Seed treatment agent, seed, and soilborne disease control method

Abstract

The present invention subjects a plant seed to a powder coating treatment using an agrochemical composition having probenazole as an active ingredient, thus making it possible to control disease without causing plant damage.

Description

Seed treatment agent, seed, and method for controlling soil-borne diseases

[0001] The present invention relates to a seed treatment agent, a seed, and a method for controlling soil-borne diseases. This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-118714, filed on July 20, 2023, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] Soil-borne diseases infect plants from underground, making them difficult to control by spraying chemicals on aboveground parts. Therefore, soil disinfectants have been used primarily as a means of controlling soil-borne diseases. However, the large amounts of soil disinfectants required pose a significant environmental burden. Currently, the use of soil disinfectants has been banned in many countries, and alternatives are needed from the perspective of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

[0003] Another solution to control soil-borne diseases is the use of disease-resistant varieties, but the number of crops for which disease-resistant varieties have been developed is limited, and the emergence of new pathogen strains can overcome disease resistance.

[0004] In order to achieve continuous, stable production with a low environmental impact, it is necessary to develop new soil-borne disease control technologies that will solve these problems.

[0005] Various active ingredients that exhibit disease control activity against soil-borne diseases have been researched, and numerous disease control agents have been developed and commercialized. Disease control agents can be applied in several ways, including foliar spraying (direct application to foliage), soil treatment (spraying or incorporation into soil), and seed treatment (direct application of the agent to seeds). The differences in application methods significantly affect the workload involved in pesticide application. In particular, in Japan, where the number of agricultural workers is declining and the average age is increasing, reducing the workload in agricultural work is an urgent issue. Therefore, the introduction of efficient pest and weed control technologies with excellent work efficiency is essential. Among these application methods, seed treatment is one of the simplest. One type of seed treatment, dressing treatment, can be performed by simply loading seeds and a predetermined amount of agent into a commercially available seed treatment device. This makes it much simpler than spraying an agent over a large field. On the other hand, seed treatment involves directly contacting seeds with high concentrations of chemicals, which can easily cause phytotoxicity. For this reason, only a limited number of chemicals are highly safe for crops when used in seed treatment and have been registered as pesticides.

[0006] In recent years, attempts have been made to protect plants from disease stress by administering chemicals externally to activate chemical resistance mechanisms and improve plant resistance. Such chemicals can be called resistance inducers, and various resistance inducers have been investigated to date. Known examples of such resistance inducers include acibenzolar-S-methyl, isotianil, tiadinil, and probenazole, and are used in Japan primarily to control rice blast. It has been disclosed that some of these resistance inducer compounds are effective in controlling soil-borne diseases (Patent Documents 1 to 3).

[0007] JP 2015-61826 A JP 2002-47109 A International Publication No. 2013 / 107785

[0008] However, Patent Documents 1 to 3 do not contain any specific description of probenazole seed treatment. The application amount, phytotoxicity (safety), or efficacy of probenazole when applied to seeds are not specifically examined, and its practical use as a seed treatment agent is completely unknown. Furthermore, Patent Documents 1 to 3 do not describe soil treatment using probenazole to control soil-borne diseases.

[0009] An object of the present invention is to provide a seed treatment agent, seeds, and a method for controlling soil-borne diseases that are highly safe to plants, simple, efficient, and reduce the labor load, and that can exhibit excellent control effects against soil-borne diseases.

[0010] As a result of intensive research aimed at solving the above problems, the present inventors have found that a seed treatment agent, seeds, and a method for controlling soil-borne diseases containing probenazole as an active ingredient are highly safe for plants, are simple and efficient, impose a low workload, and exhibit excellent control effects against soil-borne diseases, and have thus completed the present invention.

[0011] [1] A seed treatment agent containing probenazole as an active ingredient. [2] The seed treatment agent according to [1], for controlling a soil-borne disease. [3] The seed treatment agent according to [2], wherein the soil-borne disease is a disease caused by Macrophomina phaseolina or Fusarium virguliforme. [4] The seed treatment agent according to [2], wherein the soil-borne disease is soybean charcoal rot or soybean acute withering. [5] The seed treatment agent according to any of [1] to [4], wherein the target of the seed treatment is a seed of a legume. [6] The seed treatment agent according to [5], wherein the legume is soybean. [7] A seed treated with the seed treatment agent according to [1]. [8] A seed having probenazole adhered to at least the surface. [9] The seed according to [7] or [8], for controlling a soil-borne disease.

[10] The seed according to [9], wherein the soil-borne disease is a disease caused by Macrophomina phaseolina or Fusarium virguliforme.

[11] The seed according to [9], wherein the soil-borne disease is soybean charcoal rot or soybean acute withering.

[12] The seed according to any of [7] to

[11] , wherein the seed is a seed of a leguminous plant.

[13] The seed according to

[12] , wherein the leguminous plant is soybean.

[14] A method for controlling soil-borne diseases, comprising treating seeds with a composition containing probenazole as an active ingredient.

[15] A method for controlling soil-borne diseases, comprising treating soil with a composition containing probenazole as an active ingredient. The present invention encompasses the following aspects.

[16] The seed treatment agent according to [2], wherein the soil-borne disease is a disease caused by Macrophomina phaseolina.

[17] The seed treatment agent according to [2], wherein the soil-borne disease is soybean charcoal rot.

[18] The seed according to [9], wherein the soil-borne disease is a disease caused by Macrophomina phaseolina.

[19] The seed according to [9], wherein the soil-borne disease is soybean charcoal rot.

