Nutritional composition of crops containing magnesium and iron

Abstract

The present invention relates to a water-dispersible granular composition comprising a homogeneous mixture of one or more water-insoluble magnesium salts, complexes, or derivatives thereof, in the range of 5% to 80% w / w of the total composition, and one or more water-insoluble iron salts, complexes, or derivatives thereof, in the range of 1% to 50% w / w of the total composition, together with at least one pesticidally acceptable excipient, wherein the elemental iron is present in the range of 0.01% to 50% by weight of the total composition, and the elemental magnesium is present in the range of 0.1% to 50% by weight of the total composition, and the composition comprises particles in the size range of 0.1 microns to 30 microns.The present invention also relates to a process for preparing the crop nutritional composition and to a method for treating plants, seeds, crops, plant propagation material, locus, plant parts thereof, or soil with the crop nutritional composition.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a crop nutritional composition in the form of water-dispersible granules, comprising a homogeneous mixture of effective amounts of one or more water-insoluble magnesium salts, complexes, or derivatives thereof, and one or more water-insoluble iron salts, complexes, or derivatives thereof, together with at least one pesticidally acceptable excipient. The water-dispersible granular composition of the present invention comprises particles within the size range of 0.1 microns to 30 microns.

[0002] The present invention further relates to a water-dispersible granular composition comprising a homogeneous mixture of one or more water-insoluble magnesium salts, complexes or derivatives thereof, in the range of 5% to 80% w / w of the total composition, and one or more water-insoluble iron salts, complexes or derivatives thereof, in the range of 1% to 50% w / w of the total composition, together with at least one pesticidally acceptable excipient, wherein the elemental iron is present in the range of 0.01% to 50% by weight of the total composition, the elemental magnesium is present in the range of 0.1% to 50% by weight of the total composition, and the composition is comprised of particles in the size range of 0.1 microns to 30 microns.

[0003] The present invention relates to a method for improving plant health or enhancing nutrient uptake by a plant or plant yield by treating at least one of a plant, plant propagation material, a location, a plant part thereof, a seed, a seedling, or the surrounding soil with a water-dispersible granular composition of the present invention. [Background technology]

[0004] In describing embodiments of the present invention, specific terminology is chosen for the sake of clarity, however, it is understood that the present invention is not intended to be limited to the specific terminology so chosen, and that each specific term includes all technical equivalents that operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose.

[0005] Nutrition is a central factor in crop growth and development. Poor and insufficient availability of nutrients to plants results in a lack of proper growth and physiological development. As a result, plants become more susceptible to pest attacks. Other problems related to agriculture are environmental conditions such as drought, biotic and abiotic stress, poor soil conditions, or nutrient depletion in the soil, which leads to reduced yield and quality of agricultural products. Therefore, providing sufficient and balanced nutrition in a manner that maximizes nutrient uptake by plants, along with protection for crops, remains a major challenge. Optimizing soil conditions and managing crop nutrient use have long been felt by farmers to improve crop nutrient use efficiency. Significant research is being conducted to improve soil and plant health, provide better economic benefits to farmers, and reduce the environmental burden due to the widespread use of synthetic pesticides.

[0006] In parallel, hidden hunger and micronutrient deficiencies are widespread throughout the population on all major continents, contributing substantially to the global disease burden. Among the micronutrient deficiencies commonly afflicting people worldwide, 17.3% of the world's population is at risk of inadequate zinc intake (Ashish Sharma, Babita Patni, et al., 2012). One of the main underlying causes of this is unbalanced fertilization practices. Excessive and injudicious application of nutrients can cause serious imbalances and antagonisms, resulting in nutrient-deficient agricultural products. Therefore, growing large quantities of food while maintaining quality in terms of nutrient content is a very difficult and challenging task.

[0007] The role of micronutrients as essential elements required by plants for growth and reproduction has long been known. Micronutrients play an important role in balancing crop nutrition. It is also known that optimal levels of nutrients are required for normal plant function and growth, and any fluctuations in nutrient levels can disrupt overall crop growth, impair its health through either deficiency or toxicity, and ultimately affect essential nutrients in the human diet. It is estimated that nearly 2 billion people suffer from deficiencies in micronutrients, such as iron and zinc, due to low mineral and nutrient availability in soil and / or low mineral and element accumulation and / or bioavailability in the edible parts of crops (Graham et al., 2012; "How much nutritional iron deficiency in humans globally is due to an underlying zinc deficiency"). Furthermore, poor availability of fertilizers or nutrients to plants also leads to a lack of proper growth, making plants more susceptible to pest attack.

[0008] In addition to low concentrations of essential micronutrients in soil, one of the underlying causes of deficiency is the low availability of micronutrients in their oxidized form to plant roots. Other factors that limit the availability of essential nutrients from the soil include leaching of water-soluble nutrients by rain and irrigation, variable carbonate levels in the soil, soil salinity, soil moisture, soil alkalinity, low temperatures, and the concentrations of other elements that lead to micronutrient deficiencies, i.e., "competing trace elements." Furthermore, the ability of plants to respond to micronutrient availability ultimately affects human nutrition, both in terms of crop yield and micronutrient concentrations in edible tissues. Therefore, proper nutrition is crucial for optimizing plant nutrition and metabolism, which in turn contributes to overall crop yield and quality and a nutrient-rich human diet.

[0009] Magnesium (Mg) is an essential key element required for plant growth, health, and development. Magnesium is involved in several different processes, including photosynthesis. Magnesium's most important role is as the central atom, or heart, in the chlorophyll molecule. Without magnesium, chlorophyll cannot capture the sun's energy needed for photosynthesis. Magnesium also helps activate specific enzyme systems involved in normal plant metabolism. Additionally, it is required for cell division and protein formation and is an essential component for plant respiration.

[0010] Magnesium availability in soil depends on several factors, including the source rock material, its mobility in the soil, degree of weathering, local climate, and specific agricultural systems and management practices, such as crop type, crop intensity, crop rotation, and fertilizer application practices. Due to its high mobility within plants, magnesium deficiency symptoms first appear in lower and older leaves, after which symptoms become visible in younger leaves. Symptoms appear as yellow leaves around the margins with green veins (i.e., interveinal chlorosis). Purple, red, or brown spots may also appear on leaves. Magnesium and its importance in crop production and agriculture, despite being an essential element for plant growth and development, has been overlooked for some time due to the fact that potential magnesium deficiency is difficult to detect. Magnesium deficiency, due to low levels of exchangeable magnesium (ex-Mg) in acidic soils, is a frequent limiting factor in crop production, negatively impacting the sustainability of agricultural development. Magnesium deficiency is an inherent problem in acidic soils due to high soil saturation, cation exchange capacity with H+ ions, and the resulting long-term magnesium leaching and impaired Mg uptake. The most important agronomic tool for addressing soil acidity to combat magnesium deficiency is liming. However, depending on the type of lime, significant amounts of magnesium and calcium reach the soil, which can then interfere with the uptake of other cations, such as zinc and iron, through antagonistic effects. Magnesium deficiency is further enhanced in soils dominated by long-term NPK fertilizer practices, which have caused significant decreases in soil pH. Therefore, agricultural soils with good magnesium status are a prerequisite for ensuring magnesium uptake by crop roots and its transport to the edible parts of the plant or crop, which ultimately provides humans with nutritious food.

[0011] Iron (Fe) is also an essential nutrient required for plant or crop growth, development, and reproduction, but is present in relatively small amounts, making it a micronutrient. Iron is involved in many important physiological processes in plants, such as the production of chlorophyll and a wide range of enzymes and proteins. Iron also plays a role in respiration, nitrogen fixation, energy transfer, and metabolism in crops and plants. Iron is relatively immobile, and once incorporated into tissues in the upper part of the plant, its translocation from one plant part to another is consequently limited, leading to iron deficiency. Such deficiencies in plants or crops commonly cause chlorosis (yellowing). Furthermore, poor iron nutrition can result in poor nodulation of legume crops, leading to reduced size and yield. Managing iron nutrition in crops has been observed to be difficult due to factors such as carbonate levels in the soil, salinity, soil moisture, soil alkalinity, low temperature, and the concentrations of other nutrient elements (e.g., competing trace elements such as phosphorus and calcium) that can affect iron availability and sometimes lead to iron deficiency. Furthermore, excess phosphorus is known to sequester iron and limit its availability (Nutrient Antagonism—Which nutrients affect others? Jason G; 2015). Furthermore, the ability of plants to respond to iron availability ultimately impacts human nutrition, both in terms of crop yield and iron concentration in the plant's edible tissues. Therefore, adequate iron nutrition is critical for optimizing crop nutrition and metabolism, which in turn contributes to crop yield and quality.

[0012] Additionally, acid soil management practices involve the use of lime to balance or increase soil pH, but excessive liming can cause iron deficiencies along with other micronutrients such as zinc, boron, etc. There is a strong correlation between soil iron status and human Fe deficiency levels, so a constant and continuous supply of iron is required for optimal growth and maximum yield.

[0013] Moreover, imbalanced fertilizer use is further exacerbating iron and magnesium deficiencies, affecting their availability in crops and ultimately negatively impacting the human diet. Adequate iron levels in food crops are crucial for combating iron deficiency anemia, one of the world's largest nutritional disorders.

[0014] Therefore, it is essential to apply balanced amounts of the most limiting nutrients, especially iron and magnesium, to crops at different stages and also at the final harvest to obtain the highest yield while minimizing nutrient losses, and to address hidden hunger and nutrient deficiencies in humans.

[0015] Although the benefits of micronutrients are well known, their deficiency has become widespread in most agricultural regions of the world over the past few decades, resulting in micronutrients being identified as limiting factors for improving plant growth, high yields and fertilizer efficiency.

[0016] In addition, interactions between plant nutrients can be either antagonistic or synergistic, depending on the mixture of elements and their composition, concentration, etc., which can affect nutrient utilization efficiency. Application of excess nutrients can cause plants to experience "nutrient antagonism," whereby an excess of a particular element blocks the absorption of another element needed by the plant. This can occur with elements of similar size and charge (positive or negative), which can result in a deficiency in the plant. Some of the most common antagonisms are iron blocking zinc, manganese (or vice versa), magnesium blocking calcium (or vice versa), phosphorus blocking both zinc and iron, and potassium blocking both magnesium and calcium. One paper reporting antagonism between iron and zinc is titled "Effects of Zinc on Translocation of Iron in Soybean Plants" by Ambler JE, Brown JC, et al., 1970. The antagonism between iron and manganese has also been well documented in an article entitled "Antagonsim between Manganese and Iron in the Growth of Wheat", WE Tottingham and AJ Beck; 1916. Another reason for deficiencies in plants is "binding," which occurs when elements mix and bind together to form compounds that are insoluble and cannot be absorbed by plant roots. Furthermore, antagonism between iron and magnesium has been reported. One paper, titled "Iron-Magnesium antagonism in growth and metabolism of radish," reported iron-magnesium antagonism in crops. Therefore, considering the Fe-Mg antagonism, it has always been challenging to develop agricultural compositions that can overcome this problem and successfully meet the nutritional requirements of plants and ultimately human diets.

[0017] Agricultural compositions containing combinations of micronutrients are known in the art mainly in the form of powders or dusts, in which the micronutrients are mixed or blended together. However, such powder-based compositions may lead to inhomogeneous or heterogeneous mixtures of active substances, which may be undesirable in terms of application and poor uptake of nutrients by plants. Powder compositions not only have problems with practical application, such as dust generation, but also pose risks to users, mainly due to eye irritation, inhalation risk, and skin irritation. Such formulations are not easily dispersible and tend to clog nozzles when applied via dripping, making them unsuitable for use in irrigation systems. Furthermore, these compositions have been found to have poor suspendability, leading to random and non-uniform distribution of active ingredients in the target area, which may cause undesirable effects and pose problems in the effective delivery of nutrients to plants or crops, and they also require large amounts to be used.

[0018] Granular or powder compositions are known in the art that involve the use of water-soluble nutrients. However, such compositions tend to be washed away during heavy rain or irrigation, and cannot be absorbed by plants, which in turn causes groundwater pollution. As soil becomes more saline, plants are unable to absorb as much water and nutrients from the soil. This not only results in a significant decrease in efficiency, but also has serious environmental consequences.

