Wettable powders and water-dispersible granules

Abstract

Novel wettable powders or water-dispersible granules for pesticide formulations. The wettable powders or water-dispersible granules contain a dispersant, a mineral-based filler, and a microorganism or microbe. Here, in particular, the dispersant is selected from acrylic copolymers and copolymers of acrylic acid and hydrophobic monomers and alkyl acrylates of monoalkyl polyethylene glycol. The filler is in particular mica particles coated with a metal oxide, kaolin, silica, or calcium carbonate. A pre-blend for forming the formulation is also provided. Also provided is the use of the wettable powder or water-dispersible granule for treating vegetation to control pests by applying the formulation, or for use in seed coating.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to wettable powders and water-dispersible granules that can be formulated into microbial agents for use in pesticides and pesticidal active formulations. The present invention also includes a method for treating crops using such formulations.

Background Art

[0002] The use of biological control agents is effective in crop protection and crop enhancement, and provides a sustainable alternative to conventional methods, making it a growing field in agribusiness. In recent years, there has been a significant increase in the number of companies interested in the development and production of formulations of biopesticides and biofertilizers based on microorganisms such as fungi and bacteria.

[0003] When formulating microorganisms, it is common to select the optimal species, strains, and structures in order to provide the highest performance (effectiveness as a crop) and stability (shelf life). Fungi are usually formulated using conidia (spores) because they survive best over time, but if they contain more than a certain level of moisture, the spores may germinate unnecessarily during storage, potentially shortening the shelf life of the formulation in the package, so they need to be formulated as an oil or solid.

[0004] However, there are several technical problems with this type of solid formulation, which are making it difficult to expand the market. These technical problems include maintaining the quality of the formulation, poor water dispersibility, low wetting ability (e.g., due to the hydrophobicity of the spores), problems during spraying such as nozzle clogging, slow opening speed in water, poor dispersibility during tank mixing, non-uniformity during field spraying, and the stability of the microorganisms in the formulation over the medium / long term. All of these problems can have a dramatic impact on the final quality of the biopesticide and / or biofertilizer, and may affect the application quality of such products in the field and the performance of the biopesticide or biofertilizer when it comes into contact with the target pests / diseases.

Summary of the Invention

[0005] Accordingly, the present invention aims to provide wettable powders (WP) and water-dispersible granules (WDG) suitable for use with biopesticides or biofertilizers, compounds for forming them, and the WP and WDG can overcome the above-mentioned problems. Further, the present invention aims to provide WP and WDG having improved wettability and opening rate without significantly affecting the viability and performance in the field of microbial biopesticides or biofertilizers. The present invention provides the use of WP / WDG for dilution for field spraying or as a seed treatment agent.

[0006] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a wettable powder or water-dispersible granule comprising: (i) a dispersant selected from a sulfonated naphthalene formaldehyde condensate; an acrylic copolymer having a polyethylene glycol side chain capped on a polyacrylic backbone; a copolymer dispersant comprising a copolymer of acrylic acid, a hydrophobic monomer, an alkyl acrylate of monoalkyl polyethylene glycol, and optionally a strong acid derivative of (meth)acrylic acid; a non-ionic graft copolymer of an acrylate ester and an oxyalkylene; or a lignosulfonate; (ii) mica particles coated with a metal oxide having a particle size of 1 μm to 100 μm and a bulk density of 0.2 g / mL to 0.6 g / mL, or a mineral-based filler selected from kaolin, silica, or calcium carbonate ; and (iii) at least one microorganism selected from fungal spores, or microorganisms having biopesticide or biofertilizer effects.

[0007] According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a wettable powder or water-dispersible granule comprising: (i) A sulfonated naphthalene formaldehyde condensate; an acrylic copolymer having a polyethylene glycol side chain capped on a polyacrylic backbone; a copolymer dispersant comprising a copolymer of acrylic acid, a hydrophobic monomer, an alkyl acrylate of monoalkyl polyethylene glycol, and optionally a strong acid derivative of (meth)acrylic acid; a nonionic graft copolymer of an acrylate ester and oxyalkylene; or a dispersant selected from lignosulfonates; (ii) A mineral-based filler selected from particles having a particle size of 1 to 60 μm, a bulk density of 0.2 to 0.6 g / ml, and optionally a water absorption capacity greater than 50%; and (iii) At least one microorganism selected from fungal spores, or microorganisms having a biological pesticide or biological fertilizer effect.

[0008] According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a preblend suitable for forming the wettable powder or water-dispersible granules of the first aspect, the preblend comprising: A sulfonated naphthalene formaldehyde condensate; an acrylic copolymer having a polyethylene glycol side chain capped on a polyacrylic backbone; a copolymer dispersant comprising a copolymer of acrylic acid, a hydrophobic monomer, an alkyl acrylate of monoalkyl polyethylene glycol, and optionally a strong acid derivative of (meth)acrylic acid; a nonionic graft copolymer of an acrylate ester and oxyalkylene; or a dispersant selected from lignosulfonates, and having a particle size of 1 μm to 100 μm and a bulk density of 0.2 g / mL to 0.6 g / mL, mica particles coated with a metal oxide, or kaolin, silica, or calcium carbonate a mineral-based filler selected from.

[0009] According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for producing the wettable powder or water-dispersible granules of the first aspect, the method comprising mixing a preblend according to the second aspect with at least one microorganism selected from fungal spores, or microorganisms having a biological pesticide or biological fertilizer effect.

[0010] According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a formulation suitable for application to vegetation, said formulation comprising a diluted suspension of the wettable powder or water-dispersible granules of the first aspect.

[0011] According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a seed treatment formulation, said formulation comprising the wettable powder or water-dispersible granules of the first aspect.

[0012] According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for treating seeds to control pests, said method comprising applying the formulation of the fifth aspect to said seeds.

[0013] According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for treating vegetation to control pests, said method comprising applying the diluted formulation of the first aspect to either the vegetation or the immediate environment of the vegetation.

[0014] According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for improving the viability of at least one beneficial microorganism on an agricultural target, said method comprising combining said beneficial microorganism selected from fungal spores or microorganisms having biopesticide or biofertilizer effects with at least one dispersant and a mineral-based filler defined in the first aspect on said agricultural target.

[0015] By using a dispersant in a filler and a biopesticide, it has been found that the wetting ability of fungal spores formulated as wettable powders or water-dispersible granules is improved, homogenization in the tank mixture is improved, and problems during application are reduced. Also, this formulation may be used with or instead of a dry powder at the final stage of seed treatment (depending on the required amount of spores). As pointed out in the present application, it has been confirmed that the use of a dispersant and a filler improves the survival rate of biopesticides and biofertilizers in WP and WDG.

[0016] As used herein, the terms "for example", "for instance", "such as", or "including" mean introducing examples to clarify a more general subject. Unless otherwise specified, these examples are provided only as an aid to understanding the uses illustrated in the present disclosure and do not mean to limit in any way.

[0017] When describing the number of carbon atoms in a substituent (e.g., "C 1 ~C 6 alkyl"), it will be understood that the number refers to the total number of carbon atoms present in the substituent, including those present in branched groups. Further, for example, when representing the number of carbon atoms in a fatty acid, this refers to the total number of carbon atoms including the carbon atoms of the carboxylic acid and the carbon atoms present in the branched group.

[0018] When referring to microorganisms, in the present application, it particularly includes fungi and bacteria presented in solid form and having uses related to agriculture as biological control agents, biopesticides, or biological fertilizers.

[0019] The dispersant is preferably selected from any suitable dispersant including dispersants such as sulfonated naphthalene formaldehyde condensates; acrylic copolymers such as comb copolymers having polyethylene glycol side chains capped on a polyacrylic backbone; copolymer dispersants including copolymers of acrylic acid, hydrophobic monomers, alkyl acrylates of monoalkyl polyethylene glycol, and optionally strong acid derivatives of (meth)acrylic acid; nonionic graft copolymers of acrylic esters and oxyalkylene; or lignosulfonates.

[0020] The dispersant can preferably be selected from water-dispersible styrene (meth)acrylic copolymers. The water-dispersible styrene (meth)acrylic acid copolymer used in the present invention may be referred to hereinafter as a polymer dispersant for convenience. The polymer dispersant is a styrene (meth)acrylic acid copolymer. The repeating units in the copolymer are regarded as residues of monomer components for convenience.

