained after the use of commercial reference products.

[0011] Thus, a further aspect of the present invention relates to a method for increasing rice yield compared to that of untreated rice, comprising applying choline pelargonate or a composition comprising choline pelargonate to rice, a part thereof, or a growing site of rice.A related aspect provides the use of choline pelargonate or a composition comprising choline pelargonate to increase rice yield compared to that of untreated rice.As shown in the Examples section, the yield of rice treated with a composition comprising choline pelargonate according to one embodiment of the present invention outperformed that of untreated rice and that of rice treated with a commercial reference product, while the composition did not impart phytotoxicity to the rice or a part thereof.

[0012] Furthermore, the present inventors have found that the highest levels of efficacy against rice blast, sheath blight, or a combination thereof, and the highest rice yields are obtained during preventative treatment with choline pelargonate, i.e., when choline pelargonate is applied to rice plants or parts thereof prior to the manifestation of symptoms of rice blast, sheath blight, or a combination thereof.

[0013] Thus, the present invention preferably provides a method for preventing or controlling rice blast, sheath blight, or a combination thereof in rice or a part thereof, the method comprising applying choline pelargonate or a composition comprising choline pelargonate to the rice, a part thereof, or a growing site of the rice before the manifestation of symptoms of rice blast, sheath blight, or a combination thereof in the rice or a part thereof.

[0014] Furthermore, the present inventors have unexpectedly found that choline pelargonate (e.g., at concentrations that do not cause phytotoxicity) provides complete cessation of blast and sheath blight development in rice during curative treatments. This finding is surprising, considering that the primary method of control of blast and sheath blight involves the use of systemic fungicides, while pelargonic acid is known to typically function as a contact (i.e., non-systemic) herbicide. Thus, choline pelargonate would not be predicted to function as a systemic fungicide for curative disease control.

[0015] Thus, the present invention preferably provides a method for preventing or controlling rice blast, sheath blight, or a combination thereof in rice or a part thereof, the method comprising applying choline pelargonate or a composition comprising choline pelargonate to the rice, part thereof, or a growing site of the rice after the manifestation of symptoms of rice blast, sheath blight, or a combination thereof in the rice or a part thereof, preferably before the intensity of the symptoms of rice blast, sheath blight, or a combination thereof is at most 25%.

[0016] Furthermore, the use of choline pelargonate against blast, sheath blight, or a combination thereof in rice or a part thereof does not cause phytotoxicity to the rice or a part thereof. A further aspect relates to the use of choline pelargonate or a composition comprising choline pelargonate in preventing or controlling rice blast, sheath blight, or a combination thereof in rice or a part thereof.

[0017] The above and further aspects and preferred embodiments of the present invention are described in the following section and in the appended claims, the subject matter of which is hereby specifically incorporated into this specification.

[0018] Detailed Description of the Invention As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include both singular and plural referents unless the content clearly dictates otherwise.

[0019] As used herein, the terms "comprising," "comprises," and "comprised of" are synonymous with "including," "includes," or "containing," and are inclusive or open-ended and do not exclude additional, unrecited members, elements, or method steps. The terms also encompass "consisting of" and "consisting essentially of."

[0020] The recitation of numerical ranges by endpoints includes all numbers and fractions subsumed within the respective ranges, as well as the recited endpoints.

[0021] As used herein, when referring to a measurable value, such as a parameter, amount, time period, and the like, the term "about" is meant to encompass the specified value and variations therefrom, insofar as such variations are appropriate to make in the disclosed invention, in particular variations therefrom of + / - 10% or less, preferably + / - 5% or less, more preferably + / - 1% or less, and even more preferably + / - 0.1% or less. It is to be understood that the value to which the modifier "about" refers is itself specifically and preferably disclosed.

[0022] While the term "one or more", e.g., one or more members of a group of members, is itself clear, by way of further illustration, the term specifically encompasses reference to any one of said members, or any two or more of said members, e.g., any > 3, > 4, > 5, > 6, or > 7 of said members, etc., up to and including all of said members.

[0023] All documents cited herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety.

[0024] Unless otherwise specified, all terms, including technical and scientific terms, used in disclosing the present invention have the meanings commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which this invention belongs. With further guidance, definitions of terms may be included to better understand the teachings of the present invention.

[0025] Through extensive experimental testing, the present inventors have found that choline pelargonate can be used as an effective fungicide for both preventative and curative disease control against rice blast, sheath blight, or a combination thereof in rice or parts thereof.

[0026] Therefore, a first aspect of the present invention relates to a method for treating rice blast, sheath blight, or a combination thereof in rice or a part thereof, comprising applying choline pelargonate or a composition comprising choline pelargonate to rice, a part thereof, or a growing site of rice.Preferably, the method is an agricultural method.

[0027] As used herein, the term "agriculture" refers to the activity or business of growing crops, including rice.

[0028] The term "treatment" as used throughout the present specification refers to the alleviation or measurable reduction of one or more measurable symptoms or markers of a disease, such as blast, sheath blight, or a combination thereof. Measurable reduction includes any statistically significant attenuation of a measurable symptom or marker. In general, the term encompasses both curative treatments as well as treatments aimed at reducing symptoms and / or slowing the progression of a disease. The term encompasses both curative treatments of diseases that have already occurred as well as preventative or preventative measures or treatments, the purpose of which is to prevent or reduce the probability of disease incidence. In an embodiment, the treatment may be a curative treatment. In another embodiment, the treatment may be a preventative treatment. The inventors have surprisingly discovered that application of choline pelargonate makes it possible to suppress the occurrence of blast, sheath blight, or a combination thereof at a high level of effectiveness (e.g., at a dosage that does not cause phytotoxicity) and to increase rice yields, even surpassing those obtained after preventative and curative treatments with commercial reference products.

[0029] As used herein, the terms "preventative treatment," "protective treatment," or "protectant treatment" refer to preventing or reducing the probability of the incidence of blast, sheath blight, or a combination thereof, such as to prevent the onset, development, and progression of blast, sheath blight, or a combination thereof.

[0030] As used herein, the term "curative treatment" refers to treating already established blast, sheath blight, or a combination thereof, such as reducing, stabilizing, suppressing, and curing already established blast, sheath blight, or a combination thereof.

[0031] The phrases "preventing or controlling blast, sheath blight, or a combination thereof" and "treating blast, sheath blight, or a combination thereof" may be used interchangeably herein and include both the actual treatment of blast, sheath blight, or a combination thereof already established, such as reducing, stabilizing, suppressing, and curing blast, sheath blight, or a combination thereof, and prophylactic or preventative measures, the purpose of which is to prevent or reduce the probability of the incidence of blast, sheath blight, or a combination thereof, such as to prevent the onset, development, and progression of blast, sheath blight, or a combination thereof.

[0032] The terms "rice blast", "rice blast", "rice blast disease", or "blight" may be used interchangeably herein and refer to a disease in rice caused by the rice blast fungus.

[0033] Rice blast fungus, also known as rice blast fungus, rice neck rot, rice seedling blight, rice blast, grass ovate leaf spot, spotted disease, ryegrass blast, Johnson spot, and neck spot, is a plant pathogenic fungus that causes rice blast disease, which affects rice and cereals including wheat, rye, barley, and pearl millet. The rice blast fungus is also called Magnaporthe grisea, Pyricularia grisea, Ceratosphaeria grisea, Dactylaria grisea, Dactylaria oryzae, Phragmoporthe grisea, or Trichothecium griseum. The names Pyricularia grisea and Magnaporthe grisea are the most used names for this pathogen and relate to the different stages of the pathogen life cycle. Pyricularia grisea is the anamorph and Magnaporthe grisea is the teleomorph.

[0034] Symptoms of blast disease include lesions that can be found on all above-ground parts of the plant, including leaves, leaf collars, necks, panicles, pedicels, and seeds, as well as on the roots. Preferably, symptoms of blast disease include lesions on the leaves. Early symptoms are white to gray-green lesions or spots with darker borders occurring on all parts of the shoot, while older lesions are oval or spindle-shaped, whitish to gray with necrotic borders. The lesions may swell and coalesce, causing the death of the entire leaf. Blast disease also prevents the actual grain from maturing.

[0035] In general, for each rice region, it is possible to identify (determine) the rice development stage range (i.e. BBCH range) where blast symptoms start to appear. This BBCH range corresponds to the timing of fungicide treatment. Furthermore, the development stage range (i.e. BBCH range) where blast symptoms worsen or increase can be determined. These BBCH ranges correspond to the timing of further fungicide treatment. For example, in Italy, treatments are focused on BBCH ranges 37-43, 49-53, 61-67. However, the appearance of symptoms may differ (earlier or later) depending on the climatic conditions favorable for disease development and attack of the host plant. In an embodiment, sheath blight symptoms in rice appear from BBCH 21 to BBCH 53, such as from BBCH 30 to BBCH 53, such as from BBCH 30 onwards, such as from BBCH 31, from BBCH 32, from BBCH 33, from BBCH 34, from BBCH 35, from BBCH 36 onwards. In an embodiment, the symptoms of sheath blight in rice appear from BBCH 37 to BBCH 43, for example from BBCH 37 onwards, for example from BBCH 38, from BBCH 39, from BBCH 40, from BBCH 41, from BBCH 42, or from BBCH 43. In an embodiment, the symptoms of sheath blight in rice appear from BBCH 49 to BBCH 53. In an embodiment, the symptoms of sheath blight in rice appear from BBCH 61 to BBCH 67.

[0036] The terms "sheath blight", "rice sheath blight", "sheath blight disease", or "rice sheath blight" may be used interchangeably herein and refer to a disease in rice caused by the sheath blight fungus.

[0037] Rhizoctonia sheath blight, also known as Moniliopsis aderholdii, Moniliopsis solani, Rhizoctonia grisea, and Rhizoctonia napaeae, is a plant pathogenic fungus with a wide host range.

[0038] Symptoms of sheath blight include annular or elongated lesions on lower leaves, which are usually green-grey and water-soaked. The first symptom is greenish-grey spots that develop on the midrib of the leaf near the water surface. The spots are elliptical or ovoid, 1 cm long, 2-3 cm across, and clustered. The borders and color variations of the spots give obvious patterns to the infected parts of the plant. Under high humidity conditions, the fungal mycelium may appear white, and the fungus forms irregular sclerotia. At optimal humidity, leaf blades in contact with nearby infected stems may also become infected.

[0039] In an embodiment, sheath blight symptoms in rice begin to appear during the late tiller to node elongation stage of plant growth (BBCH 25-35) and become more aggressive as rice shifts to the panicle differentiation (reproductive) stage (BBCH>51). In an embodiment, sheath blight symptoms in rice appear from BBCH 25 to BBCH 35, such as from BBCH 25 onwards, such as from BBCH 26, from BBCH 27, from BBCH 28, from BBCH 29, or from BBCH 30 onwards, such as from BBCH 31, from BBCH 32, from BBCH 33, from BBCH 34, or from BBCH 35.

[0040] As mentioned above, rice blast disease is caused by the fungus Pyricularia oryzae, and sheath blight is caused by the fungus Rhizopus oryzae.

[0041] Thus, one aspect relates to a method of preventing or combating a fungal infection in rice or a part thereof comprising applying choline pelargonate or a composition comprising choline pelargonate to the rice, a part thereof, or a growing site of the rice, wherein the fungal infection is rice blast, sheath blight, or a combination thereof.

[0042] The phrases "preventing or combating a fungal infection" and "treating a fungal infection" may be used interchangeably herein and include both the actual treatment of an already established fungal infection, such as reducing, controlling, stabilizing, and suppressing an already established fungal infection, and prophylactic or preventative measures, the purpose of which is to prevent or reduce the probability of the incidence of a fungal infection, such as to prevent the onset, development, and progression of a fungal infection.

[0043] The terms "fungal infection" or "fungal disease" may be used interchangeably herein.

[0044] In embodiments of the methods and uses taught herein, the fungal infection is a fungal infection that occurs naturally in rice, such as Rhizopus oryzae, or a combination thereof.

[0045] The terms "rice," "rice-producing plant," or "rice-producing crop" refer to a plant capable of producing rice.

[0046] As used herein, the phrase "rice part" refers to any one or more of the leaves, stems, roots, panicles, and seeds of rice. The leaves, stems, and roots are vegetative organs. The panicles and seeds are reproductive organs. Reference to "leaf" may include the leaf blade, leaf collar, and leaf sheath. Reference to "panicle" may include the pedicel (bearing the spikelet) and flower. The terms "seed," "grain," or "husk" may be used interchangeably herein and refer to the rice grain, which is composed of the rice envelope, endosperm, and embryo.

