Agrochemical compositions and uses thereof

Abstract

Compositions and methods of using pydiflumetofen to improve plant growth in the absence of disease pressure.

Description

AGROCHEMICAL COMPOSITIONS AND USES THEREOFCROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 663,480, filed June 24, 2024, the contents of which are incorporated by reference herein.TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] This disclosure relates to compositions containing agrochemicals. In particular, agrochemical compositions which are configured as seed treatments, and preferably containing pydiflumetofen.BACKGROUND

[0003] Seed treatments are critical to modern agriculture. Seed treatments protect crops during their early, vulnerable growth (e.g., germination) through early develop stages, thereby facilitating healthy, robust, and high quality plants. Indeed, soil -borne pests, such as pathogenic fungi and insects, can decimate crops as their presence may not be readily apparent prior to sowing.

[0004] While management of pests is important for efficient and economical production of crops, there remains a need for seed treatments which increase plant health in the absence of disease pressure or abiotic stress. This is because crops which are smaller or slower growing are more susceptible loss. Accordingly, regardless of biotic and abiotic stressors, growers seek ways to improve plant growth.SUMMARY

[0005] Embodiments include a seed treatment having pydiflumetofen in an amount which improves plant health. Aspects further include a plant improving amount which occurs in the absence of disease pressure.Detailed Description

[0006] Before certain embodiments are described in greater detail, it is to be understood that this disclosure is not limited to certain embodiments described, as such may, of course, vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing certain embodiments only, and is not intended to be limiting, since the scope of the present disclosure will be limited only by the appended claims.

[0007] Described herein are several definitions. Such definitions are meant to encompass grammatical equivalents.

[0008] Unless otherwise required by context, singular terms as used herein and in the claims shall include pluralities and plural terms shall include the singular.

[0009] The use of “or” means “and / or” unless stated otherwise. Furthermore, the use of the terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” as well as other forms, such as “includes” and “included,” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements. Also, terms such as “element” or “component” encompass both elements and components comprising one unit and elements and components that comprise more than one subunit unless specifically stated otherwise.

[0010] As used herein, the term “about” when referring to a measurable value such as an amount, a temporal duration, and the like, is meant to encompass variations of between, e.g., ± 20% and ± 0.1%. Such variations, however, are dependent on the specific component referred to and the context as understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art.

[0011] Where a range of values is provided, it is understood that each intervening value, to the tenth of the unit of the lower limit unless the context clearly dictates otherwise, between the upper and lower limit of that range and any other stated or intervening value in that stated range, is encompassed within the disclosure. The upper and lower limits of these smaller ranges may independently be included in the smaller ranges and are also encompassed within the disclosure, subject to any specifically excluded limit in the stated range. Where the stated range includes one or both of the limits, ranges excluding either or both of those included limits are also included in the disclosure.

[0012] Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. Although any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can also be used in the practice or testing of the present disclosure, representative illustrative methods, and materials are now described.

[0013] It is noted that, as used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. It is further noted that the claims may be drafted to exclude any optional element. As such, this statement is intended to serve as antecedent basis for use of such exclusive terminology as “solely,” “only” and the like in connection with the recitation of claim elements, or use of a “negative” limitation.

[0014] Each of the individual embodiments described and illustrated herein has discrete components and features which may be readily separated from or combined with the features of any of the other several embodiments without departing from the scope or spirit ofthe present disclosure. Any recited method can be carried out in the order of events recited or in any other order which is logically possible.

[0015] As used herein, the term a “non-fungicidal amount,” and similar terms, refers to an amount of fungicide not configured for the control of fungi. As understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art, a “non-fungicidal amount” may provide a minimal amount of control of fungi, rather than provide 0% control. Examples of non-fungicidal amounts include amounts below application rates listed in Tables A-H.

[0016] As used herein, the term “in the absence of disease pressure,” and similar terms, refers to the absence of commercially relevant disease presence. Commercially relevant disease pressure is disease pressure which could be overcome by the application of an agrochemical while returning a profit. For example, non-commercially relevant disease pressure is disease pressure where the cost of application of an agrochemical would exceed any potential returns gains from reducing or eliminating the disease pressure with the agrochemical. This includes instances where the fungus is resistant to the agrochemical or instances where the disease pressure is so low improvements would not be economic.