[0021] (Meth)acrylic acid monomer(s) can be acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, crotonic acid, or a mixture of two or more thereof. (Meth)acrylic acid monomer(s) is a (meth)acrylic monomer which is a derivative of (meth)acrylic acid containing a strong acid, particularly a sulfuric acid group or a sulfonic acid group (or salts thereof), or can contain them. Examples of such monomers include acrylamidomethylpropyl sulfonate (AMPS) and isethionate (meth)acrylate. When such strong acid-modified monomers are present, they usually form 1 to 30 mol%, more usually 2 to 20 mol%, desirably 5 to 15 mol% of the acrylic acid monomers in the copolymer.

[0022] The styrene monomer is styrene as such, or a substituted styrene, particularly a hydrocarbyl where the substituent is on the vinyl group or on the aromatic ring of styrene, desirably an alkyl-substituted styrene such as α-methylstyrene and vinyltoluene. Similar to the (meth)acrylic acid monomer, the styrene monomer is a styrene monomer containing a strong acid, particularly a sulfonic acid substituent, or can contain it. When such strong acid-modified monomers are present, they usually form 1 to 30 mol%, more usually 2 to 20 mol%, desirably 5 to 15 mol% of the styrene monomers in the copolymer.

[0023] In the water-dispersible styrene (meth)acrylic copolymer used in the present invention, the molar ratio of the residue of the (meth)acrylic acid monomer to the residue of the styrene monomer is generally 20:1 to 1:5, more usually 10:1 to 1:2, particularly 3:1 to 1:1. Generally corresponding, the weight ratio of the residues of the monomers is usually 93 to 10%, more usually 87 to 25%, particularly 67 to 40% with respect to the (meth)acrylic acid monomer(s), and usually 7 to 90%, more usually 13 to 75%, particularly 33 to 60% with respect to the styrene monomer(s).

[0024] Other monomers, such as acidic monomers such as itaconic acid, maleic acid or anhydride; strongly acidic monomers such as methallylsulfonic acid (or its salts); or non-acidic acrylic monomers such as acrylic esters, especially alkyl esters such as methyl methacrylate, butyl methacrylate or butyl acrylate, especially C 1 ~C 6 alkyl esters or hydroxyalkyl esters, especially C1-C6 hydroxyalkyl esters such as hydroxyethyl methacrylate or hydroxypropyl methacrylate, or acrylic esters which may also be vinyl monomers such as vinyl acetate. Typically, the proportion of such other monomers is about 25 mol% or less, usually about 15 mol% or less, more usually about 5 mol% or less of the total monomers used. The weight ratio of the other monomers is typically about 30% or less, usually about 20% or less, more usually about 10% or less.

[0025] The polymeric dispersant may be a single styrene acrylic acid copolymer or a blend containing two or more such copolymers. In particular, when a strong acid residue is included in the polymeric dispersant, the dispersant can be a blend of a copolymer containing a strong acid residue and a copolymer not containing such a residue. In such a blend, the ratio of such copolymers is generally preferably 1:10 to 10:1, more usually 5:1 to 1:5 by weight ratio. In particular, the proportion of the copolymer containing a strong acid residue is preferably at least 25%, more usually at least 40% based on the weight of the polymeric dispersant.

[0026] When a strong acid residue is included in the polymeric dispersant, the total proportion of monomer residues containing a strong acid group is desirably 0.25 to 25 mol%, more usually 0.5 to 20 mol%, desirably 1 to 10 mol%.

[0027] By including a monomer having a strongly acidic substituent in a polymer dispersant, it is possible to provide improved dispersibility of solid granules of an agrochemical formulation when dispersed in hard water, particularly water having a hardness exceeding 500 ppm, for example water having a hardness of up to 1,000 ppm, up to 2,000 ppm, and even up to 5,000 ppm.

[0028] The polymer dispersant desirably has a molecular weight of 750 to 20,000, more desirably 1,000 to 10,000, and particularly 1,500 to 5,000. The polymer dispersant can be used as a free acid or a salt. In practice, the form present in the formulation is determined by the acidity of the formulation. Desirably, since the formulation is nearly neutral, most of the acid groups exist as salts. The cation of such a salt can be an amine containing an alkali metal, particularly sodium and / or potassium, ammonium, or an alkanolamine such as ethanolamine, particularly triethanolamine. The polymer dispersant used in the present invention desirably does not contain a solvent that interferes with the active ingredient or causes the granules to stick to each other. Also, it is useful if the polymer dispersant can be satisfactorily used in various different granulation processes. More desirably, the polymer dispersant is thermally stable, easily dissolves in cold water from solid dispersible granules (a satisfactory polymer dispersant does not necessarily need to easily dissolve in cold water from the bulk solid form), and is non-gelling.

[0029] The polymer dispersant can be produced from constituent monomers by free radical-initiated polymerization, for example polymerization using a peroxide or a redox initiator, particularly solution polymerization, and optionally a chain transfer agent such as an alkyl mercaptan that acts to control the molecular weight of the polymer can also be used. Suitable methods are described, for example, in EP0697422A.

[0030] The dispersant can be selected from copolymer dispersants including copolymers of acrylic acid, a hydrophobic monomer, an alkyl acrylate of monoalkyl polyethylene glycol, and optionally a strong acid derivative of (meth)acrylic acid.

[0031] The acrylic monomers used to form the copolymer can be (meth)acrylic acid or its salts, (meth)acrylamide, (meth)acrylonitrile, C such as ethyl (meth)acrylate 1-6 -alkyl (meth)acrylates, such as butyl (meth)acrylate, hexyl (meth)acrylate, 2-ethylhexyl (meth)acrylate, glycidyl methacrylate, acetoacetoxyethyl methacrylate, etc. Substituted C 1-6 -alkyl (meth)acrylates, di(C 1-4 -alkylamino) C 1-6 -alkyl (meth)acrylates, C 1-6 -alkylamine-formed amides, 2-amino-2-methyl-1-propanesulfonic acid, ammonium salts, di(C 1-4 -alkyl-amino) C 1-6 -alkylamines, etc. Substituted C 1-6 -alkylamines, (meth)acrylic acid and their C 1-4 -alkyl halide adducts can be selected from.

[0032] Preferably, the acrylic monomer is acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, crotonic acid, or a mixture thereof. More preferably, the monomer is acrylic acid.

[0033] The hydrophobic monomer can be selected from any monomer that is insoluble in water. In particular, the hydrophobic monomer can be selected from hydrophobic alkyl (meth)acrylates, styrene, and vinyl compounds, as well as vinyl aromatic monomers.

[0034] Particularly, vinyl aromatic monomers are preferred.

[0035] The vinyl aromatic monomer(s) can be styrene as such, or substituted styrene, particularly hydrocarbyl, preferably alkyl, substituted styrene where the substituent(s) is / are on the vinyl group or the aromatic ring of styrene, such as α-methylstyrene and vinyltoluene.

[0036] Suitable vinyl aromatic monomers preferably consist of 8 to 20 carbon atoms and most preferably contain 8 to 14 carbon atoms. Styrene and substituted styrenes, when substituents are present, are preferably C 1 -C 6 alkyl groups.

[0037] Examples of vinyl aromatic monomers include styrene including substituted styrene, 1-vinylnaphthalene, 2-vinylnaphthalene, 3-methylstyrene, 4-propylstyrene, t-butylstyrene, 4-cyclohexylstyrene, 4-dodecylstyrene, 2-ethyl-4-benzylstyrene, 4-(phenylbutyl)styrene, α-methylstyrene, halogenated styrene, and the like.

[0038] Preferably, the hydrophobic monomer may be styrene, α-methylstyrene, p-methylstyrene, t-butylstyrene, or a combination thereof. More preferably, the hydrophobic monomer may be styrene.

[0039] The alkyl acrylate of monoalkyl polyethylene glycol may preferably be a nonionic hydrophilic monomer.

[0040] The alkyl group, as part of the alkyl acrylate group or the monoalkyl group, is independently C 1 -C 6 alkyl, especially C 1 -C 3 alkyl. It can be selected from. The alkyl group can preferably be selected from methyl, ethyl, n-butyl, or t-butyl. Preferably, the alkyl group is methyl.

