Seed treatment compositions

Abstract

A seed treatment composition comprises an active ingredient; and an aqueous polymer dispersion, obtainable by radical aqueous emulsion polymerization of a mixture comprising a) ethylenically unsaturated monomers M, with M comprising at least one vinyl ester M1, and at least one (meth)acrylic acid ester M2, 5 b) a carboxyl-groups-containing compound CGCC, c) at least one non-carboxylated saccharide and / or polysaccharide S, and d) at least one emulsifier selected from non-ionic and anionic surfactants, wherein wherein the dispersion has a pH of up to 4. The aqueous polymer dispersion constitutes an excellent binder for a large number of agrochemicals in seed treatment compositions, and moreover allows for reduced dust formation without impaired flowability / sowability.

Description

[0001] Seed Treatment Compositions

[0002] The invention relates to seed treatment compositions and methods of treating seed. The invention also relates to the use of an aqueous polymer dispersion in seed treatment compositions.

[0003] Seed treatment is the process of applying active ingredients to seeds in order to support the germination and / or the growth of a large variety of crops. Typical examples include the application of pesticides such as fungicides, insecticides and plant growth regulators, as well as other active ingredients such as fertilizers.

[0004] Being an alternative to traditional broadcast spraying of pesticides, seed treatment compositions must fulfil a number of special requirements which include their applicability to seeds in commercial equipment, the adhesion of the active ingredients to the treated seeds, and good flowability of the treated seeds. Of course, the treated seeds must still be capable of germination

[0005] To bind the active ingredient used for treating the seeds, generally a binder is used. Typical binders used for this purpose are polymers formed from ethylenically unsaturated monomers, such as carboxylated styrene / butadiene polymers; polyamides or acrylic binders. Disadvantageously, such binders are not biodegradable and accumulate in the soil.

[0006] There is an urgent need to reduce the introduction of (micro)plastic into the environment, to be more precise of (micro)pl astic which is not or not readily biodegradable.

[0007] Another problem associated with seeds, in particular with treated seeds, is dust formation. Dust from neonicotinoid-treated seeds, for example, is suspected to have caused at least some of the serious health problems of bee populations observed since several years. Generally, dust from treated seeds represents a health hazard for humans and animals coming into contact therewith, e.g. during or after sowing, or during transport, packaging, processing etc.

[0008] It is an object of the present invention to provide a composition for treating seeds which has a reduced environmental impact. The seeds coated therewith should have moreover a reduced dust formation, thusly reducing the environmental impact also in this respect, and also reducing the health risks for those coming into contact with the coated seeds and dust produced therefrom, e.g. during sowing, or during transport, packaging, processing etc. Dust suppression should however not be to the expense of plantability / sowability, i.e. the seeds should not stick to each other or to the sowing device, and they should show a good flowability. The invention provides a seed treatment composition comprising: i) an active ingredient; and ii) an aqueous polymer dispersion, obtainable by by radical aqueous emulsion polymerization of a mixture comprising a) ethylenically unsaturated monomers M, with M comprising

[0009] (1) at least one vinyl ester (M1 ), preferably comprising vinyl acetate, more preferably comprising vinyl acetate at least 50%, and

[0010] (2) at least one (meth)acrylic acid ester (M2) optionally comprising methacrylic acid as minor component, the (meth)acrylic acid in the methacrylic acid ester being bonded via an ether- function to a polyalkylene oxide-derived-block PAO, wherein the PAO consists of 2 to 40 alkylene oxide (AO-)units, most preferably 25 AO-units, with the PAO preferably being further linked via an ether-function to an C1 to C24, preferably at least C4, more preferably at least 06, even more preferably 08 to 024-aliphatic alkanol, most preferably a 018-aliphatic alkanol, with the AO being preferably selected from EO, PO and / or BuO, more preferably at least EO in an amount of from 50, more preferably at least 75, even more preferably at least 90 wt.% most preferably essentially only EO, based on total AO; preferably comprising methacrylic acid, more preferably with the methacrylic acid ester and the free methacrylic acid being in a ratio of from about 70 w% / 30w% to 80 w% / 20w%, more preferably about 75 w% / 25w%;

[0011] (3) optionally further monomers (M3) polymerizable with M1 and M2, preferably none; b) 1 to 15, preferably 2 to 10%, based on the total weight of monomers M, of a carboxyl-groups- containing compound (CGCC) being selected from a compound bearing in its structure at least three carboxyl-groups of which at least 10 and at most 90 percent are being deprotonated, selected from the group comprising citric acid, isocitric acid; ethylendiamintetraacetic acid; nitriloacetic acid; tartaric acid; oligomeric and polyacrylic acid; oligomeric and poly methacrylic acid; trimelitic acid; oligomeric aminoacids with carboxy groups such as polyaspartic acid; oligomeric and polyglutaminic acid; oligomeric and polyacetates with carboxygroups such as poly(glyoxalic)aldehyde; carboxylated oligomeric and polymeric saccharides such as oxidized starch (mixtures of amylopektines, amylose); polyglucuronates; cellulose oxidized to cellouronate; natural polycarboxy latic polysaccharide such as xylanes; pektines acid; alginic acid; carboxymethylated polysaccharides based on 1 ,4- polyglucanes, 1,3-polyglucanes, 1,6-polyglucanes; Poly-uronic acids based on 1,4-polyglucanes, 1 ,3-polyglucanes, 1,6-polyglucanes; polygalacturonic; preferably carboxylated polysaccharides, more preferably carboxylated cellulose, even more preferably carboxylated methylcellulose (carboxymethylcellulose, “CMC”); c) at least one non-carboxylated saccharide and / or polysaccharide S, such as glucose, starch degradation products, maltodextrin, in an amount of 2 to 50, preferably 5 to 35wt% based on the total weight of monomers M; d) at least one emulsifier selected from non-ionic and anionic surfactants; e) optionally sulfate ions; and f) optionally sulfite ions; wherein - preferably - the amount of M1 is from 80 to 99,99 mol%, and the amount of M2 is from 0,01 to 20 mole%, and preferably at most 10, even more preferably at most 5, more preferably at most 2%, the total amount of M1 plus M2 being 100 weight percent, and wherein the dispersion has - after the end of the polymerization - a pH of up to 4.

[0012] Surprisingly, it has now been found that such an aqueous polymer dispersion constitutes an excellent binder for a large number of agrochemicals in seed treatment compositions. The aqueous polymer dispersion moreover allows for reduced dust formation without impaired flowability / sowability.

[0013] The aqueous polymer dispersion typically comprises water in an amount to form a continuous phase in dissolved, suspended and / or emulsified form.

[0014] The compositions of the present invention show a stable particle size of dispersed, in particular suspended active ingredient(s).

[0015] The seed treatment composition comprises the aqueous polymer dispersion, at least one active ingredient, and optionally at least one further auxiliary agent.

[0016] In the present invention, an “active ingredient” is a compound which directly exerts a biologically relevant effect, preferably a pesticidal effect as described herein.

[0017] The term “auxiliary agent” refers to a compound or combination of compounds which do not exert a biologically relevant effect of their own, but support the effects of the active ingredient(s). When auxiliary agents are used, their choice will depend on the active ingredients and on the procedures selected for seed treatment.

[0018] Unless indicated otherwise, all amounts in % by weight refer to the weight of the total composition (or formulation).

[0019] The invention relates moreover to the use of said aqueous polymer dispersion for treating seeds.

[0020] In yet another aspect, the invention relates to a method of treating, which comprises applying an effective amount of the seed treatment composition to a lot of seed.

[0021] Finally, the invention relates to the use of the aqueous polymer dispersion as a binder in seed treatment compositions. DEFINITIONS

[0022] All terms have their ordinary meaning unless specifically defined otherwise within this disclosure either in the following or throughout the description.

[0023] Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word “comprise”, and variations such as “comprises” and “comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integer or step. When used herein the term “comprising” can be substituted with the term “containing” or “including" or sometimes when used herein with the term “having".

[0024] When used herein, “consisting of" excludes any element, step, or ingredient not specified in the claim element. When used herein, "consisting essentially of" does not exclude materials or steps that do not materially affect the basic and novel characteristics of the claim.

[0025] In each instance herein any of the terms "comprising”, "consisting essentially of" and "consisting of" may be replaced with either of the other two terms. “Comprising” may be replaced in a preferred embodiment with "consisting essentially of and both may be replaced by "consisting of" in an even more preferred embodiment.

[0026] The compositions of the present disclosure can “comprise” (i.e. contain other ingredients), “consist essentially of” (comprise mainly or almost only the mentioned ingredients and other ingredients in only very minor amounts, mainly only as impurities), or “consist of (i.e. contain only the mentioned ingredients and in addition may contain only impurities not avoidable in an technical environment, preferably only the ingredients) the components of the present disclosure.

[0027] Similarly, the terms “substantially free of....” or" substantially free from...” or “(containing / comprising) essentially no....” may be used herein; this means that the indicated material is at the very minimum not deliberately added to the composition to form part of it, or, preferably, is not present at analytically detectable levels. It is meant to include compositions whereby the indicated material is present only as an impurity in one of the other materials deliberately included. The indicated material may be present, if at all, at a level of less than 1 %, or even less than 0.1%, or even more less than 0.01%, or even 0%, by weight of the composition.

[0028] Generally, as used herein, the term “obtainable by” means that corresponding products do not necessarily have to be produced (i.e. obtained) by the corresponding method or process described in the respective specific context, but also products are comprised which exhibit all features of a product produced (obtained) by said corresponding method or process, wherein said products were actually not produced (obtained) by such method or process. However, the term “obtainable by" also comprises the more limiting term “obtained by”, i.e. products which were actually produced (obtained) by a method or process described in the respective specific context.

[0029] When used herein any definition requiring a compound or a substituent of a compound to consist of "at least a number of carbon atoms", number of carbon atoms refers to the total number of carbon atoms in said compound or substituent of a compound. For example for a substituent disclosed as “alkyl ether with at least 8 carbon atoms comprising alkylene oxide groups”, the total number of at least 8 carbon atoms needs to be the sum of the number of carbon atoms of the alkyl moiety and the number of carbon atoms of the alkylene oxide moieties.

[0030] All such terms not specifically defined have their ordinary meaning as known in the field of organic chemistry.

[0031] As used herein, the articles “a” and “an” when used in a claim or an embodiment, are understood to mean one or more of what is claimed or described. As used herein, the terms “include(s)" and “including" are meant to be non-limiting, and thus encompass more than the specific item mentioned after those words.

[0032] The term “about" as used herein encompasses the exact number “X” mentioned as e.g. “about X%” etc., and small variations of X, including from minus 5 to plus 5 % deviation from X (with X for this calculation set to 100%), preferably from minus 2 to plus 2 %, more preferably from minus 1 to plus 1 %, even more preferably from minus 0.5 to plus 0.5 % and smaller variations. Of course if the value X given itself is already “100%” (such as for purity etc.) then the term “about” clearly can and thus does only mean deviations thereof which are smaller than “100”.

[0033] The term "free of water" means that the composition contains no more than 5 wt.-% of water based on the total amount of solvent, in another embodiment no more than 1 wt.-% of water based on the total amount of solvent, in a further embodiment the solvent contains no water at all.

[0034] All temperatures herein are in degrees Celsius (°C) unless otherwise indicated. Unless otherwise specified, all measurements herein are conducted at 20°C and under the atmospheric pressure. In all embodiments of the present disclosure, all percentages are by weight of the total composition, unless specifically stated otherwise. All ratios are weight ratios, unless specifically stated otherwise.

[0035] Molecular weight descriptors Mw, Mn and polydispersity (PDI as polydispersity index) of the molecular weight; pH-value.

[0036] All percentages given are weight percentages based on the total weight of that composition, dispersion, feed, mixture etc., unless specifically defined otherwise; abbreviated as “wt%”. “Bio-degradable”, “biodegradation” with or without the addition of “as tested under standard conditions” mean the biodegradation and - if percentages are given such as “30% bio-degradation / bio-degradable” of the mentioned substance, compound or formulation, which has been determined using biodegradability tests according to OECD301 F (as used in the example section).

[0037] “Medium particle size” and the corresponding “medium particle size measurement” means the particle size D[4,3] as measured using a Malvern Mastersizer 2000 in aqueous environment using standard methods and ingredients. The Mastersizer used for the present invention was equipped with a Hydro 2000S (a) as accessory, using water as dispersant, at a concentration of 0.0220 volume percent.

[0038] “Transmittance of 532nm-wavelength-light” means the transmittance measured with a wave length of 532 nm light using standard machines, such as preferably Hach Lange DR6000 spectrometer, compared to the transmittance of the standard, which usually is plain water suitable for such measurement, preferably being distilled or even bi-distilled water, at a concentration of 0.01 wt.% and a cuvette of 1 centimeter length of dispersion for the rays to pass through.

[0039] “Dust-off' may be determined by a Heubach test for measuring free floating dust and abrasion particles of treated seeds. In the Heubach test, treated seeds are mechanically stressed inside a rotating drum and the amount of dust formed is measured. A vacuum pump creates an air flow through the rotating drum, the connected glass cylinder and the attached filter unit. By the air flow, abraded dust particles are transported out of the rotating drum through the glass cylinder and subsequently through the filter unit. Coarse nonfloating particles are separated and collected in the glass cylinder while floating dust particles are deposited onto a filter. The amount of floating dust collected on the filter is determined gravimetrically.

[0040] The pH value is determined at room temperature (23 °C) and atmospheric pressure.

[0041] Throughout this description, the term “inventive compound” may be used instead of the “inventive (aqueous) dispersion” and “(aqueous) dispersion of this (present) invention”, meaning those compound(s) being disclosed herein as invention, defined by their structure and / or their process to produce and / or obtainable by the process defined herein.

