PL2485592T3

Synergistic fungicidal mixtures for fungal control in cereals

Abstract

This record has no abstract on file.

Term

4 yearsto projected expiry

Projected expiry 6 October 2030, counted from filing; an application has no term until it is granted.

12 claims: 3 independent, 9 dependent

1
Zastrzeżenia patentowe 1. Synergistyczna mieszanina grzybobójcza obejmująca skuteczną grzybobójczo ilość związku o wzorze I-V i co najmniej jeden środek grzybobójczy wybrany z grupy składającej się z protiokonazolu i prochlorazu.
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Mieszanina według zastrz. 1, w której środkiem grzybobójczym jest protiokonazol.
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Mieszanina według zastrz. 2, w której środkiem grzybobójczym jest Związek I.
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Mieszanina według zastrz. 1, w której stosunek wagowy Związku o wzorze I-V do protiokonazolu mieści się w zakresie 1:10 do 10:1.
5
Mieszanina według zastrz. 1, w której stosunek wagowy Związku o wzorze I-V do prochlorazu mieści się w zakresie 1:10 and 10:1.
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Kompozycja grzybobójcza zawierająca grzybobójczo skuteczną ilość mieszaniny grzybobójczej określonej w zastrzeżeniu 1 i rolniczo dopuszczalny adiuwant lub nośnik.
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Zastosowanie mieszaniny lub kompozycji określonej w dowolnym spośród poprzednich zastrzeżeń do zwalczania grzybów, które zakażają uprawy roślin.
8
Zastosowanie według zastrz. 7, w którym grzyby należą do klas Ascomycetes i Basidiomycetes.
9
Zastosowanie według zastrz. 8, w którym grzyby są wybrane z grupy składającej się z rdzy brunatnej pszenicy (Puccinia recondita; PUCCRT); rdzy żółtej pszenicy (Puccinia striiformis; PUCCST); plamistości liści pszenicy (Mycosphaerella graminicola; anamorfa:Septoria tritici;SEPTTR);plamistości plew pszenicy (Leptosphaeria nodorum;LEPTNO;anamorfa:Stagonospora nodorum);plamistości jęczmienia (Cochliobolus sativum;COCHSA;anamorfa: Helminthosporium sativum);plamistości liści buraka cukrowego (Cercospora beticola;CERCBE);brązowej plamistości orzecha ziemnego (Mycosphaerella arachidis;MYCOAR;anamorfa:Cercospora arachidicola);antraknozy ogórka (Glomerella lagenarium;anamorfa: Colletotrichum lagenarium;COLLLA) i czarnej plamistości liści banana (Mycosphaerella fijiensis;MYCOFI). EP-2485592B1PL
10
Zastosowanie według zastrz. 7, w którym kompozycję stosuje się w nanoszonej ilości wynoszącej 65 gram na hektar (g/ha) do 2,300 g/ha, w przeliczeniu na całkowitą ilość składników aktywnych w kompozycji.
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Zastosowanie według zastrz. 7, w którym protiokonazol nanosi się w ilości w zakresie 50 g/ha do 200 g/ha, a związek o wzorze I - V nanosi się w ilości w zakresie 35 g/ha do300 g/ha.
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Zastosowanie według zastrz. 7, w którym prochloraz nanosi się w ilości w zakresie 50 g/ha do450 g/ha, a związek o wzorze I - V nanosi się w ilości w zakresie 35 g/ha do 300 g/ha. EP-2485592B1PL ODNIESIENIA CYTOWANE W OPISIE Lista odnośników cytowanych przez zgłaszającego ma jedynie służyć wygodzie czytelnika. Nie stanowi ona części europejskiego dokumentu patentowego. Mimo że wyboru odnośników dokonano z wielką starannością, nie można wykluczyć błędów lub przeoczeń, a EUP nie bierze żadnej odpowiedzialności wtym względzie. Literatura niepatentowa cytowana w opisie • Synergistic Fungicidal Compositions of Heterocyclic Aromatic Amides and Triazoles. IP.COM, 20 July 2004 [0004] • The Pesticide Manuał. 2009 [0007] The Pesticide Manuał. 2006 [0008] COLBY, S. R. Calculation of the synergistic and antagonistic response of herbicide combinations. Weeds, 1967, vol. 15, 20-22 [0038]