[0047] In an embodiment, the rice part may be any one or more of the following: leaves (including leaf blades, leaf collars, and leaf sheaths), stems, panicles (including pedicels and flowers), seeds, and roots. In an embodiment, the rice part may be any one or more of the following: leaves, stems, panicles, and seeds. In an embodiment, the rice part may be any one or more of the following: leaves and stems.

[0048] In embodiments, rice leaves, stems, panicles, seeds, and roots may be attached to (e.g., growing on) the rice plant when treated according to the methods taught herein. Post-harvest methods of treating seeds (grains) are not included in the methods taught herein.

[0049] As used herein, the phrase "rice site" or "rice growing site" refers to an area in close proximity to the rice plant. For example, the rice site can be an annular area around the rice stalk, for example, an annular area having a diameter of up to 1 meter, for example, up to 50 centimeters (cm), up to 40 cm, up to 30 cm, up to 20 cm, up to 10 cm, or up to 5 cm around the rice stalk.

[0050] As used herein, the term "rice" refers to rice seeds.

[0051] As used herein, rice refers to grass species in the genera Oryza, Zizania, and Porteresia. The term encompasses food crop rice (including the major food crop rice species Oryza sativa and Oryza glaberrima), as well as wild rice plants, including the species Porteresia coarctata and the four grasses that form the genus Zizania.

[0052] In an embodiment of the method or use taught herein, the rice may be selected from the group consisting of Oryza sativa (Asian rice), Oryza glaberrima (African rice), Oryza australiensis, Oryza barthii, Oryza brachyantha, Oryza coarctata, Oryza eichingeri, Oryza grandiglumis, Oryza latifolia, Oryza longiglumis, Oryza longistaminata, Oryza meyeriana, Oryza minuta, Oryza neocaledonica, Oryza The oryza species may be selected from the group consisting of Oryza neocaledonica, Oryza officinalis, Oryza punctata, Oryza ridleyi, Oryza rufipogon, Oryza schlechteri, Zizania palustris, Zizania aquatica, Zizania texana, Zizania latifolia, and Portelesia coarctata.

[0053] In embodiments of the methods or uses taught herein, the rice may be selected from the group consisting of Oryza sativa (Asian rice), Oryza glaberrima (African rice), Oryza australiensis, Oryza barchii, Oryza brachiantha, Oryza coarctata, Oryza eitingeri, Oryza grandiglumis, Oryza latifolia, Oryza longiglumis, Oryza longistaminata, Oryza meiliana, Oryza minuta, Oryza neocaledonica, Oryza officinalis, Oryza punctata, Oryza ridleyi, Oryza rufipogon, and Oryza schlecteri.

[0054] In embodiments of the methods or uses taught herein, the rice may be Oryza sativa. In embodiments of the methods or uses taught herein, the rice may be Oryza sativa indica or Oryza sativa japonica.

[0055] In embodiments, the methods taught herein include applying (i.e., administering, delivering, providing, applying) choline pelargonate or a composition comprising choline pelargonate to rice, a portion thereof, or a growing site of the rice.

[0056] The terms "choline pelargonate", "choline nonanoate", or "trimethylethanolamine pelargonate" may be used interchangeably and refer to the choline salt of pelargonic acid. At the concentrations described herein, choline pelargonate is not believed to have unacceptable toxic or dangerous effects on humans, non-target organisms, or the environment when sprayed, for example, on rice. Furthermore, as shown in the experimental section, application of compositions containing choline pelargonate against sheath blight or rice blast in rice (both preventative and curative treatment regimes) does not cause phytotoxic symptoms in rice at all doses tested.

[0057] As used herein, the term "pelargonic acid" may also be referred to as "nonanoic acid" or "1-octanecarboxylic acid" or a C9 fatty acid, and refers to an organic compound composed of a nine carbon chain terminating in a carboxylic acid functional group.

[0058] Choline pelargonate may be applied herein as part of a composition, particularly an antifungal composition, such as an aqueous composition that includes choline pelargonate.

[0059] The terms "composition," "formulation," or "preparation" may be used interchangeably herein and refer to a mixture containing choline pelargonate as the active ingredient and one or more adjuvants.

[0060] The terms "active ingredient" or "active component" may be used interchangeably and refer broadly to a compound or substance that achieves a desired outcome when provided in an effective amount. Typically, an active ingredient contemplated herein may achieve such outcome through interacting with and / or modulating rice, a portion thereof, or a site of rice.

[0061] In an embodiment of the method or use taught herein, the composition may be an aqueous composition or liquid. In an embodiment of the method or use taught herein, the composition may comprise 0.001% (w / v) to 70% (w / v) choline pelargonate. Typically, the composition comprising choline pelargonate may be a liquid or aqueous composition comprising 0.001% (w / v) to 70% (w / v) choline pelargonate. For example, the composition comprising choline pelargonate may be a liquid or aqueous composition comprising 0.005% (w / v) to 65% (w / v), 0.01% (w / v) to 60% (w / v), 0.05% (w / v) to 55% (w / v), or 0.1% (w / v) to 50% (w / v) choline pelargonate.

[0062] The compositions taught herein may include ready-to-use compositions that can be applied to plants using appropriate equipment, but may also include concentrates or concentrated formulations that must be diluted with water before use. In embodiments of the methods or uses taught herein, the compositions may be sprayable liquids or concentrates.

[0063] In embodiments, the compositions taught herein may be formulated in a ready-to-use manner, such as a spray or sprayable liquid, or a dip solution, that includes a non-phytotoxic amount of choline pelargonate that is effective to inhibit the growth of sheath blight and / or rice blast fungi in rice or a portion thereof when administered.

[0064] In embodiments of the methods or uses taught herein, the composition may be a spray, a sprayable liquid, or a dip. Preferably, the choline pelargonate is present in the compositions taught herein in an effective amount.

[0065] In embodiments of the methods or uses taught herein, the compositions taught herein can be aqueous compositions, particularly sprayable liquids or soaks, comprising 0.001% (w / v) to 5.0% (w / v) choline pelargonate, preferably 0.001% (w / v) to 2.0% (w / v) choline pelargonate, for example 0.001% (w / v) to 1.50% (w / v) or 0.001% (w / v) to 1.0% (w / v) choline pelargonate. In embodiments, the compositions taught herein can be aqueous compositions, particularly sprayable liquids or soaks, that include choline pelargonate from 0.001% (w / v) to 4.0% (w / v), 0.001% (w / v) to 3.5% (w / v), 0.01% (w / v) to 3.0% (w / v), 0.01% (w / v) to 2.5% (w / v), or 0.05% (w / v) to 2.0% (w / v), e.g., 0.1% (w / v) to 2.5% (w / v), 0.1% (w / v) to 2.0% (w / v), or 0.1% (w / v) to 1.0% (w / v) choline pelargonate. For example, the compositions taught herein can be aqueous compositions, particularly sprayable liquids or soaks, that contain 0.1% (w / v) to 0.8% (w / v), 0.2% (w / v) to 0.8% (w / v), 0.3% (w / v) to 0.8% (w / v), or 0.4% (w / v) to 0.8% (w / v) of choline pelargonate. Such concentrations advantageously allow for effective treatment of rice blast, sheath blight, or a combination thereof in rice plants or parts thereof. Such concentrations also reduce rice losses and increase rice yields compared to no treatment or treatment with a commercial reference product.

[0066] In embodiments of the methods or uses taught herein, the composition may be a concentrate.

[0067] In embodiments of the methods or uses taught herein, the composition may be a concentrate containing 5.0% (w / v) to 70% (w / v) choline pelargonate, preferably 10% (w / v) to 60% (w / v) or 10% (w / v) to 50% (w / v) choline pelargonate. For example, the composition may be a concentrate containing 15% (w / v) to 55% (w / v), 20% (w / v) to 50% (w / v), 25% (w / v) to 45% (w / v), 30% (w / v) to 40% (w / v), or 30% (w / v) to 35% (w / v) choline pelargonate.

[0068] Advantageously, choline pelargonate is a stable compound that can be easily concentrated, stored, and diluted before use. This allows for the production of a concentrated composition that includes choline pelargonate, which can then be easily diluted, for example with water, to obtain a composition having a concentration of choline pelargonate that is effective for inhibiting the growth of one or more phytopathogenic fungi in rice or parts thereof without phytotoxic effects. The availability of a concentrated composition allows for further advantages in ease of production, transportation, and storage costs. It will be understood that the ready-to-use antifungal composition taught herein includes an active but non-phytotoxic amount of choline pelargonate. By "active but non-phytotoxic amount" is meant an amount of choline pelargonate that is sufficient to control or kill undesirable fungi, but at the same time does not show noticeable symptoms of phytotoxicity.

[0069] In embodiments, the composition may be formulated as a powder. In embodiments of the methods or uses taught herein, the composition may be a solid or powder composition.

[0070] The term "powder" refers to a dry bulk solid composed of many very fine particles that can flow freely when shaken or tilted.

[0071] In embodiments of the methods or uses taught herein, the compositions taught herein can be solid or powder compositions comprising 70% (w / w) to 100% (w / w) choline pelargonate. In embodiments, the compositions taught herein can be solid or powder compositions comprising 75% (w / w) to 100% (w / w), 80% (w / w) to 100% (w / w), 90% (w / w) to 100% (w / w), or 95% (w / w) to 99% (w / w) choline pelargonate. In embodiments, the compositions taught herein can comprise at least 70% (w / w), at least 80% (w / w), at least 90% (w / w), at least 95% (w / w), or up to 100% (w / w) choline pelargonate, especially when formulated as a powder.

[0072] In embodiments of the methods or uses taught herein, the composition may further comprise one or more auxiliary agents or adjuncts, such as a solvent, carrier, surfactant, adhesive (e.g., an additive or adjuvant to improve the adhesive properties of the composition with a plant or part thereof), antifreeze agent, thickener, buffer, antifoam agent, antioxidant, preservative, fragrance, or colorant.

[0073] Suitable auxiliary agents and inert agents are known in the art and are commercially available. In general, the active compound (i.e., choline pelargonate) can be combined with any solid or liquid additive that is customarily used for formulation purposes. Carrier is understood to mean a natural or synthetic organic or inorganic substance that is mixed or combined with the active compound for better applicability, especially for application to plants or plant parts. The carrier, which may be solid or liquid, should generally be inert and suitable for use in agriculture. For example, liquid carriers may include water, organic solvents, and mineral and vegetable oils. Suitable liquefied gaseous extenders or carriers are liquids that are gaseous at room temperature and atmospheric pressure, such as aerosol propellants, for example, butane, propane, nitrogen, and carbon dioxide. Suitable surfactants are emulsifiers, dispersants, or wetting agents with ionic or nonionic properties, or mixtures of these surfactants. Colorants, such as inorganic pigments, such as iron oxide, titanium oxide, Prussian blue, and organic dyes, such as alizarin dyes, azo dyes, and metal phthalocyanine dyes, as well as micronutrients, such as salts of iron, manganese, boron, copper, cobalt, molybdenum, and zinc, can be used. Stabilizers, such as low-temperature stabilizers, preservatives, antioxidants, light stabilizers, or other agents that improve chemical and / or physical stability, can also be present. The composition can further include other crop protection agents and / or insecticides.

[0074] Examples of typical compositions containing choline pelargonate include water soluble liquids (SL), emulsifiable concentrates (EC), emulsions in water (EW), suspension concentrates (SC, SE, FS, OD), water dispersible granules (WG), granules (GR), and capsule concentrates (CS), as known in the art.

[0075] In an embodiment, choline pelargonate or a composition comprising choline pelargonate may be applied to rice, a portion thereof, or a growing site of the rice.

[0076] In an embodiment, choline pelargonate or a composition comprising choline pelargonate may be applied to rice, parts of rice, or growing sites of rice present in a field.

[0077] The terms "field" or "agricultural field" may be used interchangeably herein and refer to an area of ​​land used for agricultural purposes, such as growing crops or cultivating rice.

[0078] In embodiments, choline pelargonate or a composition taught herein may be applied to a rice part, such as a leaf, when the rice part is on or attached to (e.g., growing on) the rice.

[0079] In embodiments, the choline pelargonate or composition taught herein may be applied to any one or more of the leaves, stems, panicles, seeds, and roots. In embodiments, the method may include applying the choline pelargonate or composition to the entire above-ground part of the rice plant. In certain embodiments of the methods or uses taught herein, the choline pelargonate or composition taught herein may be applied to (e.g., sprayed onto) the entire above-ground part of the rice plant. Thus, in embodiments, the choline pelargonate or composition taught herein may be applied to (e.g., sprayed onto) any one or more of the leaves, stems, panicles, and seeds of the rice plant. In embodiments, the choline pelargonate or composition taught herein may be applied to (e.g., sprayed onto) any one or more of the leaves and stems of the rice plant. In embodiments, the choline pelargonate or composition taught herein may be applied to (e.g., sprayed onto) the leaves of the rice plant.