[0019] Compositions containing fertilizer granules coated with a micronutrient mixture or water-disintegrating granules of micronutrients are also known in the art. However, such compositions are designed to release the active substance very slowly, leaving the active substance trapped in the soil for a long period of time and depriving plants of their immediate nutritional needs. As a result of nutrient deficiencies in young plants, they become susceptible to various diseases, ultimately hindering their growth and yield. Furthermore, water-disintegrating granular compositions suffer from a unique set of drawbacks due to uneven particle disintegration and distribution. Due to the random and uneven particle size disintegration, such compositions tend to clog nozzles when applied via dripping, making them unsuitable for use in modern irrigation systems.

[0020] Traditionally, micronutrient-based compositions have been known in the art in the form of bentonite granules or pastilles, pellets, granules prepared via melting processes, etc. Such products of micronutrient combinations in the form of granules, pellets, or pastilles are composed of swelling clay and have been associated with several drawbacks. These compositions are generally large in size and contain swelling clay, which swells and disintegrates into large particles of uneven size upon contact with moisture. Such granules or pastilles also lead to irregular release of micronutrients, failing to meet plant nutritional requirements and ultimately resulting in poor field efficacy. Again, these types of micronutrient compositions are only suitable for broadcast application due to their unique disadvantages due to their disintegration into larger particle sizes, namely, poor dispersion and suspendability in water, leading to nozzle clogging in spray applications and posing problems in nutrient delivery to plants or crops. Due to these drawbacks, such prior art compositions containing micronutrients have negligible commercial viability or applicability in drip or sprinkler irrigation systems, which are essential irrigation modalities in modern times due to labor and water shortages.

[0021] Furthermore, other formulations disclosed in the art may instruct people to reach liquid compositions.However, such compositions have low loadings of active substances due to the presence of a large amount of solvent as a carrier, and therefore are not very effective in meeting the nutritional requirements of plants.Also, because they are liquid, they are not feasible during the transportation of large amounts of such products. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0022] Suitable water-dispersible granular compositions containing magnesium in combination with iron that would make them available to plants in effective amounts, thus meeting the balanced nutritional requirements of plants and addressing drawbacks such as nutrient antagonism of such compositions known in the art, are not known. [Means for solving the problem]

[0023] The present inventors have surprisingly found that the composition of the present invention comprising magnesium and iron is not only effective in overcoming the antagonism between these individual nutrients, but also exhibits synergistic effects.It has been found that when the composition of the present invention is formulated with specific particle size, it can make nutrients magnesium and iron readily available for plant uptake.Notably, this synergistic effect in the composition results in magnesium and iron being rapidly absorbed through roots due to the positive interaction between these nutrients in the rhizosphere.It has also been observed that the composition of the present invention, which comprises a combination of various elements in specific proportions, can address the problem of nutrient antagonism in soil, such as between magnesium and iron, between magnesium and potassium, etc., when formulated with selected particle size distribution.

[0024] It has further been observed that the compositions of the present invention prevent the leaching of these nutrients, making them maximally available for uptake by crops and increasing overall yield.More surprisingly, the inventors have discovered that the compositions of the present invention also address the difficulty in obtaining iron due to excess other competing nutrients, such as phosphorus, in highly acidic soils caused by long-term application of NPK fertilizers.The compositions of the present invention not only facilitate the uptake of iron trapped in such soils, but also make available other nutrients trapped in the soil.

[0025] It has been found that the composition of the present invention plays a crucial role in facilitating nutrient uptake, even in soils that have been degraded or whose pH has changed due to the excessive use of synthetic fertilizers.In particular, the composition of the present invention surprisingly overcomes the problem of providing sufficient amounts of iron and magnesium to crops, which has been observed due to the excessive use of NPK fertilizers, which limits the availability of magnesium and iron.The composition of the present invention satisfies the nutritional needs of plants by providing balanced uptake of essential nutrients such as iron and magnesium.It is even more surprising to observe that balanced uptake of nutrients leads to healthier plants that can withstand pest infestations, higher nutrient yields in all types of soil, and ultimately improves overall soil health.The composition of the present invention acts as a composition with high nutrient utilization efficiency, while meeting crop needs by providing a solution with multiple nutrients that is improved in uptake by crops in a single application.

[0026] The inventors of the present application have determined that a crop nutritional composition in the form of water-dispersible granules comprising a homogeneous mixture of an effective amount of one or more water-insoluble magnesium salts, complexes or derivatives thereof, and an effective amount of one or more water-insoluble iron salts, complexes or derivatives thereof, along with one or more pesticidally acceptable excipients, wherein the composition comprises particles within the size range of 0.1 microns to 30 microns, demonstrates excellent field efficacy.

[0027] The compositions of the present invention also exhibit excellent physical characteristics such as suspendability, dispersibility and wettability.

[0028] The present inventors have determined that a crop nutritional composition in the form of water-dispersible granules comprising a homogeneous mixture of effective amounts of one or more water-insoluble magnesium salts, complexes or derivatives thereof, and one or more water-insoluble iron salts, complexes or derivatives thereof, along with at least one pesticidally acceptable excipient, provides the nutrients magnesium and iron readily available for plant uptake, increases overall yield and improves plant physiological parameters in a variety of crops.

[0029] The water-dispersible granular composition of the present application comprises a homogeneous mixture of one or more water-insoluble magnesium salts, complexes or derivatives thereof in a concentration range of 5% to 80% by weight of the total composition, one or more water-insoluble iron salts, complexes or derivatives thereof in a concentration range of 1% to 50% by weight of the total composition, and at least one pesticidally acceptable excipient, wherein the elemental iron is present in a range of 0.01% to 50% by weight of the total composition and the elemental magnesium is present in a range of 0.1% to 50% by weight of the total composition.

[0030] Additionally, the water-dispersible granular crop nutritional composition disperses upon contact with water into particles within the size range of 0.1 microns to 30 microns.

[0031] The present invention further relates to a process for preparing a crop nutritional composition in the form of water-dispersible granules comprising a homogeneous mixture of an effective amount of one or more water-insoluble magnesium salts, complexes or derivatives thereof, and an effective amount of one or more water-insoluble iron salts, complexes or derivatives thereof, together with an effective amount of at least one pesticidally acceptable excipient.

[0032] The present invention relates to a method for improving plant health or enhancing nutrient uptake by a plant or plant yield by treating at least one of a plant, plant propagation material, a location, a plant part thereof, a seed, a seedling, or the surrounding soil with a water-dispersible granular composition of the present invention.

[0033] Because they exhibit excellent physical characteristics such as suspendability, dispersibility and wetting, the compositions of the present invention also find direct use in micro-irrigation or drip irrigation systems. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0034] When describing embodiments of the present invention, specific terminology is selected for clarity. However, it is understood that the present invention is not intended to be limited to the specific terminology so selected, and that such specific terminology includes all technical equivalents that operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose. Any numerical range recited herein is understood to be intended to include all subranges encompassed. Also, unless otherwise indicated, the percentages of components in the composition are presented as weight percent of the total weight of the composition. Furthermore, the active doses of iron and magnesium in the composition applied in field experiments are those of elemental iron and magnesium.

[0035] The terms "a" or "an," as used herein, are defined as one or more than one. The terms "including" and / or "having," as used herein, are defined as comprising (i.e., open language).

[0036] The term "derivatives" as used in this application also encompasses iron-containing minerals, magnesium-containing minerals, and the like.

[0037] The term "salt" as used in this application also encompasses compounds containing iron and magnesium. Iron compounds can include iron (II, III) oxides, and magnesium compounds can include magnesium oxide.

[0038] Nutrient use efficiency (NUE) is defined as a measure of how well a plant uses available mineral nutrients. Improving NUE is an essential prerequisite for extending crop production to marginal lands where nutrient availability is low, but it is also a method for reducing the use of inorganic fertilizers.

[0039] Water-dispersible granules are defined as preparations that can be easily dispersed or dissolved when added to water to obtain a fine particle suspension.As described herein, "WG" or "WDG" refers to water-dispersible granules.Water-dispersible granules are formulated as small, easily measured granules (agglomerates of fine particles) by blending and agglomerating crushed solid active ingredients with surfactants and other drug ingredients that disperse into finer / primary particles when immersed in water.Water-dispersible granules can be obtained by spray drying or by extrusion process.

[0040] A mixture is defined as a combination of two or more substances that are not chemically integrated with each other. A homogeneous mixture is defined as one that has a uniform composition throughout the mixture. This is the type of mixture in which the composition is constant or the components that make up the mixture are uniformly distributed throughout the mixture.

[0041] The present invention relates to a composition for crop nutrition in the form of water-dispersible granules comprising a homogeneous mixture of an effective amount of one or more water-insoluble magnesium salts, complexes or derivatives thereof and one or more water-insoluble iron salts, complexes or derivatives thereof, together with at least one pesticidally acceptable excipient.

[0042] The water-dispersible granular composition of the present invention comprises 5% to 80% by weight of one or more water-insoluble magnesium salts, complexes, or derivatives thereof, 1% to 50% by weight of one or more water-insoluble iron salts, complexes, or derivatives thereof, and at least one pesticidally acceptable excipient, wherein the elemental iron is present in a range of 0.01% to 50% by weight of the total composition, and the elemental magnesium is present in a range of 0.1% to 50% by weight of the total composition. Furthermore, when added to water, the crop nutritional composition disperses into particles within a size range of 0.1 microns to 30 microns, exhibiting improved dispersibility and suspendability. In one embodiment, the pesticidal excipient is a surfactant.

[0043] The inventors have surprisingly found that the composition of the present invention, in the form of water-dispersible granules containing magnesium and iron together, is not only effective but also synergistic. The inventors have also noted that application of the composition results in greater and balanced uptake of nutrients.

[0044] It has been observed that surprising effects are noticed when the compositions of the present invention, which comprise a combination of water-insoluble salts, complexes, or derivatives of magnesium and iron in specific ratios, are formulated into a water-dispersible granular form with a specific particle size distribution.

[0045] Even more surprisingly, the present inventors have discovered that the composition of the present invention also addresses the difficulty in obtaining iron due to the presence of excess competing nutrients, such as phosphorus, in highly acidic soils caused by the long-term application of NPK fertilizers.The composition of the present invention not only facilitates the uptake of iron trapped in such soils, but also makes available other nutrients trapped in the soil.It has further been observed that the composition of the present invention prevents the leaching of these nutrients, making them available to the maximum extent possible for uptake by crops, and increasing overall yield.

[0046] According to some embodiments, the crop nutritional composition is in the form of water-dispersible granules, the granules of which are in the size range of 0.05 mm to 5.0 mm. According to some embodiments, the crop nutritional composition is in the form of water-dispersible granules, the granules of which are in the size range of 0.05 mm to 4.0 mm. According to some embodiments, the crop nutritional composition is in the form of water-dispersible granules, the granules of which are in the size range of 0.05 mm to 3.0 mm. Preferably, the crop nutritional composition is in the form of water-dispersible granules, the granules of which are in the size range of 0.05 mm to 2.5 mm. Preferably, the crop nutritional composition is in the form of water-dispersible granules, the granules of which are in the size range of 0.05 mm to 2 mm. Preferably, the crop nutritional composition is in the form of water-dispersible granules, the granules of which are in the size range of 0.05 mm to 1.5 mm. Preferably, the crop nutritional composition is in the form of water-dispersible granules, the granules of which are in the size range of 0.05 mm to 1 mm. More preferably, the crop nutritional composition is in the form of water dispersible granules, the granules being in the size range of 0.05 mm to 0.5 mm.

[0047] According to one embodiment, the crop nutrition composition in the form of water-dispersible granules disperses into particles within a size range of 0.1 microns to 30 microns when added to water, preferably within a size range of 0.1 microns to 25 microns, and more preferably within a size range of 0.1 microns to 20 microns. It has further been observed that when the composition of the present invention is formulated with a specific particle size of 0.1 microns to 30 microns, it makes the nutrients magnesium and iron readily available for plant uptake, increasing overall yield. Thus, it has been found that the particle size range of 0.1 microns to 30 microns for the crop nutrition composition is important not only from the standpoint of ease of application, but also from the standpoint of efficacy.

[0048] According to another embodiment, the crop nutritional composition of the present invention in the form of a water-dispersible granule comprises particles having a particle size distribution with a D50 of about 20 microns, more preferably the water-dispersible granule comprises particles having a particle size distribution with a D50 of about 10 microns.

[0049] According to one embodiment, the water-dispersible granular crop nutritional composition is in the form of microgranules, where the granules disperse into fine particles within the size range of 0.1 microns to 30 microns.

