Method for controlling fungal diseases in crops

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for controlling fungal diseases in crops, the method comprising foliar application of an effective amount of a triazole fungicide to a plant or a plant part or a locus thereof. The present invention also relates to the use of a triazole fungicide for controlling fungal diseases in crops, wherein the formulation is applied as a foliar spray.

Description

[0001] METHOD FOR CONTROLLING FUNGAL DISEASES IN CROPS

[0002] FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The present invention pertains to a method for controlling diseases in crops. In particular, the present invention relates to a method for controlling fungal diseases in crops using a triazole fungicide.

[0004] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0005] Fungal infestation of plants or crops is known to cause significant loss in yield along with reduced nutritional quality of crops. There are various fungal phytopathogens that are known to affect various parts of the plant including leaves, shoots, stems, crowns, roots, tubers, fruits, seeds, etc., necessitating development of effective control measures. Different kind of anti-fungal agents and different kinds of methods of application are available in the art to target specific pathogens and crops. However, there still is a need to develop newer methods to combat various pathogens in different regions of the world. For example, foliar diseases such as grain or pod rot caused by various fungi in crops such as soybean, wheat, etc., affect the stem, leaves, and other foliar portions of crop and cause considerable decrease in yield, thereby leading to severe losses. Effective methods are required to control such fungal phytopathogens.

[0006] Soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] is a major commercial oilseed crop produced and consumed worldwide. The potential always exists for a bacterial, fungal, or viral disease to develop in soybean crop. Potential yield loss related to a disease infection can be minimal or excessively damaging depending on the disease, the environment, time of infection, and the soybean product. Soybean foliage is susceptible to numerous fungal and bacterial pathogens. These pathogens cause leaf spots and blights. While several fungicides are available in the art, the problem of grain rot still persists demanding development of new and innovative solutions. Ipconazole is a triazole fungicide and is highly effective against seed-borne and soil-borne diseases, even at low dosages. It is a systemic, broad-spectrum fungicide. Ipconazole is structurally similar to many other triazole compounds used as pesticides. Ipconazole exerts its effect by inhibiting sterol synthesis in fungi.

[0007] The Fungicide Resistance Action committee (FRAC) has been involved in longterm monitoring of the efficacy of the azole group to detect shifts in sensitivity in pathogens of major crops such as cereals in Europe and soybean in Brazil. With sensitive strains of some plant pathogens emerging over time, the azoles have also suffered the rapid high-level resistance development seen with other single-site of action fungicides. Therefore, new fungicides along with new methods of application from the azole / triazole group are under evaluation as a substitute in the resistance management programs.

[0008] OBJECTIVES OF THE INVENTION

[0009] It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for controlling or preventing fungal diseases in crops.

[0010] It is another object of the present invention to provide a method for controlling or preventing fungal diseases in crops, by foliar application of a triazole fungicide to a plant, a plant part or a locus thereof.

[0011] It is another object of the present invention to provide a method for controlling or preventing fungal diseases in leguminous and cereal crops, by foliar application of ipconazole to a plant, a plant part or a locus thereof.

[0012] It is another object of the present invention to provide a method for improving crop health and increasing crop yield by controlling or preventing fungal diseases in crops. It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a method for controlling phytopathogenic fungal diseases in soybean crop.

[0013] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a method for controlling grain or pod rot caused by Diaporthe species in soybean as well as other crops.

[0014] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0015] In accordance with an embodiment, the present invention provides a method of controlling fungal diseases in crops, the method comprising applying an effective amount of a triazole fungicide, as a foliar spray, to a plant or a plant part or a locus thereof.

[0016] In accordance with an embodiment, the present invention provides a method of controlling fungal diseases in crops, the method comprising applying an effective amount of ipconazole, as a foliar spray, to a plant or a plant part or a locus thereof.

[0017] In accordance with an embodiment, the crop is selected from a group comprising leguminous, oilseed or cereal crops. In accordance with an embodiment, the crop is selected from a group comprising soybean, corn, cotton, wheat, barley, beans, coffee, potato and tomato.

[0018] In accordance with an embodiment, the triazole fungicide is applied in an amount ranging from about 10 g a.i. / ha to about 500 g a.i. / ha.

[0019] In accordance with an embodiment, the triazole fungicide is applied by foliar spraying at a spray rate from about 0.1 to about 20 litres per hectare of the crops.

[0020] In accordance with an embodiment, the foliar application is started about 35 to about 45 days after the emergence of crop. In accordance with another embodiment, multiple foliar applications are carried out after the emergence of crop.