[0080] Thus, one aspect provides a method for preventing or controlling rice blast, sheath blight, or a combination thereof in rice or a part thereof, comprising applying choline pelargonate or a composition comprising choline pelargonate to the leaves, leaf collar, neck, and stems of the rice plant.

[0081] In an embodiment of the method or use taught herein, the choline pelargonate or the composition taught herein may be sprayed onto the rice plant, a part thereof, or a growing area of ​​the rice plant. In an embodiment, the sprayable liquid may be applied by spraying the rice plant, a part thereof, or a growing area of ​​the rice plant by conventional spraying equipment known in the art, such as an aircraft, a backpack sprayer, a boom sprayer mounted on a tractor, or the like.

[0082] In embodiments, the application of choline pelargonate or the composition taught herein to rice, its part, or rice growing area can be carried out using customary treatment methods, for example, by soaking, spraying, misting, irrigation, vaporization, dusting, fogging, scattering, foaming, painting, blending, watering (dipping), or drip irrigation, directly or by acting on its surroundings or growing environment. In embodiments, the method can include spraying, sprinkling, showering, spraying, dripping, splashing, dispersing, scattering, or irrigating the rice, its part, or rice growing area with choline pelargonate or the composition taught herein.

[0083] In embodiments, application may be a single application or frequent (multiple) applications at the same or different time intervals. In embodiments, application may be at least once, at least twice, at least three times, at least four times, at least five times, or at least six times. Preferably, application may be at least five times. Such treatment regimes advantageously result in effective treatment of rice blast, sheath blight, or a combination thereof in rice or a part thereof. Such treatment regimes also reduce rice loss and increase rice yield compared to no treatment or treatment with a commercial reference product.

[0084] The time interval between two subsequent applications may be from 3 days to 4 weeks (1 month). For example, the time interval between two subsequent applications may be from 4 days to 3 weeks, from 5 days to 2 weeks, or from 6 days to 10 days. The time interval between two subsequent applications may be at least 4 days, at least 5 days, at least 6 days, at least 7 days (1 week), at least 8 days, at least 9 days, at least 10 days, or at least 2 weeks. Preferably, the time interval between two subsequent applications may be at least 1 week. Preferably, the applications may be performed at least twice, for example at least 3 times, at least 4 times, or at least 5 times, and the time interval between two subsequent applications may be at least 1 week. Such a treatment regime advantageously results in an effective treatment of blast, sheath blight, or a combination thereof in rice or a part thereof. Such a treatment regime also reduces rice losses and increases rice yield compared to no treatment or treatment with a commercial reference product.

[0085] In embodiments of the methods taught herein, the timing of application of the choline pelargonate or composition taught herein can be before (a "preventive application") or after (a "curative application") the onset of a fungal disease, particularly rice blast or sheath blight, or the manifestation of symptoms thereof.

[0086] In an embodiment of the method taught herein, application of choline pelargonate or a composition to rice, a portion thereof, or a growing site of rice may occur prior to the manifestation (or appearance, expression) of blast, sheath blight, or a combination thereof in the rice or a portion thereof. In an embodiment, application of choline pelargonate or a composition to rice, a portion thereof, or a growing site of rice may occur prior to the manifestation (or appearance, expression) of blast, sheath blight, or a combination thereof in the rice or a portion thereof. In an embodiment, the method may include a preventative application of choline pelargonate or a composition taught herein. In an embodiment, the method may include a preventative treatment regimen of choline pelargonate or a composition taught herein. Preventive application or treatment regimens using choline pelargonate (e.g., at dosages that do not cause phytotoxicity) advantageously result in increased efficacy of treatment of rice blast, sheath blight, or a combination thereof, and increased rice yield, which exceeds the efficacy and rice yield obtained after preventive or curative treatment with a commercial reference product and after curative treatment with choline pelargonate.

[0087] As used herein, the term "preventive application" refers to the application of choline pelargonate or a composition taught herein to rice, a part thereof, or a growing site of rice, prior to the manifestation (or appearance, expression) of blast, sheath blight, or a combination thereof, or the manifestation (or appearance, expression) of symptoms of blast, sheath blight, or a combination thereof, in the rice plant or part thereof.

[0088] As used herein, the term "preventative treatment regimen" refers to a treatment regimen in which the application is a preventative application as defined herein.

[0089] In an embodiment, the timing of the first application of choline pelargonate or a composition taught herein to rice, a portion thereof, or a growing portion of rice can be prior to the appearance (or emergence, expression) of blast, sheath blight, or a combination thereof, or the appearance (or emergence, expression) of symptoms of blast, sheath blight, or a combination thereof, in the rice or a portion thereof. In an embodiment, when multiple applications are made, subsequent applications of choline pelargonate or a composition taught herein to rice, a portion thereof, or a growing portion of rice are also made prior to the appearance (or emergence, expression) of blast, sheath blight, or a combination thereof, or the appearance (or emergence, expression) of symptoms of blast, sheath blight, or a combination thereof, in the rice or a portion thereof.

[0090] In an embodiment, application of choline pelargonate or a composition to rice, a portion thereof, or a growing site of rice may occur after the rice or a portion thereof shows symptoms of blast, sheath blight, or a combination thereof. In an embodiment, application of choline pelargonate or a composition to rice, a portion thereof, or a growing site of rice may occur after the rice or a portion thereof shows symptoms of blast, sheath blight, or a combination thereof. In an embodiment, the method may include a curative application of choline pelargonate or a composition as taught herein. In an embodiment, the method may include a curative treatment regimen of choline pelargonate or a composition as taught herein. The curative application or treatment regimen unexpectedly results in high efficacy of treatment of blast, sheath blight, or a combination thereof and increased rice yield, despite the commonly known use of pelargonic acid as a contact herbicide. Curative applications or treatment regimes with choline pelargonate (eg, at doses that do not cause phytotoxicity) advantageously exceed the efficacy and rice yields obtained following curative treatment with a commercial reference product.

[0091] As used herein, the term "curative application" refers to the application of choline pelargonate or a composition taught herein to rice, a part thereof, or a growing site of rice following the manifestation (or appearance, expression) of blast, sheath blight, or a combination thereof, or the manifestation (or appearance, expression) of symptoms of blast, sheath blight, or a combination thereof, in rice or a part thereof.

[0092] The term "curative treatment regimen" as used herein refers to a treatment regimen, the administration of which is a curative administration as defined herein.

[0093] In embodiments, the first application of choline pelargonate or a composition taught herein to the rice, part thereof, or growing site of the rice may occur after the rice or part thereof shows symptoms of blast, sheath blight, or a combination thereof, and before the rice or part thereof shows symptoms of blast, sheath blight, or a combination thereof at most 25% intensity. In embodiments, the first application of choline pelargonate or a composition taught herein to the rice, part thereof, or growing site of the rice may occur after the rice or part thereof shows symptoms of blast, sheath blight, or a combination thereof, and before the rice or part thereof shows symptoms of blast, sheath blight, or a combination thereof at most 20%, at most 15%, at most 10%, or at most 5% intensity. For example, a first application of choline pelargonate or a composition taught herein to rice, a portion thereof, or a growing site of rice may be performed after the manifestation of symptoms of blast, sheath blight, or a combination thereof in the rice or portion thereof, and before the intensity of symptoms of blast, sheath blight, or a combination thereof is at most 4%, at most 3%, at most 2%, or at most 1%. Such a curative application or curative treatment regime with choline pelargonate (e.g., at a dosage that does not cause phytotoxicity) results in high efficacy of treatment of blast, sheath blight, or a combination thereof, and improved rice yield, which exceeds the efficacy and rice yield obtained after curative treatment with a commercially available reference product.

[0094] In an embodiment, the first application of choline pelargonate or a composition as taught herein to rice, a portion thereof, or a growing portion of rice may be performed on the same day after the first symptoms of blast, sheath blight, or a combination thereof appear on the rice or a portion thereof. In an embodiment, the first application of choline pelargonate or a composition as taught herein to rice, a portion thereof, or a growing portion of rice may be performed 1 day to 14 days (2 weeks), such as 1 day to 7 days (1 week), 1 day to 4 days, 1 day to 3 days, or 1 day to 2 days after the first symptoms of blast, sheath blight, or a combination thereof appear on the rice or a portion thereof. In an embodiment, the second or further application of choline pelargonate or a composition as taught herein to rice, a portion thereof, or a growing portion of rice may be performed 7 days (1 week) after the previous application. In embodiments, a second or further application of choline pelargonate or a composition as taught herein to the rice, a portion thereof, or a growing portion of the rice may occur 1 to 4 weeks, such as 1 to 3 weeks or 1 to 2 weeks after the previous application. In embodiments, a first application of choline pelargonate or a composition as taught herein to the rice, a portion thereof, or a growing portion of the rice may occur on the same day after the first manifestation of symptoms of rice blast, sheath blight, or a combination thereof in the rice or portion, and a second application of choline pelargonate or a composition as taught herein to the rice, a portion thereof, or a growing portion of the rice may occur 7 days (1 week) after the first application.

[0095] In embodiments, the method may include a curative application or treatment regimen of choline pelargonate or a composition taught herein, in which the intensity of blast, sheath blight, or a combination thereof, at first application is at most 25%, at most 20%, at most 15%, at most 10%, or at most 5%. In embodiments, the method may include a curative application or treatment regimen of choline pelargonate or a composition taught herein, in which the intensity of blast, sheath blight, or a combination thereof, at first application is at most 4.5%, at most 4%, at most 3.5%, at most 3%, at most 2.5%, at most 2%, at most 1.5%, or at most 1%.

[0096] In an embodiment, the timing of the first application of choline pelargonate or a composition taught herein to the rice plant, part thereof, or growing site of the rice plant can be after the onset (or appearance, expression) of symptoms of blast, sheath blight, or a combination thereof in the rice plant or part thereof, preferably before the intensity of the symptoms is at most 25%, at most 20%, at most 15%, at most 10%, or at most 5%. In an embodiment, if multiple applications are made, the subsequent applications of choline pelargonate or a composition taught herein to the rice plant, part thereof, or growing site of the rice plant are made after the onset (or appearance, expression) of symptoms of blast, sheath blight, or a combination thereof in the rice plant or part thereof, preferably before or after the intensity of the symptoms is at most 25%, at most 20%, at most 15%, at most 10%, or at most 5%.

[0097] The timing of the manifestation of blast, sheath blight, or a combination thereof or the symptoms of blast, sheath blight, or a combination thereof depends on many different factors and conditions, including rice species, rice varieties, climatic conditions, etc. Based on experience, an agriculturalist will know or be able to determine (e.g., predict) the timing of the manifestation of blast, sheath blight, or a combination thereof or the symptoms of blast, sheath blight, or a combination thereof based on the prevailing factors and conditions. The determination (e.g., prediction) of the timing of fungal disease can be based on the use of decision support systems (DSS), which are used, for example, in Europe and the United States. The DSS combines weather data with data related to spore detectors in the field to predict the probability of pathogen attack. According to the risk prediction, the agriculturalist can apply choline pelargonate or a composition taught herein.

[0098] Generally, in embodiments, the method may include applying choline pelargonate or a composition taught herein to the rice plant, a portion thereof, or a growing site of the rice plant between 15 and 100 days, between 15 and 90 days, between 15 and 80 days, between 15 and 75 days, or between 15 and 70 days (e.g., for the first time) after sowing the rice seed. Preferably, the method may include applying choline pelargonate or a composition to the rice plant, a portion thereof, or a growing site of the rice plant between 20 and 65 days (e.g., for the first time) after sowing the rice seed.

[0099] In embodiments, preventative application may be performed by applying choline pelargonate or a composition taught herein to rice, a portion thereof, or a growing site of rice, between 15 and 30 days (e.g., for the first time) after sowing rice seeds. In embodiments, preventative application may be performed by applying choline pelargonate or a composition taught herein to rice, a portion thereof, or a growing site of rice, between 20 and 30 days (e.g., for the first time) after sowing rice seeds.

[0100] In embodiments, the curative application may be performed by applying choline pelargonate or a composition as taught herein to the rice plant, a portion thereof, or a growing site of the rice plant 31-100 days, 31-90 days, 31-80 days, 31-75 days, or 31-70 days (e.g., for the first time) after sowing the rice seed. In embodiments, the curative application may be performed by applying choline pelargonate or a composition as taught herein to the rice plant, a portion thereof, or a growing site of the rice plant 31-65 days, 31-55 days, or 31-45 days (e.g., for the first time) after sowing the rice seed. In embodiments, the curative application may be performed by applying choline pelargonate or a composition as taught herein to the rice plant, a portion thereof, or a growing site of the rice plant 35-80 days, 40-75 days, or 45-70 days (e.g., for the first time) after sowing the rice seed.