[0050] According to further embodiments, the water-insoluble iron salts include, but are not limited to, one or more of iron oxide, iron hydroxide, iron phosphate, iron fumarate, iron succinate, iron tartrate, iron sulfide, iron oxalate, iron carbonyl, iron sulfide, iron silicate, iron rust, limonite, and iron carbonate; complexes, derivatives, and mixtures thereof. Iron oxides include, but are not limited to, ferrous oxide (FeO), ferric oxide (FeO) or red iron oxide, and iron tetroxide (FeO) or black iron oxide. Iron hydroxides include, but are not limited to, ferric hydroxide, yellow iron oxide (FeOOH), iron hydroxide (Fe(OH)), iron(III) hydroxide, iron oxyhydroxide, and limonite. Iron phosphates include, but are not limited to, ferric phosphate, ferric phosphate dihydrate, ferric phosphate hydrate, and ferrous pyrophosphate. Iron fumarates include, but are not limited to, ferrous fumarate and ferric fumarate (Ferro). Iron succinates include, but are not limited to, ferrous succinate and iron(II) succinate salts, although one skilled in the art will recognize that other water-insoluble iron salts, complexes or derivatives thereof may be utilized without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0051] According to certain embodiments, the water-insoluble iron salt, complex, or derivative thereof comprises one or more iron-containing minerals selected from, but not limited to, iron ores including one or more of roaldite, taenite, wustite, magnetite, hematite, monosulfite, goethite, greigite, limonite, siderite, pyrite (marcasite), vernalite, and greenite. However, the above list of ores or minerals is exemplary and is not meant to limit the scope of the present invention.

[0052] According to certain embodiments, the water-insoluble iron salt, complex, derivative or mixture thereof is present in the range of 1% to 50% by weight of the total composition, wherein elemental iron is present in the range of 0.01% to 50% by weight of the total composition.

[0053] According to a further embodiment, the water-insoluble iron salt, complex, derivative or mixture thereof is present in the range of 1% to 50% by weight of the total composition, wherein elemental iron is present in the range of 0.01% to 45% by weight of the total composition.

[0054] According to some embodiments, the water-insoluble iron salt, complex, derivative, or mixture thereof is present in the range of 1% to 50% by weight of the total composition. According to some embodiments, the water-insoluble iron salt, complex, derivative, or mixture thereof is present in the range of 1% to 40% by weight of the total composition. According to some embodiments, the water-insoluble iron salt, complex, derivative, or mixture thereof is present in the range of 1% to 30% by weight of the total composition. According to some embodiments, the water-insoluble iron salt, complex, derivative, or mixture thereof is present in the range of 1% to 20% by weight of the total composition. According to some embodiments, the water-insoluble iron salt, complex, derivative, or mixture thereof is present in the range of 1% to 10% by weight of the total composition. According to some embodiments, the water-insoluble iron salt, complex, derivative, or mixture thereof is present in the range of 1% to 5% by weight of the total composition. According to some embodiments, the water-insoluble iron salt, complex, derivative, or mixture thereof is present in the range of 2% to 50% by weight of the total composition. According to some embodiments, the water-insoluble iron salt, complex, derivative, or mixture thereof is present in the range of 2% to 40% by weight of the total composition. According to some embodiments, the water-insoluble iron salt, complex, derivative, or mixture thereof is present in the range of 2% to 30% by weight of the total composition. According to some embodiments, the water-insoluble iron salt, complex, derivative, or mixture thereof is present in the range of 2% to 20% by weight of the total composition. According to some embodiments, the water-insoluble iron salt, complex, derivative, or mixture thereof is present in the range of 2% to 10% by weight of the total composition.

[0055] According to further embodiments, the water-insoluble magnesium salts include, but are not limited to, one or more of magnesium molybdate, magnesium hydroxide (milk of magnesia), calcium magnesium phosphate, magnesium triphosphate, magnesium carbonate, magnesium aluminum silicate, calcium magnesium silicate, magnesium trisilicate, magnesium phosphate, magnesium silicate, magnesium oxide, complexes or derivatives thereof. However, one skilled in the art will recognize that other water-insoluble magnesium salts, complexes, derivatives or mixtures thereof may be utilized without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0056] According to certain embodiments, the water-insoluble magnesium salt, complex, or derivative thereof comprises one or more magnesium-containing minerals selected from, but not limited to, magnesium ores including one or more of periclase, hydrotalcite, ceraite, serrite, pertsevite, suanite, magnesite, seiberite, and neighborite. However, the above list of ores or minerals is exemplary and is not meant to limit the scope of the present invention.

[0057] According to one embodiment, the water-insoluble magnesium salt, complex, derivative or mixture thereof is present in the range of 5% to 80% by weight of the total composition, wherein elemental magnesium is present in the range of 0.1% to 50% by weight of the total composition.

[0058] According to some embodiments, the magnesium salt, complex, derivative, or mixture thereof is present in the range of 5% to 80% by weight of the total composition. According to some embodiments, the magnesium salt, complex, derivative, or mixture thereof is present in the range of 5% to 70% by weight of the total composition. According to some embodiments, the magnesium salt, complex, derivative, or mixture thereof is present in the range of 5% to 60% by weight of the total composition. According to some embodiments, the magnesium salt, complex, derivative, or mixture thereof is present in the range of 5% to 50% by weight of the total composition. According to some embodiments, the magnesium salt, complex, derivative, or mixture thereof is present in the range of 5% to 40% by weight of the total composition. According to some embodiments, the magnesium salt, complex, derivative, or mixture thereof is present in the range of 5% to 30% by weight of the total composition. According to some embodiments, the magnesium salt, complex, derivative, or mixture thereof is present in the range of 5% to 20% by weight of the total composition. According to some embodiments, the magnesium salt, complex, derivative, or mixture thereof is present in the range of 5% to 10% by weight of the total composition.

[0059] According to another embodiment, a crop nutritional composition in the form of water-dispersible granules comprises a homogeneous mixture of one or more water-insoluble magnesium salts, complexes or derivatives thereof in the range of 5% to 80% by weight of the total composition, one or more water-insoluble iron salts, complexes or derivatives thereof in the range of 1% to 50% by weight of the total composition, and one or more surfactants in the range of 1% to 40% by weight of the total composition.

[0060] According to one embodiment, a crop nutritional composition in the form of a water-dispersible granule comprises a homogeneous mixture of one or more of magnesium oxide or magnesium silicate or magnesium carbonate or magnesium phosphate or magnesium hydroxide in the range of 5% to 80% by weight of the total composition and one or more of iron oxide or iron carbonate or iron silicate or iron hydroxide or iron phosphate in the range of 1% to 50% by weight of the total composition, together with one or more pesticidally acceptable excipients, wherein the composition comprises particles in the size range of 0.1 microns to 30 microns.

[0061] According to one embodiment, a crop nutritional composition in the form of a water-dispersible granule comprises a homogeneous mixture of one or more of magnesium oxide, magnesium silicate, magnesium carbonate, magnesium phosphate, or magnesium hydroxide in the range of 5% to 80% by weight of the total composition, one or more of iron oxide, iron carbonate, iron silicate, iron hydroxide, or iron phosphate in the range of 1% to 50% by weight of the total composition, and one or more surfactants in the range of 1% to 40% by weight of the total composition, wherein the composition comprises particles in the size range of 0.1 microns to 30 microns.

[0062] According to certain embodiments, the crop nutritional composition may further comprise at least one additional water-insoluble plant nutrient.

[0063] According to one embodiment, the additional water-insoluble plant nutrients are present in the range of 0.01% to 40% by weight of the total composition.

[0064] According to some embodiments, the crop nutritional composition lacks fertilizers composed primarily of alginic acid, urea, gypsum, phosphorus pentoxide, or sulfur, or other conventional fertilizers.

[0065] According to certain embodiments, the crop nutritional composition lacks water-insoluble zinc or manganese salts, their complexes or their derivatives.

[0066] According to one embodiment, a crop nutritional composition in the form of a water-dispersible granule comprises a homogeneous mixture of one or more water-insoluble magnesium salts, complexes or derivatives thereof in the range of 5% to 80% by weight of the total composition and one or more water-insoluble iron salts, complexes or derivatives thereof in the range of 1% to 50% by weight of the total composition, together with one or more pesticidally acceptable excipients, wherein the composition comprises particles in the size range of 0.1 microns to 30 microns, and the composition is devoid of one or more water-insoluble zinc salts or complexes or derivatives thereof.

[0067] According to some embodiments, the crop nutritional composition in the form of a water-dispersible granule contains at least one pesticidal excipient. According to further embodiments, the pesticidal excipient used in the water-dispersible granule formulation includes at least one wetting agent, surfactant, emulsifier, dispersant, hydrocolloid, binder or filler or carrier or diluent, disintegrant, buffer or pH adjuster or neutralizer, anti-foaming agent, anti-settling agent, anti-caking agent, penetrating agent, adhesive, tackifier, pigment, colorant, stabilizer, or mixtures thereof. According to some embodiments, the surfactant may include one or more of anionic, cationic, nonionic, amphoteric, and polymeric surfactants. According to some embodiments, the surfactant may include one or more of emulsifiers, wetting agents, and dispersants. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that additional pesticidal excipients may be utilized without departing from the scope of the present invention. Pesticidal excipients are commercially produced and available through various companies.

[0068] In some embodiments, the pesticide excipients are present in a concentration range of 0.01% to 94% by weight of the total composition. In some embodiments, the pesticide excipients are present in a concentration range of 0.01% to 90% by weight of the total composition. In some embodiments, the pesticide excipients are present in a concentration range of at least 94% by weight of the total composition. In some embodiments, the pesticide excipients are present in a concentration range of at least 92% by weight of the total composition. In some embodiments, the pesticide excipients are present in a concentration range of at least 90% by weight of the total composition. In some embodiments, the pesticide excipients are present in a concentration range of at least 75% by weight of the total composition. In some embodiments, the pesticide excipients are present in a concentration range of at least 55% by weight of the total composition. In some embodiments, the pesticide excipients are present in a concentration range of at least 35% by weight of the total composition. In some embodiments, the pesticide excipients are present in a concentration range of at least 25% by weight of the total composition. In some embodiments, the pesticide excipients are present in a concentration range of at least 15% by weight of the total composition. In some embodiments, the pesticide excipients are present in a concentration range of at least 5% by weight of the total composition. In some embodiments, the pesticide excipients are present in a concentration range of at least 1% by weight of the total composition. In some embodiments, the pesticide excipients are present in a concentration range of at least 0.1% by weight of the total composition.

[0069] According to some embodiments, the surfactants used in the crop nutritional composition include one or more of emulsifiers, wetting agents, and dispersing agents. According to some embodiments, the surfactants used in the composition include one or more of anionic, cationic, nonionic, amphoteric, and polymeric surfactants.