[0012] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a seed treatment agent, a seed, and a method for controlling soil-borne diseases that are highly safe to plants, simple and efficient with a low labor load, and can exhibit excellent control effects against soil-borne diseases.

[0013] The following describes in detail the embodiments of the present invention. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below, and various modifications are possible without departing from the gist of the present invention.

[0014] [Seed Treatment Agent] The seed treatment agent of the present invention contains probenazole as an active ingredient.

[0015] Probenazole (CAS registration number 27605-76-1; IUPAC name 3-allyloxy-1,2-benzisothiazole 1,1-dioxide) is a compound represented by formula (I) and is an agricultural fungicide used as a preventative agent for diseases such as rice blast. Probenazole is commercially available under the trade names "Oryzemate" and others.

[0016]

[0017] Probenazole has been registered as an agricultural chemical in Japan as one of the active ingredients of rice blast control agents and has been used as a rice blast control agent for over 40 years.

[0018] The probenazole contained in the seed treatment agent of this embodiment may be in the form of an agriculturally and horticulturally acceptable salt thereof. Examples of such salts include salts with inorganic acids such as hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, and nitric acid, and salts with organic acids such as acetic acid, L-lactic acid, and citric acid.

[0019] The seed treatment agent of this embodiment may be formulated into any dosage form that a pesticide can take. The formulation may be formulated into any dosage form, such as an emulsifiable concentrate, liquid, water-soluble concentrate, water-soluble granules, emulsion, wettable powder, water-dispersible granules, flowable, suspoemulsion, oil-flowable, dust, DL dust, powder, granule, powder granule, microgranule F, tablet, oil, aerosol, smoke, or microcapsule. These various dosage forms can be produced, for example, by the method described in "Pesticide Formulation Guide" (edited by the Pesticide Science Society of Japan, Application Method Research Group, published by the Japan Plant Protection Association, 1997).

[0020] When formulated, the seed treatment agent of this embodiment can contain an additive or a carrier. The carrier can be appropriately selected from solid carriers, liquid carriers, gaseous carriers, etc. depending on the formulation.

[0021] The solid carriers can be broadly classified into powder (average particle size less than 63 μm) and granular (average particle size 63 μm or more) based on particle size, and can be appropriately selected depending on the dosage form. Examples of powdered solid carriers (hereinafter also referred to as "powdered solid carriers") include talc, bentonite, clay, kaolin, diatomaceous earth, white carbon (amorphous silicon, calcium silicate), calcium carbonate, ammonium sulfate, potassium sulfate, calcium sulfate, plant powders such as wood flour, starch, dextrin, etc. Examples of granular solid carriers (hereinafter also referred to as "granular solid carriers") include vermiculite, silica sand, pumice, perlite, diatomaceous earth particles, attapulgite particles, zeolite particles, bentonite particles, plant granules such as wood chips, cork, and corn cobs. Clay granules or calcium carbonate granules, which are obtained by adding a binder or the like to powdered solid carriers such as clay or calcium carbonate and granulating them, may also be used as granular solid carriers. Among these, the solid carrier is preferably at least one selected from the group consisting of talc, bentonite, clay, kaolin, diatomaceous earth, white carbon (amorphous silicon, calcium silicate), silica sand, calcium carbonate, and clay granules. The solid carrier may be a powdered carrier or a granular carrier, and may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0022] Examples of the liquid carrier include alcohols such as ethanol, n-hexanol, polyethylene glycol, and propylene glycol; ketones such as γ-butyrolactone and cyclohexanone; aliphatic hydrocarbons such as n-hexane, normal paraffin, liquid paraffin, and naphthene; aromatic hydrocarbons such as xylene, alkylbenzene, and methylnaphthalene; ethers such as diethyl ether, dioxane, and tetrahydrofuran; fatty acid esters such as methyl acetate and ethyl acetate; nitriles such as acetonitrile and isobutyronitrile; acid amides such as N,N-dimethylformamide and dimethylacetamide; vegetable oils such as soybean oil and cottonseed oil; dimethyl sulfoxide; N-alkylpyrrolidone; and water. Among these, at least one liquid carrier selected from the group consisting of propylene glycol, liquid paraffin, and water is preferred. The liquid carriers can be used alone or in combination.

[0023] Examples of the gaseous carrier include liquefied propane gas (LPG), air, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, and dimethyl ether. Among these, at least one gaseous carrier selected from the group consisting of air, nitrogen, and carbon dioxide is preferred. The gaseous carrier may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0024] The seed treatment agent of the present embodiment may further contain, as a component other than probenazole, in addition to the carrier described above, at least one formulation adjuvant selected from the group consisting of surfactants that contribute to emulsification, dispersion, wetting, etc., thickeners, binders, antifoaming agents, colorants, antifungal agents, antifreezing agents, flow improvers, adhesives, solvents, etc., as needed.

[0025] The surfactant may be an anionic, cationic, nonionic, or amphoteric surfactant.

[0026] Examples of the anionic surfactant include POA (POA: polyoxyalkylene) alkylphenyl ether sulfate, POA styrylphenyl ether sulfate, POA alkyl ether sulfate, polyoxyethylene polyoxypropylene block polymer sulfate, lauryl sulfate (e.g., sodium salt), alkanesulfonate (e.g., sodium salt), α-olefin sulfonate, dialkyl sulfosuccinate, alkylbenzene sulfonate, naphthalenesulfonic acid formalin condensate salt (e.g., sodium salt), lignin sulfonate (e.g., sodium salt), POA alkylphenyl ether sulfonate, POA alkyl ether sulfonate, fatty acid salt, POA alkylphenyl ether phosphate, POA styrylphenyl ether phosphate, POA alkyl ether phosphate, polycarboxylic acid surfactant, etc. POA represents polyoxyalkylene, preferably polyoxyethylene, polyoxypropylene, or a mixture thereof. The anionic surfactant may be used alone or in combination of two or more, and among these, preferred examples include POA styryl phenyl ether sulfate, lauryl sulfate (more preferably sodium salt), alkylbenzene sulfonate (more preferably sodium salt), and lignin sulfonate (more preferably sodium salt).

