Method for controlling insects

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for controlling hemipteran or lepidopteran insect pests in crops, said method comprising applying to a plant, a plant propagation material, locus or parts thereof or surrounding soil with the composition comprising a mixture of elemental Sulphur in a concentration range of 1% to 90% by weight of the total composition; Selenium in its elemental form or salts or complexes or derivatives or mixture thereof wherein elemental Selenium content is in the range of 0.001% to 10% by weight of the total composition; and at least one agriculturally acceptable excipients wherein the composition comprises particles in the size range of 0.1 to 50 microns.

Description

[0001] METHOD FOR CONTROLLING INSECTS

[0002] FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The present invention relates to a method for controlling insect pests in crops, said method comprising applying to a plant, a plant propagation material, locus or parts thereof or surrounding soil with the composition comprising elemental Sulphur; Selenium in its elemental form or salts or complexes or derivatives or mixture thereof; and at least one agriculturally acceptable excipient.

[0004] Particularly, the present invention relates to a method for controlling hemipteran or lepidopteran insect pests in crops, said method comprising applying to a plant, a plant propagation material, locus or parts thereof or surrounding soil with the composition comprising: i.) Elemental Sulphur; ii.) Selenium in its elemental form or salts or complexes or derivatives or mixture thereof; and iii.) at least one agriculturally acceptable excipient; wherein the composition comprises particles in the size range of 0.1 to 50 microns.

[0005] The present invention more particularly relates to a method for controlling hemipteran or lepidopteran insect pests in crops, said method comprising applying to a plant, a plant propagation material, locus or parts thereof or surrounding soil with the composition comprising a mixture of: i.) elemental Sulphur in a concentration range of 1% to 90% by weight of the total composition; ii.) Selenium in its elemental form or salts or complexes or derivatives or mixture thereof wherein elemental Selenium content is in the range of 0.001% to 10% by weight of the total composition; and iii.) at least one agriculturally acceptable excipient; wherein the composition comprises particles in the size range of 0.1 to 50 microns. The present invention further relates to a pesticidal composition for controlling insect pests of the order hemiptera or lepidoptera said composition comprising the combination of: i.) elemental Sulphur in a concentration range of 1% to 90% by weight of the total composition; ii.) Selenium in its elemental form or salts or complexes or derivatives or mixture thereof wherein elemental Selenium content is in the range of 0.001% to 10% by weight of the total composition; and iii.) at least one agriculturally acceptable excipient; wherein the composition comprises particles in the size range of 0.1 to 50 microns and wherein the said combination provides synergistic control over the said insects as compared to standalone actives.

[0006] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0007] A major hindrance to crop production is loss caused by insect pests right from the seedling stage to the post harvesting stage of the product. These losses lead to reduced yields, decreased quality, which results in economic loss to the grower and increased costs to the consumer

[0008] The insects in the order Hemiptera, which includes aphids, jassids, whitefly, leaf hoppers, plant hoppers, etc. are one of the most destructive class of insects for agricultural crops. The Hemiptera cause direct damage by feeding on the crops, and in some cases indirect damage by transmission of plant viruses. These tiny creatures reproduce very fast and can cause significant harm to plants by weakening their overall health and reducing their ability to produce flowers, fruits, or viable seeds. For instance, Aphids, including, but not limited to the genera Myzus, Aphis, Macrosiphum, Eriosoma, Dysaphis, can multiply rapidly through parthenogenesis where a single female foundress can produce hundreds of offspring. They are often cryptic pests, which are hard to detect, and vector several serious plant viruses, like barley yellow dwarf virus, cucumber mosaic virus, and potato virus. In addition to vectoring viruses to plants, the aphids also excrete honeydew a sugar-rich waste product, which promotes the growth of opportunistic fungi, like mildews. Similarly, whiteflies are serious pests of agriculture, capable of transmitting viruses and bacterial pathogens. Whiteflies including the genera Bemisia, and Trialeurodes, are particularly damaging to tomatoes and greenhouse plants. The Brown Plant Hopper (BPH), Nilaparvata lugens is another notorious pests in the hemipteran group. Evolution of the pesticide resistance in this pest is also one of the major concerns amongst the paddy growers.

[0009] The order Lepidoptera, represents the second largest order of the class insecta, which includes pests such as diamond-back moth (DBM) on cabbage (Plutella xylostelld), fruit borer on tomato Helicoverpa armigerd), pod borer on chilli (Spodoptera lilura). shoot and fruit borers on brinjal {Leucinodes orhonalis) and okra (Earias fabid) among the major pests of vegetables.

[0010] Some key damages inflicted by these pests include: a) Nutrient depletion: pests extract vital nutrients from plants, leading to nutrient deficiencies that can hinder growth and development. b) Stunted growth: The continuous feeding of pests can impede the plant's growth and result in reduced size and vigor. c) Leaf distortion: Aphids, j as sids, and mites feed on the leaves and stems of plants, which can cause them to curl and become distorted, which can affect the plant's ability to carry out photosynthesis and reduces yields. d) Transmission of diseases: pests act as vectors for various viral and bacterial diseases, transmitting them from one plant to another as they feed. e) Honeydew and sooty mold: pests secrete a sugary substance called honeydew, which attracts ants and encourages the growth of sooty mold, resulting in a black, sticky coating on leaves and stems.

[0011] Current management of these insects relies almost exclusively on application of classical chemical insecticides. The most common method of crop protection from insect pests is calendar-based spraying of classical chemical insecticides. These insecticides affect a specific target site of the insect, such as a protein. Many insecticides acting at identified target sites are losing effectiveness due to increased resistance in field populations of the insects. Neonicotinoid compounds are compounds that have been used as insecticides for over twenty years against a broad spectrum of sucking and certain chewing pests. Neonicotinoid compounds, such as imidacloprid, are one of the top selling classes of insecticides. However, over the years, insects have begun to develop resistance to neonicotinoid compounds. The development of resistance to insecticides is well known. There are estimated to be at least 400 species of arthropods that are resistant to one or more insecticides.

[0012] The biological properties of known compounds are therefore not entirely satisfactory in the areas of insect control especially hemipteran or lepidopteran insect pests which have developed resistance to almost all the chemical compounds currently being used. To overcome this problem, the pesticides are administered in higher dosages to achieve the desired control, thereby leading to soil toxicity and other environmental hazards, besides higher costs.

[0013] The control of insects with classical insecticides have therefore become difficult because of the capacity of insects to reproduce rapidly and development of resistance to the chemicals when only materials with the same mode of action are used repeatedly and cause an increased cost of production, residual toxicity, outbreaks of secondary pests, and potential health hazards on humans and environmental threats.

[0014] There is an ongoing need for compositions and methods for using such compositions having insecticidal activity, for use in crop protection or insect- mediated disease control, especially for controlling insects and representatives of the order Hemiptera and Lepidoptera. Novel compositions are required which addresses the problem of resistance to existing insecticides and soil toxicity and also can be used at reduced dosages, offers broader crop protection spectrum, improved and healthy foliage, improved crop yield, saves labour, and is yet cost- effective to the end user.

[0015] Combinations of insecticides are typically used to broaden the spectrum of insect control or enhance the level of control of any given species through additive effect. Certain rare combinations surprisingly give a greater-than-additive or synergistic effect.

[0016] The role of elemental sulphur as a pesticide has been known for a long time. It is known to be of low toxicity, and is internationally certified for use in the production of organic crops as an insecticide, for plant disease control, and as a plant or soil amendment. Sulphur is mostly available in its elemental form and different formulations such as granules, pellets, powders, etc. are known for providing sulphur in a form for use as a fertilizer or pesticide. Elemental sulphur is one of the oldest fungicides and has a good efficacy against a wide range of powdery mildew diseases as well as black spot. However, sulphur formulations used alone are only moderately effective against Hemipteran and Lepidopteran insects.

[0017] Selenium is the trace element which is not considered to be indispensable nutrient for plants. A few studies investigating the effect of selenium compounds on vaious fungal diseases as well as insects of order Blattodea, Coleoptera, Diptera, Ephemeroptera, Hemiptera, Hymenoptera, Lepidoptera, Odonata, and Orthoptera, revealed impacts on mortality, growth, development, and behaviour of certain pests. However, selenium used alone is good to moderately effective against insects.

[0018] The compounds used in the method according to the present invention are known for their pesticidal activity however, individual application of these actives is observed to be not sufficiently effective against insect pests, especially for controlling insects of the order Hemiptera and Lepidoptera. The inventors have now found an alternative method of controlling broad spectrum of insects, providing surprisingly good control of insect pests at reduced dosages using mixtures of elemental sulphur and selenium.

[0019] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0020] The present invention relates to a method for controlling hemipteran or lepidopteran insect pests in crops, said method comprising applying to a plant, a plant propagation material, locus or parts thereof or surrounding soil with the composition comprising: i.) Elemental Sulphur; ii.) Selenium in its elemental form or salts or complexes or derivatives or mixture thereof; and iii.) at least one agriculturally acceptable excipient; wherein the composition comprises particles in the size range of 0.1 to 50 microns.

[0021] The invention particularly relates to a method for controlling hemipteran or lepidopteran insect pests in crops, said method comprising applying to a plant, a plant propagation material, locus or parts thereof or surrounding soil with the composition comprising a mixture of: iv.) elemental Sulphur in a concentration range of 1% to 90% by weight of the total composition; v.) Selenium in its elemental form or salts or complexes or derivatives or mixture thereof wherein elemental Selenium content is in the range of 0.001% to 10% by weight of the total composition; and vi.) at least one agriculturally acceptable excipient; wherein the composition comprises particles in the size range of 0.1 to 50 microns.

[0022] The present invention further relates to a pesticidal composition for controlling insect pests of the order hemiptera or lepidoptera said composition comprising the combination of: i.) elemental Sulphur in a concentration range of 1% to 90% by weight of the total composition; ii.) Selenium in its elemental form or salts or complexes or derivatives or mixture thereof wherein elemental Selenium content is in the range of 0.001% to 10% by weight of the total composition; and iii.) at least one agriculturally acceptable excipient; wherein the composition comprises particles in the size range of 0.1 to 50 microns and wherein the said combination provides synergistic control over the said insects as compared to standalone actives.

[0023] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0024] In describing the embodiment of the invention, specific terminology is chosen for the sake of clarity. However, it is not intended that the invention be limited to the specific terms so selected and it is to be understood that such specific terms include all technical equivalents that operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose. It is understood that any numerical range recited herein is intended to include all sub ranges subsumed. Also, unless denoted otherwise, percentage of components in a composition are presented as weight percent.

[0025] Groupings of alternative elements or embodiments of the invention disclosed herein are not to be construed as limitations. Each group member can be referred to and claimed individually or in any combination with other members of the group or other elements found herein. One or more members of a group can be included in, or deleted from, a group for reasons of convenience and / or patentability.

[0026] As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” includes plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. As used herein, the terms “comprising” “including,” “having,” “containing,” “involving,” and the like are to be understood to be open-ended, i.e., to mean including but not limited to. The terms “preferred” and “preferably” refer to embodiments of the invention that may afford certain benefits, under certain circumstances.

[0027] In any aspect or embodiment described herein below, the phrase comprising may be replaced by the phrases “consisting of’ or “consisting essentially of’ or “consisting substantially of’. In these aspects or embodiment, the composition described includes or comprises or consists of or consists essentially of or consists substantially of the specific components recited therein, to the exclusion of other ingredients or excipients not specifically recited therein.

[0028] Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, the appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.

[0029] In some embodiments, the numbers expressing quantities of ingredients, properties such as concentration, and so forth, used to describe and claim certain embodiments of the invention are to be understood as being modified in some instances by the term “about.” Accordingly, in some embodiments, the numerical parameters set forth in the written description are approximations that can vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained by a particular embodiment. In some embodiments, the numerical parameters should be construed considering the number of reported significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques. Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and parameters setting forth the broad scope of some embodiments of the invention are approximations, the numerical values set forth in the specific examples are reported as precisely as practicable. Any numerical values, however, inherently contain certain errors necessarily resulting from the standard deviation found in their respective testing measurements.

[0030] The recitation of ranges of values herein is merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range. Unless otherwise indicated herein, each individual value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein.

[0031] Also, it should be understood that any numerical range recited herein is intended to include all sub-ranges subsumed therein. For example, a range of “1 to 10” is intended to include all sub-ranges between (and including) the recited minimum value of 1 and the recited maximum value of 10, that is, having a minimum value equal to or greater than 1 and a maximum value of equal to or less than 10. Also, unless denoted otherwise, percentages of components in a composition are presented as weight percent.

[0032] 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 illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element essential to the practice of the invention.

[0033] The term “plant” or “crop” used in this invention are interchangeable and wherever the term “plant” has been used shall also mean vegetations of similar nature namely crops, trees, shrub, herb etc. The term ‘plant’ refers to all physical parts of a plant, including seeds, seedlings, saplings, roots, tubers, stems, stalks, foliage, and fruits. The term plant includes transgenic and non-transgenic plants. The term “locus” of a plant herein is intended to embrace the place on which the plants are growing, where the plant propagation materials of the plants are sown or where the plant propagation materials of the plants will be placed into the soil.