Independent claims12

108 paragraphs in 4 sections, as filed

The present invention relates to a synergistic fungicidal composition comprising (a) a compound of the formula I, II, III, IV or V and (b) at least one fungicide selected from the group consisting of prothioconazole and prochloraz.

Background of the Invention [0002] Fungicides are compounds of natural or synthetic origin that serve to protect plants against damage caused by fungi. Current methods in agriculture rely heavily on the use of fungicides. In fact, some plants can not be grown for benefit without the use of fungicides. The use of fungicides allows the grower to increase the yield and quality of the crop, and thus increase the value of the crop. In most cases, the increase in the value of the crop is worth at least three times more than the cost of using a fungicide.

[0003] However, no fungicide is useful in all situations, and repeated use of one fungicide often leads to the development of naten resistance and related fungicides. Consequently, studies are carried out to produce fungicides and combinations of fungicides that are safer, have better results, require lower doses, are easier to use and which cost less.

[0004] Synergism occurs when the activity of two or more compounds exceeds the activity of these compounds used alone. Synergistic mixtures of picolinamides and a second compound selected from, among others, epoxiconazole, are described in an anonymous article entitled "Synergistic Fungicidal Compositions of Heterocyclic Aromatic Amides and Triazoles", published on IP.COM on July 20, 2004.

Summary of the Invention [0005] The object of the present invention is to provide a synergistic composition containing fungicidal compounds. A further object of the present invention is to provide methods in which these synergistic compositions are used. Synergistic compositions are capable of preventing or treating, or both, diseases caused by fungi of the Ascomycetes and Basidiomycetes classes. In addition, the synergistic compositions have improved efficacy against Ascomycete and Basidiomycete pathogens, including leaf blotch and brown wheat rust. According to the present invention, synergistic compositions are provided together with methods for their use.

Detailed Description of the Invention [0006] The present invention relates to a synergistic fungicide mixture comprising a fungicidally effective amount of (a) a compound of formula I, II, III, IV or V, and (b) at least one fungicide selected from the group consisting of prothioconazole and prochloraz .

EP-2485592B1PL

[0007] Prochloraz is the usual name for N-propyl-N- [2,4,6-trichlorophenoxy] ethyl] imidazole-1-carboxamide. Its fungicidal activity is described in The Pesticide Manual, fifteenth edition, 2009.

Prochloraz provides for the control of a wide range of pathogens at application rates ranging from 400 to 600 g ai / ha.

[0008] Prothioconazole is the usual term 2- [2- (1-chlorocyclopropyl) -3- (2-chlorophenyl) -2-hydroxypropyl] -1,2-dihydro-3H-1,2,4-triazol-3-thione. Its fungicidal activity is described in The Pesticide Manual, 14th edition, 2006. Prothioconazole is used to combat diseases such as cereal breakage, ear fusariosis, leaf blotch, rust and powdery mildew by foliar application on wheat, barley and other cereals.

[0009] In the composition of the present invention, the weight ratio of compounds of Formula IV to prothioconazole wherein the fungicidal effect is synergistic is between about 1:10 to about 10: 1.

[0010] The weight ratio of compounds of formula IV to prochlorase, wherein the fungicidal effect is synergistic, ranges between about 1:10 to about 10: 1.

[0011] The rate at which the synergistic composition is applied will depend on the particular type of fungus to be controlled, the degree of control required and the time and manner of application. In general, the composition of the invention can be used in an application rate ranging from about 65 grams per hectare (g / ha) and about 2300 g / ha based on the total amount of active ingredients in the composition. Prothioconazole is used in an amount in the range of about 50 g / ha and about 200 g / ha, and the compound of formula IV is used in an amount in the range of about 35 g / ha and about 300 g / ha. Prochloraz is used in the range of about 50 g / ha and about 450 g / ha, and the compound of formula IV is used in an amount in the range of about 35 g / ha and about 300 g / ha.