[0027] Examples of the cationic surfactant include alkyltrimethylammonium chloride, methyl polyoxyalkylene alkylammonium chloride, alkyldimethylbenzylkonium chloride, etc. One of these may be used alone, or two or more may be used in combination.

[0028] Examples of the nonionic surfactant include POA styrylphenyl ether, POA sorbitan fatty acid ester, sorbitan fatty acid ester, sucrose fatty acid ester, POA castor oil, POA hydrogenated castor oil, POA alkyl ether, POA alkylphenyl ether, polyoxyethylene polyoxypropylene block polymer, POA alkylamine, POA alkylamide, POA fatty acid ester, silicone surfactant, and acetylene glycol surfactant.One of these may be used alone or in combination of two or more. Among these, POA styrylphenyl ether is preferred. POA represents polyoxyalkylene, and preferably represents polyoxyethylene, polyoxypropylene, or a mixture thereof.

[0029] Examples of the amphoteric surfactant include amino acid-type amphoteric surfactants such as alkyldiaminoethylglycine hydrochloride and alkylpolyaminoethylglycine hydrochloride, and betaine-type amphoteric surfactants such as alkyldimethylaminoacetic acid betaine, alkyldimethylacetic acid betaine, alkyldimethylcarboxymethyl betaine, alkyldimethylcarboxymethyleneammonium betaine, and fatty acid amidopropyldimethylamino acid betaine, but are not limited to these amphoteric surfactants. The amphoteric surfactant is preferably at least one selected from the group consisting of these amphoteric surfactants, and more preferably at least one selected from the group consisting of alkyldiaminoethylglycine hydrochloride and alkylpolyaminoethylglycine hydrochloride. The amphoteric surfactants can be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0030] Examples of the thickener include organic thickeners such as xanthan gum, welan gum, diutan gum, guar gum, tragacanth gum, gum arabic, dextrin, carboxymethyl cellulose, polyvinyl alcohol, and water-soluble cellulose ether. Examples of the inorganic thickener include montmorillonite-based mineral fine powder, saponite-based clay mineral, and anhydrous silica fine powder, but are not limited to these. One of these may be used alone, or two or more may be used in combination.

[0031] Examples of the binder include, but are not limited to, polyvinyl alcohol, water-soluble cellulose ethers such as carboxymethyl cellulose, starch, dextrin, bentonite, etc., and one of these may be used alone or in combination of two or more. Depending on the dosage form and manufacturing method, a liquid carrier, a solid carrier, or a surfactant may also serve as a binder. In this case, these binders may or may not be added.

[0032] Examples of the colorant include inorganic pigments such as iron oxide and titanium oxide; organic pigments such as alizarin dyes, azo dyes, and metal phthalocyanine dyes; and food dyes such as Red No. 2, Red No. 3, Red No. 40, Red No. 102, Red No. 104, Red No. 105, Red No. 106, Yellow No. 4, Yellow No. 5, Green No. 3, Blue No. 1, and Blue No. 2, which may be used alone or in combination of two or more. Examples of the colorant include inorganic pigments such as iron oxide, titanium oxide, and Prussian blue; and organic dyes such as alizarin dyes, azo dyes, and metal phthalocyanine dyes. Examples of the colorant include inorganic pigments such as iron oxide, titanium oxide, and Prussian blue; and organic dyes such as alizarin dyes, azo dyes, and metal phthalocyanine dyes.

[0033] The antifoaming agent may be an oil-based, metal soap-based, silicone-based, or the like, and one of these may be used alone or two or more may be used in combination.

[0034] Examples of the antifreezing agent include alkylene glycols such as ethylene glycol and propylene glycol, glycerin, and urea, and one of these may be used alone or two or more may be used in combination.

[0035] Examples of the antifungal agent include potassium sorbate, p-chloro-metaxylenol, butyl p-oxybenzoate, p-hydroxybenzoic acid esters, salicylic acid derivatives, and 1,2-benzothiazolin-3-one derivatives, but are not limited to these. Furthermore, one of these may be used alone, or two or more may be used in combination.

[0036] Examples of the flow improver include, but are not limited to, white carbon (amorphous silicon, calcium silicate) and highly viscous liquids such as liquid paraffin.

[0037] Examples of the binder include, but are not limited to, water-soluble polymers such as polyethylene glycol and polyvinyl alcohol, and synthetic resin emulsions such as vinyl acetate and acrylic esters. One of these may be used alone, or two or more may be used in combination. Depending on the formulation, the liquid carrier, solid carrier, surfactant, binder, etc. may also function as a binder. In this case, a binder may or may not be added.

[0038] The formulation adjuvants are not limited to those shown here, and various adjuvants can be used as long as they can achieve the objects of the present invention. In the seed treatment agent of this embodiment, adhesives that adhere the active pesticide ingredient to the seed surface (e.g., gypsum, polyvinyl alcohol, water-soluble cellulose ethers such as carboxymethyl cellulose, starch, dextrin, etc., alkylene glycols such as polyethylene glycol, propylene glycol, and polypropylene glycol) are preferred components, but the liquid carriers, solid carriers, binders, adhesives, and surfactants may also serve as adhesives. In this case, an adhesive may or may not be added.