[0101] In embodiments, the methods taught herein include applying choline pelargonate or a composition comprising choline pelargonate to rice, a portion thereof, or a growing site of rice in an amount effective to prevent or control rice blast, sheath blight, or a combination thereof in the rice or a portion thereof. In embodiments, the methods taught herein include applying choline pelargonate or a composition comprising choline pelargonate to rice, a portion thereof, or a growing site of rice in an amount effective to prevent or combat sheath blight and / or rice blast fungal infection in the rice or a portion thereof.

[0102] In embodiments, the composition comprising choline pelargonate may be applied to the rice, a portion thereof, or a growing site of the rice at a concentration of 0.1 L / ha to 10 L / ha. In embodiments, the composition comprising choline pelargonate may be applied to the rice, a portion thereof, or a growing site of the rice at a concentration of 0.5 L / ha to 10 L / ha, 1 L / ha to 10 L / ha, 2 L / ha to 8 L / ha, or 2 L / ha to 6 L / ha. Preferably, the choline pelargonate or composition taught herein is applied to the rice, a portion thereof, or a growing site of the rice at a concentration of 3 L / ha to 7 L / ha, such as 4 L / ha to 6 L / ha. Such dosage advantageously allows for more effective treatment of blast, sheath blight, or a combination thereof in the rice or a portion thereof when compared to a commercially available reference product.

[0103] In embodiments, choline pelargonate may be applied to rice, a portion thereof, or a growing portion of rice at a concentration of at least 0.01 kg / ha. In embodiments, choline pelargonate may be applied to rice, a portion thereof, or a growing portion of rice at a concentration of at least 0.02 kg / ha, at least 0.04 kg / ha, at least 0.06 kg / ha, at least 0.08 kg / ha, or at least 0.1 kg / ha. For example, choline pelargonate may be applied to rice, a portion thereof, or a growing portion of rice at a concentration of at least 0.2 kg / ha, at least 0.4 kg / ha, at least 0.6 kg / ha, at least 0.8 kg / ha, at least 1.0 kg / ha, at least 1.5 kg / ha, at least 2.0 kg / ha, or at least 2.5 kg / ha.

[0104] In an embodiment, the choline pelargonate may be applied to the rice plant, a part thereof, or a growing area of ​​the rice plant at a concentration of 0.01 kg / ha to 10.0 kg / ha. In an embodiment, the choline pelargonate may be applied to the rice plant, a part thereof, or a growing area of ​​the rice plant at a concentration of 0.04 kg / ha to 5.0 kg / ha, 0.1 kg / ha to 4.0 kg / ha, or 0.2 kg / ha to 10 kg / ha, 0.4 kg / ha to 8.0 kg / ha, 0.5 kg / ha to 5.0 kg / ha, 0.6 kg / ha to 4.0 kg / ha, 0.8 kg / ha to 4.0 kg / ha, 0.75 kg / ha to 3.0 kg / h, 0.8 kg / ha to 3.0 kg / ha, or 1.0 kg / ha to 3.0 kg / ha. Preferably, choline pelargonate is applied to the rice plant, part thereof, or growing site of the rice plant at a concentration of 0.8 kg / ha to 3.0 kg / ha, 1.0 kg / ha to 3.0 kg / ha, or 1.5 kg / ha to 3.0 kg / ha, such dosage advantageously resulting in more effective treatment of blast, sheath blight, or a combination thereof in the rice plant or part thereof when compared to a commercially available reference product.

[0105] In an embodiment of the method or use taught herein, such as for treating rice blast, choline pelargonate may be applied to the rice plant, a part thereof, or a growing site of the rice plant at a concentration of 0.01 kg / ha to 10 kg / ha, for example, 0.04 kg / ha to 5.0 kg / ha, 0.1 kg / ha to 4.0 kg / ha, 0.8 kg / ha to 3.0 kg / ha, or 1.0 kg / ha to 3.0 kg / ha, and application of choline pelargonate or a composition taught herein to the rice plant, a part thereof, or a growing site of the rice plant may be performed before the appearance of rice blast or the appearance of symptoms of rice blast in the rice plant or a part thereof. Preferably, application may be performed at least twice, and the time interval between two subsequent applications may be at least one week. Such application provides high efficacy of the treatment of rice blast in the rice plant or a part thereof, and therefore high rice yield.

[0106] In an embodiment of the method or use taught herein, such as for treating rice blast, choline pelargonate may be applied to rice, a part thereof, or a growing site of rice at a concentration of 0.01 kg / ha to 10 kg / ha, for example, 0.04 kg / ha to 5.0 kg / ha, 0.1 kg / ha to 4.0 kg / ha, 0.8 kg / ha to 3.0 kg / ha, or 1.0 kg / ha to 3.0 kg / ha, and application of choline pelargonate or a composition taught herein to rice, a part thereof, or a growing site of rice may be performed after the appearance of rice blast or the appearance of symptoms of rice blast in the rice or a part thereof, preferably before the intensity of symptoms is at most 25%. Preferably, application may be performed at least 5 times, and the time interval between two subsequent applications may be at least 1 week. Such application provides high efficacy of the treatment of rice blast in the rice or a part thereof, and therefore high rice yield.

[0107] In an embodiment of the method or use taught herein, such as for treating sheath blight, choline pelargonate may be applied to the rice plant, a part thereof, or a growing site of the rice plant at a concentration of 0.01 kg / ha to 10 kg / ha, for example, 0.04 kg / ha to 5.0 kg / ha, 0.1 kg / ha to 4.0 kg / ha, 0.8 kg / ha to 3.0 kg / ha, or 1.0 kg / ha to 3.0 kg / ha, and application of choline pelargonate or a composition taught herein to the rice plant, a part thereof, or a growing site of the rice plant may be performed before the appearance of sheath blight or the appearance of symptoms of sheath blight in the rice plant or a part thereof. Preferably, application may be performed at least twice, and the time interval between two subsequent applications may be at least one week. Such application provides high efficacy of the treatment of sheath blight in the rice plant or a part thereof, and therefore high rice yield.

[0108] In an embodiment of the method or use taught herein, such as for treating sheath blight, choline pelargonate may be applied to rice, a part thereof, or a growing part of rice at a concentration of 0.01 kg / ha to 10 kg / ha, for example, 0.04 kg / ha to 5.0 kg / ha, 0.1 kg / ha to 4.0 kg / ha, 0.8 kg / ha to 3.0 kg / ha, or 1.0 kg / ha to 3.0 kg / ha, and the first application of choline pelargonate or a composition taught herein to rice, a part thereof, or a growing part of rice may be performed after the appearance of sheath blight or the appearance of sheath blight symptoms in the rice or a part thereof, preferably before the intensity of the symptoms is at most 25%. Preferably, the application may be performed at least four times, and the time interval between two subsequent applications may be at least one week. Such application provides high efficacy of the treatment of sheath blight in rice or a part thereof, and therefore high rice yield.

[0109] In embodiments of the methods or uses taught herein, the effectiveness level of the choline pelargonate or composition taught herein can be at least 50%, at least 55%, at least 60%, at least 65%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, or at least 95%. In an embodiment, the intensity of crop damage (I) caused by a fungal disease such as rice blast or sheath blight may be calculated by formula (1):

number

[0110] The scale of blast attack can be determined as follows: 0=no attack, 1=spots: the size of the needle tip, 2=spots: larger than the needle tip, 3=spots: necrotic patches, round and slightly oval, 1-2 mm long with brown edges, 4=typical slots 1-2 mm long, less than 2% of leaf area affected, 5=2-10% affected by typical blast leaf areas, 6=11-25% affected by typical blast leaf areas, 7=26-50% affected by typical blast leaf areas, 8=51-75% affected by typical blast leaf areas, 9=76-100% affected by typical blast leaf areas.

[0111] A scale of sheath blight attack can be determined as follows: 0 = no attack, 1 = early symptoms of leaf damage, 3 = symptoms of more than 25% damage in the first and second panicles, 5 = symptoms of more than 25% damage in the first, second and third panicles, 7 = symptoms of more than 25% damage in all griefs, 9 = all tillers rot.

[0112] In embodiments, fungicide (such as choline pelargonate or a composition taught herein) efficacy level (percentage) may be calculated according to formula (2): Effectiveness Level (%) = (ISK-ISP)(ISK) -1 ×100% (2) [where ISK = the intensity of fungal disease damage in the control (without fungicide) and ISP = the intensity of fungal disease damage in the fungicide treatment]. The intensity of the damage to the crop can be calculated by formula (1) as provided herein.

[0113] In embodiments of the method or use taught herein, such as for treating rice blast, the efficacy level of choline pelargonate or the composition taught herein can be at least 65%, at least 70%, or at least 75%, preferably at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, or at least 95%. Advantageously, in embodiments of the method or use taught herein, such as for treating rice blast, the efficacy level of choline pelargonate in the preventive treatment regimen taught herein can be at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, or at least 95%. In embodiments of the method or use taught herein, such as for treating rice blast, the efficacy level of choline pelargonate in the curative treatment regimen taught herein can be at least 65%, at least 70%, or at least 75%, preferably at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, or at least 95%.

[0114] In embodiments of the methods or uses taught herein, such as for treating sheath blight, the efficacy level of choline pelargonate may be at least 50%, at least 55%, at least 60%, at least 65%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, or at least 95% when applied to rice, a portion thereof, or a growing site of rice, preferably at a concentration of 0.8 kg / ha to 3.0 kg / ha. In embodiments of the methods or uses taught herein, such as for treating sheath blight, the efficacy level of choline pelargonate may be at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, or at least 95% when applied to rice, a portion thereof, or a growing site of rice, preferably at a concentration of 1.0 kg / ha to 3.0 kg / ha.

[0115] In embodiments of the methods or uses taught herein, such as for treating sheath blight, the efficacy level of choline pelargonate in the preventative treatment regimes taught herein can be at least 50%, at least 55%, at least 60%, at least 65%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, or at least 95%. In embodiments of the methods or uses taught herein, such as for treating sheath blight, the efficacy level of choline pelargonate in the preventative treatment regimes taught herein can be at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, or at least 95% when applied to rice, a portion thereof, or a growing site of rice, preferably at a concentration of 1.0 kg / ha to 3.0 kg / ha. In embodiments of the methods or uses taught herein, such as for treating sheath blight, the efficacy level of choline pelargonate in the curative treatment regimens taught herein can be at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, or at least 95% when applied to rice, a part thereof, or a growing site of rice, preferably at a concentration of 1.0 kg / ha to 3.0 kg / ha.

[0116] In embodiments, the rice yield following application of choline pelargonate or a composition taught herein may be enhanced (i.e., increased) by at least about 5% relative to (i.e., compared to) the rice yield of a no fungicide treatment (i.e., an untreated control) or the rice yield following application of a commercial reference fungicide (i.e., the rice yield following application of choline pelargonate or a composition taught herein may be at least about 1.05-fold).

[0117] As used herein, the term "rice yield" or "dry paddy yield" refers to the average weight of harvested paddy rice (gabah kering panen or GKP) per surface area. Rice yield is expressed in kg / ha or kg / m 2 It can be expressed as:

[0118] The rice yield of the rice plant administered with choline pelargonate or a composition as taught herein can be measured at about 7 days to about 350 days, about 7 days to about 300 days, about 7 days to about 250 days, about 7 days to about 200 days, about 7 days to about 150 days, or about 10 days to about 100 days, such as about 15 days to about 75 days, about 20 days to about 60 days, or about 25 days to about 50 days, after administration of the choline pelargonate or a composition as taught herein to the rice plant, a portion thereof, or a growing site of the rice plant. In an embodiment, the rice yield of the rice plant administered with choline pelargonate or a composition as taught herein can be measured at the time the rice plant is harvested to collect its grains or products, i.e., when the mature rice plant is collected from the field. For example, the rice yield of rice treated with choline pelargonate or a composition taught herein can be measured at about 75 days to about 200 days after sowing, such as about 100 days to about 150 days, or about 110 days to about 130 days after sowing. The rice yield of rice treated with choline pelargonate or a composition taught herein versus rice not so treated (i.e., untreated control) is measured at the same time points.

[0119] The methods and uses taught herein can provide advantages in plants treated therewith compared to untreated plants. "Untreated rice" or "untreated control" refers to rice of the same species (e.g., isogenic or genetically identical thereto) and grown under substantially the same conditions (e.g., cultivated for the same period, in the same climate, using the same materials, according to the same method, and measuring yield and other characteristics in the same manner) as the rice treated with choline pelargonate or the composition taught herein, except that the untreated rice does not receive said choline pelargonate or the composition taught herein on the rice, its part, or the growing site of the rice. These terms can be used synonymously with "reference plant" or "reference" which is botanically identical to the treated plant and is treated in substantially the same manner except for the treatment under investigation, thus providing a meaningful and informative control for detecting the effect of said treatment. Thus, the treated plant and the reference plant may be exposed to substantially the same environmental conditions.