[0012] The components of the synergistic mixture according to the invention can be used alone or as part of a multipart fungicidal system.

[0013] The synergistic mixture of the present disclosure may also be used in combination with other fungicides to combat a wider range of undesirable diseases. When used in combination with another fungicide (s), the currently claimed compounds can be formulated with another fungicidal agent (s), mixed in a container with another (-i) fungicide (s) or apply sequentially with other (s) fungicide (s). Such other fungicides may include 2- (thiocyanomethylthio) -benzothiazole, 2-phenylphenol, 8-hydroxyquinoline sulphate, ametoctradine, amisulbrom, antimycin, Ampelomyces quisqualis, azaconazole, azoxystrobin, Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus subtilis strain QST713, benalaxyl, benomyl, benthiavalicarb-isopropyl, benzylamino-benzene sulphonate salt (BABS),

4- (2-nitroprop-1-enyl) phenylthiocyanate, ampropylphos, anilazin, azirram, barium polysulfide, Bayer 32394, benodanil, benchinox, bentaluron, benzamacryl; benzamacryl-isobutyl, benzamorph, binapacryl, bis (methylmercury) sulfate, bis (tributyltin) oxide, butiobate, cadmium sulfate, chromium, copper, zinc, carbamorph, CECA, chlobentiazon, chloraniformetane, chlorfenazole, chlorquinone, klimbazole, bis (3 -fenylosalicylate) copper, zinc copper chromate, cufraneb, hydrazinium copper sulfate, carmine, cyclulifamide, cypendazole, cyprofuram, decafentin, dichlon, dichlozoline, diclobutrazol, dimethirimol, dinocton, dinosulfone, dinoterbon, dipyrifino, ditalimphos, dodicin, drazoxolone, EBP, ESBP , etakonazol, etem, etirim, fenaminosulf, fenapanil, fenitropane, fluotrimazol, furkarbanil, furkonazol, furkonazol-cis, furmecyclox, furofanat, gliodin, griseofulvin, halacinate, Hercules 3944, hexylthiophos, ICIA0858, isophamophos, isovaledione, mebenyl, mecarbinid, metazoxolone, metfuroxam, methyl methyl dicyandiamide, metsulfakaks, milneb, mucochloric acid anhydride, myklozolin, N-3,5-dichlorophenyl-amide, N-3- nitrophenyl-itacononimide, natamycin, N-ethylmercaptan-4-toluenesulfonanilide, nickel bis (dimethyl dithiocarbamate), OCH, phenylmercurrent dimethyldithiocarbamate, phenylmercuric nitrate, phosphodifl, prothiocarb; prothiocarb hydrochloride, piracarbolid, pyridinitrile, piroxychlor, piroxifur, quinacetol; quinacetol sulfate, quinazamide, quinconazole, rabenzazole, salicylanilide, SSF-109, sultropene, tekoram, tiadifluor, ticaphene, thioflorfenphim, thiophanate, thiocinox, thioximide, triamiphos, triarimol, triazobutil, trichlamide, urbacid, zarilamid, and any combinations thereof. Hercules 3944, hexylthophos, ICIA0858, isophamfos, isovaledione, mebenyl, mecarbinid, metazoxolone, metfuroxam, methyl methyl dicyandiamide, metsulfakaks, milneb, mucochloric acid anhydride, myclozolin, N-3,5-dichlorophenyl-amberamide, N-3-nitrophenyl-itacononimide, natamycin, N-ethylmercio-4-toluenesulfonanilide, nickel bis (dimethyl dithiocarbamate), OCH, phenylmercurrent dimethyldithiocarbamate, phenylmercuric nitrate, fosfifen, prothiocarb; prothiocarb hydrochloride, piracarbolid, pyridinitrile, piroxychlor, piroxifur, quinacetol; quinacetol sulfate, quinazamide, quinconazole, rabenzazole, salicylanilide, SSF-109, sultropene, tekoram, tiadifluor, ticaphene, thioflorfenphim, thiophanate, thiocinox, thioximide, triamiphos, triarimol, triazobutil, trichlamide, urbacid, zarilamid, and any combinations thereof. Hercules 3944, hexylthophos, ICIA0858, isophamfos, isovaledione, mebenyl, mecarbinid, metazoxolone, metfuroxam, methyl methyl dicyandiamide, metsulfakaks, milneb, mucochloric acid anhydride, myclozolin, N-3,5-dichlorophenyl-amberamide, N-3-nitrophenyl-itacononimide, natamycin, N-ethylmercio-4-toluenesulfonanilide, nickel bis (dimethyl dithiocarbamate), OCH, phenylmercurrent dimethyldithiocarbamate, phenylmercuric