[0042] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0043] The specific embodiments as described throughout this disclosure are encompassed by the present invention as part of this invention; the various further options being disclosed in this present specification as “optional”, “preferred”, “more preferred”, “even more preferred” or “most preferred” (or “preferably” etc.) options of a specific embodiment may be individually and independently (unless such independent selection is not possible by virtue of the nature of that feature or if such independent selection is explicitly excluded) selected and then combined within any of the other embodiments (where other such options and preferences can be also selected individually and independently unless such independent selection is not possible by virtue of the nature of that feature or if such independent selection is explicitly excluded), with each and any and all such possible combinations being included as part of this invention as individual embodiments.

[0044] Specifically, this invention relates to a seed treatment composition comprising

[0045] (i) an aqueous polymer dispersion, obtainable by radical aqueous emulsion polymerization as described above, and

[0046] (ii) an active ingredient.

[0047] Preferably, a layer formed from the aqueous polymer dispersion can serve as a matrix for the active ingredient(s). In particular, it is preferred that a continuous solid phase is formed throughout which the active ingredient(s) is distributed as a discontinuous phase Optionally, a filler and / or other components can also be present in the matrix. The term "matrix" is to be understood to include what may be viewed as a matrix system, a reservoir system or a microencapsulated system. In general, a matrix system consists of the active ingredient(s) and a filler uniformly dispersed within a polymer, while a reservoir system consists of a separate phase comprising the active ingredient(s) that is physically dispersed within a surrounding, rate-limiting, polymeric phase.

[0048] The aqueous polymer dispersion is obtainable by radical aqueous emulsion polymerization of a mixture comprising a) ethylenically unsaturated monomers M, with M comprising

[0049] (1) at least one vinyl ester M1, preferably comprising vinyl acetate, more preferably comprising vinyl acetate at least 50%, even more preferably at least 90%, and

[0050] (2) at least one (meth)acrylic acid ester M2 optionally comprising meth-acrylic acid as minor component, the (meth)acrylic acid in the meth-acrylic acid ester being bonded via an ether-function to a polyalkylene oxide-derived-block PAO, wherein the PAO consists of 2 to 40 alkylene oxide AO, most preferably 25 AO-units, with the PAO preferably being further linked via an ether-function to an C1 to 024, preferably at least 04, more preferably at least C6, even more preferably C8 to 024-al iphatic alkanol, most preferably a 018-aliphatic alkanol, with the AO being preferably selected from EO, PO and / or BuO, more preferably at least EO in an amount of from 50, more preferably at least 75, even more preferably at least 90 wt.% most preferably essentially only EO, based on total AO; preferably comprising methacrylic acid, more preferably with the methacrylic acid ester and the free methacrylic acid being in a ratio of from about 70 w% / 30w% to 80 w% / 20w%, more preferably about 75 w% / 25w%;

[0051] (3) optionally further monomers polymerizable with M1 and M2, preferably none; b) 1 to 15, preferably 2 to 10, more preferably 3 to 8, most preferably 4 to 6% by weight, based on the total weight of monomers M, of a carboxyl-groups-containing compound CGCC being selected from a compound bearing in its structure at least three, more preferably at least 6, 8, 10, 15, 20, 25 or more carboxyl-groups of which at least 10 and at most 90 percent are being deprotonated (thus forming salts with counter-ions; the counter-ions being selected from Na, K, NH4, Mg, Ca), selected from the group comprising citric acid, isocitric acid; ethylendiamintetraacetic acid; nitriloacetic acid; tartaric acid; oligomeric and poly-acrylic acid; oligomeric and poly methacrylic acid; trimelitic acid; oligomeric aminoacids with carboxy groups such as polyaspartic acid; oligomeric and poly-glutaminic acid; oligomeric and polyacetates with carboxygroups such as poly(glyoxalic)aldehyde; carboxylated oligomeric and polymeric saccharides such as oxidized starch (mixtures of amylopektines, amylose); polyglucuronates; cellulose oxidized to cellouronate; natural polycarboxylatic polysaccharide such as xylanes; pektines acid; alginic acid; carboxymethylated polysaccharides based on 1 ,4-polyglucanes, 1,3- polyglucanes, 1,6-polyglucanes; Poly-uronic acids based on 1,4-polyglucanes, 1 ,3-polyglucanes, 1,6- polyglucanes; polygalacturonic; preferably carboxylated polysaccharides, more preferably carboxylated cellulose, even more preferably carboxylated methylcellulose (carboxymethylcellulose, “CMC); and c) at least one (non-carboxylated) sacharide and / or polysaccharide S, such as glucose, starch degradation products, maltodextrin, in an amount of 2 to 50, preferably 5 to 35, more preferably 10 to 30, most preferably 15 to 25 wt% based on the total weight of monomers M, d) at least one emulsifier selected from non-ionic and anionic surfactants, with i) the at least one anionic surfactant preferably being selected from: anionic emulsifier bearing at least one anionic group, which is selected from phosphate, phosphonate, sulfate and sulfonate groups; the anionic emulsifier typically employed in the form of their alkali metal salts, especially of their sodium salts or in the form of their ammonium salts; preferably the anionic emulsifier bearing at least one sulfate or sulfonate group or at least one phosphate or phosphonate group, more preferably bearing at least one sulfonate or sulfate group, most preferably only one sulfonate or one sulfate group, i-a) with the anionic emulsifier bearing at least one sulfate or sulfonate group preferably being selected from

[0052] - the salts, especially the alkali metal and ammonium salts, of alkyl sulfates, especially of 08-022- alkyl sulfates,

[0053] - the salts, especially the alkali metal and ammonium salts, of sulfuric monoesters of C2-C3- alkoxylated alkanols, especially of sulfuric monoesters of C2-C3-alkoxylated C8-C22-alkanols, preferably having an C2-C3-alkoxylation level (AO level) in the range from 2 to 40,

[0054] - the salts, especially the alkali metal and ammonium salts, of sulfuric monoesters of C2-C3- alkoxylated alkylphenols, especially of sulfuric monoesters of C2-C3-alkoxylated C4 C18- alkylphenols (AO level preferably 3 to 40),

[0055] - the salts, especially the alkali metal and ammonium salts, of alkyl-sulfonic acids, especially of C8-C22-alkylsulfonic acids,

[0056] - the salts, especially the alkali metal and ammonium salts, of dialkyl esters, especially di-C4-C18- alkyl esters of sulfosuccinic acid, - the salts, especially the alkali metal and ammonium salts, of alkylbenzenesulfonic acids, especially of C4-C22-alkylbenzenesulfonic acids, and

[0057] - the salts, especially the alkali metal and ammonium salts, of mono- or disulfonated, alkylsubstituted diphenyl ethers, for example of bis(pheny Isu Ifoni c acid) ethers bearing a C4-C24-al ky I group on one or both aromatic rings; with the term "C2-C3-alkoxylated” meaning that the compounds are ethoxylated, propoxylated or co- ethoxylated / propoxylated, i.e. meaning that the respective compounds are obtained by a process which introduces a poly-ethylenoxide group, a polypropyleneoxide group or a poly (ethyleneoxide-co- propyleneoxide) group; i-b) With the anionic emulsifier bearing at least one phosphate or phosphonate group, preferably being selected from

[0058] - the salts, especially the alkali metal and ammonium salts, of mono- and dialkyl phosphates, especially C8-C22-alkyl phosphates,

[0059] - the salts, especially the alkali metal and ammonium salts, of phosphoric monoesters of 02-03- alkoxylated alkanols, preferably having an alkoxylation level in the range from 2 to 40, especially in the range from 3 to 30, for example phosphoric monoesters of ethoxylated C8-C22-alkanols, preferably having an ethoxylation level (EO level) in the range from 2 to 40, phosphoric monoesters of propoxylated C8-C22-alkanols, preferably having a propoxylation level (PO level) in the range from 2 to 40, and phosphoric monoesters of ethoxylated-co-propoxylated 08-022- alkanols, preferably having an ethoxylation level (EO level) in the range from 1 to 20 and a propoxylation level of 1 to 20,

[0060] - the salts, especially the alkali metal and ammonium salts, of phosphoric monoesters of 02-03- alkoxylated alkylphenols, especially phosphoric monoesters of C2-C3-alkoxylated 04-018- alkylphenols (AO level preferably 3 to 40),

[0061] - the salts, especially the alkali metal and ammonium salts, of alkylphosphonic acids, especially C8-C22-alkylphosphonic acids and

[0062] - the salts, especially the alkali metal and ammonium salts, of alkylbenzenephosphonic acids, especially C4-C22-alkylbenzenephosphonic acids; with the more preferred anionic emulsifiers being selected from the following groups:

[0063] - the salts, especially the alkali metal and ammonium salts, of alkyl sulfates, especially of 08-022- alkyl sulfates,

[0064] - the salts, especially the alkali metal salts, of sulfuric monoesters of C2-C3-alkoxylated alkanols, especially of sulfuric monoesters of C2-C3-alkoxylated C8-C22-alkanols, preferably having an AO level in the range from 2 to 40,

[0065] - of sulfuric monoesters of C2-C3-alkoxylated alkylphenols, especially of sulfuric monoesters of C2-C3-alkoxylated 04-018-alkylphenols (AO level preferably 3 to 40), - of alkylbenzenesulfonic acids, especially of C4-C22-alkylbenzenesulfonic acids, and

[0066] - of mono- or disulfonated, al kyl -su bstitu ted diphenyl ethers, for example of bis(pheny Isu Ifon ic acid) ethers bearing a C4-C24-alkyl group on one or both aromatic rings; ii) the at least one non-ionic surfactant being selected from: nonionic emulsifiers are e.g. ar-aliphatic or aliphatic nonionic emulsifiers, selected from

[0067] - C2-C3-alkoxylated mono-, di- and trialkylphenols, with the number of repeating units of the alkylene oxide-derived moiety being preferably 3 to 50, and / or the alkyl radical being preferably C4-C10-alkyl;

[0068] - C2-C3-alkyoxlates, such as ethoxylates, propoxylates or ethoxylate-co-propoxylates, of long- chain alcohols with the number of repeating units of the alkylene oxide-derived moiety being preferably 3 to 100, and / or the alkyl radical being preferably C8-C36-alkyl, and

[0069] - polyethylene oxide / polypropylene oxide homo- and copolymers, which may comprise the alkylene oxide units copolymerized in random distribution or in the form of blocks or mixtures of homo-blocks and random-blocks, more preferably C2-C3-alkoxylated of long-chain alkanols, in particular to those where the alkyl radical C8 C30 having a mean alkoxylation level of 5 to 100 and, among these, particular preference to those having a linear C12-C20 alkyl radical and a mean alkoxylation level of 10 to 50, and also to C2-C3-alkoxylated monoalkylphenols; e) optionally sulfate ions, and f) optionally sulfite ions, wherein - preferably - the amount of M1 is from 80 to 99.99 mol%, more preferably the amount of M1 being at least 98%, and the amount of M2 is from 0.01 to 20 mole%, more preferably from 0.1 , even more preferably from 0.2, even more preferably from 0.5, and most preferably from 0.7, and preferably at most 10, even more preferably at most 5, more preferably at most 2%, and most preferably the amount of M1 being about 99 weight percent and the amount of M2 being about 1 weight percent, the total amount of M1 plus M2 being 100 weight percent, and wherein the dispersion has - after the end of the polymerization - a pH of up to 4, more preferably below 4, even more preferably at most 3.8, even more preferably at most 3.6, and more preferably at least 2.5, even more preferably at least 3, even more preferably at least 3.2, and most preferably at least 3.4.

[0070] In a preferred embodiment, the vinyl ester M1 monomer comprises vinyl acetate with at least 50%, even more preferably at least 90% based on the total molar amount of vinyl esters.

[0071] In another preferred embodiment, the least one (meth)acrylic acid ester M2 is a (meth)acrylic acid being bonded via an ether-function to a poly alkylene oxide-derived-block PAO, wherein the PAO consists of 20 to 30 alkylene oxide AO, most preferably 25 AO-units, with the PAO preferably being further linked via an ether-function to an C14 to C22 -aliphatic alkanol, most preferably a 016 / 18-aliphatic alkanol, with the AO being selected from EO and PO and / or BuO, more preferably EO and PO, with the EO in an amount of from 75, even more preferably at least 90 wt.%, most preferably essentially only EO, based on total AO; further comprising methacrylic acid, with the methacrylic acid ester and the free methacrylic acid being in a ratio of from about 70 w% / 30w% to 80 w% / 20w%, more preferably about 75 w% / 25w%.

[0072] In a further preferred embodiment, M3 is not comprised.

[0073] In an even more preferred embodiment, in the aqueous polymer dispersion as defined before, the vinyl ester M1 monomer comprises vinyl acetate with at least 50%, even more preferably at least 90% based on the total molar amount of vinyl esters, the least one (meth)acrylic acid ester M2 is a (meth)acrylic acid being bonded via an ether-function to a polyalkylene oxide-derived-block PAO, wherein the PAO consists of 20 to 30 alkylene oxide AO, most preferably 25 AO-units, with the PAO preferably being further linked via an ether-function to an C14 to C22 -aliphatic alkanol, most preferably a C16 / 18-aliphatic alkanol, with the AO being selected from EO and PO and / or BuO, more preferably EO and PO, with the EO in an amount of from 75, even more preferably at least 90 wt.%, most preferably essentially only EO, based on total AO; further comprising methacrylic acid, with the methacrylic acid ester and the free methacrylic acid being in a ratio of from about 70 w% / 30w% to 80 w% / 20w%, more preferably about 75 w% / 25w%, and M3 is not comprised.