[0120] Examples of commercially available contact reference fungicides include Nordox 56 WP (Allied Botanical Corporation, Philippines, active ingredient: copper oxide), Antracol 70 WP (Bayer CropScience, active ingredient: propineb), Seltima (BASF, active ingredient: pyraclostrobin), and Thiopron (UPL Europe ltd, active ingredient: sulfur).

[0121] Examples of commercially available systemic reference fungicides include Amistar Top 325 SC (Syngenta, Bangladesh, active ingredients: azoxystrobin and difenoconazole), Zerox (Dhanuka, active ingredients: propiconazole), Luna experience (Bayer, active ingredients: fluopyram and tebuconazole), Roko (Biostadt, active ingredients: thiophanate methyl).

[0122] In embodiments, the rice yield (e.g., expressed as kg / area) following application of the choline pelargonate or a composition taught herein is at least about 5% (i.e., may be at least 1.05-fold), at least about 10% (i.e., may be at least 1.10-fold), at least about 15% (i.e., 1.15-fold), at least about 20% (i.e., 1.20-fold), at least about 25% (i.e., 1.25-fold), at least about 30% (i.e., 1.30-fold), at least about 35% (i.e., 1.35-fold), at least about 40% (i.e., 1.40-fold), at least about 45% (i.e., 1.45-fold), at least about 50% (i.e., 1.50-fold), at least about 55% (i.e., 1.55-fold), at least about 60% (i.e., 1.60-fold), at least about 65% (i.e., 1.65-fold), at least about 70% (i.e., 1.70-fold), at least about 75% (i.e., 1.75-fold), at least about 80% (i.e., 1.80-fold), at least about 85% (i.e., 1.85-fold), at least about 90% (i.e., 1.90-fold), at least about 95% (i.e., 1.95-fold), or at least about 100% (i.e., 2-fold).

[0123] In embodiments of the methods or uses taught herein, such as for treating rice blast, the rice yield (e.g., expressed as kg / area) following application of choline pelargonate in a preventive treatment regimen taught herein may be enhanced (i.e., increased) by at least about 5% relative to (i.e., compared to) the rice yield (e.g., expressed as kg / area) following application of a commercial reference fungicide or application of choline pelargonate in a curative treatment regimen taught herein (i.e., the rice yield following the preventive treatment regimen taught herein may be at least about 1.05-fold). In embodiments of the methods or uses taught herein, such as for treating rice blast, the rice yield (e.g., expressed as kg / area) following application of choline pelargonate in a preventive treatment regimen taught herein is at least about 10% (i.e., 1.10-fold), at least about 15% (i.e., 1.15-fold), at least about 20% (i.e., 1.20-fold), at least about 25% (i.e., 1.25-fold), at least about 30% (i.e., 1.30-fold), at least about 35% (i.e., 1.40-fold), at least about 40% (i.e., 1.50-fold), at least about 45% (i.e., 1.60-fold), at least about 40% (i.e., 1.80-fold), at least about 45% (i.e., 1.90-fold), at least about 50% (i.e., 1.80-fold), at least about 50% (i.e., 1.90-fold), at least about 60% (i.e., 1.90-fold), at least about 70% (i.e., 1.80-fold), at least about 80% (i.e., 1.90-fold), at least about 90% (i.e., 1.90-fold), at least about 10 ... The increase may be enhanced (i.e., increased) by at least about 40% (i.e., 1.40-fold), at least about 45% (i.e., 1.45-fold), at least about 50% (i.e., 1.50-fold), at least about 55% (i.e., 1.55-fold), at least about 60% (i.e., 1.60-fold), at least about 65% (i.e., 1.65-fold), at least about 70% (i.e., 1.70-fold), at least about 75% (i.e., 1.75-fold), at least about 80% (i.e., 1.80-fold), at least about 85% (i.e., 1.85-fold), at least about 90% (i.e., 1.90-fold), at least about 95% (i.e., 1.95-fold), or at least about 100% (i.e., 2-fold).

[0124] In embodiments of the methods or uses taught herein, such as for treating sheath blight, rice yield (e.g., expressed as kg / area) following application of choline pelargonate in a preventive treatment regimen taught herein, preferably when applied to rice, a portion thereof, or a rice growing site at a concentration of 1.0 kg / ha to 3.0 kg / ha, may be enhanced (i.e., increased) by at least about 5% relative to (i.e., compared to) rice yield (e.g., expressed as kg / area) following application of a commercial reference fungicide or application of choline pelargonate in a curative treatment regimen taught herein, preferably when applied to rice, a portion thereof, or a rice growing site at a concentration of 1.0 kg / ha to 3.0 kg / ha (i.e., rice yield following a preventive treatment regimen taught herein may be at least about 1.05-fold).In embodiments of the methods or uses taught herein, such as for treating sheath blight, the rice yield (e.g., expressed as kg / area) following application of choline pelargonate in a preventative treatment regimen taught herein, when applied to rice, a portion thereof, or a rice growing site, preferably at a rate of 1.0 kg / ha to 3.0 kg / ha, is at least about 10% (i.e., 1.10 times), at least about 15% (i.e., 1.15 times), at least about 20% (i.e., 1.20 times), less than or equal to the rice yield (e.g., expressed as kg / area) following application of a commercial reference fungicide or application of choline pelargonate in a curative treatment regimen taught herein, when applied to rice, a portion thereof, or a rice growing site, preferably at a rate of 1.0 kg / ha to 3.0 kg / ha. The expression level may be enhanced (i.e., increased) by at least about 25% (i.e., 1.25-fold), at least about 30% (i.e., 1.30-fold), at least about 35% (i.e., 1.35-fold), at least about 40% (i.e., 1.40-fold), at least about 45% (i.e., 1.45-fold), at least about 50% (i.e., 1.50-fold), at least about 55% (i.e., 1.55-fold), at least about 60% (i.e., 1.60-fold), at least about 65% (i.e., 1.65-fold), at least about 70% (i.e., 1.70-fold), at least about 75% (i.e., 1.75-fold), at least about 80% (i.e., 1.80-fold), at least about 85% (i.e., 1.85-fold), at least about 90% (i.e., 1.90-fold), at least about 95% (i.e., 1.95-fold), or at least about 100% (i.e., 2-fold).

[0125] Thus, one aspect of the present invention provides a method of enhancing (i.e., increasing) rice yield relative to (i.e., compared to) the rice yield of a no fungicide treatment (i.e., untreated control) or the rice yield following application of a commercial reference fungicide, comprising applying choline pelargonate or a composition comprising choline pelargonate to the rice plant, a portion thereof, or a growing site of the rice plant.

[0126] A further aspect relates to the use of choline pelargonate or a composition comprising choline pelargonate in preventing or controlling rice blast, sheath blight, or a combination thereof in rice or a part thereof.

[0127] Thus, a related aspect provides the use of choline pelargonate or a composition comprising choline pelargonate in preventing or combating a fungal infection in rice or a part thereof, the fungal infection being sheath blight or rice blast.

[0128] Thus, one aspect provides the use of choline pelargonate or a composition comprising choline pelargonate as a fungicide against sheath blight or rice blast in rice or parts thereof.

[0129] In an embodiment the fungicide is a contact fungicide. Preferably the fungicide is a systemic fungicide.

[0130] Thus, one aspect provides the use of choline pelargonate or a composition comprising choline pelargonate as a systemic fungicide against sheath blight or rice blast in rice or parts thereof, which is unexpected in view of the known use of pelargonic acid as a contact (i.e. non-systemic) herbicide.

[0131] The present application also provides aspects and embodiments described in the following description: 1. A method for preventing or controlling rice blast, sheath blight, or a combination thereof in rice or a part thereof, the method comprising applying choline pelargonate or a composition comprising choline pelargonate to the rice, a part thereof, or a growing site of the rice. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the rice is selected from the group consisting of Oryza sativa, Oryza glaberrima, Oryza australiensis, Oryza balchii, Oryza brachiantha, Oryza coarctata, Oryza eitingeri, Oryza grungelumis, Oryza latifolia, Oryza longiglumis, Oryza longistaminata, Oryza meiliana, Oryza minuta, Oryza neocaledonica, Oryza officinalis, Oryza punctata, Oryza ridleyi, Oryza rufipogon, Oryza schlecteri, Zizania palustris, Zizania aquatica, Zizania texana, Zizania latifolia, and Portelesia coarctata. 3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the rice is Oryza sativa, preferably the rice is Oryza sativa indica or Oryza sativa japonica. 4. The method of any one of statements 1 to 3, wherein the composition is an aqueous composition. 5. The method of any one of statements 1 to 4, wherein the composition is a sprayable liquid or concentrate. 6. The method of any one of statements 1 to 5, wherein the composition comprises 0.001% (v / v) to 70% (v / v) choline pelargonate. 7. The method of any one of statements 1 to 6, wherein the composition is a concentrate comprising 5.0% (w / v) to 70% (w / v) choline pelargonate, preferably 10% (w / v) to 60% (w / v) choline pelargonate. 8. The method of any one of statements 1 to 6, wherein the composition is a sprayable liquid comprising 0.001% (w / v) to 5.0% (w / v) choline pelargonate, preferably 0.1% (w / v) to 2.0% (w / v) choline pelargonate, more preferably 0.1% (w / v) to 1.0% (w / v) choline pelargonate. 9. The method of any one of statements 1 to 8, wherein the composition further comprises one or more adjuvants, such as a solvent, carrier, surfactant, adhesive, antifreeze, thickener, buffer, antifoam agent, antioxidant, preservative, fragrance, or colorant. 10. The method of any one of statements 1 to 9, wherein the method comprises applying the choline pelargonate or composition to the entire above-ground portion of the rice plant. 11. The method of any one of statements 1 to 10, wherein application of the choline pelargonate or composition to the rice, part thereof, or growing site of the rice, occurs prior to the manifestation of symptoms of rice blast, sheath blight, or a combination thereof in the rice, or part thereof. 12. The method of any one of statements 1 to 10, wherein application of the choline pelargonate or composition to the rice, part thereof, or growing site of the rice, occurs after manifestation of symptoms of rice blast, sheath blight, or a combination thereof in the rice, or part thereof. 13. The method of any one of statements 1 to 10 or 12, wherein the first application of choline pelargonate or a composition taught herein to the rice, part thereof, or growing site of the rice is performed after the manifestation of symptoms of blast, sheath blight, or a combination thereof in the rice, or part thereof, and before the intensity of symptoms of blast, sheath blight, or a combination thereof is at most 25%, e.g., at most 20%, at most 15%, at most 10%, or at most 5%. 14. A method according to any one of statements 1 to 13, in which choline pelargonate is applied to the rice plant, a part thereof, or a growing site of the rice plant at a concentration of 0.01 kg / ha to 10.0 kg / ha, preferably, choline pelargonate is applied to the rice plant, a part thereof, or a growing site of the rice plant at a concentration of 1.0 kg / ha to 3.0 kg / ha. 15. The method of any one of statements 1 to 14, wherein the choline pelargonate or composition is sprayed onto the rice plant, a part thereof, or a growing site of the rice plant. 16. Use of choline pelargonate or a composition comprising choline pelargonate in preventing or controlling rice blast, sheath blight, or a combination thereof in rice or a part thereof.

[0132] The above aspects and embodiments are further supported by the following non-limiting examples. EXAMPLES

[0133] Working Example Comparative Example 1: Evaluation of the use of a composition comprising choline pelargonate against blast disease in winter barley according to one embodiment of the present invention A winter barley pot trial was established to determine the effectiveness of a composition including choline pelargonate (referred to as "BPA056") as a protective (or preventative) and curative treatment against blast disease (Magnaporthe oryzae) in barley.

[0134] method Experimental design Pot trials were sown (day 0) using winter barley cultivar SY Venture. Seeds were sown in 9 cm diameter pots at a rate of 10 seeds / pot with three replicate pots per treatment. The pots were transferred to a glasshouse and grown at 23°C until the plants reached the growth stage where the first leaves were fully emerged (BBCH11). The trial consisted of 10 treatments and was inoculated with a spore suspension of M. oryzae.

[0135] Application of the product The treatments applied in the trials are detailed in Table 1. The composition ("BPA056") contained 42% (w / v) choline pelargonate or 0.42 kg choline pelargonate / 1 L of composition. Sprays were applied at high water volume (2 ml / replicate pot, which equates to 3125 L / ha) when the plants were at BBCH11 (day 11 for protective treatments and day 14 for curative treatments). Inoculated and uninoculated controls were sprayed with 2 ml of water. Treatments were applied using a handheld misting sprayer. Curative treatments were applied after the water had dried off the inoculated leaves and when removed from the humidity chamber. Doses of 0.5%, 0.75%, and 1% (v / v) are concentrations of the composition containing choline pelargonate in the spray solution.