nitrate, fosfifen, prothiocarb; prothiocarb hydrochloride, piracarbolid, pyridinitrile, piroxychlor, piroxifur, quinacetol; quinacetol sulfate, quinazamide, quinconazole, rabenzazole, salicylanilide, SSF-109, sultropene, tekoram, tiadifluor, ticaphene, thioflorfenphim, thiophanate, thiocinox, thioximide, triamiphos, triarimol, triazobutil, trichlamide, urbacid, zarilamid, and any combinations thereof. mecarbinid, metazoxolone, metfuroxam, methylene dicyandiamide, metsulfakaks, milneb, mucochloric acid anhydride, myclozolin, N-3,5-dichlorophenyl-amberamide, N-3-nitrophenyl-itacononimide, natamycin, N-ethylmercaptan-4-toluenesulfonanilide, bis (dimethyldithio-carbamate ) nickel, OCH, phenylmercury dimethyldithiocarbamate, phenylmercuric nitrate, fosfifen, prothiocarb; prothiocarb hydrochloride, piracarbolid, pyridinitrile, piroxychlor, piroxifur, quinacetol; quinacetol sulfate, quinazamide, quinconazole, rabenzazole, salicylanilide, SSF-109, sultropene, tekoram, tiadifluor, ticaphene, thioflorfenphim, thiophanate, thiocinox, thioximide, triamiphos, triarimol, triazobutil, trichlamide, urbacid, zarilamid, and any combinations thereof. mecarbinid, metazoxolone, metfuroxam, methylene dicyandiamide, metsulfakaks, milneb, mucochloric acid anhydride, myclozolin, N-3,5-dichlorophenyl-amberamide, N-3-nitrophenyl-itacononimide, natamycin, N-ethylmercaptan-4-toluenesulfonanilide, bis (dimethyldithio-carbamate ) nickel, OCH, phenylmercury dimethyldithiocarbamate, phenylmercuric nitrate, fosfifen, prothiocarb; prothiocarb hydrochloride, piracarbolid, pyridinitrile, piroxychlor, piroxifur, quinacetol; quinacetol sulfate, quinazamide, quinconazole, rabenzazole, salicylanilide, SSF-109, sultropene, tekoram, tiadifluor, ticaphene, thioflorfenphim, thiophanate, thiocinox, thioximide, triamiphos, triarimol, triazobutil, trichlamide, urbacid, zarilamid, and any combinations thereof. N-3,5-dichlorophenyl-amberamide, N-3-nitrophenyl-itacononimide, natamycin, N-ethylmercapto-4-toluenesulfonanilide, nickel bis (dimethyl dithiocarbamate), OCH, phenylmercurrent dimethyldithiocarbamate, phenylmercuric nitrate, fosfifen, prothiocarb; prothiocarb hydrochloride, piracarbolid, pyridinitrile, piroxychlor, piroxifur, quinacetol; quinacetol sulfate, quinazamide, quinconazole, rabenzazole, salicylanilide, SSF-109, sultropene, tekoram, tiadifluor, ticaphene, thioflorfenphim, thiophanate, thiocinox, thioximide, triamiphos, triarimol, triazobutil, trichlamide, urbacid, zarilamid, and any combinations thereof. N-3,5-dichlorophenyl-amberamide, N-3-nitrophenyl-itacononimide, natamycin, N-ethylmercapto-4-toluenesulfonanilide, nickel bis (dimethyl dithiocarbamate), OCH, phenylmercurrent dimethyldithiocarbamate, phenylmercuric nitrate, fosfifen, prothiocarb; prothiocarb hydrochloride, piracarbolid, pyridinitrile, piroxychlor, piroxifur, quinacetol; quinacetol sulfate, quinazamide, quinconazole, rabenzazole, salicylanilide, SSF-109, sultropene, tekoram, tiadifluor, ticaphene, thioflorfenphim, thiophanate, thiocinox, thioximide, triamiphos, triarimol, triazobutil, trichlamide, urbacid, zarilamid, and any combinations thereof. piracarbolid, pyridinitrile, piroxychlor, piroxifur, quinacetol; quinacetol sulfate, quinazamide, quinconazole, rabenzazole, salicylanilide, SSF-109, sultropene, tekoram, tiadifluor, ticaphene, thioflorfenphim, thiophanate, thiocinox, thioximide, triamiphos, triarimol, triazobutil, trichlamide, urbacid, zarilamid, and any combinations thereof. piracarbolid, pyridinitrile, piroxychlor, piroxifur, quinacetol; quinacetol sulfate, quinazamide, quinconazole, rabenzazole, salicylanilide, SSF-109, sultropene, tekoram, tiadifluor, ticaphene, thioflorfenphim, thiophanate, thiocinox, thioximide, triamiphos, triarimol, triazobutil, trichlamide, urbacid, zarilamid, and any combinations thereof.