[0041] The number average molecular weight of monoalkyl polyethylene glycol (i.e., only the PEG chain, not the entire alkyl acrylate of monoalkyl polyethylene glycol) may be in the range of at least 300 Daltons, preferably 350 to 900 Daltons, more preferably 400 to 600 Daltons.

[0042] Part of the monoalkyl polyethylene glycol used as the starting material of the present invention is commercially available. Therefore, methyl ethers with total molecular weights of 500 and 550 are commercially available as methoxypolyethylene glycol 550 and methoxypolyethylene glycol 750, respectively.

[0043] Preferably, the alkyl acrylate of the monoalkyl polyethylene glycol is methoxypolyethylene glycol methacrylate (MPEGMA), and more specifically, methoxypolyethylene glycol 500 methacrylate.

[0044] Examples of the strong acid derivatives of (meth)acrylic acid include strong acids containing a sulfate group or a sulfonic acid group (or salts thereof). Examples of such monomers include acrylamidomethylpropyl sulfonate (AMPS) and (meth)acrylic acid isethionate.

[0045] When such strong acid-modified monomers are present, they usually form 1 to 30 mol%, more usually 2 to 20 mol%, and desirably 5 to 15 mol% of the acrylic acid monomers in the copolymer.

[0046] The polymer is formed from hydrophobic monomers and may be a water-soluble polymer, and the solubility results from the neutralization of the polymer.

[0047] It will be understood that the term "copolymer" as used herein includes polymers having two components, terpolymers and tetra-polymers, and generally any polymer having two or more components. The copolymer is preferably a random terpolymer or tetra-polymer and optionally has a strong acid derivative of a (meth)acrylic acid monomer.

[0048] The copolymer can be formed by any suitable method, including free radical solution polymerization and controlled living polymerization. The monomers can be added simultaneously in a controlled manner over a period of time, together with a suitable initiator.

[0049] The amount of acrylic acid monomer present in the polymer may range from 10 wt% to 90 wt%, preferably from 15 wt% to 60 wt%, more preferably from 20 wt% to 50 wt%, and most preferably from 30 wt% to 40 wt%.

[0050] The amount of vinyl aromatic monomer present in the polymer may range from 10 wt% to 90 wt%, preferably from 15 wt% to 60 wt%, more preferably from 15 wt% to 40 wt%, and most preferably from 20 wt% to 30 wt%.

[0051] The amount of alkyl acrylate of polyethylene glycol monomer present in the polymer may range from 10 wt% to 90 wt%, preferably from 15 wt% to 60 wt%, more preferably from 20 wt% to 50 wt%, and most preferably from 30 wt% to 40 wt%.

[0052] When such strong acid-modified monomers are present, they usually form 1 to 30 wt%, more usually 2 to 20 wt%, desirably 5 to 15 wt%, and most desirably 8 to 12 wt% of the acrylic acid monomer in the copolymer.

[0053] Other monomers, such as acidic monomers, such as itaconic acid or maleic acid or anhydride; strongly acidic monomers, such as methallyl sulfonic acid (or its salt); or non-acidic acrylic monomers, such as alkyl esters such as methyl methacrylate or butyl acrylate, especially C 1 ~C 6 alkyl esters. Alkyl esters such as methyl methacrylate, butyl methacrylate or butyl acrylate, especially C 1 ~C 6Alkyl esters or hydroxyalkyl esters, especially C such as hydroxyethyl methacrylate or hydroxypropyl methacrylate 1 ~C 6 Hydroxyalkyl esters; or vinyl monomers such as vinyl acetate can be included. Usually, the proportion of such other monomers is about 10 mol% or less, usually about 7 mol% or less, more usually about 5 mol% or less based on all the monomers used.

[0054] The molecular weight of the polymer is less than 500,000 daltons. Preferably, it is less than 100,000 daltons. More preferably, it is less than 75,000 daltons. The molecular weight may range from 5,000 to 75,000 daltons. More preferably, it ranges from 10,000 to 60,000 daltons. Even more preferably, it ranges from 15,000 to 50,000 daltons. Most preferably, it ranges from 20,000 to 40,000 daltons.

[0055] The polymer can be used as a free acid or a salt. In practice, the form present in the formulation is determined by the acidity of the formulation. Desirably, the formulation is near neutral, so most of the acid groups exist as salts. The cations of such salts can be amines containing an alkali metal, especially sodium and / or potassium, ammonium, or an alkanolamine such as ethanolamine, especially triethanolamine. In particular, the sodium salt or potassium salt form of the stabilizing polymer is preferred.

[0056] The polymer or monomer contained therein may be neutralized with at least 50% of a neutralizing agent. Preferably, it is neutralized with at least 70%, more preferably 75% - 85% of a neutralizing agent. Neutralization with sodium is preferred.

[0057] The pH of the polymer may range from 4.0 to 11.0. More preferably, it ranges from 5.0 to 10.0. Even more preferably, it ranges from 5.5 to 9.0. Most preferably, it ranges from 6.0 to 8.0.

[0058] The dispersant can be selected from nonionic graft copolymers of acrylic esters and oxyalkylene.

[0059] The acrylic ester can be a non-acidic acrylic monomer, such as an alkyl ester, especially a C 1 ~C 6 alkyl ester, and can be an acrylic ester that can be selected from alkyl esters. Preferably, the alkyl ester can be selected from methyl methacrylate, butyl methacrylate, or butyl acrylate. Most preferably, it is methyl methacrylate.

[0060] The number of acrylic ester monomer residues in the (poly)acrylic ester chain is preferably in the range of 2 to 50, more preferably 5 to 40, and particularly preferably 10 to 30.

[0061] The oxyalkylene group can be selected from groups of the formula -(C y H 2y O)-. Here, y is an integer selected from 2, 3, or 4. Preferably, y is 2 or 3.

[0062] The oxyalkylene group can be selected from oxyethylene, oxypropylene, oxybutylene, or oxytetramethylene. Preferably, the oxyalkylene group is selected from oxyethylene (EO) and / or oxypropylene (PO).

[0063] When the oxyalkylene chain is a homopolymer, a homopolymer of ethylene oxide or propylene oxide is preferred. More preferably, a homopolymer of ethylene oxide is particularly preferred.

[0064] If there is one or more oxyalkylene groups (i.e., n is 2 or more) and at least two of them are part of the same oxyalkylene chain, the oxyalkylene groups may be the same or different along the oxyalkylene chain. In this embodiment, the oxyalkylene chain may be a block or random copolymer of different oxyalkylene groups 5.

[0065] Generally, when a copolymer chain of oxyethylene units and oxypropylene units is used, the molar ratio of the oxyethylene units used is at least 50%, more usually at least 70%.

[0066] The total number of alkylene oxide residues in the (poly)alkylene oxide chain is preferably in the range of 2 to 50, more preferably 5 to 40, particularly 10 to 25.

[0067] The molecular weight of the nonionic graft copolymer of acrylic ester and oxyalkylene is usually 5,000 to 40,000, particularly 7,000 to 30,000, more particularly 8,000 to 25,000, especially about 9,000 to 18,000.

[0068] Any nonionic graft copolymer of acrylic ester and oxyalkylene can be used. Preferably, the copolymer may be a nonionic polymethyl methacrylate - polyethylene oxide graft copolymer.

[0069] Other suitable dispersants include naphthalene sulfonic acid blend, sodium N - methyloleoyl taurate, sodium dioctyl sulfosuccinate, or sodium lignosulfonate.

[0070] The filler can be selected from mica particles coated with metal oxide, kaolin, calcium carbonate, or silica. The particles have a particle size of 1 μm to 100 μm and a bulk density of 0.2 g / mL to 0.6 g / mL.

[0071] In some cases, the substrate comprises mica coated with a layer of metal oxide including, but not limited to, titanium dioxide, iron oxide, chromium oxide, or zirconium oxide.

[0072] Particularly preferred fillers include silica or titanium-coated mica. Particularly preferred fillers can be selected from mica particles coated with a layer of anatase or rutile type titanium dioxide, or iron oxide.

[0073] The bulk density of the filler can preferably be in the range of 0.20 - 0.60 mg / L, more preferably in the range of 0.25 - 0.55 mg / L, and even more preferably in the range of 0.30 - 0.53 mg / L.