[0017] Pydiflumetofen, sold under the tradename ADEPIDYN®, has the following structure:

[0018] Pydiflumetofen is sold a solo seed treatment under the trademark Saltro®.Saltro® is a flowable concentrate for seed treatment. The concentrated composition contains 41.7% w / w pydiflumetofen and 58.3% other ingredients. Saltro® is a seed treatment fungicide which provides protection from seed- and soil-borne diseases.

[0019] Pydiflumetofen belongs to the carboxamide class of chemistry and is a succinate dehydrogenase inhibitor (SDHI), Group 7 fungicide, which disrupts cellular respiration and energy generation.

[0020] Saltro® must be used only by commercial seed treatment facilities or with commercial seed treatment equipment on a farm, subject to specific restrictions listed and as specified for each crop.

[0021] Saltro® uses are defined in the following tables:Table ATable BTable CTable DTable ETable FTable H

[0022] It has been discovered that pydiflumetofen is surprisingly superior in promoting plant growth, even in the absence of disease pressure.

[0023] Twelve field trials utilizing soybeans were performed. In the trial, all seeds were treated with CruiserMaxx® APX to control disease pressure. Treatments of CruiserMaxx® APX were done as specified by the label, and which is described in Table I,Table I

[0024] Treatments with CruiserMaxx® APX further included cyclobutrifluram and / or pydiflumetofen, as indicated Table 1.Table 1

[0025] As indicated in Table 1, treatment with pydiflumetofen at a rate of 0.015 mg / seed, surprisingly, provided a statistically significant improvement in yield despite disease pressure control already being provided by CruiserMaxx® APX.Compositions

[0026] Compositions of the disclosure can take any form. Formulation types include a suspension concentrate (SC), a suspo-emulsion (SE), a capsule suspension (CS), a water dispersible granule (WG), an emulsifiable granule (EG), an emulsion, water in oil (EO), an emulsion, oil in water (EW), a micro-emulsion (ME), an oil miscible flowable (OF), an oil miscible liquid (OL), a soluble concentrate (SL), an ultra-low volume suspension (SU), an ultralow volume liquid (UL), a dispersible concentrate (DC), or any technically feasible formulation type.

[0027] Preferred compositions are aqueous solutions, dispersions, suspensions, emulsions, or suspoemulsions.

[0028] The average size of the suspended particles is 0.1 to 20, specifically 1.5 to 5 microns when measured with a laser particle analyzer, e.g a CILAS 920 apparatus.

[0029] The viscosity of the compositions for application to a seed is preferably 200 to 600, more specifically 300 to 500 cP.Compositions for applying to seeds

[0030] In certain embodiments, the disclosure provides for compositions formulated for application to a plant seed containing an agrochemical active ingredient and water. Thecompositions may contain additional ingredients. For example, the composition may also contain a surfactant and a pigment. These compositions may be applied to a plant seed as a slurry.

[0031] The compositions of the disclosure may be used during cold treatment of seeds and are uniquely formulated to be fluid at these subfreezing environment (such as e.g. about - 17°C or about -5°C). In specific embodiments, the temperature of the seed may be as low as about -25°C. In certain embodiments, the compositions are specifically formulated to avoid formation of ice crystals and maintain viscosity.

[0032] In specific embodiments, the composition is formulated such that the slurry remains a liquid at least -15°C. In some embodiments, the slurry can be a liquid at least -10°C or at least -5°C.Surfactant

[0033] The compositions can contain at least about 2% up to about 15% w / w of a surface-active agent. In one embodiment, the compositions contain from 3% up to about 7% w / w of a surface-active agent.