[0070] Anionic surfactants include salts of fatty acids, benzoates, polycarboxylates, salts of alkyl sulfates, alkyl ether sulfates, alkyl sulfates, alkylaryl sulfates, alkyl diglycol ether sulfates, salts of alcohol sulfates, alkyl sulfonates, alkylaryl sulfonates, aryl sulfonates, lignin sulfonates, alkyl diphenyl ether disulfonates, polystyrene sulfonates, salts of alkyl phosphates, alkylaryl phosphates, styrylaryl phosphates, and sulfonate docusates. Docusates), salts of polyoxyethylene alkyl ether sulfates, polyoxyethylene alkylaryl ether sulfates, alkyl sarcosinates, sodium alpha-olefin sulfonates, alkylbenzene sulfonates or their salts, sodium lauroyl sarcosinate, sulfosuccinates, polyacrylates, polyacrylates - free acid and sodium salts, salts of polyoxyethylene alkylaryl ether sulfates, polyoxyethylene alkyl ether phosphates, salts of polyoxyethylene alkylaryl phosphate esters, sulfosuccinates - mono- and other diesters, phosphate esters, alkylnaphthalenesulfonates - isopropyl and butyl derivatives, alkyl ether sulfates - sodium and ammonium salts;Alkyl aryl ether phosphates, ethylene oxide and its derivatives, salts of polyoxyethylene aryl ether phosphate esters, mono-alkyl sulfosuccinates, aromatic hydrocarbon sulfonates, 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid, ammonium lauryl sulfate, docusate salts, disodium cocoamphodiacetate, magnesium laureth sulfate, phospholipids, potassium lauryl sulfate, soap, soap substitutes, sodium alkyl sulfate, sodium dodecyl sulfate, sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate, sodium laurate, sodium laureth sulfate, sodium lauroyl sarcosinate The surfactants and / or surfactants may include, but are not limited to, one or more of sodium, myreth sulfate, sodium nonanoyloxybenzenesulfonate, alkyl carboxylates, sodium stearate, alpha olefin sulfonates, naphthalene sulfonates, alkyl naphthalene sulfonate fatty acid salts, naphthalene sulfonate condensates-sodium salts, fluorocarboxylates, fatty alcohol sulfates, alkyl naphthalene sulfonate condensates-sodium salts, naphthalene sulfonate condensates-sodium salts, salts of naphthalene sulfonic acid condensed with formaldehyde or alkyl naphthalene sulfonic acid condensed with formaldehyde, salts or derivatives thereof;

[0071] Nonionic surfactants include polyol esters, polyol fatty acid esters, polyethoxylated esters, polyethoxylated alcohols, ethoxylated and propoxylated fatty alcohols, ethoxylated and propoxylated alcohols, ethylene oxide (EO) / propylene oxide (PO) copolymers; EO and PO block copolymers, di- and tri-block copolymers; block copolymers of polyethylene glycol and polypropylene glycol, poloxamers, polysorbates, alkyl polysaccharides, such as alkyl polyglucosides and mixtures thereof, amine ethoxylates, sorbitan fatty acid esters, glycol and glycerol esters, glucosidyl alkyl ethers, sodium tallow fatty acids, polyoxyethylene glycols, sorbitan alkyl esters, sorbitan derivatives, fatty acid esters of sorbitan (spans) and their ethoxylated derivatives (tweens), and sucrose esters of fatty acids. Cocamide diethanolamine (DEA), cocamide monoethanolamine (MEA), decyl glucoside, decyl polyglucose, glycerol monostearate, lauryl glucoside, maltoside, monolaurin, narrow range ethoxylates, Nonidet P-40, nonoxynol-9, nonoxynol, octaethylene glycol monododecyl ether, N-octyl beta-D-thioglucopyranoside, octyl glucoside, oleyl alcohol, PEG-1 Sunflower Glycerides, Pentaethylene Glycol Monododecyl Ether, Polidocanol, Poloxamer, Poloxamer 407, Polyethoxylated Tallowamine, Polyglycerol Polyricinoleate, Polysorbate, Polysorbate 20, Polysorbate 80, Sorbitan, Sorbitan Monolaurate, Sorbitan Monostearate, Sorbitan Tristearate, Stearyl Alcohol, Surfactin, Glyceryl LaurateLaureate), lauryl glucoside, nonylphenol polyethoxyethanol, nonylphenol polyglycol ether, castor oil ethoxylate, polyglycol ether, polyadduct of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide, block copolymer of polyalkylene glycol ether and hydroxystearic acid, tributylphenoxypolyethoxyethanol, octylphenoxypolyethoxyethanol, eth-propoxylated tristyrylphenol, ethoxylated alcohol, polyoxyethylene sorbitan, fatty acid polyglyceride, fatty acid alcohol polyglycol ether, acetylene glycol, acetylene alcohol, oxyalkylene block polymer, polyoxyethylene alkyl ether, polyoxyethylene alkylaryl ether, polyoxyethylene styrylaryl ether, polyoxyethylene glycol alkyl ether, polyethylene glycol, polyoxyethylene fatty acid ester, polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid ester, polyoxyethylene Glycerin fatty acid esters, alcohol ethoxylates - C6 to C16 / 18 alcohols, linear and branched, alcohol alkoxylates - various hydrophobic substances and EO / PO content and ratio, fatty acid esters - mono and diesters; lauric, stearic and oleic acids; glycerol esters - with and without added EO; lauric, stearic, cocoa and tall oil derived, ethoxylated glycerin, sorbitan esters - with and without added EO; lauric Acid, stearic and oleic acid based; Mono and Triesters, Castor oil ethoxylates - 5 to 200 mole EO; Non-hydrogenated and hydrogenated, block polymers, Amine oxides - ethoxylated and non-ethoxylated; Alkyl dimethyl, fatty amine ethoxylates - coco, tallow, stearyl, oleylamine, polyoxyethylene hydrogenated castor oil or polyoxypropylene fatty acid esters, their salts or derivatives, gum arabic, karaya gum, ghatti gum (gum dhawada), larch gum, collagen (fish), welan gum, albizia gum, taro gum, Bhara gumgum), cashew gum, cordio gum, grewea gum, hakea gum, khaya gum, katila gum, kondagog gum, leucaena, seed gum, marva nut gum, mucuna gum, moringa gum, neem gum, and sesbanic gum.

[0072] Amphoteric or zwitterionic surfactants include, but are not limited to, one or more of betaine, coco and lauryl amidopropyl betaine, coco alkyl dimethyl amine oxide, alkyl dimethyl betaine, C8 to C18, alkyl dipropionate-sodium lauriminodipropionate, cocamidopropyl hydroxyl sulfobetaine, imidazoline, phospholipids phosphatidylserine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylcholine and sphingomyelin, lauryl dimethyl amine oxide, alkyl amphoacetates and propionates, alkyl ampho(di)acetates and di-propionates, lecithin and ethanolamine fatty amides, salts and derivatives thereof.

[0073] However, one skilled in the art will recognize that other conventional surfactants may be utilized without departing from the scope of the present invention. Surfactants are commercially produced and available through a variety of companies.

[0074] According to some embodiments, the surfactant is present in an amount of 0.1% to 40% w / w of the total composition. According to some embodiments, the surfactant is present in an amount of 0.1% to 30% w / w of the total composition. According to further embodiments, the surfactant is present in an amount of 0.1% to 20% w / w of the total composition. According to some embodiments, the surfactant is present in an amount of 0.1% to 10% w / w of the total composition.

[0075] According to certain embodiments, the dispersant used in the crop nutritional composition is selected from the group consisting of polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyvinyl alcohol, lignin sulfonates, phenol naphthalene sulfonates, alkali metal, alkaline earth metal and ammonium salts of lignosulfonic acid, lignin derivatives, dibutylnaphthalene-sulfonic acid, alkylaryl sulfonates, alkyl sulfates, alkyl sulfonates, fatty alcohol sulfates, fatty acid and sulfated fatty alcohol glycol ethers, polyoxyethylene alkyl ethers, dioctyl sulfosuccinate, lauryl sulfate, polyoxyethylene alkyl ether sulfates, polyoxyethylene styryl phenyl ether sulfate ester salts, and the like, alkali metal salts, ammonium salts or amine salts thereof, polyoxyethylene alkyl phenyl ethers, polyoxyethylene styryl phenyl ethers, polyoxyethylene alkyl esters, or polyoxyethylene sorbitan alkyl esters, mixtures of sodium salts of naphthalene sulfonate urea formaldehyde condensates and sodium salts of phenol sulfonate formaldehyde condensates, ethoxylated alkyl ethers, dioctyl sulfosuccinate, lauryl sulfate, polyoxyethylene alkyl ether sulfates, polyoxyethylene styryl phenyl ether sulfate ester salts, and the like, Phenol, ethoxylated fatty acids, alkoxylated linear alcohols, polycyclic aromatic sulfonates, sodium alkylarylsulfonates, glyceryl esters, ammonium salts of maleic anhydride copolymers, maleic anhydride copolymers, phosphate esters, condensation products of arylsulfonic acids and formaldehyde, addition products of ethylene oxide and fatty acid esters, salts of addition products of ethylene oxide and fatty acid esters, sodium salt of isodecyl sulfosuccinic acid half ester, polycarboxylates, sodium alkylbenzenesulfonates , sodium salts of sulfonated naphthalenes, ammonium salts of sulfonated naphthalenes, salts of polyacrylic acids, sodium salts of condensed phenolsulfonic acids and naphthalenesulfonate-formaldehyde condensates, sodium naphthalenesulfonate-formaldehyde condensates, tristyrylphenol ethoxylate phosphate esters, fatty alcohol ethoxylates, alkyl fatty acids, alkoxylated linear alcohols, polycyclic aromatic sulfonates, sodium alkylarylsulfonates, glyceryl esters, ammonium salts of maleic anhydride copolymers,The polyacrylic acid esters include, but are not limited to, one or more of maleic anhydride copolymers, phosphate esters, condensation products of aryl sulfonic acids and formaldehyde, addition products of ethylene oxide and fatty acid esters, salts of addition products of ethylene oxide and fatty acid esters, sodium salt of isodecyl sulfosuccinic acid half ester, polycarboxylates, sodium alkylbenzene sulfonates, sodium salts of sulfonated naphthalenes, ammonium salts of sulfonated naphthalenes, salts of polyacrylic acids, sodium salts of condensed phenol sulfonic acids and naphthalene sulfonate formaldehyde condensates, sodium naphthalene sulfonate formaldehyde condensates, tristyrylphenol ethoxylate phosphate esters, fatty alcohol ethoxylates, alkyl ethoxylates, EO-PO block copolymers, graft copolymers, ammonium salts of sulfonated naphthalenes, salts of polyacrylic acids, salts or derivatives thereof.

[0076] Commercially available dispersants include "Moluwet D425" (naphthalene sodium formaldehyde condensate, formerly Nouryon, USA), "Moluwet EFW" sulfated alkyl carboxylate and alkyl naphthalene sulfonate—sodium salt, "Tamol PP" (sodium salt of phenolsulfonic acid condensate), "Reax 80N" (sodium lignosulfonate), and "Wettol D1" sodium alkyl naphthalene sulfonate (formerly BASF). However, those skilled in the art will recognize that other conventionally known dispersants can be utilized without departing from the scope of the present invention. Dispersants are commercially manufactured and available through various companies.

[0077] According to some embodiments, hydrocolloids that can be used in the present invention include water-binding colloids of natural origin, including plant, animal, or microbial origin. Hydrocolloids used in organic agricultural compositions include one or more anionic, cationic, nonionic, amphoteric, or hydrophobic hydrocolloids. According to some embodiments, the hydrocolloids include one or more of gum arabic, karaya gum, ghatti gum (dawada gum), larch gum, collagen (fish), welan gum, albizia gum, tororo aoi gum, burra gum, cashew gum, cordio gum, greweed gum, hakea gum, khaya gum, katila gum, kondagogu gum, leucaena, seed gum, marva nut gum, mucuna gum, moringa gum, neem gum, sesbanic gum, or mixtures thereof. Preferably, the hydrocolloid is an anionic hydrocolloid selected from gum arabic, gum karaya, gum ghatti, gum neem, and gum moringa. However, the above list of hydrocolloids is exemplary and is not meant to limit the scope of the present invention.

[0078] In some embodiments, the hydrocolloid is present in an amount of 0.1% to 40% w / w of the total composition. In some embodiments, the hydrocolloid is present in an amount of 0.1% to 30% w / w of the total composition. In some embodiments, the hydrocolloid is present in an amount of 0.1% to 20% w / w of the total composition.

[0079] In some embodiments, the wetting agent used in the crop nutritional composition may include, but is not limited to, one or more of phenol naphthalene sulfonates, alkyl naphthalene sulfonates, sodium alkyl naphthalene sulfonates, sodium naphthalene sulfonates, sodium salts of sulfonated alkyl carboxylates, polyoxyalkylated ethylphenols, polyoxyethoxylated fatty alcohols, polyoxyethoxylated fatty amines, lignin derivatives, alkanesulfonates, alkyl benzene sulfonates, salts of polycarboxylic acids, salts of sulfosuccinic acid esters, alkyl polyglycol ether sulfonates, alkyl ether phosphates, alkyl ether sulfates, and alkyl sulfosuccinic acid monoesters, salts thereof, and derivatives thereof. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that other conventionally known wetting agents can be used without departing from the scope of the present invention. Wetting agents are commercially produced and available from various companies.

[0080] In some embodiments, the humectant is present in an amount of 0.1% to 30% w / w of the total composition. In some embodiments, the humectant is present in an amount of 0.1% to 20% w / w of the total composition. In some embodiments, the humectant is present in an amount of 0.1% to 10% w / w of the total composition.

[0081] Emulsifiers used in crop nutritional compositions include Atlas G5000, Termul 5429, Termul 2510, ECOTERIC®, EMULSOGEN® 118, Genapol® X, Genapol® OX-080, Genapol® C100, Emulsogen® EL200, Arlacel P135, Hypermer 8261, Hypermer B239, Hypermer B261, Hypermer B246sf, Other emulsifiers that may be used include, but are not limited to, one or more of Solutol HS15, Promulgen™ D, Soprofol 7961P, Soprofol TSP / 461, Soprofol TSP / 724, Cloduret 40, Etocasis 200, Etocasis 29, Rokacet R26, Chemonic OE-20, Triton™ N-101, Tween 20, 40, 60, 65, 80, Span 20, 40, 60, 80, 83, 85, 120, Brij®, and Triton™ Atrox 4912. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that other conventional emulsifiers may be utilized without departing from the scope of the present invention. Emulsifiers are commercially available and are available from various companies.