[0014] The compositions of the present invention are preferably used in the form of a formulation comprising composition (a) of the compound of formula I (b) at least one fungicide selected from the group consisting of prothioconazole and prochloraz together with a phytologically acceptable carrier.

[0015] The concentrated application formulations may be dispersed in water or other liquid or the formulations may be dust-like or granulated, and such formulations can be applied without further processing. The formulations are prepared according to procedures which are conventional in the field of agricultural chemistry, but which are new and important due to the synergistic composition present in them.

[0016] The formulations that are most commonly used are aqueous suspensions or emulsions. Water-soluble, water-dispersible or emulsifiable formulations are particulate substances, usually known as wettable powders, or liquids, usually known as emulsifiable concentrates, aqueous suspensions or suspension concentrates. The present invention includes all carriers with which synergistic compositions can be formulated for delivery and use as a fungicide.

[0017] As can be easily seen, any substance to which synergistic compositions can be added, provided that they provide the desired utility without significantly interfering with the activity of these synergistic compositions as antifungal agents.

[0018] Wettable powders that can be compacted to form water-dispersible granules comprise an exact mixture of a synergistic composition, a carrier and agriculturally acceptable surfactants. The concentration of the synergistic composition in the wettable powder is typically from about 10% to about 90% by weight, more preferably from about 25% to about 75% by weight, based on the total weight of the formulation. In the preparation of wet powder formulations, the synergistic composition may be mixed with any of the finely divided solids such as propylite, talc, chalk, gypsum, Fuller's earth, bentonite, attapulgite, starch, casein, gluten, montmorillonite clays, diatomaceous earths, purified silicates or the like. In such operations, the finely divided carrier has been mixed or mixed with a synergistic composition in a volatile organic solvent. Effective surfactants, from about 0.5% to about 10% by weight of a wettable powder, include sulfonated lignins, naphthalenesulfonates, alkylbenzenesulfonates, alkyl sulfates and nonionic surfactants, such as ethylene oxide and alkylphenol adducts.