[0074] In a further more preferred embodiment, the vinyl ester M1 monomer comprises vinyl acetate with at least 90% based on the total molar amount of vinyl esters, preferably essentially only vinyl acetate, and the least one (meth)acrylic acid ester M2 is a (meth)acrylic acid being bonded via an ether-function to a polyalkylene oxide-derived-block PAO, wherein the PAO consists of 23 to 27 alkylene oxide AO, most preferably on average 25 AO-units, with the PAO preferably being further linked via an ether-function to essentially C16 / 18 -aliphatic alkanol, most preferably a C16 / 18-aliphatic alkanol, with the AO being essentially only EO; further comprising methacrylic acid, with the methacrylic acid ester and the free methacrylic acid being in a ratio of from about 70 w% / 30w% to 80 w% / 20w%, more preferably about 75 w% / 25w%, and M3 is not present.

[0075] In a further more preferred embodiment, M1 is vinyl acetate, and the least one (meth)acrylic acid ester M2 is a methacrylic acid being bonded via an ether-function to a polyethylene oxide block PEO, wherein the PEO consists of on average 25 AO-units, with the PEO being further linked via an ether-function to a C16 / 18- aliphatic alkanol, further comprising methacrylic acid, with the methacrylic acid ester and the free methacrylic acid being in a ratio of about 75 w% / 25w%, and M3 is not present

[0076] In a further more preferred embodiment, and preferably in combination with any of the embodiments before, the aqueous dispersion comprises as the CGCC a carboxyl-groups-containing compound being selected from carboxylated polysaccharides, more preferably carboxylated cellulose, even more preferably carboxylated methylcellulose (carboxymethylcellulose, "CMC”), preferably in amounts of from 1 weight % up to 15 weight percent, more preferably up to 10, even more preferably up to 5 wt% and most preferably about 5 weight percent based on the total amount of monomers M1+M2+M3.

[0077] It is believed that the CGCC is able to interact with the polymerized moiety derived from the at least one monomer M2 within the polymer product which is dispersed within the dispersion. By such interaction, an excellent compatibility and stability of the dispersion seems to result; also, such interactions favors the attack at the chemical structure and thus provides the high biodegradation percentage of the aqueous polymer dispersion observed, which is higher than dispersions not containing a carboxyl-groups-containing compound CGCC

[0078] In one further preferred embodiment, and preferably in combination with any of the embodiments before, the aqueous polymer dispersion comprises at least one saccharide and / or polysaccharide S which is a starch degradation product, preferably a maltodextrin, in an amount of 10 to 30, most preferably 15 to 25 wt% based on the total weight of monomers M.

[0079] In a preferred embodiment, S is a degraded starch having a dextrose equivalent according to Lane and Eynon in the range from 2 to 40%.

[0080] In a preferred embodiment, S is maltodextrin with a DE-value of from 10 to 30, preferably 12 to 16 or 25 to 30.

[0081] In a preferred embodiment, S is a degraded starch having a number average molecular weight in the range from 300 to 2000 Dalton, as determined by osmometry, and preferably in a range of from 5 to 150, more preferably up to 70, even more preferably up to 50, and more preferably from 10, even more preferably from 15, and most preferably from 20, each in weight percent based on the total weight of monomers M1+M2+M3.

[0082] Such degraded starches can be obtained by known means, such as chemical degradation, catalytic degradation with suitable catalysts or using enzymes. It is preferred herein, that S stems from an enzymatic degradation as this is a clean and fast approach with basically no chemical residues from the degradation reaction within the degradation products (besides starch and sugars from the starch).

[0083] The use of maltodextrin additionally provides an increased stability at lower temperature of storage for the inventive dispersions.

[0084] Preferably, the dispersed polymer particles of the aqueous polymer dispersions of this invention have a D[4,3] value as determined by static light scattering of 100 to 1000 nm, preferably 100 to 700 nm, more preferably 100 to 500 nm. The aqueous polymer dispersions of any of the embodiments disclosed herein preferably have at least one of the following properties a) to d), preferably at least two, more preferably at least three, and most preferably all of the hereinafter defined properties: a) a transmittance of 532nm-wavelength-light of at least 20% when measured as a 0.01wt% dispersion in water, b) a pH of in between 2.5 and 9, preferably from 3, more preferably from 3.3, and more preferably up to 7, even more preferably up to 6, even more preferably up to 5, and most preferably about 3.5; c) a density of from 1 .04 to 1 .08 g / mL measured as 10wt. %-dispersion (based on solid content), and d) a viscosity of from 30 to 1000 mPas (Brookfield viscosity, spindle 3; measured as 30 wt.%-dispersion containing 30 wt.% active (active = polymer plus CGCC plus S); based on solid content; concentration as applicable by measurement).

[0085] According to a particular embodiment, the seed treatment composition comprises at least 0.1% by weight, preferably at least 0.2% by weight, more preferably at least 1 % by weight, and in particular at least 5% by weight of the aqueous polymer dispersion, calculated as the solids content thereof.

[0086] According to a further particular embodiment, the seed treatment composition comprises at most 20% by weight, preferably at most 15% by weight, and in particular at most 10% by weight of the aqueous polymer dispersion, calculated as the solids content thereof.

[0087] According to one aspect, the weight ratio of the aqueous polymer dispersion, calculated as the solids content thereof, to solid active ingredient(s) is at least 0.01 : 1 , preferably at least 0.05:1, and in particular at least 0.1 :1.

[0088] According to another aspect, the weight ratio of the aqueous polymer dispersion, calculated as the solids content thereof, to the solid ingredients) is at most 4:1, preferably at most 1 :1, and in particular at most 0.5:1.

[0089] The aqueous polymer dispersions used herein may be obtained, e.g , in large-scale production, by a process comprising:

[0090] (A) polymerizing ethylenically unsaturated monomers M, with M comprising at least one vinyl ester M1 , preferably comprising vinyl acetate, more preferably comprising vinyl acetate at least 50%, even more preferably at least 90%, and at least one (meth)acrylic acid ester M2, optionally comprising meth-acrylic acid as minor component, the (meth)acrylic acid in the meth-acrylic acid ester being bonded via an ether-function to a polyalkylene oxide-derived-block PAO, wherein the PAO consists of 2 to 40 alkylene oxide AO, most preferably 25 AO-units, with the PAO preferably being further linked via an ether-function to an C1 to C24, preferably at least C4, more preferably at least 06, even more preferably 08 to 024-aliphatic alkanol, most preferably a 018-aliphatic alkanol, with the AO being preferably selected from EO, PO and / or BuO, more preferably at least EO in an amount of from 50, more preferably at least 75, even more preferably at least 90 wt.% most preferably essentially only EO, based on total AO; preferably comprising methacrylic acid, more preferably with the methacrylic acid ester and the free methacrylic acid being in a ratio of from about 70 w% / 30w% to 80 w% / 20w%, more preferably about 75 w% / 25w%; and optionally further monomers M3 polymerizable with M1 and M2, preferably none; in the presence of

[0091] - at least one emulsifier,

[0092] - water,

[0093] - 1 to 15, preferably 2 to 10, more preferably 3 to 8, most preferably 4 to 6% by weight, based on the total weight of monomers M, of a carboxyl-groups-containing compound CGCC being selected from a compound bearing in its structure at least three, more preferably at least 6, 8, 10, 15, 20, 25 or more carboxyl-groups of which at least 10 and at most 90 percent are being deprotonated (thus forming salts with counter-ions; the counter-ions being selected from Na, K, NH4, Mg, Ca), selected from the group comprising citric acid, isocitric acid; ethylendiamintetraacetic acid; nitriloacetic acid; tartaric acid; oligomeric and polyacrylic acid; oligomeric and poly methacrylic acid; trimelitic acid; oligomeric aminoacids with carboxy groups such as polyaspartic acid; oligomeric and poly-glutaminic acid; oligomeric and polyacetates with carboxygroups such as poly(glyoxalic)aldehyde; carboxylated oligomeric and polymeric saccharides such as oxidized starch (mixtures of amylopektines, amylose); polyglucuronates; cellulose oxidized to cellouronate; natural polycarboxylatic polysaccharide such as xylanes; pektines acid; alginic acid; carboxymethylated polysaccharides based on 1 ,4-polyglucanes, 1,3- polyglucanes, 1,6-polyglucanes; poly-uronic acids based on 1 ,4-polyglucanes, 1,3-polyglucanes, 1,6- polyglucanes; polygalacturonic; preferably carboxylated polysaccharides, more preferably carboxylated cellulose, even more preferably carboxylated methylcellulose (carboxymethylcellulose, “CMC”); and

[0094] - at least one (non-carboxylated) saccharide and / or polysaccharide S, such as glucose, starch degradation products, maltodextrin, in an amount of 2 to 50, preferably 5 to 35, more preferably 10 to 30, most preferably 15 to 25 wt% based on the total weight of monomers M, with the use of at least one radical initiator or a radical initiator couple, such couple preferably comprising a peroxide and a reducing compound; such polymerization being performed

[0095] - in a reaction container equipped with either pressurized equipment and / or equipment to control boiling of the ingredients and with such measure(s) being able to contain the ingredients within the reaction container during the reaction at elevated temperature;

[0096] - at a temperature of from 60 to 90, preferably 70 to 80 °C;

[0097] - at a pH of up to 4, more preferably below 4, even more preferably at most 3.8, even more preferably at most 3.6; with

[0098] (B) optionally adding further radical initiator or initiator couple to further reduce the content of the unreacted monomers and / or to reduce the color of the to be obtained polymer dispersion;

[0099] (C) optionally adding at least one further reducing compound to reduce the color of the to be obtained polymer dispersion,

[0100] (D) optionally adding at least one further additive that might be needed or desired as additional ingredient within the to be obtained polymer dispersion;

[0101] (E) optionally performing a step of removing evaporable compounds from the reaction mixture by employing a distillation step and / or a stripping step using steam or a gas, preferably steam;

[0102] (F) optionally performing a step of filtrating the polymer dispersion from the previous step, preferably using a 125 micrometer filter; to obtain the aqueous polymer dispersion.

[0103] As a result of the polymerization reaction, the aqueous dispersion may contain sulfite and / or sulfate ions. Those arise mainly from the use of persulfate-radical initiators.

[0104] During the polymerization, the pH-value of the mixture typically decreases due to the formation of acid from the use of the persulfate-initiators. In principle, this decrease of pH can be minimized by adding a base. However, the use of a base is not preferred. The amount of coagulates typically increases the more base is added as the amount of electrolytes increases.

[0105] In preferred embodiment, for the main polymerization step at least one persulfate as radical polymerization initiator and ascorbic acid and / or iso-ascorbic acid are employed.

[0106] In preferred embodiment, and preferably in combination with any of the embodiments before, the radical polymerization initiator additionally comprises a transition metal, preferably an iron-containing salt. In the most preferred embodiment, no transition metal is employed. Iron-containing salt are typically complexes of iron-cations, such as complexes with EDTA and the like. Such complexes are known for such applications in combination with persulfate-radical initiators.

[0107] In preferred embodiment, and preferably in combination with any of the embodiments before, in the post polymerization step at least one hydroperoxide and at least one sulfite salt are employed.

[0108] In preferred embodiment, and preferably in combination with any of the embodiments before, at least 5% of the total amount of the hydroperoxide being added in the post polymerization step is added after the end of the addition of the sulfite.

[0109] In preferred embodiment, and preferably in combination with any of the embodiments before, volatile components are removed using steam distillation, thermal distillation, vacuum distillation, gas stripping, to reduce and preferably essentially remove remaining amounts of monomer(s) M1 , and reaction by-products, to a level which is a required level or an acceptable level for the intended area of application, such step being performed at ambient, reduced or over-pressure of at most 2 bar absolute pressure, to reduce the content of the organic solvent(s), residual volatile monomers such as vinyl esters, to a content of at most 1 weight percent, preferably at most 0.5, more preferably at most 0.01 percent, based on the total weight of the polymer dispersion obtained.

[0110] In preferred embodiment, and preferably in combination with any of the embodiments before, the dispersion finally obtained after the last process step to polymerize and - if employed - to purify is filtered to remove polymer agglomerates of sizes beyond 125 micrometer.

[0111] The aqueous polymer dispersion is suitably biodegradable. Biodegradable materials are broken down by microorganisms, generally in the presence of oxygen (aerobic decomposition), to carbon dioxide, water, biomass and minerals. Biodegradability in terms of the present invention is as determined with one of the methods defined by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) in the "Background Document to RAC and SEAC Opinions on Intentionally Added Microplastics" of 11 June 2020, section 2.2.1.6, table 22.

[0112] The seed treatment composition further comprises an active ingredient.

[0113] In general, the compositions comprise from 0.005% by weight to 95% by weight, preferably from 0.01% by weight to 90% by weight, in particular from 0.1 or 0.5% by weight to 50% by weight, of the active ingredient. Preferably, the active ingredients are employed in a purity of 90% to 100%, preferably 95% to 100% (according to NMR spectrum).