[0074] Unless otherwise specified, the bulk density values described in this specification mean the tapped bulk density, and it will be understood that the tap density means the bulk density of the powder after a predetermined compression process usually involving vibration of the container. The bulk density relevant to the present invention is determined in accordance with CIPAC MT033 Content Handbook F "Tap Density".

[0075] The filler preferably has a median particle size in the range of 0.1 - 50 μm, preferably 0.5 - 30 μm, more preferably 0.8 - 25 μm. Most preferably, it is 1 - 20 μm.

[0076] The particle size values used to determine the average particle size are measured by a technique based on laser diffraction. The filler sample is dispersed and homogenized in an aqueous medium. This dispersion is analyzed by an apparatus (e.g., Malvern Masterziser) that generates information on the particle size distribution by laser diffraction. The results are presented as a curve of the particle size distribution calculated by software and data on the percentile values D10, D50, and D90 of the cumulative particle size distribution, which represent the particle sizes at which 10%, 50%, or 90% of all the particles are detected.

[0077] The weight average molecular weight of the filler particle starting material may be in the range of 1,000 to 5,000,000. Preferably, it is in the range of 50,000 to 2,000,000. More preferably, it is in the range of 100,000 to 1,000,000, and most preferably in the range of 150,000 to 300,000.

[0078] The filler particles may be homogeneous in that they are composed of, for example, only one specific type of filler having all the same composition and / or the same molecular weight. In an alternative embodiment, the filler particles may be heterogeneous in that they include a mixture such as a mixture having different molecular weights.

[0079] Mineral-based fillers can preferably have a water absorption capacity of 50% or more, more preferably 60% or more. Water absorbency refers to the ability of a material to absorb water when immersed therein, and is expressed as the water absorption capacity, which is the ratio of the weight of water absorbed by the saturated material to the weight of the dry material.

[0080] A combination of a dispersant and a filler provides a pre-blend formulation suitable for forming into WP or WDG. The pre-blend consists of, consists essentially of, or consists of a dispersant and a filler.

[0081] The amount of the dispersant contained in the pre-blend can be in the range of 2 wt% to 20 wt%. More preferably, it is in the range of 4% to 15%. Even more preferably, it is in the range of 5% to 12%. Most preferably, it is in the range of 6% to 10% as a proportion of the entire pre-blend.

[0082] The amount of the filler contained in the pre-blend is in the range of 98 wt% to 80 wt%. More preferably, it is in the range of 96% to 85%. Even more preferably, it is in the range of 95% to 88%. Most preferably, it is in the range of 94% to 90% as a proportion of the entire pre-blend.

[0083] The weight ratio of the dispersant to the filler in the pre-blend is preferably from about 0.05:1 to about 0.2:1. More preferably, it is from about 0.08:1 to about 0.12:1. In the pre-blend, WP / WDG, and the diluted WP / WDG used in the spray formulation, this ratio range is generally maintained.

[0084] The microorganisms in the present application are presented in solid form and relate to fungi and bacteria having uses related to agriculture as biological control, biological control agents, biopesticides and / or biological fertilizers or biofertilizers.

[0085] Biopesticides inherently attack other microorganisms and / or macroorganisms by several mechanisms and have therefore been studied for years as a means to combat pests, especially those found in agriculture. For example, bacteria that are toxic to insects have been known for a long time, and commercial insecticides based on such bacteria have been sold for several years.

[0086] Another important example is the use of fungi and bacteria that produce secondary metabolites (antibiotics, fungicides, bactericides, enzymes, etc.) to control plant diseases and pests.

[0087] Biopesticides have the distinct and substantial advantage of being selective or highly specific to a particular target and are generally environmentally safe. Therefore, the interest and attraction to biopesticides have been increasing in recent years.

[0088] Biopesticidal activity can preferably be any microbial organism conventionally used for the treatment of plants, seeds or soil. Biopesticides, in the context of the present invention, refer to bioactive agents that are microorganisms capable of killing various forms of pests (such as pests and / or plant diseases) on agricultural crops and / or controlling them by various mechanisms.

[0089] Biopesticides include biological fungicides, herbicides, insecticides, algicides, acaricides, rodenticides, etc.

[0090] Biopesticides can be selected from, but are not limited to, spores and / or microorganisms as other structures of fungi, bacteria, yeasts, and / or actinomycetes.

[0091] Biofertilizers are characterized as substances containing living microorganisms. When applied to seeds, plant surfaces, or soil, they can colonize the rhizosphere or inside crop plants and promote growth by increasing the supply or availability of primary nutrients to the host plants. Biofertilizers can supply nutrients to plants through natural processes such as nitrogen fixation, solubilization of phosphorus, and stimulation of plant growth by synthesis of growth-promoting substances (such as auxins, gibberellins, and precursors of ethylene). The use of biofertilizers can be expected to reduce the use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides during the growing season.

[0092] Biofertilizers can be selected from, in particular, microorganisms as spores and / or other structures of fungi, bacteria, and / or yeasts

[0093] Preferred biofertilizer bacterial strains can be selected from the genera Rhizobium, Sinorhizobium, Mesorhizobium, Bradyrhizobium, Azorhizobium, and Allorhizobium.

[0094] The pre-blend combines with spores of microorganisms and / or other microbial structures to form WP or WDG.

[0095] The amount of the dispersant contained in the WP / WDG can be in the range of 1 wt% to 20 wt%. More preferably, it is in the range of 2% to 15%. Even more preferably, it is in the range of 3% to 10%. Most preferably, it is in the range of 4% to 7% as a ratio to the total WP / WDG.

[0096] The amount of filler contained in WP / WDG ranges from 98 wt% to 40 wt%. More preferably, it ranges from 92% to 50%. Even more preferably, it ranges from 90% to 60%. Most preferably, as a proportion of the total WP / WDG, it ranges from 87% to 62%.

[0097] The amount of biopesticide or biofertilizer contained in WP / WDG ranges from 40 wt% to 5 wt%. More preferably, it ranges from 35% to 7%. Even more preferably, as a proportion of the whole WP / WDG, it ranges from 32% to 8%.

[0098] Both wettable powders (WP) and water-dispersible granules (WDG) have been found to be particularly effective formulation forms for containing a large amount of spores of biopesticides or biofertilizers and / or other microbial structures.

[0099] Wettable powder is understood to be a system of biopesticide or biofertilizer, which is spores and / or other microbial structures, surfactant / dispersant, and filler, and forms a suspension with water. WP may contain wetting agents to promote the suspension of particles in water. WP can be used in spray formulations and / or seed coating formulations.

[0100] Water-dispersible granules are understood to be granular particle formulations of wettable powders applied after disintegrating and dispersing in water. WDG usually consists of a mixture of active agents, wetting agents, dispersing agents, and fillers / diluents / disintegrants, is formulated as a powder, and processed into granules. WDG is particularly suitable for use in spray formulations.

[0101] Put the spores / microorganisms or other structures that make up the formulation into the spray tank and spray them on the field or on the seeds.

[0102] WP and WDG are designed to be diluted with water (or aqueous liquid) to form end-use pesticide / pesticide formulations (usually spray formulations).

[0103] Regarding the agronomic efficacy, formulations are required in which the active compound is taken up by the plant / target organism. When using a concentrate (solid or liquid) as a source of the pesticidal active substance and / or adjuvant, the concentrate is usually diluted to the end-use formulation (usually a spray formulation).

[0104] Dilution can be carried out with water in an amount 1 to 10,000 times, in particular 10 to 1,000 times, the total weight of the concentrate to form the spray formulation.

[0105] The WP / WDG can be diluted for use to provide a dilution composition that provides an agrochemical active concentration of from about 0.5 wt.% to about 5 wt.%. In the dilution composition (for example, a spray formulation with a spraying rate of 10 to 500 l / ha -1 ), the bioactive concentration may range from about 0.001 wt.% to about 2 wt.% of the total formulation being sprayed.

[0106] The spray formulation is an aqueous pesticidal formulation containing all the components desired to be applied to the plant or its environment. The spray formulation can be produced by a simple dilution of the WP / WDG containing the desired components (other than water), or a combination of dilution of the WP / WDG and addition of further individual components or mixtures of components. Typically, such mixing for end use is carried out in the tank in which the formulation is sprayed, or alternatively in a holding tank for filling the spray tank. Such mixing and mixtures are usually referred to as tank mixing and tank mixtures.