[0136] [Table 1]

[0137] inoculation When the plants were at BBCH11 (12 days old), each pot was inoculated with 2 ml of spore suspension using a handheld misting sprayer. The spore suspension applied was 4 × 10 4 spores ml -1 The samples contained conidia of M. oryzae at a concentration of 0.01 mg / mL.

[0138] Immediately after inoculation, the plants were transferred to a humid chamber (100% humidity) and incubated at a temperature of approximately 25° C. After 2 days of incubation, the plants were removed from the humid chamber and transferred to an insulated glasshouse set at 23° C.

[0139] Leaf evaluation Disease was assessed after full development of symptoms in the inoculated controls. Disease severity was assessed as the percentage of total leaf area affected by disease symptoms on the first leaf of five plants / replicate pot (treated / inoculated leaves). Evaluated leaves were randomly selected from each replicate pot.

[0140] statistical analysis Differences between treatments were determined using analysis using ANOVA through calculation of least significant differences of means using Genstat version 16. Percentage values ​​were transformed using angular transformation before performing statistical analysis.

[0141] Results and Discussion Blast symptoms caused by M. oryzae were evaluated on day 24 (12 days after inoculation) when the plants were at BBCH13 (three leaves fully opened). Only the first leaves were evaluated, i.e., leaves that emerged after treatment were not evaluated. Disease levels in untreated plants were evaluated on 39.6% of the affected leaf area (Table 2, transformed data).

[0142] [Table 2] Plants treated with protective treatments of BPA056 (1%) or proline (0.72 L / ha), or curative treatments of BPA056 (0.5%) or proline (0.72 L / ha) resulted in a significant (p=0.05) reduction in symptoms caused by M. oryzae compared to inoculated controls. All other treatments gave disease levels that were not significantly different from inoculated controls (Table 2, transformed data).

[0143] The level of control achieved with the commercial reference product (Proline 275 at 0.72 L / ha) was significantly higher than either of the BPA056 treatments, whether applied as a protective or curative treatment. In view of this, the excellent results obtained with BPA056 on rice in the field trials (described in Examples 1 and 2) were not unexpected.

[0144] Example 1: Field efficacy test of the use of a composition comprising choline pelargonate according to one embodiment of the present invention against rice blast disease in rice A field trial was established to determine the effectiveness of a composition containing choline pelargonate (designated "BPA056") as a protectant and curative treatment against rice blast in rice.

[0145] material and method All the field trials mentioned in this study are experimental trials conducted under field conditions. Location of the study: Bojong Terong Sub-Village, Palabuan Village, Ujungjaya District, Sumedang Regency, West Java.

[0146] The trials used the rice variety Inpari 32 or other commonly used varieties near the trial location that are susceptible to rice blast (Porphyra oryzae).

[0147] Pest and disease free rice seeds were used. Fertilizer application was in accordance with local recommendations. Plant maintenance was carried out according to best practices to achieve the objectives of the study.

[0148] Seedlings were used 21 days after sowing. The amount of seeds per planting hole was 2-3 seeds. According to the agricultural practices in Indonesia and based on the approval of the Pesticide Board, the dimensions of one plot were 10m x 10m, the number of observed sample plants was 25 clumps per plot, and the distance between plots was a 50cm wide bank. Planting started on day 0.

[0149] Plot Layout Randomized complete block design with nine treatment regimens and three replicates provided in Table 3. Briefly, there were nine different treatment regimens reported in Table 3. Each treatment regimen was administered to three different plots (replicates). Each plot had dimensions of 10 m x 10 m. The plots were distributed according to a randomized complete block design.

[0150] Water volume used: 400 L / ha. Contact dose is the final concentration of the composition in the spray solution. For example, Nordox was applied at a final concentration of 2 g / L of spray solution. Expressed as grams of Nordox / ha, 2 g / L x 400 L / ha = 800 g of Nordox / ha. For example, AmistarTop 325 SC was applied at a final concentration of 300 mL / ha. Expressed as mL / L of spray solution, 300 mL / 400 L = 0.75 mL / L. For example, BPA056 was applied at 2 L / ha. Expressed as ml / L of spray solution, 2000 mL / 400 L = 5 mL / L of spray solution.

[0151] The composition containing choline pelargonate (designated "BPA056") had a concentration of 42% (w / v) choline pelargonate or 42 g choline pelargonate / 100 mL of composition or 420 g (i.e., 0.42 kg) / L. The concentration of choline pelargonate in the spray solution was 2 L composition x 0.42 kg choline pelargonate / 1 L composition = 0.84 kg choline pelargonate, 4 L composition x 0.42 L choline pelargonate / 1 L composition = 1.68 kg choline pelargonate, or 6 L composition x 0.42 L choline pelargonate / 1 L composition = 2.52 kg choline pelargonate.

[0152] Therefore, the concentration of choline pelargonate in the spray solution is 0.84 kg / 400 L = 0.21 kg / 100 L = 210 g / 100 L = 2.10 g / L = 0.21 g / 100 ml = 0.21% (w / v), 1.68 kg / 400 L = 0.42 g / 100 ml = 0.42% (w / v), or 2.52 kg / 400 L = 0.63 g / 100 ml = 0.63% (w / v).

[0153] The contact doses of the active ingredients were 448 g / ha for the preventive reference product, azoxystrobin at 60 g / ha and difenoconazole at 37.5 g / ha for the curative reference products, 0.84 kg / ha for BPA056 2 l / ha, 1.68 kg / ha for BPA056 4 l / ha and 2.52 kg / ha for BPA056 6 l / ha.

[0154] [Table 3]

[0155] Evaluate the data Evaluation of data on plant damage by target pests and crop production data were analyzed in treated and control plants using a 5% difference level according to the experimental design used.

[0156] Methods and Means of Application Farmers were instructed on how to use the fungicide sprayer application bag and semi-automated high pressure spraying was performed at 400 l / ha or based on calibration.

[0157] Application timing and frequency In timing A, the application was preventative and was applied prior to the manifestation of symptoms.

[0158] At timing B, the application was a curative application. The first application was made when symptoms of attack were beginning to appear in each plot, but still with very low (less than 5%) intensity.

[0159] Interval of application: Applications were carried out at intervals of one week.

[0160] Number of applications: In the protocol treatment / SOP, applications were performed at least 5 times, up to 2 weeks before harvest, but depending on the conditions in the field, the number of applications performed was different. This was due to the earlier appearance of attack symptoms, and preventative applications were performed only twice. The first application was performed when the plants were 20 DAS.

[0161] Efficacy criteria If the disease distribution at the start of the trial was relatively evenly distributed, the efficacy criteria were based on the level of damage to the plants caused by the pathogen. However, if the level of crop damage among the plots was uneven at the start of the experiment, the efficacy criteria were determined based on disease progression. This can be seen through the results of analysis of variance in the field observations (the day before treatment).

[0162] The efficacy level of the tested fungicide may be calculated from the last observation using the following formula: Validity Level = (ISK-ISP)(ISK) -1 ×100% [where ISK=intensity of disease attack in the control (no fungicide) and ISP=intensity of disease attack in the fungicide treatment].

[0163] observation In the trials, the entire plot was treated (plot dimensions 10 m x 10 m) but disease assessments were performed on 25 rice clumps for each plot. In each experiment, the 25 clumps were systematically selected.

[0164] The level of damage to the plants caused by the rice blast fungus was calculated by the following formula:

number

[0165] The scale of attack of the rice blast fungus was determined as follows: 0=no attack, 1=spots: the size of a needle tip, 2=spots: larger than a needle tip, 3=spots: necrotic patches, round and slightly oval, 1-2 mm long with brown edges, 4=typical slots 1-2 mm long, less than 2% leaf area attacked, 5=2-10% attacked by typical potato blast leaf areas, 6=11-25% attacked by typical potato blast leaf areas, 7=26-50% affected by typical leaf area blots, 8=51-75% attacked by typical potato blast leaf areas, 9=76-100% attacked by typical potato blast leaf areas.

[0166] Timing of Observation For all treatment regimens, the first observation was made 6 days after the first preventative application. Further observations were performed at weekly intervals. Observation times are presented in Table 4.

[0167] Results and Discussion Effect of the use of a composition according to one embodiment of the present invention on the level of damage caused by rice blast disease in rice The ability of the composition containing choline pelargonate (mentioned above and called "BPA056") to act as a fungicide against the development of rice blast disease is provided in Table 4. Depending on the timing of the treatment, the application treatments used in the study were preventive and curative treatments. In preventive treatments, the application of the fungicide was carried out when the symptoms of disease attack were not visible or the disease intensity value was 0%. In the observation after the first application (preventive), the intensity of disease attack was still not visible and the attack intensity was 0% for each treatment. In the second observation (preventive), the symptoms of rice blast disease began to appear. In this observation, it can be seen that the intensity of disease attack appears in all treatments, i.e., both the BPA056 fungicide treatment and the comparative fungicides (NORDOX 56 WP and AMISTARTOP 325 SC). Therefore, only two preventive applications of fungicide were made because disease attack symptoms began to appear one week after the second observation or the second preventive fungicide application. The attack intensity at the second observation was significantly different in the preventive treatments compared to the curative treatments where no fungicide application had yet been made. Disease attack intensity values ​​in the preventive BPA056 fungicide treatments were much lower compared to the comparative fungicide treatments and the curative treatments.

[0168] Six days after the curative treatment (observation 3), the intensity of disease attack was not significantly different between the fungicide-treated plots. The intensity of disease attack in the fungicide treatments was much lower compared to the control treatment. However, it can be seen that from all fungicide treatments, the preventative BPA056 fungicide treatment (timing A) had the lowest disease intensity value.

[0169] [Table 4]

[0170] An increase in the intensity of damage occurred at each observation. The observations in Table 4 show that the increase in the intensity of damage in the BPA056 treatment was very low at each subsequent observation. This is different when compared to the control treatment where the increase in attack intensity was quite significant. At the end of the experiment, the highest rice blast intensity was detected in the control treatment, which reached 25.26%. Meanwhile, in the BPA056 fungicide treatment, a lower intensity of rice blast was detected. The preventive treatment of fungicide BPA056 (timing A) was the best treatment to suppress the occurrence of rice blast when compared to the curative treatment (timing B). Based on the overall observations, it can be seen that in general, the application of the preventive fungicide had lower attack intensity values ​​when compared to the application of the curative fungicide. The preventive treatment of fungicide BPA056 (timing A) at a dose of 4 l / ha or 6 l / ha provided a better treatment of rice blast when compared to the preventive reference product. Curative treatments of the fungicide BPA056 at doses of 4 l / ha or 6 l / ha (timing B) provided better treatment of rice blast when compared to the curative reference product.

[0171] [Table 5]

[0172] The effectiveness level of a fungicide is measured from its effectiveness level value. A fungicide is considered to be effective in controlling a disease if it has an effectiveness level of more than 50%. The effectiveness level of fungicide BPA056 can be seen in Table 5. Based on the effectiveness level calculation, it is known that all tested doses were effective in controlling rice blast. The preventive treatment dose of 6 l / ha of fungicide BPA056 produced the highest effectiveness level value of 95.35%, which is effective in controlling rice blast. However, other tested doses also showed effectiveness level values ​​of more than 50%. Therefore, such doses were also considered to be effective in controlling rice blast.

[0173] Phytotoxicity of the Use of the Compositions Exemplifying the Invention Phytotoxicity refers to injury symptoms in plants as a result of the application of a fungicide, even though the fungicide was applied according to the recommended rate. Based on the observation of the appearance of the rice crop in the test plots, no symptoms of phytotoxicity were found due to the application of BPA056. No phytotoxicity was observed in the plots treated with various doses and treatment regimes of BPA056.

[0174] Effect of the use of compositions exemplified by the present invention on rice yield The effect of application of a composition comprising choline pelargonate according to an embodiment of the present invention ("BPA056") and comparative compositions and treatment regimes on rice yield is provided in Table 6. The use of BPA056 could suppress the yield loss caused by rice blast in rice crops. The average harvested paddy rice results (gabah kering panen or GKP) in all fungicide treatments were higher than that of the control treatment. The highest GKP was achieved in the BPA056 treatment with a dose of 6 l / ha of preventive treatment, which is an amount of 21.59 kg / plot. This yield was significantly different from the results of the other treatments. The GKP results in the control treatment with an amount of 14.42 kg / plot were significantly different from the BPA056 treatment. The difference in GKP results between the BPA056 and control treatments proves that the application of BPA056 can maintain yield.

[0175] [Table 6]

[0176] conclusion - Application of a composition containing choline pelargonate in rice (using both preventive and curative treatment regimes) was able to suppress the incidence of rice blast disease in rice at an efficacy level of greater than 50%.