[0034] The term “plant propagation material” is understood to denote generative parts of a plant, such as seeds, vegetative material such as cuttings or tubers, roots, fruits, tubers, bulbs, rhizomes and parts of plants, germinated plants and young plants which are to be transplanted after germination or after emergence from the soil. These young plants may be protected before transplantation by a total or partial treatment by immersion.

[0035] The term “insect,” as used herein, means and includes an air-breathing arthropod of the class Insecta that has six legs and typically one or two pairs of wings at some stage during its life cycle.

[0036] The insect may be a neonicotinoid-resistant insect. As used herein, the term “neonicotinoid-resistant insect” means and includes an insect strain or population that exhibits a target site resistance to at least one neonicotinoid compound. The neonicotinoid compound may include, but is not limited to, acetamiprid, clothianidin, dinotefuran, imidacloprid, nitenpyram, thiacloprid, thiamethoxam, imidaclothiz, BYI-02960 (also known by CA name 2(5H)-Furanone, 4-[[(6-chloro- 3-pyridinyl)methyl](2,2-difluoroethyl)amino]- and also known as flupyradifurone), or combinations thereof. As known in the art, neonicotinoid compounds are conventionally used as insecticides. However, some strains or populations of insects have developed resistance to neonicotinoid compounds. The neonicotinoid resistance is a relative response of genetically defined insect populations to the effects of the neonicotinoid compound. An insect strain or population is considered to be resistant to the neonicotinoid compound, if the insect exhibits a reduced sensitivity to the neonicotinoid compound (assessed as the dose of neonicotinoid compound utilized to inactivate or kill 50% of a treated population or group) that is at least approximately two times greater (such as, e.g., from approximately four times to more than ten times greater) than the sensitivity of an appropriate reference or so-called “susceptible” insect strain or population.

[0037] To "control" or "controlling" insects means to inhibit, through a toxic effect, the ability of insect pests to survive, grow, feed, and / or reproduce, or to limit insect- related damage or loss in crop plants. To "control" insects may or may not mean killing the insects, although it preferably means killing the insects.

[0038] Selenium refers to elemental Selenium, or Selenium in the form of its salts, derivatives or complexes thereof.

[0039] The term ‘derivatives’ used in this application shall also encompass the minerals and ores containing the minerals of Selenium. The term derivatives shall also encompass compounds from which Selenium can be obtained in a form that is usable for the desired action.

[0040] The term ‘salts’ used in this invention shall also encompass the compounds containing Selenium. The compounds of Selenium include Selenium dioxide.

[0041] The term “Sulphur” used in the composition refers to elemental Sulphur (S°) obtained through natural sources or synthetic sources. The term includes allotropes of elemental sulfur such as plastic (amorphous) sulfur, monoclinic sulfur, rhombic sulfur composed of S8 molecules, and other ring molecules such as S7 and S12. The term also comprises Sulphur produced through processing and refining of petrochemicals. The term also comprises ‘biosulfur’. The term also comprises elemental Sulphur produced through microbial processes.

[0042] The granules refer mainly to water dispersible granules, water disintegrable granules, extruded granules or spheronised granules. As described herein, “GR” or “DG” refers to water disintegrable granules, extruded granules or spheronised granules. A water disintegrable granule refers to granular composition comprising agglomerated granules or particles which are generally hard and possess resistance not to easily break or crumble. These granules upon contact with sufficient water or soil moisture disintegrate or break into individual particles releasing the actives over a prolonged period of time.

[0043] As described herein, “WG” or “WDG” refer to water dispersible granules.

[0044] As described herein, water dispersible granule is defined as a formulation which disperses rapidly when added to water to give a fine particle suspension. Water- dispersible granules are formulated as small, easily measurable granules obtained by blending and agglomerating ground active ingredients together with surfactants and other formulation excipients which disperses into finer / primary particles upon addition to water. The water-dispersible granules are obtained by spray drying or by extrusion process.

[0045] “Quick release” or “instant release” or “instantaneous dispersion” can be used interchangeably and is applicable to granules which rapidly disperse to release the actives.

[0046] As defined herein, the term “aqueous suspension” is a composition wherein solid particles are dispersed or suspended in a liquid. The term “suspension concentrates” or “aqueous suspension” or aqueous dispersion” or “an SC composition” can be used interchangeably.

[0047] As defined herein, WP refers to a wettable powder, which is a powder formulation to be applied as a suspension after dispersion in water.

[0048] Further, the dosage of active in a composition applied in the field experiments, is of elemental active. The particle size of the composition is defined as the particle size of the composition as a whole comprising elemental Sulphur, Selenium, and excipient / s. D50 is the corresponding particle size when the cumulative percentage reaches 50%. D50 is also called the median particle diameter or median particle size and represents an average 50% of the total particles to be smaller than the determined size. D90 is used to indicate particle size distribution and represent average 90% of total particles to be smaller than the determined size. D90 is also the corresponding particle size when the cumulative percentage reaches 90%.

[0049] According to the invention, it has now unexpectedly been found that the application of a combination of elemental Sulphur and Selenium demonstrates a significant synergistic effect (i.e. the resultant insect control is much greater than that which could be predicted from the insect control of individual actives used alone). This synergistic effect enables a commercially useful level of insect control and helps mitigate the insect resistance problem observed with commercially used pesticidal products.

[0050] In addition to the synergistic effect of the composition of the present invention, the inventors surprisingly determined that the composition in the form of water dispersible granule or suspension concentrate comprising elemental Sulphur in the range of 1% to 90% by weight of the total composition, Selenium in its elemental form or salts, complexes or derivatives thereof wherein the elemental content of Selenium is in the range of 0.001% to 10% by weight of the total composition; and at least one agriculturally acceptable excipient; and the particles in the composition are in the size range of 0.1 micron to 50 microns; provides excellent crop protection over wide range of pests and improves yield at reduced dosages as compared to individual active.

[0051] In one embodiment, the present invention encompasses a method for controlling hemipteran or lepidopteran insect pests in crops, said method comprising applying to a plant, a plant propagation material, locus or parts thereof or surrounding soil with the composition comprising: i.) Elemental Sulphur; ii.) Selenium in its elemental form or salts or complexes or derivatives or mixture thereof; and iii.) at least one agriculturally acceptable excipient; wherein the composition comprises particles in the size range of 0.1 to 50 microns.

[0052] The invention particularly encompasses a method for controlling hemipteran or lepidopteran insect pests in crops, said method comprising applying to a plant, a plant propagation material, locus or parts thereof or surrounding soil with the composition comprising a mixture of: i.) elemental Sulphur in a concentration range of 1% to 90% by weight of the total composition; ii.) Selenium in its elemental form or salts or complexes or derivatives or mixture thereof wherein elemental Selenium content is in the range of 0.001% to 10% by weight of the total composition; and iii.) at least one agriculturally acceptable excipient; wherein the composition comprises particles in the size range of 0.1 to 50 microns.

[0053] The present invention further encompasses a pesticidal composition for controlling insect pests of the order hemiptera or lepidoptera said composition comprising the combination of: i.) elemental Sulphur in a concentration range of 1% to 90% by weight of the total composition; ii.) Selenium in its elemental form or salts or complexes or derivatives or mixture thereof wherein elemental Selenium content is in the range of 0.001% to 10% by weight of the total composition; and iii.) at least one agriculturally acceptable excipient; wherein the composition comprises particles in the size range of 0.1 to 50 microns and wherein the said combination provides synergistic control over the said insects as compared to standalone actives.

[0054] According to an embodiment, the elemental sulphur is present in the concentration range of 1% w / w to 90% w / w of the total composition.

[0055] According to a further embodiment, elemental sulphur is present preferably in the range of 10% w / w to 90% w / w of the total composition. According to a further embodiment, elemental sulphur is present preferably in the range of 20% w / w to 90% w / w of the total composition.

[0056] According to a further embodiment, elemental sulphur is present preferably in the range of 10% w / w to 80% w / w of the total composition. According to a further embodiment, elemental sulphur is present preferably in the range of 20% w / w to 80% w / w of the total composition.

[0057] According to an embodiment, elemental sulphur is present in the range of 1% w / w to 70% w / w of the total composition. According to an embodiment, elemental sulphur is present in the range of 10% w / w to 70% w / w of the total composition. According to a further embodiment, elemental sulphur is present in the range of 20% w / w to 70% w / w of the total composition. According to a further embodiment, elemental sulphur is present in the range of 1% w / w to 65% w / w of the total composition. According to a further embodiment, elemental sulphur is present in the range of 10% w / w to 65% w / w of the total composition. According to a further embodiment, elemental sulphur is present in the range of 20% w / w to 65% w / w of the total composition. According to a further embodiment, elemental sulphur is present in the range of 10% w / w to 60% w / w of the total composition. According to a further embodiment, elemental sulphur is present in the range of 20% w / w to 60% w / w of the total composition. According to an embodiment, elemental Sulphur is present in the range of 30% to 90% by weight of the total composition. According to an embodiment, elemental Sulphur is present in the range of 30% to 80% by weight of the total composition. According to an embodiment, elemental Sulphur is present in the range of 40% to 90% by weight of the total composition. According to an embodiment, elemental Sulphur is present in the range of 40% to 80% by weight of the total composition.

[0058] According to an embodiment, the elemental content of selenium in the composition is in the range of 0.001% to 10% by weight of the total composition. According to an embodiment, the elemental content of selenium in the composition is in the range of 0.01% to 10% by weight of the total composition. According to an embodiment, the elemental content of selenium in the composition is preferably in the range of 0.01% to 5% by weight of the total composition. According to an embodiment, the elemental content of selenium in the composition is preferably in the range of 0.1% to 10% by weight of the total composition. According to an embodiment, the elemental content of selenium in the composition is preferably in the range of 0.1% to 5% by weight of the total composition.

[0059] According to an embodiment, Selenium is present in its elemental form or in the form of its salts, derivatives or complexes thereof.

[0060] According to a further embodiment, the derivatives or sources of selenium in the composition can include minerals. The selenium can also be in the form of ore. The ores can include but are not limited to oxides; silicates, carbonate ores; sulphide ores; or halide ores.

[0061] According to a further embodiment, the salts of Selenium include water soluble or water insoluble salts.

[0062] According to a further embodiment, the water-insoluble Selenium salts include but are not limited to selenium carbonates, vanadium selenide, magnesium selenide, manganese selenide, selenium sulphide, copper selenide, iron selenide, molybdenum selenide, cobalt selenide, bismuth selenide, zinc selenide, zinc selenite, copper selenite, calcium selenite, magnesium selenite, or cobalt selenite. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that it is possible to utilize other Selenium water-insoluble salts without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0063] According to a further embodiment, the water-soluble Selenium salts include but are not limited to selenium dioxide, sodium selenide, potassium selenide, ammonium selenide, sodium selenite, potassium selenite, ammonium selenite, iron selenite, sodium selenate, magnesium selenate, potassium selenate, calcium selenate, copper selenate, ammonium selenate, iron selenate, cobalt selenate or zinc selenate. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that it is possible to utilize other Selenium water-soluble salts without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0064] According to a further embodiment, Selenium derivatives include but are not limited to selenourea, selenious acid, selenium oxychloride, selenic acid, selenium yeast etc. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that it is possible to utilize other Selenium derivatives without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0065] According to a further embodiment, Selenium in the composition can also be in the form of minerals or refined or processed ores. Selenium ores include but are not limited to Achavalite, Ferroselite, Downeyite etc. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that it is possible to utilize other Selenium containing minerals and ores without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0066] According to an embodiment, Selenium in the form of its salts, derivatives or complexes thereof is present in the range of 0.001% to 30% by weight of the total composition. According to an embodiment, at least one Selenium in the form of its salts, derivatives or complexes thereof is present in the range of 0.01% to 30% by weight of the total composition. According to an embodiment, selenium in the form of its salts, derivatives or complexes thereof is present in the range of 0.01% to 20% by weight of the total composition. According to an embodiment, selenium in the form of its salts, derivatives or complexes thereof is preferably present in the range of 0.1% to 30% by weight of the total composition. According to an embodiment, selenium in the form of its salts, derivatives or complexes thereof is preferably present in the range of 0.1% to 20% by weight of the total composition.

[0067] According to an embodiment, the composition comprises particles in the size range of 0.1 micron to 50 microns. According to an embodiment, the composition comprises particles in the size range of 0.1 micron to 40 microns. According to an embodiment, the composition comprises particles in the size range of 0.1 micron to 30 microns. According to an embodiment, the composition comprises particles in the size range of 0.1 micron to 25 microns. According to an embodiment, the composition comprises particles in the size range of 0.1 micron to 20 microns. According to an embodiment, the composition comprises particles in the size range of 0.1 micron to 15 microns. According to an embodiment, the composition comprises particles in the size range of 0.1 micron to 10 microns.