[0107] The spray formulation typically has a pH in the range from moderately acidic (e.g., about 3) to moderately alkaline (e.g., about 10), in particular near neutral (e.g., from about 5 to 8). More concentrated formulations have a similar degree of acidity / alkalinity, but since most may be non-aqueous, the pH is not necessarily an appropriate measure.

[0108] The pesticide formulation may contain a solvent other than water, such as monopropylene glycol, or an oil that can be a vegetable oil or a mineral oil such as spray oil. Such a solvent can be included as a solvent for surfactant adjuvants and / or as a humectant, for example, especially as propylene glycol. When used, such a solvent is typically included in an amount of 5 wt% to 500 wt%, desirably 10 wt% to 100 wt%, based on the weight of the surfactant adjuvant. Such a combination can also include salts such as ammonium chloride and / or sodium benzoate, and / or urea, especially as a gel suppression aid.

[0109] The diluted WP / WDG tank mix can be applied by soil spraying or foliar spraying.

[0110] The described WP / WDG formulations can also be used for seed treatment agents and seed coating agents, such as water film coating agents for seeds such as film coating, encapsulation, pelletization, etc.

[0111] The WP / WDG formulation can be diluted with water before application as a liquid formulation and applied to the seeds. Alternatively, it can be applied as part of the dry powder in the seed treatment process.

[0112] The WP / WDG formulation described here can be applied in the film coating process, encapsulation process, or pelletization process.

[0113] In particular, the present invention can find preferred uses when treating seeds selected from corn, soybeans, feed, and lettuce.

[0114] The pre-blend, WP / WDG, seed coating formulation, or diluted WP / WDG can also contain other components if desired. These other components can be selected from those including the following: ● Binders, especially binders that are readily water-soluble to give low-viscosity solutions at high binder concentrations, such as polyvinylpyrrolidone; polyvinyl alcohol; carboxymethyl cellulose; gum arabic; saccharides such as sucrose or sorbitol; starch; ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, sucrose and alginates; ● Diluents, absorbents, carriers such as carbon black, talc, diatomaceous earth, kaolin, aluminum stearate, calcium, magnesium, sodium tripolyphosphate, sodium tetraborate, sodium sulfate, sodium, aluminum, sodium-aluminum mixed silicate, sodium benzoate, etc.; ● Surfactants, disintegrants such as substances that swell in water, such as carboxymethyl cellulose, collodion, polyvinylpyrrolidone, microcrystalline cellulose swelling agents; salts such as sodium or potassium acetate, sodium carbonate, bicarbonate or sesquicarbonate, ammonium sulfate, dipotassium hydrogen phosphate, etc.; ● Wetting agents such as alcohol ethoxylates and alcohol ethoxylate / propoxylate wetting agents; ● Dispersants such as sulfonated naphthalene formaldehyde condensates and acrylic copolymers such as comb copolymers having polyethylene glycol side chains capped with a polyacrylic backbone; ● Emulsifiers such as alcohol ethoxylates, ABA block copolymers, castor oil ethoxylates, etc.; ● Antifoaming agents, for example polysiloxane antifoaming agents, are usually in an amount of 0.005 wt% to 10 wt% of the formulation; ● Viscosity modifiers such as commercially available water-soluble or miscible gums such as xanthan gum, and / or celluloses such as carboxymethyl, ethyl or propyl cellulose; and / or ● Preservatives and / or antimicrobial agents, such as organic acids, or their esters or salts, such as ascorbic acid, for example ascorbyl palmitate, sorbic acid, for example potassium sorbate, benzoic acid, for example benzoic acid and methyl and propyl 4-hydroxybenzoate, propionic acid, for example sodium propionate, phenol, for example sodium 2-phenylphenate, 1,2-benzisothiazolin-3-one, or such formaldehyde or paraformaldehyde; or sodium formaldehyde propionate, phenol, for example sodium 2-phenylphenate, 1,2-benzisothiazolin-3-one, or formaldehyde, or paraformaldehyde, or inorganic substances such as sulfurous acid and its salts, in an amount of usually 0.01 wt% to 1 wt% of the formulation.

[0115] The pre-blend, WP / WDG, seed coating formulation, or diluted WP / WDG can also contain, if desired, a pesticidal active agent or nutrient.

[0116] The pesticidal active compound is preferably a solid pesticidal active compound. The solid pesticidal active compound is understood in the present invention to mean all substances customary for the treatment of plants or seeds having a melting point of 20 °C (standard pressure) or higher. The solid pesticidal active compounds include insoluble active ingredients, i.e., active ingredients with a solubility in water such that a significant solid content is present in the concentrate after addition.

[0117] The pesticidal active agent is a biocide, and the biocide referred to in the present invention is a plant protection agent. More specifically, it is a chemical substance that can kill and / or control various forms of organisms used in the fields of medicine, agriculture, forestry, mosquito control, etc. The group of biocides also includes so-called plant growth regulators.

[0118] The biocides used in the pesticidal formulations of the present invention are typically divided into two subgroups: ● Insecticides such as fungicides, herbicides, insecticides, algicides, acaricides, and rodenticides; and ● An antibacterial agent containing a bactericide, an antibiotic, an antibacterial agent, an antiviral agent, an antifungal agent, an antiprotozoal agent, and an antiparasitic agent.

[0119] In particular, a biocide selected from insecticides, bactericides, and herbicides is preferred.

[0120] The term "pesticide" is understood to refer to a substance or mixture intended for the prevention, destruction, repulsion, or reduction of pests and plant diseases. Pesticides are chemical substances or biological agents (such as viruses, fungi, or bacteria) used against pests, including insects, plant pathogens, weeds, mollusks, birds, mammals, fish, nematodes (roundworms), and microorganisms that compete with humans for food, destroy property, spread diseases, or are nuisances. In the following examples, pesticides suitable for the pesticide compositions according to the present invention are shown.

[0121] A bactericide chemically controls fungi. Bactericides are chemical compounds used to prevent the spread of fungi in gardens and crops. Bactericides are also used to fight fungal infections. Bactericides are classified into contact types and penetrant types. Contact bactericides kill fungi when sprayed on the surface of the fungi. Penetrant bactericides do not kill fungi unless absorbed by plants.