[0082] In some embodiments, the emulsifier is present in an amount of 0.1% to 40% w / w of the total composition. In some embodiments, the emulsifier is present in an amount of 0.1% to 30% w / w of the total composition. In some embodiments, the emulsifier is present in an amount of 0.1% to 20% w / w of the total composition.

[0083] According to some embodiments, disintegrants used in the crop nutritional compositions include, but are not limited to, inorganic water-soluble salts, such as sodium chloride and nitrates; water-soluble organic compounds, such as hydroxypropyl starch, carboxymethyl starch ether, microcrystalline cellulose, cross-linked sodium carboxymethylcellulose, calcium carboxymethylcellulose, sodium tripolyphosphate, sodium hexametaphosphate, cellulose powder, dextrin, methacrylate copolymers, Polyplasdone® XL-10 (cross-linked polyvinylpyrrolidone), sulfonated styrene-isobutylene-maleic anhydride copolymer, polyacrylate or methacrylate salts, starch-polyacrylonitrile graft copolymers, sodium or potassium bicarbonate / carbonate or their mixtures or salts with acids, such as citric acid and fumaric acid, or their salts and derivatives. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that different disintegrants can be used without departing from the scope of the present invention. Disintegrants are commercially available and are available from various companies.

[0084] According to some embodiments, the disintegrant is present in an amount of 0.1% to 20% w / w of the composition. According to some embodiments, the disintegrant is present in an amount of 0.1% to 10% w / w of the composition. According to some embodiments, the disintegrant is present in an amount of 0.1% to 5% w / w of the composition.

[0085] In some embodiments, the binder or binding agent used in the crop nutritional composition includes, but is not limited to, one or more of proteins, lipoproteins, glycoproteins, carbohydrates, including monosaccharides, disaccharides, oligosaccharides, and polysaccharides, complex organic substances, lignin sulfonates, polyvinylpyrrolidone, synthetic organic polymers, or derivatives and combinations thereof. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that different binders can be used without departing from the scope of the present invention. Binders are commercially produced and available through various companies.

[0086] According to further embodiments, the binding agent is present in an amount of 0.1% to 30% w / w of the composition. According to further embodiments, the binding agent is present in an amount of 0.1% to 20% w / w of the composition. According to further embodiments, the binding agent is present in an amount of 0.1% to 10% w / w of the composition.

[0087] In some embodiments, the carrier used in the plant nutrition composition includes, but is not limited to, one or more of a solid carrier, a filler, or a diluent. In other embodiments, the carrier includes a mineral carrier, a plant carrier, a synthetic carrier, or a water-soluble carrier. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that different carriers can be used without departing from the scope of the present invention. Carriers are commercially manufactured and available through various companies.

[0088] Solid carriers include clays such as china clay, acid clay, kaolins such as kaolinite, dickite, nakurite, and halloysite, serpentinite such as chrysotile, lizardite, antigorite, and amethyst, synthetic and diatomaceous silica, montmorillonite minerals such as sodium montmorillonite, smectites such as saponite, hectorite, sauconite, and hydrite, micas such as pyrophyllite, talc, pyrophyllite, muscovite, phengite, sericite, and illite, silicas such as cristobalite and quartz such as attapulgite and sepiolite, vermiculiaponite, pumice, bauxite, hydrated alginate, and the like. These include natural minerals such as mina, perlite, sodium bicarbonate, volclay, limestone, natural and synthetic silicates, charcoal, silica, wet-process silica, dry-process silica, calcined products of wet-process silica, surface-modified silica, mica, zeolite, diatomaceous earth, its derivatives, chalk (Omya®), fuller's earth, loess, Mirabilite, white carbon, hydrated lime, synthetic silicic acid, starch, modified starch (Pineflow, available from Matsutani Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.), cellulose, plant carriers, such as cellulose, rice hulls, wheat flour, wood flour, starch, rice bran, wheat bran, and soy flour, sodium caseinate, sucrose, sodium salt, potassium pyrophosphate, sodium tripolyphosphate, or derivatives or mixtures thereof. Commercially available silicates are under the Aerosil trademark, the Sipernat trademarks as Sipernat® 50S and CALFLO E, and kaolin 1777. However, one skilled in the art will recognize that different solid supports can be utilized without departing from the scope of the present invention. Solid supports are commercially manufactured and available through a variety of companies.

[0089] According to some embodiments, the carrier is present in an amount of 0.1% to 94% w / w of the composition. According to further embodiments, the carrier is present in an amount of 0.1% to 80% w / w of the composition. According to further embodiments, the carrier is present in an amount of 0.1% to 60% w / w of the composition. According to further embodiments, the carrier is present in an amount of 0.1% to 40% w / w of the composition. According to further embodiments, the carrier is present in an amount of 0.1% to 20% w / w of the composition.

[0090] According to some embodiments, anti-foaming or defoaming agents used in the crop nutritional compositions include, but are not limited to, one or more of silica, siloxane, silicon dioxide, polydimethylsiloxane, alkyl polyacrylate, ethylene oxide / propylene oxide copolymer, polyethylene glycol, silicone oil, and magnesium stearate or derivatives thereof. Preferred anti-foaming agents include silicone emulsions (e.g., Silicon® SRE from Rhodia, Wacker, or Rhodorsil®), long-chain alcohols, fatty acids, and fluorine-containing organic compounds. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that other conventional anti-foaming agents can be utilized without departing from the scope of the present invention. Anti-foaming agents are commercially available and are available from various companies.

[0091] According to one embodiment, the anti-foaming agent is present in an amount of 0.01% to 20% w / w of the total composition.

[0092] According to certain embodiments, the pH adjusters, buffers, or neutralizers used in the compositions include both organic and inorganic acids and bases, as well as mixtures thereof. According to further embodiments, the pH adjusters, buffers, or neutralizers include, but are not limited to, one or more of organic acids, inorganic acids, and alkali metal compounds or their salts or derivatives. According to certain embodiments, organic acids include, but are not limited to, citric acid, malic acid, adipic acid, fumaric acid, maleic acid, succinic acid, and tartaric acid, or salts or derivatives thereof, as well as one or more of the mono-, di-, or tribasic salts of these acids or their derivatives. Alkali metal compounds include, but are not limited to, one or more of alkali metal hydroxides, such as sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide; alkali metal carbonates, such as sodium carbonate; alkali metal bicarbonates, such as sodium bicarbonate; and alkali metal phosphates, such as sodium phosphate, as well as mixtures thereof. According to certain embodiments, the salt of an inorganic acid includes, but is not limited to, one or more alkali metal salts, such as sodium chloride, potassium chloride, sodium nitrate, potassium nitrate, sodium sulfate, potassium sulfate, sodium monohydrogen phosphate, potassium monohydrogen phosphate, sodium dihydrogen phosphate, potassium dihydrogen phosphate, etc. Mixtures can also be used to create pH adjusters, buffers, or neutralizers. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that other conventionally known pH adjusters, buffers, or neutralizers can be utilized without departing from the scope of the present invention. pH adjusters, buffers, or neutralizers are commercially manufactured and available through various companies.

[0093] According to some embodiments, the pH adjusting or buffering agent is present in an amount of 0.01% to 20% w / w of the total composition. According to some embodiments, the pH adjusting or buffering agent is present in an amount of 0.01% to 10% w / w of the total composition. According to some embodiments, the pH adjusting or buffering agent is present in an amount of 0.01% to 5% w / w of the total composition. According to some embodiments, the pH adjusting or buffering agent is present in an amount of 0.01% to 1% w / w of the total composition.

[0094] In some embodiments, the spreading agent used in the composition includes, but is not limited to, one or more of copolymers of maleic acid and styrene compounds, (meth)acrylic acid copolymers, half esters of polymers of polyhydric alcohols with dicarboxylic acid anhydrides, water-soluble salts of polystyrene sulfonic acid, fatty acids, latex, fatty alcohols, vegetable oils, such as cottonseed oil, mineral oil, petroleum distillates, modified trisiloxanes, polyglycols, polyethers, clatharates, or salts or derivatives thereof. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that other conventional spreading agents can be utilized without departing from the scope of the present invention. Spreading agents are commercially available and are available through various companies.

[0095] In some embodiments, the spreading agent is present in an amount of 0.01% to 20% w / w of the total composition. In some embodiments, the spreading agent is present in an amount of 0.01% to 5% w / w of the total composition.

[0096] According to certain embodiments, the binder used in the composition includes, but is not limited to, one or more of paraffin, polyamide resin, polyacrylate, polyoxyethylene, wax, polyvinyl alkyl ether, alkylphenol-formalin condensate, fatty acid, latex, polyvinylpyrrolidone, fatty alcohol, gum (e.g., xanthan gum, ghati gum, gum arabic, etc.), vegetable oil (e.g., cottonseed oil), or mineral oil, petroleum distillate, modified trisiloxane, polyglycol, polyether, clathrate, synthetic resin emulsion, or salts or derivatives thereof. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that other conventional binders can be utilized without departing from the scope of the present invention. The binders are commercially produced and available through various companies.

[0097] According to some embodiments, the binder is present in an amount of 0.01% to 30% w / w of the total composition. According to some embodiments, the binder is present in an amount of 0.01% to 15% w / w of the total composition.

[0098] The inventors have further determined that the compositions of the present invention surprisingly have enhanced physical properties such as dispersibility, suspendability, and wetting time, providing ease of handling and also reducing material loss during handling of the product during packaging and field application.

[0099] The dispersibility of the water-dispersible granular compositions of the present application can be determined as per the standard CIPAC test, MT174. According to some embodiments, the water-dispersible granular composition has a dispersibility of at least 30%. According to some embodiments, the water-dispersible granular composition has a dispersibility of at least 40%. According to some embodiments, the water-dispersible granular composition has a dispersibility of at least 50%.

[0100] According to some embodiments, the water-dispersible granular composition has a dispersibility of at least 60%. According to some embodiments, the water-dispersible granular composition has a dispersibility of at least 70%. According to some embodiments, the water-dispersible granular composition has a dispersibility of at least 80%. According to some embodiments, the water-dispersible granular composition has a dispersibility of at least 90%. According to some embodiments, the water-dispersible granular composition has a dispersibility of at least 99%. According to some embodiments, the water-dispersible granular composition has a dispersibility of 100%. Upon contact with water, the compositions of the present invention disperse uniformly into finer particles within the size range of 0.1 microns to 30 microns.

[0101] According to certain embodiments, crop nutritional compositions in the form of water-dispersible granules exhibit almost instantaneous dispersion, thus making the active materials readily available to the crop.

[0102] Suspensionability is defined as the amount of active ingredient suspended after a given time in a column of liquid of a specified height, expressed as a percentage of the amount of active ingredient in the original suspension. The test for suspensionability is performed as per the CIPAC Handbook, "MT 184 Test for Suspensionability".

[0103] According to some embodiments, the compositions of the present invention have a suspendability of at least 30%. According to some embodiments, the compositions have a suspendability of at least 40%. According to some embodiments, the compositions have a suspendability of at least 50%. According to some embodiments, the compositions have a suspendability of at least 60%. According to some embodiments, the compositions have a suspendability of at least 70%. According to some embodiments, the compositions have a suspendability of at least 80%. According to some embodiments, the compositions have a suspendability of at least 90%. According to some embodiments, the compositions have a suspendability of at least 99%. According to some embodiments, the pesticidal compositions have a suspendability of 100%.

[0104] According to some embodiments, the compositions of the present invention demonstrate excellent stability in terms of suspendability under accelerated storage conditions (ATS). According to some embodiments, the compositions demonstrate greater than 90% suspendability under ATS. According to some embodiments, the compositions demonstrate greater than 80% suspendability under ATS. According to some embodiments, the compositions demonstrate greater than 70% suspendability under ATS. According to some embodiments, the compositions demonstrate greater than 60% suspendability under ATS. According to some embodiments, the compositions demonstrate greater than 50% suspendability under ATS. According to some embodiments, the compositions demonstrate greater than 40% suspendability under ATS. According to some embodiments, the compositions demonstrate greater than 30% suspendability under ATS.