[0034] The surface active agent (a) comprises (al) at least one anionic surfactant. In general, the anionic surfactant may be any known in the art. Suitable anionic surfactants are in general oligomers and polymers, as well as polycondensates, which contain a sufficient number of anionic groups to ensure their water-solubility. Suitable anionic surfactants include alcohol sulfates, alcohol ether sulfates, alkylaryl ether sulfates, alkylaryl sulfonates such as alkylbenzene sulfonates and alkylnaphthalene sulfonates and salts thereof, alkyl sulfonates, mono- or diphosphate esters of polyalkoxylated alkyl alcohols or alkylphenols, mono- or di-sulfosuccinate esters of C12-C15 alkanols or polyalkoxylated C12-C15 alkanols, alcohol ether carboxylates, phenolic ether carboxylates, polybasic acid esters of ethoxylated polyoxyalkylene glycols consisting of oxybutylene or the residue of tetrahydrofuran, sulfoalkylamides and salts thereof such as N-methyl-M-oleoyltaurate Na salt, polyoxyalkylene alkylphenol carboxylates, polyoxyalkylene alcohol carboxylates alkyl polyglycoside / alkenyl succinic anhydride condensation products, alkyl ester sulfates, napthalene sulfonates, naphthalene formaldehyde condensates, alkyl sulfonamides, sulfonated aliphatic polyesters, sulfate esters of styrylphenyl alkoxylates, and sulfonate esters of styrylphenyl alkoxylates and their corresponding sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, zinc, ammonium, alkylammonium, diethanolammonium, or tri ethanolammonium salts, salts of ligninsulfonic acid such as the sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium or ammonium salt, polyarylphenol polyalkoxyether sulfates andpolyarylphenol polyalkoxyether phosphates, and sulfated alkyl phenol ethoxylates and phosphated alkyl phenol ethoxylates.

[0035] Specific examples of suitable anionic surfactants include: Geropon T77 (Rhodia) (N-methyl-N-oleoyltaurate Na salt); Soprophor 4D384 (Rhodia) (tri styrylphenol sulphate); Reax 825 (Westvaco) (ethoxylated lignin sulfonate); Stepfac 8171 (Stepan) (ethoxylated nonylphenol phosphate ester); Ninate 401 -A (Stepan) (calcium alkylbenzene sulfonate); Emphos CS-131 (Witco) (ethoxylated nonylphenol phosphate ester); and Atphos 3226 (Uniqema) (ethoxylated tri decyl alcohol phosphate ester). Suitable anionic surfactants can be prepared by methods known per se and also are commercially available.

[0036] The surface-active agent comprising al) at least one anionic surfactant may optionally further comprise a2) one or more nonionic surfactants. As used herein, “nonionic surfactants” are different compounds from the water-dispersible and water-soluble polymers b) described herein.

[0037] Exemplary nonionic surfactants include polyarylphenol polyethoxy ethers, polyalkylphenol polyethoxy ethers, polyglycol ether derivatives of saturated fatty acids, polyglycol ether derivatives of unsaturated fatty acids, polyglycol ether derivatives of aliphatic alcohols, polyglycol ether derivatives of cycloaliphatic alcohols, fatty acid esters of polyoxyethylene sorbitan, alkoxylated vegetable oils, alkoxylated acetylenic diols, polyalkoxylated alkylphenols, fatty acid alkoxylates, sorbitan alkoxylates, sorbitol esters, C8- C22 alkyl or alkenyl polyglycosides, polyalkoxy styrylaryl ethers, alkylamine oxides, block copolymer ethers, polyalkoxylated fatty glyceride, polyalkylene glycol ethers, linear aliphatic or aromatic polyesters, organo silicones, polyaryl phenols, sorbitol ester alkoxylates, and mono- and diesters of ethylene glycol and mixtures thereof.

[0038] Specific examples of suitable nonionic surfactants include: Genapol X-060 (Clariant) (ethoxylated fatty alcohol); Sorpohor BSU (Rhodia) ethoxylated tristyrylphenol; Makon TD-6 (Stepan) (ethoxylated fatty alcohol); BRIJ 30 (Uniqema) (ethoxylated lauryl alcohol); Witconol CO-360 (Witco) (ethoxylated castor oil); and Witconol NP-60 (Witco) (ethoxylated nonylphenol). Suitable nonionic surfactants can be prepared by methods known per se and also are commercially available.

[0039] In addition to anionic and nonionic surfactants, certain cationic or zwitterionic surfactants a3) also are suitable for use in the present invention such as alkanol amides of C8- C18 fatty acids and C8-C18 fatty amine polyalkoxylates, C10-C18 alkyldimethylbenzylammonium chlorides, coconut alkyldimethylaminoacetic acids, and phosphate esters of C8-C18 fatty amine polyalkoxylates.