[0122] Examples of suitable fungicides according to the present invention include the following species: mercury (3-ethoxypropyl) bromide, mercury 2-methoxyethyl chloride, 2-phenylphenol, 8-hydroxyquinoline sulfate, 8-phenylmercurioxyquinoline, asobenzolar, acyl amino acid-based fungicides, aspextax aldimorph, aliphatic nitrogen-based fungicides, allyl alcohol, amide-based fungicides, ampropylfos, anilazine, anilide-based fungicides, antibiotic-based fungicides, aromatic-based fungicides, aureofungin, azaconazole, azoxystrobin azithiram, barium polysulfide, benalaxyl-M, benodanil, benomyl, benquinox, bentaurolone, benshiabarycarb, benzalkonium chloride, benzmacril, benzamide-based fungicides, benzmorph, benzanilide-based fungicides, benzimidazole-based fungicides, benzimidazole precursor fungicides, benzimidazolyl carbamate-based fungicides, benzohydroxamic acid, benzothiazole-based fungicides, bethoxazin, binapacryl, biphenyl, bitertanol, bithionol, blasticidin S, Bordeaux mixture, boscalid, cross-linked diphenyl fungicides, bromoconazole, buthiopyram, Burgundy mixture, buthiobate, butylamine, calcium polysulfide, captan, captan, carbamate-based fungicides, carbamorph, carbanylate-based fungicides, carbendazim, carboxin, carpropamid, carvone, Cheshunt mixture, cymoxanil, clobenilazone, chloraniformethane, chloranil, chlorfenazole chlorodinitronaphthalene, chloroneb, chloropicrin, chlorothalonil, chloroquine, chlorozolinate, ciclopirox, climbazole, clotrimazole, conazole-based fungicides, conazole-based fungicides (imidazole-based) conazole-based fungicides (triazole-based), copper (II) acetate, basic copper carbonate (II), copper fungicides, copper hydroxide, copper naphthenate, copper oleate, copper oxychloride, copper (II) sulfate, basic copper sulfate, copper zinc chromate, cresol, cupraneb, cuprobam, cuprous oxide, cyazofamid, cyclafuramid, cyclic dithiocarbamate fungicides, cycloheximide, cyflufenamid, cymoxanil, simeconazole, prothioconazole, tebuconazole, thiabendazole, thiram, tolclofos-methyl, tolylfluanid, triadimefon, triadimenol, triazoxide, tricyclazole, tridemorph, trifloxystrobin, triflumizole, triforine, validamycin A, vinclozolin, zineb, ziram, and others.Dicarboximide fungicides, dichlofluanid, dichloran, dichlorophen, dichlorophenyl, dicarboximide fungicides, diclomezine, diclobutrazol, diclocymet, dimethirimol, dimethomorph, dimoxystrobin, diniconazole, dinitrophenol fungicides, dinobuton, dinocap, dinocap, dinopenton, dinosulfon, dinoterbon, diphenylamine, dipyrithione, disulfiram, ditac, dithianon, dithiocarbamate fungicides, DNOC, dodemorph, dodine, dozin, donazodin, drazoxolon, edifenphos, epoxyconazole, etaconazole, etem, ethaboxam, ethylrimol, ethoxyquin, ethylmercury 2,3-dihydroxypropyl mercaptide, ethylmercury acetate, ethylmercury bromide, ethylmercury chloride, ethylmercury phosphate, etridiazole, famoxadone, fenamidone, fenaminosulf, fenapanil, fenarimol, fenbuconazole, fenfuram, fenhexamid, fenitrothion, phenothianil, fenpiclonil, fenpropidin, fenpropimorph, fentin, ferbam, ferimzone, fluazinam, fluazinam, fluopicolide, fluoroimide, fluorotrimazole, fluoxastrobin, flutriafol, folpet, formaldehyde, fosetyl, fuberidazole, flutolanil, flupropacil, fludioxonil, flumetover, flumorph, flutriafol, flutriafol, flutriafol, flutriafol, guazatine, halacrinate, hexachlorobenzene, hexachlorobutadiene, hexachlorophene, hexaconazole, hexylthiofos, hydragaphen, hymexazol, imazalil, imibenconazole, imidazole fungicides, iminoctadine, inorganic fungicides, inorganic mercury fungicides, iodomethane, ipconazole, iprobenfos, iprodione, iprovalicarb, isoprothiolane, isovaleridione, kasugamycin,Cresoxim-methyl, lime sulfur, mancopper, mancozeb, maneb, mebenil, mecarbinzid, mepanipyrim, mepronil, mercuric chloride, mercuric oxide, mercurous chloride, mercury fungicides, metalaxyl, metalaxyl-M, metam, metazoxolon, metconazole, methiocarb, metalaxyl-M, metham, metazoxolon, metconazole, methiocarb, metofluthram, methyl bromide, methyl isothiocyanate, methyl mercury benzoate, methyl mercury dicyandiamide, methyl mercury pentachlorophenoxide, methiram, metominostrobin, metrafenone, metsulfovax, myclobutanil, microclozole, N-(ethyl mercury)-p-toluenesulfonanilide, nabam, natamycin, nitrostyrene, nitrothal isopropyl, nuarimol, OCH, octhilinone, ofurace, organic mercury fungicides, organic phosphorus fungicides, organic tin fungicides, orysastrobin, oxadixyl, oxathiine fungicides, oxazole fungicides, copper oxine, oxpoconazole, oxycarboxin, pefurazoate, penconazole, pencycuron, pentachlorophenol, penthiopyrad, phenyl mercury urea, phenyl mercury acetate, phenyl mercury chloride, phenyl mercury derivative of pyrocatechol, phenyl mercury nitrate, phenyl mercury salicylate, phenylsulfamide fungicides, fosdiphen, phthalide, phthalimide fungicides, picoxystrobin, piperalin, polycarbamate, polymeric dithiocarbamate fungicides, polyoxin, polyoxorim, polysulfide fungicides, potassium azide, potassium polysulfide, potassium thiocyanate, probenazole, prochloraz, procymidone, propamocarb, propiconazole, propineb, proquinazid, prothiocarb, prothioconazole, pyracarbolid, pyraclostrobin, pyrazole fungicides, pyrazophos, pyridine fungicides, pyridinonitrile, pyrifenox, pyrimethanil, pyrimidine fungicides, pyroquilon, pyroxychlor, pyroxifyl, pyrrole fungicides, quinacetol, quinazamid, quinconazole, quinoline fungicides, quinone fungicides, quinoxaline fungicides, quinoxyfen, quintozene, thiabendazole, salicylanilide, silthiopham, simconazole, sodium azide, sodium orthophenylphenoxide, sodium pentachlorophenoxide, sodium polysulfide,Spiroxamine, Streptomycin, Strobilurin fungicides, Sulfonanilide fungicides, Sulfur, Sultropen, TCMTB, Tebuconazole, Techlofthalam, Tecnazene, Tecoam, Tetraconazole, Thiabendazole, Thiadifluor, Thiazole fungicides, Thiophene, Tifluzamide, Thiocarbamate fungicides, Thioclorfenphim, Thimerosal, Thiophenate, Thiophenate-methyl, Thiophene fungicides, Thiokinox, Thiram, Thiazinyl, Thioximide, Tibed, Tolclofos-methyl, Tolnaphthalate, Trifluoroanilide, Tritolyltin acetate, Triadimefon, Triadimenol, Triamiphos, Triarimol, Triazbutyl, Triazine fungicides, Triazole fungicides, Triazoxide, Tributyltin oxide, Triclamide, Tricyclazole, Trifloxystrobin, Triflumizole, Triforine, Triticonazole, Unclassified fungicides, Undecylenic acid, Uniconazole, Urea fungicides, Validamycin, Valinamide fungicides, Vinclozolin, Zaliramid, Zinc naphthenate, Dinneb, Dithiram, Zoxamide, and mixtures thereof.,

[0123] Herbicides are pesticides used to kill unwanted plants. Selective herbicides kill specific targets while leaving the desired crops relatively unharmed. There are also those that inhibit weed growth and act based on plant hormones. Herbicides used for waste removal are non-selective and kill all plants they come into contact with. Herbicides are widely used in agriculture and landscape turf management. Herbicides are also used in the Total Vegetation Control (TVC) program for the maintenance of highways and railways. In forestry, pasture systems, and the management of areas set aside as wildlife habitats, small amounts are used.

[0124] Suitable herbicides can be selected from the group including: aryloxycarboxylic acids such as MCPA, aryloxyphenoxypropionates such as clodinafop, cyclohexanedione oximes such as sethoxydim, dinitroanilines such as trifluralin, diphenyl ethers such as oxyfluorfen, hydroxybenzonitriles such as bromoxynil, sulfonylureas such as sulfonylureas, sulfonylureas such as sulfonylureas, sulfonylureas such as sulfonylureas including trifluralin, diphenyl ethers such as oxyfluorfen, hydroxybenzonitriles such as bromoxynil, sulfonylurea herbicides such asnicosulfuron, triazolopyrimidines such as penoxsulam, triketones such as mesotrione, ureas such as diuron.

[0125] Particularly preferred herbicides can be selected from 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), atrazine, dicamba as benzoic acid, glyphosate, imazapic as imidazolinone, metolachlor as chloroacetamide, picloram, clopyralid as pyridinecarboxylic acid and triclopyr, or synthetic auxins.

[0126] Insecticides refer to insecticides used against insects in all developmental forms, including ovicides and larvicides used against insect eggs and larvae. Insecticides are used in agriculture, medicine, industry, and households.