[0177] - Application of a composition comprising choline pelargonate in rice was more effective (e.g., higher efficacy levels) when it was a preventative treatment compared to a curative treatment.

[0178] -Application of a composition containing choline pelargonate in rice (using both preventive and curative treatment regimes) was able to reduce rice yield loss compared to the control treatment.

[0179] - Application of a composition containing choline pelargonate in rice resulted in higher rice yield when it was a preventative treatment compared to a curative treatment.

[0180] - Preventive application of a composition containing choline pelargonate was the best treatment regimen for controlling rice blast in rice.

[0181] Preventive application of a composition containing choline pelargonate at a dose of -4 l / ha or 6 l / ha provided better treatment of rice blast (i.e. lower intensity of blast and better efficacy) when compared to the preventive reference product.

[0182] - Curative application of a composition containing choline pelargonate at a dose of 4 l / ha or 6 l / ha provided better treatment of rice blast (i.e. lower intensity of blast and better efficacy) when compared to the curative reference product.

[0183] - Application of compositions containing choline pelargonate in rice (using both preventative and curative treatment regimes) at all tested doses (0.21%, 0.42%, or 0.63% (w / v) choline pelargonate) did not cause phytotoxic symptoms in rice.

[0184] Example 2: Field efficacy test of the use of a composition comprising choline pelargonate according to one embodiment of the present invention against sheath blight in rice material and method All the field trials mentioned in this study are experimental trials conducted under field conditions. Location of the study: Bojong Terong Sub-Village, Palabuan Village, Ujungjaya District, Sumedang Regency, West Java.

[0185] The trials used the rice variety Inpari 32, or other commonly used varieties near the trial location that are susceptible to sheath blight (Rhizoctonia solani).

[0186] Pest and disease free rice seeds were used. Fertilizer application was in accordance with local recommendations. Plant maintenance was carried out according to best practices to achieve the objectives of the study.

[0187] Seedlings were used 21 days after sowing. The amount of seeds per planting hole was 2-3 seeds. According to the agricultural practices in Indonesia and based on the approval of the Pesticide Board, the dimensions of one plot were 10m x 10m, the number of observed sample plants was 25 clumps per plot, and the distance between plots was a 50cm wide bank. Planting started on day 0.

[0188] Plot Layout Randomized complete block design with nine treatments and three replicates provided in Table 7. Briefly, there were nine treatment regimens reported in Table 7. Each treatment regimen was administered to three different plots (replicates). Each plot had dimensions of 10 m x 10 m. The plots were distributed according to a randomized complete block design.

[0189] Water volume used: 400L / ha. Contact dose is the final concentration of the composition in the spray solution. For example, Antracol 70 was applied at a final concentration of 1 kg / ha. Expressed as g / L of spray solution, 1000g / 400L=2.5g / L.

[0190] The composition containing choline pelargonate (designated "BPA056") had a concentration of 42% (w / v) choline pelargonate or 42 g choline pelargonate / 100 mL of composition or 420 g (i.e., 0.42 kg) / L. The concentration of choline pelargonate in the spray solution was 2 L composition x 0.42 kg choline pelargonate / 1 L composition = 0.84 kg choline pelargonate, 4 L composition x 0.42 L choline pelargonate / 1 L composition = 1.68 kg choline pelargonate, or 6 L composition x 0.42 L choline pelargonate / 1 L composition = 2.52 kg choline pelargonate.

[0191] Therefore, the concentration of choline pelargonate (i.e., contact dose active ingredient) in the spray solution is 0.84 kg / 400 L = 0.21 kg / 100 L = 210 g / 100 L = 2.10 g / L = 0.21 g / 100 ml = 0.21% (w / v), 1.68 kg / 400 L = 0.42 g / 100 ml = 0.42% (w / v), or 2.52 kg / 400 L = 0.63 g / 100 ml = 0.63% (w / v).

[0192] The contact doses of the active ingredients were 700 g / ha for the preventive reference product, azoxystrobin at 60 g / ha and difenoconazole at 37.5 g / ha for the curative reference products, 0.84 kg / ha for BPA056 2 l / ha, 1.68 kg / ha for BPA056 4 l / ha and 2.52 kg / ha for BPA056 6 l / ha.

[0193] [Table 7]

[0194] Evaluate the data Evaluation of data on plant damage by target pests and crop production data were analyzed in treated and control plants using a 5% difference level according to the experimental design used.

[0195] Methods and Means of Application Farmers were instructed on how to use the fungicide sprayer application bag and semi-automated high pressure spraying was performed at 400 l / ha or based on calibration.

[0196] Application time and frequency In timing A, the application was preventative and was applied prior to the manifestation of symptoms.

[0197] At timing B, the application was a curative application. The first curative application was performed when symptoms of attack were beginning to appear in each plot, but still at a very low (less than 5%) intensity.

[0198] Interval of application: Applications were performed at one week intervals. Applications were performed at least five times, up to two weeks before harvest (in protocol treatments / SOPs), but depending on the conditions in the field, the number of applications performed varied. This was due to the earlier appearance of attack symptoms, and for preventive applications only two applications were possible. The first preventive application was performed when the plants were 29 DAS. For curative applications, only four applications were performed, due to the condition of the plants, which were close to harvesting. Application times are presented in Table 7.

[0199] Efficacy criteria If the disease distribution at the start of the trial was relatively evenly distributed, the efficacy criteria were based on the level of damage to the plants caused by the pathogen. However, if the level of crop damage among the plots was uneven at the start of the experiment, the efficacy criteria were determined based on disease progression. This can be seen through the results of analysis of variance in the field observations (the day before treatment).

[0200] The efficacy level of the tested fungicide is expected to be ≧50%, calculated from the last observation using the following formula: Validity Level = (ISK-ISP)(ISK) -1 ×100% [where ISK=intensity of disease attack in the control (no fungicide) and ISP=intensity of disease attack in the fungicide treatment].

[0201] observation In the trials, the entire plot was treated (plot dimensions 10 m x 10 m) but disease assessments were performed on 25 rice clumps for each plot. In each experiment, the 25 clumps were systematically selected.

[0202] The level of damage to the plants caused by Rhizobium blight was calculated by the following formula:

number

[0203] The scale of attack of R. solanacearum was determined as follows: 0 = no attack, 1 = early symptoms of leaf damage, 3 = symptoms of more than 25% damage on the first and second panicles, 5 = symptoms of more than 25% damage on the first, second and third panicles, 7 = symptoms of more than 25% damage on all leaves, 9 = all tillers rotted.

[0204] Timing of Observation For all treatment regimens, the first observation was made 6 days after the first preventative application. Further observations were performed at weekly intervals. Observation times are presented in Table 8.

[0205] Results and Discussion Effect of the use of a composition according to one embodiment of the present invention on the intensity of sheath blight in rice The test consisted of two treatment regimens: preventive and curative. It can be seen that at the first observation, the symptoms of disease attack were still not visible, with a disease intensity value of 0% (Table 8). At the second observation, the symptoms of disease began to appear, so no further preventive application was made.

[0206] The data in Table 8 shows that application of a composition containing choline pelargonate (referred to as "BPA056") reduced the intensity of sheath blight, as all BPA056 treatments produced significantly different results compared to the control. During the experiment, the intensity of sheath blight treated with BPA056, especially at high doses, was lower compared to the control treatment. This indicates that application of a composition containing choline pelargonate was able to suppress the occurrence of sheath blight in rice.

[0207] [Table 8]

[0208] The severity of sheath blight increased over time (with plant age). A high increase in disease intensity occurred in the test with the lowest dose of BPA056, as well as in the comparison and control fungicide treatments. Sheath blight symptoms and empty panicles were observed in the treatment with the lowest dose (2 l / ha) of BPA056. Severe sheath blight symptoms and empty panicles were observed in the comparison and control treatments. Disease outbreaks occurred mainly when the plants were mature.

[0209] Of the treatment regimes at various doses and application times, preventive application of BPA056 at the highest dose of 6 l / ha showed the lowest disease intensity (Table 8). The results obtained for preventive application of BPA056 at the highest dose of 6 l / ha were not statistically or significantly different than the preventive application at the dose of 4 l / ha in the penultimate observation. In the last observation, the sheath blight intensity in all BPA056 treatments was significantly different from the control treatment.

[0210] The lowest intensity of 1.31% occurred at the last observation in the treatment with preventive application at 6 l / ha. This lowest intensity obtained at the last observation for preventive application of BPA056 at the highest dose of 6 l / ha was statistically and significantly different compared to the intensity in the control treatment, which reached 13.48% at the last observation. All dose levels of BPA056 did not cause phytotoxic symptoms in the rice tested.

[0211] Efficacy of using a composition comprising choline pelargonate according to an embodiment of the present invention against sheath blight in rice The efficacy of BPA056 in suppressing sheath blight showed high results. Efficacy levels of more than 50% were achieved for BPA056 treatments applied with both preventive and curative doses of 4 l / ha and 6 l / ha, as well as with the preventive dose of 2 l / ha. However, the same results did not apply to BPA056 with the curative dose of 2 l / ha, where the efficacy level reached less than 50% at the last observation (Table 9). The highest level of efficacy was achieved with the preventive dose of 6 l / ha, reaching 90.31%.

[0212] [Table 9]

[0213] Effect of the use of a composition comprising choline pelargonate according to an embodiment of the present invention against sheath blight in rice on rice yield The effect of BPA056 application on rice yield is presented in Table 10. The use of BPA056 could reduce the yield loss caused by sheath blight in rice. The average dry grain yield in all experimental plots was significantly different from the control treatment (Table 10).

[0214] The highest yield was achieved with preventive application of BPA056 at a dose of 6 l / ha, resulting in an average yield of 20.24 kg / plot, which was not statistically different from the preventive dose of 4 l / ha, which resulted in an average yield of 20.13 kg / plot (Table 10). Furthermore, the two highest doses of BPA056 (4 l / ha and 6 l / ha) of curative application yielded 19.73 kg / plot and 19.93 kg / plot, respectively. Thus, application of the composition comprising choline pelargonate according to an embodiment of the present invention in rice could suppress sheath blight and reduce rice yield loss caused by the disease.

[0215] [Table 10]

[0216] conclusion - Preventive application of a composition containing choline pelargonate in rice was effective at all tested doses (0.21%, 0.42%, or 0.63% (w / v) choline pelargonate) in suppressing the incidence of sheath blight in rice at efficacy levels greater than 50%.

[0217] Curative application of a composition containing choline pelargonate in rice at a dose of -4 l / ha (0.42% (w / v) choline pelargonate) and 6 l / ha (0.63% (w / v) choline pelargonate) was effective in suppressing the incidence of sheath blight in rice with an efficacy level of more than 50%.

[0218] - Application of a composition comprising choline pelargonate in rice was more effective (e.g., higher efficacy levels) against sheath blight when it was a preventative treatment compared to a curative treatment.

[0219] -Application of compositions containing choline pelargonate to rice (using both preventative and curative treatment regimes) reduced rice yield losses due to sheath blight at all tested doses compared to control treatments.

[0220] Preventive application of a composition containing choline pelargonate at a dose of -4 l / ha or 6 l / ha provided better treatment of sheath blight (i.e. lower intensity of sheath blight at last observation and better efficacy) when compared to the preventive reference product.

[0221] - Curative application of a composition containing choline pelargonate at a dose of 4 l / ha or 6 l / ha provided better treatment of sheath blight (i.e. lower intensity of sheath blight at last observation and better efficacy) when compared to the curative reference product.

[0222] Application of a composition comprising choline pelargonate in rice resulted in higher rice yield when the treatment against sheath blight was a preventive treatment compared to a curative treatment.

[0223] - Preventive application of a composition containing choline pelargonate was the best treatment regimen for controlling sheath blight in rice.

[0224] - Application of compositions containing choline pelargonate against sheath blight in rice (using both preventive and curative treatment regimes) did not cause phytotoxic symptoms in rice at all tested doses.

[0225] Example 3: A method according to one embodiment of the present invention for treating sheath blight in rice Field trials were established to test the efficacy of various compositions for controlling sheath blight (Rhizoctonia solani) in rice at two locations in Thailand: L1: Bang Kham, Sriprachan, Suphanburi and L2: Don Pru, Sriprachan, Suphanburi. Disease inoculation was performed 14 days before the first spray.

[0226] At location L1, the experimental design was randomized complete block (RCB), the number of different treatments was six as provided in Table 11, the number of replications was four, the plot size was 6×5 m / plot, the rice variety was PTT1, and the spray volume was 312.5 L / ha. One treatment had four replications and one replication had 10 samples.