[0040] In one embodiment, a mixture of surfactants (al), (a2) and optionally (a3) is employed as follows:

[0041] (1) 0.5 -4% w / w of a wetting agent selected from (al) at least one anionic surfactant. Suitable anionic surfactant wetting agents include sulfoalkylamides and salts thereof such as N-methyl-N-oleoyltaurate Na salt, alkylaryl sulfonates such as alkylbenzene sulfonates and alkylnaphthalene sulfonates and salts thereof and salts of ligninsulfonic acid;

[0042] (2) 1-4% w / w of a dispersing agent selected from (al) at least one anionic surfactant. Suitable anionic surfactant dispersing agents include sulfate esters of styrylphenyl alkoxylates, and sulfonate esters of styrylphenyl alkoxylates and their corresponding sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, zinc, ammonium, alkylammonium, diethanolammonium, or triethanolammonium salts;

[0043] (3) 1 to 5% w / w of an emulsifying agent selected from (al) at least one anionic surfactant, (a2) at least one nonionic surfactant and a mixture thereof. Suitable anionic / nonionic surfactant emulsifiers include salts of ethoxylated alkylphenols, polyoxyethylenepolyoxypropylene alkylphenols, (fatty) alcohol ethoxylates and ethoxylated tristyrylphenols.Dispersible Polymers

[0044] The composition can also include at least one polymer selected from water- soluble and water-dispersible polymers. Suitable dispersible polymers have an average molecular weight of at least about 1,000 up to about 100,000; more specifically at least about 5,000, up to about 100,000. The aqueous compositions generally contain from about 0.5% to about 10% w / w of the composition of dispersible polymer (b). In a specific embodiment, the compositions contain from about 1.0% up to about 5% w / w of a polymer.

[0045] Suitable polymers are selected from: bl) alkyleneoxide random and block copolymers such as ethylene oxi de -propylene oxide block copolymers (EO / PO block copolymers) including both EO-PO-EO and PO-EO- PO block copolymers; ethylene oxi de-butylene oxide random and block copolymers,C2-6 alkyl adducts of ethylene oxide-propylene oxide random and block copolymers,C2-6 alkyl adducts of ethylene oxide-butylene oxide random and block copolymers, b2) polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene monoalkylethers such as methyl ether, ethyl ether, propyl ether, butyl ether or mixtures thereof. b3) vinylacetate / vinylpyrrolidone copolymers,b4) alkylated vinylpyrrolidone copolymers, b5) polyvinylpyrrolidone, and b6) polyalkyleneglycol including the polypropylene glycols and polyethylene glycols.

[0046] Specific examples of suitable polymers include Pluronic Pl 03 (BASF) (EO- PO-EO block copolymer), Pluronic P65 (BASF) (EO-PO-EO block copolymer), Pluronic Pl 08 (BASF) (EO-PO-EO block copolymer), Vinamul 18160 (National Starch) (polyvinylacetate), Agrimer 30 (ISP) (polyvinylpyrrolidone), Agrimer VA7w (ISP) (vinyl acetate / vinylpyrrolidone copolymer), Agrimer AL 10 (ISP) (alkylated vinylpyrrolidone copolymer), PEG 400 (Uniqema) (polyethylene glycol), Pluronic R 25R2 (BASF) (PO-EO-PO block copolymer), Pluronic R 31R1 (BASF) (PO-EO-PO block copolymer) and Witconol NS 500LQ (Witco) (butanol PO-EO copolymer).Rheological Modifiers / Carriers

[0047] The composition can also comprise, at least about 0.1 and up to about 20% w / w, more specifically from 5 to about 15% w / wof at least one solid carrier.

[0048] The solid carrier is a natural or synthetic solid material that is insoluble in water. This carrier is generally inert and acceptable in agriculture, especially on the treated seed or other propagation material. It can be chosen, for example, from clay, diatomaceous earth, natural or synthetic silicates, titanium dioxide, magnesium silicate, aluminum silicate, talc, pyrophyllite clay, silica, attapulgite clay, dieselguhr, chalk, lime, calcium carbonate, bentonite clay, Fuller's earth, and the like.Additional Components

[0049] The composition optionally contains at least one thickener.

[0050] In one embodiment, the thickener is present in the aqueous composition in an amount from about 0.01% to about 25% w / w, more specifically from 0.02 to 10% w / w.

[0051] Illustrative of thickeners (water-soluble polymers which exhibit pseudoplastic properties in an aqueous medium) are gum arabic, gum karaya, gum tragacanth, guar gum, locust bean gum, xanthan gum, carrageenan, alginate salt, casein, dextran, pectin, agar, 2- hydroxyethyl, starch, 2-aminoethyl starch, 2-hydroxyethyl cellulose, methyl cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose salt, cellulose sulfate salt, polyacrylamide, alkali metal salts of the maleic anhydride copolymers, alkali metal salts of poly(meth)acrylate, and the like.