[0019] The emulsifiable concentrates of the synergistic composition contain a suitable concentration of compounds, such as from about 10% to about 50% by weight, in a suitable liquid, based on the total weight of the emulsifiable concentrate formulation. The components of the synergistic composition, together or separately, are dissolved in an inert carrier which is a water-miscible solvent or is a mixture of water-immiscible organic solvents and emulsifiers. For the preparation of spray mixtures in the form of oil-in-water emulsions, the concentrates can be diluted in water and oil. Useful organic solvents include aromatic solvents, especially high boiling naphthalene and olefinic crude oil batches, such as heavy aromatic naphtha. Other organic solvents such as, e.g.

[0020] Emulsifiers that can be advantageously employed in the present invention can be readily determined by one skilled in the art and include various nonionic, anionic, cationic and amphoteric emulsifiers or blends of two or more emulsifiers. Examples of non-ionic emulsifiers useful in the preparation of emulsifiable concentrates include alkylene glycol polyols and condensation products of alkyl and arylphenols, aliphatic alcohols, aliphatic amines or fatty acids with ethylene oxide, propylene oxides, such as ethoxylated alkylphenols and carboxylated esters solubilized with a polyol or polyoxyalkylene. Cationic emulsifiers include quaternary ammonium compounds of fatty amines. Anionic emulsifiers include oil-soluble salts (e.g., calcium) of alkylaryl sulfonic acids,

[0021] Representative organic liquids that can be used to prepare the emulsifiable concentrates of the present invention are aromatic liquids, such as xylene, propyl benzene fractions, or mixed naphthalene fractions, mineral oils, substituted aromatic organic liquids, such as dioctyl phthalate; kerozsn; dialkylamides of various fatty acids, in particular fatty alcohol glycol dimethylamides and glycol derivatives, such as n-butyl ether, ethyl ether or diethylene glycol methyl ether and triethylene glycol methyl ether. For the preparation of emulsifiable concentrates, mixtures of two or more organic liquids are also often suitably used. Preferred Cie5

The xylenes and propyl benzene fractions are the organic phases, with xylene being the most preferred. In liquid formulations, surface active dispersants are usually employed in an amount of from 0.1 to 20 percent by weight of the total weight of the dispersing agent with the isomeric compositions. The formulations may also contain other compatible additives, for example plant growth regulators and other biologically active compounds used in agriculture.

[0022] Aqueous suspensions include suspensions of one or more water insoluble compounds dispersed in an aqueous carrier at a concentration ranging from about 5% to about 70% by weight based on the total weight of the aqueous slurry. The suspensions are prepared by finely refining the components of the synergistic combination together or separately and vigorously mixing the ground substance in a carrier consisting of water and surfactants selected from the same types as discussed above. Other ingredients such as inorganic salts and synthetic or natural gums may also be added to increase the density and viscosity of the aqueous vehicle. It is often most effective to grind and mix at the same time by preparing an aqueous mixture and homogenizing it in a device such as a sand mill,

[0023] The synergistic composition can also be used as a granular formulation that is particularly useful for application to soil. Granular formulations typically contain from about 0.5% to about 10% by weight of the compounds based on the total weight of the granular formulation dispersed in the vehicle, which consists entirely or in large part of coarsely ground attapulgite, bentonite, diatomite, clay or similar inexpensive substance . Such formulations are typically prepared by dissolving the synergistic composition in a suitable solvent and applying it to a granular carrier that has been preformed to a suitable particle size in the range of about 0.5 to about 3 mm. Such formulations can also be prepared by preparing a dough or paste from a carrier and a synergistic composition,

[0024] Dusts containing a synergistic composition can be produced simply by uniformly mixing the synergistic composition in a powdered form with a suitable powdery agricultural support, such as, for example, kaolin clay, crushed volcanic rock, and the like. The dusts may suitably contain from about 1% to about 10% by weight of the combination of the synergistic composition / carrier.