[0068] According to another embodiment, the composition of the present invention comprises particles having diameter distribution of D50 of about 20 microns. According to another embodiment, the composition of the present invention comprises particles having diameter distribution of D50 of about 15 microns. According to another embodiment, the composition of the present invention comprises particles having diameter distribution of D50 of about 10 microns. According to another embodiment, the composition of the present invention comprises particles having diameter distribution of D50 of about 8 microns. According to another embodiment, the composition of the present invention comprises particles having diameter distribution of D50 of about 5 microns.

[0069] According to another embodiment, the composition of the present invention comprises particles having diameter distribution of D90 of about 50 microns. According to another embodiment, the composition of the present invention comprises particles having diameter distribution of D90 of about 30 microns. According to another embodiment, the composition of the present invention comprises particles having diameter distribution of D90 of about 20 microns. According to another embodiment, the composition of the present invention comprises particles having diameter distribution of D90 of about 15 microns. According to another embodiment, the composition of the present invention comprises particles having diameter distribution of D90 of about 10 microns.

[0070] According to another embodiment, the composition of the present invention comprises particles having diameter distribution of D50 of about 20 microns and D90 of 30 microns. According to another embodiment, the composition of the present invention comprises particles having diameter distribution of D50 of about 10 microns and D90 of 20 microns. According to another embodiment, the composition of the present invention comprises particles having diameter distribution of D50 of about 5 microns and D90 of 10 microns.

[0071] According to an embodiment the compositions display activity against insect pests from the order hemiptera and lepidoptera, which may include economically important agronomic, forest, greenhouse, nursery, ornamentals pests.

[0072] According to an embodiment the said hemiptera insects, sometimes differentiated into Heteroptera and homoptera, include but not limited to species belonging to Aleyrodidae, Aphididae, Nilaparvata, Cicadidae or Cicadellidae family. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that it is possible to use the method of the present invention for controlling other insects from order hemiptera without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0073] According to an embodiment the said lepidopteran insects include but not limited to species belonging to Plutella, Helicoverpa, Spodoptera or Phthorimaea family. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that it is possible to use the method of the present invention for controlling other insects from order lepidoptera without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0074] According to an embodiment the said insects include but not limited to brown plant hopper (BPH), whitefly, jassids, aphids, diamond black moth.

[0075] According to an embodiment, the method of controlling insects comprises of applying the composition of the present invention at the dosage of 0.1 kg / ha to lOkg / ha per application. According to an embodiment, the method of controlling insects comprises of applying the composition of the present invention at the dosage of 0.25 kg / ha to lOkg / ha per application. According to an embodiment, the method of controlling insects comprises of applying the composition of the present invention at the dosage of 0.25 kg / ha to 8kg / ha per application. According to an embodiment, the method of controlling insects comprises of applying the composition of the present invention at the dosage of 0.25kg / ha to 5kg / ha per application. According to an embodiment, the method of controlling insects comprises of applying the composition of the present invention at the dosage of 0.25 kg / ha to 2.5 kg / ha per application. According to an embodiment, the method of controlling insects comprises of applying the composition of the present invention at the dosage of 0.25 kg / ha to 1.5 kg / ha per application. According to an embodiment, the method of controlling insects comprises of applying the composition of the present invention at the dosage of 0.25 kg / ha to 1 kg / ha per application. The application amount and application concentration of the composition used in the present invention varies depending on various situations, and can be increased or decreased without regard to the above ranges.

[0076] In an embodiment, the elemental sulphur and elemental selenium may be applied in an effective amount so as to act as a synergist to each other. The amount of elemental sulphur to be applied may range from lOOg / ha to 2000g / ha per application, preferred being 200 g / ha to 1500g ha per application and more preferred being 500g / ha to lOOOg / ha per application. The amount of elemental selenium to be applied may range from Ig / ha to 150g / ha per application, preferred being 5 g / ha to lOOg / ha per application, more preferred being lOg / ha to 80 / ha per application and most preferred being 20 g / ha to 60g / ha per application. However, the appropriate amounts of the elemental sulphur and elemental selenium used in the present invention, is not particularly limiting and may be conveniently chosen by a skilled artisan without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0077] According to an embodiment, the method of the present invention involves the application of the said composition one or more times at a fixed interval.

[0078] According to an embodiment, the method of controlling insects comprises of applying the composition of the present invention at least 1 to 5 times in a life cycle of the crops. According to an embodiment, the method of controlling insects comprises of applying the composition of the present invention at least 1 to 4 times in a life cycle of the crops. According to an embodiment, the method of controlling insects comprises of applying the composition of the present invention at least 1 to 3 times in a life cycle of the crops.

[0079] According to an embodiment, the method of controlling insects comprises of repeating the application of the composition of the present invention at an interval of at least 7 days. According to an embodiment, the method of controlling insects comprises of repeating the application of the composition of the present invention at an interval of at least 10 days. According to an embodiment, the method of controlling insects comprises of repeating the application of the composition of the present invention at an interval of at least 14 days. According to an embodiment, the method of controlling insects comprises of repeating the application of the composition of the present invention at an interval of at least 21 days.

[0080] According to further embodiment, the present invention also relates to the method of application of the present invention, wherein the composition is applied to the seeds, seedlings, crops, a plant, plant propagation material, locus, parts thereof or to the surrounding soil.

[0081] The composition is applied through a variety of methods. Methods of applying to the soil include any suitable method, which ensures that the composition penetrates the soil, for example nursery tray application, broadcast application, in furrow application, soil drenching, soil injection, drip irrigation, sprinkler irrigation, seed treatment, seed painting and such other methods. The composition also is applied in the form of a foliar spray.

[0082] The rates of application or the dosage of the composition depends on the type of use or the type of crops, but is such that the active ingredient, is in an effective amount to provide the desired action (such as crop protection, crop yield).

[0083] According to an embodiment, the method of controlling insects comprises of applying the said composition by foliar spray at the dosage of 0.1 kg / ha to lOkg / ha for at least 1 to 5 times in a life cycle of the crops wherein the composition is applied at an interval of at least 7 days.

[0084] According to an embodiment, the method of controlling insects comprises of applying the said composition by foliar spray at the dosage of 0.1 kg / ha to 5kg / ha for at least 1 to 5 times in a life cycle of the crops wherein the composition is applied at an interval of at least 7 days.

[0085] According to an embodiment, the said composition is in the form of a solid, a liquid or a gel or a paste.

[0086] According to an embodiment, the liquid composition is in the form of suspensions, emulsion, liquid suspension, flowable concentrate, seed dressing, suspo-emulsion and emulsions in water. According to an embodiment, the liquid composition is preferably in the form of a suspension concentrate or an aqueous suspension.

[0087] According to an embodiment, the solid composition is in the form of powders, granules or dust.

[0088] According to an embodiment, the solid composition is in the form of powders including dustable powders, wettable powders, and dispersible powders. According to an embodiment, the solid composition can be preferably in the form of granules including broadcast granules, pellets, extruded granules, spheronized granules water dispersible granules and water disintegrable granules.

[0089] According to an embodiment, the composition is preferably be in the form of water dispersible granules.

[0090] According to an embodiment, the granules of the present invention are in the size range of 0.025 mm to 6 mm.

[0091] According to an embodiment, the composition in the form of water disintegrable granules or broadcast granules or pellets or extruded granules comprise particles in the size range of 0.025 mm to 6 mm. According to an embodiment, the composition in the form of water disintegrable granules or broadcast granules or pellets or extruded granules comprise particles in the size range of 0.025 mm to 5 mm. According to an embodiment, the composition in the form of water disintegrable granules or broadcast granules or pellets or extruded granules comprise particles in the size range of 0.025 mm to 4 mm. According to an embodiment, the composition in the form of water disintegrable granules or broadcast granules or pellets or extruded granules comprise particles in the size range of 0.025 mm to 3.5 mm. According to a further embodiment, the composition in the form of water disintegrable granules, extruded granules or broadcast granules or pellets have at least one dimension in a size range of 0.05 mm to 6 mm.

[0092] According to an embodiment, the composition in the form of water dispersible granules comprise particles in the size range of 0.025 mm to 3 mm. According to an embodiment, the composition in the form of water dispersible granules comprise particles in the size range of 0.025 mm to 2.5 mm. According to an embodiment, the composition in the form of water dispersible granules comprise particles in the size range of 0.025 mm to 2.0 mm. According to an embodiment, the composition in the form of water dispersible granules comprise particles in the size range of 0. 025 mm to 1.5 mm.

[0093] According to a further embodiment, the composition in the form of water dispersible granules have at least one dimension in a size range of 0.025 mm to 3 mm.

[0094] According to an embodiment, the said agriculturally acceptable excipient is selected from one or more of surfactants, disintegrating agents, fillers or carriers or diluents, spreading agents, colorants, anticaking agents, binders, buffers or pH adjusters or neutralizing agents, pigments, stabilizers, antifoaming agents or defoamers, penetrants, structuring agents, humectants, sticking agents, anti-freezing agent or freeze point depressants, chelating or complexing or sequestering agents preservatives. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that it is possible to utilize additional agriculturally acceptable excipients without departing from the scope of the present invention. The agriculturally acceptable excipients are commercially manufactured and available through various companies.

[0095] According to an embodiment, the agriculturally acceptable excipient is present in the range of 0.1% to 95% by weight of the total composition. According to an embodiment, the agriculturally acceptable excipient is present in the range of 0.1% to 90% by weight of the total composition. According to an embodiment, the agriculturally acceptable excipient is present in the range of 0.1% to 80% by weight of the total composition. According to an embodiment, the agriculturally acceptable excipient is present in the range of 0.1% to 70% by weight of the total composition. According to an embodiment, the agriculturally acceptable excipient is present in the range of 0.1% to 60% by weight of the total composition. According to an embodiment, the agriculturally acceptable excipient is present in the range of 0.1% to 50% by weight of the total composition. According to an embodiment, the agriculturally acceptable excipient is present in the range of 0.1% to 40% by weight of the total composition. According to an embodiment, the agriculturally acceptable excipient is present in the range of 0.1% to 30% by weight of the total composition. According to an embodiment, the agriculturally acceptable excipient is present in the range of 0.1% to 20% by weight of the total composition. According to an embodiment, the agriculturally acceptable excipient is present in the range of 0.1% to 10% by weight of the total composition.

[0096] According to an embodiment, the surfactants that are used in the composition of the present invention include one or more of emulsifiers, wetting agents, and dispersing agents. According to an embodiment, the surfactants that are used in the composition include one or more of anionic, non-ionic, and polymeric surfactants.

[0097] The anionic surfactants include one or more of, but not limited to a salt of Fatty Acid, a Polycarboxylate, Alkyl Ether Sulfates, an Alkyl Sulfate, an Alkylarylsulfate, , an Alkylaryl Sulfonate, an Aryl Sulfonate, a Lignin Sulfonate, an Alkyl Diphenyl Ether Disulfonate, a Polystyrene Sulfonate, a Salt of Alkylphosphoric Acid Ester, an Alkylaryl Phosphate, a Styrylaryl Phosphate, a Salt Of Polyoxyethylene Alkyl Ether Sulfuric Acid Ester, Alpha Olefin Sulfonate Sodium Salt, Alkyl Benzene Sulfonate or Its Salts, Sodium Lauroylsarcosinate, Sulfosuccinates, Polyacrylates, Alkyl Ether Phosphate, a Salt of Polyoxyethylenealkylaryl Phosphoric Acid Ester, Sulfosuccinates -Mono and other Diesters, Phosphate Esters, Alkyl Naphthalene Sulfonate-Isopropyl and Butyl Derivatives, Alkyl Aryl Ether Phosphates, a salt of Polyoxyethylene Aryl Ether Phosphoric Acid Ester, Mono-Alkyl Sulphosuccinates, Aromatic Hydrocarbon Sulphonates, Ammonium Laurylsulphate, Soap, Soap Substitute, Sodium Alkyl Sulfate, Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate, Sodium Dodecylbenzenesulfonate, Sodium Laurate, Sodium Laurethsulfate, Sodium Nonanoyloxybenzenesulfonate, Alkyl Carboxylates, Sodium Stearate, Alpha Olefin Sulphonates, Naphthalene Sulfonate Salts, Alkyl Naphthalene Sulfonate Fatty Acid salts, Naphthalene Sulfonate Condensates-Sodium salt, , Fatty Alcohol Sulphates, Alkyl Naphthalene Sulfonate Condensates-Sodium Salt, A Naphthalene Sulfonic Acid Condensed with Formaldehyde or a Salt of Alkylnaphthalene Sulfonic Acid condensed with Formaldehyde or salts or derivatives thereof. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that it is possible to utilize different anionic surfactants without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0098] The non-ionic surfactants or polymeric surfactants include one or more of but not limited to Polyol Esters, Polyol Fatty Acid Esters, Ethoxylated and Propoxylated Fatty Alcohols, EO and PO Block Copolymers, Di, Tri-Block Copolymers;, Polysorbates, Alkyl Polysaccharides, Polyoxyethylene Glycol, Sorbitan Derivatives, Fatty Acid Esters of Sorbitan (Spans) and Their Ethoxylated Derivatives (Tweens), Cocamide Monoethanolamine (MEA), Decyl, Narrow- Range Ethoxylate, Oleyl Alcohol, PEG- 10, Polysorbate, Polysorbate 20, Polysorbate 80, Sorbitan, Sorbitanmonolaurate, Sorbitanmonostearate, Sorbitantristearate, Stearyl Alcohol, Castor Oil Ethoxylate, Polyglycol Ethers, Polyadducts of Ethylene Oxide and Propylene Oxide, Polyoxy Ethylene Sorbitan, Fatty Acid Polyglyceride, Polyoxyethylene Alkyl Ether, Polyoxyethylenealkylaryl Ether, a Polyoxyethylenestyrylaryl Ether, a Polyoxyethylene Glycol Alkyl Ether, Alcohol Ethoxylates- C6 to C16 / 18 Alcohols, Linear and Branched, Alcohol Alkoxylates- Various Hydrophobes and EO / PO Contents and Ratios, a Polyoxyethylene Hydrogenated Castor Oil, salts or derivatives thereof. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that it is possible to utilize different non-ionic surfactants or polymeric surfactants without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0099] According to an embodiment, the surfactant is present in an amount of 0.1% to 40% by weight of the total composition. According to an embodiment, the surfactant is present in an amount of 0.1% to 30% by weight of the total composition. According to an embodiment, the surfactant is present in an amount of 0.1% to 20% by weight of the total composition.