[0052] As suitable thickeners there may also be mentioned attapulgite-type clay, carrageenan, croscarmellose sodium, furcelleran, glycerol, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose,polystyrene, vinylpyrrolidone / styrene block copolymer, hydroxypropyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl guar gum, and sodium carboxymethylcellulose. Xanthan gum is preferred.

[0053] The aqueous composition according to the invention can be employed together with the adjuvants customary in formulation technology, biocides, biostats, emulsifiers (lethicin, sorbitan, and the like), antifoam agents or application-promoting adjuvants customarily employed in the art of formulation. In addition, there may be mentioned inoculants and brighteners.

[0054] Additionally, a coloring agent, such as a dye or pigment is included in the seed coating so that an observer can immediately determine that the seeds are treated. The dye is also useful to indicate to the user the degree of uniformity of the coating applied. In one embodiment, the composition contains a red pigment. For example, the composition may contain Sunsperse Red.

[0055] The pigment may be present in an amount up to 2.5 to 30% w / w, or for example 5 to 20% w / w, or for example, about 15% w / w.

[0056] In certain embodiments, the type of pigment used may vary depending on the agricultural active ingredient.

[0057] The compositions of the disclosure contain and / or may be applied together or sequentially with further active compounds. These further compounds can be fertilizers or micronutrient donors or other preparations that influence plant growth. They can also be selective herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, bactericides, insect growth regulators, plant growth regulators, nematicides, molluscicides or mixtures of several of these preparations.Agrochemical active ingredient

[0058] Various agrochemical active ingredients may be used in embodiments of the disclosure. Agrochemical active ingredients are generally compounds which are recognized in the art for controlling a pest. Examples of agrochemicals include: herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, bactericides, insect growth regulators, plant growth regulators, nematicides, molluscicides etc. Preferred agrochemicals are fungicides and / or an insecticides. The agrochemical active ingredient may be provided as a wettable powder.

[0059] The term “fungicide” as utilized herein is intended to cover compounds active against phytopathogenic fungi that may belong to a very wide range of compound classes. Examples of compound classes to which the suitable fungicidally active compound may belong include both room temperature (25 °C) solid and room temperature liquid fungicides such as: triazole derivatives, strobilurins, carbamates (including thio- and dithiocarbamates),benzimidazoles (thiabendazole), N-trihalomethylthio compounds (captan), substituted benzenes, carboxamides, phenylamides and phenylpyrroles, and mixtures thereof.

[0060] The fungicidally active compounds and / or the insecticidal active compounds are employed in a fungicidally and / or insecticidally effective amount in the composition. Mixtures of one or more of the following active compounds are usable as an active component treatment of the seed of the present disclosure. Examples of suitable individual compounds for use in seed treatments are listed below. Where known, the common name is used to designate the individual compounds (q.v. the Pesticide Manual, 12th edition, 2001, British Crop Protection Council).

[0061] Suitable triazole derivatives include propi conazole, difenconazole, tebuconazole, tetraconazole and tri ti conazole. Suitable strobilurins include trifloxystrobin, azoxystrobin, kresoxim-methyl and picoxystrobin. Suitable carbamates include thiram. Suitable substituted benzenes include PCNB and chlorothalonil. Suitable carboxamides include carboxin. Specific phenylamides usable in the compositions and methods include metalaxyl. A specific phenylpyrrole usable in the composition is fludioxonil.

[0062] Other suitable fungicidal compounds that maybe mentioned are Benomyl (also known as Benlate), Bitertanol, Carbendazim, Capropamid, Cymoxanil, Cyprodinil, Ethirimol, Fenpiclonil, Fenpropimorph, Fluquinconazole, Flutolanil, Flutriafol, Fosetyl -aluminum, Fuberidazole, Guazatine, Hymexanol, Kasugamycin, Imazalil, Imibenconazole, Iminoctadine- triacetate, Ipconazole, Iprodione, Mancozeb, Maneb, Mepronil, Metalaxyl, Metalaxyl -M (Mefenoxam), Metconazole, Metiram, MON 65500 (Silthiopham-ISO proposed), Myclobutanil, Nuarimol, Oxadixyl, Oxine-copper, Oxolinic acid, Pefurazoate, Pencycuron, Prochloraz, Propamocarb hydrochloride, Pyroquilon, Silthiopham--see MON 65500, Tecnazene, Thifluzamide, Thiophenate-methyl, Tolclofos-methyl, Triadimenol, Triazoxide and Triflumizole.