[0021] In accordance with another embodiment, the fungal disease is caused by Phakopsora pachyrhizi, Corynespora cassiicola. Cercospora spp., Septoria glycines, Erysiphe diffusa, Diaporthe sp., or combinations thereof.

[0022] In accordance with an embodiment, the method of the present invention is used for controlling fungal diseases caused by Diaporthe sp. in soybean as well as other crops.

[0023] In accordance with yet another embodiment, the method of the present invention is used for controlling grain or pod rot in crops.

[0024] In accordance with an embodiment, the present invention provides the use of ipconazole for controlling fungal diseases in crops, wherein ipconazole is applied as a foliar spray.

[0025] In accordance with an embodiment, the present invention provides the use of ipconazole for controlling fungal diseases in soybean.

[0026] In accordance with an additional embodiment, the present invention provides the use of ipconazole for controlling diseases caused by Diaporthe sp. in soybean as well as other crops.

[0027] In accordance with yet another embodiment, the present invention provides use of ipconazole for controlling grain or pod rot in crops.

[0028] Various objects, embodiments, features, aspects, and advantages of the inventive subject matter will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0029] The following is a detailed description of the embodiments of the present invention. The embodiments are in such detail as to clearly communicate the invention. However, the amount of detail offered is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of the embodiments. On the contrary, the intention is to cover all the modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0030] Unless the context indicates otherwise, the word “comprise” and variations thereof, such as “comprises”, “comprising”, “includes”, “including”, “contains” and “containing” are to be construed in an open, inclusive sense that is as “including, but not limited to.” It is to be noted that, as used in the specification, the meaning of “a”, “an”, and “the” includes plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0031] All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided with respect to certain embodiments herein is intended merely to better illustrate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention otherwise claimed.

[0032] The following discussion provides many exemplary embodiments of the inventive subject matter. The inventive subject matter is considered to include all possible combinations of the disclosed elements.

[0033] Various terms as used herein are described below. To the extent a term used in a claim is not defined below, it should be given the broadest definition given to that term, in the pertinent art, as reflected in printed publications and issued patents at the time of filing. The term “about” shall be interpreted to mean “approximately” or “reasonably close to” and any statistically insignificant variations therefrom.

[0034] As used herein, the term “plant” and “crop” have been used interchangeably throughout the present specification.

[0035] The term “control” or “controlling” or “prevent” or “preventing” a fungal pathogen refers to inhibiting or reducing the growth, reducing the ability of fungal pathogen to grow or reproduce or proliferate or spread, including killing (e.g., causing the morbidity or mortality, or reduced fecundity) of fungal pathogen. Controlling effects include all deviation from natural development, for example: killing, retardation, decrease or treatment of the disease.

[0036] The term “fungicide” or “fungicidal” as used herein means a compound that controls, modifies, inhibits or prevents the growth of fungi. The term “effective amount” means the quantity of the antifungal active ingredient that is capable of producing an effect on the growth of fungi.

[0037] The term “fungi”, “fungus”, “phytopathogenic fungi”, “phytopathogenic fungus”, “fungal phytopathogen” or the likes as used herein refers to fungi or fungus-like pathogens having the ability to cause infection or disease in plants.

[0038] As used herein, the term “foliar application” refers to application of the active or formulation of the present invention to the foliage, i.e., leaves of a plant or a standing crop.

[0039] The term “locus”, as used herein, means fields in or on which plants are growing. The term also includes the vicinity of a desired crop in which fungal control is desired. The terms “g a.i. / ha” as used herein denotes the amount of the respective active ingredient in “grams” applied “per hectare” area of land or crop.

[0040] The terms “g / L” as used herein denotes the concentration of the respective active ingredient in “grams” present in “per Liter” of the composition.

[0041] The term “L / ha” as used herein denotes the volume of the liquid formulation of the present invention that is applied “per hectare” area of land or crop.