[0100] According to an embodiment, the dispersing agents which are used in the composition include, but not limited to non-ionic dispersants selected from one or more of polyvinyl pyrrolidone, polyvinyl alcohol, polyoxyethylene alkyl ethers, polyoxyethylene alkyl phenyl ether, ethoxylated fatty acids, aliphatic alcohol ethoxylates-; alkyl ethoxylates; EO-PO block and graft copolymers; However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that it is possible to utilize different non-ionic dispersants without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0101] According to an embodiment, the dispersing agents which are used in the composition include, but not limited to anionic dispersants selected from one or, tristyrylphenolethoxylate phosphate esters; lignin sulphonates, phenyl naphthalene sulphonates, alkali metal, alkylarylsulfonates, alkylsulfonates, mixture of sodium salt of naphthalene sulphonic acid urea formaldehyde condensate and sodium salt of phenol sulphonic formaldehyde condensate, polycarboxylates, sodium alkyl benzene sulfonates, sodium salts of sulfonated naphthalene, sodium naphthalene sulfonate formaldehyde condensates, condensation products of aryl sulphonic acids and formaldehyde, polyaromatic sulfonates, sodium alkyl aryl sulfonates and kraft lignin . However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that it is possible to utilize different anionic dispersants without departing from the scope of the present invention. According to an embodiment, the dispersing agent is present in an amount of 0.1% to 40% by weight of the total composition. According to an embodiment, the dispersing agent is present in an amount of 0.1% to 30% by weight of the total composition. According to an embodiment, the dispersing agent is present in an amount of 0.1% to 20% by weight of the total composition.

[0102] According to an embodiment the wetting agents used in the composition include, but are not limited to one or more of phenol naphthalene sulphonates, alkyl naphthalene sulfonate, sodium alkyl naphthalene sulfonate, naphthalene sulphonate sodium salt, dibutylnaphthalene- sulfonic acid, alkylarylsulfonates, dioctyl sulfosuccinate, polyoxyethoxylated fatty alcohols, alkane sulfonates, alkylbenzene sulfonates, alkyl ether phosphates, alkyl ether sulphates and alkyl sulfosuccinic monoesters, salts, derivatives thereof. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that it is possible to utilize different wetting agents without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0103] According to an embodiment, the wetting agent is present in an amount of 0.1% to 30% by weight of the total composition. According to an embodiment, the wetting agent is present in an amount of 0.1% to 20% by weight of the total composition.

[0104] According to an embodiment, the wetting agent is present in an amount of 0.1% to 10% by weight of the total composition.

[0105] According to an embodiment, the carriers that are used in the composition of the present invention include, but are not limited to one or more of solid carriers or fillers or diluents. According to another embodiment, the carriers include mineral carriers, plant carriers, synthetic carriers, water-soluble carriers. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that it is possible to utilize different carriers without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0106] The solid carriers include natural minerals like clay such as china clay, acid clay, kaolin such as kaolinite, dickite, nacrite, and synthetic and diatomaceous silicas, micas, such as pyrophyllite, talc, silicas such as cristobalite and quartz, such as attapulgite and sepiolite, vermiculite, laponite, pumice, bauxite, hydrated aluminas, perlite, sodium bicarbonate, limestone, natural and synthetic silicates, silicas, surface-modified silicas, zeolite, diatomaceous earth, loess, mirabilite, white carbon, slaked lime, synthetic silicic acid, starch, modified starch, cellulose, plant carriers such as cellulose, chaff, wheat flour, wood flour, starch, rice bran, wheat bran, and soybean flour, casein sodium, sucrose, salt cake, potassium pyrophosphate, sodium tripolyphosphate or derivatives or mixtures thereof. Commercially available Silicates are Aerosil brands, Sipernat brands as Sipernat ® 22S and CALFLO E, and kaolin 1777.

[0107] According to an embodiment, the carrier is present in an amount of 0.1% to 95% by weight of the composition. According to a further embodiment, the carrier is present in an amount of 0.1% to 80% by weight of the composition. According to a further embodiment, the carrier is present in an amount of 0.1% to 70% by weight of the composition. According to a further embodiment, the carrier is present in an amount of 0.1% to 50% by weight of the composition.

[0108] According to an embodiment, the antifoaming agents or defoamers which are used in the composition of the present invention include but are not limited to one or more of silica, siloxane, silicone dioxide, polydimethyl siloxane, alkyl polyacrylates, ethylene oxide / propylene oxide copolymers, silicone oils and magnesium stearate or derivatives thereof. Preferred antifoaming agents include silicone emulsions (such as, e.g., Silikon® SRE, Wacker or Rhodorsil® from Rhodia), long-chain alcohols, fatty acids, fluoro-organic compounds. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that it is possible to utilize different antifoaming agents without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0109] According to an embodiment, the anti-foaming agent is present in an amount of 0.01% to 20% by weight of the total composition. According to an embodiment, the anti-foaming agent is present in an amount of 0.01% to 10% by weight of the total composition.

[0110] According to an embodiment, the pH-adjusters or buffers or neutralizing agents that are used in the composition include both acids and bases of the organic or inorganic type and mixtures thereof. According to a further embodiment, pH-adjusters or buffers or neutralizing agents include, but are not limited to one or more of organic acids, inorganic acids, and alkali metal compounds or salts, derivatives thereof. According to an embodiment, the organic acids include, but not limited to one or more of citric, malic, adipic, fumaric, maleic, succinic, and tartaric acids, or salts, derivatives thereof, and the mono-, di-, or tribasic salts of these acids or derivatives thereof. According to an embodiment, the salts of inorganic acids include, but not limited to one or more of alkali metal salts such as, sodium chloride, sodium nitrate, potassium nitrate, sodium sulfate, potassium sulfate, sodium monohydrogen phosphate, potassium monohydrogen phosphate, sodium dihydrogen phosphate, potassium dihydrogen phosphate and the like. Mixtures can also be used to create a pH-adjusters or buffers or neutralizing agents. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that it is possible to utilize different pH adjusters without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0111] According to an embodiment, the pH adjusters or buffers are present in an amount of 0.01% to 20% by weight of the total composition.

[0112] According to an embodiment, the anticaking agents which are used in the composition include, but are not limited to one or more of polysaccharides, fumed and precipitated silica (white carbon), a petroleum resin, Foammaster® Soap L sodium stearate, Brij® 700 polyoxyethylene (100) stearylether, sodium acetate, sodium metasilicate, sodium alkylsulfosuccinates, or derivatives thereof. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that it is possible to utilize different anticaking agents without departing from the scope of the present invention. According to an embodiment, the anticaking agent is present in an amount of 0.1% to 20% by weight of the total composition.

[0113] According to an embodiment, the spreading agents which are used in the composition include but are not limited to one or more of copolymer of maleic acid with a styrene compound, a (meth)acrylic acid copolymer, aliphatic alcohols, vegetable oils such as cottonseed or inorganic oils, petroleum distillates, trisiloxanes and modified trisiloxanes, or derivatives thereof. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that it is possible to utilize different spreading agents without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0114] According to an embodiment, the spreading agent is present in an amount of 0.01% to 20% w / w of the total composition.

[0115] According to an embodiment, the sticking agents which are used in the composition include, but not limited to one or more of paraffin, a polyamide resin, polyacrylate, polyoxyethylene, wax, latex, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, gums such as xanthan gum, vegetable oils such as cottonseed, or inorganic oils, petroleum distillates, modified trisiloxanes, polyglycol, a synthetic resin emulsion or salts or derivatives thereof. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that it is possible to utilize different sticking agents without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0116] According to an embodiment, the sticking agent is present in an amount of 0.01% to 30% w / w of the total composition.

[0117] According to an embodiment, the structuring agents that are used in the composition include, but are not limited to one or more of thickeners, viscosity modifiers, tackifiers, suspension aids, rheological modifiers or anti-settling agents. A structuring agent prevents sedimentation of the active ingredient particles after prolonged storage. According to an embodiment, the structuring agents which are used in the composition include, but not limited to one or more of polyacrylics, polysaccharides, cellulose derivatives, co-polymers of cellulose derivatives, polyvinyl alcohol and derivatives; clays such as kaolin, smectite, attapulgites and gums such as guar gum, xanthan gum, gelatin, dextrin, fumed silica, mixture of fumed silica and fumed aluminium oxide, swellable polymers, poly(ethylene glycol), stachyose, celluloses such as hemicellulose, carboxymethylcellulose, ethylcellulose, hydroxyethylcellulose, hydroxy-methyl ethyl cellulose, hydroxyl ethyl propyl cellulose, methylhydroxyethylcellulose, methylcellulose; plant starches such as corn starch and potato starch. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that it is possible to utilize different structuring agents without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0118] Preferred structuring agents include one or more of xanthan gum, aluminum silicate, Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose, methylcellulose, polysaccharide, alkaline earth metal silicate, clays, gelatin, and polyvinyl alcohol.

[0119] According to an embodiment, the structuring agent is present in an amount of 0.01% to 20% by weight of the composition. According to an embodiment, the structuring agent is present in an amount of 0.01% to 10% by weight of the composition. According to an embodiment, the structuring agent is present in 0.01% to 5% by weight of the composition.

[0120] According to an embodiment, the anti-freezing agents or freezing point depressants used in the composition include, but are not limited to one or more of polyhydric alcohols such as ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, propylene glycol, glycerol, monohydric or polyhydric alcohols, glycol ethers, glycerol, However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that it is possible to utilize different anti-freezing agents without departing from the scope of the present invention. According to an embodiment, the anti-freezing agents or freezing point depressants are present in an amount of 0.01% to 30% by weight of the total composition.

[0121] According to an embodiment, the chelating or complexing or sequestering agents which are used in the composition include, but not limited to one or more of polycarboxylic acids such as polyacrylic acid and the various hydrolyzed poly(methyl vinyl ether / maleic anhydride); N-hydroxyethyliminodiacetic acid, nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA), N,N,N',N'-ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, N- hydroxyethyl-N, N',N'-ethylenediaminetriacetic acid and N,N,N',N",N"- diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid; a-hydroxy acids, such as citric acid, tartaric acid and gluconic acid; orthophosphates, disodium phosphate, monosodium phosphate; condensed phosphates, such as sodium tripolyphosphate, tetrasodium pyrophosphate, sodium hexametaphosphate and sodium tetrapolyphosphate; , ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA), diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA), N-hydroxyethyl-ethylenediamine-triacetic acid (HEDTA), ethylenediaminediacetate (EDDA), ethylenediaminedi(o-hydroxyphenylacetic) acid (EDDHA), cyclohexane diamine tetraacetic acid (CDTA), fulvic acid, ulmic acid, nucleic acids, cyclodextrin, humic acid, pyrophosphate. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that it is possible to utilize different chelating agents without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0122] According to an embodiment, the chelating agents are present in an amount of 0.01% to 30% by weight of the total composition.

[0123] According to an embodiment, the penetrant which is used in the composition include, but not limited to one or more of alcohol, glycol, glycol ether, ester, amine, alkanolamine, amine oxide, quaternary ammonium compound, triglyceride, fatty acid ester, fatty acid ether, N-methyl pyrrolidone, dimethyl formamide, dimethyl acetamide, or dimethyl sulfoxide, polyoxyethylenetrimethylolpropanemonooleate, polyoxyethylene sorbitan monooleate polyoxyethylenetrimethylolpropanedioleate, polyoxyethylene trimethylol propane trioleate, polyoxyethylene sorbitol hexaoleate. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that it is possible to utilize different penetrants without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0124] According to an embodiment, the penetrant is present in an amount of 0.01% to 30% by weight of the total composition.

[0125] According to an embodiment, the humectant is selected from, but not limited to one or more of polyoxyethylene / polyoxypropylene copolymers, particularly block copolymers. Other humectants are propylene glycol, monoethylene glycol, hexylene glycol, butylene glycol, ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, poly (ethylene glycol), poly (propylene glycol), glycerol and the like; polyhydric alcohol compounds such as propylene glycol ether, derivatives thereof. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that it is possible to utilize different humectants without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0126] According to an embodiment, the humectant is present in the range of 0.1% to 40% by weight of the total composition.