[0105] According to some embodiments, the compositions of the present invention demonstrate greater than 90% dispersibility under ATS. According to some embodiments, the compositions demonstrate greater than 80% dispersibility under ATS. According to some embodiments, the compositions demonstrate greater than 70% dispersibility under ATS. According to some embodiments, the compositions demonstrate greater than 60% dispersibility under ATS. According to some embodiments, the compositions demonstrate greater than 50% dispersibility under ATS. According to some embodiments, the compositions demonstrate greater than 40% dispersibility under ATS. According to some embodiments, the compositions demonstrate greater than 30% dispersibility under ATS.

[0106] According to some embodiments, the compositions of the present invention demonstrate excellent stability against heat, light, temperature, and solidification. According to some embodiments, the compositions exhibit stability for at least 3 years. According to further embodiments, the compositions exhibit stability for at least 2 years. According to further embodiments, the compositions exhibit stability for at least 1 year. According to further embodiments, the compositions exhibit stability for at least 6 months.

[0107] In one embodiment, the present invention relates to a process for preparing a crop nutritional composition in the form of water-dispersible granules comprising a homogeneous mixture of an effective amount of one or more water-insoluble magnesium salts, complexes or derivatives thereof, and an effective amount of one or more water-insoluble iron salts, complexes or derivatives thereof, together with at least one pesticidally acceptable excipient.

[0108] In a further embodiment, the present invention relates to a process for preparing a crop nutritional composition in the form of a water-dispersible granular composition comprising a homogeneous mixture of one or more water-insoluble magnesium salts, complexes or derivatives thereof, in the range of 5% to 80% w / w of the total composition, and one or more water-insoluble iron salts, complexes or derivatives thereof, in the range of 1% to 50% w / w of the total composition, together with at least one pesticidally acceptable excipient, wherein the elemental iron is present in the range of 0.01% to 50% by weight of the total composition, the elemental magnesium is present in the range of 0.1% to 50% by weight of the total composition, and the granules of the composition are comprised of particles in the size range of 0.1 microns to 30 microns.

[0109] Crop nutrition compositions in the form of water-dispersible granules are prepared by a variety of techniques, such as spray drying, fluidized bed granulation, extrusion, freeze-drying, spheronization, and the like.

[0110] According to one embodiment, a process for preparing a water-dispersible granular composition involves milling a homogeneous mixture of one or more water-insoluble iron salts, complexes, or derivatives thereof, and one or more water-insoluble magnesium salts, complexes, or derivatives thereof, together with at least one pesticidally acceptable excipient, to obtain a slurry or wet mix in water. The resulting slurry is then dried, for example, in a spray dryer, fluidized bed dryer, or any suitable granulation equipment, to obtain water-dispersible granules containing particles in the size range of 0.1 microns to 30 microns. The water-dispersible granules are further sieved to remove undersized and oversized granules and obtain the desired size.

[0111] According to another embodiment, a crop nutritional composition in the form of water-dispersible granules can be prepared by dry-milling a homogeneous mixture of one or more water-insoluble iron salts, their complexes, or derivatives, and one or more water-insoluble magnesium salts, their complexes, or derivatives, together with at least one pesticidally acceptable excipient, in an air mill or jet mill to obtain a homogeneous mixture with a fine particle size. Water is added to the dry powder, and the mixture is blended to obtain a dough, paste, or wet mix, which is then extruded through an extruder to obtain granules containing particles in the size range of 0.1 microns to 30 microns. The water-dispersible granules can be further sieved to remove undersized and oversized granules and obtain the desired size.

[0112] According to certain embodiments, the present invention further relates to the use of the crop nutritional composition as at least one of a nutrient composition, a crop supplement composition, a soil conditioner composition, a crop protection and yield enhancer composition.

[0113] In certain embodiments, the present invention further relates to a method for improving plant health or yield, comprising treating at least one of a plant, plant propagation material, location or plant part, seed, seedling; or surrounding soil with a water-dispersible granular composition of the present invention.

[0114] In certain embodiments, the present invention also relates to a method of applying an effective amount of a crop nutritional composition in the form of water-dispersible granules comprising a homogeneous mixture of 5% to 80% by weight of one or more water-insoluble magnesium salts, complexes, or derivatives thereof, 1% to 50% by weight of one or more water-insoluble iron salts, complexes, or derivatives thereof, and 0.01% to 94% by weight of a pesticidally acceptable excipient, wherein the elemental iron is present in the range of 0.01% to 50% by weight of the total composition, the elemental magnesium is present in the range of 0.1% to 50% by weight of the total composition, and the granules of the composition are comprised of particles in the size range of 0.1 microns to 30 microns, and the composition is applied to seeds, seedlings, crop plants, plants, plant propagation material, locus, plant part, or the surrounding soil.

[0115] The present invention further assists in providing a balanced uptake of all nutrients, improving crop health, improving crop nutrition by facilitating the uptake of essential nutrients, protecting crops, enhancing crop yield, strengthening plants, or preparing the soil.

[0116] The composition of the present invention satisfies the nutritional needs of plants by providing balanced uptake of essential nutrients such as iron and magnesium, thus overcoming the problem of providing nutrient-rich crops or nutrient-efficient compositions by changing the soil pH, which is known to present an antagonistic challenge to the uptake of these nutrients.It was even more surprising to observe that balanced nutrient uptake leads to healthier plants that can withstand disease or pest infestation, higher nutrient yields in all types of soil, and ultimately improves overall soil health.The composition of the present invention acts as a nutrient-efficient composition while satisfying crop needs by providing a multi-nutrient solution with improved uptake by crops in a single application.

[0117] The composition of the present invention can be applied by various methods.The method of applying to soil includes any suitable method that ensures that the composition penetrates into the soil, such as seedling tray application, furrow application, drip irrigation, sprinkler irrigation, soil drench, soil injection or incorporation into the soil and other such methods.The composition can also be applied in the form of foliar spray.

[0118] The rate or dose of application of the composition will depend on the type of use, the type of crop, or the specific active ingredients in the composition, but will be such that the active ingredients are in an effective amount to provide the desired effect, such as crop protection, crop yield, and nutrient uptake. [Example]

[0119] A. Preparation example: The following examples illustrate the basic methodology and versatility of the compositions of the present invention. The sources of iron and magnesium are exemplified in the preparation examples, and can be replaced by any other water-insoluble salts, their complexes, or derivatives as described in the present invention, varying the claimed concentration ranges, respectively. It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to these examples.

[0120] [Water-dispersible granular composition of magnesium salt and iron salt] 1. A water-dispersible granular composition of 17% iron oxide (12% elemental iron) and 54.5% magnesium silicate (9.5% elemental magnesium). A water-dispersible granular composition was prepared by blending or mixing 17 parts iron oxide, 54.5 parts magnesium silicate, 3.5 parts naphthalene sulfonate condensate, 8 parts lignin sulfonate, 7 parts sodium lignosulfonate, 5 parts kaolin, and 5 parts sodium citrate to obtain a blend. The resulting blend was milled to obtain a powder of less than 15 microns in size. The powder was mixed with water in a suitable mixing device to form a slurry.

[0121] The resulting slurry was wet-milled in a suitable wet-milling equipment. The resulting wet-milled slurry was spray-dried at an inlet temperature of less than 175°C and an outlet temperature of less than 90°C to produce granules. The composition has a particle size distribution D50 of less than 5.5 microns. The granule size of the composition is in the range of 0.1-1.5 mm. The composition has a dispersibility of 70%, a suspendibility of 65%, and a wettability of less than 25 seconds. The composition further demonstrated approximately 60% suspendability, 65% dispersibility, and a wettability of 30 seconds under accelerated storage conditions.

[0122] <2. Water-dispersible granular composition of 40% iron silicate (13.4% elemental iron) and 40% magnesium carbonate (11.5% elemental magnesium)> A water-dispersible composition is prepared as in Example 1 by combining 40 parts magnesium carbonate, 40 parts iron silicate, 6 parts sodium naphthalene sulfonate condensate salt, 4 parts sodium polycarboxylate, and 10 parts talc. The composition has a particle size distribution D50 of less than 6.3 microns. The granule size of the composition is in the range of 0.1 to 2 mm. The composition has 85% dispersibility, 80% suspendability, and a wettability of less than 20 seconds. The composition further demonstrated approximately 75% suspendability and 81% dispersibility with a wettability of 25 seconds under accelerated storage conditions.

[0123] <3. A water-dispersible granular composition of 5% ferrous silicate (1.6% elemental iron) and 80% magnesium oxide (48% elemental magnesium)> A water-dispersible composition is prepared as in Example 1 by mixing 5 parts ferrous silicate, 80 parts magnesium oxide, 6 parts Gelopon T77, 4 parts ghatti gum, and 5 parts fulvic acid. The composition has a particle size distribution D50 of less than 9.5 microns. The granule size of the composition is in the range of 0.1-2.0 mm. The composition has a dispersibility of 79%, a suspendibility of 80%, and a wettability of less than 15 seconds. The composition further demonstrated approximately 76% suspendability and 70% dispersibility, with a wettability of 20 seconds under accelerated storage conditions.

[0124] <4. A water-dispersible granular composition of 25% ferric oxide (17.4% elemental iron) and 35% magnesium oxide (21.11% elemental magnesium)> A water-dispersible composition was prepared as in Example 1 by combining 25 parts ferric oxide, 35 parts magnesium oxide, 15 parts sodium alkylbenzene sulfonate, 15 parts sodium salt of naphthalene sulfonate condensate, 8 parts sodium salt of polycarboxylic acid, and 2 parts silica. The composition had the following particle size distribution: D50 less than 12 microns. The granule size of the composition was in the range of 0.1 to 2.5 mm. The composition had a dispersibility of 78%, a suspendability of 75%, and a wettability of less than 25 seconds. The composition further demonstrated a suspendability of about 68%, a dispersibility of about 73%, and a wettability of about 20 seconds under accelerated storage conditions.

[0125] <5. A water-dispersible granular composition containing 2% iron phosphate (0.74% elemental iron) and 75% magnesium phosphate (20.6% elemental magnesium)> A water-dispersible composition is prepared by extrusion by blending 75 parts magnesium phosphate, 2 parts iron phosphate, 4 parts gum arabic, 12 parts fulvic acid, and 7 parts Stepsperse DF200. The composition has a particle size distribution D50 of less than 20 microns. The granule size of the composition is in the range of 0.1 to 3.5 mm. The composition has a dispersibility of 65%, a suspendibility of 50%, and a wettability of less than 30 seconds. The composition further demonstrated approximately 45% suspendability, 60% dispersibility, and a wettability of 32 seconds under accelerated storage conditions.

[0126] B. Field Survey: Experiment No. 1: To study the effect of water-dispersible granules of water-insoluble magnesium salts and water-insoluble iron salts on peanut crops. A field trial was conducted in Jalgaon, Maharashtra to evaluate embodiments of the composition of the present invention on groundnut crop, variety BG1. The trial was conducted in a randomized block design (RBD) with seven treatments, including an untreated control, replicated four times. A plot size of 35 square meters (7 m x 5 m) was maintained for each treatment. Test nutrient compositions with various iron and magnesium salts alone and their combinations in water-dispersible granules, varying in concentration and salt, were applied at the stated doses as root applications at the time of sowing of the groundnut crop. The active doses mentioned in the field experiments include doses of elemental iron (Fe) and elemental magnesium (Mg).

[0127] The details of the experiment are as follows. a) Trial location: Jalgaon, Maharashtra b) Crop: Peanut (BG-1) c) Experimental season: Rabi 2022 d) Trial design: Randomized block method e) Iterations: 4 f) Processing: 7 g) Plot size: 7m x 5m = 35 square meters h) Applicable date: 11.01.2022 i) Sowing date: 11.01.2022 j) Application method: stock origin k) Harvest date: 16.04.2022 l) Soil pH: 7.3

[0128] Observations were recorded at harvest and average data is presented in Table 1, listing the efficacy of water-dispersible granules of "water-insoluble magnesium salt and water-insoluble iron salt" prepared according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0129] [Table 1]

[0130] "Synergism" is as defined by Colby SR in his article entitled "Calculation of the synergistic and antagonistic responses of herbicide combinations," published in Weeds, 1967, 15, pp. 20-22. The expected effect of a given combination of two active ingredients can be calculated as follows: E=X+Y-(XY) / 100 During the ceremony, E = expected effect in % of a mixture of two products X and Y at a defined dose X = % observed effect of product A Y = % observed effect of product B

[0131] The synergy factor (SF) is calculated by Abbott's formula (Equation (2) (Abbott, 1925)). SF = observed effect / expected effect In the formula, SF>1 for a synergistic reaction; SF<1 for an antagonistic reaction; SF=1 for an additive reaction.