[0042] The present invention, in all its aspects, is described in detail as follows:

[0043] Ipconazole or 2-[(4-chlorophenyl)methyl]-5-(l -methylethyl)- 1-(1H-1, 2, 4-triazoll- ylmethyl)cyclopentanol belonging to triazole class is a commercially available antifungal agent. It is a systemic and contact, broad spectrum fungicide. The use of ipconazole is generally restricted for seed treatment on various crops, turfgrass, ornamental flowers and conifers, primarily, for controlling soil-borne and seed- borne diseases. Foliar application of ipconazole is not prevalent in the art. An advantage of foliar spray application is that it can address diseases quickly with faster absorption of the fungicide through contact with leaves. It has been found by the inventors of the present invention that foliar application of ipconazole can be used for effectively controlling disease causing fungal phytopathogens in a variety of crops. The method of the present invention not only results in reduction in fungal disease incidence by efficiently controlling the target pathogen but also results in improved crop health and enhanced yield.

[0044] The present invention, in an embodiment, provides a method of controlling fungal diseases in crops, the method comprising: applying an effective amount of a triazole fungicide, as a foliar spray, to a plant or a plant part or a locus thereof.

[0045] The present invention, in an embodiment, provides a method of controlling fungal diseases in crops, the method comprising: applying an effective amount of ipconazole, as a foliar spray, to a plant or a plant part or a locus thereof. The method of the present invention comprising ipconazole is used to control fungal diseases in crops such as soybean, corn, cotton, wheat, barley, beans, coffee, potato and tomato. More particularly, the method of the present invention is effective in controlling fungal diseases in soybean.

[0046] In an embodiment, ipconazole is present in a concentration ranging from about 100 g / L to 700 g / L, preferably from about 200 g / L to about 600 g / L, preferably from about 300 g / L to about 500 g / L, and more preferably from 350 g / L to about 480 g / L. In an embodiment, ipconazole is present in a concentration of about 450 g / L.

[0047] In an embodiment, ipconazole is applied in an amount ranging from about 10 g a.i. / ha to about 500 g a.i. / ha, preferably from about 50 g a.i. / ha to about 400 g a.i. / ha, and more preferably from about 50 g a.i. / ha to about 200 g a.i. / ha.

[0048] In an embodiment, ipconazole is applied in an amount of about 50 g a.i. / ha. In an embodiment, ipconazole is applied in an amount of about 100 g a.i. / ha. In a preferred embodiment, ipconazole is applied in an amount of about 200 g a.i. / ha. In an embodiment, ipconazole is applied in an amount of about 127 g a.i. / ha. In an embodiment, ipconazole is applied in an amount of about 150 g a.i. / ha.

[0049] In an embodiment, ipconazole is applied by foliar spraying at a spray rate from about 0.1 to about 20 litres per hectare of the crops.

[0050] In an embodiment, the present invention discloses a method for controlling fungal diseases caused by Phakopsora pachyrhizi, Corynespora cassiicola. Cercospora spp., Septoria glycines, Erysiphe diffusa or Diaporthe sp., by applying ipconazole.

[0051] In an exemplary embodiment, the method of the present invention comprising foliar application of ipconazole is effective in controlling grain and pod rot in crops. In particular, the method of the present invention comprising application of foliar spray of ipconazole helps in effectively controlling Diaporthe sp. in soybean as well as other crops.

[0052] In an embodiment, the present invention provides a method of controlling fungal diseases in crops, the method comprising: applying an effective amount of a fungicidal composition, as a foliar spray, to a plant or a plant part or a locus thereof; wherein the composition comprises: a triazole fungicide; and at least one agrochemically acceptable excipient.

[0053] In an embodiment, the present invention provides a method of controlling fungal diseases in crops, the method comprising: applying an effective amount of a fungicidal composition, as a foliar spray, to a plant or a plant part or a locus thereof; wherein the composition comprises: ipconazole; and at least one agrochemically acceptable excipient.

[0054] In an embodiment, the concentration of ipconazole in the composition is in a range from about 10% w / w to about 60% w / w.

[0055] In an embodiment, the agrochemically acceptable excipient is selected from the group comprising adjuvants, co-solvents, surfactants, colorants, dispersants, emulsifiers, thickeners, antifreeze agents, biocides, anti-foam agents, stabilizers, wetting agents, pH modifier, carriers, or combinations thereof.

[0056] In an embodiment, the concentration of agriculturally acceptable excipient is in the composition is in a range from about 0.01% w / w to about 99% w / w, preferably from about 1% w / w to about 90% w / w, preferably from about 10% w / w to about 80% w / w, and more preferably from about 20% w / w to about 70% w / w. In an embodiment, the composition comprising ipconazole is applied as a foliar spray.

[0057] In an embodiment, the method of controlling fungal diseases comprises multiple foliar applications of ipconazole.