[0114] According to the invention, the active ingredient is especially selected from plant protection active agents (pesticides). Such an agent has the purpose or effect of preventing infection of a plant by any pest or of repelling, deterring or destroying the pest or of reducing in another way the damage caused by it. Plant pests can belong to different groups of organisms; the higher animals, in particular insects and acarids, include numerous important pests, as do nematodes and snails; vertebrates, such as mammals and birds, are today of secondary importance in industrialized countries. Numerous groups of microbes, including fungi, bacteria, inclusive of mycoplasmas, viruses and viroids, comprise pests, and even weeds, which compete with useful plants for limited habitat and other resources, can be classed as pests in the broad sense. Pesticides comprise in particular avicides, acaricides, desiccants, bactericides, chemosterilants, defoliants, antifeedants, fungicides, herbicides, herbicide safeners, insect attractants, insecticides, insect repellents, molluscicides, nematicides, mating disrupters, plant activators, plant growth regulators, rodenticides, mammal repellents, synergists, bird repellents and virucides. The following list of pesticides which can be used according to the invention illustrates possible active ingredients:

[0115] A. Insecticides and Acaricides

[0116] A.1. Organo(thio)phosphates: acephate, azamethiphos, azinphos-methyl, chlorpyrifos, chlorpyrifos-methyl, chlorfenvinphos, diazinon, dichlorvos, dicrotophos, dimethoate, disulfoton, ethion, fenitrothion, fenthion, isoxathion, malathion, methamidophos, methidathion, methyl-parathion, mevinphos, monocrotophos, oxydemeton-methyl, paraoxon, parathion, phenthoate, phosalone, phosmet, phosphamidon, phorate, phoxim, pirimiphos-methyl, profenofos, prothiofos, sulprophos, tetrachlorvinphos, terbufos, triazophos, trichlorfon;

[0117] A.2. Carbamates: alanycarb, aldicarb, bendiocarb, benfuracarb, carbaryl, carbofuran, carbosulfan, fenoxycarb, furathiocarb, methiocarb, methomyl, oxamyl, pirimicarb, propoxur, thiodicarb, triazamate;

[0118] A.3. Pyrethroids: allethrin, bifenthrin, cyfluthrin, cyhalothrin, cyphenothrin, cypermethrin, alpha- cypermethrin, beta-cypermethrin, zeta-cypermethrin, deltamethrin, esfenvalerate, etofenprox, fenpropathrin, fenvalerate, imiprothrin, lambda-cyhalothrin, gamma-cyhalothrin, permethrin, prallethrin, pyrethrin I and II, resmethrin, silafluofen, tau-fluvalinate, tefluthrin, tetramethrin, tralomethrin, transfluthrin, profluthrin, dimefluthrin;

[0119] A.4. Growth regulators: a) chitin synthesis inhibitors: benzoylureas: chlorfluazuron, diflubenzuron, flucycloxuron, flufenoxuron, hexaflumuron, lufenuron, novaluron, teflubenzuron, triflumuron; buprofezin, diofenolan, hexythiazox, etoxazole, clofentazine; b) ecdysone antagonists: halofenozide, methoxyfenozide, tebufenozide, azadirachtin; c) juvenoids: pyriproxyfen, methoprene, fenoxycarb; d) lipid biosynthesis inhibitors: spirodiclofen, spiromesifen, spirotetramat;

[0120] A.5. Nicotinic receptor agonists / antagonists compounds: clothianidin, dinotefuran, imidacloprid, thiamethoxam, nitenpyram, acetamiprid, thiacloprid; the thiazol compound of formula (F1)

[0121] A.6. GABA antagonist compounds: acetoprole, endosulfan, ethiprole, fipronil, vaniliprole, pyrafluprole, pyriprole, the phenylpyrazole compound of formula (F2)

[0122] A.7. Macrocyclic lactone insecticides: abamectin, emamectin, milbemectin, lepimectin, spinosad, the compound of formula (F3) (CAS No. 187166-40-1)

[0123] A.8. METI I compounds: fenazaquin, pyridaben, tebufenpyrad, tolfenpyrad, flufenerim;

[0124] A.9. METI II and III compounds: acequinocyl, fluacyprim, hydramethylnon;

[0125] A.10. Uncoupler compounds: chlorfenapyr;

[0126] A.11. Oxidative phosphorylation inhibitor compounds: cyhexatin, diafenthiuron, fenbutatin oxide, propargite;

[0127] A.12. Moulting disruptor compounds: cyromazine;

[0128] A.13. Mixed Function Oxidase inhibitor compounds: piperonyl butoxide;

[0129] A.14. Sodium channel blocker compounds: indoxacarb, metafl umizone;

[0130] A.15. Various: benclothiaz, bifenazate, cartap, flonicamid, pyridalyl, pymetrozine, sulfur, thiocyclam, flubendiamide, cyenopyrafen, flupyrazofos, cyflumetofen, amidoflumet, the aminoquinazolinone compound of formula (F4)

[0131] N-R'-2,2-dihalo-1-R''cyclo-propanecarboxamide-2-(2,6-dichloro-a,a,a-tri-fluoro-p-tolyl)hydrazone or N-R'- 2,2-di (R”')propionamide-2-(2,6-dichloro-a,a,a-trifluoro-p-tolyl)-hydrazone, wherein R' is methyl or ethyl, halo is chloro or bromo, R” is hydrogen or methyl and R'" is methyl or ethyl, anthranilamide compounds of formula wherein A1is CH3, Cl, Br, I, X is C-H, C-CI, C-F or N, Y’ is F, Cl, or Br, Y” is H, F, Cl, CF3, B1is hydrogen, Cl, Br, I, CN, B2is Cl, Br, CF3, OCH2CF3, OCF2H, and RBis hydrogen, CH3 or CH(CH3)2, and malononitrile compounds as described in JP 2002 284608, WO 02 / 89579, WO 02 / 90320, WO 02 / 90321, WO 04 / 06677, WO 04 / 20399, JP 200499597, WO 05 / 68423, WO 05 / 68432, or WO 05 / 63694, especially the malononitrile compounds OF3(CH2)2C(CN)2CH2(CF2)3CF2H, CF3(CH2)2C(CN)2CH2(CF2)5CF2H, CF3(OH2)2C(CN)2(CH2)2C(CF3)2F, CF3(CH2)2C(CN)2(CH2)2(CF2)3CF3, CF2H(CF2)3CH2C(CN)2CH2(CF2)3CF2H, CF3(CH2)2C(CN)2CH2(CF2)3CF3, CF3(CF2)2CH2C(CN)2CH2(CF2)3CF2H, and CF3CF2CH2C(CN)2CH2(CF2)3CF2H.

[0132] The commercially available compounds of the group A may be found in The Pesticide Manual, 13thEdition, British Crop Protection Council (2003) among other publications Thioamides of formula (F2) and their preparation have been described in WO 98 / 28279. Lepimectin is known from Agro Project, PJB Publications Ltd, November 2004. Benclothiaz and its preparation have been described in EP-A1 454621. Methidathion and Paraoxon and their preparation have been described in Farm Chemicals Handbook, Volume 88, Meister Publishing Company, 2001 Acetoprole and its preparation have been described in WO 98 / 28277. Metaflumizone and its preparation have been described in EP-A1 462456. Flupyrazofos has been described in Pesticide Science 54, 1988, p.237-243 and in US 4822779. Pyrafluprole and its preparation have been described in JP 2002193709 and in WO 01 / 00614. Pyriprole and its preparation have been described in WO 98 / 45274 and in US 6335357. Amidoflumet and its preparation have been described in US 6221890 and in JP 21010907. Flufenerim and its preparation have been described in WO 03 / 007717 and in WO 03 / 007718. Cyflumetofen and its preparation have been described in WO 04 / 080180. Anthranilamides of formula (F5) and their preparation have been described in WO 01 / 70671;

[0133] WO 02 / 48137; WO 03 / 24222, WO 03 / 15518, WO 04 / 67528; WO 04 / 33468; and WO 05 / 118552. The malononitrile compounds CF3(CH2)2C(CN)2CH2(CF2)3CF2H, CF3(CH2)2C(CN)2CH2(CF2)5CF2H, CF3(CH2)2C(CN)2(CH2)2C(CF3)2F, CF3(CH2)2C(CN)2(CH2)2(CF2)3CF3, CF2H(CF2)3CH2C(CN)2CH2(CF2)3CF2H, CF3(CH2)2C(CN)2CH2(CF2)3CF3, CF3(CF2)2CH2C(CN)2CH2(CF2)3CF2H, and CF3CF2CH2C(CN)2CH2(CF2)3CF2H have been described in WO 05 / 63694.

[0134] B. Fungicides:

[0135] B.1. Strobilurins such as azoxystrobin, dimoxystrobin, enestroburin, fluoxastrobin, kresoxim-methyl, metominostrobin, picoxystrobin, pyraclostrobin, trifloxystrobin, orysastrobin, methyl (2-chloro-5-[1-(3- methylbenzyloxyimino)ethyl]benzyl)carbamate, methyl (2-chloro-5-[1-(6-methylpyridin-2- ylmethoxyimino)ethyl]benzyl)carbamate, methyl 2-(ortho-((2,5-dimethylphenyloxymethylene)phenyl)-3- methoxyacrylate;

[0136] B.2. Carboxamides such as carboxanilides: benalaxyl, benodanil, boscalid, carboxin, mepronil, fenfuram, fenhexamid, flutolanil, furametpyr, metalaxyl, ofurace, oxadixyl, oxycarboxin, penthiopyrad, thifluzamide, tiadinil, N-(4'- bromobiphenyl-2-yl)-4-difluoromethyl-2-methylthiazole-5-carboxamide, N-(4'-trifluoromethylbiphenyl-2-yl)- 4-difluoromethyl-2-methylthiazole-5-carboxamide, N-(4'-chloro-3'-fluorobiphenyl-2-yl)-4-difluoromethyl-2- methylthiazole-5-carboxamide, N-(3',4'-dichloro-4-fluorobiphenyl-2-yl)-3-difluoromethyl-1-methylpyrazole- 4-carboxamide, N-(2-cyanophenyl)-3,4-dichloroisothiazole-5-carboxamide; carboxylic acid morpholides: dimethomorph, flumorph; benzamides: flumetover, fluopicolide (picobenzamid), zoxamide; other carboxamides: carpropamid, diclocymet, mandipropamid, N-(2-(4-[3-(4-chlorophenyl)prop-2- ynyloxy]-3-methoxyphenyl)ethyl)-2-methanesulfonylamino-3-methylbutyramide, N-(2-(4-[3-(4- chlorophenyl)prop-2-ynyloxy]-3-methoxyphenyl)ethyl)-2-ethanesulfonylamino-3-methylbutyramide;

[0137] B.3. Azoles such as triazoles: bitertanol, bromuconazole, cyproconazole, difenoconazole, diniconazole, enilconazole, epoxiconazole, fenbuconazole, flusilazole, fluquinconazole, flutriafol, hexaconazole, imibenconazole, ipconazole, metconazole, myclobutanil, penconazole, propiconazole, prothioconazole, simeconazole, tebuconazole, tetraconazole, triadimenol, triadimefon, triticonazole; imidazoles: cyazofamid, imazalil, pefurazoate, prochloraz, triflumizole; benzimidazoles: benomyl, carbendazim, fuberidazole, thiabendazole; others: ethaboxam, etridiazole, hymexazole;

[0138] B.4. Nitrogenous heterocyclyl compounds such as pyridines: fluazinam, pyrifenox, 3-[5-(4-chlorophenyl)-2,3-dimethylisoxazolidin-3-yl]-pyridine; pyrimidines: bupirimate, cyprodinil, ferimzone, fenarimol, mepanipyrim, nuarimol, pyrimethanil; piperazines: triforine; pyrroles: fludioxonil, fenpiclonil; morpholines: aldimorph, dodemorph, fenpropimorph, tridemorph; dicarboximides: iprodione, procymidone, vinclozolin; others: acibenzolar-S-methyl, anilazine, captan, captafol, dazomet, diclomezine, fenoxanil, folpet, fenpropidin, famoxadone, fenamidone, octhilinone, probenazole, proquinazid, pyroquilon, quinoxyfen, tricyclazole, 5-chloro-7-(4-methylpiperidin-1-yl)-6-(2,4,6-trifluorophenyl)-[1,2,4]triazolo[1 ,5-a]pyrimidine, 2- butoxy-6-iodo-3-propylchromen-4-one, N, N-dimethyl-3-(3-bromo-6-fluoro-2-methylindole-1-sulfonyl)-

[0139] [1 , 2, 4]tri azole-1 -sulfonamide;

[0140] B.5. Carbamates and dithiocarbamates such as dithiocarbamates: ferbam, mancozeb, maneb, metiram, metam, propineb, thiram, zineb, ziram; carbamates: diethofencarb, flubenthiavalicarb, iprovalicarb, propamocarb, methyl 3-(4-chlorophenyl)-3-(2- isopropoxycarbonylamino-3-methylbutyrylamino)propionate, 4-fluorophenyl N-(1-(1-(4- cyanophenyl)ethanesulfonyl)but-2-yl)carbamate;

[0141] B.6. Other fungicides such as guanidines: dodine, iminoctadine, guazatine; antibiotics: kasugamycin, polyoxins, streptomycin, validamycin A; organometallic compounds: fentin salts; sulfur-containing heterocyclyl compounds: isoprothiolane, dithianon; organophosphorus compounds: edifenphos, fosetyl, fosetyl-aluminum, iprobenfos, pyrazophos, tolclofos- methyl, phosphorous acid and its salts; organochlorine compounds: thiophanate-methyl, chlorothalonil, dichlofluanid, tolylfluanid, flusulfamide, phthalide, hexachlorbenzene, pencycuron, quintozene; nitrophenyl derivatives: binapacryl, dinocap, dinobuton; inorganic active compounds: Bordeaux mixture, copper acetate, copper hydroxide, copper oxychloride, basic copper sulfate, sulfur; others: spiroxamine, cyflufenamid, cymoxanil, metrafenone.