[0063] The fungicidally active compounds and / or the insecticidal active compounds are employed in a fungicidally and / or insecticidally effective amount in the composition. Mixtures of one or more of the following active compounds also are usable as an active component treatment of the seed of the present disclosure.Antifreeze

[0064] The composition can comprise, at least about 3 and up to about 25% w / w of at least one antifreeze agent, more specifically from 5 to about 20% w / w.

[0065] Specific examples of suitable antifreezes include ethylene glycol, 1,2-propylene glycol, 1,3-propylene glycol, 1,2-butanediol, 1,3 -butanediol, 1,4-butanediol, 1,4-pentanediol, 3- methyl-l,5-pentanediol, 2,3-dimethyl-2,3-butanediol, trimethylol propane, mannitol, sorbitol, glycerol, pentaerythritol, 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol, xylenol, bisphenols such as bisphenol A or the like. In addition, ether alcohols such as diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, polyoxyethylene or polyoxypropylene glycols of molecular weight up to about 4000, diethylene glycol monomethylether, diethylene glycol monoethylether, triethylene glycol monomethylether, butoxyethanol, butylene glycol monobutylether, dipentaerythritol, tripentaerythritol, tetrapentaerythritol, diglycerol, triglycerol, tetraglycerol, pentaglycerol, hexaglycerol, heptaglycerol, octaglycerol and the like.

[0066] As a particular subset of suitable antifreeze materials there can be mentioned ethylene glycol, propylene glycol and glycerin.Water

[0067] The compositions of the disclosure can contain water or can be diluted with water prior to application. The water may present in an amount up to about 70% w / w, in preferred embodiments about 10-60% w / w, or in other embodiments, about 20-55% w / w, and in certain embodiments about 40-45% w / w. The amounts can be much higher for dilution for application, e.g. on the order of 100 times.

[0068] The compositions of the disclosure may also contain inert additives. Such additives include flow enhancers, dispersants, emulsifiers, wetting agents, antifoaming agents, biocides, lubricants, fillers, drift control agents, deposition enhancers, adjuvants, evaporation retardants, freeze protecting agents, insect attracting odor agents, UV protecting agents, fragrances, and the like. Representative anti-foam agents are silicone oils, polydialkylsiloxanes, in particular polydimethylsiloxanes, fluoroaliphatic esters or perfluoroalkylphosphonic / perfluoroalkylphosphonic acids or the salts thereof and mixtures thereof. Suitable antifoams are polydimethylsiloxanes, such as Dow Corning® Antifoam A, Antifoam B or Antifoam MSA. Representative biocides include l,2-benzisothiazolin-3-one, available as PROXEL® GXL (Arch Chemicals).Kits for treatment of seeds

[0069] Another aspect of the disclosure is directed to kits for treatment of seeds. In these kits, any of the components of the composition described above may be provided separately. The kits may also include instructions for use.

[0070] In one embodiment, the kit comprises multiple contains for different agrochemicals.

[0071] The agrochemical active ingredient may be provided as a ready -to-apply or ready to use premix. In other embodiments, the kit comprises a concentrate of the agrochemical active ingredient that is diluted prior to use.Examples of suitable seeds

[0072] Crops of useful plants in which the composition according to the disclosure can be used include perennial and annual crops, such as berry plants for example blackberries, blueberries, cranberries, raspberries and strawberries; cereals for example barley, maize (corn), millet, oats, rice, rye, sorghum triticale and wheat; fiber plants for example cotton, flax, hemp, jute and sisal; field crops for example sugar and fodder beet, coffee, hops, mustard, oilseed rape (canola), poppy, sugar cane, sunflower, tea and tobacco; fruit trees for example apple, apricot, avocado, banana, cherry, citrus, nectarine, peach, pear and plum; grasses for example Bermuda grass, bluegrass, bent grass, centipede grass, fescue, ryegrass, St. Augustine grass and Zoysia grass; herbs such as basil, borage, chives, coriander, lavender, lovage, mint, oregano, parsley, rosemary, sage and thyme; legumes for example beans, lentils, peas and soya beans; nuts for example almond, cashew, ground nut, hazelnut, peanut, pecan, pistachio and walnut; palms for example oil palm; ornamentals for example flowers, shrubs and trees; other trees, for example cacao, coconut, olive and rubber; vegetables for example asparagus, aubergine, broccoli, cabbage, carrot, cucumber, garlic, lettuce, marrow, melon, okra, onion, pepper, potato, pumpkin, rhubarb, spinach and tomato; and vines for example grapes.