[0039] The above-mentioned carriers, surfactants and other formulation adjuvants may be used alone or in combination as required.

[0040] The seed treatment agent of this embodiment is an agent that protects plants from soil-borne diseases by spraying, smearing, dipping, or coating plant seeds with the agent.

[0041] When the seed treatment agent of this embodiment is in the form of an emulsifiable concentrate, liquid, water-soluble concentrate, water-soluble granules, emulsion, wettable powder, water-dispersible granules, flowable concentrate, suspoemulsion, or oil-flowable concentrate, it can be used in the form of a solution, suspension, or emulsion obtained by diluting it with water to a predetermined concentration, and when the formulation is a dust, powder, granule, powder granule, fine granule, or tablet, it can be used as is.

[0042] The seed treatment agent of the present embodiment may be mixed or used in combination with other active ingredients such as fungicides, insecticides (including miticides and nematicides), soil pesticides, herbicides, microbial pesticides, plant regulators, synergists, fertilizers, soil conditioners, etc., as long as the effects of the present invention are not impaired.

[0043] Specific examples of the active ingredient include those described in The Pesticide Manual, 19th Edition, 2021, published by BCPC (the British Crop Production Council) and SHIBUYA INDEX (Index of Pesticide), 17th Edition, 2014, published by SHIBUYA IDDEX RESEARCH GROUP. In the seed treatment agent or soil treatment agent of this embodiment, it is preferable that the pest control agent other than probenazole contains at least one pest control agent selected from the group consisting of insecticides and fungicides.

[0044] Examples of fungicides or insecticides that can be mixed or used in combination with the seed treatment agent of this embodiment include organic phosphate ester compounds, carbamate compounds, nereistoxin derivatives, organic chlorine compounds, pyrethroid compounds, benzoyl urea compounds, juvenile hormone-like compounds, molting hormone-like compounds, neonicotinoid compounds, neuronal sodium channel blockers, insecticidal macrocyclic lactones, γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) antagonists, ryanodine receptor active compounds, insecticidal ureas, BT agents, insect pathogenic virus agents, polyether antibiotics, thiamine antagonists, and sulfonamide / folate antagonist combination agents.

[0045] Specific examples of the insecticides include acephate, dichlorvos, ethyl paranitrophenylthionobenzenephosphonate (EPN), fenitrothion, fenamifos, prothiofos, profenofos, pyraclofos, chlorpyrifos-methyl, diazinon, fosthiazate, and the like. organophosphate ester compounds such as azate and imicyafos; methomyl, thiodicarb, aldicarb, oxamyl, propoxur, carbaryl, fenobucarb, ethiofencarb, fenothiocarb, pirimicarb, and carbofuran carbamate compounds such as carbosulfan, and benfuracarb; nereistoxin derivatives such as cartap and thiocyclam; organochlorine compounds such as dicofol and tetradifon; permethrin, tefluthrin, cypermethrin, deltamethrin, cyhalothrin, pyrethroid compounds such as diflubenzuron, teflubenzuron, flufenoxuron, and chlorfluazuron;Juvenile hormone-like compounds such as methoprene; molting hormone-like compounds such as chromafenozide; imidacloprid, clothianidin, thiamethoxam, acetamiprid, nitenpyram, thiacloprid, dinotefuran, sulfoxaflor, flupyradifurone, nicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonists such as upyradifurone, dichloromezotiaz, and triflumezopyrim; diamide compounds; GABA receptor agonist compounds such as ethiprole, fipronil, pyrafluprole, pyriprole, broflanilide, and fluxametamide; pyridaben, fenpyroximate, pyrimidifen, tebufenpyrad, and tolfenpyrad, and other respiratory chain electron transport complex I inhibitors; fluopyram, cyflumetofen, cyenopyrafen, and piflubumid, and other respiratory chain electron transport complex II inhibitors; fluacrypyrim, acequinocyl, and flometoquin, and other respiratory chain electron transport complex III inhibitors;ACCase (acetyl-CoA carboxylase) inhibitor compounds such as spirodiclofen, spiromesifen, and spirotetramat; and macrolide compounds such as spinosad, avermectin, milbemycin, spinetoram, lepimectin, and emamectin benzoate;

[0046] Specific examples of the insecticide other than those mentioned above include buprofezin, hexythiazox, amitraz, chlordimeform, etoxazole, pymetrozine, bifenazate, flonicamid, chlorfenapyr, pyriproxyfen, indoxacarb, and the like. xacarb), pyridalyl, pyrifluquinazon, metaflumizone, hydramethylnon, triazamate, afidopyropene, flupirimin, lenofluthrin, chloroprallethrin, cyhalodiamide, fluensulfonyl fluensulfone, fluazaindolizine, epsilon-metofluthrin, epsilon-momfluorothrin, kappa-bifenthrin, kappa-tefluthrin, fluhexafon, tioxazafen, momfluorothrin ), heptafluthrin, pyriminostrobin, cycloxaprid, isocycloseram, oxazosulfuryl, cyclopyrazolor, spiropidion, acinonapyr, organometallic compounds, dinitro compounds, organosulfur compounds, urea compounds, triazine compounds, and hydrazine compounds,and microbial pesticides such as BT agents and insect pathogenic virus agents.