[0142] Preferably, the active ingredient is selected from the groups of

[0143] Group F (fungicides): F.1 :-Azoxystrobin, F.2:-Trifloxystrobin, F.3:-Picoxystrobin, F.4:-Pyraclostrobin, F.5:- Mandestrobin, F.66: fluoxastrobin, F.6:-Sedaxane, F.7:-Penthiopyrad, F.8:-Penflufen, F.9:-Bixafen, F.10:- Fluopyram, F.11 :-Fluxapyroxad, F.12:-Boscalid, F.13: -Carboxin, F.14:-Pydiflumetofen, F.15:-Fluindapyr, F.16:-lnpyrfluxam, F.17:-Pyrapropoyne, F.18:-lsoflucypram, F.19:-Cyclobutrifluram, F.20:-Oxathiapiprolin, F.21 :-Fluoxapiprolin, F.22:-Metalaxyl, F.23:-Metalaxyl-M, F.24:-Picarbutrazox, F.25:-Ethaboxam, F.26:- Dimethomorph, F.27:-Fluopicolide, F.28:-Cyproconazole, F.29:-Difenoconazole, F.30:-Prothioconazole, F.31 :-Flutriafol, F.32:-Myclobutanil, F.33:-lpconazole, F.34:-Tebuconazole, F.35:-Mefentrifluconazole, F.36:-Triadimenol, F.37:-Prochloraz, F.38:-Fluquinconazole, F.39:-Triticonazole, F.40:-lmazalil, F.41 Fluoxytioconazole, F.42:-Fludioxinil, F.43: -Thiabendazole, F.44:-Silthiofam, F.45:-Fluazinam, F.46:-Ziram, F.47:-Thiram, F.48:-Carbendazim, F.49:-Thiophanate-methyl, F.50:-Valifenalate, F.51 :-Diclobenthiazox, F.52:-Tolclofos-methyl, F.53:-Hymexazol, F.54:-Flumetylsulforim, F.55:-Fenpicoxamide, F.56:- Florylpicoxamid, F.57:-Metarylpicoxamid, F.58:-Natamycin, F.59:-Mandipropamid, F.60:-Flutolanil, F.61 :- Fenamidone, F.62:-Pencycuron, F.63:-Mancozeb, F.64:-thifluzamide, F.65:-chlorothalonil;

[0144] Group In (insecticides): ln.1 : Clothianidin, In.2: Thiamethoxam, In.3: Imidacloprid, In.4: Dinotefuran, In.5: Thiacloprid, In.6: Acetamiprid, ln.7: Sulfoxaflor, In.8: Flupyradifurone, ln.9: Triflumezopyrim, In.10: Dicloromezotiaz , In.11 : Fenmezoditiaz, In.12: Flupyrimin, In.13: Tefluthrin, In.14: Bifenthrin, In.15: Cypermethrin, In.16: alpha-Cypermethrin, In.17: zeta-Cypermethrin, In.18: lambda-Cyhalothrin, In.19: beta- Cyfluthrin, ln.20: Thiodicarb, In.21 : Methiocarb, In.22: Acephate, In.23: Chlorantraniliprole, ln.24: Cyantraniliprole, In.25: Tetraniliprole, In.26: Cyclaniliprole, ln.27: Fipronil, ln.28: Isocycloseram, In.29: Fluxametamide, In.30: Broflanilide, In.31 : Nicofluprole, ln.32: Tigolaner, In.33: Dimpropyridaz, In.34: Spinosad, In.35: Spinetoram, In.36: Spirotetramat, In.37: Spiropidion, In.38: Spidoxamat, In.39: Abamectin, In.40: Afidopyropen, ln.41 : Tyclopyrazoflor, In.42: Tiapyrachlor, ln.43: Indazapyroxamet, In.44: Indacyclometamide, In.45: Benzpyrimoxan, In.46: Flometoquin, In 47: Cyetpyrafen, In.48: Pyflubumide, In.49: Oxazosulfyl; and

[0145] Group N (nematicides): N.1 : Tioxazafen, N.2: Fluazaindolizine, N.3: Flufensulfone, N.4: Flupentiofenox, N.5: Sulfiflumin, Biopesticides: N.6: Pasteuria nishizawae (Clariva), N.7: Burkholderia rinojensis A 396, N.8: Bacillus firmus 11582 (VOTIVO), N.9: B. thuringiensis EX297512, N.10: Bacillus amyloliquefaciens PTA- 4838 (Aveo EZ / Varnimo), N.11 : Bacillus licheniformis FMCH001 , N.12: Bacillus subtilis FMCH002, N.13: Chromobacterium subtsugae PRAA4-T1, N.14: B. amyloliquefaciens F727, N.15: Rootella™ mycorrhizae, N.16: Bacillus amyloliquefaciens velezensis MBI600. ln.20: Thiodicarb and ln.39:Abamectin are insecticides, but belong at the same time to group N (nematicides). F.10: Fluopyram and F.19: Cyclobutrifluram are fungicides, but belong at the same time to group N (nematicides).

[0146] The biopesticides in group N are commercially available or may be obtained from the following sources: N.6: Pasteuria nishizawae (Clariva): Pasteuria nishizawae Pn 1 isolated from a soybean field in the mid- 20008 in Illinois, U.S.A. (ATCC SD 5833; Federal Register 76(22), 5808, February 2, 2011; e.g. Clariva™ PN from Syngenta Crop Protection, LLC, USA).

[0147] N.7: Burkholderia rinojensis A 396: Burkholderia sp. A396 isolated from soil in Nikko, Japan, in 2008 (NRRL B-50319; WO 2013 / 032693; Marrone Bio Innovations, Inc., USA).

[0148] N.8: Bacillus firmus 11582 (VOTIVO): B. firmus CNCM 1-1582, a variant of parental strain EIP-N1 (CNCM I- 1556) isolated from soil of central plain area of Israel (WO 2009 / 126473, US6,406,690; e.g. Votivo® from Bayer CropScience LP, USA). N.16: Bacillus amyloliquefaciens \ie\ezens\s MBI600: B. a. ssp. plantarum or B. vele-zensis MBI600 isolated from faba bean in Sutton Bonington, Nottinghamshire, U.K. at least before 1988 (also called 1430; NRRL B 50595; US 2012 / 0149571 A1; e.g. Integral® from BASF Corp, USA).

[0149] In one embodiment, the active ingredient is sleeted from F.1 :-Azoxystrobin, F.2:-Trifloxystrobin, F.3:- Picoxystrobin, F.4:-Pyraclostrobin, F.5:-Mandestrobin, F.66: fluoxastrobin, F.6:-Sedaxane, F.7:- Penthiopyrad, F.8:-Penflufen, F.10:-Fluopyram, F.11 :-Fluxapyroxad, F.12:-Boscalid, F.13:-Carboxin, F.14:- Pydiflumetofen, F.16:-lnpyrfluxam, F.17:-Pyrapropoyne, F.18:-lsoflucypram, F.19:-Cyclobutrifluram, F.20:- Oxathiapiprolin, F.21 :-Fluoxapiprolin, F.22:-Metalaxyl, F.23:-Metalaxyl-M, F.24:-Picarbutrazox, F.25:- Ethaboxam, F.29:-Difenoconazole, F.30:-Prothioconazole, F.31 :-Flutriafol, F.32:-Myclobutanil, F.33:- Ipconazole, F.34:-Tebuconazole, F.35:-Mefentrifluconazole, F.36:-Triadimenol, F.37:-Prochloraz, F.38:- Fluquinconazole, F.39:-Triticonazole, F.40:-lmazalil, F.41 :-Fluoxytioconazole, F.42:-Fludioxinil, F.43:- Thiabendazole, F.45:-Fluazinam, F.47:-Thiram, F.49:-Thiophanate-methyl, F.58:-Natamycin, F.62:- Pencycuron, F.63:-Mancozeb, F.64:-thifluzamide, F.65:-chlorothalonil; ln.1 : Clothianidin, In.2: Thiamethoxam, In.3: Imidacloprid, In.4: Dinotefuran, In.6: Acetamiprid, In.8: Flupyradifurone, In.12: Flupyrimin, In.13: Tefluthrin, In.14: Bifenthrin, In.19: beta-Cyfluthrin, In.20: Thiodicarb, In.23: Chlorantraniliprole, In.24: Cyantraniliprole, In.25: Tetraniliprole, In.26: Cyclaniliprole, In.27: Fipronil, In.28: Isocycloseram, In.30: Broflanilide, In.31 : Nicofluprole, In.32: Tigolaner, ln.33: Dimpropyridaz, In.39: Abamectin, In.49: Oxazosulfyl; N 1 : Tioxazafen, N.2: Fluazaindolizine, N.3: Flufensulfone, N.4: Flupentiofenox, N.5: Sulfiflumin, N.6: Pasteuria nishizawae (Clariva), N.7: Burkholderia rinojensis A 396, N.8: Bacillus firmus 11582 (VOTIVO), F.10 Fluopyram + N.8, N.9: B. thuringiensis EX297512, N.8: + N.9 (VOTIVO 2.0), N.10: Bacillus amyloliquefaciens PTA-4838 (Aveo EZ / Varnimo), N 11 : Bacillus licheniformis FMCH001, N.12: Bacillus subtilis FMCH002, N 11 : + N 12 (Presence / Avodigen), N.13: Chromobacterium subtsugae PRAA4-T1, N.14: B. amyloliquefaciens F727, N.15: Rootella™ mycorrhizae, N.13 + N.7 + N.14 + N.15 (BSST), N.16: Bacillus amyloliquefaciens velezensis MBI600, N.16 + cis-jasmone.

[0150] In another embodiment, the active ingredient is selected from F.4:-Pyraclostrobin, F.10:-Fluopyram, F.11 :- Fluxapyroxad, F.22:-Metalaxyl, F.31:-Flutriafol, F.35:-Mefentrifluconazole, F.37:-Prochloraz, F.38:- Fluquinconazole, F.39:-Triticonazole, F.40:-lmazalil, F.42:-Fludioxinil, F.43: -Thiabendazole, F.45:- Fluazinam, F.49:-Thiophanate-methyl, F.62:-Pencycuron, F.63:-Mancozeb, F.64:-thifluzamide, F.65:- chlorothalonil; ln.1 : Clothianidin, In.2: Thiamethoxam, In.4: Dinotefuran, In.6: Acetamiprid, In.20: Thiodicarb, In.23: Chlorantraniliprole, In.24: Cyantraniliprole, In.27: Fipronil, In.39: Abamectin, Bacillus species: N.12: Bacillus subtilis FMCH002.

[0151] In a particular embodiment of the invention, the seed treatment composition may comprise one or more repellents for warm-blooded animals, e.g. birds, dogs and hedgehogs, for example nonanoic acid vanillyl amide. The amount of repellent will preferably range from 0.1 to 5 % by weight, based on the total weight of the composition. The composition of the invention is a seed treatment composition. A seed treatment composition according to the present invention may comprise at least one further auxiliary agent that is specifically suited for the seed treatment, i.e. an auxiliary agent which in particular promotes adhesion of the active ingredient to and / or penetration into the seeds and / or otherwise improves stability and / or manageability of the composition or the seeds treated therewith.

[0152] In particular, seed treatment auxiliary agents are selected from the group consisting of agents suitable for seed coating materials, agents suitable for solid matrix priming materials, penetration enhancers suitable for promoting seed imbibition, colorants, antifreezes, and gelling agents.

[0153] The seed coating material may additionally comprise a further binder (or sticker) Optionally, the coating material also comprises one or more additional seed treatment auxiliary agents selected from the group consisting of fillers and plasticizers.

[0154] Further binders (or stickers) are all customary binders (or stickers) which can be employed in seed treatment compositions. Further binders (or stickers) that are useful in the present invention preferably comprise an adhesive polymer that may be natural or partly or wholly synthetic and is without phytotoxic effect on the seed to be coated. Preferably, the further binder (or sticker) is biodegradable.

[0155] The further binder (or sticker) may be selected from polyesters, polyether esters, polyanhydrides, polyester urethanes, polyester amides; polyvinyl acetates; polyvinyl acetate copolymers; polyvinyl alcohols and tylose; polyvinyl alcohol copolymers; polyvinylpyrolidones; polysaccharides, including starches, modified starches and starch derivatives, dextrins, maltodextrins, alginates, chitosanes and celluloses, cellulose esters, cellulose ethers and cellulose ether esters including ethylcelluloses, methylcelluloses, hydroxymethylcelluloses, hydroxypropylcelluloses and carboxymethylcellulose; fats; oils; proteins, including casein, gelatin and zeins; gum arabics; shellacs; vinylidene chloride and vinylidene chloride copolymers; lignosulfonates, in particular calcium lignosulfonates; polyacrylates, polymethacrylates and acrylic copolymers; polyvinylacrylates; polyethylene oxide; polybutenes, polyisobutenes, polystyrene, polyethyleneamines, polyethylenamides; acrylamide polymers and copolymers; polyhydroxyethyl acrylate, methylacrylamide monomers; and polychloroprene.

[0156] In a particular embodiment of the invention the seed treatment composition contains at least one polyester, which, in particular, is selected from polylactides, partially aromatic polyesters (copolymers of terephthalic acid, adipic acid and aliphatic diols), polyglycolides, polyhydroxyalkanoates and polytartrates.

[0157] As mentioned above, the coating material can optionally also comprise a filler. The filler can be an absorbent or an inert filler, such as are known in the art, and may include wood flours, cereal flours, tree bark mill, wood meal and nut shell meal, sugars, in particular polysaccharides, activated carbon, fine-grain inorganic solids, silica gels, silicates, clays, chalk, diatomaceous earth, calcium carbonate, magnesium carbonate, dolomite, magnesium oxide, calcium sulfate and the like. Clays and inorganic solids which may be used include calcium bentonite, kaolin, china clay, talc, perlite, mica, vermiculite, silicates, quartz powder, montmorillonite, attapulgite, bole, loess, limestone, lime and mixtures thereof. Sugars which may be useful include dextrin and maltodextrin. Cereal flours include wheat flour, oat flour and barley flour. The filler may also comprise fertilizer substances such as, for example, ammonium sulfate, ammonium phosphate, ammonium nitrate, ureas and mixtures thereof.

[0158] The filler is selected so that it will provide a proper microclimate for the seed, for example the filler is used to increase the loading rate of the active ingredients and to adjust the control-release of the active ingredients. The filler can aid in the production or process of coating the seed. The amount of filler can vary, but generally the weight of the filler components, if present, will be in the range of about 0 05 to about 75% of the total weight, more preferably about 0.1 to about 50%, and even more preferably about 0.5% to 15%.