[0127] According to an embodiment, the stabilizers which are used in the composition include, but not limited to one or more of peroxide compounds such as hydrogen peroxide and organic peroxides, zeolite, antioxidants such as phenol compounds, phosphoric acid compounds, EDTA, sodium sulphites, citric acid, citrates and the like. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that it is possible to utilize other conventionally known stabilizers without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0128] According to an embodiment, the stabilizer is present in the range of 1% to 30% by weight of the total composition. According to an embodiment, preservative is selected from one or more of formic acid, and derivatives of 2H isothiazol-3-one (so-called isothiazolone derivatives) such as alkylisothiazolones (for example 2-methyl-2H-isothiazol-3-one, MIT; chloro-2-methyl-2H-isothiazol-3-one, CIT), benzoisothiazolones (for example 1,2- benzoisothiazol-3(2H)-one, BIT, commercially available as Proxel® types from Arch Biocides Ltd.) or 2-methyl-4,5-trimethylene-2H-isothiazol-3-one (MTIT), Proxel® from Arch Biocides Ltd. or Acticide® RS from Thor Chemie and Kathon® MK from Lanxess, , Sodium Propinoate, Sodium Benzoate, Propyl Paraben, Propyl Paraben Sodum, Potassium Sorbate, Potassium Benzoate, Phenyl Mercuric Nitrate, Phenyl Etehyl Alcohol, Sodium, Ethylparaben, Methylparaben, Butylparaben, Bezyl Alcohol, Benzothonium Chloride, Cetylpyridinium Chloride, Antioxidants includes but not limited to one or more of imidazole and imidazole derivatives (e.g. urocanic acid), 4,4'-thiobis-6-t-butyl-3-methylphenol, 2,6-di-t-butyl-p-cresol (BHT), penta erythrityl tetrakis[3-(3,5,-di-t-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)] propionate; amine antioxidants. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that it is possible to utilize other conventionally known preservatives without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0129] According to an embodiment, the preservative is present in the range of 0.01% to 2% by weight of the total composition.

[0130] According to an embodiment, the pigments and colorants are selected from but not limited to synthetic chemicals obtained from various manufacturers. The pigments and colorants can be water soluble or water insoluble, in the form of lakes. Dyes can be solvent dyes, acid dyes or basic dyes. Examples of such products include, but not limited, Unisperse Red 3855, Pigmosol Agro Red 3785, pigment 15. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that it is possible to utilize other conventionally known pigments and colorants without departing from the scope of the present invention. According to an embodiment, the pigments and colorants are present in the range of 0.01% to 5% by weight of the total composition.

[0131] According to an embodiment, the disintegrating agents which are used in the composition include, but not limited to one or more of inorganic water soluble salts e.g. sodium chloride; water soluble organic compounds such as agar, hydroxypropyl starch, carboxymethyl starch ether, tragacanth, cross-linked sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, sodium tripolyphosphate, sodium hexametaphosphate, metal stearates, a cellulose powder, dextrin, methacrylate copolymer, Polyplasdone® XL-10 (crosslinked polyvinylpyrrolidone), poly(vinylpyrrolidone). However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that it is possible to utilize other conventionally known disintegrating agents without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0132] According to an embodiment, the disintegrating agent is present in the range of 0.5% to 15% by weight of the total composition.

[0133] According to an embodiment, the binding agents or binders that are used in the composition include, but not limited to one or more of maltodextrin, carbohydrates such as monosaccharides, disaccharides, oligosaccharides and polysaccharides, complex organic substance, synthetic organic polymers or derivatives and combinations thereof. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that it is possible to utilize other conventionally known binding agents without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0134] According to an embodiment, the binder is present in the range of 0.1% to 10% by weight of the total composition.

[0135] According to an embodiment, the composition can optionally include at least one further active ingredient. According to an embodiment, the optional active ingredient can include one or more of pesticidal active ingredients, fertilizers, micronutrients, macronutrients, trace nutrients, bio stimulants, organic acids or mixtures thereof. According to further embodiment, the pesticidal active can be one or more of insecticides, fungicides, herbicides, miticides, acaricides, nematicides, pheromones, algicides, antifeedants, avicides, bactericides, bird repellents, biopesticides, insect repellents, ovicides, rodenticides, etc. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that it is possible to utilize other active ingredients without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0136] According to further embodiment, the further active ingredient can be present in the concentration range of 0.001% w / w to 70% w / w of the total composition. According to further embodiment, the active ingredient can be present in the concentration range of 0.001% w / w to 50% w / w of the total composition. According to further embodiment, the active ingredient can be present in the concentration range of 0.001% w / w to 30% w / w of the total composition.

[0137] According to an embodiment the said composition comprises: i.) elemental Sulphur in a concentration range of 1% to 90% by weight of the total composition; ii.) Selenium in its elemental form or salts or complexes or derivatives or mixture thereof wherein elemental Selenium content is in the range of 0.001% to 10% by weight of the total composition; and iii.) at least one agriculturally acceptable excipient; wherein the composition is in the form of water dispersible granules or suspension concentrate; and the composition comprises particles in the size range of 0.1 to 50 microns.

[0138] According to further embodiment the said composition comprising of: i.) elemental Sulphur in a concentration range of 1% to 90% by weight of the total composition; ii.) Selenium in its elemental form or salts or complexes or derivatives or mixture thereof wherein elemental Selenium content is in the range of 0.001% to 10% by weight of the total composition; and iii.) at least one surfactant selected from nonionic and anionic surfactant in the range of 0.1% to 40% by weight of the total composition; wherein the composition is in the form of water dispersible granules or suspension; concentrate and the composition comprises particles in the size range of 0.1 to 50 microns.

[0139] Surprisingly, the inventors have also determined that the composition in the form of water dispersible granules and liquid suspension display superior efficacy even when applied at reduced dosages of applications.

[0140] According to an embodiment, the said composition is prepared by the standard processes known in the art.

[0141] According to another embodiment, the composition in the form of water dispersible granules is made by various techniques such as spray drying, fluidized bed granulation, pan granulation, pin agglomerator, spheronizer, freeze drying etc. The granules can also be extruded through the extruder to obtain the extruded granules.

[0142] According to an embodiment, a process for preparing the composition in the form of water dispersible granules, the process comprising: a. milling a homogeneous blend of: i. elemental Sulphur in the range of 1% to 90% by weight of the total composition; ii. Selenium in its elemental form or salts or complexes or derivatives or mixture thereof wherein elemental Selenium content is in the range of 0.001% to 10% by weight of the total composition; and iii. at least one agriculturally acceptable excipient in water to obtain a slurry or wet mix, wherein the particles of the composition are in the size range of 0.1 micron to 50 microns, b. drying the slurry or wet mix in a spray dryer, fluid bed dryer, or any suitable granulating equipment to obtain water dispersible granules. c. sieving the water dispersible granules to remove the undersized and oversized granules and obtain the desired size.

[0143] According to another embodiment, the composition in the form of water dispersible granules is also made by dry milling a homogeneous mixture of: i) elemental Sulphur in the range of 1% to 90% by weight of the total composition; ii) Selenium in its elemental form or salts or complexes or derivatives or mixture thereof wherein elemental Selenium content is in the range of 0.001% to 10% by weight of the total composition; and iii) at least one agriculturally acceptable excipient in an air mill or a jet mill to obtain a homogeneous mixture with fine particle size. Water is added to the dry powder and the mixture is blended to obtain a dough or paste or wet mix, which is then extruded through an extruder to obtain the granules comprising particles in the size range of 0.1 micron to 50 microns. The water dispersible granules are further sieved to remove the undersized and oversized granules and obtain the desired size.

[0144] According to an embodiment, the process of preparing the suspension concentrate composition involves the homogenization of mixture of elemental Sulphur; Selenium in its elemental form or salts or complexes or derivatives or mixture thereof; and at least one agriculturally acceptable excipient to obtain a suspension; and wet milling the obtained suspension to provide composition with a particle size range of 0.1 to 50 microns. The process of preparing the suspension concentrate, involves homogenization of one or more of excipients by feeding them into a vessel provided with stirring facilities. Elemental Sulphur and Selenium in its elemental form or salts or complexes or derivatives or mixture thereof are added to the homogenized blend and stirred continuously for about 5 to 10 min. until the total mixture becomes homogeneous. Subsequently, the suspension obtained is passed through the wet mill to obtain a desired particle size in the range of 0.1 to 50 microns. If required, one or more of excipients such as structuring agent or optionally biocide or preservatives are added to the obtained suspension, under continuous homogenization. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that it is possible to modify or alter or change the process or process parameters to obtain suspension concentrate composition without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0145] The invention also relates to a process for preparing the composition in the form of suspension concentrate the process comprising: a. milling a homogeneous blend of: i. elemental Sulphur in the range of 1% to 90% by weight of the total composition; ii. Selenium in its elemental form or salts or complexes or derivatives or mixture thereof wherein elemental Selenium content is in the range of 0.001% to 10% by weight of the total composition; and iii. at least one agriculturally acceptable excipient in water to obtain a homogeneous suspension, wherein the particles of the composition are in the size range of 0.1 micron to 50 microns. b. adding structuring agent and other excipients, if required and balance water to obtain suspension concentrate.

[0146] According to an embodiment, the composition of the present invention has enhanced and improved physical properties of dispersibility, suspensibility, wettability, viscosity, pourability, flowability, and provides ease of handling and also reduces the loss of material while handling the product at the time of packaging as well as during field application which in turn results in superior pest control.

[0147] Wettability is the condition or the state of being wettable and can be defined as the degree to which a solid is wetted by a liquid, measured by the force of adhesion between the solid and liquid phases. The wettability of the granular composition is measured using the Standard CIPAC Test MT-53 which describes a procedure for the determination of the time of complete wetting of wettable formulations. A weighed amount of the granular composition is dropped on water in a beaker from a specified height and the time for complete wetting was determined. According to another embodiment, the composition in the form of water dispersible granules have wettability of less than 2 minutes. According to another embodiment, the composition in the form of water dispersible granules have wettability of less than 1 minute. According to another embodiment, the composition in the form of water dispersible granules have a wettability of less than 30 seconds.

[0148] According to an embodiment, the composition passes the wet sieve retention test. The test is used to determine the amount of non-dispersible material in formulations that are applied as dispersions in water. The wet sieve retention value of the agrochemical composition in the form of suspension and granules is measured by using the Standard CIPAC Test MT- 185 which describes a procedure for the measuring the amount of material retained on the sieve. A sample of the formulation is dispersed in water and the suspension formed is transferred to a sieve and washed. The amount of the material retained on the sieve is determined by drying and weighing.

[0149] According to an embodiment, the composition has a wet sieve retention value on a 75-micron sieve of less than 0.5%. According to an embodiment, the composition has a wet sieve retention value on a 75-micron sieve of less than 0.2%. The wet sieve retention value of less than 0.5% indicate that the composition helps in easy application of the formulation preventing clogging of the nozzles or filter equipment.

[0150] According to an embodiment, the composition in the form of suspension does not sediment or settle on storage and is easily pourable. This property can be measured in terms of viscosity of the fluid which is a measure of its resistance to gradual deformation by shear stress or tensile stress.

[0151] According to an embodiment, viscosity of the liquid composition of the invention is determined as per CIPAC MT- 192. A sample is transferred to a standard measuring system. The measurement is carried out under different shear conditions and the apparent viscosities are determined. During the test, the temperature of the liquid is kept constant. According to an embodiment, the composition in the form of aqueous suspension has a viscosity at 25° C. of about 10 cps to about 3000 cps.

[0152] According to an embodiment, the liquid composition of the present invention is easily pourable. The pourability is the measure of percent of residue.

[0153] According to an embodiment, the pourability of the composition is determined as per CIPAC MT-148.1 by allowing the suspension to stand for 24-hour and the amount remaining in the container after a standardized pouring procedure is determined. The container is rinsed and the amount then remaining is determined and the maximum residue in percent is calculated. According to a further embodiment, the pourability of the composition is less than 5% residue.

[0154] Dispersibility of the composition in the form of water dispersible granules is a measure of percent dispersion. Dispersibility of the granular composition of the present application, can be determined as per the standard CIPAC test, MT 174. According to an embodiment, the composition in the form of water dispersible granules has a dispersibility of at least 50%. According to an embodiment, the composition in the form of water dispersible granules has a dispersibility of at least 70%. According to an embodiment, the composition in the form of water dispersible granules has a dispersibility of at least 70%.

[0155] According to an embodiment, the composition in the form of water dispersible granules exhibits almost instantaneous dispersion thus making the actives readily available for the desired action.

[0156] According to an embodiment, the composition exhibits good suspensibility. Suspensibility is defined as the amount of active ingredient suspended after a given time in a column of liquid, of stated height, expressed as a percentage of the amount of active ingredient in the original suspension. The test for suspensibility is done as per the CIPAC Handbook, "MT 184 Test for Suspensibility”.