[0073] Crops are to be understood as being those which are naturally occurring, obtained by conventional methods of breeding, or obtained by genetic engineering. They include crops which contain so-called output traits (e.g. improved storage stability, higher nutritional value, and improved flavor).

[0074] Crops are to be understood as also including those crops which have been rendered tolerant to herbicides like bromoxynil or classes of herbicides such as ALS-, EPSPS-, GS-, HPPD- and PPO-inhibitors. An example of a crop that has been rendered tolerant to imidazolinones, e.g. imazamox, by conventional methods of breeding is Clearfield® summercanola. Examples of crops that have been rendered tolerant to herbicides by genetic engineering methods include e.g. glyphosate- and glufosinate-resistant maize varieties commercially available under the trade names RoundupReady®, Herculex I®, and LibertyLink®.

[0075] Crops are also to be understood as being those which naturally are or have been rendered resistant to harmful insects. This includes plants transformed by the use of recombinant DNA techniques, for example, to be capable of synthesizing one or more selectively acting toxins, such as are known, for example, from toxin-producing bacteria. Examples of toxins which can be expressed include 5-endotoxins, vegetative insecticidal proteins (Vip), insecticidal proteins of bacteria colonizing nematodes, and toxins produced by scorpions, arachnids, wasps, and fungi.

[0076] An example of a crop that has been modified to express the Bacillus thuringiensis toxin is the Bt maize KnockOut® (Syngenta Seeds). An example of a crop comprising more than one gene that codes for insecticidal resistance and thus expresses more than one toxin is VipCot® (Syngenta Seeds). Crops or seed material thereof can also be resistant to multiple types of pests (so-called stacked transgenic events when created by genetic modification). For example, a plant can have the ability to express an insecticidal protein while at the same time being herbicide tolerant, for example Herculex IO (Dow AgroSciences, Pioneer Hi-Bred International).Methods of the disclosure

[0077] Another aspect of the disclosure is directed to methods of coating a seed using the compositions or kits of the instant disclosure. The coating can be applied to a seed at any time between harvest of the seed and sowing of the seed. It is preferred that the seed be in a sufficiently durable state that it incurs no or minimal damage, including physical damage or biological damage, during the treatment process.

[0078] The seeds may be pre-sized before coating. After coating, the seeds or plant propagules are typically dried and then transferred to a sizing machine for sizing. Such procedures are known in the art. In some embodiments, a composition of the present disclosure is applied as one ingredient of a seed coating. The treated seeds may also be enveloped with a film over-coating to protect the coating. Such over-coatings are known in the art and may be applied using conventional fluidized bed and drum film coating techniques, for example.

[0079] The methods generally involve contacting a plant seed with the composition (e.g. slurry). In embodiments where kits are used, the methods also include combining thecomponents of the kit to form the composition prior to contacting the plant seeds with the composition (e.g. slurry). The seed may be contacted by spraying the seed.

[0080] The slurry volume used may be adjusted depending on the type of seed treated. In certain embodiments, the slurry volume may range from about 250 ml / 100 kg of seed to about 3000 ml / 100 kg of seed. In one embodiment, the seed treated is wheat and the slurry volume may range from about 250 ml / 100 kg of seed to about 2500 ml / 100 kg of seed.

[0081] In certain embodiments of the disclosure, the methods include applying the composition in pulses.

[0082] Treating seeds with the compositions of the disclosure or using the methods of the of the disclosure may lead to an improved yield by improving e.g, plant physiology, plant growth and development and / or plant architecture. In the context of the present disclosure “yield” includes, but is not limited to, (i) an increase in biomass production, grain yield, starch content, oil content and / or protein content, which may result from (a) an increase in the amount produced by the plant per se or (b) an improved ability to harvest plant matter, (ii) an improvement in the composition of the harvested material (e.g improved sugar acid ratios, improved oil composition, increased nutritional value, reduction of anti -nutritional compounds, increased consumer health benefits) and / or (iii) an increased / facilitated ability to harvest the crop, improved processability of the crop and / or better storage stability / shelf life. Increased yield of an agricultural plant means that, where it is possible to take a quantitative measurement, the yield of a product of the respective plant is increased by a measurable amount over the yield of the same product of the plant produced under the same conditions, but without application of the present disclosure. According to the present disclosure, it is preferred that the yield be increased by at least 0.5%, more preferred at least 1%, even more preferred at least 2%, still more preferred at least 4% , preferably 5% or even more.