[0047] The insecticide is preferably at least one selected from the group consisting of the above-mentioned insecticides. The insecticides can be used singly or in combination of two or more. The insecticide is preferably flupyrimin, dinotefuran, broflanilide, ethofenprox, or milbemycin. The insecticide may be an agriculturally or horticulturally acceptable acid addition salt thereof.

[0048] Specific examples of the fungicide include strobilurin compounds such as azoxystrobin, kresoxim-methyl, trifloxystrobin, metominostrobin, and orysastrobin; anilinopyrimidine compounds such as mepanipyrim, pyrimethanil, and cyprodinil; Dimefon, bitertanol, triflumizole, metconazole, propiconazole, penconazole, flusilazole, myclobutanil, cyproconazole, tebuconazole, hexaconazole, pro Azole compounds such as chloraz and simeconazole; quinoxaline compounds such as quinomethionate; dithiocarbamate compounds such as maneb, zineb, mancozeb, polycarbamate, and propineb; phenylcarbamate compounds such as diethofencarb; chlorothalonil; organochlorine compounds such as halonil and quintozene; benzimidazole compounds such as benomyl, thiophanate-methyl, and carbendazim; phenylamide compounds such as metalaxyl, oxadixyl, ofurase, benalaxyl, furalaxyl, and cyprofuran;Sulfenic acid compounds such as dichlofluanid; copper compounds such as cupric hydroxide and oxyquinoline copper; isoxazole compounds such as hydroxyisoxazole; organophosphorus compounds such as fosetylaluminum and tolclofos-methyl; N-halogenothioalkyl compounds such as captan, captafol, and folpet; procymidone, iprodione dicarboximide compounds such as flutolanil, mepronil, furametpyr, thifluzamide, boscalid, and penthiopyrad; morpholine compounds such as fenpropimorph and dimethomorph; triphenyltin hydroxide; organotin compounds such as triphenyltin hydroxide and triphenyltin acetate; cyanopyrrole compounds such as fludioxonil and fenpiclonil;

[0049] Furthermore, other compounds include tricyclazole, pyroquilon, carpropamid, diclocymet, fenoxanil, fthalide, fluazinam, cymoxanil, triforine, pyrifenox, fenarimol, fenpropidin, pentaerythroxene, phenanthr ... Pencycuron, Ferimzone, Cyazofamid, Iprovalicarb, Benthiavalicarb-isopropyl, Iminoctadine-albesilate, Cyflufenamid, Kasugamycin, Validamycin, Streptomycin , oxolinic acid (oxolinic-acid), tebufloquin (tebufloquin), hymexazol (hymexazol), flusulfamide (flusulfamide), quinofumelin (quinofumelin), probenazole (probenazole), tiadinil (tiadinil), isotianil (isotianil), isoprothiolane (isoprothiolane), tolprocarb (tolprocarb), pydiflumetofen (pydiflumetofen), picarbutorazox (pica rbutrazox), mandestrobin, dipimethitrone, pyraziflumid, oxathiapiprolin, penflufen, fenpicoxamid, flusakipyroxad, isoflucipram, methyltetraprole, pyrapropoin,Examples of such antihistamines include pyridaclomethyl, ipflufenoquin, fluopimomide, fluindapyr, florylpicoxamid, and dichlopentiazox.

[0050] The fungicide may be one of these alone or a combination of two or more. These fungicides may also be in the form of their agriculturally and horticulturally acceptable acid addition salts. Preferred fungicides are penthiopyrad, hymexazol, flusulfamide, quinofumelin, and tolprocarb.

[0051] The seed treatment agent of this embodiment can be combined with technologies such as microbial pesticides or genetically modified crops. Examples of the microbial pesticides include, but are not limited to, Bacillus firmus, a nematode control agent, and Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, a soil-borne disease control agent. Examples of the genetically modified crops include, but are not limited to, plants that produce BT (Bacillus thuringensis) toxin protein against insects and exhibit agricultural pest resistance, plants that exhibit resistance to herbicides such as glyphosate or glufosinate, and plants that have both of these properties.

[0052] The application amount of the seed treatment agent of this embodiment can be changed as appropriate depending on weather conditions, formulation form, application time, application method, application location, etc. The application amount of the seed treatment agent of this embodiment is usually preferably 0.01 g to 100 g, more preferably 0.01 g to 20 g, even more preferably 0.1 g to 20 g, and even more preferably 0.2 g to 15 g, of the compound represented by formula (I) per 1 kg of plant seeds. In this case, the effective amount to be applied to the seeds (effective amount of probenazole present in the coating) is preferably within the range of 0.002 mg to 10 mg / seed, more preferably 0.01 mg to 5.0 mg / seed. In this specification, when a numerical range is described as, for example, "0.01 g to 100 g" or "0.01 to 100 g," this means a range of 0.01 g to 100 g, including the lower limit of 0.01 g and the upper limit of 100 g.

[0053] In the seed treatment agent of this embodiment, the content of probenazole is not particularly limited, but is preferably 0.1% by mass to 100% by mass, more preferably 0.1% by mass to 99.9% by mass, even more preferably 0.1% by mass to 80% by mass, and even more preferably 0.2% by mass to 80% by mass of the total mass of the seed treatment agent of this embodiment, as the compound represented by formula (I). When the seed treatment agent of this embodiment further contains an active ingredient other than probenazole, the mixing ratio of probenazole to the active ingredient other than probenazole can be varied over a wide range as appropriate. The seed treatment agent of this embodiment preferably contains probenazole as the only active ingredient.

[0054] As the seed treatment agent of this embodiment, the composition in a preferred embodiment is, for example, as shown below.