[0132] If the percentage yield effect (E) observed for the combination is greater than the expected percentage, a synergistic effect of the combination can be inferred. If the percentage yield effect observed for the combination is equal to the expected percentage, an additive effect can only be inferred, and if the percentage yield effect observed for the combination is lower than the expected percentage, an antagonistic effect of the combination can be inferred.

[0133] From the observed data in Table 1, it can be concluded that compositions T1, T4, T7 and T10 as embodiments of the present invention demonstrate synergistic behavior.

[0134] From Table 1, for treatments T1 and T4 as per embodiments of the present invention, the synergistic factors of 1.52 and 1.82 depict the synergistic nature of the WDG compositions of "iron oxide + magnesium silicate" and "iron carbonate + magnesium oxide," respectively. This synergistic behavior of "water-insoluble iron salt plus water-insoluble magnesium salt" in the form of WDG as per embodiments of the present invention can be observed from the yield of peanut kernels.

[0135] Based on the data and calculations made, the expected percentage increase in groundnut kernel yield was found to be 17.21% and 21.81% for treatments T1 and T4 respectively. However, from Table 1 above, it is clearly seen that treatment T4 with 40% iron carbonate and 20% magnesium oxide WDG resulted in a yield increase of 39.74% while treatments T5 with 40% iron carbonate WDG and T6 with 20% magnesium oxide WDG depicted a yield of only 8.97% and 14.10% respectively.

[0136] Thus, treatments T1 and T4 with water-dispersible granules according to an embodiment of the present invention demonstrated a synergistic effect compared to treatments with the individual active substances. The results are even more surprising when treatments T1-T3 and T4-T6 were all applied to the soil with the same doses of iron and magnesium salts, i.e., 453 g / ha iron, 324 g / ha magnesium, 657 g / ha iron, and 411 g / ha magnesium, respectively.

[0137] It can further be seen from Table 1 that treatments T1 and T14 with compositions according to embodiments of the present invention showed a surprising uptake of nutrients such as magnesium and iron compared to treatments T2-T3, T5-T6 (iron and magnesium salts used individually), even when these active substances were applied at the same dosage application in each treatment. Thus, the combination of "water-insoluble magnesium salt plus water-insoluble iron" in the form of water-dispersible granules according to embodiments of the present invention was synergistic in nature and showed a surprising enhancement in yield and improvement of plant physiological parameters such as increased plant height and number of pods per plant compared to treatments with individual application of the active substances.

[0138] Apart from the water-insoluble iron and magnesium salts listed in Table 1 above, it has also been observed that other water-insoluble iron and magnesium salts as claimed in the present application exhibit synergistic effects with the compositions as embodiments of the present invention in the concentration ranges claimed in the present invention. Thus, the compositions of the present invention in the form of water-dispersible granular compositions have been found to be compositions with high nutrient utilization efficiency.

[0139] Experiment No. 2: To study the effect of water-dispersible granules of water-insoluble magnesium salts and water-insoluble iron salts on chilli crops. The trial was conducted during the kharif season in a randomized block design (RBD) with seven treatments, including an untreated control, replicated four times. A plot size of 40 square meters (8m x 5m) was maintained for each treatment. The compositions tested included different formulations including iron salts, magnesium salts alone, and a combination of iron and magnesium salts, where the iron and magnesium salts were applied at the same dose in each treatment. Chili crops at the trial site were grown in accordance with good agricultural practice. Chili seedlings were used in the study and were planted at a spacing of 75cm between rows and 45cm between plants. The experimental details are as follows:

[0140] (Experiment details) a) Trial location: Nashik (Maharashtra) b) Crop: Chili pepper (variety Kiran) c) Experimental Season: Kharif 2021 d) Trial design: Randomized block method e) Iterations: 4 f) Processing: 7 g) Plot size: 8m x 5m = 40 square meters h) Applicable date: 06.08.2021 i) Application method: Targeted spot application to the root zone per plant j) Porting date: 06.08.2021 k) Picking date: 14.02.2022, 25.02.2022, 04.03.2022

[0141] The average data of all observations is presented in Table 2 to illustrate the effect of a combination of a water-insoluble salt of iron and a water-insoluble salt of magnesium in a water-dispersible granular form according to an embodiment of the present invention on yield and other parameters of chili peppers.

[0142] [Table 2]

[0143] From the observed data in Table 2, it can be concluded that treatments T3 and T6 as per embodiments of the present invention demonstrate synergistic behavior.

[0144] Based on the data and calculations made, the expected percentage increase in chili pepper yield was found to be 16.47% and 11.12% for treatments T3 and T6, respectively. However, from Table 2 above, treatment T3 with 5% ferrous silicate (1.64% elemental iron) + 80% magnesium oxide (48.2% elemental magnesium) WDG as per an embodiment of the present invention

[0145] It can be clearly seen that treatment T1 with 5% ferrous silicate WDG and treatment T2 with 80% magnesium oxide WDG showed a yield increase of 6.07% and 11.07%, respectively, in tomatoes, whereas treatment T6 with 5% ferrous silicate WDG and treatment T2 with 80% magnesium oxide WDG showed a yield increase of 27.86% in tomatoes. Similarly, treatment T6 as an embodiment of the present invention depicted a better yield compared to treatments T4 and T5 individually.

[0146] Table 2 also depicts that percent control against anthracnose (a fungal disease) was best observed for treatments T3 and T6 compared to treatments T1-T2, T4-T5, and T7, respectively. For example, treatment T3, prepared as per an embodiment of the present invention, exhibited approximately 59% pest control, while treatments T1 and T2 depicted 27% and 30% disease control, respectively.

[0147] It is therefore notable that superior efficacy in terms of yield and disease control was observed for the synergistic water dispersible granular formulation as per the present invention, wherein the composition contained particles in the size range of 0.1 microns to 30 microns, compared to the individual treatments and the untreated one.

[0148] Experiment No. 3: To evaluate the efficacy of different formulations of water-insoluble iron salts plus water-insoluble magnesium salts in commercially cultivated tomato crops. Field Experiment Methodology: The trial was conducted during the kharif season in a randomized block design (RBD) with seven treatments, including an untreated control, replicated four times. A plot size of 40 square meters (8 m x 5 m) was maintained for each treatment. The compositions tested included different formulations, including iron salts, magnesium salts alone, and a combination of iron and magnesium salts, where the iron and magnesium salts were applied at the same dose in each treatment. The compositions were applied via a side row / furrow arrangement just before the flowering stage of the tomato crop. Tomato crops at the trial site were grown in accordance with good agricultural practice. Seeds of the Abhinav tomato variety were used in the study and planted at a plant spacing of 75 cm between rows and 45 cm between plants.

[0149] The details of the experiment are as follows. (Experiment details) a) Trial location: Anand, Gujarat b) Crop: Tomato (variety Abhinav) c) Experimental Season: Kharif 2021 d) Trial design: Randomized block method e) Iterations: 4 f) Processing: 7 g) Plot size: 8m x 5m = 40 square meters h) Applicable date: 16.08.2021 i) Application method: Targeted spot application to the root zone per plant j) Porting date: 16.08.2021 k) Picking date: 10.12.2021, 21.12.2021, 15.01.2022 l) pH: 7.5

[0150] [Table 3]

[0151] From Table 3 above, it can be clearly seen that treatment T3 with 10% iron oxide (7.773% elemental iron) + 52.5% magnesium carbonate (15.13% elemental magnesium) WDG as an embodiment of the present invention demonstrated a 42% yield increase in tomatoes. However, treatment T1 with 10% iron oxide + 52.5% magnesium carbonate-SC (as in the prior art) demonstrated only a 10% increase, treatment T2 with 10% iron oxide + 52.5% magnesium carbonate powder demonstrated a 14.0% increase, while treatment T4 with 10% iron oxide + 52.5% magnesium carbonate pellets demonstrated a 13.60% increase. Referring to treatments T5-T6, based on the data and calculations made, the expected percentage increase in fruit yield was 15.87%. Thus, it can be noted that treatment T3 - WDG as per the present invention demonstrated a synergistic effect compared to the same treatments with a powder composition, i.e., treatment T2, a pellet composition, i.e., treatment T4, and individual active substance applications, i.e., treatments T5-T6, despite being applied at the same doses of iron and magnesium, respectively. Moreover, treatment T3 also demonstrated better yield than treatment T1 (the prior art composition). The results were even more surprising when treatments T1 to T6 were all applied to the soil at the same doses of iron and magnesium, i.e., 256.55 g / ha iron and 499 g / ha magnesium.

[0152] It is therefore notable that the composition of a "water-insoluble iron salt and a water-insoluble magnesium salt" in the form of a water-dispersible granule according to an embodiment of the present invention is synergistic in nature and has shown a surprising enhancement in yield and improvement in plant physiological parameters compared to other known formulation types.

[0153] Experiment No. 4: Evaluating the effect of particle size distribution in WDG containing ferric oxide and magnesium oxide on eggplant yield. A field trial was conducted in West Bengal to observe the effect of different range of particle sizes for Ferric Oxide + Magnesium Oxide composition-WDG on the yield of brinjal.

[0154] The trial was conducted during the rabi season, i.e., January to April, in a randomized block design (RBD) with three treatments, including an untreated control, replicated seven times. The compositions tested included the iron salt WDG composition and magnesium salt WDG composition of the present invention as soil fertilizers after planting of eggplant seedlings in the trial plots. The eggplant crops at the trial sites were grown in accordance with good agricultural practice.

[0155] (Experiment details) a) Trial location: North 24 Parganas, West Bengal b) Crop: Eggplant (variety: Pusa purple round) c) Experimental season: Rabi d) Trial design: RBD e) Iterations: 6 f) Processing: 4 g) Lot size: 5 x 6 = 30 square meters h) Sowing date: 11.06.2021 i) Applicable date: 11.06.2021 j) Application method: Soil fertilization near the root zone k) Crop variety: Pusa Purple Round l) Harvest dates: 10.11.2021, 20.11.2021, 01.12.2021 m) Soil pH: 6.8-7

[0156] Observations were recorded at harvest and average data is presented in Table 4, listing the efficacy of water-dispersible granules containing "water-insoluble iron salts and water-insoluble magnesium salts" prepared according to embodiments of the present invention.

[0157] [Table 4]

[0158] From the data presented in Table 4, it can be seen that treatment T1 (a water-dispersible granular composition WDG of 30% ferric oxide (20.98% elemental iron) + 35% magnesium oxide (21.11% elemental magnesium) having a particle size ranging from 0.1 microns to 30 microns according to an embodiment of the present invention) showed a significant increase in yield when compared to treatments T2, 30% ferric oxide + 35% magnesium oxide WDG having a particle size ranging from 0.1 microns to 50 microns, and T3, 30% ferric oxide + 35% magnesium oxide WDG having a particle size ranging from 0.1 microns to 100 microns. Treatment T1 showed a surprisingly significant 37.50% increase in eggplant yield compared to the untreated control, while treatments T2 and T3 showed only 20.83% and 17.50% yield increases, respectively.

[0159] Furthermore, uptake of nutrients such as magnesium, iron, etc. was found to be significantly higher in treatment T1 compared to treatments T2 and T3. It is therefore notable that superior efficacy in terms of yield and nutrient uptake was observed with the water dispersible granular formulation as per the present invention, wherein the composition contained particles in the size range of 0.1 micron to 30 micron when compared to water dispersible granular formulations having a higher particle size range.

[0160] Experiment No. 5: Comparing the effects of the composition of the present invention versus a commercially available water-soluble powder of multi-nutrients in corn crops A field trial was conducted in a commercially cultivated corn field in Nashik, Maharashtra, to compare the effect of a WDG composition containing a combination of water-insoluble iron and magnesium salts versus a commercially available water-soluble multi-nutrient powder on corn yield. The trial was conducted during the kharif season in a randomized block design (RBD) with three treatments, including an untreated control. The composition of the present invention was applied at a defined dose with drip irrigation.

[0161] Maize crops at the trial site were grown in accordance with good agricultural practices.