[0083] The following examples are included to demonstrate embodiments of the disclosure. It should be appreciated by those of skill in the art that the techniques disclosed in the examples that follow represent techniques discovered by the inventors to function well in the practice of the disclosure, and thus can be considered to constitute preferred modes for its practice. However, those of skill in the art should, in light of the disclosure, appreciate that many changes can be made in the specific embodiments which are disclosed and still obtain a like or similar result without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure.

[0084] Where not otherwise specified throughout this specification and claims, percentages are w / w.

[0085] Although the particular embodiments have been described in some detail by way of illustration and example for purposes of clarity of understanding, it is readily apparent in light of the teachings of this disclosure that certain changes and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit or scope of the appended claims.

[0086] Accordingly, the preceding merely illustrates the principles of the disclosure. Various arrangements may be devised which, although not explicitly described or shown herein, embody the principles of the disclosure and are included within its spirit and scope. Furthermore, all examples and conditional language recited herein are principally intended to aid the reader in understanding the principles of the disclosure and the concepts contributed by the inventors to furthering the art, and are to be construed as being without limitation to such specifically recited examples and conditions. In additoin, all statements herein reciting principles, aspects, and embodiments of the disclosure as well as specific examples thereof, are intended to encompass both structural and functional equivalents thereof. Additionally, it is intended that such equivalents include both currently known equivalents and equivalents developed in the future, i.e., any elements developed that perform the same function, regardless of structure. The scope of the present disclosure, therefore, is not intended to be limited to the exemplary embodiments shown and described herein. Rather, the scope and spirit of present disclosure is embodied by the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. An article of manufacture, comprising: a seed, and a coating surrounding the seed, wherein the coating comprises a non-fungicidal, plant improving amount of pydiflumetofen.

2. The article of claim 1, wherein the coating comprises an amount of pydiflumetofen less than an approved rate as defined in Tables A-H.

3. The article of claim any one of the proceeding claims, wherein the coating further comprises at least one agrochemical which is not pydiflumetofen.

4. The article of claim 3, wherein the at least one agrochemical is at least one insecticide, at least one fungicide, or a mixture of at least one insecticide and at least one fungicide.

5. The article of any one of claims 1-4, wherein the seed is a soybean seed.

6. The article of any one of claims 1-4, wherein the seed is a corn seed.

7. The article of any one of the proceeding claims, wherein the coating further comprises at least one pigment.

8. A method of improving yield, comprising: coating a seed with a slurry, comprising: pydiflumetofen; and drying the slurry on the seed to produce a treated seed; wherein the treated seed comprises a non-fungicidal, plant improving amount of pydiflumetofen.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the treated seed comprises an amount of pydiflumetofen less than an approved rate as defined in Tables A-H.

10. The method of any one of claims 8 or 9, wherein the slurry further comprises at least one agrochemical which is not pydiflumetofen.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the at least one agrochemical is at least one insecticide, at least one fungicide, or a mixture of at least one insecticide and at least one fungicide.

12. The method of any one of claims 8-11, wherein the seed is a soybean seed.

13. The method of any one of claims 8-11, wherein the seed is a corn seed.

14. The method of any one of claims 8-13, wherein the slurry further comprises at least one pigment.

15. The method of any one of claims 8-14, wherein the slurry has a viscosity of 200 to 600 cP, more specifically 300 to 500 cP.

16. A composition, comprising: a non-fungicidal, plant improving amount of pydiflumetofen.

17. Use of pydiflumetofen to improve yield in the absence of disease pressure.

18. An article of manufacture, comprising: a first seed, and a first coating surrounding the first seed, wherein the first coating comprises a yield improving amount of pydiflumetofen; wherein the yield of the first seed is increased after planting when compared to a second seed having a control coating identical to the first coating but lacking pydiflumetofen; wherein the yield is increased in the absence of disease pressure.

19. The article of claim 18, wherein the first coating comprises an amount of pydiflumetofen less than an approved rate as defined in Tables A-H.

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