[0055] (1') A composition that is a wettable powder containing 10 to 80% by mass of probenazole, 0.5 to 20% by mass of either or both of a wetting agent and a dispersing agent (preferably a surfactant), 0 to 10% by mass of an adhesive, and 9.5 to 89.5% by mass of a powdered solid carrier; (2') A composition that is a water dispersible granule containing 0.2 to 70% by mass of probenazole, 0.6 to 30% by mass of either or both of a wetting agent and a dispersing agent (preferably a surfactant), and a binder in total, and 20 to 99.2% by mass of a powdered solid carrier; (3') A flowable composition containing 10 to 80% by mass of probenazole, 10 to 28% by mass of at least one formulation adjuvant selected from a wetting agent and / or a dispersing agent (preferably a surfactant), a thickener, an antifreeze agent, an antifungal agent, an antifoaming agent, and a fixing agent, and 10 to 80% by mass of water as a liquid carrier; (4') A composition which is an emulsifiable concentrate containing 10 to 70% by mass of probenazole, 2 to 30% by mass of an emulsifier (preferably a surfactant), and 18 to 88% by mass of an organic solvent as a liquid carrier; (5') A dust or powder formulation containing 10 to 90% by mass of probenazole, 0 to 10% by mass of an adhesive, and 10 to 90% by mass of a powdered solid carrier; (6') A composition which is a dust-granule mixture containing 0.1 to 50% by mass of probenazole, 0.2 to 10% by mass of a binder or a carrier functioning as a binder, a surfactant, and a sticking agent, and 70 to 99.7% by mass of a granular solid carrier. (7') A composition which is an extruded granule containing 0.1 to 50% by mass of probenazole, 0.5 to 30% by mass of either or both of a wetting agent and a dispersing agent (preferably a surfactant), and a binder, and 49.5 to 99.4% by mass of a powdered solid carrier. (8') A composition that is a coated granule containing 0.1 to 60% by mass of probenazole, one or both of a wetting agent and a dispersing agent (preferably a surfactant), a powdered solid carrier, and a binder in a total amount of 0.5 to 30% by mass, and a granular solid carrier in a total amount of 39.5 to 99.4% by mass;(9') A composition that is a microcapsule containing a membrane material, 0.1 to 20% by mass of probenazole, 1 to 50% by mass of an emulsifier and a dispersant (preferably a surfactant), and an antifungal agent, and 30 to 98.9% by mass of water as a liquid carrier;

[0056] Among these, any one of the compositions (1'), (2'), (3'), (5'), (6'), (7') and (8') is more preferable.

[0057] Another aspect of the seed treatment agent of this embodiment is a combination of the seed treatment agent of this embodiment and a control agent containing at least one pest control agent selected from the group consisting of the above-mentioned fungicides, insecticides, etc. These may be prepared in a formulation form for each agent individually, and then mixed on site when used.

[0058] In the combination of this aspect, the seed treatment agent of this embodiment containing probenazole is provided as a first composition, and the seed treatment agent containing another pest control agent is provided as a second composition. In this case, the first composition and the second composition can be in any formulation using an appropriate carrier or formulation adjuvant, as in the case of the seed treatment agent of this embodiment described above. The combination may be provided in the form of a drug set or the like.

[0059] <Plants to be controlled against soil-borne diseases> Plants to be controlled against soil-borne diseases by the seed treatment agent of this embodiment are not particularly limited, and examples thereof include useful plants such as grains, beans, green grasses for sugar production, vegetables, and fruit trees. Specific examples of plants to be controlled against soil-borne diseases include Poaceae (rice, wheat (barley, wheat, rye), corn, sugarcane, sorghum, and turfgrass), Fabaceae (soybean, adzuki bean, kidney bean, collard bean, peanut, and pulse), Brassicaceae (rapeseed, radish, cabbage, and Chinese cabbage), Amaranthaceae (sugar beet), Araceae (coronaviridae, konjac), Malvaceae (cotton), and Solanaceae (tomato). Examples of crops that can be used to control soil-borne diseases include those from the following families: cucumber, melon, watermelon, rose, strawberry, Apiaceae (carrot), Convolvulaceae (sweet potato), Asteraceae (chrysanthemum, burdock), Amaryllidaceae (onion, garlic), Theaceae (tea), Rubiaceae (coffee), Pinaceae (pine), Vitaceae (grape), Musaceae (banana), and Rutaceae (citrus). The plant targeted for soil-borne disease control is preferably at least one selected from these plants, more preferably at least one selected from the group consisting of legumes, and even more preferably soybean. The plant targeted for soil-borne disease control may be a single plant or a combination of two or more plants.

[0060] <Pathogens of soil-borne diseases> The pathogens of soil-borne diseases that are the target of control by the seed treatment agent of the present embodiment are not particularly limited, and examples thereof include plant pathogenic fungi, plant pathogenic bacteria, plant pathogenic actinomycetes, and plant pathogenic viruses.