[0159] Especially if the active ingredient(s) used in the coating is an oily type composition and little or no inert filler is present, it may be useful to hasten the drying process by drying the composition. This optional step may be accomplished by means well known in the art and can include the addition of fillers such as calcium carbonate, kaolin or bentonite clay, perlite, diatomaceous earth, or any absorbent material that is added preferably concurrently with the active ingredient(s) coating layer to absorb the oil or excess moisture. The amount of absorbent necessary to effectively provide a dry coating will be in the range of about 0.5 to about 10% of the weight of the seed.

[0160] Optionally, the coating material comprises a plasticizer. Plasticizers are typically used to make the film that is formed by the coating layer more flexible, to improve adhesion and spreadability, and to improve the speed of processing. Improved film flexibility is important to minimize chipping, breakage or flaking during storage, handling or sowing processes. Many plasticizers may be used; however, useful plasticizers include polyethylene glycol, oligomeric polyalkylene glycols, glycerol, alkylbenzylphthalates, in particular butylbenzylphthalate, glycol benzoates and related compounds. The range of plasticizer, if present, in the coating layer will be in the range of from about 0.1 % by weight to about 20% by weight.

[0161] Agents suitable for solid matrix priming materials which are useful in the present invention include polyacrylamide, starch, clay, silica, alumina, soil, sand, polyurea, polyacrylate, or any other material capable of absorbing or adsorbing the active ingredient(s) and releasing the active ingredient(s) into or onto the seed. It is useful to make sure that active ingredient(s) and the solid matrix material are compatible with each other. For example, the solid matrix material should be chosen so that it can release the active ingredient(s) at a reasonable rate, for example over a period of minutes, hours, or days.

[0162] Penetration enhancers suitable for promoting seed imbibition include agriculturally acceptable surface active compounds. The amount of penetration enhancers will usually not exceed 20% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition. Preferably, the amount of penetration enhancers, if present, will be in the range from 2% to 20% by weight.

[0163] Colorants according to the invention are all dyes and pigments which are customary for such purposes. In this context, both pigments, which are sparingly soluble in water, and dyes, which are soluble in water, may be used. Examples which may be mentioned are the colorants, dyes and pigments known under the names Rhodamin B, C. I. Pigment Red 112 and C. I. Solvent Red 1 , Pigment Blue 15:4, Pigment Blue 15:3, Pigment Blue 15:2, Pigment Blue 15: 1 , Pigment Blue 80, Pigment Yellow 1 , Pigment Yellow 13, Pigment Red 48:2, Pigment Red 48:1 , Pigment Red 57:1 , Pigment Red 53: 1 , Pigment Orange 43, Pigment Orange 34, Pigment Orange 5, Pigment Green 36, Pigment Green 7, Pigment White 6, Pigment Brown 25, Basic Violet 10, Basic Violet 49, Acid Red 51, Acid Red 52, Acid Red 14, Acid Blue 9, Acid Yellow 23, Basic Red 10, Basic Red 108. The amount of colorants, if present, will usually not exceed 20 % by weight of the composition and preferably ranges from 1 to 15 % by weight, based on the total weight of the composition. It is generally preferred if the colorants are also active as repellents for warm-blooded animals, e. g. iron oxide, TiC>2, Prussian blue, anthraquinone dyes, azo dyes and metal phtalocyanine dyes.

[0164] Antifreezes which can be employed especially for aqueous compositions are in principle all those substances which lead to a depression of the melting point of water. Suitable antifreezes comprise alcohols such as methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, butanols, glycol, glycerine, diethylenglycol and the like. Typically, the amount of antifreeze will not exceed 20% by weight and, if present, frequently ranges from 1 to 15% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition.

[0165] Gelling agents which are suitable are all substances which can be employed for such purposes in agrochemical compositions, for example cellulose derivatives, polyacrylic acid derivatives, xanthan, modified clays, in particular organically modified phyllosilicates and highly-dispersed silicates. A particularly suitable gelling agent is carrageen (Satiagel®). Usually, the amount of gelling agentwill not exceed 5% by weight of the composition and, if present, preferably ranges from 0.5 to 5% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition.

[0166] Further auxiliary agents that may be present in the seed treatment composition include solvents, wetters, dispersants, emulsifiers, surfactants, thickeners, protective colloids, antifoams, and preservatives.

[0167] Water is a preferred solvent. According to a particular embodiment, the compositions of the present invention comprise at least 5% by weight, preferably at least 10% by weight and in particular at least 30% by weight of water On the other hand, the compositions of the present invention usually comprise at most 99% by weight, preferably at most 90% by weight and in particular at most 80% by weight of water Water introduced with the aqueous polymer dispersion contributes to the water content of the seed treatment composition. Further examples of suitable solvents are organic solvents such as aromatic solvents (for example Solvesso products, xylene), paraffins (for example mineral oil fractions), alcohols (for example methanol, butanol, pentanol, benzyl alcohol), ketones (for example cyclohexanone, gamma-butyrolactone), pyrrolidones (NMP, NOP), acetates (glycol diacetate), glycols, fatty acid dimethylamides, fatty acids and fatty acid esters. In principle, solvent mixtures may also be used. However, according to a particular embodiment, the compositions of the present invention contain less than 15% by weight and preferably less than 6% by weight of said organic solvents.

[0168] Surface active compounds are all those surfactants which are suitable for formulating agrochemical actives, in particular for active ingredient(s), and which may be nonionic, cationic, anionic or amphoteric. According to their action, surfactants - sometimes referred to as “additives" - may be divided into welters, dispersants, emulsifiers or protective colloids; however, these particular groups may overlap and cannot be divided strictly.

[0169] The compositions of the present invention may comprise at least one dispersant. Dispersants and / or emulsifiers which are suitable are all nonionic, anionic and cationic dispersants or emulsifiers conventionally used for formulating agrochemical active ingredients. The following can preferably be used: nonionic or anionic dispersants and / or emulsifiers or mixtures of nonionic or anionic dispersants and / or emulsifiers.

[0170] Suitable nonionic dispersants and / or emulsifiers which may be employed are, in particular, ethylene oxide / alkylene oxide block copolymers, alkylphenol polyglycol ethers and tristryrylphenol polyglycol ethers, for example polyoxyethylene octylphenol ether, ethoxylated isooctyl phenol, octylphenol, nonylphenol, alkylphenol polyglycol ether, tributylphenyl polyglycol ether, tristearyl phenyl polyglycol ether, alkylarylpolyether alcohols, alcohol and fatty alcohol ethylene oxide condensates, ethoxylated castor oil, polyoxyethylene alkyl ether, ethoxylated polyoxypropylene, lauryl alcohol polyglycol ether acetal, sorbitol esters and methyl cellulose.

[0171] Suitable anionic dispersants and / or emulsifiers which may be employed are, in particular, alkali metal, alkaline earth metal and ammonium salts of ligninsulfonic acid, naphthalenesulfonic acid, phenolsulfonic acid, dibutylnaphthalenesulfonic acid, alkylarylsulfonates, alkyl sulfates, alkylsulfonates, fatty alcohol sulfates, fatty acids and sulfated fatty alcohol glycol ethers, furthermore arylsulfonate / formaldehyde condensates, for example condensates of sulfonated naphthalene and naphthalene derivatives with formaldehyde, condensates of naphthalene or of naphthalenesulfonic acid with phenol and formaldehyde, ligninsulfonates, lignin-sulfite waste liquors, phosphated or sulfated derivatives of methylcellulose, and salts of polyacrylic acid

[0172] Typically, the amount of dispersants will not exceed 25% by weight. Preferably, it does not exceed 10% by weight and in particular 7% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition. Typically, the amount of dispersants is at least 0.1% by weight, preferably at least 0.2% by weight, more preferably at least 1% by weight and in particular at least 5% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition.

[0173] Suitable wetters are all those substances which promote wetting and which are conventionally used for formulating agrochemical active ingredients. Alkylnaphthalenesulfonates such as diisopropyl- or diisobutylnaphthalenesulfonates can be used preferably.

[0174] Thickeners are typically water-soluble polymers which exhibit suitable plastic properties in an aqueous medium. Examples include gum arable, gum karaya, gum tragacanth, guar gum, locust bean gum, xanthan gum, carrageenan, alginate salt, casein, dextran, pectine, argar, 2-hydroxyethyl starch, 2-aminoethyl starch, 2-hydroxyethyl cellulose, methyl cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose salt, cellulose sulfate salt Xanthan gum is preferred. Usually, the amount of thickener will not exceed 20 % by weight and, if present, frequently ranges from 1 to 15 % by weight, based on the total weight of the composition.

[0175] Protective colloids are typically water soluble, amphiphilic polymers. Examples include proteins und denatured proteins such as casein, polysaccharides such as water soluble starch derivatives and cellulose derivatives, in particular hydrophobic modified starch and celluloses, furthermore poly carboxylates such as polyacrylic acid and acrylic acid copolymers, polyvinylalcohol, polyvinylpyrrolidone, vinyl pyrrolidone copolymers, polyvinyl amines, polyethylene imines and polyalkylene ethers. Usually, the amount of protective colloid will not exceed 3 % by weight of the composition and, if present, preferably ranges from 0.1 to 2 % by weight, based on the total weight of the composition.

[0176] Antifoams which can be employed are all those substances which inhibit the development of foam and which are conventionally used for formulating agrochemical active ingredients. Silicone antifoams, i.e. aqueous silicon emulsions (e.g. Silikon® SRE by Wacker or Rhodorsil® by Rhodia), long chain alcohols, fatty acids and salts thereof, e.g. and magnesium stearate are particularly suitable. Usually, the amount of antifoam will not exceed 3 % by weight of the composition and, if present, preferably ranges from 0.1 to 2 % by weight, based on the total weight of the composition.

[0177] Preservatives which can be employed are all preservatives used for such purposes in agrochemical compositions. Examples which may be mentioned are dichlorophene, isothiazolenes and isothiazolones such as 1,2-benzisothiazol-3(2H)-one, 2-methyl-2H-isothiazol-3-one-hydrochloride, 5-chloro-2-(4-chloro- benzyl)-3(2H)-isothiazolone, 5-chloro-2-methyl-2H-isothiazol-3-one, 5-chloro-2-methyl-2H-isothiazol-3-one, 5-chloro-2-methyl-2H-isothiazol-3-one-hydrochloride, 4,5-dichloro-2-cyclohexyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one, 4,5- dichloro-2-octyl-2H-isothiazol-3-one, 2-methyl-2H-isothiazol-3-one, 2-methyl-2H-isothiazol-3-one-calcium chloride complex, 2-octyl-2H-isothiazol-3-one and benzyl alcohol hemiformal. Usually, the amount of preservatives will not exceed 2 % by weight of the composition and, if present, preferably ranges from 0.01 to 1 % by weight, based on the total weight of the composition. The skilled person is essentially familiar with agricultural compositions of active ingredients (see, for instance, Ullmann’s Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry, Fungicides Chapter 4, 5th ed. on CD-ROM, Wiley- VCH, 1997 and Mollet, H., Grubemann, A., Formulation technology, Wiley VCH Verlag GmbH, Weinheim (Federal Republic of Germany), 2001 , which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety). Examples include water-soluble concentrates (SL, LS), dispersible concentrates (DC), emulsifiable concentrates (EC), emulsions (EW, EC, ES), suspensions (SC, CD, FS), water-dispersible granules (WG, SG), water- dispersible or water-soluble powders (WP, SP, SS, WS), dusts or dustable powders (DP, DS), granules (GR, FG, GG, MG), ULV solutions (UL) and gel formualtions (GF). For seed treatment purposes, such compositions may be applied as such or after addition of a suitable liquid, in particular water, in order to dissolve, emulsify, disperse, supend or dilute the composition The type of the ready-to-use preparation applied to the seeds thus depends on the type of composition used and the method used for treating the seeds.

[0178] The compositions can be prepared in the known manner, for example by extending the active ingredient component with one ore more auxiliary agents (see e.g. for review US 3,060,084, EP-A 707 445 (for liquid concentrates), Browning, ''Agglomeration”, Chemical Engineering, Dec. 4, 1967, 147-48, Perry's Chemical Engineer's Handbook, 4th Ed., McGraw-Hill, New York, 1963, pages 8-57 and et seq. WO 91 / 13546, US 4,172,714, US 4, 144,050, US 3,920,442, US 5,180,587, US 5,232,701 , US 5,208,030, GB 2,095,558, US 3,299,566, Klingman, Weed Control as a Science, John Wiley and Sons, Inc., New York, 1961, Hance et al., Weed Control Handbook, 8th Ed., Blackwell Scientific Publications, Oxford, 1989 and Mollet, H., Grubemann, A., Formulation technology, Wiley VCH Verlag GmbH, Weinheim (Germany), 2001, 2. D. A. Knowles, Chemistry and Technology of Agrochemical Formulations, Kluwer Academic Publishers, Dordrecht, 1998 (ISBN 0-7514-0443-8), all of which being incorporated by reference in its entirety).

[0179] The following formulations illustrate said suitable seed treatment compositions:

[0180] A Dispersible concentrates (DC)

[0181] 20 parts by weight of the active ingredient(s) are dissolved in 70 parts by weight of cyclohexanone with addition of 10 parts by weight of dispersant(s), whereby a formulation with 20% (w / w) of the active ingredient(s) is obtained. Dilution with water gives a dispersion.