[0025] The formulations may contain agriculturally acceptable adjuvants surfactants to enhance the deposition, wetting and penetration of the synergistic composition in the target crop or organism. Such adjuvant surfactants can optionally be used as a component of the formulation or as a tank mixture. The amount of adjuvant surfactant will range from 0.01 to 1.0 percent volume / volume (v / v) based on the spray volume of water, preferably 0.05 to 0.5 percent. Suitable adjuvant surfactants include, but are not limited to, ethoxylated nonylphenols, ethoxylated synthetic or natural alcohols, salts of esters or sulfosuccinic acids, ethoxylated organosilicon compounds,

[0026] The formulations may optionally comprise combinations that comprise at least 1 wt% of one or more synergistic compositions with another pesticidal compound. Such additional pesticidal compounds may be fungicides, insecticides, acaricides, nematocides6

Combustion, bactericidal, arthropodicidal agents or combinations thereof, which are compatible with the synergistic compositions of the present invention in the medium of choice for use and non-antagonistic to the activity of the present compounds. Accordingly, in such embodiments of the invention, the other pesticidal compound is used as a complementary substance toxic for the same or another pesticidal use. The pesticidal compound and the synergistic composition can generally be mixed together in a weight ratio of from 1: 100 to 100: 1.

[0027] The present invention includes within its scope methods for combating or preventing fungal attack. The methods include applying to the location of the fungus or to the place where the invasion of the fungus is to be prevented (for example, applying to wheat or barley plants), a fungicidally effective amount of the synergistic composition. The synergistic composition is suitable for treating various plants in fungicidal amounts and at the same time has low phytotoxicity. The synergistic composition may be useful in either a protective or debilitating mode. The synergistic composition is used by any of various known techniques, as a synergistic composition or as a formulation comprising a synergistic composition. For example, a synergistic composition can be applied to the roots, seeds or foliage of plants to control various fungi without destroying the commercial value of the plants. The synergistic composition is used in the form of any of the generally used formulation types, e.g. as solutions, dusts, wettable powders, liquid concentrates or emulsifiable concentrates. These substances are preferably used in many different known ways.

[0028] It has been found that the synergistic composition has a significant fungicidal activity, in particular in agricultural applications. The synergistic composition is particularly useful for use in agricultural and horticultural crops or for wood, paint, leather or carpet foundations.

[0029] In particular, the synergistic composition is effective in combating various undesirable fungi that infect crops of useful plants. The synergistic composition can be used for a wide variety of Ascomyceteand Basidiomycete fungi, including, for example, the following representative fungal species: wheat brown rust (Puccinia recondita, Bayer's code PUCCRT); yellow wheat rust (Puccinia striiformis; Bayer's code PUCCST); wheat leaf blotch (Mycosphaerella graminicola; anamorph: Septoria tritici; Bayer's code SEPTTR); wheat chaff spotting (Leptosphaeria nodorum; Bayer's code

LEPTNO; anamorph: Stagonospora nodorum); spotspecies (Cochliobolus sativum, Bayer's code

Cochs; anamorph: Helminthosporium sativum); spotty of sugar beet (Cercospora beticola;

Bayer CERCBE); brown peanut (Mycosphaerella arachidis; Bayer's code MYCOAR; anamorph: Cercospora arachidicola); cucumber anthracnose (Glomerella lagenarium; anamorph: Colletotrichum lagenarium; Bayer's code COLLLA) and black spot of banana leaves (Mycosphaerella fijiensis; Bayer's code MYCOFI). It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the efficacy of a synergistic composition against one or more of the aforementioned fungi demonstrates the general utility of synergistic compositions as fungicides.

[0030] The synergistic composition has a wide efficacy range as a fungicide. The exact amount of synergistic composition to be used depends not only on the relative amounts of ingredients, but also on the particular desired effect, the fungal species that can be combated and the stage of their development, as well as parts of the plant or other product that is to be contacted with the synergistic composition . And for 7

In addition, formulations containing a synergistic composition may not be as effective at similar concentrations or against the same fungal species.