[0157] According to an embodiment, the composition of the invention in the form of water dispersible granules or suspension concentrate have a suspensibility of at least 50%. According to an embodiment, the composition of the invention in the form of water dispersible granules or suspension concentrate have a suspensibility of at least 70%. According to an embodiment, the composition of the invention in the form of water dispersible granules or suspension concentrate have a suspensibility of at least 90%.

[0158] According to an embodiment, the composition of the present invention demonstrates superior stability in terms of suspensibility under accelerated storage condition (ATS). According to an embodiment, the composition can demonstrate suspensibility of more than 30% under ATS.

[0159] According to an embodiment, the composition of the present invention in the form of water dispersible granules or suspension concentrate demonstrates superior stability in terms of suspensibility under accelerated storage condition (ATS). According to an embodiment, the composition in the form of water dispersible granules or liquid suspension demonstrates a suspensibility of more than 40% under ATS. According to an embodiment, the composition in the form of water dispersible granules or liquid suspension demonstrates a suspensibility of more than 60% under ATS. According to an embodiment, the composition in the form of water dispersible granules or liquid suspension demonstrates a suspensibility of more than 80% under ATS.

[0160] According to an embodiment, the composition in the form of water dispersible granules have hardness of less than 4 Newtons. According to further embodiment, the composition in the form of water dispersible granules have hardness of less than 3 Newtons. According to further embodiment, the composition in the form of water dispersible granules have hardness of less than 2 Newtons. According to further embodiment, the composition in the form of water dispersible granules preferably has hardness of less than 1 Newtons.

[0161] More preferably, the composition in the form of water dispersible granules have a nil hardness. The reference to nil hardness is indicative of the fact that the hardness of the granules cannot be measured by the standard hardness measuring apparatus.

[0162] The water disintegrable granular composition is formulated in a manner such that it is imparted with sufficient hardness which prevents the granules from crumbling during storage and transportation. The hardness exhibited by the granules can be estimated by hardness testers such as the ones provided by Vinsyst Portable Table Hardness Tester VTHT series. According to an embodiment, the hardness exhibited by the water disintegrable granules of the invention is at least 5 Newton. According to an embodiment, the hardness exhibited by the water disintegrable granules of the invention is at least 10 Newton. According to an embodiment, the hardness exhibited by the water disintegrable granules of the invention is at least 20 Newton. According to an embodiment, the hardness exhibited by the water disintegrable granules of the invention is at least 30 Newton.

[0163] Attrition resistance determines the resistance of a granular material to wear. The water disintegrable granular composition has good attrition resistance. The Samples can be tested for attrition as per the CIPAC Handbook specified test, "MT 178 - Attrition resistance of granules”. According to an embodiment, the attrition resistance of the water disintegrable granular composition is at least 50%. According to an embodiment, the attrition resistance of the water disintegrable granular composition is at least 60%. According to an embodiment, the attrition resistance of the water disintegrable granular composition is at least 70%. According to an embodiment, the attrition resistance of the water disintegrable granular composition is at least 80%. According to an embodiment, the attrition resistance of the water disintegrable granular composition is at least 90%. According to an embodiment, the attrition resistance of the water disintegrable granular composition is at least 99%.

[0164] According to an embodiment, the composition in the form of water disintegrable granules has a percentage disintegration value of more than 30%. According to an embodiment, the composition in the form of water disintegrable granules has a percentage disintegration value of more than 50%. According to an embodiment, the in the form of water disintegrable granules has a percentage disintegration value of more than 70%. According to an embodiment, the composition in the form of water disintegrable granules has a percentage disintegration value of more than 90%.

[0165] Disintegration method: The disintegration of the water disintegrable granular composition is determined by the following method.

[0166] One gm of sample is mixed in 100 ml water at 300 rpm and the solution is passed through a 150-micron sieve, and washed with water for 10 minutes, the residue obtained is dried and weighed, material passing through the sieve is calculated as % disintegration.

[0167] According to an embodiment, the composition in the form of water disintegrable granules makes the actives available instantaneously and also over a longer period which may extend throughout the crop cycle, providing an immediate and sustained release of actives eventually protecting the crop at each and every stage of the crop cycle.

[0168] According to an embodiment, the composition of the present invention demonstrates superior stability towards heat, light, temperature and caking. According to an embodiment, the stability exhibited by the composition can be at least 3 years. According to further embodiment, the stability exhibited by the composition can be at least 2 years. According to further embodiment, the stability exhibited by the composition can be at least 1 year. According to further embodiment, the stability exhibited by the composition can be at least 6 months.

[0169] According to an embodiment, the invention further relates to the use of the composition as a crop protectant and a yield enhancer composition.

[0170] The compositions described herein are an effective, sustainable control product for insects belonging to the order hemipteran and lepidopteran pests with widespread impacts on agriculture. The compositions deliver effective insect control in multiple crops overcoming the pesticidal resistance problem. It has been observed that the compositions of the present invention, demonstrate enhanced, efficacious and superior behaviour in the fields at reduced dosage.

[0171] The composition of the present invention comprising mixture of elemental sulphur; selenium in its elemental form or salts or complexes or derivatives thereof; and at least one agriculturally acceptable excipient in specific concentration with a specific particle size overcomes the pesticidal resistance problem and results in synergistic control over various pests such as brown plant hoppers (BPH), whitefly, jassids, aphids, diamond black moth (DBM), etc. which in turn results in improved crop yield.

[0172] Further, when the composition is in the form of granules or suspension concentrate it enhances the physical characteristics of the formulation such as improved suspensibility, dispersibility, viscosity, pourability, flowability etc. which in turn provides ease in application of the composition and also enhances the availability of actives on application via soil or foliar route.

[0173] The inventors of the present invention surprisingly found that when the composition comprises elemental Sulphur, and Selenium with the particles of the composition in the size range of 0.1 microns to 50 microns, not only enhances the stability of the formulation but also facilitates the application of composition and improves the availability of Sulphur and Selenium thereby resulting in superior crop protection and yield. The specific particle size range of the composition increases the surface area of elemental Sulphur and Selenium particles and thereby enables the product to cover wider surface area thus enabling the bio-effectiveness at substantially lower dosage.

[0174] A. PREPARATION EXAMPLES:

[0175] The following examples illustrate the basic methodology and versatility of the composition of the invention. The sources of Selenium exemplified in the preparatory examples can be replaced by any other salts or derivatives of as covered in the present specification varying the claimed concentration ranges respectively. It should be noted that this invention is not limited to these exemplifications.

[0176] EXAMPLE 1: Elemental Sulphur 45% + Selenium dioxide 7% (Se=5%) water dispersible granules (WG)

[0177] 46 parts of elemental Sulphur powder was blended with 7.20 parts of Selenium dioxide, 5 parts of a mixture of naphthalene sulphonic acid and phenol sulphonic acid condensation product, 10 parts of sodium ligno sulphonate, 27.8 parts of clay in 100 parts of water and milled to an average particle size below 3 micron. To the milled slurry under blending, 4 parts of sodium citrate was added and stirred for one hour, the material was then spray dried / fluid bed dried to obtain the product having granule size below 1.5 mm. The composition had a suspensibility of 83%, wet sieve retention 0.11% on 75 micron sieve, dispersibility 78% and wettability 10 sec.

[0178] EXAMPLE 2: Elemental Sulphur 70% + Iron selenide 13% (Se=7.61%) water dispersible granules (WG)

[0179] 71 parts of elemental Sulphur powder was blended with 13.2 parts of Iron selenide,

[0180] 5 parts of mixture of naphthalene sulphonic acid and phenol sulphonic acid condensation product, 8.2 parts of sodium ligno sulphonate in 100 parts of water and milled to an average particle size below 2.5 micron. To the milled slurry under blending, 2.6 parts of sodium alkyl naphthalene sulfonate condensate was added and stirred for one hour, the material was then spray dried / fluid bed dried to obtain the product having granule size below 1 mm.

[0181] The composition had a suspensibility 81%, wet sieve retention 0.11% on 75 micron sieve, dispersibility 78% and wettability 5 sec.

[0182] EXAMPLE 3: Elemental Sulphur 90% + Iron Selenide 0.25% (Se=0.15%) water dispersible granules (WG)

[0183] 91 parts of elemental Sulphur powder was blended with 0.26 parts of Iron Selenium,

[0184] 6 parts of sodium ligno sulphonate, 2.74 parts of sodium alkyl naphthalene sulfonate in 100 parts of water and milled to an average particle size below 2 micron. Milled slurry was then spray dried / fluid bed dried to obtain the product having granule size below 1 mm.

[0185] The composition had a suspensibility 71%, wet sieve retention 0.13% on 75 micron sieve, dispersibility 72% and wettability 10 sec.

[0186] EXAMPLE 4: Elemental Sulphur 60% + Selenium dioxide 14% (Se=10%) water dispersible granule (WG)

[0187] 60.7 parts of elemental Sulphur powder was blended with 14.4 parts of Selenium dioxide, 6 parts of Kraft lignin polymer, 3 parts of sodium alkyl naphthalene sulfonate condensate, 15.9 parts of clay in 120 parts of water and milled to average particle size below 7 micron. Milled slurry was then spray dried / fluid bed dried to obtain the product having granule size below 1 mm.

[0188] The composition had a suspensibility of 73%, wet sieve retention 0.08% on 75 micron sieve, dispersibility 71% and wettability 4 sec.

[0189] EXAMPLE 5: Elemental Sulphur 85%+ Selenium dioxide 0.002% (Se=0.001%) water dispersible granules (WG)

[0190] 86 parts of elemental Sulphur powder was blended with 0.002 parts of Selenium dioxide, 2 parts of Sodium lauryl sulphate, 8 parts of sodium ligno sulphonate, 2 parts of Sodium alkyl naphthalene sulfonate condensate, 1.998 parts of clay in 100 parts of water and milled to an average particle size below 14 micron. Milled slurry was then spray dried / fluid bed dried to obtain the product having granule size below 1 mm.

[0191] The composition had a suspensibility 68%, wet sieve retention 0.04% on 75 micron sieve, dispersibility 62% and wettability 4 sec.

[0192] EXAMPLE 6: Elemental Sulphur 80%+ Zinc selenide 5.5% (Se=3%) water dispersible granules (WG)

[0193] 81 parts of elemental Sulphur powder was blended with 5.7 parts of Zinc selenide,

[0194] 9.3 parts of sodium ligno sulphonate, 4 parts of salt of naphthalene sulphonic condensation product in 100 parts of water and milled to average particle size below 4 micron. Milled slurry was then spray dried / fluid bed dried to obtain the product having granule size below 1 mm.

[0195] The composition had a suspensibility of 86%, wet sieve retention 0.01% on 75 micron sieve, dispersibility 80% and wettability 2 sec.

[0196] EXAMPLE 7: Elemental Sulphur 10% + Selenourea 15% (Se=9.5%) water dispersible granules (WG).

[0197] 10.3 parts of elemental Sulphur powder was blended with 15.20 parts of Selenourea, 35.5 parts of bentonite, 1 parts of Sodium isopropyl naphthalene sulfonate, 15 parts of talc, 15 parts of clay and 5 parts of sodium ligno sulphonate, 3 parts of sodium lauryl sulphate in 100 parts of water and milled to average particle size below 4 micron. Milled slurry was then spray dried / fluid bed dried to obtain the product having granule size below 1 mm.

[0198] The composition had a suspensibility 74%, wet sieve retention 0.03% on 75 micron sieve, dispersibility 70% and wettability 3 sec.

[0199] EXAMPLE 8: Elemental Sulphur 55% + Iron selenide 0.45% (Se= 0.26%) suspension concentrate (SC)

[0200] 25 parts of Sodium alkyl naphthalene sulfonate condensate and 50 parts of propylene glycol were added to 330 parts of water and it was homogenized by feeding them into a vessel provided with stirring facilities. 560 Parts of elemental Sulphur powder, 0.46 parts of Iron selenide was further added to the homogenized blend and stirred continuously for approximately 10 minutes until the total mixture became homogeneous. To the mixture, 10 parts of polyalkylene oxide modified heptamethyltrisiloxane, 0.5 parts of polydimethylsiloxane emulsion was added under continuous homogenization to obtain liquid suspension. Subsequently, the suspension obtained was passed through the wet mill to reduce the particle size. 1.3 parts of xanthan gum, 1 parts of l,2-benzisothiazolin-3-one, balance water and 0.5 parts of poly dimethyl siloxane emulsion were added under continuous homogenization to obtain the liquid suspension.

[0201] The composition had a particle size of D10 of 1.52 micron, D50 of 2.82 micron and D90 of 3.91 micron, viscosity of 780cps and suspensibility of 89%. Pourability rinsed residue was found to be 0.89%. Spontaneity of dispersion of 85% and wet sieve retention on 75 micron of 0.04% were observed.