[0127] Suitable insecticides can include those selected from the following: ● Chlorinated insecticides such as camphechlor, DDT, hexachlorocyclohexane, γ-hexachlorocyclohexane, methoxychlor, pentachlorophenol, TDE, aldrin, chlordane, chlordecone, dieldrin, endosulfan, endrin, heptachlor, mirex, and mixtures thereof; ● Organophosphorus compounds, such as acephate, azinphos-methyl, bensulide, chlorfenvinphos, chlorpyrifos, chlorpyrifos-methyl, diazinon, dichlorvos (DDVP), dichlorothophos, dimethoate, disulfoton, ethoprophos, fenamiphos, fenitrothion, fenthion, fostiazate, malathion, methamidophos, methidathion, methyl parathion, mevinphos, naled, omethoate, oxydemeton-methyl, parathion, phorate, phosalone, phosmet, phosethylpyrim, pyrimiphos-methyl, profenofos, terbufos, tetrachlorvinphos, tribufos, trichlorfon, and mixtures thereof; ● Carbamates, such as aldicarb, carbofuran, carbaryl, methomyl, 2-(1-methylpropyl)phenylmethylcarbamate, and mixtures thereof; ● Pyrethroids, such as allethrin, bifenthrin, deltamethrin, permethrin, resmethrin, sumithrin, tetramethrin, tralomethrin, transfluthrin, and mixtures thereof; ● Compounds derived from phytotoxins, such as derris (rotenone), pyrethrum, neem (azadirachtin), nicotine, caffeine, and mixtures thereof; ● Neonicotinoids, such as imidacloprid; ● Abamectin (such as emamectin); ● Oxadiazine-based agents, such as indoxacarb; ● Anthranilic diamides, such as chlorantraniliprole.

[0128] Rodenticides are a type of pest control agent aimed at killing rodents. Suitable rodenticides include anticoagulants, metal phosphides, phosphides, calciferol (vitamin D), and their derivatives.

[0129] A mite-killing agent is an insecticide that kills mites. Antibiotic mite-killing agents, carbamate mite-killing agents, formamidine mite-killing agents, mite growth regulators, organochlorine mite-killing agents, permethrin mite-killing agents, and organophosphorus mite-killing agents all belong to this category. A mollusk insecticide is an insecticide used to control mollusks such as slugs, snails, and earthworms. These substances include formaldehyde, methiocarb, and aluminum sulfate. A nematicide is a type of chemical pesticide used to kill parasitic nematodes (a type of worm).

[0130] In the following examples, antibacterial agents suitable for the pesticide composition according to the present invention are shown.

[0131] Examples of bactericidal and disinfectant agents include those selected from active chlorine, active oxygen, iodine, concentrated alcohol, phenolic substances, cationic surfactants, strong oxidants, heavy metals and their salts, concentrated strong acids and alkalis with a pH of 1 to 13. Suitable preservatives (i.e., bactericides that can be used on the human body or animal body, skin, mucous membranes, wounds, etc.) include diluted chlorine preparations, iodine preparations, peroxides, alcohols with or without added preservatives, weak organic acids, phenolic compounds, cationic active compounds, and the like.

[0132] Azole fungicides (azaconazole, bitertanol, bromoconazole, cyproconazole, diclobutrazole, difenoconazole, diniconazole, diniconazole-M, epoxyconazole, etaconazole, fenarimol, fenbuconazole, fluquinconazole, flurprimidol, flusilazole, flutriafol, fluconazole, fluconazole-cis, hexaconazole, imazalil, imazalil sulfate, imibenconazole, ipconazole, metconazole, myclobutanil, nuarimol, oxpoconazole, paclobutrazole, penconazole, pefurazoate, prochloraz, propiconazole, prothioconazole, pyrifenox,simeconazole, tebuconazole, tetraconazole, triadimefon, triadimenol, triflumizole, triphorine, triticonazole, uniconazole, voriconazole, viniconazole), strobilurin fungicides (azoxystrobin, dimoxystrobin, fluoxastrobin, kresoxim-methyl, metominostrobin, orysastrobin, picoxystrobin, pyraclostrobin, trifloxystrobin), SDH fungicides, chloronicotinyl insecticides (clothianidin, dinotefuran, imidacloprid, thiamethoxam, nitenpyram, nithiazine, acetamiprid, nitenpyram, thiacloprid), insecticidal ketoenols (spirodiclofen, spirotetramat, spirotetramat), fiproles (fipronil, ethiprole), butenolides, and furthermore pymetrozine, flupicolide, N-(3’,4’-dichloro-5-fluoro-1,1’-biphenyl-2-yl)-3-(difluoromethyl)-1-methyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide, N-{2-[3-chloro-5-(trifluoromethyl)-2-pyridinyl]ethyl}-2-(trifluoromethyl)benzamide are particularly preferred. Particularly preferred are herbicides, particularly sulfonylureas, triketones and herbicidal ketoenols, and furthermore safeners.

[0133] Nutrients can be present in addition to or as an alternative to the pesticidal active agent. In such formulations, the nutrients are usually in dry form.

[0134] The nutrient may preferably be a solid-phase nutrient. In the present invention, it should be understood that the solid nutrient component means a substance having a melting point of 20 °C (standard pressure) or higher. The solid nutrient component includes insoluble nutrient components, that is, nutrient components with a solubility in water such that a significant amount of solids is present in the concentrate after addition.

[0135] A nutrient refers to chemical elements and compounds that are desired or required to promote or improve the growth of plants. Suitable nutrients are generally described as macronutrients or micronutrients. All nutrient compounds are suitable nutrients for use in the concentrate according to the present invention.

[0136] Micronutrients usually refer to trace metals or trace elements and are often applied at low dosages. Suitable micronutrients include trace elements selected from zinc, boron, chlorine, copper, iron, molybdenum, and manganese. Micronutrients may be in a soluble form, included as an insoluble solid, or may be salts or chelated.

[0137] Macronutrients usually refer to those containing nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, and include fertilizers such as ammonium sulfate and water quality regulators. Suitable macronutrients include fertilizers and other nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, sulfur-containing compounds, and water quality regulators.

[0138] Suitable fertilizers include inorganic fertilizers that supply nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and sulfur. The fertilizer may be included in a relatively low-concentration diluted formulation or as a more concentrated solution.

[0139] The nutrient content depends on the specific nutrient, and it is assumed that micronutrients are usually contained at lower concentrations, while macronutrients are usually contained at higher concentrations.

[0140] The WP / WDG of the present invention provides improved spore / microbial viability and thus better storage stability. It exhibits excellent performance by combining a dispersion effect with a surprisingly increased fungal spore survival rate, thereby improving the survival rate of microorganisms.

[0141] In the formulation of the present invention, the survival rate of the formulated biopesticide is 60% or less, preferably 50% or less, over 180 days at 25°C. It has been shown that the reduction of spores / microorganisms is decreased compared to the case where no powder and dispersant are used.

[0142] The present invention also provides improved dispersion ability / volume in water and improved wettability in water. The WP / WDGS has been found to self-disperse immediately with little or no need for stirring.

[0143] Furthermore, the present invention provides improvements in mixing tank parameters, such as avoiding "cake formation" and nozzle clogging.

[0144] All the features described herein can be combined in any combination with any of the above aspects.

Examples

[0145] To understand the present invention more easily, the following description is referred to as an example.

[0146] It should be understood that all the tests and physical properties described are measured at atmospheric pressure and room temperature (i.e., 25°C) unless otherwise specified in this document or in the referenced test methods and procedures.

[0147] The following test methods were used to measure the performance of the adjuvant composition.

[0148] Preparation of Samples According to Table 1, several liquid binder formulations were prepared using the materials shown below. ● TiO 2 Mica particles coated with - particle size 10 μm to 60 μm, bulk density 0.343 g / mL ● Kaolin - particle size 15 μm to 25 μm, bulk density 0.166 g / mL ● Silica - particle size 15 μm to 25 μm, bulk density 0.166 g / mL ● Metasperse 550S - modified styrene acrylic polymer dispersant ● ultiwet 8269 - sodium dioctyl sulfosuccinate dispersant

[0149]

Table 1

[0150] All components were weighed and mixed until completely homogenized. After preparation, all samples were stored in a controlled environment at 20 °C and 50% relative humidity during the evaluation period.

[0151] Test method The following test methods were used.

[0152] Microbiological evaluation All evaluation methods for microbiological aspects followed the guidelines of IBR R&D WI 387 version 01. All evaluations were performed every 30 days until 180 days after formulation, for a total of 7 evaluations.

[0153] Conidia viability evaluation (direct viability) To examine the viability of conidia, it was necessary to perform dilution steps for each formulation tested. To measure viability, the dilution solution with conidia was dropped onto Petri dishes containing PDA (potato - dextrose - agar) medium. 10 drops of 15 μL each were dropped onto each Petri dish.