[0227] The composition containing choline pelargonate (designated "BPA056") had a concentration of 42% (w / v) choline pelargonate or 42 g choline pelargonate / 100 mL composition or 420 g (i.e., 0.42 kg) / L. The concentration of choline pelargonate in the spray solution (per hectare) was: 2 L composition x 0.42 kg choline pelargonate / 1 L composition = 0.84 kg choline pelargonate, 3 L composition x 0.42 L choline pelargonate / 1 L composition = 1.26 kg choline pelargonate, or 4 L composition x 0.42 L choline pelargonate / 1 L composition = 1.68 kg choline pelargonate.

[0228] [Table 11]

[0229] Data assessment included the percentage of infected symptom length (cm) and plant length (cm) before the first spray, before the second spray, 7 days after the second spray, 2 weeks after the second spray, 3 weeks after the second spray, and 2 weeks before harvest. A summary of the timing of data assessment at location L1 is provided in Table 12. Percentage disease was calculated as follows: Disease (%) = [length of infection symptoms (cm) / length of plant (cm)] x 100

[0230] [Table 12]

[0231] Table 13 illustrates the disease percentages after treatment of rice with the composition illustrating the invention ("BPA056") at 2000 ml / ha, 3000 ml / ha, and 4000 ml / ha, and after treatment with commercial reference products, validamycin 3% SL at 625 ml / ha and tricyclazole at 750 g / ha, at location L1. The results in Table 13 show that the composition illustrating the invention ("BPA056") at 3000 and 4000 ml / ha showed superior control of sheath blight in rice compared to untreated rice. The composition illustrating the invention at 3000 and 4000 ml / ha was also superior to the commercial reference products, validamycin 3% SL at 625 ml / ha and tricyclazole at 750 g / ha. The composition illustrating the invention at 2000 ml / ha also showed acceptable control of sheath blight in rice.

[0232] No phytotoxicity was observed in rice after all treatments when evaluated before the second spray, 7 days after the second spray, 2 weeks after the second spray, 3 weeks after the second spray, and 2 weeks before harvest.

[0233] [Table 13]

[0234] At location L2, the experimental design was randomized complete block (RCB), the number of different treatments was six as provided in Table 11, the number of replications was four, the plot size was 6×5 m / plot, the rice variety was PTT1, and the spray volume was 312.5 L / ha. One treatment had four replications and one replication had 10 samples. Data assessment included the percentage of infected symptom length (cm) and plant length (cm) before the first spray, before the second spray, 7 days after the second spray, 2 weeks after the second spray, 3 weeks after the second spray, and 2 weeks before harvest. A summary of the timing of data assessment at location L2 is provided in Table 14.

[0235] [Table 14]

[0236] Table 15 illustrates the disease percentages after treatment of rice with the composition illustrating the invention ("BPA056") at 2000 ml / ha, 3000 ml / ha, and 4000 ml / ha, and after treatment with commercial reference products, validamycin 3% SL at 625 ml / ha and tricyclazole at 750 g / ha, at location L2. The results in Table 15 show that the composition illustrating the invention ("BPA056") at 3000 and 4000 ml / ha showed superior control of sheath blight in rice compared to untreated rice, and was also superior to the commercial reference products, validamycin 3% SL at 625 ml / ha and tricyclazole at 750 g / ha. The composition illustrating the invention ("BPA056") at 2000 ml / ha also showed acceptable control of sheath blight in rice.

[0237] No phytotoxicity was observed in rice after all treatments when evaluated before the second spray, 7 days after the second spray, 2 weeks after the second spray, 3 weeks after the second spray, and 2 weeks before harvest.

[0238] [Table 15]

[0239] Example 4: A method according to one embodiment of the present invention for increasing rice yield in rice The field trials described in Example 3 were conducted at two locations in Thailand: L1: Bang Kham, Sriprachan, Suphanburi and L2: Don Pru, Sriprachan, Suphanburi.

[0240] At harvest, rice yield was determined as follows: 1) kg / section (i.e. 3m x 3m = 9m 2 ) harvest. Each plot (9m 2 The center of each fruit was harvested. 2) kg / rai (i.e. 1600m 2 ) harvest 3) kg / ha (i.e. 1600m 2 ×6.25) Harvest

[0241] Table 16 illustrates the yields after application of the composition illustrating the present invention ("BPA056") at 2000 ml / ha, 3000 ml / ha, and 4000 ml / ha in rice at location L1, as well as commercial reference products, validamycin 3% SL at 625 ml / ha and tricyclazole at 750 g / ha. The results show that the composition illustrating the present invention ("BPA056") at 4000 ml / ha provided superior rice yields compared to untreated rice, and was also superior to validamycin 3% SL at 625 ml / ha and tricyclazole at 750 g / ha. The composition illustrating the present invention ("BPA056") at 2000 and 3000 ml / ha still showed higher rice yields compared to untreated rice.

[0242] [Table 16]

[0243] Table 17 illustrates the yields following application of the composition illustrating the invention ("BPA056") at 2000 ml / ha, 3000 ml / ha, and 4000 ml / ha in rice at location L2, as well as commercial reference products, validamycin 3% SL at 625 ml / ha and tricyclazole at 750 g / ha. The results demonstrate that the composition illustrating the invention ("BPA056") at 3000 and 4000 ml / ha provided superior rice yields compared to untreated rice, and was superior to validamycin 3% SL at 625 ml / ha and tricyclazole at 750 g / ha. The composition illustrating the invention ("BPA056") at 2000 ml / ha still showed higher rice yields compared to untreated rice.

[0244] [Table 17]

Claims

1. 1. A method for increasing rice yield of rice compared to the rice yield of untreated rice, comprising applying choline pelargonate or a composition comprising choline pelargonate to the rice, a portion thereof, or a growing portion of the rice, wherein the application of choline pelargonate or the composition to the rice, a portion thereof, or a growing portion of the rice occurs after the manifestation of symptoms of rice blast, sheath blight, or a combination thereof in the rice or portion thereof.

2. The rice is selected from the group consisting of Oryza sativa, Oryza glaberrima, Oryza australiensis, Oryza barthii, Oryza brachiantha, Oryza coarctata, Oryza eichingeri, Oryza grandiglumis, Oryza latifolia, Oryza longiglumis, Oryza longistaminata, Oryza serr ... longistaminata, Oryza meyeriana, Oryza minuta, Oryza neocaledonica, Oryza officinalis, Oryza punctata, Oryza ridleyi, Oryza rufipogon, Oryza schlechteri, Zizania palustris, Zizania aquatica 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the rice is selected from the group consisting of Oryza sativa, Zizania aquatica, Zizania texana, Zizania latifolia, and Porteresia coarctata, preferably said rice is Oryza sativa, more preferably said rice is Oryza sativa indica or Oryza sativa japonica.

3. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein the composition is an aqueous composition.

4. The method of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the composition is a sprayable liquid or concentrate.

5. 5. The method of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the composition comprises 0.001% (w / v) to 70% (w / v) choline pelargonate.

6. 6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the composition is a concentrate comprising 5.0% (w / v) to 70% (w / v) choline pelargonate, preferably 10% (w / v) to 60% (w / v) choline pelargonate.

7. 6. The method of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the composition is a sprayable liquid comprising 0.001% (w / v) to 5.0% (w / v) choline pelargonate, preferably 0.1% (w / v) to 2.0% (w / v) choline pelargonate, more preferably 0.1% (w / v) to 1.0% (w / v) choline pelargonate.

8. 8. The method of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the composition further comprises one or more adjuvants such as a solvent, carrier, surfactant, adhesive, antifreeze, thickener, buffer, antifoam agent, antioxidant, preservative, fragrance, or colorant.

9. 9. The method of any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the method comprises applying choline pelargonate or the composition to the entire above-ground part of the rice plant.

10. 10. The method of any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the application of choline pelargonate or the composition to the rice plant, part thereof, or growing site of the rice plant is performed on the same day after the manifestation of symptoms of rice blast, sheath blight, or a combination thereof in the rice plant or part thereof.

11. 11. The method of any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein a first application of choline pelargonate or the composition to the rice plant, part thereof, or growing site of the rice plant is performed after the appearance of symptoms of rice blast, sheath blight, or a combination thereof in the rice plant or part thereof and before the intensity of the symptoms of rice blast, sheath blight, or a combination thereof is at most 25%, e.g., at most 20%, at most 15%, at most 10%, or at most 5%.

12. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein choline pelargonate is applied to the rice plant, a part thereof, or a growing site of the rice plant at a concentration of 0.01 kg / ha to 10.0 kg / ha, preferably choline pelargonate is applied to the rice plant, a part thereof, or a growing site of the rice plant at a concentration of 1.0 kg / ha to 3.0 kg / ha.

13. 13. The method of any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein choline pelargonate or the composition is sprayed onto the rice plant, a part thereof, or a growing site of the rice plant.

14. 1. Use of choline pelargonate or a composition comprising choline pelargonate to increase rice yield compared to the rice yield of untreated rice, wherein choline pelargonate or a composition comprising choline pelargonate is applied to the rice, a part thereof, or a growing site of the rice after the manifestation of symptoms of rice blast, sheath blight, or a combination thereof in the rice or part thereof.

15. A method for preventing or controlling rice blast, sheath blight, or a combination thereof in rice or a part thereof, comprising applying choline pelargonate or a composition containing choline pelargonate to the rice, the part thereof, or a growing part of the rice, wherein the application of choline pelargonate or the composition to the rice, the part thereof, or the growing part of the rice is performed after symptoms of rice blast, sheath blight, or a combination thereof become apparent in the rice or part thereof.

16. 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the rice is selected from the group consisting of Oryza sativa, Oryza glaberrima, Oryza australiensis, Oryza balchii, Oryza brachiantha, Oryza corectata, Oryza eitingeri, Oryza grandiglumis, Oryza latifolia, Oryza longiglumis, Oryza longistaminata, Oryza meiliana, Oryza minuta, Oryza neocaledonica, Oryza officinalis, Oryza punctata, Oryza ridleyi, Oryza rufipogon, Oryza schlecteri, Zizania palustris, Zizania aquatica, Zizania texana, Zizania latifolia, and Portelesia corectata, preferably the rice is Oryza sativa, more preferably the rice is Oryza sativa indica or Oryza sativa japonica.

17. The method of claim 15 or 16, wherein the composition is an aqueous composition.

18. 18. The method of any one of claims 15 to 17, wherein the composition is a sprayable liquid or concentrate.

19. 19. The method of any one of claims 15 to 18, wherein the composition comprises 0.001% (w / v) to 70% (w / v) choline pelargonate.

20. 20. The method according to any one of claims 15 to 19, wherein the composition is a concentrate comprising 5.0% (w / v) to 70% (w / v) choline pelargonate, preferably 10% (w / v) to 60% (w / v) choline pelargonate.

21. 21. The method of any one of claims 15 to 20, wherein the composition is a sprayable liquid comprising 0.001% (w / v) to 5.0% (w / v) choline pelargonate, preferably 0.1% (w / v) to 2.0% (w / v) choline pelargonate, more preferably 0.1% (w / v) to 1.0% (w / v) choline pelargonate.

22. 22. The method of any one of claims 15 to 21, wherein the composition further comprises one or more adjuvants such as a solvent, carrier, surfactant, adhesive, antifreeze, thickener, buffer, antifoam agent, antioxidant, preservative, fragrance, or colorant.

23. 23. The method of any one of claims 15 to 22, wherein the method comprises applying choline pelargonate or the composition to the entire above-ground part of the rice plant.

24. 24. The method of any one of claims 15 to 23, wherein the application of choline pelargonate or the composition to the rice plant, part thereof, or growing site of the rice plant is performed on the same day after the manifestation of symptoms of rice blast, sheath blight, or a combination thereof in the rice plant or part thereof.

25. 25. The method of any one of claims 15 to 24, wherein a first application of choline pelargonate or the composition to the rice plant, part thereof, or growing site of the rice plant is performed after the rice plant or part thereof shows symptoms of blast, sheath blight, or a combination thereof, and before the intensity of the symptoms of blast, sheath blight, or a combination thereof is at most 25%, e.g., at most 20%, at most 15%, at most 10%, or at most 5%.

26. 26. The method according to any one of claims 15 to 25, wherein choline pelargonate is applied to the rice plant, a part thereof, or a growing site of the rice plant at a concentration of 0.01 kg / ha to 10.0 kg / ha, preferably choline pelargonate is applied to the rice plant, a part thereof, or a growing site of the rice plant at a concentration of 1.0 kg / ha to 3.0 kg / ha.

27. 27. The method of any one of claims 15 to 26, wherein choline pelargonate or the composition is sprayed onto the rice plant, a part thereof, or a growing site of the rice plant.

28. Use of choline pelargonate or a composition containing choline pelargonate in controlling rice blast, sheath blight, or a combination thereof in rice or a part thereof, comprising applying choline pelargonate or a composition containing choline pelargonate to the rice, a part thereof, or a growing site of the rice after manifestation of symptoms of rice blast, sheath blight, or a combination thereof in the rice or a part thereof.