[0058] In an embodiment, four applications of the foliar spray are carried out. The first application is carried out about 35 to about 45 days after the emergence of crop. Thereafter, the second, third and the fourth applications of ipconazole are carried out after about every 14 days to provide efficient control of the phytopath ogenic fungi.

[0059] In an embodiment, the foliar spray application may be made early or late postemergence.

[0060] In an embodiment, the foliar application of ipconazole may be carried out using conventional spraying techniques.

[0061] The method of the present invention can be carried out in agricultural lands such as fields, lawns and orchards, or in non-agricultural lands. The present methods may be used to control diseases in agricultural lands for cultivating the plants without any phytotoxicity to the plant.

[0062] In an embodiment, the method of the present disclosure comprises application of one or more additional fungicide or an herbicide or an insecticide. In an embodiment, the method of the present disclosure comprise at least one additional fungicide.

[0063] In an embodiment, the present invention provides a method of controlling fungal diseases in crops, the method comprising: applying an effective amount of a fungicidal combination, as a foliar spray, to a plant or a plant part or a locus thereof, wherein the combination comprises: ipconazole; and at least one additional fungicide.

[0064] In an embodiment, the present invention provides a method of controlling fungal diseases in crops, the method comprising: applying an effective amount of a fungicidal combination, as a foliar spray, to a plant or a plant part or a locus thereof, wherein the combination comprises: ipconazole; and at least two additional fungicides.

[0065] In an embodiment, the additional fungicide may be a single fungicide or a combination of one or more systemic fungicides. In an embodiment, the additional fungicide is a combination of at least two fungicides.

[0066] In an embodiment, the additional fungicides in the fungicidal combination is selected from nucleic acid synthesis inhibitor, cytoskeleton and motor protein inhibitors, amino acids and protein synthesis inhibitors, respiration process inhibitors, signal transduction inhibitors, lipid synthesis and membrane integrity disruptors, sterol biosynthesis inhibitors, melanin synthesis inhibitors, cell wall biosynthesis inhibitors, melanin synthesis inhibitor in cell wall, host plant defence inducers, fungicides with unknown modes of action, fungicide with no classification, or biologicals with multiple mode of action.

[0067] In an embodiment, the additional fungicide comprising a multi-site fungicide having contact activity is selected from inorganic compounds, dithiocarbamates, phthalimides, chloronitriles, sulfamides, bis-guanidines, triazines, quinones, quinoxalines, maleimides and thiocarbamates. In an embodiment, the multi-site fungicide comprises copper and its salts, sulphur, amobam ferbam, mancozeb, maneb, metiram, propineb, thiram, zinc, thiazole, zineb, ziram, captan, captafol, folpet, chlorothalonil, dichlofluanid, tolylfluanid, guazatine, iminoctadine, anilazine, dithianon, dithianon, fluoroimide, and methasulfocarb.

[0068] In an embodiment, the copper salt is selected from the group comprising copper sulphate, dibasic copper sulphate, tribasic copper sulphate and copper oxychloride. The actives of the combination of the present invention maybe applied simultaneously as a tank mix or may be applied sequentially or as a formulation. The application may be made to the soil before emergence of the plants, either at the pre-planting or post-planting stage. The application may be made as a foliar spray at different timings during crop development, with either one or two applications early or late post-emergence. More preferably, the combination of the present invention is applied to a plant propagation material.

[0069] In an embodiment, the fungicidal composition of the present invention comprising ipconazole is formulated as a solid or liquid composition. In a preferred embodiment, the composition used for foliar application is a liquid formulation. In an embodiment, the solid formulation is selected from a wettable powder, a water dispersible granule, a dry flowable or dusts. The liquid formulation is selected from a soluble (liquid) concentrate, a suspension concentrate (SC), an oil in water emulsion, a water in oil emulsion, an emulsifiable concentrate (EC), an emulsion in water (EW), a capsule suspension (CS), or an oil dispersion.

[0070] The present invention, in an embodiment, provides use of ipconazole for controlling fungal diseases in crops, applied as a foliar spray.

[0071] In another embodiment, the present invention provides use of ipconazole for controlling fungal diseases in soybean. In another embodiment, the present invention provides use of ipconazole for controlling diseases caused by Diaporthe sp. in soybean as well as other crops. In still another embodiment, the present invention provides use of ipconazole for controlling grain or pod rot in crops. The method of the present invention provides improved health and enhanced yield of crops.

[0072] EXAMPLES

[0073] The following examples illustrates the basic methodology of the present invention.