[0154] All Petri dishes were stored in a growth chamber in the dark at 25 °C ± 1 ° for 15 hours after dropping conidia onto Petri dishes containing PDA medium. After the incubation period, the germination of conidia was paralyzed with 8 μL of lactophenol blue coloring agent. The evaluation was performed after all the coloring agent was absorbed into the medium. To evaluate the viability of conidia, 500 conidia were counted in each Petri dish (a total of 5 evaluations per Petri dish). Germinated conidia and activated non-germinated conidia were considered viable conidia.

[0155] The viable bacteria rate of each droplet was determined by the following formula: Survival rate (%) = (Number of viable conidia / Number of counted conidia) × 100

[0156] The final result was obtained by calculating the average value from the evaluations of 5 droplets.

[0157] Suspensibility Suspensibility was carried out according to the guidelines of CIPAC MT 184. Suspensibility of formulations that form suspensions by dilution with water. This method involves placing 2.5 g of the formulation in a standard cylindrical glass, adjusting the water to 250 mL, homogenizing, and then allowing it to stand in a water bath at 30 °C. Finally, the percentage of solids floating in the water after the standing time is calculated.

[0158] Viability evaluation The data on the evaluation of conidia viability were analyzed, and the obtained results are shown in Table 2. This shows the differences in wettable powder formulations on the conidia viability of Trichoderma asperellum over 180 days after formulation.

[0159]

Table 2

[0160] Regardless of the formulation composition, the addition of a dispersant and a filler improved the proportion of viable conidia on the 180th day after the formulation process compared to the control (pure conidia).

[0161] Even if there were no statistical differences among all detected variations, 5% Metasperse 550S + TiO 2 Among the 65% mica + 30% conidia coated with 2 , 5% Metasperse 550S + 65% kaolin + 30% conidia, 5% Metasperse 550S + 60% kaolin + 5% silica + 30% conidia, and 5% Metasperse 550S + 65% silica + 30% conidia, the cumulative conidia survival rate during the evaluation period was high compared to other samples except the control, indicating the potential as a biopesticide formulation.

[0162] Furthermore, among the six formulations with the highest cumulative survival rates over time, four contained a dispersant and a filler, and it was shown that the use of these could suppress the natural decline in conidia survival rate observed in the raw conidia of Trichoderma asperellum.

[0163] Regarding the cumulative loss amount, it is as shown in Table 3 below:

[0164]

Table 3

[0165] All results were expressed as the cumulative loss rate of conidia survival rate.

[0166] Considering the cumulative loss, it was observed that the samples with added dispersant and filler had the lowest value regarding the viable cell count loss on the 180th day after formulation compared to the control.

[0167] Regardless of the composition and based on the results obtained for the cumulative loss, it was observed that adding 5% Atlox Metasperse 550S to the formulation reduced the loss of conidia survival rate until 180 days after formulation.

[0168] The four formulations with high detected conidia survival rates were 5% Metasperse 550S + TiO 2It was 65% coated mica + 30% conidia, 5% Metasperse 550S + 65% kaolin + 30% conidia, 5% Metasperse 550S + 60% kaolin + 5% silica + 30% conidia, and 5% Metasperse 550S + 65% silica + 30% conidia.

[0169] Suspensibility evaluation The suspensibility of WP formulated with spores was evaluated, and the results are shown in Table 4 below.

[0170]

Table 4

[0171] The results of suspensibility indicate that the selection of a specific filler directly affects the suspensibility of the solid matter.

[0172] Generally, considering the results obtained with these four formulations, the use of a dispersant and a filler is shown to be advantageous, and the dispersant can attenuate the adverse effects of the filler on the conidia of Trichoderma asperellum.

[0173] It should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the details of the above embodiments. Many modifications are possible.

Claims

1. A wettable powder or water-dispersible granule, (i) Sulfonated naphthaleneformaldehyde condensates; acrylic copolymers having polyethylene glycol side chains capped on a polyacrylic backbone; copolymer dispersants comprising copolymers of acrylic acid, hydrophobic monomers, alkyl acrylates of monoalkyl polyethylene glycol, and optionally strong acid derivatives of (meth)acrylic acid; nonionic graft copolymers of acrylic acid esters and oxyalkylenes; or dispersants selected from lignosulfonates; (ii) A filler having a particle size of 1 μm to 100 μm and a bulk density of 0.2 g / mL to 0.6 g / mL, Mica particles coated with metal oxide, or Kaolin, silica, or calcium carbonate Mineral-based fillers selected from; and (iii) At least one microorganism selected from fungal spores or microorganisms having biopesticides or biofertilizer effects. The above-mentioned wettable powder or water-dispersible granules, including the above-mentioned.

2. The wetting powder or water-dispersible granules according to claim 1, wherein the dispersant is selected from water-dispersible styrene (meth)acrylic copolymers.

3. The wettable powder or water-dispersible granules according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the polymeric dispersant has a molecular weight of 750 to 20,000.

4. The wetting powder or water-dispersible granules according to claim 1, wherein the metal oxide for coating the mica particles is selected from titanium dioxide, iron oxide, chromium oxide, or zirconium oxide.

5. The wetting powder or water-dispersible granules according to claim 1, wherein the filler is selected from silica or titanium-coated mica.

6. The wetting powder or water-dispersible granules according to claim 1, wherein the weight-average molecular weight of the filler particle starting material is in the range of 50,000 to 2,000,000.

7. The wetting powder or water-dispersible granules according to claim 1, wherein the mineral-based filler has a water absorption capacity greater than 50%.

8. A wettable powder or water-dispersible granule, (i) Sulfonated naphthaleneformaldehyde condensates; acrylic copolymers having polyethylene glycol side chains capped on a polyacrylic backbone; copolymer dispersants comprising copolymers of acrylic acid, hydrophobic monomers, alkyl acrylates of monoalkyl polyethylene glycol, and optionally strong acid derivatives of (meth)acrylic acid; nonionic graft copolymers of acrylic acid esters and oxyalkylenes; or dispersants selected from lignosulfonates; (ii) Mineral-based fillers selected from particles having a particle size of 1 to 60 μm, a bulk density of 0.2 to 0.6 g / ml, and optionally a water absorption capacity of greater than 50%; and (iii) At least one microorganism selected from fungal spores or microorganisms having biopesticides or biofertilizer effects. The above-mentioned wettable powder or water-dispersible granules, including the above-mentioned.

9. The wettable powder or water-dispersible granules according to claim 8, wherein the mineral-based filler is selected from metal oxides or mica particles coated with kaolin, silica, or calcium carbonate.

10. A preblend suitable for forming a wettable powder or water-dispersible granule as defined in claim 1, wherein the preblend is Dispersants selected from sulfonated naphthaleneformaldehyde condensates; acrylic copolymers having polyethylene glycol side chains capped on a polyacrylic backbone; copolymer dispersants comprising copolymers of acrylic acid, hydrophobic monomers, alkyl acrylates of monoalkyl polyethylene glycol, and optionally strong acid derivatives of (meth)acrylic acid; nonionic graft copolymers of acrylic acid esters and oxyalkylenes; or lignosulfonates. and a filler having a particle size of 1 μm to 100 μm and a bulk density of 0.2 g / mL to 0.6 g / mL, Mica particles coated with metal oxide, or Kaolin, silica, or calcium carbonate Mineral-based fillers selected from The above pre-blend includes the above.

11. The preblend according to claim 10, wherein the dispersant is selected from a water-dispersible styrene (meth)acrylic copolymer.

12. The preblend according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the filler is selected from silica or titanium-coated mica.

13. A method for producing a wet powder or water-dispersible granule as defined in claim 1, comprising mixing the preblend described in claim 10 with at least one microorganism selected from fungal spores or microorganisms having biopesticides or biofertilizer effects.

14. A formulation suitable for application to vegetation, wherein the formulation comprises a diluted suspension of a wettable powder or water-dispersible granules as defined in claim 1.

15. A method for treating vegetation to control pests, comprising applying a diluted formulation as defined in claim 1 to either the vegetation or the environment immediately surrounding the vegetation.

16. A seed treatment formulation comprising a wettable powder or water-dispersible granules as defined in claim 1.

17. A method for treating seeds to control pests, comprising applying a formulation defined in claim 14 to the seeds.

18. A method for improving the viability of at least one beneficial microorganism on an agricultural object, comprising the step of combining a beneficial microorganism selected from fungal spores or microorganisms having biopesticides or biofertilizer effects with at least one dispersant and a mineral-based filler as defined in claim 1 on the agricultural target.