[0061] Examples of the plant pathogenic fungi include Pythium ultimum, Rhizoctonia solani, Fusarium oxysporum, Fusarium wilt, Phomopsis sclerotioides, Plasmodiophora brassicae, Spongospora subterranea, Fusarium oxysporum f. sp., and Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici), rice seedling disease fungus (Gibberella fujikuroi), tomato small grain sclerotinia rot fungus (Sclerotinia minor), potato verticillium albo-atrum (Verticillium albo-atrum), fruit tree purple root rot fungus (Helicobasidum mompa), fruit tree white root rot fungus (Rosellinia necatrix), soybean southern blight fungus (Sclerotium rolfsii), tomato brown root rot fungus (Pyrenochaeta lycopersici), soybean black root rot fungus (Cylindrocladium crotalariae), snow mold brown small grain sclerotinia rot fungus (Typhula incarnata), Typhula ishikariensis, Aphanomyces cochlioides, Thielaviopsis basicola, Gaeumannonomyces graminis, Ophionectoria sojae, Phytophthora sojae, Phoma exigua (Phoma sp.), Thielaviopsis sp., Phomopsis rot of soybeans longicolla), Macrophomina phaseolina (causing soybean charcoal rot), Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. tracheiphilum (causing soybean damping-off),Gibberella fujikuroi), soybean acute blight disease fungus (Fusarium virguliforme), soybean root rot disease fungus (Cylindrocladium floridanum), soybean seedling damping-off disease fungus (Pythium) aphanidermatum, Pythium coloratum, Pythium irregulare, Pythium myriotylum, Pythium spinosum), soybean black root rot fungus (Calonectria crotalariae), soybean brown root rot fungus (Neocosmospora vasinfecta var. vasinfecta) and the like.

[0062] Preferred examples of the plant pathogenic fungi include Pythium ultimum, Rhizoctonia solani, Fusarium oxysporum, Fusarium oxysporum, Phomopsis sclerotioides, Plasmodiophora brassicae, Spongospora subterranea, Phytophthora ulmonaria, and Phytophthora ulmonaria. sojae), soybean rust (Phakopsora pachyrhizi), soybean charcoal rot fungus (Macrophomina phaseolina), soybean damping-off fungus (Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. tracheiphilum, Gibberella fujikuroi), soybean acute wilt fungus (Fusarium virguliforme), soybean root rot fungus (Cylindrocladium floridanum), soybean black root rot fungus (Calonectria crotalariae), and soybean brown root rot fungus (Neocosmospora vasinfecta var. Examples include vasinfecta.

[0063] Examples of the plant pathogenic bacteria include bacteria of the genus Pseudomonas, bacteria of the genus Erwinia, bacteria of the genus Pectobacterium, and bacteria of the genus Xant. Bacteria of the genus Homonas, Bacteria of the genus Burkholderia, Bacteria of the genus Ralstonia, Bacteria of the genus Clavibacter, Rhizomonas Bacteria of the genus Agrobacterium, bacteria of the genus Bacillus, bacteria of the genus Clostridium, bacteria of the genus Curtobacterium , Pantoea bacteria, Acidovorax bacteria, Arthrobacter bacteria, Rhodococcus bacteria, and the like. Preferred examples of the plant pathogenic bacteria include the genera Pseudomonas, Agrobacterium, Ralstonia, and Erwinia.

[0064] Examples of the plant pathogenic actinomycetes include bacteria of the genus Streptomyces.

[0065] Examples of the plant pathogenic virus include soil-borne wheat mosaic virus, soybean mosaic virus, alfalfa mosaic virus, potato leaf roll virus, cucumber mosaic virus, and tobacco mosaic virus.

[0066] The seed treatment agent of this embodiment is suitable as a seed treatment agent for controlling soil-borne diseases of plants. The plant is preferably a legume, and particularly preferably soybean. The soil-borne disease is preferably a soil-borne disease of a legume, particularly soybean, more preferably at least one selected from the group consisting of soybean charcoal rot (pathogenic fungus: Macrophomina phaseolina) and soybean acute withering (pathogenic fungus: Fusarium virgulifϊme), and even more preferably soybean charcoal rot (pathogenic fungus: Macrophomina phaseolina).

[0067] [Seeds] Another embodiment of the present invention is seeds treated with the seed treatment agent of the present invention described above. The seeds of this embodiment are seeds having probenazole attached to at least the surface thereof.

[0068] The seeds are preferably seeds of the above-mentioned plants, more preferably seeds of legumes, and even more preferably seeds of soybean.

[0069] The seeds of this embodiment can be produced by treating plant seeds with the seed treatment agent of the present invention described above. Examples of seed treatment methods include, but are not limited to, soaking, dusting, smearing, spraying, pelleting, coating, and smoking.

[0070] The soaking method involves soaking seeds in a seed treatment agent, either directly or diluted with water or other liquids such as a solution, suspension, or emulsion. The dressing method includes a dry dressing method in which a powdered seed treatment agent is applied to dry seeds, and a wet dressing method in which a powdered seed treatment agent is applied to seeds lightly soaked in water. The smearing method involves adding a small amount of water, an optional dye, and a predetermined amount of a wettable powder or dust of the seed treatment agent to plant seeds, followed by stirring and mixing, to obtain plant seeds uniformly covered with the seed treatment agent. The spraying method involves spraying the seed treatment agent onto the seed surface. The pelleting method involves pelleting seeds with a filler to a certain size and shape, and then mixing the seed treatment agent into the filler. The coating method involves coating seeds with a film containing a seed treatment agent. The fumigation method involves disinfecting seeds using a gasified seed treatment agent in a sealed container.

[0071] The application amount when treating plant seeds with the seed treatment agent of the present invention is not particularly limited, but is preferably 0.01 g to 100 g, more preferably 0.01 g to 20 g, even more preferably 0.1 g to 20 g, and even more preferably 0.2 g to 15 g of probenazole represented by formula (I) per kg of seeds. In this case, the effective amount to be applied to the seeds (effective amount of probenazole present in the coating) is not particularly limited, but is preferably within the range of 0.002 mg to 10 mg per seed, and more preferably within the range of 0.01 mg to 5.0 mg per seed.