[0074] Example 1 : Comparison of foliar application of ipconazole with other commercially available fungicides

[0075] Soybean crop infested by pod or grain rot was treated by foliar application of ipconazole, fluazinam, fluopyram and mancozeb. The applications were done about 30 days after crop emergence, the said applications were made about 5 times, each time at an interval of about 10 days. The observations below were made after the 5thapplication of ipconazole. The treatments were sprayed at varying application amounts as depicted in Table 1 and the corresponding % of healthy pods were observed.

[0076] Table 1 : Treatment protocol and % healthy pods After about 30 days of emergence of the crop, five foliar applications were carried out, each at an interval of about 10 days. The treated crops were compared with the untreated control.

[0077] It was observed that application of ipconazole as foliar spray resulted in enhanced control of the fungal phytopathogens. A significant increase in the healthy pods and reduction in infected pods was observed when the infested soybean crop plants were treated with ipconazole as compared to the treatment with other potent, commercially available fungicides.

[0078] The number of healthy pods were found to be maximum when the crop was treated with 200 g a.i. / ha (98.8%) followed by 100 g a.i. / ha (85.1%) and 50 g a.i. / ha (82.9%), respectively of Ipconazole. Fluopyram (200 g a.i. / ha) and mancozeb (1125 g a.i. / ha) were not found to provide efficient control of the pathogen and resulted in lesser number of healthy pods as compared to the untreated control as well as crops treated with ipconazole. Similarly, the number of infected pods was much lower in crops treated with ipconazole as compared to the other fungicides tested. Accordingly, the foliar application with ipconazole was found to be much more effective in controlling grain / pod rot as compared to other commercially available fungicides.

[0079] Example 2: Comparison of foliar application of ipconazole with other triazole fungicides

[0080] Foliar application of ipconazole was compared with other triazole fungicides to control fungal disease caused by Corynespora cassiicola, Erysiphe diffusa and Phakopsora pachyrhizi in soybean crop, and the results have been tabulated in Table 2.

[0081] Table 2: Comparison of Ipconazole with other triazole fungicides

[0082] It was observed that application of ipconazole as foliar spray resulted in enhanced control of the fungal phytopathogens as compared to other triazole fungicides. Furthermore, trials were done to evaluate ipconazole in combination with at least one additional fungicide or at least two additional fungicides and it was observed that the combination provided enhanced efficacy as compared to individual fungicides. Advantages of the present invention

[0083] • The method of the present invention provides effective control of fungal diseases such as grain / pod rot in crops.

[0084] • The method of the present invention is particularly effective against Diaporthe sp. in soybean as well as other crops. • The method employed by the present invention results in enhanced crop yield and improved crop health.

Claims

We claim:

1. A method for controlling fungal diseases in crops, the method comprising applying an effective amount of ipconazole as a foliar spray, to a plant or a plant part or a locus thereof.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the crop is selected from the group comprising soybean, corn, cotton, wheat, barley, beans, coffee, potato, tomato, or combinations.

3. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein ipconazole is applied in an amount ranging from about 10 g a.i. / ha to about 500 g a.i. / ha.

4. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein ipconazole is applied by foliar spray at a rate from about 0.1 to about 20 litres per hectare of the crop.

5. The method as claimed in claim 4, wherein application by foliar spray is started about 35 to about 45 days after the emergence of crop.

6. The method as claimed in claim 5, wherein multiple applications by foliar spray are carried out after the emergence of the crop.

7. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fungal disease is caused by Phakopsora pachyrhizi. Corynespora cassiicola, Cercospora spp., Septoria glycines, Erysiphe diffusa, Diaporthe sp., or combinations thereof.

8. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein ipconazole is applied for control of fungal diseases caused by Diaporthe sp. in soybean.

9. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein ipconazole is applied for the control of grain or pod rot in crops.

10. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the method comprises applying an effective amount of fungicidal composition comprising ipconazole and at least one agrochemically acceptable excipient.

11. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the composition is formulated as a solid or a liquid formulation.

12. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the method comprises applying an effective amount of fungicidal combination comprising ipconazole and at least one additional fungicide.

13. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the method comprises applying an effective amount of fungicidal combination comprising ipconazole and at least two additional fungicides.

14. Use of ipconazole for controlling fungal diseases in crops, wherein ipconazole is applied as a foliar spray.

15. The use as claimed in claim 14, for controlling diseases caused by Diaporthe sp. in soybean and for controlling grain or pod rot in crops.

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