[0182] B Suspensions (SC, CD, FS)

[0183] In an agitated ball mill, 20 parts by weight of the active ingredient(s) are comminuted with addition of 10 parts by weight of dispersant(s) and / or wetter(s) and 70 parts by weight of water or of an organic solvent to give a fine active compound(s) suspension, whereby a formulation with 20% (w / w) of the active ingredient(s) is obtained. Dilution with water gives a stable suspension of the active ingredient(s). C Water-dispersible granules (WG, SG)

[0184] 50 parts by weight of the active ingredient(s) are ground finely with addition of 50 parts by weight of dispersant(s) and / or wetter(s) and made as water-dispersible or water-soluble granules by means of technical appliances (for example extrusion, spray tower, fluidized bed), whereby a formulation with 50% (w / w) of the active ingredient(s) is obtained. Dilution with water gives a stable dispersion or solution of the active compound (s).

[0185] D Water-dispersible powders (WP, WS)

[0186] 75 parts by weight of the active ingredient(s) are ground in a rotor-stator mill with addition of 25 parts by weight of dispersant(s) and / or wetter(s), and silica gel, whereby a formulation with 75% (w / w) of the active ingredient(s) is obtained. Dilution with water gives a stable dispersion or solution of the the active ingredient(s).

[0187] E Gel formulation (GF)

[0188] In an agitated ball mill, 20 parts by weight of the active ingredient(s) are comminuted with addition of 10 parts by weight of dispersant(s), 1 part by weight of a gelling agent and 70 parts by weight of water or of an organic solvent to give a fine active compound suspension, whereby a formulation with 20% (w / w) of the active ingredient(s) is obtained. Dilution with water gives a stable suspension of the active ingredient(s).

[0189] Formulations A-E can be diluted with water before application or directly applied.

[0190] According to a particular embodiment of present invention, the seed treatment composition is a liquid or is applied as a liquid. Preference is given to a suspension and especially an aqueous suspension. The suspended particles are active ingredient(s) or auxiliary agents having a melting point above 30 °C.

[0191] For the seed treatment according to the present invention, powders or granules, such as water-dispersible powders or granules, and suspensions are preferred. Further, gel formulations are preferred.

[0192] According to the present invention, the following formulations are particularly preferred: flowable concentrates (especially FS). Also preferred are gel formulations (especially GF). These formulations can be applied to the seed diluted or undiluted.

[0193] According to a particular embodiment, the invention relates to a FS formulation Typcially, a FS formulation may comprise 1-800 g / l of the active ingredient(s), 1-400 g / l of the aqueous polymer dispersion, 0 to 200 g / l antifreezing agent, 0 to 400 g / l of additional binder, 0 to 200 g / l of a colorant and up to 1 liter of a solvent, preferably water.

[0194] The present invention also relates to the use of a composition as defined herein for treating seed. The present invention also relates to a method of treating seed with a composition described herein, which comprises applying an effective amount of a composition as disclosed herein to a lot of seed.

[0195] The term , .batch" or „lot“ means a group of seeds that are undergoing the seed treatment. The amount and weight of the seeds can vary depending on the treatment.

[0196] The term “loading" refers to the actual amount of an active ingredient that is adhered onto each seed, based on bulk amount of seed.

[0197] As used herein, the term “seed” denotes any resting stage of a plant that is physically detached from the vegetative stage of a plant and / or may be stored for prolonged periods of time and / or can be used to regrow another plant individual of the same species Here, the term "resting" refers to a state wherein the plant retains viability, within reasonable limits, in spite of the absence of light, water and / or nutrients essential for the vegetative (i.e. non-seed) state. In particular, the term refers to true seeds but does not embrace plant propagules such as suckers, corms, bulbs, fruit, tubers, grains, cuttings and cut shoots.

[0198] As used herein, the term "plant” means an entire plant or parts thereof. The term "entire plant" refers to a complete plant individual in its vegetative, i.e. non-seed stage, characterized by the presence of an arrangement of roots, shoots and foliage, depending on the developmental stage of the plant also flowers and / or fruits, all of which are physically connected to form an individual which is, under reasonable conditions, viable without the need for artificial measures. The term may also refer to an entire plant harvested as such.

[0199] The term "plant parts" refers to roots, shoots, foliage, flowers or other parts of the vegetative stage of the plant, which, when dislodged and disconnected from the rest, are incapable of survival, unless supported by artificial measures or able to re-grow the missing parts to form an entire plant. As used herein, fruits are also considered as plant parts.

[0200] As used herein, the term “root” refers to parts of a plant which are normally, in order to fulfill their physiological functions, located beneath the soil surface. Preferably, the term denotes the parts of a plant which are below the seed and have directly emerged from the latter, or from other roots, but not from shoots or foliage.

[0201] As used herein, the "shoots and foliage" of a plant are to be understood to be the shoots, stems, branches, leaves and other appendages of the stems and branches of the plant after the seed has sprouted, but not including the roots of the plant It is preferable that the shoots and foliage of a plant be understood to be those non-root parts of the plant that have grown from the seed and are located a distance of at least one inch away from the seed from which they emerged (outside the region of the seed), and more preferably, to be the non-root parts of the plant that are at or above the surface of the soil. As used herein, "fruits” are considered to be the parts of a plant which contain seeds and / or serve to spread seeds, and / or which may be removed from a plant without impairing its viability.

[0202] According to the present invention, the seed treatment comprises applying a composition of the invention to a seed. Although the present method can be applied to a seed in any physiological state, it is preferred that the seed be in a sufficiently durable state that it incurs no significant damage during the treatment process. Typically, the seed is a seed that has been harvested from the field; removed from the plant; and / or separated from the fruit and any cob, pod, stalk, outer husk, and surrounding pulp or other non-seed plant material. The seed is preferably also biologically stable to the extent that the treatment would cause no biological damage to the seed. In one embodiment, for example, the treatment can be applied to seed that has been harvested, cleaned and dried to a moisture content below about 15% by weight. In an alternative embodiment, the seed can be one that has been dried and then primed with water and / or another material and then re-dried before or during the treatment with a composition of the invention.

[0203] The term seed treatment comprises all suitable seed treatment and especially seed dressing techniques known in the art, such as seed coating (e.g. seed pelleting), seed dusting and seed imbibition (e.g. seed soaking). Here, "seed treatment" refers to all methods that bring seeds and a composition of the invention into contact with each other, and “seed dressing” to methods of seed treatment which provide the seeds with an amount of the active ingredient, i.e. which generate a seed comprising the active ingredient. In principle, the treatment can be applied to the seed at any time from the harvest of the seed to the sowing of the seed. The seed can be treated immediately before, or during, the planting of the seed, for example using the "hopper-box” or "planter-box” method. However, the treatment may also be carried out several weeks or months, for example up to 12 months, before planting the seed, for example in the form of a seed dressing treatment, without a substantially reduced efficacy being observed.

[0204] Expediently, the treatment is applied to unsown seed. As used herein, the term "unsown seed" is meant to include seed at any period from the harvest of the seed to the sowing of the seed in the ground for the purpose of germination and growth of the plant.

[0205] When it is said that unsown seed is "treated", such treatment is not meant to include those practices in which the pesticide is applied to the soil, rather than directly to the seed.

[0206] By applying the treatment to the seed prior to the sowing of the seed the operation is simplified. In this manner, seeds can be treated, for example, at a central location and then dispersed for planting. This permits the person who plants the seeds to avoid the handling and use of the active ingredient and to merely handle and plant the treated seeds in a manner that is conventional for regular untreated seeds, which reduces human exposure. Specifically, the seed treatment follows a procedure in which the seed is exposed to the specifically desired amount of a preparation comprising the active ingredient(s). The preparation may be a composition of the present invention that is applied as such or after previously diluting it, e.g. with water; for instance, it may be expedient to dilute seed treatment compositions 2-10 fold leading to concentrations in the ready-to-use compositions of 0.01 to 60% by weight active compound by weight, preferably 0.1 to 40% by weight. In some instances, it may be expedient to add the dispersants described above to a composition that has no or insufficient amounts of dispersant. Upon addition of the dispersants and optional dilution with water the resulting composition will form a dispersion.

[0207] Thus, the active ingredient concentrations in ready-to-use preparation can be varied within substantial ranges. In general, they are between in the range from 0.01 and 80% by weight, frequently in the range from 0.1 to 50 % by weight, preferably in the range from 0 5 and 20% by weight, based on the total weight of the preparation. The active ingredients can also successfully be used in concentrated form, it being possible to apply, to the seed, preparations with more than 80% by weight of active ingredient, or even the active ingredient without additions. The amount of additives will generally not exceed 30% by weight, preferably 20% by weight, and is, in particular, in the range of from 0.1 to 20% by weight, in each case based on the total weight of the preparation.

[0208] Usually, a device which is suitable for seed treatment, for example a mixer for solid or solid / liquid components, is employed until the preparation is distributed uniformly on the seed. Thus, the preparation can be applied to seeds by any standard seed treatment methodology, including but not limited to mixing in a container (e.g., a bottle, bag or tumbler), mechanical application, tumbling, spraying, and immersion. If appropriate, this is followed by drying.

[0209] Particular embodiments of the present invention comprise seed coating and imbibition (e.g. soaking). “Coating” denotes any process that endows the outer surfaces of the seeds partially or completely with a layer or layers of non-plant material, and “imbibition” any process that results in penetration of the active ingredient(s) into the germinable parts of the seed and / or its natural sheath, (inner) husk, hull, shell, pod and / or integument. The invention therefore also relates to a treatment of seeds which comprises providing seeds with a coating that comprises the active ingredient(s), and to a treatment of seeds which comprises imbibition of seeds with the active ingredient(s).

[0210] Coating is particularly effective in accommodating high loads of the active ingredient(s), as may be required to treat typically refractory pests, while at the same time preventing unacceptable phytotoxicity due to the increased load of the active ingredient(s).

[0211] Coating may be applied to the seeds using conventional coating techniques and machines, such as fluidized bed techniques, the roller mill method, rotostatic seed treaters, and drum coaters. Other methods such as the spouted beds technique may also be useful. The seeds may be pre-sized before coating. After coating, the seeds are typically dried and then transferred to a sizing machine for sizing.

[0212] Such procedures are known in the art. Seed coating methods and apparatus for their application are disclosed in, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,918,413, 5,891 ,246, 5,554,445, 5,389,399, 5, 107,787, 5,080,925, 4,759,945 and 4,465,017.

[0213] In each embodiment of the invention, it is preferred that the composition of the invention is applied to a seed in an effective amount, that is, an amount sufficient to provide sufficient active ingredient, e.g. for protection against pests, to the seed and / or the plant that grows from the seed. As used herein, “protection" is achieved if the percent of feeding damage to the seed and / or the plant at 10 days after infestation (DAI) with the pest is significantly reduced for treated seeds or plants grown from treated seeds as compared to untreated seeds or plants grown from untreated seeds. In order to be effective, the active ingredient is generally employed in an amount of from 0.1 to 500 g, preferably 0.5 to 200 g, and in particular 0.75 to 100 g, per 100 kilograms of seed.

[0214] According to the present invention one purpose of said seed treatment is to control a pest. Such a seed treatment thus involves a pesticidal effect or a pesticidal activity providing protection against damage done by the pest to a seed and / or a plant grown from the seed. Seed treatment can especially be used to protect seeds and seedlings from early season disease and insect pests affecting crop emergencvee and growth.

[0215] As used herein, the terms “pesticidal effect” and “pesticidal activity” mean any direct or indirect action on the target pest that results in reduction of feeding damage on the treated seeds as well as on the fruits, roots, shoots and / or foliage of plants grown from treated seeds as compared untreated seeds or to plants grown from untreated seeds, respectively. The terms “active against a (first or second) pest” also have the same meaning. Such direct or indirect actions include killing of the pest, repelling the pest from the plant seeds, fruits, roots, shoots and / or foliage, inhibiting feeding of the pest on, or the laying of its eggs on, the plant seeds, fruits, roots, shoots and / or foliage, and inhibiting or preventing reproduction of the pest.

[0216] Pests in particular include soil-borne and soil-dwelling, shoot and foliage pests.

[0217] The present invention also provides a seed that has been treated by the method described herein It also provides a seed obtainable by the method described herein.

[0218] Further, the present invention also provides a seed that has been treated with the seed treatment composition described herein, and in particular that is coated with the composition or contains it. It also provides a seed obtainable by using the composition described herein. According to a particular embodiment, the seeds treated with the composition of the present invention have a loading of active ingredient(s) of 0.1 to 500 g, preferably 0.5 to 200 g, and in particular 0.75 to 100 g, per 100 kilograms of seed.

[0219] The term “coated with and / or contains" here signifies that the active ingredient(s) is for the most part on the surface of the seed at the time of application, although a greater or lesser part of the active ingredient(s) may penetrate into the seed, depending on the method of application. When the said seed is (re)planted, it may absorb the active ingredient(s).

[0220] According to one embodiment, such a seed comprising the active ingredient(s) has a coating, wherein the coating comprises the active ingredient(s) According to a further embodiment, such a seed comprising the active ingredient(s) is a seed whose germinable part and / or natural sheath, shell, pod and / or integument comprise(s) the active ingredient(s) Also, the active ingredient(s) can be present in both the coating and the germinable part and / or natural sheath, shell, pod and / or integument of the seed.

[0221] Preferably, such seeds comprise an effective amount of the active ingredient(s). Accordingly, the seeds are coated, impregnated or coated and impregnated in such a manner that pest damage during germination and emergence is reduced.

[0222] The seeds treated with the composition of the present invention may also be enveloped with a film overcoating to protect the coating containing the active ingredient(s). Such overcoatings are known in the art and may be applied using conventional fluidized bed and drum film coating techniques.

[0223] The seeds of the present invention can be used for the propagation of plants. The seeds can be stored, handled, planted / sowed and tilled.

[0224] The invention is illustrated by the following examples.

[0225] Examples

[0226] A. Aqueous Polymer Dispersions

[0227] Aqueous polymer dispersions 1 and 2 were prepared as follows The individual amounts of the components are indicated in the tables below.