[0072] [Method for controlling soil-borne diseases] Yet another embodiment of the present invention is a method for controlling soil-borne diseases, which comprises treating seeds or soil with a composition containing probenazole as an active ingredient.

[0073] The composition containing probenazole as an active ingredient is the same as the seed treatment agent of the present invention described above.

[0074] The seed treatment method is as described above for the seed treatment agent of the present invention.

[0075] The soil treatment method is not particularly limited, but examples include using the seed treatment agent of the present invention as a soil treatment agent and applying the soil treatment agent to or on the soil. Examples of soil treatment methods include incorporation treatment, spraying treatment, furrow and planting hole application treatment (including soil spraying in planting furrows and infurrow application), with incorporation treatment, spraying treatment, and furrow and planting hole application treatment being preferred. For example, incorporation treatment can control soil-borne diseases by manually or mechanically incorporation of granules into the soil. Soil-borne diseases can also be controlled by spraying the agent onto both the seeds and the soil in the upper furrow of the soil surface at the time of sowing. Furthermore, application of the agent by irrigation into the soil is also preferred. Incorporation treatment is preferably performed by incorporation of the agent into the soil at the time of sowing or planting. Here, "time of sowing" refers to the period including the day of sowing and one day before and after, and "time of planting" refers to the period including the day of planting and one day before and after. When the soil treatment agent of this embodiment is in the form of an ampoule, it can be inserted into the base of a plant. When used during seedling cultivation, the soil treatment agent of this embodiment may be mixed with culture soil or may be irrigated at the time of sowing or during seedling cultivation.

[0076] When a plant pathogen infects the stems and leaves of a plant, the amount of the soil treatment agent to be applied is not particularly limited, but is preferably 0.1 g to 10 kg, and more preferably 1 g to 1,000 g, of probenazole represented by formula (I) per 10 ares of cultivated land.

[0077] When a plant pathogen infects via soil or a culture carrier other than soil (a nutrient solution such as that used in hydroponics, sand culture, NFT (Nutrient Film Technique), or rock wool culture; or a solid medium such as artificial soil or an artificial seedling mat), the treatment amount of the soil treatment agent is not particularly limited, but is preferably 0.1 g to 10 kg, and more preferably 1 to 1,000 g, of probenazole represented by formula (I) per 10 ares of soil.

[0078] When the soil treatment agent is applied to soil or a cultivation carrier other than soil, it is preferably applied near the seeds.

[0079] The present invention will be specifically explained below with reference to formulation examples and test examples as examples, but the present invention is not limited to these examples. The soybean seed variety used was Enrei (33.8 g / 100 kernel weight).

[0080] Formulation Example 1 (Powder) Probenazole 50% by mass Naphthalenesulfonate formalin condensate 2% by mass White carbon 1% by mass Polyvinyl alcohol 1% by mass Polyethylene glycol 3% by mass Clay Balance The above ingredients were uniformly mixed and pulverized to obtain a powder for dust dressing.

[0081] Test Example 1 Soybean seeds (variety: Enrei) were coated with the dressing powder shown in Formulation Example 1 at a treatment dose of 1.0 mg / seed or 2.4 mg / seed of probenazole and then sown in a mixture of a culture of soybean charcoal rot fungus (Macrophomina phaseolina) and potting soil (mass ratio 1:9). After sowing, the seeds were cultivated in a greenhouse and evaluated 28 days after sowing according to the following index. The disease severity was calculated based on this index, and the control value was calculated from the obtained disease severity using the following formula.

[0082] Severity of disease 0: Healthy roots 1: The tip of the main root has turned black 2: The tips of the main root and lateral roots have turned black 3: Poor root mat formation 4: No germination

[0083] Severity = (1 x Severity 1 + 2 x Severity 2 + 3 x Severity 3 + 4 x Severity 4) / (4 x Number of surveys) x 100

[0084]

[0085] The seed treatment agent, seeds, and method for controlling soil-borne diseases of the present invention are highly safe for plants, are simple, efficient, and have a low labor load, and are sufficiently effective. Therefore, they are useful as agents and means for controlling diseases of crops such as soybeans, and are expected to become widely used.

Claims

1. A seed treatment agent containing probenazole as the active ingredient.

2. The seed treatment agent according to claim 1 for controlling soil-borne diseases.

3. The seed treatment agent according to claim 2, wherein the soil-borne disease is a disease caused by Macrophomina phaseolina or Fusarium virguliforme.

4. The seed treatment agent according to claim 2, wherein the soil-borne disease is soybean charcoal rot or soybean acute withering.

5. The seed treatment agent according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the subject of seed treatment is a seed of a legume.

6. The seed treatment agent according to claim 5, wherein the legume is soybean.

7. Seeds treated with the seed treatment agent according to claim 1.

8. Seeds with probenazole on at least the surface.

9. The seed according to claim 7 or 8 for controlling soil-borne diseases.

10. The seed according to claim 9, wherein the soil-borne disease is a disease caused by Macrophomina phaseolina or Fusarium virguliforme.

11. The seed according to claim 9, wherein the soil-borne disease is soybean charcoal rot or soybean sudden death.

12. The seed according to claim 7 or 8, which is a seed of a legume.

13. The seed of claim 12, wherein the legume is soybean.

14. A method for controlling soil-borne diseases, comprising treating seeds with a composition containing probenazole as an active ingredient.

15. A method for controlling soil-borne diseases, comprising treating soil with a composition containing probenazole as an active ingredient.