[0202] EXAMPLE 9: Elemental Sulphur 10% + Copper selenide 28% (Se= 10%) suspension concentrate (SC)

[0203] 25 parts of alkyl polyalkeylene glycol ethers and 100 parts of ethylene glycol were added to 280 parts of water and it was homogenized by feeding them into a vessel provided with stirring facilities. 110 Parts of elemental Sulphur powder, 283 parts of copper selenide was further added to the homogenized blend and it was stirred continuously for approximately 10 minutes until the total mixture became homogeneous. To the mixture, 15 parts of polycarboxylate, 0.4 parts of polydimethylsiloxane emulsion was added under continuous homogenization to obtain liquid suspension. Subsequently, the suspension obtained was passed through the wet mill to reduce the particle size. Then, 1.8 parts of xanthan gum, 1 parts of l,2-benzisothiazolin-3-one, balance water and 0.4 parts of polydimethylsiloxane emulsion were added under continuous homogenization to obtain the liquid suspension.

[0204] The composition had a particle size of D 10 of 2.11 micron, D50 of 3.78 micron and D90 of 4.52 micron, viscosity of 610 cps and suspensibility of 90%. Pourability rinsed residue was found to be 0.74%. Spontaneity of dispersion of 88% and wet sieve retention on 75 micron of 0.12% were observed.

[0205] EXAMPLE 10: Elemental Sulphur 35% + Selenium dioxide 3% (Se=2.1%) suspension concentrate (SC)

[0206] 25 parts of sodium alkyl naphthalene sulfonate condensate and 70 parts of glycerol were added to 320 parts of water and it was homogenized by feeding them into a vessel provided with stirring facilities. 358 Parts of elemental Sulphur powder, 31.07 parts of selenium dioxide was further added to the homogenized blend and it was stirred continuously for approximately 10 minutes until the total mixture became homogeneous. To the above mixture, 5 parts of polymeric surfactant, 0.4 parts of polydimethylsiloxane emulsion was added under continuous homogenization to obtain liquid suspension. Subsequently, the suspension obtained was passed through the wet mill to reduce the particle size. Then, 1.2 parts of xanthan gum, 0.5 parts of l,2-benzisothiazolin-3-one and 0.5 parts of mixture of methylisothiazolinone and methylchloroisothiazolinone, balance water and 0.4 parts of poly dimethyl siloxane emulsion were added under continuous homogenization to obtain the liquid suspension.

[0207] The composition had a particle size of D10 of 1.25 micron, D50 of 2.32 micron and D90 of 4.57 micron, viscosity of 690 cps and Suspensibility of 98%. Pourability rinsed residue was found to be 0.72%. Spontaneity of dispersion of 89% and wet sieve retention on 75 micron of 0.05% were observed.

[0208] EXAMPLE 11: Elemental Sulphur 55% + Selenium dioxide 0.14% (Se=0.10) suspension concentrate (SC)

[0209] 5 parts of Sodium alkyl naphthalene sulfonate condensate and 70 parts of propylene glycol were added to 320 parts of water and it was homogenized by feeding them into a vessel provided with stirring facilities. 560 Parts of elemental Sulphur powder, 1.45 parts of Selenium dioxide is further added to the homogenized blend and it was stirred continuously for approximately 10 minutes until the total mixture became homogeneous. To the above mixture, 20 parts of solution of modified styrene-maleic acid anhydride copolymer, 0.5 parts of polydimethylsiloxane emulsion was added under continuous homogenization to obtain liquid suspension. Subsequently, the suspension obtained was passed through the wet mill to reduce the particle size. Then, 1.2 parts of xanthan gum, 1 parts of l,2-benzisothiazolin-3- one, balance water and 0.5 parts of poly dimethyl siloxane emulsion were added under continuous homogenization to obtain the liquid suspension.

[0210] The composition had a particle size of D10 of 1.34 micron, D50 of 2.66 micron and D90 of 4.23 micron, viscosity of 800cps and suspensibility of 93%. Pourability rinsed residue was found to be 0.82%. Spontaneity of dispersion of 87% and wet sieve retention on 75 micron of 0.08% were observed.

[0211] EXAMPLE 12: Sulphur 80% + Potassium selenate 1% (Se 0.357%) water disintegrable granules (GR)

[0212] 80.9 parts of Sulphur powder was blended with 1.1 parts of Potassium selenate, 10 parts of bentonite, 2.2 parts of Sodium lauryl sulphate, 5 parts of sodium ligno sulphonate and 0.8 parts of sodium alkyl naphthalene sulfonate condensate in a Ribbon blender to obtain homogeneous powder. The mixture was than jet milled to obtain powder having particle size below 10 microns. 11 parts of water was added to this mixture to prepare dough and the material was then granulated and dried to obtain the granules. The composition had the particle size of about 20 microns (D90) and about 10 microns (D50) and granule size of 1 mm to 5 mm. The composition had an attrition resistance of 99.2% and a hardness of 15 N.

[0213] EXAMPLE 13: Sulphur 65% + Selenium dioxide 2% (Se 1.4%) wettable powder (WP)

[0214] 65.85 parts of elemental Sulphur powder was blended with 2 parts of Selenium dioxide, 2 parts of sodium citrate, 22.15 parts of clay, 2 parts of Sodium lauryl sulphate, 5 parts of sodium ligno sulphonate and 1 parts of sodium alkyl naphthalene sulfonate condensate in a mass mixer for 30 minutes and then passed through an air jet mill to obtain powder having particle size below 10 microns.

[0215] The composition had the particle size of about 10 microns (D90) and about 5 microns (D50), wettability of about 22 seconds and suspensibility of around 71%.

[0216] B. FIELD STUDY:

[0217] The following are some abbreviations that have been used in this specification.

[0218] • WG / WDG: Water dispersible granule

[0219] • SC: Aqueous suspension / Suspension Concentrate

[0220] • *: Expected effect calculated by Colby’s method

[0221] • UTC: untreated control

[0222] • DAA: Days after application

[0223] • ISP: 1st spray application,

[0224] • 2SP: 2nd spray application

[0225] • g.a.h.: gram active ingredient per hectare

[0226] • BPH: Brown plant hoppers

[0227] • DBM: Diamond Black Moth

[0228] The percentage reduction of insect pests over untreated control (UTC) was calculated using the following formula:

[0229] % Reduction = [(Average No. of pest count in control plot - Average No. of pest count in treated plot) / Average No. of pest count in control plot] X 100 Further, the percentage increase in yield over UTC was calculated using the following formula:

[0230] Increase (%) = [(Crop yield in treated plot - Crop yield in control plot) / Crop yield in control plot] X 100

[0231] Synergy evaluation using Colby's formula:

[0232] “Synergy” is as defined by Colby S. R. in an article entitled “Calculation of the synergistic and antagonistic responses of herbicide combinations” published in Weeds, 1967, 15, p. 20-22. The action expected for a given combination of two active components can be calculated as follows:

[0233] E = X + Y - (XY / 100)

[0234] Where,

[0235] E= Expected % effect by mixture of two products A and B in a defined dose.

[0236] X= Observed % effect by product A

[0237] Y= Observed % effect by product B

[0238] The synergy factor (SF) is calculated by Abbott’s formula Eq. (2) (Abbott, 1925). SF= Observed effect / Expected effect

[0239] Where, SF >1 for Synergistic reaction; SF<1 for antagonistic reaction; SF=1 for additive reaction.

[0240] When the percentage of effect (pest reduction or yield increase) observed for the combination is greater than the expected percentage effect (E) i.e. SF >1, the synergistic effect of the combination is inferred. When the percentage of effect (pest reduction or yield increase) observed for the combination is equal to the expected percentage effect (E) i.e. SF=1, merely an additive effect may be inferred, and wherein the percentage of effect (pest reduction or yield increase) observed for the combination is lower than the expected percentage effect (E) i.e. SF<1, an antagonistic effect of the combinations is inferred. Field trial 1: To assess the effect of composition comprising elemental sulphur, and selenium in controlling brown plant hopper (Nilaparvata lugens) in Paddy.

[0241] The trial was laid out during Kharif season in Randomized Block Design (RBD) with seven treatments including untreated control, replicated four times. The test products with prescribed dose were applied as foliar application at ETL (10-15 hoppers / hill). The paddy crop in trial field was raised following good agricultural practice. The seeds of paddy variety Gurjari, were used for raising the nursery and 25 days old nursery was used for transplanting the trial field in 30 cm row to row and 25 cm plant to plant spacing. The details of the experiment are as follows:

[0242] The observation on number of Brown Planthopper (BPH) were recorded at ETL from each plot and the mean data on number of BPH on 28DAA was recorded. The grain yield was recorded at harvest and is presented in the Tables 1.

[0243] Table 1 :

[0244] *Expected percentage reduction of pests / Expected percentage yield increase Herein the inventors have tested composition comprising combination of elemental sulphur and selenium in WG and SC form as per the embodiment of the present invention as compared standalone actives and commercially used product for BPH control. The mean data of all the observations were presented in Table 1 to illustrate the impact of combination of elemental sulphur and selenium as per the embodiment of the present invention on BPH control and rice yield.

[0245] It can be observed from Table 1 that treatment T1 with the composition comprising Elemental Sulphur 65% + Selenium dioxide 7.5% (Se 5.34%) WG as per the embodiment of the present invention showed 90.16% reduction of BPH over untreated control which was higher than the expected BPH reduction calculated as per Colby’s method i.e. 69.79%. Thus, it can be concluded that the treatments T1 as per the embodiments of the present invention demonstrated synergistic behavior.

[0246] Further, it can be observed that treatments T2 with the composition comprising Elemental Sulphur 80% + Selenium dioxide 3% (Se 2.13%) WG as per the embodiment of the present invention when applied @ 440g / ha of sulphur and 12g / ha of selenium, it demonstrated 87.59% reduction of BPH over control which is higher than that observed with individual treatments T4 with Elemental Sulphur 65% WG @ 455g / ha and T5 with Selenium dioxide 7.5% (Se 5.34%) WG @37g / ha as well as the expected BPH reduction calculated as per Colby’s method. It is important to note that treatment with the compositions of the present invention comprising combination of element sulphur and selenium demonstrated superior BPH control even when applied at reduced dosage of actives as compared to individual actives. Similar results are observed for treatment T3.

[0247] Further, it can also be observed that the treatments T1 to T3 with the compositions of the present invention demonstrated superior control of BPH as compared to commercially used product Osheen 20 SG (Dinotefuran 20% SG). In addition, it can be observed from the above table that the treatment T1 with the composition comprising Elemental Sulphur 65% + Selenium dioxide 7.5% (Se 5.34%) WG as per the embodiment of the present invention demonstrated 44.59% yield increase over untreated control which was higher than the expected yield increase for treatment T1 i.e. 31.79%. Thus, it can be concluded that the treatments T1 as per the embodiments of the present invention demonstrated synergistic behavior.

[0248] Further it can be seen that treatments T2 and T3 with the composition of the present invention even though applied at reduced dosage as compared to standalone actives demonstrated enhanced yield than that of the expected yield. Moreover, treatments T1-T3 also showed superior yield in paddy crop as compared to commercially used product.

[0249] Thus, it can be concluded that the composition of the present invention comprising combination of elemental sulphur and selenium as per the embodiment of the invention demonstrated surprisingly superior efficacy in terms of pest control along with enhancement in the yield as compared to stand alone actives and commercially used product.

[0250] Field trial 2: To assess the efficacy of the composition comprising elemental sulphur and selenium in controlling Aphids in Okra.

[0251] The trial was laid out during Kharif season in Randomized Block Design (RBD) with six treatments including untreated control, replicated four times. The Okra crop in trial field was raised following good agricultural practice. The details of the experiment are as follows:

[0252] The observations on number of aphids were recorded at 7thDays after first and second spray and mean data was presented in table 2 to see the impact of the composition of the present invention comprising combination of elemental sulphur and selenium on pest control (Aphids) in Okra as compared to individual actives.

[0253] Table 2:

[0254] It can be observed from Table 2 that treatment T1 with the composition comprising Elemental Sulphur 70% + Potassium selenite 10% (Se 3.85%) WG as per the embodiment of the present invention showed 91.98% reduction of aphids over untreated control which was higher than the expected reduction calculated as per Colby’s method i.e. 78.60%. Thus, it can be concluded that the treatments T1 as per the embodiments of the present invention demonstrated synergistic behavior.

[0255] Further, it can be observed that treatments T2 and T3 with the compositions of the present invention comprising combination of element sulphur and selenium demonstrated superior aphid control when applied at reduced dosage of actives as compared to individual actives.

[0256] Thus, it can be concluded that the composition of the present invention comprising combination of elemental sulphur and selenium as per the embodiment of the invention demonstrated surprisingly superior pest control as compared to stand alone actives.

[0257] Field trial 3: To assess the efficacy of the composition comprising elemental sulphur and selenium in controlling Jassids and Whitefly in Okra. The trial was laid out during Kharif season in Randomized Block Design (RBD) with six treatments including untreated control, replicated four times. For each treatment, plot size of 40 sq. m (8m x 5m) was maintained. The test products with prescribed dose were applied as foliar application at ETL (2-3 jassids / leaf or 2-3 whitefly / leaf). The Okra crop in the trial field was raised following good agricultural practices. The seeds of Okra, Kumkum, Advanta were used for the study and planted in 120 cm row to row and 45 cm plant to plant spacing. The details of the experiment are as follows: Details of experiment

[0258] The observations on number of whitefly / jassids were recorded at 7th day after the second spray application (7DAA2SP) and mean value of number of pests observed on 3 leaves from 3 plants per treatment / replication was recorded to enumerate the impact of the composition of the present invention on control of whitefly and jassids. The percentage reduction of whitefly / jassids over untreated control (UTC) was calculated and presented in Table 3.