[0031] The synergistic composition is effective when used with plants in an amount that inhibits the disease and phytologically acceptable. The term "disease inhibiting amount and phytologically acceptable" refers to that amount of a compound that kills or inhibits a plant disease that is desirable but is not significantly toxic to the plant. The exact required concentration of the synergistic composition varies depending on the fungal disease to be controlled, the type of formulation used, the method of application, the individual plant species, climatic conditions, and the like. The present compositions can be applied to the fungus or the locus thereof by applying conventional earth sprayers, granulate applicators and other conventional means known to those skilled in the art.

[0033] The following examples are presented to further illustrate the invention.

Examples

Evaluation of the therapeutic and protective activity of fungicidal mixtures against leaf blotch (Mycosphaerella graminicola; anamorph: Septoria tritici; Bayer code: SEPTTR) [0034] Wheat plants (Yuma variety) were grown from seed in a greenhouse in plastic pots with a surface area of 27.5 square centimeters containing 50% mineral soil / 50% soilless mixture Metro mix with 8-12 seedlings per pot. Plants used for testing when the first leaf has fully developed, which usually lasted 7 to 8 days after planting. Test plants were inoculated with an aqueous spore suspension of Septoria critici 3 days before (3-day treatment test) or after 1 day of fungicidal treatment (1-day protection test). After inoculation, the plants were maintained under conditions of 100% relative humidity (one day in a dark orifice chamber, and then two to three days in a lighted orifice chamber) to allow germinating of the spores and leaf infection. The plants were then transferred to the greenhouse to develop the disease.

Evaluation of the therapeutic activity of fungicidal mixtures vs. wheat brown rust (Puccinia recondita; Bayer code: PUCCRT) [0035] Yuma wheat seedlings grown as described above were inoculated with an aqueous suspension of Puccinia recondita spores 3 days before or 1 day after fungicidal treatment. After inoculation, the plants were maintained at 100% relative humidity for 24 hours in a dark tubed chamber to allow germinating of the spores and leaf infection. The plants were then transferred to the greenhouse to develop the disease.

[0036] Treatments consisted of fungicidal compounds I, II, III, IV, V, prothioconazole and prochloraz, used singly or as binary mixtures with compounds IV. The technical purity grades of the materials were dissolved in acetone to form stock solutions, which were then used to make dilutions in acetone, for each individual fungicide component or binary mixture. The desired proportions of fungicide were obtained after mixing the dilutions with 9 volumes of water containing 110 parts per million (ppm) Triton X-100. Twenty-mL (ml) solutions of fungicide were applied to 12 pots with plants using an automated spray chamber, in which two spray jets 6218-1 / 4 JAUPM operating at 20 pounds per square inch (psi) are used at opposite angles to cover both leaf surfaces. All sprayed

The plants were allowed to dry before further treatment. The control plants were sprayed in the same manner in a blank solvent test.

[0037] When the disease developed fully on the control plants, the infection levels were visually assessed on the treated plants and were rated on a scale of 0 to 100 percent. The percentage of disease control was then calculated using the disease ratio of the treated plants compared to the control plants.

[0038] The Colby equation was used to determine the fungicidal effect expected from the mixtures. (See Colby, SR Calculation of the synergistic and antagonistic response of herbicide combinations. Weeds 1967, 15, 20-22.) The following equation was used to calculate the expected activity of mixtures containing two active ingredients, A and B:

Expected = A + B - (A x B / 100)

A = observed efficacy of active ingredient A in the same concentration as used in the mixture;

B = observed efficacy of active ingredient B in the same concentration as used in the mixture.

[0040] Representative synergistic interactions are shown in the following Tables 1-12. Obs. % DC = Percentage of disease control observed. % DC = Expected percentage of disease control

Coefficient of synergism = Obs. % DC / Mesh. % DC

Table 1: Synergistic effects of Compound I and other fungicides in 3-day treatment trials (3DC) Septoria tritici (SEPTTR)