[0228] A 4 L glass reactor (temperature control, anchor stirrer and reflux condenser under nitrogen gas atmosphere) was precharged with a solution of sodium acetate, carboxymethyl cellulose (Finnfix 10, CP Kelco) and 95 wt.-% maltodextrin with a dextrose equivalent of 10 (CDry MD01910, Cargill) in demineralized water. The mixture was heated to 70 °C while stirring at 120 rpm to obtain a transparent solution. In a second glass reactor, an emulsion was prepared. Emulsifiers in accordance with the tables below, such as lauryl ether sulfate (Disponil FES 27, BASF), alkyldiphenyloxide disulfonate (Dowfax 2A1 , Dow) or sodium octyl succinic acid (Lumiten I - SC, BASF), were dissolved in water and a mixture of vinyl acetate, vinyl laurate and methacrylic acid ester-PEG C18 (Visiomer C18 PEG 1105, Evonik) were added dropwise. A stable emulsion was obtained (Feed 1). Optionally, 2-ethylhexyl-thioglycolate was added.

[0229] As a first initiator redox system, separate solutions of 7 wt.-% of sodium persulfate in water (Feed 2) and 2 wt.-% of ascorbic acid (Lutavit C) in water (Feed 3) were provided. To initiate the reaction, 5 wt.-% of the total amount of Feed 1 was added to the precharge at 70 °C and stirred for 5 min. Feed 2 and Feed 3 were dosed in simultaneously. The total dosing time of Feed 2 and Feed 3 was 255 min. 15 min after starting the dosing in of Feed 2 and 3, the remaining Feed 1 was dosed in over a period of 210 min

[0230] A second redox initiator system was used to reduce the residual monomer content. For this second redox initiator system, a 10.0 wt.-% tert-butyl hydroperoxide solution in water (Feed 4) and a 2.5 wt.-% acetone bisulfite solution (Feed 5) were provided. Feed 5 was obtained as follows: 7.62 g sodium disulfite (Na2S2O5) were dissolved in 87.6 g deionized water (Mixture A). 95.22 g aqueous NaHSOa (8.8 wt.-%) and 4.78 g acetone were mixed (Mixture B). Mixtures A and B were mixed to obtain 100.00 g acetone bisulfite solution (13.1 wt-%), which was diluted with water to obtain a 2.5 wt.-% acetone bisulfite solution (Feed 5).

[0231] After Feeds 1 , 2 and 3 were dosed in, the tert-butyl hydroperoxide solution (Feed 4) was added. Subsequently, the acetone bisulfite solution (Feed 5) was dosed in over the course of 30 min. Then, a small amount of a 15 wt.-% of hydrogen peroxide solution in water (Feed 6) was added to achieve a white color lasting dispersion. The residual monomer content of vinyl acetate was found to be less than 300 ppm. The acetaldehyde content was less than 800 ppm. Residual monomer contents were measured by gas chromatography against calibrated standards.

[0232] After cooling to 25 °C, the dispersion was filtered with a nylon filter (125 pm).

[0233] Table: Feed Compositions of Aqueous Polymer Dispersions 1 and 2

[0234] The table below shows the concentrations of the components of aqueous polymer dispersions 1 and 2 in parts per hundred million (pphm), as well as the characteristics of aqueous polymer dispersions 1 and 2. The aqueous polymer dispersions were characterized by total solids content, transmittance of 532-nm wavelength-light, pH value (determined at room temperature, i.e. 23 °C, and atmospheric pressure), the amount of coagulum remaining in the filter (determined by washing the filter with water and comparing the weight before and after filtration), and the particle size distribution D50 (determined in accordance with ISO 13320:2009). “Transmittance of 532nm-wavelength-light” means the transmittance measured with a wave length of 532 nm light using standard machines, such as preferably Hach Lange DR6000 spectrometer, compared to the transmittance of the standard, which usually is plain water suitable for such measurement, preferably being distilled or even bi-distilled water, at a concentration of 0.01 wt.% and a cuvette of 1 centimeter length of dispersion for the rays to pass through. Table: Composition (Solids Content) and Characteristics of Aqueous Polymer Dispersions 1 and 2

[0235] B. Aqueous Seed Treatment Composition

[0236] From aqueous polymer dispersions 1 and 2, seed treatment compositions 1 and 2 having a composition as shown in the following table were prepared.

[0237] C. Application Examples

[0238] The obtained seed treatment compositions 1 and 2 were applied to wheat at a use rate of 326 mL / 100 kg. The results were compared to a “blank” composition in which the aqueous polymer dispersion was replaced by water in the seed treatment composition. The blank composition was applied to wheat at the same use rate as mentioned above.

[0239] D. Method for Determining Dust-Off - Heubach Test

[0240] Seed dust-off was measured using a Heubach dustmeter. The Heubach test was performed following industry standards - the ESA reference method "Assessment of free floating dust and abrasion particles of treated seeds as a parameter of the quality of treated seeds". In this test, 100 g of treated seeds that had been allowed to dry for at least five days were placed in the metal drum of the Heubach Dustmeter device (from Heubach GmbH, Germany), which is then closed and connected to a glass cylinder. A glass fiber filter is placed in the filter unit, which is weighed before and after the test is performed. The filter unit is connected to the glass cylinder and a vacuum tube. The run is performed for 120 s, at a rotation speed of 30 rpm and a flow rate of 20 L / min. The filter weight was collected before and after the process to quantify the dust generated by the seeds. This process was performed in duplicates. The average dust value is reported as the amount of dust in g released per 100,000 seeds. E. Application Examples

[0241] Wheat seeds treated with seed treatment compositions 1 and 2 were subjected to the above -described Heubach dust test. For comparative purposes, wheat seeds treated with the above-described blank composition were also subjected to the above-described Heubach dust test. The results are compiled in the following table:

[0242] ’comparative example

[0243] It is evident that the seed treatment composition of the invention allows for reduced dust-off.

Claims

Claims1. A seed treatment composition comprising: i) an active ingredient; and ii) an aqueous polymer dispersion, obtainable by radical aqueous emulsion polymerization of a mixture comprising a) ethylenically unsaturated monomers M, with M comprising(1) at least one vinyl ester M1 , preferably comprising vinyl acetate, more preferably comprising vinyl acetate at least 50%, and(2) at least one (meth)acrylic acid ester M2 optionally comprising methacrylic acid as minor component, the (meth)acrylic acid in the methacrylic acid ester being bonded via an ether-function to a polyalkylene oxide-derived-block PAO, wherein the PAO consists of 2 to 40 alkylene oxide AO-units, most preferably 25 AO-units, with the PAO preferably being further linked via an ether-function to an C1 to C24, preferably at least C4, more preferably at least C6, even more preferably C8 to 024-al iphatic alkanol, most preferably a 018-aliphatic alkanol, with the AO being preferably selected from EO, PO and / or BuO, more preferably at least EO in an amount of from 50, more preferably at least 75, even more preferably at least 90 wt.% most preferably essentially only EO, based on total AO; preferably comprising methacrylic acid, more preferably with the methacrylic acid ester and the free methacrylic acid being in a ratio of from about 70 w% / 30w% to 80 w% / 20w%, more preferably about 75 w% / 25w%;(3) optionally further monomers M3 polymerizable with M1 and M2, preferably none; b) 1 to 15, preferably 2 to 10%, based on the total weight of monomers M, of a carboxyl- groups-containing compound CGCC being selected from a compound bearing in its structure at least three carboxyl-groups of which at least 10 and at most 90 percent are being deprotonated, selected from the group comprising citric acid, isocitric acid; ethylendiamintetraacetic acid; nitriloacetic acid; tartaric acid; oligomeric and polyacrylic acid; oligomeric and poly methacrylic acid; trimelitic acid; oligomeric aminoacids with carboxy groups such as polyaspartic acid; oligomeric and polyglutaminic acid; oligomeric and polyacetates with carboxygroups such as poly (glyoxalic)aldehyde; carboxylated oligomeric and polymeric saccharides such as oxidized starch (mixtures of amylopektines, amylose); polyglucuronates; cellulose oxidized to cellouronate; natural polycarboxylatic polysaccharide such as xylanes; pektines acid; alginic acid; carboxymethylated polysaccharides based on1 ,4-polyglucanes, 1,3-polyglucanes, 1,6-polyglucanes; Poly-uronic acids based on 1,4- polyglucanes, 1,3-polyglucanes, 1,6-polyglucanes; polygalacturonic; preferably carboxylated polysaccharides, more preferably carboxylated cellulose, even more preferably carboxylated methylcellulose (carboxymethylcellulose, "CMC”);c) at least one non-carboxylated saccharide and / or polysaccharide S, such as glucose, starch degradation products, maltodextrin, in an amount of 2 to 50, preferably 5 to 35wt% based on the total weight of monomers M; d) at least one emulsifier selected from non-ionic and anionic surfactants; e) optionally sulfate ions; and f) optionally sulfite ions; wherein - preferably - the amount of M1 is from 80 to 99,99 mol%, and the amount of M2 is from 0,01 to 20 mole%, and preferably at most 10, even more preferably at most 5, more preferably at most 2%, the total amount of M1 plus M2 being 100 weight percent, and wherein the dispersion has - after the end of the polymerization - a pH of up to 4.

2. The composition according to claim 1 , wherein the vinyl ester M1 monomer comprises vinyl acetate with at least 50%, even more preferably at least 90% based on the total molar amount of vinyl esters, and the least one (meth)acrylic acid ester M2 is a (meth)acrylic acid being bonded via an ether-function to a polyalkylene oxide-derived-block PAO, wherein the PAO consists of 20 to 30 alkylene oxide AO-unit, most preferably 25 AO-units, with the PAO preferably being further linked via an ether- function to an C14 to C22 -aliphatic alkanol, most preferably a C16 / 18-aliphatic alkanol, with the AO being selected from EO and PO and / or BuO, more preferably EO and PO, with the EO in an amount of from 75, even more preferably at least 90 wt %, most preferably essentially only EO, based on total AO; further comprising methacrylic acid, with the methacrylic acid ester and the free methacrylic acid being in a ratio of from about 70 w% / 30w% to 80 w% / 20w%, more preferably about 75 w% / 25w%; and M3 being not comprised.

3. The composition according to claim 2, wherein the vinyl ester M1 monomer comprises vinyl acetate with at least 90% based on the total molar amount of vinyl esters, preferably essentially only vinyl acetate, and the least one (meth)acrylic acid ester M2 is a (meth)acrylic acid being bonded via an ether-function to a polyalkylene oxide-derived-block PAO, wherein the PAO consists of 23 to 27 alkylene oxide AO, most preferably on average 25 AO-units, with the PAO preferably being further linked via an ether-function to essentially C16 / 18-aliphatic alkanol, most preferably a C16 / 18-aliphatic alkanol, with the AO being essentially only EO; further comprising methacrylic acid, with the methacrylic acid ester and the free methacrylic acid being in a ratio of from about 70 w% / 30w% to 80 w% / 20w%, more preferably about 75 w% / 25w%.

4. The composition according to claim 3, whereinM1 is vinyl acetate, and the least one (meth)acrylic acid ester M2 is a methacrylic acid being bonded via an ether-function to a polyethylene oxide block PEO, wherein the PEO consists of on average 25 AO-units, with the PEO being further linked via an ether-function to a C 16 / 18-aliphatic alkanol, further comprising methacrylic acid, with the methacrylic acid ester and the free methacrylic acid being in a ratio of about 75 w% / 25w%.

5. The composition according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the CGCC is a carboxyl-groups-containing compound being selected from carboxylated polysaccharides, more preferably carboxylated cellulose, even more preferably carboxylated methylcellulose, preferably in amounts of 2.5 to 10 most preferably about 5 weight percent based on the total amount of monomers M1+M2+M3.

6. The composition according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the dispersed polymer particles have a D[4,3] value as determined by static light scattering of at least 100 and up to 1000 nm.

7. The composition according to any of the preceding claims , wherein at least one saccharide and / or polysaccharide S is a starch degradation product, preferably a maltodextrin, in an amount of 10 to 30, preferably 15 to 25 wt%, more preferably 17 to 23 wt%, based on the total weight of monomers M.

8. The composition according to claim 7, wherein S is a degraded starch having a dextrose equivalent according to Lane and Eynon in the range from 2 to 40%.

9. The composition according to any of the preceding claims, wherein as compound S a degraded starch is employed having a number average molecular weight in the range from 300 to 2000 Dalton, as determined by osmometry, and preferably in a range of from 5 to 150, more preferably up to 70, even more preferably up to 50, and more preferably from 10, even more preferably from 15, and most preferably from 20, each in weight percent based on the total weight of monomers M1+M2+M3.

10. The composition according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising at least 0.1 % by weight, preferably at least 0.2% by weight, more preferably at least 1% by weight and in particular at least 5% by weight of the aqueous polymer dispersion, calculated as the solids content thereof.

11. The composition according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising at most 20% by weight, preferably at most 15% by weight and in particular at most 10% by weight of the aqueous polymer dispersion, calculated as the solids content thereof.

12. The composition according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a colorant, in particular a dye or a pigment.

13. The composition according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising an antifreeze agent.

14. The composition according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a gelling agent.

15. The composition according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising at least 5% by weight, preferably at least 10% by weight and in particular at least 30% by weight of water, and preferably at most 99% by weight, more preferably at most 90% by weight and in particular at most 80% by weight of water.

16. The composition according to any one of the preceding claims, which is an aqueous suspension concentrate.

17. The use of an aqueous polymer dispersion as defined in any one claims 1 to 9 as a binder in a seed treatment composition.

18. A method of treating seed, which comprises applying an effective amount of a composition of any one of claims 1 to 16 to a lot of seed.

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