[0259] Table 3:

[0260] Herein the inventors have tested composition comprising combination of elemental sulphur and selenium in WG, WP and SC form as per the embodiment of the present invention as compared standalone actives as well as commercially used product for jassids and whitefly control.

[0261] It can be observed from Table 3 that treatment T1 with the composition comprising Elemental Sulphur 65% + Potassium selenate 8% (Se 2.86%) WP as per the embodiment of the present invention demonstrated 95.05% reduction of jassid over untreated control which was higher than the expected control calculated as per Colby’s method i.e. 71.59%. Thus, it can be concluded that the treatments T1 as per the embodiments of the present invention demonstrated synergistic control over jassids. Similarly, treatment T1 also showed 97.46% reduction of whitefly over untreated control which was higher than the expected control calculated as per Colby’s method i.e. 78.30%

[0262] In addition, it can be observed that treatments T2 and T3 showed higher jassid and whitefly control than the expected even when applied at reduced dosage of actives as compared to individual actives. Further, it can also be observed that the treatments T1 to T3 with the compositions of the present invention demonstrated superior control of jassids and whitefly as compared to commercially used product Confidore (Imidacloprid 17.8 SL).

[0263] Thus, it can be concluded that the composition of the present invention comprising combination of elemental sulphur and selenium as per the embodiment of the invention demonstrated surprisingly superior control over various pests as compared to stand alone actives and commercially used product.

[0264] Field trial 4: To assess the efficacy of the composition comprising elemental sulphur and selenium in controlling Diamond Black Moth (DBM) in Cabbage.

[0265] Field trials were conducted to evaluate the efficacy of the composition of the present invention at Indore, Madhya Pradesh on Cabbage Crop. The trials were laid down in Randomized Block Design (RBD) with six treatments including untreated control, replicated four times. The Cabbage crop in trial field was raised following good agricultural practice. The details of the experiment are as follows: The observations were recorded at 7DAA of the first spray application and 7DAA of the second spray application and the mean data i.e. larvae / Head (considering Larval count from 3 cabbage heads per treatment / replication) was presented in Table 4 to enumerate the efficacy of the compositions prepared as per the embodiments of the present invention. The observations on yield parameter were also recorded at the harvesting time and mean data were presented in Table 4.

[0266] Table 4:

[0267] *Expected percentage Reduction of DBM calculated as per Colby’s formula Herein the inventors have tested composition comprising combination of elemental sulphur and selenium in WG and SC form as per the embodiment of the present invention as compared standalone actives for DBM control.

[0268] It can be observed from Table 4 that treatment T1 with the composition comprising Elemental Sulphur 70% + Potassium selenate 18% (Se 6.43%) WG as per the embodiment of the present invention demonstrated 78.79% reduction of DBM over untreated control on 7DAA1SP which was higher than the expected reduction calculated as per Colby’s method i.e. 53.15%. Similarly, treatment T1 showed 80.46% reduction of DBM over untreated control on 7DAA2SP which was higher than the expected reduction calculated as per Colby’s method i.e. 55.61%. Thus, it can be concluded that the treatments T1 as per the embodiments of the present invention demonstrated synergistic control over DBM. Further, it can be observed that treatments T2 and T3 showed higher DBM control than that of the expected even when applied at reduced dosage of actives as compared to individual actives.

[0269] In addition, it can be observed from the above table that the treatment T1 with the composition comprising Elemental Sulphur 70% + Potassium selenate 18% (Se 6.43%) WG as per the embodiment of the present invention demonstrated 42.93% yield increase over untreated control which was higher than the expected yield increase for treatment T1 i.e. 28.77%. Thus, it can be concluded that the treatments T1 as per the embodiments of the present invention demonstrated synergistic behavior. Further it can be seen that treatments T2 and T3 with the composition of the present invention even though applied at reduced dosage as compared to standalone actives demonstrated enhanced yield than that of the expected yield.

[0270] Field trial 5: To study the effect of particle size distribution in the composition comprising combination of elemental sulphur and selenium in chilli.

[0271] The field trials were carried out to study the effect of particle size distribution in the composition comprising combination of elemental sulphur and selenium on chilli pests and yield. The trial was laid out during kharif season in Randomized Block Design (RBD) with five treatments including untreated control, replicated four times. The chilli crop in trial field was raised following good agricultural practice. The experimental details are as mentioned below.

[0272] The observations on number of whitefly were recorded at 7thday after first spray application (7DAA1SP) and 7thday after the second spray application (7DAA2SP) and mean value of number of whitefly observed on 3 leaves from 3 plants per treatment / replication was presented along with the yield data at harvest in the Table 5.

[0273] Table 5:

[0274] *Expected reduction of pests calculated using Colby’s formula

[0275] It was observed from Table 5, that treatments T1 and T2 with WDG composition comprising Elemental Sulphur 65% + Selenium dioxide 7% (Se 3.98%) WG having particle size distribution in the range of 0.1 to 50 microns demonstrated 91.18% and 83.82% reduction of whitefly respectively over control on 7DAA2SP in chilli as compared to treatments T3 and T4 with the same WDG composition having a particle size range of 51 to 100 microns and 101 to 300 microns respectively which showed only 33.09% and 14.71% reduction of whitefly respectively over control. Similarly, it can be observed that treatments T1 and T2 with WDG composition having particle size distribution in the range of 0.1 to 50 microns as per the embodiment of the present invention showed superior yield as compared to treatments T3 and T4 with WDG composition having higher particle size distribution.

[0276] It has been observed that the combination of elemental sulphur and selenium demonstrated synergistic and superior effect wherein particles of the composition are in the size range of 0.1 to 50 microns. Thus, it was surprisingly noted that even amongst the WDG formulations, superior efficacy was observed with WDG formulation having a specific particle size distribution of 0.1 to 50 microns in comparison to WDG formulations having different particle sizes in varied ranges.

[0277] It can be observed that the superior field efficacy demonstrated by the composition of the present invention is on account of combination of elements being the combination of elemental Sulphur and Selenium in specific concentration and in specific particle size of 0.1 to 50 microns and the same effect was not observed when there is a change in any of these elements.

[0278] Thus, it can be observed that the composition comprising combination of elemental sulphur and selenium in various formulation types prepared as per embodiment of the present invention is synergistic and provides superior crop protection over wide range of pests as well as higher yield as compared to stand alone actives, and commercially used products. The composition of the present invention was therefore found to be highly efficacious.

[0279] In addition the composition of the present invention demonstrates enhanced, efficacious and superior behaviour in the fields. In fact, various advantageous properties associated with the compositions according to the invention, include but are not limited to an advantageous behaviour upon application, ease of application in the field, improved stability, improved toxicological and / or ecotoxicological behavior, improved crop protection and crop yield and other advantages familiar to a person skilled in the art. From the foregoing it will be observed that numerous modifications and variations can be effectuated 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

Claims:I claim,1. A method for controlling lepidopteran or hemipteran insect pests, said method comprising applying to a plant, a plant propagation material, locus or parts thereof or surrounding soil with the composition comprising of: i. elemental Sulphur in a concentration range of 1% to 90% by weight of the total composition; ii. Selenium in its elemental form or salts or complexes or derivatives or mixture thereof wherein elemental Selenium content is in the range of 0.001% to 10% by weight of the total composition; and iii. at least one agriculturally acceptable excipient wherein the composition comprises particles in the size range of 0.1 to 50 microns.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the rate of application of the said composition is in the range of 0.1 kg to 10 kg / ha per application.

3. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the application of the said composition is repealed one or more times at a fixed interval.

4. The method as claimed in claim 3, wherein the application of the said composition is repeated at an interval of at least 7 days.

5. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said hemipteran insects are one or more species of the Aleyrodidae, Nilaparvata, Cicadidae, Cicadellidae or Aphididae family.

6. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said lepidopteran insects are one or more species of the Plutella, Helicoverpa, Spodoptera or Phthorimaea genus.

7. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the said insects are one or more of whitefly, brown plan hoppers, aphid, jassid and diamond black moth.

8. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said composition is applied to infected or uninfected plants.

9. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the said composition is in the form of suspensions, emulsion, liquid suspension, flowable concentrate, seed dressing, suspo-emulsion, and emulsions in water, water dispersible granules, wettable powder, broadcast granules, extruded granules, water disintegrable granules or spheronized granules.

10. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the said composition comprises of particles having an average diameter distribution (D50) of less than 20 microns.

11. The method as claimed in claim 9, wherein the said granules are in a size range of from 0.025mm to 6mm.

12. The method as claimed in claim 9, wherein the said composition is in the form of water dispersible granules, wettable powder or suspension concentrate.

13. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the Selenium salts, derivatives or complexes is selected from one or more of Selenium carbonates, Vanadium selenide, Magnesium selenide, Manganese selenide, Selenium sulphide, Copper selenide, Iron selenide, Molybdenum selenide, Cobalt selenide, Bismuth selenide, Zinc selenide, Copper selenite, Calcium selenite, Magnesium selenite, Manganese selenite, Cobalt selenite, Selenium dioxide, Selenourea, Sodium selenide, Potassium selenide, Copper selenide, Ammonium selenide, Sodium selenite, Potassium selenite, Ammonium selenite, Iron selenite, Zinc selenite, Sodium selenate, Magnesium selenate, Potassium selenate, Calcium selenate, Copper selenate, Ammonium selenate, Iron selenate, Downeyite, Achavalite,Potassium selenate, Selenium sulfide, Selenious acid, Selenium oxychloride, Selenic acid and Selenium yeast.

14. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the elemental sulphur is in the range of 20% w / w to 90% w / w of the total composition.

15. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the excipients are selected from one or more of surfactants, emulsifiers, wetting agents, dispersing agents, fillers, carriers, diluents, spreading agents, colorants, anticaking agents, binders, buffers, pH adjusters, neutralizing agents, pigments, stabilizers, antifoaming agents, defoamers, penetrants, structuring agents, humectants, sticking agents, anti-freezing agent, freeze point depressants, chelating, complexing or sequestering agents, preservatives or bactericides, anti-fungal agents or biocides, anti-microbial agents and antioxidants.

16. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the excipients are selected from one or more of emulsifiers, wetting agents and dispersing agents.

17. The method as claimed in claim 16, wherein the dispersing agent are non-ionic dispersants selected from one or more of polyvinyl pyrrolidone, polyvinyl alcohol, polyoxyethylene alkyl ethers, polyoxyethylene alkyl phenyl ether, ethoxylated fatty acids, aliphatic alcohol ethoxylates, alkyl ethoxylates, EO-PO block copolymers, graft copolymers, addition products of ethylene oxide and fatty acid esters, Kraft lignin polymer, polyoxyethylene alkyl esters, polyoxyethylenesorbitan alkyl esters, ethoxylated alkyl phenols and polyoxyethylenestyryl phenyl ether.

18. The method as claimed in claim 16, wherein the dispersing agents are anionic dispersants selected from one or more of sulfated fatty alcohol glycol ethers, tristyrylphenolethoxylate phosphate esters; lignin sulphonates, phenyl naphthalene sulphonates, alkali metal, alkaline earth metal and ammonium salts of lignosulfonic acid, lignin derivatives, alkylarylsulfonates, alkylsulfonates,mixture of sodium salt of naphthalene sulphonic acid urea formaldehyde condensate and sodium salt of phenol sulphonic formaldehyde condensate, polycarboxylates, sodium alkyl benzene sulfonates, sodium salts of sulfonated naphthalene, sodium naphthalene sulfonate formaldehyde condensates, condensation products of aryl sulphonic acids and formaldehyde, polyaromatic sulfonates, sodium alkyl aryl sulfonates.

19. A pesticidal composition for controlling insect pests of the order hemiptera or lepidoptera said composition comprising the combination of: i. elemental Sulphur in a concentration range of 1% to 90% by weight of the total composition; ii. Selenium in its elemental form or salts or complexes or derivatives or mixture thereof wherein elemental Selenium content is in the range of 0.001% to 10% by weight of the total composition; and iii. at least one agriculturally acceptable excipient; wherein the composition comprises particles in the size range of 0.1 to 50 microns and wherein the said combination provides synergistic control over the said insects as compared to standalone actives.

20. The pesticidal composition as claimed in claim 19, wherein said hemiptera insects are one or more species of the Aleyrodidae, Nilaparvata, Cicadidae, Cicadellidae or Aphididae family.

21. The pesticidal composition as claimed in claim 19, wherein said lepidoptera insects are one or more species of the Plutella, Helicoverpa, Spodoptera or Phthorimaea genus.

22. The pesticidal composition as claimed in claim 19, wherein the said insects are one or more of whitefly, brown plan hoppers, aphid, jassid and diamond black moth.

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