[0162] (Experiment details) a) Trial location: Nashik (Maharashtra) b) Crop: Corn c) Experimental Season: Kharif d) Trial design: Randomized block method e) Iterations: 7 f) Processing: 3 g) Plot size: 8m x 5m = 40 square meters h) Planting date: 7.06.2021 i) Applicable date: 17.06.2021 j) Application method: Soil fertilization by drip system

[0163] [Table 5]

[0164] From Table 5, it can be observed that Treatment T1, prepared according to an embodiment of the present invention, demonstrated better yield compared to Treatment T2, in which the applied composition was a commercially available water-soluble multi-nutrient mixture, and the untreated plot. Treatment T1 depicted a yield increase of approximately 31.8% when compared to Treatment T2, which had only an 8.1% yield increase despite being applied at a higher dose. Therefore, it can be concluded that the combination of a "water-insoluble iron salt and a water-insoluble magnesium salt" in the form of a WDG according to an embodiment of the present invention shows a significant improvement in yield over that of a commercially available water-soluble multi-nutrient mixture, even though Treatment T2 was applied at a higher dose.

[0165] Experiment No. 6: Studying the efficacy of the composition of the present invention on cucumber crops A field trial was conducted in Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, to determine the efficacy of a water-dispersible granular composition containing a water-insoluble iron salt plus a water-insoluble magnesium salt. The trial was conducted during the kharif season in a randomized block design (RBD) with five treatments, including an untreated control, replicated four times. A plot size of 30 square meters (6 m x 5 m) was maintained for each treatment. Test product compounds, various iron salts, magnesium salts alone and their combinations in a range of concentrations in the water-dispersible granular composition according to the present invention were applied foliarly at the pre-flowering stage at prescribed doses. Cucumber crops at the trial site were grown in accordance with good agricultural practice.

[0166] The details of the experiment are as follows. a) Trial location: Guntur, Andhra Pradesh b) Crop: Cucumber (variety - PAN3451) c) Experimental Season: Kharif 2021 (July 2021 to November 2021) d) Trial design: Randomized block method e) Iterations: 4 f) Processing: 5 g) Lot size: 5 x 6 = 30 square meters h) Applicable date: 25.08.2021 i) Sowing planting date: 06.07.2021 j) Application method: Foliar fertilization (before flowering) k) Harvest date: 17.10.2021 l) Soil pH: 7.5

[0167] Observations for flowering were recorded at 40 DAA and mean fruit yield data at harvest are presented in Table 6.

[0168] [Table 6]

[0169] From the data presented in Table 6, it can be seen that Treatment T1 (25% ferric oxide (17.48% elemental iron) + 35% magnesium oxide (21.11% elemental magnesium) water-dispersible granular composition WDG having a particle size in the range of 0.1 microns to 30 microns) as an embodiment of the present invention showed a significant increase in flowering and subsequent yield when compared to Treatments T2 (25% ferric oxide WDG), T3 (35% magnesium oxide WDG), and T4 (25% ferric oxide + 35% magnesium oxide SC). This clearly indicates that foliar fertilization of the composition of the present invention (Treatment T1) significantly increased flowering in cucumbers compared to Treatments T2 (25% ferric oxide WDG), T3 (35% magnesium oxide WDG), and T4 (25% ferric oxide + 35% magnesium oxide SC as taught in JP2020125283A) and the untreated control. It was further observed that application of treatment T1 as per an embodiment of the present invention significantly reduced cucumber fruit abscission which in turn helped to significantly increase fruit number and thereby fruit yield as compared to cucumber fruit abscission observed with application of treatments T2 to T5.

[0170] Furthermore, the % increase in fruit yield observed in treatment T1 was about 41.98%, while in treatments T2, T3 and T4 it was about 14.8%, 10.6%, and 20.56%, respectively. It is therefore notable that superior efficacy in terms of reduction of flower, fruit drop and yield was observed with the water dispersible granular formulation as per the present invention, wherein the composition contained particles in the size range of 0.1 micron to 30 micron when applied foliarly, compared to other treatments.

[0171] Experiment No. 7: To study the effect of the composition of the present invention on nutrient uptake in cabbage crops compared to traditional fertilization practices. A pot trial experiment was conducted in Himatnagar, Gujarat, Maharashtra (India) to determine the effect of the composition of the present invention on nutrient availability in a polyhouse compared to the effect of application of traditional fertilizer practices.

[0172] Soil was analyzed to assess nutrient availability prior to the treatment application date and observed values ​​were as follows:

[0173] [Table 7]

[0174] The prescribed dosage of the test nutrient composition as indicated below was measured based on the calculation of the soil surface area, and applied to each treatment pot on the topsoil and thoroughly mixed into the soil to a depth of 5 cm. Then, 25-day-old cabbage seedlings were planted in each pot. The cabbage seedlings planted in five pots were grown according to GAP (Good Agricultural Practices) until harvest or until the cabbages were fully developed. The treatment details are as follows:

[0175] The details of the experiment are as follows. a) Trial location: Himatnagar, Gujarat b) Crop: Cabbage (variety Swarna Poorna) c) Experimental season: Rabi (November 2021 to February 2022) d) Trial design: Randomized block design with five pots in each treatment e) Iterations: 5 f) Processing: 5 g) Pot size: 20cm top diameter x 15.5cm bottom diameter x

[0176] [Table 8]

[0177] It can also be observed from Table 7 that treatment T1, a WDG composition prepared according to an embodiment of the present invention, demonstrated better nutrient uptake compared to treatments T2 and T3 with water soluble NPK fertilizer and NPK plus water soluble micronutrient composition (Nutrifast from Stanes), and above the untreated plot.

[0178] Notably, in treatment T1, iron and magnesium, along with other nutrients present in the soil, were immediately available to the crop, whereas iron or magnesium uptake was found to be lower in treatments T2, T3, and T4. It was also observed that the practice of applying NPK and NPK plus other micronutrients, such as calcium, boron, and manganese, even at higher doses, still failed to provide significant uptake of iron and magnesium, as observed with the compositions of the present invention. Furthermore, treatments T2-T4 showed low iron uptake due to the presence of phosphorus in the soil, which blocked iron and therefore interfered with its absorption by the plant. However, application of treatment T1, which had a water-dispersible granular composition with particle sizes of 0.1 to 30 microns and was prepared as per embodiments of the present invention, with the presence of magnesium and its synergistic effect with iron, was observed to demonstrate enhanced uptake of not only iron but also other nutrients, such as magnesium, manganese, and boron, compared to treatments T2-T4.

[0179] Furthermore, even when the soil was fertilized with nutrients, it was observed that nutrient uptake was lower in treatments T2 and T3, despite the higher application rates. However, increased nutrient uptake was observed with the composition of the present invention, because the composition created a favorable environment for nutrient uptake and corrected the soil pH, thereby helping to release nutrients from the soil to the plant or crop. Treatments T2, T3, and T4 exhibited nutrient antagonism due to the presence of higher phosphorus in the acidic soil, which prevented iron and magnesium from being absorbed. Therefore, it can be concluded that the composition of the present invention not only facilitates the absorption of essential nutrients such as magnesium and iron, but also helps to release micronutrients and trace elements, making them available for uptake by plants, which were unavailable for uptake in the soil.

[0180] It is therefore notable that the WDG composition of "water insoluble iron salts and water insoluble magnesium salts" according to embodiments of the present invention within the size range of 0.1 to 30 microns provided significantly higher amounts of available magnesium and iron even in the presence of NPK fertilizers that were not observed with the application of traditional fertilizers alone.

[0181] Furthermore, the inventors of the present invention have also tested the WDG composition of the present invention on other crops such as chili pepper and okra. It has been observed that the composition of the present invention can also enhance crop characteristics such as straw weight and plant height, and can also increase the nutritional value of the crop. Furthermore, such a combination can further help improve crop yield, enhance photosynthesis, increase chlorophyll content, and increase nutrient uptake by the crop.

[0182] The composition of the present invention has been observed to demonstrate enhanced, effective, and superior performance in the field. The composition of the present invention minimizes the number of applications or the amount of nutrients, fertilizers, or pesticides. Moreover, the composition of the present invention exhibits surprisingly high field efficacy compared to known compositions, even at reduced application doses of the composition. The composition is highly safe for users and the environment. This novel composition provides a nutritious crop by improving plant yield, balanced uptake of all nutrients, reducing leaf yellowing, and supporting plant physiological parameters such as increased rooting, improved foliage, disease resistance, and increased green color of the crop.

[0183] Additionally, various advantageous properties associated with compositions according to the present invention include, but are not limited to, improved stability, improved toxicological and / or ecotoxicological behavior, improved crop characteristics including crop yield, crop quality and characteristics, and other benefits well known to those skilled in the art.

[0184] From the foregoing, it will be seen that numerous modifications and variations may be made without departing from the true spirit and scope of the novel concepts of the present invention. It is to be understood that no limitation with respect to the specific embodiments illustrated is intended or should be inferred.

Claims

1. at least one water-insoluble iron salt, complex or derivative thereof in the range of 1% to 50% w / w of the total composition; at least one water-insoluble magnesium salt, complex or derivative thereof in the range of 5% to 80% w / w of the total composition; at least one pesticidally acceptable excipient; A water-dispersible granular crop nutritional composition comprising a homogeneous mixture of: elemental iron is present in the range of 0.01% to 50% by weight of the total composition; elemental magnesium is present in the range of 0.1% to 50% by weight of the total composition, said composition comprising particles in the size range of 0.1 microns to 30 microns; A water-dispersible granular crop nutritional composition comprising:

2. 2. The composition of claim 1, wherein the at least one water-insoluble iron salt comprises at least one of a water-insoluble iron salt or a complex or derivative thereof, including at least one of iron oxide, iron succinate, iron fumarate, iron hydroxide, ferrous oxide, ferric oxide, ferric iron tetroxide, ferric hydroxide, iron oxalate, iron sucrate, iron tartrate, ferrous hydroxide, iron phosphate, iron carbonate, iron silicate, iron carbonyl, iron sulfide, and iron dichromate.

3. 10. The composition of claim 1, wherein the at least one water-insoluble magnesium salt comprises at least one of magnesium molybdate, magnesium hydroxide, calcium magnesium phosphate, magnesium carbonate, magnesium aluminum silicate, calcium magnesium silicate, magnesium trisilicate, magnesium silicate, magnesium oxide, complexes or derivatives thereof.

4. 10. The composition of claim 1, wherein the granules of the composition are in the size range of 0.05 mm to 5.0 mm.

5. 10. The composition of claim 1, characterized in that it is comprised of particles within the size range of 0.1 microns to 20 microns.

6. 10. The composition of claim 1, comprising particles having a particle size distribution with a D50 of about 20 microns.

7. 10. The composition of claim 1, wherein the at least one pesticidally acceptable excipient is selected from one or more of a wetting agent, a surfactant, a dispersing agent, a disintegrant, an emulsifier, a filler or carrier or diluent, a hydrocolloid, a spreading agent, a colorant, an anti-caking agent, a binder, a buffer or pH adjuster or neutralizing agent, a tackifier, a pigment, a stabilizer, an anti-foaming or defoaming agent, an anti-settling agent, a penetrating agent, and a preservative.

8. 8. The composition of claim 7, comprising at least one surfactant.

9. 8. The composition of claim 7, wherein the at least one pesticidally acceptable excipient is present in the range of 0.01% to 94% w / w of the total composition.

10. 10. The composition of claim 1, wherein the suspendibility of the composition is at least 30%.

11. 10. A process for the preparation of the water-dispersible granular crop nutrition composition of claim 1, comprising: a. grinding a homogeneous mixture of at least one water-insoluble iron salt, complex or derivative thereof, in the range of 1% to 50% w / w of the total composition, at least one water-insoluble magnesium salt, complex or derivative thereof, in the range of 5% to 80% w / w of the total composition, and at least one pesticidally acceptable excipient in water to obtain a slurry or wet mix; b. drying the slurry or wet mix to obtain a water-dispersible granular composition; Including, the elemental iron is present in the range of 0.01% to 50% by weight of the total composition; the elemental magnesium is present in the range of 0.1% to 50% by weight of the total composition; the composition comprises particles within a size range of 0.1 microns to 30 microns; A process characterized by:

12. 10. The composition of claim 1, wherein the composition is at least one of a fertilizer composition, a nutrient composition, a crop supplement composition, a soil conditioner composition, and a yield enhancer composition.

13. 10. A method for improving plant health or yield, comprising treating at least one of a plant, plant propagation material, a location or plant part thereof, a seed, a seedling, or surrounding soil with the water-dispersible granular composition of claim 1.

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